This is the reason for the "season"
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Snack on this thought
Ever wonder why we sin? Why, after being tempted with something, we make the choice to sin? Why do we harden our necks and go through with it?
Sometimes, we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of sin and want to run for our lives but most of the time, we choose to do it. Why?
Proverbs 16:6 says, "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil."
Our problem is that we don't fear the Lord at that particular moment.
Now, I'm not talking about the kind of fear that a child has toward an abusive parent, for example, but the kind of fear that sits in your knowledge, and understanding that God is all mighty, powerful and able to give but also take away. A reverence for who He is. That kind of fear.
Colossians 3:16 comes to mind, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
If we continually focus on praising God, we will have a reverent fear in our heart toward God.
I can recommend a couple of sites that our family listens to all day. It is www.fbnradio.com who has preaching and music, and my favorite station is www.wordoftruthradio.org (click listen, then "relaxing hymns station", then choose "listen with windows", then ok) This station has only instrumental hymns. I wake up in the morning, after my run, devotions and shower, turn this station and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in our home all day. It sets the tone for righteous living.
Well, so much for a snack. Hope your full.
Sometimes, we find ourselves smack dab in the middle of sin and want to run for our lives but most of the time, we choose to do it. Why?
Proverbs 16:6 says, "By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD [men] depart from evil."
Our problem is that we don't fear the Lord at that particular moment.
Now, I'm not talking about the kind of fear that a child has toward an abusive parent, for example, but the kind of fear that sits in your knowledge, and understanding that God is all mighty, powerful and able to give but also take away. A reverence for who He is. That kind of fear.
Colossians 3:16 comes to mind, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."
If we continually focus on praising God, we will have a reverent fear in our heart toward God.
I can recommend a couple of sites that our family listens to all day. It is www.fbnradio.com who has preaching and music, and my favorite station is www.wordoftruthradio.org (click listen, then "relaxing hymns station", then choose "listen with windows", then ok) This station has only instrumental hymns. I wake up in the morning, after my run, devotions and shower, turn this station and allow the Holy Spirit to dwell in our home all day. It sets the tone for righteous living.
Well, so much for a snack. Hope your full.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Run (your name), Run!
I tried to find a "catchy" title about running but my mind is a blank...lol
Yesterday, I went running and as always, it felt great. I am amazed at the detoxification that's done from running or walking at a fast pace.
I haven't been following the suggestions that I put on top of the blog because I didn't find it challenging enough. Once I saw I could run the whole distance, I decided to just keep it up and build up my endurance.
When I went running yesterday, I saw something that scared me but the thought of sharing what I saw made me laugh. Here is the scenario in sequence.
I'm warming up with a brisk walk. "It's hard to walk today (yesterday), the snow/rain that fell made the roads slushy, it's like walking in sand. Hmmm where could I walk? In the tire track or should I walk here, on the side of the road where there is just snow? Well, look at that! I just crossed over a trail of fresh deer or moose tracks....sigh..."
Now you can say you've seen inside my mind... lol. Yes, this is how I talk to myself, that's what I sound like... lol
Ya.. so I was a little freaked out when I saw that and was very quickly reminded that I had not prayed for the Lord to protect me, needless to say, I jumped into that mode in no time.
BUT TODAY! I was bringing MJ to come walking with me. I did not need to be afraid. Slim, tiny, timid MJ came for a run with me. When we almost arrived back home, I chuckled to myself thinking, I'm not sure who I would be safer with, Samuel or MJ.
Anyway, I ran a little faster and thought I would put a bit more resistance in my workout, and MJ was all for it. This is the game we played... ok, she played, I resisted. Every time a car would come by, which was more frequently as we got closer to 6:30am, MJ would get scared and want to run through the ditch and into the field... so I resisted... hence tug of war was added to my cardio workout because it was not challenging enough it seemed. :/ LOL
I say that with a tone of comic because that's how my mind is when it comes to unusual events in my life, it keeps me laughing which I LOVE to do.
So, that was my running experiences for yesterday and today. Tomorrow, I plan to bring MJ along again since it's good for her and I DID feel a little safer, maybe it's because I was running faster.
In my devotions today, I was reading in Proverbs 15 and Jeremiah chapter 23 and 24. I noticed that in Jeremiah, we read much about how God is not impressed with the prophets who lead His people astray, saying, "God has said..." The Lord talks a lot about how He will "take care" of the wicked which has led my thought in the direction, which is incorrect, of why is He not "taking care" of the wicked in today's day and age. Why are there people who hate God, deny their family of time and affection for the love of trips and toys and that they seem to have it all? I know that they don't but our flesh will sometimes look at others and wonder why is my hard working husband who is growing in the Lord and serving God not getting a break and they are? Or maybe we focus on why not me?
