Tag Archives: God

The First 100 days- Day 85 – Like the Waves

Galveston, Tx
The Gulf of Mexico.
March 26, 2011

Waves of water
ebb and flow
with the ocean’s
push and pull.

Coming in,
lay down fresh sand
water washing
onto the land.

Flowing out,
and taking trash,
but digging ruts
with splish and splash

Ridges roll
bumps fall down
circles swirl
is that a crown?

Trials flow
in and out
cutting down
the trash of doubt

Holy Spirit
washes o’r
and the sins
are never more.

Slowly scraping
sin and flesh
and molding me
into holiness.

Things that fight
the flow of God
rip and tear
break down and fall

Flowing with
the waves of God
is peaceful, joyful,
life unfraught

Waves of God
please overflow
wash away
sin’s tight hold

Take out the flesh
that over rides
my spirit hopes,
and heart’s desires

Swirl around
my heart and soul
mold me, make me
white as snow.

As I yield to
Your ocean’s flow
renew my mind
so that I know

I know that you
are King of Kings
and you are Lord
of everything

When I’m allowed
to fall down,
it’s only to
design my crown

Your hands are always
holding me
just like the beach
holds the sea

The ocean waves
they ebb and flow
illustrate
God’s power to know

None can count
the ocean sand
But out of trillions
God holds my hand

I can ride
the waves of life
with peace from God,
and not with strife.

He has a plan
that’s just for me
If I will just
abide with HE.

Wash me with
Your water, Lord,
Help me live
life by Your word.

Thank you, Lord.

The First 100 days – day 83 – Protection

Psalm 91 – the Protection Psalm.

It’s called the Soldier’s Psalm. You can print it out at Lamppost Publishing. It is said that it was prayed by the 91st Brigade and they suffered no casualties.

I want to believe that this is psalm is a promise that is absolute.

~~~Especially this part~~~
Ps 91:3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his pinions,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
5 You will not fear the terror of the night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.
~~~~and this part~~~~
Ps 91:11 For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways.
12On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.

Yes there are the qualifiers:

vs 1 dwells in the shelter of the Most High
vs 2 says to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
vs 9 has made the Lord your dwelling place—
vs 9 has made the Most High, your refuge
vs 14 holds fast to God in love
vs 15 knows MY(God’s) name.

I suppose that if I walked perfectly, without sin, then nothing would happen to me, to hurt me…right? We always have the promises in Deuteronomy 28. Even that comes with qualifiers:

Deut 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if
a. thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God,
b. to observe [and]
c. to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

Are we really supposed to be protected from all the evil that is in the world? If everything went right for Christians, we’d have no problem evangelizing, or would we? When the Jews, who followed God’s cleansing laws, didn’t get the diseases around them, they were attacked for calling on their God to attack those that got sick! When a family has raised children that are obedient, respectful, God-fearing and God serving, others don’t say “Hey, how did you do that…I want my kids to be just like yours!” Others say – you are too strict, you are too narrow minded…you are stunting your children’s growth, all the time their children are running amuck.

My children are not the perfect God-fearing, missionary, ministry focused youth, so, I can say the above. They had a problem. They had a handicap. They had Jim and I for parents. And, we are imperfect. We have a fallen nature. We made mistakes – probably more than even those we’d rather not broadcast! So, we had injuries. We had sickness. We had financial issues. We didn’t qualify for Deut 28. We tried to abide under the shadow of the almighty, and dwell in the secret place…but we kept steppin’ out of the covering! Because we ARE human!

The Bible is not black and white. WHAT???!!!??? Is this CHRISTI writing???!!!???

While there are these promises for protection, there ARE qualifications – cause and effect – consequences – and, um, freedom of choice – free will – which can turn into self will!

Jesus was perfect…and those last few days were pretty painful to Him. It was because of our sin.

Is 53:5 But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Have you stopped transgressing? I haven’t.
Have you overcome all your iniquities? I haven’t.

Therefore, the chastisement of our peace was laid upon him, and he gave us peace.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

And by his STRIPES we are healed.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

WHOA! THERE’S MORE QUALIFIERS! Or is it the responsible reaction of gratitude?

God KNEW we would still have trouble with our sinful nature…and gave us even MORE help!

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

Why am I contemplating this today? There have been several incidents lately that have made me dig deeper into my understanding of God’s handling of my affairs.

Today, I learned that my middle son almost lost his finger in a log splitting accident.

Steve's finger, after log splitting accident

I know he isn’t walking ‘perfectly’ with the Lord – just by what I know! But, even though his finger was not protected, and the bone was cut in two – God DID protect him, and in his drugged state, he called and told my husband these ways, giving God the praise:

it did not go all the way through…it has all the parts cut, and the bone broken…but missed the artery.
He had gloves on. Grandson Brayden was with him and did not see much at all – was fine until the ambulance got there.
Brayden’s mom was out there – a) they are trying to work out their relationship, b) she was able to take care of Brayden and Steve
The doctor at the community hospital put it back on, then sent him to a bigger hospital…which was so impressed with her work, it did not need to be re reattached.
They are sure that they can reattach tendons and such – he has a consult tomorrow (Friday)

Stephen was praising God for all these ways that God protected him…and we join him in that praise and thanks!

