Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
I needed this today!
"You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge." Psalm 14:6 (NIV)
When I read today's key verse, I thought about the people who contributed to the financial mess within our country this past year. These people lined their own pockets without concern for the ramifications of their choices. They knowingly deceived those who trusted them. They covered themselves, while leaving others exposed in the process. They were like the evildoers who frustrated the plans of the poor. Sadly, lot of us were left feeling poor - financially and spiritually - as our plans were frustrated.
Thankfully, this is not where the verse ends. Yes, bad things happen. Yes, we have all seen our private finances affected by this public crisis. Bu t this verse reminds us that the Lord is our refuge. I started thinking about what the word refuge means, and found this definition in Webster's 1828 Dictionary: "That which shelters or protects from danger, distress or calamity; a stronghold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; any place inaccessible to an enemy."
Then I cross-referenced the word "refuge" in the Bible. I found many other scriptures that remind us that God is our refuge. Second Samuel 22:2-4 and Psalm 18:2-3 are the same verses repeated by King David while facing troubled times:
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior - from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of my praise, and I am saved from my enemies."
I love how both the definition and the verse talk about a refuge being a place wh ere your enemies can't get to you! Do you need that reminder today? I know sometimes I need to remember that He offers me that safe place I can run to … a place where my enemies can't touch me!
We can claim the promise that is found in Psalm 17:14: "O Lord, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world, whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children."
People who make money their god receive their reward in this life. But they will spend eternity in longing. That doesn't sound like a good trade to me!
God promises those who place their trust in Him He will keep from going hungry. He will make sure our children have plenty, and He will give us wealth to store up for our children. That doesn't mean wealth like our world defines it. Jesus said that He doesn't give as the world gives. In God's economy, wealth exists in hope, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control. Unlike money, these are the things that last, and bring about eternal blessings.
Do you need to take refuge in God instead of letting bad news rule your heart and mind? Do you need to spend time today searching His Word for promises and assurances that will comfort your hurting heart and settle your anxious mind? Maybe you need to journal your feelings, pouring out your heart to God and seeking His answers. Maybe you need to pray without ceasing, allowing His presence to give you rest from worry. Whatever troubles you, seek refuge in God.
He is right there waiting for you to find shelter and safety in Him.
Dear Lord, I need You to be my refuge. Thank You that Your Word promises You will be a refuge for me in times of trouble. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
When I read today's key verse, I thought about the people who contributed to the financial mess within our country this past year. These people lined their own pockets without concern for the ramifications of their choices. They knowingly deceived those who trusted them. They covered themselves, while leaving others exposed in the process. They were like the evildoers who frustrated the plans of the poor. Sadly, lot of us were left feeling poor - financially and spiritually - as our plans were frustrated.
Thankfully, this is not where the verse ends. Yes, bad things happen. Yes, we have all seen our private finances affected by this public crisis. Bu t this verse reminds us that the Lord is our refuge. I started thinking about what the word refuge means, and found this definition in Webster's 1828 Dictionary: "That which shelters or protects from danger, distress or calamity; a stronghold which protects by its strength, or a sanctuary which secures safety by its sacredness; any place inaccessible to an enemy."
Then I cross-referenced the word "refuge" in the Bible. I found many other scriptures that remind us that God is our refuge. Second Samuel 22:2-4 and Psalm 18:2-3 are the same verses repeated by King David while facing troubled times:
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior - from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of my praise, and I am saved from my enemies."
I love how both the definition and the verse talk about a refuge being a place wh ere your enemies can't get to you! Do you need that reminder today? I know sometimes I need to remember that He offers me that safe place I can run to … a place where my enemies can't touch me!
We can claim the promise that is found in Psalm 17:14: "O Lord, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world, whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children."
People who make money their god receive their reward in this life. But they will spend eternity in longing. That doesn't sound like a good trade to me!
