Desire

Here is a quote from Paul Tripp about our desires.

You and I are creatures of desire. There is nothing you ever choose, do, or say that is not the product of desire. Desire not only directs your choices, it shapes your dreams. Desire forms your moments of greatest joy and darkest grief. Desire makes you envious of one person while being glad you're not another.

 Desire keeps you awake at night or puts you soundly to sleep. Desire makes you willing to get up in the morning or causes you to be frustrated at the end of the day. Desire makes you expectant and hopeful in one moment, and demanding and complaining in the next.

Desire sometimes makes you susceptible to temptation and at other times is the thing that defends you against it. Desire can lift you up to God or it can make you a willing friend of the devil. Desire can make you a celebrant or drive you to the pit of depression. 

Desire can make you the best of friends or cause you to drive people away. Desire can cause you to lovingly edit your words or make you willing let it rip with little regard for the damage your words will do. Desire will make you willing to give or cause you to hoard everything you have. Desire will cause you to submit to the King or to set yourself up as king. Desire can cause you to fight for freedom or can be the very thing that causes you to be addicted.

Desire can give you power or rob you of the power that could be yours. Desire is your biggest problem and one of God's sweetest graces. But there is one thing for sure; your life is always shaped by desire.

]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]

So, we all need to cry out for help once more, we all need to seek God's rescue and his power, because we must all humbly admit that there is evidence in our daily living that the war of desire still rages in our hearts. 

There are times when Jesus is our priceless treasure, but there are other times when we would rather have other things than him. This means that we cannot quit seeking his help until the day when we are able to say with complete singleness of heart, "...There is nothing on earth I desire besides you."

As we 'fight the good fight' that Paul speaks of, may we continually go back to our grace giving God for all the help and power we need! He is our only hope!

Silence

I have been silent on this blog for awhile. Good for the soul.

We are going through the book of Job on Sunday mornings at our Church. Rather, our Pastor is preaching through Job. What an amazing man Job was and we can learn soooo much through his life and relationship with God.

Silence! Job was silent for 7 days along with his friends. I don't know about you but I have a hard time being silent. I am learning lots about myself in this new adventure in learning to be silent. We were given the assignment last week to read Zephaniah 3:17 and then sit and listen for 30 minutes. No problem.....I thought!

Saturday was my day, no rush and time to do this assignment. I was very surprised to find out it was hard work for me. I at first tried to sit quietly. Thoughts came rushing in, all over the map. So I tried reading my Bible and doing my devos. Having spent the time praying and doing devotions, I tried again. Now my thoughts were racing....like on a bike race. I went inside (I was on the cool deck in our back yard) and mentioned to Dave that my mind was a whirlwind and I could not stop it. He suggested I get up and walk around the gardens and just pray and talk with the Lord about it. So I did.....for 30 minutes.

Then I came back and sat on the deck and thanked HIM for being with me, loving me, helping me, caring for me. And I sat in silence. What did I hear? I made a long list of what I heard. At first birds chirping, wind in the trees, chipmunk stirring around, squirrel in the tree. Then near the end, I heard the Lord speak. He tells me in the Bible, "My sheep know my voice." What did I hear? I heard him say " you know and see how I have made all the birds, all the flowers, all the butterflies and how I care for them. Sherry, you constantly thank me for my faithfulness and goodness as you work in your gardens. I want you to know I care and love you so much. You are my daughter and I love you." Precious and real!

I am so grateful I went through the 'hard work' of fighting to be silent!!!! What about you? Do you find it easy to sit in quietness and silence? I am definitely on to something special!

Random Thought Friday

Spring Flowers are Blooming!

~ Do you 'dream' at night? I do, and some of mine have been not so nice lately. It was upsetting to me, I wake asking "what does this mean"? Are you trying to tell me something Lord? Etc, etc, etc. I did realize though that dreams are not reality. If fact, when I woke up this morning after a not so nice dream, I prayed. I gave it to the LORD and proclaimed the 'truth' to my own heart. GOD knows. HE cares. HE is for me. The Bible tells me so! Don't let a bad dream ruin your thoughts or torment you!

~ I am a journalizer. I love to journal. I not only journal, I like writing down lists. I have lists of lists. Pretty funny. I have prayer lists, books read lists (wish I had started this one a great deal earlier!), quotes I like, letters sent to people or desire to send to people, Bible verses I am memorizing, answers to prayer, character list (ones I am praying for myself), places to visit (near and far), friends to encourage, Sabbath list, word studies and the list goes on.Keeping a little book in your purse helps remember quotes etc. Do you journal? Tell me about it!

~ Did you know you can go into the Library and talk to one of your librarians about books? (some are more 'willing' to chat than others) Now that is a novel idea! Really, we are in our library so often that I have come to know 2 very well. If you like a certain author (say Francine Rivers--my favorite!) she can print out a list of authors of the same genre for you to try. It really works. I have found many many authors I didn't know about by this method. Try it out with your children. You will be amazed!

