15 December 2009

Chasing Rainbows

Every time since I had a miscarriage in 2002, when I am discouraged or stressed or upset, the Lord always gives me rainbows as a sign of hope and His promise that He will never leave me or forsake me. In Genesis, after the flood that destroyed the earth, the Lord gave Noah that same sign.

God's covenant with everyone:

Genesis 9:12-17 states, "12 And God said: “This is the sign of the covenant which I make between Me and you, and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. 14 It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; 15 and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 And God said to Noah, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Ezekiel's vision of the Lord:
 
26 And above the firmament over their heads was the likeness of a throne, in appearance like a sapphire stone; on the likeness of the throne was a likeness with the appearance of a man high above it. 27 Also from the appearance of His waist and upward I saw, as it were, the color of amber with the appearance of fire all around within it; and from the appearance of His waist and downward I saw, as it were, the appearance of fire with brightness all around. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD.
 
And another vision of the Lord:
 
Revelation 4:2-3 2 Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. 3 And He who sat there was[a] like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.
 
Today, on the way to work, I saw the MOST BEAUTIFUL rainbow...it was tall in the sky, but I only saw one of the posts of it. It had swirly stuff around it...I saw it all the way from Starbucks on Tyndall Parkway until I drove into the parking lot at work (off Thomas Drive). I got to look at it for about 30 minutes.
 
I have been struggling with anxiety and been under some serious spiritual warfare lately. I know the Lord gives me these visual signs to remimd me to keep focused on Him, not my circumstances. I will continue to chase rainbows with all my heart!

13 December 2009

This Is How We Christmas....Decorations Edition!



Lisa at The Preacher's Wife blog has asked us to blog about our decorations this week. This December has been so crazy and hectic that I have had to do decorating a little at a time. We got our Christmas tree last Saturday. Like Lisa, I got several tree branches to use for decorations... I got up early Tuesday morning before work to put the lights on it, and I placed the box of ornaments on the floor beside the tree and told Dave (hubby) and Shane (19) to put ornaments on the tree as you walk by it. So yesterday, the tree was half decorated. I took breaks between writing a paper for my course (due Wed) and finished decorating the tree...then we had to go to get a tree topper, because I could not find the angel topper :)  Dave and Shane got the lights up yesterday, and so we are pretty well set...

Nativity Set

I bought this set at Kirklands in 2001...it has actually survived intact, with no broken pieces, for the last 8 years!





Decorations

Like Lisa was saying in her blog, my husband gives me grief when I get extra tree branches...this year, my hubby and son teased me, saying that I got enough extra branches to make another tree :/  Yeah, they THINK they're funny!









Our Tree

Finally got it decorated yesterday...it has an ensemble of old ornaments, some Shane made in school when he was younger, and new ornaments. We recently got rid of a massive entertainment center, but still have not moved the speakers out of the living room...as you can see behind the tree on the right :)   Martha Stewart, I am not...



My Favorite Ornament

This is my most favorite ornament in the whole world...I have been hanging this ornament on the tree for as long as I can remember. My Mom was going to throw it out about 10 years ago...and it is not worth anything, but I saved it from impending doom and destruction! :) 

Snow Globes

My collection of snow globes...mostly given to me by my mother in law...



Outdoor Decorating

Last, but not least, the outdoors....

My new wreath I bought during Black Friday at Hobby Lobby (yes, I was crazy enough to brave the crowds that day)



Now that I have procrastinated enough, I am going to post this blog, and work on my research paper.









05 December 2009

This Is How We Christmas....Dailey Style!

Ah....its that time again! Cold air, hot coffee, fires in the fire place, and snow on the ground! Well, no snow here in sunny Florida, but girl can always hope, right? :) 

Lisa at www.apreacherswife.com is having asking us to blog about a variety of Christmas traditions throughout December. Each Thursday, she is going to post a new set of questions. This week she asked us about 1) The Santa Thing, 2) Christmas Eve Day, and 3) The Food and Parties and Games.

