Paul started a church in Thessalonica and in one of his letters to them he recommended that they pray without ceasing...what good advice this was!!

 Romans 12:12  says to us in the Amplified Bible version

  constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength],

Keeping in mind that Christ bringing us to the Father gives us the confidence of knowing God, our Father, is eager to share Himself with us, to be our strength while the Spirit comforts and holds us tightly as we go through our times of troubles and despair with Them there all the way through. 

However, it's not only through despair and troubles and being up against adversaries that He cares for us....it's when we're seeking our day to day way through the mundane and mindless areas of life. If we find things are boring and the same old grind, then we're obviously NOT looking to the God of wonders for our inspiration.  I wonder why this is? Too used to thinking from the same old box? Even when we guide others into seeking their best by asking our Lord for help...do we forget to do this for our own selves?

Maybe so.

If you want a life that is different...ask.

If you want a life more filled with knowledge...seek.

If you want a life that is more....be persistent and expect to exercise some muscle...whether physical or spiritual.

Hey...He wants our attitudes to be eager with love!

maybe this is where being like a child comes into play...there's nothing more persistent than a curious child. And, nothing more eager than that child recognizing the answers are being given freely by the One that Loves him....right there...right there...just go ask! Listen! receive!

ahhh...another point to ponder... 

Today's scripture is from James

Chapter One

Verses Five and Six

The Easy To Read Version(ERV) phrases it like this.....

  Do any of you need wisdom? Ask God for it. He is generous and enjoys giving to everyone. So he will give you wisdom. ⁶ But when you ask God, you must believe. Don’t doubt him. Whoever doubts is like a wave in the sea that is blown up and down by the wind.

Which goes right on along with where I stopped yesterday.

Our go-to source for answers to any problem or wisdom on a subject should be God. And...I feel, though it's not saying so right here, that they're speaking of God as the Trinity Godhead. All facets of God in His being.

Just my thought.

Beyond that...am thinking it's OK to read material you feel led to...assuming it stands up to the test of being consistent with the Word.

AND...once He leads you to a revelation...believe Him. 

Sometimes things are such a strange idea from our normal pattern that we want to doubt, but when we do that we're not trusting and when we're not trusting we're calling God a liar. He's not, but we know who is and where this doubt is coming from.

humm...think I'll stop here.

Today's scripture is I Peter 2:2

It is a very familiar passage, especially to those of us that have sat under teaching for very long at all...or...taught. 

The International Children's Bible phrases it like this...

 As newborn babies want milk, you should want the pure and simple teaching. By it you can mature in your salvation.

Nothing is more pure or simple than the Word of God. However, over time we've come to realize that many men have adulterated this with their own phrasing. This is why I try to stay as near to the language of that time, with the translations being as near as I can find. I also read many versions of these to try and stay as close as I feel the Spirit leading. I'm not a scholar, however, I do know enough to try and be as close to the source as I can find. Trusting in God's leading in this as I do. 

One other thought...there's nothing wrong with  studies by many people. However...consider their source...are they going to other men for their ideas or using God's Word to make their points?

OK...I'm now to the point where I think I'm getting off track with my thoughts. I don't want to do that, but...oh well...sometimes it happens.

I think more to the point...do you find yourself eager to know more, study more from the Bible, about the Bible...the people in the Bible. 

Is more of your time spent doing other things??

Points to Ponder!!

 

I Chronicles 28:20
 ²⁰ David also told his son Solomon, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or terrified. The Lord God, my God, will be with you. He will not abandon you before all the work on the Lord’s temple is finished. 
This is a sneak peek into a father and son discussion where the elder father is speaking to his grown son....my goodness!! Who would have thought that Solomon in all his wisdom would have needed this type of encouragement after witnessing all he surely had seen of his father's walk with God by this point in their lives.  Goes a long way calming my irritation with my own self in what I see as my lack of character after all these years of studying and witnessing so many strong people of God and the direction of those that did NOT pay attention to trying to live a better life through following the Lord.....how they turned out. 