~ Our whole family opts out of TV for books. Not that we don't watch TV (ESPN---what can I say?) just that books take you places!!! I grew up in a family that didn't read much. Boy, what I missed out on!!! I have my awesome husband to thank for turning me into a 'book woman'! He bought me my first real 'book' back in 1971. We lived in Bad Aibling, Germany with no TV, no friends yet, and he worked 12 hours a day, six days a week. The name of the paper back book? It was "EXODUS" by Leon Uris. I loved that book. I may go back and read it again this summer just to see. We were overseas with no library, so it was a challenge. He was up to it though. He joined me in a Mystery Book Club in the USA and they sent me 4 books a month for a very cheap price (cheap paper too). The bug bit and I have been reading ever since!!! How grateful I am for a really great Library-- FREE! FREE! What books do you like to read? The options are endless!

~ Speaking of books ~ THE BEST BOOK ever is the Bible! I read through the whole Bible every year now. I used to use 'McCheyne's' but now I use 'Discipleship's program' (they have 3 different ones). When my children were little, I read my Bible but not systematically. I usually read one Proverb a day and then just hit or miss as I was led. Now, I see the wisdom of having a 'system'..... reading it is the important thing. God loves us. He wants to reveal himself to us. He does that through reading the Bible and praying. I have the habit of not reading anything else until I have met with HIM! I am glad! I have had my struggles in this as I think every believer has at one time or another. Pursue it....it is so worth it!

~ Rainy here yet the grass is looking sooo green and spring really has arrived. Our lovlies are popping up all over the yards here in Maryland! Thank YOU Lord for flowers and bushes! YOU are good and give us good things!

~ I am so happy to have my hubby and son back form Mexico. It was wonderful in Mexico and they have shared so many wonderful stories and pictures of our dear ones in Mexico. What a privilege to be apart of all God is doing in Chihuahua.

~ My closets are looking good. I am very proud of our 'coat closet' ~ the only closet on the main floor. It has margin now. It is organized and looks very nice! I de-cluttered it and got rid of stuff~ taking things to 'Tabitha's House', our local thrift store that ministers to abused women. Nice! Makes me smile! It is funny how getting rid of stuff makes one feel 'lighter'---true for you too? My mission continues.......

Ending with a question. What song do you sing, hum or rattle around in your head as you work?

I love to sing although not very well. I am a very good 'hummer' though. I hum all the time!

Five of my (work) favorites are :

"Love Lifted Me"

"You are my Sunshine" (I learned this one from Dave many moons ago)

"Count your Blessings"

"At the Cross" (I don't sing it slow....I speed it up--that is okay you know)

"If You're Happy and You know it" (Kids song)

Humming right now, Lynette

Surprised again......

It has been awhile since I have been on here. I am not one to just blog for the sake of blogging. If I have nothing to say, I think it better to be quiet. Smile!

The Lord did something remarkable for me today. He met me where I was.

I usually sleep like a log. Last night, I woke up three or four times. As is my habit when I awake in the middle of the night, I prayed for those I love and for friends who need prayer. I prayed each time I awoke. In my sleep I think I was praying too....

I awoke and something wasn't right. My heavenly Father felt so far away. I am not one who lives by her feelings. Yet, this was strong. What? I kept praying and asking the LORD what is wrong? This heaviness, a distance in my soul, this bad feeling. Today was a day I work. As I got up and started to prepare for the day, I kept praying. The Lord reminded me of James 4:8 "Draw near to God and HE will draw near to you." Even though I was running late, (sometimes it's worth it to be late) I stopped and grabbed my Bible off my desk in my bedroom.

I noticed I was a couple days behind in my Bible reading plan. I like to keep it in order...ha....so I don't just 'skip' days. I read what I 'would have' read two days before. One of the readings was Psalm 66. WOW.....and WOW. Verse 20 says, "Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer, or removed his steadfast love from me!" ESV

I immediately started to cry. God's words for me for today! How precious. I would have read those verses two days before, but in HIS care for me, they came to me today! Amazing and thrilling how God meets us exactly where we are! My heart is so full and I went off to face the day with joy, gratefulness and a song in my heart. His love to me abounding and full!

Just thought you should know!

Isn't HE wonderful! Lynette

Fruit

In my Bible reading this morning, I came upon a very familiar passage.

"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and it fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure bing forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Matthew 12:33-37

Jesus is talking to Pharisees, for he knew their thoughts (vs.25). Yet, as a Christian, there is wisdom for me in all of this also.

We know that out of the abundance of our hearts comes what is IN our hearts. Jesus reminds us here that the words we speak demonstrate what is in our hearts for all to see. God knows and sees already. When we open our mouths it is then apparent for all to see, (as well as ourselves--for we do deceive ourselves at times) what is in our hearts. God's kindness to us.

This is a battle I fight daily. God is constantly bringing me back to this point. I find myself running to the cross often due to my mouth. Yet, not really my mouth, but my heart. My mouth demonstrates what is in my heart. Over and over again.

