Friday Five for 2/8/13

With Valentine's Day on the way, I'm sure we've all got LOVE on the brain. (I know I do!) So, this week, I have for you:

Five Bible Verses About Love

1. But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. (Luke 6:32 NKJV)

2. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (I John 4:9-11 NKJV)

3. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (Ephesians 2:4, 5 NKJV)

4. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. (I John 4:18-21 NKJV)

5. As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. (John 15:9-13 NKJV)

Friday Five for 2/1/13

I recently discovered that Gospel Broadcast Network makes many of it's shows available online through YouTube. Since our cable provider doesn't carry the channel and their app doesn't work very well on iPad (though it is very good on the iPhone), I was very excited to have access to them.

One show I've really been impressed with is Fabric of Family, so today I have for you:

Five Fabric of Family Episodes Available on YouTube

1. Marriage 101

2. Enforcing Discipline in the Home

3. Overcoming Materialism

4. The Grief Process

5. Sexual Addiction

Friday Five for 8/24/12

This week has been a stressful one for me for a lot of reasons. I hope it hasn't been one for you, but if it has, I thought I'd share...

Five Scriptures for a Peaceful Mind

1. John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

2. Romans 16:20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

3. Psalms 55:22
Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

4. James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

5. Matthew 11:28-30
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”





- by Erica
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday Five for 8/10/12

This week I began teaching the 3rd - 5th grade Class on Wednesday nights. They are so much fun! I have decided to pull several resources together and create my own curriculum focusing on the Fruit of the Spirit. We will spend a month on each one, taking us through most of school year. We will also have a service project each month and I thought I'd share my plans for the first five months so that, if you want, you can put some of them to work with your own family.

Fruit if the Spirit Service Projects, August - December

1. August - "Love"
We'll be talking about different kinds of love: God's love for us, our love for Him and then finishing my showing our love for others. We plan to bake cookies together and then invite the congregation to stay after our Wednesday night service for cookies and milk.

2. September - "Joy"
To spread the joy of God, we are going to spend a Sunday afternoon singing for the residents of a local nursing home.

3. October - "Peace"
This was the toughest one for me to find a project that matched. I have finally decided that we will put together care packages for deployed soldiers who put their lives in harm's way so that we can have peace and freedom.

4. November - "Patience"
To practice patience, I am going to teach the kids to crochet scarves which will then be donated to the homeless.

5. December - "Kindness"
I plan to have our class show kindness by helping them to prepare meals which we will then deliver to some of the sick of our congregation.

And here's a bonus for you, every Wednesday night, my students have the assignment that, after class, they must hug two members of our congregation who are not related to them. You should have seen the smiling faces with all those hugs going around the other night! It was wonderful!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday Five for 8/3/12

Today is my birthday! It is hard to believe that I'm actually 34 years old. Inside I often still feel like a kid. I'm glad I'm not though. I wouldn't want to live through those teenage years again, would you? That was a really tough time for me and I wasn't exactly sticking to the straight and narrow. There are so many things I know now that I wish my 13 year old self had known, or at least known better. In that vein, I thought today's Friday Five should be

Five Scriptures for Children to Memorize

1. John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

2. Acts 22:16
And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

3. Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

4. Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

5. Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday Five for 7/27/12

This week marked my fifteenth wedding anniversary. Because of that, I've been thing a lot about what I can do to help my husband, so, today I have for you

Five Ways to Pray for Your Husband

1. Pray for his relationship with God.

2. Pray for his ability to be the head of your house.

3. Pray for his relationships with your children.

4. Pray for his success at work.

5. Pray for his continued love for you -- and yours for him.


- by Erica
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday Five for 7/20/12

Considering that I've been under the influence of heavy medication for a good part of this week and that it's after 10pm on Friday, today's Five is going to be different. Today, I have Five questions for you. If you can, please take a couple of minutes to answer them, it would mean a lot to me. You can answer in the comments or you can email us, you can be anonymous or not - it's up to you!

1. What would you like to see more of here at Far Above Rubies?
2. What should we not change?
3. What is your favorite Scripture?
4. Are you married? Have children?
5. What do you think is the most pressing issue for Christian wives and mothers today?