Dave and I have never had Christmas JUST at our house...ever...as long as we have been married (19 years). We have always had family living close to us, until 2007. How we do Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are dependant on which side of the family we are Christmasing with. So anyway, here goes!

1) The Santa Thing. For the first several years of our marriage, we were not following Christ, so we had no problems doing the "santa thing." We had pictures taken, presents from Santa, left cookies out, etc. Shane was about 9-10 when my husband became a Christian and so he was growing out of the Santa thing anyway. If I had to do it over, we would definitely celebrate Santa in the light of Christ...

2) Christmas Eve Day. As I stated above, we have never had Christmas JUST at our house. For the first 6 years Dave and I were married, BOTH sets of family lived here, too. Dave was working as a Chef at the time, so he usually had to work early Christmas Day. We split the day between HIS and HERs parents house...which meant two sets of presents and two Christmas dinners. Yeah, we were stuffed!

Christmas Now: We alternate between families. My in-laws live in Northern Alabama and my parents live in South Virginia...so there is NO way we can do Christmas each year with both families.

If we are at Dave's parents, Christmas Eve Day is usually spent finishing up wrapping Christmas presents, puttting up and decorating the Christmas tree, attending their church's Christmas eve service, and then (while eating a variety of junk food...chips/dip, cookies, candy for dinner) we listen while my Father-in-law reads the Christmas Story from the Bible. We then go around the room and pray.

If we are at My parents, Christmas Eve Day is usually spent finishing up shopping and then we go to a nice restaurant for dinner. We then go to late Christmas Mass (my parents are Catholic) and then to bed.

OH YEAH, every year we have gotten Shane a gift to open on Christmas Eve...every year its pajamas...and even though Shane is now 19, he still wants his Christmas Eve gift...and he always knows it pajamas...yet, he still expects it!

3) The Food & Parties & Games. Honestly, we don't get invited to too many parties or play too many games...but not because we don't want to :) 

Christmas day food at Dave's parents: Prime Rib, baked potatoes, salad, and dessert.

Christmas day food at My parents: Turkey, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes/gravy, cranberry sauce, homemade rolls, deviled eggs, salad, dessert

I can't find any pics now, but I'll post some later if I can find them


25 November 2009

What are You Thankful For?

I've been dealing with some frustration and discouragement lately, so I decided to make a list of the things that I am thankful. Psalm 100:4, "Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name."

1) My Jesus, who died on the cross for MY sins and was resurrected. While I was yet a sinner, Christ died for me.



2) My husband. I know I get frustrated with him sometimes, but I thank God for him and the awesome work God has done in his heart and life. Lord, please remind me that he is still a work in progress as I am and that he needs grace too, as I do.


3) My son. Thank you Lord, for giving me such a sweet son. I am so grateful that he is not out stirring up trouble. I am grateful that he feels he can talk to us about important stuff.


4) Our dog. Thank you for Jake, that he loves us

5) My family. Lord, please help me to remember to pray for Missy and Paul and my parents.


6) Dave’s family. Thank you that they are supportive of our craziness.


7) The IRS issues being resolved. Thank you that we finally got our money.


8) My ability to attend school. Thank you that You are providing me a way to pay for my masters degree.


9) My job. Thank you that You continue to provide for us through my work.


10) My friends. Thank you for my friends that I can trust. To tell me the good, bad, and ugly.


11) For ministry opportunities. Thank you for providing me opportunities to share Christ with others and to pour out into their lives.


12) Our past. I am not thankful for the things we did, but I am thankful for You having your hand on us through those dark years.


13) I know I am supposed to be thankful for the rough times, but I am having trouble being thankful for some of them. Please help me in this area.






15 November 2009

Through the Looking Glass--It's All About Perspective

Lately, it seems that the enemy has been shooting firey darts in our direction, aiming for that big target painted on our backs.

As Dave and I continue to work in the direction of the church plant, the Lord continues to provide us guidance and confirmation we are going in the right direction. Dave preached an awesome series at a youth bible drill weekend in a church about 30 miles away from here, and we had an awesome time in worship this morning. The bible study for the church plant is really taking off and everything is going great.

