This is possibly one of the most powerful things I have ever seen. I sat at my computer ignoring everything else for 4 1/2 minutes with tears streaming down my face.
Please watch and listen ALL the way through.
I hope this touches you as it has me. Love to all!
Monday, October 27, 2008
Today's Reading....
So I am trying to get back on the wagon with this goal. No guarantees other than my best efforts.
Here is a passage that touched me as we did Bible study this past week. Though this was the prayer that Solomon spoke at the consecration of the temple after its built there are points that apply to us today.
"Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day."
1 Kings 8:56-61
Continually Solomon speaks of walking in God's ways and keeping his statutes. If we strive to do that then God will honor that by keeping His promises to us.
Love HIM, seek HIM, honor HIM.
Love to all. Pray for me as I pray for you.
Here is a passage that touched me as we did Bible study this past week. Though this was the prayer that Solomon spoke at the consecration of the temple after its built there are points that apply to us today.
"Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day."
1 Kings 8:56-61
Continually Solomon speaks of walking in God's ways and keeping his statutes. If we strive to do that then God will honor that by keeping His promises to us.
Love HIM, seek HIM, honor HIM.
Love to all. Pray for me as I pray for you.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Today's Reading....
Inspired by the wildfires in Northern California:
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:" 1 Peter 1:7
"I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see." Revelation 3:18
I saw a picture on an Internet news outlet of a fire captain surveying the damage left by the wildfires in Big Sur in Northern California. He looked perplexed as if nothing he had ever seen compared to this swath of destruction that fire had left. I think we are the same when we come through a trial by fire. What we learn in our walk with God is much the same as what happens in creation when fire strikes.
We see only the immediate. The destruction of homes, lost lives, and pain beyond our understanding. Fortunately, God sees from every side of an event. He knew those fires would happen. He also knows that good can come from them. Just as our personal trials by fire are excruciating and devastating there is always good on the other side. He knows. He loves us. He holds us.
We become refined by fire. Our actions and reactions become more like His. In creation, some very beautiful and awe-inspiring trees would never grow were it not for forest fires. Check these out:
These men are standing at the base of 1 tree!
Here a church group is having service on 1 fallen tree.
Each of these pictures are of the Giant Sequoia Tree. They are native to Northern California. What makes them remarkable other than being the oldest living trees and the largest trees is that their acorns require "special treatment" to take root. A sequoia acorn will not root and grown unless it has been burnt. They require trial by fire to reach their fantastic full potential. Amazing isn't it? Here's another bit of information: any plant has as much structure below the ground as above! Now apply that to these spectacular trees that routinely grow hundreds of feet in the air even to the obscuring of the sky from the viewer below.
Now thank God for the fires in your life. He will bring you through it and you will be better off in the end.
Love to all!
Friday, June 27, 2008
A Disturbing Idea
Thomas had a dental appointment today with a new dentist. We left the last dentist after discovering some disconcerting information about their practice and about a policy that I find positively disturbing. Today, we find out (after having gotten different information over the phone) that the new dentist has the same policy. Apparently most dentists have this policy and parents don't seem to mind. I am speaking of their idea that at 5 (and sometimes younger) a child should go through his appointment with the dentist without his parent present.
They tried valiantly to convince me that it was in Thomas' best interest to be allowed to go behind closed doors with virtual strangers for a minimum of 30 minutes while I just sit back and read a magazine. They suggested that it instilled independence and confidence. All the other parents were doing it. How can he trust the dentist if I don't?
My question is this: If something happens, how can he trust me again? It isn't in their job description to determine that other people's children are ready for something like that. They are not accountable for the well being of those children. He is my responsibility. I claim rights to him by virtue of him coming out of my body! God has chosen me to guard and tend him. I can't imagine shirking that duty because of their arbitrary policy.
I would venture a guess that many of you out there are saying, "what's the big deal? Its just the dentist." The big deal is that if we change the titles of those involved it becomes a potentially dangerous situation that no decent parent would ever consider. Imagine this:
A random person says: you should leave your 5 year old with me, behind closed doors and without accountability. And, by the way, I have enough chemicals behind those doors to incapacitate your child and blur their memory so you will never know what I've done.
Sounds scary, right? Somehow, though, when that random person is wearing brightly colored scrubs and has some initials behind their name they move from the realm of suspicion to acceptability. Why? Do we not hear almost daily about the trusted soccer coach, teacher, or doctor who turns out to be the town pedophile? Would you send your child into the pediatrician alone? Nope. You would insist on being there. You would insist that to leave them alone would be irresponsible. Yet and still doing that at the dentist office is ok?
Needless to say, we are now searching for another dentist. We have a lead on a "family dentist" who specializing in treating the whole family. This time I intend to make myself and my position clear up front. If you happen to know a good dentist who doesn't try to usurp the rights of parents, please let me know.
They tried valiantly to convince me that it was in Thomas' best interest to be allowed to go behind closed doors with virtual strangers for a minimum of 30 minutes while I just sit back and read a magazine. They suggested that it instilled independence and confidence. All the other parents were doing it. How can he trust the dentist if I don't?
My question is this: If something happens, how can he trust me again? It isn't in their job description to determine that other people's children are ready for something like that. They are not accountable for the well being of those children. He is my responsibility. I claim rights to him by virtue of him coming out of my body! God has chosen me to guard and tend him. I can't imagine shirking that duty because of their arbitrary policy.
