I've been thinking today about how much God loves us, and how His thoughts toward us are so many more than the grains of sand. Wow, that cannot be fathomed!
I'm reading this book called "The Shack". You can read it HERE. It is a tough read for me personally, but also a very touching read. I recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it yet.
Friday, our neighbor knocked on our door to show us a praying mantis, which was hanging out on the outer bushes outside of her apartment. It stayed very still as we all observed this interesting creature. From time to time the head would turn, but that is about all the movement we caught.
Here is a snapshot of it. When we have seen them, they are usually green. This one was brownish. :) (One of those moments where I was wishing I had a macro lens! lol)
The praying mantis reminded me to spend more time in God's word...reading the Bible...fasting and praying. Thank you to my friend who took the time to share this wonder of God's creation with our family. :)
Still no "definite" word on a job for David. God has it all figured out. Just when we think we have it figured out, God shows us differently. We learn to live flexible, to trust, and to remember what faith is...to live out our faith!
Last week at dinner, we broke bread with new friends. They have a plaque on their wall that says something like, "Faith isn't believing that God can do it, It is believing God will do it". I think that it is...(correct me if I am wrong) Either way, it basically says that Faith is knowing God will do it and it is already done. So I'm resting in the promise that God has it under control.
Here are a few more of my faves from my last shoot. Looking forward to some upcoming shoots this week. God is good!
What a sweet family!!
So...onto the next thing...
I've been studying about pride lately...which I'm learning ranks up there with murdering, lying...WOW, such a subtle sin that can creep into our lives. I'm reading scripture in the Old and New Testament that deals with pride. One thing I'm gleaning, it appears to be a condition of the heart.
Many times I have read this verse below, but never focused on pride being there. We always tend to focus on the worst (or what we think is worst), more obvious sins like blasphemy, adultery, etc. Pride is just as bad, and is said to defile man.
Mark 7:21-23
21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Doing much heart searching, asking God to forgive me of my pride, and to pull out all of the roots of pride in my life that would cause my heart to be hard.
Psalm 51:9-11
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
4 comments:
Thanks for the encouragements. It's amazing what God uses sometimes to teach us and correct our hearts.
Travis read that book after my mom gave it to him last christmas.. he doesnt like it, ihavent read it. But it be curious to see why he doesnt look it, you should chat with him!
I love your pictures. Great points about pride. I went home last night thinking about part of what you wrote. great post.
Yes 3 for Me, it is!! God uses some amazing things to get to our hearts. :)
Drea - I saw your hubby yesterday evening at the Hess station in your town. :) Jordan and I were there...we had gone to Lynn's for a few hours. I forgot to ask him about The Shack. As far as "The Shack", I do like it. It is a book that definitely takes God "out of the box". I really have enjoyed it, and it really got me thinking about how I limit the love of Christ through my life. Also, about forgiveness in my own life. It isn't an easy read because it deals with forgiveness to the abusers. Something that is difficult for those who have recovered from abuse...but so necessary. ;)
Rachel, Thanks for visiting my blog, and so glad I could be of encouragement. Anytime I write things or share scripture, I am speaking to myself first. :) Always so much for me to work on...
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