But, the enemy seems to be always lurking, seeking to devour. 1 Peter 5:6-11 admonishes us to, "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast." Peter warned us that we would suffer attacks from the enemy, so therefore, we should not be surprised when these attacks happen.

In Ephesians 6:16, Paul admonishes us to "...take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the firey darts of the evil one."

Lets face it, persecution hurts. Especially when it comes from people who claim to be Christians. And especially when it is undeserved and without merit. Why is it when everything seems to be going great, and the Lord is working mightly, that the enemy chooses those opportune moments to start firing away? These types of attacks aim right for that secret wound, that has been there since childhood, that only the Lord and the enemy know about. Paul also tells us in Ephesians 6:12 "that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces in the heavenly realms."

So, what has the Lord taught me today about persecution, firey darts, and the enemy? That I need to stand firm on the Word, put on my shield of faith (Eph 6:12), and to forgive those who persecute me (Romans 12:14). Romans 12:17-21 states, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

As a Christian, and a servant of the Most High, I have to remember that Jesus stated "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:9-12).

We will do well to remember that even though the enemy uses real flesh and blood people to do the attacking, that our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph 6:12)

Lord, please help me to pray for those who are attacking us. For You to extend mercy to them. Please help me forgive them, as this is Your will. Please help me to continue to love them and to remember that Your will be done, not theirs. In Jesus name. Amen.

09 November 2009

They pay for THAT?????

HHmmmmm.....had an interesting and rather humerous conversation today at work. For those of you who don't know or who may actually care to know :), I work for a defense contractor. Anyway, we were discussing Hurricane Ida today and what kind of effects it would have in our area. Well, anyway, I was telling some friends that my hubby and our Pastor are in Pensacola, FL for a Florida Baptist Convention meeting and that they were talking about coming back tonight instead of tomorrow night because of the impending storm.

Now, for sure, everyone in my sphere of influence at work knows that I am a Christian and that my husband is a Pastor. Or so I thought... Anyway, one of the guys we were talking to asked me, "So what does your husband do?" To which I replied, "he is the Associate Pastor at our church." To which he replied, with a rather incredulous look on his face, "they pay for THAT?!?!?!?!?!!?"

04 November 2009

PW/MW Treasure Hunt


Here are answers for a treasure hunt for the M2M preachers wives group...





The Treasures

1. First Name.
Cindi, Mom, Dave's wife

2. State and Country of Residence.
Panama City, FL

3. Husband’s Ministry Title.
Associate Pastor of Students/Outreach (current church) and Church Planter (we are in the process of planting a new church)

4. Length of time in Current Ministry Location.
7ish years

5. Children? If yes, give gender and ages.
Shane, boy, 19

6. Number of unique homes in which you’ve lived during your marriage.
4 - three were apartments and town homes before we were saved and serving in ministry. We have lived in our current house since 1996.
7. Cook Sunday lunch or eat out?
I'd love to be able to say that I do a home-cooked meal every Sunday, but I'd be lying. Its usually "get your own lunch day" meaning make whatever sandwich or bowl of cereal or leftovers you want. Or, we go out to eat.

8. Typically on time for Sunday School or not?
I don't go to Sunday school (gasp!!!...I know). I help out in the church office during that time by updating the attendance records for the AM service.

9. Favorite TV Show.
We don't have cable. That said, I really like HEROS, the new Trauma show, CSI, Law & Order, and The Office :) Oh...and love watching the "24" series...we get them from Netflix.

10. Something you watch/like/do that you would never tell the church people. (Except now you just did…lol)
I love driving (with the wind whipping through my hair) and music blaring and sunroof open...sometimes Christian....sometimes old 80s. But, I have found out that there are some old songs I just can't sing anymore :/

11. Most annoying church-related pet peeve.
People who try to entrap me and others with the bondage of religion and legalism. Jesus set me & Dave free from the chains of bondage...why would I EVER want to go back???
12. One thing you need to throw away but can’t bring yourself to do it.
My old teddy bear (Bager Bear) that I have had since I was born. He is in a storage container in the garage...and has lost all his fuzz...and has holes...

