Monday Musings: Sin Mortified...

 

 Here's another article for you to muse over with me...

The Practice of Mortification by Sinclair Ferguson...and link.

My musings...

1.  I am so convicted that I must go to Scripture first.  I am so guilty of reading devotions and pastor authors before or in lieu of Scripture.  Oh, how very wrong I've been.

2.  The Colossians were where I often am...the "already" of grace and discovering the painful "not yet" of ongoing sanctification.

3.  Without a firm grasp of the gospel I can be tempted to quick fixes that look like deeper holiness but are false teaching.

4.  I will have NO SUCCESS unless I go back to the point of action from which I can gain energy for the strenuous effort of dealing with sin.

5.  I must KNOW, REST IN, THINK THROUGH, and ACT UPON my new identity in Christ!

6.  ALL sin must be dealt with...ripped up by the roots.  Mortifying sin is WHOLE LIFE change.

7.  I must rip the mask from self deceit...which I'm super good at...and admit my sin for what it really is...not call it by pet names.

8.  New men live new lives.  Anything less is a contradiction of who I am in Christ.

9.  Sin...refuse it, starve it, reject it, and abort it!

10.  I can't mortify sin without the pain of the kill!!

Fitness Friday!

 

 

Chill Pill Bible Reading

 

I decided to make an odd attempt at flexibility.  I am not following a bible reading schedule this year.  Gasp...yeah, I know...it staggers the mind.  Seriously though, I realized that due to my work with certain ministries and my rather intense Type A personality, Bible reading was becoming a duty...something to be checked off...something I could get behind in...and something that I was failing.  Until I'd give up all together.  I'd read only to complete the work I needed to get done each week.  Work...no joy.

Now, let's not get crazy...I'm still me.  I still love organization and fun paper sorting ideas.  I like to make lists and record what I'm doing.  I am that person that writes it down so they can cross it off.  Hee hee.  So, I found a simple Bible Reading Chart that just has a slot for a start and end date....with the books listed out with little circles for the chapters.  It's cute and modern art-ish.

And, it's working.  I'm reading and delighting...to each day say...what would I like to read today.  The whole book of John?  Ok!  It's been liberating...and given me new joy in God's Word.  I find I read more and flip from book to book via my nifty margins, something fierce.

I suppose life and the process of progressive sancitification will mean that I always need to be conscious of what is duty and needs to be turned to delight.  I'll always need to be checking that my heart is right and my eyes are fixed on the eternal.  Always...until someday...when I'll be there with the WORD.

I think I'll probably read the Bible in order again next...I see the benefits of placing things together that you get when reading front to back.  Hmmm...there's an idea...reading back to front.  The possibilities are endless...and there's no wrong...as long as I'm reading and applying it.  As my Grandma said recently,"if you're not going to apply it to your life...you might as well just read poetry."  

So, here's my permission to take a chill pill and read your Bible.  Really.  It's okay.

Hodgepodge Ridiculum

 

1. Have you ever had to wear a uniform? If yes, tell us more. Did you love it or hate it?
The summer of my sophomore year of college I had to wear a uniform while working for McDonald's.  The uniform ALWAYS smelled of grease...even when freshly laundered.  The black shoes were the WORST...big, clunky, sticky black...and I slid around all over the greasy floors in them.  I got more adept at it with practice.  The hat was not fun either.  On a sidenote...I think medical scrubs are cute and look super comfy.  Am I the only one?
2. April 22nd is Earth Day. What is one thing you do personally to be a good steward of planet Earth?
I don't litter.  I reuse plastic bags A LOT.  We are teaching our kids about walking in parks...hiking out what you hike in...

3. Brown rice, quinoa, or couscous...your healthy grain of choice? How often are one of the three on your menu at home?  Given a choice between white rice, brown rice, wild rice, and fried rice which would you go for?
Quinoa is a fan favorite around here.  I usually serve it with fish...which I try to put on the menu once a week.  I recently made a spinach salad with quinoa, pecans, dried cranberries and citrus vinegrette.  Yum.

4. In your opinion, who has the best job ever?
Whoever names Crayola crayons has a pretty neat job.

5. What's a situation in your life currently requiring patience? 
Raising children...redemptive discipline isn't for the faint of heart.  Sometimes I don't know whether I'm coming or going.  The dictionary defines it as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.  Yup.  Pretty much right on it.  I need to do better.  *sigh*

6.  Do you live your life around days of the week? Explain.
Currently, and for the last several years, my life has been planned around Mondays and Tuesdays.  I hadn't realized it until recently...as I step away from that thing...and anticipate life without it.  I'm sure there will be new focuses...but it is interesting to ponder.  I'm hoping I'm not the only one.

