I was reading Solomon's accounting of the house that he built for the Lord. The temple was a magnificient structure--it took 7 years to complete! But Solomon, in all his wisdom, says this: "The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?" 2Chronicles 2:5-6
The work that we do for the Lord is just that-- an offering of worship before Him. It is not because of our greatness "Who am I?" but because of His greatness that we give our lives as worship for Him, and to Him for His glory!
I am thankful today for:
The reminder that our God is a miracle working God!!
A new look at an old story--seeing through the life of Mary that not understanding and yet believing can walk hand in hand as we wonder at all that He is!!
The sun rise reminding me that the Son has risen!!
Hope and healing in the ICU
His grace is sufficient for me!!
He alone is worthy of all praise
For warmth when it is cold, and cold when it is warm--oh, Lord, we are so blessed
For chats over lunches with good friends
For seeing & surrendering to Him each day
For the care and genuine concern and encouragement for me offered by dear friends
For being able to catch glimpses of what God is doing!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Control
I was watching some TV show and one of the characters had gone through some pretty difficult situations and was recognizing that in life she must yield up control.
Yup, me too.
I too need to learn to yield up control. I control what I say and do so that people will be happy with me. I control what I wear and what I look like to gain the approval of others. I control the skills that I have and the work that I do so that everyone will know that I am a good nurse. I control whatever I can.
And then it comes crashing down. The stress of that kind of self-inflicted responsibility only causes anxiety and fear. Because the reality is that I have no control. But unlike the character in the show I was watching I don't just yield control to the fates. I can yield up control to Someone who loves me! Jesus came to rescue us from the folly of ourselves. He is my Savior (and oh, how desperately I need a Savior!) But He is also my Lord. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of lords. He is the Eternal One. Colossians says that: " For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
I don't need to hold it together because He is holding all things together. And daily I need to preach this message to myself that "His grace is sufficient for me." When I yield control to Him I place my appearance, my reputation, my job, my future, my life in His hands. I don't need to get it right all the time. I don't even need to be the perfect Christian. Jesus saved me knowing full well that I would mess up and that I would fail. He knows my weaknesses and He loves me anyways. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
So Lord, I pray that I would learn to rest in Your grace, to trust in Your plan and remember that You are the One who holds it all together!
Amen!
Yup, me too.
I too need to learn to yield up control. I control what I say and do so that people will be happy with me. I control what I wear and what I look like to gain the approval of others. I control the skills that I have and the work that I do so that everyone will know that I am a good nurse. I control whatever I can.
And then it comes crashing down. The stress of that kind of self-inflicted responsibility only causes anxiety and fear. Because the reality is that I have no control. But unlike the character in the show I was watching I don't just yield control to the fates. I can yield up control to Someone who loves me! Jesus came to rescue us from the folly of ourselves. He is my Savior (and oh, how desperately I need a Savior!) But He is also my Lord. He is the King of Kings and the Lord of lords. He is the Eternal One. Colossians says that: " For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."
I don't need to hold it together because He is holding all things together. And daily I need to preach this message to myself that "His grace is sufficient for me." When I yield control to Him I place my appearance, my reputation, my job, my future, my life in His hands. I don't need to get it right all the time. I don't even need to be the perfect Christian. Jesus saved me knowing full well that I would mess up and that I would fail. He knows my weaknesses and He loves me anyways. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
So Lord, I pray that I would learn to rest in Your grace, to trust in Your plan and remember that You are the One who holds it all together!
Amen!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
The Path is Bright!
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day Proverbs 4:18
Counting His goodness and His grace today:
Thankful for the balm of work...in Kneading bread, I am reminded that I need Him.
For the comfort of chats and chai with my mom and sister
for the wonder of each new day--the path "shines brighter and brighter" until That Day!
for the beauty of songs like this:
Counting His goodness and His grace today:
Thankful for the balm of work...in Kneading bread, I am reminded that I need Him.
