Monday Musings

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Why is it that every time I try to stick to my healthy eating plan I fail?  I’m much better at sticking to things than this.  This eating plan is really a great way to eat.  I’ve lost a great deal of weight on it in the past and then life-stress got hold of me and zappo….  Any suggestions?

It’s an absolutely gorgeous day in Northwest Ohio.  Sunny.  Mild.  Perfect day for outdoor work (I’ll be going out to spin trim in a bit.  When the batteries charge.).  I’ve been wanting to separate and replant some of my daylilies.  Perhaps that will happen, too.

One of my friends commented that their pastor’s sermon was about giving to God out of our best not out of our left-overs.  His suggestion was to commit to giving God at least 5 minutes of prayer, 5 minutes of worship, and 5 minutes of reading His word every day. That’s not a lot of time.  Certainly, one that is doable.

I have a little flip calendar by this computer.  Today’s verse, in today’s English, is: If you will stir up this inner power, you will never be afraid. 2 Timothy 1:8  I gave this some thought and came to this conclusion, this inner power (God’s strength) is ours to ask for. And yet, we don’t.  Preferring to act independently we choose to do things our way.  Ah, yes, the timeless classic comes to mind – – I Did It My Way.   In my personal experience, when I’ve chosen to do things my way something always happens to turn me to God’s way.

Blessings to you and your’s!

Marie

Book Review – What Hope Remembers

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Are you looking for a great rainy day or warm summer afternoon read?  Johnny Alexander has written the book for you.  Check out What Hope Remembers.  There’s just enough drama and intrigue to hold your attention for that lazy, hazy day.

Well developed characters and the plot kept me wanting to know what were the secrets they were keeping.  Even the ‘bad guys’ were believable.

Real life issues and challenges kept me turning the pages to discover what was going to add a new twist to the story.

I’m giving this book 5 stars and recommending it highly!

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Revel, a division of Baker Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Keep Your Lamp Burning

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Mother Theresa once said, “To keep a lamp burning we have to keep putting oil in it.”  The same applies to life.  Unless we continue to learn, to grow, to excel, to know, we will stagnate and become just an empty lamp waiting …

There are several Bible verses that refer to lamps.  Proverbs 31:18b tells us ‘her lamp does not go out at night’.  This is not a reference to the night-light we use to get us to the bathroom in the middle of the night because our bladders are shot from childbirth or our bodies are ageing.  The night lights of ancient times were kept lit so a weary traveller would know a welcoming home.  The use of lamps in this verse suggests we are not only to be hospitable but ready to be hospitable.

5 Wick Christian

Multi-wick oil lamp from 1st Century Israel

Psalm 18:28 tells us we do not keep our own lamps burning.  God does.  That is a truly interesting statement.  When we have reached some maturity in our life walk with Jesus, we start to learn that our lives are all about Him.  He is not only the Light of the World but the individual Light of our lives.  As we grow, more wicks are added to our lamps making us a brighter and brighter light.  (Ancient people added more wicks to their lamps to create a brighter glow.)

The Parable of the Ten Virgins is another well-known lamp story (Matthew 25:1-13).  The point of this parable is obedience.  The virgins who were not prepared, they had to go and get more oil.  When they returned they could not enter the feast because the doors to the banquet were closed. (I really doubt anyone could have heard them knocking with the celebration that was going on.) Had they followed the instructions to keep their lamps trimmed and full they would have been attending the feast of a lifetime.  So will we, if we continue filling our minds with His Words and Ways.

Using His Word:

  • Be hospitable.
  • Be ready. (Unlike the virgins who had not thought ahead.)
  • Desire that more of His light shines through.

Heavenly Father, how humbled I am when I realise You are the One filling the lamps.  Oh Lord, fill mine to overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control.  Let my lamp continue burning brightly until I am finally admitted to the Wedding Supper of the Lamb.  In His perfect Name make it so.

Rewritten and added to a post written in 2011

Book Review – Paul, The Apostle

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I wasn’t really sure what to expect when I agreed to review this book.  Although I enjoyed comic books as a child this was certainly a bit different.  I’m not sure whether I can recommend the book or not.  Here are my likes and dislikes:

Likes

  • The story is accurate and portrays some of the difficulties Paul faced in his journey.
  • Each page gave a scriptural reference for what was going on.
  • Very appropriate for the 8 to 12 year age group.

Dislikes

  • Very difficult to follow the storyline bubbles.
  • More violence than I like to deal with. (Yes, I know the time he lived in was very violent.)
  • There were so many graphically portrayed characters I found it difficult to determine who was speaking.

With that said, I recommend parts read through the book first to be prepared for any questions their children might ask.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher, Beartruth Collective, LLC  and Bookcrash Bloggers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

5 Sentence Friday Psalm 139:14

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Here it is. 5-Sentence Friday. Today’s verse is one that is often repeated. The One and Only thought of me, planned me, loved me from the beginning of time.  In the ‘fullness of time’ (phrase from Eph. 4:4) I came to be. Just thinking about this concept is overwhelming but it is what it is.

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it.  Psalm 139:14  TLB

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderfully made; I know that full well.  Psalm 139:14 NIV

  1. I had nothing to do with the complexity of who I would be.
  2. I am His wonderfully made creation.
  3. God deserves (and expects) my thanks for even thinking of me.
  4. Every heartbeat, every breath, every step is/was orchestrated by You.
  5. My skills, talents, and habits are part of Your purpose for me.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie