Up and Down

Up and down, up and down, that is how my week has gone.  The downs are no fun, of course. Wrestling an American bulldog with a glue trap on his paw can be hard on anybody; me, it took four days to recover.

Then part of it is the kids were sick with the flu, part of it is me trying to fight getting the flu, and part of it is I am a stinky sinner - which is probably the larger piece of the pie.  Ever been there?  It seems I lose my patience when I feel yucky as opposed to when I am downright sick I just don't care, and this week it has been totally the former.  And how difficult it is to regain the ground lost to the enemy during battles.  Did I even fight in that one or did I just sit back let myself get pummeled?  Today I thought, "Lord, I am not doing very well in this battle; please save me!"

As I woke up today, I uttered a few prayers such as Psalm 51:10,
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me."   
It is amazing how just acknowledging that I cannot be a good mother without the Lord lifted weight off my mind!  Time to meditate on Ephesians 4:20-32 for sure!  All along the way during the week, the Lord has blessed me despite of myself.  It is that love, grace, mercy... that I do not understand, of which I am completely unworthy, and for which I am so grateful.


‎"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." Jude 24-25


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A Substitute For Joy

My friend, Cathy, posted this quote on facebook, and it really struck home.

"Entertainment is the devil's substitute for Joy, the less joy of the Lord you have the more entertainment you need." -Leonard Ravenhill

Wow. We turned off our cable TV about 2 years ago and now have only local channels, and I really have not missed it.  I have seen the positive changes in my homeschooled children.  My kids do not have cell phones, mp3 players, or the latest gaming system (yet...).  But could I do more; do I need to do more?  YES.  Since we cut off the cable a substitute has crept in...online movie streaming, you know the one, all you have to do is click the blue play instantly button.  And guess what? its not just the kids crooning over the blue button!

You know, once you gain victory in one area of your life, another vice or struggle rears its ugly head, or more like a four headed dragon!  

So what is the answer? I know it. You may know it. But here it is again: In the presence of the Lord is fullness of joy! Psalm 16:11 And how do you come into the presence of the Lord?  Daily devotion in prayer and reading of His Word.  Easier said than done, I know.  Help me, Lord, to seek Your face early and to meditate on Your Word day and night! Amen!

Philippians 4:6-9

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

  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

image:  http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=1058

Once again...Shew me thy ways, O LORD! Strengthen my heart.

As I gaze toward the window I see the snow swirling in the ever encroaching dimness of daylight.  The snow  is blowing sideways and whirling around in all directions depending on where I look.  I feel like that snow today.  In my mind there are thoughts swirling all around and I'm not sure which one to hang onto.  I feel like I'm being blown sideways and encouraged in directions that I'm not sure I want to go.  I want certain things in my life, and these I know for sure: to obey Him, to have a loving and edifying home, to evangelize, to minister to others.  I feel helpless and discouraged often.  The only thing I can do is to cry out to the Lord; and verses come to mind:

Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day Psalm 25:4-5

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD Psalm 27:14

So when will I learn this lesson? He graciously gives me reminders of it every  time I try to jump ahead of the Lord, and every time I try to do things in my own strength.  Lord, give me the strength to follow after You.  Help me to walk in the light of Your Word so that I may not stumble.

Well, I must go...we just discovered the pump house is flooded in 6 inches of water!
photo from dan/freedigitalphotos.net