Made to Prosper

God's Word speaks to me every day, but this morning in particular I found myself speaking to it. Right into my Bible. Specifically, to Joseph. I've been hanging in there with this poor guy for a few days now. I always wince when he boasts to his brothers about the coat and when he proudly proclaims his dreams of them bowing to him. I read quickly through the part about the pit, my own way hurrying the events along to get him to the palace, I suppose. I enjoyed his time in the palace with him and then that darned incident with Potiphar's wife lands him in prison. And then the one guy he helped gets out forgets to tell Pharoah about him! Today I caught myself saying, "Hold on, Joseph! It's okay! I've read chapter 41! It's all going to work out!"

Two verses, so very similar in their wording, stuck out to me today: "...and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper." One time those words were written about his life in the palace (Gen. 39:3), and one time while he was in prison (39:23). The last time I read it "...the Lord made it prosper," I thought to myself, "Sure, but, he was still in prison." God's way of prospering him was not to remove him from the prison. Yet.

I looked up "prosper" in the Hebrew Lexicon, and it comes from a root word for which one of the definitions is "to go over or through, as a river." God didn't immediately change Joseph's location, but he enabled him to "go through" it. To "go over", or rise above it. He was made to prosper in the prison because day-by-day, month-by-month he was empowered to "get through" it, and to rise above his circumstances. Of course, the word "prosper" means what we all think it means, too: "to go well or succeed." We see that in the fact that Joseph was given special responsibilities wherever he was. His devotion to God was evidently obvious to others. Sometimes God can prosper us simply by enabling us to get through something or get over something. As a river. Whether in the pit, the palace, or the prison... God will prosper the one wholly devoted to Him. That's a "prosperity gospel" worth preaching.

My prayer is that you and I would be "made to prosper" today, by God's grace, wherever we are.

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Sunday Funny

A boy and his mother took their places in the pew and were waiting for the worship service to begin. The boy was excited; this was his first day in Big Church! While anxiously looking around the sanctuary, he noticed a large military plaque on the wall. The plaque had many names listed on it.

"What is that, Mommy?" the boy asked.

"Oh, that," said his mother. "Those are the names of all the people from our church who have died in the service."

The boy sat quietly for a moment, thinking. Finally he asked her nervously, "The 9:30 service or the 11:00 service?"

Intercession

"When I pray for any one, I place him right in view of my heart, and neither see nor think of anything else, but look at him alone with my soul."

Martin Luther

Seasons of the Soil

"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart.This is the seed sown along the path." Matt. 13:19

This was me growing up. "Along the path" to young womanhood, sometimes I just wasn't listening. Other times I simply lacked the cognitive ability to understand what was taught to me by those sweet Sunday School teachers or my parents. Besides, my path at that time was so strewn with Tiger Beat Magazines, Judy Blume books and the opinions of my friends, often the seeds of truth couldn't get through to take root.

"The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away." Matt. 13: 20-21

Oh, the "rocky places." High school and college. Rocky, indeed. I loved hearing God's Word. I loved Michael W. Smith songs. Oh, how I was moved at church. But, I could separate my "church world" from my "friend world" so very easily. So much truth bounced right off of me as I bounced between the two.

"The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful." Matt. 13:22

Yes, my "thorny" twenties. Finishing my degrees, chasing success in my career, becoming a mom and desperately wanting to "do it all." (And look good doing it!) How I bought the lie that "You can and should have it all! You deserve it!" Deceitful, indeed. So much truth was choked out.

"But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." Matt. 13:23

Oh Lord, let this be me now. As I've gone through my "tilling thirties," You have been so faithful to help me identify, uproot and weed out so many of the enemy's lies. How I want to eagerly receive the seeds of truth that are sown into the soil of my heart each day. May it fall on rich, ready soil; soil that is free of rocks and thorns and only along the paths and rows that you have marked out for my life. Thank You for being the Faithful Sower in all my seasons thus far. As I continue treading the terrain of my thirties may I plow ahead, my Savior's yoke upon me, into increasingly fruitful forties and fifties, by Your grace and for Your glory. Amen.

This is JUST the coolest thing...

In case you haven't seen this yet, go here. God is putting His Ephesians 3:20 thumbprint all over this thing.

Blogging moms rock.

