Tag Archives: Compassion

Itty Bitty Bible Study – Philippians 1:3-11

My thoughts for the Itty Bitty Bible Study group on Facebook. (join if you’d like to get these in fb!)

Philippians 1:3-11
3 I thank my God in all my remembrance of you,
4 always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy,
5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
7 It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.
8 For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

THANKFULNESS FOR BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Paul was in jail.
Paul was suffering.
Paul was currently, a missionary to Rome and those in the jail.
Paul needed the assistance of those outside the jail in order to survive.
Later, he talks about the support, and the lack of it, in this little book.
When he was moving around, he was a tent maker.
1 Thess 2: 7-10 (I got this reference, and some interesting commentary on Paul’s self support from Dave Black Online. A very interesting commentary on this concept.)
What does all of this have to do with thankfulness for brothers and sisters?
Not only were they part of the fruit of his ministry, and often Paul speaks very lovingly about his spiritual children, they had been part of his support team.

Is there anyone that has impacted MY life for the gospel?

  1. the young girl, Tina, that took me to her church when I was in grade school, which led me to asking Christ into my life.
  2. All of the women that worked VBS at the methodist church that my grandmother attended.
  3. Even the sunday school teachers at the Episcopal church I attended were part of my foundation.
  4. The hymn writers that spoke of theological beauty
  5. A priest that knew Jesus, and led me to follow the path of His voice
  6. An ex nun(convent closed) that taught me about devotion time
  7. An evangelist, Jerry, that preached a youth revival at a Methodist church in Pensecola Florida
  8. Keith Green’s ministry – and music
  9. The leadership at the One Way House in Springfield, Ohio. And here is where I can start writing a lot of names!
  10. My husband – who first started out as my Bible Study partner.
  11. My small groups through the years
  12. my Bible study authors through the years
  13. Ministers that preached the gospel, and laid even deeper levels of foundations
  14. a group of women that participated in a specific home school program – that continue to pray for each other.
  15. men and women through my life that have touched my heart, and continue to be prayer partners in my times of needs – and I likewise to them.
  16. Some folks I got to know in a nerdy athletic group that understand depression, and struggles, and honor my faith.
  17. My school mates that remember me from way back when
  18. some of my family, that love me.
  19. My current small group in our home.
  20. a group of facebook people that will raise their voices in prayer when I am struggling

I am thankful for so many of those that have gone before me in the Christian walk – and now are enjoying their eternal reward.
But what about NOW?
I have those that encourage me to write and paint for the Lord.
I am not the missionary I had thought I would be.
So, how does thanking someone for supporting me in my ministry apply to me?

  1. everyone has a ministry!
  2. everyone needs encouragement against the lies of the enemy
  3. everyone can be a light on a hill, a beam in the darkness, a shelter in the storm

I have been blessed by many people in this regard!
As for missionary? I support several missions consistently, and others as the Lord leads.
It is beautiful to get a card in the mail saying thankyou. And, I know they are praying for me, even as I am praying for them.

A PARTNERSHIP IN THE GOSPEL!

1 Corinthians 12 talks about the body of Christ.

1 Cor 12:12 & 27
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

While I have not been SENT out to other parts of the world – yet – there are those that are pleased to allow me to partner with them in the gospel!
While I am here at home, I have the obligation to preach the gospel, and make disciples right here.
And those that come along side me, to pray with me, to encourage me, to possibly by my paintings, or my writings – they will be partnering with me in the gospel.
For those, I am grateful – and I make mention to my Father of them in prayer!

One of my favorite Bible verses:

Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Spring background with brokeh effect background

Paul says
I
AM
SURE
OF
THIS!

Several versions translate it CONFIDENT!

Here’s a few additional verses to confirm this promise:

Psalm 138:8
The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.
1 Corinthians 1:8
He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:28
We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

And another favorite:

Jeremiah 29:11-13
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 1
3 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

God begins the work in us, and as long as we have a heart towards Him, He will complete that work – to the day that we face Jesus Christ! Isn’t that amazing? I’ve written about how salvation is a gift…not of ourselves – a gift from God. It is a gift from the moment we are drawn to Him, until the moment we see Him face to face!

Recently, I returned to my hometown for my highschool reunion. It heavily impacted me in gratitude, and conviction and in purpose for the future. I made a confession for cleansing about my past, and I was reminded of my first love. And, I have to be confident that HE that began this work in me WILL complete it, if I am yielded to HIS word, hand and Spirit.

PAUL’S PRAYER FOR HIS PARTNERS

Philippians 1:9-11
9 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,
10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

I want to break this down.

