Thoughts of Grace

Think Write Thursday – Hello January

Hello January
January – the month that is in the middle of my favorite seasons, fall and winter.
Some count down until summer
I look at how long willl this last.

A time for cloudy overcast skies
with a bright sunny morning thrown in to affirm promises
A time to wear tights and layers o fshirts and sweaters
with the cold wind in my face
A time to cozy in
when it isn’t outside.

It is also a time for
looking back and considering.
for relishing today
and for peering ahead

January thoughts
What am I going to ocntinue?
What Will I give up?
What will I start or add to my life?

Things in my life I will hold to tightly

I will hold fast my confidence in God
I will keep looking to Jesus –
I will remember my key words – accept, commit and surrender

Things in my life I will give up

I will eliminate Diet soda – I know the unhealthy attributes
(It’s been FIVE days and counting!)
I will decrease time on social media.
I will quit being tardy,
planning on leaving at the last minute
then something comes up ALWAYS
and it is past the last minute

Things in my life to add or to start new
Oh where to begin
I see so much I need to improve

I will add – do the first things first
I will add – finishing the many things started
then left to hibernate Impluse starting leads to not finishing.
So I must carefully consider the beginnings
I will acknowledge the box – open the lid and glare out.
IT’S a start!

Leaving behind and gathering together
will make a change in the whole of my life.
I am very afraid of what that unknown looks like,
feels like,
what holes leaving things will leave,
how to fill those holes and
I doubt my ability to sustain the changes
How many times I’ve tried . . .

So I do the little steps
like no diet soda – on the way to healthier nutrition
while asking God for help.
One day in January as I was arguing with myself
coke or tea,
coke or tea,
coke or tea,
‘A large tea, please’ came out of my mouth
THAT was not what I meant to say, and
THAT voice did not quite sound like mine,
but I was encouraged.
I hadn’t started the change alone.

hello Accept the Changes
Goodby Hinderances
Cleave to the Good

Hebrews 12:1-2
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Romans 12:9
. . . cleave to that which is good.

First time joining with Carole

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on January 6, 2017 at 1:52 pm Comments (4)
Tags: give up, Hello January, hold on to, new start, Think Write Thursday

Yarn Along – Enjoying the Season

Yarn Along
~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading and I love sharing my projects and current reads here.~ This is how Lisa begins her blog, Small Things, on Wednesdays.

Many of the wonderful items, knitted or crocheted,
I see get added to my someday list.
Books and authors, new to me, peak my interest.

What do you call a ‘yarn bog’?

I have been in a yarn bog during most of 2016.
Nothing ‘yarny’ seems interesting.
All yarn gets moved out of sight.
Even the guilt of WIP’s couldn’t raise its head.

I got a yarn tug mid year and bought a couple skeins,
but ‘plop’ back down I went.

Then in December while house/dog/cat sitting for my son
this little inch-worm of a yarn thought showed up.
I got an idea for a knitting yarny project.
I bought some yarn.
I knew I didn’t like using
because there is no stitch definition.

When I first started knitting I used a lot of this yarn.
I loved knitting.
But not too sure of how my stitches looked.
As I knitted more and learned more about patterns,
I wanted to see my knitting.
I enjoyed hearing “oh, did you knit that”

So I returned what yarn hadn’t been used.
I took a dive in the stash shed and
found white yarn purchased for ____________?
I started a afghan in bulky yarn
using a pattern for a tablecloth
in the old shale pattern.
I’m on row 66 and only had to rip out 5 rows
somewhere in the 40’s.

jan-3-2017-white-yarn I have a helper.

Not sure if I’m out of the bog,
but I enjoying this season of knitting.

Ravelry notes

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Yarn Along

on January 6, 2017 at 12:20 am Comments (6)
Tags: enjoying the season, old shale, stitch definition, Yarn Along

Little by Little

Sometimes when we think about our habits,
the things we would like to see changed
fills our to-do list
and discouragement steps in
before we even know where to start

This is my true story.

God began leading me to make changes
in my housekeeping habits.
My critical eye was so harsh
and my mountain of changes so high.
I cried out to God
“I don’t know where to begin!”
In His kindness He led me little by little.
God asked me “Do you get up every morning?”
(He really spoke to me just like this in these words.)
I said, “Yes.”
He said, Today after you get up and dressed,
make your bed,

unmade-bed

pick up any laundry,
shut any dresser drawers,
and close the closet doors.”
So that is what I did.
As I left the room with laundry in my arms,
I turned to look back at my room.
I was amazed at how neat and tidy
and clean it looked.
Even though no actual dusting, vaccuming,
or putting away the accumulated piles was done.

