Many of my friends are becoming empty nesters. They now have time to travel, pursue personal goals and relax after many years of raising children. I, too, have spent many years raising children, but the empty nest is years away. I want to travel, pursue personal goals and relax, but I can't.
In the phonics book belonging to my five-year-old are various short, encouraging maxims. Here is what I read today: "The real voyage of discovery consists not of seeking NEW LANDSCAPES, but of having NEW EYES."
Lord, give me new eyes as I look at life today.
TV~
My eyes anticipate the night watches, That I may meditate on Your word... Revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances. [Psalm 119:148, 149]
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
Carpe Diem
Why seize the day?
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:14)
You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. (Psalm 39:5)
No one knows what is coming-- who can tell someone else what will happen after them? (Ecclesiastes 10:14)
Even a small step in the right direction is better than no movement at all..
TV~
Behold, now is the day of salvation. [2 Corinthians 6:2]
You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:14)
You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. (Psalm 39:5)
No one knows what is coming-- who can tell someone else what will happen after them? (Ecclesiastes 10:14)
Even a small step in the right direction is better than no movement at all..
TV~
Behold, now is the day of salvation. [2 Corinthians 6:2]
Sunday, October 13, 2013
47
There is a painting at church of Jesus on the cross, with his mother Mary there at the foot. Mary has gray hair. If she gave birth to Jesus, say at age 17, then she would have been 47. Yes, her hair most likely would have been gray.
I had a season of significant grief at age 47. It allowed me to appreciate Mary's great love for her Savior Son and to realize her agony of heart as she watched him suffer and faced her own future without him.
Every difficult road we travel broadens our level of compassion for the suffering of others.
TV~
But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. [Lamentations3:3]
I had a season of significant grief at age 47. It allowed me to appreciate Mary's great love for her Savior Son and to realize her agony of heart as she watched him suffer and faced her own future without him.
Every difficult road we travel broadens our level of compassion for the suffering of others.
TV~
But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. [Lamentations3:3]
Friday, October 11, 2013
Sticking it Out
Day in, day out. His mercies are new EVERY morning. A day leads to a week, which leads to a month, to a year, to five years, and so on. The highest mountain in the whole world is still climbed by taking only one small step at a time, and keeping on going....
TV~ (See May 3, 2013, for the meaning of "TV.")
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. [I Corinthians 10:13]
TV~ (See May 3, 2013, for the meaning of "TV.")
And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. [I Corinthians 10:13]
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Betrayal
Jesus knew the meaning of betrayal.
For it is not an open enemy that hath done me this dishonor, for then I could have borne it;
Neither was it mine adversary that did magnify himself against me; for then I would have hid myself from him;
But it was even thou, my companion, my guide, and mine own familiar friend. We took sweet counsel together, and walked in the house of God as friends. (Psalm 55:12-15)
TV~
O cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee, and shall not suffer the righteous to fall forever. [Psalm 55:23]
For it is not an open enemy that hath done me this dishonor, for then I could have borne it;
Neither was it mine adversary that did magnify himself against me; for then I would have hid myself from him;
But it was even thou, my companion, my guide, and mine own familiar friend. We took sweet counsel together, and walked in the house of God as friends. (Psalm 55:12-15)
TV~
O cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall nourish thee, and shall not suffer the righteous to fall forever. [Psalm 55:23]
A Way God Reaches Out
There is a consistent way, over the years, that God has shown me that He KNOWS and is real. When going through a time of great duress, a scripture will be dropped in front of me that, due to its perfect timing, is clearly from God.
Now is one of those times. And there, in my morning prayer reading for October 9 was, " God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed; God shall help her, and that right early." (Psalm 46:5) This verse was one "given" to me by the Lord several years ago.
Then, just today, for October 10, was the Olive Tree chosen verse. "As for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of the Lord. My trust is in the tender mercy of God for ever and ever." (Psalm 52:9)
Thank you, Lord.
TV~
I will alway give thanks unto thee for that thou hast done; and I will hope in thy Name, for thy saints like it well. [Psalm 53:10]
Now is one of those times. And there, in my morning prayer reading for October 9 was, " God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed; God shall help her, and that right early." (Psalm 46:5) This verse was one "given" to me by the Lord several years ago.
Then, just today, for October 10, was the Olive Tree chosen verse. "As for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of the Lord. My trust is in the tender mercy of God for ever and ever." (Psalm 52:9)
Thank you, Lord.
TV~
I will alway give thanks unto thee for that thou hast done; and I will hope in thy Name, for thy saints like it well. [Psalm 53:10]
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Three Times
The number three so often is used by God, who is a three-in-one God.
Interesting that in Psalm 42 and 43, the following words are repeated, in essence, three times:
Why art thou so vexed, O my soul? and why art thou so disquieted within me?
O put thy trust in God; for I will yet thank him, which is the help of my countenance and my God.
TV~
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...
[Proverbs 3:5]
Interesting that in Psalm 42 and 43, the following words are repeated, in essence, three times:
Why art thou so vexed, O my soul? and why art thou so disquieted within me?
O put thy trust in God; for I will yet thank him, which is the help of my countenance and my God.
TV~
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding...
[Proverbs 3:5]
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