I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Carrie Underwood~Temporary Home
I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*
A Devotion From The Pocket Testament League
DAY 53: “WHERE DOES GOD LIVE?”
Acts 7:2b-3
"The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Haran."
As Stephen begins his testimony he launches into a full history of the patriarchs from Abraham to Moses. Why? It certainly wasn't because his audience didn't know Jewish history (those listening to him included the Jewish chief priest and Sanhedrin). The purpose and one of the main points he is making relates to his defense of the accusation against him of "speaking against this holy place." Stephen's response is that God doesn't reside in a place -- He is not tied to a particular country or building.THOUGHTS FOR TODAY:
The Jews in Stephen's day were guilty of placing God in a box -- confining God to their locations and ideas. The "God of glory" reference that Stephen makes, indicates God's sovereign nature (He can do anything He wants); and His appearance in Mesopotamia to Abraham, illustrates that God does not confine Himself to a particular country.
So often we do the same thing. We think that God is only at church, or only interested in Christians, or supports only an American agenda. God is as interested in your son or daughter's salvation as He is in the salvation of a drug dealer in Colombia, a prostitute in Paris, or a child with AIDS in Africa. God doesn't have boundaries and no one is a waste of time or effort for God.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER:
We all are guilty to one degree or another of placing boundaries on God. What restrictions do you place on Him? Where have you put God "in a box of your own making?" Intellectually you may agree that God is not only at church, but sometimes we do not have the same "feeling" of being close to God outside of the building where we worship. What thoughts or ideas about God do you need to change?
I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*
Monday, January 3, 2011
A Note From Yours Truly
As I sit here this morning I feel the need to do a bit of blogging...hey that's a new and refreshing feeling for me, I kind of like it!
I am reflecting on the last couple of weeks, here on the homestead, with my family. The kids were out of school for the Christmas celebration, and things were more relaxed and spontaneous than usual. Normally we have certain schedules to keep and needs that have to be met, but not @Christmas-time. During this time we can sleep-in, stay in bed all day and watch t.v., or just hang out with each other and have fun...there is no schedule. Well, except for one little thing, Jacob my son broke his thumb 2 days before vacation (wrestling practice) and had to go to the E.R. to get a cast...then a few days later to the orthopedist to get a hard cast up to his elbow...but even that did not get me too down. (Okay, maybe it did a little)
It has been a joy to just be with the kids, and the hubs, of course. We were able to spend real time together, and have lengthy conversations, or just play some games on our new Wii . Given the circumstances of the last 5 months, it has been very nice and welcome. I seem to have come through the depression and things with my 17 yr old son are looking up, as far as our relationship goes, so that is good news. I have yet to return to church, but I am reading my Bible and working on the relationship with my Father in heaven, so we (my Father and I) are making some progress on that front as well.
This Christmas season was real important to me, due to the fact that last year I was still so sick and recovering from treatment (cancer). Last year I was obsessed with my cancer and treatment so I had a harder time focusing on the reason for the season, although I did pray a lot and spent time reflecting on all I have been blessed with, so there is that.
This year I was able to sit back and relax and enjoy being alive and with my family and friends for another year, maybe many, many years, who's to say! All I know is that I am healthy, 50 lbs lighter, and in total remission from cancer...but more importantly the relationship with my heavenly Father is better, and I am a stronger person because of what God has brought me through, not in spite of it.
I truly hope that you all have been blessed this Christmas and in return, blessed someone else. God has been such a rock for me to lean on, and for that (and many more things) I am so, so grateful. I have leaned through the ages, that no matter what it is I am going through, God will bring me through to the other side, and show me wonderful things, that I might not have seen had I not gone through what he wanted me to experience. Not only that but God has a wonderful sense of humor...I'll leave that one up to your imagination.
Oh, and who knew that a Wii could bring a family together for some much needed bonding?
I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*
I am reflecting on the last couple of weeks, here on the homestead, with my family. The kids were out of school for the Christmas celebration, and things were more relaxed and spontaneous than usual. Normally we have certain schedules to keep and needs that have to be met, but not @Christmas-time. During this time we can sleep-in, stay in bed all day and watch t.v., or just hang out with each other and have fun...there is no schedule. Well, except for one little thing, Jacob my son broke his thumb 2 days before vacation (wrestling practice) and had to go to the E.R. to get a cast...then a few days later to the orthopedist to get a hard cast up to his elbow...but even that did not get me too down. (Okay, maybe it did a little)
It has been a joy to just be with the kids, and the hubs, of course. We were able to spend real time together, and have lengthy conversations, or just play some games on our new Wii . Given the circumstances of the last 5 months, it has been very nice and welcome. I seem to have come through the depression and things with my 17 yr old son are looking up, as far as our relationship goes, so that is good news. I have yet to return to church, but I am reading my Bible and working on the relationship with my Father in heaven, so we (my Father and I) are making some progress on that front as well.
This Christmas season was real important to me, due to the fact that last year I was still so sick and recovering from treatment (cancer). Last year I was obsessed with my cancer and treatment so I had a harder time focusing on the reason for the season, although I did pray a lot and spent time reflecting on all I have been blessed with, so there is that.
This year I was able to sit back and relax and enjoy being alive and with my family and friends for another year, maybe many, many years, who's to say! All I know is that I am healthy, 50 lbs lighter, and in total remission from cancer...but more importantly the relationship with my heavenly Father is better, and I am a stronger person because of what God has brought me through, not in spite of it.
I truly hope that you all have been blessed this Christmas and in return, blessed someone else. God has been such a rock for me to lean on, and for that (and many more things) I am so, so grateful. I have leaned through the ages, that no matter what it is I am going through, God will bring me through to the other side, and show me wonderful things, that I might not have seen had I not gone through what he wanted me to experience. Not only that but God has a wonderful sense of humor...I'll leave that one up to your imagination.
Oh, and who knew that a Wii could bring a family together for some much needed bonding?
I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*
A Bit of Helen Keller
"I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish humble tasks as though they were great and noble. The world is moved along not only by the mighty shoves of its heroes but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker. "
I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I feel it not. I believe in God even when He is silent. *Written on a wall in a concentration camp*
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