Have you too quickly decided that what you have done or what you are doing is all you'll ever do?
Father, You have said in your Word, "Whoever invokes blessing in the land will do so by the God of truth; he who takes an oath in the land will swear by the God of truth. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes" (Isaiah 65:16)
Lord, I have plenty of past troubles. They seem to continue right before my eyes. Please, God of truth, invoke a blessing over my life and release me from my past.
I was once in darkness, but now I am light in You. Help me to live as a child of light, for the fruit of light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Help me to seek You and find what pleases You (Ephesians 5:8-10).
Taken from Praying God's Word Day by Day
By Beth Moore
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
Just another Manic Monday....
Another Monday has arrived. That's okay. We are that much closer to our summer vacation. Not that I am wishing time away. I enjoy the process of "getting there" just as much as finally "being there"!
The kids are working on their science reports today. I thought I would give them the day off from regular lessons and have them concentrate on their reports. Olivia is writing about asteroids and Paul is writing about Jupiter.
Well, got to get on with the day! (which means, laundry, bed making, dinner planning, general cleaning, etc!)
Happy (rainy) Monday!
p.s. Think back to the first few days of March. We had a snowstorm...in like a lion! Now, at the last few days of this month, we are enjoying gentle rain...out like a lamb! (of course I know that this could change in the blink of a New Englander's eye!!)
The kids are working on their science reports today. I thought I would give them the day off from regular lessons and have them concentrate on their reports. Olivia is writing about asteroids and Paul is writing about Jupiter.
Well, got to get on with the day! (which means, laundry, bed making, dinner planning, general cleaning, etc!)
Happy (rainy) Monday!
p.s. Think back to the first few days of March. We had a snowstorm...in like a lion! Now, at the last few days of this month, we are enjoying gentle rain...out like a lamb! (of course I know that this could change in the blink of a New Englander's eye!!)
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Cozy Sunday
~Cozy night sleep, with rain dashing upon my window.
~Church with the family.
~Spending the afternoon re-discovering "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett
~Dinner with the family.
~Spending the after dinner hour with friends and meeting the newest addition to their family.
What could be nicer?
~Church with the family.
~Spending the afternoon re-discovering "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett
~Dinner with the family.
~Spending the after dinner hour with friends and meeting the newest addition to their family.
What could be nicer?
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Here are the lyrics to the song in this latest movie. I am touched by this song. To me it means that even though our lives are good, possibly even great...things can still feel empty at the end of the day. Only Jesus can fill our emptiness.
All Along by Remedy Drive
It's not everything it seems - the world and its dreams
Slipping like water through my hands tonight
All the things I thought would fill me up inside
Left me empty here - and now I know why
All along I was looking for something else
You're something else
All along I was looking for something more
You're so much more
I finally found what I could never see before
You've always been the one that I was looking for
All of my castles in the sand - washed away again
And I'm left back where I began tonight
The only thing that can ever fill me up
Has been right in front of me all the time
bridge:
I won't miss you - I won't miss you this time
I say I want you - yeah I want you in my life
All Along by Remedy Drive
It's not everything it seems - the world and its dreams
Slipping like water through my hands tonight
All the things I thought would fill me up inside
Left me empty here - and now I know why
All along I was looking for something else
You're something else
All along I was looking for something more
You're so much more
I finally found what I could never see before
You've always been the one that I was looking for
All of my castles in the sand - washed away again
And I'm left back where I began tonight
The only thing that can ever fill me up
Has been right in front of me all the time
bridge:
I won't miss you - I won't miss you this time
I say I want you - yeah I want you in my life
Friday, March 20, 2009
Teacher's pet
Okay, I am guilty of letting the cat go on the kitchen table...but that's what lysol wipes are for! He is trying to help Olivia with her latest algebra lesson...he had a few pointers for Paul, too!
Happy Friday!!
Happy Friday!!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
The Throne in Heaven
Revelation 4
1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
Imagine, this is going on in heaven right now...wow.
1 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this." 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian. A rainbow, resembling an emerald, encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. 6 Also before the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.
In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9 Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:
11 "You are worthy, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they were created
and have their being."
Imagine, this is going on in heaven right now...wow.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Dream world revisited:
Okay, I've got to report some of my latest dreams....Just because.
~We went to a farm to adopt a horse...turns out it was a goat, but the farmer swore up and down it was a horse...(okay mister, try and explain the horns!)
~I was in a field...I took three long leaping steps and flew up to the sky. It was cool...it happens at least three times a week in my dreams. I love it.
~Speaking of frequent dreams, one situation keeps coming up...Melody and I are constantly trying on dresses together. Usually this takes place in a warehouse full of period clothing. (Victorian, Renaissance, etc...)
~a couple of nights ago...I dreamt that I had feathers growing on my legs...hmmm...interesting.
~and one more: I dream occasionally of people from my past. (recent and distant) I know the Holy Spirit is bringing putting them on my heart, so I pray for them.
Funny how our dreams reflect our wishes sometimes. Like wanting a horse, wanting to fly and wanting to dress in pretty clothes....
~We went to a farm to adopt a horse...turns out it was a goat, but the farmer swore up and down it was a horse...(okay mister, try and explain the horns!)
~I was in a field...I took three long leaping steps and flew up to the sky. It was cool...it happens at least three times a week in my dreams. I love it.
~Speaking of frequent dreams, one situation keeps coming up...Melody and I are constantly trying on dresses together. Usually this takes place in a warehouse full of period clothing. (Victorian, Renaissance, etc...)
~a couple of nights ago...I dreamt that I had feathers growing on my legs...hmmm...interesting.