All of the mighty men and women of the Bible had ‘bad’ things happen to them in their lives. How do I hold both the evidence of a fallen world(we don’t live in the Garden of Eden) with the promises of protection and provision?

I Believe:

God is Who He says He is.

God can do what He says He can do.

I am who God says I am

I can do what He says I can do(all things through Christ!)

God’s word is active and alive in me.

from Beth Moore – Believing God.

I believe that God’s Word – the Bible as we know it – is, well:

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Therefore, what seems to be a contradiction, is just a matter of digging deeper, to get understanding.

Dog owners – have you watched the shows Dog Whisperer or It’s Me or the Dog? To train a dog, you do not give them affection when they are doing the wrong thing. You praise them when they are doing the right thing, and give them blessings called treats! As humans we are just now learning this…maybe God knew it all along?

Parents – are you familiar with such training as Positive Parenting? Actually, I have only heard rave reviews. My training for child care at the YMCA utilized this type of training. When a child is misbehaving, you do not give them the attention they are trying to obtain. When the child is behaving you lay praise and adoration on thick! You choose discipline that leads the child to an ability to self control, and eventually, other character qualities. IBLP has a great training about Character Qualities. Another group, Character First has great resources as well.

What’s my point? We’re not here to be protected from physical harm. Noah lost everything in a flood! And he was the only righteous man found! Lot was protected from destruction. Jesus was beaten, and crucified – and He was PERFECT.

A child that ate candy all their life would have cavities. Is that God’s fault? It’s a consequence of the choices(for a child, the parent’s).
Lot’s family was delivered from the destruction, and because of their hearts, they then brought destruction upon themselves. It was THEIR choices!

I have health issues because of how I have NOT taken care of this temple…that’s NOT God’s fault, that’s cause and effect. I can, however, use these ‘negatives’ to change things, and then ask God’s favor, grace and mercy to help me ‘get it right’. After all, that’s God’s purpose – to have me run into His tower for protection, and dwell with Him!

The spirit of the man is what is important. The purpose for anything in our lives is to make us more like Jesus.

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 John 2:1-2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

To me, the promise of protection is a ‘carrot’ that reminds me to DWELL under the shadow of the Almighty!
To me, the promises of Deuteronomy 28 are ‘rewards’ for choosing to obey what God has shown me.

YES – when something bad happens, I do check out my relationship with God first! Then, if I need to repent – I do it. If I need to turn around, or ask forgiveness, or change something – I do it!

I KNOW that my heavenly Father loves me, and gives me ONLY good gifts. James 1:17
I KNOW that bad things happen because of my fallen nature. James 1:13-16
I KNOW that all things work together for my good….Romans 8:28(there’s a qualifier here!)
I KNOW that God has a plan for my life – Jeremiah 29:11
And that plan has been in effect since before I was born…Psalm 139:13-17, Jeremiah 1:5
I KNOW that bad things happen, because of the fallen nature of the world…Romans 8:22

I also know, by combining these scriptures and many others, that some perfect gifts come wrapped in bags of garbage. It I toss them out, and complain about the garbage, I will never get that diamond, ruby, sapphire that is hidden in the midst of the garbage. It’s just like those presents that people give with multiple boxes, filled with newspaper…only the gift at the end of this garbage bag is eternal…and growing closer to the Everlasting God!

God’s ways are so much higher than ours. The foolishness of man(what confuses man) is the wisdom of God.

Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Col 2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk ye in him:

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Does it make any sense that one person, totally void of any wrong doing, would take the death penalty for all the terrorists in the world? All the rapists? All the murderers? All the child abusers? All the kidnappers? No. It doesn’t make any sense to me.
Does it make any sense that the death of one man could provide the choice for anyone, whosoever chooses, to be washed of all their crimes, and to start life anew – nothing hanging over them? No. It doesn’t make any sense to me.
Does it make any sense that a person, to whom so much has been given, would go back to their crimes, and muck up the beautiful opportunities laid before them? No. It doesn’t make any sense to me.
Does it make sense that the Bible has promises for perfect protection, as a result of perfect obedience? Yes.
Does it make sense that a judge would give out leniency, mercy, and grace to criminals that break the laws of his jurisdiction? No. And yet, God blesses the just and the unjust every day.
Does it make sense that a loving Heavenly Father would make a way for His erring children to come back into fellowship – and receive the blessing of His presence through Jesus Christ, our ambassador? As a mother, this makes sense to me. As a citizen, I want the full application of the law! Put those ogres in prison!

So, I have conflicts with what many take for granted in God’s word…and yet, I can hold the conflict of protection, with the bad things that happen together in my heart as both true. Why? Because Christianity IS FAITH! I may not be able to see the sense in what God has done, but I am so grateful for the ‘foolishness’ of God that has washed me from my sins, that I am willing to receive all the ‘foolishness’ of God as just far above my wisdom. Jesus asked the questioning Pharisees – Is it easier to heal or to forgive sins? In truth, it is much easier to heal…because forgiveness comes very hard! So, the greatest mystery is that God sent His Son to die on my behalf…everything else is just, well, faith!

