I keep telling myself that I will post regularly but things (life) just seems to get in the way. Is that the way with our relationship with God sometimes. I let other things get in the way. Yes, they are good things, they can even be things I know God wants me to do. However, he also desires for me to spend time with him alone.
Today as I sat knitting I was reminded again that when I follow the pattern things go so well and the piece looks like it was designed to look. However, when I don't keep my attention focused on the pattern the work does not go well and the piece does not turn out. Same thing with following God's instructions/pattern. I also realized that at times he wants me to just spend time alone with him studying, praying, listening and RESTING. I can allow myself to get to busy with life that I forget to just take time to rest in God's presence.
I have also been struggling with the issue of waiting upon the Lord. By that I mean being patient and waiting for God's answer in God's time. I am preparing for WLS and everything has come down to one last item from my primary care physician in order for the Bariatric Surgeon to schedule the surgery. I keep getting impatient with my PCP because I want her to hurry up and write the document and fax it to the surgeon's office. I have to remind myself that I am not her only patient and this will happen on her time schedule and God's which isn't always as fast as mine.
The other thing on my mind recently has been that God does not answer "Maybe". His answer is either "yes, no, or wait" but it is never "maybe". He does not say "well maybe I'll let you do that even though I know it is the wrong choice." He also does not say "well maybe I'll have you serve in a foriegn mission field". He gives us a clear calling and clear answers. I however, don't always listen or chose to accept his answer. I keep trying to turn a "no" into a "yes" and a "wait" into a "yes, now". When I do that I am unhappy and things do not go well. I become anxious, angry, irritable, and unfortunately those around me often suffer.
Lord, today my prayer is that you help me to hear your answers clearly and accept the "no's" and "waits" as readily as I do the "yeses". Help me to keep my attention on your pattern for my life and to follow your instructions. Relieve me of my selfishness and self-centeredness. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
A Much Better Week
Although I am still missing my old clown dog, I had a very productive weekend. I am looking forward to a much better week. Tomorrow I have my visit with my primary care physician to get my medical clearance for bariatric surgery. Over the weekend I finished a crocheted cotton Empire top, my first serious cable project, and learned to make socks. The cable project is a purse. I used some fat quarters I got a Hobby Lobby to make the lining and added some studs from my Beadazzler. The socks took so long to figure out because it took me a while to locate a website that explained that knitting in the round is a little different from flat knitting. With knitting in the round to make sockinette stitching and garter stitching you do just the opposite of what you do for flat knitting. It made me think of the fact that although there are several good theologians and preachers whose sermans can be found on the good Christian websites, there are also those who are not completely Biblical. Several are what are commonly called Good New/Prosperity Evangelists. You have to find the complete instructions and for that the website is the Bible. Only by studying the Bible in its entirity can you learn what you really need to have your life knit together as God intends. By that I don't mean that you must read the whole Bible every time you hear something but that you must read the full passage and take it in context. It is also very helpful if you can also study the Bible with a few reliable teachers, in a group so that you are not basing your understanding on your own interpretation. Then you are more apt to grasp the full content of God's message (his instructions). Like the socks, when I do that things flow so easily. However, when I don't I struggle. With the socks that means I have to unravel stitches and sometimes rows and start over. With my live, I go through periods when things are just not right and again I struggle with doubts, irritability, fear, etc.
I also read a really wonderful devotational this morning that came in my email. It talked about how sometimes we just need to sit in silence with God. This is a skill that has taken a long time for me to acquire but one that every time I will slow down long enough to do it, brings rewards.
Therefore, my prayer today is that I will spend time in God's Word learning his instructions for my life but that I will also spend some time just being silent before him as a form of prayer and a sign of my obedience.
I also read a really wonderful devotational this morning that came in my email. It talked about how sometimes we just need to sit in silence with God. This is a skill that has taken a long time for me to acquire but one that every time I will slow down long enough to do it, brings rewards.