I want to bless. Yet, I don't. I want to encourage. Yet, I don't. I want to build up with words. Yet, in a weak moment, I go negative. I want to help. Yet, I fail to give truth. It is a battle. How blessed I am to have a 'tender God' who knows and is FOR me, in this battle. He sent HIS SON for me, because HE loves me.

The battle is won by the stripes of Jesus. The battle is HIS. I rest in knowing I am HIS and he loves me, forgive me for past, present and future sins. This is truth. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

I am free.

To bless, to help, to encourage, to build up ~ but then it isn't really me, it is HIM!

Thinking about fruit, Lynette

My Daybook~

Valentine Ideas for 2011? I'm thinking...........

FOR TODAY

Outside my window...sunny, blue skies, snowy patches on the grass and snow covered deck. Cold but not as cold as it was. The air seems to smell of the hint of spring......

I am thinking...how good God is to me. He is ever with me and loves me abundantly. He forgives me. He gives me grace constantly. He is my refuge and tower of strength. He has made me for a purpose. I can trust HIM!

I am thankful for...God's Word. It gives me life. Guidance and courage are found in it. I thirst for it and I get soooo 'hungry' when I neglect to 'eat from it'.

From the learning rooms...Hannah has the BEST math teacher and it is not me!

From the kitchen...ice tea is brewing on the counter. Not much going on there right now.

I am wearing...black cotton socks, grey sweat pants and a red long sleeve tee shirt with ribbons on it. Oh, and a big smile.

I am creating...space today in my house by de-cluttering spaces like drawers and shelves.

I am going...to be working on my continuing de-cluttering winter project. If I haven't used it (or anyone in my family hasn't used it) in the last 12 months ~ good bye!

I am reading...my Bible systematically, using M'Cheyne's calendar for daily readings and D.A. Carson's "For the Love of God~ Companion for Discovering the Riches of God's Word" that goes along with M'Cheyne's.

I have been reading through the whole Bible for years now and I was thrilled the 1st year I did it as to the huge blessing it was in my life. There are not words to explain it. I regret I got started so late in life in this rich blessing.

I am hoping...Spring comes early this year. I am not fond of snow and ice....smiling!

I am hearing...my oldest daughter's pen writing quietly as she is writing in a pocket sized journal across the room from me.

Around the house...a puttering kind of day. I like to have a list on these kinds of days, so I get more done, faster. The de-cluttering is a goal and will not be done in one day or one week or probably one month. I am taking one room at a time. Right now, I am in our bedroom. Monday I was able to get half my desk done. Half. My desk (which sits in our bedroom---privacy!) is one of my favorite places. My goal is to streamline it. So I cleaned out and sorted and threw out three drawers worth of paper and stuff,on Monday. Today I will tackle the middle one and the other three on the right side. (Maybe I will blog one day on this task...ha)

One of my favorite things...is organizing to be more efficient. I recently read that the average person wastes 55 hours a year 'looking' for things misplaced or lost items in their house. 55 HOURS? Who wouldn't want to get those hours back? ME---I do!

A few plans for the rest of the week:Basketball Games as my hubby is Boys Varsity Coach, Rebekah is Girls Varsity Coach (Caleb is her assistant Coach)and Hannah plays on the Girls Varsity team too. I sit and cheer and watch. Can you see we ALL like Basketball? It's a family thing!

Looking forward: Valentines Day is Monday. It is a cute holiday. I like it. I am sure every little girl likes it. Big ones too. When my children were little we made Daddy Valentines. Now that mine are all grown, I still give each a Valentine. I had to get creative. Now I just give them a Starbucks $5 gift card or some such little thing. Yet for my honey, I make his Valentine myself!

The above picture is from 2009 when he surprised me on Valentines Day!!! Sweet memories and I am glad I have a picture to remember by!

Who will you give a Valentine to? If your wallet is empty, make one. A card. A cake. Cookies. A ribbon with heart of endearing words. Anything! Just do it ~ demonstrate Love!

Because HE first loved us, Lynette

The secret !

Yesterday was "First Wednesday Fast" here in Baltimore. Not a fast to win God's favor, but a fast so we have more time to pray.

Dave and I spent our lunch time praying outside together. It was rather warm and breezy. What I would call an average day for us. I am not often given to 'fasting', although this was not my first time doing it.

I must say though that the time spent praying was just wonderful. Time spent with the Lord bringing praises to Him, telling HIM how wonderful HE really really is. Then praying for others. Heart work.

This morning during devotions, I was praying for my husband. I have a book entitled "Prayers of an Excellent Wife" by Andrew Case, that I am praying through over my favorite person, Dave. On page 124 ~ there it was! A very powerful quote ~ "Prayer--secret, fervent, believing prayer--lies at the root of all personal godliness." ~ William Carey

So many times we think 'doing' things for the Lord is at the root ~ but NO ~ it is prayer, so I go into my 'closet' and I pray, no fanfare, no announcement, no telling....just praying! Not to win favor but because "I love the lover of my soul" ~ Just me and my Lord!