For the comfort of chats and chai with my mom and sister
for the wonder of each new day--the path "shines brighter and brighter" until That Day!
for the beauty of songs like this:
This yummy recipe: http://www.littlekitchenbigbites.com/2012/08/23/butternut-squash-sweet-potato-brown-butter-sage-lasagna/
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Patience in Tribulation
"Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer." Romans 12:12
And so I will keep counting...
a wonderful weekend at Iroquoina
meeting new friends who are like old friends
worshipping with others who Love You!
hearing from the hearts of young men who are set on passionately serving the Savior
building snowmen and playing in castles--feeling like a kid again
safety on the roads--Jesus carrying my poor old car there and back again
His grace is sufficient for me.
seeing my cousins!
hugs that say what words can never say
hearing of His workings even in our sorrow
that even in the furnance He is with me
that the flames removed their bonds alone
Thankful for all He is and all He has done!
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Keep counting!
18. A gift held: my hand held as a dear gentleman at church listened to me share what the Lord is doing in my life.
19. A gift passed by: a baby nestled in her sister's arms
20. A gift sat with: dinner with my dear Mrs.V. What a joy she is to me!
21. A gift sour: tart wildberry tea to help me through my day.
22. A gift sweet: dark chocolate kisses
23. A gift just right: Hot cocoa with ginger snaps!
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me
Enjoying this song tonight!
Enjoying this challenge from Ann: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/01/the-1-habit-god-really-wants-for-your-new-year/
Rejoicing in Jesus! Choosing His joy! Resting in His grace!
19. A gift passed by: a baby nestled in her sister's arms
20. A gift sat with: dinner with my dear Mrs.V. What a joy she is to me!
21. A gift sour: tart wildberry tea to help me through my day.
22. A gift sweet: dark chocolate kisses
23. A gift just right: Hot cocoa with ginger snaps!
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me
Enjoying this song tonight!
Enjoying this challenge from Ann: http://www.aholyexperience.com/2013/01/the-1-habit-god-really-wants-for-your-new-year/
Rejoicing in Jesus! Choosing His joy! Resting in His grace!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Counting more
14. a beautiful sunrise this morning that reminded me of this:
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.
1 Chronicles 29:11
15. These amazing gluten-free recipes! Finding new things that Heather can eat is so fun!
*disclaimer: results not typical
(actually my pancakes were much smaller--I just thought this picture was funny)
Wild blueberries
(actually--those are tapioca balls from bubble tea, and I don't recommend that!)
This 2nd recipe I modified quite a bit: here's my version
3/4 cup of dark buckwheat flour (I omitted the flaxseed)
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 egg
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 apples, peeled and grated (I used some left over fruit salad--pears, apples and bananas ~ 1 1/2 cups and chopped it in the food processor)
3 Tablespoons of coconut oil, melted (I used regular vegetable oil)
Additions:
1/2 cup of blueberries, (I used shredded coconut)
1/4 cup of chocolate chips
I really liked the way they turned out--but you should know that they hardly rise at all--so however thick they are before you bake them is how thick they will be after you bake them. Also I think in the future I will add a little sweetener (honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, etc) and some salt.
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
1 egg
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 apples, peeled and grated (I used some left over fruit salad--pears, apples and bananas ~ 1 1/2 cups and chopped it in the food processor)
3 Tablespoons of coconut oil, melted (I used regular vegetable oil)
Additions:
1/2 cup of blueberries, (I used shredded coconut)
1/4 cup of chocolate chips
I really liked the way they turned out--but you should know that they hardly rise at all--so however thick they are before you bake them is how thick they will be after you bake them. Also I think in the future I will add a little sweetener (honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, etc) and some salt.
16. getting my car back from the shop! Thankful for the blessing and burden of car ownership--blessed to have my own care when so many in this world don't even have their own bed. And the burden of car ownership--reminding me of His grace because I hardly ever know what is going on with car stuff and must depend on others. May I learn to daily remember that I don't really know what is going on with life stuff and must depend on Him!!
17. Thankful for the kindness of strangers--that the man @ the auto parts store used the extra time he had on hand to put my headlight in for me :)
Monday, January 7, 2013
Counting graces
Counting more graces today and today is harder than some. My heart is heavy with grief for many of my friends who are suffering. My eyes are swollen and dry from crying. But as I gripped the steering wheel on the way home I sang through the sobs "The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning It's time to sing Your song again Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me Let me be singing when the evening comes."
