Yesterday we took Lauren and Elijah to see the 3D version of Avatar. It's a stunningly beautiful film whether you like the story line or not- which we did. Not only was it fun to see the kids be enthralled with 3D effects, but as the movie progressed, to watch them get involved in it.
About a third of the way through the film two of the main characters get to fly to a new location called the Halleluia mountain range on the alien world Pandora. It is a surprisingly, spectacular location since parts of the mountains actually float in the air. During the scene one of the people in response to the beauty says a curse word, and I heard Elijah say aloud to himself, "Why are they saying bad words in such a beautiful place?"
That pierced my heart.
Here I had been earlier that morning praising God for the beauty and majesty of His creation. What He has made beautiful for us in this world, and yet I take it so much for granted. We all do: With the words that we say, the impatience that we express, and the annoyance with which we pridefully snub what He has created for us to enjoy and take pleasure in.
Psalm 139:14
I will praise You, because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful, and I know this very well.
The point isn't that everything seems beautiful all the time, but to see the beauty in all things at least some of the time. Was the movie Avatar a great, Godly movie? No. In fact, if anything it teaches to worship Mother Nature. But that doesn't mean that I can't see the beauty and value in portions of it. I learned a great lesson from God through my son even though that was not James Cameron's intent.
How are you treating the beauty around you? Have you seen it lately?
Luke 12:27-28
Consider how the wildflowers grow: they don't labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! If that's how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown in the furnace tomorrow, how much more will He do for you - you of little faith?
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Friday, January 8, 2010
Snow Day
Yesterday was a snow day here!
It was funny how there was so much concern about the whopping 4 inches of snow we were going to get. On Wednesday, talk of it consumed the long grocery store lines and Facebook statuses. School was canceled and provisions were stored.
We finally received a dusting around noon.
Our family prepared in a different way. The kids were allowed to stay up late and watch a movie in their sleeping bags so they could camp in the living room afterward. Kevin and I – well, mostly Kevin – poured gallon after gallon of water onto the sidewalk so that the kids could skate on it the next day. Waking up late on the Snow Day, the kids went sliding on the snow-less ice while Kevin and I made breakfast: Hot chocolate, cut up apples, bananas, cheese, crackers, and a bowl full of homemade cinnamon crunch popcorn. (It can't be any worse than Cinnamon Toast Crunch!) Then we all sat in front of the TV and watched Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs that I had secretly rented the day before.
The rest of the day was filled with more sliding, munching, movie watching, and game playing. It was a great day. But- it was suppose to be a SNOW day, and it was not what we had really expected. It was better.
Isn't that the way it works sometimes with how we understand God? There are so many times that I've felt Him moving me in a particular direction for a reason I assumed was correct. Then, when I get there, the outcome was so much better than I could have ever imagined. The amazing thing about how God works is that if I hadn't planned for what I had originally thought would happen, then what did happen, never could have occurred even though not initially anticipated. (Read that again. It actually does make sense.)
God blows our mind with the “Better” when we give Him our best.
It was funny how there was so much concern about the whopping 4 inches of snow we were going to get. On Wednesday, talk of it consumed the long grocery store lines and Facebook statuses. School was canceled and provisions were stored.
We finally received a dusting around noon.
Our family prepared in a different way. The kids were allowed to stay up late and watch a movie in their sleeping bags so they could camp in the living room afterward. Kevin and I – well, mostly Kevin – poured gallon after gallon of water onto the sidewalk so that the kids could skate on it the next day. Waking up late on the Snow Day, the kids went sliding on the snow-less ice while Kevin and I made breakfast: Hot chocolate, cut up apples, bananas, cheese, crackers, and a bowl full of homemade cinnamon crunch popcorn. (It can't be any worse than Cinnamon Toast Crunch!) Then we all sat in front of the TV and watched Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs that I had secretly rented the day before.
The rest of the day was filled with more sliding, munching, movie watching, and game playing. It was a great day. But- it was suppose to be a SNOW day, and it was not what we had really expected. It was better.
Isn't that the way it works sometimes with how we understand God? There are so many times that I've felt Him moving me in a particular direction for a reason I assumed was correct. Then, when I get there, the outcome was so much better than I could have ever imagined. The amazing thing about how God works is that if I hadn't planned for what I had originally thought would happen, then what did happen, never could have occurred even though not initially anticipated. (Read that again. It actually does make sense.)
God blows our mind with the “Better” when we give Him our best.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The Greatest Joy
I've been discovering the greatest joy recently. One of my children has been hungering and thirsting for the Word on their own and I have had the privilege of guiding him through it. There is an amazing joy when you get to experience someone come to salvation and seek God, but when it's a child of your own the joy is exponential; Especially since I have not been able to raise him as much as I like. I've had to trust God completely in this matter, and He has proven Himself faithful and loving once again.