7. In a nod to the A to Z challenge happening around town this month, what 'R word' best describes your April?
Ridiculum....the pretty new flowers I bought for my big pot out front.  Life has been Ridiculously busy and hectic...and the name of this flower and it's beauty just tickled me...and reminded me that my Creator God is in control...and even provides me with humor when I least expect it.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Per the advice of my green thumbed neighbor I planted my garden this week.  He says that I am not realizing Indiana has a earlier growing season and that's why my tomatoes never ripen.  Since my thumb has proven to be rather brown and he always takes pity on me and shares the bounty of his glorious garden...I figured I'd listen to him.  So, I planted big boys and early girls (tomatoes) and four different kinds of peppers that my son says are 'his'...I also have a lone cherry tomato plant, cilantro, chives and lavender.  Oh, and rhubarb, of course!! 

Tune Tuesday: Fear is Easy, Love is Hard...

Turn on the T.V. for the evening news
They got plenty to fear and nothing to do
Another somebody who's gone too far
Makes you want to put up your guard
Fear is easy, love is hard

So we draw up another dividing line
We label each other and we choose a side
Peace could come at quite a cost
So we won't build a bridge across
Fear is easy, but love is hard

Fear will leave you hiding in the dark
But love will bring a light into your heart
So do not be afraid, do not be afraid

I'm sorry baby is what he should've said
But she wouldn't listen even if he did
They'll die without forgiveness soon
But no one wants to make a move
When fear is easy and love is hard

Fear will leave you hiding in the dark
But love will bring a light into your heart
So do not be afraid, do not be afraid

It's hard to bring your heart to a world that can break it
To offer love to those you're afraid will forsake it
But a well-defended heart is always looking for a fight
In a lonely war against an endless night
But love can bring a light

Fear will leave you hiding in the dark
But love will bring a light into your heart
So do not be afraid

It comes down to a simple choice
Shouting devils or a still small voice
One is spreading fear and dread
Oh but love has always said
Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid  

~Jason Gray

"God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you."  So we say with confidence,   The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?"  Hebrews 13:5b-6

“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.  But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.  Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God.  Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."  Luke 12:4-7

Monday Musings: Worry

 

 It's getting to be that crazy end of the year time around here.  As I shut the door on a well loved ministry I've encountered loads of angst and yuck.  So, I've been musing over a pamphlet by Jay Adams called What Do You Do When You Worry All the Time?  It's been very helpful...I highly advice getting your hot little fingers on a copy if you can...HERE is a link.

And here are my highlighted musings...

1.  Worry is concern about something that I can do nothing about and that I cannot even be sure about.

2.  The worrier, ME...cannot control the future; and does not even know what it will look like.

3.  Whenever I try to take hold of tomorrow, I try to steal what belongs to God.

4.  I must learn to plan by submitting my plan to the LORD for revision (or scrapping), and joyously accepting the scratched-over page that HE may hand back to me.

5.  Every emotion that God has put in me is right...in its right place.
Per my Aunt Beverly's request I will attempt to flesh out this point a bit...
All my energies and efforts need to be poured into today.  It's the key that unlocks the door on worry and opens the door to peace:  I am to focus my concern on today.  Concern is right, not wrong.  Every emotion that God has put in me is right...in its right place.  This means only when they are used properly...according to God's commandments and the principles of HIS WORD.  My emotional concerns are God-given mobilizing forces that help my body and mind focus on a problem.  But when they are focused on tomorrow...all that energy is frustrated...it's poured out but not used.  I can't release it into action because I can't act on the future.  And when I do that I even have nasty chemical reactions that eat away the lining of my stomach too!

6.  By the grace of God three trees are coming down today.  (A way of narrowing down life's crazy)

7.  I don't want to be tired and dissatistfied but rather tired but satisfied because energies are expended as God has directed.

8.  I can change...if nothing else will.

9.  Ask myself...How can I handle this problem for the glory of God?

10.  Be quick to obey.

Sew Saturday: School Water

Last summer, I went on a quilt shop hop...I bought this adorable panel and coordinating fabric. I told myself I was going to "get ahead" so that every time someone had a baby I didn't have to stop and make a quilt. That sounds like I don't want to make quilts for people...and that's not true. I just get annoyed sometimes when I feel like I'm never going to finish any of my own projects. *sigh*

 So, about a month ago...Ca-Lubby's teacher announced she was expecting a baby boy in the Fall!

