Scripture Memory Round 8

I am VERY late in posting this verse. The next "round" will be next Saturday. Not sure how I missed my timing....probably because my life has been hectic (understatement) over the last two weeks.

Here's my verse:

"In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and He answered me by setting me free.
The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
The Lord is with me; He is my Helper.
I will look in triumph on my enemies."

Psalms 118:5-7 (NIV)

Take that, enemies! My God is bigger, stronger, mightier than you can fathom. My God is the God of all creation. My God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the God who Saves. He is always with me, whispering sweet peace to me in times of turmoil. He calms my heart when I am faced with overwhelming fear.
Fear and anxiety can never overtake me because they bow to the Mighty God I serve.
My God is a GOOD God, He is my Helper at ALL times. When I am tempted, He reminds me of my way out; when I am doubtful, He reminds me that His Presence is not based on a feeling. When I am wallowing in a deep cavernous pit, He whisks me away to a spacious place and reminds me who I am as His Beloved.

My God loves me! What a comfort!

~Amy

Living Simply

My heart longs for simplicity. To live simply in the presence of God; to live simply, even in a world of "much".
Click on the button in the righthand column for sound advice on how to live a simple life.

Happy Monday!!

Love - Amy

My Sweet Boy

I just don't know where the time has gone, and tonight I am reminiscing. Luke and I spent all day together: we went to the Houston Children's Festival, the petting zoo, Rainforest Cafe, and Katy Mills Mall (of course there had to be a mall in there somewhere!).

He is only 3 years and 3 months old, and I already find myself thinking, "Where has the time gone?" I look at his 3 ft 3 in stature and wonder where the tiny baby is hiding. He opens his mouth and tells me he wants to go to the "donut store", and I am baffled that he is no longer eating out of a jar. Luke is sitting next to me right now, begging to "help" me type. He's even learning manipulation, telling me that it's not dark outside so he shouldn't have to go to bed; telling me he IS being careful, when I tell him to quit jumping off the couch.

In the mall earlier today, he told me he was "getting very upset" as I was browsing in Banana Republic. I asked him why he was upset, and he told me he didn't want to be in that store. The child is so like his daddy already.

We were driving to church last Sunday morning, and from the backseat I hear, "Stupid lady, drive your car." Ouch. That was my son's voice.....my only consolation was that he heard that from his daddy, who often vocalizes his frustrations with other drivers.

He wears Spiderman underwear now instead of Nemo Pull-ups; He picks out his own clothes instead of waiting on me to tell him what to wear. And my sweet boy doesn't voluntarily kiss his mommy much anymore.

I pray that God will pour out His grace on this precious child; I know that I cannot hold onto him forever, but God can.

Scripture Memory Round 7!!

For the record, I'm tired.

I took Kathryn to the Britney Spears concert on Monday night - and I didn't get home until 2:30am (I had to drive her home after the concert - and turn around and drive an hour and a half back to my house). It was definitely worth it though...because I don't get to spend nearly as much time with Kathryn as I would like. She's a sophomore now, and it makes me sad to think that in just two more years, we won't have our regular weekends with her anymore. She is truly my sweetheart. I couldn't love her any more if she were my very own.

I'm also tired because living in this flesh is just plain tiring. Sometimes I feel like I am running on a treadmill from sun-up to sun-down: getting a willing-or-un-willing Luke ready in the mornings; driving to work; daily morning meetings; strategizing, organizing, planning, and negotiating; lunch meetings with more of the aforementioned; managing people and dealing with their un-ending list of issues and complaints; driving home from work; getting dinner ready (or....more honestly, watching Larry get dinner ready..but that's still tiring!!); running/working out; hanging out with Luke; getting Luke a bath; taking a shower; and ending the day with a DVR'd version of whatever the daily "show" is.
Just typing out this list brings mental exhaustion as I visualize myself performing all of these activities! But did you notice something missing? I didn't include my daily date with Jesus (which usually happens first thing in the morning).

Without that "appointment", the day is draining. I most assuredly could not joyfully and energetically face the day's tasks without being first cleansed, refreshed, filled, and clothed by the Holy Spirit. I am so dependant on pouring the Truth into my mind before I even step into the shower - that I honestly could not operate as a "whole" person without my time with the Lord. I often joke that God must REALLY like to spend time with me since I'm quite a malfunctional mess without Him.

I picked the following verses for my Scripture Memory Round 7 because Paul tells the Romans (and us) that what we set our minds on affects our behavior. When I begin the day without setting my mind on His Holiness - I default to obsessing on gratifying my flesh.....and frankly, focusing on all that my flesh wants....and how my flesh can get it....is TIRING. It wears me out. What a sinner I am! Thank God this sinner is saved by His amazing grace!

So here are my memory verses! I will be clothing my mind with TRUTH before I jump out of bed in the morning; I will be focusing on all that is holy before a word comes out of my mouth; and I will step into His heavenly Presence before I have a chance to dwell on the pressures and problems of this world.

