Do you remember hearing a song at a theme park, music from a commercial, or song on the radio and having it stuck in your head...it seems like forever? Sometimes it may not even be one you enjoy. That said, I have had a song we sang in church a few weeks ago playing over and over in my mind. It's one I really like. One of the lines in the chorus is "You are his treasure and he finds pleasure in you."
Zephaniah 3:17 says,
"The LORD your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you,
but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Philippians 4:8
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Now those are the kinds of words and music I want to have in my mind and heart for a long time.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Saturday, January 22, 2011
"You've Gotta Have Heart"
Health update: After some blood work, the doctor said my body was deficient in zinc and magnesium. The supplements he prescribed are already making a difference in my overall health in just a few days.
This week I have been so grateful for what seems like a second chance to walk and the energy, strength, and balance to do chores. One night I did have a contest with Larry. I was rinsing the dishes from dinner and he was making a pot of coffee. I hadn't emptied the dishwasher yet so I challenged Larry to see if he could empty the dishwasher before the coffee finished perking. He would have willingly unloaded the dishwasher if I would have asked, but this way he could at least laugh and shake his head while doing it.
It has been amazing how the heart has been part of my Tuesday Bible Study lesson and homework as well as my Quiet Time. God has a way of doing that. When God looks at me, he doesn't concentrate on the signs of MS or other imperfections, he looks at my heart to determine my health. That's one health checkup I always want to be able to pass.
Deuteronomy 4:29
"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul."
Deuteronomy 10:12-13
"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?"
I Samuel 16:7
"But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Matthew 12:6-8 The Message
"There is far more at stake here than religion. If you had any idea what this Scripture meant—'I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual'—you wouldn't be nitpicking like this. The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath; he's in charge."
This week I have been so grateful for what seems like a second chance to walk and the energy, strength, and balance to do chores. One night I did have a contest with Larry. I was rinsing the dishes from dinner and he was making a pot of coffee. I hadn't emptied the dishwasher yet so I challenged Larry to see if he could empty the dishwasher before the coffee finished perking. He would have willingly unloaded the dishwasher if I would have asked, but this way he could at least laugh and shake his head while doing it.
It has been amazing how the heart has been part of my Tuesday Bible Study lesson and homework as well as my Quiet Time. God has a way of doing that. When God looks at me, he doesn't concentrate on the signs of MS or other imperfections, he looks at my heart to determine my health. That's one health checkup I always want to be able to pass.
Deuteronomy 4:29
"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul."
Deuteronomy 10:12-13
"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?"
I Samuel 16:7
"But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Matthew 12:6-8 The Message
"There is far more at stake here than religion. If you had any idea what this Scripture meant—'I prefer a flexible heart to an inflexible ritual'—you wouldn't be nitpicking like this. The Son of Man is no lackey to the Sabbath; he's in charge."
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Expectant Living
Last Sunday was an exciting day at Tallowood...a new schedule with one Sunday School hour and two worship services. The anticipation of the day, full adult choir, some new Bible Study rooms, and a wonderful time of worship, reminded me of the importance of expecting something to happen every week at church. Knowing that God meets us there should be enough to encourage me to look forward to being with fellow believers, no matter what day of the week or time we gather, and expect God to act.
This week I have expected the exercise routine and diet to continue to make a difference in my health and mobility. In my homework and preparation for the Tuesday Bible Study on David, I want God to show me something new each day and expectantly look forward to it. He has been faithful.
I have also noticed this week that when I expect something, I tend to pay more attention to the details and happenings so that I don't miss out when it occurs.
And because of what Jesus promised in Matthew 28:19-20, I can expect him to be with me all the time.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This week I have expected the exercise routine and diet to continue to make a difference in my health and mobility. In my homework and preparation for the Tuesday Bible Study on David, I want God to show me something new each day and expectantly look forward to it. He has been faithful.
I have also noticed this week that when I expect something, I tend to pay more attention to the details and happenings so that I don't miss out when it occurs.
And because of what Jesus promised in Matthew 28:19-20, I can expect him to be with me all the time.
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Saturday, January 8, 2011
One Day at a Time
I am in the process of learning the importance of living one day at a time. It seems that when I look at the calendar and see all that is lined up for the week, with exercising, appointments, and events, I can be overwhelmed and tired before I even begin. God is teaching me to live, appreciate, enjoy, and celebrate life 24 hours at a time. Even though I am preparing for the future, today is the day God has given me to live.
In my Bible reading this week, I read the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6:33-34, Jesus said:
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
What wise words to live by in 2011. (I was going to say...2011 and beyond, but I'll take it one year at a time.)
The Family Circus comic is one of my favorites. A few years ago, there was one that said:
Yesterday is the past.
Tomorrow is the future.
Today is a gift.
That's why it's called the present.
May your week be full of gifts.
In my Bible reading this week, I read the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6:33-34, Jesus said:
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
What wise words to live by in 2011. (I was going to say...2011 and beyond, but I'll take it one year at a time.)
The Family Circus comic is one of my favorites. A few years ago, there was one that said:
Yesterday is the past.
Tomorrow is the future.
Today is a gift.
That's why it's called the present.
May your week be full of gifts.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Exercise daily...walk with God.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Happy New Year! Whether it's a new year, decade or millennium, I love the thought of new beginnings. And I especially cherish the assurance that because of God's love and mercy and Jesus' sacrifice, I can have a fresh start every day (and sometimes more than once a day when needed).
This year, I want my commitment to spiritual health to be as real as my hope for continued physical health. My desire is that my prayers, reading and applying scripture, and spending time with God will make a difference for His Kingdom.
Hope you'll join me in having a healthy new year, both spiritually and physically!
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Happy New Year! Whether it's a new year, decade or millennium, I love the thought of new beginnings. And I especially cherish the assurance that because of God's love and mercy and Jesus' sacrifice, I can have a fresh start every day (and sometimes more than once a day when needed).
This year, I want my commitment to spiritual health to be as real as my hope for continued physical health. My desire is that my prayers, reading and applying scripture, and spending time with God will make a difference for His Kingdom.
Hope you'll join me in having a healthy new year, both spiritually and physically!
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