Proud versus broken - source

Someone had asked me to use the material from the information I posted about proud versus broken people. Since the information was not original to me, I felt that I should at least try to find out who did write it. Here is the answer that I received from the person who I heard it from:

"It has been a few years since I came a crossed this in a journal article in Spirit of Revival by Life Action Revival Ministries; so I am not sure who wrote the article it was in; but if you gave credit to Life Action Revival Ministries, I know that is where it originated. To this day it is still one of the best heart tools to inventory my heart I have come across." - Paul

Proud versus broken - part 3 of 3

For part 1, click here.
For part 2, click here.

Proud people	Broken people
21. Have a hard time saying, "I was wrong; will you please forgive me?"	21. Are quick to admit failure and to seek forgiveness necessary
22. Tend to deal in generalities when confessing sin	22. Under the conviction of God's Spirit, are able to acknowledge specifics when confessing their sin
23. Are concerned about the consequences of their sin	23. Are grieved over the cause, the root of their sin
24. Are remorseful over their sin, sorry that they got found out or caught	24. Are truly, genuinely repentant over their sin; which is evidenced in the fact that they forsake that sin
25. Wait for the other to come and ask forgiveness when there is a misunderstanding or conflict in relationships	25. Take the initiative to be reconciled when there is a misunderstanding or a conflict in relationships; they race to the cross; they see if they can get there first, no matter how wrong the other may have been
26. Compare themselves with others and feel worthy of honor	26. Compare themselves to the holiness of God and feel desperate need for His mercy
27. Are blind to their true heart condition	27. Walk in the light
28. Don't think they have anything to repent of	28. Realize they have need of a continual heart attitude of repentance
29. Don't think they need revival, but are sure that everyone else does	29. Continually sense their need for a fresh encounter with God and for a fresh filling of His Holy Spirit

Proud versus broken - part 2 of 3

For the first part, click here.

Proud people	Broken people
11. Have a subconscious feeling, "This ministry is privileged to have me and my gifts"; think of what they can do for God.	11. Have a heart attitude that says, "I don't deserve to have any part in this ministry"; know that they have nothing to offer God except the life of Jesus flowing through their broken lives.
12. Feel confident in how much they know	12. Are humbled by how very much they have to learn
13. Are self-conscious	13. Aren't concerned with self at all
14. Keep others at arms' length	14. Are willing to risk getting close to others and to take risks of loving intimately
15. Are quick to blame others	15. Accept personal responsibility and can see where they are wrong in a situation
16. Are unapproachable	16. Are easy to be entreated
17. Are defensive when criticized	17. Receive criticism with a humble, open spirit
18. Are concerned with being respectable, with what others think; work to protect their own image and reputation	18. Are concerned with being real; what they care about and what matters to them is not what others think, but what God knows; are willing to die to their own reputation
19. Find it difficult to share their spiritual needs with others	19. Are willing to be open and transparent with others as God directs
20. Want to be sure that no one finds out when they have sinned; instinct is to cover up	20. Once broken, don't care who knows or who finds out; are willing to be exposed because they have nothing to lose

For part 3, click here.

Proud versus broken - part 1 of 3

During our recent staff retreat, we had several sessions led by a pastor from Florida named Paul Smith. In one of his talks, he spoke of living life from the upper room versus living life from the lower room. The upper room represents living a life with God - living with passion for God, worshiping and trusting Him, growing in and obeying Him. The lower room represents living in the flesh - living for self, desiring control, needing to define life in terms that meet my needs. It hit me that I had mostly been operating out of the lower room mentality.

The table below was very helpful for me, so I wanted to share it - mostly for my own benefit. So that I won't forget - so I won't go back to living in the lower room. I do not know the source, but I do know that it is not me. It is rather long, so I am planning to share it in segments over the next few days.

Proud people	Broken people
1. Focus on the failures of others	1. Are overwhelmed with a sense of their own spiritual need
2. Are self righteous; have a critical, fault-finding spirit; look at everyone else's faults with a microscope, but their own with a telescope; look down on others	2. Are compassionate; can forgive much because they know how much they have been forgiven; esteem all others better than themselves
3. Have an independent, self-sufficient spirit	3. Have a dependent spirit; recognize their need of others
4. Have to prove that they are right	4. Are willing to yield the right to be right
5. Claim rights; have a demanding spirit	5. Yield their rights; have a meek spirit
6. Are self-protective of their time, their rights, and their reputation	6. Are self-denying
7. Desire to be served	7. Are motivated to serve others
8. Desire to be a success	8. Motivated to make others a success
9. Desire self-advancement	9. Desire to promote others
10. Have a drive to be recognized, to be appreciated, are wounded when others are promoted and they are overlooked	10. Have a sense of their own unworthiness and are thrilled that God would use them in any ministry; are eager for others to get credit and rejoice when others are lifted up

For part 2, click here.

