Ecclesiastes

Have you ever done a study on the book of Ecclesiastes? I sure haven't, but after today I am really interested. I found some great nuggets in there during some reading and am looking forward to reading more tonight, hopefully. This one spoke to my heart because I tend to get real bent out of shape based on others reactions. Judgement at the heart, I know, but I have a real hard time stopping myself sometimes, okay, most of the time.
"Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you-- for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others."
Ecc. 7:21-22
OUCH! This one stings!

Why am I grumpy when I should be joyful?

Why do I get funky when the joy of the Lord is in my heart? I am a child of God; a daughter, created by Him to worship Him, as Aaron Schust so greatly put it, "the reason we're here and the reason we sing is to thank you oh God and give praise to the King", and yet I mope around acting like I'm under the law and treating everyone around me, especially my family as if they are under the law, "the Mommy law". Anyways I just feel convicted today of how I act when things are just normal and mundane, no exciting trip is planned or we aren't moving, etc. I tend to always live in the past and in the future. When I hear sad stories, events where people loose their unborn baby or a husband or wife suddenly dies it reminds me of how much I truly have to be thankful for, so much I take for granted. As my best friend said, "why is it during hard times we pray more and draw closer to Him"? I want to draw from the living water EVERY moment, I want to stay plugged in to the power source, that is my prayer for today!

Clay Aiken

I am writing this to give Clay Aiken a shout out for my mom and my grandmother, Mimi. I think they are his BIGGEST fans and to have nothing about him on my blog was a terrible disgrace. Out of love and respect for them I will support his music and (his looks).........Mimi made sure I put that.

Mountain Born

The children and I started a new book tonight called Mountain Born by Elizabeth Yates. It was originally published in 1943. It is about a young boy named Peter who raises a lamb under the watchful eye of a wise old shepherd. The first chapter was so sweet about how Peter's mother Martha revived the lamb at birth after being announced dead. Here is an excerpt that brought tears to my eyes, ( the girls think it is so funny when I cry while I am reading aloud!)

-Sitting down in a low chair by the stove, she took the lamb up in her arms and held it close to her, remembering how she had felt when Peter was born and she had held him in her arms for the first time. Once the boy had come safely into the world, she realized how her prayers for him had changed. It was not for life and a strong body to hold its treasures she prayed, for he had these; he was a sturdy, shapely baby from the first. It was that he might be caring and useful in this world. Such a short way could she go with him on that path that was his life; only a few years she would have his hand in hers. For a few more years he would walk beside her; then he would be a man going his way alone, but if it were a way of kindness, the memory of that first day would always fill her with joy.

Restful or Restless

Scripture is full of examples of things that may not make sense and yet God calls us to embrace His promises, trust His wisdom, and collapse on Him. Often in seasons of uncertainty we can possess hearts that are more restless than restful. God comforts us to rest in His promises, which are grounded in His perfect character.
-Brian Howard
www.bgmission.com

This quote is so wonderful in its truth, so real in its words and truly touches my own heart as I examine whether I am restless in my Spirit today. Lord, help me not to be restless today. To God be the glory that He isn't finished with me yet, I have SO much more to learn!