We have been rearranging things in our basement. Like many of you in Winnipeg, we have some extra water around and it has been seeping into our basement. Many of the things on our floor are in plastic storage containers but there are still a number of cardboard boxes that I had no need of this past year that were near the wet areas.
Unwanted water in your house can be so frustrating. It causes damage, costs money and is a lot of work to clean up, not to mention all the emotions that attached with all of that. We have had previous experience with water in our basement both from natural and unnatural causes. Every time it has happened we sort through the piles of ruined papers, pictures and objects and end up throwing it away.
So why do we hang onto it all?
I have been thinking through this very topic in my own spiritual life. We all at different times in our lives have things we hang on to. From issues of unforgiveness to dreams and ambitions to monetary things. We desire that they make us better, even great; that they fill our longings and improve our image or status.
Just like the backed up sewers, ditches and drainage in Winnipeg I believe that my tendency to want God to bless my wishes is like clogging the pipes; it is an act of unbelief for what He has purposed for my life. "Does the clay say to the potter,'What are you making?'" from Isaiah 45:9.
Daily letting go of these selfish tendencies is a necessary step in choosing to love God with our lives. I pray that we will believe that God is the one who stoops down to make us significant. from Psalm 18:35
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Procrastinating
Just trying to spice up the blog a bit. I am supposed to be cleaning our bedroom walls and preparing them to paint but am finding it easier and more interesting to change the background on the blog.
My way of procrastinating.
I'll probably go look for a snack next.
Then maybe...any ideas?
My way of procrastinating.
I'll probably go look for a snack next.
Then maybe...any ideas?
Monday, May 17, 2010
God is so faithful!
I just wanted to shout out some thanks to God for His faithfulness on our journeys!
One of my memory verses this year has been Hebrews 10:35-36
Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
It is not always the easiest thing to keep hold of one's confidence especially when it involves loss or if it means giving up a dream that you had. As many of you have likely already come to know, dreams that aren't from God are not very satisfying.
I am thankful that God continues to show that He is my satisfaction (Psalm 90:14). He is worth persevering through whatever hardship you are enduring right now. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it (1 Thes 5:24).
One of my memory verses this year has been Hebrews 10:35-36
Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
It is not always the easiest thing to keep hold of one's confidence especially when it involves loss or if it means giving up a dream that you had. As many of you have likely already come to know, dreams that aren't from God are not very satisfying.
I am thankful that God continues to show that He is my satisfaction (Psalm 90:14). He is worth persevering through whatever hardship you are enduring right now. The one who calls you is faithful and He will do it (1 Thes 5:24).
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Clothed with Intention
Yesterday, I witnessed this beautiful scene.
Alexander has been getting ready for soccer season and was trying on hand-me-down soccer socks from the girls. He was having trouble getting the socks on and his sister jumped in to help. Beautiful!
This morning, I woke up to this scene below; a very excited 6 year old ready for his first soccer game tonight. Everything was laid out so that he would be ready for his game after supper! I LOVE it!!!
This is a boy clothed with intention!
Years ago when my Lauren (in the purple shirt) was just a babe, I met regularly with a mentor who spoke of and showed what it meant to live a life of intention. At that time in my life I was not all that intentional. Stated simply, I believed that if I did the things I knew a believer was to do that good would result. My mentor's purposeful way of growing personal faith, family and church were intriguing and inspiring. It made sense but seemed overwhelming. Where should I start? Would I know how to do it? And how to keep doing it? God really planted a seed in my heart through her living example. It pushed me to look for answers to these questions and ignited a desire to live a life full of intention. The longer I am intentional the more my intentions line up to the goal of knowing God more.
It is a lot of work and it doesn't always turn out the way I thought but living with intention is a hope-filled way of learning while doing life and is a lot less disappointing than letting things happen by chance. I loved the point Beth made at the simulcast the other week, "we will not walk in security by accident. We need to make up our minds to use the will God gave us"
Intention has made its ways into various levels of our family and personal living. It affects so many decisions regarding things from meal planning, to my quiet time, to our family nights to name a few. I have come to find that making up my mind to do and believe something that mirrors what I am learning from the Word of God creates more room for my heart to respond accordingly.
So, my son, thanks for the reminder to purposefully, and with unmatched enthusiasm, (to choose and) prepare for each activity I am involved in.
Alexander has been getting ready for soccer season and was trying on hand-me-down soccer socks from the girls. He was having trouble getting the socks on and his sister jumped in to help. Beautiful!This morning, I woke up to this scene below; a very excited 6 year old ready for his first soccer game tonight. Everything was laid out so that he would be ready for his game after supper! I LOVE it!!!
This is a boy clothed with intention!Years ago when my Lauren (in the purple shirt) was just a babe, I met regularly with a mentor who spoke of and showed what it meant to live a life of intention. At that time in my life I was not all that intentional. Stated simply, I believed that if I did the things I knew a believer was to do that good would result. My mentor's purposeful way of growing personal faith, family and church were intriguing and inspiring. It made sense but seemed overwhelming. Where should I start? Would I know how to do it? And how to keep doing it? God really planted a seed in my heart through her living example. It pushed me to look for answers to these questions and ignited a desire to live a life full of intention. The longer I am intentional the more my intentions line up to the goal of knowing God more.
It is a lot of work and it doesn't always turn out the way I thought but living with intention is a hope-filled way of learning while doing life and is a lot less disappointing than letting things happen by chance. I loved the point Beth made at the simulcast the other week, "we will not walk in security by accident. We need to make up our minds to use the will God gave us"
Intention has made its ways into various levels of our family and personal living. It affects so many decisions regarding things from meal planning, to my quiet time, to our family nights to name a few. I have come to find that making up my mind to do and believe something that mirrors what I am learning from the Word of God creates more room for my heart to respond accordingly.
So, my son, thanks for the reminder to purposefully, and with unmatched enthusiasm, (to choose and) prepare for each activity I am involved in.
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