Romans 12: 2 (NIV)Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--ihis good, pleasing and perfect will.
I guess Paul was as good an example of this as any...Christian murderer turned Apostle.
Yeah, I'm understating.
I love the story of Saul/Paul, and the fact that God used one of the most hideous people ever and did such amazing works in his heart that this person died in chains for Him. Unbelievable. Except that I believe it.
Now, the ugly part to my judgment of formerly hideous Paul is that my sin is no lighter, fresher, or better smelling than his. It's a good thing God renews me daily, too.
Lord, I thank You for renewing my mind with this 30 days of really diving into Your Word for verses which speak to my heart each day. I thank you for those who have also posted Your Word, as it has blessed me so, and stirred in my heart a yearning to be so much more You and less me. Thank You for Your new mercies and for the daily renewing of my heart and mind. I pray that I would change the patterns of my behaviors to be those which would be according to Your good, pleasing and perfect will. In Jesus' name. Amen.
***Last Baby A. update: Baby A went home to Jesus on Saturday. Thank you all for your prayers. The family is doing as well as could possibly be expected, and thanks everyone for their prayers and concern.***
***This is a sticky post and will remain at the top of my blog until after the drawing on the 30th. please scroll down for newer posts.*** ***Also updated to add...for some reason, I'm not able to put the original date of 6/22 on this carnival. That has been confusing to some who have entered just recently. I apologize. Really, your end date is up to you. Have fun, and thanks for participating!***
I received this from a book giveaway from my dear bloggy friend, Barbtha, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The cover likens it to Steel Magnolias, only in Manhattan, and I do agree. Strong women and strong friendships are evident from page 1. There are no cookie cutter characters, either. All of them are flawed and marvelous in their own way. I know--many of you have read this gem, but if you haven't, you're in for a treat.
This little treat is a fast read from one of my favorite "beachy" authors, Dorothea Benton Frank. She mixes her love of the Low Country into her stories of relationships between good friends, family members, and the love lives of her characters. Though this isn't Christian fiction, it's pretty clean, and it's just a great story. You don't have to think much; you can simply enjoy. Great transcontinental flight book. :)
My drawing is open to anyone--U.S. or not.
Psalm 91: 2, 4 (NIV)I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust."
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.
Friends, if you've been following along with my Baby A. updates, you know the situation is very grave. Our entire church family is saddened, and yet, as we cry out to God, He comforts. One moment at a time. And...He's ready and waiting. For His little baby (for we are all His) to come home. He's also ready and willing to meet our anger, our shouts of despair--everything. Because I'm sure He's angry and sad, too, with this fallen world.
So, I know this is a bit of a downer post, but since I do believe that He's alongside B. and C. grieving with them and loving them and their baby, I am also filled with hope. Hope that they will get through this bit by bit, covered with His feathers, under His wings.
Soli Deo Gloria!
John 4: 32 (NIV)But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you know nothing about."
In this verse, Jesus has just met the woman at the well, and basically extends to her that He is the well of life and the food which fills (us). As I read that, I am a.g.a.i.n. blown away by his message, and by his sheer perfection. Would I speak to someone I don't know--especially in a "hated" race/creed of people? Would I listen well to some hairy, probably dirty, smelly guy, and proclaim his word and being? Would I believe?
No. I wouldn't .
But, Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well right where she was. In the same way, I know he meets me. And feeds me. If I will only be fed. Friends, I eat plenty of junk. Time for me to open my mouth to the food of life.
Lord, I thank You for Your bread of life, which comes from Your word, Your spirit, and Your will for me (and all of us). Thank You for being all that I need at any given time. Help me to feed others through You, I pray. In Jesus' name. Amen.
***UPDATE ON BABY A.***Thank you for your cont'd prayers. At this point, we are waiting for word that Baby A. has been scooped up into Jesus lap for a complete and total healing in heaven. Yesterday showed a lack of most brain activity on the scan. Would you please embrace his mother B. and father C. and the rest of the family as they enjoy him until Jesus takes him Home? So sad. One of the mysteries of life to me is how we can live for the miracle of eternal life, and yet be so griefstricken when something like this happens. Soli Deo Gloria.