Works-for-me Wednesday: Getting a Good Haircut

I'm in need of a haircut this week, so this was on my mind. I go to an inexpensive hair salon franchise that I started going to a few years ago when I wanted to become less "high maintenance" with my hair. We began traveling more frequently and I found that keeping up with highlights and lowlights and a style that needed frequent trims was both time consuming and costly. When I switched to the cheaper salon (and stopped going to someone who knew my head better than I did) I adopted a couple of habits that work for me. I happened to catch part of a Rachel Ray episode during the Christmas break, and the segment was about getting a good haircut. Some things I usually do were actually featured as "tips" on the show. Go, me!

"Style your hair before going to the salon. When you arrive at the salon, we want to see your hair the way you normally style it. We want to see your abilities, so that when we design a hair style, you can actually do it yourself. You don't want to get a haircut and then get home and you can't manage it."

It's tempting to go in a ponytail and just let them deal with it, but I've had better success when I do my hair before I go, so they can know how I like to look, where I wear my part, etc.

"You should never do a consultation with wet hair. The consultation is the most important thing and it's when the biggest mistakes happen. We want to see your hair when it's dry, what the texture feels like, if there are any colics or other qualities we might not detect when the hair is wet."

Besides, I look just horrible with wet hair and don't like having conversations with anyone while my hair is wet and hangy. (At the pool it's ball cap or hair up. Always. :)

And my favorite:

"Show your stylist photos of hairstyles you like. It's not about trying to look like a celebrity, but about saying "This is what I like," so everyone's on the same page."

It's not about trying to look like a celebrity... No kidding, LOL! Over the years I've brought in so many pictures (though off the top of my head I can only think of Kathy Lee Gifford and Paula Zahn specifically). I wanted certain aspects of the styles in each of the pictures, and it helped my stylist to get a "visual." I've gotten the cut I wanted but alas, no one's mistaken me for Mrs. Gifford or Ms. Zahn.

The rest of the tips can be read at the Rachel Ray website, but these are a few that have worked for me!

For more ideas, visit Rocks in My Dryer. Have a good hair day!

In Other Words: Words Spoken Against Us

"Let us learn to discern whether the words spoken against us or against God or against the truth are merely for the wind--spoken not from the soul, but from the sore. If they are for the wind, let us wait in silence and not reprove. Restoring the soul, not reproving the sore, is the aim of our love"

~ John Piper from "A Godward Life"~

I have often heard the quote, "Hurting people hurt people." I have found this to be so true. When I am hurting, I lash out. When someone hurts me I can usually discern that they, too, are hurting.

I have also heard, "Never miss an opportunity to keep your mouth shut." Is what was said truly against me? Give it to God, my Shield and Defender. Is it against God? Then I don't need to answer it, He can answer for Himself. Was it spoken against the truth? The truth, God's Truth is not threatened at all by human words which fall like pebbles being cast against the side of a mountain. If the words that were spoken are "merely for the wind," then being silent allows the wind carry them to the One Who commands both the wind and the waves.

We are to not just stand idly by in our silence, but stand praying. It is in carrying the sore and the wounded soul behind it before the throne of grace that we find ourselves there as well. And that's where we both need to be.

For more reflections on this week's quote, visit Loni at Joy in the Morning.

5 Things You Didn't Know About Me

Yey, I've been tagged again! This time by Iris. I've been away from the computer all day and in my mind when I tried to think of what to write throughout the day, it sort of morphed into the "Six Weird Things" meme that's been going around. (I have found myself nodding along with so many others on the "weird" meme, so either I'm not as weird as I thought or you're all as weird as me!) Any shred o' normal about me gets posted here , so either you already know it or have access to it in the archives. Besides, some of my best friends as well as my family read my blog, so when I tried to come up with what they may not know, some of it is just this side of normal. As a result, my "things-you-didn't-know-about-me" are somewhat... weird. My kids were happy to help me compile the following list today, so hopefully there's something here for everyone, my new blogging friends as well as those who know me best:

5 Things You Didn't Know About Me

(Some Of Which Might Be Weird)

1. I talk to my weenie dog. That may not be so weird, as there are those who talk to their plants or maybe inanimate objects, but the fun thing is... my dog talks back. His voice is strikingly similar to mine but is slightly higher. I'm not sure if it's characteristic of the breed or not, but I find him to be very insightful and quite witty. My whole family (okay, mainly the kids and I- I'll leave my dignified husband out of this) has gotten used to him interjecting his thoughts into conversations and we all enjoy his quick, clever repartee. I knew we were completely over the edge a couple of years ago when my son said, "Oh, I just love it when he says that!"

