something to ponder...

Psalm 3:3

But you are a shield around me, O LORD;

 you bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

 Psalm 3:3

Father, I am grateful that:

1) You are a shield around me.  You keep me safe from more than I will ever know or realize. 

2) You bestow glory on me.  I don't have to strive for accolades for myself.  Your glory on me is my deepest desire.

3) You lift up my head. Discouragement or shame might cause my head to hang low...but You give me a reason to face each day head on.

Meditating on Psalm 4:4

In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
Psalm 4:4

Reading this today led me to three thoughts:

1) Reacting and responding from anger does not bring about the righteous life I seek to live.

2) Searching the heart is not a morbid introspection...it is examining my alignment with Christ's will.

3) Silence leads to listening, which in turn allows God's voice to be heard more clearly.

something to ponder

Faith after Surrender

I am currently reading The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith.  This line stood out to me tonight...still need to meditate on it to fully hear what it is saying to me.  

 this graphic was created by using a background from MyMemories.com and adding text with Picasa.

saying yes to God

We proclaim Him,

admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, 

so that we may present everyone

fully mature in Christ.

Colossians 1:28

Each week I research commentaries, read various versions of the same passage and type up notes so that I can prepare a lesson for the Women's Bible study at our little church.

 Some weeks I also have a  message to prepare for the Sunday service...once a month I get asked to fill the pulpit.


Time spent in study is rewarding yet arduous.

There are days when I want to give up.

However, my desire to understand it better so I can admonish and teach overcomes me and I give in to going on.  

Taking a deep breath and whispering a quick "help me, Lord, to comprehend" I trudge on.

Trusting.  Knowing.  Believing.  It will be worth it.  It is worth it.

I am learning.  I am growing...

and 

He is proclaimed.

Something to Ponder

"Just as the potter, however skillful, cannot make a beautiful vessel out of a lump of clay that is never put into His hands, so neither can God make out of me a vessel unto His honor unless I put myself into His hands."

~Hannah Whitall Smith, The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life, pg.33

My prayer:
God, I wholeheartedly place myself into your hands...I trust You to make out of me a vessel that will honor You.  I know it may not feel good.  And I understand I may not enjoy the process...but, I am willing to endure it.  I am willing to let You shape me, make me and use me for Your divine purpose.

Amen.

1000 Gifts

225.  learning new things about hospitality
226. wearing my hair down
227. embracing the title of ma'am
228.  Carlin accepting Christ after church
229.  Destiny and baby doll's painted toe nails
230.  Drum set donated to the church
231. Easter service in Ontario
232. Joey playing my guitar
233. grieving what was to accept what is
234. accepting the rudeness of others as evidence of their personal pain
235. praying for this person
236. excessive heat that makes me grateful for the rainy days
237. birds calling

continuing to count the blessings with:

1000 Gifts

continuing to count the gifts large and small...

202. finding joy in the moment
203. being asked to drive for an event
204. used clothing providing a 'new to me' outfit.
205. waiting in a restaurant allowing for times of reflection
206. feeling called to slow down, listen, read and write
207. laundry swaying in the breeze
208. worship music in Russian posted for me by friends on my V Kontakte page (Russian Facebook)
209. preparing for visitors from Canada
210. bathroom decorations that brighten up the room
211. brand new fan to cool down our room
212. growing accustomed to quiet living
213. counting the days until Nathan arrives for my birthday in May
214. Spencer's joy at being on staff for FCM in Kona
215. freshly popped kettle corn
216. worship songs running through my head
217. quiet days at home
218. joyful moments of clarity while naming the gifts
219. peaceful times when my shoulders finally relax
220. praying in small groups with others
221. finding joy in writing poetry again
222. finding release from anxiety by slowing down
223. children on bicycles making their way home from school
224. ornate designs on plastic chairs

1000 Gifts

161. brightly painted buildings and homes dotting the landscape of our new adopted country
162. being mistaken for a Belizean
163. the pleasure of eating rice made with coconut milk
164. sharing office space with Tom at CDF
165. cool breezes entering through bus windows
166. women chatting in Kriol on the bus ride to Bible Study Fellowship
167. Karlene's smiling face as takes our bus fare.
168. a driver who knows each top along the way for each woman attending BSF.
169. Yolanda's text message informing me we don't have to teach the next day...which means I can sleep in!
170. a welcomed break from early rising.
171. a husband who responds to my screech to rid the shower of a large black spider.
172. oscillating fans
173. dusty footprints leading in and out of the local pizza place
174. late night reading
175. Kindle for PC
176. teenagers willing to speak about problems
177. parents who want their kids to be healthy in every aspect of life.
178. freedom to slow life down
179. breathing deeply
180. quiet moments
181. thinking my own thoughts uninterrupted
182. blackout curtains allowing for another hour (or two) of sleep
183. text messaged prayers from a friend in the U.S.
184. new comforter and sheets
185. having a bed skirt for the first time ever
186. a firm new mattress
187. just the right shades of green all throughout the house
188. making a salad that tastes like Russia
189. notes from a young Russian mom
190. Nathan booking his tickets to Belize
191. text message from Spencer
192. clean bathrooms
193. movie night with Tom
194. Yolanda's acceptance of my need to stop down from teaching religion classes due to my health
195. Family meal at church
196. darling little two year old Destiny taking a nap on my lap after the church dinner
197. Tom speaking at church this morning
198. camera battery on the verge of dying... forcing me to be selective with my shots
199. an emailed devotional from Yolanda that I really needed to read
200. girls dancing their praise to the Lord at church
201. 5 month old babies that willingly goes from lap to lap at church without complaints

joining with the gratitude community over at:

1000 Gifts

I have neglected this list and in the neglecting I have discovered that an attitude of indifference is creeping into my life in small insidious ways. So once again I return to naming my blessings and counting to 1000.


155. baby birds learning to fly
156. a husband who paints the house
157. a house that is beginning to feel like a home
158. working side by side with Tom
159. learning more about how I can help survivors of CSEC.
160. worshiping with people hungry for God.


joining with the community over at:

joy & blessings,

1000 Gifts

147. our new car... featured here Blackpurl's Knitpickings
148. driving down Hummingbird Highway enjoying all the sights with Tom
149.  being mentors for Youth Night at church
150.  Hearing from one of the young leaders that we have already made a difference in the lives of people here.
151.  Being told not to doubt the fact that we are here for a reason.
152.  Seeing a toucan
153.  Seeing a pelican
154.  Being able to share the gospel and teach a religion class in our local public school.

joining in the community over at

1000 Gifts

140. Learning how to drink water from a bag like the locals do.

141.  Seeing the names of God at the front of church

 and having them as a focal point during worship.

142. times of fellowship after the service

143. beginning relationships with women from the church

144.  enjoying all of the greenery

145. a mother's love for her children... washing out the dolls

146.  Seeing God's creation up close and personal in our yard...

for a view of a basilisk click here

1000 Gifts

131. blueberry pancakes with Tom on New Years morning

132. incredible views through the window at church

133. First communion of 2011

134. rejoicing in time spent in the Word at church

135. No longer fearing the rocks in the path because the Rock guides the way

136. The beauty of new growth after the devastation of a hurricane.

137. having a focus for 2011... in one word JOY

138.  realizing that one of the blessings of a modest Christmas

 is that it only took five minutes to take down the decorations.

139. knowing that no matter how long I take to count my gifts... 

God will still be there 

showing me what they are

 and guiding me along the way.