Occupy Contentment

Today I am thankful for: better sleep!, the rough day I had with Moo (it reminded me to draw close to God when things are tough!), Dan & Ellen, having Josh home, seeing my precious babies in their costumes, the freedom and BLESSING of home education, a joyful heart, being alone with my Father at the end of the day!

Psalm 73--wow!  I wasn't expecting this psalm to speak to me, but, boy, did it!  Asaph is declaring God's goodness after admitting his own struggle with seeing how the wicked prosper yet the righteous are oppressed.  It's funny how not much has changed.  Hmmmmm...maybe because SIN is still SIN?  There are times when I struggle a bit with "injustice" in our society, but my eternal perspective comforts me; I know God is sovereign and His justice will prevail.  But what angers me more is the unabashed envy people show today for what others have.  Today there are various "occupy" protests going on--people whining and complaining that they don't have "enough" while others (Wall Street, corporate tycoons) have much more.  It's infuriating because these people are just jealous, it seems, and making wealthier folks out to be evil.  I know not everyone who is wealthy is "good" but I recognize that God blesses whomever He wishes.  I wonder how many of these protesters are true believers--my guess is very few, if any!  A true believer recognizes blessing in ANY form and knows that covetousness is a sin.  I do not abhor those who prosper; those who are righteous set a good example, yet those who are wicked will receive their judgement in the day of the Lord!

Until All Have Heard

Today I am thankful for: beautiful sunshine, a smooth 1st day solo in 2nd grade ministry, praise music on my iPod, another nap!, another great sermon at church, my 1st time carving pumpkins, my kids enjoying church so much, Darrin wanting to snuggle, Madi eating fairly well, cool evening air

Pastor Chuck spoke today about end times.  Everything he shared about events in our world today and backed up with scripture was eye-opening.  I have felt we were beginning to see signs of end times, but couldn't really articulate why.  Now I can!  What really stood out for me was when he shared about a group that feels strongly that they can reach the remaining people groups in the world with the gospel in about 14 years' time.  Wow!  And just thinking about current technology and how far it's come in the past decade, I'm wondering if that projection might change and the number of years be fewer.  All I can truly say is Lord don't tarry!  I feel I'm doing my part--for  now--in raising my children to know and serve God.  But I know that this isn't enough.  I pray for boldness and wisdom to share with friends, for the heart and resources to reach strangers.  This is the hardest thing for me, and I hate that it seems so hard!!  God, please open my eyes to opportunities to share Your love and gospel with others.  Give me the boldness to share and the wisdom to know what to say and how and when.  Help me reach others in your name!

Letting Go

Today I am thankful for: yummy food, cuddling with my kiddos, snuggling with my hubby, beautiful weather, fluffy pillows, ceiling fans, a good (& well-needed!) nap, Darrin & Madi playing so well together, snickerdoodles!

Psalm 62:8 "Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."

Psalm 62:5 "My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him."

These 2 verses touched me today in reading.  Ever since I gave God my worry and self-control (a whole 3 days ago, lol!) I have felt better, lighter.  I notice that my joy seems fuller!  I'm not obsessing over my health, and I have hope that everything will work out--especially according to God's will.  These 2 verses really resonated with me.  The first one, Psalm 62:8 reminds me to trust in HIM--not myself--at ALL times.  And I love how it says to "pour out your heart before Him."  He knows our hearts, but how special that He still wants me to share what's in my heart with Him!  He patiently and lovingly waits to listen and minister to ME!  The second verse I noted, Psalm 62:5, gives me peace.  I will be silent--CONTENT--to wait on the Lord.  My hope and my trust are in Him alone!  From God my Father will I find peace and healing; in His time and in His way.  My expectation is from Him!  I'm going to stop guessing and trying to "put words in His mouth" for myself.  He is wise and great, and He loves me!  That is enough!

