Time for peppermint ice cream!
My family loves the combination of peppermint ice cream with homemade hot fudge. We love it so much that I have decided to share it with you. Please make it as soon as you can and eat it all up!!
Homemade Hot Fudge - By Aimee Sue
1 c. mini marshmallows (large are fine, but take longer to melt)
1 1/2 - 2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 T. butter
2 T. milk or cream
1 tsp. vanilla (optional)
Combine all ingredients to a microwave safe dish. Microwave for 1 minute, remove and stir. Microwave again for 30 seconds and stir. Continue microwaving for 30 second intervals until chocolate and marshmallows are fully melted. Should only take about 2-3 minutes. If you are using vanilla, add it now! Serve over peppermint ice cream (or any kind of ice cream for that matter).
Alternate instructions: Combine ingredients in a double boiler and melt over medium heat until combined, stirring frequently.
Notes: I usually eyeball the recipe, sometimes adding more marshmallows and sometimes more cream or butter to get a different consistency. I like about 1.5 cups or marshmallows and 2 cups chocolate.
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
The Dating Game
When I say I do not need a mere man to be complete, I'm not being a feminist. I'm being honest...
Genesis 2:18-25 says:
Dating.
Courting.
Arranged marriages.
Friends setting friends up.
Long distance relationships.
Long time friends.
Girl-next-door.
Old.
Young.
Family friend.
Classmates.
Work friends.
Online dating sites.
Guy/girl you've never met but have had a "crush" on since the first time you saw them. (Think While You Were Sleeping kind of think here, folks.)
World, there is more than one way to skin a horse. Err... meet and marry your husband or wife.
Not only do people use different words to refer to the same thing, but they use the same word to refer to different things. See? It works both ways. 1+1=2, that's very true, but there is no formula for the perfect relationship, romantically or just as friends. People will always read into things, take things the wrong way, expect more, give less, and just make mistakes. Dating or courting, it's just a means to an end.
I looked up "date" in the Merriam-Webster dictionary and it's a fruit people. A FRUIT.
I also looked up court, and wow, it's a place where legal cases are heard. Big surprise.
But seriously folks... For the sake of this discussion, these were the fitting definitions.
Date, noun 4a: an appointment to meet at a specific time; especially: a social engagement between two persons that often has a romantic character.
Date, verb: to do an activity with someone you have might have a romantic relationship with : to go on a date or several dates with (someone)
Court, noun 5: conduct or attention intended to win favor or dispel hostility
Court, transitive verb 2a: to seek the affections of; especially: to seek to win a pledge of marriage from
Court, intransitive verb 1: to engage in social activities leading to engagement and marriage
Guys, from what I'm seeing, they have VERY similar meanings. Date seems to mean doing activities with someone that you find interesting and could be romantically involved with at some point. To court seems to mean seeking to win favor and or doing activities with someone that you could be romantically involved with at some point.
If I'm going to be totally honest, the biggest difference seems to be connotation. In my experience, I have tended to stay away from the word date because I see dating as people just hanging out with no serious intent or future vision. You know, people date because they like the company of someone of the opposite gender, but don't want to be "tied down" by a ring and some vows. Courting on the other hand is serious. Both parties go into this relationship with serious future goals and are set upon marriage as the purpose. But lets be real here folks; just because you don't have marriage as the end goal does not mean it is not going to happen, and just because you do have it as an end goal does not mean it IS going to happen.
I think I've made my point. Oddly enough though, that point is not the point I was planning on making in this post, so let's get going with the point I started off wanting to make...
Genesis 2:18 says "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for man to be alone. I will make his a helper fit for him.'"
1 Corinthians 7:6-7 says "Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of the other."
These verses seem to say different things. From my understanding Paul is saying that some people are blessed with the ability of remaining single and serving the Lord through their singleness. He was an amazing man who served the Lord without being married, and God blessed him. If you are single you can serve God in your singleness, perhaps more than you will be able to serve Him as a married person.
Again in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 Paul states;
If I do not serve the Lord while single, who am I to think I will be better able to serve the Lord once I am married. Being married isn't going to change me in the way I might think. I'm still going to be a sinner saved by grace. It is going to sanctify me, of course, but it is not going to make serving easier, it is going to make it harder.
If I am not satisfied in the lot of being unmarried, why try to trick myself into thinking I will be satisfied once I get married? There will always be things to be dissatisfied about: more time with friends, more time with my husband, more time alone, a bigger house, a nicer neighborhood, having kids "too soon", not having kids soon enough. What more will I "need"?
I want to be satisfied in my Savior. I am convinced that if I am not satisfied in Christ, I will not be satisfied by a sinful man.
I am and purpose to be happy being single. If God has it in His plan for me to marry someone, that's wonderful. If God does not have it in His plan for me to marry someone soon or ever, that's wonderful too. I should not and will not rest my happiness on marriage, but rather I will rest my happiness upon serving the Lord in the big and little things. He is my Bridegroom and I am His bride.
One more thing. Speaking from the side of my heart that says, "You aren't ready to be married. You aren't ready to serve. You aren't ready for that job or that friendship or that adventure." To quote Lemony Snicket, "If we wait until we are ready, we will be waiting for the rest of our lives." Step out on faith. Serve where you are, married or unmarried. Don't think you can wait for everything or anything to be perfect. You won't know when you get to that point and you might never make it there. Just do something.
So, when I say I do not need a mere man to be complete, I'm not being a feminist. I'm being honest, for I am complete in Christ.
"For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority." Colossians 2:9-10
P.S. I recently shared this article about "The 'D' Word" on my Facebook page. I started this post as a way to go deeper into what I thought about her post, but it morphed into what you have just read.
Genesis 2:18-25 says:
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.” 19 Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name.20 The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. 21 So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh.22 And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. 23 Then the man said,“This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.”
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. 25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
Dating.
Courting.
Arranged marriages.
Friends setting friends up.
Long distance relationships.
Long time friends.
Girl-next-door.
Old.
Young.
Family friend.
Classmates.
Work friends.
Online dating sites.
Guy/girl you've never met but have had a "crush" on since the first time you saw them. (Think While You Were Sleeping kind of think here, folks.)
World, there is more than one way to skin a horse. Err... meet and marry your husband or wife.
Not only do people use different words to refer to the same thing, but they use the same word to refer to different things. See? It works both ways. 1+1=2, that's very true, but there is no formula for the perfect relationship, romantically or just as friends. People will always read into things, take things the wrong way, expect more, give less, and just make mistakes. Dating or courting, it's just a means to an end.
I looked up "date" in the Merriam-Webster dictionary and it's a fruit people. A FRUIT.
I also looked up court, and wow, it's a place where legal cases are heard. Big surprise.
But seriously folks... For the sake of this discussion, these were the fitting definitions.
Date, noun 4a: an appointment to meet at a specific time; especially: a social engagement between two persons that often has a romantic character.
Date, verb: to do an activity with someone you have might have a romantic relationship with : to go on a date or several dates with (someone)
Court, noun 5: conduct or attention intended to win favor or dispel hostility
Court, transitive verb 2a: to seek the affections of; especially: to seek to win a pledge of marriage from
Court, intransitive verb 1: to engage in social activities leading to engagement and marriage
Guys, from what I'm seeing, they have VERY similar meanings. Date seems to mean doing activities with someone that you find interesting and could be romantically involved with at some point. To court seems to mean seeking to win favor and or doing activities with someone that you could be romantically involved with at some point.
If I'm going to be totally honest, the biggest difference seems to be connotation. In my experience, I have tended to stay away from the word date because I see dating as people just hanging out with no serious intent or future vision. You know, people date because they like the company of someone of the opposite gender, but don't want to be "tied down" by a ring and some vows. Courting on the other hand is serious. Both parties go into this relationship with serious future goals and are set upon marriage as the purpose. But lets be real here folks; just because you don't have marriage as the end goal does not mean it is not going to happen, and just because you do have it as an end goal does not mean it IS going to happen.
I think I've made my point. Oddly enough though, that point is not the point I was planning on making in this post, so let's get going with the point I started off wanting to make...
Genesis 2:18 says "Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for man to be alone. I will make his a helper fit for him.'"
1 Corinthians 7:6-7 says "Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of the other."
These verses seem to say different things. From my understanding Paul is saying that some people are blessed with the ability of remaining single and serving the Lord through their singleness. He was an amazing man who served the Lord without being married, and God blessed him. If you are single you can serve God in your singleness, perhaps more than you will be able to serve Him as a married person.
Again in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 Paul states;
"I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord."
