Monday, July 31
Give It Your All
Consider the woman with the alabaster box. She poured not just any oil, but the Bible clearly states expensive oil. In otherwards, she gave her very best. Instead of people embracing what she did, they mocked her. How could she do such a thing? The pivitol point here is that she gave her very best. You have to be willing to give your all even when people won't embrace what you are doing. People won't always give their all in return. However, it's imperative that you do.
Saturday, July 29
The Steeping Process
Have you ever found yourself caught up in things that cease to matter? You are so busy focusing on negative issues that you fail to recognize the needs that are around you. You desire more of God, but only if it does not take away from what you want to accomplish or if the need does not add something to your full schedule. Could it be that God is asking you to "steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions." If you steep something, you are trying to "extract its flavor or soften it." (Webster's Dictionary) Steeping is a process that if done correctly, allows you to enjoy the full intensity of the experience. You could never enjoy a cup of tea if you had not first steeped the tea bag! It is the steeping of the tea bag that allows you to appreciate the intensity of every delicate, tantalizing spice.
This thought was inspired by the following passage of scripture:
"Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.
Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much an inch? If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance--but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and the way He works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." (The Message)
This thought was inspired by the following passage of scripture:
"Don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or if the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your inner life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the ravens, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, carefree in the care of God. And you count far more.
Has anyone by fussing before the mirror ever gotten taller by so much an inch? If fussing can't even do that, why fuss at all? Walk into fields and look at the wildflowers. They don't fuss with their appearance--but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the wildflowers, most of them never even seen, don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you?
What I'm trying to do here is get you to relax, not be so preoccupied with getting so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and the way He works. Steep yourself in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." (The Message)
Saturday, July 8
Sheldon's Pulled His Tooth
Here's an update in Sheldon's life. When Sheldon bit into his juicy plum, he noticed something in it. He pulled, what he thought was a seed, only to hold a tooth in his hand! You can imagine his surprise. At first, he was shocked, but once he realized he was okay, his shock turned into excitement. He then jumped up and down repeating, "I pulled my tooth." Sheldon explained, "Mom I thought it was a seed, but it was my tooth." All this happened on our wonderful Fourth of July!
Just a Thought
I am in the process of finishing a fantastic book, Twelve Extroadinary Woman (John MacArthur). Here is a quick nugget that you may enjoy:
"Contrary to popular opinion, the most important characteristic of a godly mother is not her relationship with her children. It is her love for her husband. The love between husband and wife is the real key to a thriving family. A healthy home environment cannot be built exclusively on the parents' love for their children. The properly situated family has marriage at the center; families shouldn't revolve around the children.
Furthermore, all parents need to heed this lesson: what you communicate to your children through your marital relationship will stay with them for the rest of their lives. By watching mother and father treat one another, they will learn the most fundamental lessons of life--love, self-sacrifice, integrity, virture, sin, sympathy, compassion, understanding, and foregiveness. Whatever you teach them about those things, right or wrong, is planted deep within their hearts!"
Powerful thought! If you haven't already, take time to show your husband just how much you love and appreciate him. A loving husband is a priceless treasure from the Lord.
"Contrary to popular opinion, the most important characteristic of a godly mother is not her relationship with her children. It is her love for her husband. The love between husband and wife is the real key to a thriving family. A healthy home environment cannot be built exclusively on the parents' love for their children. The properly situated family has marriage at the center; families shouldn't revolve around the children.
Furthermore, all parents need to heed this lesson: what you communicate to your children through your marital relationship will stay with them for the rest of their lives. By watching mother and father treat one another, they will learn the most fundamental lessons of life--love, self-sacrifice, integrity, virture, sin, sympathy, compassion, understanding, and foregiveness. Whatever you teach them about those things, right or wrong, is planted deep within their hearts!"
Powerful thought! If you haven't already, take time to show your husband just how much you love and appreciate him. A loving husband is a priceless treasure from the Lord.
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