I woke up this morning with a bad attitude. Not gonna lie. I had a pretty hectic week and I wanted to just hide away today and not deal with reality. I was at the kitchen sink doing the dishes and said to my husband "Sometimes I wish I could just take a personal day, when I could just read a book, drink some tea, watch a movie, or take a nap." He simply stated "So why don't you do that today? You need to take a day. You are in a grumpy mood and you need to take a day off."
Wait, what? Did he just tell me I'm grumpy? He's supposed to be all supportive and let me gripe for a while. EXCEPT THAT...one day I gave him permission to tell me when I am playing the martyr. I asked him to tell me to snap out of it when I am having a bad attitude. And that's what he did today. It was done in love and I pouted for a few minutes and then I realized that he was totally right.
So as I was eating the omelet that he so generously made for me for breakfast, I thought about how I could have a better attitude for the rest of my day. That's when Philippians 2:4-5 popped into my mind.
"Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus." (NASB)
Obviously somewhere in the back of my mind I knew the reference to having the attitude of Christ Jesus, or it wouldn't have popped into my head when I needed it. But I had to go to my concordance to find exactly where it was located, and the precise wording. So I figure, why not memorize it for SSMT verse 21?
As I was reading Philippians 2 to get a feel for the context of these verses, I began to realize something. Paul didn't tell the people to stop looking out for their own personal interests. He didn't ask them to play the martyr and only look after everyone else. He simply told them to ALSO look out for the interests of others. Care about others needs. Watch each others' backs, so to speak.
The NIV version of verse 5 says "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." That word "relationships" is really what it is all about. It takes the focus off of just me. I am still concerned with taking care of my own needs, but I also look out for the needs of those around me. It removes the selfish ambition and creates an attitude of "we're all in this together." As Paul says in Phil. 2:2 "Make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." (Emphasis mine.)
For the next two weeks I will be working on my attitude as I memorize Philippians 2:4-5. I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit, who brought this verse to mind on a day when I really needed it. Oh - and it doesn't hurt that I have a husband who helps me change my bad-attitude into a better-attitude, with love and encouragement. Thanks honey!
Saturday, November 2, 2013
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Siesta Scripture Memory Verse 19!
Hard to believe that it is already October 1st. I wouldn't know it, but for the weather change! In this little valley the weather goes from hot and dry to windy, rainy, and and array of color overnight. I can't complain much. I love all the beautiful trees here in the fall. They are painted with reds and oranges and every color in between. Plus I love to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book and have me some peaceful quiet time if I can find it! (Five kids makes that a little rare.) This afternoon I happen to be home with a sick son, so I am soaking in the down time while I make sure he is as comfortable as possible.
I knew a couple of days ago which verses I was going to memorize for the first half of October. I was reading a passage for my Bible Study and they just jumped off the pages at me. I've looked them up in several versions, but my favorite translation to sit down and study with, NASB, used the actual word "time" in it, so I chose that wording to memorize. Here's a photo of my handy dandy spiral notebook with my memory verses in it...
I knew a couple of days ago which verses I was going to memorize for the first half of October. I was reading a passage for my Bible Study and they just jumped off the pages at me. I've looked them up in several versions, but my favorite translation to sit down and study with, NASB, used the actual word "time" in it, so I chose that wording to memorize. Here's a photo of my handy dandy spiral notebook with my memory verses in it...
Making the most of your time...
I can't tell you how many times I have thought to myself, even today, how there's not enough time in the day to get everything accomplished that is on my list! These verses really spoke to me in a powerful way. I was moved to look at exactly where my time DOES go during the day and evaluate what might be changed for the better. Let's just say that if I were going to do a series on this blog, it would definitely NOT be on time management. I often feel like I'm running in circles with constant interruptions and distractions all around me.
