Just a reminder

 

“Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth, if I do not remember you, if do not I exalt Jerusalem above my highest joy.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭137‬:‭6‬ ‭LEB‬‬

This is a striking line. What do we need to say “let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth” if we forget it? What are we called to place high in our priority? What should go high enough that we would be punished with failure to speak if we cannot remember it?

Obviously our Savior, but that is not what this is about. This is about one of the gifts He gave them, and then they failed to appreciate. Jerusalem was what they were choosing to remember in this psalm.

I am sure we have things like that in our lives. Things we have been called to protect, honor, respect…and have not given them the time they require or deserve.

Stop and contemplate that today with me.

What are we needing to give some attention to, so that our tongue does not “cling to the roof of our mouth”? 

The battle belongs to the Lord

 

“So David prevailed over the Philistine with the sling and with the stone, and he struck down the Philistine and killed him, but there was no sword in David’s hand. Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it from its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.” 1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭50‬-‭51‬ ‭LEB‬‬

The battle was not over yet when Goliath fell. The rock that David slung may have killed the giant, but it hadn’t completed the battle. The warriors around him couldn’t tell that Goliath was dead. David had to grab that sword and do the ugly work of cutting off the head so that those enemies could to see him win more completely. 

The giant fell, and that was beautiful. 

Please, my friends, remember to see the success in every single battle as it happens.

But… don’t get lazy. 

Sometimes you think the battle is over before it is ACTUALLY over. 

Sometimes you think it was the last battle when there are still more to come. 

Don’t let the giant falling be enough. Cut off its head too. 

David proclaimed that first verse before going into battle. He knew that God had things under control. But David also took the action of gathering stones, using his slingshot, running toward the enemy and picking up someone else’s sword (that the was laying there, available to him, provided by who?!) before he declared the battle over. 

He declared it won, belonging to the Lord, before it began. 

He was ready to fight every step of the way. 

Please, hear BOTH of those things. 

So now, be blessed with courage and strength as you go out to fight, for the battle is the Lords!

Whatever state I am in…

 I have been missing for a while on here. It is not because I had nothing to say. It was just that the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart need to be acceptable in HIS sight before they come here, and sometimes that is struggling. (Psalm 19:14)

 Not that they were filled with evil :) 

 Just sometimes they are lacking in hope or joy, and at moments filled with pride. None of those attitudes are what I want to share. 

Romans 12:16 was pointed out to me by a devotional I was reading this morning as I contemplated writing again. 

 So, I am slightly afraid to write again, still. However, these verses came too. 

He isn’t done working on me. My body is less than perfect, obviously, and perhaps that has to just be accepted. 

But He is working on me in other ways too and I will do my best to listen and learn. 

Because…

All things my friends. 

Read it one more time. 

ALL THINGS work together for good. 

Sometimes we don’t get to understand, but we trust and believe. 

All things work together for good, in His timing, for His plan. 

So…

Because this last verse is the final goal. 

The overall goal. 

The one I keep hoping to learn, and I hope you will join me in seeking. 

Choose to be content. 

Choose to see the good. 

Choose to see the hand of our Father in every single moment. 

I hope I am back to writing, but I can’t promise. 

I do promise that many of you have been on my heart and have been lifted up to our Savior. 

(And some of you don’t even want me to do that for you, I know!)

People I have never even met in “real life” but only online, or met once while waiting in line and friended on FB years ago. People I share blood with, or college with, or the career of my hubby with. 

You are loved. 

So, grab ahold of hope my friends, then turn around and share it with those around you!

Be blessed!

5+2 = A Butterfly

It feels sometimes that God is quiet for days and days, and then suddenly He speaks so much. More then I can take in at once.
 But that is what paper, and computers, are for. Writing it all down, and mulling it over, and trying to digest the words that He is giving.

 Most of what I hear is wait.

 I had a fabulous discussion with a dear friend about butterflies. When she was in her early 30's she went though a time in a "cocoon". Waiting, growing, hurting at times. I think that is where I am right now. In my Cocoon season.

 Did I write this already? I feel like I might have. But I found a quote that I have clung to greatly. "What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a butterfly." Richard Bach

 My cocoon is sometimes comforting, surrounding me like a soft blanket. Sometimes stifling, surrounding me so tightly that I cannot move. Sometimes it seems that it is a grave, and that I will be here forever. And at moments I can feel the wings growing, becoming something beautiful, and full of grace.

 And right now, what I hear is wait.

 I was reading 1 Samuel, soon after Saul had been appointed king of Isreal. They were getting ready to head into battle, and they knew they needed to ask for God's blessing before they went.  But Samuel, the priest, was just taking so long to get there. And they couldn't wait any longer. So they took things into their own hands.
 And Saul paid for it with his kingdom. All because he couldn't wait.