Therefore, my prayer today is that I will spend time in God's Word learning his instructions for my life but that I will also spend some time just being silent before him as a form of prayer and a sign of my obedience.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Sad weekend
It has been a very sad weekend around my house. Sunday morning when I got up to go to church I discovered our old dachsund/beagle mix Doodle Bug had died during the night. So instead of going to church I took a trip to the emergency clinic to have them take care of the body. He will be very sorely missed. He brought us so much joy and laughter. He truely was our little fat clown dog. Our other little dog is at a loss as she can not really understand what has happened. She has been very quite and just follows us around from room to room. I prefer to think that he is now in heaven making the angels laugh. As for me every time I think of him I start crying. I know my tears are for me and my loss because he is most certainly healthier where he is. Some people may think it is silly to grieve the loss of a dog but they are just as much my friends as any human.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
I've been out of the loop
Have spent the last week battling the crouping crud that seems to be making the rounds. Missed three days of work and some activities. I seem to be on the mend though so hopefully sometime this week will get back in the swing of things. Have not really been in much of a mood to write lately. May need to dig out the Daily Writer or the assignments from there that I never started. Have been much more active with my knitting and crocheting. I am also approaching the final items on my pre-op checklist in preparation for bariatric surgery. Was in good stride to lose the last five pounds when the crud hit and have not been to the gym in over a week. Hopefully the first the month will start a new page. Have stayed within point for the last three days which is a break through there. After my PCP put me on Metformin was really struggling with hunger cravings so instead of loosing weight like most people do when put on that prescription I was stalled and about to start back up. Doing better now that I have stopped the medication. Am also considering taking a summer Bible study. Have gotten very lax in that area also and really need to get back into a routine.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Aspire to Inspire
"Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or
addicted to much wine, but to teach was is good. Then they can train the younger women
to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home,
to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."
Titus 2:3-5 (NIV)
Yesterday as I was running errands I saw a church marquee that read "Aspire to Inspire before you Expire". I was immediately reminded of what has been called the Titus 2 woman. Now most of us has heard of the Proverbs 31 woman. I even receive a daily devotional from the P31 Ministries and regularly check the blogs of the women who write and speak for this ministry. However, God has also regularly reminded me of the other instructions to women in His word. I personally have been challenged and inspired by the Titus 2 women.
Paul gives instructions to Titus, who he has left behind in Crete. Included in these instructions are the things that Titus is to teach various groups. In Titus 2:11-14 Paul goes on to tell Titus why he needs to teach the people the things he had instructed him to teach. Paul states that it is because God's grace, through the form of His Son, Jesus, has appeared for the salvation of all, to redeem all. Only those who truly receive Him as Lord and Savior are saved. Paul further states that the same grace that saves us aso trains us. Therefore, Titus needs to teach the people so that the Word of God will not be maligned, blasphemed, or dishonored.
This is why we, as godly women need to study the instruction that God wants us to received from his Word given to Titus through Paul, and thereby down the generations to us.
Because of my age I tend to focus on the first group that Paul talked about in his intructions. The older women who were to be taught to be reverent in the way tht they live, to not be slanders. Other versions translate the word slanders as false accussers or malicious gossips. In study of the word reverent found in Strong's dictionary I think Paul mean that the older women should be modest in deportment as well as devout. Paul often tell women that they are to be modest in how they dress and behave. Further Titus is to teach the older women to avoid drinking too much wine to the point of addiction. It appears that the olderwomen of Crete had a reputation for being malcious gossips, engaging in slanderous talk and drinking too much wine. Lastly the older women were to be taught these things so that they would then teach what is good. Paul then tells Titus what good things the older women are to teach the younger women.
They are to teach them to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, kind, and lastly subject to their husbands. For me personally the things that the older women are to teach the younger are things that the older women need to do themselves.
If we pick up Paul's words in 2:12 we learn that the grace of God not only brings us forgiveness/salvation but also teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright nd godly lives in this present age. This again is further instruction for how those who have been saved by grace are to behave.
So if I am going to follow the instructions on that church marquee I need to aspire to life according to these instructions so that I can inspire other women, particularly younger women, to live as God has instructed through his Word. I most certainly don't do that and therefore, I need to turn to God for help. I need to turn to accountability partners to remind me when I am not following these instructions. I desire is to be a good older Titus 2 woman. Therefore my prayer today is:
Father God,
Help me to live according to your instructions. Help me to be modest in my deportment (bearing). Help me to not engage in gossip and slander. Help me to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions to live a self-controlled, upright and godly life inspite of the temptations of the present worldly age. For your help, guidance, and instruction I give you thanks and praise. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
addicted to much wine, but to teach was is good. Then they can train the younger women
to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home,
to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."
Titus 2:3-5 (NIV)
Yesterday as I was running errands I saw a church marquee that read "Aspire to Inspire before you Expire". I was immediately reminded of what has been called the Titus 2 woman. Now most of us has heard of the Proverbs 31 woman. I even receive a daily devotional from the P31 Ministries and regularly check the blogs of the women who write and speak for this ministry. However, God has also regularly reminded me of the other instructions to women in His word. I personally have been challenged and inspired by the Titus 2 women.
