Monthly Archive

I have been trying, on and off, for a full week, to post an entry.  One day the computer froze — and I lost my entry.  And yes, it was during a bit of a cold snap.  Maybe my computer was trying to relate with the Alaska drop to -50. . .

Then, another day, I pressed a key and this strange beep emerged from the speaker, and then . . .an empty screen.

So, here I am again.  I’m not giving up on my resolution to post more frequently; technology will not get the better of me (don’t say that too loudly, the speakers might hear me. . .)

Here’s my meditation for today:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make straight your paths.  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7 ESV

I know at least the first 2 verses are probably familiar, but don’t let them be so familiar that we miss the impact.  I am called to trust the Lord with not only my mind and logic (own understanding) but also with my emotions and will (all your heart).  I’m even called to commit all of my actions to His will (all your ways).

So . . .fears, hurts, anxiety, irritations, anger, jealousy — those all get put into God’s hands –

And . . .financial decisions, work decisions, child decisions, adult child decisions, all those day-to-day decisions — are left to God’s understanding and wisdom –

Then — my day planner, my calendar, my checkbook, my to-do list — are left to His knowledge and control.

The summary is so simple, yet so humbling –

Don’t be wise in your own eyes, Beverly.  You don’t have everything figured out.  You aren’t entitled to the things you may think you are entitled to.  I have ordered your days and planned your times long before you were born.  I have formed you and put you where I want you and when I want you there.

Fear Me, Beverly.  Trust Me.  Run to Me. Love Me. Turn your back on evil.  Give up your entitlements.  Give Me your emotions.  Let Me take care of you.  Let Me use you to bless and to give Me glory in this dark world.  I love You.

God

Well, the holidays are past.  I still don’t have my tree and Christmas decorations put away, but some of my nativity sets are safely packed away.

In the last post I had talked about simplifying the holidays, in order to concentrate on what is the reality of Christmas — that God became a baby, in order to die a horrid death on a Roman cross, thus satisfying the Father’s wrath against sin, paying our debt completely, so that we might be reconciled to God.  I still can’t wrap my human brain around the extent of that love. . .

Along with the new year, come our thoughts and resolutions (if you will) for what we would like to accomplish in the coming year.  Lose weight?  Exercise more?  Correspond more frequently with loved ones and distant friends?  Be more faithful in prayer?  More disciplined in Bible study?

I found this quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was a Lutheran pastor during the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany.  He spoke out against Hitler, and the Nazi treatment of the Jews and other people groups who suffered under Hitler’s policies.  He was arrested, spent some time in a concentration camp, and was ultimately tortured and executed as a traitor in 1945, shortly before the end of World War II.

“It is not necessary that we should discover new ideas in our meditation. It is sufficient, and far more important, if the Word, as we read and understand it, penetrates and dwells within us.”   Life Together

When I read God’s Word, I don’t want to read with the goal of “getting through this so I can check off that I did today’s reading.”  I want the Word of God to transform my thinking which will transform my doing.

James 1:22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. . .(NLT)

And, I want to be more consistent in blogging . . .