Elohim-Tuesday

Today we are reflecting on Genesis 1:26-28,

the section in which God created man and then blessed them.

Ann Spangler asks thought provoking questions today. "Have you ever wondered why the world you take for granted is often so stunningly beautiful? Why the people around you are capable of so much kindness?" She gives a few examples of how we take things for granted. It makes me think of the many ways I do this very thing. Living here in the panhandle of Texas brings about many changes of weather, often times with in one day. This past Sunday their were many grumbles of the wind. I was one of them. But that wind brought through some much needed rain, and it stayed but a minute. Had it lasted longer than that, I know there would have been grumbles of the excessive wetness. Ann writes about us missing the beauty in life because we focus on the negativity and the flaws, this includes ourselves. I could be taller, thinner, and a whole list of other things....But I know I am perfect in His sight. I am completely grateful that He made me just the way I am. I am flawed, perfectly so. He made us each individuals and totally different than anybody else. The way He molded men perfectly for being fathers, providers, husbands, and sons......The way He made women perfectly for being mothers, caretakers, wives, and daughters. When I hold my small children, when I watch them grow, I am fully awed at His creative genius that makes something so very tiny that can grow so very large. Knowing that a woman was made to not only carry a seed that will grow into this awesome little being, but also to continue to nourish this little person with food and love that the Heavenly Father instilled in her.  He has taken care of our every need by putting everything on this Earth needed for life: oxygen, water, food, sun, breeze, and each other. What a mighty God we serve. He has done marvelous things!!

Tonight, ask God to renew your sense of awe at His creative power.

Elohim-Monday

Key Scripture: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Today's reading is of Genesis 1. Ehohim is the first name use3d to describe God. We are to remember that he is the one who began it all by creating the world in all it's wonders, that He is soveriegn.

In the "Studying the Name" portion of this devo today it explains that Genesis is a word that can mean "birth, hitsory of origin, or geneology". The first question asked is what can you observe about who God is from this passage about beginnings? Just dwelling on his creative nature awes me. I like to think He blessed me with a wonderful imagination and a delightful creative side. There is an end to my creative juices, my newest addiction is the website Pinterest...it is here I find inspiration. Not only is there no end to what He can do or create, He is his own inspiration. We humans were created in His image. That thought brings me great joy! It brings my thoughts to the 3 wonderful sons He has blessed me with. I see my eyes here, my nose there, my smile.....Seeing my self in them tickles me so! I can't even begin to imagine the great joy and pride he might have when He sits back and looks at what He has done....In that moment when He thought "It was very good". The last question asks how does God's assesment of creation shape your own attitude toward the world and toward yourself? I think to say that I am awed is an understatement. I am awed, full of joy, and in a very real sense...speachless. It makes me feel treasured that He would create such beauty for my eyes to enjoy, cool rain to cool my skin, and the aroma that is fall for the pleasure of my nose. I feel compelled to take an extra moment to watch the sun set. I feel truely blessed to be able to share the joys of this world with my children and experience it all anew through their eyes.

Everything about this reading, my thoughts, and feelings makes me think of the David Crowder Band song Everything Glorious. Therefore I shall attach their video.

 

Elohim

This last week was a wirlwind. No lie.
School, 3kids, 1husband, 1dog, 1missing dog, housework, and just a teensy bit of me time...and th eweek was gone. Im not sure if Im going to get a handle on it all, I may have bitten of more than I can chew.
Hope I don't just choke.

Elohim is the name of God I will be focusing on.

Forgivness and Failure

"So take me as you find me, All my fears and failures. Fill my life again.
I give my life to follow, everything I believe in. Now I surrender."

As Christians we know we are flawed.
In my experience, I find it easier to except the flaws in others. When I am failing, I find it hard to reach out. I haven't always found the most excepting people, it makes me want to hide all my failures. I know I can always bring it to my King. He loves me, He treasures me, He is amazingly awesome in all possible ways.  "He rose and conquered the grave."!!!!!! I don't know that there are enough exclamations to follow that statement in the whole world.

"Everyone needs compassion, A love that's never-ending. Let mercy fall on me.

Everyone needs forgiveness, The kindness of a Savior. The hope of Nations."

I'm called to share compassion with all peoples. ALL peoples. Called to share HIS love. I can only hope that mercy be shown to me. People do things....sometimes without thinking and sometimes they know fully well what they are doing....and these things require forgiveness. If my Savior can forgive me, who am I to deny anyone what was freely given me??

I think this is how I find it much easier to except people where they they are in life no matter what.

I refuse to hide who I am and how I am. I am made the way I am to be who I am by a perfect King. And if I give all to Him, to do with what He desires, I can do no wrong.

I surrender.

I surrender.

I surrender to My Maker.

I will forever strive to:

Love His People, His Creation.

Forgive all, Be compassionate with all.

"Shine your light and let the whole world see.

That we're singing for the glory of the risen King. Jesus."

I surrender to be a vessel of light, love, compassion.

That everything I do and say be glorifying to Him.

Sadly, some days I will fail. But I refuse to let that get me down.

I WILL get up, put on my big girl panties, and start each day fresh.

Start each day as a Beloved Daughter of the King.

 

Monday-First Post from: Praying the Names of God By: Ann Spangler

So, next Monday I will be starting my devotional book Praying the Names of God by Ann Spangler. Im really excited because I had started this a few years ago and never finished it. I really enjoyed it the first time and am looking forward to following through to the end.
Next Tuesday I start back to my local community college where I am pursuing an associates degree in human science. I hope the routine of school will help keep me disaplined and focused in my endeavor.
I hope to keep this organized and well written...No promises.

God: Through the eyes of my 4 year old

"Mommy, you broke my heart by taking taking that candy away."
Me. "Baby, I am soo sorry about your sad heart."
"Mommy, don't say sorry a me. Fix it."
Me "Okay. How are we suppose to fix it?" .....thinking to myself, you are not getting that candy.
"You can pray at God. He can fix it.......with duct tape."

As a young mom, I am still a work in progress. God is sooo not done with me yet. I don't always say the right thing, talk in the right tone of voice, or always keep my cool. But, I do apologize when I mess up, I do my best to make ammends with my children, and I do my best to lead them to Christ. This mommy prays with her babies....in times of joy, times of sorrow, when we don't know what to do, when we have too much to do....we are sure to give thanks, we ask for forgiveness, definately ask for healing.....

Even when they don't fully understand what is going on, my children have communication with our Maker.

And they know that God has it all under control, expecially when mommy doesn't. 

And that to me, is way more important than always getting it right as a mommy.



It is our job as parents to raise our babies up in the Lord--to teach them to pray and to praise. This song makes me chuckle.



Music

Music is one way I connect with my maker.
I find the words that other people write often express better how I feel, than I ever could. It also can convey the mood better than simple written words can.
Because I feel this way, I will probably post music videos.

I am and always will be falling in love with my maker.