~and one more: I dream occasionally of people from my past. (recent and distant) I know the Holy Spirit is bringing putting them on my heart, so I pray for them.
Funny how our dreams reflect our wishes sometimes. Like wanting a horse, wanting to fly and wanting to dress in pretty clothes....
Saturday, March 14, 2009
2nd Post of the day:
I found these pictures of someone near and dear to my heart. Boy, he sure has grown!!
One day at a time...
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sometimes I just can't express myself unless I make a movie...This one is a bit abstract, but I hope what I am trying to say in this one comes through.
Many things have pointed me toward the love of God lately. Firstly, that He loves me and loved me first. Secondly, that He expects me to love with His kind of love...the kind that covers all, heals all and gives us so much hope. Okay, I don't understand it fully...but that's okay.
"You can do no great things, just small things with great love"
~Mother Theresa
Many things have pointed me toward the love of God lately. Firstly, that He loves me and loved me first. Secondly, that He expects me to love with His kind of love...the kind that covers all, heals all and gives us so much hope. Okay, I don't understand it fully...but that's okay.
"You can do no great things, just small things with great love"
~Mother Theresa
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Nothing to Fear....
When I was a child, I was afraid of the dark. Desperately afraid. So fearful was I, that the thought of going to the bathroom in the middle of the night was terrifying. I would think about all the terrible things that could "get" me on the way from my bed to the lighted bathroom and then, to have to click off the light and go back through the blackness...unthinkable!
I would imagine myself sitting up in bed, placing each foot on the floor, and something grabbing me from under the bed...if I evaded certain death there, something might seize me from the dark corner in the ill-lit hall!! Oh the dangers!!
Isn't it amazing how silly a child can be? Or not? One night, as I sat in my bed, just before shutting off my light (which was strategically placed so I wouldn't have to walk across the room to click it off), I was reading my Bible. Psalms to be exact...here is the verse that changed my fear to confidence:
Psalm 91:5
You will not fear the terror of night,
WILL NOT FEAR .... It doesn't say: "try not to" or "you don't have to" It is very specific! You WILL NOT FEAR the terror of the night....sounds like a command to me! So, I obeyed! Okay, the truth is, I still had nights of silliness...but I always clung to that verse and finally it sunk in.
As an adult, I am no longer afraid of the dark...actually, I love a dark room at night and find comfort in it...No, I have replaced my childhood fear of the dark with the fears of....growing old, losing family, dying young, what people think of me, gaining weight....do these fears have any more substance than the darkness? My opinion is that they make me focus on darkness...not light. When we worry...we are essentially saying that God can't take care of us.
Here is the whole chapter:
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
I would imagine myself sitting up in bed, placing each foot on the floor, and something grabbing me from under the bed...if I evaded certain death there, something might seize me from the dark corner in the ill-lit hall!! Oh the dangers!!
Isn't it amazing how silly a child can be? Or not? One night, as I sat in my bed, just before shutting off my light (which was strategically placed so I wouldn't have to walk across the room to click it off), I was reading my Bible. Psalms to be exact...here is the verse that changed my fear to confidence:
Psalm 91:5
You will not fear the terror of night,
WILL NOT FEAR .... It doesn't say: "try not to" or "you don't have to" It is very specific! You WILL NOT FEAR the terror of the night....sounds like a command to me! So, I obeyed! Okay, the truth is, I still had nights of silliness...but I always clung to that verse and finally it sunk in.
As an adult, I am no longer afraid of the dark...actually, I love a dark room at night and find comfort in it...No, I have replaced my childhood fear of the dark with the fears of....growing old, losing family, dying young, what people think of me, gaining weight....do these fears have any more substance than the darkness? My opinion is that they make me focus on darkness...not light. When we worry...we are essentially saying that God can't take care of us.
Here is the whole chapter:
Psalm 91
1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you make the Most High your dwelling—
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
10 then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation."
So many promises. It covers all of the fears I could possibly invent. Every verse gives me chills...God speaks, I am listening. No worries, mate!
(remember I wrote a similar post in January...it goes to show that this is one of my life long battles...but I am growing more and more secure in the fact that if I "dwell in the shelter of the Most High, I will rest in the Almighty"!)
Friday, March 6, 2009
Post # 2
I John 4:7-21
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
I have a question: Why don't we think more often about how great and wonderful God is? Why do we dwell on the things of this world and allow them to infiltrate us to the point of destruction?
1 Corinthians 13
Love
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
It convicts me to the very depths.
Psalm 86:4
Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.
7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
I have a question: Why don't we think more often about how great and wonderful God is? Why do we dwell on the things of this world and allow them to infiltrate us to the point of destruction?
1 Corinthians 13
Love
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
It convicts me to the very depths.
Psalm 86:4
Bring joy to your servant,
for to you, O Lord,
I lift up my soul.
The hunt is over
For quite some time now, we have been looking for a sectional couch for the den. Wow, they can be very expensive! We had something very particular in mind. We love the rustic lodge look. However, it is very difficult to find that type of sectional. Usually, they are very contemporary. Finally after much window shopping, we came across this beauty in the bargain basement at Bernie and Phyl's (quality, comfort and price...that's okay...yes, we changed the song, of course! ha ha!) I won't quote the price, but I must say that we were very pleased to purchase it at less than half the original price!
Here is a picture of our new area rug in the living room. Another long time search for just the right look and, of course, price! We bought this at the Rug Depot...great place for good quality and great prices!
Here is a picture of our new area rug in the living room. Another long time search for just the right look and, of course, price! We bought this at the Rug Depot...great place for good quality and great prices!
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