So, there it is. Short and sweet and, hopefully, not too difficult.

Also, let me take a minute to thank all of you who wrote me that you are praying with me. It was a huge source of strength for me this week and I hope it helps to know that I am also praying with you.


- by Erica
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday Five for 7/13/12

Today's Five is pretty personal, but, I think it is also pretty universal...

Five Things I'm Praying About Right Now

1. My Brother
My little brother just announced that he is getting married. In October. We're all very happy and love his fiancé, but it is a time of big changes and so I am praying for them.

2. My Daughters
I haven't talked much about my daughters here, but many of you know them. My relationship with my eldest (age 20) is strained, to say the least. She has made and continues to make decisions that I Biblically/personally/maternally cannot support. As for my younger daughter (age 13), she faces significant psychiatric issues that are a major focus of our daily lives.

3. My Mom and Her Family
The loss of my maternal grandmother last month was a huge blow that continues to affect us all in many ways.

4. My Husband
His job is extremely stressful and he is also in the process of applying for promotion. As the sole bread-winner of our house, he feels tremendous pressure. I do not envy being head of the house and I pray for his wisdom and strength daily.

5. Myself
Up to now, I have told very few people about this, but on Tuesday of next week, I will be having surgery. It isn't a huge deal in my mind, but any surgery has risks. For me, the benefits far outweigh those risks. Still, if you find the chance to remember me in your prayers Tuesday morning, I would appreciate it.

So, what's on your prayer list today? Can I/we pray for you about anything in particular?


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday Five for 7/6/12

After last week's girl-centric post, I thought I'd make this week's Five a list of resources for boys and/or the parents of boys.

1. Headed To The Office
by Glen Colley
This book talks about raising boys to be leaders in the church and preparing them to, eventually, serve as elders.

2. I Kissed Dating Goodbye
by Joshua Harris
I usually hesitate to post denominationally written books, but I do so love this one. It discusses the young man's effort not to "date", but to purposefully look for a Godly wife in a way that is not self-serving or lustful. (And it is equally good for girls.)

3. Guy Time
Boys cannot have too many male Christian role models. Having them places other than church and home is even better. Help your husband to plan an outing with your son as well as some other Dads and sons (like, maybe bowling). It'll be good for all of them.

4.Kids In Mind
Kids In Mind is website that provides very detailed movie ratings. When your son wants to see the latest comic book adaptation, but you aren't sure just exactly how far PG or PG-13 goes, this is the place to look. Each movie is given a three number rating, 1-10 on Sex/Nudity, Violence/Gore, and Profanity and then they go into detail about why a movie rates high/low in that category and they even document drug/alcohol use, etc. For example, the new Disney/Pixar film Brave scored a 2.4.1. I am a big fan of Kids in Mind and use it regularly, even for movies that my husband and I are going to see without kids.

5. Digger Doug's Underground
What little boy doesn't love dinosaurs? This 18 episode series presents them and other science-y stuff from a Christian/young Earth worldview. It's entertaining and educational. I've learned quite a bit from it myself!

What other books or resources would you suggest for young men and/or their parents?




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Independence Day

Politics is a tricky business. I know some people who are very involved and others who fully abstain. It fascinates me. I guess it comes from my love of American history. But, like I said, it is a tricky business. We don't all agree, even when we have the same goals, and that makes things complicated sometimes.

For all the things that can and do go wrong in this country, I believe we are supremely blessed to live here. None of us has ever known a time when we couldn't worship the Lord openly, when we couldn't say what we wanted to say. The very fact that this blog exists is due to our freedoms. There are plenty of other countries that would shut us down.

I am thankful today, and every day, for that freedom and for all those who serve our country. Today I will be praying for them - the firefighters and police officers, the military, even the politicians - and I hope you will join me.

God bless America, land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above.


Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, (1 Timothy 2:1-3 NKJV)





- by Erica
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday Five for 6/29/12

Summer is here and I've been thinking about things to occupy some of the free time my daughter and I will have. We don't have as much as some since we aren't taking the summer off from school, but we have plenty just the same and I want to make the most of it.