There are so many answers, that we can find in the bible for those questions and I found another one today in Jeremiah 24. You would need to read the whole chapter to get everything in context. It is a short chapter. Basically, God takes something Jeremiah is noticing and using it for an illustration to help Jeremiah to understand what is going to happen. God says that He will," I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for [their] good. For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull [them] down; and I will plant them, and not pluck [them] up."
These people, who served God, were being brought captive by King Nebuchadnezzar into another country to be slaves, yet God is going to use this for good in their life.
Sometimes, we think we have it rough, like running in the slush, but we don't see where this part of life is bringing us. We think we are captive and fell enslaved by a trial but in reality, if you are right with God and He is not trying to get your attention because you have turned your back on Him, He is using this for good.
My running in the slush, made me have to work harder, my feet were wet and cold but I can feel a difference in my thighs today and the firming up it has done. "Playing" tug of war with MJ this morning when a car drove by will help build her trust in me and perhaps do something I can't see yet.
Having a relationship with God, that is being fed with having communion with God, spending time talking and listening to Him and reading His Word, is one that is compare to a hiding place or a refuge. When you don't understand the trials of life, instead of "murmuring and disputing", we can just trust in our Lord to guide us, teach us and to draw strength from.
This is what makes a relationship with God become so sweet.
How appropriately is Jeremiah 24:7 (we can count on Him 24/7), "And I will give them an heart to know me, that I [am] the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart."
That is the purpose and it is repeated over and over again in the bible like in Romans 8:28-29, "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. 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."
Run the race, don't get sluggish.
Yesterday, I went running and as always, it felt great. I am amazed at the detoxification that's done from running or walking at a fast pace.
I haven't been following the suggestions that I put on top of the blog because I didn't find it challenging enough. Once I saw I could run the whole distance, I decided to just keep it up and build up my endurance.
When I went running yesterday, I saw something that scared me but the thought of sharing what I saw made me laugh. Here is the scenario in sequence.
I'm warming up with a brisk walk. "It's hard to walk today (yesterday), the snow/rain that fell made the roads slushy, it's like walking in sand. Hmmm where could I walk? In the tire track or should I walk here, on the side of the road where there is just snow? Well, look at that! I just crossed over a trail of fresh deer or moose tracks....sigh..."
Now you can say you've seen inside my mind... lol. Yes, this is how I talk to myself, that's what I sound like... lol
Ya.. so I was a little freaked out when I saw that and was very quickly reminded that I had not prayed for the Lord to protect me, needless to say, I jumped into that mode in no time.
BUT TODAY! I was bringing MJ to come walking with me. I did not need to be afraid. Slim, tiny, timid MJ came for a run with me. When we almost arrived back home, I chuckled to myself thinking, I'm not sure who I would be safer with, Samuel or MJ.
Anyway, I ran a little faster and thought I would put a bit more resistance in my workout, and MJ was all for it. This is the game we played... ok, she played, I resisted. Every time a car would come by, which was more frequently as we got closer to 6:30am, MJ would get scared and want to run through the ditch and into the field... so I resisted... hence tug of war was added to my cardio workout because it was not challenging enough it seemed. :/ LOL
I say that with a tone of comic because that's how my mind is when it comes to unusual events in my life, it keeps me laughing which I LOVE to do.
So, that was my running experiences for yesterday and today. Tomorrow, I plan to bring MJ along again since it's good for her and I DID feel a little safer, maybe it's because I was running faster.
In my devotions today, I was reading in Proverbs 15 and Jeremiah chapter 23 and 24. I noticed that in Jeremiah, we read much about how God is not impressed with the prophets who lead His people astray, saying, "God has said..." The Lord talks a lot about how He will "take care" of the wicked which has led my thought in the direction, which is incorrect, of why is He not "taking care" of the wicked in today's day and age. Why are there people who hate God, deny their family of time and affection for the love of trips and toys and that they seem to have it all? I know that they don't but our flesh will sometimes look at others and wonder why is my hard working husband who is growing in the Lord and serving God not getting a break and they are? Or maybe we focus on why not me?
There are so many answers, that we can find in the bible for those questions and I found another one today in Jeremiah 24. You would need to read the whole chapter to get everything in context. It is a short chapter. Basically, God takes something Jeremiah is noticing and using it for an illustration to help Jeremiah to understand what is going to happen. God says that He will," I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans for [their] good. For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and not pull [them] down; and I will plant them, and not pluck [them] up."
These people, who served God, were being brought captive by King Nebuchadnezzar into another country to be slaves, yet God is going to use this for good in their life.
Sometimes, we think we have it rough, like running in the slush, but we don't see where this part of life is bringing us. We think we are captive and fell enslaved by a trial but in reality, if you are right with God and He is not trying to get your attention because you have turned your back on Him, He is using this for good.
My running in the slush, made me have to work harder, my feet were wet and cold but I can feel a difference in my thighs today and the firming up it has done. "Playing" tug of war with MJ this morning when a car drove by will help build her trust in me and perhaps do something I can't see yet.