If I do not serve the Lord while single, who am I to think I will be better able to serve the Lord once I am married. Being married isn't going to change me in the way I might think. I'm still going to be a sinner saved by grace. It is going to sanctify me, of course, but it is not going to make serving easier, it is going to make it harder.
If I am not satisfied in the lot of being unmarried, why try to trick myself into thinking I will be satisfied once I get married? There will always be things to be dissatisfied about: more time with friends, more time with my husband, more time alone, a bigger house, a nicer neighborhood, having kids "too soon", not having kids soon enough. What more will I "need"?
I want to be satisfied in my Savior. I am convinced that if I am not satisfied in Christ, I will not be satisfied by a sinful man.
I am and purpose to be happy being single. If God has it in His plan for me to marry someone, that's wonderful. If God does not have it in His plan for me to marry someone soon or ever, that's wonderful too. I should not and will not rest my happiness on marriage, but rather I will rest my happiness upon serving the Lord in the big and little things. He is my Bridegroom and I am His bride.
One more thing. Speaking from the side of my heart that says, "You aren't ready to be married. You aren't ready to serve. You aren't ready for that job or that friendship or that adventure." To quote Lemony Snicket, "If we wait until we are ready, we will be waiting for the rest of our lives." Step out on faith. Serve where you are, married or unmarried. Don't think you can wait for everything or anything to be perfect. You won't know when you get to that point and you might never make it there. Just do something.
So, when I say I do not need a mere man to be complete, I'm not being a feminist. I'm being honest, for I am complete in Christ.
"For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority." Colossians 2:9-10
P.S. I recently shared this article about "The 'D' Word" on my Facebook page. I started this post as a way to go deeper into what I thought about her post, but it morphed into what you have just read.
Monday, October 19, 2015
Gratitude for Today
Nothing extraordinary happened today.
Nothing very much out of the ordinary happened today.
Nothing new and different happened today.
Yet I am grateful for the day I had.
Gratuity:
1. Grilled cheese with basil butter
2. Cleanliness
3. A broom and dustpan
4. An internet connection
5. Gardens and dirt and life and growing
6. Colors; purple, teal and red specifically
7. Soap to make and clean and smell good
Not much interesting, but all life.
My friend, find joy in the everyday.
Nothing very much out of the ordinary happened today.
Nothing new and different happened today.
Yet I am grateful for the day I had.
Gratuity:
1. Grilled cheese with basil butter
2. Cleanliness
3. A broom and dustpan
4. An internet connection
5. Gardens and dirt and life and growing
6. Colors; purple, teal and red specifically
7. Soap to make and clean and smell good
Not much interesting, but all life.
My friend, find joy in the everyday.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
When Life Gives You Egg Yolks...
Make Lemon Curd!
Seriously folks, that stuff is amazing. It's relatively quick and easy to make, and you can make all sorts of things a little more fancy with your efforts!
My mom and I are catering a wedding and I am making the cake. I spent all day yesterday making layer upon layer of white cake. In order for the cake to be white instead of a yellow color one must use only the whites of the eggs rather than a whole egg. After making 11 layers and 17 cake mixes (don't worry, it doesn't even taste like it came from a box...) worth of cakes I had 68 egg yolks to use in something else.
Here is where I wish I was better about taking pictures of the projects I do. My mom is endlessly telling me I need to, but I am always so caught up in the process of making deliciousness happen that I don't take pictures! People, I need to buckle don't and snap some next time.
Anywho... my mom had the brilliant idea of making lemon curd! We don't have any fresh lemons in the house, so I used bottled lemon, but it turned out really well and it was actually worth the time and effort to end up with about 10 cups of lemon curd in the freezer. *happy face*
I had used the recipe from the America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book in the past to make lemon curd, but it also calls for whole eggs, and I didn't want to use even more eggs than I already had. I found an Alton Brown (I love almost all his stuff) recipe that only used yolks, but it used more sugar and butter than I wanted to use. So, I mixed the recipes together and came up with something I really liked. Now, I will share it with you.
Lemon Curd Yields 1-2 cups
1/2 c. Lemon Juice
2/3 c. White Sugar
Pinch of Salt
5 Egg Yolks
1/4 c. Cold Butter cut into 4 pieces (1/2 a stick)
In a sauce pan combine lemon juice, sugar and salt. Over medium heat bring to a simmer. While the mixture is heating up whisk the egg yolks until well combined and slightly lightened in color. Once the sugar has dissolved and the lemon mixture is simmering, carefully and slowly pour it into the egg yolks while whisking to temper the yolks. Once fully combined pour the egg mixture back into the pan and cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add the butter one piece at a time, whisking until it is melted. Carefully strain the curd to make sure there are no egg lumps and cover with plastic wrap against the surface until cool. Enjoy!
My Notes:
1. If using fresh lemons, zest them first and add zest in the first step.
2. I put my egg yolk bowl on a wet towel so I did not have to hold it while I whisked the hot mixture into the eggs.
3. If making more than one recipe, add 2-3 pieces or butter at one time.
Seriously folks, that stuff is amazing. It's relatively quick and easy to make, and you can make all sorts of things a little more fancy with your efforts!
My mom and I are catering a wedding and I am making the cake. I spent all day yesterday making layer upon layer of white cake. In order for the cake to be white instead of a yellow color one must use only the whites of the eggs rather than a whole egg. After making 11 layers and 17 cake mixes (don't worry, it doesn't even taste like it came from a box...) worth of cakes I had 68 egg yolks to use in something else.
Here is where I wish I was better about taking pictures of the projects I do. My mom is endlessly telling me I need to, but I am always so caught up in the process of making deliciousness happen that I don't take pictures! People, I need to buckle don't and snap some next time.
Anywho... my mom had the brilliant idea of making lemon curd! We don't have any fresh lemons in the house, so I used bottled lemon, but it turned out really well and it was actually worth the time and effort to end up with about 10 cups of lemon curd in the freezer. *happy face*
I had used the recipe from the America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book in the past to make lemon curd, but it also calls for whole eggs, and I didn't want to use even more eggs than I already had. I found an Alton Brown (I love almost all his stuff) recipe that only used yolks, but it used more sugar and butter than I wanted to use. So, I mixed the recipes together and came up with something I really liked. Now, I will share it with you.
Lemon Curd Yields 1-2 cups
1/2 c. Lemon Juice
2/3 c. White Sugar
Pinch of Salt
5 Egg Yolks
1/4 c. Cold Butter cut into 4 pieces (1/2 a stick)
In a sauce pan combine lemon juice, sugar and salt. Over medium heat bring to a simmer. While the mixture is heating up whisk the egg yolks until well combined and slightly lightened in color. Once the sugar has dissolved and the lemon mixture is simmering, carefully and slowly pour it into the egg yolks while whisking to temper the yolks. Once fully combined pour the egg mixture back into the pan and cook on medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add the butter one piece at a time, whisking until it is melted. Carefully strain the curd to make sure there are no egg lumps and cover with plastic wrap against the surface until cool. Enjoy!
My Notes:
1. If using fresh lemons, zest them first and add zest in the first step.
2. I put my egg yolk bowl on a wet towel so I did not have to hold it while I whisked the hot mixture into the eggs.
3. If making more than one recipe, add 2-3 pieces or butter at one time.
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
A Gust Of Fall Wind Blowing Cold
Happy Fall!
Summer, a time of heat, water, work and play.
Winter, a time of warmth, family, and celebration.
Spring, a time of new growth, green, and regeneration.
Fall, a time color, scents, and all things pumpkin and spice.
The first day of a new season. A change in the weather. Unpacking of mugs, drinking of chai tea, and coffee, and cocoa. Ah, this is one of my favorite seasons. The colors changing (not at my house of course, we mostly have blue oaks and evergreens and pine trees) and cool winds blowing through my window. True, the forecast for this week says highs in the 90's and lows in the high 60's, but the weather is changing!
Sometimes it's just the knowledge that fall has arrived and things are happening.
Today, to celebrate the first day or Fall I made pumpkin muffins with cream cheese filling. Wow. Fall in my mouth. I was especially pleased because I was able to use pumpkin that I had canned last winter! I also used apple sauce I had made and canned last year as a substitute for some of the oil in the recipe.
