Pride and Arrogance

"Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall."  Proverbs 16:18

One Sunday morning, I had gotten ready for church and I was feeling pretty good about how I looked.  My hair actually curled nicely and I felt good in my outfit. (you know the feeling) We got to church and a lady complimented me on how I looked.  I was riding pretty high.  I went upstairs and decided to step into the restroom, just to check and make sure I still looked as good as I thought I did.

Then I decided to take a drink from the water fountain before going into the Sunday School classroom and was blasted in the side of the head and face by a stream of water.  To add insult to injury a couple was walking by and saw the whole thing.  It wasn't a gentle spray either, it was a super-soaker shot.  I returned to the restroom to try and repair myself, but there really wasn't much I could do.  When I walked up to Martin, he looked at me and said "What happened to you?!"  I still laugh about it because I so deserved that shot of water to the head.  My attitude was so wrong.  I had allowed pride and arrogance into my heart.

Another time I was feeling pretty good about how I was looking (you would think I would learn). My outfit was just right.  I was walking from the kitchen into the living room.  Martin was in the kitchen and my boot slipped on the floor and I slid into the door frame with enough force that I was thrown into the other side of the door frame. (think human pinball) I limped to the recliner, with tears streaming down my face because I had rolled my ankle and couldn't put weight on my foot.  I did my best to muffle my cries because I didn't want Martin know I fell.  Once again my attitude was all wrong.  I had allowed pride and arrogance into my heart.

There is a battle going on for our hearts and our minds. We need to be prepared. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Don't fall into Satan's trap of pride and arrogance.  Guard your heart.  "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11.

I have asked the Lord for forgiveness of the sin of allowing pride and arrogance into my heart and mind. I know I am forgiven and I have the ability to resist Satan.

"Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  James 5:7

The Lord loves you and only wants the best for you.

A Minimalist in the Making

In 2008, I really felt the need to clean out the basement.  It was full of stuff.  Well, before I was able to selectively clean it.  It was filled with 6 to 7 feet of flood water.  The decision was made, everything had to go.  I promised myself I wouldn't become over run with "stuff" again.

Since that time, I have read a few books on decluttering, that have been very inspiring.  I have joined the trend of people who are purging their homes of unused and unneeded belongings.  We have had 3 very successful garage sales and, if something didn't sell it was donated.

I have always tried to keep my clothes under control by donating items that I no longer wear.  Now, if I buy something new or new to me, I will remove something from my closet to be donated or discarded.  This should keep a nice balance.

But I admit there have been "collections" that have gotten out of control.  I had a collection of decorative tins.  You know, the kind with product names on them.  Typically, they have no real purpose they just sit on the shelf, in turn collecting dust.  Well, I probably had close to 100 at one time, but they are gone now.  Either lost in the flood, sold or donated.

The word 'minimalist' has been used a lot in the last several years.  It doesn't take much effort to find a book on decluttering, purging, organizing or minimalist living.  There is even a trend for Tiny Houses.  It seems like more and more people are tired of being strapped with stuff. 

So what has inspired me the most?  My favorite book for simple living was actually written in 1979 long before the minimalist trend started.  Living Like A King: A plea and a plan for the simple life. written by Bishop Edward W. O'Rourke.  This book gives practical advice on living a simple life unobstructed by material possessions.

It's my favorite because it's based on the principle of living like Christ and isn't that how we are to model our lives?

Christ said in Matthew 6:19-21 (NKJV) "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Our focus in life isn't meant to be on our belongings!  Our focus should be on living like Christ. Loving and serving others as Christ loved and served.  We should all ask ourselves, "where is my treasure?"

Blessings to you.

When Bitterness Creeps In

Martin and I have gotten into the habit of enjoying a cup of coffee in the evening and on Sunday afternoon, along with the usual every morning pot of coffee.  We have tried a couple different flavors. One of our favorites is Highland Grog.  It smells so good.  It has a hint of butterscotch flavor in it and is yummy.  

Most times, though, we have a hearty dark roast.  Just black, no sugar or creamer.  I have even gotten to the place where if I take too long in drinking it I can drink it cold.  My dad would do that and as a much younger person I didn't see how he could, but now I can without any problems.  Funny how we change over the years.

Have you ever noticed that if you reheat the coffee too much it can take on a bitter flavor?  Which is still drinkable but not very pleasant.  The bitter flavor takes away from the enjoyment of a good cup of coffee.  It can also leave a nasty aftertaste in your mouth that can hard to get rid of.