Delighting in Jesus today, hugs, Lynette

Little Things

Some days I feel so little. The mundane things I do, seem so small. I repeat, repeat the same tasks over and over, seemingly noticed by none but me. The little things mount up and fill my days it seems.

I have an assortment of devotional books I have been given as gifts or purchased myself. One of my favorites is "Streams in the Desert" by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman (volume two) My thoughtful hubby gave it to me years ago. So on my 'dry' days I can turn to this little volume , after reading my Bible. I was amazed recently to read these words:

She hath done what she could. Mark 14:8

Lord, let me do the little things
Which may fall to my lot;
Those little inconspicuous ones
By other oft forgot.

If, like the Master, I can give
Myself for those I love,
Rich joy and peace shall come to me,
Sweet rest in heaven above.

I know not when the day shall close;
But when life's curfew rings,
I want my Lord to find me then
Still doing little things. ~ Unknown.

I am sure that those persons who are faithful in that which is least must wear very radiant crowns. They are the ones who tower above as when they are called upon to do the little tasks ~ never murmuring. They are the ones who win victories amid trivial irritations. Great are they who are faithful in little things.

Isn't that just like the Lord to give me the words for just where I am!! Thank you Lord for the little things. Make me faithful today in all I do. Even the little things.

Delighting in Jesus, hugs, Lynette

Meditating during the day---

Someone asked me 'how' I meditate.

There are many different styles. I have two. I will share one today and the other another day!

Well, it is rather easy. We all think about stuff. We let our minds wander the halls of our thoughts. As I put the dishes away, as I load the washer and drier, as I water my plants, as I go up the steps to put away 'stuff' for the hundredth time today, as I dress, wash my face, as I undress and put my PJs on; my mind is thinking! I might be thinking about the kids, I might be thinking what to make for dinner. I may be thinking about my hubby or my college kids, or my Grandkids. Any number of things could fill my mind.

So I 'choose' in those moments to think 'scripture'. I have a little spiral tablet that is full of memory verses that I personally need to remember. We all have them. 1Peter 5:7 ~ "Casting all your cares on Jesus, for He cares for you!" (One of the very first I had my kids memorize years ago) Psalm 42:5 when I'm 'blue'. My girls and I have memorized Psalm 131, Psalm 100 etc. together.

Then when I am going about my work, I think, I turn over in my thoughts those verses. When I first was learning to do this, I taped up the verses over my kitchen sink to memorize them, to help me. I carried verses in my pockets. Over time I have gotten a bit better at memorization, yet I still at times revert back to this method (taped over the kitchen sink) to really nail down the verses I am learning or reviewing.

I can give a very recent example. Mark 9:23-24 "And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible for one who believes." Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!" ESV

So for the day I mulled these two verses over and over and over.
Do I believe?
What is "crying out" about?
What pockets of unbelief do I have?
Do I know what they are?
Does Jesus hear me?
Help! I need help!
What was Jesus thinking?
All?
possible?
What does that mean?
How desperate was the father?
and on and on and on........
How does this apply to me Lord?

All day long, thinking about this father and his encounter with Jesus. Asking the Lord,
talking to the Lord.
Talking to myself.
Looking, really looking at each word and what it means to my life.

In the beginning as I was learning to meditate it took effort. Now it just comes. I wish I had written all the verses down that I had done this with but alas, I did not. I have enjoyed my hours with the Lord doing this. I especially enjoy doing this as I work outside in the open air. I even can then talk out loud.

At home around others, in my free minutes I do it silently. It is not a "leave me alone, I meditating" kind of thing. It is more a back and forth, back and forth. Minutes at a time. After telling Hannah to move onto the next subject, or in between tests, I am meditating. Others may not even know I am doing this! My children are growing up, so my minutes to meditate during the day and at night when I can't sleep or wake up at night are more plentiful. When they were little it was more challenging.

Just do it! Driving, walking, standing, alone, with others, even in crowds. Don't just wander all over with your thoughts, have a verse to meditate on. If you can't remember, stick a verse in your purse to look at while waiting in line at the grocery store. Pull it out! Bring every thought captive to the obedience of Jesus Christ.

I can not tell you the delight of it all. It really isn't all that complicated, just pick one verse, memorize it and then go to town. Pick another one if you want. I sometimes jump from one and then it leads to another and I am having a blast!

Then stop and listen to what the Lord tells you. HE wants you to do this and HE will give you answers to your questions or discussion with HIM!

I am HIS sheep and I hear HIS voice. I know the Shepherd's voice. I hear HIM call me. I hear HIM speak. You can too.

Happy Meditating ~ delighting in Jesus today, hugs, Lynette

PS. If you try this method, let me know how it went ~ share the blessing! Keep at it ~ you too will find delight!

Marriage Monday~

In Marriage ~

" Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4: 31-32 ESV

We are told to keep 'short accounts' over and over again. Especially in marriage. When was the last time your spouse hurt you, disappointed you, or didn't remember something you thought they should? Is your answer quickly on your tongue? Do you and I keep short accounts everyday? Little irritations and small bitternesses over time will build up and do tremendous damage to your marriage. Forgive, and then forgive more!

