Thursday, March 29, 2012

Toys and blessings. Which will you choose?

My living room is filled to the brim with toys.  In fact, it is pretty much overflowing with oodles of age-appropriate, fascinating, full of buttons, topped with whirly-gigs, and replete with noises, and totally fun - toys.  Lots and lots of toys.  Toys that we spent many hard earned dollars on, that we joyfully gave to our small children for their own amusement and enjoyment.  Toys to bless our loved ones.
  
And yet,at times, my sweet,dear children would rather 'get into things' (you know, things like flushing entire rolls of toilet paper all at once, pouring juice on the piano, or climbing on the furniture) they shouldn't and earn for themselves a very boring time-out, when they could be playing with their toys and just having fun.  Why?  I ask them.  Why would you rather get mixed up in the things that are not meant for you, that could make you get hurt or cause you sadness, when there are plenty of wonderful, fun, and just plain delightful things available that were hand picked just for you?  Why would you rather earn yourself a timeout, I wonder, then have freedom with the things that are just right?


I suppose God could ask the same of us.  Why would we want to dabble in the dangerous, toy with negativity, or burden ourselves with the consequences of sin when we could live freely and abundantly among the blessings that God has hand-picked just for us?  Why, when he has given us so many good and wonderful things to enjoy, do we reach for the things we know will cause us angst or unhappiness or pain?  Why do we choose consequences, when we could live freely and abundantly in God's perfect will?  


How can I choose the abundant blessings that God has handpicked just for me, instead of the allure of sin and temptation?  


Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whateveris noble, whatever is right, whatever is purewhateveris lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  Philippians 4:7-9, NIV

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30, NIV





Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Take a long, slow drink.

I love this little plant. 


I've had it for years.  


It looks half dead.  And it's pretty small. 
It should be lush, and full.  And overflowing its little pot.

But I forget to water it.  Most of the time. 

So instead of getting long, slow drinks of life-giving water, it gets a dribble here, a dribble there, a deluge if I'm really thinking about it.  It's been chewed on by the cat more than a few times.  And yet, this little plant carries on.  It basks in the sun.  And it tries to grow.  Just as a new branch sprouts, an old one dies, because this plant needs a drink.  It doesn't ask for much.  A drink of water is all it needs from me.  

It would be a beautiful plant.  If only I gave it enough water to drink. 

Aren't we thirsty?  Aren't we starving for God's Word?  But rather than take big long drinks and getting my fill, I find myself getting a dribble here, a dribble there, and a deluge if the guilt of not having a disciplined devotional time overtakes me.  And I get chewed on by life, scalded, and parched, and yet I limp along when I know that all I need is a drink. I feel half-dead at times, burned out, and worn, with my spiritual limbs falling down and my roots barely clinging to the dried out soil.  But all I need is a drink

 A long, slow drink in God's Word.  


I love this little plant.
I think I'll give it a drink.
And maybe I'll take one, too.  A nice, long, slow drink.


Psalm 23

A psalm of David.
 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 
 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, 
he leads me beside quiet waters, 
 3 he refreshes my soul. 
He guides me along the right paths 
   for his name’s sake. 
4 Even though I walk 
   through the darkest valley,[a] 
I will fear no evil, 
   for you are with me; 
your rod and your staff, 
   they comfort me.

 5 You prepare a table before me 
   in the presence of my enemies. 
You anoint my head with oil; 
   my cup overflows. 
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me 
   all the days of my life, 
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD 
   forever.

Monday, March 5, 2012

A great discount for you!

Good morning, Friends! I just received an email with a great discount for you! You can receive 20%off of my book, Clef Hangers or any other other book at www.lulu.com. Just enter the code SPACIOUS305 at check out. You can purchase Clef here:Clef Hangers Shop around for other great books, too. Have a great day!

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