Financial Peace

Today I am thankful for: fall weather, reliable transportation, speech therapy for Darrin, Green Mamas, beautiful fresh produce, God's amazing provision!, Madi's good appetite today, freshly bathed kiddos & bedtime snuggles, God's mercy and lovingkindness

I was struck by a number of truths as I read through Psalms tonight.  For probably the first time in our marriage, Josh and I are facing a financial crunch.  He is a bit stressed by it, but I know that with some planning and focus we will not struggle.  God has provided for us and will continue to do so.  But I read Psalm 49 and was encouraged that our confidence lies not in our supposed wealth, but in our Lord!  It's amazing how so many people work to accumulate riches and possessions just to "have" them.  I don't believe it's wrong to "have" things; God blesses us and we should enjoy those blessings in the present and ensure provision for our heirs after we die.  But what's the point in hoarding and living greedily without giving to God and others?  Your wealth cannot do the most important thing--give you salvation!  This life is finite.  While we might desire a comfy journey, it's the life after this one that really matters!!  I am so thankful that I know and have a relationship with my God.  He bestows on me mercy, grace, and blessing and has claimed my heart as His.  He alone saves us from death.  Even though this life will end, my life with my Lord goes on forever!  The most important life policy I can bestow on my kids is to teach them about Jesus and pray they choose His life instead of this life!

Melodious Praise

Today I am thankful for: Kristie, playing at the park, Madi having fun at dance, Donna's good news (baby #2!), the kids trying something new at dinner, library books, loving on my babies, my hubby's thoughtfulness

One way I see the brilliance of God is music.  I love music, music of all kinds.  It never fails to amaze me what truly talented musicians can do with 8 notes and various octaves.  I can hum a tune and make up a silly song, but people with genuine God-given musical talent awe me.  Just think of how many songs are new and debuting all the time!  God wanted us to have music for fun and expression, praise, lament, and communication.  Music can evoke all kinds of emotions!  Reading through the psalms one gets a clear picture of this--songs of praise, mourning, lamentation; songs, seeking courage, help, and forgiveness.  There are songs expressing joy, songs of anger and pain.  And the words are beautiful and poetic.  I love a good tune, but a great lyric truly touches my heart!  The books of the psalms are bursting with lovely words communicating man's need for God.  I would LOVE to hear how these songs sounded when first played.  It's fun to read through and recognize lines of famous praise songs here and there.  How great that God gifted certain individuals to recreate or imagine beautiful rhythms and melodies to set these words to!  Thank You, Lord, for touching my heart through music and song, and for giving me a way to learn about and share Your goodness!

The Help

Today I am thankful for: open windows and crisp breezes, kids earning ALL their tickets!, Chinese food for dinner, a clean kitchen, snuggly blankets, the pumpkin patch, hot tea, Darrin's natural and boundless curiosity, Madi's imagination!

Psalm 32:1-2 "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.  Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit."

David's psalms truly speak to my heart.  There are times when I'm reading and think how great this man of God was, how pleasing he was in thought and action to the Lord.  I think, I could never be like David!  Then I stop and think of the times when David sinned.  So maybe I could never be like him, but he was certainly like me!  No matter how many times he messed up, he kept coming back to God seeking forgiveness and displaying a truly humbled and penitent heart.  Praise God He loves us that much!  He pours out His grace and I'm flooded with His peace.  I'm really trying to be aware of my sin so that I might confess it and repent.  Worry is a tough one, probably the hardest for me.  With a little help from my new book on the matter, and  a LOT of help from God, I want tot work towards genuinely letting go of worry!

Father God, You know how much I struggle with worry and self-control.  I give them both to You now!  Help me put complete trust in You and deny myself so that I might have MORE of You!

The Nature of God

Today I am thankful for: a misty morning, Darrin sleeping in so long (he needed it!), cool nights & warm covers, a yummy dinner, talking to my mom on the phone, Madi making her bed without a fuss, our new CD of hymns, hearing my babies try singing the chorus of "To God Be the Glory" at bathtime

I absolutely love how my kiddos naturally make connections to God through His creation! My #1 goal in homeschooling is to teach Darrin and Madi about God; to nurture a budding relationship with Him.  I truly believe that we should be in an active and continual process of teaching about our Lord.  We try to accomplish this by genuinely being awed by the natural world around us.  I am always commenting on one thing or another and saying something like "isn't God wonderful?" or "how amazing is it that the God that created that star/flower/etc. also made you and me?"  And now my precious children are also doing the same! God created us with a NEED for Him, yet so many doubt or reject His presence and existence.  All of creation is screaming aloud, proclaiming His authorship; how is it that so many do not see or hear?  Psalm 19 so beautifully tells how God's majesty and power are revealed in nature--from beauty, to order, to power, and more.  I get excited reading this psalm.  It reminds me just how small and worthless I am, yet how much He loves me.  This psalm makes me yearn for repentance and to be whole and blameless before my Lord.  Cleanse me from secret faults (Psalm 19:12) and let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).  Amen!!