Some say the world is coming to an end this Saturday, May 21st.
I do not believe this to be true by any stretch of the imagination, but I do believe it gives food for thought.
What if this really was my last day to walk this earth?
My last day to parent and hug and kiss and tickle my children.
My last day to breathe sweet spring smells, feel whirling wind,see a sunset.
My last day to tell my parents how grateful I am for raising me to know Christ.
My last day to serve and love and encourage my husband.
My last day to live.
There would be regrets.
I am the queen of procrastination, always thinking, "I'll do that later" or "one day I'll get to that." But today is the day. Today is the day for finally making it down to the homeless shelter to volunteer my time. Today is the day to witness to others of Christ's amazing gift of salvation. Today is the day to give and live and love with all my heart.
The only moment I am promised is now.
So if Saturday really is the last day my breath is given, how will I spend my waking hours? How will you spend yours?
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Wake Up Call!
Confession: Most days I have a bad attitude.
More than I would like to admit, I find myself waking up to the sound of boys jumping out of bunkbeds to go crashing into their sister's room, only to be followed by hollering, hitting, and toy throwing. And also, more often than I would like to admit, I find myself wanting to cover my head with my pillow and wish for some peace and quiet.
Some days I tire of the potty training, meal making, tantrum throwing, dog jumping, school complaining days.
Some days home is not a happy place to be.
Then I have to wake myself up to the reality that I set the tone for my household. My environment is shaped by me. God sends little reminders to help shift my focus from the mayhem to the Master.
"Do everything without complaining or arguing." Philippians 2:14
Ouch! Most days, complaining is my mantra. But, wasn't I just reading about the Israelites who complained about EVERY thing - no food, no water, no shoes. . . and their seeds of discontentment bore the bitter fruit of wandering the wilderness and eventual death in the place they complained so much about.
God is not pleased with a complaining heart.
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5
Wow! My attitude needs help. I see it reflected in the rolling eyes of my 7 year old. My children see my unwillingness to serve. . . my selfish heart and it is reflected in their behavior. They are mirrors of me, and instead of seeing the beautiful humility of Christ, there is pride which leads to strife. Christ's attitude was one of submissive obedience, He only did the perfect and complete will of the Father. My attitudes and actions should reflect that of my Savior.
He also sends a little encouragement:
"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
He has not abandoned me to these sinful plagues upon my heart. My Lord will not forget the work He called me to for His purpose and His glory. He will complete it. This sanctifying process is not easy. His light exposes the hidden things, but through His might we can overcome the darkness.
More than I would like to admit, I find myself waking up to the sound of boys jumping out of bunkbeds to go crashing into their sister's room, only to be followed by hollering, hitting, and toy throwing. And also, more often than I would like to admit, I find myself wanting to cover my head with my pillow and wish for some peace and quiet.
Some days I tire of the potty training, meal making, tantrum throwing, dog jumping, school complaining days.
Some days home is not a happy place to be.
Then I have to wake myself up to the reality that I set the tone for my household. My environment is shaped by me. God sends little reminders to help shift my focus from the mayhem to the Master.
"Do everything without complaining or arguing." Philippians 2:14
Ouch! Most days, complaining is my mantra. But, wasn't I just reading about the Israelites who complained about EVERY thing - no food, no water, no shoes. . . and their seeds of discontentment bore the bitter fruit of wandering the wilderness and eventual death in the place they complained so much about.
God is not pleased with a complaining heart.
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:5
Wow! My attitude needs help. I see it reflected in the rolling eyes of my 7 year old. My children see my unwillingness to serve. . . my selfish heart and it is reflected in their behavior. They are mirrors of me, and instead of seeing the beautiful humility of Christ, there is pride which leads to strife. Christ's attitude was one of submissive obedience, He only did the perfect and complete will of the Father. My attitudes and actions should reflect that of my Savior.