Focus

Thanks for your patience - I have a few minutes to write this post now.

Last Thursday morning, John and I tackled putting the smaller windows in the tower portion of our house. It was just us and we were a little bit nervous to figure out exactly how we were going to do it - especially when we got to the second and third floor windows.

We started at the ground (for obvious reasons) and determined our plan. As the ladders went higher and the further we had to climb, the more we had to concentrate and focus on the task in front of us. We had to fix our eyes and our minds on nothing else.

Interestingly enough, as we traversed the tower, the weather started to become a distraction. At first, a gentle breeze started that complicated the situation. Then, it started to drizzle - just a little, but enough to cause us some concern.

At one point, John looked nervous (for my sake, I'm sure) and wondered if we should try it ourselves. I reminded him that it was the same window, same process we had been doing - that nothing had really changed except for the height (ok, and the weather) .... so we proceeded. We were able to successfully finish installing the remaining windows in the tower.

This can apply to our lives, too. We are fine on the "ground" level - everything is going well, life is easy. It is easy to fix our eyes on the Lord and follow Him. Then ... the weather hits - circumstances happen that distract us - pulling our eyes away from following Him. For one reason or another and we find ourselves in desperation. But, if we fix our eyes on Jesus, our desperation can change to hope and faith. The circumstances may not change immediately or just how we would like them to change, but we can cling to the hope that we have in Him.

Hebrews 12:2-3
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.


John's turn up the ladder


John stapling down some of the paper that had come loose in the wind.


My turn - what fun!


Nailing the top of the window


Updated picture with windows.


Front showing windows

We have had very spring-like weather ... as in lots of rain. I haven't had a chance to take pictures when the sun is shining.

More updates from progress on Saturday and some fun pictures of my orchid next time ...

Just some thoughts out loud

Luke 8:22-25 One day Jesus said to his disciples, "Let's go over to the other side of the lake." So they got into a boat and set out.
-------------------------
This was one of the verses of focus for my Bible study on Wednesday night. We are studying Beth Moore's "Jesus the One and Only". In the video on Wednesday, she brought out a point that has stayed with me.

She made an observation between Jesus' ministry and current Christian ministry and the differences that seem to be there. Jesus ministered to the down and outs, those truly in need, those desperate - those that don't have it all together. He "went to the other side" to meet those that were truly in need of ministry.

I agree with her wholeheartedly - however, I am not intending to criticize or judge the current church. You see, I have to ask myself that tough question - how I am reaching those "on the other side"? Am I willing to be inconvenienced? Am I able to meet them on their level - where they are?

I have been asking the Lord for opportunities to minister ... and when He sends people ... I struggle with being inconvenienced by the needs that are there. I have jokingly said "ok, Lord, how about sending the easy 'got-it-all-together' group of women to minister to and we can just have our little coffee party and talk about you?" Wouldn't that be nice? :)

But you see, that is not how He works - if we "have it all together", we aren't always focused on our need for Him. He has a heart for those who are hurting - He is full of compassion for those who are desperate. I love the verses from Isaiah 61 describing Jesus' ministry.
Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners,

I have met a few people that are in need of a touch from Him. I am praying that the Lord will give me opportunities to serve them in His name and bring Him glory. I am praying that I will be given His words to touch them - words of healing and forgiveness. Being careful to not condemn or correct with my words. In other words, just to allow Him to shine through me.

Being willing to "go to the other side" to meet people where they are.

Thanks for letting me think out loud.

How lovely on the mountain ...

We all took a walk together this morning. It was a beautiful, crisp, frosty morning here in AL and we were able to enjoy the frost on leaves, grass, and trees that were all glistening in the sun. There are also little "icicles" that heave up from the ground in the sandy soil and it is fun to crunch your way through them.

In the middle of our walk, Savannah found a flat stick about 1 foot long and covered with frost that she just "had" to have. I have to confess that I am not always the most patient with her when she finds her treasures - mainly because she wants to save everything! (side note: last week at my hair appointment, she wanted to save some of my hair - need I say more?)