Paul gives instructions to Titus, who he has left behind in Crete. Included in these instructions are the things that Titus is to teach various groups. In Titus 2:11-14 Paul goes on to tell Titus why he needs to teach the people the things he had instructed him to teach. Paul states that it is because God's grace, through the form of His Son, Jesus, has appeared for the salvation of all, to redeem all. Only those who truly receive Him as Lord and Savior are saved. Paul further states that the same grace that saves us aso trains us. Therefore, Titus needs to teach the people so that the Word of God will not be maligned, blasphemed, or dishonored.
This is why we, as godly women need to study the instruction that God wants us to received from his Word given to Titus through Paul, and thereby down the generations to us.
Because of my age I tend to focus on the first group that Paul talked about in his intructions. The older women who were to be taught to be reverent in the way tht they live, to not be slanders. Other versions translate the word slanders as false accussers or malicious gossips. In study of the word reverent found in Strong's dictionary I think Paul mean that the older women should be modest in deportment as well as devout. Paul often tell women that they are to be modest in how they dress and behave. Further Titus is to teach the older women to avoid drinking too much wine to the point of addiction. It appears that the olderwomen of Crete had a reputation for being malcious gossips, engaging in slanderous talk and drinking too much wine. Lastly the older women were to be taught these things so that they would then teach what is good. Paul then tells Titus what good things the older women are to teach the younger women.
They are to teach them to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, kind, and lastly subject to their husbands. For me personally the things that the older women are to teach the younger are things that the older women need to do themselves.
If we pick up Paul's words in 2:12 we learn that the grace of God not only brings us forgiveness/salvation but also teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright nd godly lives in this present age. This again is further instruction for how those who have been saved by grace are to behave.
So if I am going to follow the instructions on that church marquee I need to aspire to life according to these instructions so that I can inspire other women, particularly younger women, to live as God has instructed through his Word. I most certainly don't do that and therefore, I need to turn to God for help. I need to turn to accountability partners to remind me when I am not following these instructions. I desire is to be a good older Titus 2 woman. Therefore my prayer today is:
Father God,
Help me to live according to your instructions. Help me to be modest in my deportment (bearing). Help me to not engage in gossip and slander. Help me to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions to live a self-controlled, upright and godly life inspite of the temptations of the present worldly age. For your help, guidance, and instruction I give you thanks and praise. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Still at it
I have spent the last two nights working on updating my website for "My Creative Yarns" in the hopes that maybe I can finally spark so interest in this venture and make it profitable. Plus then I would have a viable reason to keep downloading all of these really cute patterns I keep finding. Still do not have the page the way I want it. What I see in my creative mind is just not ending up on the computer screen. I've got this collage thing going on but just can make it look like I want it too. Plus then I still have to put together a catalogue and price list. That one will be a little easier because I'm going to simplicity there and not eye catching/get them to want to spend money look for the webpage. This is taking time away from my writing. I am suppose to be working on getting the first three chapters of the novella I wrote for Nanowrimo back in November ready to send into a contest. I also need to spend a little time on the other WIPs I have going on. I did get the closets cleaned out and reorganized last weekend now just have to find time to take four large black garbage bags of clothes and another bag of books down to the Downtown Rescue Mission. Hope to get around to that next week. I also want to get back to reading and studying but just can't seem to make up my mind just what. Have recently finished some really good fictions. Possibly when I get this website done will be able to talk myself into doing some serious study for awhile.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Back Again
It has been several weeks since I posted. Have not really been reading anything, nor have I been writing. I seem to be unwilling to stop knitting long enough to do any of those things. Also when I am not knitting for the last week I have been listening to a Webinar I signed up for entitled "Getting Revived" from A Woman Inspired. The speakers are Christian Women speakers and I have really enjoyed the ones that I have heard. They have been inspirational and informative. Plus they have not been the normal ones I hear. A change up can sometimes provide me with new insight and inspiration. The most recent on was called "Becoming and I6 Woman". I6 standing for Isaiah 6. Some really good stuff about how to become and I6 woman and also what you can expect to have happen if you do become an I6 woman. I heard about them from one of the women in the ACFW. My knitting has been afghan squares for the SE Asian orphanage. I am using these squares to learn and practice new techniques.
Another reason I have not been writing is that I am a little down right now, as we having some financial issues and everything I try to earn extra funds just is not panning out.
Another reason I have not been writing is that I am a little down right now, as we having some financial issues and everything I try to earn extra funds just is not panning out.
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