In my quiet times this week, I've been reading and really focusing on being truly thankful! It shouldn't be difficult for me~ I live in the greatest country in the world! I have a wonderful husband who loves me and two silly boys who keep me on my toes. I have awesome parents who pray for me daily. Not to mention, I have my "dream" job with my "dream" team and work in a very happy place. And like the t-shirt says, "I love my church", and its staff who are helping us Love Loud in our community. But sometimes I get a little sidetracked... like when I look on the floor in the utility room and see a small puddle of water and realize that my washer is not going to make it much longer. Or that I still owe Willis Knighton for my "unexpected" surgery this summer.
Then I am gently reminded of David Platt's message I heard Saturday (during my lengthy race). He said that if we make $25,000 a year, then we are in the top 5% of all the people in the world. However, if you earn $50,000 a year then you are in the top 2% of the world's population. Wow!! I'm rich! Yes, even by the world's standards I AM RICH.
Also, I am reminded of our Christian brothers and sisters in South Korea who daily fear for their lives and safety. Somehow all my little problems seem a little silly.
And even if nothing was going "right" in my little world, I know that, "there is nothing that can separate me from the love of Christ."
So, as I count my blessings, I am very thankful! Thankful for my family &; friends! I'm thankful that Lori is doing well and coming back to school in January! I'm thankful that I live in this mighty nation! I'm thankful that my church and staff know and show how to LOVE LOUD in our city!And for my sweet fourth graders who haven't quite figured me out! For a vehicle to get me around, even if it needs new tires. For a carton of eggs that cracked before I got them home from the store.... and yes, even for a leaky washing machine.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
The Blessing - part 2
Earlier this Fall our small group began a marriage Bible Study based on the Song of Solomon. We began studying how Solomon, the wisest man in the world, talked to his wife. He made beautiful comparisons about her building her self-esteem and love for him. (No wonder he was labeled the "wisest man".)
How odd that I studied Judah, the lineage of Jesus, then Solomon! But God in His mighty wisdom was preparing me for a background knowledge so I could better understand the Blessing.
The Blessing is a book by Drs. John Trent & Gary Smalley. In this book the smart guys explain how the approval of your parents affects how you view yourself and your ability to pass that approval on to your children. They tell of so many people who perhaps unknowingly spend a lifetime striving for this acceptance. WOW! Responsibility Overload!!!
Not really!! The Blessing is a privilege. It dates back to Jacob and Esau. (Jacob- the father of Joseph & Judah. The same Judah mentioned in the Christmas story- line of Judah from which Jesus descended. see Matthew 1:1-17.) The "unconditional love and approval that come with the blessing is vital to our self-esteem and emotional well-being. The authors detail the five elements of the blessing:
1. Meaningful Touch 2. A Spoken Message 3. Attaching High Value 4. Picturing a special future 5. An Active Commitment."
This book contains biblical truths important to our children, spouses, and friends. It details stories of broken and mended hearts. It even emphasizes how Solomon spoke to his wife, the love of his life. It describes vividly how Solomon's words built trust and value in his wife's heart. How cool is that? This book highlighted the same biblical characters that I have studied the most in the past six months. So do I think that God prepared me to read it! Absolutely! His plan, his time. I am always amazed!
Most of all it left me with an opportunity to Bless my children so that can be all that God wants them to be! The same is true for Ronnie and my friends. It takes a commitment, but I believe the end result is well worth the investment! Visit the website: www.TheBlessing.com . Buy and read the book. Let me know what you think about The Blessing. And the next time someone sneezes and you say, "Bless You", the meaning will be an entirely different one!
How odd that I studied Judah, the lineage of Jesus, then Solomon! But God in His mighty wisdom was preparing me for a background knowledge so I could better understand the Blessing.
The Blessing is a book by Drs. John Trent & Gary Smalley. In this book the smart guys explain how the approval of your parents affects how you view yourself and your ability to pass that approval on to your children. They tell of so many people who perhaps unknowingly spend a lifetime striving for this acceptance. WOW! Responsibility Overload!!!
Not really!! The Blessing is a privilege. It dates back to Jacob and Esau. (Jacob- the father of Joseph & Judah. The same Judah mentioned in the Christmas story- line of Judah from which Jesus descended. see Matthew 1:1-17.) The "unconditional love and approval that come with the blessing is vital to our self-esteem and emotional well-being. The authors detail the five elements of the blessing:
1. Meaningful Touch 2. A Spoken Message 3. Attaching High Value 4. Picturing a special future 5. An Active Commitment."
This book contains biblical truths important to our children, spouses, and friends. It details stories of broken and mended hearts. It even emphasizes how Solomon spoke to his wife, the love of his life. It describes vividly how Solomon's words built trust and value in his wife's heart. How cool is that? This book highlighted the same biblical characters that I have studied the most in the past six months. So do I think that God prepared me to read it! Absolutely! His plan, his time. I am always amazed!
Most of all it left me with an opportunity to Bless my children so that can be all that God wants them to be! The same is true for Ronnie and my friends. It takes a commitment, but I believe the end result is well worth the investment! Visit the website: www.TheBlessing.com . Buy and read the book. Let me know what you think about The Blessing. And the next time someone sneezes and you say, "Bless You", the meaning will be an entirely different one!
The Blessing - part 1
I am always amazed when I realize how much God loves me and desires a personal relationship with me. Why would the creator of the universe long to have a relationship with little ol' me? Well, I do know that it's nothing that I have done to deserve it. I also know that He created me to worship Him and have a personal, intimate relationship Him. He loves me no matter what, even though there is nothing I have done to deserve it. Pretty cool!
Well, knowing all of those things, why am I still shocked when I can see how He "plans" and knows my future? He knows my past experiences, as well as, what my future holds. This was so evident as I attended a teenage parenting conference yesterday at church.
Last Spring, I read a book on my iphone while at Nate's baseball practices. It was The Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers. Then during the Summer, a group of us from school decided to do a Bible Study based on that book. Wow!!! So much to learn! So amazing to see the "earthly" family tree of Jesus. I have read the Birth of Jesus many times, and I always knew that Jesus was from the line of Judah. But after reading The Lineage of Grace and studying Genesis 38, I know "the rest of the story....".
Even as I was learning about the very interesting people from so long ago, God was preparing me or in teacher terms, "Building Background", so I could learn and apply what was presented at the parent conference this weekend.
Exciting!!! The God of the universe loves me, knows where I am, and has a road map of my life... and He wants it to be great!!! For Him!!!
Stay tuned! More about the Blessing coming.....The blessing is for our spouses, our children, & our friends!!
Well, knowing all of those things, why am I still shocked when I can see how He "plans" and knows my future? He knows my past experiences, as well as, what my future holds. This was so evident as I attended a teenage parenting conference yesterday at church.
Last Spring, I read a book on my iphone while at Nate's baseball practices. It was The Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers. Then during the Summer, a group of us from school decided to do a Bible Study based on that book. Wow!!! So much to learn! So amazing to see the "earthly" family tree of Jesus. I have read the Birth of Jesus many times, and I always knew that Jesus was from the line of Judah. But after reading The Lineage of Grace and studying Genesis 38, I know "the rest of the story....".
Even as I was learning about the very interesting people from so long ago, God was preparing me or in teacher terms, "Building Background", so I could learn and apply what was presented at the parent conference this weekend.
Exciting!!! The God of the universe loves me, knows where I am, and has a road map of my life... and He wants it to be great!!! For Him!!!
Stay tuned! More about the Blessing coming.....The blessing is for our spouses, our children, & our friends!!
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