LOVE
it is the AGAPE love –
affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love

Wikipedea gives a very good explanation of the Christian historical application of this word – Agape. In Christianity, it is considered the Love of God, or love that is loved like God loves.

Love abound – more and more
Holman Christian Bible – love will keep on growing.
NLT – love will overflow more and more

Amplified: 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight,

I like overflowing…that fits with light and salt to the world.
Of course, our teaching on what love is comes from 1 Corinthians 13
1 John 4 teaches how we should grow in Love…because God is love!
And, to love is a commandment – THE commandment given by Jesus!

Mark 12:30-31
30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

with or in all Knowledge and Discernment – what does this mean?

Strongs defines these words as:
Knowledge: the knowledge of things ethical and divine
Discernment _ perception, not only by the senses but by the intellect;
cognition, discernment – of moral discernment in ethical matters
King James translates discernment as judgement.

This hearkens in my mind back to the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.

Proverbds 1:7
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

To grow in the GodLike Love, overflowing, but not ‘willy-nilly’ – but with knowledge, understanding, and discernment.
Our loving actions are to be governed by our wisdom – gained by spending time getting to know the One we LOVE and are loved by.
God’s love is unending – but it does have a time limit…we can choose to say no, and die without God.
God’s love is unconditional – but we are to live to show our love in return. “If you love me, keep my commands”
We are not to love without boundaries – boundaries based in the wisdom of God.

Phil 1:10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
this is WHY we are to love with discernment….
approve what is excellent!
1 Thes 5:21
but test everything; hold fast what is good.
Romans 2:18
1 John 4:1

And to be pure and blameless for the day of Christ!

Amos 5:14-15
14 Seek good and not evil, that you may live; And thus may the LORD God of hosts be with you, Just as you have said!
15 Hate evil, love good, And establish justice in the gate!

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

I’m not saying that our salvation rests on our works…or our ‘goodness’
Obviously, the Old Testament verses need to be taken in light of the New Testament grace and righteousness in Christ.

But, we are called to change!

Romans 12:1-2
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

And Paul states that we are to be presented blameless – by Christ

1 Cor 1:4-8
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In fact, the rest of this passage says that very thing:
Phil 1:11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

What are the fruit of righteousness?

Isaiah 32:17
And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.

James 3:17-18
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.

Of course, Galatians 5 tells us the Fruit of the Spirit.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

In a webpage Knowing Jesus – there is a compilation of 58 Bible verses about the fruit of righteousness.

Ephesians 5 gives us a ‘simple’ instruction for walking in love. I’m just going to share the first two verses:

1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

In case we forget/forgot – God has provided a definition of love for us in His word:
1 Cor 13

For comfort, in case all of this talk about choosing and choices is convicting:

  • 1 Cor 1:8
    He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Phil 2:13
    for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
  • Heb 13:20-21
    20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep,
    21 equip you with every good thing to do His will. And may He accomplish in us what is pleasing in His sight through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
  • 2 Tim 3:16-17
    16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
    17 so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

The Bottom Line!

Ephesians 2:4-10
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—
6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

And I end this with my favorite verse in this section:

Philippians 1:6
6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Combined with another favorite:

Romans 8:38-39
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

And here is my prayer for those that read this:

Phil 4:7
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Here’s a few extras!
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/161988917825079202/
http://totallytots.blogspot.com/2011/06/in-my-heart-philippians-16.html

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear.
If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation.
If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

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100 Spiritual Steps #40 – “A Word on Fire Extinguishers”

I stared this morning with my through the Bible readings.

I started this morning with several blogs that I have to write.

I started this morning with some concerns for my focus with my life.

I started this morning with my facebook to check up on a few of my prayer concerns(as in, people that I pray for).

What I got was a dear friend, Vicki Small’s status saying this:

“I wish I didn’t understand this post so well, that I had always “walked the walk” and spoken, as Dave says, when the Holy Spirit gave me the opportunity. Too often have I quenched the Spirit out of fear of rejection or ridicule. Not since the 9th grade, the end of my “zeal without knowledge,” have I been one to push my faith on those who weren’t interested. Ugh. In my 20’s, there were times when I tried, in fear and in trembling, to pull of some evangelistic strategy promoted by my church. The last time was such a bomb that I swore, “Never again.” The result has been most of a lifetime of NOT speaking up; on the other hand, if you’re not walking the walk, it’s best not to talk, isn’t it?
Sorry. That is not the direction of Dave’s post, and I encourage my friends who love and follow Christ Jesus to read it. It’s good for chills up your spine.

Her status shocked me.

Her words unnerved me.

