Saturday, February 9, 2013

If...........

 
I recently ordered "If" by Amy Carmichael and read it through in one setting!   Each "If" gripped my heart and made me think and re-evaluate myself.  Here are a few of my favorites from the book.
 
If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; If I adopt a superior attitude forgetting "Who made thee to differ? and what hast thou that thou hast not recieved?" then I know nothing of Calvary love.
 
If I can write an unkind letter, speak an unkind word, think an unkind thought without grief and shame, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
 
If I feel bitterly towards those who condemn me, as it seems, unjustly, forgetting that if they knew me as I know myself they would condemn me much more, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
 
If I say, "Yes, I forgive, but cannot forget," as though the God, who twice a day washes all the sands on all the shores of all the world could not not wash such memories from my mind, then I know nothing of Calvary love.
 
There are sixty-four "If"s in this little book and each one touched me, challenged me and convicted me that "I know nothing of Calvary love".  It definitely has given me some things I need to study out in my Bible and work on changing those areas in my life.  I can personally see where I'm lacking, but at the end of my life I do not want others to look back at the words and actions of my life and be able to shake their heads and say,
"So sad, she truly knew nothing of Calvary love".   
 
My God, my King, my Savior, help me as I strive to live my life for you.  Show me where I fail daily and help me to overcome those things so I can live my life fully as your devoted servant in all I say, think and do. 
 
 


Saturday, February 2, 2013

Change on the Horizon


This is our view of the eastern horizon from the back of our house. 
 There is a field and line of trees with the County Community College just on the other side.  It is so interesting to watch SheBear as she goes out everyday and carefully looks at the horizon.  If she see that the horizon looks normal she continues her morning trek around the yard and evidently back into the house.  If she sees anything on the horizon that has changed since the day before, anything out of place or out of the ordinary, she will sit outside and bark and bark and bark until the horizon returns to normal again or she becomes accustomed to the changes.  Last summer as the college some construction, you could see the arm and head of a crane sticking slightly over the trees.  SheBear went outside daily and barked and barked for hours and days at that crane.  She did not go anywhere else in the yard, she did none of her normal activity, she did nothing but bark at that crane.  As soon as the college finished that phase of the construction, the crane was moved and Shebear stopped barking.  SheBear does not like changes in her environment or schedule and gets very vocal when things are changed.
 
 
Recently we have been faced with a situation that will
change our lives in every way.  This change is still on the horizon but we can see it very clearly.  We are praying for God to direct every decision that needs to made in this and not let it overwhelm us, as it so easily could.  Today I told my husband what I was doing in anticipation of this change and he looked at me and told me that he felt I was handling it very well and I shared with him what God had shown me through SheBear.  You see, I saw Shebear outside today barking at a pile of dirt, (more construction), and I decided I was not going to "bark" at  the change I see on the horizon.  Talking about, it, whining about it, 
crying or complaining about the situation is not going to keep it from coming.  I can use this change to help me be a stronger Christian and develop better character and virtues in my life or I can let this change defeat me and make me bitter and angry.  I know this change will be a definite challenge but I am looking forward to it and to what
God has planned to do in my life through it.

Friday, February 1, 2013

You've Heard it Said.........

An Apple A Day Keeps the Doctor Away!
 
 
But I say......
A Verse A Day Keeps the Devil at Bay!
 
 
Psalms 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
I love to memorize and and usually memorize several verses a week but wanted to make it my goal this year to memorize a verse a day.  Memorizing has been so important in my Christian walk!  Not only has memorizing has helped me to steer clear of the sins that daily try to overtake me but when I am talking with someone that needs help or encouragement, it's amazing how God brings to mind the verses that I have memorized that fits the situation we are talking about.  I have also thought about the day when we longer have religious freedom and want o to be able to quote large sections of the Bible if ever one day I am in a situation where I am not allowed the written Word of God.
 
In January I memorized Proverbs 3:1-35, and for the month of February I have started to memorize Colossians 3.  I love this chapter as it talks about the new life in Christ and Christian virtues.  I am studying the virtues of mercy, humbleness of mind, meekness and long suffering and forbearing one another, (which are not my best strengths),
and trying to apply them faithfully in my everyday life.

 
Everyone has a different method of memorizing
 and I have found that although my method totally confuses my husband, it totally works for me.  Every morning I take my sticky notes and write down the first letter of every word in the verse I am memorizing. 
 I then look at it several times during the day reviewing it.  The next day I review the verse from the previous day(s) and add a new verse. 
I am excited to commit more verses memory and I'm excited to how God will use theses verses in my life!