Thank you creators of Pinterest for making a way to collect and search recipes without having to go all over the internet. And thank you bloggers and cooks who put work into recipes and make them available online for people like me who want to bake but can't make up a recipe off the top of my head. You make my life less hungry. *grins*
The link to the recipe is below and my notes are as follows:
1. I used 3/4 c. apple sauce and 1/2 c. melted butter instead of oil.
2. I used Neufchatel cheese instead of cream cheese because it is what I had. Turned out nicely.
The recipe! Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins (Her's look way prettier than mine and on a side note, I'm going to work on my food photography skills....)
Summer, a time of heat, water, work and play.
Winter, a time of warmth, family, and celebration.
Spring, a time of new growth, green, and regeneration.
Fall, a time color, scents, and all things pumpkin and spice.
The first day of a new season. A change in the weather. Unpacking of mugs, drinking of chai tea, and coffee, and cocoa. Ah, this is one of my favorite seasons. The colors changing (not at my house of course, we mostly have blue oaks and evergreens and pine trees) and cool winds blowing through my window. True, the forecast for this week says highs in the 90's and lows in the high 60's, but the weather is changing!
Sometimes it's just the knowledge that fall has arrived and things are happening.
Today, to celebrate the first day or Fall I made pumpkin muffins with cream cheese filling. Wow. Fall in my mouth. I was especially pleased because I was able to use pumpkin that I had canned last winter! I also used apple sauce I had made and canned last year as a substitute for some of the oil in the recipe.
Thank you creators of Pinterest for making a way to collect and search recipes without having to go all over the internet. And thank you bloggers and cooks who put work into recipes and make them available online for people like me who want to bake but can't make up a recipe off the top of my head. You make my life less hungry. *grins*
The link to the recipe is below and my notes are as follows:
1. I used 3/4 c. apple sauce and 1/2 c. melted butter instead of oil.
2. I used Neufchatel cheese instead of cream cheese because it is what I had. Turned out nicely.
The recipe! Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins (Her's look way prettier than mine and on a side note, I'm going to work on my food photography skills....)
Friday, September 11, 2015
In Which the Authoress Learns to Count
- Count Your BlessingsBy Johnson Oatman Jr.
- When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,Count your many blessings, name them one by one,And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
- Refrain:Count your blessings, name them one by one,Count your blessings, see what God has done!Count your blessings, name them one by one,And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
- Are you ever burdened with a load of care?Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,And you will keep singing as the days go by.
- When you look at others with their lands and gold,Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;Count your many blessings—*money cannot buy [*wealth can never buy]Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.
- So, amid the conflict whether great or small,Do not be discouraged, God is over all;Count your many blessings, angels will attend,Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Listening to praise and worship music and this song came on. We used to sing it at the hymn sing we went to and I was instantly taken back. Back to a time when life was different. I thought for a bittersweet moment that life was better than, but almost instantly took it back. Life wasn't better, it was just different. Praise God for growth and change and life. This song, combined with reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, has inspired me to be more thankful, to count my blessings.
I am going to try to get back into blogging. I might not write as often as I like to, but I plan not to give up. So, feel free to join me vicariously on this walk while I count my blessings and live the life I've been given.
Counting my blessings:
1. Friends that encourage from the heart.
2. Friends that tell you exactly what you need to hear.
3. Friends that are there for you when you didn't even realize that you needed them.
4. Family, near and far.
5. Family time.
6. Family outings.
7. Fresh fruit. (believe me, after being on the road for 3+ weeks, fresh fruit is a luxury.)
 |
| Tillamook, OR. |
Friday, January 2, 2015
A New Year
Well, that time just flew by...
Bad news first: I got so behind in my blogging! I also got behind in my reading, but I have almost caught up! (Oops, I just gave away my good news.) I am going to give you a pretty good excuse for the belated blog posts... CHRISTMAS! Yay. :) I had a wonderful time with family and friends. Now that we are in 2015, my crazy holiday schedule is starting to slow down. Our puppies are almost 8 weeks old and will be heading to their new homes soon (this requires both a happy and a sad face, so here you go. :(: You decide.) So that will lessen a little craziness as well.
Good news: I am almost on track! (Yeah, I know, you already read that, but it's a pretty huge accomplishment for me this season.) Thankfully, although I haven't been blogging much I have still been reading and listening. I'm now only about 3 days behind in my reading, which isn't too bad since I was 6 days behind as of last week!
For the first week and a half I was pretty good about reading and taking notes on what stuck out to me and what applied to what I was learning right then. I've sort of stopped taking notes because I am trying to get a better continuity. So, I read or listen to a session and make a note about the thing that stuck with me to the end of that reading time. I think this works better for me because I am able to actually pick a bigger point and not have so many little notes. I would definitely like to try to read through the Bible again this year at a slower pace with more note taking. Reading through quickly and getting the big picture seems to be the point of this schedule though.
I finished Kings 1 & 2 the other day, so I think I will share my big impression of those books today.
Sin.
Escapable, but we don't live without it.
Grace.
Abounding, and we can't live without it.
Parents.
Can't live with em', can't live without em'.
I'm serious about that last one! (Get it? We can't be born without parents, but our lives are inherently effected by what they teach us and what we observe in them.)
Take the Kings for instance.
1 Kings 15:3 "And he walked in all the sins that his father did before him, and xhis heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father."
1 Kings 15:11 "And Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as David his father had done."
1 Kings 15:26 "He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord gand walked in the way of his father, and in his sin hwhich he made Israel to sin."
1 Kings 15:34 "He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord mand walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin which he made Israel to sin."
And that's just chapter 15...
We learn from our parents: good and bad. We can be negatively effected by decisions they make, and they also make decisions that are positive for us.
We need to discern when to follow in their footsteps and when to forge our own path.
Just because our parents lead Christian lives and shepherd our hearts does not mean we will end up being Christians, or leading lives honoring to God. And praise God that someone who was raised in a non-Christian home can also come to Christ to be cleansed!
I guess my analogy would be this: everyone is a seedling that will grow. We might have a grand start in a greenhouse where we are watered daily and given nutrients we need. We might be a windblown seed planted in the ground, struggling against nature and bigger plants. In either case, at some point, we either give up and stop growing or we grow and blossom and fulfil our purpose.
Each one of the kings either had a good or a bad example in their father, but when they became king they had a choice to follow in the good foot steps or to run away from the bad and cleanse the kingdom. In many cases it was a choice to leave things as they were, even if they were bad, because it pleased themselves or the people.
Each new year people try to be better people, whether it be eating better, exercising more, reading the Bible each day, or going to church every Sunday. We have the ability to do better each day, but this time of year always feels like a fresh start.
Sorry for a rather disjointed post, but I hope it encourages you to follow a new and better path this year.
P.S. Reading over this again makes me cringe slightly, but I'm going to post it anyways because that was exactly how my thought process worked and what I felt I got out of 1 and 2 Kings.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
"I will be with you."
Well, here we are. It has been a little over a week since I started the 90 day Bible reading challenge. I have to be honest. I haven't been completely consistent, and I only have excuses. I had a few days where I was working and I got up early and went to bed late, so I didn't read. So, I spent the last couple days reading a little extra, and I am currently only 1 day behind. I want to be more consistent, but as long as I mostly stay on track, I am still making progress. Plus, we do have grace days! What would we do if it wasn't for grace. Amen? *grins*
How are you doing on your reading?
Before I get into one of the bigger lessons I feel I've been learning, I want to let you know what the next couple days look like for me. Tomorrow, I am going to try to leave my house by 4 so I can get to the airport to leave by 6. Guess where I am going? VIRGINIA! YAHOO! I was selected to be 1 of 45 people to go to Polyface Farm in Swoope VA for a two day working interview. I will be flying Thursday and Sunday, and working Friday and Saturday. I would really appreciate your prayers. I would love to be chosen for the 2015 summer internship, but there will be 44 other deserving people, and I want the Lord's will to be done. Anyways, that's what the rest of my week looks like. I will have a great chance to get some reading done on the airplane! Oh, and if you do a lot of commuting, I would recommend getting an audio Bible. I was able to listen to the entire book of Leviticus while driving to and from work, and then while packing this evening. Moving on to another topic.
Here are some of the thoughts I had during one of my reading sessions.
"Then the Lord said to Jacob, 'Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.'"
Genesis 31:3
"Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps, thinking, 'If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, then the camp that is left will escape.' And Jacob said, 'O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’” Genesis 32:7-12
"I will be with you."
How often do we hear those words?
Here's a little context.
Jacob had fled to his relatives house to avoid his brother, who had threatened to kill him. Jacob went to his uncles house and served seven years for the hand of the woman he loved, but was deceived into marrying her older sister. He served another 7 years for the hand of the woman he loved. He continued to serve, the entire time earning wages that were blessed by God, till he had more than his uncle. God said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives" and to top it off, He said "and I will be with you." Wow.