Bitterness can be a flavor, which ruins a cup of coffee.  Or bitterness can also be a feeling or attitude that gets into a person.  Have you ever known someone that you would describe as bitter?  They have had some bad experiences or have been hurt and it has made them bitter, angry, or mean-spirited.

"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled."  Hebrews 12:14-15 NKJV

A root of bitterness...  So we've talked about bitterness,  Let's talk about a root.

A root to a plant or tree typically grows underground so we don't see how massive, twisted and long they can be.  Some trees can have a root system up to 20 feet.  Most of us have probably had to pull weeds out of a garden or yard at some point.  Sometimes the whole root will come up and other times when you pull, it will snap off, throwing you off balance and leaving the rest under ground.  

The root that is left behind can cause problems with the next plant if it's in your garden, so you really need to dig for the rest and get rid of it too.  Tree roots can cause problems if they grow into the foundation for a house or they can cause upheaval to a sidewalk as they grow underneath it.  They can also grow into the sewer system and cause blockages and problems there too.  This all happens unseen, under the surface.

What if a root of bitterness is allowed to grow in a person.  What are the problems it will create?  It's on the inside, but it will come out.  Anger, unhappy, sullen, hatred,  Eventually, this root of bitterness will consume.  The attitude can be contagious and spread to others.  Sometimes the person will say, "I can't help it! That's just the way I am!"  Maybe they can't help it but God can.  If you know someone with a root of bitterness, pray for them.  But if you feel a root of bitterness taking hold of you,  Cry out to the Lord!

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:30-32 NKJV  

Even as God in Christ forgave you.  Dear Friend,  Don't let bitterness rob you of a life of peace, love and joy.  God bless.

No Trespassing!

It's been a long time since I've signed onto my blog.  I thought about it several times but just never found the time.

Our kids are all out of the house.  The oldest three are married, the youngest just got engaged this past weekend and will be graduating from college in May.  So as they move on with their lives, Martin and I move along with ours.  As I sit here on the couch, I can here Martin typing away on his computer in his office.  Peaceful.

I finished reading a book just a few minutes ago, and I felt compelled to dust off my blog and write about it.  This book was a fairly short read, only 172 pages, but packed full.

The book is Pigs in the Parlor, The Practical Guide to Deliverance.

Wait... Did you hear that clicking?  Several people just clicked off this page because they don't want to hear about deliverance.  Well, I'll just keep typing and the rest of you can keep reading.

This book was written by Frank and Ida Mae Hammond in 1973 and was in it's fifty-first printing in 2015.  Their ministry involved deliverance and spiritual warfare.  Fighting Satan.

Many people don't want to believe Satan is active in the world today, but we are told "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking who he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8 NKJV

Why would anyone think that was only during Peter's time.  But we have hope! We don't need to be consumed or devoured by the prince of darkness! "Therefore submit to God, Resist the devil and he will flee from you." James 4:7 NKJV

Resist!  Rebuke!  Fight!  Cast out!  Post a No Trespassing sign!  Satan, you are not welcome here! Let him know you belong to the One True Living God, Jesus Christ!  Demons are the opposite of Jesus.  They desire to control a person with evil, anger and fear.  The goal of deliverance is to cast out the demons and replace them with Jesus and the fruit of the Spirit.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  Against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV  Love, Joy, Peace!  Who doesn't want Love, Joy and Peace!  Oh, that's right Satan and he doesn't want you to have it either.  But it is in your power to have it!

Pigs in the Parlor is just one of several books written by Frank and Ida Mae on spiritual warfare. They also wrote A Manual for Children's Deliverance.  Another good book on spiritual warfare is The Adversary, by Mark Bubeck.  Of course, the best book to read is the Bible, God's holy Word.

Dear Friend, I pray this gives you hope.  God only wants the best for you.  Love, joy and peace.
Blessings to you.

Saturday morning

Saturday morning is when I try to accomplish as much as possible.

Usually my alarm is set for 6:00 or 6:30 a.m. This gives me a little extra sleep, but I still am up early enough the morning isn't wasted.  I get up, take my shower, read my Bible and pray.  Then I finish getting ready and make a grocery list so I can head out the door to run errands.