 Psalm 27:13-14 says, "I am still confident of this; I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

There is a "famous" verse - you hear it quoted all the time. "Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40:30-31

 There is a lot of tired around here lately. I can blame it on many things. Multiple medications, trying to control multiple medical conditions. The awareness that two special forces soldiers were killed last week in Afghanistan and the mainstream world is tired of caring. Or perhaps just the sneezing and sniffling of this silly cold.
 Tired comes. Weary, stumbling, and falling too.

 But the promise of renewed strength, and wings that soar- that is real. And I can feel it, when I remember to ask.

 Romans chapter 8 is full of all sorts of fabulousness. But once again, it reminds us to wait. Even when "we do not know what we ought to pray for"... "if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

 I told you, waiting is what I get to hear, over and over.

 But yesterday, I got thrown off my loop. Out of nowhere, in a story that I have read over and over, God taught me something new. (which is why it is important to read the Bible over and over again. Because you never know what He is going to tell you, even in a story you have had memorized since you were 5)

 In John chapter 6 there is a story about a multitude of people following Jesus around, listing to his teaching. Because he was fascinating. However, at some point in time they realized it was time for lunch. And there wasn't enough food for the crowd. One boy offered to share his two small fish and five loaves of bread. Not enough, but thanks for the offer kiddo. But then, though even his own disciples doubted him, Jesus blessed the food, broke it, and told them to pass it around.

 And if you grew up in the church, you know that it fed the 5000. The broke and passed, broke and passed, until everyone was full. Then, Jesus instructed his disciples to collect the leftovers. "Let nothing be wasted" vs12 says,

 Let nothing be wasted.

 Nothing.

 From 2 fish and five loaves of bread they gathered 12 baskets of leftovers.

 And while I am sitting here, waiting in my cocoon, what am I wasting? Do I have 2 fish? Do I have any leftovers?

 It may not seem like much. Certainly not enough to feed 5000. But Jesus blessed it, and multiplied it, and said "let nothing be wasted."

 So my caterpillar self will wait patiently. Share fish and "Let nothing be wasted". And hopefully emerge as a butterfly soon.

 Blessings my friends, 

Accountability

This post is to preach at myself. Honestly.

 But for some reason I can't let it go, so perhaps writing it out, and knowing that you are holding me accountable will make me.

 God clearly told us to forgive. In fact, when Peter asked him if he should forgive seven time Jesus told, "not seven, but seventy-seven times". Which I actually think means as many times as it takes.

 So, telling someone that you forgive them - or perhaps forgiving them in your heart because they never even knew they upset you - that should be natural for a Christian. Over and over again.

 But sometimes it's not easy.

 Andy has not been careful with his words lately. Honestly just stupid stuff. But over and over until I have felt like a failure. In everything.

 Canaan has noticed, of course. Because he notices everything. He brought me the comics on Sunday - pointing out one in specific he thought I would like. It truly was slightly ironic in it's timing.

 And little reminders, like the comics, or some other not well planned words have kept me either angry or hurt for almost a week now.

 But yesterday I did a lot of praying about it. I remembered that...

1) I am not perfect either (surprise!)
2) He is going to say stupid things over and over (and over) for the rest of time. And I am always going to love him. So I need to just get over it.
3) I can't say that I forgive him, and then not truly do it. That is lying.

Psalm 19:14 says "May the words of my mouth (Andy) and the meditations of my heart (me) be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

 They are both held equally. Me thinking grumpy thoughts was not cool.

 And then today's Bible reading said, "He who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 14:11
 I am pretty sure I have been exalting myself by being the "hurt party". Because, of course, I have never hurt his feelings, right?!

 But, I suppose what helped the most last night was Andy putting on some old cheesy '80's music and "singing" to me. He loves me too.

 Those words, although perhaps the worst sounding of them all, were also the most beautiful.

 I can promise you that words will continue to be spoken in this household. So, as long as there are words there will be some that praise, some that heal, some that excite, some that promise and sadly, some that hurt.

 That is just the way of words.

 What matters now is "the meditations of my heart". I'm feeling positive right now. What is it about confession that brings healing to the soul?

 God speaks through Isaiah saying, "So is the word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." (55:11)

 We can only attempt to mimic Him. May our words always serve, and accomplish what He desires.
 And when they don't, let's remember that He forgives. "I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemes of men will be forgiven them." Mark 3:28

 So, here I go. School to teach. T-ball to make it to. Toilet's to clean. And somewhere along the way, supper to cook. So I suppose I need more then just the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart. I need every movement of my hands also seeking to please Him too!

 Please, keep me accountable.

 May your day - full of words, thoughts, activities (and perhaps toilets?)- be pleasing unto Him too!