I have been guilty of asking “WHY ME?” or “WHY MY FAMILY?” at times…and, I have repented. The question should be “WHY NOT ME?” Why do you choose to look upon my family with grace and mercy, when we are not perfect? Why didn’t I leave 2 seconds earlier and be in that huge accident right behind me? Why didn’t my babies die at birth when things looked so bad? Why didn’t Jim lose his job, and we go for months on unemployment? Why didn’t I get cancer? Why not us? Because, HE LOVES US! And because HE loves us first, we love Him.

Here is a passage from Isaiah – to just remind us what Jesus did for us…and can we take the little difficulties(as Paul said) and choose to count them but joy?(2 Cor 4:16; 2 Cor 11:23; Phil 3)

Isa 53:1	Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
Isa 53:2	For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, [there is] no beauty that we should desire him.
Isa 53:3	He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Isa 53:4	Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
Isa 53:5	But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Isa 53:6	All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

I have one last quote:

“If you wish to know God, you must know his Word.
If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by his Word.
If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.”
…(C.H. Spurgeon)

I lied:

Sola Fide – by faith alone
Sola Gracia – only by God’s grace
Sola Scriptura – only by God’s word
Solus Christus – through Christ only
Soli Deo Gloria – only for the glory of God.

Bad things WILL happen. That’s NOT the point. The point IS – how will we respond? I want to always run to the tower of the Lord, and to dwell under the shadow of His wings – because it’s only through the Lord that I have help to make it through the bad things that happen.

Prov 18:10 The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

In case you are interested, Mary Jane Holt, of the The Citizen researched the story, and the truth about the Soldier prayer...very nicely done.
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.

100 days of moving challenge – day 83 – going to the Y!
100 days challenge- blog – check
25 verses in 52 weeks – Phil 4:8
90 days Bible Reading – Luke
50 days T-Tapp – AL, OIP, HD

The First 100 Days – Day 76 – Fifteen

15

Not enough to be a quarter, clumsier than a dime.
It’s only half of a 30 day challenge.
Not old enough to drive.
We see John 3:16 every where, but who memorizes John 3:15?
1 Corinthinans 12, 13, and 14 have been etched in our minds, but what about chapter 15?
Wikipedia actually has an entry for 15, with the warning:”This article may contain excessive, poor or irrelevant examples.”

What good is 15?
You get 10 minute breaks, 30 minute or 60 minute lunches, but not 15.

What can you do with 15 minutes?
In the book, Side-Tracked Home Executive, there were an amazing amount of 5, 10 and 15 minute chores! It doesn’t seem to have transferred over to the internet version, The FlyLady, though.

Think about it, what can you do in 15 minutes?
My S.H.E. Motto was Swish, Swipe and Shine. Toilet, counter top and sink.
With a little practice, I could do it in 15 minutes.
If I did it every day, I could do it in 15 minutes.
If I skip a day, that would add up to a week, and then, it would take longer than 15 minutes.
Keeping up with things means it takes less time to keep up with things!

Fly Lady goes into setting a timer for 15 minutes, and tackling hot spots…those spots that just build up. It’s amazing what you can do in 15 minutes, if you focus on the task, and stay with it.

An exercise program that I have found VERY useful is called T-Tapp. Teresa’s book is “Fit and Fabulous in 15 Minutes.” Almost every T-Tapp video I have is less than 15 minutes. And the impact of 15 minutes everyday is evident in the testimonies shared.

Anything else?

Here, I’ll try some things….

How many ecards can I send in 15 minutes? Set the timer….Well, with my goofs, and some extra time to view things, at DaySpring, I was able to send 5. Others may be faster(computers, programs and/or people).
How many FB posts can I view and like in 15 minutes? Well, since I had already commented and posted on many today, in five minutes, I found 15 to like, one to check out the photo, and another I could have commented on.
How many emails can I go through in 15 minutes? I had already read through emails this morning, but in 15 minutes I was able to go through 40 emails, deleted 30, actually read through 7(blogs and newsletters) and filed or archived 3. I did reply to 3, as well.

These activities can be a real time waster…I’m sitting at my computer(because it’s easier than getting up and exercising) and I realize it’s 1:30PM, I haven’t eaten breakfast, and I haven’t gotten anything done but email, FB, chat, skype, and sometimes, my blog.

I can’t set a timer for my blog…because I want to let it flow. But I can do that for other things!

FB – Facebook. If I set a timer for FB, I wouldn’t get lost in the variety of posts, and I would be able to purposefully focus my time.
Email – If I would set a timer for email, I might make better choices about whether to archive, reply, forward, trash various posts. But giving myself unlimited time on either of these just keeps adding up to, well, a lot of time!
Hot Spots – I do get caught up with organizing, or I get distracted while do so, and lose track of time.
Chores – yes, even adults have chores(especially when the kids grow up and move out!). But, rather than putting them off, what about “I’ll work on that for 15 minutes!”

There are some things that won’t work well with this system.

