Our dog Cubbie is so adorable! He is at least half German Shepherd and we think half Rottweiler. He is very German Shepherd looking, but his ears rarely stand up. Lately we have been teasing Cubbie because when he is interested in something (like a strange sound, etc.), he cocks his head just slightly to the side, and his ears go to this weird angle that can only be described as looking like the Flying Nun!
He makes me laugh, and that is great! I love my sweet doggie.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Living Among the Thorns
I was reading chapters 12 and 13 in the book of Matthew this morning and I came across a parable most of us have heard many times. It was the parable of the sower, about the seeds falling on different types of ground. Some fell on the path, some on rocky ground, some among thorns, and some on good soil. We all know people who are like the different types of ground, but the part that stuck out to me today was the thorny ground.
Matthew 13:22 (NIV) says, "The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful." I think way too many of us are living among the thorns. We worry so much about how much (or how little) money we have and how much money we want, and we let that worry keep us from growing the way we should.
From what I have read, worry about money is the number one cause of marital problems and divorce. People commit suicide because they lose their money. Some turn to a life of crime as a way to get more money. Many become gambling addicts because they "feel" the big jackpot is "due." Thorns, choking the possibility of an eternal life in Heaven away from so many people because they cannot see beyond the dollar signs and the checking account.
There is nothing wrong with money. What is wrong is thinking that money is what we need to be happy. We believe that so much that we worry about it. God tells us we are not to worry. He will take care of us. We need to stop worrying and give our fears and our burdens to Him. When we stop worrying about things like money and are freed from the thorns, we can begin to grow again.
Matthew 13:22 (NIV) says, "The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful." I think way too many of us are living among the thorns. We worry so much about how much (or how little) money we have and how much money we want, and we let that worry keep us from growing the way we should.
From what I have read, worry about money is the number one cause of marital problems and divorce. People commit suicide because they lose their money. Some turn to a life of crime as a way to get more money. Many become gambling addicts because they "feel" the big jackpot is "due." Thorns, choking the possibility of an eternal life in Heaven away from so many people because they cannot see beyond the dollar signs and the checking account.
There is nothing wrong with money. What is wrong is thinking that money is what we need to be happy. We believe that so much that we worry about it. God tells us we are not to worry. He will take care of us. We need to stop worrying and give our fears and our burdens to Him. When we stop worrying about things like money and are freed from the thorns, we can begin to grow again.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Today's Reading--I'm Very Excited!
I decided (felt led, actually) to do something different with my Bible studies some time ago. I felt I needed to learn more about the history behind things that occurred in the New Testament, so I decided to start at the beginning (not what I would ordinarily recommend) and go through the Bible in order. My mind tends to wander, so I always read it aloud, and that has made such a difference in my understanding. I also keep a journal as I read. Sometimes all I write are the chapters I have read, but if a certain scripture moves me, I write about it, or I write interesting facts and ideas I read, etc.
The amazing thing is that even though I sometimes put it off for awhile, a lot of what I read is exactly what I need at that moment. For instance, what I have been reading in the various prophets' books has gone so perfectly with our financial and spiritual situation the last few weeks. I have felt that God has some big plans for our lives and much of what I have read has been very encouraging and confirming.
I have read a lot of the Old Testament over the years, but it has always been in bits and pieces. I knew the familiar stories of Adam and Eve, Noah and the flood, Job, Jonah, etc., but I had not often read beyond the main parts. Reading it through like this has been so helpful.
Anyway, I am very excited because I finished the Old Testament today and will begin the New Testament tomorrow. Of course, that doesn't mean that I will never read from the Old Testament again. I plan to read through the Bible as many times as I can before my time here is finished, but I will probably (never say never!) never read it from start to finish again. This time, as I explained, I felt it was what I needed.
By the way, if you have never read the Bible, I would suggest you begin with the book of John, followed by Romans. A very exciting and interesting read!
The amazing thing is that even though I sometimes put it off for awhile, a lot of what I read is exactly what I need at that moment. For instance, what I have been reading in the various prophets' books has gone so perfectly with our financial and spiritual situation the last few weeks. I have felt that God has some big plans for our lives and much of what I have read has been very encouraging and confirming.
