For the birds

This afternoon was dedicated to homework, (Yes my daughter, who is in preschool, had homework today.  That is another topic for another day.) packing for next week's trip, and we also decided to feed the birds.  As you know, I do not like to waste anything, especially food.  We had some stale bread ends and cereal that needed to be throne out.  We are doing a major clean out of our pantry, fridge and freezer.  I wanted to make sure nothing was going to waste if at all possible, so we gathered what we could and headed outside.  We hung bread in trees and sprinkled cereal on the ground.  We have a beautiful cardinal family that has lived at our house for the past three winters, and I sure hope they enjoy their bounty.  The coming week is forecast to be chillier, and feeding the birds seemed like a good way to make sure nothing goes to waste.

It only seems fit to have today's verse be Matthew 6:26...
"Behold the fowls of the air:  for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.  Are ye not much better than the they?"

That is a favorite verse when it comes to worrying about anything.  God provides for the birds and the animals; He most certainly will provide for His children.

We will be traveling next week, so please be in prayer for safety.  I will be spending a four and a half hour flight by myself, and can say I need your prayers for peace.  I plan on doing some writing, catching up on some reading, and maybe even watch a movie on the flight :)

I would like to share a link I have been excited about.  My husband got me the book, "I used to be so organized" by Glynnis Whitwer for Christmas.  I have wanted the book for some time, and was super excited to receive it.  Though I have not begun reading it, I am participating in the Clutter-free challenge by the author.  It started on Monday and will go for 15 days.  So check it out next week if you have a chance.  http://glynniswhitwer.com/

Snow anyone???

I wish it would snow.  When it is chilly and rainy like it is at our house today, I would prefer it to be just a little chillier and the white flakes to fall.  I heard there might be some thunder claps heard today, and if that is the case we might get to see the white stuff.  The old saying is that if it thunders in the winter, snow is sure to follow in seven to ten days.  I know some of you are thinking snow, NO WAY!  But, snow is most often welcomed at our house.

My daughter just could not understand why it didn't snow this Christmas.  It snowed the day after Christmas last year, and she sure wanted it to happen again this year.  She has been "blessed" in her little mind to have snow for the past three years, and she expects it every winter now.  I have tried to explain that we can go years without seeing the flakes fall here in good old NC, but to an almost five year old that doesn't sound so good.

We have a few trips planned in the next few weeks that involve plane rides.  Planes and snow do not mix well, and so for the sake of travel, I prefer not to see any snow when it is time for those trips.  I want to be snug in my house with chili and hot cocoa when the snow does decides to visit.

I remember the first year we were married we tried to do way too much at Christmas time.  We tried to go to every event and make everyone in our families happy.  We hosted church gatherings and had friends over.  I slaved in the kitchen and tried to cook and bake way too much.  My husband stayed up half the night Christmas Eve putting together my new elliptical machine.  We were simply exhausted by Christmas morning.  We were scheduled to have another family gathering at our home the day after Christmas.  When we finally made it home at midnight on Christmas night (after driving around the half the state of NC), we didn't know if we would be able to lift our heads the next day.  We were not prepared for the party and didn't know if we would ever be.  I honestly cried and prayed for strength as I laid down that night.  That day after Christmas, we woke up to a blanket of white, and I have never been more happy or relieved to see snow in all my years.  The rest that came with not being able to leave the house was one of the most precious gifts ever.  We were able to reschedule the party a few weeks later, and I was able to enjoy it so much more because of the gift of snow.

God knows when we just can't handle another thing.  I really don't know if I would have been able to host that party successfully if the snow had not arrived.  It is such a relief to know that He will never put on us more than we can handle.  He will always send some form of relief right when we need it, rather it be in the form of snow or a phone call from a friend or a verse that speaks to our heart in a new way.  He will send the perfect thing and the perfect time.  

God has also sent us Christians the Great Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to help us in our times of need.  The Greek word for Comforter, parakletos, literally means "one called alongside to help".   The Holy Spirit is a real being.  He is referred to as a He, meaning an actual person, not just some abstract thing.  He can be called upon to help when we are in need of relief and feel we can't go another step.  My Women's Study Bible says, "Today, Christians can find comfort in the Holy Spirit when trials come."  Those trials seem to come so frequently some times, but to face it with the Holy Spirit by our side, we know we are never alone. I literally am not able to fathom how anyone is able to face the world today not having the One True God to lean on and guide them through this life.

