Duh…Uh…You Think?

Psalm 84:11

Hello ~

I feel pretty sure that there have been things in your life that you have wanted and not gotten. Duh…uhh… you think? Probably a lot of those dreams have been requests you felt were really good ideas. But in the end you find yourself disappointed at their absence in your life. You have no way of even rationalizing what God is doing. Can I get a witness!

I can sure testify to that truth in my life. Maybe that’s why Ps 84:11 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. It’s one of those scriptures I have in my quick draw arsenal of offense against the Enemy. Without it, I have no explanation for the empty holes in my life. Satan would be having a field day with me; convincing me that I must not be loved by God, that He doesn’t really care about me, or I must be a terrible person.

The last part of the verse says, “…no good thing will He withhold from them who walk uprightly.” I just LOVE that. It reminds me that as long as I am seeking God ~ then if whatever it is that I want so badly is withheld from me – then it obviously wasn’t good for me. I tell myself all the time ~ either I believe that verse or I don’t.

I do want to believe it and trust that God has my best in mind. “God’s will – exactly what I would choose if I knew all the facts!” I’m so thankful that He does know them all! The last time I checked God was still God and He can handle the job all by Himself!

Hope & Glory! to You ~ Love

Rebecca Lynn with a great big grin!

Dead Batteries

Dead Batteries

Psalm 127:2

Hey Girlies ~

The smallest tasks ~ like turning on a DVD player or adjusting the sound on your TV or taking a picture, relatively easy, right? Not so much, at least not for me this weekend. I spent countless time and energy trying to accomplish such simple feats. I feel exhausted just thinking about it.

First the DVD wouldn’t work… get that going but then the sound wouldn’t work. So I kept smashing (yes smashing… not pressing, SMASHING) the button to see if maybe I just didn’t hit it in the right spot. Then suddenly out of no where the volume blast coming from the box in the corner turned my eyelids inside out and pinned my face to the back of the chair! Once I regained my composure I frantically began smashing the thing again to turn it down. It wasn’t working! Before everyone in the room ends up deaf, I jumped back up and ran over to turn it down manually. Back and forth we’d go. First it would work, then it wouldn’t. You get the picture…

Eventually my sister says, “I wonder if it’s the batteries”. Oh no, surely it couldn’t be that simple! But oh, yes. It was that simple … all weekend struggling to get things to work only to find out I was dealing with dying batteries. Just a few minutes ago during my latest escapade with yet another dead battery, I recognize how difficult life can be without a fully charged battery. But once I had a fresh battery those tasks became as simple as pushing a button.

Ah, yes. I am seeing some similarities in my own life. I think today I’m running on a low battery. That’s why wiping off the counter and getting the table cleaned off for dinner seems over whelming…not to mention the real issues I need to tackle. What a relief to understand my feelings!

I love the wisdom of Ps 127:2! “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep” So, ya know what I’m gonna do? I’m going to thank God for the reflection I saw of myself in the dead batteries! I’m going to quit struggling to get it all to “work” in my head tonight and I’m going to go to bed with hopes of a fresh battery in the morning. You too? Sweet dreams….

Hope & Glory! to You ~ Love

Rebecca

You Are What You Eat

Hi Ya Girls!
Think back over the last 24 – 72 hours (if you can remember that far back!) What have you had to eat? If the statement - you are what you eat - is really true, then I am potato chips, TAB, chocolate, toast (with healthy bread mind you), a little processed turkey, chicken, French fries and a few onion rings. I’m not very proud of that list. I generally try to watch what I eat. And if I eat like that every now and then, I don’t really see much negative effect. If I ate like that every day? Well, we all know eventually I’d have to go shopping for bigger clothes.
While I definitely believe it’s important to eat healthy (and as mothers to make sure your kids don’t have McDonald’s every night) that’s not really what I mean when I say, “What have you had to eat lately”. What I really mean is what has your mind and your spirit had to eat?
Recently while I was sick, I found myself watching more TV than usual. I was sick… what else was I supposed to do, right? But before I even realized it, my thinking began morphing into more like those who don’t care about God. I started focusing more on material things and how I looked and what others thought. Oh, it was subtle at first. I’d see something that was wrong and instantly recognize it. I’d change the channel or constantly be refuting it in my mind. But gradually (and quite quickly I might add) I found myself watching a program even though I knew it wasn’t good for me. The changes happened so seamlessly I barely even noticed them.
So let me ask you again. Think back over the last 24 – 72 hours. What has your mind and spirit had to eat? Is it possible that your diet has been nothing but junk food? At what point will you say enough of the trash? Here’s the crazy part, I actually like to eat healthy food. Many times I don’t because it’s a lot easier to eat the junk! I think the same is true of the food for our minds and soul. It’s so easy to plop down and turn on the tube. But maybe you would try turning it off every now and then. Believe it or not you’ll survive ☺ Find a good book. Start a healthy hobby. It’s important… enough malnutrition. Let’s feed our minds with the pure, rich, life-giving food of the Word! Read Psalm 1 and be encouraged today ☺
Hope & Glory! to You ~ Love
Rebecca