Teen/pre-teen girls today get so many mixed messages - or just blatantly BAD messages - about who they are supposed to be and how they should dress and act. The best solution I have for that is quality time with their mother, father and/or other Godly women and men who can set an example. So, today's Friday Five is:

Five Things You Can Do With/For Your Daughter This Summer

1. Take her to lunch/tea.
Let her lead the conversation. Dress up a little if she's interested in that sort of thing. Really listen. The more you know about where her thought process is, the better prepared you can be for whatever comes your way. I read something the other day - listening to the small, every day things your child tells you, sets them up to be able to come to you later with the big things.

2. Send her to Bible camp.
Apologetics Press has a great one in Alabama. There's another one at Fall Creek Falls in Tennessee. I am sure there are many more that have escaped my memory. Sometimes young people in the church feel alone and different from the other kids they know. Here they have the chance to meet new children and adults who share their beliefs.

3. Get her reading.
Here's a mini-five (within the Friday Five) of books you could read with your daughter. They might just strengthen her faith and yours!
A. Everyday Princess: Daughter of the King by Sheila K. butt
B. Gifts: Girls in Fellowship and Team Study by Hannah Colley (now Giselbach)
C. God's Girls - Secrets of Leadership for Young Women by Teresa Hampton
D. Real Life Lessons for Teens by Randy Simmons
E. Secret Keeper: The Delicate Power of Modesty by Dannah Gresh


4. Take her to area-wide church events aimed at girls and women.
Take her with you to that Ladies' Day you have planned or, better yet, find a Girl's Day near you. Every year, my daughter and I attend the one at Woodson Chapel Church of Christ in Nashville. We love it. She and I have both learned many wonderful things from them and she enjoys being with the large number of girls her age who are focused on God and I enjoy being with all the moms who are in the same child-raising place that I am.

5. Plan a Daddy-Daughter Date
Her father is the standard by which she will judge future suitors. If he can show her how a gentleman treats a lady, she'll be far less likely to settle for less.


This is, by no means, an exhaustive list. Just one mom's opinion. Granted many of you have girls who have not yet reached this age or maybe you are raising only boys, or maybe your kids are grown. Either way, I'd love to hear from you. Send me your best tips for raising Godly youngsters or young men (by email or through the comments section below) and, if I get enough of them, they may be featured in a future Friday Five.




-by Erica
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Friday Five for 6/22/12

I often have little snippets of things that I'd like to share with you, but then can't work them up into anything substantial, so they just sit, half-written and semi-forgotten on my computer. This is a bad habit I've fallen into and hope to remedy with a new addition for Far Above Rubies - the Friday Five. Sometimes it will be five little thoughts that don't warrant a full post on their own, sometimes Bible verses around a particular theme, sometimes quotes that got me thinking and sometimes, I expect, it will be completely random. Without further ado, I present our first Friday Five.

---

Today's Friday Five consists of quotes I've read or heard recently that got me thinking. I hope they do the same for you.

1. "Once you've felt the sun on your face, the moon will never do."
That is what being a child of God is to me: the sun on my face. He shines down on me and blesses me. I don't know how anyone could settle for less.

2. "We live in a world of sin, just as a boat is surrounded by water. The trouble comes when the water gets in the boat."
I may not have the wording of this one just right - it's from the sermon I heard Sunday, but it was just such a perfect illustration that I had to share it. Everyone can picture being safe and dry in a boat and they can also picture that boat being pulled down and sinking by the weight of water brought on board.

3. "The Bible is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions."
How true! I think we could also substitute "prayer" in there, too.

4. "Live in such a way that, if someone should speak badly of you, no one would believe it."
I want this painted on the ceiling above my bed so that it is the first thing I see in the morning as a reminder of who God wants me to be.

5. "People are made to be loved and things are made to be used. The confusion in this world is that people are used and things are loved."
I don't have anything more to add to this. How much better would the world be if we just all remembered this?