Today's Verse
"But the Comforter (Helper), which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you."  John 14:26

God sent us a true Comforter.  Are you just not sure you can handle another trial?  Are you struggling and need some relief?  Pray for the Holy Spirit to bring a verse to your remembrance to strengthen you as you face whatever obstacle might be ahead.  Pray for the encouragement your heart might be longing for.  I have faith the great Comforter will send just what you need, and maybe it might just be a snowy forecast!

Getting Caught

So when we here the words "getting caught", sin or wrong doings usually comes to mind.  Our oldest daughter never really had a "terrible twos" stage.  She was a pretty laid back two year old.  "Getting caught" was never something we often worried about with her.  I am not saying she was a complete angel, and there are times she gets caught misbehaving now as she is growing older.  I am simply saying we never really worried about her climbing and jumping or tantrums and fits.  Now, my youngest is beginning to show signs of those terrible twos we are so unfamiliar with.   She is a very loving and sweet child, but she has been "caught" doing some not so lovable things.  One of her favorite offences is drawing on things.  I think I may have posted about this before, but the problem is not improving.  She drew on the couch, a brand new beanbag, the floor, the table, and an ottoman just over the Christmas break.  The funny thing is, when she "gets caught" now, she knows she is in trouble.  She throws that marker and puts her hands up in the air as if she is saying, "It's not me.  I didn't do it."  Her little expression, no matter how it makes my blood pressure rise that she has defaced property, can make me forgive her instantly.

I was thinking recently about using the term "getting caught" in a positive way.  For instance, have you ever "caught" someone using or wearing a present you gave them.  Example:  Soon after Christmas my husband and I were out running some errands.  We unexpectedly ran into my aunt and cousin.  My husband happen to be wearing the shirt they had given him for Christmas.  I imagined they might be happy to see him wearing it.  We were not expecting to see them.  He was not wearing it out of obligation.  He honestly liked the shirt.  He was honestly thankful for the shirt.  When I see a friend or family member using or wearing a gift I have given them, it makes me happy to know they really like it or needed it.  I love to "catch" someone in that way.

I say all this to fall back on what we talked about yesterday, praising God and magnifying His name all the time.  He is so good to us, tet's think about "getting caught" doing something good today.  Let's "get caught" spreading His joy.  Let's "get caught" singing and praying to Him even when we are not at church.  Let's "get caught" smiling and helping a stranger when nobody else is looking.  Let's "get caught" being a light to others so they can see His love through us.

Today's verse
"How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand:"  Psalm 139:17-18a

I have to say I am not familiar with many exclamation points being used in Bible verses.  I am not saying there is not any used, but the punctuation really jumps out at me in these verses.  God thinks about us!  He loves us!  In return, let's think about Him!  Let's love Him!  Let's be a blessing for His kingdom!

I love "catching" my girls in the middle of a positive situation when they don't know I am watching.  It warms my heart to spy on them playing well together or helping each other out.  God is watching us all the time.  He loves to see us do something positive for no gain of our own.  Why don't we say we'll "get caught" together thanking God and doing good for others and for His glory today?

An Extra O

There is a custom of leaving notes in our house.  Daddy is the king of notes, and his notes are a thrill to his girls.   These little treasures are left as a good morning wake-up gift.  It usually consists of a quick scribble on a napkin that holds some cheerios for munching on as a pre-breakfast appetizer.  These O's are a big help to me, as they occupy the little ones while I prepare the fruit, yogurt and whatever else will accompany the assortment that morning.  Our youngest daughter now wakes up saying, "Eat O's, eat O's" over and over again.  And my oldest daughter reminds Daddy most nights, "Leave us out a snack before you leave for work in the morning."  Those notes and O's are an encouragement to me, reminding me that I have someone out there praying for us and for our day ahead.