2. I am completely directionally challenged. Completely. I can drive somewhere repeatedly and still get lost getting there. It's by the grace of God that I find my way home anytime I leave. It's been frustrating, embarrassing and everything in between, but I'm learning to live with it and almost always find my way home. I'm here right now, at least. :::checking my surroundings:::

3. I make really, really strong coffee. The way my daugher put it, "You just dump the whole bag in when you make coffee." I love it that way. I just bite off a hunk in the morning and I'm good to go... no need for a mug.

4. I cannot stand anything to do with (...I almost can't type the word...) mucus. The Mucinex commercial about makes me run out of the room. I cannot stand thinking about it! When the kids were little and it would be all shades of, you know, and I'd have to wipe their noses I would gag all the way to the trashcan to throw the tissue away. (Or worse was using that little suction thingy!! I'm icking out right now just typing this!) Oh! In China, the men had a (I won't say disgusting, it's cultural) practice of pushing one nostril closed and blowing out of the other one right onto the sidewalk and I would about DIE everytime. (One member of our team called them "snot rockets," which my dear son now sings it to the tune of the "Hot Pockets" commercial when he wants to get a rise out of me.) ::::shudder:::: Okay, moving on.

5. I have very eclectic selections in my iPod. I started to say music, but it's not just music. I've got everything from 80's music (that I love to listen to on the treadmill) to hymns (the Passion variety as well as orchestral/traditional), Chinese and African music, Greek and Latin lessons, Grammar Girl podcasts, Awana verses set to music, musicals like Les Miserables and Wicked, praise and worship, sermons and seminary podcasts... I'm surprised my iPod doesn't explode just sitting there. If I could peek inside it, I can imagine David Lee Roth in one corner and Sandi Patty in another. They're both looking sideways at Prince, and everyone's trying to wrap their minds around what John Piper's saying. It's a party in there for sure! And somebody's gettin' saved...

So there you have it! Five (not-necessarily-normal) things you didn't know about me. I hope it's been educational.

I tag: Chris, Susanne, and Janis to tell us 5 things, weird or not, that we don't know about you. :)

Is it SO wrong...

to be HOME?

So far this weekend:

I have gone through the kids' schoolwork, grading and filing papers...
Bethany and I have curled up and watched our favorite HGTV shows together...
Luke and the kids have made homemade pizzas...
Luke and Kyle have had a Mancala tournament...
Kyle has built all kinds of configurations with the Marbleworks game...
Bethany has cleaned out her dresser and her desk...
We've read whatever books we're into...
I've worked on our school plans for next week...
Luke's been touching up paint around the house...
and
we've generally enjoyed one another's company. Alot.

And you know what? I've felt guilty the whole time! As Linda pointed out yesterday in her comment, sometimes these "weather events" turn out to be "not so much." Well, it's been insanely cold, and awfully gray and rainy (sometimes even thunderstormy)... but not frozen. We could've gone to _______(fill in the blank with whatever activity we either chose not to attend or which was canceled.) I feel guilty because we could've gone. It was physically possible to get there. We aren't socked in by ice. But you know what? I'm glad we've been home! If the threat of winter weather is what has to happen to get us to all s-l-o-w down and stay home for 48 hours, then I'm glad it was on the radar. We had an Awana event this past Tuesday (which over 370 people attended) so it's okay if everyone stays home tonight to watch the NFL playoffs enjoy family time. Right? Besides, the sore throat and general ickiness that's been passed around lately has landed on me at the moment, and I feel ooky.

So, I'm hoping this feeling of guilt which tells me that we could've or even should've been elsewhere this weekend goes away, and it can take my sore throat with it. Whether it freezes later or not is still up in the air (!) but I'm enjoying being at home in my comfy sweater and fleecy houseshoes.

And if that's wrong, I don't wanna be right!

Frozen in Time

Like most families, we head into the weekend each Friday with a fair amount of plans and obligations ahead of us. We look forward to it, of course, but nonetheless our weekends usually involve running from here to there. Well, this weekend in our area of the state, three little words have brought that to a screeching sliding halt: "Winter Storm Warning."

My sweet nephew, Thomas, had his birthday party this morning. Being the weather wimps we are, and given that they live an hour + away, in the direction of the "arctic blast," we chose to stay home.

