Truck Doors

Late this summer I was driving to the gas station to pick up milk and had the girls with me.  As we're driving down the state route near where we live I thought I head a window open in the back seat.  I thought, well that's odd, I thought the window locks were on.  Both girls have a tendency to open windows in the back seat.  So I check the window lock button, it's on.  Uh oh.  I glance to the back seat, Ruth has opened the door and is holding on to it.  (She is still securely strapped into her car seat!)

I slow down, and it appears she's reclosed it.  We're almost to the gas station, so I slowly finish the drive there, make the turn into the gas station, and as I make the turn, the door swings WIDE OPEN. 

There I am in the gas station lot, unable to pull into a parking spot because the door open.

There's a gentleman and his kids at another pump staring at me.  A guy walking out of the gas station laughing like crazy, and I'm walking around the truck, closing the door, walking back around the truck and pulling into a parking spot.

Then I learned how to turn on the child locks on the doors.

I'm not judging you..

A month or so ago while driving the kids to evening activities Caden disagreed with me on the use of child locks on the back doors of the truck. 

He said "Mom's I'm not judging you or anything, but I think what you're doing is stupid."

He thought that if the child locks were in and we had an accident he would be trapped and unable to get out of the back seat.  However, my side is presented that Ruthie has grabby hands and likes to open doors while driving down the road.  There was a greater likely hood Ruth would open a door than an accident and the child locks were staying on!

Daniel

I finished the book of Daniel this morning. 

• King Nebuchadnezzar chose Daniel (Belteshazzar), Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishae (Meshach), and Azariah (Abendego) from important families of Judah to be trained and become his servants
• Daniel refused the King's food and win to not become unclean; the chief officer agreed to a 10 day vegetable test to make sure they didn't suffer for the diet change, and the 4 excelled and had wisdom when the king asked of them
• King Nebuchadnezzar expected his fortune tellers, magician and wise men to explain his dream to him and tell him it's meaning, when no one could, he ordered them killed
• Daniel prayed to God for guidance, then he explained the dream to the king; King was head of gold and each part below him are his successors, the 4th successor has a divided kingdom
• King Nebuchadnezzar is pleased, acknowledges God and gives Daniel and friends roles in his kingdom
• King Nebuchadnezzar put a gold idol for everyone to worship
• If they didn't worship the king would have them thrown in the furnace
• Shadrach, Meshach and Abendego refused and someone told the king
• The king turned the furnace hotter, had them tied up and thrown in by strong men who died from the flames just throwing them in
• The king saw a 4th man (angel) in the fire with them walking around free and called them out
• King Nebuchadnezzar commanded the worship God
• King Nebuchadnezzar dreamed of a great tree that provided much fruit and shelter for animals, birds and everyone but it was cut down and man was to live in the wilderness 7 years then a command goes out that God is all powerful and gives kingdoms to who he wants
• Daniel explain the dream, the tree is King Nebuchadnezzar, powerful, but it is all taken away and he becomes like an animal for 7 years
•  Because the stump of the tree stayed, King would return when he had learned God was powerful and ruler
• Then the dream came true
• After King Nebuchadnezzar, his son Belshazzar is king
• King Belshazzar gets cups from the temple for his banquet and a hand write on the wall, the wise men, magicians and fortune tellers cannot interpret it; his mother tells I'm to send for Daniel
• Daniel tells king he can keep his reward but will interpret it anyway
• God has counted the days of King Belshazzar's kingdom because he was not good enough and the kingdom will be divided
• King Belshazzar died that night
• King Darius comes to power and Daniel is one of 3 supervisors over the 120 governors of his kingdom
• Daniel was excellent at his job and the other supervisors and governors wanted to bring him down, but they found no fault with him
• Supervisors and governors talked King Darius into signing a law that for 30 days no one ma worship anyone but King Darius
• Daniel knew of this and still worshipped God, so they told the King on Daniel
• King Darius wanted to save Daniel
• Daniel was put in the lion's den, but mouth's of lions were closed by an angel
• Darius was distressed that night and went without food and entertainment and had little sleep
• The next morning Darius found Daniel unharmed and removed him from the den
• Daniel's accusers and their families went into the lion's den and the lion's crushed them
• Daniel was successful with King Darius and King Cyrus
• Daniel had 2 visions with unique animals and angels telling of kings and kingdoms to come and change
• Daniel prayed over Jerusalem for grace for their sins
• Daniel saw a vision of a man
• The north and south will fight
• King of the North worshipped power and strength
• The time of the end will bring back life forever or shame and disgrace forever, sacrifices daily will stop

Ezekiel

I finished the book of Ezekiel last week.  It took me awhile to get through this one.  And I like that I'm into shorter books now, that will seemingly go faster. 

• Ezekiel saw a vision of creates with 4 wings, 4 heads (eagle, lion human, ox), hooves and wheels
• God spoke to Ezekiel, he feels the spirit too
• Ezekiel was to share God's message to the people whether they listened or not; if they knew the message and disobeys their sin and death was their fault; had Ezekiel not shared the message, he would be guilty for them too
• Map of Jerusalem on a brick
• Lay on your left side 390 days for Israel's sin; then your right for 40 days for Judah's sin
• Bread and water will be measured and used
• Ezekiel cut his hair and divides it into thirds: 1/3 burns, 1/3 cut up around the city, 1/3 to the wind
• God's anger will destroy Jerusalem: 1/3 disease or hunger, 1/3 sword, 1/3 scattered
• Then God's anger will let them know how strongly He felt
• Death, capture and scatting of people will occur because of the unfaithfulness, evil and idol worship
• The end of the land and people is coming
• Ezekiel, by the spirit, sees a vision of Jerusalem and the terrible things the people have done and idols making God jealous and angry
• Angels came to mark those who complained of the evil around them and the others were killed
• Vision of creature was bright from the glory of God, coals of fire were taken from creatures and sent out
• Creatures were winged, had wheels near them that were 2 wheels, one crossway inside the other and moved in any direction; had hand and eyes that covered their bodies; had 4 faces (creature with wings, human, lion, eagle) the spirit was in the wheels and went everywhere with them - cherubim
• These were the same creatures seen before
• Evil leaders were gathered and the spirit told Ezekiel to say that they would be destroyed for their ways and know it was God
• Israelites scattered had become temple for them and God said he would bring them back - they must give up their idols and follow God or punishment will follow
• Ezekiel moves out as if he were a captive as a warning
• Ezekiel shows eating and drinking in fear
• Ezekiel's message is truly from God unlike the many visions they hear from false teachers that never come true
• Stop worshipping idols and don't lead others astray
• Jerusalem will be punished
• Goodness of a person can only save themselves
• The people are like the wood of a vine, not used for anything else and burned up
• The Lord was kind to young Jerusalem, as Jerusalem matured the Lord made her beautiful, but she started to trust her beauty more and used it in sin; suddenly Jerusalem forgot where they came from and the good God
• Judgement comes, but God has plans and promises for forgiveness forever
• The eagle plans a vine near water that will grow, but it dries up and dies and will not grow again
• Judah broke their agreement with Babylon by going to Egypt for help; Judah was destroyed
• God is fair and punishes each person for their sins, not their parent's of children's sin
• God wants no one to die, but for us to change our ways
• Funeral song
• Israel refused God
• Sin, uncleanliness, idolatry, uselessness defines Israel
• Sexual sins and uncleanliness will be punished
• Ezekiel was to tell stories for the disobedient people
• Cannot be cleansed until God's anger is carried out
• Ezekiel's wife suddenly dies and he is to follow God's directions for mourning and grief
• Prophecy - told of demise of cities to come
• Tyre funeral song - of all the ports and trades from/to
• Tyre king was boastful and proud and punishment will follow
• Punishment for Sidon coming
• Egypt didn't help Israel and will be punished and empty for 40 years - Egypt won't rule others again
• Babylon takes Egypt for their work over Tyre's battle
• Egypt will be punished and their idols destroyed
• More sadness, destruction and death
• Ezekiel is watchman for Israel
• We must let others know their wrongs so we may not be guilty of their sin
• We must not turn from out good ways or we die
• God will gather us as sheep and care of us in fairness
• Edom will be punished
• Israel will return, people will be cleansed, holy spirit and hearts of flesh
• Ezekiel in the Valley of Dry Bones that come to life as God's people of Israel will with their hope
• Israel and Judah (each a stick) will become one kingdom (the stick in his had became one)
• Prophesy and destruction of Gog
• The new temple described
• God comes to Ezekiel in the temple and tells him before Kings had made His name unclean, this temple's design keeps the Lord's place separate from Kings - Ezekiel is to share the temple design and rules for others to obey
• Alter is given directions for offering to prepare the alter and cleanse/accept people
• The gate the Lord entered the temple through must stay closed
• When Ezekiel knew the Lord was present, he bowed down to the ground
• Rules for the temple and priest are given
• The land is divided and standard measures set
• Offerings described and rules for worship and the ruler set
• Small kitchens in each corner of the courtyard for boiling and cooking the offerings
• A rive runs from the temple
• The land borders are defined and distributed