Isaiah 53: 4-6 (NIV)Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our inequities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep , have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Hmmmm....does that sound like anyone in the New Testament that we know? I read this again, and again, and I just come up with, "wow". And, "thank you". And..."He's real--He's really real.". This prophecy reads exactly the New Testament does. I've shared before that it took me a bit to "buy in" to the Old Testament as being as important and viable as the New Testament. This particular set of verses speaks so loudly of the coming and crucifixion of Christ that I found myself so very grateful for it. Yay, God! You took my faith, which is probably about that of a mustard seed, and look what You did! I feel like it's a personal love letter/here I am letter just for me. And it is. But obviously, it's so much more. See one of the coolest things about God for me is that He takes my little thinking and uses it to show His largeness and largess.
Jesus loves me. Aha. And He loved me before He was even on earth to sacrifice for me (and you...but I'm focused on me, here ;) ). So cool, I can barely stand it.
**UPDATE on baby A. As of last night, his blood chemistry was resolving back to normal, but he wasn't awake yet. His kidneys are not working well, so they are starting dialysis, and doing a brain scan to see if there has been any intracranial bleeding. His parents, B. and C., and entire family could use your prayers. I humbly request them on their behalf. ***
Lord, thank You for making Yourself known to me. My little thinking is just that, and I need to see things right.in.front.of.my.face in order to believe in them and have faith. Thankfully, You made me, so you know this. Thank You for Your infinite patience and grace, and thank You for Your living, breathing, ever-present Word. Holy Spirit fill me today as I abide in You. Lord, I also lift up little A. and his family. Your will be done. I cry out. You know the needs. You know his little body. You know...and I trust in You. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)Jesus replied, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' "This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
I have often thought that you could boil the Bible down in about 3 points. Please--this isn't to take the greatest book of my life and belittle it! No, no. What I mean is...through each lesson, each parable, each glimpse of life, I return to these thoughts:
Okay, so there's 4--I never said I could do math. ;) Anyway...back to The Word. This seems like such an easy verse to memorize and to keep hidden in my heart an apparent in my actions. Um...I fail at this every day. Usually about the loving others part. I'm so grateful that He knows my heart, knows that I will fail, but knows that I love him enough to ask for a mulligan each day. Great is His faithfulness every morning! Woot Woot! Maybe that's why I'm a morning person. I love the idea of a fresh slate, don't you?
I mentioned a prayer request in the title of this last post, which led me to this verse, and which led me to you. I figure, Dear Ones, that most of you must be bought-in Christians, or you wouldn't be reading and/or posting a Verse a Day in June. So here's the scoop. A dear friend of mine needs prayer for her grandson. Little A., who is about 2 or 3 months old, was at the doctor's office for help because he was throwing up. He proceeded to code in the MD's office, and req'd much work to be stable enough to get to Children's Hospital in Seattle. After a bit more of CPR, he was stable enough to be placed into ICU. He is a first baby, a first grandchild, and it doesn't matter if he was #15, he's so precious, and the whole family, as you can imagine is terrified. I ask that you pray for my friend M., and her daughter and baby A. Obviously, I lift up the whole family--just giving the relationship for clarification. Will you love on them today in your prayer time? I'll keep you posted as I know more.
Lord, I thank you for new mercies each day. I thank You for Your perfect love that we can be blessed and bless others. Today, I lift up little A and his entire family. I can only imagine the terror this brings their family. Thank you for sparing his life thus far, and I pray Your perfect healing on his little body. Restore A to perfect health, I pray. Comfort and bring Your peace to his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other family. This little boy is so loved. Thank You for A. and for loving him even more than any of us could. I cry out to you to heal him, Lord! In Jesus' name. Amen.
Soli Deo Gloria!
***UPDATE 9:00 PDT*** This from our church's office mgr.
Some of you know that M.'s grandson was taken into emergency surgery last night. Apparently, he was born with his large intestine above his stomach. They removed a portion of his large intestine. Everything seemed to go well when they reconnected everything. The issues now are two-fold. There is some concern there may be brain damage due to the lack of oxygen during the crisis period. The other is....his blood gasses are off and the blood is acidic. His liver and kidneys need to return to proper function. We just heard that he made it thru the night okay. Please pray for this family and especially for little A.who is 2 1/2 months old.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV)This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, buth let him who boasts boast about this: theat he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, " declares the LORD.