I have been blessed with a lousy memory when it comes to 'grievances' done to me. There are only a hand full of things I can 'remember' being done to me that hurt. God in HIS great mercy has wiped the slate clean~ and I ask HIM to help me do the same! Actually, if I searched my mind there are way more than a hand full, but I have chosen to forget them.

Are you hard to live with? Is your husband hard to live with?

I asked my hubby this week if I am hard to live with. His answer, I didn't really appreciate until I thought about it for a few minutes. "Everyone is hard to live with at times, he said to me. I am. You are. Everyone is. I always pray it doesn't happen to us both on the same day!" He added that those who never ask themselves that question are probably very hard to live with most of the time. I must add I am married to one very honest, yet loving man!

These verses are good to put into 'action' in my marriage. We all at times are 'ornery'. I have had days when my 'blood itches' as I used to call it. Yet, I don't like that about myself. I am reminded that God loves me on the good days and on the not so good days, even on my bad days. That gives me hope ~ even when I fail!

As I run to Jesus and seek HIM first, my day goes better. On the days I spend time with HIM first, and the day goes haywire, I am quickly reminded how much more haywire it would of been, without that time spent with him!

So ask yourself today.....

"Am I easy to live with?"

What looks do I give? (I honestly have been 'working' on this one for years-----my kids used to ask me, "Mommy, why do you have your mad face on?")

What words come out of my mouth and heart?

Do I laugh often?

Am I too serious?

Am I grateful for small kindnesses?

Do I notice people?

Do I smile?

Do I have a 'good word' on my lips to share?

How many times a day do I kiss my husband? (I counted one day and was surprised how 'few' times!---working on this too.)

Look at your heart and be honest.

Lord, keep me tenderhearted today ~ especially to my husband!

With a Grateful Heart, hugs, Lynette
P.S. I will kiss him lots today!

Want some cheese with that 'whine'?

When I began my blog, I said I would would keep it short and sweet. Last night I was looking at my 'posts' and was surprised at how 'not short' many of them are! What happened? Did I forget, or am I long winded? I will try to do better!

Here are some thoughts from my friend, Nancy Leigh DeMoss. They convicted and encouraged me to run to Jesus!

"Gratitude is the overflow of a humble heart, just as surely as an ungrateful, complaining spirit flows out of a proud heart. Proud people are wrapped up in themselves. If people or circumstances don't please or suit them, they are prone to whine or become resentful.

A humble person thinks much of God and others and little of himself. He recognizes that anything he has is better than he deserves. He doesn't feel anyone owes him anything. He doesn't feel entitled to have more, or for life to be easy, or for everyone to love him and treat him well. He's grateful for the least little kindness that's extended to him, knowing it's more than he deserves.

Make a list of anything you can recall "whining" about recently. How does your complaining manifest a spirit of pride, entitlement, and expectations?" (Taken from Nancy Leigh DeMoss)

Take a few minutes and sit quietly before God and confess any pride that manifests itself in complaining, irritability, anger, or resentment rather than giving of thanks! I did and I am glad! With a grateful heart, hugs, Lynette

The Cross~

May thy cross be to me

as the tree that sweetens my bitter Marahs,

as the rod that blossoms with life and beauty,

as the brazen serpent that calls forth the look of faith.

By thy cross crucify my every sin;

Use it to increase my intimacy with thyself;

Make it the ground of all my comfort,

the liveliness of all my duties,

the sum of all thy gospel promises,

the comfort of all my afflictions,

the vigor of my love, thankfulness, graces,

the very essence of my religion;

And by it give me that rest without rest,

the rest of ceaseless praise.

--The Valley of Vision

Preaching to myself again!

I preach the GOSPEL to myself everyday of my life. I 'talk' to myself. This is what I say to myself. Why? Because I can't live without it! So how do I preach it to myself everyday? I remind myself what it is! What is the GOSPEL?

The Gospel is the news that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, died for our sins and rose again, eternally triumphant over all his enemies, so that there is now no condemnation for those who believe, but only everlasting joy.

1. God created us to have fellowship with him every moment of every day.

2. But like Adam and Eve, I am a sinner. Everyone knows this, whether they admit it or not. Even one lie proves it. So then I don't have fellowship with God.

3. Jesus came, lived a perfect sinless life and gave his life for ME, a sinner. The sinless (Jesus) one died on the cross for the sinful (me) one.

4. Jesus righteousness is accounted to my account. When God the Father looks at me, he sees Jesus blood and righteousness covering me.

5. All my sin is forgiven, past, present and future sins are in the deepest sea. I am different, a new creation in Christ.

6. Because I am forgiven, I forgive. My heart is forever aware of the sacrifice given for me. The Holy Spirit lives in me, bearing fruit unto righteousness, and providing fellowship with God who is my loving, heavenly Father.

