Deuteronomy 10:14-21

“To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.”

There is so much in this passage that speaks to me, but the phrases that I am bolded are the ones I’m going to keep mulling over today.

Everything in heaven and earth belongs to Him, yet he set his affection on and chose me.

He is indeed my praise, and my God.

I don’t have a lot of time, in fact I am late for my turn in the showers on this busy first day of school. I have a ridiculous day ahead, two doctor appointments and countless things to do at work. But I had to share this here because a great majority of us dread Monday’s like the plague, and start off our days grumbling about having to get up early or go to work or deal with the life that we are in the middle of living. I do it, started doing it even today. But I am sick of that in myself and maybe you are too. The Lord set his affection on you, too, ya know.

One more thing:

Flip backwards a page in Deuteronomy and you will find this little gem:

“But be assured today that the Lord your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire.”

Believe on that one and see if it doesn’t make your dread fall away.

Eirene,

Jen

“Geekapalooza”
A weekend away for Hubs
He so deserves it

All his summer spent
Refereeing between kids–
He is now “the kid”

Gaming with his buds,
Making Star Wars jokes and such…
And belching out loud!

For me it means this:
Flying solo with the kids,
Whole bed to myself,

Healthy food daily,
Toothpaste tube squeezed correctly,
maybe some “me” time

Issue #562 in my Christian Walk: “I’m not in the mood for this.”

I woke up this morning feeling pretty good. Pretty good until I’d finished my quiet time and realized that I had to get ready for work. I’ve said it before, I love my job, but there are certain days I’m just not in the mood for the hassles and stress that are inherent in my position. Everyone has those days now and again and if someone says they don’t I will call them a liar. Maybe even to their face. Because you know what? I’m also not in the mood to hear you frontin’ like that.

I’m also not in the mood for sleep deprivation, bad weather on the weekends, dealing with the algae pond our swimming pool has become, knowing that everything I say at home will have to be repeated at least once, dog breath and of course dieting. I’m pretty much not in the mood for anything and that’s sad, because the Word tells me that God is always in the mood!

He’s always in the mood to lavish love and grace on me. He’s always in the mood to discipline me (either in love or with a rod). He’s always in the mood to banish my anxiety, and please…please know that He never fails to be in the mood to forgive me. And I’ve needed a lot of that lately what with my “moods” dictating a lot of my behavior.

So, I’m just going on record to say that while I’m not in the mood for pretty much anything else, I am in the mood to shake this attitude. And God is in the mood to help me. I believe that with all my heart.

Eirene,

Jen

I have said it before and I’ll say it again…if you are not reading Stuff Christians Like, you are missing some seriously funny satire on Christian living.

Well Thursdays through Tuesdays, you are. On Wednesdays, it’s “serious” post day.

Those are my favorite-est of all~

The idea of “place” has been something I’ve been wrestling with a lot lately. I’ve got this overwhelming feeling that God wants me somewhere else. Whether that’s a product of immaturity or selfishness, there’s a part of me that loves to focus on there instead of here. I want to pray for chances to witness to far off people in far off places. It’s always sexier to think your mission in life is going to involve some sort of adventure with a rope ladder over a ranging river full of piranha as you carry a vaccine and the hope of the gospel to a lost tribe of people that will eventually give you a wicked cool village nickname (mine would be Rik-Rok) and perhaps your own machete. It’s a lot less fun to think that maybe you’re already in a mission field and the annoying guy who you pass TPS reports to, the guy who sits near you in a sea of cubicles, the sniffler, yeah that guy, he needs to know about the love of God. (read more)

Click on over there today to be challenged and blessed.

Eirene,

Jen

Things I am very thankful for (not necessarily in order)…

• Summer rain that brings the temperature down.
• Subject Matter Experts whose passion it is to share their knowledge. Specifically those whose knowledge rests in the Word of God, or the training of dogs and children.
• That I can be easily tricked into thinking that decaf coffee is just like REGULAR! At least first thing in the morning.
• Friends of every stripe.
• Those brave women and men who lead Vacation Bible Schools all over the country. You have my eternal gratitude and admiration. Also? Your cool points are sky high with Fourthborn right now.
• Whomever thought up the idea to break up reading through the Bible into a year long plan. I salute you! Especially the one(s) who thought up and organized the readings in chronological order. Many grins from someone who has a new appreciation and love for the Pentateuch.
• And while we are on this subject… Moses. Moses’ story has so many rich nuggets of wisdom for my life right now, it’s almost ridiculous.
• Have I mentioned Fourthborn’s hair lately? Remember all the hair pulling? Remember the prayers that “Jesus will help me stop pulling my hair?” The child now has such a full head of curls I can hardly keep  my hands off  it.  When she jumps it’s a full second before all the curls come to rest. Oh Jesus, thank you.
• Big Lots. Three Wal-marts and two office supply stores within driving distance and not a one with a single pack of pencils. Big Lots for the win! (Also scored some super cheap treats for doggie training and was seriously tempted to impulse spend on the wide variety of off-brand electronic gadgetry).
• Husbands who know when to crack the perfect joke. I’m talking about YOU, dear, with your IQ dropping every second you are there.
• *That* moment when one of my wandering children arrives home. Doesn’t matter how long they’ve wandered (band camp? Overnights with friends? Camping? Beach trips? MEXICO????)…as long as they come home. Even better? The look of sheer comfort they have when they walk through the door…it’s an “Ahhh” moment for them too! They WANT to be here! They must like me! Huzzah!