TV – it just doesn’t fit into 15 minute time slots
Skype – I’m NOT going to put a timer on my Grandbabies!
Jim Time – I need to give him more time
Bible Time – while 15 minutes is a good start – sometimes a study just won’t quit in 15 minutes.
Prayer – again, giving at least 15 minutes is a good start, but hopefully, prayer life will take over.

The last two, you may have to set a timer so that you actually can quit in time for school, work or church!

15 minutes can be very powerful.
What about 15 seconds?

Hold your breath for 15 seconds…and read this:

ONE one thousand
TWO one thousand
THREE one thousand
FOUR one thousand
FIVE one thousand
SIX one thousand
SEVEN one thousand
EIGHT one thousand
NINE one thousand
TEN one thousand
ELEVEN one thousand
TWELVE one thousand
THIRTEEN one thousand
FOURTEEN one thousand
FIFTEEN one thousand

Now, was that hard? Probably not.
But imagine that it is NOT you that isn’t breathing, but your child…and how long is 15 seconds then?

Time is a gift, given to us by God. Every second we let slip away is gone, forever. It doesn’t come back around, even though it seems like it when we wake up. It’s gone. Forever.

Time adds up.
The one month old, living day by day for 335 days, is now 1 year old. He won’t go back to being one month old again. He will always be at least 1 year old.
I am 50 years old. The amount of time that I have wasted is only calculated by the grace of God knowing my every second, and forgiving me. The totality of my years is immersed in God’s mercy, that HE chooses not to remember my past sinful seconds upon seconds, but HE looks at the cross, and then, waits for me in my future.

15
it can be as big or as small as we make it.
Most people can do just about anything for 15 minutes.
The past is gone, do not dwell in it.
The future is not here, do not stress over it.
All we have is the gift of today, that’s why it’s called
the present.

Psalm 90:12 So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom.

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.

100 days of moving challenge – day 76
100 days challenge- blog – check
25 verses in 52 weeks – Phil 4:8
90 days Bible Reading – Isaiah – very behind.
50 days T-Tapp – AL

The First 100 days – Day 71 – Am I Dying?

severe stomach pains
sweating
dizziness
nausea
blurred vision
what is it?

I thought I had food poisoning! But my friend was fine, and we split the whole meal! Apparently, the place I ate lunch also served some things that I am allergic to…shellfish. People on the gulf LOVE their shrimp! Cross contamination can be deadly for me.

2 Cor 6:14-16a Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?

Cross contamination in our Christian walk is deadly. Reading the Old Testament…the Hebrews messed up when they took wives from outside the faith. Solomon messed up with all the wives that drew him away. King upon King, man upon man…even Rachel took her father’s idols and hid them! Cross contamination!

There is a solution:

I died on the imaging table as they pumped IVP(iodine) into my blood system. I was told the rescue was quite exciting, probably only because I survived! They did the huge needle with ‘adrenalin’ and stuck it right into my heart. I’m told that the reaction is eerie…like seeing someone raised from the dead. Understand, I didn’t see it, but I am here now, because of it!

2 Cor 6:16b-18 for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in [them]; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean [thing]; and I will receive you,
And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

The solution for cross contamination in our spiritual life is to cut it out. I became allergic to IVP dye, and eventually Iodine totally, because when they did one of the exams, my spine wouldn’t let go of the last bit of iodine dye. A nerve got stuck on the needle, and they were not able to get that last bit. BTW, needles pulling on spinal nerves seems to wake the dead…I screamed and jumped, while being totally sedated! They had to leave that dye in my spine, because ‘I’ wouldn’t let go. That bit of dye caused the code reaction with the next test…and now, 32 years later…my system does not react well to any type of iodine! It makes me sick.

Just like that iodine dye, we need to let go of the things that compromise our walks with Christ. We need to remember that we are the temple of the Holy Ghost, and we should bring no ‘unclean’ thing into the temple. So often, we cannot do it alone…we need a big shot of ‘Holy Ghost adrenaline’ right into our hearts. We need to be raised up from the cross contamination death we are headed into!

Sometimes, like when we have yucky stuff in our system – we need to purge. Nausea and diarrhea are natural ways for our bodies to purge uncleanness.
Repentance – true repentance and turning way from the unclean things(sin – from murder all the way to lying) – is the only way to rid our spiritual lives from the weakness that comes from being cross contaminated!

Kingdoms were destroyed because of cross contamination. But God is merciful. Just like He gave Israel chances, over and over and over and over…so He will with us.

Lamentations 3:22-23 [It is of] the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. [They are] new every morning: great [is] thy faithfulness.

I have tended to make excuses. Isn’t that why our country is in the state it is in? And our nation? And especially our churches, families, and marriages? We’ve made excuses for our cross contamination.

Go back to the cross…put down the garbage things that are holding us down. Cry out for forgiveness, pray for forgiveness and put everything on the altar and pray for God’s fire to come down and burn off the dross. Then, take up ONLY those things that survive HIS cleansing fire.

This is a matter of life, or death!
Choose Life!

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.

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

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.