I tried unsuccessfully a couple of times to get her to drop the stick - she was carrying it in both hands and it was awkward for her to carry. I was not getting anywhere, so decided to just "choose my battles" and let her learn the hard way. (can I get some sympathy from you parents?)

You really have to take the walk with me to understand it fully, but it is down a pretty big hill about 3/4 of a mile and then back UP that same hill for about 3/4 of a mile. It does roll a little for a few breaks, but nevertheless the first half of the walk is much easier than the second half.

So, she gets tired and wants to take a break ... (carrying a stick in both hands while walking up a hill - truly, it's tiring enough without carrying anything, let alone a stick in both hands)

Then, her hands are cold ... (hmmm - "Do you think that maybe holding onto a frozen piece of wood might have anything to do with it???") I again suggested that she let go of the stick and enjoy walking instead. To no avail.

Daddy also tried gently ... also with no success.

AND then it hit me - how much is that a picture of us and God at times? We want to carry the burden ourselves - do things our own way - be independent and stubborn, just because we want to have it our own way.

Well meaning people with our best interests in mind (I really did want to help her see that she didn't need that stick! I love her and wanted her to not have to be burdened down with it.) try to steer us back on track, try to show us the right way to go, try to help us ...

and.we.just.won't.listen.

I have so been there. Doing it my own way. Stubborn. Not listening to anyone - knowing they were right, but maintaining my independence - my right to choose for myself. Not pretty.

What happened next was just so tender to me (and John had no idea what was going on in my heart) -

Daddy stopped, turned around and came back and took her stick from her and carried it himself

... the rest of the way up the hill...

Do you see it? Do you see the picture that I saw? Our Heavenly Father is SO LIKE THAT - He desires to carry those burdens for us. He want us to let go and leave behind those things that hold us back.

It was no longer just about Savannah ... or me ... it is about us - you and I. If there is something in your life that He is asking you to let go of - LET GO!!! Let Him carry it. He is able and He wants to. Listen to those well-meaning people in your life - they love you and care about you and can see things differently than you can. Let go!

Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

Funny "facts"

(taken from "Your Skin Weighs More Than Your Brain" by Barbara Seuling)

We have been taking little snippets from this book at bedtime - to stimulate fun for learning about the human body. It is always a great way to remind the kids that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made"

Psalm 139:14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

1. The strongest bone in your body is your thigh bone, or femur. It is stronger than concrete. [struck a chord with us - we have been doing a lot of concrete]
   
2. Humans and giraffes have the same number of bones in their necks - seven. Giraffes' neck vertebrae are just much, much longer. [didn't know that - cool!]
3. A person in bare feet leaves such a strong scent in his or her footprints that it is possible for another person to follow his or her trail. [ummm - does that mean I have to *sniff* for them?]
4. The added stress of lots of physical activity causes bones to grow thicker and stronger. On the other hand, lack of physical activity results in bones getting thinner and weaker. [good arguing point for the wii fit or guitar hero :) side note on guitar hero ... do you like it if you have it? We were in Best B*uy the other night and it actually looks kind of fun. I would be ALL over the drums, though. The guitar doesn't even tempt me - should have been named drum hero.]
5. By the end of the day, a person has shrunk about 1 inch - temporarily. The next morning, a person is back to his or her old height again. [please measure me at night :)]
6. Your skin weighs more than twice as much as your brain. [that means that my brain weighs 1/2 of my skin = my brain is big!]
7. You use about 43 muscles to frown. You use just 17 to smile. [that's because it is hard to smile while you are exercising - see #4 above]
   
8. A 3-month-old fetus (in utero child) already has a distinctive set of fingerprints. [fearfully and wonderfully made]
9. No two sets of fingerprints are alike. Even identical twins have different fingerprints. [didn't know that either]
10. An average adult has more than 5 million hair follicles. About 100,000 of them are on the head. [If you are having trouble thinking of how HUGE God is ... just multiply that number by the number of adults ... and factor in Luke 12:6-7 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.]
11. Pain signals travel to the brain more slowly than other touch signals do.
12. Your brain stops growing at about 15 years old. [maybe why teenagers think they know everything?]
13. Your brain is more active at night than during the day. [!!!! Go figure.]
14. You use 200 muscles to take one step. You use 300 to stand still. [now, how does that compute with #4 above? Wouldn't that stand to reason that standing still would make your muscles stronger?]
15. You use 72 muscles just to speak one word. [Now that explains a lot]
16. As you get older, you will lose your sense of smell before any of your other senses. [whew - can I get an amen!]
17. You will spend about 0ne-third of your life asleep.
18. Your eyes are the same size at birth as they are the rest of your life. [cool!]
19. Every person has a unique tongue print. [really?? Probably more convenient to do finger printing, huh?]
20. A 6-year-old laughs about 300 times per day. An adult laughs about 17 times per day. [ there's something wrong with us adults, y'all. This is a good reminder to not take life so seriously - to laugh more. Just this morning, John and I were talking about this and just did a half-hearted "HA" - that alone made us really laugh. It's easier to laugh than you think - try it!]