Another way of saying: "Get over yourself--it's about knowing and glorifying Me because I am the great I Am, and I am amazing and love you like no other. Love, God."
Mkay...I'm good with that. In fact. Thank You Jesus for that! Blessings Dear Friends.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
Boy, it almost feels blastphemous to add any of my little words here. What a beautiful verse which really reminds me to give God some credit: He does know what He's doing, both on earth and in Heaven.
I am free to stop being impatient, and allow Him to make what He will of each minute, each day, each season of my life. And say...Thank You.
Lord, I thank You for each moment of my life, and for the way You bring things to fruition and make them beautiful. I am sorry for my impatience which often clouds my judgment and my appreciation of the splendor not only around me, but the magnificence of my future home, in Heaven. Help me to sit in Your sweet presence and be still. Help me to breathe You in, comforted by Your perfect plan and timing. Open my eyes to Your beauty, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Mark 9:35 (NIV)
Well now...I certainly feel the knife twist conviction on that one! :) As a mother and wife and "professional volunteer" I sometimes fall victim to a "what about me?" attitude. While I know we are to take the time to fill our own cups so that we can fill others, the gist of it is: we are called to be servants. Period. Whether we want to or not. Whether it's convenient. Whether, you know, there's a crucifixion on the horizon or other things like that...
Servanthood is exhausting, but He is so faithful to bring us an attitude of contentment and joy when we bring our *&%* to the altar and just...breathe Him in and ask.
Lord, I thank You for the opportunity to be Jesus in skin to those around me. Thank You for your new mercies and strength each day, because You know that servanthood can be exhausting and very, very daily at times. I pray for myself, my family, and those reading that You would forgive any "woe is me"/"what about me?" attitudes, and that you would refresh and strengthen each act of service--whatever it may be. Wiping down the counter for the 876th time is an act of worship if we do it as unto You. I pray that each act of service that You call me toward would be exhilarating because it brings glory to Your name. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Isaiah 40: 30-31 (NIV)Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Psalm 100: 1, 5 (NIV)
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights.
Well, who couldn't use feet like a deer? (rimshot, please...)
I don't know about you, but sometimes, other than the "big" books, like Genesis, Psalms, Proverbs, and Isaiah, I tend to neglect the Old Testament. I probably do this for a couple of reasons. First, I love the readability of getting "letters" from God through Paul. Second, because of the New Covenant, I focus on Jesus and His story. Yet, as I peruse the Old Testament in quiet time or in my Bible studies at church, it's so clear that Jesus is on every page. Instead of epistles, we have prophesies. Maybe you've had your lightbulb moment over that. But I hadn't until quite recently. Dare I say, I've even thought the Old Testament...(ahem)...boring in places. However, since it is bound together with the "rest of the story" (thank you Paul Harvey), and we are told that every word from God is important, I thought I'd step out and actually start reading it.
The New Testament is still my favorite--I give it an 86--good beat, something to dance to--OH, I kid! About the dancing. It is my favorite. But, just like I have favorite parts of myself, my family, and my life, in order to live fully, I must embrace it all.
As always, thank you for participating, either by reading or by posting your own verse(s). I don't always get to every blog each day, but I'm trying to visit as often as I can, and I'm learning so much from you all. Mwah!
..."I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to the mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."
Lord, I thank You for Your amazing power which dwells within me. Forgive me for, at times, not even showing the faith of a mustard seed. Thank You for working with so little and transforming it into so much. Your amazing works are endless. Help me to bask in my faith and Your glory today and to be a lighthouse for others wishing to do the same. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
Amen.
Proverbs 16:24 (NIV)Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
My son and I were walking the dogs yesterday, having a discussion wherein he became pretty negative about an issue, and this negativity distorted the truth of the matter. So, we backed up, took each negative assertion and tested it logically, since for once I thought I'd try developing a teachable moment rather than nagging, "whyyyy are you so negatiiiiive?" since I wanted him to see the faulty logic in his thinking.
As we spoke, he told me, "I'm a natural pessimist, Mom."