I have read a lot of the Old Testament over the years, but it has always been in bits and pieces. I knew the familiar stories of Adam and Eve, Noah and the flood, Job, Jonah, etc., but I had not often read beyond the main parts. Reading it through like this has been so helpful.
Anyway, I am very excited because I finished the Old Testament today and will begin the New Testament tomorrow. Of course, that doesn't mean that I will never read from the Old Testament again. I plan to read through the Bible as many times as I can before my time here is finished, but I will probably (never say never!) never read it from start to finish again. This time, as I explained, I felt it was what I needed.
By the way, if you have never read the Bible, I would suggest you begin with the book of John, followed by Romans. A very exciting and interesting read!
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Habakkuk 3:17-19
Wow! It was as if Habakkuk was speaking directly to me about our financial problems, and our determination to always praise God and to have faith through all we go through.
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength, he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV)
"Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength, he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to go on the heights." Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Sink or Swim?
Imagine this scenario: A couple is blessed with a wonderful baby boy. They live near the ocean, so as their son grows up they or their friends bring up the subject of swimming now and then. The parents make the decision that they will not teach their son to swim, and they will not let anyone else teach him. Their friends cannot understand their position, so the parents calmly but firmly explain each time the topic is brought up that they do not want to make such an important decision for their child. They decide to leave it up to their son. If he shows an interest in swimming, they will take him for lessons. If he decides to wait until he is grown to make that decision, they are also fine with that. They believe they cannot make that decision for their son.
Silly you say? Well of course it is. No rational parent, especially one living near a large body of water, would let a child make such an important decision on his own, as it could lead to disaster.
However, many parents say they are leaving an even more important decision to their children. Many parents feel that they should not try to influence their children about religion. They say that they are leaving it for their children to decide for themselves when they are adults. There are two huge flaws in that thinking. The first is that children need guidance in many areas, and that is one of them. Proverbs 22:6 says it best: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (KJV). Our moral values are set at a young age. So expecting a child to grow up without that training, and then to make a decision, is not fair to the child.
The second flaw in that reasoning is that children learn from example. Therefore, whether you intend to or not, you are already teaching your child about religion and moral values. By ignoring the issue, you are teaching your children that it is not important.
So, understand that you are "training up your child." Although I have my beliefs, I am not telling anyone how to train their child. Just understand that you cannot passively stand by and let your child flounder when it comes to faith. Give your child guidance. This does not mean that you are not letting the child think for himself or herself. But if you believe in your values, teach them to your child. Listen and honestly answer any questions your child has. If you do not have an answer that will satisfy his or her need to know, find someone who does.
Don't just stand by and let your child sink.
Silly you say? Well of course it is. No rational parent, especially one living near a large body of water, would let a child make such an important decision on his own, as it could lead to disaster.
However, many parents say they are leaving an even more important decision to their children. Many parents feel that they should not try to influence their children about religion. They say that they are leaving it for their children to decide for themselves when they are adults. There are two huge flaws in that thinking. The first is that children need guidance in many areas, and that is one of them. Proverbs 22:6 says it best: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (KJV). Our moral values are set at a young age. So expecting a child to grow up without that training, and then to make a decision, is not fair to the child.
The second flaw in that reasoning is that children learn from example. Therefore, whether you intend to or not, you are already teaching your child about religion and moral values. By ignoring the issue, you are teaching your children that it is not important.
So, understand that you are "training up your child." Although I have my beliefs, I am not telling anyone how to train their child. Just understand that you cannot passively stand by and let your child flounder when it comes to faith. Give your child guidance. This does not mean that you are not letting the child think for himself or herself. But if you believe in your values, teach them to your child. Listen and honestly answer any questions your child has. If you do not have an answer that will satisfy his or her need to know, find someone who does.
Don't just stand by and let your child sink.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
How Do You Respond to a Cry for Help?
First, you need to listen. Otherwise you may not recognize it as a cry for help.
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