Vicki is one of the ones that inspires me to be better, to be more compassionate, to be more Christ like…and she’s confessing that she doesn’t think she quenches the Holy Spirit?  This blog sent chills up her spine?  What does this guy say?

A Word on Fire Extinguishers

This not only sent chills up my spine, it set a fire under my bum.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

“The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself.” – from My Utmost for His highest

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Spiritual Walking Steps – #31 – With what shall I go?

BEFORE GOD’S INTERVENTION IN OUR LIVES – NOTHING TO OFFER

MOSES

And Moses said unto God, Who [am] I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt? Ex 3:11

And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I [am] not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I [am] slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. Ex 4:10

ISAIAH

Then said I, Woe [is] me! for I am undone; because I [am] a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Is 6:5

GIDEON

And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family [is] poor in Manasseh, and I [am] the least in my father’s house. Judges 6:15

ZECHARIAH

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” Lk 1:18

PETER

When Simon Peter saw [it], he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. Luke 5:8

PAUL

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not.Rom 7:18

AFTER GOD’S INTERVENTION –

1John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Matt 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Luke 1:37 For nothing is impossible with God.

THE DIFFERENCE?

And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. Lk 1:35

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.Acts 4:13

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.
Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Eph 5:17-20

If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
[Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:15-17

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.
John 15:26-27

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Mark 16:15-18

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.
Matt 28:19-20

I have nothing – except to offer a broken and contrite spirit…and allow HIM to use me.
As Mary said:
Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. Lk 1:38

It’s only by yielding to the Holy Spirit coming upon me, and overshadowing me, that I can see fruit birthed from my life.(Lk 1:35)

Lord, may I live like my name, may I have a heart like Mary, in Jesus’ name.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi(Mary Christine)
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

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100 spiritual walking steps – 25 – at a crossroads

~I apologize, before hand,  for the inconsistencies in this post, as I am using a speech to text program, and have only one hand with which to type. please give me grace for the mistakes.

Have you ever been at a crossroad?
I mean, we’ve had big crossroads,

are we going to sin, or choose Jesus?

but I’m talking about more specific things to ourselves.

Like for me, I’m being convicted about what I put in the Temple of God.
Understand I’ve been convicted before, but this time it’s like I’m at a crossroads, before it was just stuff to work on while I was walking down the road headed towards being like Christ.

Now, it’s like there are some things that if I hold onto them I will have gone down the wrong road. None of them are “sin” in the eyes of most, or in many interpretations from the Bible. These are things specific to me, between me and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I have several things at this point that God is holding up in front of me, and it’s like I can’t go forward with him unless I drop these things.

One is about headcoverings. this comes from first Corinthians 11
Another is wearing dresses. this comes from first Timothy 2
then there’s the food I eat.

1Cor 3:17If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which [temple] ye are.

Actually, it’s all about how I treat the temple God.

These could be a legalistic issues, but for me it’s something the Lord is working in my heart for many years. What is the struggle? why do I have a problem? Am I…

  • sitting on the fence?
  • regretting my hand to the plow?
  • wondering how much is worth sacrificing?

I’ve heard the teachings that first Corinthians 11 is for the social issues of the day. well, specifically, first Corinthians 11….

I can’t even separate the verses about headcoverings without separating the verses about Christ being the head of the church,or man is the head of the woman, or God is the head of Christ. 1 cor 11…..can you?

what does this mean?

John 15.10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

OR

John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

OR

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

I put my hand plow, I don’t want to turn back.
I’ve been sitting on the fence for way too long.
How much is worth sacrificing for the One who sacrificed His life for me?

can I give up everyday ice cream?
can I wear a scarf on my head?
can I wear dresses and skirts?
Is that too much to ask from someone who bought me with His blood?

I’ve done it before, and quit because it bothered others.  It didn’t line up with their interpretation of the Bible.  They felt my life, my practices, were judgments on them.

Is that really my problem?  No I don’t want to be a stone around the necks of those who have not studied the Scriptures enough to stand on their own.  But does that mean I compromise what God has put in my heart?  Or does it come down to the 10 virgins, and I’m giving up my oil to those that did not gather enough for themselves?

Like I said, I am at a crossroads with things the Lord has put on my heart, and my understanding of Scriptures.
My crossroads is this,

are you going to obey what I have shown you?
yes or no?

the bottom line is, am I going to say yes Lord, and trust others to Him?
Oh yeah, one question I’ve been asked by those who I have shared this struggle with is, what does Jim say?
Jim likes me wearing headcoverings
Jim likes me wearing dresses
Jim would like me to eat healthy

So then, the other crossroads, am I willing to give up”fitting in” to please my husband, and obey my God?