This book is a fun read - a lot of interesting things in it. I have always had an interest in biology and physiology, so it is right up my alley. The kids are enjoying it, too.

New Year's Resolve

Since the majority of you were probably not attending our church yesterday, I am going to steal share some ideas from our sermon with you - with some additional comments thrown in.

Most people aren't good at keeping New Year's resolutions. Most resolutions treat the symptoms and not the root of the problem. We need Christ to supernaturally empower us to make necessary changes - commit to following Him, becoming more like Him, in order to "fix" our symptoms. When we start focusing our efforts on being nearer to Him, being more like Him, desiring to be in the center of His will - that is when the symptoms are seen through the lens of Christ and take proper perspective.

Please understand that I am not suggesting that God is a "fix-it", "heal it" or a "bless it on demand" kind of God - it just may be that we see things differently after viewing our problems through His point of view.

I have been in kind of a spiritual "slump" lately - and have been frustrated with it. Many things our pastor said yesterday struck a chord with me, but nothing more than his quote of Beth Moore - something like "resolve to allow nothing to come between us and Christ" - nothing.

So, this was how my prayer went this morning while I was walking:

Lord, that is what I desire. NOTHING between you and me. You first, John second, kids third, and me last.

Yes, me last. I have found that selfishness has crept in during this spiritual slump along with its good friends grouchiness, grumpiness, quick temper, just plain old ugliness. I don't want any of those - I want the fruit of the Spirit:

love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

That's what I want in 2009 - resolve. RESOLVE!

1. Praying - asking God to pour out His Spirit, asking Him for the desire to read and pray more, asking Him to reveal His Word to me
2. Disciplining myself to read, even if I don't "feel" like it. I am currently reading through the Bible in "historical" order - following a plan that puts Scripture in order as to when the events happened.
3. Joining the next women's Bible study at church - I skipped the last one because it was a study I have done previously. I just really need somewhere to "go deep" about spiritual things - I had a core group of wonderful ladies in PA and have not yet found that group here. This Bible study will help.

So, there you have it - thanks for your prayers!

So true

I really liked this - I received it in an email and am not sure who the author was.

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back -
1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity

Three things in life that can destroy a person -
1. Anger
2. Pride
3. Unforgiveness

Three things in life that you should never lose -
1. Hope
2. Peace
3. Honesty

Three things in life that are most valuable -
1. Love
2. Family & Friends
3. Kindness

Three things in life that are never certain -
1. Fortune
2. Success
3. Dreams

Three things that make a person -
1. Commitment
2. Sincerity
3. Hard work

Three things that are truly constant -
Father - Son - Holy Spirit

May you put your trust in Him who is the only true constant!

Phillipians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

So, what's your $6 doorknob?

While in PA on our latest trip, I had a wonderful time catching up with my good friend, Andrea, while the kids enjoyed the barn party. It just so happened that the barn party was at her barn, so it was a win-win for me! She is one of those friends that you can just pick up from where you left off and just keep right on rolling. In the midst of our conversation, kids came in needing to use the bathroom and she would point them in the right direction. After a while, she commented how they had fixed the bathroom doorknob so she didn't have to rescue anyone any longer. In a tone all her own, she said something like, "how long did it take us to fix a $6 doorknob?"

Their previous bathroom doorknob didn't work - it had a special quirk that you had to know in order to get out of the bathroom. We had talked about it before, and I knew exactly what she meant.

Growing up, my family lived in a house that had a quirky doorknob for the bathroom door, too. You had to turn the handle all the way to the right or the door would not open. We had to rescue many people from our bathroom, even after the warning "you have to turn the doorknob all the way to the right".

