Blah

What do you do when you're feeling blah? That's where I am.

I've had some health issues for the last two weeks, I can't seem to think straight, and things just seem...well, blah.  (That is such a descriptive word, I know, but when you feel this way the synonyms just aren't coming to you.) Even reading my Bible yesterday didn't cure it. So what do we do?

My first instinct was to go play a game or watch a movie. Do something that could take my mind off the yucky-ness and fact that I've not written a blog in a while since I just couldn't come up with anything: Another "Blah" factor.

That's when I remembered that worship and belief in God is not an emotion. It's a choice. Do I feel like reading my Bible? No. But I will. I certainly don't feel like praising Him with worship songs, but that is the best time to do it. So, pop a CD in and at least listen if you can't actually sing yet. You will eventually. God will honor the effort because that is what we are suppose to be doing.

I choose to love Him because He first loved me. And He even felt like it.

A Real Bible

We are real people trying to serve a real God in a real world. I'm so glad we have a real Bible.

Psalm 58  A cry for God's vengeance
Verse 6: God, knock their teeth out of their mouths;....

The Psalms cover every human emotion and teach us how to deal with them. It's comforting to know the writers experienced so many of the same up and downs, joys and frustration that I do.

Thank you God that your Word is so relevant. 

THE Super Glue

Super Glue and I have a love/hate relationship. It works great for broken toys and knick-knacks. It's also good for paper cuts. Instead of a band-aid, just apply a small amount of super glue to hold the skin together. It works great!

On the other side, there have been countless paper towel pieces and bits of random fuzz which are permanently glued to many of our household items. And just in case you might need to know for future reference- if you glue three of your fingers together and/or to the broken object in question, soaking in professional grade fingernail polish remover works. In about an hour....

Did you know though, that Jesus Christ is the ultimate Super Glue? He brings us together, as brothers and sisters, through the blood He shed for us. We are now attached to Him so well that even acetone can't do the trick. But Christ not only brings Christians together...

 ⁶ When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man was a Galilean. ⁷ Finding that He was under Herod's jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days. ⁸ Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see Him, because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by Him. ⁹ So he kept asking Him questions, but Jesus did not answer him. ¹⁰ The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him. ¹¹ Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt, mocked Him, dressed Him in a brilliant robe, and sent Him back to Pilate. ¹² That very day Herod and Pilate became friends. Previously, they had been hostile toward each other.
Luke 23:6-12

We need to remember that there are those who will gather together just to oppose Christ: This is spiritual warfare. When everyone seems to be against you, yet you know that what you are standing for is the Gospel, do not grow weary or be afraid. Their acetone is coming, yet you will be one in Christ:


Just one thing: live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith of the gospel... (Emphasis mine)
Philippians 1:27

Silly Bandz

You've heard of Silly Bandz, right? No? Then you are not a parent of school aged children in the south eastern USA! They are all the rage...

Kids wear them on their wrists like a bracelet. They bend, stretch, but always bounce back! Silly Bandz come in all shapes and colors, and some even glow in the dark. Everyone wants them, and the stores are always sold out with yet another shipment on perpetual back order. You can get a 12 or 24 pack anywhere from $3.95 to $6.95, depending on the shapes and overall cool-ness factor. Needless to say, they are very much the "in" thing...

Do you know what they are? Fancy rubber bands.

Now if I said I'd sell you a 24 pack of medium sized rubber bands for $7, you'd laugh at me. There's no way you'd pay that much, and I wouldn't blame you! But throw in some color and mold them to always return to the same shape, and we can't buy them up fast enough! Why is that?

Now, I have nothing against these Silly Bandz. We've purchased several packages (and their off-brand versions), without hesitation. They really are neat. But I must always remember that they are really nothing but rubber bands. It's the same thing with clothing or any sort of fashion. A shirt is a shirt. But if you add a little extra color and stick a brand name on it, it's suddenly worth so much more. Honestly, it's the extra time, attention, and who it was made by that makes all the difference.

Why then, do we think it's any different with being a Christian?

Yes, a Christian is a Christian, but I want to be more than just a plain ole' rubber band for the Kingdom. I want to glow in the dark and be in the shape of some really cool object! That takes a little extra work on me. I have to be colored by the Word in my total composition, or daily, level. I'm required to learn to bounce back to my original shape by adding the compound of humility and service to Christ Jesus.

Then, and only then, will I be worth $7 a 24 pack to Him here on earth. I think that's worth the extra effort, don't you?

Happy Mother's Day to ALL Women

Proverbs 31:10-31

In Praise of a Capable Wife

 ¹⁰ Who can find a capable wife?
    She is far more precious than jewels.    
     ¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her,
    and he will not lack anything good.
    ¹² She rewards him with good, not evil,
    all the days of her life.
    ¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with willing hands.
    ¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from far away.
    ¹⁵ She rises while it is still night
    and provides food for her household
    and portions for her servants.
    ¹⁶ She evaluates a field and buys it;
    she plants a vineyard with her earnings.
    ¹⁷ She draws on her strength
    and reveals that her arms are strong.
    ¹⁸ She sees that her profits are good,
    and her lamp never goes out at night.
    ¹⁹ She extends her hands to the spinning staff,
    and her hands hold the spindle.
    ²⁰ Her hands reach out to the poor,
    and she extends her hands to the needy.
    ²¹ She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
    for all in her household are doubly clothed.
    ²² She makes her own bed coverings;
    her clothing is fine linen and purple.
    ²³ Her husband is known at the city gates,
    where he sits among the elders of the land.
    ²⁴ She makes and sells linen garments;
    she delivers belts to the merchants.
    ²⁵ Strength and honor are her clothing,
    and she can laugh at the time to come.
    ²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and loving instruction is on her tongue.
    ²⁷ She watches over the activities of her household
    and is never idle.
    ²⁸ Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
    Her husband also praises her:
    ²⁹ "Many women are capable,
    but you surpass them all!"
    ³⁰ Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,
    but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.
    ³¹ Give her the reward of her labor,
    and let her works praise her at the city gates.
 

For all women are mothers to someone: Either physically or spiritually.

Happy Mothers Day!!