"Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations."
First of all, I know, the holiday called Thanksgiving was a month ago, but I'm not gonna stop giving thanks just because the turkey's gone and the stuffing is a mere memory.
I have a lot to be thankful for this year. I know people who have been following my blog know what's happened and may wonder what I have to be so thankful about. I mean, I lost a leg, I have troubles with my other leg, I've been laid up for 7 months, unable to drive, and barely able to fend for myself, gotten in debt to hospitals and doctors, and barely have any money. Well, if you think that's going to get me down, maybe you should reread some of my blog entries.
Let me tell you how I see the last few months...I no longer have the pain in my right ankle that was a daily part of my life, and we're working on keeping my other ankle healthy. Seriously, who, besides Darth Vader, has a boot as cool as me? I've grown closer to God and my faith has gotten deeper. I've finally gotten on track with my finances, I've been on top of all my bills and now I have disability so I can remain on top of my bills until I start working so I can ditch disability. I've lost a considerable amount of weight, I'm down about 80 pounds from where I was in March, and I've even managed to lose some weight since Thanksgiving.
All in all, I can say that yes, this has been a tough year, but the benefits have totally outweighed the bad stuff that's happened.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Lamenting or Praise?
"I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High." Psalm 9:1, 2
I'm currently reading the Bible chronologically, in the order the events take place. As I was looking through my plan, I realized it didn't have the Psalms included, so I decided to just add a Psalm onto my daily reading and today I read Psalm 9. Psalm 9 opens up with such a great praise to God, I just had to share it.
This psalm was written by David and if you remember, there was a time that David didn't have too much to be happy about. In fact, later in the chapter, David uses phrases like "see how my enemies persecute me"and "lift me up from the gates of death" and the tune this was to be sung to is "The Death of the Son" That doesn't sound too terribly happy, does it?
Most of this Psalm actually talks about how David will praise God because God has helped David and lifted him out of his troubles, and that God has never forsaken those who have trusted in Him.
I need to sing praised to God more. I've really been down the last couple of days because of what's going on with getting my car ready for me to drive it, it's not looking good, it may be a while before I drive it. But I shouldn't let it get me down too much especially in light of what else has been happening in my life. My leg is healing well, I start receiving disability this month and many more things are looking up.
I think I'm going to praise God for the good that's happening in my life rather than lament for the bad that's going on.
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High." Psalm 9:1, 2
I'm currently reading the Bible chronologically, in the order the events take place. As I was looking through my plan, I realized it didn't have the Psalms included, so I decided to just add a Psalm onto my daily reading and today I read Psalm 9. Psalm 9 opens up with such a great praise to God, I just had to share it.
This psalm was written by David and if you remember, there was a time that David didn't have too much to be happy about. In fact, later in the chapter, David uses phrases like "see how my enemies persecute me"and "lift me up from the gates of death" and the tune this was to be sung to is "The Death of the Son" That doesn't sound too terribly happy, does it?
Most of this Psalm actually talks about how David will praise God because God has helped David and lifted him out of his troubles, and that God has never forsaken those who have trusted in Him.
I need to sing praised to God more. I've really been down the last couple of days because of what's going on with getting my car ready for me to drive it, it's not looking good, it may be a while before I drive it. But I shouldn't let it get me down too much especially in light of what else has been happening in my life. My leg is healing well, I start receiving disability this month and many more things are looking up.
I think I'm going to praise God for the good that's happening in my life rather than lament for the bad that's going on.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Care Casting
"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." Psalm 55:22
There is one thing that almost always can keep me awake at night, money worries. This is a problem I've had for many years because I've only become very financially prudent in the last couple of years. I opened up two credit cards when I was in college (one of which I'm still paying off) and struggles for years to make payments on time and make sure I had enough money in the bank to cover checks that I wrote.
Granted, these were problems of my own doing. I've never made a ton of money, but I've always wanted to live beyond my means. Fortunately, these problems, while of my own doing, were also problems God gave me the ability to deal with. Dealing with these problems wasn't easy, it meant I had to do without some things I wanted. It meant I had to miss out on things I wanted to do. But it also meant I was able to keep up with my bills while I was on unemployment, even get ahead on some. It's also the reason I was able to keep up with my bills over the last few months of total unemployment.
Of course, I also couldn't have done it without the generosity of my monthly supporters who have continued to support me even when I haven't been going out to schools with Coastlands Consultants.
The bottom line is, it was only when I gave these issues to the Lord when He enabled me to overcome them.
Cast your cares on the Lord today, see what He does!
