This past summer I found myself in somewhat of a "spiritual slump." Hence my previous posts on my 30 day thankfulness challenge. God definitely used that, but I was still hungering for more. One thing I did was start using my women's study Bible again, starting in the New Testament.
Here's one of the many things that, though I've read it before, really stood out to me this time:
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Thought outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
There was also the following story:
A grandmother was trying to get her two granddaughters to stop playing with their toys and come to the dinner table. The grandma called their names, but still they kept playing, so she got down on the floor so she could look them in their eyes. Once she had their attention she let them know it was time for dinner, and together they went to the table. The commentary that followed is this:
"As I walked with them, I thought about having to go to all that trouble, to physically scoot down low to get the attention of my granddaughters. It was then I realized that this is exactly what Jesus did for me. God had a wonderful feast prepared for us in heaven and he called his people to come and eat and enjoy! But most often, caught up in their own little dramas, they ignored his call. So, in the form of His Son, Jesus "scooted down low" and became one of us. Why? To get our attention, to meet us eye to eye- to take us by the hand and lead us to the feast"
And then I started going to a new study on Wednesday night and this really stood out to me in the book we're reading:
"As much as we want God to explain himself to us, His creation, we are in no place to demand that He give an account to us" Francis Chan in Crazy Love
I started noticing a theme....one that spoke loudly of growth- growth in my walk with God, growth within myself, and growth in learning how God works in and around us. He's willing to do so much for me. So why is it so hard to do so much for Him? Growth is REALLY hard sometimes, but completely worth it in the end. My hope is that I never stop growing in the Lord, but that He'll continue to put in me the desire NOT to settle with complacency, but one that wants to learn more daily.
One thing I've started doing is really trying to focus on God's word when I read...that's where I've been learning most these days and it's definitely been a blessing.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Thankfulness
Day 30 of 30:
I've spent the past month purposefully blogging about things, people, situations, thoughts, and scriptures that I'm thankful for. Today, as I wrap up this challenge that I gave myself, I am thankful that, in the past month I've found myself more often turning my thoughts to what I'm thankful for, instead of what I'm not thankful for. Yes, I've still complained, gotten frustrated, and not liked certain things, etc. that have happened but I have noticed an increase in my ability to be more thankful. For that, I'm, you guessed it, thankful.
From time to time I may still choose to blog about things I'm thankful for, but for now, you won't get to read about my daily thanksgivings. Instead, I'll likely resort to my sporadic blog postings on whatever happens to be on my mind when I get the urge to type up something.
I've spent the past month purposefully blogging about things, people, situations, thoughts, and scriptures that I'm thankful for. Today, as I wrap up this challenge that I gave myself, I am thankful that, in the past month I've found myself more often turning my thoughts to what I'm thankful for, instead of what I'm not thankful for. Yes, I've still complained, gotten frustrated, and not liked certain things, etc. that have happened but I have noticed an increase in my ability to be more thankful. For that, I'm, you guessed it, thankful.
From time to time I may still choose to blog about things I'm thankful for, but for now, you won't get to read about my daily thanksgivings. Instead, I'll likely resort to my sporadic blog postings on whatever happens to be on my mind when I get the urge to type up something.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Is the grass always greener?
Day 29 of 30:
I've been thinking a lot today about the phrase "the grass is always greener." I wonder how often this is actually true? Wanting something, getting what we wanted, and it's actually as good as we expected/wanted/needed? Probably not, since usually, this is a phrase reserved for things we likely don't need or aren't yet ready for. For example, you see your neighbor has a new car, and you think "I really could use a new car too b/c [insert lame reason here]." So you get the new car (or tv, etc.) and end up with payments, buyers remorse, etc.