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

The First 100 days – Day 63 – Minimalism

Our journey here in 2011, in Texas, and in moving full time into an RV, was enhanced by a very unique post. The author is Francine Jay. Her blog is Miss Minimalist, Living a Beautiful Life with Less Stuff.

The first post I read, A Short Guide to Consumer Disobedience…stirred up the rebel in me, the desire to NOT conform to the pulls of this world.

I live a minimalist lifestyle for many reasons: for example, I love the freedom, the flexibility, and the financial benefits of not owning a lot of stuff.

But I must admit, it’s also a chance to indulge my inner rebel. I’ve been a straight-A student, model employee, and overall law-abiding citizen; yet when it comes to consumerism, I can’t resist my desire to stick it to the man.

Today, I found Miss Minimalist’s New Year’s challenge, The Year of the Butterfly.

The small butterfly
moves as though unburdened by
the world of desire

-Haiku by Kobayashi Issa
Today marks the first day of the Chinese New Year, which according to their lunar calendar is the Year of the Rabbit.

Well, I’d like to propose a special New Year for us minimalists: let’s make this the Year of the Butterfly.

I enjoy her writing, and philosophy so much, I purchased her book, The Joy of Less.

Less Stuff = More Joy

Having less stuff is the key to happiness. Do you ever feel overwhelmed, instead of overjoyed by all your possessions? Do you secretly wish a gale force wind would blow the clutter from your home? If so, it’s time to simplify your life!

While I do not agree that having less stuff is the key to happiness – since I believe that JESUS in our hearts, and right relationship with Him is the KEY – I do agree that past that, our stuff holds us hostage.

Seek ye first the Kingdom of God…NOT THINGS!

Things as idols….that could make hoarding idolatry…and this has been a big issue for me as I’ve downsized!

Does this clutter make me look fat? – Peter Walsh from TLC’s Clean Sweep wrote a book called Does this clutter make my butt look fat?
I haven’t read it, because I’ve been afraid of what it might say! The point is, clutter and hoarding in any area of your(my) life tends to excess. Keeping three copies of one book…why? Eating three hamburgers instead of one…why? Who needs it?

So, my biggest challenge has been cleaning away the emotions connected to the things…which is also part of the point of learning about emotional eating. Binge eating is just the same as binge buying, or binge hoarding. It’s BINGE – more than I need. Do I hear the word GLUTTONY???

So, I’m off to learn more about minimalism in so many areas…and to learn, in a new way that:

Phil 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

In fact…Phil 4 is a great chapter to read, and reread to learn what to focus upon.

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.

100 days of moving challenge – day 63
100 days challenge- blog – check
25 verses in 52 weeks – Ps 15:3-5(didn’t set up verse 4)
90 days Bible Reading – Isaiah – very behind.
50 days T-Tapp – ???

The First 100 days – day 55 – Hard questions

“Did I mess up so bad that God has removed me from this position?”

“What are we to do when there is no money, and the bills keep going up?

“How can we make it if my husband can’t get a job?”

“Why do I have so much pain, if I’m supposed to be walking for God’s glory?”

I don’t know.

I know WHO knows.

And the bottom line is that His purpose is for us to know him better!

Ps 46:10 Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

This Psalm is my ‘go to’ Psalm for when things go wrong. Ps 46:10 is followed by:

Ps 46:11 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

That verse closes Psalm 46. It begins with:

Ps 46:1-2 God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear,

God is NOT the God of fear.

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

We are told that God IS Love:

1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Ps 46 even mentions some of the types of things that we will not fear, as we dwell in God’s love:

Ps 46:3-4…though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
[Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled,
[though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Ps 46:7 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

In 1 John 4:18 it says “fear hath torment”

1 John 3:19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

1 John 3:20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

God is greater than our heart…what is the point of saying this? IF our heart condemns us…WE ARE CONVICTED! And that means we have done something WRONG! AND GOD IS BIGGER THAN THAT! This is the point of Jesus coming and dying on the cross…so that we would be delivered from the condemnation of sin! God knows we are flesh. God knows that we will not be able to walk perfectly. Reading 1 John can give one a pretty heavy guilt trip…because we don’t all know how to read Greek!

God is not worried about mess ups. He’s the God of building bridges to get the messy ones across! He’s Big enough for that!

God is not worried about besetting sins…those that we are working to put off. Jesus died for our sins, and gives us grace and mercy to repent, confess our sins, and move on. He’s BIG enough for that!

Matt 9:5NLT Is it easier to say, `Your sins are forgiven’ or `Get up and walk’?

Willful disobedience. Those that lie, and keep on lying…are Liars. Those that steal, and keep on stealing…are thieves. Those that play around with sex become fornicators and adulterers and whore-mongers.

For me, I know I am walking on dangerous ground when I am tempted to do something that I KNOW is against what God has called me to. Do I still do that? Ashamedly, yes. I have disappointed my FATHER, by saying no to something I should have said yes to, or saying yes to something I knew I should have said no to. Romans 7 really encourages me in this realm.