The common phrase through this book was "the Lord spoke his word to me."

I also noticed the stark difference from the New Testament in that God seems to have different expectation of His people as opposed to others.  Where in the New Testament we are ALL welcome to come to him. 

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I asked all 4 kiddos this question today.

Caleb wants to be a police officer.
Caden wants to join the circus.
Elinore doesn't want to do anything.
Ruth wants to be a surgery doctor or a baby doctor.

Raising World Chagners in a Changing World

I finished this book last night.  It was better than I expected.  It was similar to Welch's last book in that it was encouraging, insightful and provided a few new ideas.

I feel like I learned things not only about parenting, but how to live my own life, which as a result impacts our parenting too.  We are role models to our children. 

Raising Grateful Kinds in an Entitled World

I finished this book a few weeks ago.  It was a great read, easy read with practical ideas and a pep talk for my parenting.  There were several things I already attempt to do mixed with some new ideas to try.  But even more than that it was a reminder to keep going, stay dedicated and keep going.  It was the motherhood pep talk I needed.  Sometimes I get tired, stressed, lazy or fill in the blank with 1045 other emotions and I loose sight of what's important and get lazy in sticking to our plans and goals and structure for the family, this puts me back on track: reading encouragement, reminders, good friends and my Bible.

Long Underwear

Keith took the girls to see Santa come to town last night. I asked Elinore about it this morning as she changed clothes and she says she changed her long and her short underwear. 🤣

Short Stories by Jesus

This was excellent.

As I read I realized I know so very little about Jesus and the Bible.  And reading this books feels like I've opened my mind or my eyes to the possibility of deeper understanding.

Love you neighbor; love your neighbor; love your neighbor.

Don't buy into sterotypes or things you think you already know. Dig deeper, think critically, see God's creation in people, not judgement.

Lamentations

• Jerusalem is hungry, upset, defeated
• Jerusalem is destroyed
• God is still loving in suffering; we cannot hide from him
• He doesn't like to punish or sadden people, but He must be apart from sin
• God still comes and says "do not be afraid"
• Jerusalem loses status, cleanliness, food, safety, etc.

Falling Free

This book has been on my to read list for awhile and about a month ago I found it on the shelf at Ollie's and picked it up.  It quickly rose to the top of my pile to read.  It was not what I expected and just what I needed all at the same time.

I expected more of a memoir through her life.  And while there was an element of that to the book, it was about following God and how she did that in her daily life with her family.  It was a story about it being a great neighbor, opening your door, welcoming people and being like Jesus. 

Thoughts in my head that have swirled around without depth to them, I saw in words in this book. 

It was a great read, and it's already on it's way to a friend.  Good books are always shared!

A few more notes on Jeremiah

To know write from evil, you must know more Bible text. 

How often do we not like the message or task we are asked of by God?  We can't put Jeremiah in a well, but we can ignore him and walk away.  Free will choices.

Jeremiah lied as directed by the King, but truth is to reign.  Rahab lied to save too.

Jeremiah

I struggled through the book of Jeremiah.  It was sad.  It was hard, and I had a lot going on in my personal life that kept me from digging in more.  There were days and weeks where I didn't read. 

