Encouragement to Obedience
May. 20, 2009
May. 20, 2009
Posted in Inspiration and Meditation
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One of the things I read yesterday was Jeremiah 9:23,24, "Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mightyman glory in his might nor let the rich man glory in his riches but let him who glories, glory in this that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgement and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD." The reading went on to explain that "to glory" means to boast. So I need this morning to boast in the Lord. Yesterday while cleaning I discovered several items that were dangerously low in our house. For some reason when I did the beginning of the month shopping I didn't pick these items up. Money is scarce this month (more so than usual - with doctors appointment, year end evaluations, etc.) and there is seemingly no extra blessings coming from any quarter, without my having to ask for help. I started to fret, but decided that it was pointless, and said, Lord, I'm just not going to worry about it, and I didn't. This in and of itself is a HUGE victory, because I am by nature a worrier (I've covered all the what if's that will never come to pass, thoroughly). We got the website up with a few quilts on it and I sent out emails to friends and family, posted it here and on FB. Within an hour someone had bought a quilt. The money we need, before we even need it, was there by the end of the day. It has been a very long time since I've seen the Lord working this way in my life. It was an encouragement, because I have been quite discouraged for some time now. I pray that this will encourage you today. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Clay Balls - Makes You Stop and Think
May. 8, 2009
May. 8, 2009
Posted in Inspiration and Meditation
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Clay Balls
A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.
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A Picture - God is Working!
May. 7, 2009
May. 7, 2009
Posted in Inspiration and Meditation
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As I've struggled through another season of gloom, I reached out for the Lord and a dear Titus 2 friend who has been walking along side me. This afternoon, when I was laying down, I was trying to focus on scripture verses, but kept coming back to a picture of Psalm 23 -- The Lord is MY shepherd. I'm a sheep. First whenever I picture this Psalm, I always have a very green, sunny, peace filled picture of sheep and a shepherd. This was a much needed picture in the frenzied mindset I've had for some time now. Second, I thought about sheep. Sheep are valuable to farmers. They are raised for their wool. But really, what do the sheep do to make themselves valuable? They can't do anything to bear fruit (grow wool). It just happens, when they are healthy and feeding. They can't sheer their wool. They just are. Many times we as Christians try to do too much to make ourselves valuable to the Lord. We just need to be, feeding on the word and resting in Him, as we go along our daily path. This was both humbling - I can really be about as stupid as a sheep - and it was a relief. If I will just live the daily life the Lord has called me to, perhaps I would struggle less, be more peace filled and generally just be able to be content. What about you? Are you frantically seeking to do something for your shepherd to make yourself more valuable and worthy? Are you seeking the approval of others? Or are you simply going about your daily business, feeding on the word and resting in the Lord? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Dare
Mar. 16, 2009
Mar. 16, 2009
Posted in Inspiration and Meditation
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I read this last week in one of our devotionals and it seemed a good reminder. "Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone! Dare to have a purpose firm, Dare to make it known." I was talking with a friend this weekend and said something about I was interested in being more involved in something going on in her life, if she was willing to share. And I added those dreadful words, "After all, I'm home all day, not doing anything," without even thinking. The look she gave me was priceless. She recognized what I do all day. She also was appalled to think that other Christians would actually feel that I should be out working instead of homeschooling my children. That was very encouraging. So, if you're single and homeschooling, be prepared to be a Daniel. While you're not standing alone, there are days when it feels like it. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
A Recall Notice
Mar. 13, 2009
Mar. 13, 2009
Posted in Inspiration and Meditation
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I received this email today. I checked it because I thought it was a real recall notice. It was however, I thought, worth sharing. Hoping you'll have a sense of humor as you read it. Blessings, MaggieRaye RECALL NOTICE: The Maker of all human beings (GOD) is recalling all units manufactured,
regardless of make or year, due to a serious defect in the primary and central
component of the heart.
This is due to a malfunction in the original prototype units code named Adam and Eve, resulting in the reproduction of the same defect in all subsequent units.
This defect has been technically termed "Sub-sequential Internal Non-Morality,"
or more commonly known as S.I.N., as it is primarily expressed.
Some of the symptoms include: 1. Loss of direction
2. Foul vocal emissions 3. Amnesia of origin 4. Lack of peace and joy
5. Selfish or violent behavior 6. Depression or confusion in the mental component 7. Fearfulness 8. Idolatry 9. Rebellion The Manufacturer, who is neither liable nor at fault for this defect, is providing factory-authorized repair and service free of charge to correct this defect.
The Repair Technician, JESUS, has most generously offered to bear the entire burden of the staggering cost of these repairs. There is no additional fee required.
The number to call for repair in all areas is: P-R-A-Y-E-R. Once connected, please upload your burden of SIN through the REPENTANCE procedure. Next, download ATONEMENT from the Repair Technician,
Jesus, into the heart component.
No matter how big or small the SIN defect is, Jesus will replace it with:
1. Love 2. Joy 3. Peace 4. Patience 5. Kindness 6. Goodness 7. Faithfulness 8. Gentleness 9. Self control Please see the operating manual, the B.I.B.L.E. (Believers' Instructions Before Leaving Earth) for further details on
the use of these fixes.
WARNING: Continuing to operate the human being unit without correction voids any manufacturer warranties, exposing the unit to dangers and problems
too numerous to list and will result in the human unit being permanently impounded.
For free emergency service, call on Jesus.
