Scripture: "Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do." (1 Samuel 8:9)
Observation: Israel wanted a king for the wrong reasons and God allowed it to happen.
Application: Prayer usually involves asking God for something. But what are the right things to ask for and what are the wrong things? Israel got the king they asked for, but they rejected God in the process. Yet God gave them what they wanted. I suppose the message is, "Be careful what you wish for because it might bite you in the end." I'm not entirely sure; I'm a bit confused.
Prayer: Lord, the verse jumped out at me, but I'm not sure I understand it completely. Do You answer a "wrong prayer request" to provide a lesson? Or is there no such thing because Your will is always done? I hope I get some clarification. Amen.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Random Thoughts
ON PREGNANCY:
- I've had a pretty easy pregnancy thus far. Does that mean I will have a difficult labor?
- Jenny McCarthy's book, Belly Laughs, is an easy short read and relatable.
- I didn't think I would still need feminine products, but lo and behold, pantiliners are still necessary.
- Holy crap! Babies are close to two feet long when they come out! (Thanks for that revelation Janny!)
- My belly button is still an innie, just not as deep. Go figure. I thought all innies turned into outies.
- Luckily, my feet haven't gotten bigger. Not yet anyway. Knock on wood...
- Old Navy has cute, inexpensive maternity clothes. But the sizes run big. I was a XS / S pre-pregnancy, so I bought S during the pregnancy. Most of them are still big on me, even this late into my pregnancy.
- Kicking doesn't hurt nearly as much as slow, stretching movements. He is really strong now as we're nearing the finish line!
- Why are there tennis balls on walkers?
- I wish I had a super tight knit group of girl friends that I saw multiple times a week, a la Friends and Sex and the City. My best friends live in Austin, Texas! The girl friends that I do see more than once a week are the gals from work. And I do love them, but we see each other at work and don't hang out in the evenings as much.
- Why does the Canadian government condone barbarically killing baby seals? It's cruel and inhumane, especially they are killing these adorable creatures for only their fur. I'm banning Canadian products until they stop being so gosh darn mean! I was able to watch the first five seconds of this video until I saw a mean guy bashing a baby seal with a club and I had to shut it off. It's just too sad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf5tNXpUtkY
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Freedom
Scripture: "Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." (2 Corinthians 3:17)
Observation: Due to sin, I should be punished to death and separate from God. But because of Jesus, I have been given grace and freedom from this punishment.
Application: Jesus gave up His life for me and my freedom. That shouldn't be taken lightly. However, it's so easy to take all of this for granted. Especially considering that there are some Christians out there that could be killed in their countries for worshiping God. I have it so easy compared to them.
Prayer: Lord, You paid for my freedom with Your own life-- tortured to no end and sacrificed it all. Please help me to remember that on a daily basis, not just around Easter. I can worship You freely, without condemnation or fear for my life. Others do not have it so easy. While others are forced to worship You in private, I can do so from rooftops. That is something I should take advantage of. In this regard, You have provided freedom to me in two ways. Thank you! I am so blessed. Amen.
Observation: Due to sin, I should be punished to death and separate from God. But because of Jesus, I have been given grace and freedom from this punishment.
Application: Jesus gave up His life for me and my freedom. That shouldn't be taken lightly. However, it's so easy to take all of this for granted. Especially considering that there are some Christians out there that could be killed in their countries for worshiping God. I have it so easy compared to them.
Prayer: Lord, You paid for my freedom with Your own life-- tortured to no end and sacrificed it all. Please help me to remember that on a daily basis, not just around Easter. I can worship You freely, without condemnation or fear for my life. Others do not have it so easy. While others are forced to worship You in private, I can do so from rooftops. That is something I should take advantage of. In this regard, You have provided freedom to me in two ways. Thank you! I am so blessed. Amen.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
All Connected
Scripture: "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it." (1 Corinthians 12: 26)
Observation: This is so true on so many levels! It's easy to relate to. For example, physically, if my sciatic nerve pinches, my entire body is rendered useless. Within my family, if Paul gets a promotion, everyone (my parents, his parents, all the siblings, etc.) is happy.
Application: The body of Christ is just that-- a body. We are all one unit. I believe I am a compassionate person by nature, but am I spiritually compassionate? It's easy to rejoice with one another, but am I doing my part when someone is suffering?