So, why didn't we fix those doorknobs sooner? Maybe because they weren't technically "broken" - if you knew the trick, you could get out every time. However, once they were fixed - we also wondered what on earth took so long! Having the doorknob work properly certainly saved a lot of explanation and even embarassment at times. (I still vividly remember one of my sisters dates getting stuck in the bathroom once!)

As Andrea and I talked, it struck me - how many things in our lives have quirks that we do not bother to fix? Spiritually speaking. Those seemingly small, nagging things that keep us from working to our full potential. Those "$6 doorknobs".

Hebrew 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

So - what's your $6 doorknob?

The persistent spiders

Ah, yes, fall is in the air and the spiders are out in full swing. Remember that bugs in AL are BIG? Spiders are no exception.

On my morning walks with the dogs, I am currently in the habit of carrying a stick out in front of me so that I don't get the undesirable spider web across the face. Spider webs across my face invariably get tangled in my eyelashes. There is also the bigger concern of "Now, where is the spider?" Yuck!

I do find spider webs extremely fascinating, though (from a distance, of course). It amazes me how God created spiders with the ability to build a web. (and with their brain capacity ... ) If you think about it - how do they do it? How do they get started? How do they manage to get the first string out just right and span such of a great distance? And then, to create such intricate, delicate, precise structures that have a pattern. OK - and where do they store the silk for the web, anyway? Granted, the spiders are big here, but not that big, seemingly. And what if they get knocked to the ground in my sweeping away the web - what then? Do they find the closest tree and climb up again? (looks like I need to do a unit study for home school, so that I can learn! :).

SO - the most amazing thing to me is that almost every day, I knock down their webs because they happen to be in the path that I want to walk ... and I HATE spider web across the face. And every day, without fail, there is a new web ... persistence!

What if I were a spider? Would I be that persistent?

Some days ... unfortunately, no. I get tired. I am no longer that hungry, anymore. It's just too much work to build my web today. But, if I don't eat, I won't get strengthened.

I am so thankful for Him - each and every day. He is the one who gives me strength for the day.

I am so thankful for the truth in Isaiah 40:31
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.

Encouragement goes a LONG ways ...

It is late Monday night, after Savannah's soccer practice. Practice was a blast! I'm telling you, I have the best group of kids and I am having so much fun with them. Sorry - that's not my point :)

After practice, a new dear friend, who is also a Mom of one of my soccer players, was very sweet and encouraging regarding my coaching. You see, I am not the best coach out there. I know wayyy more about playing sports with my hands than with my feet. But, I am trying and positive words just do SO much! Thank you, Laura!

Then, a Dad of one of the other children encouraged Savannah in her soccer playing. You see, Savannah is not the best player on the team, but that's ok with us. She doesn't score many goals, but that's ok with us, too. She really enjoys playing, so we enjoy letting her play.

But to see the look on her face after he said those kind words and to watch her glow, chatter and giggle all through WalMart getting groceries was absolutely priceless. My hunch is that next time she is on the field, she's going to step it up a notch. She was most definitely encouraged. Thank you, Dewayne!

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

So, the question is: Who needs my encouraging words today?

And ... Who needs yours?

Hebrew 3:13
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Be an encourager today!

Random thoughts

First, here is a cool picture that John took this morning - no trick photography here. All of these birds were there at the same time! If you look closely, there are 5. Also, I went out to put some more nectar in our little feeder and while my hands were on the feeder hanger, one tried to eat! It was very cool to be that close to one.



Second, I started reading a book last night called "Ruthless Trust" by Brennan Manning. I am really enjoying it and a couple of quotes just struck me as worthy to repeat.

The first quote is from the foreword by Richard J. Foster:

"When our children were young I would sometimes rise early on a Saturday morning and fix them pancakes for breakfast. It was all great fun - the broken eggs, the spilt milk, the batter and the chatter. They loved pancakes - even my pancakes - and they would wolf them down quickly. I would often watch in astonishment at their greedy eating. Not once did I see either of them slipping a few pancakes under the table, stuffing them in their pockets thinking, "I don't know about Dad. Maybe there won't be any pancakes tomorrow and so I'd better get myself a little stash just in case." Not once did they ask me about the price of eggs or my ability to secure enough milk for tomorrow. No, as far as they were concerned there was an endless supply of pancakes. They lived, you see, in trust.