Sounds great, right? Well, Jacob was getting close to his hometown, and his brother heard he was coming, so he set out with a company to meet Jacob. When Jacob heard his brother was coming, he was "greatly afraid and distressed." Now, I can understand why he was afraid, because his brother had threatened his life, but I guess he was forgetting one thing. God had said He would be with him. Well, maybe he didn't forget altogether. The passage goes on to describe how Jacob pleaded to God, reminding Him that He had promised him that his offspring would be as many as the sand of the sea.
Jacob sure seems to have mixed emotions. He trusts God enough that he reminds Him of His promises, but he goes to lengths to protect himself from any harm that might befall him.
How often do I do the same? How often do I say, "Here Lord, I know I am supposed to trust you, and follow Your will, and I know that You have provided for me up to this point, but will you continue to provide for me after this moment?" Of course, I don't say those exact words, and I don't realize I have that sort of an attitude, but it's true. I don't always trust God fully, and I don't always do what I know is right in His sight. Praise God though, that He is always faithful, no matter how I waver. He is my solid rock in a pouring storm. He is my haven on a stormy sea. And He always draws me back into His loving arms where I am safe.
I guess, the biggest point I want to get across is that He is faithful in all things. And I am happy to remind you (and myself) that, praise God, His love does not depends on what I do, but on His own perfect nature, and I can trust His perfect will for my life.
How are you doing on your reading?
Before I get into one of the bigger lessons I feel I've been learning, I want to let you know what the next couple days look like for me. Tomorrow, I am going to try to leave my house by 4 so I can get to the airport to leave by 6. Guess where I am going? VIRGINIA! YAHOO! I was selected to be 1 of 45 people to go to Polyface Farm in Swoope VA for a two day working interview. I will be flying Thursday and Sunday, and working Friday and Saturday. I would really appreciate your prayers. I would love to be chosen for the 2015 summer internship, but there will be 44 other deserving people, and I want the Lord's will to be done. Anyways, that's what the rest of my week looks like. I will have a great chance to get some reading done on the airplane! Oh, and if you do a lot of commuting, I would recommend getting an audio Bible. I was able to listen to the entire book of Leviticus while driving to and from work, and then while packing this evening. Moving on to another topic.
Here are some of the thoughts I had during one of my reading sessions.
"Then the Lord said to Jacob, 'Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you.'"
Genesis 31:3
"Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed. He divided the people who were with him, and the flocks and herds and camels, into two camps, thinking, 'If Esau comes to the one camp and attacks it, then the camp that is left will escape.' And Jacob said, 'O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O Lord who said to me, ‘Return to your country and to your kindred, that I may do you good,’ I am not worthy of the least of all the deeds of steadfast love and all the faithfulness that you have shown to your servant, for with only my staff I crossed this Jordan, and now I have become two camps. Please deliver me from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau, for I fear him, that he may come and attack me, the mothers with the children. But you said, ‘I will surely do you good, and make your offspring as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.’” Genesis 32:7-12
"I will be with you."
How often do we hear those words?
Here's a little context.
Jacob had fled to his relatives house to avoid his brother, who had threatened to kill him. Jacob went to his uncles house and served seven years for the hand of the woman he loved, but was deceived into marrying her older sister. He served another 7 years for the hand of the woman he loved. He continued to serve, the entire time earning wages that were blessed by God, till he had more than his uncle. God said to Jacob, "Return to the land of your fathers and to your relatives" and to top it off, He said "and I will be with you." Wow.
Sounds great, right? Well, Jacob was getting close to his hometown, and his brother heard he was coming, so he set out with a company to meet Jacob. When Jacob heard his brother was coming, he was "greatly afraid and distressed." Now, I can understand why he was afraid, because his brother had threatened his life, but I guess he was forgetting one thing. God had said He would be with him. Well, maybe he didn't forget altogether. The passage goes on to describe how Jacob pleaded to God, reminding Him that He had promised him that his offspring would be as many as the sand of the sea.
Jacob sure seems to have mixed emotions. He trusts God enough that he reminds Him of His promises, but he goes to lengths to protect himself from any harm that might befall him.
How often do I do the same? How often do I say, "Here Lord, I know I am supposed to trust you, and follow Your will, and I know that You have provided for me up to this point, but will you continue to provide for me after this moment?" Of course, I don't say those exact words, and I don't realize I have that sort of an attitude, but it's true. I don't always trust God fully, and I don't always do what I know is right in His sight. Praise God though, that He is always faithful, no matter how I waver. He is my solid rock in a pouring storm. He is my haven on a stormy sea. And He always draws me back into His loving arms where I am safe.
I guess, the biggest point I want to get across is that He is faithful in all things. And I am happy to remind you (and myself) that, praise God, His love does not depends on what I do, but on His own perfect nature, and I can trust His perfect will for my life.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Learning to read the Word
In which the authoress learns to read...more.
I absolutely love reading. Cracking open a new book. Smelling the pages. Feeling the smooth fresh paper beneath my fingers. Even the feeling of finishing a book and seeing the crease down the middle of the spine can be nice. Wanting to read the book again, or even just the last few chapters where all the ends get tied together in small bows or double knots. Mystery, suspense, romance or history. So many options and so many delights can be found in reading.
I don't know about you, but I approach reading as either a leisure activity or a chore. It is rarely looked at as anything in between in my eyes. I'm either reading for fun because I am on vacation and have time or I am trying to relax, because I love a good book or I found the second book in a series. I read late into the night with a headlamp so I do not have to get out of bed and turn the light off because I can hardly wait to see how the next chapter will end. Once I read an entire series in a single day, staying up until 3 AM because I really wanted to know how it ended.
Then there is the reading as a chore. Mostly related to school, these books are educational and somewhat dry. Sure, they can be interesting, but for the most part I would rather be reading the next chapter in that other book I am in the middle of reading, or sometimes I would just rather be washing dishes (yeah, I know, but I honestly enjoy washing dishes sometimes, even if you hear me say otherwise, because there are very few feelings like that of clean sink). Basically, even if I enjoy it at times, for the most part, I don't really want to read it, not in large chunks anyways. Thankfully, I'm often interested enough, or "know I need to read it" enough to actually plug away and get those 68 pages of nutrition information read. Whew, that was hard.
There is one book though, that I always have flip flop feelings about. I am never bored by it, but I go back and forth between pleasure and pressure. Spare time and planned time. What book is it you might ask? Well, I suppose I have a hard time admitting this, but it's my Bible.
I love opening my Hebrew-Greek NASB and thumbing through the tissue paper thin pages. I love reading a chapter and seeing my old notes, or previously underlined or highlighted passages. My Bible contains a little of everything: fully history, romance, wars, intrigue and suspense. PLUS is contains the story of salvation, which makes it all the more precious to me. So why my inner turmoil you ask? Well, I often look at my Bible reading time as a luxury. There's nothing wrong with that mind you, because the fact that I have a large print Bible and a pocket sized Bible and a slim-line Bible IS a luxury. I just sometimes look at my Bible reading as something to do when other work is done, not something that will get me through the day with less blow-ups and melt-downs.
I go through phases of reading a lot and then reading a lot less. I get busy with other things and take less time for my Bible reading rather than taking the time to read my Bible and taking less time to be on Facebook. Well, recently (meaning last night after reading a blog post about diving into the Word of God) I decided I need to read my Bible more. I need to take the time I have and spend it in the Word instead of online. In fact, I need to be more purposeful in how I spend all my time, whether it's time in the Word or time spent doing other things. I often feel I do not have enough hours in the day, when in reality, I just squander my hours on other things ( a minute or ten on Facebook throughout the day adds up to an hour or two, which ends up being 1/12th of my day). See what I mean?
With how sporadic my Bible reading can be, it gets even worse over the holidays, just because I get busy doing other things and I do not take time to read my Bible. So I am purposing to be more purposeful in my Bible reading, starting today. I am going to read through the Bible in 90 days or less, using a reading program by Zondervan that goes straight from Genesis to Revelation. Not only am I going to be accountable to God, but to whoever reads this post and any successive posts. I'm going to try to write every week about how far I have gotten and little things I am learning.
Bible reading is not a chore, it is a privilege to be taken very seriously. A mixture of responsibility and pleasure. A responsibility because it is a necessity in our walk with the Lord, to know Him better. A pleasure because it is how we know our Savior better, a way to get to know Him better each day. It is the written Word of our God... think about that!