So...um...that last portion is a bit more garbled than I'd intended but it'll have to stand as as good as I can do right this second! LOL  

I want to do better...I want to see myself thinking of others as a natural thing instead of a conscious decision I've had to force myself into acting upon. Good grief!! I can be such a pain in the butt to myself sometimes! most times, at that!  Wanting to do better, but fighting with my own inclinations toward being a self-centered buttface.  ok, I know I can come up with better phrasing there...but, it works.

Giving of oneself to another....always heard it is more worthy if done anonymously... or, at least without fanfare....what would you advise a small child when faced with this as a learning situation? 
Play nice?
How do you feel when someone does something unexpectedly nice for you?
How do you feel when you've done nice things and you're witnessing their reactions?
How much nicer would you feel knowing it's done naturally and all the praises goes to our Lord?

hummm...good starting points...let's see how I can get this to go from here!! 

July 7, 2016

I'm going to try hard to go for following this book for it's 100days. 

Humorous in that it's Linda O's birthday, too. Maybe this will aid in keeping this in the forefront of my memory so I will get her a present in a more timely manner?

 

The name of the book is...

100 Days to a Radical Change.

God First...Others Second and Me Last

 

and....yes..it did include the period after Change on the front cover!!!

 

I'm not good with Bible studies on average. Could be I'm too harsh with myself, but I don't think so. Studies should produce some sort of change and rarely have I noticed enough of a change to make a dent in this hard head and heart.

 

Oh..not saying there's been NO change...just that it's not nearly as drastic as I'd have hoped for.

 

So...why not try something that is claiming to be more radical than not...maybe my stodgy studies have been the problem all along. Not appealing enough to produce that sea change we hope to see.

 

Do not know...we'll see...

 

First Day's verse...

Matthew 6:33 ERV

 What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.

 

bewildered

I just do not understand grandparents that don't like their kids or grandkids to the point of not wanting to help them when they're in trouble. I can see getting frustrated with the kids...I've been frustrated with mine more than once throughout the years, and, I can see not liking certain personality traits that you see being manifested. But, I can't see not liking the person at all...or, at least it seems to me that they don't. And...carry that on down to not doing whatever you can to help the g'kids when they obviously need extra loving and extra care at the moment. Just walking away doesn't seem to me to be an option...I could better understand not putting yourself into a position to know their condition in the first place, but once confronted with the need...to just walk away? Incredible behavior for an adult.

I could expand...but, as I'm pushed for time right now, I won't.

I'm just going on the record as being disillusioned....it's so sad.

I found this in my drafts...and...am surprised it was there...I do recall writing this, but thought I'd posted it too...Had to have been about 5yrs ago at least...I dealt with my feelings at the time, but never trusted this person as much as I had in previous years. Now....so much has changed...it's not an issue for this person any more. I'm posting this for me...as a reminder of how people aren't who we put our trust in.

Today I thought I'd follow fellow blogger, Holly's idea of listing some sensations and thoughts..observations...Let's see how this goes...oh, and also...am using her template for my first effort!

 Outside my window:  widdle birdie singing spring time song!

Thinking:  of this little bird...how happy he sounds

Thankful:  for so many greeting card choices I found

In the kitchen:  tickled I emptied DW and refilled already...cleared deck for upcoming supper duties!

Wearing:  jeans and sandals

Feeling:  thirsty

Seeing:  blue...screen keeps turning blue to go poof on me

Hearing: Scott rattling around as he's dealing with his project

Reading:  in here, Scottish Highlander book...The Hawk; along with Prince Charming by Julie Garwood on audio in back room

Listening: to that bird...he's still singing his heart out

Knowing:  God cares about the little sparrow...and me.

I can see where this could become addicting...switches each moment...Kaleidoscope of thoughts and impressions