I just wanted to say a quick, "Happy Birthday Thomas!" Thanks for singing "The B-I-B-L-E" to me on the phone this week. You made my heart melt! After the Great Thaw, following the Big Freeze, we'll come see you and bring you your birthday present. Aunt Cyndi loves you!!

It just makes good sense to stay home today. The roads between here and there are frot with danger. Of course, they're not icy yet, but they will be. And if that knowledge isn't disturbing enough, the rain itself, which we hardly see around here, can be pretty distracting to drivers. Although the bridges and overpasses are clear of ice at this moment, they are not clear of the news reporters who have stationed themselves along the highways. So, of course, we must be careful...

We also canceled Awana for tomorrow night. Anytime you try to coordinate 500+ people, its best to make decisions sooner rather than later. Since yesterday we were able to send a mass email out from the church office and maximize the time needed to spread the word, we called it yesterday. So, I feel like I have just been given T-I-M-E this weekend!

So what am I doing with it? (Besides blogging about it?) Folding laundry. Grading the kids' work from this week (and majorly having a "teacher work day.") Staying hopped-up on pseudo-Sudafed and Zicam because I'm not feeling 100%. Enjoying my family all being home together. Watching the news of the approaching weather. We'll see if it turns out as icy as they say, but it's definitely good stay-in-and-sip-spiced-tea weather.

Have a good Saturday! For those of you in the path of the winter weather, stay warm!

Continuing to Listen

Abraham Sacrifices Isaac, by Rembrandt 1635

It's a difficult story to read. I've been familiar with it for years, heard much teaching from it, gleaned numerous principles from it, and know how it turns out... but it's still difficult to read.

A few years ago the kids and I began listening through The Bible in Living Sound cd's. As hard as the account of Abraham's test is to read, it's even harder to listen to, even as dramatized for children. One thing that struck me as we listened to the way it was dramatized was how Abraham called out to God as he took the knife to do as God had commanded him. He began to do something that He totally didn't understand. As he prepared to obey God, he was crying out loudly to Him. I can imagine that this is pretty accurate. Surely he couldn't have silently carried out something so unthinkable. Even in the midst of his outcry, though, he heard God's voice once again as He said, "Abraham, Abraham!" and stopped him.

The initial call to go to Mt. Moriah began with God saying, "Abraham!" (Gen. 22:1)

When God spoke to him in the midst of the sacrifice on the mountain it was, "Abraham! Abraham!" (22:11) Perhaps God had to say it twice to be heard over his (and maybe even Isaac's) cries.

It was critical for Abraham to hear God the first time, but it was crucial that he heard Him the second time.

What I learn from this is that as I carry out that which I believe God has directed me to do, both the difficult things as well as the things that bring me great joy, I must stay attentive to His voice. Just as He initially prompted me to do something, He will continue direct me, further refining His plans as they are carried out in my life. He may even change my course entirely!

I don't want to miss it. It's crucial that I hear Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Works-for-me Wednesday: Chicken Spaghetti

It's "low fat recipe" day over at Shannon's for WFMW. I have to admit, I have never been a particularly "healthy" cook. I grew up in the kitchen with my mom and grandmothers, three of the best southern cooks I know. I can fry up anything and make gravy to go over it! In the past few years, however, my body's ability to, um, "hide" those extra calories has decreased while my knowledge of nutrition has increased, so I have been watching fat content a little more closely. Rather than going whole-hog (sorry) into "low fat cooking" or become completely crunchy, I have been putting some of my favorite recipes on a diet. I started buying low/non-fat cream cheese, soups, etc. to use in my favorite recipes, and all of them still taste great. For now, that's as "health conscious" as it's been around here (except for the kids being our "trans-fat watchdogs" since we read about how bad those are!)

Here is one of my family's favorite dishes that I have begun making with low-fat, low-sodium ingredients. I've also found it to be very potluck-popular at gatherings.

Chicken Spaghetti

4 boneless/skinless chicken breasts
1/2 an onion, chopped
1 clove garlic (or 1/4 teaspoon minced garlic)
Celery (or celery salt)
Bell pepper
1 can low-fat/low-sodium cream of chicken soup
1 can low-fat/low-sodium cream of mushroom soup
1 can chopped rotel
1 sm. Jar of pimento
1 sm. pkg. spaghetti
Shredded cheese

Boil chicken, save the broth. Cut chicken into chunks. Using a small amount of broth, saute onions, garlic, celery, and bell pepper. Add soups, Rotel, and pimento. If too thick you may add more broth. Add chicken, salt and pepper.