He also sends a little encouragement:
"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6
He has not abandoned me to these sinful plagues upon my heart. My Lord will not forget the work He called me to for His purpose and His glory. He will complete it. This sanctifying process is not easy. His light exposes the hidden things, but through His might we can overcome the darkness.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Simply Love
By the side door of my home, near my keys and purse and coat, sits a box. Just a small, simple, unpainted wooden box. It's there as a reminder - to love.
Years ago, when I taught Vacation Bible School we learned about Jewish traditions - the Passover meal, the tasseled prayer shawl of the rabbi, and the mezzuzah. The mezzuzah is a box placed on the doorpost of every Jewish home that holds the words of the Shema, the greatest prayer and commandment of the Old Testament. Whenever someone comes in or goes out of the doorway they are to touch the box and remember the words contained inside. Some may even kiss their fingers before they place them on the box.
How beautiful! What a simple yet meaningful way to bring to life the words of the Word.
But how often do I miss it? How often do I reach up for my keys to go and forget to touch, forget my Lord's command?
Today, I open the box and uncurl wrinkled and worn paper to read, to see, to hear. . .
"Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Be still and hear.
Our God wants us to do something. . . to love Him.
Is what I'm about to do loving God? Is where I'm going pleasing to Him?
Have I used my strength for His glory?
Is my soul filled and overflowing with love for my Lord, and am I telling others about Him?
While I'm walking along the road, or sitting in my home, or lying in my bed are my thoughts and words of Him?
I am to bind these words on my hands and keep them in my mind. These are words of life. These are words of truth. This is the will of God.
This is the path He has for me. . . to walk in His love.
May I have the fortitude of heart and mind to keep this command before me every moment of every day.
(repost)
Grateful today for. . .
109. His holy commands that lead to life
110. No training wheels!
111. Moonbeams through soft clouds
112. Walking us through valleys
113. Hearing our prayers
114. Drawing near
115. Bible study encouragement
116. 9 days of school left
117. Summer plans
118. 'Beauty for ashes'
Years ago, when I taught Vacation Bible School we learned about Jewish traditions - the Passover meal, the tasseled prayer shawl of the rabbi, and the mezzuzah. The mezzuzah is a box placed on the doorpost of every Jewish home that holds the words of the Shema, the greatest prayer and commandment of the Old Testament. Whenever someone comes in or goes out of the doorway they are to touch the box and remember the words contained inside. Some may even kiss their fingers before they place them on the box.
How beautiful! What a simple yet meaningful way to bring to life the words of the Word.
But how often do I miss it? How often do I reach up for my keys to go and forget to touch, forget my Lord's command?
Today, I open the box and uncurl wrinkled and worn paper to read, to see, to hear. . .
"Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Be still and hear.
Our God wants us to do something. . . to love Him.
Is what I'm about to do loving God? Is where I'm going pleasing to Him?
Have I used my strength for His glory?
Is my soul filled and overflowing with love for my Lord, and am I telling others about Him?
While I'm walking along the road, or sitting in my home, or lying in my bed are my thoughts and words of Him?
I am to bind these words on my hands and keep them in my mind. These are words of life. These are words of truth. This is the will of God.
This is the path He has for me. . . to walk in His love.
May I have the fortitude of heart and mind to keep this command before me every moment of every day.
(repost)
Grateful today for. . .
109. His holy commands that lead to life
110. No training wheels!
111. Moonbeams through soft clouds
112. Walking us through valleys
113. Hearing our prayers
114. Drawing near
115. Bible study encouragement
116. 9 days of school left
117. Summer plans
118. 'Beauty for ashes'
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The crown came only after the cross.
The glory after the pain.
Sometimes I forget that this life is the hard and joyous path I must walk.
Sometimes that path is not easy.
Sometimes there is heartache.
Sometimes there is pain.
Sometimes there is loss.
Christ never promised an easy road.
He did promise we would never have to walk it alone.
He already walked the hardest path any man ever had to walk.
He already did the hard part.
He already paid the price.
