There is no such thing as having too many books; only too few bookcases. Just ask my husband.
In light of that truth, what are you reading this summer? What's been your favorite book of the year so far?
I'll go first: Prairie Evers, a children's book by Ellen Airgood, who owns a diner in the UP. Wonderful story.
Your turn.
Here's something good: Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others. (Ecclesiastes 7:21) Gulp.
Am I the only one that is convicted by this verse? Does this not strike to our very hearts: we hate, hate, hate to be misunderstood and maligned, and yet we so often choose, choose!, to misunderstand and malign. Woe is me, for I am a woman of unclean lips! (See Isaiah 6)
Here is what I tell myself: Settle down. Simmer down. Think better of others than they seem to deserve. Paul says, Consider others better than yourselves in Philippians 2.
Here's what else I tell myself: Look and see what wretchedness God has forgiven in you because of Christ. Imagine the things He has overlooked out of love. As the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive (Colossians 3:13).
Let me encourage you to lean on the Lord with your mouth, speak not rashly nor hastily nor thoughtlessly nor self-centeredly. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. (See Ecclesiastes 5:2)
And listen with forgiving and kind ears to those who curse you.
When was the last time you had real joy? Solomon speaks of joy in the midst of his "all is vanity" diatribe in Ecclesiastes. While the wisest king that ever lived (save for Christ) repeatedly complains of "striving after wind", he occasionally pops in a joy verse. We do well to pay attention to these.
Here is what Solomon considers important and necessary: Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil--this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. (5:18-20)
Our days are fleeting, that much is certain. God gives us the power by the Holy Spirit to be content ("accept his lot") and to rejoice in the work He has given us. And then, glory of glories, God keeps us occupied with joy in our hearts. Wouldn't you love to be occupied by joy?
I'll tell you when I have joy. When I am free from worry over loved ones and stress over my ever-lovin' to-do list. And how am I free from those things? By making the eternal God my dwelling place and resting in His everlasting arms (see Deuteronomy 33:27). By trusting in the Lord with all my heart, and not leaning on my own understanding of things, which is usually faulty (see Proverbs 3:5). By growing in the grace and knowledge of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (see 2 Peter 3:18) through the study of His Word and fellowship with others.
Oh, how I'd love to be occupied 24/7 with joy in my heart. What a relief that would be. And one day will be, praise God. For now, I amble on, learning to trust and lean and rest. And occasionally, as I fix my eyes (see Hebrews 12:1,2), God does keep me occupied with joy.
I covered my office chair yesterday, with the help of my hubby. It was dark brown vinyl, and is now a minty green. This picture doesn't really do it justice. It's awfully pretty. And I'm pretty much addicted to looking at it right now.
Which is why, when I read Scotty Smith's morning prayer today, I was just a tiny bit convicted. It's about our addiction to our stuff; ouch.
I challenge you to read it also, if you dare, and turn your eyes away from the things you love to the One who gave them. http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/scottysmith/
My delphiniums are up and blooming. So pretty.
Here's what convicted me in Proverbs last week:
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. (Proverbs 17:27, 28 and 18:2)
Don't you sometimes love to hear yourself talk, or is that just me? I love myself so much, and want everyone else to do the same (love me, that is). Whatever I have to say is the cleverest and most worth-listening-to. I think aloud, and everyone ought to help me do it by listening.
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!! (Romans 7:24-25)
So, in light of my new resolution to talk less and listen more (only by God's grace, mind you), you get to talk today. Here's the question.
What is blooming in your garden this week?
Please share in the comment section under anonymous if you, like me, don't know how to do it any other way.
Oh, sweet little guy, beginning his day with prayer. I know he just happens to be sitting next to a frisbee full of food, but it's clear that he is praying. Don't you think?
Speaking of beginning a day with prayer, here's a great one that I found in Psalm 119. This Psalm, full of love for the Scriptures, is also full of prayers. Verses 33-40 is one of them:
Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared. Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good. Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!
Is this not the daily desire of your heart, to be taught by God, led by Him, even to have our hearts "inclined" by Him, because we are so prone to wander. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). He is the only One who can give us true life and enable us to obey His commands. He only can turn away the reproach we deserve, because it is He who has taken it for us. It is He who keeps us.
Make a commitment to pray regularly from the Word. Begin even with this one. What a way to start your day, as much as you'd like to begin with a frisbee full of nuts.
