THINK 5.31.10
Does/would having kids make you a more active church go-er?
Archive for May, 2010
5/31/10
Monday, May 31st, 2010In Response to Memorial Day
Saturday, May 29th, 2010My family is showing our appreciation to those who secured and protected our freedom by ENJOYING IT!
Remembering… and grateful this weekend. THANK YOU!
How will you remember?
Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day came about at the end of the Civil War, in 1868. According to General Order No. 11 given by General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic on May 5, 1868:
“The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit.”
The US Memorial Day site states it this way: “Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.”
My house is boasting about our freedom.
Choosing Apostles
Friday, May 28th, 2010
Watch for the orange arrow on the Jesus ministry timeline.
I thought Jesus chose the apostles right up front at the beginning of His three year public ministry. (Mark 1:17)
He didn’t. The Father didn’t reveal His core team until He was in the second year. (John 5:19) (Luke 6:12-16)
I wonder why God had Him wait and go it alone for a while.
Any ideas?
Innocent Confidence
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
Praying for innocent confidence to be deep inside you!
Let the Lord be magnified Who takes pleasure in the well-being of His servant (Psalm 35:27).
There’s A Rainbow (At The End Of Every Storm)
Thursday, May 27th, 2010A nice little reminder to persevere through trouble – and to remember who lights our way to the other side.
This song comes from the wonderful “Soul’s Chapel” by Marty Stuart and his Fabulous Superlatives. Rendered here with affection (if not accuracy) from deep in the heart of Deep Breath country.
Bounce.4
Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
Today is Blog-Wise Wednesday when I share a guest post I believe will challenge you in a good way.
The post I was planning to feature is ready. But the Holy Spirit told me yesterday to post this instead.
He’s in charge. So this is from Him.
Blog-Wise Wednesday will be back next week – unless the Spirit has other plans.
There’s a bit of audio background noise in this bounce segment. Sorry for that, but look at it this way: it’s good practice in learning to filter out the noise and listen for the Spirit.
(3 minutes)
Grace
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010So I have been chomping this concept of “grace.” God is speaking to me about it like crazy. Up until today I have Ephesians 4:7, the phrase “we have frustrated the Grace of God”, and Grace is not something we ask for, but something given to us by the Father. We ask for mercy.
I am not trying to start a debate, but I want us to ask God what he says about this, and what else the Bible says about this.
Personally I thought, “Asking for grace is like asking for Jesus to die for our sins.” And frankly, I just don’t feel right going there. So I pose the following questions:
1) Do I or Christian community feel entitled to grace?
2) Are we so used to getting it and reading the verses about how free & abundant it is, that we operate in a laze fare way?
3) Is my heart taking advantage of the grace of God
Please hear my heart in that I am not trying to bring condemnation, I am just wanting to do what David said, and let God explore our hearts. I have been “pinged” in areas where I could give more grace. At the same time, I have seen how our Christian society has lost it’s desire for righteousness and holiness for the fear of coming across legalistic.
There is a healthy balance. God created balance and health. Thank you for hearing me out and pondering on these ideas. With much love & grace 
Belinda
Fruit
Tuesday, May 25th, 2010
In early April I spent a long day in my front yard preparing it for the summer. As I raked leaves, I discovered the oak tree in my front yard had been very busy while I’d been holed up in my house during winter. I have never seen so many acorns in one place. As I walked around my yard I made crunching sounds on the grass. Acorns – the fruit of this tree – were everywhere. My grand girls were helping me, and they collected some of the acorns for my neighbor. He takes them to his deer lease for the deer and the squirrels. It was easy for them to fill his container.
As I crunched around raking, my thoughts drifted to Jesus talking about bearing fruit in John 15:5.
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing”.
As I was hibernating inside my home during the winter months, my tree was busy producing fruit – even though it looked stripped and baron.
Secretly, without me being aware, my tree was becoming a fruit producing maniac.
All the branches had to do was hang on.
Their only effort was staying with the trunk.
God was talking to me about our relationship that day.
What’s the Holy Spirit saying to you?
5/24/10
Monday, May 24th, 2010THINK 5.24.10
What would you do as a Christian if you were ten times bolder?
Pimples
Monday, May 24th, 2010
My daughter is an esthetician. In case you aren’t familiar with that, an esthetician specializes in the study and implementation of skin care. She’s teaching me how to take care of my skin. Last week I did a facial mask to draw out the impurities that hide deep in the pores. My skin felt great right afterward. Soft, fresh, invigorated.
The next day I woke up with a pimple.
It lasted a WHOLE WEEK. I tried a bunch of stuff to get rid of it. Nothing worked. Trying to cover it up with makeup provided only a temporary fix. That gradually wore off during the day revealing a spot that drew attention to something nobody really wanted to see.
God to Colleen:
Sometimes when I’m cleaning out some deep things, it’s going to get worse before it gets better.