Rom 7:18 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.(read the whole thing at Rom 7:13-25)

1 John 2:1-2 gives us the promise of our Advocate, Jesus Christ, for IF we have sinned.

The truth is, we will sin, but the soft heart wants a right relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ, drawn to conviction by the power of the Holy Spirit. 1 John 1:8 shows me that God KNOWS that we are going to sin…and 1 John 1:9 tells me how to take care of that sin! 1 John 1:10 calls me a liar if I say I have no sin.

In my mind, the point is, I’m to work on not sinning within the light I have at my disposal at the time of the specific event in question. The main point is that I want to be righteous…having a right relationship with God…at all times. So, if all sin is confessed, forgiven, and all attempts are made to put that sin down…we stand before the Lord, and He sees us through the blood of His Son, Jesus!

Romans 8:1 [There is] therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Just for clarity – Romans 8:1 comes after Romans 7:24 that says “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” The answer? God! And HE says – there is NO condemnation!

Walking is a movement from one point to another! It is a verb. It is ACTIVE. We have not arrived, and God doesn’t expect us to have arrived…HE expects us to keep moving on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.(Phil 3:14)

1 John 3:21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, [then] have we confidence toward God.

1 John 3:22And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

And to which commandments does John refer?

1 John 3:23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

Mark 12:30-31 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this [is] the first commandment. And the second [is] like, [namely] this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.

Once someone has searched their own hearts…

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.(a great Psalm, along with Psalm 51 to search your hearts)

…and has that relationship with God restored, then, they need to abide. This is one of the hardest, yet most precious verses to me.

Ps 91:1-2 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

ABIDE. The responsibility is on ME! Do a word search through the Bible for ABIDE! We choose to abide with Him, and HE is BIG enough to choose to abide with us!

Ps 46:10 – 11 Be still, and know that I [am] God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

I don’t know the answers to most questions. I do know that my only way of making it through this world is to believe in Rom 8:28 with the whole bible applications. There is so much more in Rom 8 – before and after verse 28!

Rom 8:26-27 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what [is] the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.

Rom 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

In my life, I know that God seems more concerned with working on me to be in the image of Christ, than He is with making me look good in the world’s eyes.

He is more interested in providing for me, than for me to provide for myself.

He is more interested in my heart, than my words or deeds, because, if my heart is right, words and deeds will follow. Because I recognize that this is HIS plan in my life…above all the little plans that my beady little eyes can see…I can embrace Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

While we are bieng still, and recognizing that HE is God, and not we ourselves(with a bow to the prayer book), we can learn to sing with the Psalmist:

Ps 46:1-3 God [is] our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; [Though] the waters thereof roar [and] be troubled, [though] the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Ps 46:11 The LORD of hosts [is] with us; the God of Jacob [is] our refuge. Selah.

Our God is Sovereign. Our God reigns. Even when we feel like Job!

***here’s a verse that came up after the writing of this blog. It fits perfectly, so I am putting it here:

1 Pet 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Another purpose for God’s trials for us…JOY!

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.

100 days of moving challenge – day 54 – SATI
100 days challenge- blog – check
25 verses in 52 weeks – Ps 15:3-5
90 days Bible Reading – Isaiah
50 days T-Tapp – starting a new one – day 5

The First 100 days – Day 53 – Reputation?

This morning, I opened my email to get this message from The Pocket Testament League:

God at Work.

Dear Christine,

Do you have a reputation for sharing the Gospel? Mallorie in Aurora, Colorado, does! Here’s the story she posted to our website recently:

“At my workplace, I have been giving out the Gospels of John to people. A couple days ago, I ran across a coworker at the shopping center. He is a Christian, but he is having difficult times, and he told me he wanted to get closer to God. I asked him how is his daily readings with the Bible, and he said it wasn’t good, but he was told that I had given someone the Gospel of John. So now he’s reading the Gospel of John booklet!”

Mallorie was right to ask her coworker about his daily Bible reading. When we read the Bible each day, we grow closer to God, because it’s through His Word that His Spirit draws us. It’s through His Word that we learn of and are reminded of God’s love for us in Jesus. The small, attractive Gospel booklets are great tools to use to bring people back into the habit of reading the Bible every day.

The League has designed daily devotions to help you read the Bible faithfully. Each weekday, we’ll send a short Bible-centered devotion, along with a word on how you can apply the reading to your life. To find out more and sign up, simply go to Daily Devotionals on our website.

In Christ,

Mike Brickley
President

P.S. Get a reputation for sharing the Gospel with others. Keep a supply of booklets with you so you can hand one to the person who has heard that you gave the Gospel to someone else! You can order on our website at Order Gospels.

This weekend, we met several people at the RV Park. I was an evangelist for three things:

The Story of Texas Museum

From Inside the Museum

AND

Escapees RV Club

I also was an evangelist for putting scripture on the walls of your home.

The Names of the Lord

Jeremiah 29:11

But not once did I inquire about a person’s relationship with Jesus. Oh, I wore witnessing T-Shirts…the chicken’s way of evangelizing. Not once did I turn the discussion to Jesus. AND – it used to be that EVERY conversation I had, I turned so that I knew what that person’s relationship with Jesus was, and how to pray for them.