The second quote is from Chapter 1, pg 15 by Brennan Manning:

Wallowing in shame, remorse, self-hatred, and guilt over real or imagined failings in our past lives betrays a distrust in the love of God. It shows that we have not accepted the acceptance of Jesus Christ and thus have rejected the total sufficiency of his redeeming work. Preoccupation with our past sins, present weaknesses, and character defects gets our emotions churning in self-destructive ways, closes us within the mighty citadel of self, and preempts the presence of a compassionate God.

I thought both were really good and thought-provoking. So far, I recommend the book (but I have only read 2 chapters :).

Have a blessed day!

He delights in us!

We just need to be reminded from time to time that God delights in us!!

Here is a quote from Beth Moore’s Bible study “Stepping Up – A journey through the Psalms of Ascent” pg 58

“We live most of our lives unconvinced that God is really for us. We have little trouble picturing ourselves on God’s side, but for the life of us we can’t picture God stooping down enough to be on ours. Even though we’ll say things and sing things to the contrary, we live as if we believe down in the hidden places of our hearts and minds that God at best tolerates us. And luck we are at that!

We may rarely admit it, but our actions, anxieties, fears and insecurities suggest something else. Perhaps some of us don’t so much feel as if God is against us as we just don’t necessarily feel as if He’s for us. We conclude that the only person God is truly for is Himself and rightly so, we reason.”

Yes, He delights in us and is for us. One of my current favorite verses that keeps popping up is:

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will
take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over
you with singing." (NIV)

I really like how the Revised Version states it:

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD thy God is in the midst of thee, a mighty one who
will save: he will rejoice over thee with joy, he will rest in his love, he will
joy over thee with singing. (RV)

The reason I like this version so much is that word “midst”, Hebrew word translated “qereb”– it can mean a group of people, OR it can mean midst, among, inner, inward part, of a physical sense. When He dwells within us, He saves us, rejoices over us, rests us in His love and sings over us.

Some of my other favorites from the Psalms:

Psalm 18:19 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because
he delighted in me. (NIV)

Psalm 22:8 "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." (English Standard Version)

Psalm 37:23-24 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. (New Living Translation)

Some days, I just need to be reminded of that, so I wanted to remind you, too.

Have a delightful day :)

Dealing with disappointment ...

Savannah is in a state of disappointment right now. We offered both of the kids an incentive reward for reading books this summer and she has earned her $10 prize. The problem is, she has decided that she would like a small suitcase for her prize (btw -we are thrilled that she is not looking for yet another stuffed animal!)

It has come down to her frustration and disappointment because:
1. we can't find the perfect one
2. when we do find the perfect one, it is in a set of 3 and 3 times the amount of her prize
3. we can't afford to shop at every conceivable place finding the perfect one (we are a little remote here in AL and shopping is a ways away)
4. the vintage bag found on ebay is really not what she would want, but she is getting desperate!

So, hence, I am the deliverer of disappointment for her. Each day, she asks if we can go shopping - most days, the answer is "no". It is hard for me to continue to be the one who disappoints her, but I also know that she needs to learn some characteristics like patience, being content with what we do have, skills in making a good choice for a purchase (not just buying something because you want to buy something), etc.. (Hee - I guess I am also still a work in progress, too :)
Yesterday I was thinking about how that scenario might relate to our Heavenly Father. Does it hurt him to say no to us over and over? We fervently pray for things that we so desperately want and He answers with a "no" or worse yet - doesn't seem to answer at all. Can we trust Him and His plan even if it doesn't look the way we want it to? Can we wait on Him and His timing?

One little line from a poem by Amy Carmichael that I copied in the front of my Bible a long time ago came to mind. "The hope no disappointments tire" - continue to hope, even through the disappointments.

Here is the full poem (my sister, Teresa, first brought it to my attention)

From prayer that asks that I may be
Sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,
From fearing when I should aspire,
From faltering when I should climb higher,
From silken self, O Captain, free,
Thy soldier who would follow Thee.

From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakenings,
Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the Crucified,
From all that dims Thy Calvary,
O Lamb of God, deliver me.

Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire,
Let me not sink to be a clod:
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God.

And these incredible words from Romans 5:1-8 (emphasis mine - I've always wanted to write that!)