- by Erica
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Remembrance

Sally Weeks Cranmore was born in 1938, and had four sisters, one of which didn't survive infancy. Her father fought in World War II and would bear the effects of PTSD for the rest of his life. She married in 1956, three weeks before her 19th birthday and had three children before she was 21. She loved them fiercely. Illness kept her hospitalized for great lengths of time, but that didn't stop her from playing with her children. Stories abound of her making mud pies in the yard or testing out a home-made go-cart. In 1978, her first grandchild was born. Four more would follow by 1985. Then came a great-granddaughter in 2003. Adoption brought her two more great-granddaughters in 2004 and 2006. 2011 gave her a great-great-grandson. She made the most delicious biscuits in the world. She was terrified of thunderstorms. She loved anything red and/or sparkly. She had an incredible sweet-tooth. She managed the finances if her home to the penny, documenting everything that was spent and leaving notes about each transaction. She stood by her husband through harder times than I can imagine and cared for him through his three heart attacks. She sewed for her children. She took care of everyone around her. She hugged and kissed nearly everyone she knew every time she saw them. She would give away her last possession to help others. Her faith never wavered and was an example to everyone around her.

Sally Cranmore passed away suddenly on Saturday morning, June 2nd, to the great shock and sadness of her husband of 55 years, her three children, her five grandchildren, her three great-grandchildren and to everyone who knew and loved her.

I am the first of those five grandchildren. I was and will always be "Granny's Baby". Her worth was far above rubies.

"Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her." Proverbs 31:28




- by Erica
Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Sharing the Word

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending a Ladies' Day at Soddy Church of Christ. The company, the singing and the speaker were all wonderful. I am never so at peace as I am after spending the day with my sisters in Christ.
I want to share with you, though, a little favor that the ladies of that congregation shared with the attendees. They have started a new project using Eternity Bracelets. These are the most ingenious little things! First, let me share some facts with you that were shared that morning. The average Christian has heard 4000 sermons, been led in 8000 prayers and many more songs, but do you know how many people the average Christian has brought to Christ? Zero. Isn't that terrible!? The fact is, the church is staying alive, not through new converts, but by generations raised in the church (not that that isn't a wonderful thing, training up our children is priority number one). Why is that? Well, one problem that the Soddy congregation sees is a lack of confidence that we have when it comes to sharing the Word and one solution to that problem is the Eternity Bracelet.




First, it gives you a conversation starter. Second, it comes with a little card with a poem describing what each bead represents. Let me paraphrase: (starting from the clear bead), first God made the world perfect and pristine, but then sin and darkness entered the world (black), the only salvation was the blood of Jesus Christ (red) which we reach through the water of baptism (blue) and spend our lives growing in His Word (green) until the day when we receive our golden crown in Heaven for eternity (gold). Everything you need to share the Word of God is right there on your wrist - a reminder of what to say and that we need to say it more often.
So here's the fun part. I have two to share. If you would like one, send an email to rubysisters@gmail.com. Include your name and mailing address. One week from today, I will choose two at random and will mail them out.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Jealousy

Jealousy is not a word with which I normally identify myself.  I am not covetous of others' things; I do not have even the slightest concern in regard to my husband's relationships.  As it turns out though, I am jealous of some people.  The sensitivity of the issue prevents me from going into detail, but suffice it to say that, what I feel like I am missing in my life is deference. I am struggling with a lack of respect from certain people in my life, respect that I feel I have earned. I feel unjustly dismissed. When I see others whose opinions are respected, whose feelings are considered, who are given the deference they deserve, my heart cries out, "Why not me?".  In this particular situation, there are even some who have blatantly abused their power and authority who continue to receive the respect I have worked for years to earn. As I've been trying to overcome these feelings through prayer and study, attempting to see God's path of peace rather than my path of jealousy, I have been reminded that we serve a jealous God (Ex. 34:14). He deserves our deference, our respect and He, too, is unjustly dismissed - on a far grander scale than I can ever imagine. So, I am before you, asking that you take a moment and look at how you treat our Lord. Remember all He has done for us and how little we have done for Him. And then, if you can, say a prayer for me, that God will soften my heart and show me His path. Many thanks and may God bless you all!

Eve's Choice

Where is the most beautiful place you've ever been?  What was the most peaceful and protected you have ever felt?  Can you picture your life with no stress, no worry, no To Do List?

