Ten Things

I wanted to post today. Thought I'd share something different and go with a list of ten things I did this week!

1) Gardened

2) Read LOTS

3) Talked on the phone with friends

4) Did Laundry

5) Didn't do much cleaning

6) Edited

7) Went to Little League Games

8) Slept more than usual

9) Made Banana Splits

10) Looked forward to next weekend's plans

Going Through the Motions

I just discovered Matthew West's song and video "The Motions".

The official video is really neat....but the story and the outcome are even better!

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Spring

I have never been a big fan of spring because it brings thoughts of rain, mud, and mess. Even so, as it begins to lead into summer I rejoice!

The temperatures rise, the flowers bloom, the grass begins to turn green, the sun and blue skies return! I am reminded of the seasons in my own life as such drastic change takes place in God's lovely creation around me.


This last week has been one thing after another for me. Amazingly I'm not too behind in school, my family is happy with me (mostly), and I've been able to bless others outside of our home.

Today mom and I spent some time cleaning her room. I cherish the times we get to work together.

You see, usually we don't really do that much anymore. She's trained me and now reaps the blessings of the seasons spent patiently enduring my "learning".

As we went through her room she was blessed becaues the job was being done right. I was blessed by her companionship. My dad will be blessed by the outcome.

Take joy in spring. Take joy in your family. They are both blessings sent from God that we might taste and see yet another glimpse of His goodness.

Oh magnify the Lord with me,

Let us exalt His name together!

Psalm 34:3

Let God Speak

The other day, I made a post. I wanted to encourage each of you to let God speak on the issue.

Prayerfully consider these words with me from 2 Corinthians 11. I'll quote verses 13-15, but I'd encourage you to grab your Bible and contextualize this!

"For such men are false apostles, 

deceitful workmen, 

disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 

So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. 

Their end will correspond to their deeds." 

Palm Sunday

Today was a great day. The sun was bright, I broke out my first "spring outfit", the lawn is looking way better, and I'm truly recharged for another week!

On top of all that and a very fruitful Saturday, some deep thoughts regarding world and life views have been on my mind lately. 

I quote a sermon I heard today -

"Zeal by itself is not enough. Zeal must be accompanied by knowledge to produce a right world view lived out!" 

This means, we must not only know what we believe. We must also be passionate about it and sincere in our pursuit of living it out. As we seek to know Truth, we must also seek to be devoted to it. 

Looking at the choices that Peter made near the death of Jesus, we see a man who totally denied all Truth. As I pondered Peter's actions, words, and emotions I began to realize this:

How often do I deny Jesus with my actions of sin? I, like Peter, know who Jesus is...but in my sin I speak otherwise. 

I must remain "in the garden" (experiencing Jesus' presence) with all zeal and knowledge living for Him. Knowing God and making Him known. 

Satan comes to deceive us looking like light, but Jesus is the true Light. I must seek Him alone. 

I was further challenged by these thoughts after hearing some statistics -

Does my Christianity look like Jesus? 

If not, it's wasted...it's rubbish...it's turning people away...I neither know God nor make Him known. 

So - what's your world and life view? Everyone has one. You living for Truth or for lies? Do you look like Jesus or satan? 

One simple question to get you thinking - 

If I had to pick one theme as to what my goals truly revolve around, what the meaning of my life is rooted in, what determines my desires, speech, and actions - is it Truth (as found in the Word of God) or the stuff of the world (as found on Oprah, Dr. Phil, so many of our classrooms, newspapers, and in all of our fallen hearts)?