Then, yesterday...Emmer bean's teacher announced she was expecting a baby in the Fall too! All I have to say is be careful in this particular Elementary building...if you are of childbearing years I do NOT recommend drinking the water (hardy har har). And...for the last few years...everyone has had boys! Crazee!

 So, I remembered this panel...bi-sected it and bordered it...Two quilt tops done in one afternoon.  Now, on to sandwich, quilt and bind!  Trying to keep my momentum going...

Fitness Friday

There was a while there that I wasn't exercising because I didn't have the full 40 minutes of recommended cardio time. I went from exercising in a very organized group with full accountability to just me, myself and I.  Then, 10-15 lbs later it occurred to me...DUH...something is better than NOTHING!  I also found the free Fitness Pal App and I'm loving that!

I love this quote...especially the part about time passing anyway.
 My dream isn't to particularly lose a certain amount or anything outward.
 In fact, my dreams have nothing to do with exercise and fitness per se...but my feeling well and taking care of my body does help me accomplish what needs to be done to get there.

I came across this nifty list on Pinterest. I really like the fact that it gives me no excuse. If the family is still sleeping I can't say that I don't want to make too much noise.
 I wish I'd had this when my kids were little babies.
 

And...this one I need strapped to my forehead. It is SOOOO true for me.
 I keep muttering..."self control...self control"...to myself. "If you eat that it so won't be worth it!"

Thoughtful Thursday: Contentment Captured

~Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life~

Loverbrains bought me tulips and hyacinths as a surprise. 

The hyacinths were too stinky to keep inside...
yes, I think their gorgeous smell is better suited to outside! 

I'm adding them to my flower beds where the sewer work mess uprooted my other bulbs.

 

I decided to wash my couch pillows the other day and one got caught in the washer rim and ripped and well, exploded all over. Ew, what a mess.
Anyhew...I had some coupons and so, I have two new couch pillows. Pretty!
 

The daffodils are blooming!!  They are sooo happy.  Next to daisies they are the happiest flowers.
 

And the mini daffodils are blooming...amid a sea of gorgeous myrtle!

So, here I am sitting on the screen porch, listening to the wind chimes, sipping iced coffee and waiting for the school bus to bring my Sweet Boobahs home to me.  

I'm hoping it beats the next round of thunderstorms rolling in! 

Hello Spring Hodgepodge!

 

1. Besides left over Easter goodies, what's something currently kept in a basket at your house?
I keep many things in baskets...I love Longaberger.  I have balls of yarn in one...coffee in another...tissues in one...essential oils in two others...and that's just the ones I can see from where I'm typing.

2. 'The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.' ~Michelangelo Buonarroti 

So which one are you...the one who aims too high, or the one who aims too low? Have you ever seen The Sistine Chapel? Did you know Michelangelo's surname prior to answering this question?
As a teacher, I've often agreed with this sentiment.  

3. April 7th is National Beer Day. Hmmm...wonder how that's celebrated? Do you like beer? Have a favorite? If you're not a beer drinker do you have any recipes you enjoy cooking that call for beer?
Teetotaller
 

4. When did you last travel somewhere new? Tell us where? How'd it go?
I drove downtown, via a new route, to my son's Dr appt at the Children's hospital.  It was a better route...but my beef with driving downtown is that you can never find your way back due the one ways...ugh.  CRRRaaazeee!

5. The value of _________________________is greatly overrated.
Starbucks....I can't believe I'm saying that...but it's true.  Still going to be a date night destination, of course...but, for the $$ involved it's just greatly overrated. 

6. What's a pet peeve of yours when it comes to restaurant dining?
People who pick their teeth in front of the mirrors on the wall.  Classy...NOT!  OR...my new one...people on their phones, not talking to each other.  This is especially sad in a nicer restaurant with just two people.  I feel a little better when both people are on their phones but it's harder to watch when one person is ignoring the other.  I feel like inviting that other person to join us...we promise to talk to you!

7. It's Poetry Month...share a favorite poem, either the title, a few lines you find meaningful, or the whole kit and caboodle.

"Hope" is the thing with feathers --
That perches in the soul --
And sings the tune without the words --
And never stops -- at all --

And sweetest -- in the Gale -- is heard --
And sore must be the storm --
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm --

I've heard it in the chillest land --
And on the strangest Sea --
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb -- of Me. 

 Emily Dickinson

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Spring is springing here...my daffodils are blooming and my Loverbrains bought me Hyacinths and tulips...Yay!!  Dogwood trees are just popping out and Forsythia is popping bright yellow!  Happiness!!