Saturday, February 28, 2015

Saturday Sharing: Grace...

I have recently been introduced to SheReadsTruth.  I have been very impressed with their work.  You can buy their gorgeous prints and journals but so far I've just used the free app and free emails.  I'm delighted.  AND convicted.  This is not the whole devotional from today...but I was so struck by the truth of this poem...

O God of Grace,

Thou hast imputed my sin to my substitute,
  and has imputed his righteousness to my soul,
    clothing me with a bridegroom’s robe,
    deking me with jewels of holiness.
But in my Christian walk I am still in rags;
my best prayers are stained with sin;
    my penitential tears are so much impurity;
    my confessions of wrong are so many aggravations of sin;
    my receiving the Spirit is tinctured with selfishness.

 
I need to repent of my repentance;
I need my tears to be washed;
I have no robe to bring to cover my sins,
    no loom to weave my own righteousness;
I am always standing clothed in filthy garments,
    and by grace am always receiving change of raiment,
    for thou dost always justify the ungodly;
I am always going into the far country,
    and always returning home as a prodigal,
    always saying, Father, forgive me,
    and thou art always bringing forth the best robe.
Every morning let me wear it,
    every evening return in it,
    go out to the day’s work in it,
    be married in it,
    be wound in death in it,
    stand before the great white throne in it,
    enter heaven in it shining as the sun.
Grant me never to lose sight of
    the exceeding sinfulness of sin,
    the exceeding righteousness of salvation,
    the exceeding glory of Christ,
    the exceeding beauty of holiness,
   the exceeding wonder of grace
- “Continual Repentance” from The Valley of Vision

Monday, February 23, 2015

Monday Randomness...


In case you couldn't tell, I love coffee.  I'm sure all the coffee photos were a big clue!  But, I have this thing against decaf.  It just seems so hypocritical.  I'm pretending to drink coffee.  

However, age has finally caught up with me and if I drink real coffee past about noon then I'm up at 2 AM staring at the ceiling.  

So, in the cold, frigid evenings when I want to hold a warm mug of something, I've been drinking *gasp* TEA!  I really like Yogi Tea...because I love the little sayings that come attached to each bag.  This is also the reason I love Dove chocolates but that's a whole other bunny trail.  

Sooo, for a bit of Monday randomness...and since the kids have a two hour delay and I have time to type this up...I'll share with you a few of the tea bag notes I've saved.

Speak the truth.

Develop the power of listening.

Love is where compassion prevails and kindness rules.

Let your heart speak to other's hearts.

Listen and you will develop intuition.

Not exactly Scripture...but interesting to ponder.  Some are total ridiculous crud that I throw away with the soggy bag...but some are fun to think about.  IF I had tons of time I'm sure I could tear the above apart and analyze them more closely...but I don't and I'm not.

Enjoy...and stay warm if you live in any of the frozen parts of the country.  It's 6 degrees here with a windchill of -30!  BRRR!

Sunday, February 22, 2015

HIM Sunday!

O soul, are you weary and troubled? 
No light in the darkness you see? 
There’s a light for a look at the Savior, 
And life more abundant and free! 

 Turn your eyes upon Jesus, 
Look full in His wonderful face, 
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, 
In the light of His glory and grace. 

Through death into life everlasting 
He passed, and we follow Him there; 
Over us sin no more hath dominion— 
For more than conquerors we are! 

His Word shall not fail you—He promised; 
Believe Him, and all will be well: 
Then go to a world that is dying, 
His perfect salvation to tell!

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Snowy Return...

Ah, Hello Sweet Void...I've missed you. In this season of Lenten self evaluation I've cut out Facebook and Pinterest and as usual am probably over analyzing social media. However, in doing so, I realized I really missed blogging. Unlike the constant barrage of the presence of social media...blogging is different for me.  During a time where I'm attempting to be more focused on Christ, I find my fingers itching to think via this online journal.  For one thing, rather than forcing info. on my "friends" I simply write on my blog and those who wish to see it come to me.  I find myself much more thoughtful.  I photograph and carefully select pictures...instead of clipping them on my phone and blipping them via app to the FB.  Not to mention, the cathartic aspect of truly writing...not phrasing out cute captions.
The voyeurism of Facebook and Pinterest gets to me...and I find myself "performing" and feeling like I'm seeking approval and validation...playing fake... all at the same time. Weird...and not especially healthy for me.  Notice: I'm saying FOR ME...no yelling at me if you disagree.  If it works for you, knock yourself out!

After several days of something that can only be referred to as withdrawal from this habit of posting my children's every cuteness amid spiritual pretty pictures and quotes...I've been humbled and convicted...realizing that once again one of my favorite idols, the opinion of mankind, had grown beyond what I'd really been admitting to myself.  Note:  I've just finished reading "When People are Big and God is Small" by Edward Welch...and this could be adding to my already building thoughts and feelings on this topic.  Great read...I highly recommend it!
Back to my intense analysis of social media... I discovered it'd been sucking my time dry too. I was saying I was so stretched, didn't have time to get certain things done, like reading, sewing or anything else...and now upon taking this break, I suddenly finding my time is wide open...Not only do I have time to be in God's Word and prayer (the real "lent" reasoning) but I have time for much more.  I have nothing to check, no one to follow...phew. Oh, what a relief it is.
Now, I know I'm opening myself up to heavy criticism upon sharing this opinion.  So, I suppose this is my disclaimer.  I've already been told to learn to let things roll off my back, use self control and get a grip and not over-analyze things...and I see the point and I've tried.  Hey, if it doesn't cause problems for ya'll than great. But...if I am convicted to stop and get off of this merry-go-round for awhile...I'd better obey.  And so far, I'm loving it...and I'm loving a chance to blog here in my spot of the blogosphere where people can come to me as they so please...see my opinion...and take it or leave it.  I do see that anything can become an idol...and blogging also...it just depends on what tempts ya.
 
Sheesh...I might never return to the craziness...even though I said I would in April...We shall see.  I'm not promising to blog a whole lot...but, it's nice to feel like I have time to do so if I craft something share worthy.  Originally, I'd felt a lot of pressure to maintain two blogs...and have just been blipping pictures to my MomE blog with no cute anecdotes.  Perhaps, I will start changing that...

Stay Warm!!