Boil spaghetti. Mix spaghetti and sauce and pour into baking dish. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. Once mixed together, this dish also does well in a crock pot set on low/warm.

A Fun Book Meme

My first tag! Thanks, Kim!

I don't have a fun story to go along with mine like she does, though. Hers is way cool! Go check it out if you haven't been by her blog yet.

Here are directions:

1)Grab the book closest to you
2)Open to page 123,go down to the fourth sentence
3)Post the text of the following 3 sentences on your blog
4)Name the author and book title
5)Tag three people to do the same


I have a stack close to me, but here's one on top:

Get Out of That Pit, by Beth Moore.

Here are sentences 5,6,and 7 on page 123:

"His Highness is willing to come to us in our lowness. Our cries blow the lid off the cistern we're trapped in. They voice openness."

A good word!

I tag Amberly, Margaret, and Linda. :)

Making a Flap

Poor vultures.

It wasn't their fault. They were just doing what vultures do: perch or fly way up high, look for dead animal carcasses, swoop down and devour what's left on the bones. It may sound gross to us, but it's their lot in life. It's part of the "food chain," "circle of life," or as the Croc Hunter used to say... "Nay-chuh's way".

But not this particular day. This particular day they swooped down and were driven away. Forcefully. What looked to them like animal carcasses conveniently laid out like a buffet was actually a carefully prepared sacrifice, laid before the Lord by Abram. The Lord had just spoken a powerful word over Abram's life (Genesis, chapter 15) and God was showing up later to seal the deal, or confirm His promise to Abram, by a remarkable ceremony. The ancient covenants of that time involved the cutting in half of animals, so that the pledging parties could walk between them, affirming that the same should happen to them if they broke the covenant. God had instructed Abram to set up such a ceremony by cutting a heiffer, a goat, a ram, a dove and a pidgeon in two and arranging the pieces.

Abram had done as the Lord instructed and was faithfully waiting for God to show up. Can you imagine? I can only imagine how Abram's heart was beating. The God of the Universe was going to "cut a covenant"... with him! It must've taken some time to gather the animals, kill them, and cut them (Oh, my. Sawing a cow. Half a heifer. Can you say, "Thank you, new covenant!" That's what I'm thinking right about now!) The animal pieces were carefully arranged for this ceremony that God (did I already mention that the God of the Universe was going to show up for this?? Whoa!) had ordained.

But, who showed up first? The "birds of prey."

And they always do. Whatever it is I have carefully laid aside for God becomes a target for the "birds of prey." First and foremost, my time. My children. My time with my children. Time with my husband. My morning quiet times. Money. Time in God's Word. Meal time with my family. My thoughts. At different times, that which God has ordained that I carefully arrange for Him has gotten "eaten up" by other things. Not necessarily evil things, but other things.

So what do I do? Like I imagine Abram did, I flap. I flail. I yell "Shoo! Shoo!" I say (like my fun husband does when when he's acting redneck and the dog's in the kitchen) "Go own! GIT!"

"I'm sorry, we can't do that today, we're doing school." (:::flap:: flap:::)

"Man, that's a cute top. But if I buy it, I can't be as generous in my giving this month." ("Shoo!")

"Yes, I know that's a fun activity. But if you have that class every week then we'll only have 4 nights at home to eat dinner as a family. Maybe you can do that next semester (or year)." (:::flailing wildly:::)

The Bible birds of prey weren't evil, out to ruin Abram's covenant. They didn't know. Neither are my "birds of prey" bad people or those bent on thwarting my efforts to offer my time, family, and money to God. Organizations run because people give their time. We must spend money, we must participate in activities. I can't go flapping at people just for asking, but it is up to me to discern what in my life is "off limits," when enough is enough, and what is God's and His alone. I'm sure the birds of prey found other food after Abram drove them away. I'm equally sure that those I say "no" to will find their "yes" somewhere else. Whatever I say "no" to in order to ensure my time in God's Word will get done if it's supposed to get done, it always does.