The NIV version of these verses uses the words "making the most of every opportunity" in verse 16. So the question here is "how do I use my time wisely?" Well, looking a little further into this passage, Paul says in verse 17, "do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." There it is. The good, perfect, pleasing will of the Lord. Now I could probably write on THIS topic for hours...but I don't have time! *Grin*
Instead, allow me to share three little instructions that I know are God's will for each and every one of us as Christ followers.
Rejoice.
Pray.
Give Thanks.
I only put them in that order because that's how they appear in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Each of these instructions are equally important in the life of a believer.
How does this all tie back into my memory verse and making the most of my time? Well, that's easy. Practicing those three little things on a daily basis helps me to understand what the will of God is. And when I understand what the will of the Lord is, then I am able to make the most of my time, no matter how my day might unfold.
So there you have it. That's what God is working on in my life right now. He reminds me to take time for a little RPGT whenever I feel overwhelmed with the details of my calendar or to-do list. Because He is so faithful to meet us right where we are.
Here's to a great October!
-Melissa
Friday, September 20, 2013
My Life in Phone Photos
Time for another "My Life in Phone Photos!" I stole the idea a while back from Rachel Anne over at Home Sanctuary. These are just a few pictures of what's been going on in our lives lately. :)
This is a billboard that I pass by every day on my way home from work. It always reminds me how awesome our God is. (Even though that's not what it's advertising.) It is also a prompt for me to say my memory verse for the second half of September out loud. "For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the AWESOME God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe." -Deuteronomy 10:17 NASB
This is a picture of my girl LR. She drew this self portrait for open house this week. She loves wolves so that is a wolf on her shirt. I sure do love that girl! The first three weeks of school is a whirlwind of activity and we finished it off with open house for my gradeschoolers on Wednesday night.
This is my girl RL after her first meet. She has joined Cross Country this year. I'm so proud of her for setting goals and working hard to reach them. She ran her first practice in the rain this week and was soaked to the bone but still smiling when I picked her up! Now that's dedication.
Back-tracking to the first day of school. :) Every year I make the kids pose for me so I can get another "first day" picture. Left to right... CD, 1st grade, LR, 3rd grade, BC, 5th grade, JS, 6th grade and RL, 7th grade. They sure are growing up fast!
BC flying off the diving board during our "Tent City" weekend over Labor Day. We always have one last bash with the family over labor day weekend. We BBQ, swim, and play lots of games. That's JS and BC splashing around below.
CD being his goofy self...lost a couple of teeth over the Summer. The new ones are finally starting to grow in. I loved his toothless smile all Summer long though!
So that's us...Coming out of Summer and moving into Fall. Changing seasons, changing lives...I'm excited to see what God has in store around the bend.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" -Ecclesiastes 3:1
Final picture...Summer changing to fall in my little valley. :)
CD being his goofy self...lost a couple of teeth over the Summer. The new ones are finally starting to grow in. I loved his toothless smile all Summer long though!
So that's us...Coming out of Summer and moving into Fall. Changing seasons, changing lives...I'm excited to see what God has in store around the bend.
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens" -Ecclesiastes 3:1
Saturday, September 7, 2013
SSMT Verse 17 - Help!
School started this week, and one of the things I always tell my children when they are in school is "if you don't understand something or have questions, don't be afraid to ask for help."
That's good sound advice, right?
It's important that my kids know that it is ok to ask an adult when they need help solving a problem, learning to do something correctly, clarifying instructions and rules, or even getting directions to their next class. (For my 6th grader, who just started Middle School this year.) There is no shame in admitting you need a little help. We've all been there.
Even me...
What's good advice for my kids is good advice for me, right?
Why then, is it so hard for me to ask for help when I need it? Perhaps it is because I expect too much of myself as an adult, mom, wife, homemaker, employee, and daughter. Um, that's a lot of hats to juggle. Maybe it's because I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I see myself as failing in some of those areas above mentioned.