• God chooses Jeremiah for special work to carry His words out
• Israel's people are sinful and turn to idols, not God
• God offers discipline, but Israel complains to God and doesn't turn back
• Judah and Israel are evil and turn from God like prostitutes worshiping idols and doing evil; they come back pretending to follow God (they were not whole-heatedly there)
• God is angry & sends trouble/punishment
• Judah has no faith/God honor; they have all turned away and like it
• Jerusalem and Judah will be punished and destroyed for they walk in sin and enjoy it; they do not see their own wrong doings as God tries to warn them
• Jeremiah's message to tell the people to change their ways and do right
• You are hurting yourself with your sin, not God
• Obedience to God is not just making sacrifices
• When we believe our own lies & think our sins aren't serious, that's trouble
• Be sure what you read or hear is scripturally accurate
• Jeremiah is sad for his people
• Judah is caught in their own lies
• Punishment will come
• Do not brag, only about God
• Idols can't do anything, God is all powerful
• Destruction will come from evil
• Jeremiah will share God's message
• Plan to kill Jeremiah, but he prays and trusts God's fairness
• Jeremiah asks God why evil people prosper
• God is angry with Israel and has left them; he will return to them if they return to him
• God will remove their pride
• Discipline coming for disobedience
• False prophets teaching of peach in Judah
• The Lord's people have left him; He is angry; they are being destroyed
• Jeremiah is happy in God, but distressed in all the negative message to his evil land
• People will not care for each other
• Trust God, not people
• Mind is evil, look at the heart
• Keep the sabbath
• The Lord changed his mind based on people's obedience/behavior
• We are like clay in the potter's hands; God is the potter
• People are stubborn and it is hard to change ways
• People were against Jeremiah and wanted to kill him
• Judah will be destroyed like a clay, broken and cannot be repaired because the people do not listen
• Jeremiah is punished by a priest and mocked by his friends
• Jeremiah shared this message when the city was surrounded, Jerusalem and Judah will be destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar because of the Lord's anger and decision, anyone who surrenders immediately will be saved
• Be fair and right, save those who've been robbed; do not mistreat foreigners, orphans or widows; dno't kill innocent people
• Evil king will be thrown from the land never to return
• God was upset leaders don't take care of their people
• A good branch (of David's family) will come soon and they will return to their land
• False prophets are not good
• We use our own words, God's message is HIS not ours
• Plant so we may grow and want to know God, not just pulled toward God
• War is coming to Earth for disobedience, a result of God's anger
• People want to kill Jeremiah, but they do believe his message is from God then
• Uriah speaking the same message as Jeremiah is killed
• People are captive in Babylon, Jeremiah through God tell them to make lives there and do good for their benefit but there are MANY false teachers/prophets and magicians telling lies
• A new covenant is coming; sins will be forgotten
• Jeremiah tells truth from God
• Jeremiah bought a field from his cousin
• The people will return; God will bring them back
• God forgave and washed their sin away for their return (washed away sin in the Old Testatemnt)
• People changed their hearts; tehy'd agreed to let their slaves go after 6 years and they did, but they changed their minds/hearts and made them come back
• There was a family that obeyed their ancestors about not drinking win and living in tents, God used them as an example to Jerusalem
• Jeremiah's words were written and read to allow people to learn to change to avoid coming punishment; the people feared, but the King burned the scroll
• Jeremiah was trying to go to some property to claim of his family when he was arrested and accused of going to fight against them
• He was imprisioned in the courtyard of the yard and given bread
• The officers didn't like the messages they heard from Jeremiah as they lowered him into a well of mud
• The Cushites took Jeremiah out of the well and back to the guard so he didn't starve to death
• Jeremiah gave the King a message about what to do from God; lied to the officers about what they talked about to share his life
• Jerusalem fell, people were taken captive except the poorest of the poor
• Jeremiah was set free to do as he wished
• Gedaliah became govenor to represent the people to Babylon, but he learned people wanted him dead; Ishmael killed him and people bringing offerings to the temple
• Ishmael let some live because they said there was good stored in a field
• Ishmael filled a well from King Asa with bodies of those from Mizpah
• Ishmael took captives
• Jonathan saved the captives from Ishmael, but heard his team escaped
• Army officers went to Jeremiah to seek God's guidance and they said they would listen if they liked or disliked the message from God
• God said stay in Judah, but they didn't believe and they went to Egypt
• Disaster will come to them in Egypt for the lack of obedience to the Lord
• Prepare for battle, there will be bloodshed, someday there will be peace
• God will protect the children of israel
• God sends messages for the land; people will be destroyed as judgement for their choices
• God was punishing Babylon for all she did wrong; Babylon would be completely destroyed for their sin
• God did not forsake Israel and Judah

Girl, Wash Your Face

Everyone is talking about this book lately.  A friend of mine and I were talking about it and the next thing I knew she's ordered a copy for each of us to read.  It was an east read; I found myself with a lot of waiting room time last week and finished it in 2 days. 

For all the conversation I'd heard about it; I had high expectations.  I was a little underwhelmed with the book.  I didn't find her faith to be in the forefront of the story.  I found it to be a little repetitive and occasionally contradictory.  I can see where some folks mind find value in her messages.  There is always room for improvement, but a few of them lessons she talks about I've learned just going through life to this point too. 

Taking Responsibiltiy for the Choices We Make

I finished reading this book last week.  It wasn't on my radar, wasn't on my to read list, wasn't sitting around in a pile for me to have time.  But I ordered a couple things online from a website, and in place of one of the items, came this book.  When I contacted them, they apologized, shipped my correct item and told me to keep the book. 

The title intrigued me.  It is certainly a lesson we are trying to teach the kids, but I hadn't thought about how it might apply to my life.  So it quickly rose to the top of my to read pile. 

I shared pieces of this story with my friends; I underlined and I was convicted in parts. 

It was a great read.

Made to Crave

I finished this book this week by Lysa TerKeurst and it was a great read.  It wasn't what I expected when I picked it up at a rummage sale for $0.25.  But it turned out to be a great read that I related to, understood and offered a new perspective for me. 

I wrote through this book and wrote in my journal as I read it. 

Isaiah

A few more personal notes and thoughts from my reading of Isaiah.

• God's message to all the lands were that judgment is coming and sin is everywhere.
• Do I do useless things with my time?
• From Isaiah 41:1 - Doomsday or the end of the Earth shouldn't be scary knowing God; He will be there in the End as He was there in the beginning
• Idols are bad.  They can't do anything for you.  They sought idols made of wood to save them.  I don't seek wood idols, but when I am tired or stressed to I first turn to God?  Or do I seek a tv show and a snack to replenish.  My idols may not be wood but just as distracting from God. 
•  Did the writer of Isaiah knowledge of the Earth influence the writing?  There is such talk of love for Jerusalem, but I live in the USA, which didn't exist then.  That doesn't mean we're excluded from God. 

Isaiah

I finished reading the book of Isaiah this morning.  This book has taken me a long time to get through.  I know there is a lot of good stuff packed in there, but I struggled with it too for some reason.  So much sin and separation.  I struggled with consistently reading my Bible lately too, maybe because of content, time, or some combination of both. 