As I write this out, I’m shaking my head. By God’s grace, I will walk out my specific commandments with courage, with grace, with peace and with out condemnation or fear of what others might think.

and today, on Facebook, from my friend Pam Dodson, I read this quote

“When you are arguing against Him you are arguing against the very power that makes you able to argue at all.” C.S. Lewis

there’s really nothing else to say.

 
Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment!
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Barbs Drawing

Naomi's Heart Mission

 

Help a child in need. Check out Naomi’s Heart Mission or Compassion International. The life that changes will be your own!
 

100 Spiritual Walking Steps – #19 Water, Water, Water!

We need water!

SanFran 1998

San Francisco 1998 - a lovely moment watching water

On How Stuff Works, I asked, How much water is there on the earth?

There’s a whole lot of water on Earth! Something like 326,000,000,000,000,000,000 gallons (326 million trillion gallons) of the stuff (roughly 1,260,000,000,000,000,000,000 liters) can be found on our planet.

I wanted to know how much water makes up our bodies. At Wikipedia, I found out that:

In medicine, body water is 90 to 94 percent of the water content of the human body. A significant fraction of the human body is water.

The University of Arkansas provided this summary about the importance of water:

You can live as long as six weeks without food, but you couldn’t survive more than a week without water. Water or fluids that contain water fill virtually every cell and the spaces between them in the body. Water accounts for approximately 60 to 70 percent of the total body weight in a normal adult, making it the most abundant constituent of the human body. In terms of volume, the total body water in a man of average weight (70 kg or 154 lbs) is roughly 40 L (10.6 gallons).

Of course, as with any science, they differ with the previous amount that makes up our bodies – from 90 – 94 %(which did seem a bit high) to 60 – 70%. I’m not a doctor or a scientist, but between 60 and 94% of our body is made up of water!

Author note: The University of Arkansas article, Water-Drink Up is excellent info on the importance of water – during all of this heat, please read this and be careful!

aT A yAHOO Answer spot, I got this wonderful breakdown of our body’s make up!

Here is a summary of the common molecules found in humans:

Molecule……….Mass %…Molecule %
Water…………….65% ………98.73 %
Other Inorganic…1.5% …..0.74 %
Lipid………………12% ……….0.475 %
Other Organic….0.4% …….0.044 %
Protein…………..20% ……….0.011 %
RNA………………1.0% …….3 x 10-5 %
DNA………………0.1% …….3 x 10-11 %

By weight, we are 65% water, 20% protein, 12% fats, and a few incidentals on top of that. By number of molecules, we are pretty much entirely water.

Of course there’s individual variation, but the bigger factor is exactly what you are counting and how – by molecule count, there’s less than 2% difference between a person and a glass of water!

Symptoms of Dehydration –

Dehydration symptoms generally become noticeable after 2% of one’s normal water volume has been lost. Initially, one experiences thirst and discomfort, possibly along with loss of appetite and dry skin. This can be followed by constipation. Athletes may suffer a loss of performance of up to 30%[6] and experience flushing, low endurance, rapid heart rates, elevated body temperatures, and rapid onset of fatigue.

I did find the seriousness of dehydration.

Untreated severe dehydration may result in seizures, permanent brain damage, or death.

WATER = LIFE

It is nice that there are many, many places that will tell you how much water you need to drink, and most of them are selling water filters! The point? Clean water is BEST!

On the Clean Water Blog, there is a summary of the historical effects on water.

For Homeschoolers!!!Exploring the Environment has a quick read on the importance of clean water, and may have study unit of the hydrosphere.

Many of the world organizations, and the missionary organizations go in to a place, and the first thing is to provide drinking water. Even one of our favorite charities, Compassion, has a program to provide clean water, and many articles about how clean water has ministered to the communities in which Compassion serves.

WATER = LIFE

There is so much to write about, when writing about water.  Importance, cleanliness, wonderful aspects, and the ability to take it for granted.

I have been VERY guilty of taking water for granted.

A few years ago, I became electrolyte imbalanced because of performing a practice sprint Triathlon. I didn’t do it for time, I did it for completion so I had time to take care of things.   I was maintaining track of my blood glucose.  I was drinking  1- 20 oz. G2 between each event in an attempt to replace electrolytes and water.  Apparently, something got messed up, because after completing this mini triathlonI just wasn’t ‘right’.  Because we didn’t know the dangers of a diabetic over exerting in exercise, and the ease at which electrolytes can be washed out of a system…I crashed.  The beautiful water that was sustaining me had poured out of my pores, and pulled potassium, calcium, phosphorus and other important elements out of my system.  I became suicidally depressed and almost lost my life. I spent several days in ICU with IV electrolytes and bags of water being pumped into my body.