DANGER: The human being units not responding to this recall action will have to be scrapped in the furnace. The SIN defect will not be permitted
to enter Heaven so as to prevent contamination of that facility.
Thank you for your attention!
recall notice, and you may contact the Father any time by 'Knee mail'.P.S. Please assist where possible by notifying others of this important |
Abraham Lincoln on The Bible
Mar. 7, 2009
Mar. 7, 2009
Posted in Inspiration and Meditation
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Earlier this week, I read this quote in one of our devotional books - Amazing Grace - it seemed worthy of consideration and sharing. I've decided I should write it in any Bible I may give as a gift in the future. "Read this book for whatever you can accept and take the rest on faith. You will live and die a better man." -Abraham Lincoln Blessings,
MaggieRaye |
Mercy
Mar. 4, 2009
Mar. 4, 2009
Posted in Inspiration and Meditation
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For our family devotion time we're using the book Daily Readings from the Life of Christ by John MacArthur. It's short but thought provoking. Right now we're learning about the beattitudes and we're on mercy. The scripture verse in this morning's reading struck me. "You shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor brother, but shall freely open your hand to him, and shall generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks." Deuteronomy 15:7-8 This seems to fit with the message that the Dixon's are trying to help us all see at Gleaning the Harvest. Now single mom's I need to caution you. This comes from my own experience. You need to look first to God alone, and always for your help. When you start looking to people, when you depend on other humans, you will be disappointed, and I think that this dependence actually borders on the sin of idolatry, putting someone or something before God. Go will provide for us, how He chooses, when He chooses and through the means or people He chooses. And sometimes the most sincere help comes from the most unlikely places. When your focus gets off God, you'll become frustrated, discontent and bitter. "Why isn't anyone helpming me?!" Maybe God is trying to bring you to the point where you will stop looking to others and to look only to Him. So while as Christians we have a responsibility to help those we can help. As Christians we also have a responsibility to look to God alone, first for our help. Praying that this will be an inspiration to you today. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Around or Through? Guess I'm Gonna Have to Go Through It....
Mar. 3, 2009
Mar. 3, 2009
Posted in Inspiration and Meditation
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We've started listening to the radio. I'm not sure why. I guess I felt like I might be missing out on something. And hey, in our new place - the one we've been in since Oct. - we actually get the Christian radio stations. So this morning I caught the end of something about Daniel and how God let him go through the lions den, before he delivered him. The man speaking also mentioned Shadrack, Meshack and Abendigo and how they weren't delivered until after they'd been through the fire. So, I was thinking, Lord what are you trying to tell me? Am I just gonna have to suck it up and go through this time? I'm I just going to have to go through the system? There is no chance of you just doing a little "poof" miracle for me? I'm actually going to have to travel this one out huh? So, okay, as ridiculous as it sounds, I don't know exactly what is before us, I just know that lately I've been saying, a lot, "but this isn't what I wanted to do!" "but this isn't the way this is suppose to happen!" In our house we have a standard line, "If you want to see God laugh, tell Him your plans." And so it is, the Lord never lacks for laughter, at least from me. Someday, maybe I'll learn to ask Him what His plans are, and just go with it -- how about you? Blessings, MaggieRaye |
Giving Thanks, Counting Blessings, Learning Contentment
Nov. 25, 2008
Nov. 25, 2008
Posted in Inspiration and Meditation
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It seems like it wasn't long ago, that the Lord was showing me that I was double-minded and that I needed to focus on Him and His will for my family. I must have gotten that lesson, at least for now, because now we've moved on to contentment -- or rather, He has been showing me how discontent I am and can be. Yikes! With Thanksgiving just days away, I've been working hard on truly being thankful. It's hard to be discontent when you're thankful -- but believe me, if anyone can do it, it would be me. This is not necessarily something I'm proud of, it is just a fact. We have much to be thankful for. We recently received a sizable check for the holidays, that was unexpected. We received a Thanksgiving gift from the church we've attended the most since we moved. Financial blessings aside this past Sunday as I sat in the family pew, there were ten of us crossing generations. It was the most amazing thing I've ever experienced - grandparents, parents, children, cousins. . . I watched my cousin with his youngest daughter and realized that she is now, the age my Lizbeth was when we went to live with my aunt and uncle a life time ago. No amount of money in the world could be as big a blessing as that was to see all of us from the youngest to the oldest sitting together in one pew for church. All of the initial discontentment I had with our apartment and settling in after the move is starting to subside. It is moments like Sunday that are smoothing the way. That could never have happened if we hadn't moved. The church we're attending, so far, encourages me more than anywhere I've been in a very long time, to worship. My children are doing well, I'm surrounded by family, and financially, we're doing okay for the moment. I have so much to be thankful for that I need to bask in it and just be content. Praying that as you count your blessings, this Thanksgiving holiday, you also will find contentment in where the Lord has you for this season in your life. Blessings, MaggieRaye |
If Only More People Had This Child's Perspective
Aug. 5, 2008
Aug. 5, 2008
Posted in Inspiration and Meditation
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The following was an emal forward I received today, and while generally ignore these, this one spoke volumes to me. Enjoy! UNITED STATES MAP - Short But Good! A father wanted to read a magazine but was being bothered by his little girl, Shelby. She wanted to know what the United States looked like. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to Shelby and said, 'Go into the other room and see if you can put this together. This will show you our whole country today.' After a few minutes, Shelby returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together. The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly. 'Oh,' she said, 'on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together.' |