• Jerusalem & Israel have turned to evil and strayed from God
• God is angry with them and will bring judges and enable fairness for their actions so Jerusalem will be free again
• In the last days the mountain with God's temple will becomes the most important, people will come and hear God's teaching
• A terrible day is coming that will make people run and hide from God's anger, the proud will be humbled
• God will punish Judah & Jerusalem
• Warning to flirty, fancy dressed women, they will be punished
• The Lord is a branch of life
• Lord is angry, punishment is coming, he invested in us and we threw away his efforts
• Don't be greedy and push others out
• Isaiah became a prophet; he recognized his sin and a 7 winged heavenly creature took it away
• Isaiah goes to tell the people they will not understand and will be sent way until only 1/10th are left in the land to regrow
• Challenge will come, you must keep your faith strong to survive
• Israel will be in trouble but Isaiah says a sign will come, Immanuel, God is with us
• There is ware in the land, by the time Immanuel is 12 (the time to choose between good and evil) that threat is gone, but the fertile land will be no more
• Assyria will overcome Damascus & Samaria
• Lord warns Isaiah not to fall for their ways and fears but to stay strong in the Lord and fear only Him
• A new day is coming, light will come in darkness, a baby; a son will come to rule and lead
• Lord is angry with Israel for their evil and ready to strike them down
• Assyria will overtake Israel for their evil, but then the Lord will punish Assyria too
• A new king will come
• The peaceable kingdom
• the new King's people will gather and have a way from Assyria
• Praise God
• God will destroy Babylon for their sin, children too
• Israel will return home, no longer slaves
• Babylon's king will die and he will go with the dead; his fearful rule on Earth will end
• Assyria will be punished
• Jerusalem is strong now by the Lord
• Philistines will perish, one cruel leader may die, but another is quick to hill those shoes
• Moab will be destroyed
• A new king will come and judge fairly
• Aram will be destroyed for they left God
• God's message to Cush & Egypt
• Isaiah obeyed and walked around naked and barefoot for 3 years
• God's message to Babylon, Edom & Arabia
• God continues to warn of coming destruction: Jerusalem, Shebna, Lebanon
• Lord will punish the people because of our sin
• Praise God
• Judgment for people and judgment will be fair
• Honor God with your heart
• Better times are coming
• Seek God's help
• Trust God, he wants to forgive us
• Trust in God, not in humans or animals
• Bad is coming but good will follow
• If evil, when you stop doing evil, it will come for you
• God is our safely, judge
• God will punish his enemies, their land will be for the animals
• God is comfort and discipline
• The Assyrians and Judah(King Hezekiah)
• Hezekiah was spared and praised God
• Babylon will take over Hezekiah's kingdom
• God's word stands forever, flowers fade
• Tell the good news, He is our shepherd
• There is no one and nothing like God
• He lives forever
• Never tires or needs rest
• He gives strength
• God is present in the beginning and the end, controller of history
• Only saving grace we have is God
• Idols cannot do what God can
• The Lord sends 2 special servants
• Songs of praise
• Israel heard, but didn't listen to God; God's teachings are good
• God is with his people
• People to witness God is so much more than any idol; He is all powerful
• God will save his people and forgive; bring your sins to Him
• Only one God, idols are useless
• Cyrus didn't know God but was selected to save Israel, everyone would see God's power
• Even when I'm old, God is the same
• Idols are useless
• We cannot save ourselves
• We hear and know but do not understand
• God gives peace like a river, evil has no peace
• God chosen will come to save, God will bring is people back to him
• Israel was punished for sin and doubted God's ability to save
• God helps his obedient servants
• We want to walk by our own light/fire, but HE is our light/lamp of the path to follow
• Judgment is coming, so is salvation
• Don't let the evil upset you, keep the faith, goodness will continue (don't fear those who die)
• Slavery of Jerusalem so the people would know God and again know God when we saved them
• We have all wandered away, but can be forgiven
• God will not be angry and punish again
• Jerusalem will grow
• God gives good and satisfying word we need to pursue
• It's word comes to us and causes things to happen; His thoughts are higher than our thoughts
• Foreigners will be accepted into the faith
• God offers real peace
• Don't make trouble, care for others, help others and God's light will shine
• People will fear God, salvation will come
• God is the light, let him shine
• Bring God's message
• The Lord was angry, for we all sin
• The Lord was/is ready and waiting for people to seek him and come to him
• People will learn about God
• Peaceable kingdom
• A new heave and a new Earth
• God loves Jerusalem & wants to see it prosper

Table

Earlier this year, during the winter that last into spring, we bought a new kitchen table.  I've wanted a new kitchen table for years.  However, at our old place, we didn't have room for anything bigger.  So after 9 months or so in the new place, we bought on a table.  It wasn't even planned!

My mom and I were out one day and happened to stop in a furniture store that had a boutique within.  While I checked out the boutique, my mom was checking the furniture bargain section, saw a table, that led to me calling Keith to meet me there and we bought a table!

It's big too, with 2 leaves in it to make it even bigger!

We didn't need to the leaves in it for our family dinner at home, so we had kept them stored within the table (neat feature).  But after having a mother's day cookout at our place, we'd put the leaves in and are keeping them in.  Now I think, our table is big and always ready should be have someone stop by or have folks for dinner. 

To me, it's a sign that our table is ready for guests, and I need to remember that hospitality mindset.

Keep Asking

^"17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe." - Ephesians 1:17-19

Keep asking. Don't stop asking for wisdom. Paul does not. We should not either. 

We were made for more because we are children of God. 

Know truth, so we may know God better.

Know there is hope and power beyond myself.
This was in Made to Crave and I needed to keep their reminder.  I often am asking for wisdom in my parenting, and I will continue to ask.  

Prayer & Perspective

Made to Crave presents the idea and concept that when we're faced with temptations, we can use them as an opportunity to pray.  Those prayer will guide us on a walk to Jesus that will let us know God better and build our relationship and foundation on Him.  It should be a natural thought, but Lysa really calls that out in this books and brings the point home. 

It should be our perspective that changes.  That we should view things different.  I've long been a believer that how we shape our perception or perspective in ours minds is a powerful tool to how we see and act in the world; this can be the same.  The right choices, be it food or other temptations, should be viewed as making a healthy choice, not viewed as a denial of something wonderful that we can't have. 

How do you define yourself?

In reading Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst, she poses a question, how do you introduce yourself when you meet someone new?  What is your elevator speech?  How does that define you?  What does that perspective of yourself reveal about your life?

Do you answer as an employee, mother, friend, daughter, church? 

As I think about this in my own experiences, I think it depends on my audience, and by the setting how I respond and introduce myself, but is it wrong that I rarely if ever start with: I'm Beth, I'm a Christian? 

Checklist

"God cant be reduced to a checklist."

How do you grow closer to God?

It isn't in the actions we taken, even though that may be good and honorable.   It isn't in the church going, giving and community service.  It's in the position of our hearts to Jesus.  It is in denying ourself the things that dont benefit us or bring us closer to God even if they are not sinful things.  "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23

This is a fruit of the spirit.  (Galations 5:22)  Self-control brings us closer to Jesus and further from our thoughts being stuck full of guilt from our poor choices.

Sometimes I can get very focused on my shortcomings that it distances me from God.  It causes insecurity within me. I need spiritual nutrition and health to keep my soul full and satisfied in a way that food, possessions and other people cannot.

These are my notes and thoughts from the chapter " Growing Closer to God" in Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst.

Where do I turn as my emotions change?

In reading Made to Crave, Lysa makes a statement about cravings and linking to our emotions. 

"Food was my comfort.  Food was my reward. Food was my joy. Food was what I turned to in times of stress, sadness, and even in times of happiness."

Food is meant to be a part of us and part of fellowship, but it cannot be the key point or the focus of my thoughts.

What do you crave more than me?

I'm reading Made to Crave by Lysa Terkeurst.  In the chapter titled "Finding Your "Want To""  Lysa gives her I interpretation of Matthew 19:21. 

"I want you to give up the one thing you crave more than me. Then come, follow me." 

This gave me a lot to think about.  What do I crave more the Jesus?  What gets in my way?  Food, workouts, sleep??

I rarely miss a workout.  The are at least a few days every week though, I don't pick up my Bible.  What does that say about my priorities?

Happy Mother's Day 2018!

Wrinkles

Elinore drew this in Grandma Barb's Mother's Day card.  She said the extra lines were her wrinkles.

island of the Blue Dolphin

Last year we were talking books at work and a few co-workers mentioned how much they'd enjoyed this book while they were in school.  They were shocked I'd never heard of it.  So for Christmas last year a friend gave it to me.  I finished reading it this week.  It was a good read and I recommended it to a friend of mine, I think her young elementary aged boys will enjoy it.  It had me wanting to keep turning the page, and I'm glad to have read it and be reminded of how important community is for people, and how strong and resilient people can be.

