I'm such a busy lady! This week is the first week this month that I have time to be at home and get some things done that I have neglected. I don't have much time to do this however as Christmas is quickly approaching.
We had a great Thanksgiving, ate great food and enjoyed the company of family and friends. Last week was also a week of hunting, slaying deer to fill up our freezer. I got my first buck so that was exciting. I have the best hunting guide in the world!
God has been showing Mr. E and me His provision in our lives. It seems like every time I begin to worry about things and how they are going to work out, God just makes an easy pathway for us. I know that that won't always be the case, trials are a part of life, but I've enjoyed seeing how He has worked out things that in some cases, I didn't even know they needed to be worked out.
Although I am so excited for Christmas this year, memories are still in the back of my mind. They were on my brain last week too. Sometimes those memories make me smile, sometimes they are difficult. Last week, they were difficult. I sometimes think that I've come to the point that things are all good, but then I have days like I did last week and I feel knocked down. I was reading through my Bible study this morning and it talked about God being the healer. I know He's healed me from lots, but I pray He continues to keep healing me, because I need it!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
God's Beauty
This weekend I got to see so much of God's beauty. There are many times when I'm in God's nature that I don't really notice what is around me. This weekend was different, I stopped and looked around me. The sunset on Saturday was gorgeous. I watched some birds fly, in a perfect V. I began to contemplate some of the little details, such as the birds flying in a V, that God put into everything that He created. I was reminded this weekend of the verses in Matthew 6 when it talks about not being anxious about our lives because we are of more value than the birds of the air that God takes care of so well.
It was a good reminder for me because lately I've been struggling with not being anxious. I want to take control of my life, wanting things done in my timing. After this weekend, I'm trying to step back and remind myself that God only is in control of my life. I know this is something I struggle with daily and I need to start giving this to the Lord, knowing that He will take care of my worries.
It was a good reminder for me because lately I've been struggling with not being anxious. I want to take control of my life, wanting things done in my timing. After this weekend, I'm trying to step back and remind myself that God only is in control of my life. I know this is something I struggle with daily and I need to start giving this to the Lord, knowing that He will take care of my worries.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
Memorial
Mr. E and I have been traveling again. We began our travels out in the wild.....ok, maybe not the wild, but we were out in the fields hunting down an antelope. Mr. E gave me the opportunity to get a shot at my first antelope. We tried to get one but it was too jumpy and would stay long enough in one place for us to even get close to it. The next one that we came up on, had us in a stand-off for at least 10-15 minutes. It stood and snorted at us all the while staring us down. At one point, it pawed the ground like it was going to charge. It finally turned broadside and the results are below.
We then went to Oklahoma City. We went to the OK City Memorial. That will tear your heart out. They have a chain link fence that people still come to and put little trinkets on. Seeing some of the pictures of the people who passed away there was hard. It came to mind that that is probably the only burial site for some, if not all, of the people who died there. The 168 chairs are the most difficult to see. At first I didn't notice, but Mr. E pointed out that there were large and small chairs. The large representing the adults and the small ones the children. I took a phone picture, but it does not do it justice, not even close.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Study
I began a new study on the names of God. Actually it is through church again, but before I knew that they were studying this, I had already purchased a study on this topic for myself.
I was going through my lesson this morning and Isaiah 43 was where I ended up. Verse 1 says, Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! Verse 7, Everyone who is called by My name and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made....
What a great thing in verse one, I have been redeemed, I am His! Sometimes I just need to be reminded of that. Then the other verse, I have been created for His glory. I don't know about you, but I don't always give Him glory. Because He created me and I am His, everything that I do should bring Him glory. Talk about convicting! So often, I spend time trying to please the people around me, and I forget that the One that I should be pleasing is God. My prayer is that I can keep that in the forefront of my mind and that I bring Him the glory that He deserves.
I was going through my lesson this morning and Isaiah 43 was where I ended up. Verse 1 says, Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! Verse 7, Everyone who is called by My name and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, even whom I have made....
What a great thing in verse one, I have been redeemed, I am His! Sometimes I just need to be reminded of that. Then the other verse, I have been created for His glory. I don't know about you, but I don't always give Him glory. Because He created me and I am His, everything that I do should bring Him glory. Talk about convicting! So often, I spend time trying to please the people around me, and I forget that the One that I should be pleasing is God. My prayer is that I can keep that in the forefront of my mind and that I bring Him the glory that He deserves.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Saying Hi
Hello, I'm still here, I've just been busy.