What happened? I wouldn’t have thought so, but I guess my fire went out. When I talked about the museum, I was insistent that these Canadians go and check it out! Now, they have left my life, and while they DID go and check out the story of Texas, and enjoyed it very much, I don’t know if they know the story of Jesus – which brings joy unspeakable. I was excited to talk to someone about the Escapees RV club, and meet ups, and what to do with the RV, but not once did I inquire in any way about their spiritual well being. I used to have the reputation that I always knew where people stood with the Lord. I had the reputation that if someone spoke with me for any time, they knew where I stood, and knew that I would be praying for them. I used to have the reputation of handing out salvation gifts…tracts, bracelets, my own cards. But this weekend, and embarrassingly enough, for many weekends, I did NOT represent.

I don’t believe it’s wrong to share common interests, but I AM the representative of Jesus wherever I go.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

1 Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

1 Pet 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

There are so many ways to let someone know that you represent SOMEONE.

When giving a tip at a restaurant, leave a card with the MONEY tip.
Have a ‘business’ card letting people know who you stand for.
Having tracts to share that fit with common topics that come up in conversation
Plan of salvation bookmarks, cards, like the colors of salvation
Having pocket Bibles to give as gifts

There are SO MANY tools we can use here in the USA…where no one is allowed to harm us for our beliefs. And yet, I tremble and fear. And I am embarrassed that I fear man more than I fear God. I am embarrassed that I fear what man can’t do to me more than I fear for the souls of the persons I meet. This is NOT the heart of Jesus.

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

That is a wonderful heart. But today, the beauty for me is the first part of this verse…

…but is longsuffering to us-ward,

God knows me…and He knows each of us. I used to think that if I didn’t share the gospel with someone, they’d go to hell. That’s another post…about how one plants a seed another waters. But I would share the gospel out of a guilt that if I didn’t, who would? I can’t entrust someone else’s salvation to someone else that may have a problem sharing just like me! But the point is…we are all along a journey, and we are all in God’s hands, and HE is orchestrating this whole thing. The purpose is NOT to condemn myself, but to quicken the Holy Spirit within, do a heart check, and plan ahead.

So – Where are you with Jesus?

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.

Links for scripture on the walls of your home:

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

100 days of moving challenge – day 53
100 days challenge- blog – check
25 verses in 52 weeks – Ps 15:3-5
90 days Bible Reading – Song of Solomon
50 days T-Tapp – starting a new one – day 3

The First 100 days – day 47 – This is the stuff that drives me crazy!

We don’t always get what we want…and one definition of God’s will is exactly what we would choose if we knew all the information.

Fifth Wheel and truck

We are moving into a 38 foot fifth wheel RV. There is approximately 400 sq feet of space.

Part of that space was used up by a couch that wasn’t working for anyone…except the cats.

One of the requirements we had for a living space is a desk area. I do a lot on the computer. All of our photos are on the computer. My writings are on the computer. My digitized paintings are on the computer. I skype with our daughter, and most of my friends all across the country are ‘on’ my computer. Jim just IS a computer guy, his work and his hobbies are on the computer. So, a desk for computer work was a necessity! The desk area options in this model of trailer we not what we wanted. We chose this one because of all the windows.

We tore the couch out, gaining a 38×72 space, completely surrounded with windows. The desk we would install couldn’t be taller than 28 inches. And I wanted something that would look like it belonged in the trailer. The cabinets are handcrafted cherry raised wood, with some etched glass inserts in corners. I wanted something comparable.

One cherry option

This one, not the actual one I found, is similar to the one I wanted. See, even when I want to find a photo of what I wanted, I don’t get what I want!

Anyway – this was $260.
It is from Sauder, The Heritage Hill Collection. It’s not long enough. It’s too tall. And it would take up the WHOLE DEPTH of the alcove. This was my challenge in finding a nice desk. When I found one, it was $800 – and still would take up the WHOLE alcove – and we realized that we really liked the openess of the alcove without the couch. Therefore, if we put a desk in it, we would feel even more crowded than with the couch! Plus, we didn’t have $800 to spend on ONE item for the trailer!

It was suggested that I put a door on top of two file cabinets. Done that. We’ve also put a door on top of two pedestals we took off a dresser. But I really wanted something that would fit, and even a door was going to be too deep for the open feeling. I created a very intricate board for Jim’s desk top, and we talked about using it, but when it became obvious we did not want a very deep desk – that precious desk top was NOT going to work, because we were NOT going to cut it!

So, I gave up. We went to Wal*Mart and purchased a cheap ($69) desk and shelf set – in plain black. I was frustrated (which is just a pretty word for mad). I WANTED something VERY nice, very furniture looking. And I was SETTLING for some do it yourself Wal*Mart brand. I am confessing that I was grumpy! I was, as my best friend says, in a ‘whatever’ mood!

Here’s what we have:

Our Office

To the right of the desk is a window just like on the right. I have the shades down! To my chagrin, this is perfect! We bolted this down, and we are going to put a cherry shelf extension on top of that bookshelf, just to tie in the cherry, and to give a little more workspace. This size is perfect. It looks great. And, it’s everything I could have wanted…if I had known from the beginning what we really wanted!

