Proverbial Wisdom

Today I am thankful for: Radiant Moms, my husband (Thank You, Lord, for keeping him safe when his car tire blew out today!), beautiful cool weather, heat! (house, car), cozy blankets, hot water, my precious kiddos' voices, having Josh home unexpectedly, fun holiday ideas to share with family

I am so thankful for the book of Proverbs.  One friend once shared with me the idea of reading one chapter of Proverbs daily each month.  I enjoyed that before and will begin again--beginning today!  I'm struck by the simplicity of the Proverbs from chapter 1 on.  God has created for us an orderly universe and a perfect design for all things.  Boy, do we muck it up!  But if we'd seek God's wisdom and understanding of His ways, we are clearly told we'd experience length of life, honor among peers, beauty (inward which may lead to outward), protection & preservation but he Lord's own hand, happiness, good health, strength, bountiful provision, riches, peace, sweet sleep, courage, passion in marriage, strong friendships--and that's only the first 7 chapters of the book (there are 31)!  How could anyone not want those things?  Sadly, our culture is so topsy-turvy in sin we think we know better than our Creator.  We think we have understanding apart from God.  Just look at the rates of adultery, fornication, divorce, debt, poor health, abuse, poverty, and so forth.  Our world is crying out for wisdom and great leadership while rejecting THE source of both!

I am so blessed to be able to be home and to be raising my children in a very hands-on manner.  One of my greatest prayers is that my children continue to grow in their fledgling faith and walk with the Lord all their days.  Right now they know the gospel and I have no doubt they love Jesus with all their hearts!  I cannot express the JOY that knowledge brings me!  I am prayerful that God will continue to strengthen me and impart His wisdom so that I can truly instruct my children in His ways.

What a blessing God's very word is to me!  Having His wisdom expressed an illustrated throughout the books is amazing.  The simplicity and beauty of the book of Proverbs is definitely nothing short of God-inspired and perfectly designed.  And having the perfect words of wisdom-incarnate in my Savior Lord Jesus makes me certain I lack for nothing in what is needed to grow and flourish as both a child of God and as a mother of two precious children of God!

Daddy, Your perfect love overwhelms me!  I'm amazed as day after day I'm able to come before You in absolute awe of what You've done for me!  The depth of Your knowledge and wisdom knows no bounds.  How comforting to know that You know me, You made me, and You gave me absolutely everything I need to live and live a life abundant in riches!  I am so thankful that I have understanding; that I know that my treasure lies in You alone, and that from You come my greatest blessings: salvation through Your Son, Jesus; my family; my gifts that allow me to serve You faithfully and with obedience so that others may know You.  Thank You for Your word which so perfectly instructs--I am not alone!  You are always with me.  Praise You, Lord!

Glorious Creation

Today I am thankful for: rain!, a good day in 2nd grade at church, my hubby, a good nap, yummy, warm food on such a cool day, kiddos eating a good dinner, soft & warm clothes to lounge in, ibuprofen for headaches (me!) and fevers (Dman!), joy in the Lord!

I am overwhelmed by God's glory!  I suppose I get tired of "perfect" SoCal weather.  :o)  Sunshine is lovely, blue-sky days are endless, but it can get a bit boring.  I think that's why I enjoy rain, clouds, cold weather.  It's just another expression of the awesome power and greatness of God!  Sometimes I think we take our good weather for granted and we get so used to it we begin to be blinded to the glory of God all around us.  It's kind of like the Israelites must have felt in days of old--they were so blessed by God they would take Him for granted, forget their need, and move to idols or something different.  I get so used to sunshine and warmth that I can easily fail to see the blessing and glory around me and take it for granted.  Having a weather change lets me see another "face" of God; a blessing of a different sort, a "new" power or awesomeness my God displays.  It's so cool!  To be honest, I think every single day finds me praising the Lord for His creation, but it sure is joyful to see something different.  God's creation is limitless, so I love witnessing different aspects, either with travel, weather, changes, new seasons...it's all amazing!  God is definitely great and greatly to be praised!

Psalm 145:3 "Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable."

Closer to Him (as I wrote this in a plane, tee-hee...)

Today I am thankful for: time spent with Andrea and Megan, going home to my family, rain, cool weather, the greatness of my God, my home

Thank You, Lord, for Psalm 139!!  What a beautiful psalm that sums up the thoughts and wonders within me.  God made me.  He formed every part of me!  He knew me and shaped me before I existed!  There is no where I can hide that God either won't find me or won't know my thoughts.  How comforting!  Even when I'm foolish enough to allow sin to separate me from God, He is there!  I may not see Him, but He is with me.  He knows my heart!!  Why should I not confess my transgressions?  Praise You, God, for knowing every part of me, every thought, every unspoken word!  Help me to always strive to be transparent before the Lord.  He knows me intimately, therefore I have nothing to hide.  So do not let me try!  Keep dishonesty far from me and keep me humble in my praise and genuine in my words.  It is a blessing to serve the Lord!  I pray that my faith grows continually as I strive to walk the path He has set before me.  Lord, keep me from stumbling!  Draw me closer, Lord.  Help me to stay in Your presence, always.

