Contented Contemplations

Whirlwhind

2006-05-24T13:55:00.000-05:00

It amazes me how quickly, and how much, life can change.
Only a matter of months, but how different life is in some ways.
I'm writing here, exhausted, in need of some sleep.
Yet, every day, every moment, more awaits my attention.
Does one ever catch up?
I'm thinking not.

Just do it

2006-04-04T10:11:00.000-05:00

I've often wondered...
There are times when I feel compelled to pray for someone, or to send a short encouraging note.
Sometimes I heed that feeling, and other times (particularly when I'm busy), I simply brush it aside.

Lately, I've been trying to be more mindful of those times, and take the few seconds to pray, or the few minutes to write. It's not like it's particularly taxing, and I always wonder why they came to mind.

Sometimes, I'll hear later of something that was going on in their lives, and remember that I prayed for them, not even aware of what was going on. Other times, I'll have sent a note, and find out later that they had been really struggling, and that the Lord used the note I sent to encourage them amid the struggle.

Sometimes, I'll hear things like that.
Other times, I'll simply heed the impulse to pray or send a short note, and never hear anything from the person about it.

But, really... I'm not praying or writing so I'll hear back from them & get those great affirming words from people. I'm not doing it for the pat on the back or the "you're so sensitive to the Lord's leading," or anything of the sort.

I'm doing it because I'm learning (slowly, gradually) that I need to listen to the Lord when He leads. Is it based on "feelings"? Really, no. If someone comes to mind, and I think I ought to pray for them, I pray. Was it God bringing them to mind? I would say yes, because He can bring thoughts to our minds to accomplish His purposes. If my desire is to live for Him, and to show who He is to others (Believers & unbelievers alike), that will translate to actions.

God uses His children to reach out to and encourage others. It's part of the purpose of the Church. We are to learn right doctrine, we are to teach others, we are to glorify God. And... we are to reach out to others. Sometimes with a prayer or a note, other times, in more tangible ways. It's not so much what we do, but whether we are willing to act.

So, when someone comes to mind, pray. And perhaps, God will direct you to do something for them too. *shrug* One never can know what God will do :-)

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:14-17

Plans change... :-)

2006-03-10T14:59:00.000-06:00

*grin* God can change our plans so very quickly... :-)

We had been planning to go to California to see relatives over spring break, but with a couple unexpected phone calls, plans are changed, and we will be at home instead.
It has been so exciting for me to see how God is at work on my attitudes. In the past, I would have allowed myself to get immensely excited, and then immensely disappointed over the plans & following change.
Instead, I was happy about our plans, and looking foward to the trip, and now that things are changed, I find myself perfectly ok with that too. No crashing disappointment... no upsetness that my plans are changed...
Is this what it looks like to trust God?
The peace and contentment I have are wonderful.

Since we live near a Christian college, my dad and I were able to audit a module they offered last week. The class was an "Introduction to Biblical Exegesis," and it was wonderful! The professor was passionate about his topic, and his presentation was interesting, as well as understandable. (A great blend!)
Thrillingly, the professor told us that he would be willing to grade our work, if we wanted to complete the assignments. Of course, I intend to- I'm so grateful that he would be willing to do this!

A friend and I teach a girls' Bible study/discipleship group together. However, she is currently on a 10-day trip to Israel, so I'll be teaching solo Monday night :-) Our topic is "Being Involved in Ministry," and I'm broadening it a bit too... It seems like a servant's heart and attitude are rather essential, and humility comes in there too. So, I'm presently busy narrowing things down, and outlining what exactly I want to cover, and how, and such.
I so enjoy putting together the lessons... I have more trouble with thinking of activities to go with the lesson to help drive the theme home and make it practical to for them.
Ideas welcomed :-)

Yum! Dinner is smelling scrumptious! I picked up a cabbage a couple weeks, and decided I ought to use it, finally... It's currently cooking, along with some potatoes & onions & seasoning. The aroma is making me hungry already ;-)

Off to keep studying & lesson-planning...

"Cinderella Man"

2006-03-07T10:51:00.000-06:00

Last night, I finally got to watch Cinderella Man... It was such a wonderful movie, and yet there were elements that I didn't particularly care for as well.
The boxing violence was... vivid. Well-shown, but I cringed as I watched.
The language was pretty terrible at times as well, which was disappointing, however accurate it may have been.

Yet, the element of this movie that captured my heart from the beginning was the strong family-ties present. From the start of the movie, their family's closeness and love for each other was evident. Jim Braddock's love for his family, their love for him... His desire to provide for them, his principled living, his wife's support of him...
It was so refreshing to watch, even as the hard times (and strength that shone through amid) brought tears to my eyes.

Mae's support for her husband, even though it hurt her to see him getting hurt, was something equally refreshing. After clashing with Jim over whether he should take the fight with Max Baer, with the high chances that he would be seriously hurt, she came in to talk to him before the fight. Her words of support and encouragement were so sweet to hear.

Maybe I understand, some, about having to fight. So you just remember who you are... you're the Bulldog of Bergen, and the Pride of New Jersey, you're everybody's hope, and the kids' hero, and you are the champion of my heart, James J. Braddock.
What man wouldn't be encouraged to know he had a woman like that loving and supporting him?

As I watched, I thought about how that's the sort of wife I desire to be... It wasn't that things were easy- Goodness, they were far from it at times! But she was committed to loving, cherishing, honoring, supporting her husband. And his commitment to her and the children was equally commendable.

All that to say- I enjoyed it immensely.

Late nights, early mornings...

2006-03-07T00:17:00.000-06:00

Isn't it lovely how alert you can feel when it's dreadfully late & you are accomplishing so much, and how tired you feel once it comes time to get up in the morning?

:-)

I know better than to stay up reading or writing...

Commencement

2006-03-06T23:29:00.000-06:00

And here, a place where I shall share fewer links and quotes, and more personal writings :-)