Praise You Father for Your faithful love to us all! May we always strive to seek You with all our heart, soul, and mind. Please plant a passion for You and sharing Your Great News with those around us. We are all Your children. May we give You the greatest joy by hungering and thirsting for You and Your Word.
Praise You Father for Your faithful love to us all! May we always strive to seek You with all our heart, soul, and mind. Please plant a passion for You and sharing Your Great News with those around us. We are all Your children. May we give You the greatest joy by hungering and thirsting for You and Your Word.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Surprise Treasures
Sometimes we just don't expect what we find.
I've been reading through the book of 2 Chronicles recently. I know it's not right, but I never expect to glean a lot of useful information for daily living out of certain books of the Old Testament. Oh, I know they're there, but some of it can be so dry with all the genealogies. While it's useful in other ways, and interesting to discover, the daily life aspect isn't top on my list while reading.
Once again though, God has shown me how wrong I am. Here are some wonderful verses I've found that are very applicable to my daily life though. Take some time today to reflect on them and understand how they can impact you as well. I pray they bless you as much and more as they did me.
2 Chronicles 12:7-8
“...' They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them but will grant them a little deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak. However, they will become his servants so that they may recognize the difference between serving Me and serving the kingdoms of the land'”
2 Chronicles 13:18
“The Israelites were subdued at that time. The Judahites succeeded because they depended on the Lord, the God of their ancestors.”
2 Chronicles 15:7
“But as for you, be strong; don't be discouraged, for your work has a reward.”
2 Chronicles 16:9
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His...”
I've been reading through the book of 2 Chronicles recently. I know it's not right, but I never expect to glean a lot of useful information for daily living out of certain books of the Old Testament. Oh, I know they're there, but some of it can be so dry with all the genealogies. While it's useful in other ways, and interesting to discover, the daily life aspect isn't top on my list while reading.
Once again though, God has shown me how wrong I am. Here are some wonderful verses I've found that are very applicable to my daily life though. Take some time today to reflect on them and understand how they can impact you as well. I pray they bless you as much and more as they did me.
2 Chronicles 12:7-8
“...' They have humbled themselves; I will not destroy them but will grant them a little deliverance. My wrath will not be poured out on Jerusalem through Shishak. However, they will become his servants so that they may recognize the difference between serving Me and serving the kingdoms of the land'”
2 Chronicles 13:18
“The Israelites were subdued at that time. The Judahites succeeded because they depended on the Lord, the God of their ancestors.”
2 Chronicles 15:7
“But as for you, be strong; don't be discouraged, for your work has a reward.”
2 Chronicles 16:9
“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His...”
Monday, January 4, 2010
Getting Sick
I have a cold.
These past few weeks were so fun filled that I wore myself out. Thinking back on it, I've realized that this happens every Christmas. There is so much build up to the season itself, and then the whole week after we play games, stay up very late, and eat a lot of sweets while the boys are here. All that combined means I crash afterward: They left last night and I got sick tonight. Or as I say- God hit my reset button.
It's interesting that after we have pushed ourselves too hard, too fast, that we need a rest whether it fits into our schedule or not. The only choice we have then is whether to heed the warnings and slow down or plunge ahead with a hand full of pills to cover the symptoms while we continue to over do it.
It's the same thing with listening to the Spirit. God gives us warnings but it is up to us to pay attention to them- even when it's not in our schedule. If we ignore or rationalize what we are being told to do we become more and more sick, but this time it's not a runny nose and stuffy head. It's a hardened heart.
Hebrews 3:7-15
Therefore, the Holy Spirit says:
These past few weeks were so fun filled that I wore myself out. Thinking back on it, I've realized that this happens every Christmas. There is so much build up to the season itself, and then the whole week after we play games, stay up very late, and eat a lot of sweets while the boys are here. All that combined means I crash afterward: They left last night and I got sick tonight. Or as I say- God hit my reset button.
It's interesting that after we have pushed ourselves too hard, too fast, that we need a rest whether it fits into our schedule or not. The only choice we have then is whether to heed the warnings and slow down or plunge ahead with a hand full of pills to cover the symptoms while we continue to over do it.
It's the same thing with listening to the Spirit. God gives us warnings but it is up to us to pay attention to them- even when it's not in our schedule. If we ignore or rationalize what we are being told to do we become more and more sick, but this time it's not a runny nose and stuffy head. It's a hardened heart.
Hebrews 3:7-15
Therefore, the Holy Spirit says:
Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw my works for 40 years.
Therefore I was provoked with this generation and said, “They always go astray in their hearts, and they have not known My ways.” So I swore in My anger, “They will not enter My rest.”
Watch out, brothers, so that there won't be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that departs from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin's deception. For we have become companions of the Messiah if we hold firmly until the end the reality that we had at the start.
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