Anyone want to join me on this challenge?
I absolutely love reading. Cracking open a new book. Smelling the pages. Feeling the smooth fresh paper beneath my fingers. Even the feeling of finishing a book and seeing the crease down the middle of the spine can be nice. Wanting to read the book again, or even just the last few chapters where all the ends get tied together in small bows or double knots. Mystery, suspense, romance or history. So many options and so many delights can be found in reading.
I don't know about you, but I approach reading as either a leisure activity or a chore. It is rarely looked at as anything in between in my eyes. I'm either reading for fun because I am on vacation and have time or I am trying to relax, because I love a good book or I found the second book in a series. I read late into the night with a headlamp so I do not have to get out of bed and turn the light off because I can hardly wait to see how the next chapter will end. Once I read an entire series in a single day, staying up until 3 AM because I really wanted to know how it ended.
Then there is the reading as a chore. Mostly related to school, these books are educational and somewhat dry. Sure, they can be interesting, but for the most part I would rather be reading the next chapter in that other book I am in the middle of reading, or sometimes I would just rather be washing dishes (yeah, I know, but I honestly enjoy washing dishes sometimes, even if you hear me say otherwise, because there are very few feelings like that of clean sink). Basically, even if I enjoy it at times, for the most part, I don't really want to read it, not in large chunks anyways. Thankfully, I'm often interested enough, or "know I need to read it" enough to actually plug away and get those 68 pages of nutrition information read. Whew, that was hard.
There is one book though, that I always have flip flop feelings about. I am never bored by it, but I go back and forth between pleasure and pressure. Spare time and planned time. What book is it you might ask? Well, I suppose I have a hard time admitting this, but it's my Bible.
I love opening my Hebrew-Greek NASB and thumbing through the tissue paper thin pages. I love reading a chapter and seeing my old notes, or previously underlined or highlighted passages. My Bible contains a little of everything: fully history, romance, wars, intrigue and suspense. PLUS is contains the story of salvation, which makes it all the more precious to me. So why my inner turmoil you ask? Well, I often look at my Bible reading time as a luxury. There's nothing wrong with that mind you, because the fact that I have a large print Bible and a pocket sized Bible and a slim-line Bible IS a luxury. I just sometimes look at my Bible reading as something to do when other work is done, not something that will get me through the day with less blow-ups and melt-downs.
I go through phases of reading a lot and then reading a lot less. I get busy with other things and take less time for my Bible reading rather than taking the time to read my Bible and taking less time to be on Facebook. Well, recently (meaning last night after reading a blog post about diving into the Word of God) I decided I need to read my Bible more. I need to take the time I have and spend it in the Word instead of online. In fact, I need to be more purposeful in how I spend all my time, whether it's time in the Word or time spent doing other things. I often feel I do not have enough hours in the day, when in reality, I just squander my hours on other things ( a minute or ten on Facebook throughout the day adds up to an hour or two, which ends up being 1/12th of my day). See what I mean?
With how sporadic my Bible reading can be, it gets even worse over the holidays, just because I get busy doing other things and I do not take time to read my Bible. So I am purposing to be more purposeful in my Bible reading, starting today. I am going to read through the Bible in 90 days or less, using a reading program by Zondervan that goes straight from Genesis to Revelation. Not only am I going to be accountable to God, but to whoever reads this post and any successive posts. I'm going to try to write every week about how far I have gotten and little things I am learning.
Bible reading is not a chore, it is a privilege to be taken very seriously. A mixture of responsibility and pleasure. A responsibility because it is a necessity in our walk with the Lord, to know Him better. A pleasure because it is how we know our Savior better, a way to get to know Him better each day. It is the written Word of our God... think about that!
Anyone want to join me on this challenge?
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Am I an Acorn?
I have been reading a book called Passion and Purity by Elisabeth Elliot, and I have been challenged in so many ways. I really liked a few of the passages I found, and I wish I had been taking more notes so I could share them without your having to read the book. Anyways, here is one portion that I thought was great.
Am I living my life trusting Him? I must ask myself this question daily.
Trust Him.
We were being asked to trust, to leave the planning to God. God's ultimate plan was as far beyond our imaginings as the oak tree is from the acorn's imagination. The acorn does what it was made to do, without pestering its Maker with questions about when and why. We who have been given an intelligence and a will and a whole range of wants the can be set against the divine Pattern for Good are asked to believe Him. We are given the chance to trust Him when He says to us, "...if any man will let himself be lost for my sake, he will find his true self."
When will we find it? we ask. The answer is, Trust ME.
How will we find it?The answer again is, Trust ME.
Why must I let myself be lost? we persist. The answer is, Look at the acorn and trust me.It just made me think, and I decided I wanted to share.
Am I living my life trusting Him? I must ask myself this question daily.
Trust Him.
Saturday, March 1, 2014
I Wait
I wait.
Dear Lord, Thy ways
Are past finding out,
Thy love too high,
O hold me still
Beneath Thy shadow.
Is is enough that Thou
Lift up the light
Of Thy Countenance.
I wait -
Because I am commanded
So to do. My mind
Is filled with wonderings.
My soul asks "Why?"
But then the quiet word,
"Wait thou only
Upon God."
And so, not even for the light
To show a step ahead,
But for Thee, dear Lord,
I wait.
July 3 - Elisabeth Elliot
Dear Lord, Thy ways
Are past finding out,
Thy love too high,
O hold me still
Beneath Thy shadow.
Is is enough that Thou
Lift up the light
Of Thy Countenance.
I wait -
Because I am commanded
So to do. My mind
Is filled with wonderings.
My soul asks "Why?"
But then the quiet word,
"Wait thou only
Upon God."
And so, not even for the light
To show a step ahead,
But for Thee, dear Lord,
I wait.
July 3 - Elisabeth Elliot
Monday, February 24, 2014
Thoughts on Desire
Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
I’ve always thought of this verse as meaning that, if we delight in the Lord, He will give us what our hearts desire. In church this morning my head and heart got a little jolt. The associate pastor made a comment during the benediction, and he basically said that when we delight in the Lord, our desires are from Him.
Do you ever find yourself needing to just stop and breath and pray for direction? I find that to be more and more the case as I attempt to draw closer and closer to God. Nowadays I find myself constantly needing to search my heart and ask myself if the desires I find there are sown in the soil of this earth, or rooted in the truth of His Word.
Sleep. It’s about that time of night. I lay in bed and pray over the things that happened today, things that were good or not so good. I pray for tomorrow. I pray for wisdom. My mind strayed to what Mr. Peppers said, and I started to pray over my desires.
Maybe it was the coffee I had 8 hours ago, or maybe it was just the need to put my thoughts into words, but I sit here typing this and looking at what others have to say on Psalm 37:4. I think that what Spurgeon had to say on the topic was so interesting:
Verse 4. There is an ascent in this third
precept. He who was first bidden not to fret, was then commanded actively to
trust, and now is told with holy desire to delight in God. Delight thyself
also in the Lord. Make Jehovah the joy and rejoicing of thy spirit. Bad men
delight in carnal objects; do not envy them if they are allowed to take their
fill in such vain idols; look thou to thy better delight, and fill thyself to
the full with thy more sublime portion. In a certain sense imitate the wicked;
they delight in their portion—take care to delight in yours, and so far from
envying you will pity them. There is no room for fretting if we remember that
God is ours, but there is every incentive to sacred enjoyment of the most
elevated and ecstatic kind. Every name, attribute, word, or deed of Jehovah,
should be delightful to us, and in meditating thereon our soul should be as
glad as is the epicure who feeds delicately with a profound relish for his
dainties. And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. A pleasant
duty is here rewarded with another pleasure. Men who delight in God desire or
ask for nothing but what will please God; hence it is safe to give them carte
blanche. Their will is subdued to God's will, and now they may have what
they will. Our innermost desires are here meant, not our casual wishes; there
are many things which nature might desire which grace would never permit us to
ask for; these deep, prayerful, asking desires are those to which the
promise is made.
When I delight in the Lord, my only true desire is to do my Fathers will. Everything in my life should be an effort to do the will of God, to give Him glory. I am reminded of 1 Corinthians 10:31 “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” I’ve always wondered how eating and drinking can bring glory to God, and I think I understand a little better now. When we weigh each action, seeking to bring glory to God, purposing to bring glory to God, each thing we do is specifically for Him. Of course, not everything we do will be glorifying, for we are humans and imperfect, but we can strive to glorify him.
