Monday, September 30, 2013

1 Peter 1:6 Joy!

 [You should] be exceedingly glad on this account, though now for a little while you may be distressed by trials and suffer temptations, 1 Peter 1:6

Exceedingly glad - not just a little happy, but exceedingly - for I have an inheritance this world does not and the world cannot spoil.  No better way to spend your time then thinking about our inheritance.  The joy should overflow us.  It should put Jesus on our lips often.  For how glad we are to have our hope in something so wonderful.  To know others can have that as well!

For a little while - not long.  This world will distress and I will endure temptations and suffer through not giving in.

Trials (without me) and temptations (within me) are real.  This world is here for a short while.  In my inheritance it will be gone.  The distresses over trials in their world can be let go - for God says it's temporary.  It's ok to suffer under my own temptation.  God has something better planned and He will use the trials and temptation to make me holy.   He will enable me

Thursday, September 26, 2013

1 Peter 1:2 and 3 b Choosen

(A) Who were chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated (sanctified, made holy) by the Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and to be sprinkled with [His] blood: (B) May grace (spiritual blessing) and peace be given you in increasing abundance [that spiritual peace to be realized in and through Christ, freedom from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts]. 1 Peter 1:2 (A and B added)

A:  Look at the faith Peter has.  It is genuine faith he is writing about to encourage other Christians.  His faith and love for Christ carried him to obedience to what Jesus instructed.  I am chosen.  I am known by god - He consecrated me with His Holy Spirit to be obedient to Jesus and sprinkled - saved me - by His blood.  All these holy things are me as part of Christ.  God chose me.  He knew I would be His before I submitted to Him.

B:  I have freedom in Christ.  I am free from fears.  Free from my sinful nature.  It is no longer part of me.  I have grace through Christ.

By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,1 Peter 1:3b

God's mercy spared me from my sin and consequences (eternal death and temporal results of sin).  His mercy brought me out of sin and into blessings.  In Him I place my never ending hope.  What confidence Peter has in Christ.  I love reading about it. 

 

Monday, September 23, 2013

Anniversary Weekend

How wonderful a weekend.  My husband and I celebrate our 10 year anniversary today.  We were able to get away to a B & B this weekend to the town in which we met.  It was great to return, to see what has changed in the 11 years it's been since we left. 

The B & B was wonderful.  A house built in 1886 the has the first indoor bathroom for the town.  I'm sad to say that I took my camera and didn't take one picture.  What I do know is we must do it again. 

My girl got to spend her first weekend at Grandma's.  That went well.  Up until this point, she hasn't spend for than one night away from us.  At church with Grandma, she was inspired to write a few things down - while she listened.  I'll post those excellent jewels when I get a chance to scan them in.

It was great to spend time with just the hubs, to connect and not have someone ask you to do something for them.  So thankful that God put this man in my life that we could go through time together.  It's been a blessing to grow towards God together.  To know that when the lie pops into my head that I won't endure to see something through - I have 10 years to prove I can.  I would marry him all over again!

Then Sunday morning he said those sweet words that cause me to go week in the knees, "Hey we could go through IKEA on our way to pick up our girl."

Um, yes please.  We picked out a wardrobe to go into our bedroom, however, the box is to long to find in our vehicle.  That is part of the reason I hadn't planned a trip over to buy anything.  I'm wanting a friend with a truck to go so I could tag along.  If not Grandma might be able to get it in her vehicle if all the seat are folded down.

And the best part, I'm starting a series on 1 Peter.  I'll walk through verse by verse and post what some of the verses spoke to me and how to apply the truth to our lives.

Happy Autumn!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Taking Big Strides when Little Strides are needed

I'm enjoying my new walking schedule.  My body is craving the stroll.  I had a little trouble with my left knee starting to burn.  I thought 'oh I need to slow down', but it really didn't help.  I didn't want to go back to wearing the brace. 

A breeze came to me as I sought God to help me keep up the walking.  My stride.  I'm seriously like a mad woman on a mission when it comes to walking.  I remember the first time I went shopping without my brace - after several months of wearing it.  I pushed my cart around like I was a speed walker taking huge steps.  I felt it in me knee.

So on my next walk, I purposely shortened my stride.  I can still walk as fast as I need to, just not take bigger than I need to take steps.  As a benefit to less pain in my knee, my hips didn't get tight.  I usually stop to stretch out my right hip twice on my walk.  It wasn't necessary today!  I just have to praise God for reminding me.

But I was thinking, what else do I start to take big strides through when little one are what's needed?

I get in a rush to get it done.  I busy here and there, rushing through my day.  Slow down.  Take those smaller steps of enjoyment.  Joy is what my long strides often step over.  I get so concerned about getting to the end that I forget the joy on the way.

I'm going to think about this a little more.  I love having a new perspective on how to look at things.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Living and Active

I had a post lined up for today, however after writing one, God led me to several more ideas that support the one He breezed my way.  So while I work on that this week for a new series,
I wanted to share I plan to participate in the Living and Active fall challenge over at Peak 313.


I've done well the past month with a commitment to exercise - of course I took nearly two weeks off to be sick and recover. 