Can you imagine having all of that - the beauty, the peace, the quiet mind -  all at once?  I honestly can't, but I imagine that is very close to what Eve must have had in the Garden of Eden.

What would it take for you to give that up - to even risk losing the perfection that surrounded you?  Maybe Eve didn't know how good she had it there in the garden with her husband.  Maybe she was ignorant of how sad life apart from God is, after all, she had no example of sin before her.

But maybe not.  Maybe she wanted more and was willing - knowingly willing - to risk everything to get it.  God gave her the free will to choose and so, maybe she felt she deserved to choose what she wanted over what she knew was right.

As we know, sin calls to us in three ways: lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1 John 2:16) and the serpent came at Eve with guns blazing. Genesis 3:6 tells us that Eve saw that the fruit was good for food [lust of the flesh], pleasing to the eye [lust of the eye] and desirable for gaining wisdom [pride of life].

Satan doesn't miss a trick, does he? 

And so, Eve ate the fruit. The Bible doesn't tell us if Satan came to Eve just that once or many times wearing her down. But it really doesn't matter. She made the choice and she faced the consequences. Suddenly, she was hiding from God and worried about her appearance. She and Adam were banished from paradise, from the perfection that had been created just for them. They would now have to work and worry, strain, stress and sacrifice And Sibelius every human that followed.

Thankfully, God - so full of love for his creation - has given humanity a second chance at paradise. And, like Eve, we are told plainly what is right and what is expected of us. But also like Eve, we are given a choice. We can follow the lusts of our flesh and eyes or our selfish pride trying to make our own versions of paradise here on Earth or we can chose the better thing, the real, eternal Paradise with God when this worry and strain-filled life is over.

I am thankful for the freedom to choose, but I am far more thankful for God's grace and the hope we have for eternal life with Him in the real paradise.

The Virtuous Teenage Girl

I came across this adaptation of Provers 31 by Patsy Norwood of Evergreen, North Carolina, in the January/February 2010 issue of Christian Woman magazine and I thought it would interest the readers here.

- - -


Who can find a virtuous teenage girl?  For her worth is far above rubies.
The heart of her parents safely trusts her; they do not have to worry.
She does her parents good and not evil all the days of her life.
She is eager to learn and works willingly with her hands.
She knows her way around the grocery store and shops for the best buys.
She makes a habit of rising early and prepares herself for the day.
She is careful with her money and makes wise purchases.
She takes care of herself and does not abuse her body.
She does her work thoroughly and does not half-heartedly complete her tasks.
She takes ownership of her tasks and uses determination to complete them.
When she sees someone in need, she does her best to help.
She plans carefully and does not put off or delay what she knows she should do.
She cares for her clothing and makes every effort to have a neat and clean appearance.
She makes her parents proud and brings them great pleasure.
She is industrious and looks for ways to help out.
She is honorable and trustworthy and will reap rewards in the future as a result.
She thinks things through and speaks kindly to others.
She is productive with the use of her time and does not waste it.
Her parents are proud of her and praise her for her efforts.
She realizes that outward beauty is passing and that inner beauty is pleasing to the Lord.
Because of her actions and the choices she makes, she is well thought of and receives much praise.

- - -


That is the gold standard, isn't it?  What a virtuous woman this girl would grow up to be!  Thoughts? 


Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it"

Psalm 3

    A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.  

¹ LORD, how many are my foes!
   How many rise up against me! 

² Many are saying of me,
   “God will not deliver him.” 

 ³ But you, LORD, are a shield around me,
   my glory, the One who lifts my head high. 

⁴ I call out to the LORD,
   and he answers me from his holy mountain. 

 ⁵ I lie down and sleep;
   I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. 

⁶ I will not fear though tens of thousands
   assail me on every side. 

 ⁷ Arise, LORD!
   Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
   break the teeth of the wicked. 

 ⁸ From the LORD comes deliverance.
   May your blessing be on your people.
  (NIV)


Do you ever feel like everyone is against you?  I'm sure we all have at one time or another.  Here in Psalm 3 we have have an example of David running for his life from his son Absalom, but it was during this that David wrote this Psalm. No wonder he is called the man after God's own heart!