24 Hours That Changed the World

Last night I finished this book by Adam Hamilton.  Our church Bible Study had completed this together during Lent, so I borrowed a book once they finished so I could read too.

It was a good read.  In simple terms and story telling, he told the story with details and historical studies included to better understand Good Friday and what it means for us as Christians today. 

The Great Gatsby

Just closed...

Talking with Your Kids About God

I have been reading Talking with Your Kids About God  for a little while now.  As I've been reading, I have been writing about this book off an on as things strike me or I have something to get a little deeper in my thinking, but now that I finished this book, I wanted to put down a few more of my thoughts on the book.  I was looking forward to reading the book based on the title and concept of the book.  As a parent, who can't use another tool to help guide their children? 

However, as I dug into the book, I wasn't quite as thrilled.  The beginning was a big turn off for me, to the extent that I almost stopped reading it.  (I am glad I kept reading.)  The beginning conveyed a very serious tone about how important it was to have these conversations with your kids and that left me feeling like I was a terrible parent if I didn't, or if I'd never picked up this book. 

As I kept reading; I realized that I have been very fortunate that I have lived in a Christian community most of my life.  I haven't had to face many of the things this book talks about in a personal way.  I'm grateful I read this book for my own personal development to begin thinking about those things.  As I read I for the most part I knew where I stood about the topics presented, science and God and what not, but this helped me to be able to verbalize or explain my stance. 

I also though toward the end of the book that the author only valued the two extremes of the spectrum of atheists to theists.  Yet in reality I think there is a sliding scale of that.  I think there are many people that fall somewhere in the middle of the arguments she makes.  Sure, they may not have any backing, Biblical or scientific, for their beliefs, but they are still there and if they are talked about and shared exist and could be something we face as well. 

The author was well researched and knew her content well, and there were several scriptural references in the book as well that were helpful.

But have I had these conversations with my kids?  No.  Do I plan to?  In this formal organized fashion she presents?  No.  But, do I plan to be more aware and offer better explanations or presentations of things when it arises?  Yes.  I think some of these concepts are just part of growing your faith.  And I will certainly always teach my kids that we at home are a great resource to help you through the questions when they do arise. 

Song of Solomon

My notes were brief from the short book of Song of Solomon.

It is the story of a love story between a man and a woman.  Each always spoke of praise and positive words about the lover and the woman to her friends did so too.  The had a great desire for each other. 

Why didn't God revewal more of himself to us in the Bible?

These are my notes from reading this chapter in the book Talking With Your Kids About God by Natasha Crain.

The Bible does tell us what we need to know.  That does mean it tells us what we need to know.  Read 2 Timothy 3:15-7. 

We aren't God.  We were created in His image, not to be him.  It would not be good for us to know all that God knows.  If we knew all the answers we wouldn't need to develop a relationship with God through prayer and study.  We wouldn't get to know him on a personal level through time with him.  This forces us to trust him; rely on him, and have faith.  Read Proverbs 3:5.

Ecclesiastes

I finished Ecclesiastes this morning in my morning reading.

• Things don't change; people are still human and the Earth is still the Earth
• The person who gains more knowledge also gains more sorrow; more wisdom = more disappointment
• Useless
• Having fun doesn't accomplish anything
• "There is nothing to gain from anything we do here on Earth."
• Wisdom > foolishness
• Wise & fools die
• A time for everything
• Dead > living; never been born even better because they haven't seen the evil of the Earth
• Be content with what you have
• Strength with each other (family/friends)
• Fame & power are useless
• Think before you speak
• Bad dreams come from worry
• Keep your promises or don't make promises
• Don't mistreat poor
• Work hard = peaceful sleep
• Can't take materials with you at death
• Enjoy life
• Wise think of death; fools think of fun
• Be patient
• Don't reminisce about why good old days were better - that is unwise
• No one knows what tomorrow may bring
• God made us good; we find ways to be bad
• There is a right time and way, but we get confused
• Enjoy life and do the hard work God gives us
• We cannot understand God's ways
• We all die and can no longer participate in Earthly ways
• Enjoy life; time & chance happen to us
• Calmness solves problems
• No one knows the future
• Invest in more than 1 thing for return for you don't know what the results will be
• God will judge everything we do
• Old age will come with problems, then you will die
• Too much study will make you tired; be ware of other teachings
• Honor & obey God - He will judge everything we do, even things done in secret

A few other thoughts from my reading of Ecclesiastes.

• We can't find meaning to our life on our own
• We do not have control; we have free will
• Death is equal, it comes to us all for judgement

More Proverbs

As I read about adulterous women tempting men; it was hard to read.  It seemed that women seemed to be the cause and evil that led the men to them.  It read is if the men didn't have the will power to say no; they made a choice as well to take part.

I'm not wealthy by American standards, but from the world's standards; I would be.  I do rely on my money some.  I have some savings that can help us and protect us, but I must never be confused with my true salvation through Jesus.  I can't buy that salvation. 

Proverbs

Yesterday I finished reading the book of Proverbs.  Here are my notes from my reading.