7. I have JOY! Well, better said, HE is my JOY!

So everyday I preach the gospel to myself. HE loves me. When I am happy, when I am sad, I preach the gospel to myself. When someone 'hurts' me, I preach the gospel to myself. When I mess up, I preach the gospel to myself. When others do wrong, when my kids disobey, I preach the gospel to myself. When I am afraid, I preach the gospel to myself.

I love the GOSPEL because it is my only HOPE! You see~ the GOSPEL really really is the GOOD NEWS! The BEST NEWS ever told, so I tell myself everyday!

Delighting in Jesus, hugs, Lynette

Another Good Book !

My hubby gave me a book recently titled "Prayers of an Excellent Wife" by Andrew Case. It is a different kind of book though. Not one to sit and just read through. It is a book to be prayed by me for him. I like it. I am using it during my quiet time in the mornings and then again before bed. Andrew Case has taken scriptures and woven them into prayers to be prayed out loud or in secret. I personally like to 'whisper' them in the mornings as I am alone and then secretly at night.

Here is the one I prayed this morning for the love of my life here on earth---my Davey Baby!

"Changeless God,
May Dave, my husband never forget all Your benefits. Help me to remind Dave relentlessly of the ONE who forgives all his iniquity, who heals all his diseases, who redeems his life from the pit, who crowns him with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies him with good so that his youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Please work righteousness and justice for Dave when Dave is oppressed. Make known Your ways to Dave, your acts to Your precious son Dave.

O beloved, hear again of our marvelous God! The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will He keep His anger forever. He does not deal with you lovey according to your sins, nor repay you according to your iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove your transgressions from you.

O LORD, as a father shows compassion to his children, please show compassion to Dave. For You know Dave's frame; You remember that Dave is dust.

Come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen, we long and wait for You" (Psalm 103)

What a privilege to pray for my husband. We have a GOD who cares and he not only 'hears' our prayers, HE answers as we pray. Our prayers are God's means of grace ! This world cannot comprehend the power of the prayers of a faithful christian. I know I don't pray enough. But I want too!

Brother Lawrence was a 'washer of pots' as he called himself. He was a monk who worked in the kitchen long ago. As he worked and washed pots all day long he would pray. I like this quote of his.

"There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God." ~ Brother Lawrence

That is the kind of life I want! To pray continually. Confidently. Biblical. Deeply!

I'm off to put the next load in the drier and the whites in the washer! Monday is MY day for wash! Lots to pray about as I am a 'washer of clothes and sheets'....smile!

Delighting in Jesus, hugs, Lynette

Ladybugs.....

We are inundated with ladybugs at our house this fall and winter. Everyday we have dozens of them. On the ceiling, in the lights, on the floor, by the windows, flying around. They seem to be only on the south side of our home. Where oh where are they coming from? I have asked my hubby and family members this question a dozen times. No one seems to know. We do know our neighbors have them too. One sunny autumn day we came home and our house was covered in ladybugs. My curious husband walked next door to see, and yes, they had them all over too. He opened the garage door and took a broom to brush off all the lady bugs so we could enter the house. Amazing!

Yesterday as I was 'hunting down' lady bugs (I do this with a passion at least once a day with a 'wet' paper towel & no regret in killing them...squish squish, another one dead!) I was hit with the thought that I do this with regularity and passion. Do I 'hunt down' the bugs (sins) in my heart with such passion? It gave me pause as I pondered the analogy. How easily I let my tongue "flap" in saying things I shouldn't. How easily I 'fly around' in grouchy words. How I neglect the greater good of time spent in prayer. I am impatient when God wants me to have gentleness. How I 'explain' away my shortcomings. Bugs, bugs, bugs and more bugs.

God doesn't squish squish me. He calls my name. He forgives me as I run to him for mercy. He loves me. He gives me grace upon grace upon grace. How GREAT is our GOD! HIS mercies are new everyday....everyday!

I read in Philippians 2:12 (ESV) ~ "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

I am to 'hunt down' the little ladybugs in my life. They are not termites that crumble the whole house, they are little ladybugs that irritate and cause distractions. I know HE cares. He enables me to not only 'see' them but HE is the 'cure' for them! I am sooo GRATEFUL!

I don't know when the ladybugs will be gone, yet I am thankful for the reminder they bring. Silly to some, but good for me. I will NOT look at ladybugs the same ever again!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

Mondays~

Today is Monday, another Monday to get the laundry done! When my visiting son Matthew Scott saw all the laundry being 'sorted' this morning, he said "Wow...that is ALOT of clothes!" How quickly we forget what a large amount of laundry a family manufactures! Yep...I still do all our laundry in one day...the rest of the week I am free from laundry! I get it done. Smile! Matthew Scott and his adorable wife and cuddly son were heading to PA before the snow gets here.

BEFORE the snow gets here!? Did I say that?

We survived 2 blizzards here on Lake Vista Road in the last week. The snowbanks are as high as my shoulder. I don't see how the school bus will make it to our development, but we will see. School is supposed to start up again tomorrow after 7 school days off (Today is President's Day). We home school so we aren't affected too much by that, although Hannah does take an Algebra class and History class at Open Bible, where I am secretary 2 days a week. AND Open Bible is our home Church, not to mention we have an awesome Pastor.

