Hi Everyone~
Wow! I hope all of you are staying away from this bronchitis, sinus, flu type thing! Dave has had it since Friday morning, and it has knocked him over like a bowling pin at a bowling alley. He NEVER misses work. He has missed two days and the weekend fun from it already! And, I have been trying to help take care of him, make jello, keep his water glass filled, make sure he takes his medications, vitamins, and aspirin on time and plump this pillows of course. All the time trying not to catch it! It sounds horrible! I have however, developed a serious case of sleep deprivation. He is coughing all night...guess what happens? I don't sleep! Amazing correlation. So, I apologize if I haven't been leaving comments as usual, or having art ready to share.
I apologize this is going out so late today. I woke up this morning left him on the couch, and my Mom drove me to one of my doctor's and back to the pharmacy and grocery store. (Thank you, Mom!) And, then I came home and fell asleep....much needed.
I am so glad we have something delightful to share about today. Help me get my mind off of all of this illness...which would usually hit me right before we leave to fly up to see my very sweet Father-in-Law! FIL) (Which is in 3 weeks!)
Can you believe I am still working my way through the end of Chapter 8 and the beginning of Chapter 9 of The Purpose Driven Life written by the wonderful author Rick Warren? I am! I am enjoying this book so much, I am reading every sentence a couple of times, and then cross-referencing it to my Bible.
Think of LOVE while we are reading and sharing. That is the main topic for February. I am asking you to consider sharing something you write, a segment perhaps about what you LOVE about the Lord, or His amazing LOVE for you, or your favorite show of LOVE in the Bible, or your favorite LOVE Scripture, or a time when you knew He was LOVING you, being with you during a time you may not have deserved it, or a difficult time...you get the picture, right? If you're not sure...I'm sure you are right! It can be 2 lines or 2 pages. You decide. Please email it to me at the email on the right side bar. Please put LOVE or He IS Able in the subject line. I LOVE all of you for considering your participation in this ministry, and how you will use this opportunity to serve Him. Thanks so much!
OK-- here is a shocker! According to Mr. Warren, the author, worship is not for our benefit. As we have previously learned, our life purpose is to please God. So, why would all of that beautiful music, and plays, and activities be there for us? They aren't. Primarily, those activities that you do in church, are to please Him. He finds joy in you when you serve others or Himself. If you are in the choir...He is pleased if you are singing to Him. Of course, most worship also include fellowship, evangelism, edification...and one on one time with God.
"These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." Isaiah 29
I feel a dull "thud" in my chest when I read that. Don't you? He is telling us that we, His people...were letting Him...the One who is All Mighty down. He wants our hearts to be in it...and He wants us to mean what we say and do. That is what this means to me. He doesn't want us to just go through the routine of saying good morning, and starting our day in prayer. He wants us to enjoy the time with Him. Do you have any other thoughts about this Scripture above? Please, leave a comment. I'd like to read it.
"How is it possible to do everything to the glory of God? By doing everything as if you were doing if for Jesus and by carrying on a continual conversation with him while you do it." states Mr. Warren.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23
Mr. Warren continues, "Work becomes worship when you dedicate it to God and perform it with an awareness of His presence."
"Take your every day, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to work, and walking-around life---and place it before God as an offering." Romans 12:1
Take a peek at these Scriptures telling us how we can please God:
"Noah consistently followed God's will and enjoyed a close relationship with Him." Genesis 6:9
Jesus called the following the Greatest Commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." Matthew 22:37-38
God also smiles when we trust Him completely. I think this is such a simple belief to have. After all, HE is GOD! But, sometimes, my being a human gets in the way, and I want to take back control (did I ever really have it?), or I think I have a faster plan or (don't laugh,) a better plan! Trusting God in a complete way is an act of worship...and may take practice!
