Self Discipline... The Lesson

Have you ever been given a lesson in self discipline? I am on the journey now to understand what that really means. I have been following the Living Proof Ministries blog, by Beth Moore, for a while now. Just now getting really into it... I love her. She is so vibrant, full of energy and the best part, so in love with GOD!!! Her heart is for women of all shapes, sizes, ethnicity... doesn't matter. She just loves women and wants women to love God and experience HIM the way she does! She is doing the Siesta's Scripture Memorization Team... it is a "team" of of ladies who follow her blog and if you choose you can jump on board and memorize 24 verses in the following year... that is going to take discipline! Click on the Living Proof Ministries blog link to find out more...

Anyway... back to self discipline. I have to say this is NOT a strong point in my life! I do NOT practice it on a daily basis to very much extent. I tend to blame everything around me for the CHAOS in my life. It is crazy, lazy & just plain ridiculous. I constantly feel completely overwhelmed with daily tasks that should just come so easy to me. Work is my refuge from cleaning my house and my house is my refuge from work, but who wants to be in a house that is a mess?! I get so overwhelmed just walking in my door that I give up before I even get started. So, the cycle continues!!

My weaknesses... I do not clean my house the way it should be done. (Therefore, if any of you were planning a visit, please call first. Let me at least throw it all in a closet so it appears to be clean and it appears that I have it all together! *grin*) I do not tend to my family in the proper way. Don't get me wrong here... my family is well fed, well clothed and well taken care of. What I mean by this is that I do not give them my undivided attention in the time they need it. I am usually too busy stressing over what needs to be done that I snap at them to leave me alone for now... we will talk about it later. This will lead to no talking at all in the days, months, years to come! I definitely don't want that!! The last I will mention is (well, not, by any means, the last weakness I have, just the last I will mention today) my walk with Christ. I am so BUSY (Being Under Satan's Yolk) with life and the stresses of life that I forget to take the time where it is needed most... in daily reading of God's Word and in appointed prayer time.

Really, if I could just remember that it is God who gave me this life (although it is I who has messed it up), He will be faithful to me if I will be faithful to HIM. I must spend that appointed time with God and hear what He has to say to me today (and it must be appointed, otherwise you will lose your day and realize that you didn't have "time" to spend today). I must listen and not do all of the talking. I must put that FIRST in my life, then allow HIM to work the rest of it out. When I show self discipline in my relationship with Him, then self discipline will follow in the other areas of my life.

This is not an easy lesson to learn. It hurts and it's not fun, by any means!! But, for life to run smoothly, even in the midst of a bumpy ride, self discipline is a MUST!! Christ in your life is a MUST!! Otherwise, it's just a world of chaos.

Dear Lord, I pray for self discipline for this coming year. I have practiced laziness far too long. I want to be dependent solely on YOU, Lord. I need the energy to complete daily tasks without feeling completely overwhelmed. Help me take it step by step and not feel that it has to ALL be completed RIGHT NOW. I am asking You for self discipline in my walk with You, daily reading Your Word & spending appointed time in prayer. Self discipline in my eating habits, I want to live a healthier lifestyle. Self discipline in keeping my house clean, Lord… You know how much I struggle with this one!! Self discipline in tending to my family when and how they need tending to. I thank You, Precious Lord, right now for giving me the mind strength I need to accomplish great things in the coming year & not to feel completely overwhelmed. I love You, Sweet Lord!! In Your name I pray. Amen

On a side note, it is good to be back! I have been gone from posting far too long. I hope to continue to listen as God speaks to me and share with you the words He gives me!!

Oh and if you are one of those who throws things in the closet when company is coming, please don't live in CHAOS anymore. Click here and find out how!!

Patience and Perseverance

For those who do not know... I teach a Sunday School class at my church! Yes, I am blessed to have the pre-teens... you know, the ones who know it all, have already seen it all, are much more qualified to do EVERYTHING than you are. You know them, you have them, you want to strangle them sometimes, just like I do... don't even try to deny it!! No, really... I do have a great group of kids! A lot of them too... this past Sunday we had almost 20 in that little ole class room. Anyway... on to my story!!

We (my co-teacher and myself) have been "going" to different places around the world over the past few months with our students. We teach from HighPoint and it "takes" you to all sorts of places by "plane". We always have a character that helps drive home whichever point it is we are trying to make. For instance, right now we "are in" Alaska! Mount McKinley to be specific... our object lesson is "Overcoming Disappointment", so the 5 weeks that we will be "in" Alaska will be teaching them how to overcome disappointing times in their life by relying on God! Our character is Miles High, a mountain climber who is headed to the summit of Mt. McKinley. He is involved in a situation with a friend from school who used to always bully him (they are grown now and he wants to get even...) Miles visits us each week and we help him work through his disappointment!! We always have a "life verse", which right now is "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 Then we have "the point"... "When I feel disappointed, I will trust God". These are driven home to the children week after week, so by the time we get to the end of the 5 weeks... they are Johnny on the Spot when you ask them what they are!!