He is Lord and He is on the throne and counting graces is what tunes my heart to praise and so I will keep counting.
Today I am thankful for:
1. a fridge full of food that I didn't even have to shop for.
2. a book to challenge my thinking: God's Design for Women, by Sharon James.
3. A story about what it means to be brave.
A little girl sat in the exam room at the doctor's office her feet dangling of the edge of the table. There was one thought on her mind: Shots! Just the word made her start to quiver. She didn't want to know if she needed any, and yet she did want to know. Her knees felt weak and she began to shake as she asked the nurse in a voice that would waver despite her efforts otherwise, "Do I need a shot?" The nurse hesistated, and asked her, "Do you really want to know now?" The little girl's heart began to beat faster as the tears began to flow. "Yes, I do," she sobbed. The fear and panic began to build and the little girl felt ill from the anxiety. When the end of the visit came and the shot was over and she was calm once again, the nurse looked at the little girl as she brushed her bangs back from her face and she said, "Do you know how brave you are?" The little girl looked up at her confused. She knew that all the tears were not the sign of bravery. The nurse continued to smooth back her hair as she explained "Being brave does not mean that you are not scared or that you don't cry. Being brave means recognizing that you are afraid and being strong enough to act anyways. Bravery is not the absence of fear but the act of facing fear." The little girl sniffed and wiped away a tear from her cheek as she smiled tentatively at the nurse and tucked those truths in her little girl heart where they can grow.
4. Chinese take-out to easy a hurting heart--because in my family that is what we do--we share a meal, a treat, a snack together as we live, and pray and weep and work together.
5. A friend who offers a listening ear and whose ready laughter helps me to not take myself too seriously.
6. a cup of tea with momma
7. A hug from my daddy.
8. a car loaned to me by my brother.
9. hugs from co-workers
10. "Good-night, Megaroo!" From a friend
11. my roommate making my favorite dish
12. a hug from my sister
13. the prayers of my friends.
He is Lord and He is on the throne and counting graces is what tunes my heart to praise and so I will keep counting.
Today I am thankful for:
1. a fridge full of food that I didn't even have to shop for.
2. a book to challenge my thinking: God's Design for Women, by Sharon James.
3. A story about what it means to be brave.
A little girl sat in the exam room at the doctor's office her feet dangling of the edge of the table. There was one thought on her mind: Shots! Just the word made her start to quiver. She didn't want to know if she needed any, and yet she did want to know. Her knees felt weak and she began to shake as she asked the nurse in a voice that would waver despite her efforts otherwise, "Do I need a shot?" The nurse hesistated, and asked her, "Do you really want to know now?" The little girl's heart began to beat faster as the tears began to flow. "Yes, I do," she sobbed. The fear and panic began to build and the little girl felt ill from the anxiety. When the end of the visit came and the shot was over and she was calm once again, the nurse looked at the little girl as she brushed her bangs back from her face and she said, "Do you know how brave you are?" The little girl looked up at her confused. She knew that all the tears were not the sign of bravery. The nurse continued to smooth back her hair as she explained "Being brave does not mean that you are not scared or that you don't cry. Being brave means recognizing that you are afraid and being strong enough to act anyways. Bravery is not the absence of fear but the act of facing fear." The little girl sniffed and wiped away a tear from her cheek as she smiled tentatively at the nurse and tucked those truths in her little girl heart where they can grow.
4. Chinese take-out to easy a hurting heart--because in my family that is what we do--we share a meal, a treat, a snack together as we live, and pray and weep and work together.
5. A friend who offers a listening ear and whose ready laughter helps me to not take myself too seriously.
6. a cup of tea with momma
7. A hug from my daddy.
8. a car loaned to me by my brother.
9. hugs from co-workers
10. "Good-night, Megaroo!" From a friend
11. my roommate making my favorite dish
12. a hug from my sister
13. the prayers of my friends.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Something you are reading making seeing
Something you are reading making seeing
Counting to 1,000 in 2013
I am reading www.aholyexperience.com. and Loved today's challenge to be in the word and memorizing God's word "Your word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You." Psalm 119:11.
I made this recipe this morning: Bread Pudding Muffins. And who says that you can't eat dessert for breakfast? It has eggs and toast and milk and fruit!
