Quotes May 2010

Here are a few quotes I have found in my reading and listening that I would like to remember.

From The Cries of the Heart by Ravi Zacharia
"Worship is what binds all of life together and gives it a single focus."

From a guest speaker on a Revive Our Hearts podcast
" It is better to build children than to repair men.

From Heidi K. , WOTH online magazine
"Contentment is a kind of rest. We were not meant to find it in the things of this earth but rather in the God of this earth who is much more fulfilling than tiled floors."

A Jewish Proverb
"What you don't see with your eyes, don't witness with your mouth."

From Frank Perretti's Wounded Spirit
"The depth of a person's character is not measured by his or her physical strength but by the depth of his or her nobility. How do we treat those who are weaker?"

Afghan Proverb:
"A rose has thorns" This means that no one is perfect.

Dear God, Thank you for words especially your words. May we always use words in a way pleasing to you. Amen

Security

Security is a big issue. Whether it is physical, spiritual, or financial security, security is something people think about all around the world. At airports, there are metal detectors. In schools, there are cops. In the financial world, there are IRAs and 401Ks. Spiritually, people are searching for the truth, God, and the answer to the question "Is there life after death?" Where I live, physical security is something we think about more than people do who live in the states. It affects where I go, if I go and if I walk or go by car. It makes me get a little nervous if my son is late getting home from school. It could even mean I spend a little more time at home if security risks are high.

One thing I am learning is that I can make wise choices on what I do or where I go. Anywhere you live that is a must. I am also learning that I can not control the security situation. Every morning, the kids and I read a Psalm at breakfast. These words spoke to where I am at.

Ps 33: 10-22

The Lord foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the Lord stand forever, the purposes of the heart through all generations. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for an inheritance. From the heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth- he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield, in him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us o Lord, even as we put our hope in you.

As I read the news and look at the world around me, it is good to be reminded that God's plans and purposes will stand. We can't control the situations around us but God can. Even if we live in a safe fortress, our security is ultimately in God's hands. So as the sayings go, looks are deceiving. God promises that His eyes are on those who fear him and whose hope is in his unfailing love. I want to be one of those people. I want to be a woman whose heart rejoices because I trust in His holy name. So whether we feel safe or not is not the issue. The issue is where does our trust lie.

Dear God, Thank you that you are in control. The world around us is changing. Many are far from you. May we trust in you. May we wait in hope for you. God may your unfailing love rest upon us as we put our hope in you. Amen

Friendship Musing

As I am in the process of getting to know the ladies on our team and hopefully building some deeper relationships with some of them, I am reminded of the many times we have moved and I have gone through this friendship building process. It is never the same. Sometimes you have someone who really reaches out to you. Other times you are the one who needs to take the first step. The ideal situation is when it goes both ways. To me, it is the most stressful part of the move but in each move God has been gracious. When I got married and moved to Tennessee, God gave me W., an older lady at our church who took me under her wing, and V., a fellow graduate student who also liked to run and play tennis. When we moved to Ft. Worth, he gave me S., who went out of her way to be my friend and ended up being so good for me even though we were different in many ways. She also gave me a teacher friend in T. We were both new at the school and spent many hours biking and talking. As I settled down as a stay at home mom, God even helped me make a friend at McDonald's one day as our girls were playing. God has given me friends whose friendship is not limited to where I am living even though it does make staying in touch more challenging.

Even though in each place, God has provided friends. I am reminded that God wants a relationship with me also. He reached out to me. I love only because He first loved me. He sent his Son for me so I could even have a relationship with him. He is knocking at the door of my heart. He can be found if only I will seek him. He is with me even to the ends of the earth. I often take for granted that God is always there, forgetting how amazing it is that God is a God who wants to send time with me. I am unique and precious in His sight. He wants to hear my joys and my fears. He doesn't even seem to mind my tears. His friendship will transcend all moves, all time, all eternity.

Dear God, Thank you for reaching out to me. Thank you for being a faithful friend. May I never take that for granted. Thank you for the friends you send my way in each place we have lived. Help me to be a faithful and true friend to them. I can't wait for heaven where all of us will be reunited once again. Amen