Ok... on to Patience and Perseverance!! These were 2 words that the students had to learn about a couple of weeks ago! I say the students and really mean myself!! Hard times are upon everyone, I believe! Satan is out for individuals, family units, churches, etc, etc!! We must guard ourselves against the attack of the enemy at all times!! So, Sunday night, Bro. Bill preaches from the back of a french fry bag... (if you were there, you know) Isaiah 30:18 "The Lord wants to show his mercy to you. He wants to rise and comfort you. The Lord is a fair God, and everyone who WAITS for His help will be happy" (emphasis mine) UGH!!!!!! But, GOD.... I'M TIRED OF WAITING!!! I'VE BEEN PATIENT LONG ENOUGH!!!! Well, the very next day (Monday), I picked up my Bible and there was a piece of paper sticking out of the top that had been there for several weeks. I decide to take it out and when I opened up the Bible to remove the paper, there it was!! Isaiah 32!! The book Isaiah was very familiar... I had just heard from that book the night before. So, I looked on and there was "the headline" Hard Times are Coming... what?? Are you kidding me right now?? COMING?? I thought they were already HERE!!!!!! Yes... my hard times are here RIGHT NOW!!!! So, on I read. (This was Isaiah 32:9-14) Then there it is again... another "headline" Things Will Get Better... whew!! THANK YOU LORD!!! (Isaiah 32:15-20)

It finally hit me... it's all about patience and perseverance! Holding on and not giving up. WAITING on the Lord to deliver "the good times" in HIS time!! Vs. 18 says "My people will live in peaceful places and in safe homes and in calm places of rest." Wow!! I can't wait for that to come!! Ha!! You hear that... "I CAN'T WAIT for that to come" Lets regroup... I WILL wait for that to come!!

So, here I am, readers... patiently waiting and (as my dd would say) practicing perseverance!!

Life is HARD! But God is GOOD!!!!!!

Have you ever gone through those times when you just think... GOD, I NEED YOU NOW!!!!!!!!!  Only to look around and it seems HE is no where to be found.  Although you know in your heart, mind and spirit that He is ALWAYS with you... you just can't seem to find Him right now!  Sometimes it is difficult to see through our own pain and find Him waiting there, but He is.... there!!  Waiting for us to let it all go and give it to Him to take care of!!  We all know that life is hard, but what we need to realize is GOD IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Worry and stress, anguish and pain,

It can make you feel like you are going insane!

Just let it all go, give it to God -

You hear all of this yet you just smile and nod.

It's so much easier said than done -

So, instead you hold it... but it's not much fun!

Life is hard, without a doubt!!

But there's no need to sit and pout.

Just give it to God, this time for real -

He'll give you joy in place of the pain you feel.

Surrender it all, just let it all go!!

Give the opportunity for HIM to show -

There's a life lesson that you should learn

Just seek after God!  For only Him yearn.

Read the Word everyday and pray like you should -

Because life is hard!  But GOD IS GOOD!!!!!!!!!

I hope you will find a little bit of comfort today in the words that I've written.  Again I say, sometimes it's so hard to see anything good through all of our pain and sorrow.  But, nevertheless... God is with us through it all and He is a GOOD GOD!!  Just hold on to that word today!!  GOD IS GOOD!!!!!! 

Be blessed....

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE??

Wow - where has the time gone??  Has it really been almost 2 months since I've posted a blog?  What is wrong with me??  Oh yeah, LIFE!!  Busy, busy, busy... that's how it's been.  So, I'm not coming today with anything profound - actually, I'm not coming today with anything, really.  Just to let you all know I'm still here - I'm still alive and I do have stuff swimming around in my head just dying to get out.  Just haven't had the time to write it all down yet.  I promise to get back to that soon though.  Don't give up on me!!  So, until then... just keep checking back and God Bless You!! 

(sorry Tiff about all that punctuation!!  LOL)

THE FAITHFUL ONE

Psalm 9:10

Those who know your name will trust in You, for You, Lord have never forsaken those who seek you.

Have you ever felt like God has forsaken you?  Like things just can't possibly get any worse than they are right NOW!  Then, your dog dies, your house gets burglarized, or you get into a fender-bender... all of the sudden -THINGS GOT WORSE!!!!  What are you supposed to do now??  How are you going to get out of this, seemingly, never-ending circle of destruction.  AND where is God in all of this???  You've called on HIM every day and He just obviously isn't any where to be found!  Why would He leave you in a time like this? When you apparently need Him more now than you've ever needed him before!

