the promise

we have a monthly bulletin at church. just a little something to keep everybody on track as to what's happening during the month. the publishers have started putting in little short articles for encouragement. this poem was a real blessing to me one night. as i read it i thought of different scriptures to go with each line and thought i'd share the whole bit.

"The Promise"

I know the skies look gray,
the way may look unsure;
but Jesus has each step ordained,
your future is secure.
Sometimes the greatest trials in life
become the sweetest blessings;
if we can only keep our faith,
as we endure the testing.
For in His way and in His time
He works things for our good;
why can we always stand on this?
...Just because He said He would.

---Author Unknown----

Now with the scriptures...

I know the skies look gray,
the way may look unsure;

(Beloved,think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you -- 1 Peter 4:12)

but Jesus has each step ordained,
your future is secure.

(For I know the thoughts that I think toward you...thoughts of peace and not of evil -- Jer. 29:11)

Sometimes the greatest trials in life
become the sweetest blessings;

(For ye have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God you might receive the promise -- Heb. 10:36)

if we can only keep our faith,

(Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering;(for he is faithful that promised) -- Heb. 10:23)

as we endure the testing.

For in His way and in His time

(He hath made everything beautiful in His time. --Ecc. 3:11)

He works things for our good;

(For we know that all things work together for our good. -- Romans 8:28)

why can we always stand on this?
...Just because He said He would.

(The immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation. --Heb.6:13-19)

Let me know if you come up with any other scriptures.

HBB to me...

Happy Belated Birthday to Me!

Here are a few pics from my birthday weekend. I celebrated with my class at school. some of the kids brought me presents. I brought pizza and cupcakes as my birthday treat to them. Here are a few pics of the celebration at school.





Later that weekend, I went out with the girls to Chili's (one of my fav restaurants). we had a nice lively discussion about politics and the economy. lively in that we are all pretty much on the same page and love to discuss the "problems of the world." i love that we can talk about these things. we're not talking about who dumped who and what some man did to us. i feel so sophisticated when im with these gals. saved, sanctified, intelligent women, they are! and that was about it. Pretty nice. luv.

a more perfect union....

a sister just sent me a copy of a moving and powerful speech. a speech that no matter what political party you prefer will move you to think about the unity of American people. it explains those "whys" that we so often struggle to explain to others. all the while wishing that they'd just get it. the "becauses" we begin, but lay to the side out of frustration or simply to keep the peace. it gives reason to the other side we've neglected to consider. it gives reason to the other side that even I have neglected to consider. it requires one to look at America. it requires one to LOOK at America. in all my life i have never read a speech that embodies the struggles of every American. it transcends race, class, and gender. it is beyond race, class, and gender. it doesn't matter who you vote for. it's no ones job to tell you. but to SEE America. to SEE America. that's where true change begins.

"A More Perfect Union" -Barack Obama 2008

controlling our emotions...

i read this today and it was encouraging. enjoy.

Excerpt from "Feeling Emotional" by Rachel Olsen, Encouragment for Today Daily Devotional

"Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me." John 14:1 (NLT)
Isaiah 26:3, "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you." (NIV)

The problem isn't my emotions, it's my reaction to them. The trouble comes when I give them free reign in my heart and mind. That's when I become unstable. That's when I lose sight of God. That's when I say or do things I regret.

Jesus spoke today's verse to his disciples, knowing what their futures would hold. He knew His death was coming and it would trigger fear, sorrow and doubt in their hearts. Not wanting them to wallow in those emotions, He counseled them ahead of time to keep their focus on God and all that He'd been teaching them.

Jesus, knowing what our day holds, speaks the same words to us. He tells us to not let our emotions fly about today, creating an unstable and troubled heart. Instead, our trustworthy Lord tells us to focus our attention on Him.

I made the decision this morning to pray and place my trust in God, despite how my day was shaping up and despite how volatile my emotions felt. He calmed my anxious heart, and my son seems to be feeling better as well. It feels good to trade in my troubled emotions for a source of strength that will get me through my day. And that's one feeling I think Jesus would love for me to wallow in.

Dear Lord, I want to be ruled by Your Spirit, not by my emotions. Help me to focus on You today and not my troubles. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Start your day by praying for God to give you the mind of Christ and emotions that are submitted to Him.

On days when you get off track, like I did today, resolve to shorten the amount of time between the emotional trigger and the moment when you release your feelings and the situation into God's care.