Wonderful things are happening in my life around here... My husband has found a way to make my dryer ACTUALLY DRY!!! Now, some may think that this is a small thing, but let me tell you - if you have 5 children, 2 of which are hard at play, dirty little boys and one who is a giant, hard at play (well, actually hard at work preparing for college football - and a little hunting in there too ;)) and you have the amount of laundry that we do, then you know just what a thrill this is!
Honestly, I could throw a party it's so wonderful. :))) For the past 3 1/2 years we've had a dryer that didn't really dry very well... You'd have to hang up about 1/2 the load on drying racks or the back porch and even then you'd have to run the dryer 2 or even 3 times just to get 1/2 of the load dry!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!!! Talk about frustrating! It's been almost impossible to keep up. But, like I said, my sweet hubbie has once again arrived in his armor and rescued me! And now that I have this lovely little dryer working... it's like having a servant girl here to help me with my laundry. ;) I AM ZIPPING THROUGH LOADS OF LAUNDRY!!! Woohoo!!! Can I get an Amen?!
A long time ago my precious friend (hi Gwynie Pie) once made the analogy that the Proverbs 31 woman's servant girls (vs. 15) are now our modern day appliances - washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, etc... And I'd have to agree. This working dryer is making me so much more capable of serving my family. I feel empowered! Speaking of that........ gotta go switch the loads! :D Have a great day!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Meat To Chew On.......Part 2
Yesterday I posted a chunk of verses that I've been working through/meditating on lately and I really wanted to share some things that God is showing me, but as usual, Titus was climbing all over me and we were in a rush to prepare for church........... so, I just left it with the verse. Which of course is plenty. God's word is alive and active and really doesn't need my help. ;)
But of course, as it goes with me, these verses are still settling deep into my heart and I can't seem to think of much else. So, while I'd like to take it all apart for you and share - once again my mama duties call - so I will quickly hit the highlights. This is my Reader's Digest version of things that God is showing me.
I love that at the end of vs 3 it says that he called us by his own glory and goodness. All of my relationship with him should be framed with this - his glory and goodness. It would change how I look at everything.
Vs. 4 talks about his "very great and precious promises".......... it'd be amazing to make a list of those... and it says that through those "very great and precious promises" we can participate in the divine nature- this is the SUPER NATURAL!!! How exciting is that?! We can escape the world's corruption and participate the in the super natural things that God is doing... WOOHOO. If that doesn't get you excited, you need to check for a pulse!
In the next few verses is a list of qualities that we need in increasing measure so that we can be effective and productive in our knowledge of Jesus. Oh - I so don't want to waste my life. I want every moment of every day to be effective and productive - in my own growth, in my marriage, in my mothering, in my witness to the lost, in my encouragement to the body of Christ....
But the number one highlight is SO SIMPLE. It's at the beginning of verse 3............... HIS DIVINE POWER HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR LIFE... Of course it goes on a bit, but what if we just meditated on that little chunk? God has given us everything we need for life. Everything.
I think of the list that I can sometimes make -
Oh how will I ever have enough ___________?
What if I don't know ____________?
I just can't ___________.
I'm not good enough, mature enough, smart enough, capable enough to _____________.
What if _______________?
and on and on and on....
But he says - HIS DIVINE POWER HAS GIVEN ME EVERYTHING I NEED FOR LIFE. HE - (God) - has the power to give EVERYTHING I NEED. EVERYTHING. FOR MY LIFE. My life means - all of it. Not just a portion. Not just spiritual matters. Everything. All my financial concerns, my desperate need for organization, my need to love, forgive, encourage, and cheer on my husband and children. My need to eat healthier. My need home school my children well. My need to know the right priorities of every day. My need to heal from past wounds. And it could go on and on. I need a lot and HE gives me everything I need. Hallelujah.
So here is the challenge for me and for you: If God calls us to do something, do we do the responsible and reasonable thing? Do we make a list of pros and cons and wrestle with it? Do we compare it to the cultural norm and realize how ridiculous it would be? Do we run because of the discomfort it would cause us? (hmmm, that's a good one) OR do we follow hard after Him, full of faith and trust in Him because HIS DIVINE POWER HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR LIFE??? The bottom line is - do we believe God?
But of course, as it goes with me, these verses are still settling deep into my heart and I can't seem to think of much else. So, while I'd like to take it all apart for you and share - once again my mama duties call - so I will quickly hit the highlights. This is my Reader's Digest version of things that God is showing me.
I love that at the end of vs 3 it says that he called us by his own glory and goodness. All of my relationship with him should be framed with this - his glory and goodness. It would change how I look at everything.
Vs. 4 talks about his "very great and precious promises".......... it'd be amazing to make a list of those... and it says that through those "very great and precious promises" we can participate in the divine nature- this is the SUPER NATURAL!!! How exciting is that?! We can escape the world's corruption and participate the in the super natural things that God is doing... WOOHOO. If that doesn't get you excited, you need to check for a pulse!