• Proverbs teaches wisdom knowledge begins with respect for the Lord
• Don't be tempted by evil, sinners will fall in their own trap
• Wisdom speaks to others, but some will not listen and will fail
• Trust, respect, kindness, & help to others & the Lord will give you peace & comfort from fear
• Wisdom is very important and a guide to your life that grows and shines
• Hold on to your learning and understanding, treasure it!
• Men commit to your wives and don't stray or be tempted by adulterous women
• Foolishness is dangerous; don't be proud, don't lie; don't kill or make evil plans; don't start arguments with families
• Don't commit adultery; it'll ruin you
• Lack of wisdom in men lead them toward adulterous women who lie & tempt & bring men in - this leads to death
• God created wisdom before Earth, we should respect it
• Wisdom = life; foolishness = death
• Solomon shares wise word
• Wise = life; lazy = poor
• Talkative fool = ruin
• Good people provided for
• Wicked = violence, short life
• Hatred = trouble; love = forgiveness
• Talking a lot leads to sin; wisdom keeps you quiet
• Pride = shame; humility = wisdom
• Honesty, right living = freedom
• Words can destroy
• Gossips can't be trusted
• Avoid co-signing loans
• Look for the good
• Accept correction and advice from friends
• Don't tell lies
• Be careful what you say
• Work hard
• Pride leads to arguments
• Spend time with the wise & you'll become wise
• Correct your children in love
• Stay away from fools, work at being right
• Strangers don't share your joy
• Be kind to the poor and needy
• Have patience & peace of mind
• Words have power they can offer healing & life or crush the spirit
• Wise people seek more knowledge, foolish seek more foolishness
• Quick tempers cause trouble
• Hates evil thoughts, pleased with kind words
• Allow yourself to be corrected - leads to understanding
• We make plans but only God can see them through
• Our hearts intentions in our actions matter!
• Don't be proud; pride destroys
• Wisdom & understanding are better than gold & silver
• May your words be pleasant
• Don't gossip
• Gray hair is an honor, earned with good life
• Control your temper
• Be kind to the poor
• Don't argue
• Don't brag
• A friend loves at all times, brothers help in times of trouble
• Fools & foolish words = ruin (gossip too & it spreads)
• No hard work is like destroying things
• Rich people trust their wealth to protect them
• You can't live with a broken spirit
• One side of a story isn't truth or enough
• Your words matter; your words have power
• Don't act without knowledge
• Be patient
• Be kind to the poor
• Correct & teach your children
• Accept correction!
• Don't get drunk
• Don't fight & quarrel
• Don't expect results if you don't do the work!
• Get advice for your plans
• Avoid people who talk too much, gossips
• The Lord will make things right
• The reason you do something is judged
• Help the poor
• Love of pleasures will make you poor
• Better alone than with a quarreling wife
• Be careful what you say, keeps you from trouble
• Don't be lazy
• Give without holding back
• To be respected is better than being wealthy
• Heed danger
• Teach your children
• Punishment removes foolishness in children
• Other wise sayings
• Listen to the wise; keep the teachings in your mind
• Don't spend time with those with bad tempers for you will be like them
• Don't pay someone else's loan
• Don't eat too much
• Don't drink too much
• Punish your children
• Seek wise people who give good advice, seek advice
• God is watching you, knows you; He notices everything
• Seek wisdom, stay away from evil
• Don't celebrate enemy's defeat
• Don't envy evil; they've no where to go/hope for
• Be a fair judge, don't take sides
• Be honest
• Prepare your fields first, then home (income/provisions first)
• Don't get even
• Don't rest so much your work isn't done
• More wisdom of Solomon's sayings
• Don't share your arguments
• Don't bother neighbors too much
• Don't hire a fool or a passerby
• Don't play dirty jokes
• Gossip grows quarreling
• Don't be lazy
• Don't praise yourself
• Don't complain
• Friends can help too
• People can help improve each other
• Your mind shows what kind of person you are
• Repent = mercy
• Don't mistreat the poor
• Don't give false praise
• Correct your children
• Don't have a quick temper
• Wise words from Agur
• God's word is true
• Keep me honest
• Let me be not rich or poor but enough for each day - easier to honor you then
• Don't stir up anger
• Wise Words of King Lemuel
• Don't drink & forget the law
• The good wife
• Proverbs 31 Woman

God

"God isn't just a better version of our human selves; he's truly in a class of his own."  - Natasha Crain

Statistics About Science & God

From all the learning I've done over the years; I've learned to become very skeptical of statistics.  I've found that they can be skewed to support your argument.  Things can be rephrased or represented different ways from the same data just to support your hypothesis or argument.  Not to mention how often they are just misquoted in general. 

This chapter in the book Talking with Your Kids About God touches on this too.  It refers to many studies that have been done over the years showing this high percentages of scientists that don't believe in God.  Other studies show different results, but still commonly compared to the general population, less scientists believe in God. 

However, I think the public can misinterpret that data.  We need to remember that correlation does not equal causation.  Further studies show that scientists were not raised in religious homes.  

Now, there are no studies I read on this, but in my mind as I think through this, do you think scientists seek science to fill a void they have from not being raised in a religious home?  Science can't fill the void, only God?  But sciences helps them explains what they couldn't understand. 

"What scientist believe about God ultimately has no bearing on whether God exists."  - Natasha Crain

(Thoughts from my reading of Talking with Your Kids About God by Natasha Crain.)

Human Nautre to Believe in God?

Researchers believe we are made with some natural inclinations to believe in God.  We aren't born completely blanket slates.  Similar to the previous thoughts on we all have the same moral understanding; we are all also born with a natural tendency to believe in God. 

This research comes from understanding that babies are more than just little people with dirty diapers, they also understand certain scientific things "for example, that objects can't move through other objects." (Natasha Crain, Talking With Your Kids About God) 

"Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary field that studies how the mind works.  In the early 1990s, cognitive scientists started applying their finding to the question of why religious thoughts and actions are so common across cultures - perhaps humans have predispositions that make it natural for us to believe in God.  That's not to say such predispositions can't be overridden by cultural and educational factors but rather that they may be an important biological basis influencing later belief development.  This specific area of study is now called the cognitive science of religion."  (Natasha Crain, Talking With Your Kids About God)

(Thoughts from Talking With Your Kids About God.) 

Science & God

"But why is the world intelligible rather than chaotic?  If the universe is truly the product of unguided evolutionary forces, as atheists claim, there's no reason to expect that an elegant ordering of nature would have happened on its own.  But if the universe is the product of intelligence, as Christians and other theists claim, we would expect it to be orderly - a reflection of its rational designer."  - Natasha Crain Talking With Your Kids About God

Human reason is more than atoms colliding.  It is more than just some scientific things moving around and bumping into each other.  If this were true, wouldn't we just a response to science around us?  I am more than some reaction to things around me.  I can think logically; I am made in God's image.  We are made in God's image. 

Science opens the door and explains more about God's creation that what we read in the Bible and see in real life.  It explains to us more about how is creation works.  Science and God, work together.  God, created science. 

(Thoughts from Talking With Your Kids About God.)

Friends

There was a time in my life when I was in search of friends.  I need my people, who supported me, loved me and where close and accessible. 

Don't get my wrong I have had friends over the years, but life changes impact friends as do moves, and I had a lot going on, didn't have a lot of time, and needed people.

Every time I met a new gal I'd think, could she me by friend?  She seems nice?  How can I extend an invitation to start a friendship?  And I was always thinking this way, looking for friends, trying to build friendships to carry me and my family on our adventures.  I knew I needed people. 

I distinctly remember on of the first time I realized I had been somewhat successful at this.  My family had been sick; and a 2nd cousin of my and some folks from the church brought my family dinner.  It was left from a SOUP meal they had served at the church that night, but they thought of us and brought of a warm home cooked meal.  The left that food for us an I remember telling Keith, "we have people!"  And I meant so much with that; we had people who loved us, thought of us and cared for us in a way that I'd been looking for in friendships. 

That was a starting point for us, and I think we've done a wonderful job of connecting to people and building a community of friends for each of us individually, but as a family too.  We have people.  They're people from church; they're family, and a few good friends I've known for many years now.  I believe God wants us to live in community with people who loves us, and we've built that.  Friendships and relationships take time and forgiveness and communication and we've done that.  And I couldn't be happier!  Thank you Lord for these people! 

I've always wanted our home to be a place for people to gather, and I think I tried to push that too hard early on after we've bought our own place, but naturally it has happened over time and we welcome groups of friends, family, friends families, and our kid's friends into the home often.  This past summer, our first summer at our new home, was the epitome of that, and I'm not sure we'll have a summer like that again, but we were able to gather people from all our different areas together celebrating and enjoying each other and introducing our people to each other and it was a beautiful thing. 