AND that was ALL I was asked to do,
God didn’t add anything more to my list
of have-to-do-to-make-a-change.
For three or four days,
that was the BIG change in my housekeeping routine.

Of course, then God said,
“Today we are going to do the dishes.”

dirty_dishes_in_a_kitchen_sink_royalty_free_clipart_picture_100223-032403-324042

I said, “I can’t do the dishes”

You see,
I would wash one sink full of dishes,
rinse them,
put them in the drainer,
put another group of dirty dishes
in the sink to soak and walk off.
I’d finish later. yeah!

So I knew God meant to wash ALL the dishes,
dry All the dishes, even the pans,
put away ALL the dishes,
wipe out the sinks,
put away the dish drainer
and wipe off all the counters.
I knew I couldn’t do it.
I hadn’t done that in so long.
but I knew how God had helped me
with my bed and room, so I trusted Him.

I got the dishwater ready,
the first sinkful in the bubbles
and washed them
and rinsed them
and put them in the drainer
and held on to the sink to keep from walking away.
(TRUTH)
When I felt sure I wouldn’t walk away
I finished the dishes completely,
even to wiping the counters.
I looked back at my kitchen,
it looked so clean and big.

No the floor wasn’t mopped,
the stove wasn’t clean,
the refridgerater still had science projects flourishing,
but I had done what God asked me to do.

And you know what,
once those two things were accomplished.
The mountain just kind of melted
and I was able to organize my duties.

Was I always perfect after that? No
Did I still struggle from time to time? Yes
Did discouragement still show up? Yes
But I wasn’t alone with my struggle;
because God made it plain to me
“I will be with you, I will never leave you”

Even with a sink full of dirty dishes.

To this day, I feel undone if my bed isn’t made
first thing in the morning.

Habit definition –
a settled tendency or usual manner of behavior
a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things
[which He has called me to do]
through Him who strengthens and empowers me
[to fulfill His purpose—
I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency;
I am ready for anything
and equal to anything through Him
who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Amplified Bible

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on January 3, 2017 at 4:43 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Amplified Bible, dirty dishes, housekeeping, little by little, Philippians 4:13, unmade bed

Day by Day

dont-judge-each-day-by-the-harvest-you-reap-but-by-the-seeds-you-plant

Daily Habit

Habit definition –
a settled tendency or usual manner of behavior
a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition

We are in charge of our habits.
Habits don’t accidently happen,
even though we may not consciously
be aware we are making a habit.
Many times we find habits after the fact.

We think this is just the way I am.
Step back
Look
Consider
Would I glorify God more without this behavior pattern?
Can I change this pattern?

“A nail is driven out by another nail;
habit is overcome by habit.”
Desiderius Erasmus

Habits can be changed.
Only by replacing that habit with another habit
with frequent repetition.

‘. . . spending time each day with God–in His Word, in prayer, in reflection of His love and plans for –will make a tremendous positive difference in your life. . .”

What a habit this would be.
What power this habit would open up to us
What grace would be available for our needs
What Comfort and Love
we would be able to share with hurting souls.

God’s mercies are new every single day. Lamentations 3:20
God’s strength is provided for us each day to meet
the challenges of that particular day Deuteronomy 3:25
We are advised to put each of our days
in proper order Psalm 90:12
Jesus call us to follow Him daily Luke 9:23

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on January 2, 2017 at 4:25 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Day by Day, Desiderius Erasmus, Deuteronomy 3:25, Lamentations 3:20, Luke 9:23, Psalm 90:12

Sunday Bible Reading

honey-bee3

Psalm 119:41-50
Let Your mercy and loving-kindness come also to me,
O Lord, even Your salvation according to Your promise;

Then shall I have an answer
for those who taunt and reproach me,
for I lean on, rely on, and trust in Your word.

And take not the word of truth
utterly out of my mouth,
for I hope in Your ordinances.

I will keep Your law continually, forever and ever
[hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it].

And I will walk at liberty and at ease,
for I have sought and inquired for
[and desperately required] Your precepts.

I will speak of Your testimonies
also before kings and will not be put to shame.

For I will delight myself in Your commandments,
which I love.

My hands also will I lift up
[in fervent supplication] to Your commandments,
which I love, and I will meditate on Your statutes.

Remember [fervently] the word and promise to Your servant,
in which You have caused me to hope.

This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction:
that Your word has revived me and given me life.

Amplified Bible, Classic Edition

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on January 1, 2017 at 3:39 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: at liberty, Psalm 119:41-50, Sunday Bible Reading, Your precepts

Glorify God Today

444_jesus_teaching_disciples

Christ taught his followers how to glorify God by His example.