Having a relationship with God, that is being fed with having communion with God, spending time talking and listening to Him and reading His Word, is one that is compare to a hiding place or a refuge. When you don't understand the trials of life, instead of "murmuring and disputing", we can just trust in our Lord to guide us, teach us and to draw strength from.
This is what makes a relationship with God become so sweet.
How appropriately is Jeremiah 24:7 (we can count on Him 24/7), "And I will give them an heart to know me, that I [am] the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart."
That is the purpose and it is repeated over and over again in the bible like in Romans 8:28-29, "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. 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."
Run the race, don't get sluggish.
Monday, December 14, 2009
I present to you...MJ!
She is a shepherd mix. I think she might be mix with Doberman, somewhere down the line. She is very polite, sweet and gentle. MJ is 9 months.
When she arrived at home, on her leash, she walked through the house with Samuel by her side. He really loves her. She got to sniff every room but the dinning room and kitchen. Calico, our female cat, and MJ met at the stairs to the basement. At first Calico kept walking towards us, she then noticed MJ and quickly ran away. MJ just stood there and sort of like saying, "Is it something I said?" lol. She just turned around and kept exploring the house.
The kids went outside with her twice already and she seems to really like it. We are keeping her on her leash for now, which was suggested by the SPCA. She didn't seem to do well while be tested with handling. In other words, would get agitated when being touched or patted quickly. She is responding really well and I think, so far, she is the perfect match for our family.
We had prayed that the Lord would help us find the right dog and that we would know when we saw him/her. As always, God has been faithfull.
I would like to encourage you, if you plan to get a dog, to visit the SPCA or shelter in your area. It is true that many dogs have issues but they deserve a good, loving home. The people at the Moncton SPCA were wonderful! They were more than willing to help, answer our questions and give us advice. The whole experience has been a blessing and we learnt so much.
Here are some very amator photographs of MJ (Mary Jane) only an hour after getting home.
The last photograph, almost puts a knot in my throat, seeing Samuel and MJ enjoying one another.
When she arrived at home, on her leash, she walked through the house with Samuel by her side. He really loves her. She got to sniff every room but the dinning room and kitchen. Calico, our female cat, and MJ met at the stairs to the basement. At first Calico kept walking towards us, she then noticed MJ and quickly ran away. MJ just stood there and sort of like saying, "Is it something I said?" lol. She just turned around and kept exploring the house.
The kids went outside with her twice already and she seems to really like it. We are keeping her on her leash for now, which was suggested by the SPCA. She didn't seem to do well while be tested with handling. In other words, would get agitated when being touched or patted quickly. She is responding really well and I think, so far, she is the perfect match for our family.
We had prayed that the Lord would help us find the right dog and that we would know when we saw him/her. As always, God has been faithfull.
I would like to encourage you, if you plan to get a dog, to visit the SPCA or shelter in your area. It is true that many dogs have issues but they deserve a good, loving home. The people at the Moncton SPCA were wonderful! They were more than willing to help, answer our questions and give us advice. The whole experience has been a blessing and we learnt so much.
Here are some very amator photographs of MJ (Mary Jane) only an hour after getting home.
The last photograph, almost puts a knot in my throat, seeing Samuel and MJ enjoying one another.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Some Funnies...
Do you remember the show, "Kids say the darndest things!"? I used to love that show.
As we did school this morning, Jacob said something that made me chuckle which then reminded me of something my oldest son told me the other day, which made me laugh.
Thought I'd share them with you.
If you have one, please post it.
Jacob, finished writing a sentence in french and read it to me, then said, "That's impressif eh mom?!" LOL "Yes, you're right... ".
Samuel was sitting on the love seat in our bedroom, watching me do my hair before we went out. He said to me, in French, "Mom... I'm glad you're fat." I waited to see where he was going with this, although, in my mind I was shocked slightly offended... lol. "Really, why?" I replied. "It's just because, with your hair like that and your face, too many men would want you." My heart melted and I couldn't help but chuckle inside. hee, hee, hee. I wasn't sure how to respond to I just said, "Oh, I understand...."
Enjoy the funny things your children say because Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. "
As we did school this morning, Jacob said something that made me chuckle which then reminded me of something my oldest son told me the other day, which made me laugh.
Thought I'd share them with you.
If you have one, please post it.
Jacob, finished writing a sentence in french and read it to me, then said, "That's impressif eh mom?!" LOL "Yes, you're right... ".
Samuel was sitting on the love seat in our bedroom, watching me do my hair before we went out. He said to me, in French, "Mom... I'm glad you're fat." I waited to see where he was going with this, although, in my mind I was shocked slightly offended... lol. "Really, why?" I replied. "It's just because, with your hair like that and your face, too many men would want you." My heart melted and I couldn't help but chuckle inside. hee, hee, hee. I wasn't sure how to respond to I just said, "Oh, I understand...."
Enjoy the funny things your children say because Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart doeth good [like] a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. "
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