Thankfully though, with God, the grass is ALWAYS greener. I was reading this morning about Saul and his conversion in Acts 9. For someone who had always persecuted Christians, Saul likely never looked over the fence at the Christian's "green grass." Yet there was a bright green field of grass awaiting him. Upon converting, Saul led many to Christ, and he finally understood what many before him believed- that Jesus really is God and Savior. I'm so thankful that God has given us something to long for, and that by choosing to include Him, it's always worth our time, effort, energy, etc.
I've been thinking a lot today about the phrase "the grass is always greener." I wonder how often this is actually true? Wanting something, getting what we wanted, and it's actually as good as we expected/wanted/needed? Probably not, since usually, this is a phrase reserved for things we likely don't need or aren't yet ready for. For example, you see your neighbor has a new car, and you think "I really could use a new car too b/c [insert lame reason here]." So you get the new car (or tv, etc.) and end up with payments, buyers remorse, etc.
Thankfully though, with God, the grass is ALWAYS greener. I was reading this morning about Saul and his conversion in Acts 9. For someone who had always persecuted Christians, Saul likely never looked over the fence at the Christian's "green grass." Yet there was a bright green field of grass awaiting him. Upon converting, Saul led many to Christ, and he finally understood what many before him believed- that Jesus really is God and Savior. I'm so thankful that God has given us something to long for, and that by choosing to include Him, it's always worth our time, effort, energy, etc.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Friday nights
Day 28 of 30:
I'm really thankful for Friday nights. Usually (on a non-vacation week) it means the end of a work week for me. It means Howie isn't working late, and that we have the whole evening together. Tonight we had dinner and we're getting ready to play a game while we watch Netflix. Sometimes we have date nights. No matter what we end up doing, I enjoy it, since it's time I get to spend with Howie. I really treasure the nights neither of us work, since Howie works late a couple nights each week, and I work late one night a week.
Happy Friday!!
I'm really thankful for Friday nights. Usually (on a non-vacation week) it means the end of a work week for me. It means Howie isn't working late, and that we have the whole evening together. Tonight we had dinner and we're getting ready to play a game while we watch Netflix. Sometimes we have date nights. No matter what we end up doing, I enjoy it, since it's time I get to spend with Howie. I really treasure the nights neither of us work, since Howie works late a couple nights each week, and I work late one night a week.
Happy Friday!!
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Small Things
Day 27 of 30:
Today I:
*Got to spend the morning with my husband before he went to work
*Picked up more books from the library and spent quite a bit of time reading
*Had coffee with a good friend
*Grocery shopped
*Ironed my husband's work shirts
Some of these activities are daily things, others are not. But I'm thankful for the opportunity to do all of them. I enjoy being a wife, doing things like shopping for groceries and ironing shirts. I love the role God has given me in being Howie's wife. I'm also thankful for opportunities to relax by reading or visiting with a friend. Really, it's the little things that mean the most to me. Mornings with my husband before work, doing things around our home, spending time with friends.
Today I:
*Got to spend the morning with my husband before he went to work
*Picked up more books from the library and spent quite a bit of time reading
*Had coffee with a good friend
*Grocery shopped
*Ironed my husband's work shirts
Some of these activities are daily things, others are not. But I'm thankful for the opportunity to do all of them. I enjoy being a wife, doing things like shopping for groceries and ironing shirts. I love the role God has given me in being Howie's wife. I'm also thankful for opportunities to relax by reading or visiting with a friend. Really, it's the little things that mean the most to me. Mornings with my husband before work, doing things around our home, spending time with friends.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Venezuelan coffee cup
Day 26 of 30:
This morning I decided to make a cup of coffee (albiet instant, but that's all we had) and use my Venezuelan coffee cup. Pretty much anytime I drink coffee it reminds me of Venezuela, as that's where I first really started drinking it. Venezuelans (at least the ones I spent all my time with in the 3 times I've been there) drink a LOT of coffee. I have many great memories of the summer I lived in VE and the other two times I visited. It's a beautiful country with some wonderful people. I've made some lasting friendships with people there. I still email back and forth with a dear friend, Barbara, who is Venezuelan. Between he two of us and a mix of spanish and english, we do pretty well.