WATER = LIFE

 

Compassion International – Water of Life from Compassion International on Vimeo.

 
This will be a multi part post….This is the importance of water. And, if YOU have access to clean water, Thank God, and Praise Him! And consider helping someone else who does not.

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

Barbs Drawing

Naomi's Heart Mission

Help a child in need. Check out Naomi’s Heart Mission or Compassion International. The life that changes will be your own!

100 Spiritual Walking Steps – #14 – Whose path am I walking on?

I think this will be very short.

2 Cor 10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

This scripture is dealing with boasting…but I think it also applies to comparing yourself to others, and allowing that to drag you down.

When Jim and I were doing races, he could run them, and I could only walk. I would see him running past me, and I had not even made it to the 1/2 way point. I had to remind myself that I could not run…and that I was doing my best, and yet, I often felt my best was not good enough.

Sometimes the 5k races were coupled with 10k or marathons…and each had it’s own path. If a 5k person got off onto the 10k, or worse, the marathon path, there would be no support to get back to the real path…and someone like me could be overcome with fear, and regret, shame and sadness, and just quit.

With some physical things coming up in my life…I am having trouble believing that my path is actually a path.
I have friends that are missionaries to the Phillipines, in Naomi’s Heart Mission.  I always wanted to be a missionary with children.
I have friends that have been able to GO to mission fields, or participate in Compassion’s Sponsorship tours. My heart has broken to go to meet the children we have sponsored.

There are people that go speak to churches, sing, perform, and bless people.
I have friend that have multiple children that do amazing things…all over the country and world….
I have friends that have homeschooled and done amazing things with their children, and seemed so together doing it!
I have friends that have children that have grown up in the church, taken part in the church and eventually become leaders in the church.

These are paths that I have always wanted to walk.
But, when I try to go down those paths, I soon get weary, overwhelmed, and discouraged.

My path is writing and art. Not organization, not performance, not leadership.
When I write, I feel alive, I know the presence of the Lord is with me, and I dwell in His joy.
When I paint, I can feel the power of HIS creative forces flow through me, and I can touch a little of His artistic bent.

There is ONLY ONE path to Heaven – and that is through ONE door, JESUS Christ Our Lord, as the Son of God, who lived, died and rose again to pay the price for our sins.
Whereas the world would have there be many paths to the door, and then we will all be alike on the other side, the Bible has it ONE path to ONE narrow gate, the door Jesus Christ, and then, we are individuals on the other side.

I’m not going to be a Kay Arthur or a Beth Moore. I won’t dress like Joyce Meyer, or wear make up like some of the 700 club women.
I am me.
Jesus knew who I was before I did.
Jesus knows what my ‘bent’ is, because HE bent me this way!
I made it through the narrow gate…because HE chose ME!
Now, I have to choose to be ME – and walk on the path HE sets before me…
So, #14 is – walk on YOUR OWN path…knowing that others are walking their own paths in God’s time!

Here’s a neat song..”Walkin down Heaven’s Road“…I wish I could find a better version:

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

Barbs Drawing

Naomi's Heart Mission

Help a child in need. Check out Naomi’s Heart Mission or Compassion International. The life that changes will be your own!

100 Spiritual Walking Steps – #10 – May I sit here?

Have you ever flown somewhere on an airline that just opened the door and let everyone go in and choose their seats? No assigned seats. So the biggest, strongest and fastest can get to the bestest seats first.
Have you ever ridden a bus or train, where it was mostly full, and the empty seats were all next to someone? You had to choose who looked like the best candidate to sit next to, and ask permission, out of courtesy.
May I have this seat? May I sit here?

First, we need to look, and choose WITH WHOM we should sit on this path of life.

Ps 1:1 – Blessed is the man that walketh not, standeth not…SITTETH NOT in the seat of the scornful.

NLT says it this way:

Ps 1:1 NLT
Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.

New International says “sit in the seat of mockers”

King David proclaimed his choice:

Ps 26:4-5 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites;
I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.

Choices determine the outcome:

Ps 107:10-11 Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains,
for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.

1 Cor 15:33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Prov 23:1-3 When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what [is] before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou [be] a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they [are] deceitful meat.

Next, we have to know WHERE to sit down!

I have painted many rooms…and often, while I’m painting one wall, I will choose to step back, and check it out, to make sure I have gotten everything covered. Many times, I am so caught up with the wall I am working on, that as I back up, I lean against the previous wall, AND IT WAS STILL WET! For this reason, I have MANY painting clothes, which bear many of the colors of our homes! I did not check to see where I was sitting into!