I love how this passage comes so near the beginning of the year in my through-the-year Bible. It causes me to think through what God has asked me to set aside specifically for Him in the new year. And I read it today, a Monday. What is it that God has asked me to set aside for Him this week? I can be sure that as I plan to set it aside for Him and wait expectantly for Him to show up, the birds of prey will get there first.

Time to start flappin'.

Praying Through Your Child's Room

It's quiet this morning. I'm alone in the house, which is odd for a Sunday morning. We attend church on Saturday nights, so we often enjoy family time on Sunday mornings. Every other week, Luke goes out to a friend's house where he meets with 4 other men for Bible Study. This particular morning, Kyle is out there, too, playing with the sons of the other men in the group and Bethany is back up at the church enjoying her new job working in the cafe. So, I found myself alone this morning on the couch enjoying the peace and quiet. I've been reading my Daily Bible, praying through our day and praying through our week. Awhile ago I was prompted, for some reason, to get up and go pray through my children's rooms.

There is a wonderful chapter regarding this in Stormie Omartian's book, The Power of a Praying Parent. I love what she has to say. For some reason as I was praying this morning I was prompted to go in the other room and grab this book, turn to this particular chapter and pray the prayer that she has written. The last statement she makes before the prayer in the chapter is this:

"This is not a superstitious little ritual. This is a powerful claiming of your home, your child, and all aspects of his life for God. It's standing up and proclaiming, 'As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord' (Joshua 24:15.) It's saying, 'My home is sanctified and set apart for God's glory.' "

So I have prayed the following prayer in each of my children's rooms this morning, and for some reason I felt like I should post it here. It could be that perhaps some of your children's rooms could use a "spiritual housecleaning" as well:

"Lord,
I invite Your Holy Spirit to dwell in this room, which belongs to (name of child). You are Lord over heaven and earth, and I proclaim that You are Lord over this room as well. Flood it with Your light and life. Crowd out any darkness which seeks to impose itself here, and let no spirits of fear, depression, anger, doubt, anxiety, rebelliousness, or hatred (name anything you've seen manifested in your child's behavior) find any place here. I pray that nothing will come into this room that is not brought by You, Lord. If there is anything here that shouldn't be, show me so it can be taken out.
Put Your complete protection over this room so that evil cannot enter here by any means. Fill this room with Your love, peace and joy. I pray that my child will say, as David did, "I will walk within my house with a perfect heart. I will set nothing wicked before my eyes" (Psalm 101:2-3). I pray that You, Lord, will make this room a holy place, sanctified for Your glory." Amen.

At the moment I can hear the strains of praise music coming from upstairs, where I have it playing in both of their rooms. I'm not sure why the Lord prompted me to go up there this morning, but I'm glad He did. He's been to all of their tomorrows, and He's been inside their hearts lately. He knows exactly what's going on and what's coming. The song floating out of their rooms at this very minute is "It Is Well With My Soul." Oh, how I praise Him for that assurance, for myself and for my children. Thank you, Lord.

Pour out your heart like water

before the face of the Lord.

Lift your hands toward Him for the

life of your young children.

Lamentations 2:19

So, I guess I don't really mind it now. In fact... I like it!

The meaning of my name, that is.

Earlier this week the kids and I were looking up our names at name-meanings.com and I was disappointed when I saw mine. For some reason, I'd never known it. I wanted something like, "Woman of Grace," "Feminine Flower," or "Unsurpassed Beauty." Maybe even, "Chosen of God." You know, something Deep and Meaningful.

I got: "The Moon Personified."

Well, hmph. Kyle got "Handsome" and Bethany got "Life- a town near Jerusalem" (which I've always thought was so cool about her name- Jesus loved to hang out there.)

I'm the moon. In a book I was reading this week, the author joked that sunning is fashionable, but you get in trouble for mooning! And when thinking of the moon in that way, the fact that it's big and white with craters doesn't make it all that appealing a description. (I'm reminded of a note that one of my 3rd graders wrote me one year that said, "Mrs. K___, You are so buttful." After all I've eaten in the past month, I've been feeling particularly "buttful," as of late!)

So, I sort of "hmphed" about being the "moon personified," but oh well.

God, Who knows what's in every corner of my mind, and Who has been encouraging me in every way, especially in the past few months, let me come across two things this week:

1. In Max Lucado's book, It's Not about Me: Live Like You Mean It , that I'm reading with the kids this week, he says:

"We exist to make a big deal out of Him. It's not about you. It's not about me. It's all about Him.