In the next few verses is a list of qualities that we need in increasing measure so that we can be effective and productive in our knowledge of Jesus. Oh - I so don't want to waste my life. I want every moment of every day to be effective and productive - in my own growth, in my marriage, in my mothering, in my witness to the lost, in my encouragement to the body of Christ....
But the number one highlight is SO SIMPLE. It's at the beginning of verse 3............... HIS DIVINE POWER HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR LIFE... Of course it goes on a bit, but what if we just meditated on that little chunk? God has given us everything we need for life. Everything.
I think of the list that I can sometimes make -
Oh how will I ever have enough ___________?
What if I don't know ____________?
I just can't ___________.
I'm not good enough, mature enough, smart enough, capable enough to _____________.
What if _______________?
and on and on and on....
But he says - HIS DIVINE POWER HAS GIVEN ME EVERYTHING I NEED FOR LIFE. HE - (God) - has the power to give EVERYTHING I NEED. EVERYTHING. FOR MY LIFE. My life means - all of it. Not just a portion. Not just spiritual matters. Everything. All my financial concerns, my desperate need for organization, my need to love, forgive, encourage, and cheer on my husband and children. My need to eat healthier. My need home school my children well. My need to know the right priorities of every day. My need to heal from past wounds. And it could go on and on. I need a lot and HE gives me everything I need. Hallelujah.
So here is the challenge for me and for you: If God calls us to do something, do we do the responsible and reasonable thing? Do we make a list of pros and cons and wrestle with it? Do we compare it to the cultural norm and realize how ridiculous it would be? Do we run because of the discomfort it would cause us? (hmmm, that's a good one) OR do we follow hard after Him, full of faith and trust in Him because HIS DIVINE POWER HAS GIVEN US EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR LIFE??? The bottom line is - do we believe God?
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Meat To Chew On
1 Peter 1:3-9
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you posses these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. (italics mine)
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you posses these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. (italics mine)
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Extravagant Grace
There have been several times in my life when EXTRAVAGANT GRACE has washed over me....
You know those times when you realize what Jesus has done for you... when you realize what you've been saved from... or what you've been saved for? .... That the Creator of the heavens and the earth has reached down from glory to touch you? You... little ole you? Do you understand what I'm saying? At these times God moves me from first jumping up and down in praise and adoration of Him to the floor... my face in the carpet, sobs wracking my body. It's a goodness and a sweetness that's so rich it kind of hurts... Do you know what I mean? It's like there isn't one cell of my body that's unaware of the fullness and the glory of my God. It makes me think of Isaiah's encounter with God in Isaiah chapter 6. God is amazing and powerful and I am just so small... and yet, he finds me, knows me, loves me, graces me. Wow.
Well, that is what I'm feeling today as I share with you that I have had a visitation from the Holy Spirit... He has come to me... to my body. Making a miracle. He has created LIFE again in my womb. I am so happy that I want to shout it from the roof tops.... and sob on the floor. Who am I? Really............ who am I that He would look on me with such favor?
Do you realize that only 4 1/2 years ago I was a barren woman? And now, to be blessed again.... Wow.... God you are awesome. I am due to have our 6th baby in late October. :))) It has been so fun to share the news, especially with our big kids who are delighted. Thank you Lord for filling our quiver... not only a blessing, but an answered prayer for sooo many years. You are a faithful God.
"He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD" Psalm 113:9
You know those times when you realize what Jesus has done for you... when you realize what you've been saved from... or what you've been saved for? .... That the Creator of the heavens and the earth has reached down from glory to touch you? You... little ole you? Do you understand what I'm saying? At these times God moves me from first jumping up and down in praise and adoration of Him to the floor... my face in the carpet, sobs wracking my body. It's a goodness and a sweetness that's so rich it kind of hurts... Do you know what I mean? It's like there isn't one cell of my body that's unaware of the fullness and the glory of my God. It makes me think of Isaiah's encounter with God in Isaiah chapter 6. God is amazing and powerful and I am just so small... and yet, he finds me, knows me, loves me, graces me. Wow.
Well, that is what I'm feeling today as I share with you that I have had a visitation from the Holy Spirit... He has come to me... to my body. Making a miracle. He has created LIFE again in my womb. I am so happy that I want to shout it from the roof tops.... and sob on the floor. Who am I? Really............ who am I that He would look on me with such favor?
Do you realize that only 4 1/2 years ago I was a barren woman? And now, to be blessed again.... Wow.... God you are awesome. I am due to have our 6th baby in late October. :))) It has been so fun to share the news, especially with our big kids who are delighted. Thank you Lord for filling our quiver... not only a blessing, but an answered prayer for sooo many years. You are a faithful God.
"He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD" Psalm 113:9
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