Luke 14:8(-11) When thou art bidden of any [man] to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;
10-11 But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Col 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

Eph 2:5-6 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:

This combines the where with the whom. The permission is granted through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, saved by grace! Asking Jesus to be your Lord and Savior is like asking “May I sit in this seat next to you for eternity?”

Then, we have to know WHY.

Sitting has various reasons.

  1. Rest – after a long walk or standing day, one would like to sit down to rest
  2. Judgement – sit back to contemplate the direction being taken
  3. Finished – the job is complete, sit and take in the joy of the work
  4. Reward – which could also be rest – the reward of hard work is rest

REST –

When God Almighty was finished creating the universe, He rested.  He looked back at all He’d created, and declared “It is good.”  His reward was the fellowship with Adam and Eve in the Garden. (Gen1,2&3)

There are many verses about God sitting on His throne…Is 40:22; Ps 29:10, Ps 47:8, Ps 99:1 and Is 6 describes the Lord on His throne.  I like this description:

Rev 4:2-4 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and [one] sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and [there was] a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne [were] four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

Rev 4:10-11 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

This is rest – their lives are over, they are sitting in the heavenlies with GOD Almighty, worshiping at the throne!  God ordained rest – by resting on the 7th day.  It is the third commandment –

Ex 20:8-11 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day [is] the sabbath of the LORD thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates: For [in] six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them [is], and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. (Ex 31:12-18)

But, there is no benefit to sitting around…doing nothing….

Prov 6:6 – Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

Prov 6:10-11 [Yet] a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

Prov 20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; [therefore] shall he beg in harvest, and [have] nothing.

Rest, because of walking the walk, is a blessing from God:

Ecc 5:12 The sleep of a labouring man [is] sweet, whether he eat little or much:

JUDGEMENT –

When God was done with creation, He “sat back” and  judged it. We have the responsibility to sit back, and judge our own walks.

Ps 139: 23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

God’s Throne is for Judgement:

Jer 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, [I] try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, [and] according to the fruit of his doings.

Mal 3:1-3Behold, I will send my messenger,………….And he shall sit [as] a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

Matt 25:31-45 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth [his] sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
Matt 25:46And these(goats – on the left) shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Matt 26:64 Jesus saith unto him, Thou hast said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.(lk 22:69)

Micah 4:1-3

FINISHED –

When God was finished creating the universe, He rested.  Since He has a throne, we can assume that He ‘sat’ down.

2 Chronicles 18:18 Again he said, Therefore hear the word of the LORD; I saw the LORD sitting upon his throne, and all the host of heaven standing on his right hand and [on] his left.

When Jesus finished his work here on earth – His words to the Phaisees, as He was looking forward to the other side of the cross were:

Matt 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:

When we have finished our work…whether daily, weekly, monthly or for our life…we can sit when it’s finished.  The Glorious Finish will be when this earth is finsihed.

Micah 4:4-5 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make [them] afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken [it].  For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.

If there is sitting, when the final regeneration is done…then we know that there is sitting when we finish any job…to reflect, and prepare for the next task.  This life is really a HUGE job interview for the new world created after this sin struggling creation is finished:

Matt 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

(Luke 22:30, 1 Cor 6:2, Rev 3:21, Matt 8:11)

REWARD-

When I finish a painting…well, when I quit doctoring up a painting and say I’m done…I sit and look at it. If I’m standing…I’m still working on it. If I’m moving around, I probably still have a brush in my hand. But, when I feel that I’ve have done all that I can do on this particular painting…I sit. I look at it. The reward is the knowing I’ve done all that I can do to create this painting. And, then, I am rewarded by the folks that enjoy it..sometimes enough to pay for it. The joy on their faces is the reward. I like to sit and watch them enjoy the painting when they first get it. Their joy is my reward.

God has joy as a reward…but, I’m talking about sitting as a reward. As a reward for the finishing the walk with HIM…there are GREAT rewards!

Luke 12:37 Blessed [are] those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Psalm 23

THE LORD is MY Shepherd – I shall not want. – WITH WHOM I SIT

HE MAKETH ME to lie down in green pastures –
HE LEADETH ME beside still waters. – WHERE I SIT

HE RESTORES MY SOUL. – WHY I SIT

HE LEADETH ME in paths of righteousness for HIS name sake. – THIS IS MY PATH

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:
FOR THOU ART WITH ME!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me! – THIS IS MY COMPANION ON THE WALK

Thou preparedst a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
THOU annointedst my head with oil
MY cup runneth over – THIS IS MY REWARD

Surely GOODNESS and MERCY shall follow me all the days of my life:
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – THIS IS MY DESTINATION

We are to walk the walk, run the race, stay the course and stand in our most Holy Faith. But there are times when we may sit…even lie down…in green pastures.