John 17 is Christ’s prayer for his disciples before He goes to Gethsemene. From Christ’s words we find how He glorified His Father; we also find how we can glorify our Father.

John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:

John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth:
I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

Christ was always obedient to the will of the Father.

Joh 17:6-7 I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given me are of thee.

Definition – Manifest – readily perceived by the senses and especially by the sense of sight: easily understood or recognized by the mind
Christ showed his followers plainly by words and actions how to glorify God

John 17:8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

Christ spoke differently than the people of the day.
His speech glorified God.

John 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Definition – Declare – to make evident: show, to state emphatically: affirm, to avow one’s opinion or support
Christ showed openly that He was doing the will of the Father

Scripture text and most of the thoughts from December 29 evening lesson.
I added definitions.

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on December 30, 2016 at 7:33 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: declared, finished, Glorify God Today, John 17, manifested

Waiting and Trusting

imageshands

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.

Those that wait on me will gain new strength.
Spending time alone withMe is so good for you,
but it is increasingly countercultural.

(I had to look up countercultural –
a way of life and a set of ideas
that are completely different from
those accepted by most of society)

Multitaking and staying busy
have become the norm.
So I encourage you to break free
from all the activity
and demands for a while.
During the Advent season,
there are even more things
to be done and places to go.
Seek My Face and enjoy My Presence,
remembering that Christmas is all about Me.

Psalm 27:8
When thou saidst, Seek ye my face;
my heart said unto thee,
Thy face, LORD, will I seek.

Waiting upon Me is an act of faith–
trusting that prayer really does make a difference.
Come unto Me with your weariness and your burdens,
being candid and real with Me.

Matthew 11:28
Come unto me,
all ye that labour
and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.

Rest in My Presence, and tell Me about your concerns.
Let Me lift the burdens from your aching shoulders.
Trust that I an able to do exceedingly abundantly abouve all you ask or think.

Ephesians 3:20-21
Now unto him that is able to do
exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think,
according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

As you arise from these quiet moments,
hear Me whispering, “I am with you” throughout the day.
Rejoice in the new strength you have gained
through spending time with Me.
Devotional reading from Jesus Always, Sarah Young

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on December 28, 2016 at 12:33 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: countercultural, Ephesians 3:20-21, Isaiah 40:31, Jesus Always, Matthew 11:28, Psalm 27:8, Sarah Young, Waiting and Trusting

Solid Ground and a New Song

Psalm 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the LORD;
and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit,
out of the miry clay,
and set my feet upon a rock,
and established my goings.

young-woman-walking-park-6853281

And he hath put a new song in my mouth,
even praise unto our God:
many shall see it, and fear,
and shall trust in the LORD.

‘The Gospel is the stunning story of Christ
coming into the world to lift us from the mess,
to set us on solid ground with Him.
And when He raised us up,
He gave us somethingbto sing about.
He replaced the old songs of dispair
with new songs of praise–
songs for the One who makes us new.’
~~~~Louie Giglio

O Holy Night

O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!

Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O’er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!

Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!

Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure, 1847

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on December 27, 2016 at 12:47 pm Leave a Comment
Tags: A New Song, Louie Giglio, O Holy Night, Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure, Psalm 40:1-3, Solid Ground

Be Still, My Soul

haworth_mark-winter_stillness__om0bf30010185_20120128_21122_238

Psalm 46:10-11
Be still, and know that I am God:
I will be exalted among the heathen,
I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah.

Quiet moments are rare
and it can be difficult to find stillness,
but take a few minutes today
to quietly and deeply consider our Lord.
Try not to read or stucy or be distracted–
just be sitll and meditate on the person of Jesus
and all He has done for you.
Think about His birth, His infancy
and the dawn of light rising over
a dark and weary world.
Think about His death and sacrifice,
and the gift of life He extends to you.
Meditate on His resurrection,
His power over the darkness and the grave.
Drink in His presence
and in the stillness seek His face.
~~~Louie Giglio

Let be and be still,
and know (recognize and understand)
that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations!
I will be exalted in the earth!
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our Refuge
(Our high tower and Stronghold)
Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
Psalm 46:10-11 Amplified Bible

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on December 26, 2016 at 4:14 am Leave a Comment
Tags: Be Still My Soul, Louie Giglio, Psalm 46:10-11, waiting

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

images

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign;
Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,
and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14

Now all this was done,
that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord
by the prophet, saying,
Behold, a virgin shall be with child,
and shall bring forth a son,
and they shall call his name Emmanuel,
which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew 1:22-23

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
and ransom captive Israel,
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.