Scaredy Squirrel

Scaredy Squirrel is very comfortable with his daily routine. His long list of fears keep him from leaving his tree, until the day he makes a flying leap into the unknown in an effort to recover his emergency kit, which fell into the bushes. From then on he includes one exhilarating leap into the unknown in his routine every day, along with eating, sleeping and playing dead.

I had to smile when I read this book and thought of how much I resist making changes in my daily patterns and routines. Here's to exercising faith in God's character every day, taking a "leap into the unknowns" of life. : )

Solid Rock

A few days ago I started a new (to me) book, called Second Guessing God: Hanging on When You Can't See His Plan by Brian Jones (a pastor in PA). I've only finished chapter one, but the principles are very solid so far and quite timely for my heart, for this semester in my life. He doesn't write so much as a theologian, but rather as a mentor who has seen his faith renewed through Scripture and his relationship with God.

I love the following words from Jones' professor who encouraged him in his struggle. During his senior year of seminary, Jones had all but given up on his faith and trust in God.

"...I have stood where you're standing. I've felt the water cascade across my feet. I know how wonderful that feels. But I've also had the water go back out to sea. I've felt the sand get washed out from underneath my feet...when the last grain of sand is finally gone, you're going to discover that you're standing on a rock."

Hebrews 6:17-20

"Wherein God, being minded to show more abundantly unto the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, interposed with an oath; that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us: which we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and stedfast and entering into that which is within the veil; whither as a forerunner Jesus entered for us, having become a high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."

Matthew Henry comments on this passage:

"The consolations of God are strong enough to support his people under their strongest trials. The comforts of this world are too weak to bear up the soul under temptation, persecution, and death; but the consolations of the Lord are neither few nor small...it is an anchor that is cast upon the rock, the Rock of ages. It does not seek to fasten in the sands, but enters within the veil, and fixes there upon Christ; he is the object, he is the anchor-hold of the believer's hope."

From Protest to Praise

When I can't feel you I have learned to reach out just the same
When I can't hear you, I know you still hear every word I pray
And I want you more than I want to live another day
And as I wait for you maybe I'm made more faithful (Brooke Fraser)



And when you feel alone like I know you will,
And when the cold wind blows like I know it will,
Don't let your love grow cold. (Sara Groves)

Whatever you're doing inside of me.
It feels like chaos but somehow there's peace
It's hard to surrender to what I can't see
But I'm giving in to something heavenly. (Sanctus Real)

I will cry out until I go
from protest to praise.
You're always amazing me.
You're changing me slow, but surely
and you're gonna see me to the end. (Downhere)

Something so amazing in a heart so dark and dim
When a wall falls down and the light comes in
And I cannot make it
And I cannot fake it
And I can't afford it
But it's mine (Sara Groves)

Evidences of Pride

I realize how much pride controls areas of my life when God asks me to humble myself in a certain situation or area, and I find myself hesitating. On the topic of pride, this is from an article by reviveourhearts.com The following are items that stood out to me as common in general or particularly applicable in my life:

8. Are you driven to receive approval, praise, or acceptance from others?

11. Do you have a touchy, sensitive spirit? Easily offended? Get your feelings hurt easily?

12. Are you guilty of pretense? Trying to leave a better impression of yourself than is really true?

18. Do you have a hard time reaching out and being friendly to people you don’t know at church?

26. Do you often complain—about the weather, your health, your circumstances, your job, your church?

29. Do you worry about what others think of you? Too concerned about your reputation or your family’s reputation?

30. Do you neglect to express gratitude for “little things”? To God? To others?

31. Do you neglect prayer and intake of the Word?

36. Do you avoid participating in certain events, for fear of being embarrassed or looking foolish?

40. When is the last time you said these words to a family member, friend, or co-worker: “I was wrong; would you please forgive me?”

Dough

seemingly safe situation, but realization soon dawns



unsuspect- ing cookie shaper; maniacal whisk wielder





We have such unique ways of spending time together. : )





I came home from choir practice to find everyone in the process of cookie making. We took out the camera, and....
The final result was chocolate chip cookies and molasses cookies!

Go Do Your Laundry

Or you could just laugh with me because this is a pretty funny commercial. : )

I'm Old...

...but not that old!

I was supervising a seven or eight year old boy who volunteered to wash tables after lunch.

A lady came over and said, "you have good helpers!"

"Yeah!" I said.

"Is he your son?"

(Mental Gasp) "Oh no, kids just volunteer to help."

*sigh*

Fireproof

I'm listening to Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber, which is eight minutes of minor chords and languishing strings. Kind of depressing, but it's beautiful and fits my introspective mood. : )

Today I saw the movie Fireproof with some friends. The focus of the movie is the marriage of the two main characters. I am challenged afresh to fight for and work on my marriage with humility and forgiveness, when I have one that is. : )

The characters clearly presented the Gospel within the storyline, so that was really cool. I haven't heard that in a theatre very much.

You should go see it!

Prayer

I consider this a place to share some things that are on my heart with a few family and friends. I know some of you pray for me, so I thought I would share some requests. In this new phase of life, I feel the need to more purposefully reach out for connections as well as offer encouragement. Please let me know how I can pray for you!

*Growth in my abilities in working with children in school and piano

*Wisdom for significant decisions I must make in the next few weeks and months

*Increasing trust in God's guidance, and willingness to go or stay, despite my fears of both options.

*Driving practice: for various reasons I haven't driven much in the last couple years. God has graciously provided for my transportation through other people in ways I could never hope to repay. But it's time for me to learn again. : )

*To love Jesus Christ with all my heart, to enjoy Him abundantly. My love has felt doubting and tenuous these last weeks and months, but He keeps gently prodding me forward, and I am so grateful for His mercy and unrelenting pursuit of my heart. May I respond with loving and heart-level obedience.

Sunday Morning

Part of this poem was printed in the sermon notes this morning. Though some of it is a little different, I thought it was beautiful and hopeful. Jesus is a High Priest who sympathizes with our weaknesses, and He knows how to walk us through them successfully.





Jesus of the Scars
by Edward Shillito

If we have never sought, we seek Thee now;
Thine eyes burn through the dark, our only stars;
We must have sight of thorn-pricks on Thy brow,
We must have Thee, O Jesus of the Scars.

The heavens frighten us; they are too calm;
In all the universe we have no place.
Our wounds are hurting us; where is the balm?
Lord Jesus, by Thy Scars, we claim Thy grace.

If, when the doors are shut, Thou drawest near,
Only reveal those hands, that side of Thine;
We know to-day what wounds are, have no fear,
Show us Thy Scars, we know the countersign.

The other gods were strong; but Thou wast weak;
They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God's wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.