Jeremiah 17:7-8
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in him.
He will be like a tree planted by the water
that sends out its roots by the stream.
It does not fear when the heat comes;
its leaves are always green.
It has no worries in a year of drought
and never fails to bear fruit.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Faith in "The Blessed Controller"
I like how Dillow calls God "the Blessed Controller". Reminds me that yes He is in control of all things and I can rest in Him and His goodness.
This 9th chapter is about Faith. Dillow talks about how we can have faith in God because of who He is, because of His character. Hebrews 10:23 talks about how trustworthy God is; the old testament gives us many accounts of His work in peoples' lives that illustrates His faithfulness and trustworthiness.
Dillow asks the reader to write a prayer that tells God that the reader wanst to focus on God's character, wants to live a life based on faith vrs the reader's feelings in response to a specific situation in the reader's life right now.
This directive is perfect for me right now, today. Last night my 21yr old son emailed me to tell me that he'd asked Ginger to marry him. I knew it was coming, Devon had told me, even shown me the ring he was buying. But somehow, it actually being DONE....it really hit me. They are so young, they are both so busy being in their last year at West Point, how can they have time to learn about what marriage really means (neither of them had good family backgrounds). But God is in control and I can trust Him with this:
Oh Father, I thank You that You are indeed the Blessed Controller of all. I praise You that You are True; that in this world I can always count on You. I praise You for Your trustworthiness! I thank You that You love Devon and Ginger and that You have good plans for their lives. Father, my feelings are all over the place right now; but I want my life to be based on faith in You, not on my feelings. May You empower me through Your Holy Spirit to live that way. Thank You Father.
This 9th chapter is about Faith. Dillow talks about how we can have faith in God because of who He is, because of His character. Hebrews 10:23 talks about how trustworthy God is; the old testament gives us many accounts of His work in peoples' lives that illustrates His faithfulness and trustworthiness.
Dillow asks the reader to write a prayer that tells God that the reader wanst to focus on God's character, wants to live a life based on faith vrs the reader's feelings in response to a specific situation in the reader's life right now.
This directive is perfect for me right now, today. Last night my 21yr old son emailed me to tell me that he'd asked Ginger to marry him. I knew it was coming, Devon had told me, even shown me the ring he was buying. But somehow, it actually being DONE....it really hit me. They are so young, they are both so busy being in their last year at West Point, how can they have time to learn about what marriage really means (neither of them had good family backgrounds). But God is in control and I can trust Him with this:
Oh Father, I thank You that You are indeed the Blessed Controller of all. I praise You that You are True; that in this world I can always count on You. I praise You for Your trustworthiness! I thank You that You love Devon and Ginger and that You have good plans for their lives. Father, my feelings are all over the place right now; but I want my life to be based on faith in You, not on my feelings. May You empower me through Your Holy Spirit to live that way. Thank You Father.
Week 8 memory verse
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Life Pupose Statement
I think I'm making this too difficult.
I've already got my life purpose statement.
Oh Father, I continue to pray for guidance in the area of ministry. Thank You for showing me that my sons and husband are my first ministry and showing me ways to love - be patient and kind toward them, on a daily basis. Show me any other things You want from me. May my life be completely Yours.
I've already got my life purpose statement.
I want to live my life whole heartedly for God with Him in the driver's seat. I want my life to be consumed with loving God and loving people in ways that are real each and every day.
Oh Father, I continue to pray for guidance in the area of ministry. Thank You for showing me that my sons and husband are my first ministry and showing me ways to love - be patient and kind toward them, on a daily basis. Show me any other things You want from me. May my life be completely Yours.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Working on my Life Purpose Statement
I want to live my life whole heartedly for God with Him in the driver's seat. I want my life to be consumed with loving God and loving people in ways that are real each and every day.
So how do I do that?
I'm just going to brainstorm here:
Oh heavenly father, show me what You want me to do. I want to help hurting people and give them love. Yet here I am in this idyllic little mountain town (but I know there are hurting people everywhere). Just show me what to do. I feel like my life is so much about my comfort and pleasure right now; which is great and I appreciate it. But I want to make the most of my time and do not believe that I'm doing that right now. You knew before all time that I would be out of work right now - what do You want me to do? Please help me hear Your voice and know it is You and be obedient. Thank You Father.
So how do I do that?
I'm just going to brainstorm here:
- Every morning start my day with God. Spend time praising Him, loving on Him.
- Throughout the day keep my eyes open for blessings in my life and appreciate all the blessings and thank God for them.
- Throughout each day keep my eyes open for practical ways I can extend love to others. It can be super little things like letting the guy behind me who just has a couple of items go ahead in front of me when shopping at the grocery store. The main thing is just keeping my eyes open for opportunities so I won't miss them.
- Keep in focus the why of the tasks of daily life. This includes things like cooking great food for my sons, keeping the house clean and a pleasant atmosphere, laundry, etc. The main thing here is perspective - it's not just dull, routine tasks, it's with the purpose of loving God via obedience to do my best where I am at in life and loving my husband & children in very practical ways.
Oh heavenly father, show me what You want me to do. I want to help hurting people and give them love. Yet here I am in this idyllic little mountain town (but I know there are hurting people everywhere). Just show me what to do. I feel like my life is so much about my comfort and pleasure right now; which is great and I appreciate it. But I want to make the most of my time and do not believe that I'm doing that right now. You knew before all time that I would be out of work right now - what do You want me to do? Please help me hear Your voice and know it is You and be obedient. Thank You Father.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Week 7 memory verse
Ephesians 5:15-17
Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Here's the reason for wanting to put together a life purpose statement.
Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
Here's the reason for wanting to put together a life purpose statement.
Life purpose statement - starting the process
Chapter 7 is about living our lives with focus. Dillow talks about having a life statement of purpose. God's timing is, as always, so good. Lately the pastor has been speaking on what do you want to do with you life, talking about how if we do not know where we are going we can not know when we arrive. Dillow gives 4 women and their life purpose statements as examples; I really like it because they are each very different from one another in their approach. The main similairty is that each of these women want to totally all out live for God; but each of them have a unique angle on it.
But each of them has one or more verses connected with their purpose so I want to start there. I have always said that the passage in Matthew 22:37-40 is what I want my life to be all about. Here's that passage in NLT:
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Oh Father thank You for being involved in my life. Thank You for saving me and bringing me to Yourself. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that You don't give up on me. Help me to life wholeheartedly, every day for You. May my life be totally Yours. Help me to love You and Love people every day in ways that are real. Help me find a way that will be useful to this end to write out a life purpose statement.
But each of them has one or more verses connected with their purpose so I want to start there. I have always said that the passage in Matthew 22:37-40 is what I want my life to be all about. Here's that passage in NLT:
37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
Oh Father thank You for being involved in my life. Thank You for saving me and bringing me to Yourself. Thank You for Your grace and mercy that You don't give up on me. Help me to life wholeheartedly, every day for You. May my life be totally Yours. Help me to love You and Love people every day in ways that are real. Help me find a way that will be useful to this end to write out a life purpose statement.
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