13. The one food you can not live without.
ONLY ONE??? Reeces Big-Cups, Coke Zero, pizza, mexican cheezy stuff, Starbucks lattes

14. Parsonage or have your own home?
We own our own home...a PW friend of mine told me once when we were talking about "THE SERMON" ... you know the one that you may as well start packing your bags when your hubby says he is gonna preach "IT" ... She said, well at least you own your own home! :)
15. Freak when the doorbell rings or always ready for a visitor?
Freak...our home is always a wreck. I'd love to be a susie homemaker, but I just don't have enough time in the day.

05 October 2009

Quiet Time 101

Like so many other Christians, I struggle with having a daily quiet time. I am a "doer," a "Martha," and its hard for me to slow down. I also know its important and vital to my Christian walk, but, lets be honest, sometimes the bed just feels too good in the morning, or the alarm doesn't go off when its supposed to, or any other of the myriad of excuses I can come up with so that I can't get in my daily quiet time. Also, lets be honest again, I can tell (and so can Dave) if I have NOT had my quiet time in a while :/

So, after Saturday night's lesson from Wade Akins (during our Fall Revival Servcies) and the Lord convicting my heart about a quiet time with Him, I'm trying to establish a routine, daily, quiet time. One of the things that Wade taught us was how to hear from God. Wade taught us to read through scripture slowly and meditatively. He also suggested starting in Ephesians with 3 minutes a day. The first and most important step is to SHOW UP to your quiet time! Three simple steps when reading God's word:

1) Look for spiritual truths and underline it.
2) Ask the Lord what He is saying to ME.
3) Pray the truth back to the Lord.

26 August 2009

Counseling 501 - Role of the Holy Spirit in the Life of a Counselor

As some of you may know, I just started a Master's program in biblical counseling at Liberty Baptist (online). I have decided to blog some of my discussion questions.

Week 1

What role do you believe the Holy Spirit has in the personal and professional life of a Christian counselor?

The Holy Spirit active in the Counselor’s personal life is essential...It’s a must. In reality, ALL Christians are called on to be counselors at some level (Titus 2…older men and women should teach the younger ones), as all Christians are called on to be missionaries (Matthew 28:19-20). Now, if I am to counsel other Christians, I need to have the wisdom and mind of Christ.

1 Corinthians 2:6-13 states, “However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.” 10 But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy[
d] Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

If I, as a “professional counselor” do not have the mind of Christ, or the Holy Spirit living in me, I CANNOT be a Christian Counselor. It is also ESSENTIAL that the Holy Spirit is part of the professional life of a Counselor. How can I have correct discernment or provide accurate help if I do not rely on the Holy Spirit at all points while counseling a client? If I am only filling the client’s head with worldly wisdom, what will the client profit? True healing ONLY comes through Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. My client may or may not be a Christian. But, my hope and prayer is that by the power/influence of the Holy Spirit, the person would come into a saving relationship with Jesus. My job may be to plant seeds, water the seeds, or reap the harvest. But, if I don’t rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and direct me, how would I know?

21 August 2009

Church Planting Part 2

We got back late last night from Ft Myers...we had a really good time and met some really wonderful people. There were about 16 people who were attending the training and about 6 or 7 seasoned church planters/stragetists who provided the training. The attendees ranged from a Haitian man from Jacksonville who is planting a church for Haitians in Jacksonville; a Black man from Tampa and his brother who just started a multicultural church; a Russian guy from South FL who has a heart for planting churches for Russian people in FL; and several White men/women who are planting various types of churches...one is planting a Cowboy Church for Spanish people in Ocala, several are planting contemporary churches, one is planting churches in gated communities, etc...it was really an eclectic group of people. Dave and I enjoyed meeting and getting to know everyone who was there...it is so cool to meet, get to know, and fellowship with people of different cultures...

