a book...

so i love a good book! preferably something fictional with great characters and a resolved ending.

i'm not usually into the books that claim they will help me get more done or get/stay more organized. where are they when clothes need to be folded or closets need to be sorted? i'm not really sure, but they definitely aren't here where i need them!

that being said, i've finished the book, "Peanut Butter on my Pillow" by rita w. kramer and found it refreshing and motivating, to the point i would like to share a little about it. not because of her grand ideas, but because she simply took every idea before the Lord. every concept she presented was compared before scripture to make sure it was in line. every suggestion she made seemed to be prayed about before putting it out there for me to try. so much scripture packed into a book has be to a good thing!

it's an older book i picked up off a used book sale at church (a big thank you to whoever donated it!). she puts many verses from the Bible, a few poems and quotes and her own confessions though out.

if you decide to give it a look, be sure to pray first that God will use this book in your life for His glory and your good.

i wanted to share a few things that hit me...

my inspiration for getting up a little earlier to pray

I didn't have time to pray

I got up early one morning
and rushed right into my day;
I had so much to accomplish
I didn't have time to pray.
Troubles just tumbled about me
and heavier came each task.
Why doesn't God help me, I wondered.
He answered, "You didn't ask."
I tried to come into God's presence,
I used all my keys at the lock.
God gently and lovingly chided,
"Why, child, you didn't knock."
I wanted to see joy and beauty,
But the day toiled on grey and bleak.
I wondered by God didn't show me.
He said, "You didn't seek."
I woke up early this morning
and paused before entering my day.
I had so much to accomplish
The I had to take time to pray.

-Author unknown

a comforting thought about the state of my home

(i'm paraphrasing here) the whole idea of "cleanliness is next to godliness" is not in the Bible. in fact it was the idea of Phinehas ben Yair who thought that religion is a bunch of acts (he includes carefulness, vigorousness, abstemiousness [which is a big word for sparing or abstaining]) in and of themselves that become godliness. now i'm not about to take this guys advice!

John Wesley is the one who actually spoke this "treasured creed" in a sermon on dress. and John got it from Francis Bacon who actually said "cleanness of body was ever deemed to proceed from a due reverence to God," the whole idea was that keeping your body clean is out of respect for your Lord God who made it!

rita also quotes the Living Bible in Proverbs 14:4 (i'm not usually a big fan of the Living Bible, but i kind of like this one) "An empty stable stays clean - but there is no income from an empty stable."

life is messy. between kids, husbands, cooking & eating, playing & learning, there is going to be some messes. praise the Lord, He looks at my heart and my stewardship in all areas of my life, not just how much dust is on the piano.


little notes about her house that made me smile

This is NOT Treasure Island.
Please find a more appropriate place for your valuables.

Relax. God loves you.

This, too... (by rita) hit me off guard

Diaper changing became so routine and automatic that i couldn't remember doing the last one.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
Brothers, surrounded by a yard full of toys, fought over a battered tennis ball.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
Sleepless nights during flu season were followed by long, headachey days.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
Little hands reached into the cookie jar for "just one more?"
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
We didn't go to "buck night" at the drive-in movie because of insufficient funds.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
I stiffened in the passenger seat while my student driver first-born practiced her left turns.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
We sat elbow-to-elbow around the supper table, everyone talking at once.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
The afternoon schoolbus dispersed a half-dozen chattering Kramers, and from the first one thought the door i heard, :i got a hundred in spelling today, Mom!"
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."
My husband and I came home to a quiet house after an evening out and peeked in on our offspring sleeping peacefully in their beds.
And the Lord said, "this, too, shall pass."


a verse that reminded me to pray more

I love the Lord, for He heard my voice;
He heard my cry for mercy.
Because He turned His ear to me,
I will call on Him as long as I live.
-Psalm 116:1,2

preparing

First , scroll down and read the first post. Now you understand the point of this blog.

Question for you…

Do you ever get stressed out when you are trying to get out the door to Church or Bible study? I do! Why is it that whenever I’m going to hear the word of God I’m frustrated out of my mind because I can’t find anything and the boys are being slow and I don’t have enough time to take care of everything before we need to be there, let alone be leaving?! And so I arrive at church in a huff with a slightly bent out of shape attitude, when the whole point of being there is to honor the Lord and indulge in the Word He has given us. But so many times my attitude is far from honoring.

So I challenge you to prepare! Prepare your heart to worship by going to God in prayer. And prepare yourself (and family!) to avoid the stress that so often comes crashing down on us.

1 Peter 1:13
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Apply this verse specifically to Sunday morning and see what you get!

Q?? “prepare you minds for action” Think about it! What can you do ahead of time so time so that you will be able to have a right attitude on Sunday morning? Maybe, lay out everyone’s clothes the night before, or have breakfast ready in the fridge, or gather all the Bibles by the front door next to the purses & wallets & cell phones?
Proverbs 31:25 “Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.” Remember, the future includes tomorrow morning.

Q?? “keep sober in spirit” Obviously, sober meaning serious, contrasting the sloppy unfocused drunk. Do you keep your cool when things don’t go exactly according to plan before worship? Are you making focused effort to maintain the right attitude when going to fellowship with other believers?
Psalm 57:7 (one of my favorites!) “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;” Am I grounding my emotions on the Rock, or am I letting them get the best of me?

Q?? “fix your hope completely” Remember the things that we know about God now. Examples: He is Love, He is in control of all, He is gracious, He is worthy of all our praise. Remember that one day we will know so much more about Him! Are the cares of getting ready and getting out the door consuming your mind and attention on Sundays (or whatever day)? Is your hope fixed on getting out the door on time? Where should you be fixed?
1 Chronicles 16:10 “Glory in His holy name; Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.” Are you seeking God gladly on your way to worship?

I challenge you to prepare for when you go to meet with like minded believers. Prepare your heart, and prepare yourself, and prepare your stuff. I think if you are honest about what needs to change, you will find that God blesses your preparations and gives you grace for the moments when it still doesn’t go according to plan.