I would venture a guess that many of you out there are saying, "what's the big deal? Its just the dentist." The big deal is that if we change the titles of those involved it becomes a potentially dangerous situation that no decent parent would ever consider. Imagine this:
A random person says: you should leave your 5 year old with me, behind closed doors and without accountability. And, by the way, I have enough chemicals behind those doors to incapacitate your child and blur their memory so you will never know what I've done.
Sounds scary, right? Somehow, though, when that random person is wearing brightly colored scrubs and has some initials behind their name they move from the realm of suspicion to acceptability. Why? Do we not hear almost daily about the trusted soccer coach, teacher, or doctor who turns out to be the town pedophile? Would you send your child into the pediatrician alone? Nope. You would insist on being there. You would insist that to leave them alone would be irresponsible. Yet and still doing that at the dentist office is ok?
Needless to say, we are now searching for another dentist. We have a lead on a "family dentist" who specializing in treating the whole family. This time I intend to make myself and my position clear up front. If you happen to know a good dentist who doesn't try to usurp the rights of parents, please let me know.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Today's Reading....
Just something that occurred to me earlier...
"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. " Hebrews 12:2
Of the four million times I have heard this verse in my life never has it had the clarity that it did today.
Of course, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. If it doesn't begin and end with Him and all He says, then what is it? If our faith is not wholly rooted in Jesus, His redemptive work, His creation, etc. then what is it? Something of our own making. When we find ourselves there, we ought to look toward Him for renewal and uplift of our faith.
Love to all! Goodnight!
"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. " Hebrews 12:2
Of the four million times I have heard this verse in my life never has it had the clarity that it did today.
Of course, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. If it doesn't begin and end with Him and all He says, then what is it? If our faith is not wholly rooted in Jesus, His redemptive work, His creation, etc. then what is it? Something of our own making. When we find ourselves there, we ought to look toward Him for renewal and uplift of our faith.
Love to all! Goodnight!
An Amazing God Moment
This hibiscus bloom opened this morning. While that is an amazing God moment in and of itself that wasn't what touched me so profoundly this morning. 
In the quiet of the morning with the TV off, Lily still in bed and Thomas asleep on the couch because he had gotten up too early, the only sounds I could hear were the occasional car driving by and the rooster next door crowing. In a moment when it seemed that traffic had stopped, the rooster took a breath, and even the refrigerator seemed to quite its hum, I heard a gentle crackling sound behind me.
I found it odd since the only thing behind me was a tree. Perhaps a branch was giving way. I looked over my shoulder and I noticed the single bloom at the top of the tree that had been tightly closed when I got up this morning was open. I took a minute before it dawned on me that I had actually HEARD a flower bloom!
Never before in my life had I considered that the tightly closed petals might actually make a sound when they pulled apart to show their full glory. It was spectacular. It was beautiful. It was slightly haunting. Most of all it was a moment that I felt connected to God in a new and exciting way. I had a new understanding of Him and His creation. I think this one will stick with me for a long time.
Thank you, God, for this wonderful moment and all of your creation!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Today's Reading....
You have probably noticed that I have been sporadic at best at posting to the blogs. Unfortunately I don't see that changing in the near future. These last few weeks of pregnancy are taking their toll on my body. With my other two pregnancies I was very active right up to delivery. With this one I had a bout of sciatica in early April that seemed to linger. Now hip, leg, and pelvic movement are painful and restricted. This pain makes it incredibly difficult to be in one position for an extended period of time, particularly sitting in the desk chair.
All that to get to this: I have chosen a scripture for my own uplift and encouragement:
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
"Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." 1 Timothy 2:15
"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:12-13
I know that you all keep us in your prayers, and we definitely appreciate them. Now more than ever, though, I could use some specific prayer. Please pray for strength in my body and mind, encouragement for my spirit, the ability to continue to care for my family, a quick, pain-free, uncomplicated delivery, and perfect health for our newest edition to the Scalf clan.
For those that scoff at the "pain-free delivery" idea. Its very possible if we apply our faith to God's Word. The full concept is explained in a book that I love Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize which can be purchased here or here.
Basically, with faith, a woman stands on all that God has promised including those regarding the Hebrew women in birth, our healing being bought by Christ's death on the cross, etc. It is a fantastic read even if you aren't pregnant. it is particularly helpful if you are having problems conceiving. Its going to become my standard gift to moms-to-be and those wanting to be moms.
Thanks again for your prayers. Please feel free to comment with any other scriptures that you feel might be of encouragement to us right now.
Love to all!
All that to get to this: I have chosen a scripture for my own uplift and encouragement:
"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
"Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." 1 Timothy 2:15
"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:12-13
I know that you all keep us in your prayers, and we definitely appreciate them. Now more than ever, though, I could use some specific prayer. Please pray for strength in my body and mind, encouragement for my spirit, the ability to continue to care for my family, a quick, pain-free, uncomplicated delivery, and perfect health for our newest edition to the Scalf clan.
For those that scoff at the "pain-free delivery" idea. Its very possible if we apply our faith to God's Word. The full concept is explained in a book that I love Supernatural Childbirth by Jackie Mize which can be purchased here or here.
Basically, with faith, a woman stands on all that God has promised including those regarding the Hebrew women in birth, our healing being bought by Christ's death on the cross, etc. It is a fantastic read even if you aren't pregnant. it is particularly helpful if you are having problems conceiving. Its going to become my standard gift to moms-to-be and those wanting to be moms.
Thanks again for your prayers. Please feel free to comment with any other scriptures that you feel might be of encouragement to us right now.
Love to all!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)