Back to the coffee cup. It's tiny. It looks so delicate with the hand-painting. I think that's how our faith is sometimes. Having faith is such a huge thing, believing in God when we can't see Him, but trusting He's there and trusting in His power. But we're just so small, and faith can be a delicate thing- it has to be maintained with care (prayer, studying the Bible, fellowship with other believers). But our faith is obviously much larger than a small coffee cup- it has to be. The mug though always reminds me of the faith and trust I had to have in order to live in another country, especially one that spoke a different language. It reminds me of all that God taught me while I was there. I'm thankful for the memories, the people, and the lessons learned.
This morning I decided to make a cup of coffee (albiet instant, but that's all we had) and use my Venezuelan coffee cup. Pretty much anytime I drink coffee it reminds me of Venezuela, as that's where I first really started drinking it. Venezuelans (at least the ones I spent all my time with in the 3 times I've been there) drink a LOT of coffee. I have many great memories of the summer I lived in VE and the other two times I visited. It's a beautiful country with some wonderful people. I've made some lasting friendships with people there. I still email back and forth with a dear friend, Barbara, who is Venezuelan. Between he two of us and a mix of spanish and english, we do pretty well.
Back to the coffee cup. It's tiny. It looks so delicate with the hand-painting. I think that's how our faith is sometimes. Having faith is such a huge thing, believing in God when we can't see Him, but trusting He's there and trusting in His power. But we're just so small, and faith can be a delicate thing- it has to be maintained with care (prayer, studying the Bible, fellowship with other believers). But our faith is obviously much larger than a small coffee cup- it has to be. The mug though always reminds me of the faith and trust I had to have in order to live in another country, especially one that spoke a different language. It reminds me of all that God taught me while I was there. I'm thankful for the memories, the people, and the lessons learned.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Rest
Day 25 of 30:
Matthew 11:27-29 (New International Version)
27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
I've been tired lately. The culprit? Stress @ work. It's not a bad job at all, just one full of unexpected challenges and adventures. But recent weeks have been hard, and to say my vacation came at a perfect time would be a HUGE understatement. But Jesus knows that we need to rest- our minds, hearts, bodies, spirit...all of it. One thing I'm thankful for is God's timing- He knew I'd need a break this week and He knew just the things to provide me with refreshment. He also gave me a husband who knows how hard it is for me to stop going & thinking but who continues to find ways to encourage me to rest or stop to have some fun.
Basically, what I'm saying here is YAY! for vacation and rest and most of all, knowing that God is always there, to help carry my burdens (and to share in the joys!)
Matthew 11:27-29 (New International Version)
27"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
I've been tired lately. The culprit? Stress @ work. It's not a bad job at all, just one full of unexpected challenges and adventures. But recent weeks have been hard, and to say my vacation came at a perfect time would be a HUGE understatement. But Jesus knows that we need to rest- our minds, hearts, bodies, spirit...all of it. One thing I'm thankful for is God's timing- He knew I'd need a break this week and He knew just the things to provide me with refreshment. He also gave me a husband who knows how hard it is for me to stop going & thinking but who continues to find ways to encourage me to rest or stop to have some fun.
Basically, what I'm saying here is YAY! for vacation and rest and most of all, knowing that God is always there, to help carry my burdens (and to share in the joys!)
Monday, August 2, 2010
Our 2nd Anniversary
Day 24 of 30:
About this exact time two years ago Howie and I said "I do" on east campus at RBC. I'm so thankful that the Lord brought Howie into my life not only as my husband, but also as my best friend. He's amazing. He makes my life better and he brings me joy. I'm thankful for the two years we've had and all the many more the Lord will give us.
Today we celebrated with krispy kreme donuts (if you're familiar with our wedding, we had a pyramid of donuts instead of cake since it was a morning wedding).
