They will know we are Christians by our...

Contentment? Well actually the verse says, "love", but I don't see why contentment might not also be true. I have my beloved Bible back in one piece (not many, as it was before it was rebound) and this morning my reading took me to a very familiar passage in the middle of Luke. For some reason, this passage never ceases to stir up emotions inside of me. Whether it is the, "Yes, I know that to be true" kind or the "Why didn't I remember that?" kind, it almost always deeply touches me.


Today it was the, "Why didn't remember that?" kind. Lack of contentment has been plaguing me in the last couple of weeks. It is one of my ugliest sins. How dare I ever feel (wallow in) a state of discontent when I have so much? How dare I question God's provision when He has come to my rescue again and again?


Luke 12:25-28 says, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!" 


Today the extreme language of verse 25 is what struck me. Jesus says, when speaking of adding an hour to our life said, "Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" Very little thing? As each of us that has lost someone knows, an hour added to a life is no small thing. Yet it is for God. A very small thing, indeed. He can do so much more than I can imagine, so much more than my tiny faith allows me to believe most days. So once again my heart is humbled, and I beg God for the wisdom to follow Him with my whole heart, and not be led astray by desires that never really satisfy anyway. And maybe one day, by His grace, I will be known by contentment.

Sam

It looks like I completely skipped 2010 on this blog. Well, the biggest blessing to come out of 2010 was my little Sam. Without further introduction, here he is:

Well, he looks a bit more like this now:

He is all smiles, laughter and cuddles, and trucks, trains, and food! All boy! We are grateful for God adding him to our family.

the 23rd Psalm

I've been going through a dry patch spiritually speaking. I know I haven't been trusting God like I should. I've been asking Him to help, and He's sent some fun surprises along the way. Just yesterday I found what you are about to read in an old journal. God showed me this a few years ago, and has brought it to me now, when I desperately needed the reminder. I will write it as I did then--The italics are God's Word, and the regular type is the impressions I had while trying to flesh it out a bit. I hope it encourages you.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want...

Because He gives me everything I need.

Because it is a sin to covet.

Because I desire to be generous.

He makes me lie down in green pastures...

He causes me to rest because He knows that I need it,

and He loves me. The pasture is green--it provides food

and a soft place to rest (comfort).

He leads me beside quiet waters...

He--the King of kings, Creator of the universe

leads--shows me the way

me--"What is man that you are mindful of him?" ~Psalm 8:4 "You are

worth more than many sparrows." ~Matthew 10:31

quiet waters--easy crossing, refreshing to cool off, peaceful

He restores my soul.

He doesn't leave me to my own devices. Philippians 1:6

He guides me in paths of righteousness (good works)

"In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." ~Proverbs 3:5-6

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,

which God has prepared in advance for us to do." ~Ephesians 2:10

For His name's sake.

God is passionate about His glory.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I fear no evil, for You are with me.

Wow! God has promised to never leave us or forsake us--and

He really doesn't. ~Hebrews 13:5

Your rod and your staff they comfort me.

Your rod corrects me, your staff brings me back. ~Hebrews 12:5-6

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

We don't escape trouble, but you provide for us regardless. ~John 16:33

You are with us in the presence of our enemies.

You have anointed my head with oil.

"a healing balm"

My cup overflows.

I have everything I need--and more.

"I have come that they may have life,

and have it to the full." ~John 10:10

He has given us everything we need for life and godliness. ~2 Peter 1:3

Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life.

At this point, it could be helpful to do a word study on the Hebrew word "hesed".

It helped me!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

~Psalm 27:4

~John 15:5

Praying for missionaries

I found this list on wycliffe.org and used it as a prayer prompting activity in children's church last week. Each item had a visual reminder.

1.) Pray for missionaries to be able to spread God's Word. (Bible)

2.) Pray for missionaries to be protected. (angel)

3.) Pray for missionaries to get a good night sleep. (pillow)

4.) Pray for missionaries to have working technology and electricity. (radio)

5.) Pray for missionaries to be protected from insects that cause diseases. (plastic bug)

6.) Pray for people to remember to write letters to missionaries to encourage them. (stationary)

7.) Pray for missionaries to be able to learn the language of the people. (picture of lips)

8.) Pray for missionaries to like the food in their new country. (chopsticks)

9.) Pray for missionaries to be protected from the elements, whether cold or warm. (sunglasses)

10.) Pray for missionaries to not grow weary in doing good. (my own addition--visual reminder, hug)

To find this activity titled "Travel Bag" and other activities for kids go to: http://www.wycliffe.org/Resources/Kids/FreeCurriculum/BrightIdeas.aspx

Arduino

Is it weird that I think this is cool?

I should mention, Josiah used some of the same of the parts to make this recently.

I just thought it was funny...

Today when I was getting the car inspected, there we like five other cars in the bay. I flipped through a magazine and waited. About 20 minutes later, I heard a car start up, and before I even looked, I knew it was Sylvia. =) You know how mothers recognize their baby's cry? Well, I recognize the distinctive purr of my car's engine.

25 Random Things About me

Well, this idea circulated awhile ago on facebook, and I just couldn't bring myself to do it, for a variety of reasons. It did look fun though, so I sat down and wrote, and here's what I came up with.

1. I hate feeling left out.

2. I love to travel. Josiah calls me 'nomadic'.

3. I have a love-hate relationship with my car. I love her when she works, and hate her when she doesn't.

4. I love my husband to distraction. I often have to make a conscious effort to put my hope in God and not him.

5. I'm pretty sure I knew Elizabeth was going to be a girl, though we didn't find out until she was born. She fills my days with laughter and excitement.

6. In college I had a plethora of part-time jobs--Subway, Nick's of Clinton, Bath and Body Works, SportFit, On the Rocks Ice Co.--but my favorite by far was the college mailroom.

7. Though death scares me, I can't wait to see Jesus.

8. Moving to PA was one of the best decisions we've ever made, but not a day goes by that I don't miss my precious, crazy, loud family.

9. I still feel a little silly telling people we are missionaries. It sounds so official.

10. I grew up in home without a computer, and I'm very happily married to a guy who had his house networked with 8 of them in highschool.

11. It is a huge compliment to me when people think I understand technology. Last night I told someone, "I speak fluent Geek". I hope that becomes more true everyday.

12. I'm not a pet person. Part of me wishes I was. I'm definitely a people person, though.

13. In college a friend of mine (Sheila) was playing with my hair and noticed my head was pointed on top. I never noticed before that time.

14. I love roller coasters, though have occasionally talked myself out of getting on them--sometimes after standing in a long line.

15. I use lots of onions and garlic in my cooking.

16. I will often 'tweak' recipes just a bit, love the results, then not remember what I did the next time.

17. I cry easily.

18. I have always wished I could sing better than I do. I'm grateful Elizabeth shares my joy in singing.

19. I haven't really had the opportunity to use Microsoft Windows since I've been married to a Linux guy. I don't miss it. (The first time I wrote, "I haven't had the opportunity to use Windows since I've been married." Josiah pointed out that sounded a little funny.)

20. I love taking pictures.

21. I don't like to have lamps on while there's daylight streaming in through the windows. I don't like the mixture of natural and unnatural light.

22. I like being barefoot.

23. I want to have a garden.

24. I'm the oldest of seven kids. I think that explains a lot about me.

25. I share too much. I want desperately for others to see Jesus in me.