God is good. God is good on the good days. God is good on the not so good days. God is good on the mundane days. God is good on the energy busting days. God is good always. HE is what my days are about. Things come, things go, things break, things disappear, things mount. Yet GOD is GOOD! I have today. God holds tomorrow. I choose how I will spend today. By HIS GRACE!
So I choose to look to HIM for those things I choose to do. What will that be?, you ask.

Today I will do a mound of laundry. To the glory of God. We spilt salsa on our shirts as we watched the blizzard blow. I spilled coffee all over my favorite long sleeve white tee. Some dripped ice cream on their pants. Joschua got cereal all over his socks. Dave coughed with a mouth full of drink. So I will do the laundry. I will do it with intent. I will do it with zest, at least as much zest as I can find-ha. I will do it as unto the LORD. I will pray as I put Caleb's pants in, Bekah's shirt in, Hannah's PJs in, Dave's socks in. I will pray for me as I put my favorite white tee in. I will count my blessings. I will see this as my opportunity to pray over my family, getting the large amount of sheets, towels and socks washed, dried and put away.

Mundane? Yes! Work? Yes! Joy? Yes---because I am doing it as unto HIM the Creator of all things!

Here comes the snow.....okay, I am ready! God is so GOOD ~ Snow or not!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

Hold it ~ Plans have changed!

The Blizzard of 2010 hit us here in Baltimore! February 6, 2010 we received, from the LORD, 28 inches of snow straight from the heavens. Wow! THAT IS A LOT OF SNOW! It came on Friday night and lasted into Saturday afternoon. We won't be dug out for a couple more days! 4 feet in some places! Our driveway is very very long! Fun for the kids, work for my hubby ~ I am so thankful for a STRONG husband who uses those muscles to dig us out! Our son Caleb is staying at friends, house sitting and watching their puppy while they are in sunny Florida, on vacation! We own one snow shovel as our other one bit the dust. He won't let me dig....he is so kind! No snow plow in sight!

Lots of TIME to read my bible, think, ponder and pray!

All Churches were closed today! The snow is too deep to get out. So our family gathered together upstairs in our family room for worship. Dave leading~

Rebekah played the guitar as we sang:
Forever,
Holy and Anointed One,
How Deep the Fathers Love
Here I am to Worship.

We read Luke 16:1 - 9. We then watched the DVD of John Piper
#5 of TULIP ~ Total Depravity.

We are doing this DVD in Sunday School with one of our Sunday School classes for Adults. I am grateful for the learning taking place in my own heart. I was not prepared for today's lesson, I must add.

I am blown away, totally speechless. I couldn't be more deeply affected. Wrong thinking by me. Cleared up some lazy things in my thinking! Clarity of how tremendously deep my sin really is ~ I am so happy I am HIS!

"....but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:20-21

So much so that I am discontinuing my "Love Month Challenge" for this BLOG and for Face Book! I have lots to 'think' about and 'pray over' before continuing with those! I hope you understand and pray for me as I run to Jesus!

Keep reading your Bible and running to Jesus moment by moment ~ HE is LIFE ~ HE is mercy ~ HE is GOD!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

Back to Love~

I love to "talk" about love. Every human heart wants to BE loved. We were made for relationships. Yet to have deep relationships one must 'know' the author of love ~~God the Father & Jesus Christ. When you know HIM your love life will never ever be the same again. You will be transformed into a new creature. Your eyes become opened! You will know HE died for YOU. The sinless ONE gave his life for ME, chief of sinners. Seek HIM out if you don't know this LOVE! Read the book of John in the bible and you will never wonder what love is again.

February is the month our world chooses to celebrate LOVE. The kind of love they celebrate is different than "real love". Some think it is a tingly feeling, an all consuming thought of a girl or guy. Some think it is physical, or about giving gifts, or how handsome or kind a guy is. A thousand times NO! Real love gives, sacrifices, denies self and wants the best for the object of one's love.

God is LOVE. To know "real love" one must know this love. As I look at 1 Corinthians 13, I am taking one verse at a time. A couple days ago I started with verse 4. Love suffers long. I continue with verse 4 today....and a few more days after today---smile!

"Love is patient and is kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant. John 13:4a (ESV)

Love is kind. Love demonstrates itself. It is the nature of love to manifest itself. It is hard to hide love. So I ask myself questions again today:

1. Am I kind, considerate and respectful ?
2. Do I search for opportunities to be helpful? Am I useful to those around me?
3. Do I share with those less fortunate? (look around!) Am I a giver? In 'little' and big ways?
4. Am I kind at home with my family? Am I kind with co-workers, even those that irritate me?
5. Am I kind with my tongue (I so struggle with this one---ouch), using wise, well chosen words to encourage others? (I am constantly running to Jesus with this one~)
   

If you are like me....these questions make you squirm. I have a long way to go...but the grace of God is at work in me. Praise HIS name! I am set free from the slavery of doing what Sherry wants. I am not my own....I belong to a NEW master! A loving God and King! In fact I often think of myself as scripture calls me....a daughter of the KING! I cannot 'do' these things apart from the enabling power of the cross. Jesus knows it. I know it. I don't lament in how BIG my sin is (it is WAY bigger than I can know) but in HOW BIGGER God's GRACE is to cover my sin. I am so grateful. Is isn't about me at all----it is about HIM! HIS GRACE is sufficient for ME!