All you did was pray for some patience!  You told God you wanted to prove yourself faithful to Him.  Did you ever stop to think that maybe God is testing you??  Just maybe he's trying to see how patient you can be, how faithful you intend to prove yourself. 

During this trying time in your life, have you prayed MORE or LESS??  Have you put your COMPLETE trust in GOD, knowing that things are bound to get better??  Do you really think God has forsaken you?? 

How about this... instead of focusing on all the BAD things that are happening, focus on all of the GOOD things.  I know, I know... it's easier said than done... but you have to do it with a made up mind.  You CHOOSE where your focus is... When you realize you are focusing on the negative, choose immediately to focus on the positive!! 

But, I lost my job.  More time with the kids!!

I got into a car accident.  You're still alive!!

My finances are in a bind.  You have a job!!

If you just can't see the "silver lining" in your situation, see this one....GOD IS FAITHFUL!!  GOD IS FAITHFUL!!  GOD IS FAITHFUL!!  As long as you are doing your part trusting in and being faithful to God, HE will be faithful to YOU!!!

Psalm 9:10

Those who know Your name will trust in You, for You, Lord have never forsaken those who seek you.

There is a song by SELAH, entitled "Faithful One"... powerful words!!  I'm going to give you the 1st verse and chorus here... but you should look it up!!  It's amazing!!  Love it, love it!!!

I find no hope within to call my own, For I am frail of heart, my strength is gone, But deep within my soul is rising up a song, Here in the comfort of THE FAITHFUL ONE.

I walk a narrow road through valleys deep, In search of higher ground on mountains steep, And tho' with feet unsure, I still keep pressing on, For I am guided by THE FAITFUL ONE

Faithful, Faithful to the end, My true and precious friend, You have been faithful, faithful, so faithful to me!!

Be blessed today.... even in a rotten situation!!!!!!  Always remember that GOD is....THE FAITHFUL ONE!!!

 

Will Work For Food

Nowhere to go, nothing to eat

Homeless & hungry -it is no treat

I didn't imagine life this way

Don't know what to expect from day to day

How did this happen?  What went wrong?

I thought I was more, I thought I was strong.

Now on the corner I sit of 5th and Jude,

Holding my sign "will work for food"

A single mother of 3, I have found myself

Looking for money in the jar on the shelf.

Down to my last dollar, no job in sight

Struggling to make it, with all of my might.

The children are hungry, I'm weary and worn

Can't "dress to impress", my clothes are all torn.

I'll go to this restaurant, that's what I'll do...

I'll let them know that I "will work for food".

A sinner am I, I was born that way

But down came a Savior, so in sin I won't stay

He gave His life on the cross, He bled and died.

So I could be saved and swallow my pride.

The Living Water, they say, the Bread of Life,

He keeps us, sustains us, so we won't live in strife.

For His Kingdom, I'll strive, to always do good,

And for the rest of my life I "will work for food"!

John 6:47-51
 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." 
NIV

Pictures taken from:  www.andybrarer.typepad.com and www.old-photos.blogspot.com

                       

An Invitation to Praise

Ps 105:1-4
Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
2 Sing to him, sing praise to him;
tell of all his wonderful acts.
3 Glory in his holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.
4 Look to the LORD and his strength;
seek his face always.
NIV

I think this is one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible. I love the Psalms anyway!! It's all such a song and it blesses me every time I read it!! Here is what I came up with after reading today....

AN INVITATION TO PRAISE

Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name

For the good things in life HE is to blame.

Make known above the nations what He has done

If you want it simply put, it means tell everyone!

Sing to Him, sing praise to Him

Through your worship, He'll fill you to the brim.

Tell of all His wonderful acts

Don't make up stories... just give the facts.

Glory in His holy name

In Him is where you'll find true fame!

Let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice

Lift it up... don't be afraid to use your voice!!

Look to the Lord and His strength

Draw close to Him, don't keep Him at arms length.

Seek His face, Seek His face always

Not just from time to time, but seek Him ALL days.

What a blessing we get when we tell of the Lord;

About all of His goodness and our great reward.

How blessed are we all to be called HIS child!

When we each called Him "father", I'm pretty sure He smiled.

Now rejoice in the Lord and in all of His ways;

For this, my dear friends, is

AN INVITATION TO PRAISE!!

So what are you waiting for?? I think it's time you RSVP and let God know that you're accepting this invitation!! Let Him know that you are coming and You'll meet Him there!!! He'll be there for sure!!

Have a praise-filled day!!!!!!!!!!!