FOOD

It has been a long month. As a teacher I get paid once a month and at Christmas time we get my January check before we leave for the holidays, usually sometime around Dec 20th. I did well and had a majority of my check last a lot longer this year.... I am so glad to day is payday! The food is getting scarce.

Food is important for the daily life, we need less of it than we think we do at times. Since my heart attack in November I have been pretty much a vegetarian, I have always loved salads, most veggies, and beans so it wasn't hard for me to virtually cut out meats. It is harder to find good fresh veggies here in this area during the winter months. Maybe I should grow my own again.

Physical food is not the only food I need to sustain my life. I need to daily study the Word of God, that is were I get my meat to chew on. I read my bible and devotional, then I usually work on this before I go to work. All these activities give me guidance and meditative words to carry me through the day. Often they can be my strength in a time of need. Spiritual food helps me grow if I let it, in order for it to do that, I have to put the words (food) into practice. I pray that the words (food) I study daily will become alive in my life and visible to those who need to see them. I want this food to give me strength to handle all that comes my way everyday.

The Quote:

"But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God."'  ~Matthew 4:4

The Drawing:

RELIGION

Sorry this is late today.... had a few issues...

 

I have always be interested in this word and what it really means in the bible; in particular when James says in James 1:26-27 “If any man thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this; to visit the orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Religion in these verses means worship. The Greek word used is Threskeia. This same Greek word is used in Acts 26:5 and in Colossians 2:18. So religion in this context does not mean what the world says it means, Baptist, Catholic, Mormon, and all the others. Looking at the Greek it has nothing to do with what church is attended or a denomination. That really changes the idea of the verses in James; “If any man thinks he is worshipping and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s worship is useless. Pure and undefiled worship before God and the Father is this; to visit the orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.”  I for one want my worship to be a pure and a sweet savour to the Lord (Ezra 6:10). I should not be worried about what group, or church I attend or don’t attend of as long as my worship is pleasing to God.
 

The Quote:
“Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair.”

 ~Gilbert K. Chesterton

The Drawing: 

 

QUICK

This morning in my bible reading I was reminded that being quick to speak all that is on your mind is not a very smart idea. (Proverbs 29:11 & 20). I so often speak before I think, not only speak, I am sarcastic when I do it. I need to stop. Plan and simple, the words that come from my mouth in a quick fashion are usually toxic and hurtful. Even if I don't mean them that way. If I would let the meditations of my heart be on the LORD more this would not be the case. I am to quick to put aside the things that I know I should do, for the things I want to do. Instead of blasting out words that don't edify a person or give them a feeling of well being, even if the situation is strained  (an argument or for correction) then I am not speaking the way God would have me speak.  I need to stop and think before I speak, that is my prayer today!

The Quote:

"Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." ~James 1:18-20

The Drawing:

DECISIONS

Decisions are not always easy to make. Make the wrong one, and all kinds of things can happen. It can have a domino effect. We make decisions good and bad everyday, giving us joy or heartache. Praying about choices and decisions that we need to make is important, it is also hard to wait for the answer. The sign at the church I attend says "Delay is not denial, so keep praying" That is exactly right. Whether the decision is big or small, God is going to give you the answer in His time. If we push ahead, do what we think is best we may miss the blessing He had in store.
I have a couple of tough decisions to make. I am sure that God will lead me. Unfortunately, I am feeling rushed or pushed to make the decision that others may think is right. Right now I am asking anyone who is reading my blog to pray for me and these decisions, that I make the choice God wants; that I and others have the patience to wait. Thanks :)

The Quote:

The discipline of daily devotion to God under girds decisions." ~Edwin Louis Cole

The Drawing:

NERVOUS

Many times I am rushing to get things done and at least get the word up here, the drawing always takes a bit of thinking. Today is no different really. I am rushing to get this up to go to church. After church I need to get lesson plans done for this week, and then I need to think through some things, on Tuesday I am having my formal observation. This evening I have choir practice and church. I don't like it when I have so much going on. It makes me nervous that I will forget something important.

God wants us to be careful for nothing. In other words not to worry. That is easier said than none many times. I am not really worried about my observation, what happens, happens. Life is unpredictable most of the time and children definitely are. You never know what one will do next. I just need to remember I have taught them how to act and I have taught them what they need to know to this point and if something goes wrong it was for a reason. We can learn from ever thing that happens to us good and bad, happy or sad. I want everything to go well, and if I stay calm and teach like I know how to teach, all will, even if there is a mishap. My prayer is that this nervous feeling will go away.

The Quote:

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." ~Philippians 4:6

The Drawing:

MULTIMEDIA

This is a word I use in school quite a bit now with the children. It is fun trying to get them to figure out what a word like this means. They come up with some very interesting ideas. One child (second grade) said it is something that happens over and over again. which could be true in a way if "multi" was multiply which was the first thing they thought. I asked what media was and the first thing they think is size, like a medium shirt. Of course the word has to do with there being multiple forms of communication in one presentation or project. It has to include 2 or more of the following types of media in one project, animation, sound, text, graphics, and interactivity.

I think that God is a Multimedia type God. He talks to us in many ways. He speaks through His Spirit, through His Word. He can even speaks through people and music. He also speaks through His creation, and the beauty of it all. The trick is listening, watching. acknowledging, believing, and doing or changing something because of what he has presented. He will not blast us with overwhelming bombardments of noise and images. His ways are meek and glorious. That is not to say that a storm wouldn't be a message from God, it could be, and yes it may be loud and overbearing but it is also glorious when viewed in the right way! I need to start seeing God more in all that is around me!

The Quote:

"Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice."  ~I Kings 19:11-12

The Drawing: 

WAIT

When I have to wait I get impatient at times, like a child who wants a cookie. Their Mom is in the middle of doing something important, she says to wait. The child can chose to do as the Mother has said and wait, until she brings the cookie to them. They can jump up and down, cry, and plead until Mom either gives in or says they will not be getting a cookie at all for their behavior.  Or they can go try to get it themselves, possibly get hurt or brake something.

Waiting on an answer to prayer is like this also. When we pray we want an answer right away. We get impatient. God has perfect timing, He knows when and what is best for us. He will give us the answer in due time. Our job is to wait and and be thankful for the answer that will come. I have to admit I am usually like the second or third child, I  beg, beg, beg, jump up and down and yell about waiting an answer, while God simply says, you still have to wait, maybe even longer now. Or I jump in and do what ever I can to make MY answer come about, that is when something usually gets broken or I get hurt.

God says to wait on him.... I need to do that better.

The Quote:

"Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord!"  ~Psalms 27:14

The Drawing: