I decided that I needed to have a theme verse for this year. A verse that encompasses what I want to learn about and grow in this year. I chose two.
Isaiah 26:3
"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."
Deuteronomy 30:9
" I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live."
I chose the verse from Isaiah, because I often find myself struggling to find peace. I allow fears and worries to get comfy in my mind and soon I start to listen to and believe what I they are saying and let me tell you there is no peace once that starts happening. I have often started to believe that the fears are God. My husband has really been trying to help me understand that God is peace and thus He isn't going to use fear to control my life. And so, I chose this verse because the One who breathed life into me the day I was born will continue to breathe His life into me if I keep my mind firmly grounded in Him. He is life. He is Perfect Peace.
The second verse fits right in with all of this. The main idea that I am pulling on her is "Choose Life." Jesus is life and by doing what the Isaiah verse says and keeping my mind fixed on the Creator of life I will be choosing life, because I will be choosing peace. God is Joy, God is Peace, God is Life. Happy Saturday.
Saturday, January 3, 2015
Friday, January 2, 2015
Be Still
I struggle with worry. It can be annoying and it also can be overwhelming. Sometimes I worry about things and it just makes life more difficult. And other times I allow worry to invade and it feels like all hope has left me. My husband patiently stands by me and tries to help me understand that God doesn't speak in fear, and he reminds me not to listen to it if it is fear. But my argument usually sounds like this, "How can I not listen to it? The fear is screaming so loudly in my head that I can't hear anything else. Why doesn't God speak louder?" But then I was reminded of this story.
1 Kings 19: 11-13
"And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”"
Fear can seem like a harsh wind, and an earthquake, and a fire. But God is a whisper, a calm, a peace.
It says in Psalms 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God."
And so sometimes I pray and plead with God to help me with the fear to make me feel better. I try to sit and read the Bible, but the fear just invades. But it occurred to me this morning that that verse says to "Be still" but it doesn't necessarily have to be a physical stillness. My mind needs to be still. I can sit perfectly still and be quiet but my mind is on overdrive. It is struggling to find a way out of what I'm worried about, it is arguing with myself and God, non of which allows for any stillness.
Sometimes I find that my mind is still right when I'm waking up. I can fall asleep worried but right when I wake up, I feel at peace. It's like my brain hasn't fully woken up and the part that likes to over analyze and worry hasn't quite caught up with the more child like part of my brain. The part that knows that peace and rest are found in the stillness. That God is there.
Yesterday was the first day of this new year and I decided that I wanted to have a verse for my year. I think Deuteronomy 30:19b might be a good one.
"Therefore choose life..."
God is peace. God is joy. God is life.
Monday, September 8, 2014
The House
My love and I have been in the process of buying a house these past few weeks. We are extremely excited about the prospects of workshop space and a laundry room. As we have worked through this process, I've begun to realize what big deal buying a home can be. With the type of loan we were able to get the bank requires that the house we purchase be in pretty good condition. They require that the roof be good and the paint un-chipped. That the electrical sockets be up to code and so on.
So, this summer we began our search for a home... and we found one. It's adorable and it has a 3 car garage and pole barn so we were both sold. However, the bank took a look at it and came up with a list of "problems". Issues that would have to be resolved before we could close. And so we struck a deal with the home owners and this past weekend, they allowed us to come in and work. We patched shingles, put up drywall, installed a bathroom vent and added more insulation. All this in the hopes that maybe now the bank will give us the green light and we can start calling this place our own.
In all this, a thought occurred to me. The bank says that in order for us to buy this place, it has to meet a certain level of "goodness". And in order for the bank to approve we had to make adjustments to it, clean it up, patch it up, make it presentable. I realize that this is the exact opposite of what the One who loves our hearts does when He calls our names. It says in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." As believers, God dwells in us. And when we first came to Him, He didn't look at us and give us a list of repairs. A list of things that were wrong in us and that needed to be taken care of us before He would call us His and dwell in our hearts. Instead, He bought us with His blood, as is. And the great thing is that He knows just what to do to start tackling that long list of repairs that we all have. He provides the TLC that all of our lives need.
"Why do you give up on yourself, when God will never ever give up on you?"