Of course, just as ALWAYS knows someone when we go somewhere...wouldn't you guess that Dave would know someone all the way down in FT MYERS!!!!! When I told Shane, Shane just shook his head and laughed. Wouldn't you know it, Dave knew someone from Baptist College of FL there...

The group of leaders/teachers all are church planters with the Florida Baptist Convention and some have also been missionaries...they were really wonderful, totally approachable, and just really have a heart for helping others start churches. They were reluctant to share the details of church plants, because they are very concerned about planting ideas in people's heads...they are totally against copy cat churches...they value individuality and want us to pursue the vision the Lord has given us...There was also a guy from the North American Mission Board who is involved w/church plants...he was also totally approachable and wants to share his experiences and knowledge...we didn't know until he left that he actually has a PhD...

Some of the people there are a lot closer to starting their churches than we are...we are fortunate to have had this course. I totally recommend anyone who is interested in planting churches to attend this training...it has been immensely helpful. Dave and I started to define our vision statement, motto, and I think we have decided on our church name. Also, we have our church master plan started and a beginning integrated master schedule. We are praying about when to set our launch date...

Time for dinner...more later!

20 August 2009

Spiritual Warfare (Church Planting - Planning/Formation Stage) Part 1

This has been an awesome week for Dave and I. For those of you who do not know, we have been in Ft. Myers, FL at a Church Planting Seminar put on by the Fl Baptist Convention and the North American Mission Board (NAMB). These guys have challenged us all week...and helped us pull out the vision of how/what the Lord is wanting us to do/how to structure our church plant. That will be another blog...We met some really cool people this week also...that will be another blog...

We have been under spiritual attack since before we left Panama City, FL. Dave and I have learned how important it is to have a group of people set aside to pray for specifics...that we could call at a moment's notice to pray for a specific item. Unfortunately, we did not learn this lesson before we left Panama City on Sunday...this will be something we will have to do next time we leave. We drove through a tropical storm, left our son home alone for the first time, and the stress level was rather high to say the least. Several nights I woke up at 1-2AM and my first thought was "did Shane make it home from work OK?" and so I would call him (yes, at 2AM...but that was about when he got home from work). Of course, he was either at home or on the way home, but it was nice to hear his voice and then chat with him on Facebook. At 2AM...which means I didn't get back to sleep until 3-4AM...but that's another story...

We should have seen the attacks coming and called them out as we went...Instead, we let our flesh get the better of us and we argued all Sunday afternoon as we were packing. We left at 3PM with a tropical storm preparing to make landfall later that evening. We took the "scenic" route to Ft. Myers, which meant we drove through Port St. Joe, FL; Apalatchacola, FL; and around the Big Bend of FL ... right through part of the worst of the storm. Granted it was mostly rainy and windy, but we did see tree branches fall in front of us, a couple of power lines that had been cut and were whipping in the wind, and waves splashing onto the road in some areas from the Gulf of Mexico. Sunday night, we decided to stop in Chiefland, FL about 9PM so that we could get some sleep...we were stressed out from driving in the storm. I wish I could tell you we did the godly thing and spent time in prayer once we reached the hotel...we didn't...we spent the rest of the evening arguing and getting on each other's nerves.

Monday morning we left around 9AM, since the person at the front desk told us we were about 3 1/2 hours away from Ft. Myers...boy, was SHE wrong! I think the enemy woke every living person up along the HWY95/29/19 South and told them to go driving on HWY95/29/19 South during that time...I have never seen SO MANY cars on the road as I did during that time period...needless to say we were NOT 3 1/2 hours away...we were more like 5 hours away...which meant we were an HOUR late for the start of the seminar. Now, for those of you who do not know Dave very well, he HATES to be even a MINUTE late for anything...