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Blessings!
Shirley

(side note: on the funny side, I knew Teresa liked this poem, so I cross-stitched it on a wall hanging for her. I didn't realize it until much later that I had misspelled disappointment! She wouldn't and still won't let me fix it - no wonder I remember that line so well :)

Just too good to miss

Thanks for all the comments on my last post - this comment was just too good for anyone to miss. My brother-in-law, Rob, sent this scripture that is so appropriate:

2 Cor 1:8-11 (NIV) We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.

Now, go back and re-read it and meditate on the riches of the truths there. Good stuff! Thanks Rob!

Something's buggin' me ...

Have you heard, maybe even recently, the phrase "God doesn't give us more than we can handle"? Usually, the statement is sincere, caring and sympathetic intending to bring comfort and strength to someone going through a difficult situation. I saw this phrase on a woman's blog today that had endured a hardship and it just bothered me. How many times does the person go away feeling like a failure - because they can't, in fact, "handle it"? Or, perhaps even mad at God, because they feel like He has given them more than they can handle?

Although the sentiment is sincere and sweet - is it Biblical? If it's true, where can I find Scripture to support it?

Did it originate from 1 Corinthians 10:13? No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

In one of Beth Moore's Bible studies, I remember her stating that this verse is talking about temptation and not every difficult circumstance. (side note: I briefly glanced at the original Greek, and from my novice eyes, it seems that it could possible include some types of trials as well, but for this post, that is irrelevant)

Can Christians get to the point where things are more than WE can handle? I think the answer is: YES!!!

But, take heart - can Christians get to the point where things are more than HE can handle? An absolute NO! Praise God, NO!

The difference is in only one tiny little letter - the difference in meaning is HUGE. The truth is, we will have circumstances in life that are way more than we can handle. But meditate on this:

John 16:33"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

especially the part "so that in me you may have peace"... and "I have overcome the world."

I just need to know that in those circumstances where I am way over my head, beyond what I can handle, overwhelmed by the situation ... that I can have peace. IN HIM! Even when I can't handle it, He can.

And, I hope, when you are going through a difficult circumstance, that you know that you can have peace IN HIM. And I think it's okay to feel like you can't handle it - He can!

I would love to hear your thoughts on this - please feel free to leave a comment. If you have a Scripture reference that makes the original phrase valid, I would love to hear that as well. I love God's word and desire to know Him more through it.

Blessings!
Shirley

"Gardening"

A couple of weeks ago, I felt like all I was doing all day everyday was "correcting" my children. As much as I hate to admit it, many of my sentences would begin with "for the 100th time...could you please do this or that (or don't do this or that)..." By the end of the day, we were all frustrated. John would come home and say "do you need to go for a jog?" This is my litmus test that I am not having a very good attitude! I know I am exceptionally bad when he adds "without the dogs?"!! On these jogs, I would tell the Lord that I don't want to be this way - I want to be free to enjoy my kids, with correction just being part of the picture.

He brought to my mind the image of gardening...correcting is sorting of like pulling the weeds, or pruning the plants. If that is all that I do, my "garden" will not flourish. Gardens also need water and sunlight to grow - they need love, tender care, and nurturing to flourish. I was also reminded that weeding and pruning are necessary elements, but they are not the main needs for a garden. Without water and sunlight, nothing will have a chance to grow.

This kind of "gardening" can be applied to our children, workplace, relationship with others, etc. May we allow Jesus to shine through us to be a drink of water for a thirsty soul or a ray of sunshine for someone who needs hope. I also need to be more careful when and where I pull the weeds and how I prune.

Thanks for tuning in...
Shirley

Ephesians 3:16-21

Savannah drew a picture the other day. Nothing new - she is always making pictures to give to someone. However, this one was different than her usual pictures, so I took a closer look. She had 3 crosses with a heart between each 2. The hearts then had colorful "roots" coming out the bottom. There were also two "I love you!"'s on the page. The words that came to mind were "rooted and established in love" - I had to look up the reference and found that the surrounding passage is beautiful. There is a LOT of very cool truth in ths passage alone - sometimes I need to slow down and savor God's word long enough to listen to what it truly says.

Ephesians 3:16-21
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Maybe it was just another picture...but it spoke to me. I have been struggling lately with feeling a lack of purpose, even though in my heart I know that being a wife and mother is a very high calling. Our culture just does not seem to value the place of wife and mother. In that, the enemy likes to make me feel worthless and without value. I was calling out to the Lord asking Him to show me how much He loves me. I feel like he did with this picture and reminder of His infinite love for us through these amazing verses.

I hope you enjoy them - may you be reminded of how much He loves you, too, through these verses!