As our oldest daughter is learning to read, these notes have helped her to learn the common words found written on our napkins.  Phrases like, "I love you", "I will miss you", and "Obey today" are always common.  Today, she asked for help reading the note.  It began, "Good Morning Girls".  She wasn't quite sure what it said.  "Mommy, I know this doesn't say God.  It has an extra 'O' in it."  I had to laugh.  Yes, that word did have an extra "O", but even though it didn't actually spell GOD, it was a reminder that our GOD is so GOOD.

I have sung and hummed the song all  morning, "God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He's so good to me."  It was such a nice way to start a dreary Monday with a reminder that He is sooo good!!!!  Our weather is rainy, cloudy and chilly hear in NC, but thankfully our home was full of warmth and reminders of the blessings our good and gracious God has given us.  That little extra "O" brightened my outlook for the day.  What could have been a bad day with yucky weather, was turned into a good day of praising God with the extra "O".

The extra "O" reminded me that He is our Good Shepherd (John 10:11); He desires to give us good things (Matthew 7:11), and every good thing is from God (James 1:17).

Two extra "O" verse for us today...
"O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever." 1 Chron 16:34
"O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together." Ps 34:3


God is good.  Give God the extra O, and tell Him how good He is!  He loves to hear us praise Him.  He loves to hear His children sing, and pray, and give thanks to Him.  Today is the day to proclaim He is good. Magnify Him with me today.  Tell Him how good He is and how thankful we are to have Him rule over our lives!

If the Good Lord's willing_______

Please forgive me for the all caps.  I can't seem to make it revert back.  YAY for technology!

My husband likes to read from the Our Daily Bread in the mornings at work before he begins his day.  I have always looked to this publication since I was a teenager for a way to get an uplifting encouragement and applicable Bible verse in a short amount of time.  Although all the columns are always wonderful to read, when my husband thinks it is extremely applicable to our current situation, he makes sure I read that day as well.  So, I got the email this morning to read today.  The funny thing is, I had wanted to post on this verse and topic recently.  In fact, I had already begun a post several weeks back with this very title.  The thing is, I sit down with topics in mind, but they can change as I am typing.  So I am sure I changed my topic and never finished this one.  So what better to do than to discuss it now.  First, here is today's Our Daily Bread...

Facing The Future 

January 5, 2012 — by David C. McCasland

If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that. —James 4:15

Bible in a year:
Genesis 12-15

While going through some old files, I came across a 1992 special issue of TIME magazine titled “Beyond the Year 2000: What To Expect in the New Millennium.” It was fascinating to read the predictions made 2 decades ago about what the future would hold. Some general observations were on target, but no one foresaw many of the events and innovations that have radically changed our lives. The most telling statement to me was, “The first rule of forecasting should be that the unforeseen keeps making the future unforeseeable.”

James reminds us that any view of the future that omits God is foolish and proud. “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. . . . Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that’” (James 4:13-15).

Many people used to begin their statement of plans with, “Lord willing.” The phrase may have become trite, but the acknowledgment of God’s overruling hand is not.

As we look ahead with God firmly in view, we can face the future with confidence in His loving plan.

God holds the future in His hands
With grace sufficient day by day,
Through good or ill He gently leads,
If we but let Him have His way. —Rohrs

Those who know Christ as Savior can face the future with joy.

______________________________________________________________________

Around these here parts, the phrase "Lord willing" can be drawn out as only a good southerner can do to say, "If the Good Lord's willing _______".  You can fill in the blank with so many other simple sayings like, "we'll see you next week" for example.  No matter how you end the statement, the speaker is saying that the Lord has control of what is going to happen in the days to come.  We are to follow God's will, and He is to have control over our lives, both the good and the bad things that will occur.  We can plan ahead, but those plans are to include God.  We are not to worry if things will turn out a certain way.  We are to leave it up to God's divine will for our lives.

I love the verses the saying is based on, "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life?  It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanished away.  For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that."  James 5:14-15.  

As the verses say, we do not know what tomorrow holds.  We can plan to do this or that, but those plans are in the hands of God.  One of my favorite sayings is, "Do not worry about tomorrow.  Remember today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday."  You might have to read it a time or two, but it is oh so true.  God gave us today so let's live for Him today! Each day we get, is a gift from Him.  We do not need to waste our time or energy worrying about what might or might not happen tomorrow.

