A Warning to Women

http://theresurgence.com/2011/07/19/a-warning-to-women

Thinking About Heaven

We have lots of fun ideas about Heaven... I know God is going to surprise and delight us beyond our wildest imaginations.  Here's some of what Scripture has to say about it...

John 14:2

In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

Revelation 5:9-13

And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!” And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

Revelation 21:4

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

Revelation 22:1-5 

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.  No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.

Philippians 1:21-23

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.

Philippians 3:20-21

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Heaven is:

Created by God        Gen  1:1; Rev  10:6

Everlasting                Psa  89:29; 2Co  5:1
Immeasurable          Jer  31:37

High                           Psa  103:11; Isa  57:15

Holy                           Deu  26:15; Psa  20:6; Isa  57:15

God's dwelling-place 1Ki  8:30; Mat  6:9

God's throne             Isa  66:1; Act  7:49

A place of rest           Heb  4:9

Paradise                     2Co 12:2; 2Co 12:4

More things to know ...

God fills it.                                                   1Ki  8:27; Jer  23:24

Angels are there.                                        Mat  18:10; Mat  24:36

Names of saints are written there .         Luk  10:20; Heb  12:23

We get rewards.                                         Mat  5:12; 1Pe  1:4

It should be our place of treasures.         Mat  6:20; Luk  12:33

This Idol of Mine

I'm having a blue day... I talked to my mother-in-law who is outside with all my nephews and niece.  I want to be playing there too.  Their yard is so magical.  The kids are so magical.  And I'm lonesome for my husband.  See, I just started crying.  Our time together is so quick, and on Tuesdays it's even quicker.  So Wednesdays seem just a little bit lonelier.

So, when the cafeteria offers big, soft, home-made peanut-butter cookies (which just happen to be my favorite), I want them.  I deserve them for having to work today.  I need a little treat. 

But, I didn't take them. 

And now I'm giving myself a Pat On The Back.

But I'm still thinking about them.

And the world will say that I made a step in the right direction.  But, I want more.  I don't want to be thinking about them at all.

A couple of weeks ago I got really serious.  I want to be serious.  Counting calories on Live Strong.  Going to Jazzersize a lot.  A lot.  Only having one little cup of caffeine. 

And so, I am getting some gold stars.  My scale is happier.  My clothes are happier.  My restless legs are happier.  I'm not sure if my energy level is happier... but I have faith that it will be one day.

But, my heart isn't changing.  I'm grumpy that I am giving up yummy things.  I obsess over every calorie.  I take more joy in Jazzersize than I do in sitting down with the Word.  I judge the people who are pouring dressing over their salads.  I think constantly about what kind of meal I can make for under 200 calories.  I measure whatever sits before me in how much time Jazzersizing will it take me to burn this.

And this isn't healthy.  It's not heart healthy.

So, pray for me please.  Oh - skip the praying about my weight or eating habits.  Pray that God, Himself, will be my reward.  Pray that my delight in Him will overwhelm my mind so that thinking about calories will seem a waste of time.  Pray that my energy to love the people around me comes out of a thankful heart that God has been so gracious to me.  Pray that I will not replace the idol of Food with the idol of Health.  Pray that God will be my only God.

Make Me Like Jesus

http://marshill.com/media/real-marriage/selfish-lovers-and-servant-lovers

Prayer Help

Girls, this is a great resource.  Read it or listen to it!
I'm turning my prayer journal into a APTAT journal....

http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/sermons/practical-help-for-praying-for-help

Oh, Yah... I knew that.

This morning I'm praying for three things in our family's lives:
a) David's job situation
b) a house
c) children
...and in praying, I have to admit that I know exactly what I want, but I don't know what God wants.  And from where I see it, it all looks hopeless.  But, the real battle is not fighting to get these things.  The real battle is being content and joyful if we don't.  So, I'm praying through this and then I think of David.  Not my David, but the one who fought Goliath.  I'm teaching those chapters this week, and so I've been talking a lot about it... but not really internalizing God's provision, God's victory.  The whole point of that story is summed up by David in 1 Samuel 17:46 who says that the victory is to show everyone that There Is A God in Israel.

Perhaps the contentment, perhaps His gift of peace, perhaps the not-worrying-about-being-worried is the battle God's going to win.  And in that, I will know - our family will know - everyone will know... that there is a God of our lives.

Alzheimer's

I attended a little video seminar at work presented by a woman whose husband had lived and died through Alzheimers.  It made me remember a quote from last semester's counseling class... something about how we can't avoid the suffering, but we want to suffer well.  And this woman walked beside her husband suffering well.
Here's what I learned from her:

Is what I'm saying or doing done in celebration or toleration of the people around me?

How would I feel if someone had just said what I said to me?


Are my words medicine?


Is this a battle that really matters?


After a setback or failure, why not do a little dance and start all over?


Are my decisions based on what is easiest for me or what honors my husband the most?

Although these questions are good to store up if my David does ever get Alzheimer's, they sure are applicable for today in all my relationships.

Today, Tomorrow & Beyond

I'm sitting still before God this morning. LEARNING what feels like a hard lesson. I'm sitting to give myself time to process yet another thing that God is saying not right now. And it's hard. But He is teaching me. It was kind of like a dance. I got the news, I sang with a heavy heart, then I cried, then I started to get angry, I went to the Word and felt peace but then I felt kinda numb. How complicated can I be! But now I'm opening up here and recalling everything God is and everything I am just not. And it's ok. Slowly my mind is opening up to the possibilities of what God may have in store. AND I am remembering His truths and sacrifice. Even without Hai holding my hand thru it or burdening him while he is at work :) What I'm learning is I need to let go of this attention and "what about what I want" idol but I don't really know how. I pray that he would start to do a work in me. Today I am recalling a lot and feeling the weight of my sin in seeking attention for the many things that I FELT were just unfair and of all the unmet expectations.. So I'm just sitting with that this morning. Knowing that I need to go to God in all things and seeking Him. Please join me in prayer, so that God would help me see what I need to see. For He knows the pains of my heart. And sometimes I can't see..

Repentance and Growth

I am spending the week with this sermon.  I have lots to think about, pray about and talk to my husband about... and I have some repenting to do... and some growing to do.  I am excited to see what God has for our marriage.  Good stuff, I know!
http://marshill.com/media/real-marriage/the-respectful-wife

Welcome!

Welcome, friends to our new blog!  This is a place to taste and see God's goodness.

What are you learning?  What are you struggling with?  What do you want us to pray about?  How has God shown Himself good?  What resources are encouraging you?  What Scripture are you chewing on?

This is a place to share it.  Don't worry about grammar or spelling, or trying to impress anyone.  It's just US.  And through this, we can be united as Sisters.