Whatever the reason, I think after this week I have realized that it is ok, in fact, necessary, for me to recruit help managing the several different areas of my life. For instance, the kids are old enough that they can help assemble their lunches for school. And they can even do their own laundry, or at least help with their laundry in the afternoons. They can also help themselves to a snack if they are hungry when they get home from school.
Those are all physical things that help me stay organized and take a little pressure off my daily schedule. Let's talk a little about the spiritual side of things.
I live in a valley, so on most days when I am driving anywhere or even just sitting and looking out my dining room window, I look up to see the beautiful hills surrounding us. They are breathtaking in any season. In the Fall (the approaching season), they change colors. Into Winter, they turn white with fresh snow. Then in the Spring you can see the fields of rolling wheat and rows of grapevines or whatever crop is in season growing new. Even in the Summer when things are dry the hills are a variety of color. I love to watch the change and gaze out into the beauty of it all.
When I was determining what verse I wanted to memorize for Siesta Scripture Memory Team this first half of September, a particular psalm came to mind. It is one that I have probably read again and again, but never taken time to memorize. It is Psalm 121:1-2
"I lift my eyes up to the mountains -
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth."
I have the ultimate helper on my side: the Lord. What a comfort to know that any question, any problem, any sadness or hardship that I come to Him with, He is able to help!
Every time I look at the hills for the next two weeks I will repeat these verses to myself and remember that God is my helper.
When I start to feel overwhelmed, (and maybe a bit sorry for myself,) I will remember where my help comes from - first and foremost, God - and then know that it is ok to ask for help.
The psalmist closes Psalm 121 with "The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever."
He's looking out for me. He knows September is one of my busiest, craziest months. The chaos of it all can often get to me and cause high levels of anxiety. But not if I remember who my helper is. Not if I keep my eyes and my thoughts focused on Him.
Philippians 4:23
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God."
I'm so thankful that He is my helper. How about you?
That's good sound advice, right?
It's important that my kids know that it is ok to ask an adult when they need help solving a problem, learning to do something correctly, clarifying instructions and rules, or even getting directions to their next class. (For my 6th grader, who just started Middle School this year.) There is no shame in admitting you need a little help. We've all been there.
Even me...
What's good advice for my kids is good advice for me, right?
Why then, is it so hard for me to ask for help when I need it? Perhaps it is because I expect too much of myself as an adult, mom, wife, homemaker, employee, and daughter. Um, that's a lot of hats to juggle. Maybe it's because I'm a bit of a perfectionist and I see myself as failing in some of those areas above mentioned.
Whatever the reason, I think after this week I have realized that it is ok, in fact, necessary, for me to recruit help managing the several different areas of my life. For instance, the kids are old enough that they can help assemble their lunches for school. And they can even do their own laundry, or at least help with their laundry in the afternoons. They can also help themselves to a snack if they are hungry when they get home from school.
Those are all physical things that help me stay organized and take a little pressure off my daily schedule. Let's talk a little about the spiritual side of things.
I live in a valley, so on most days when I am driving anywhere or even just sitting and looking out my dining room window, I look up to see the beautiful hills surrounding us. They are breathtaking in any season. In the Fall (the approaching season), they change colors. Into Winter, they turn white with fresh snow. Then in the Spring you can see the fields of rolling wheat and rows of grapevines or whatever crop is in season growing new. Even in the Summer when things are dry the hills are a variety of color. I love to watch the change and gaze out into the beauty of it all.
When I was determining what verse I wanted to memorize for Siesta Scripture Memory Team this first half of September, a particular psalm came to mind. It is one that I have probably read again and again, but never taken time to memorize. It is Psalm 121:1-2
"I lift my eyes up to the mountains -
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth."
I have the ultimate helper on my side: the Lord. What a comfort to know that any question, any problem, any sadness or hardship that I come to Him with, He is able to help!
Every time I look at the hills for the next two weeks I will repeat these verses to myself and remember that God is my helper.