God promises those who place their trust in Him He will keep from going hungry. He will make sure our children have plenty, and He will give us wealth to store up for our children. That doesn't mean wealth like our world defines it. Jesus said that He doesn't give as the world gives. In God's economy, wealth exists in hope, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self control. Unlike money, these are the things that last, and bring about eternal blessings.
Do you need to take refuge in God instead of letting bad news rule your heart and mind? Do you need to spend time today searching His Word for promises and assurances that will comfort your hurting heart and settle your anxious mind? Maybe you need to journal your feelings, pouring out your heart to God and seeking His answers. Maybe you need to pray without ceasing, allowing His presence to give you rest from worry. Whatever troubles you, seek refuge in God.
He is right there waiting for you to find shelter and safety in Him.
Dear Lord, I need You to be my refuge. Thank You that Your Word promises You will be a refuge for me in times of trouble. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Bella's 6 month check-up
Today we took Bella to the doctor for her 6 month check-up. She is doing GREAT! She weighs 16lbs 9oz and is 26in long. For all of you peeps out there that like to make the joke that we need to feed our baby I would like to tell you that she has FINALLY caught up to the 50th percentile! I know she is a chunker-butt, but she is still on the smaller side!
When it rains, it rains
Well, today was not the most wonderful of days. Aaron and I were planning on spending the day hanging out with Bella and going to Harvest Homecoming. Big pooper on those plans thanks to the 25 million inches of rain we have had. So I got up this morning thankful that I was able to sleep in until 6:30 when I woke G up to get in the shower. Finally got him ready and out the door when he tells me that no one is at the bus stop. So I told him to come back in and I would take him to school since I thought he missed the bus. Turned on the news and...what is that? School closings and delays...WHAT?!?!?! Yep, G was on a 2 hour delay. How exactly is that going to work when the bus won't come until 9:30 and we have to be in NA for Bella's doctor's appointment at 9:00. Well, it all became clear to me after Garrett spent the next hour in the bathroom. Yep, he went with us to the doctor. So we were running a few minutes late, and if you know my son he is not the fastest person in the world. Lighting a flame under him is like trying to burn wet wood. Anyhow, we were running a few minutes behind when Bella pukes all over herself. AND she was already in the car seat. So, out she goes to change and get cleaned off. Finally get her cleaned up and ready to go when I decide to call the doctor's office to let them know we are running a bit behind due to G being in the bathroom and Bella puking when they tell me that they won't be able to see her today since we will be late. EXCUSE ME? WHAT! How many times do you go to the doctor and wait forever and they won't see you if you are running late. I understand that they are trying to keep a tight schedule, but come on. Life happens people. It's not like I was laying around eating bon bons all morning instead of trying to get out the door! I was furious! Well, we finally got there 15 minutes late and they saw her. They gave her 3 shots and said she looks great. YEA! When I left I was getting dirty looks by the lady who made our next appointment for us. I think if looks could kill I would be dead. BUT the kicker is this...she kept telling me how busy they were and blah blah blah and when we got there....there was NO ONE in the office!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So then we had 15 million errands to run and didn't even get them all finished. And why is it that when you are having a not so fabulous day that everyone in the world knows it and decides to hate on you as well? I don't know, maybe they don't really hate you but you are having such a crappy day that it feels like they all hate you. I would have been so happy to stay home today and chill with my fam....I wish we had more of that. Maybe that is why I was so blah today. Maybe it was the rain. I needed to vent about all of this raining crudioca. I try to be a very positive person, but I think I was on the cloudy side of the rainbow today...not hard to do with all of the rain that we've had!
So then we had 15 million errands to run and didn't even get them all finished. And why is it that when you are having a not so fabulous day that everyone in the world knows it and decides to hate on you as well? I don't know, maybe they don't really hate you but you are having such a crappy day that it feels like they all hate you. I would have been so happy to stay home today and chill with my fam....I wish we had more of that. Maybe that is why I was so blah today. Maybe it was the rain. I needed to vent about all of this raining crudioca. I try to be a very positive person, but I think I was on the cloudy side of the rainbow today...not hard to do with all of the rain that we've had!
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