There is one thing that almost always can keep me awake at night, money worries. This is a problem I've had for many years because I've only become very financially prudent in the last couple of years. I opened up two credit cards when I was in college (one of which I'm still paying off) and struggles for years to make payments on time and make sure I had enough money in the bank to cover checks that I wrote.
Granted, these were problems of my own doing. I've never made a ton of money, but I've always wanted to live beyond my means. Fortunately, these problems, while of my own doing, were also problems God gave me the ability to deal with. Dealing with these problems wasn't easy, it meant I had to do without some things I wanted. It meant I had to miss out on things I wanted to do. But it also meant I was able to keep up with my bills while I was on unemployment, even get ahead on some. It's also the reason I was able to keep up with my bills over the last few months of total unemployment.
Of course, I also couldn't have done it without the generosity of my monthly supporters who have continued to support me even when I haven't been going out to schools with Coastlands Consultants.
The bottom line is, it was only when I gave these issues to the Lord when He enabled me to overcome them.
Cast your cares on the Lord today, see what He does!
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Infamy or Esteem?
"When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.” He was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.”
Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz." Genesis 28:16-19
As I was doing my devotions this morning, I have to admit, my mind wandered a bit. But it wandered as I looked at the date and realized that today is Pearl Harbor Day, a remembrance of December 7, 1941, "A day that will live in infamy." I got to thinking about how, for some people, today is a day of great remembrance, for some a day of sadness, and for some a day of routine.
I also got thinking of how the Old Testament tells us time and again of how altars were set up as a remembrance, sometimes I think that the landscape over there must have been littered with rocks that were set up as altars.
I think we need to set up remembrances, but they should be to remind us not only of when something bad has happened, but when something good has happened. You see far too many memorials of bad things, the Viet Nam Memorial Wall, the memorial at Ground Zero in New York and the memorial at Pearl Harbor.
Let's decide instead, to set up memorials of esteem. Memorials to remind us of the good things, when we accepted Christ into our life, when we shared Christ with someone else or maybe when we were given the opportunity to witness Christ in the life of a loved one. Let's start making days that will live forever in esteem, not infamy.
Early the next morning Jacob took the stone he had placed under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place Bethel, though the city used to be called Luz." Genesis 28:16-19
As I was doing my devotions this morning, I have to admit, my mind wandered a bit. But it wandered as I looked at the date and realized that today is Pearl Harbor Day, a remembrance of December 7, 1941, "A day that will live in infamy." I got to thinking about how, for some people, today is a day of great remembrance, for some a day of sadness, and for some a day of routine.
I also got thinking of how the Old Testament tells us time and again of how altars were set up as a remembrance, sometimes I think that the landscape over there must have been littered with rocks that were set up as altars.
I think we need to set up remembrances, but they should be to remind us not only of when something bad has happened, but when something good has happened. You see far too many memorials of bad things, the Viet Nam Memorial Wall, the memorial at Ground Zero in New York and the memorial at Pearl Harbor.
Let's decide instead, to set up memorials of esteem. Memorials to remind us of the good things, when we accepted Christ into our life, when we shared Christ with someone else or maybe when we were given the opportunity to witness Christ in the life of a loved one. Let's start making days that will live forever in esteem, not infamy.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Some More Wisdom, Please.
"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”" 1 Corinthians 3:19
This morning I was reading through Job 28, where Job is speaking on wisdom. I encourage you to read it and pay close attention to the last two-thirds of the chapter, specifically verses 12-28. this chapter tells us a bit about wisdom and where it comes from, God. It specifically tells us that God has, "looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it."and when God was done, he gave it to man telling us that wisdom is to fear the Lord and shun evil.
How often to we adhere to that definition of wisdom? A lot of people I know think that wisdom is knowing a lot of things, I disagree, I'd say that's knowledge. Let me give you an earthly definition of wisdom...The ability to put your knowledge to use to benefit yourself and others to the utmost. And since the Bible is the best instruction book (I have a friend that says that Bible means Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) on how to benefit ourselves and others, I can see how the fear of God is where wisdom begins. Please note, I'm not speaking of being scared of God, but the obedience.
Today's entry is short, but it's what was on my heart.
Have a great day!
This morning I was reading through Job 28, where Job is speaking on wisdom. I encourage you to read it and pay close attention to the last two-thirds of the chapter, specifically verses 12-28. this chapter tells us a bit about wisdom and where it comes from, God. It specifically tells us that God has, "looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it."and when God was done, he gave it to man telling us that wisdom is to fear the Lord and shun evil.
How often to we adhere to that definition of wisdom? A lot of people I know think that wisdom is knowing a lot of things, I disagree, I'd say that's knowledge. Let me give you an earthly definition of wisdom...The ability to put your knowledge to use to benefit yourself and others to the utmost. And since the Bible is the best instruction book (I have a friend that says that Bible means Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth) on how to benefit ourselves and others, I can see how the fear of God is where wisdom begins. Please note, I'm not speaking of being scared of God, but the obedience.