I think this challenge will help keep me motivated and accountable to stick with what God is directing me to do - regain physical health through realistic movement.  And focus on His word - which I have down - yet I will never turn down an opportunity to reminded of the need to stay in the Word.  I know me, and it's all to easy to slip into - oh I'll do it later - mode and never get to it. 

In my little slice of Paradise, it is a mile and quarter lap.  {I do not use the word paradise in vain for where I live, Paradise is part of the name :) }.  My goal is to work up to six days a week that I walk it, if I don't have something more strenuous to do at home, like mow the lawn.  Last week I did four days - so Yea!

The other thing I hope peak 313 will help with is thoughts.  I'm on guard to stop thoughts that will make this process about me.  It's not size I'll be if I lose weight.  It's about being able to move.  It's getting stronger.  All this will enable me to be useful to get out there and help others, to endure whatever I need to. 

No longer will I push myself to injury.  No longer will is listen to the call of the sofa.  It's all for God!

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Thrifty Thursday

This post is something from my norm.  I wanted to share another side of me.  Sometimes I wake up with an overwhelming desire to go to a thrift store. When this happens I usually get one location in mind.  If my schedule allows it, I usually try to squeeze it in.  With the start of a few fall activities, I wanted some longer skirts - something I normally don't wear.  With my body type I find getting a good fit hard to do sometimes.  I love getting bargains at thrift store though.
This cute sweater will be my Christmas top.  I've developed a habit of finding something red in summer or fall for the upcoming season.   

And a closer look - it still has the 79.00 tag.  New for only $4.00!

I bought this skirt to go with the red sweater - however I think this skirt will get much more use in my closet.  I just love black with small white poke a dots!   So classic.  For my Christmas outfit I have a black lace covered shell I plan to wear. 
This outfit was hanging together.  It's a Christopher and Banks - which is one store I usually find a great fit in.  This of course was much less expensive than getting it straight from the store.  The skirt looks much lighter in the picture than it really is.  The flash picked up all the light colors.  The perks of longer skirts is that I can wear to church when I hang out with the second graders and not worry about how I sit on the floor.

And my favorite piece.  White and turquoise.  I have several ideas on how this will work.  When I went shopping I was sure I would find several A line skirts, this was the only one.  What a gem!  I have several things planned to go with this skirt.  It will replace a couple skirts I can't currently wear because of my waist line.  Now if my knees will allow me to wear the matching high heals again.

I found a fabulous red dress that was a bit to small.  I struggle with whether to buy it.  If I lost some weight it would fit - so buy it.  But I gave up filling my closet with close that will fit when I lose the weight.  So I hung it on the rack.  A lady behind me picked it up for her sister. I glad it went home with someone.  I knew it wouldn't last long.

One thing I don't have a picture of is a set of vintage dishes my mother has wanted for years.  It wasn't the exact print, but one the complemented what she had collected and she loved them.  I found a seven piece setting of plates, saucers, tea cups, bowl for under $15.00.  Much higher price on Ebay!

Remember God love you!




Monday, September 2, 2013

Your 'Have To' Changes to Your 'Want To'

I worked with a youth pastor in the past that loved golf.  This man played golf almost daily.  All his expendable income went to golf.  His wife accepted this and loved to play along sometimes.  He also was devoted to watching pro golf.  This was before Tiger had all his personal troubles and was on the leader board for every tournament he entered. 

Then the news came they were expected their first baby.  They were both excited for this new addition God granted them.  Then the teasing started.  "Oh, you won't be able to go play golf once the baby come."  "No golf for you, babies cost a lot of money."  On and on it went.  He was really tired of hearing it, especially when she was in her last trimester.

It happened during this time I spoke with him and golf came up.  Me: you know this golf thing will change once your son is born. Him: I know, I know, I won't have money.  I've heard it all before.  Me: No, it's not that.  You won't want to play golf as much anymore.  You will want to be with him.

It had never occurred to him like that.  It became true on both accounts.  With his wife now home, the funds were down, but as well, he desired to get home and be with his family more and more.

It the transformation that happens in our heart as well.  We might know a little about God.  Perhaps we remember the 10 Commandments from our youth and was taught that God had rules and laws we needed to follow to be one of His children.  For me, this kept me from God's love for so many years.  I hadn't learned God is a forgiving God, a God full of grace to enable me to do what He asked.  I accepted Jesus as my Savior, but I wasn't in love with God.

Just as my friend loved his baby, he wasn't in love with him until he arrived and was this wonderful being he could interact with.  Interacting with God, getting to know Him through His word and time spent adoring all He does opens our heart to be in love with God.

Being in love with God changes our motivations.  We no longer see the rules and laws that weigh on us.  We see opportunities to show God we love Him by obeying what He has asked us to do.  We no longer see it as a hindrance to living life, but as a guideline to living the best life God has planned for us.  As Creator, He knows how we are to live to walk fully in His blessings.  

Being in love with God transforms all those have to's to want to's.

If your love for God isn't so great, ask Him to help you.  Ask for His grace to open your heart to Him and love Him.  He will do it, just ask.

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