It is finally cooling down a bit in Texas. We are finally out the 100s! I was just outside and the morning was perfect. I love living out in the country where I can see the gorgeous sunrises, sunsets and the bright stars.
Our garden flourished this summer and I have been spending lots of time freezing and canning the produce. I had no idea that a garden would do so well in the desert but I am so grateful that it did. We have a freezer and shelves full of produce. I think it is slowly dying now, well, I only say that because the zucchini plants aren't producing as much. :) Now that the garden is tapering off, I may find some more time to blog.
This week, I have been contemplating on what God has done in my life. I began a Bible study on the names of God and just looking at the list of them is overwhelming. When I was reading through the list, I noticed how many of them I have personally experienced. I couldn't help but feel blessed that I am His child. He is sufficient for everything that I need and I am in want for nothing with Him as my heavenly Father.
It is finally cooling down a bit in Texas. We are finally out the 100s! I was just outside and the morning was perfect. I love living out in the country where I can see the gorgeous sunrises, sunsets and the bright stars.
Our garden flourished this summer and I have been spending lots of time freezing and canning the produce. I had no idea that a garden would do so well in the desert but I am so grateful that it did. We have a freezer and shelves full of produce. I think it is slowly dying now, well, I only say that because the zucchini plants aren't producing as much. :) Now that the garden is tapering off, I may find some more time to blog.
This week, I have been contemplating on what God has done in my life. I began a Bible study on the names of God and just looking at the list of them is overwhelming. When I was reading through the list, I noticed how many of them I have personally experienced. I couldn't help but feel blessed that I am His child. He is sufficient for everything that I need and I am in want for nothing with Him as my heavenly Father.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Flashback
This week, I traveled with Mr. E again. I love the fact that I can
go with him when he leaves town. Although he was gone a lot on
this trip, I would rather see him for a little time than to not see him
at all. He means so much to me. I certainly couldn't imagine my life
without him.
While we were eating dinner one night last week, we were talking about how uncomfortable I am with speaking in public. I get extremely nervous. It was bad enough playing piano in church, but in that situation, the focus isn't on the pianist, hopefully! My mind went back to the last time that I spoke in public, at Jared's funeral. It was then that the flashback occurred. What flashed in my head was not the speaking in public, but of the first sight that I saw when I was finished. It was suggested to me before the funeral that I appoint someone to be ready to take over my "speech", just in case I couldn't get through what I wanted to say. I asked my brother, Tim. He was the first person I saw when I was done, and he was crying. He said later that it was a good thing that I got through it, because he would have been in no shape to take over! Sitting across the table from Mr. E that night, I got tears in my eyes thinking about that memory. The support I had during that time was incredible, even though some of those people were hurting just as much as me. I couldn't begin to thank people enough for everything that they did and I would venture to say, most of the time they didn't even know how much they helped.
While we were eating dinner one night last week, we were talking about how uncomfortable I am with speaking in public. I get extremely nervous. It was bad enough playing piano in church, but in that situation, the focus isn't on the pianist, hopefully! My mind went back to the last time that I spoke in public, at Jared's funeral. It was then that the flashback occurred. What flashed in my head was not the speaking in public, but of the first sight that I saw when I was finished. It was suggested to me before the funeral that I appoint someone to be ready to take over my "speech", just in case I couldn't get through what I wanted to say. I asked my brother, Tim. He was the first person I saw when I was done, and he was crying. He said later that it was a good thing that I got through it, because he would have been in no shape to take over! Sitting across the table from Mr. E that night, I got tears in my eyes thinking about that memory. The support I had during that time was incredible, even though some of those people were hurting just as much as me. I couldn't begin to thank people enough for everything that they did and I would venture to say, most of the time they didn't even know how much they helped.
Monday, July 23, 2012
God's reminders
Mr E. is on a business trip this week, so since I am unemployed, I get to accompany him. I am currently sitting at Starbucks and I just finished working on some of my Bible study lessons that I was behind in. These lessons that I did today were perfect reminders to me.
