Our Anniversary

Yesterday was our anniversary. We have been married 27 years. Last night the last thing we said to each other was 27 years, can you believe it?

The infatuation and emotion of falling in love has been replaced by a true and strong love, a love that is both head and heart. There are many couples today who walk away from marriage because they say they don't love their partner any more. I think this is because they see love as an emotion or feeling only. True love is a decision as much as an emotion. It is deciding to love someone else more than yourself. It is keeping a promise, a commitment, that you made.

One of my memory verses is Ecc. 4:12, "A cord of 3 strands is not quickly broken." I think that a strong marriage is like that. Each person is a cord, but it takes that third cord, the cord of Jesus' love for us, to make it one that is not quickly broken.

Lord, thank you for the wonderful man that you have given to love me. Thank you for the wonderful 27 years we have had together. Thank you for our children and all they have given to our lives, for adding their cords to our lives. I pray that my children will see that we have woven the cord of Christ's love into our lives and that they will one day weave that cord in their marriages.

Running Ahead of God

1 Kings 20:46
The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.

This verse comes after the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel. He had seen God defeat the prophets of Baal. He had prayed and God had sent rain. And now he was outrunning evil King Ahab riding in a chariot. This was a time of great victory. Elijah had been faithful and God had powerfully answered his prayers. He was running with the power of the Lord.

But then Jezebel had sworn to kill him and he was afraid. He left his servant and went alone to the desert. He was running away.

Elijah ran ahead of God, without God telling him where to go. Before he had always gone where and when God had directed. He started running in a good direction toward the Mountain of God, the mountain where God had made his covenant, but he was still running scared. So he ran out of strength and grew discouraged. He asked God for it to just be over. He had had enough.

Still God came to him. He sent an angel to provide him with food and he went forward.

And so Elijah ended up at the mountain of God and hid in a cave. Now God spoke to him and asked "What are you doing here?" The question implies that Elijah had come for his own reasons. His answer was defensive - "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."

His answer was focused on himself. Then God passed by, first in a wind, then in an earthquake, then in fire. And finally in a still whisper. God asked the same question, "What are you doing here?" and Elijah gave the same answer. He didn't understand what God was saying for his focus was too much on himself. Elijah had wanted God to call judgment on the people of Israel through wind and fire, God was going to speak to them through a single voice, like he spoke to Elijah at the mountain.

Even though Elijah didn't understand, he still followed the Lord's instructions to go back and appoint Hazel king over Aram and Jehu king over Israel and appoint Elisha to be his successor. Later on these kings would the instrument of God's judgment but through Elisha God would still preserve a remnant who were faithful to him.

Elijah's time of greatest discouragement came after his greatest battle and victory. I wonder what more Elijah would have done, how else God would have used Elijah if he had not run away. Thankfully, he did not run away forever, but walked back to his job. He followed God and again showed great faith and courage in delievering God's message to another king.

Oh, LORD when I don't understand and want only to run away, help me to always listen to you and to faithfully walk where you lead. Help me not to run ahead of you, but walk where you lead in your power. Amen

Siesta Memory Challenge - July 1

Here is my new verse. I chose this one because as I face the coming year I am overwhelmed by the work I still want to do to get ready. This verse tells me that I need not fear for God will equip me with everything I need to do his will.

Hebrews13:20-21, TNIV
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


Since my verse list is getting long now and I have posted the full text in previous posts, I will just put links to the verses that I am memorizing this year.
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12, TNIV
Isaiah 30:20-21, TNIV
John 17: 25-26, TNIV
Jeremiah 24:7, TNIV
Psalm 16:11
2 Peter 1: 5-8
2 Timothy 2:24
1 Corinthians 10:31
Ephesians 5: 19-20
James 4: 7-8
Isaiah 43: 18-19
Philippians 3:12-14

What It Means To Trust In God

I found this wonderful teaching in Swindol's devotion book. It is from a book by Dr. Raymond Edman called In Quietness and Confidence. I think it truly sums up what it means to trust God.

When Dr. Edman faced a difficult trial first he was quiet for a while with his Lord and then he wrote these words:

First, He brought me here, it is by His will I am in this strait place: in that fact I will rest.

Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace to behave as His child.

Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow.

Last, in His time He can bring me out again-how and when He knows.

Happy Birthday to My Daughter

My daughter's 21st birthday was yesterday. And we did what all good mothers and daughters should do on their birthdays - go shopping, even if we did have some male tag alongs. A walk around the mall while the women shop is good exercise.

Thank you Lord for my daughter, for the wonderful woman she has become. Thank you for the fun we have being together and finding not only the perfect dress on sale but how much we are loved as your children. Thank you for your great blessings and love, a perfect love that drives out all fear. (1 John 4: 18). May my daughter continue to grow in your perfect love and share that love with others in the warm and wonderful way she does now. Amen

Siesta Memory Challenge - June 15

Here is my new verse. I chose it now because I am in the middle of planning my courses for next year and I want to help students learn to work together so that they can teach their students how to work together. I see this verse as one reason to teach cooperatively, so I thought it would be good to have it memorized.

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12, TNIV
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor;
If they fall down, the can help each other up.
But pity those who have no one to help them up!
Also if two lie down together they can keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of 3 strands is not quickly broken.


Since my verse list is getting long now and I have posted the full text in previous posts, I will just put links to the verses that I am memorizing this year.
Isaiah 30:20-21, TNIV
John 17: 25-26, TNIV
Jeremiah 24:7, TNIV
Psalm 16:11
2 Peter 1: 5-8
2 Timothy 2:24
1 Corinthians 10:31
Ephesians 5: 19-20
James 4: 7-8
Isaiah 43: 18-19
Philippians 3:12-14

Confession of Self-Sufficiency

This is a wonderful quote from "The Path of Celtic Prayer," by Calvin Miller from page 147 and 150.

"We can never achieve union with God by clinging to our self-sufficiency. Recognizing and admitting our need in confession creates a heart cry for oneness.

Those who belong to Christ do not have their own agenda. Those who are one with the Savior find their strength not in their own agenda but in that of the Savior. "

This is my greatest battle, my clinging to my own self-sufficiency. Oh Lord set aside my agenda and make your agenda my agenda. Show me your way and give me strength only to walk with you. Amen.