Today's entry is short, but it's what was on my heart.
Have a great day!
Friday, December 3, 2010
God Is Indeed Bigger Than The Boogeyman
"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales
and the hills in a balance?
Who can fathom the Spirit[a] of the LORD,
or instruct the LORD as his counselor?
Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
or showed him the path of understanding?
Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales;
he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
Before him all the nations are as nothing;
they are regarded by him as worthless
and less than nothing." Isaiah 40:12-17
First of all, I know it's been longer than usual between my last entry and this one, my hope is to write an entry every other day, at the outside, and preferably every day, especially since I like to write about what God's speaking to me. If I haven't written for a couple days, that usually means that something else has gotten shoved in there and it's taking my attention away from God, and I don't want that. But also since it's been a couple days, I gave you a long passage of scripture to read. :-)
This passage is a very good passage to read when there is something shoved in between you and God that's taking your attention away from Him. this passage reminds me of just how big God is, just how much He has to do and to what He is paying attention...and still He loves me. The God who created everything by speaking it into existence, the God who has to pay attention to everything that's going on (that's what being omniscient gets you) and the God who works all things out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) and ultimately, His glory, still cares about what's happening in my life.
And unfortunately, I've been a little petty the last couple of days.
You remember, this whole adventure got started by my ankle issues and this blog came into being a week before my right foot was amputated. All this started last May when I went into the hospital, and I haven't been able to drive since. Driving used to be something I loved to do, if I wanted to relax on an afternoon, I'd go for a drive, if I was a bit stressed out, I might take a drive and if I just wanted to get out of the house, I was able to; that's something I haven't done in over six months now. I've been working with Voc Rehab to get myself back to work, and it turns out the person I was working with originally, passed away a couple weeks ago and I've been passed around to 3 different people now since, so I've been set back a month from all that. All I can think about through all this is how it's affecting me, that I can't drive, I'm stuck in the house, blah, blah, waa.
I've decided that, instead of feeling sorry for myself and thinking about how there are things I can't do, I'm going to ponder on God instead. I'm going to think about how big and awesome God is, and how wonderful His works are. I'll drive eventually, I'll get back to my life soon enough, I should enjoy the time off I have right now.
or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens?
Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket,
or weighed the mountains on the scales
and the hills in a balance?
Who can fathom the Spirit[a] of the LORD,
or instruct the LORD as his counselor?
Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him,
and who taught him the right way?
Who was it that taught him knowledge,
or showed him the path of understanding?
Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket;
they are regarded as dust on the scales;
he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.
Lebanon is not sufficient for altar fires,
nor its animals enough for burnt offerings.
Before him all the nations are as nothing;
they are regarded by him as worthless
and less than nothing." Isaiah 40:12-17
First of all, I know it's been longer than usual between my last entry and this one, my hope is to write an entry every other day, at the outside, and preferably every day, especially since I like to write about what God's speaking to me. If I haven't written for a couple days, that usually means that something else has gotten shoved in there and it's taking my attention away from God, and I don't want that. But also since it's been a couple days, I gave you a long passage of scripture to read. :-)
This passage is a very good passage to read when there is something shoved in between you and God that's taking your attention away from Him. this passage reminds me of just how big God is, just how much He has to do and to what He is paying attention...and still He loves me. The God who created everything by speaking it into existence, the God who has to pay attention to everything that's going on (that's what being omniscient gets you) and the God who works all things out for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) and ultimately, His glory, still cares about what's happening in my life.
And unfortunately, I've been a little petty the last couple of days.
You remember, this whole adventure got started by my ankle issues and this blog came into being a week before my right foot was amputated. All this started last May when I went into the hospital, and I haven't been able to drive since. Driving used to be something I loved to do, if I wanted to relax on an afternoon, I'd go for a drive, if I was a bit stressed out, I might take a drive and if I just wanted to get out of the house, I was able to; that's something I haven't done in over six months now. I've been working with Voc Rehab to get myself back to work, and it turns out the person I was working with originally, passed away a couple weeks ago and I've been passed around to 3 different people now since, so I've been set back a month from all that. All I can think about through all this is how it's affecting me, that I can't drive, I'm stuck in the house, blah, blah, waa.
I've decided that, instead of feeling sorry for myself and thinking about how there are things I can't do, I'm going to ponder on God instead. I'm going to think about how big and awesome God is, and how wonderful His works are. I'll drive eventually, I'll get back to my life soon enough, I should enjoy the time off I have right now.
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