Here's one of my favorite pictures from one of my favorite days:
About this exact time two years ago Howie and I said "I do" on east campus at RBC. I'm so thankful that the Lord brought Howie into my life not only as my husband, but also as my best friend. He's amazing. He makes my life better and he brings me joy. I'm thankful for the two years we've had and all the many more the Lord will give us.
Today we celebrated with krispy kreme donuts (if you're familiar with our wedding, we had a pyramid of donuts instead of cake since it was a morning wedding).
Here's one of my favorite pictures from one of my favorite days:
Sunday, August 1, 2010
A birthday and an anniversary
Day 23 of 30:
Today I'm thankful for a couple of things. First, it's my husband's birthday, so that's exciting. It's also my parent's anniversary. They've been married 18 years and I'm thankful for the positive examples they've set for me over the years on how to have a God-filled marriage.
Once again I'm thankful too for our Sunday School class. It challenges me and I love the discussions our class engages in each week. The closing verse we read today really stood out:
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act.
~Proverbs 3:27 (NIV)
We studied in Proverbs today about giving and someone in class suggested we read this verse. I'm sure I've read it before, but this time it really stood out. My parents always set a positive example of giving...time, money, resources...whatever. My husband has a heart for giving as well and I know that my heart for giving, while most definitely of the Lord, is a result of my parents teaching. It's also a reason why I love my husband so much- because he too loves the Lord enough to follow God's teachings on giving.
Today I'm thankful for a couple of things. First, it's my husband's birthday, so that's exciting. It's also my parent's anniversary. They've been married 18 years and I'm thankful for the positive examples they've set for me over the years on how to have a God-filled marriage.
Once again I'm thankful too for our Sunday School class. It challenges me and I love the discussions our class engages in each week. The closing verse we read today really stood out:
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act.
~Proverbs 3:27 (NIV)
We studied in Proverbs today about giving and someone in class suggested we read this verse. I'm sure I've read it before, but this time it really stood out. My parents always set a positive example of giving...time, money, resources...whatever. My husband has a heart for giving as well and I know that my heart for giving, while most definitely of the Lord, is a result of my parents teaching. It's also a reason why I love my husband so much- because he too loves the Lord enough to follow God's teachings on giving.
Favorite places
Day 22 of 30:
(posted for yesterday, since we got home late)
There are soooo many things to be thankful for today. It was just a really good day. Howie and I spent part of the afternoon in Elizabeth City, where we both went to college. We went to meet my parents for dinner, who were in the area this weekend, and E-city is a good halfway mark.
But before meeting them we went to East Campus, which is part of RBC. This was the location of our wedding. It was fun going back there, especially since our anniversary is Aug. 2. We also went to Waterfront Park...also special to us for many reasons. That's where we took a walk to the day we started dating. And it's where we met the morning of our wedding to share our first kiss. I really just love E-city.
East Campus:
Where we said "I Do":
Waterfront Park:
I'm also thankful for dinner with my parents. We don't get to see either of our families very often, so dinner, short as it was, meant a lot.
Overall, it was a great Saturday and good start to our vacation.
(posted for yesterday, since we got home late)
There are soooo many things to be thankful for today. It was just a really good day. Howie and I spent part of the afternoon in Elizabeth City, where we both went to college. We went to meet my parents for dinner, who were in the area this weekend, and E-city is a good halfway mark.
But before meeting them we went to East Campus, which is part of RBC. This was the location of our wedding. It was fun going back there, especially since our anniversary is Aug. 2. We also went to Waterfront Park...also special to us for many reasons. That's where we took a walk to the day we started dating. And it's where we met the morning of our wedding to share our first kiss. I really just love E-city.
East Campus:
Where we said "I Do":
Waterfront Park:
I'm also thankful for dinner with my parents. We don't get to see either of our families very often, so dinner, short as it was, meant a lot.
Overall, it was a great Saturday and good start to our vacation.
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