Sherry's JOY is full. Sherry's love isn't really Sherry's love---it is HIS love shed abroad in Sherry's heart. Oh to BE loved by HIM is without words. Oh that you would know this love too! It is found in Jesus--run to HIM!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

What is Love?

Since it is February, I am going to BLOG all month about LOVE!

Being a girl, I love all things about love. I love' love' stories. I love 'love' songs. I enjoy 'love' movies. I like quotes about love. I enjoy love poems. I love being in 'love'. My hubby many times has written me love poems for special occasions. (Wow! the one about the 'Blue Bird of Happiness' was something to read!) The world has stolen the word 'love' and given it a different meaning these days. It is NOT just a feeling, although feelings are involved. It is not about me getting something. It isn't about the tingly 'feeling' the world tells us it is. Love isn't something I can 'get'. It is giving. Love is actually an ACTION word!

God is love. The Bible tells me what love is. Scripture tells me that God loves me. In Romans 5:8 we are told God demonstrated His love for us while we were enemies. ENEMIES! Not best friends, but enemies! That is the atmosphere that God chooses to love us in---ememies! Jesus came to help us 'see' the love of God. One definition of love "totally giving of oneself to meet the needs of others without expecting anything in return." Not exactly the 'modern' definition of love, is it?

We get confused, don't we? Let's look at what GOD says love is! How do we 'show' love?
Pursue love (1Corinthians 14:1). Put on love (Col. 3:14). Increase and abound in love (1 Thess. 3:12; Phil. 1:9). Be fervent in love (1Peter 4:8).

How can I 'show' love in these ways? I must first know this love. I can love because I am first loved by God. We love because HE first loved us. 1 Corinthians 13 is the answer! For the rest of February I will look into the LOVE chapter more closely! Come with me and let's find out what REAL LOVE looks like!

Read each verse and 'think' about it during your day. I will ask myself some questions and you can too.

Love suffers long. 1 Cor. 13:4

1. How do I respond when people mistreat me?
2. Is there anyone I am trying to pay back for how they hurt me?
3. Am I patient when someone bothers me or inconveniences me? At home & work am I patient?
   
4. Am I long suffering when others take advantage of me? Do I express irritation or anger?
5. Do I genuinely demonstrate concern for those who have wronged me?

You can add your own list! During the day, take 1 minute and ask yourself how you are doing! Lord willing, I will do this. Are you going to God and 'asking' for HIS grace to up your 'love quotient'? If you fail, seek forgiveness and START OVER again!

"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13(ESV)

Isn't LOVE great? Yes!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette

WORDS~

Words. "Sticks and stone may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." I heard this as a child. It is a lie. Yes, stick and stones may break bones yet words do hurt at times. We all know it. Words sting. Words bruise. Words wound. Words can even kill. Many a person still remembers childhood words spoken to them that still sting. Truth be told, I was not only the recipient of ugly words, I am sure I gave out my share. To someones else s hurt, words that I am not even aware of that hurt. Not only as a child but as an adult also. You see, I am a sinner, and I know it. There is no good I can do apart from Jesus.

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Proverbs 18:21

Words are powerful. In John we read "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:1-5

The LIGHT has come and that LIGHT is Jesus. He is THE WORD! He is the LIGHT and he gives us light to really 'see'. He has shown me his grace and forgiveness. He took my selfishness and gave me his righteousness. He died on the cross for me. He took my ugly words and did not count them against me. He not only forgives me by his grace, he puts HIS good words in me.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise re prover to a listening ear." Proverbs 25:11 & 12 I love these words because it gives me hope. I want my words to count for HIM. I cannot count the times I have 'missed' the opportunity to 'speak' a word fitly spoken. I didn't speak up. I let the moment pass. I was pre-occupied. I was blind to the conversations around me. I was selfish. I held back. Yet Jesus tells me to run to him....to not give up. To fight the good fight.

So today I ask HIM to put gracious words in my mouth; actually in my heart, for out of the abundance of my heart, my mouth speaks. My difficulty isn't my words actually. It is my heart. Out of the heart flows the issues of life. Out of my mouth flows what is in my heart. Unkind words, unkind heart. Gracious words, grace living in me.

You see death and life are both in the power of the tongue. I can use words for death. I can use words for life. I am the recipient of many gracious 'grace giving' words during my lifetime. God has used others to 'give grace' to me. I want to BE that way. Yet it isn't me, it is HIM!

What words will you speak today? Let's be 'grace givers' today and tomorrow~ only by HIS grace we can!

Signing off for now, hugs, Lynette