I recently read the book "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp. It is one of those life changing books that you don't really put down when you are done, you take it in, and begin living it. Lon got me the devotional for Christmas, and I started reading it yesterday (it's only a 60 day devotional, so it doesn't have to be started on any particular day) Today's entry started with a scripture quote -
His secret purpose, framed from the beginning, [is] to bring us to our full glory.
1 Corinthians 2:7
I like the idea of a God who works constantly for the best good of His people. So often we get the idea that God is up there, watching us, out to get us. I know that is a concept that I had deeply instilled in me throughout my childhood and youth. The judge side of God was emphasized and the mentor, and advocate side was, well... let's just say NOT emphasized.
I need to make this more the focus of my understanding of God. That He is 'on a mission' to bring about my prosperity and success.
Now, that said. I think it's important to remember that God often has very different priorities than we do. Someone recently said to me, in the middle of a conversation we were having about the troubles that one or the other of us was facing... "God isn't really all that interested in our physical comfort." He's not. His highest and first concern is our eternal destiny. He will work with us, and bring us to, and through difficult things, and walk through tough stuff WITH us, to accomplish HIS plans for us. His plans focus on where we will be for eternity. His is working toward that place being "With Him".
One thing that I really struggle with is discipline and sticking to a plan once it's made. I'm nervous that this new commitment to blogging will fall by the wayside, as so many other things have done. But I'm hoping (and praying) that it doesn't because this is a specific area of my life that God is working with me on. I think that one of the things that stands between me, and being a 'true child of God' is my ability to 'stick to it'. To consistently study. To pray DAILY. To stop, and take God's perspective on things, before I make decisions. To be a follower of Him, rather than just a member of the 'religion club'. I am hoping that keeping this thought - that He has 'framed, from the beginning, my success, in Him' will help me to keep on keeping on. To stay the course and keep working on 'stuff' even when it's hard and it hurts. (there is stuff in my life that is hurting very much right now - I won't probably talk about it much here, but it's there. I think we ALL have that - the devil makes sure we do, and God, if we allow Him to, uses it, to help us grow closer to Him).
Deep thoughts for a Thursday morning. Maybe something lighter and simpler, later today...
ttfn
I love the verse you quoted. The only way I can get my personal devotions in, is to have them before fixing breakfast. I still need to take them up a notch, and I'm planning on creating a prayer journal (so far its all in my head, and my head is beginning to feel like vegetable soup!) A few years ago I learned (and probably need to focus again on it for awhile) to constantly be in prayer - by that I mean asking God before my next event - over and over all through the day, "What do you want me to do next?" Simultaneously, I was also praying for God to teach me to hear and know His voice. I figure since I profess to be one of His sheep, I'd really better know His voice. God is good, He has helped me. I have a better hold on His presence, an understanding of His will, and a constant desire to please Him. Pleasing Him is what life is truly all about. It really isn't about pleasing my spouse, my children, or even myself. May He continue to live in me and help me live for Him. God bless you in your journey. Again, thanks for the quote. Cheri
ReplyDeleteHave you checked out the book "Experiencing God" by Henry Blackaby? I'm thinking you would find it pretty helpful. Its been many years since I read it - (back when we had only two children!) but Lon has recently started reading it again, and from comments he's making, I'm thinking I need to pick it back up too. Just a thought.
DeleteI DO think that that time when we will NEED to be able to recognize His voice is drawing close quickly. We don't have time to be lackadaisical about building the habits we will need, to stay close to Him in those trying final days.
I hope you keep up with your blog too, I will be trying less Fb time too. I was going to do a blog when we had vacation and we came down sick so going to try and get it going Monte's next day off.
ReplyDeleteLots of points here to make me think.
I too am trying a prayer journal to be more active in prayer.
One thing that will help me A LOT is if people comment. So thank you! Another thing I'm excited about is this whole concept of being able to take this and turn it in to a book at the end of the year. Did you see Angela's comment about that. I would LOVE to have something like that from my facebook posts. As far as I know, it is not available. But if I blog more (or shall we say, 'Flog'?) and faecbook less, then the stuff of our life will be HERE and be a MUCH better long-term record of our lives. I'm looking forward to that.
DeletePutting the pictures in yesterday wasn't too bad, and it will get easier, as I get used to doing it. That will be good.
Let me know when you get your blog going, and I'll link it here. That list, of blogs I read, is really more for me, so I have an easy place to go, to access all of the blogs that I like to read. :)
Happy Sabbath!
Sharon
I did see about the book. I've done some of those books too from another company. That would be a perk!
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to figure out a way to import my old MyFamily account and maybe some of Fb posts....but may just start from scratch. So sick right now I'm only up to reading/commenting, actually using my brain right now hurts. Bad flu, really bad!
I was really wishing you'd have put in more pictures in that post, you had good descriptions but the visual learner in me wanted more =).
I'm pretty good about checking my email so I subscribe so that I remember to go...maybe when I have a blog going it will be easier that way, we'll see.
It has been a good, quiet Sabbath, I kept Morgan and myself home. Hacking all over people does not inspire confidence I think, hah!
more pictures in the one of the living room? - since that's the only one I put pictures in so far, probably, huh? ... I can do that... not right now, though, the main source of light in that room is two sky lights, so it's kinda dark in there for pictures right now. I'll try to remember tomorrow, and if it was something else you wanted pictures of, let me know.
DeleteYes, in that post but not necessarily now....just in the future. You've got a great way with words so I understood it, but I also love photos...so just in the future.
Deletecan do - pretty much already planning to - in fact, I took about 6 pictures that morning and could put a few more up. I could have put more up then, but I needed to get school started, it was already something like 10:30 or something, when I was posting that (well, it says it was 9, but I must have spent more time editing, or something, cause I know we didn't start school till around 11 that morning and the biggest delay was because of me taking time to post that blog entry.) :) anyway, with that whole 'make a book out of my blog at the end of the year' I am DEFINITELY planning to put lots of pictures in. :)
DeleteI just got the One Thousand Gifts Devotional for my Kindle here on Guam. I need to start reading it. Umm, maybe I should start right now. I need some good thoughts for my day. Thanks for being intentional with your life, and sharing it with us on your blog. I'll try to be a faithful commenter for you, because I know that really helps with the blogging. Is someone there? Facebook gathers lots of comments, and I don't know why blogging doesn't. But I am starting to think that facebook is a little cheap and surface. What you say quickly scrolls down, and it can't be found again (unless it is going to be used against you by someone). I am finding it is really important for me to put labels on my blog posts, so I can look old posts according to category. It has helped me to go back and find what I was looking for, or to see what I wrote on one topic. Find labels on the right when you are writing a posts. Add new labels as you go along and think of one.
ReplyDeleteGood idea!! I'll take a look at that!
DeleteYeah, I can see if you are going to print out that you would want to make sure and add pictures. That would work great for the future as your kids make their own homes...they can print out their own books and no missing out. Another reason to love digital.
ReplyDeleteI wish there was a 'like' button here!
ReplyDeleteNo kidding....I've looked for it before realizing...duh not FB.. see you want another like button moment...hahaha
ReplyDelete