Now it is my turn to live my devotion to my Lord.
Now comes the hard part - not being a hearer only, but a doer of the Word.
And when it is all said and done we will have our joy. . . being with Him.
The glory after the pain.
Sometimes I forget that this life is the hard and joyous path I must walk.
Sometimes that path is not easy.
Sometimes there is heartache.
Sometimes there is pain.
Sometimes there is loss.
Christ never promised an easy road.
He did promise we would never have to walk it alone.
He already walked the hardest path any man ever had to walk.
He already did the hard part.
He already paid the price.
Now it is my turn to live my devotion to my Lord.
Now comes the hard part - not being a hearer only, but a doer of the Word.
And when it is all said and done we will have our joy. . . being with Him.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Mother Love
I love the sight of pajama clad children carrying a breakfast tray of cereal and juice to me on Mother's Day morn.
I love the fingerprinted flowers made just for me.
I love the sweet song, "Happy Mother's Day To You" sung by adoring little faces.
I love the light in their eyes and the love in their hearts for. . . me.
I love celebrating mothers in church while singing in worship to our Savior.
I love handmade Sunday School cards.
I love having a special lunch out and kissing chocolate covered noses.
I love the little one who keeps saying, "Happy Birthday Mommy!"
I love snuggling next to my girl for an afternoon nap.
I love outside play time and dinner on the deck.
I love my husband who made this beautiful day possible.
I love bedtime stories and goodnight kisses.
I love being a mother!
I love the fingerprinted flowers made just for me.
I love the sweet song, "Happy Mother's Day To You" sung by adoring little faces.
I love the light in their eyes and the love in their hearts for. . . me.
I love celebrating mothers in church while singing in worship to our Savior.
I love handmade Sunday School cards.
I love having a special lunch out and kissing chocolate covered noses.
I love the little one who keeps saying, "Happy Birthday Mommy!"
I love snuggling next to my girl for an afternoon nap.
I love outside play time and dinner on the deck.
I love my husband who made this beautiful day possible.
I love bedtime stories and goodnight kisses.
I love being a mother!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Knowing Him
"If there's a God who would enter humanity to capture the
heart of a rebel like me. . . I want to know His name. . .
I want to know that man." -Christa Wells
I want to know this man who left glory to give all. I want to know this man of sorrows who walked the broken road to reconcile the rebels to the Father. I want to know this man who loves me. . . a fallen, dark, sin stained mess of a mother who fails daily. . .
I want to know this man who finds worth in the weary ones, who lifts us up and tenderly heals our wounds and tells us we are loved and worth the sacrifice of His life. To know the Savior, to know Him and to trust Him with our very lives. . . that is an excellent goal.
May we all seek to know the Savior. Seek Him through His Word and know 'God made flesh,' know the lover of our souls.
Thankful today for. . .
100. a way to know Him more
101. the gift of music
102. bright, cheerful mornings
103. coupons (especially for fudge dipped cookies)
104. free samples in the grocery store right at lunch time
105. singing sweeties "Marching to Zion"
106. bunkbeds for boys
107. giggles in the night
108. a good night's sleep
Monday, April 25, 2011
He Is Risen!
He Is Risen!
He is risen and death is defeated!
He is risen and the enemy is conquered!
He is risen and Life is victorious!
He is risen and there is no more mourning!
He is risen and the Christ followers rejoice!
He is risen and we have hope!
He is risen and the heavens proclaim it!
He is risen and the angels burst into song!
He is risen and there is new life in Him!
He is risen and salvation is complete!
Rejoice for our Savior is alive and seated at the right hand of God the Father!
Thankful today for. . .
91. A risen Savior!
92. First morning meetings with Mary
93. Running disciples
94. Emmaus walks
95. His way of breaking bread
96. Passover meals shared with wide-eyed children
97. Hiding the 'afikomen' bread and having the children find this Christ symbol
98. The bittersweet cup of redemption
99. Joy coming in the morning
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