"He takes pleasure in those that honor Him; in those who trust in His constant love." Psalm 147:11
Trusting God completely means having faith that He knows what is best for your life. You expect Him to keep His promises, help you with problems, and sometimes do the impossible when necessary. The Bible states, "Without faith it is impossible to please God." Hebrews 11:6
Trusting God is an act of worship! In what area have you been trusting God a little more? A lot more? I would love to read about such acts of faith! I am sure the other guests would also.
If you are willing--how about sharing with us in the comment section? Or you could write about anything else. If you leave a comment you will be automatically entered in our random drawing for the Fabulous "Card of the Week" shown on the sidebar! Be sure to leave your comment before 8pm Tuesday, and come back on Wednesday afternoon to see if you were chosen to receive it. If yes, you will receive the card, an extra envelope, and postage for it, here in the United States.
I hope you saw a few opportunities on how you can please God and make Him smile more. I wanted to make sure that you were aware that we (Michele, Wendy and I) do not receive anything for the number of comments we receive. It is really the only way we hear what you want to say. I love to read your answers to our conversations, your feedback on the blog, your thoughts and questions. But, we do not win an award for a certain number of comments or Followers. I just wanted you to know that. (Because I ask you to comment so often.) Oh, if you leave us a question in the comment section, please be sure to leave an email address, so we can answer you! Or email me...I will get it to Michele if it is for her.
Please, enjoy your week. Consider practicing trusting God more. You may want to think about wearing a mask to work, if someone is coughing, and they won't wear one. Lysol your phone--both parts, your door knobs to your office, and spray a paper towel and dust your keyboard. Hopefully, you will get through the season without getting this horrible bronchitis-icky type stuff. I hope you will really consider sharing about Love for February, please send in your sharing any time now. It would be such a blessing to have post after post about Love. A special type of Love. Please email me. May God bless each of you!
He IS Able,
Traci S.
p.s. Wednesday, please join us as the "Card of the Week" Winner is announced and hopefully, my scrapbook page for the ABC Scripture Challenge page "B for Bible" will be shared.
Wow! I hope all of you are staying away from this bronchitis, sinus, flu type thing! Dave has had it since Friday morning, and it has knocked him over like a bowling pin at a bowling alley. He NEVER misses work. He has missed two days and the weekend fun from it already! And, I have been trying to help take care of him, make jello, keep his water glass filled, make sure he takes his medications, vitamins, and aspirin on time and plump this pillows of course. All the time trying not to catch it! It sounds horrible! I have however, developed a serious case of sleep deprivation. He is coughing all night...guess what happens? I don't sleep! Amazing correlation. So, I apologize if I haven't been leaving comments as usual, or having art ready to share.
I apologize this is going out so late today. I woke up this morning left him on the couch, and my Mom drove me to one of my doctor's and back to the pharmacy and grocery store. (Thank you, Mom!) And, then I came home and fell asleep....much needed.
I am so glad we have something delightful to share about today. Help me get my mind off of all of this illness...which would usually hit me right before we leave to fly up to see my very sweet Father-in-Law! FIL) (Which is in 3 weeks!)
Can you believe I am still working my way through the end of Chapter 8 and the beginning of Chapter 9 of The Purpose Driven Life written by the wonderful author Rick Warren? I am! I am enjoying this book so much, I am reading every sentence a couple of times, and then cross-referencing it to my Bible.
Think of LOVE while we are reading and sharing. That is the main topic for February. I am asking you to consider sharing something you write, a segment perhaps about what you LOVE about the Lord, or His amazing LOVE for you, or your favorite show of LOVE in the Bible, or your favorite LOVE Scripture, or a time when you knew He was LOVING you, being with you during a time you may not have deserved it, or a difficult time...you get the picture, right? If you're not sure...I'm sure you are right! It can be 2 lines or 2 pages. You decide. Please email it to me at the email on the right side bar. Please put LOVE or He IS Able in the subject line. I LOVE all of you for considering your participation in this ministry, and how you will use this opportunity to serve Him. Thanks so much!