This particular Saturday morning, I was feeling pretty good when leaving the house a little before 9:00 a.m. Our sheets were in the washer and I was making good time.

I pulled out of the driveway, drove a block and stopped for a red light.  No problem.  Green means go so I drive across the bridge and stop at the next light.  Turned left and stopped at the next light and I admit I was becoming annoyed.  Turned right and stopped at the next light and thought REALLY?!

This wasn't going according to my plan!  I had things to be accomplished!  I thought of my to do list and then it hit me and I said, "Okay, God, what do you want me to do?"  The answer...."Be still and know that I am God."  Psalm 46:10

I had plenty of time to contemplate this as I stopped at the next several red lights on the way to my first destination.  I had neglected to consider what my Lord and Savior wanted me to do.  Once again, I had set my own agenda.

This was three weeks ago and I would like to say I turned around went home, picked up my Bible and continued with my reading and praying.  But I didn't, I did slow my pace and changed my list from five stops to two.

Yes, I am struggling with "being still."  But I love my Lord and Savior and I desire to serve Him, that being said some things are just going to have to wait and that is okay.

So as summer approaches, the challenge I am giving myself is to "Seek the Lord and his strength: seek his face evermore." Psalm 105:4  I will be giving more of my time to reading and studying my Bible.  I will be praying and seeking the Lord.

I know the Lord will show me how to "be still."  I look forward to sharing my journey.  Blessings to you all.

Please wait...

My Mom asked me recently how my quilt was coming along.  I smiled and said "It's taking a lot longer than I thought and it's hard to find time to work on it.  The evenings go by so fast."

I have sewn multiple projects.  All by using a sewing machine and sometimes finishing it by hand sewing a hem, so hand piecing a quilt is an entirely new challenge for me.   

I have managed to piece together 9 nine-piece blocks.  Now I am in the process of putting the connecting pieces on those blocks.  It has been very tempting to just set up my sewing machine and stitch it all together in the matter of hours, but I want to hand piece and hand quilt it.  I will wait and take my time. 

We live in a time when we want everything done instantly.  Why?  So we can move on to the next event, project or appointment?

Instant isn't always good.  Instant potatoes leave a lot to be desired and so does instant coffee.    Sometimes it is just better to wait, but it seems we have lost the ability to be patient and wait.

We need to learn to wait and most importantly, we need to learn to wait upon the Lord.  So what happens when we wait on the Lord?  The Bible tells us...

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31

"Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart; wait, I say, on the Lord." Psalm 27:14.

"The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him." Lamentations 3:25

I love what the psalmist wrote in Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God...." 

Words to ponder as we "wait upon the Lord."

Seasons

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;  Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

The seasons are changing here in the Midwest.  The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are getting cooler.  The leaves on the trees are changing colors and falling to the ground.

It is time to clean out the garden bed.  We learned a lot with this garden and we are already planning some changes for next year.  Fewer tomato and pepper plants will need to be purchased, since we had to actually remove some plants so there was room for growth.  Green beans will be planted instead of carrots and leaf lettuce will replace the head lettuce. 

The main purpose of planting our garden was to share with others and it was amazing the amount of produce we received from a garden that was 5 feet wide and 8 feet long.  It was truly a blessing from God and not gardening expertise on our part.

We enjoyed fresh vegetables at our dinner table but the joy we received when we were able to fill a box with tomatoes, peppers and carrots and deliver them to the local mission surpassed everything else. 

I am so thankful I have the opportunity to serve the Lord by giving to others.  I have been so blessed to have others give to me when I was in need, I can't imagine not helping others.  I am blessed.

My husband proof read this for me and the first thing he said was "Where is the hymn?" and immediately I thought of  "There Shall Be Showers of Blessings", written in 1883.

There shall be showers of blessing:
This is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
Sent from the Savior above.

Refrain:
Showers of blessing,
Showers of blessing we need:
Mercy-drops round us are falling,
But for the showers we plead.

 

There shall be showers of blessing,
Precious reviving again;
Over the hills and the valleys,
Sound of abundance of rain.

There shall be showers of blessing;
Send them upon us, O Lord;
Grant to us now a refreshing,
Come, and now honor Thy Word.

There shall be showers of blessing:
Oh, that today they might fall,
Now as to God we’re confessing,
Now as on Jesus we call!

There shall be showers of blessing,
If we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing,
If we let God have His way.

My dear husband says "Now it is done."