When we get tired, we may need to sit down.
When we are finished, we may need to sit down.
When we sit, we MUST ALWAYS KEEP OUR FINAL DESTINATION IN OUR SIGHTS.
Because of that, we MUST choose with whom, where and why we sit, so that we will be sure to end up seated in the heavenlies with our Savior!

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

Barbs Drawing

Naomi's Heart Mission

Help a child in need. Check out Naomi’s Heart Mission or Compassion International. The life that changes will be your own!

100 Spiritual Walking Steps – #8 – what if you can’t walk?

Walking.
From birth, everyone strives to walk.
First, you roll over. And the rolling over is sort of surprising!
Once you can roll onto your belly, you can start picking up your head, and see things in a different way.
Then, when you find yourself sitting up..what’s with this view!
Rolling leads to crawling which leads to standing which leads to walking.
Sometimes, walking too fast can lead to sitting back down on your rump!
Sometimes, the person walking just needs to rest – and needs to sit down to take stock of what is going on around them.
A child moves in one direction, because it is their destiny to grow from one point to another. The goal for a child is to grow into an adult.

1 Cor 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a MAN, I put away childish things.

Ps 1:1 Blessed [is] the MAN that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

My life verse, since being in Navy bootcamp in 1978, has been Isaiah 40:31:

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew [their] strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
[and] they shall walk, and not faint.

I have wanted to walk with Jesus since my salvation day, and I have wanted to be an example of walking physically – to share what HE has done for me.  And as I wait, I am less and less able to walk.

But what if a person cannot walk? What if a person is disabled, and unable to “run with the horses” as Elijah asked?
What can someone do, if they cannot use their legs?

They can stay out of the counsel of the ungodly…even if they aren’t walking with them.
They can stay out of the way of the sinners…even if they can’t stand.
They can sit in the seat of the wise and faithful, not in the seat of the scornful.
But that seems very passive.  It’s full of NOT being able to do something…even though it’s written with the language of “they can”.

What can they do – to take down the counsel of the ungodly?  Seek Godly counsel.

Prov 19:20 Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.

Is 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Prov 9:10The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.

What can they do affect the path/way of the sinners? Choose another path, and shine the light.

Prov 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

Prov 4:18 But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Ps 27:11 Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.

Ps 119:105 NUN. Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Ps 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

Matt 5:16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

How can one that cannot walk choose to affect the seat of the scornful? By choosing a different seat.

Eph 2:5-6 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)  And hath raised [us] up together, and made [us] sit together in heavenly [places] in Christ Jesus:

Matt 5:14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

My physical walking days are few and far between right now.  I thought that Is 40:31 would be a manifested reality in my life, but my body is not showing an agreement at this time.  I still am believing that God can heal my body, but in my life, I know that God uses the troubles in my body to purify my spirit and soul.

So, what if I can’t walk?  There are many things that I can do…writing is one of them.  And as long as I don’t focus on what I can’t do, I CAN focus on what I CAN do through Christ Jesus Who STRENGTHENS ME…as in, renews my strength! And, the JOY of the LORD is MY strength!  I get that by abiding in HIS presence, where JOY abounds! (Phil 4:13, Is 40:31; Neh 8:10;Ps 16:11)

Who would question that Joni soars with eagles? Her life and ministry, Joni and Friends, gives hope to all with differing abilities.

Have you heard about Nick Vujicic? No Limbs to No Limits…his videos put my whining to shame.

We must choose to walk, stand and sit in the presence of GOD, and do what HE puts in our hands to do.  HE is the one that is in charge, and HE is the one that takes what we offer Him, and makes it glorious.

Choose to Abide in the shadow of the Almighty today!
Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

Barbs Drawing

Naomi's Heart Mission

Help a child in need. Check out Naomi’s Heart Mission or Compassion International. The life that changes will be your own!

The First 100 Days – day 95 – One Day without shoes

Compassion is partner with TOMS One Day without Shoes.
Join Compassion, to make a statement for all that go without shoes.

You probably have heard about TOMS Shoes and how the company matches every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in poverty. But what you might not know is that TOMS Shoes is a partner of ours.TOMS has committed to donating 33,000 shoes to our program beneficiaries in Ethiopia and the Philippines – shoes the children can wear even with their school uniforms.

Why Shoes?