Today's Verse

Matther 6:34 "Take therefore no thoughts for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.  Sufficient unto the day is the evil (trouble) thereof."

Let's vow to leave tomorrow in our Lord's hands.  Let's not worry about what is to come.  Let's plan for the future, but know that it is ultimately up to the One that holds the future.  If the Good Lord's willing, I'll meet you back here on Monday! :)

What's your sling?

Have you heard the saying "God equips those He calls"?  It is such a powerful statement; we know it to be true, yet also so terrifying.  When we acknowledge the statement is true, we have to acknowledge that God might be calling us to do work in an area that is unfamiliar to us.  He may be calling us to do something that asks us to step out of our comfort zone.  He may be calling us to do something that we don't feel qualified to do.  "I can't do that!  No way am I good enough!"  But, you know there is a Book full of true stories and accounts of people that probably didn't feel qualified to do what God was calling them to do.  They might not have felt worthy of His calling.  But, so many of those people who felt so undeserving, all did one thing correctly - they followed God' calling.  He equipped them, and they worked for His glory.

Moses couldn't speak - God provided a speaker and they led God's people to freedom
David was just a small boy - God gave him the confidence to stand up to Goliath and defeat him
Daniel faced death - God closed the mouths of the lions and used his bravery to convince the king to worship the One True God.
Jonah ran from God's calling - God allowed him to survive in the fish's belly and spit him out where he was needed.

The list of "unusable" people that were called and used in the Bible is a long list.

Do you feel unusable?

God can use us all.  We are to have the confidence that He can and will equip us with just what we need.  We can do what He is calling us to do.  Remember, we can do anything with His help because He strengthens us.  (Phil 4:13)

I heard a wonderful sermon over the Christmas break about why God chose Mary to give birth to our Savior.  The pastor discussed in his sermon the fact that God uses broken people; He uses humble people; He uses people that have been hurt, but most importantly He uses willing people.  The main characteristic you have to possess to work for God is just your willingness and openness to follow His plan.  His glory is the end and most important result!

While reading the story of David and Goliath over the break, a few things stuck out in this familiar Bible story.  The story is found in 1 Samuel chapter 17.  Goliath, the Philistine, challenges the Isrealites to send a man to fight him.  Goliath was huge.  This man was scary.  This man seemed unbeatable to the Isrealites.  But, not to little David.  I say "little" because the king did not think David would be able to fight Goliath, and said to David "thou art but a youth" v. 33.  But, that didn't stop David.  He had God on his side.  He had faith God would equip Him.  He had faith God would prevail.  He had faith no matter the circumstance.  In verse 37 we read, "David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine,  And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee."  He doesn't take the armor offered to him.  He doesn't take a sword.  In verse 40 we read, "And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shephard's bag which he had, even a scrip; and his sling was in his hand:  and he drew near to the Philistine."  What jumps out at me in this verse is "which he had".  He took what he had.  He took what he knew.  He took what he was comfortable with, and he defeated Goliath.  "So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David." verse 50.

What do you have that you could use for God's glory now?  What can be your sling?  Do you love to cook? -  use those pots and pans to the service of God.  Do you love to organize? - use those skills to help organize events for church.  Do you have good handwriting? - start a card writing ministry.  Do you have a flexible schedule? -  pray that God will show you how to use it for His glory.  Do you have a longing to serve Him in any capacity? -  He will show you how to, just be willing to be used.

I have a wonderful friend that travels a lot.  When she is not traveling for work, she is able to work from her home office.  She was able to use this flexible schedule to be an influence in a little girl's life in her community.  She goes and has lunch with her at school, and I know she is a great example to this young troubled youth.  She is using what God has given her.  Her "sling" is her time that she has to devote to this girl.  What can your "sling" be?

Today's Verse
"Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield:  but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied."  1 Sam 17:45

We can do anything with God's help; David's story is proof of that.  No matter how unusable you may feel, you can do anything in God's name.  David came "in the name of the LORD" and David was victorious in the name of the LORD.  He came with what he had, and God used it.  Let's find our "sling" today and let's use it for the name of the LORD.

Back into the swing of things...