As I was looking at Psalm 37 I noticed the beginning of the 7thverse, which says “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.” I had to stop and think. I am at a time in my life where I have a few things I really want. I’m getting to the age where most people start wondering when I’m going to get married, I mean, I don’t blame them, cause I had this subconscious expectation that I would be married by the time I turned 20 or something. I’m finding I need to be waiting patiently on the Lord.
The Olympics are over, but I must point out something that I (and pretty much most Christians that I’ve been talking to) found to be strange. The skiing half-pipe gold medalist is David Wise. David is 23 years old, is married, and has a little girl. The articles on him all say he is leading an “alternative lifestyle.” What in the world does that mean? The fact that he’s married? Married at 23? Has a kid that young? I realize that so many things have changed in this world since even the last 100 years. People used to get married “young” you guys! Young people were encouraged to take on responsibility, get jobs, get married at a young age. Maturity isn’t expected from 18-25 year olds like it used to be expected. It’s not strange to see a 22 year old that would rather play video games in an alternate reality than be out working and earning a living. (I think this is a little off track, but I do wonder why society thinks this way.)
Oh! I just remembered where I was going with that last thought. In Christian circles, we are expected to marry younger. Not that we are expected to get married at 16 or 17 and start a family right away (although many young Christian girls have this as a goal for some reason) but starting a family at 23 isn't an "alternative lifestyle" to a Christian. Or is it? The pressure from the other side is that the world does question your sanity when you get married any younger than, say 25, and having a kid before that?!? Don't you need to take that time as a young adult to enjoy yourself and have the freedom you were "meant" to have. Oh my lanta!? Seeing the difference in how the church as a whole views something and how the world views something always puts everything into a little better perspective. Anyways...
You ask how this all connects? Well, here’s what I think. We are told to delight in the Lord. When we delight in the Lord, the desires of our heart will become more fully aligned with His. When our wills are more fully aligned with our Father’s will, it becomes easy to “be still” and “wait patiently for Him.” When we are in His will and being patient and seeking to delight in Him, we can find ourselves doing all for the glory of God. Even eating and drinking is done for His glory because it sustains our lives so we can continue to serve Him.
I finish with the desire to know Him better, and the words on my lips saying “Father, Thy will be done.”
Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone be the Glory)
Monday, October 21, 2013
Little Weeds
A few people think I need to be better about writing on my blog, so I'm going to try. It's an interesting thing, this idea of putting your thoughts on the internet for anyone to see. It's like letting other people into your mind and not knowing who is in there. Maybe I should stick to crafts. *winks*
Today I spent an hour in a garden with my mom and brother. We were pulling weeds. Some of them were thin and dry and came out of the ground when you touched them. Other weeds were not even coming up when we yanked and pulled. I started thinking about weeds.
Want to hear what I think about weeds?
I have a garden. We actually have a number of gardens.
We water those beautiful gardens so the plants will grow.
The problem is, that the plants are not the only things that grow.
Weeds grow, too.
I don't want weeds.
The weeds start out small, like the plants that I want to grow.
Seedling weeds look a lot like intentional seedlings.
The thing about weeds? They don't stay small.
If you don't take the time to pull them out by the roots they get bigger....and bigger... and BIGGER.
If you catch a weed even when it is getting a little bigger, you are able to pull it out.
But, eventually, they will get too big.
Too big to pull.
Too big to handle.
Too big.
This weed that is "too big" will eventually go to seed.
These seeds will fall.
Those seeds will grow.
It is a vicious circle.
The way to solve this problem?
Stop.
Take time to pull those little weeds before they have a chance to take root.
To grow.
To get out of hand.
There's more to this whole topic than you think.
Sins are a whole lot like weeds.
Sins start out small. Good actions start out small.
Habits. Actions. Words.
If these little sins are not caught while they are small.
If these sins are given a chance to grow, unchecked.
If these sins get any larger, any more ingrained, they continue to grow.
They will get so large, that it will be even harder, and take more time and work, to extract them.
The "trick" is, catch them while they are small.
Keep working.
Never stop.
Always pull even the smallest weeds, or they will grow.
They will grow out of hand.
We need to work.
We need to strive.
... ... ...
We need to weed.
Proverbs 24:30-34
30 I went past the field of a sluggard,
past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;
31 thorns had come up everywhere,
the ground was covered with weeds,
and the stone wall was in ruins.
32 I applied my heart to what I observed
and learned a lesson from what I saw:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
34 and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man.
We will be ruined if we sit and let the weeds grow.
(Just a note: I had a hard time trying to figure out what scripture went best with this idea I had. I had the idea, but it wasn't so much with a scriptural application as much as a spiritual analogy. These verses had the same idea, of the laziness, and not weeding out those sins in your life, so I chose Proverbs.)
Today I spent an hour in a garden with my mom and brother. We were pulling weeds. Some of them were thin and dry and came out of the ground when you touched them. Other weeds were not even coming up when we yanked and pulled. I started thinking about weeds.
Want to hear what I think about weeds?
I have a garden. We actually have a number of gardens.
We water those beautiful gardens so the plants will grow.
The problem is, that the plants are not the only things that grow.
Weeds grow, too.
I don't want weeds.
The weeds start out small, like the plants that I want to grow.
Seedling weeds look a lot like intentional seedlings.
The thing about weeds? They don't stay small.
If you don't take the time to pull them out by the roots they get bigger....and bigger... and BIGGER.
If you catch a weed even when it is getting a little bigger, you are able to pull it out.
But, eventually, they will get too big.
Too big to pull.
Too big to handle.
Too big.
This weed that is "too big" will eventually go to seed.
These seeds will fall.
Those seeds will grow.
It is a vicious circle.
The way to solve this problem?
Stop.
Take time to pull those little weeds before they have a chance to take root.
To grow.
To get out of hand.
There's more to this whole topic than you think.
Sins are a whole lot like weeds.
Sins start out small. Good actions start out small.
Habits. Actions. Words.
If these little sins are not caught while they are small.
If these sins are given a chance to grow, unchecked.
If these sins get any larger, any more ingrained, they continue to grow.
They will get so large, that it will be even harder, and take more time and work, to extract them.
The "trick" is, catch them while they are small.
Keep working.
Never stop.
Always pull even the smallest weeds, or they will grow.
They will grow out of hand.
We need to work.
We need to strive.
... ... ...
We need to weed.
Proverbs 24:30-34
30 I went past the field of a sluggard,
past the vineyard of someone who has no sense;
31 thorns had come up everywhere,
the ground was covered with weeds,
and the stone wall was in ruins.
32 I applied my heart to what I observed
and learned a lesson from what I saw:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
34 and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man.
We will be ruined if we sit and let the weeds grow.
(Just a note: I had a hard time trying to figure out what scripture went best with this idea I had. I had the idea, but it wasn't so much with a scriptural application as much as a spiritual analogy. These verses had the same idea, of the laziness, and not weeding out those sins in your life, so I chose Proverbs.)
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Partying
Quotable Quotes:
"I'm the church guy!" *starts crushing chips on his plate* "I mean the pastor of course." - Jonathan
"If you could be any fish, what would you be?" - Tim.1
"A mermaid." - Tim.2
"What are you guys? Hummingbirds?" - Joe (referring to our love of Icees)
"Where are my brothers?" - Me
"I ate them." - Tim
"All three of them?" - Me
"I ate four hot dogs last night." - Tim
"Oh...well then." - Me
"Are we lost?" - Joe
"Did I take a wrong turn?" - Nick
"I psyched him out." - Nick
"You're going all vintagey on me!" - Hannah
"I'm the church guy!" *starts crushing chips on his plate* "I mean the pastor of course." - Jonathan
"If you could be any fish, what would you be?" - Tim.1
"A mermaid." - Tim.2
"What are you guys? Hummingbirds?" - Joe (referring to our love of Icees)
"Where are my brothers?" - Me
"I ate them." - Tim
"All three of them?" - Me
"I ate four hot dogs last night." - Tim
"Oh...well then." - Me
"Are we lost?" - Joe
"Did I take a wrong turn?" - Nick
"I psyched him out." - Nick
"You're going all vintagey on me!" - Hannah
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Tattoos
Tattoos. I've never been a fan.
Not that there's anything wrong with tattoos I guess, but I just wouldn't get one.
I was reading a blog post about tattoos. The writter was expounding on how she was dating this "great" guy for a bit, but it never went anywhere, and she found out it was because he didn't think his family would approve of her tattoos. Here's what she said:
warewolf... vampire... no, he was the warewolf, whatever[2]. A conservative young man might not date a less conservative young woman who dresses immodestly, no matter how nice or funny she tends to be. Nor is he going to date that girl that flirts with all the guys.