OK-- here is a shocker! According to Mr. Warren, the author, worship is not for our benefit. As we have previously learned, our life purpose is to please God. So, why would all of that beautiful music, and plays, and activities be there for us? They aren't. Primarily, those activities that you do in church, are to please Him. He finds joy in you when you serve others or Himself. If you are in the choir...He is pleased if you are singing to Him. Of course, most worship also include fellowship, evangelism, edification...and one on one time with God.
"These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." Isaiah 29
I feel a dull "thud" in my chest when I read that. Don't you? He is telling us that we, His people...were letting Him...the One who is All Mighty down. He wants our hearts to be in it...and He wants us to mean what we say and do. That is what this means to me. He doesn't want us to just go through the routine of saying good morning, and starting our day in prayer. He wants us to enjoy the time with Him. Do you have any other thoughts about this Scripture above? Please, leave a comment. I'd like to read it.
"How is it possible to do everything to the glory of God? By doing everything as if you were doing if for Jesus and by carrying on a continual conversation with him while you do it." states Mr. Warren.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." Colossians 3:23
Mr. Warren continues, "Work becomes worship when you dedicate it to God and perform it with an awareness of His presence."
"Take your every day, ordinary life--your sleeping, eating, going-to work, and walking-around life---and place it before God as an offering." Romans 12:1
Take a peek at these Scriptures telling us how we can please God:
"Noah consistently followed God's will and enjoyed a close relationship with Him." Genesis 6:9
Jesus called the following the Greatest Commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment." Matthew 22:37-38
God also smiles when we trust Him completely. I think this is such a simple belief to have. After all, HE is GOD! But, sometimes, my being a human gets in the way, and I want to take back control (did I ever really have it?), or I think I have a faster plan or (don't laugh,) a better plan! Trusting God in a complete way is an act of worship...and may take practice!
"He takes pleasure in those that honor Him; in those who trust in His constant love." Psalm 147:11
Trusting God completely means having faith that He knows what is best for your life. You expect Him to keep His promises, help you with problems, and sometimes do the impossible when necessary. The Bible states, "Without faith it is impossible to please God." Hebrews 11:6
Trusting God is an act of worship! In what area have you been trusting God a little more? A lot more? I would love to read about such acts of faith! I am sure the other guests would also.
If you are willing--how about sharing with us in the comment section? Or you could write about anything else. If you leave a comment you will be automatically entered in our random drawing for the Fabulous "Card of the Week" shown on the sidebar! Be sure to leave your comment before 8pm Tuesday, and come back on Wednesday afternoon to see if you were chosen to receive it. If yes, you will receive the card, an extra envelope, and postage for it, here in the United States.
I hope you saw a few opportunities on how you can please God and make Him smile more. I wanted to make sure that you were aware that we (Michele, Wendy and I) do not receive anything for the number of comments we receive. It is really the only way we hear what you want to say. I love to read your answers to our conversations, your feedback on the blog, your thoughts and questions. But, we do not win an award for a certain number of comments or Followers. I just wanted you to know that. (Because I ask you to comment so often.) Oh, if you leave us a question in the comment section, please be sure to leave an email address, so we can answer you! Or email me...I will get it to Michele if it is for her.
Please, enjoy your week. Consider practicing trusting God more. You may want to think about wearing a mask to work, if someone is coughing, and they won't wear one. Lysol your phone--both parts, your door knobs to your office, and spray a paper towel and dust your keyboard. Hopefully, you will get through the season without getting this horrible bronchitis-icky type stuff. I hope you will really consider sharing about Love for February, please send in your sharing any time now. It would be such a blessing to have post after post about Love. A special type of Love. Please email me. May God bless each of you!
He IS Able,
Traci S.
p.s. Wednesday, please join us as the "Card of the Week" Winner is announced and hopefully, my scrapbook page for the ABC Scripture Challenge page "B for Bible" will be shared.
The first verse that came to mind was: God so loved the world that He sent His only Son to save us. I know this is paraphrased. I don't memorize verses. I just put them into my words. Then, I will remember them. Praying for everyone who reads this blog.
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