I am seeing--starting to see with new eyes the God who is the All-sufficient One! As I count the gifts, as I think about Him, as I pray to Him with every breath, realizing more and more my dependency on Him, I catch more glimpses of His glory.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Five-minute Fridays: Opportunity
If I am following five-minute Fridays according to the rules I have already failed. I wrote a sentence or two and erased them and started again. I have realized recently (again) how fearful I am and this is just a momentary example of that fear. I worry about acceptance and presume rejection. I worry about the judgement of others and I assume that they do judge. So today's five minute Friday is my opportunity to discipline myself to let go of fear. Because as Mike from 10th Ave North says: "fear is just a lie."
And so I am choosing now the opportunity to let go of fear and to believe the truth of Christ. I am loved because He is love. May I learn to live loved!
Also..counting graces..
thankful today for
3 gifts overheard...
listening to this about prayer
Listening to true "how are you's?"
listening to my mom pray for me.
3 gifts...old, new, blue
my old car :) A great gift from God
a new bag that I got to give to someone else to bless them
blue skies...even when the clouds are gray.
And so I am choosing now the opportunity to let go of fear and to believe the truth of Christ. I am loved because He is love. May I learn to live loved!
Also..counting graces..
thankful today for
3 gifts overheard...
listening to this about prayer
Listening to true "how are you's?"
listening to my mom pray for me.
3 gifts...old, new, blue
my old car :) A great gift from God
a new bag that I got to give to someone else to bless them
blue skies...even when the clouds are gray.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
A gift outside, inside and on a plate
# 1. Snow!!
Although I am not sure that I love to drive in it--I am thankful for its beauty & purity. "Though you sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow." (Isaiah 1:18)
#2. Singing hymns of worship to the Lord in my stocking feet in the chapel tonight--reminded me of Moses taking off his sandals and I am so glad that Jesus tore the veil so that I have free access into the most Holy place!
#3. Yummy dinner that I didn't cook myself--thankful for the money to buy food, for the endless choices that are available to me and the kind people who are gracious to this young woman/shy girl who is petrified of placing her order at the grocery store counter. Thankful for the kind smile and the "have a lovely evening" that make it a grace-filled moment.
Although I am not sure that I love to drive in it--I am thankful for its beauty & purity. "Though you sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow." (Isaiah 1:18)
#2. Singing hymns of worship to the Lord in my stocking feet in the chapel tonight--reminded me of Moses taking off his sandals and I am so glad that Jesus tore the veil so that I have free access into the most Holy place!
#3. Yummy dinner that I didn't cook myself--thankful for the money to buy food, for the endless choices that are available to me and the kind people who are gracious to this young woman/shy girl who is petrified of placing her order at the grocery store counter. Thankful for the kind smile and the "have a lovely evening" that make it a grace-filled moment.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Hello 2013!
I posted the other day about the best of 2012--it was good to look back and see the many good things that God had done. This year, as I "fall forward" into 2013 I want to daily see. To have the kind of sight that stops me in my tracks at the wonder of God. I want to be conscious of His constant presence with me. I want to live in the reality that I am indeed kept by grace.
I am going to try again to count with Ann to one thousand. To count daily the ways that He loves me. I am going to count to learn thankful trust, to see Him, and savor Him always.
Today's gifts are 3 gifts heard:
I am going to try again to count with Ann to one thousand. To count daily the ways that He loves me. I am going to count to learn thankful trust, to see Him, and savor Him always.
Today's gifts are 3 gifts heard:
A reminder in this song that where the Lord, my Love is, there is my home.
This song says it all. I need Him so desperately, every moment of every day. I wrestle with anxiety because I try and do it all on my own instead of realizing His supreme control!
This is a gem--I was listening to them earlier and stumbled on this just now! Wow! And what a challenge to my heart--may it be said that everywhere I go, someone is talking about Jesus and may that someone be me.
I also enjoyed hearing beautiful worship music from Chris Rice, Fernando Oretega, and Rich Mullins on the radio today.
I am thankful that I could hear His voice as I spent time in the word today.
I am thankful for the beautiful music that I listened to as I watched Pride and Prejudice.
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