The moon models our role.

What does the moon do? She generates no light. Contrary to the lyrics of the song, this harvest moon cannot shine on. Apart from the sun, the moon is nothing more than a pitch-black, pockmarked rock. But properly positioned, the moon beams. Let her do what she was made to do, and a clod of dirt becomes a source of inspiration and romance. The moon reflects the greater light."


2. We got in the car yesterday and heard the song "Shine" by Salvador. The chorus goes like this:


Lord let me shine, shine like the moon
A reflection of you in all that I do
Lord let me be a light for your truth
Light of the world, I wanna be used to shine for you.

So there! I don't mind being "The Moon Personified" ... I'm a Son reflector!

The Anvil of God's Word

Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith's door
And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;
When looking in, I saw upon the floor,
Old hammers worn with beating years of time.

"How many anvils have you had," said I,
"To wear and batter these hammers so?"
"Just one," said he; then with a twinkling eye,
"The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."

And so, I thought, the anvil of God's Word,
For ages, skeptics blows have beat upon;
Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,
The anvil is unharmed - the hammers gone.

John Clifford

Happiness Is...

Boxes to put it all in...

(I was JUST so happy about it, I took another picture from downstairs...)

A patch of sunshine to take a nap in...
..and a blog to post it on, just because...

Have a terrific Thursday, doing whatever brings you happiness!

:)

Works-for-Me Wednesday

Tortilla Soup Recipe

I didn't take time to post a WFMW this morning, as I hit the ground running, but I had to jump in tonight and post what worked for me today: My friend Mary's Tortilla Soup recipe I found on her website, where she's also listed other of her yummy recipes. (The bolded words in this post are "clickable.")

Thanks, Mary! A perfect dinner for a cold-ish January night with rain-on-the-way. My family loved it!

For more great ideas from other great cooks and all-around smart moms, visit Rocks In My Dryer.

Happy Wednesday (night)!

The Common Denominator

Like others that I've read, I'm not big on "resolutions." Maybe it's because over the years, I have discovered how my New Year's Resolutions have not been very, well, resolute. But is that the fault of the resolutions, or me? Here's the definition of resolution:

-a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.
-the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.
-the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.

Okay, if that doesn't work for me, then what do I do instead... set goals?

Goal -the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim; end.

The reason I hesitate to make resolutions, or even set certain goals for myself is because immediately my mind is inundated with past failures and I feel condemnation. As I enter a new year, I am choosing to say "no" to such condemnation, since the source is NOT my Heavenly Father. As I've been "meditating" upon my goals, and even my resolutions for 2007 I believe the Lord has lead me to the overarching goal, the key to any success I will experience in any God-given goals or even [gasp!] resolutions I may make this year: self-control.

Calvin Miller says, "To control the self it to offer Christ a soul free of any other master. To control the self is to stand beyond the soft life and to offer God the studied life. It is to say no to our appetites because we have "food to eat that [those who don't know Christ] know nothing about." (John 4:32) It is to pour out the wine of our addictions because the water of life in Christ is better nectar."

That's it for me in 2007. Self-control. There are many other goals, but they will all be the fruit of self control. But I believe God has shown me through His Word how to boil it down even more, because "self control" itself is a broad goal. As I've been praying through Scripture in the past week, no matter what my readings have been, I have ended up in one place: James 3. The key to self control, I firmly believe, lies in taking control of what I say.

James 3:2 says, "We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." That blew me away last week when I meditated on it. There is a direct link between keeping your mouth in check and your whole body being disciplined. Verse 3 goes on to say"When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal." I have got to "turn the whole animal" this year. I've got to make some changes. I believe that it hinges on self control but begins with the tongue. By God's grace in 2007, He will transform my speech and my words into something that is glorifying to Him and edifying to others, benefitting "those who listen." (Eph. 4:29) Unless this happens, my goals and resolutions will have been made in vain.

My specific goals and yes, even resolutions, are still taking shape. So I'm sure I'll blog about them more specifically in the weeks and months to come. God has put in my heart to believe Him for some BIG things this year. My husband and I have had some exciting discussions lately about our 2007, some that have still got my mind spinning. God is up to something huge in our family, I'm sure of it! But the journey from "soft life" to "studied life" must begin with self-control and will be evident in my words.

Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Eph. 3:20

For more New Year's Meditations, follow the links over at Laurel's. Thanks, Laurel!