Monday night, Shane decided to spring on us that he wanted to get a tattoo on his right arm and a piercing in both ears...the next day! FTR, I am not opposed to tattoos or ear piercings on guys and cannot find any scripture against it...but COME ON! Shane, are you SERIOUS??? You are springing this on me at 2AM??? When I am 9 HOURS away??? I am very grateful that he was wanting our blessing, was willing to talk it out, respected us enough to listen, and has agreed to wait...I'd rather him get a temporary tattoo and fake ear piercings as a trial to see if this is what he REALLY wants to do.

I'll leave you with this for now, the Lord reminded me that as much as I love my son, that HE loves my son even more...and that MY son is actually HIS son...and that I need to relinquish control of him and trust the LORD to direct Shane's path...

Have to go...more later

14 August 2009

IRS Woes

I am officially tired of dealing with the IRS. I have tried to be patient, loving, kind, long-
suffering...you know, all the fruits of the Spirit...but the IRS just seems to keep pickin' my fruit before its ripe!

See, in 2008, Dave and I found out that someone had stolen our SSNs and thought it would be a good idea to file fraudulent tax returns for CY 2007 in our names. Thank you Liberty Tax in Miami FL and Jackson Hewett in Sunrise, FL for your fine and accurate (NOT!) way of identifying your customers! Apparently it made sense to these tax companies that Dave and I would travel 12 hours from NORTH FL PANHANDLE to SOUTH FL to file our tax returns.....and because they are so good and thorough at checking people's identities, they DID NOT ask for a picture ID nor did they make a COPY of the picture ID of the people who were posing as US. So, for 2008, the IRS thinks we owe them lots of money...instead of the IRS owing us a nice, big refund. :~(

Fast forward to now...I'll save you most the drama of dealing w/the IRS over the last year with this exception: The IRS has a branch of people whose sole purpose in life is to work fraudulent tax returns...the TAX ADVOCATE. We have been working with our TAX ADVOCATE for the last 13 months. He is a really nice guy, but way overworked. Six months ago, we sent our packet of identification...copy of SSN, paperwork from SS office saying we are who we say we are, signed copies of forms saying we promise we didn't file the fraudulent return, copies of bills with our names and current address, hair samples, blood samples, and our first born son...sorry, Shane :~) Anyway, we got a lovely letter from the IRS (the real IRS, not the advocate) yesterday saying they were taking our 2008 REFUND and applying it to what we OWE for 2007 and would we PLEASE send them the rest of the balance we owe...WE DON"T OWE YOU ANYTHING YOU OWE US A REFUND DUMMIES! Called the IRS advocate today...and he says, "I know its taking a long time for you and I'm really sorry. I have HUNDREDS of other cases just like yours that are taking a long time. I'll add you to my priority list and start working on your case next week..." Um, yeah....that's what you said in June....

Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control..." IRS, will you kindly PLEASE QUIT PICKIN' MY FRUIT!

13 August 2009

Mediate on Him

Dear Blog,

I have been thinking about creating one of you for some time now. As I have been musing it over, I think of all the things I can do with you. I can write about truth, life, ministry issues, husbands :) , children, encouragement... but now that I started, I don't know where to begin. And as I was thinking about the title for you, I had to look up the word muse. From Webster's Dictionary, musing (v) means to "become absorbed in thought; especially : to turn something over in the mind meditatively and often inconclusively." Yep! Thats me! I can do this for HOURS! Over the same topic! I end up wasting so much time mulling/musing about everything...what people said, what I said back, did I say the "right thing," did I say the "right thing in love," did I say truth the "right way?" Sometimes, I find it easier to "check out" for a while on Facebook...but, really, how will me playing Farmville, Farm Town, and Sorority Life on Facebook for hours effect a positive change in my life or bring encouragement to others???

In Phillipians 4:8-9, Paul stated, "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate (muse) on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you."

Father,

I want to bring glory to You. Please help me clear out the junk in my life that I am consuming my time with so that I can be a better servant to You and others. Please help me to remember to muse on things that are good, just, holy, and pure and please filter my mind of the junk that does not fit this. In Jesus Name, Amen