When I start to feel overwhelmed, (and maybe a bit sorry for myself,) I will remember where my help comes from - first and foremost, God - and then know that it is ok to ask for help.
The psalmist closes Psalm 121 with "The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever."
He's looking out for me. He knows September is one of my busiest, craziest months. The chaos of it all can often get to me and cause high levels of anxiety. But not if I remember who my helper is. Not if I keep my eyes and my thoughts focused on Him.
Philippians 4:23
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God."
I'm so thankful that He is my helper. How about you?
Friday, August 23, 2013
Phone Photos and Company Girl Coffee
Well, I figure if Rachel Anne over at Home Sanctuary can take time to post with the week she had, so can I! I haven't had any major crisis or life changing events this week, just been busy getting kids ready to go back to school and winding down the Summer. Here are a few pictures from my phone to re-cap our week. (Please excuse the quality, my phone camera isn't that great.)
Enjoy and have a great weekend!
Enjoy and have a great weekend!
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| This is a small section of my grapevines. They span the entire length of my deck. Though they are beautiful to look at, I learned this year that the more leaves you have, the less fruit they will produce. Next year I will prune them as the Summer progresses. I think that there might be a life lesson in there somewhere. I'll save that post for another day. |
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| My two youngest kiddos (CD 6, and LR 8) playing on a neighborhood playground that we stopped at while out for a bike ride the other day. |
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| This is my oldest (12) taking a break when we went out for a run this week. She's joining the 7th Grade Cross-Country Team this year. Although I haven't run in years, I am determined to help her train, and maybe get back in shape myself! |
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| JS, who is going into Middle School (6th grade) this year! I can hardly believe it. Where has the time gone? |
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| And that's BC hanging from the monkey bars...he'll be in 5th grade this year, only 11 months younger than his brother. |
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| Some of the scenery from one of our runs this week. I really do live in a beautiful valley. Too bad my camera can't capture the awesome details of it all. The sheep, the vineyard, and the surrounding hills...just BREATHTAKING! |
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| On Wednesday, I had the unfortunate bad luck of hitting a stray S hook/belt (you know, that is supposed to hold stuff down in the back of a truck) on the highway. I made it home before my tire went flat though and my husband, who is my hero, put the spare on so I could make it into town the next day to get it checked out. Turns out we needed a new tire. Thankfully, we were saving up for two new rear tires anyway. This just sped up the purchase. God always seems to provide for us right when we need it. |
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Siesta Scripture Memory Team Verse 16!
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| "But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever." -Psalm 52:8 (NIV) |
When I read this verse, I just knew I had to memorize it. First of all, I love that it is written in the first person. I am like an olive tree flourishing...I trust in God's unfailing love.
I also love that word flourishing. Doesn't it just drip off your mouth like a waterfall? The Hebrew word from Strong's Concordance for flourishing is raanan. (Pronounced rah-an-awn) It translates: luxuriant, fresh.
I didn't know much about olive trees before I read this verse so I decided to look them up and learn something.
Did you know that olive trees are evergreen? They will live and produce fruit in spite of circumstances - hot, cold, wet, dry, rocky or sandy soil. In the same way, as Christians we must learn to "flourish," no matter what our circumstances. How is this possible? The answer is in the second half of the verse. Trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. When the sun is shining and when the rain is pouring down. When you are walking through a dry season and when your cup seems to overflow.
You get the point. God's unfailing love is the one constant in every season of our lives. I am reminded of a song by Jesus Culture called "Your Love Never Fails."
Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails
I know I still make mistakes
But You have new mercies for me everyday
Your love never fails
Chorus:
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There may be pain in the night but joy comes in the morning
And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails
Verse 2:
The wind is strong and the water's deep
But I'm not alone here in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails
The chasm is far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But Your love never fails
I'm so glad that His love never fails. Thanks for stopping by, and may you flourish in His love today and always.