A couple of weeks ago someone approached me about helping out with a certain ministry. It was interesting timing because I had just been talking with Mr. E about wanting to get involved with some type of ministry, I just didn't know what direction to go in. I was told to pray about it, which I have been doing. However, one of the things that holds me back when I'm approached with things like these are my own insecurities. I begin to feel that I am so inadequate for things like this. Why me, what can I offer? I'm just little ol' me, nothing special. I'm sure there are more qualified people.
Today's Bible study was a God's gentle reminder to me.....ok, maybe a swift kick in the pants instead.
First reminder:
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you and before you were born I consecrated you. (My name Elizabeth means consecrated to God) He planned out a purpose for me even before I was conceived. I don't need to worry about it.
Two examples, David (Goliath) and Elijah (prophets of Baal) were given seemingly insurmountable assignments. However, God had prepared them both ahead of time for accomplishing His will in each of these events. He gives us the strength in our weaknesses. Phil 4:19 "My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." God has enough grace to get us through anything He places in front of us! 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness". Paul goes onto say in that verse, "Most gladly therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." I know that I would rather feel weak in my strength and let God's power take over instead too!
Second reminder:
2 Chronicles 20
Not only does he prepare us ahead of time for the things that He has planned, he already has a plan in mind before He calls us. So often if something comes up in my life that I have to deal with, I sit and try to figure out how it is all going to work out. This reminder was great.....God already has it all worked out. My job, trust that He will work it out.
In 2 Chronicles 20, Judah was about to be invaded by Moab and Ammon. Jehoshaphat was afraid, but in verse 3 it says, he turned his attention to seek the Lord. He prayed to the Lord in verse 6, "Power and might are in Your hand, so that no one can stand against you." Verse 12, "For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You". In verse 15 through 17 is God's response. Here are some quotes from that section that stood out to me, "for the battle is not yours but God's" and "stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf". Look what happened when a fearful Jehoshaphat turned his eyes to the Lord. God comforted him and told him that He was in control. Jehoshaphat didn't have to run around panicking, wondering how they were going to fight. God already had a plan to solve the problem. Because of Jehoshaphat's weakness, God's power shown through. He goes before us in everything!
These were great reminders to me this morning........now to just remember them!
A couple of weeks ago someone approached me about helping out with a certain ministry. It was interesting timing because I had just been talking with Mr. E about wanting to get involved with some type of ministry, I just didn't know what direction to go in. I was told to pray about it, which I have been doing. However, one of the things that holds me back when I'm approached with things like these are my own insecurities. I begin to feel that I am so inadequate for things like this. Why me, what can I offer? I'm just little ol' me, nothing special. I'm sure there are more qualified people.
Today's Bible study was a God's gentle reminder to me.....ok, maybe a swift kick in the pants instead.
First reminder:
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you and before you were born I consecrated you. (My name Elizabeth means consecrated to God) He planned out a purpose for me even before I was conceived. I don't need to worry about it.
Two examples, David (Goliath) and Elijah (prophets of Baal) were given seemingly insurmountable assignments. However, God had prepared them both ahead of time for accomplishing His will in each of these events. He gives us the strength in our weaknesses. Phil 4:19 "My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." God has enough grace to get us through anything He places in front of us! 2 Corinthians 12:9 "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness". Paul goes onto say in that verse, "Most gladly therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." I know that I would rather feel weak in my strength and let God's power take over instead too!
Second reminder:
2 Chronicles 20
Not only does he prepare us ahead of time for the things that He has planned, he already has a plan in mind before He calls us. So often if something comes up in my life that I have to deal with, I sit and try to figure out how it is all going to work out. This reminder was great.....God already has it all worked out. My job, trust that He will work it out.
In 2 Chronicles 20, Judah was about to be invaded by Moab and Ammon. Jehoshaphat was afraid, but in verse 3 it says, he turned his attention to seek the Lord. He prayed to the Lord in verse 6, "Power and might are in Your hand, so that no one can stand against you." Verse 12, "For we are powerless before this great multitude who are coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are on You". In verse 15 through 17 is God's response. Here are some quotes from that section that stood out to me, "for the battle is not yours but God's" and "stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf". Look what happened when a fearful Jehoshaphat turned his eyes to the Lord. God comforted him and told him that He was in control. Jehoshaphat didn't have to run around panicking, wondering how they were going to fight. God already had a plan to solve the problem. Because of Jehoshaphat's weakness, God's power shown through. He goes before us in everything!
These were great reminders to me this morning........now to just remember them!
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