Get it! Get it! Come on, Get it!!! – Philippians 3:14
Good Morning ~
The boys and I have discovered some twisted, but hilarious entertainment. I have a new red laser pointer pen. Do you know where I’m going with this? ☺ I shoot on the floor near Herschel ( our chocolate lab) and dance it around a little to pique his interest. First his little ears perk up and he gets that “what was that” look. And then boom! He’s hooked. He dives, he pounces, he stomps, he uses every ounce of energy he can to catch that dancing dot. Naturally, we egg him on, encouraging him, “Get it, Herschel! Get it!” It’s so funny – the boys make him run into the wall – (Of course I have never done that to the pup!) He holds nothing back and will chase that red dot till his tongue is dragging the floor!
The other morning I just had an urge for a good laugh so I grabbed the pointer. I was thoroughly enjoying myself until I thought, “How sad; the poor pooch will never catch this dot because it’s not even a real object. He is totally spent when he finally gives up, and for what? Nothing.” I felt kind of bad that he will never have the satisfaction of capturing the crazy thing. Never!
Then I saw myself in the scenario. Satan loves to throw those red laser dots around us. We get all worked up about stuff or chase things relentlessly that aren’t even real or at the very least will never satisfy. The Enemy just sits back and laughs at our silly ambition and foolishness. I want to make sure that I’m pressing “…toward the mark of the high calling of God…” (Phil 3:14) and not chasing the silly tricks of the one who desires to steal, kill and destroy! God has a wonderful plan for each of us. Let’s get into His word and spend time with Him so we will recognize those empty red dots!
Hope & Glory To You ~
Rebecca

The Dude Was Right...

Hello All ~

I trust my husband. Really, I do. I cant’ say I’ve always agreed with him, but I do trust him. It’s not a blind trust. It comes from watching him seek God in his day- to- day living. But it also comes from years of witnessing him making the right decisions. I remember times when I just knew he was missing what I was saying! His perception was not as clear as mine, I was sure. My way made perfect sense and undoubtedly was the best action we could take. He would always listen. But he wouldn’t act unless he felt peace to do so, no matter how passionate my plea.

Come to find out…the dude was right, most every time! So that is why I trust him. Once again a big decision is ahead. I want one thing. He…not so much…. But I don’t want to push my way. I remember, he’s usually right.

In reality, he’s not “always” right. He’s human. But here’s the bottom line. It’s not my job to make sure he’s right. It’s my job to share my heart, pray and obey/support whatever decision he makes. He has to answer to God for it, not me. I will answer to God for how well I submitted to him.

Here is what dawned on me this morning, mulling this over. I love Ronnie. I’ll be loyal to him and respect his leadership even if he does make a wrong decision. It’s not because he wants to make mistakes. He’s just human…but I’ve given my heart to him and so I’ll follow.

But there is One who never makes a wrong decision on my behalf. When God tell me no or that my way isn’t going to happen, it’s because He is always right! Always. Why can I trust my earthly husband and not my heavenly One? My best interest is forever His priority. I don’t even have to follow Him purely out of loyalty or duty. I can follow Him with complete confidence. So what’s my problem? Trust and obey. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5&6

Hope & Glory! To You – Love

Rebecca