Prayer: Lord, I need to do more. I have compassion and empathy, but I don't think I'm doing enough within the Christian community. Meaning, if a friend needs help, I do everything I can outside of the spiritual. I'm not doing enough within Your world, especially spending time in prayer. And I mean deep prayer, not just the simple one-way conversation that I normally do with You. So now that I know what I should be doing, please guide my heart into really doing it. Amen.
Observation: This is so true on so many levels! It's easy to relate to. For example, physically, if my sciatic nerve pinches, my entire body is rendered useless. Within my family, if Paul gets a promotion, everyone (my parents, his parents, all the siblings, etc.) is happy.
Application: The body of Christ is just that-- a body. We are all one unit. I believe I am a compassionate person by nature, but am I spiritually compassionate? It's easy to rejoice with one another, but am I doing my part when someone is suffering?
Prayer: Lord, I need to do more. I have compassion and empathy, but I don't think I'm doing enough within the Christian community. Meaning, if a friend needs help, I do everything I can outside of the spiritual. I'm not doing enough within Your world, especially spending time in prayer. And I mean deep prayer, not just the simple one-way conversation that I normally do with You. So now that I know what I should be doing, please guide my heart into really doing it. Amen.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
No message today...
So I have to be honest, Paul and I forgot to do our Life Journals yesterday. So I read yesterday's chapters, but nothing is speaking to me. Am I just not quite "in the moment"? What's going on here?
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Be Helpful
Scripture: "If you see your brother's ox or sheep straying, do not ignore it but be sure to take it back to him." (Deuteronomy 22:1)
Observation: It seems so simple. Help others, be concerned for others.
Application: It should be easy to help friends and family in need. But how about helping strangers? Just today, an old lady had dropped her compact on the floor and didn't realize it. I pointed to it and Paul picked it up and handed it to her. It was a very small gesture, but she seemed to really appreciate it. Simple acts of kindness to strangers should be a part of every day life. Because even strangers can be brothers.
Prayer: Lord, I think I'm pretty good at helping others. I don't think I turn my back on those in need. However, please help me not to judge others that are not this way. I can only control what I do, not what others do. Amen.
Observation: It seems so simple. Help others, be concerned for others.
Application: It should be easy to help friends and family in need. But how about helping strangers? Just today, an old lady had dropped her compact on the floor and didn't realize it. I pointed to it and Paul picked it up and handed it to her. It was a very small gesture, but she seemed to really appreciate it. Simple acts of kindness to strangers should be a part of every day life. Because even strangers can be brothers.
Prayer: Lord, I think I'm pretty good at helping others. I don't think I turn my back on those in need. However, please help me not to judge others that are not this way. I can only control what I do, not what others do. Amen.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
The Next Generation
Scripture: "Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord your God gives you for all time." Deuteronomy 4:40
Observation: I worry about raising my son well. But as long as he is a Christ-centered man and I instill that in him, the rest should fall into place. God will be with me, helping me raise him.
Application: I need to "keep his decrees and commands" so that I may pass that along to my child. I need to set a good example for him. How can I expect him to be Christ-centered if I'm not? My grandma is my inspiration in this regard and I should strive to love Christ the way she did. Her focus and drive to be nearer to God was exceptional.
Prayer: Lord, Grandma was, to me, the ultimate Christian. She was such a good role model for me and I can only strive to be like her; to be as close to You as she was. I pray that I may be that kind of person for my son. That he may look to me and want to be close to You because I draw close to You. I still have a long way to go, but I know that I will be a successful mother as long as he loves You.
Observation: I worry about raising my son well. But as long as he is a Christ-centered man and I instill that in him, the rest should fall into place. God will be with me, helping me raise him.
Application: I need to "keep his decrees and commands" so that I may pass that along to my child. I need to set a good example for him. How can I expect him to be Christ-centered if I'm not? My grandma is my inspiration in this regard and I should strive to love Christ the way she did. Her focus and drive to be nearer to God was exceptional.
Prayer: Lord, Grandma was, to me, the ultimate Christian. She was such a good role model for me and I can only strive to be like her; to be as close to You as she was. I pray that I may be that kind of person for my son. That he may look to me and want to be close to You because I draw close to You. I still have a long way to go, but I know that I will be a successful mother as long as he loves You.
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