Clouds XVIII

I haven't seen clouds like this for a while! I was scrubbing taters last week and looked out the window. WOW! I dropped them and grabbed my camera.

It was cold, and windy, so I'm attributing the blurriness to the wind and my shivering, not my bad photo taking skills.

I tried some different settings on the camera while trying to capture the way they really looked...this one turned out grey, I don't know why.

I'm going to use the verse Susan put in the comment section of the last post.

Nahum 1:3  The LORD [is] slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit [the wicked]: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds [are] the dust of his feet.

I noticed that the words "the wicked" aren't even in the text as indicated by the brackets. I wonder why it was inserted?


Many other versions render it as He won't let the guilty go unpunished. That made me think of David. He was forgiven, but certainly didn't go unpunished.


That's something to think about...we DO reap what we sow.

Seeing Darkly

I'm just plain experiencing burn out of all kinds. I've also got some hum drum, just plain life annoyances that are well....annoying.




Maybe Father's way of telling me to settle down and stop thinking so much.



From without:

Be content with what God has revealed in Scripture.

Don't try to pull things out.

Don't try to make the bible say what you want it to.

His ways are past finding out.

It's a mystery.

He is God, we are not.

But again:

Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.

Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

 The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Questioning  (I like to call it seeking) can be dangerous. It can be perceived as a lack of faith or outright heresy, not believing the bible (in many cases, though, questioning come from just that- believing the bible) though I have to point out that most of the mainstream-even some bible believers- mentioned in scripture were flat wrong. 



I have been reading this afternoon a couple of blogs of sisters in Christ both of whom I greatly respect but also, who would certainly have different views on things, but I do believe that we who are seeking Him are all doing so in the sincerity of our hearts. I mean those REALLY seeking (not talking about lip service or cultural Christians).


Man looks at the outward appearance but God looks upon the heart.


My views on a number of things doctrinally have changed in the past 16 years or so since I can pinpoint my "saving" moment, but looking back on it, I know that it was Him all along and I've always known it.


Always


Sometimes I think it may have been better before religion got in the way, but it's all a journey we have to go on.

 But coming is the hour, and now is, when the true worshipers will be worshiping the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father also is seeking such to be worshiping Him.
 God is spirit, and those who are worshiping Him must be worshiping in spirit and truth

Just some babbling thoughts on this cold and sunny afternoon.

I've Been Tagged

Joanne over at 10minutes2breathe has tagged me.  Thanks Joanne:)


 I'm to give 11 facts about myself:

Well, here are some of the ones I"l tell:


I am a morning person.
I don't like mayonnaise.
I love thunderstorms.
I dream a lot, with several recurring dreams that I've had since I can remember.
I don't like winter-at all.
I can't play any musical instrument, and don't really want to learn- I'm more of an appreciator.
I can sing pretty well (If'n I do say so myself) but won't in front of people...ever.
I love driving in the country, but not on the highway.
I find  tall power lines strangely beautiful.
I can't stand mice, but don't mind spiders.
I am a homebody.

Next, I am to answer 11 questions created by Joanne:

1. If you could acquire any talent overnight what would it be?

Sewing or being able to cook a proper over-easy egg...the Mr's favorite.

2. If You are married where did you spend your Honeymoon?

 In Chicago, at a Grateful Dead concert...that was a long time ago;)

 3. If given the chance where in the world would you like to live for a year?

Right here, but 25-30 years ago before the city moved out to where we are.

 4. What fairytale character are you most like?

 I'm stumped on this one.

5. What's your favorite topping on pizza?

 Anything any everything except for pineapple.

 6. What first attracted you to your significant other?

 I was in love with my hubby the second I saw him. I can't explain it.

 7. Whats the one color or print that you will never ever wear?

I wouldn't say never, but I don't wear a lot of bright prints or colors.

8. If given the chance to meet a fellow blogger who would it be?


 Susan. She and I have been in contact in one way or another through 3 forums including the Mr. and I  ran for about a year. She was so faithful in reading my blog at the beginning and was a big part of our forum. She is a thinker, a questioner, very smart and loves the Lord. She now has 2 great blogs of her own. I am so glad we crossed paths:)

9. Whats the most courageous thing you ever did?

I guess, recently, it would have to be choosing to give birth to 2 of our children at home. I am the biggest pain weenie ever, so I don't know why I felt that I was a good idea. I was so glad I did, though. 



10. What is your favorite movie of all time?

Gone With the Wind

11. What's your favorite song right now?

I've been in a huge Kansas mood recently. I bought a live album for with some Christmas money and love almost everything on it. Here's one I have been playing a lot lately:

Now I'm to make up 11 questions for my tagees to answer.

 1. What do you find strangely beautiful?
 2. Are you a morning or night person?
 3. Do you go to a church, if so, what is it like?
 4. If you could've been born in any time period what would it have been?
 5. What one thing could a person put on a sandwich that would ruin it for you?
 6. Are you afraid of getting older?
 7. What do you miss about being younger?
 8. What do you NOT miss about being younger?
 9. What is your favorite song right now?
10.What is the messiest part of your house?
11.Do you think it is okay for kids that you don't know from the surrounding neighborhoods to show up uninvited to your house to play? (research for me)


NOW  I'm supposed to tag 11 people. I thought about this for the last couple of days and I'm not sure who would or wouldn't want to be tagged. So, If you're reading this and want to run with it....consider yourself tagged:)

Feel free, too to answer any and/or all questions in the comments or to give some facts about yourself there.


Also, go visit Joanne.