Here's the thing. There are a lot of people that aren't dating a lot of other people for some reason or another. Some for really good reasons (*cough* warewolf *cough* vampire *cough*) but others are just preferences. We all judge our friends to some extent, wondering if they are spouse material or not, and in most cases, for some reason or another, we decide it's a "no". It's not Colleen's fault that she has red hair, and she might have an amazing personality to go with it.
Here's another thing. Just because Jim doesn't like Colleen's hair, does NOT mean that Jeremy isn't going to come along and love Colleen for her amazing laugh, mathmatical abilities, her heart for God, AND her red hair.
I guess all of this is just to say one thing...with a caviate.
The "One Thing": Don't let the fact that one person doesn't like something about you make you try to change for them. It might just be them.
The caviat: When someone (anyone, guy/girl you like or just a friend) gives you instructive criticism, really look at yourself and determin if it's true or not. It might really be who you are, but it could be something you have put on because you're afraid someone won't like the "real" you.
Some of our traits are choices we have made, such as a red colored hair dye bottle or a tattoo, but many of our traits are birthmarks. Something God created us with.
The end.
[1] By "date" I mean pursue a deeper relationship with the intention of trying to determine if the other person is going to be your spouse. Another word options is courting (which in and of itself can have many meanings), another option is "dating with a purpose," and yet another option is "dorting" which is a mixture of dating and courting (whichever meaning for courting you choose).
[2] As you can see, I have never read the Twilight books. Hence the confusion about whether Jacob was the vampire of warewolf.
Not that there's anything wrong with tattoos I guess, but I just wouldn't get one.
I was reading a blog post about tattoos. The writter was expounding on how she was dating this "great" guy for a bit, but it never went anywhere, and she found out it was because he didn't think his family would approve of her tattoos. Here's what she said:
If a few illustrations on my body were enough to detract from my intelligence, great legs, and winning personality, then there probably wasn’t a deep and meaningful connection there anyway. And honestly, as much as I’d like to judge him as being a materialistic, nitpicking, backwards conservative snob, I can’t fault him for feeling turned off. Getting to know and judging someone are parts of dating, and if my handful of tattoos was the catalyst to dooming our romance, that’s fine by me.Funny thing was, it really made me think. Everyone has their own sort of "tattoo" in a way, to at least one other person. Jim might not date[1] Colleen because she has red hair. Garrett might not date Georgina because she is a vegetarian. Bella might not date Jacob cause he's a
Here's the thing. There are a lot of people that aren't dating a lot of other people for some reason or another. Some for really good reasons (*cough* warewolf *cough* vampire *cough*) but others are just preferences. We all judge our friends to some extent, wondering if they are spouse material or not, and in most cases, for some reason or another, we decide it's a "no". It's not Colleen's fault that she has red hair, and she might have an amazing personality to go with it.
Here's another thing. Just because Jim doesn't like Colleen's hair, does NOT mean that Jeremy isn't going to come along and love Colleen for her amazing laugh, mathmatical abilities, her heart for God, AND her red hair.
I guess all of this is just to say one thing...with a caviate.
The "One Thing": Don't let the fact that one person doesn't like something about you make you try to change for them. It might just be them.
The caviat: When someone (anyone, guy/girl you like or just a friend) gives you instructive criticism, really look at yourself and determin if it's true or not. It might really be who you are, but it could be something you have put on because you're afraid someone won't like the "real" you.
Some of our traits are choices we have made, such as a red colored hair dye bottle or a tattoo, but many of our traits are birthmarks. Something God created us with.
The end.
[1] By "date" I mean pursue a deeper relationship with the intention of trying to determine if the other person is going to be your spouse. Another word options is courting (which in and of itself can have many meanings), another option is "dating with a purpose," and yet another option is "dorting" which is a mixture of dating and courting (whichever meaning for courting you choose).
[2] As you can see, I have never read the Twilight books. Hence the confusion about whether Jacob was the vampire of warewolf.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Walk on Water
Matthew 14:22-33 (ESV)
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
I tend to think I'm pretty good at trusting God. I trust Him to provide for my family. I trust Him to keep me healthy. I trust Him with my future. I just trust Him because He is my help and my salvation.
But every once in a while, I notice the wind.
I start to sink.
I see my dad working hard. I see my mom's frustrations. I see my brothers annoyed with each other. I find myself annoyed with others, with my situations in life, looking at my future wondering when things will happen.
I cry out to God, "Why, Lord? Pull me from this ocean of worry and care and distrust. Lord, save me!"
And do you want to know something? He does. I remember verse 31 "Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'"
He may not give me calm waters, but I can feel His hand holding mine. I know that He is in control. God loves me and He allows trials, frustrations and tears because of His love. I am God's child. When a father loves his child he disciplines them. I am reminded of a passage in Hebrews.
Hebrews 12:7-8 says: "It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children, and not sons."
When we are disciplined it shows that we are His true children. Hebrews 12:9 talks about how we respect our fathers after they discipline us, then in verse 10 it says; "For they discipline us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness." When God disciplines us, it is for our best interest and helps us to grow in our maturity.
I just wrote a sweet little paragraph about how god holds my hands once I ask Him and all that, but I had to erase it. You know why? Because not only does He hold my hand, but He also holds me. I am in His tender loving care no matter what, and He continues to protect and watch over me even when I am completely distracted by the winds of life. I am still His child.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
A Legacy
It's been a while since I have posted on here, and it's probably because I haven't had much of anything to post about, but I have now.
This morning my grandfather passed away into glory to meet his Savior.
This past June all of us kids that are still living at home were able to take a trip with my parents to go visit some of our relatives on the eastern side of the US. We made a point to see my grandpa and grandma while we were there. Grandpa was doing pretty well and we all really enjoyed cracking up at his still hilarious "Grandpa" jokes.
Some of the things he said and did were so funny:
- "Kamatanah!" *slaps forehead*
- "He's a baaaad boy."
- *makes chair move up... then makes chair move down*
This morning, hearing he died, made me think more on his life and my memories of him. My sister reminded me (all of us in an e-mail) of how much he loved the song "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder."
Here are the lyrics
When the Roll is Called Up Yonder
By James Black
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
I remember the time when he was visiting and we were all sitting around having a hymn sing and he told us how much he loved that song. The last verse in particular describes my Grandpa well. He labored for his Master, raising his children to truly love God and furthering the kingdom of God. He also spoke of God with reverence, sharing His love with almost everyone that he met. Now, his work is done on earth and he has gone into glory. I am so happy when I think of how he is now safe from pain and cares with his Lord.
Leaving behind Grandma Dorothy, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Grandpa Parke has gone forward to meet his heavenly Father, to spend eternity praising God.
I am sorry for those of us that Grandpa leaves behind. For the great-grandchildren that won't remember his smiles or his jokes or his sweet words of encouragement. But I am excited. Excited that my Grandpa Parke is finally getting to meet his Lord and Savior
This morning my grandfather passed away into glory to meet his Savior.
This past June all of us kids that are still living at home were able to take a trip with my parents to go visit some of our relatives on the eastern side of the US. We made a point to see my grandpa and grandma while we were there. Grandpa was doing pretty well and we all really enjoyed cracking up at his still hilarious "Grandpa" jokes.
Some of the things he said and did were so funny:
- "Kamatanah!" *slaps forehead*
- "He's a baaaad boy."
- *makes chair move up... then makes chair move down*
This morning, hearing he died, made me think more on his life and my memories of him. My sister reminded me (all of us in an e-mail) of how much he loved the song "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder."
Here are the lyrics
When the Roll is Called Up Yonder
By James Black
When the trumpet of the Lord shall sound, and time shall be no more,
And the morning breaks, eternal, bright and fair;
When the saved of earth shall gather over on the other shore,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Refrain:
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder,
When the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
On that bright and cloudless morning when the dead in Christ shall rise,
And the glory of His resurrection share;
When His chosen ones shall gather to their home beyond the skies,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
Let us labor for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there.
I remember the time when he was visiting and we were all sitting around having a hymn sing and he told us how much he loved that song. The last verse in particular describes my Grandpa well. He labored for his Master, raising his children to truly love God and furthering the kingdom of God. He also spoke of God with reverence, sharing His love with almost everyone that he met. Now, his work is done on earth and he has gone into glory. I am so happy when I think of how he is now safe from pain and cares with his Lord.
