Matthew 19:21 & 29

I am guilty of impulsive, whimsical shopping. If I am stressed I buy earrings, clothes, or chocolate. If I have a few extra dollars I make a point to spend at least some of it on myself. Buying things for myself makes me feel good, makes me feel better. I would much rather have everyone buy me the things that I need for my birthday or Christmas so I can spend my own money on luxury items and activities. I just like stuff. And nice stuff. And expensive stuff. Now that I am on my own and on a budget I have become wiser with my money, but the desire to have is still in me.
Reading in Matthew tonight I was struck by a passage that I have read again and again. Tonight, though, it held a little more meaning for me. Christ told the rich young ruler to sell his possessions, give the money to the poor, and then come follow Christ. So sad - the rich young ruler had lots of wonderful stuff and he just wasn't ready to let it go. Later, while explaining some things to His disciples, Christ said that those who leave friends, family, and possessions behind to follow Christ will be rewarded in full in eternity. Here I am all worried because I don't have enough money for this, that, and the other thing, when Christ is saying "Leave it! Get rid of it! Forget about it! " Godliness with contentment is great gain. Don't worry about what you're gonna eat or drink or wear - isn't life more than just food and clothing? God knows our needs, and He takes care of the birds of the air so He is certainly going to take care of you and me. And you know just as well as I do that He gives us way more than the bare necessities. We have so much more than we need, some of us more than we even want. I am challenged, convicted, to be a more faithful steward of the resources God has given me, to be content with what He has given me, and to consider what it is that I need to "leave behind" in order to follow Him better. What stuff is keeping me from following Christ as I ought?

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"My Rules" (a poem by Shel Silverstein)

Maybe I'm just too picky...


If you want to marry me, here's what you'll have to do:
You must learn how to make a perfect chicken- dumpling stew.
And you must sew my holey socks,
And soothe my troubled mind,
And develop a knack for scratching my back,
And keep my shoes spotlessly shined.
And while I rest you must rake up the leaves,
And when it is hailing and snowing
You must shovel the walk...and be still when I talk,
And - hey - where are you going?

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Shutting Up

In the computer lab today Abbie was having trouble getting her computer up and running. All of a sudden she hollered, "No, not shutting down, shutting up!"

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Teacherous

The word was supposed to be "treacherous", for the students' spelling list next week. Unfortunately, my typing skills are lacking, hence the word "teacherous." Some days, I am extremely "teacherous", whatever it might mean!

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Literally

Miss D: What is the world's largest producer of wool?

Josh: sheep

Miss D: Well, right, but I meant which country?

Josh: Oh, Australia.

Miss D: Yeah. Guess I shoulda said that, huh?

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Everything is Perfect

This morning on the way to school, everything was perfect. The sun was shining but not in my eyes. There was little traffic on the bridge, which currently has one lane closed. I left early enough to stop at Starbuck's for coffee and still get to school a couple minutes early. This morning everything went perfectly in the short time between getting up and getting to school. Unfortunately, my thoughts didn't go immediately to God for a lovely morning. No, I didn't really even think about it until now. It just felt like this was how everything was supposed to be. As though it's my right to have a perfect morning. No, indeed, it is not my right but a blessing from God. So, "thanks God for a beautiful morning in every way."

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Songs for Saturday

Music is an important part of my life. I listen to music to wake me up and get me to sleep; I sing in the car, the shower, the classroom, church, everywhere; and I dance to music. Over the past several months, as I have been learning and growing through some stressful situations, God has brought to mind the words, phrases, or stanzas of a few songs that really made me think. Here are some of the lines from those songs. Think carefully about each word; let the meaning soak in. I know this is not Scripture, but the lyrics to these songs are biblical and powerful. I hope they can be a blessing to you as they have been to me!


"Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."



"He, to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood."



"All to Jesus I surrender; all to Him I freely give. I will ever love and trust Him; in His presence daily live. I surrender all..."



"Your name is a strong and mighty tower. Your name is a shelter like no other. Your name, let the nations sing it louder, 'cause nothing has the power to save but Your name!"




Why are you striving these days
Why are you trying to earn grace
Why are you crying
Let me lift up your face
Just don't turn away

Why are you looking for love
Why are you still searching as if I'm not enough
To where will you go child
Tell me where will you run
To where will you run

And I'll be by your side
Wherever you fall
In the dead of night
Whenever you call
And please don't fight
These hands that are holding you
My hands are holding you

Look at these hands and my side
They swallowed the grave on that night
When I drank the world's sin
So I could carry you in
And give you life
I want to give you life

Cause I, I love you
I want you to know
That I, I love you
I'll never let you go


[ Tenth Avenue North Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]

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April Showers, May Flowers

Psalm 147:8 says that God covers the sky with clouds and prepares rain for the earth. Why do people complain about rain? The earth needs it, and God knows it! The last line of that verse says He makes grass grow on the mountains. How? The rain! Without the "April showers" how would we get our "May flowers" that we so enjoy? So quit complaining about the rain, thank God for it, and get on with life!


 

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