Blessings, 

Quote of a quote

 I made some time to browse through pinterest today. I truly think this was only my second or third time since we have lived here. Eventually I will have more time, right? 

 Anyway. one link I discovered led to a list: 51 books that every Christian should read. 

 And then lots of comments others had about that list. (Which I liked at least as much as the list itself)

 As it is well known, I like to read. But I usually read fiction. Light things to take me away from reality. So I wasn't sure I even wanted to read the list itself. 

 But, as always, reading has something to offer. Always. 

 Pretty much the only things on the list I have previously read are the "classics". I have loved old words always. The fact that they have continued to be "good", 100 years later, well, I think God was speaking through them. 

 I actually get highly annoyed with the people getting filthy rich from writing books about serving Jesus. They better be doing good stuff with that money. I certainly have a hard time giving anyone $20-$40 so I can read their opinion about theology, or salvation, or grace or even how to treat my neighbor. But that doesn't mean there aren't good words out there. I just need to find them at a yard sale! 

 While reading through the comments I came upon a suggestion of a book they believed should be on the list:  Now and Again by Frederick Buechner  They said one of their favorite quotes from it was:

“Words–especially religious words, words that have to do with the depth of things–get tired and stale the way people do. Find new words or put old words together in combinations that make them heard as new, make you yourself new, and make you understand in new ways.” 

 I fell in love immediately. 

 That book wasn't on the list. I know nothing about it except that quote. And it certainly doesn't sound like "light reading". But I think I may have to add it to my stack. 

 A book about words. Who can resist that? 

Blessings, 

The unchanging Word

Over the years I have gone through some Bibles. New devotional versions. Different translations. The Message, NIV, Amplified, good old King James. I like to switch around. God's word is still God's word. Sometimes just put into a different "slang". Most of it I have memorized from my childhood in the King James or NIV, and that is how it comes back to me when I try to recall it, but I don't have anything against reading "modern" language translations.

Last year I was reading a "women's devotional" version. It had a small portion every day written by a different leading Christian women, focused on women, often about women in the bible. I enjoyed it, but it was time for one of the other sister's to have a turn, so I passed it along.

For the New Year I decided to go digging through boxes in the attic for something "new". I knew there was an entire box of just Bibles and devotional books. I discovered several to start the year off with. I am sure I will comment more on them later - especially "Practicing His Presence".

My favorite find is the Bible I received as a high school graduation gift. I used it all through college and during the first few years of our marriage. It is full of bulletins, and sermon notes, and scraps of wisdom I felt the need to jot down and save.

After not seeing it for several years, those little pieces of wisdom seem so much more meaningful.

I remember "cleaning out" my bible every few months - not wanting to have too much clutter to carry around. Now I wish I hadn't done that. I wonder how much wisdom I carelessly threw away?

One of the things I found was an E-mail from my parents that I had printed out: Encouragement for me when I was leading a Bible study in our first house, at our first base. Some of the people who attended I still keep in touch with - 7 years later. Some of them still don't know Jesus, but they are curious enough about Him to talk to me, even now. I hope they can see Him in me.

Another interesting thing I found tucked in the back of the Bible was a reminder of my youth. Or perhaps my excess free time. My emotions?

I am not sure...

I use to write, all the time. Poetry, of sorts. ALL THE TIME. So, of course, there were several tucked into the Bible.

I am going to bare myself a little and give you a taste.

We, the people of the earth

Are the ground that was planted upon

And to us who are fertile and green

He has given an unstoppable song

He has also given us a Spirit

That waters us as we grow

Sometimes a shower, sometimes a flood

Giving us our own seed to sow

Sometimes it falls on hard ground

and the evil one steals it away

Sometimes it begins to grow

but is smothered, unable to stay

The cares of the earth overwhelm it

the baby plant shrivels up dry

So often the plant is unable to root

The sun, wind and storm make it die

The Spirit, Counselor, Protector

Gently prods us to reach

Our hearts up to the sun, the Son

Now is our turn to share, plant, preach

That was a nice trip down memory lane.

I think I will leave my writing skills in the blogosphere for now though, and leave poetry for someone else!

A cool Quote

One of my college friends had this written on his FACEBOOK page, and I thought it was worth copying and quoting. So, thanks Michael Lodge. 

"The Bible really is my favorite thing to read. Especially when read in its original context with the depths of meaning that sooo transcends modern American life and culture. There is a whole new world to the Bible that I was hardly aware of. It is truly an incredible book that I don't think anyone can master in one lifetime. It is really alive and active, ever changing but eternally still, the depths of reality and truth are woven in every word. I honestly believe that it is the physical representation of Jesus that we have the honor of holding close to our chest and interacting with everyday."