Hm..."You may have natural tendencies towards that, sure, Son, but I don't think God makes naturally pessimistic people. I think pessimism is learned. In the same way, I think optimism is learned. And you are so smart, I think you can learn to be optimistic. In fact, that's a summer goal we can both work on. When you say something that's outright negative, for no logical reason, I'm going to say, 'turnaround'. That means, I want you to find something to be grateful for in that situation. For example, this morning, I was complaining at having to clean up the kitchen yet again. Then I caught myself, apologized to the Lord for my attitude, and quickly offered a prayer of thanks for food. You can do this too, why don't you try..."
"Okay...like...I hate it when Drama Girl bugs me all the time--I could say, I like that she cares about me?"
"Exactly. Or, that even though she bugs you, she's good company at times, and you keep each other from getting scared when you're alone, etc."
"Okay."
"Try another."
"You mean like I hate going to Tae Kwon Do, but...but...hm...I'm grateful for some fitness?"
"Yes! I know what you mean. I am NOT a natural exerciser, and sometimes, when I'm doing a training walk, or going to the gym, I simply have to be grateful for my legs. Grateful for my healthy body that CAN walk. So, are you ready? Can we work together on 'turnaround' language? I want you to catch me, too. "
"Okay. When we get home, can I play computer?"
"No, honey. You need to do blah, blah, blah."
"Turnaround!"
"No! That is NOT how this works! (me laughing...) I still get to be your mother and tell you what to do. We're talking about negative things..."
See, it works. Pleasant words are a honeycomb. Even if you do get a bit sticky at times. :)
Hebrews 4:12-13 (NIV)For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
I woke up with this verse on the brain, so I call that the Holy Spirit's urging. Going with it. His Girl did a fantastic post on missed opportunities to show others Jesus. I am not an evangelizer at heart. I'm not. But one of our commands, so to speak, is the "great commission". We are told to let others know about Jesus. Because, the truth is, NOT knowing him is a true death sentence. Period. Bev posted about this yesterday, too. Hmmm...Holy Spirit knocking, anyone?
What will my account look like? Am I "Jesus in skin" to everyone, or just to the "easy" people. You know who I'm talking about. What's my attitude today? Don't misunderstand. I know we all have "off" days and crummy times; but I believe God will judge my prevailing attitude. Gotta chew on this one for a bit.
What say ye?
(Meanwhile...must.finish.Robin.Hood.costume. P.r.o.n.t.o!)
Hebrews 3:13 (NIV)| You Belong in the Baby Boomer Generation |
 You are optimistic, rebellious, and even a little self centered. You still believe that you will change the world. You detest authority and rules. Deep down, you're a non conformist. |
Good Morning! Today I get to sing on Worship Team. I thought since I would be singing songs of praise, it would be appropriate for a look in the Psalms. Plus, I love Psalms--I do. Having been raised as a "Christer" (celebration/church on Christmas and Easter), I have been overwhelmed with oooohs and aaaahs when I (duh) realize that many of the worship songs I sing today are worded exactly and directly from the Psalms. Cool, huh?!My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long.
Bonus verses: Better IS one day in Your courts!
Psalm 84:1-2
How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh cry out for the Living God.
Anyone besides me forget how special we are in the eyes of the One who made us? I swear, I have a short term memory deficit where this is concerned. Or, is it the slightest (or maybe not so slight) hint of disbelief. I am nothing--dirt, clay--without the One who made me and crafted my life, and I'm everything possible with Him molding me to be like Himself.
Father, I love you, and I come to the throne thanking you for making me, for molding me in your image. Sometimes it hurts. But you're there in the good, the bad, and the ugly. May my hurts and growing pains glorify You. Forgive me for my narcissism in believing, at times, that I have the world by its tail. That "I can do this!" "I've got it." Forgive me for also buying in to Satan's lies that I am nothing. I am Your daughter, Your princess. Your workmanship. And You love me like no other. Thank You for Your awesome, amazing will. Thank You for creating a one-of-a-kind me and for blessing me with these one-of-a-kind sisters in Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Isn't this the sweetest button? Thank you, His Girl, for thinking of me and for blessing my socks off! I love the colors and the graphics are so happy! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