~Nkosinathi Mehlomakulu
So, this summer we began our search for a home... and we found one. It's adorable and it has a 3 car garage and pole barn so we were both sold. However, the bank took a look at it and came up with a list of "problems". Issues that would have to be resolved before we could close. And so we struck a deal with the home owners and this past weekend, they allowed us to come in and work. We patched shingles, put up drywall, installed a bathroom vent and added more insulation. All this in the hopes that maybe now the bank will give us the green light and we can start calling this place our own.
In all this, a thought occurred to me. The bank says that in order for us to buy this place, it has to meet a certain level of "goodness". And in order for the bank to approve we had to make adjustments to it, clean it up, patch it up, make it presentable. I realize that this is the exact opposite of what the One who loves our hearts does when He calls our names. It says in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." As believers, God dwells in us. And when we first came to Him, He didn't look at us and give us a list of repairs. A list of things that were wrong in us and that needed to be taken care of us before He would call us His and dwell in our hearts. Instead, He bought us with His blood, as is. And the great thing is that He knows just what to do to start tackling that long list of repairs that we all have. He provides the TLC that all of our lives need.
"Why do you give up on yourself, when God will never ever give up on you?"
~Nkosinathi Mehlomakulu
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Summer Nights
Last night the moon was out and almost full. The air held just enough chill to make it nice and the bullfrogs and crickets were singing their songs. I climbed the latter up to the roof and sat there for a few minutes. Loving the sound of the country at night. There is something magical, peaceful and wonderful about a summer night. For some reason it is a time of day when I more readily feel at peace. Maybe it's the quiet of it, the coolness, the moon... Whatever it is, I love it, I'm reminded of the peace and love of the One who created the stars. So, enjoy your summer nights and be reminded.
"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls." ~Mother Teresa
"We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature - trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls." ~Mother Teresa
Monday, August 18, 2014
Abide
The other day I was reading in the book of John and this is what it said,
John 15:9 "As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you. Abide in My love."
It says to Abide in His love. Abide means to remain or stay. That means we need to stay put in His love. Sadly, it's all to easy to get itchy feet and start wandering. There are many reasons that we sometimes fail to abide in His love. All to often however, we may just forget . But it is so important that we remain in God's love for us, that we Abide.
In Ephesians 5:17-19 it says, " ...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
I love the wording this passage uses, "rooted and grounded" Roots mean that you aren't going anywhere. We need to be rooted, we need to Abide. The One who created life, loves us so very much and He wants us to know that. To be confident in it. Happy Monday.
"To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love."~Thomas A. Kempis
John 15:9 "As the Father has loved Me, so I have loved you. Abide in My love."
It says to Abide in His love. Abide means to remain or stay. That means we need to stay put in His love. Sadly, it's all to easy to get itchy feet and start wandering. There are many reasons that we sometimes fail to abide in His love. All to often however, we may just forget . But it is so important that we remain in God's love for us, that we Abide.
In Ephesians 5:17-19 it says, " ...so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
I love the wording this passage uses, "rooted and grounded" Roots mean that you aren't going anywhere. We need to be rooted, we need to Abide. The One who created life, loves us so very much and He wants us to know that. To be confident in it. Happy Monday.
"To say that I am made in the image of God is to say that love is the reason for my existence, for God is love."~Thomas A. Kempis
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Don't Forget
The other day I was reading the book of Jeremiah in the Bible and this verse popped out at me.
Jeremiah 13:25b "Because you have forgotten Me and trusted in lies."
This verse is taken from a passage where the LORD is getting after the people for not walking in the right way. Now, I know this is out of context of the passage, but these words popped out at me because, all to often, I get so caught up in worries that my vision of who God truly is becomes clouded. I forget His goodness, love and, mercy. Also, when I allow worries in, I begin to trust and believe that what I'm worried about is really the truth and it is at that point that I begin trusting in the lies.
Now this is clearly not a good state to allow myself to slip into. The One who gives life, He loves me...He love you. He is love. He is truth. He is grace. He is mercy. Don't forget.
Jeremiah 13:25b "Because you have forgotten Me and trusted in lies."
This verse is taken from a passage where the LORD is getting after the people for not walking in the right way. Now, I know this is out of context of the passage, but these words popped out at me because, all to often, I get so caught up in worries that my vision of who God truly is becomes clouded. I forget His goodness, love and, mercy. Also, when I allow worries in, I begin to trust and believe that what I'm worried about is really the truth and it is at that point that I begin trusting in the lies.