"For those who are according to the flesh and are controlled by its unholy desires set their minds on and pursue those things which gratify the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit and are controlled by the desires of the Spirit set their minds on and seek those things which gratify the [Holy] Spirit.
Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].
[That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's Law; indeed it cannot.
So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him."

Romans 8: 5-8 (Amplified Version)

Catering to the appetites and impulses of my carnal nature has been a relentless, tyrannical, exhausting pursuit. May God help me moment by moment to live by the Spirit....and thus be filled with life (His life) and peace.

Amy

A Poem by Priscilla Schirer

He is the First and Last,The Beginning and the End!
He is the keeper of Creation and the Creator of all!
He is the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times.
He always was, He always is, and He always will be....Unmoved, Unchanged, Undefeated, and never Undone!

He was bruised and brought healing!
He was pierced and eased pain!
He was persecuted and brought freedom!
He was dead and brought life! He is risen and brings power!
He reigns and brings Peace!

The world can't understand him, The armies can't defeat Him, The schools can't explain Him, and The leaders can't ignore Him.
Herod couldn't kill Him, The Pharisees couldn't confuse Him, and The people couldn't hold Him!
Nero couldn't crush Him,
Hitler couldn't silence Him,
The New Age can't replace Him, and Oprah can't explain Him away!

He is light, love, longevity, and Lord.
He is goodness, Kindness, Gentleness, and God.
He is Holy, Righteous, mighty, powerful, and pure.
His ways are right, His word is eternal, His will is unchanging, and His mind is on me.
He is my Savior, He is my guide, and He is my peace!
He is my Joy, He is my comfort, He is my Lord, and He rules my life!

I serve Him because His bond is love, His burden is light, and His goal for me is abundant life.
I follow Him because He is the wisdom of the wise,
the power of the powerful,
the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers,
the leader of leaders,
the overseer of the overcomers, and is to come.
And if that seems impressive to you, try this on for size.

His goal is a relationship with ME!
He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me, never forget me, never overlook me, and never cancel my appointment in His appointment book!

When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!

When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!

When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me! When I face Death, He carries me Home!

He is everything for everybody everywhere, every time, and every way.
He is God, He is faithful. I am His, and He is mine!
My Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure, understand this...

He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side, and that means all is well with my soul.
Everyday is a blessing for GOD Is!

~Priscilla Shirer

Love Story

For the last two months, I have had the craziest dreams. Each of these dreams involves an unrecognizable man that I'm in love with, but each time we finally become a "couple" - I do something really retarded to mess it up....and I always wake up with a longing in my heart to have him back.

DON'T get me wrong! I am crazy in love with my wonderful husband, and we have a rock solid marriage. Larry is actually in these dreams with me, and it's clear that he is my husband.

I'm going through a period in my life where I know there are some things God is calling me to give up......yet, those things have become "god-like saviors" to me, and I have not been so eager to depart with them. In other words, I'm holding on to idols that Jesus knows are neither good for me, nor good for our relationship.

In these dreams, the time of unblemished romance with this "mate" is incredible. It's like that first stage in a new relationship where you walk around with your head in the clouds. But all too quickly, I turn away. In each dream I allow something to come between us which affects the level of intimacy between us. I have woken up each time with a deep ache in my heart......a sense that I'm missing so much by letting this relationship grow cold.

After dealing with this dream for the last few months, I finally stopped to ask myself why in the world these were becoming so consistent. I was baffled because there is no man on this earth I desire more than my husband.

About two weeks ago, I woke up with a distinct knowledge that the man of my dreams is Jesus. He is the ultimate love......and ours is a sacred romance. He is the man Who makes me beautiful; He is the God who created my need for intimacy, and He alone can eternally fulfill it. My crazy dreams have served to woo me back to my first love....and to remind me how sweet and exciting true love is.

But these idols to which I cling so tightly keep me from experiencing the pure, undiluted, joyful intimacy with Christ. Therefore, my aim is to allow my King to clean up this messy heart of mine (and my head, while He's at it). I truly believe that He is better than the worthless things which threaten to steal my joy. My utmost prayer is that the Lord would teach me to live what I believe! That Creator God would do what He does best and create in me a heart that beats solely for Jesus Christ!
How I long to daily be filled up with His love.....and to love Him back with every piece of me.

I pray that the true love of God will make you smile today. I hope you feel His loving arms wrapped around you so tightly that you can almost tangibly feel Him. I can't promise you He'll speak to you in dreams, but I can promise that if you search for Him with all of your heart you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). And when you find Him....may He sweep you off of your feet!

Scripture Memory Verse #6

It's time for Scripture Memory Verse #6!!

This round I have chosen Philippians 3:10-11 (Amplified Version)

"[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in the Spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]

That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body]."

I chose this verse because I want the primary focus in my life to be to KNOW CHRIST. To know Him is to love Him.....and to love Him is to be transformed into His likeness. People who love each other spend time with each other, and I want to start each day by hanging out with Jesus.