----------

In the last few months I've had this realization; I still think like I did when I was searching for friends when I meet new people.  Maybe I'm misguided, maybe I'm ignorant, but I realized I don't need to do this anymore.  It's not that I'm not open to meeting new people and developing relationships, but I don't have to search so hard for more people.  Quality of quantity right?  I already have my people.  Sure that will change with time and life with change, but I will adapt, our family will adapt.  If I keep searching for more friends now; I need more time for each of those friendships, and I don't want that to take away from the current friendships!  I don't want those to suffer because I feel the need to keep searching for more, more, more. 

What is science?

"Scientific study never leads to absolute certainty - strict proof or disproof.  Science can't prove or disprove God's existence because the nature of science isn't to prove or disprove anything with absolute certainty."  - Natasha Crain in Talking with your Kids About God

How much evidence do we need?

When it comes to belief in God; how much proof do we need to believe?

Have you ever asked yourself or asked God to give you a direct answer to this?  Have you every wondered why he doesn't just show up and make himself known so all believe?

I remember being a kid trying to learn and understand and wanting a clear sign of direction, an answer that never came.  However, as I've grown and aged, I've grown in my faith.  I don't need a sign; I have prayer.  I see his handwork in nature; I see his love in other people.  I feel his presence in my world.  I see his miracles around us. 

What would it mean if he appeared to us here one day?  Wouldn't that be the coming of Christ and change everything we know?  Would it be too late for our faith to save us? 

What about free will?  He gave us free will in his creation; He wants to be chosen by us.  Don't you want to be chosen by someone too?

If He appeared here now and we saw his glory, would we have the free will to choose him and believe and follow him?

(Thoughts from Talking With Your Kids About God.)

Make mine a double!

This Sunday's sermon text was 2 Kings 2:1-12.  In this passage, Elisha is asking Elija for a double share of the spirit.  he is asking to take Elija's place as head prophet. 

We are all called to study and learn from our elders.  We are called to mentor the next generation.  We are called to share our faith and our knowledge.  We should all be seeking more of the Holy Spirit.  To do that, we have to put in the work.  It takes time. We must persistently pursue Him and the Spirit.  We must study the Bible, pray and have a Christian community to support and encourage us.  

I am blessed to be able to help carry on my church.

I must allow myself to be mentored.

I must mentor the next generation. 

To Be, To Do, To Be ...

We had a substitute Pastor last week while ours was on vacation.  The scripture came from Mark 1:29-39. 

She talked about the need for rest and prayer.  There is a little of Mary and a little Martha in us.  We need to find the balance between being & doing.  Tiredness is good; it's means we've worked hard and need rest.  Weariness is not so good; it's means we've lost the joy and heart of our work.  Likely this is because we aren't spending out time being.  Our doing can get in the way of our being.  We need to listen to the call of Jesus daily. 

She even said you can start small, you can start with prayers during your showers, etc.  Start small and consistently spending time in quiet prayer with the Lord. 

Doing should be full of joy and compassion. 

Moral Understanding

People in all cultures seem to ageee that there is a common code of right and wrong.  Objective moral values exist in the world.  Circumstances and justifications may vary, but we all still base this is a similar moral values platform.  They must come from a moral law giver, God.

 

(My thoughts from reading Talking with Your Kids About God.)

Examination of Facts

People look at the evidence, a set of facts about the universe, and coming to terms with explanations.  Believers point to God.   Atheists do not, but it is based on interpretation of the same set of facts.

 

(My thoughts from reading Talking with Your Kids About God.)

Creator God

As legos do not assemble themselves into working products, material that exists in nature doesn't assemble itself into humans/life. 

We require specific things in our environment to exist.  It's built I  just the right way, by God, to provide for our needs.

The possibility that this happened by chance is extremely minimal. Further showing the need for a supernatural or super intelligent creator God.

 

(My thoughts from reading Talking with Your Kids About God.)

"Come and See"

This morning's sermon was about hospitality, vows, and sharing our faith. 

She started in talking about radical hospitality being welcoming and inviting to all.  She complimented our church on our hospitality. 

She then spoke about our commitments and vows we take as we join the church.  They promises are: prayers, presence, gifts ($$), service and more recently the church has added witness.

She then elaborated on witness, which is also known as evangalism.  She talked about had the word has some not so welcoming connotations in what we perceive as evangelism, but evangalism isn't all those things we think of when we hear the word, it's letting our life be the example of Jesus.  It's sharing your faith with someone. 

Only God can save someone; we are just to introduce the people to Jesus.  We need to invite them in.  We are the PR people.

Other Notes from Psalms

I noticed we humans often fear God will forsake us in the reading of prayers and songs in Psalms. 

There is a reoccurring phrase of: you didn't let my enemies laugh at me.

Psalms & the old testament are talking a lot about protecting people and God - I have to believe this is not a physical protection but more peace with what comes from God.  (Psalm 32:10 His love surrounds us; His love is all the protection we need.)

There were several prayers in Psalms for our enemies to fail, be hurt, die, etc.  Wouldn't a loving thing be to pray for them to have a change of heart?  (Hard to do, I know!)

We are not to be afraid, but we are to fear God.

God focuses on 'his people' in the Old Testament.  He crease us and loves us, but to be His people we must choose Him too.

Psalms has a prayer for many needs and situations.

When the Bible says "God said," did he really audibly speak to those people?  Or did he speak so that those things happened in His God, higher than human way?

So much evil action wished on the enemy in Psalms.  Sometimes it's hard to imagine, but my life has been far from this culture or experience a violent enemy so personally.  So I'm not a fair comparison or judge.  Yet is there some thought that non-believers be punished.  David being blessed will bring in more believers because they see his good fortune?

What if the Lord had not been on our side?

Sometimes victory over evil needs to be over myself in the temptation and selfishness. 

Psalm 7

Prayer for fairness had me thinking; what is fair for me as a sinner?  Do I really want that?  Later in Psalms I read more that went along these lines.  Without his forgiveness, there would be no one left for we'd all be punished for our sins. 

David said defend me because I have done no wrong.  Job said he was punished in innocence.  But are they really innocent?  We are human and all fall short of the glory of God?  Are they innocent because of their repentance and sacrifices?  Where they just good Old Testament rule followers before Jesus shook things up?

Psalms

I finished the book of Psalms this morning.  There are many notes, but not a ton of detail.  It is a long book of praise, prayers, requests for protection and more, mostly from David.