Out of the Mouths of

It is hard when God is working on you, but man is it hard when you see that something that happens doesn't just involve you, you see Him working on your kids and know that you have to let it happen. You have to see the Lord take things away from them, and break their hearts, and let them do stupid things.



I do not look forward to the adolescent years, when this will surely become much more intense.



There was some unpleasantness this week with a brother/sister fight and ruined laptop power cable.  Finger pointing, tears, screaming,........ and then there's the kids' reactions...I kid,I kid.

But anyway, reenacting the whole deal, everyone had a share in the blame....including me.





The one who was taking it the hardest was quite angry with the other sibling. I figured here is a teachable moment, huh? I told the offended that the offender had made a mistake, and needed forgiveness. Wouldn't you want forgiveness if you had messed up big time? 



To which the offended said yes.


You need to forgive I said.


Then the offended said "It's HARD!"


You said a mouthful baby.


The offended has had a rough week. I can see so much of both of us (parents) in this one. Oh boy.

Vanity, Vanity!

I wanted to link to a good read on this subject that led me to another good one.


From Linda at Wake Up People!

If Solomon had and X-box  (what a great title)

  I think that if Solomon had had an X-box, he might not have had so many wives. He would have been able to distract himself from the fact that nothing in this world matters. That all is vanity and then you die. read on

AHA!

That's part of the angsty stuff that set me off on this whole God journey way back and I see that it keeps coming around. Even when we know the Lord, it comes back once and a while. So much of my interest in the rapture in years past I think plays into this. This world is passing, so what the heck are we doing here? Let's just get outta here already.




She also experienced God sending her in one direction only to bring her back to where she started:

So I was very confused on why the Lord would have me go on an amazing journey out into the wilderness just to have me seemingly go back to the life I left. The point is - the wilderness is not a destination. Just as Jesus did not stay on the cross. It is part of the process - but it not the end of the matter.

That brought to mind Moses and Jacob just off the top of my head. God called them out, sent them away, and then brought them back to where they began. That is something for another day perhaps.


Anyway, that is what my main problem with life was back before God found me. What is the point? I mean you live, you die, and that's it. 

So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind. Ecc 2:17

But why are we aware of this vanity? He made it so, so that we would look for Him, search for something more.

for the creature has been made subject to vanity, not of its will, but by reason of him who has subjected [the same], in hope  Romans 8:20

Linda linked to another post by Jacob Israel at A Voice in the Dead Woods.




As vain as all this seems at times, There is HOPE in this knowledge that we have-those of us in Christ presently that

WE WILL OVERCOME

This is a  lengthy, and meaty,  not a quick read, but has a lot of good nuggets.

There is great comfort in knowing that whatever decision you make, or have made, that all of it was exactly what had to happen and had to be. That even your mistakes were necessary for you to learn better. There is great peace in knowing all will be well, regardless of how terrifying things seem to be. We MUST trust that the work that began in us will end in victory. We MUST stop thinking of how wrong everything seems to be and start seeing how great things are going to be. We MUST trust God and be able to live our lives without the fear of failure or ruin. We MUST know that whatever comes upon whether good or bad is a necessary part of the plan and we MUST learn how to praise God in it all. more here

And then it hit me in a new way.  This whole thing is not about us. I know, that is what everyone says, but for a brief passing second, I GOT it.  He does have a plan and everything EVERYTHING (the good, the bad, the ugly- you dig) is part of it.  Even though this isn't about us, but Him, He will bring us into Himself and make us co-heirs to all that is His.... How great is that?


We are in Christ, Christ is being formed is us...

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.Jhn 17:22

And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.1Cor 15:28

So as we trudge through the day to day knowing all is vain...in THIS state anyhow, we await a new day when all will be anything but.

What Taking a Break from Bible Study has Taught Me

I mentioned before that during a family bible study of 1Corinthians, the Mr. and I discovered that we were a bit confused about what was being said there. Our literal verse by verse wasn't quite gelling with what we thought we had all figured out, so we took a break. Here are some of the things I have learned from the stepping back.

It has humbled me and shown me that I was haughty. I was. I found myself puffing up into thinking that everyone who wasn't reading and studying the bible at every opportunity were not as spiritual as me.





It has shown me how much the studying I did do was more theological (and by that I mean smarty pants stuff and wedging verses into my currently held beliefs)  than I thought it was.  I found that even verse-by-verse teachers who prided themselves in not skipping difficult passages were doing just that.  The worst twisting and wresting I've seen and bought into were during many of these studies.I think that sometimes we do a real disservice to ourselves by insisting that everything must fit, everything must make sense right now and if it doesn't - we'll make it fit!  Sometimes it is okay to just admit we don't understand something.

I can now see what is so important about being a doer and not just a hearer. People who are hurting need compassion, kindness, a listening ear- not someone reciting scripture. 

All that being said, reading and studying the scriptures should be a very important part of our lives, but doesn't do us any good if we keep our light hidden. We can learn all the kings of Judah, but if we don't show love of Christ to those around us, we are just clanging gongs.

A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Weekend Miscellaneousness

Since I've been laying some heavy stuff out there lately, I thought I'd post something light and frothy.

The Monster Tree

I constantly tell the kids not to have drinks on the table when we are doing work...guess who spilled water on these papers?

Do as I say, not as I do come home to roost.

The fan was taking FOREVER to dry them, so's I got out the iron...that tip was free for nothing;)

Also, I came across this video for making a "messy bun". I usually use hair sticks when I bun mine up, but I tried this yesterday and got compliments from the Mr:

The weather has been wonderful, like spring, very eerie, but nice. This was what we had last year at this time.

Have a wonderful weekend!