My Heart's Cry

Today I am thankful for: beautiful cool weather in Alameda, our lovely walk, thoughtful conversation with friends, our technology and the iPhone 4s (being able to talk to and see my family from far away!), speech therapy for Darrin, Josh's big-kid heart, snuggling Juilette and Elia, Madi's girly goofiness, Darrin's thoughtful heart as a big brother

Wow!  So many words of wisdom tonight in Psalms!  First, Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever."  I don't have to be an intellectual, I don't have to have gone to bible college, and I don't have to be a spiritual "somebody" to understand God and His scripture.  I just have to "fear" Him!  I have to know He is God, know He is just and faithful and awesome!  With a foundation of faith and a respect for His holiness, I can begin to understand His ways and His word and how to apply His teachings to my life.  Next, Psalm 118 is full of little verses I've heard over the years that truly speak to my heart and give me perspective and encouragement, particularly Psalm 118: 6, 8-9, 14, 24, & 26.  But what stands out most tonight is  Psalm 119:37 "Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way."  This is my heart's cry!  More of You and less of me!  Help me, Father, to turn from idols that weigh me down and bring folly.  Correct my ways to match the path You've laid before me.  Help me to truly find strength in You alone and let  Your word be the water to my thirsty soul.  Let me learn from Your correction and keep my eyes focused on You so that I might not sin!

Love Notes

Today I am thankful for: good friends, clean floors, a clean kitchen, Madi enjoying dance, Darrin being helpful and loving, Madi doing her chores with a glad heart, sharing dinner with Megan, making it safely to Andrea's, Josh being a great daddy!

I am thankful the Lord has opened the eyes of my heart to see His glory all around me!  I see His glory in the clouds, the sun, the stars,  I feel His glory in crisp fall air and the rush of the wind.  I hear His glory in the songs of the birds and my children's laughter.  I smell His glory in the scent of cinnamon, the warmth of vanilla, the cleanness of the rain.  I can taste His glory in a ripe red strawberry or a chocolate treat.  There is so much of our world that bombards our senses every day!  I am forever grateful that I can see His perfection in the smallest thing and be reminded of His power and majesty.  Our God is amazing and I'm so blessed to have a faith that allows me to experience Him daily.  I'm never far from my Lord when I stop to remember all the little love notes He's left to me.  His Spirit speaks to me in subtle ways--I just need to be aware!  Speak to my heart, Oh God! Show me Your beauty!  Cause me to wonder and marvel at Your greatness so that I never lose sight of You!  I want to be in Your presence for eternity, worshiping You and bringing glory to Your name!

Praise Him, Praise Him All Ye Little Children!

Today I am thankful for: cool night air, my children's laughter and joy, Darrin having a good day at tkd, Madi eating well, cooler weather coming, Josh skipping WOW last night to spend time with me

I just began Book 4 of Psalms and it is so uplifting!  Each psalm has been a beautiful cry to the Lord praising Him for His awesome power, His creation, His holiness and goodness, etc.  Our God is awesome!  Tonight during dinner the kids and I were listening to praise music and we had a wonderful little discussion about praising God.  I love seeing them love Him and worship Him!  I love hearing them express their love for Him in their own little ways.  Their words are so pure, so genuine, and though they may not always make the most sense I know that their hearts are praising Him to the fullest the best they know how!  It gives me such joy to see my children growing in faith and love for the Lord.  I can only imagine they joy HE feels seeing them and hearing them. Oh, I pray we are teaching them and nurturing them in the right way!  I pray that their foundation in God will be firm and that they'll not stray form His guidance as they grow older, but instead they'll draw nearer to Him.

Thank You, Lord, for these precious children!  Josh and I are so blessed to be their parents!  Help us to be examples of Christian living that encourage them to turn to You and follow Your path and not walk away.  We give them to You for they will always be Yours!

Relevant & Contemporary

Today I am thankful for: rest, talking to my mom on the phone, Madi's precious face, Darrin's loving heart and snuggles, good food to eat, my loving husband, my everlasting and unchanging God, my sister feeling better, my dad being open to dialysis, Crossroads

Again, I am baffled that someone can read God's word and not see it's application to today or grasp the genuine awesomeness of God!  In Psalm 83 the psalmist cries out for God to confound the enemies of Israel for "The have said, 'Come, and let us cut them off from being a nation, that the name of Israel may be remembered no more.'" (Psalm 83:4)  The enemy has always struggled to undo God's blessing.  We still see it today!  Even God's chosen people have not continued to walk in His ways and wonder at the strife of their nation.  But praise God for the truth of His word!  Psalm 83:18 says "That they may know that You, whose name alone is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth."  The psalmist prayed for this in his time, but we are still praying for the same today!  And we know that they day is coming when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Christ as Lord.  I'm clinging to God's promises!  He has made Himself so clear to us in the bible, and He is still the same today!

Thank You, Lord, for Your constant and abiding love!  If ever I am far from You, I know that is my doing, and that You are there waiting to receive me.  Help me to meditate unceasingly on Your goodness and holiness so that I might always proclaim You as my Lord and Savior without fail!