Now this is clearly not a good state to allow myself to slip into. The One who gives life, He loves me...He love you. He is love. He is truth. He is grace. He is mercy. Don't forget.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Three Years and Forever
Today is my love's and my 3rd anniversary. Three years ago, we were standing on a hill on a hot, Saturday, afternoon making some very important promises to each other. They went something like this:
Bea, Somebody once told me that I should marry my best friend because that is the relationship you have to work the hardest to keep strong. So, in this beginning of forever, I promise to be your best friend. I promise to be the shoulder to cry on and the hand to hold on sunny walks through the park. I promise to be the arms of protection and the man of God that you need by your side. And, I'm not sure that it will ever be enough time, but I promise to love you forever.
Luke, today is the beginning of forever for you and I. And as we begin on this adventure, I promise to love you through it all. I promise to be with you through all the ups and downs of life. I want to see the stars with you and walk the miles with you. Someone once said that, “A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.” Luke, I promise that I will always try and be that friend to you. I love you.
I have been truly blessed by the One who created this life. He put Luke by my side and continues to walk with us. And those words that my love promised me on that day three years ago, he has kept them. He's been there for me through a lot and he has my heart.
"Loving someone and having them love you back is the most precious thing in the world."
~Nicholas Sparks
"A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you." ~Elbert Hubbard
Bea, Somebody once told me that I should marry my best friend because that is the relationship you have to work the hardest to keep strong. So, in this beginning of forever, I promise to be your best friend. I promise to be the shoulder to cry on and the hand to hold on sunny walks through the park. I promise to be the arms of protection and the man of God that you need by your side. And, I'm not sure that it will ever be enough time, but I promise to love you forever.
Luke, today is the beginning of forever for you and I. And as we begin on this adventure, I promise to love you through it all. I promise to be with you through all the ups and downs of life. I want to see the stars with you and walk the miles with you. Someone once said that, “A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.” Luke, I promise that I will always try and be that friend to you. I love you.
I have been truly blessed by the One who created this life. He put Luke by my side and continues to walk with us. And those words that my love promised me on that day three years ago, he has kept them. He's been there for me through a lot and he has my heart.
~Nicholas Sparks
"A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you." ~Elbert Hubbard
Three Years and Forever
Today is my love's and my 3rd anniversary. Three years ago, we were standing on a hill on a hot, Saturday, afternoon making some very important promises to each other. They went something like this:
Bea, Somebody once told me that I should marry my best friend because that is the relationship you have to work the hardest to keep strong. So, in this beginning of forever, I promise to be your best friend. I promise to be the shoulder to cry on and the hand to hold on sunny walks through the park. I promise to be the arms of protection and the man of God that you need by your side. And, I'm not sure that it will ever be enough time, but I promise to love you forever.
Luke, today is the beginning of forever for you and I. And as we begin on this adventure, I promise to love you through it all. I promise to be with you through all the ups and downs of life. I want to see the stars with you and walk the miles with you. Someone once said that, “A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.” Luke, I promise that I will always try and be that friend to you. I love you.
I have been truly blessed by the One who created this life. He put Luke by my side and continues to walk with us. And those words that my love promised me on that day three years ago, he has kept them. He's been there for me through a lot and he has my heart.
"Loving someone and having them love you back is the most precious thing in the world."
~Nicholas Sparks
"A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you." ~Elbert Hubbard
Bea, Somebody once told me that I should marry my best friend because that is the relationship you have to work the hardest to keep strong. So, in this beginning of forever, I promise to be your best friend. I promise to be the shoulder to cry on and the hand to hold on sunny walks through the park. I promise to be the arms of protection and the man of God that you need by your side. And, I'm not sure that it will ever be enough time, but I promise to love you forever.
Luke, today is the beginning of forever for you and I. And as we begin on this adventure, I promise to love you through it all. I promise to be with you through all the ups and downs of life. I want to see the stars with you and walk the miles with you. Someone once said that, “A friend hears the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.” Luke, I promise that I will always try and be that friend to you. I love you.