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.

I DO want to yield to God’s will for me…because there is this passage that really sounds badly about demanding my OWN way:

Rom 1:21- 22Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
1:24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts,
1:25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

This passage generally is used to point out the sinful nature of homosexuality. But, that is not the only sin that turns a heart away from God. The fact that the persons mentioned here turned their hearts away from God’s will starts a downward spiral:

Rom 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

Rom 1:32 is to all that participate in any of these activities:

Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

And, it ties in with Rev 21:8

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

James 1: 14-15 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

I believe that God has a plan for my life. (Jer 29:11)
I believe that God is interested in every detail of my life.
I believe that God is sovereign, and therefore I should yield to Him in every area of my life.
I believe that when I put my desires above God’s, and that is usually indicated by my lack of patience, my anxiety levels, and my shortness with others, I am putting MY way above HIS way, and that is idolatry.

Saul learned that the hard way – by making decisions about how to fight a battle:

1 Sam 15:23 For rebellion [is as] the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness [is as] iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from [being] king.

I do NOT want to be guilty of rejecting God’s word for me. The most important thing in my life is my salvation. The second most important thing is the salvation of my friends and family. And there are times that I get impatient with the lack of God’s hand. It always turns out, it’s not HIS hand that is slack or slow…it’s my eyes that are closed!

2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

I want my life to glorify God. Therefore, I have to LISTEN and TRUST and OBEY! In my heart and mind, everything in life is an act of worship – every breath that I take……every move or step I take…every song I sing…My life is IN the LORD! So, even when it comes to a silly desk, God didn’t think it was silly! He prevented me from getting what I thought I wanted, and led me to what really fills my heart with Joy!

Here is my prayer, that my life would be worship!

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.

100 days of moving challenge – day 47 -Able to do a workout!
100 days challenge- blog – check
25 verses in 52 weeks – Ps 15:1-2
90 days Bible Reading – Song of Solomon
50 days T-Tapp – check – T-Tapp Workout with Kirsten!
30 days – T-Tapp January Jumpstart- the last week

The First 100 days – Day 40 – the number 40

Have you ever noticed how often the number 40 comes up in the Bible?

The Flood, rained 40 days and nights – Genesis 7:4
The Flood was on the earth 40 days – Genesis 7:17
Isaac was 40 when he married Rebekah – Genesis 25:20
40 years of manna in the wilderness – Exodus 16:35
Moses was on the mount of God 40 days – Exodus 24:18
Elijah fasted 40 days and nights – 1 Kings 19:8
Jesus fasted 40 days and nights – Mat 4:2, Lk 4:2
Jesus was tempted by the devil for 40 days – Mk 1:13, Lk 4:2

February 9th is the 40th day of OUR year…and a good time to look back and see if I have started the year right.

365 divided by 40 = 9.125(of course, we do have that leap year issue).
9 is 3 three’s.
Three is the number of the Triune God.

An article about Biblical Numerology explains the way the Bible languages also have numerical meanings. Christian Resources discusses this unique layout of the Bible, WITH warnings of the occult nature of numerology. A better term is numerics.

We once had an article that discussed this in more depth, and the wonderful thing about this is how intricately God wrote His word. Within the scriptures in the original languages, there is a type of numeric grid that threads through out the Bible, through out the writers, and shows God’s Amazing Authorship. And that is my point. God has set in motion NUMBERS!

Evening and Morning, the first(second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh) day.
Sabbaths are set on a schedule.
Seasons are set on a schedule.
Even the land has a sabbath.
The Bible kept track of ages and children(numbers!).
And then, there is the year of Jubilee – the 50th year!

So many things that are part of our spiritual walk have been high-jacked by the enemy, and we are so afraid to touch the evil, that we forget that the originator of ALL things, called them ALL good.

So, FORTY DAYS into the New Year.

A good time to look back.
Also, a good time to look forward.
What if we made a resolution for FORTY days…even 2 sets of 20, 4 sets of 10…could we make a difference?

Can I do anything for 10 days? Or break it down, 5 days? I can do ANYTHING for 5 days. Then start over…and do that 7 more times…and I’ve done 40 days. Then, start over, and do that 8 more times, and I have done something for 1 year.

I can eat right for breakfast.
I can choose the right snack mid morning.
I can eat right for lunch.
I can choose the right snack for afternoon.
I can eat right for supper.
I can choose the right snack before bed.
I can choose to go to bed at a reasonable time.
I can wake up the next day and start all over again.

I wake up every day – anyway – and make choices.
I know the last 40 days have been full of choices, some good and some bad. But I know that my redeemer lives…and that HE holds tomorrow in His hand. I just have to choose for this minute.

Another thing about 40. If you do something for 40 minutes, then take a 20 minute movement break…in an 8 hour day…you will have added up 2.66 hours of movement! Hmmmmm, that’s cool!

I’m recommitting to my goals for this year…and I’m going to take the next 40 days one day at a time, adding up 5 days, then 10 days, then 20 days, then FORTY DAYS of doing something different than last year.

That’s growth…moving forward. So, happy 40th day!!!

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.