-Melissa
Saturday, July 27, 2013
Siesta Scripture Memory Verses 13-14
It's been a while since I could get to the computer to post, but I figure if I'm going to take a few minutes to write about something, it will be how memorizing scripture has made such an impact on my life. I've stretched myself a little this year and tried to memorize more than one verse at a time. Siesta Scripture Memory Team with Beth Moore has helped a lot both because there is accountability to get my memorization done in a specific period of time, (the first and 15th of the month is when we pick our verses) and because Beth Moore often shares tips about memorization technique and the story behind why she chose a particular verse. If I haven't had anything jump out at me in my reading then I sometimes just memorize her verse right along with her. It's inspiring to know that there are so many women out there memorizing scripture and if I get discouraged, I come back to the SSMT post and scroll through some of the verses that everyone else has posted that they are memorizing.
This month I focused in on a psalm that stood out to me while I was walking through Priscilla Shirer's new Bible Study "Gideon, Your Weakness. God's STRENGTH." I have some AMAZING thoughts that I would love to share from this study, but for now I will stick to my memory verses. The verse that was in the margin was Psalm 103:2, but when I picked up my Bible to read it, I knew that I just had to memorize verses 1-5. I'll break it down the way that I memorized them. In the first two weeks of July I memorized Psalm 103:1-2:
"Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
The first time I read this I thought "What? How could I forget the many blessings and benefits of knowing the Lord?" But it happens. It is easy forget that the Lord is constantly on our side and looking out for our greater good. Romans 8:3 says "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." So why would we forget the amazing things He's done? Pride. Priscilla calls it "spiritual amnesia." Just like the nation of Israel wandering in the desert, we have to be reminded of the One who rescued us.
For the second half of the month I have been memorizing Psalm 103:3-5. Lets take a look at the benefits the psalmist is talking about. I've broken them down for the sake of memorization into two parts. First, God takes away the bad. Then, He replaces the bad with the good. I focused on three key words to memorize the next three lines (ps. 103:3-4a). God pardons, heals, and redeems:
"Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
The next words I focused in on were crowns, satisfies, and renewed. (ps. 103:4b-5)
"Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle."
So that's my thinking process. I wake up almost every morning declaring "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget NONE of His benefits!" That's the impact that memorizing scripture has had on my life. It's the perfect way to start my day...remembering all that He has done for me.
Thanks for stopping by,
Melissa
This month I focused in on a psalm that stood out to me while I was walking through Priscilla Shirer's new Bible Study "Gideon, Your Weakness. God's STRENGTH." I have some AMAZING thoughts that I would love to share from this study, but for now I will stick to my memory verses. The verse that was in the margin was Psalm 103:2, but when I picked up my Bible to read it, I knew that I just had to memorize verses 1-5. I'll break it down the way that I memorized them. In the first two weeks of July I memorized Psalm 103:1-2:
"Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
The first time I read this I thought "What? How could I forget the many blessings and benefits of knowing the Lord?" But it happens. It is easy forget that the Lord is constantly on our side and looking out for our greater good. Romans 8:3 says "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." So why would we forget the amazing things He's done? Pride. Priscilla calls it "spiritual amnesia." Just like the nation of Israel wandering in the desert, we have to be reminded of the One who rescued us.
For the second half of the month I have been memorizing Psalm 103:3-5. Lets take a look at the benefits the psalmist is talking about. I've broken them down for the sake of memorization into two parts. First, God takes away the bad. Then, He replaces the bad with the good. I focused on three key words to memorize the next three lines (ps. 103:3-4a). God pardons, heals, and redeems:
"Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
The next words I focused in on were crowns, satisfies, and renewed. (ps. 103:4b-5)
"Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle."
So that's my thinking process. I wake up almost every morning declaring "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget NONE of His benefits!" That's the impact that memorizing scripture has had on my life. It's the perfect way to start my day...remembering all that He has done for me.
Thanks for stopping by,
Melissa
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