It's 2012!  Happy New Year!  I know you might be tired of hearing and seeing this, but it has to be said.  My fingers have been missing my keyboard, and although sadness came with today's routine, we jump into this new year optimistic.  I know I missed Daddy being home this morning when we got up, but our little girls missed him even more. They just can't understand why he "HAD" to go back to work.  Trying to get back into the swing of things can be a little overwhelming, but all in all it was a good day.

I have so many stories to tell, cute things the girls said, outings we took, presents we were excited about, and delicious recipes to share.  I hope I will get to share most of them in the coming weeks.  I hope your Christmas was full of fun and making great memories as well.  Our Christmas was filled with joy and excitement, but also pain and sadness as we lost a dear family member unexpectedly.  I do hope you will keep our family members in your prayers.

There are so many things I could write about today.  Things I read that I would love to share.  Everyone likes to talk about resolutions and life-makeovers.  There is "New Year New You" info everywhere you turn.  I do not really make resolutions.  I do like to make goal lists, and I do have to say mine is longer than normal this year.  We also make a major prayer list for the year; we list things we know we will be facing and prepare ourselves for the unknown of the new year.  My "Goals list" turned into a notebook this year and will also be used for keeping more to-do lists and things to strive for and accomplish this year.  I hope to add to it and cross things off throughout 2012.  One new thing my list/notebook has is a verse for the year.  I have never proclaimed a family verse for a new year, but I did feel led to do so.

 Our verse is 1 Tim 6:6 "But godliness with contentment is great gain."  A simple verse really, but yet contentment is something that is hard to seek in a world where possessions mean so much to our society.  Paul continues to say in verses 7 and 8, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  And having food and raiment (clothing) let us be therewith content."  What a true statement.  We brought nothing with us when we were born, and we can take nothing with us when we go.  What matters is that we know the Lord as our personal Savior, so when it is our time to go we will go to be with Him in eternity.

2011 is the past.  Yes, there may be problems that were not resolved by the end of the year, and they have followed us into this new year.  There may be new problems that have arose in the three short days that we have spent in this new year.  This year is not guaranteed to be any better than last.  We may still have unanswered prayers and questions about where our lives are headed.  But thankfully our God holds this year just like He has held us through every year.  I pray for contentment no matter what God puts in front of us this year.  I pray for contentment no matter the ups and downs that I am sure this year will hold.  I am thankful that with contentment comes "great gain".

Today's verse and a very favorite of mine
"For God hath not given me a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."  2 Tim 1:7

We do not fear what this year holds.  We only lean on the One who holds our year.  I would like to close with something I read in a book about writing, which is something I fall more in love with more everyday.  The book is called "For the Write Reasons".  It spoke volumes to me as I read this devotion yesterday.  As we go into this new year with so many unanswered questions concerning different areas in our life, it was just what I needed from God to lean on in the coming year.  I was wanting answers now, but instead He was gracious enough to send me these words from Marybeth Whalen...

"There are times in our lives when we must wait on God.  The problem with waiting is that none of us like to wait...In our society, we do not see waiting as a beneficial experience.  So how can we learn to trust God's sovereignty and His timing?  As we wait on Him to move in our lives, we must actively practice laying down our wants, our demands,  and our timetables at the foot of His throne.  We must exchange our agenda for His, and truly seek to learn whatever lesson He is trying to teach us through this time of waiting.  I have heard it said before that God is rarely early, but never late.  As He shows up in what we might think is an eleventh-hour rescue, He shows us He had it all under control - and His resolution is oh, so much better than we could have ever orchestrated ourselves.  Are  you waiting on God right now?  Perhaps you are waiting for financial  or physical healing.  Perhaps you are waiting for healing in a relationship.  Perhaps you are waiting for God to reveal His plans for you and give you some direction...The scriptures today reassure us that God's timeline is perfect, but His timetable will probably not match ours.  He has a purpose in His timing..."

I hope this helps comfort you  if you are beginning your new year waiting for an answer or solution.  I know it has helped me.  The scriptures she is referring to are Is 30:18 and 2 Peter 2:8-9.  I encourage you to read over these verses.  Until next time, I hope you are getting back into the swing of things, and I look forward to spending 2012 writing every chance I get!