Leaving behind Grandma Dorothy, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, Grandpa Parke has gone forward to meet his heavenly Father, to spend eternity praising God.
I am sorry for those of us that Grandpa leaves behind. For the great-grandchildren that won't remember his smiles or his jokes or his sweet words of encouragement. But I am excited. Excited that my Grandpa Parke is finally getting to meet his Lord and Savior
Grandpa in uniform
Grandpa visiting in '92 I think
This was in '95 or '96
Our trip out to PA in 2010
Our trip this past June
Me with Grandpa and Grandma
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
"I'm one of those 'higher power' people."
"I'm one of those 'higher power' people."
Well, it's only week 3 of my Nutrition class and already I'm being asked why I think humans need to eat to survive and "why our nutrients aren't built in like plants." I actually REALLY enjoyed answering this question and thought I'd share it with you.
Question as posed by professor:
"After reading Chapter 3, I hope you come away with how amazing the human body really is. And yet, there are some short-falls in our bodies which include the inability to produce many of the essential nutrients for ourselves. Plants have us beat in that department. Why do you think nature (or "higher power" if that is your belief system) has made us so reliant on FOOD in order for us to get so many of the essential nutrients needed to survive? In other words, why can't our BODIES produce and provide these nutrients for us? (Saying that the higher power simply "made us this way" will not suffice as an answer). Realize this type of question does not have a right or wrong answer....the purpose is for you to really stretch your thinking to try and figure out why humans are built to be so vulnerable upon our environment."
My answer:
"I’m one of those “higher power” people. I believe that the perfect world was created by God in 6 days and that He created everything exactly the way He did with a purpose. God created man to work, to cultivate the ground and to eat the fruit of the ground for sustenance. When we are comparing ourselves to plants and saying “in order to survive we need the right balance of nutrients from the food we eat, but plants don’t have to do anything,” we are incorrect. Plants “soak up” nutrients from the ground as well as absorbing nutrients from the sun, they have to rely on another source just like we do. Some plants even have to eat, such as the Venus Fly Trap and other plants of that kind. Plants need different nutrients than humans do, because we are not the same. I have always been in awe of how amazing the body is, and chapter 3 just served to uphold that belief. If someone chooses to believe in evolution and that it is a matter of chance that our bodies work and function the way they do, that is their choice. I, for one, am struck with how intricate our bodies work, and how we need specific nutrients to survive, nutrients that have been provided for us through plants. We don’t even need to eat meat, but we can get protein and other nutrients from milk, eggs and beans. It is my belief that we are built to rely so heavily upon our environment because by doing so we rely heavily on God to sustain and provide for us."
Interested to see what type of feedback I get, and praying that I can answer anything Biblically and without reproach. :)
Well, it's only week 3 of my Nutrition class and already I'm being asked why I think humans need to eat to survive and "why our nutrients aren't built in like plants." I actually REALLY enjoyed answering this question and thought I'd share it with you.
Question as posed by professor:
"After reading Chapter 3, I hope you come away with how amazing the human body really is. And yet, there are some short-falls in our bodies which include the inability to produce many of the essential nutrients for ourselves. Plants have us beat in that department. Why do you think nature (or "higher power" if that is your belief system) has made us so reliant on FOOD in order for us to get so many of the essential nutrients needed to survive? In other words, why can't our BODIES produce and provide these nutrients for us? (Saying that the higher power simply "made us this way" will not suffice as an answer). Realize this type of question does not have a right or wrong answer....the purpose is for you to really stretch your thinking to try and figure out why humans are built to be so vulnerable upon our environment."
My answer:
"I’m one of those “higher power” people. I believe that the perfect world was created by God in 6 days and that He created everything exactly the way He did with a purpose. God created man to work, to cultivate the ground and to eat the fruit of the ground for sustenance. When we are comparing ourselves to plants and saying “in order to survive we need the right balance of nutrients from the food we eat, but plants don’t have to do anything,” we are incorrect. Plants “soak up” nutrients from the ground as well as absorbing nutrients from the sun, they have to rely on another source just like we do. Some plants even have to eat, such as the Venus Fly Trap and other plants of that kind. Plants need different nutrients than humans do, because we are not the same. I have always been in awe of how amazing the body is, and chapter 3 just served to uphold that belief. If someone chooses to believe in evolution and that it is a matter of chance that our bodies work and function the way they do, that is their choice. I, for one, am struck with how intricate our bodies work, and how we need specific nutrients to survive, nutrients that have been provided for us through plants. We don’t even need to eat meat, but we can get protein and other nutrients from milk, eggs and beans. It is my belief that we are built to rely so heavily upon our environment because by doing so we rely heavily on God to sustain and provide for us."
Interested to see what type of feedback I get, and praying that I can answer anything Biblically and without reproach. :)
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Disobedience
Today in my bible reading I came across a section I hadn't really noticed before. I mean, of course I had read it plenty of times, but for some reason it seemed like something I had never read before.
Romans 1:28-32 says "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do the but give approval to those who practice them."
Well, of course we are supposed to be obedient to our parents, I mean, not only was it one of the 10 commandments, but it is also repeated in the New Testament. Obedience is implied in Matthew 22:39, "and a second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself." We are to love and respect others as we would like to be loved and respected or how we would love and respect (and treat) ourselves. I personally feel that this would imply obedience to parents.
More clearly stated, we see that Ephesians 6:1-3 says "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." We are promised that if we honor our parents, things may go well with us. Now, what exactly does it mean to "honor" our parents? Lets see what Webster has to say about it, shall we? One definition is "a showing of usually merited respect," such as recognition. Another definition is "a gesture of deference," and the example was to bow. I personally liked how Bakers Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology put it, "While honor is an internal attitude of respect, courtesy, and reverence, it should be accompanied by appropriate attention or even obedience. Honor without such action is incomplete; it is lip service."
Back to Romans. Most people would come up with many of these things if they were asked to make a list of things that were "sins." Action sins are often rather obvious, while the internal sins of thought and attitude are a lot more difficult to perceive. I often don't even realize when I am sinning inwardly. Fortunately I have learned to realize when I am having an inward attitude problem and check is for a better outlook.
Wow, back to Romans again. (I tend to think about way too many things at once, which leads me on a tangent around and I end up writing about those other random thoughts instead of what I set out to think about.) Anyways... many people don't look at honoring and obeying their parents as important, or as something they need to put time into, but for me, it's really important. I end up seeking my parents advice and council about nearly every big move I make in my like, and even though I don't always get the advice or instruction that I hope for, I know that they are truly seeking to help me make the most God honoring decision, as well as what's best for me.
Anyways, all that from reading a few chapters in Romans today for my devotions. Funny how something so small as a verse can spark something as big as this thought tangent of mine.
Romans 1:28-32 says "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do the but give approval to those who practice them."
Well, of course we are supposed to be obedient to our parents, I mean, not only was it one of the 10 commandments, but it is also repeated in the New Testament. Obedience is implied in Matthew 22:39, "and a second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself." We are to love and respect others as we would like to be loved and respected or how we would love and respect (and treat) ourselves. I personally feel that this would imply obedience to parents.
More clearly stated, we see that Ephesians 6:1-3 says "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise), that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." We are promised that if we honor our parents, things may go well with us. Now, what exactly does it mean to "honor" our parents? Lets see what Webster has to say about it, shall we? One definition is "a showing of usually merited respect," such as recognition. Another definition is "a gesture of deference," and the example was to bow. I personally liked how Bakers Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology put it, "While honor is an internal attitude of respect, courtesy, and reverence, it should be accompanied by appropriate attention or even obedience. Honor without such action is incomplete; it is lip service."
Back to Romans. Most people would come up with many of these things if they were asked to make a list of things that were "sins." Action sins are often rather obvious, while the internal sins of thought and attitude are a lot more difficult to perceive. I often don't even realize when I am sinning inwardly. Fortunately I have learned to realize when I am having an inward attitude problem and check is for a better outlook.
Wow, back to Romans again. (I tend to think about way too many things at once, which leads me on a tangent around and I end up writing about those other random thoughts instead of what I set out to think about.) Anyways... many people don't look at honoring and obeying their parents as important, or as something they need to put time into, but for me, it's really important. I end up seeking my parents advice and council about nearly every big move I make in my like, and even though I don't always get the advice or instruction that I hope for, I know that they are truly seeking to help me make the most God honoring decision, as well as what's best for me.
Anyways, all that from reading a few chapters in Romans today for my devotions. Funny how something so small as a verse can spark something as big as this thought tangent of mine.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)