• Two ways to live - good & successful v. wicked
• Lord's chosen king - obey & be loyal
• God gives courage & strength to David & sings this to God in the morning
• David's evening prayer - think of things & rest in security of God's safety
• Morning prayer for protection
• Prayer for mercy in trouble times
• Prayer for fairness
• The Lord's greatness
• Son of thanksgiving for victories against enemies
• Compliant about evil people and ask for God to intervene
• Trust in the Lord
• Prayer against liars
• A prayer for God to be near
• The unbelieving fool
• What the Lord demands: trust, honor, respect, no gossip, keep promises, don't take $$ to hurt others or collect interest
• The Lord takes care of his people
• Prayer for protection
• Song for victory
• The Lord's creation: sky & stars tell a beautiful story daily without saying a word
• Prayer for the king
• Thanksgiving for the king
• Prayer of a suffering man
• Lord is my shepherd, strength, leader, comfort, peace, giver
• A welcome for God to the temple
• A prayer for God to guide
• Prayer of an innocent believer
• A song of trust in God
• Prayer in trouble time
• God in a thunderstorm - the Lord's voice is powerful
• Joy comes in the morning
• Thanksgiving of escaping death (David)
• Prayer of faith in trouble times
• It is better to confess sin
• Praise God creator (power, spoke Earth into being) & Savior
• Praise God so everyone understands us
• Praise God who Judges and saves
• Tech the children:
• say no evil
• tell no lies
• do no evil, do good
• seek peace
• work for it
• God is close to the brokenhearted
• A prayer for help - defeating enemies
• Wicked people & a good God
• God will reward fairly
• 27 v. 23-24 - even those following the Lord's footsteps will stumble, but he catches us (thank you!)
• Prayer in time of sickness
• Life is short (seems sad, but we have Jesus & hope)
• Praise & prayer for help - speak truth.
• A prayer in time of sickness
• A wish to be near God
• Prayer for Protection
• Prayer for help
• Song for the King's wedding
• God protects his people
• God is the king of the world
• Jerusalem is the city of God
• Trusting money is foolish - we can't buy life, no payment is enough, we all die
• God wants true worship - God doesn't need sacrifices, we can't bring Him anything that isn't already His, just our hearts; He wants sacrifices from our thankfulness
• Prayer for forgiveness
• God will punish the proud
• The unbelieving fool
• Prayer for help
• Prayer about a false friend
• Trusting God for help
• A prayer in trouble times
• Unfair judges
• Prayer for protection
• Prayer after a defeat
• Prayer for protection
• Trust only in God
• Wishing to be near God - Ch. 63 V. 32- Your love is better than life.
• A prayer against enemies
• Hymn of thanksgiving
• Praise God for what he has done (repent & pray)
• A cry for help
• A cry for God to help quickly
• An old person's prayer for salvation, safety & praise
• A prayer for the King; he helps others
• Realization the wicked may be rich & living happily, but there is no depth or meaning only death
• A nation struggles & prayers
• God is out 1 and only judge
• God always win; he's angry for evil
• Remembering God's help
• God saved Israel from Egypt - a summary
• The nation cries for Jerusalem
• A prayer to bring Israel back
• A son for a holiday
• God lets us make bad choices, free will
• A cry for justice (orphans, poor, suffering)
• A prayer against enemies - don't be silent God
• Wishing to be in the temple, want with your whole being, more than other life, just a glimpse of living with God
• Prayer for the nation
• Cry for help
• God loves Jerusalem
• A sad complaint
• Song of God's loyalty
• God is eternal, human lifespan isn't
• Safe in the Lord
• Praise & thanksgiving for God
• God will punish his enemies
• Must praise & be obedient
• Praise God; He is coming to judge
• Lord is powerful & Just
• Lord is fair & holy, fear him
• Give praise to the Lord
• David promises to rule well with obedience
• A Cry for help from someone suffering
• Praise the Lord of love
• Praise our great creator
• God loves Israel
• God saved many times
• David - a prayer for victory
• A prayer against the enemy
• Lord appoints a king
• Praise the Lord's goodness
• Honest people are blessed
• Praise the Lord's kindness
• god brought Israel from Egypt
• One true God - no - idols - God deserves the credit as out helper & protector
• Thanksgiving for escaping death, salvation from sin
• Hymn of praise
• Thanksgiving for victory
• The word of God is true, honest, good
• Temptation may trip us up, but we must stay true to God
• A prayer for those living away from home in evil/war
• The Lord guards us
• Prayer for Jerusalem
• Pray for mercy
• Lord saves his people "Our help comes from the Lord"
• God protects those who trust Him
• Lord, bring your people back
• All good things come from God
• Happy home
• Prayer against enemies
• Prayer for mercy - or no one would be left if we were all punished for our sins
• Childlike trust in the Lord
• Praise for the temple, a home for God
• Love of God's people
• Temple guard's praise the Lord
• Only our God saves, not idols!
• HIS LOVE CONTINUES FOREVER
• Israelites in captivity were wanting to sing happy, but they couldn't and didn't want to forge Jerusalem
• Hymn of thanksgiving
• God knows everything, when I stand, when I lay, in the womb; He is always with me
• Prayer of protection from evil
• A prayer not to sin
• A prayer to not be killed - life may lead to you
• A prayer for victory
• Praise God the king
• Praise God who helps the wear
• Praise God who helps his people
• The world should praise God
• Praise God!
• Praise with music

Nature & God

God's word is seen in nature. Heavens declare his glory. He is supernatural and the creator of the world.

We can see his beauty around us.

 

(My thoughts from Talking with Your Kids About God.)

The Hiding Place

 

 

I finished reading The Hiding Place last night for the first time.  It tells the story of atrocities of World War II, but when I think of the book, more than that I think of it as an amazing story of faith, love and prayer.  The TenBoom family was committed to their faith and exemplified love for others throughout the story in way that made God's presence known.  They risked everything for the love of others.  

Leadership

A few month back, I attended a seminar for work called Growing Leaders.  Holly Moore was the presenter and she was wonderful to hear speak.  Much of what she talked about resonated with my time in the McDonough Leadership Program at Marietta College. 

I took a few notes through her presentation; I've captured some snippets of it below.

• She opened with talking about people having a leadership mindset.  There are situation leaders and leaders who grow their leadership mindset. 
• Email is for information, not emotion.
• "Wise leaders play chess, not checkers as they manage relationships."  People move and interact like chess pieces, all different and unique and should be managed as such.  People are not all alike like checkers that move in the same way.

I enjoyed her presentation for the day so much that the following week I emailed the Dean of the program at Marietta and told him that the seminar I attended reminded me so much of my time at McDonough as she talked about situation leaders and growth mindsets.  When I think about what concepts and theories I learned in college that I think about any apply today in the workforce, far and away it is the concepts that I learned in leadership. 

That email led me to being connected with director of communication and brand management at Marietta, which led me to being a featured alumni on the website!

152

Elinore has a favorite number. 152.

Anytime you ask for a number of anything it is 152.

Resolution for 2018

2018 Goal: solo date night with husband once a month.

A Prophecy Fulfilled

Efficiencies can lead to impatience.  Saving time in everything hurries out pace and causes us to loose patience. 

The name Jesus is Greek.  It was Joshua in the original language, Hebrew.  It means: God will save. 

Jesus spoke truth and caused many people to fall.  The changes he brought was too hard for many.  Yet, the truth he spoke also caused the rise of many because they were looking for Jesus.  

What do we want most?  What do we most for our kids?  The love of Christ.  For them to be followers.  And if that isn't what we want most, it should be!

How long will we wait to encounter Jesus?  We hope.  We praise.  We keep a ready heart.  

(Sermon notes from 12/31/17)