I have been truly blessed by the One who created this life. He put Luke by my side and continues to walk with us. And those words that my love promised me on that day three years ago, he has kept them. He's been there for me through a lot and he has my heart.
~Nicholas Sparks
"A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you." ~Elbert Hubbard
Saturday, August 2, 2014
The Adventures of Summer
August is here again. That hot, sticky, month of county fairs, bluegrass festivals and blooming gardens. This summer has been full of so many wonderful things. Little adventures of everyday life. Earlier in July, a friend gave us some garden fresh strawberries. So, I got to play farmer's wife and freeze several containers of delicious summery goodness. My extended family decided to have Christmas in July once again this year, that was fun. There were only 4 members missing.
My sweet husband got me a sewing machine for my birthday and I have had fun creating with it. Saturday afternoons spent with friends. Evenings spent at the annual Itasca Family Bluegrass Festival where good music, happy thoughts and memories abound. My love and I will be celebrating 3 years together coming up this week. 3 years down, forever to go. Isn't life wonderful!
My garden is starting to bloom and that makes me smile. I noticed the other day that even though the sunflowers haven't bloomed yet, they still move to follow the sun. Adventures! Happy Saturday.
“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” ~Henry James
My sweet husband got me a sewing machine for my birthday and I have had fun creating with it. Saturday afternoons spent with friends. Evenings spent at the annual Itasca Family Bluegrass Festival where good music, happy thoughts and memories abound. My love and I will be celebrating 3 years together coming up this week. 3 years down, forever to go. Isn't life wonderful!
My garden is starting to bloom and that makes me smile. I noticed the other day that even though the sunflowers haven't bloomed yet, they still move to follow the sun. Adventures! Happy Saturday.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
The Garden
I was thinking the other about how our lives are like gardens. A garden in which we have the opportunity to plant and cultivate just about anything we want. I love it when I get joy, peace, wonder and excitement growing in my garden. When these start to grow the colors and smells are amazing, and life feels good. But, I do believe that I need to work at my gardening skills because all to often I fail to take care of the weeds. The weeds can be different from garden to garden. Some may have weeds of discontentment and others may have weeds of bitterness or anger or sadness etc. I however struggle with the weed or worry.
This weed is something that has sprouted in my garden since I was a little girl and more often than not I have cultivated it rather than rooting it out. The thing about weeds is that they can be sneaky. When they first begin to push through the soil it is often hard to tell if what you are seeing is a weed or one of the seeds you planted. And so, you sometimes just leave it alone instead of pulling it up right away. That's the first mistake. Weeds are going to happen, it's a part of being human, but we as gardeners need to vigilantly tend our gardens. When weeds start sprouting we need to pull them right away, or they just might get out of hand.
I know in my own garden if I catch the weed of worry when it's still just a sprout I can pull it and stay on top of keeping my garden flourishing. However, I really need to work on identifying those nasty little sprouts right away. Because, more often than not I look at the weed and go, "Oh this must surely be a good plant. I have to water it and tend it and take care of it because it is right." And so I do and then I get this giant nasty weed that starts to suffocate my joy sprouts and it takes over the peace plants and all of a sudden my garden is a jungle of worry and I feel overpowered.
And you know what, it is a lot harder to keep my garden nice once I've let it get out of control like that. Weeds that have been cultivated grow big and their roots grow deep and it will be harder to pull them out than if you had done it when they were just sprouts, but they can be pulled out.
The best part is, I know the Master Gardener. He knows just what the joy plants look like and what the weeds of worry look like. When I consult Him He will come to my garden and give me a hand. He Shows me what to look out for and how to take care of the plants. He waters my joy and peace plants and He gives me a hand at pulling out the weeds. He knows exactly what to look for and helps me to notice the difference between a good plant and a weed.
So remember, the Master Gardener, the One who loves your heart is there for you. Have a lovely day and happy gardening.
“When people will not weed their own minds, they are apt to be overrun by nettles.”
~Horace Walpole
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Sunny Saturday
Today I ordered new pictures and hung them. Planted sunflowers, daisies, and pansies while barefoot. Soaking up sunshine sure does feel good. Baked delicious treats for my dear friends wedding shower and got ridiculously excited about a new vacuum cleaner. Happy Saturday.
"Keep your face to the sun and you will never see the shadows." -Hellen Keller
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