a Heart's Ramblings.

Pastor Jeff's thought on learning from the past (not being controlled by it, however - neither regret of the past, or discontentment with the present from comparing to the past) rang very true for me today when I read through a little of one of my 2-year-old journals/thoughts on scripture.  Its amazing how much you can learn from... well, what you've learned before.  Reading my 15-year-old thoughts convicted me, actually, of where I need to be now.  I needed that "child-like faith" spark of my 15-year-old self to be renewed, that complete trust in One higher than me.  Even though I know that I've learned SO very much since then... so much in these past 12 months in particular... I need to get back to some of the basics.  Our lives have been so crazy full (and jam-packed with a lot of nice, emotional melt-downs from all... including myself of course ;-), and I've been forced to my knees so many times realizing that God knows best...  that God becomes somethi...

Lord, take control of my selfish heart today and help me to find joy in being IN Christ.  May my heart overflow with rivers of living water... (John 7:38) The LORD will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. -Is 58:11

"Come, o children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, so that he my see good?  Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.  Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it ." -Psalms 34:11-14 I read this in Psalms this morning and thought, "this is the definition of 'fearing the Lord'!"  Pretty cool find, m'thinks. ;-)  The concept of  'fearing of the Lord' always intrigued me when I was younger, and I loved finding passages that helped solidify what exactly is was in mind.  Its mentioned so many times in the scriptures, but its not usually mentioned in a very straightforward, applicable way.  This passage was so simple and so applicable.... David says,  " I will teach you the fear of the Lord".  The #1 easy way to fail in loving what is good, and hating what is evil:  Your tongue.  Keep it under control.  KEEP it from evi...

Yet another episode of "Thought-Provoking Conversations with Kids"... me:  Gracie, you really need to lay down now.  Stay in bed this time - no getting up, m'kay?  You need to get your rest so that we can have a tea party when you wake up. Gracie: (with an ornery, sheepish grin)  Ooookay. Closing the door... Gracie:  Anna??  Do you really mean that we're going to have a tea party? me:  Mhmm. Gracie:  You really mean it?  Why are we going to have a tea party? me: (thinking she's just trying to detain me in her room as long as possible.  The usual scenario.)  Gracie, because I like to have fun with you!  Time to go to sleep now... Gracie:  Weeellll... WHY do you want to have fun with me? me: (realizing I don't want to just drop the conversation here...)  Because I love you, Gracie!  And I love spending time with you. Gracie:  (very thoughtfully) Anna... why... why do ...

From Mark 6: (ESV) 7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— 9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.[ a ] 10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. 30 The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to a desolate place b...