Many children in developing countries grow up barefoot. Whether at play, doing chores or going to school, these children are at risk:

  • A leading cause of disease in developing countries is soil-transmitted diseases, which can penetrate the skin through bare feet. Wearing shoes can help prevent these diseases and the long-term physical and cognitive harm they cause.
  • Wearing shoes also prevents feet from getting cuts and sores. Not only are these injuries painful, they also are dangerous when wounds become infected.
  • Many times children can’t attend school barefoot because shoes are a required part of their uniform. If they don’t have shoes, they don’t go to school. If they don’t receive an education, they don’t have the opportunity to realize their potential.

    • – via www.toms.com

 

Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

  1. 100 days of moving challenge – day 95 – walked the dog!
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 90 days Bible Reading – Luke
  4. SpringFling T-Tapp – AL, OIP, HD

The First 100 Days – day 69 – flying by!

For those that actually read this, I apologize for my lack of consistency.

For those that appreciate the smaller bytes of my voracious loquaciousness, enjoy.

What has been filling my hours? Nancy DeMoss’s 30 Days of Encouraging Your Husband. Why would that be taking up so much of my time?
Here’s the challenge:

  • For the next 30 days, purpose not to say anything negative about your husband – not to him and not to anyone else about him.
  • For the next 30 days, tell your husband something that you admire or appreciate about him, something you’re grateful for.
  • And – tell someone else what you appreciate about him, as well.

Nancy’s team sends you a daily reminder…and of course, there are days that I just look at the reminder and say ‘seriously?’ And, my heart says ‘Seriously!’

So, this month, since I wasn’t able to fulfill this challenge with just the email notes, I have a journal – the Revive Our Hearts’ 30 Days of Encouraging Your Husband Journal.

So – I am writing something, almost every day…but it’s in this journal..and some days, it’s just hard.  It’s not hard to figure out how to say something nice to Jim, it’s hard to figure out how to do so within the parameters of the challenge!

It’s also been hard to not say anything negative when we are both working hard to complete several major projects in the next few months.

  • Pack up the apartment to RV size
  • My trip to Germany(April-May)
  • Our move into the RV(May)
  • Our vacation trip(June)
  • Our daughter’s trip here(July)

The visit from our daughter Faith, with her son, is the least difficult!  That will be a joy at the end of all of our projects!

As anyone who has traveled internationally, moved, and taken a long vacation with traveling most days, knows…there is a lot of things that go on behind the scenes!

As anyone who has moved from a three bedroom apartment to a, well lets just say one bedroom apartment, knows…there’s a lot of stuff to paw through to downsize.

So, those are my excuses for NOT writing consistently.

Think that will get GOD off my back? probably not.

Today’s husband encouragement verse is

Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Cor 10:31

I’m trying to remain calm in the midst of several storms…and the stress gets to me…because I look at the storms.  And in the midst of all of this…things keep pointing to FOOD!

1 Cor 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

I tend to go to food for comfort when under stress…and I need to think through, is that ‘to the glory of God’?

And, as I published a previously written blog, I came across Phil 4:8 again(it’s been showing up ALL OVER THE PLACE!)

Phil 4:8 Finally, brethren,
whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things [are] honest,
whatsoever things [are] just,
whatsoever things [are] pure,
whatsoever things [are] lovely,
whatsoever things [are] of good report;
if [there be] any virtue,
and if [there be] any praise,
think on these things.

If I think on ONLY these things…wouldn’t I have no trouble praising and encouraging my husband?

Do you ever think that there are some negative things that are TRUE and HONEST about your husband? those are only 2/8s, or 1/4th of the things to focus on…and if you utilize the other 6/8s, or 3/4ths of the qualifiers…those negative truths don’t qualify to be thought on!

Here’s the tricky, think deeper thought – If I think only on these things, would I have the mind of Christ?  And if the answer is YES, then, does this mean, that these are the only things that Christ thinks about when He thinks of me and you?  There are some VERY UGLY truths about me…more than the lovely.  But if this is the mind of Christ…He chooses NOT to think on these things.  And by the blood of Jesus Christ, God the Father does not see those things.  And this is why there is no more condemnation!  God really does see us as NEW CREATURES! while giving us the time to grow into the man or woman HE intended, HE can see us to be!

Phil 4:20 Now unto God and our Father [be] glory for ever and ever. Amen.


Thanks for joining me in this journey,
In His hands and under His wings,
~Christi
Ps 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings.

I’d love to hear what you think – please leave a comment! Or ‘like’ me! Or follow me with the RSS feed.

  1. 100 days of moving challenge – day 69
  2. 100 days challenge- blog – check
  3. 25 verses in 52 weeks – Phil 4:8
  4. 90 days Bible Reading – Isaiah – very behind.
  5. 50 days T-Tapp – AL