Absalom's army numbered in the tens of thousands (v. 6), but David was able to rest without fear (v. 5). He turned to God and, despite the naysayers (v.2), he knew God would protect him (v. 3) and even bring vengeance on his attackers (v. 7).

Truly, just as God protected David in such a dire situation, we should know that He can protect us as well. "If God is for us, who can stand against us?" (Romans 8:31)

Psalm 2

¹ Why do the nations conspire
   and the peoples plot in vain?
² The kings of the earth rise up
   and the rulers band together
   against the LORD and against his anointed, saying,
³ “Let us break their chains
   and throw off their shackles.”
 ⁴ The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
   the Lord scoffs at them.
⁵ He rebukes them in his anger
   and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
⁶ “I have installed my king
   on Zion, my holy mountain.”
 ⁷ I will proclaim the LORD’s decree:
   He said to me, “You are my son;
   today I have become your father.
⁸ Ask me,
   and I will make the nations your inheritance,
   the ends of the earth your possession.
⁹ You will break them with a rod of iron;
   you will dash them to pieces like pottery.”
 ¹⁰ Therefore, you kings, be wise;
   be warned, you rulers of the earth.
¹¹ Serve the LORD with fear
   and celebrate his rule with trembling.
¹² Kiss his son, or he will be angry
   and you and your ways will be destroyed,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
   Blessed are all who take refuge in him.


Do you know someone who thinks they know more than God, who thinks their way is better than God's way?  Most of us do. Maybe we've even been that person ourselves, but clearly that kind of thinking is vanity, trying to grasp the wind (Ecclesiastes 1:14). How often is pride our downfall?  Even as far back as Eden, it was pride - Adam and Eve believing that they knew better than the Lord - that led to their demise.

Often we begin to think we are so good, so smart, that God's love for us becomes a burden - chains and shackles (v. 3) that we want to throw off.  This chapter is a clear reminder of how God feels about that kind of attitude.  I would never want my Father to scoff at me, to rebuke me, to bring His wrath against me (v. 4-5).

Looking ahead to verse 12: "...blessed are all who take refuge in Him."  Blessed indeed!  As children of God we stand to inherit all (v. 8), but we must SERVE the Lord, FEAR the Lord and REJOICE in His "burdens". 


Click here for the post on Psalm 1.

Thankful

Each in our own words:






Yvonne:

• salvation
• health
• family/hubby/children/etc.
• gift of motherhood
• home
• food
• church family
• grace - God's patience with me
• quiet peaceful life
• sunshine/flowers/blankets

Kenya:

• friends who are happy to listen to your vents

• a gut-busting, tear-dropping laugh

• cuddle time with my hubby

• sharing an evening swapping stories with my kids

• sharing the kitchen with generations of wise women in my family as we prepare for Thanksgiving

• a fun, impromptu sing-a-long that the whole joins in on (just makes you smile)

• (most of all) God's faithfulness to always give you exactly what you need, exactly when you need it. Why do we worry anyway?

Jennifer:

• Fall weather

• My patient and loving husband

• Godly parents

• The sound of the ocean

• My church family

• Chocolate in any form

• Sweet memories of those that are no longer with me

• Good health

• My job

• Friends to laugh with

• A loving and forgiving God

Erica:

• Grace

• Faithful, Christian parents

• Loving husband with a great sense of humor and more patience than I deserve

• Siblings I can count as friends

• Red Maple trees in fall

• Amazing brothers and sisters in Christ

• Modern medicine

• The new door that opens any time an old one closes

• Chocolate

• Freedom to worship and express myself

• Inside jokes

• A comfortable home with plenty to eat and a soft, warm bed

• New friends

• Old friends

• In-laws who break every stereotype and are a blessing

• The gift of another day

Togetherness is better than turkey, people are more important than pie, gratitude means more than green bean casserole, sharing is greater than shopping, love is above all.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. - Colossians 3:17

And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. - Ephesians 5:20

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! - 2 Corinthians 9:15

Above all today, remember the One to whom all Thanksgiving is due.

We'd love to hear the list of the things for which you are thankful; please share it in the comments.