"I think of the good old days, long since ended, when my nights were filled with joyful songs. I search my soul and ponder the difference now."
Psalm 77:5
Psalm 77:5
My Take Aways
Something Old:
"Ponder the difference now"
When I am not experiencing God as I once did I need to ponder my soul and pray, asking God to reveal to me the difference. between then and now. In the wait, "recall all He has done for me."
Something New:
Psalm 78:60-61
God allowed His glory (The Ark of the Covenant) to be captured.
Something to Do:
Don't wallow when things are not going well, change my thinking, and thank praise God for all that He has done for me. As my friend Melanie says, don't have "stinkin' thinkin'."
36 Comments:
Hey Wendy,
You're beautiful inside and out! I echo Lori and Morgen from yesterday; thank you for your dedication to this group!
Thank you Mary and G&P for your suggestions re: my prayer request yesterday. G&P, no listings in Switzerland, but thank you for the link.
Today I underlined individual verses that spoke to me, not whole passages like I usually do. Here is a sampling:
Psalm 75:3b: I am the one who keeps its foundation firm.
Psalm 76:4: You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains.
Psalm 77:19: Your road led through the sea, your pathway through the mighty waters - a pathway no one knew was there!
I guess I was focusing on God's mystery and majesty today. Sometimes it is good for me to remember that my life is but a breath; that God is eternal and I am finite. When I find myself awed by creation (the volcano in Iceland, the Alps, the vastness of the Oceans, earthquakes), and I am feeling small, it is so good to have a God who is greater than all things. I can turn to Him and be calmed.
I need to remember that He leads me on paths (sometimes through mighty waters that will not overcome me - Is. 43:2) that are hidden; no-one knows they are there. I don't know where we are going, but He is holding my hand (Psalm 73:23). He will not let me get lost. I just need to trust in Him.
Peace be with you all today!
Karen, Basel
Welcome to all the new women from California.
Wendy, I am so grateful for your teaching and all the comments. I've been having a hard time finding nuggets out of many of the Psalms. After listening to your vlog and reading the comments my Spiritual eyes start to open.
I went back and looked at Psalm 77 and I saw so many things that I could relate to and that made me think.
Psalm 77:4 You don’t let me sleep. I am too distressed even to pray!
I've had, and still have, many experiences like that. Times when I just couldn't sleep and times when I couldn't seem to pray for myself because of depression, discouragement, a feeling of being overwhelmed, etc. I thank God for friends who care about me and who I can call on to pray for me.
Psalm 77
7 Has the Lord rejected me forever? Will he never again be kind to me?
8 Is his unfailing love gone forever? Have his promises permanently failed?
9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he slammed the door on his compassion?
11 But then I recall all you have done, O Lord; I remember your wonderful deeds of long ago.
12 They are constantly in my thoughts. I cannot stop thinking about your mighty works.
There have been times when I didn't feel like God was with me. I try to rest in knowing that God will never leave me nor forsake me. If we have questions like the ones in verses 7-9 I think we should think back to "the good old days" even if it was last week or yesterday. We should think about all the times God has blessed us and brought us through difficult times. I have to admit that this is not always easy for me to do.
In January I read one of the Proverbs 31 blogs about making a blessing box. I believe it was LeAnn Rice's blog post titled A year full of blessings. I was going to reread this post but I couldn't open the link. The idea is to get a box, like a shoe box, and cut a slit in the top. Every day write down a blessing that happened that day and put it in the box. Everyone in the household does this. The person whose blog I was reading, thinking LeAnn, said on Christmas morning they read the blessings that are in the box. That blog post is where I got the idea to make a prayer box and now I'm thinking I need to include the praise reports I get from the prayers I've written down.
Writing this brought a song to my mind. My church sang this on Sunday.
Chris Tomlin How Great is our God
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpfKli_4LQ0 –
Good morning GIGs,
Wendy, I would like to join the others in saying a heartfelt THANK YOU to you for being so obedient, and sacrificing so much to lead our little band of believers. You are our holy glue!
Karen and Jennifer Renee,I struggled with today's psalms as well. My one nugget was Psalm 78:34
"When God began killing them,
they finally sought him
They repented and took God seriously
Then they remembered that God was their rock
that God Most High was their redeemer."
I heard a phrase recently, I think it's a Joyce Meyer quote, that "When you get to a new level, you get a new devil." I've had a lot of highs lately about my relationship with our Lord, but I also can get tripped up by the "stinkin' thinkin" of "what took you so long, Michelle? You've been futzing around for years, going in and out of closeness with the Lord. You've been so disobedient in the past. How many times has your mouth disobeyed me? Blah, blah, blah.... What makes you think this time it will stick? Blah, Blah, Blah..."
Lord, please be with me, and Karen, and Jennifer Renee, and Wendy and Lori and G&P and Loice and Jacque and Rhonda and Gaylene and Brandee and Morgen and Dixie and Debra and Susie and Jan and Jeanne and Amy and Michelle and Kate and Jodie and Teeny and Linda and Kris and every single one of us who come here each day seeking You with all our hearts. "Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses..."We pray in Jesus's name. Amen.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Good morning All - I'm just popping in quickly this morning after completing the reading. Wanting to make some comments, but no time right now - school is calling & I have 2 kids who woke up at 6:15 rather grumpy today - so I'm thankful for your "something to do" today, Wendy, as I might be wallowing already and it's not even 7 a.m. Sigh... Anyway - I wanted to pop in and ask you wonderful prayer warriors to add my dad to your list - he's been having some shortness of breath and we have a history of heart problems on his side of the family. His doctor is scheduling tests to see if there is any blockage, etc. But please add him to your prayers - his name if Fred. Thank you - I am amazed by God's responses and faithfulness to our group online here - I am fully confident that God hears us and answers our prayers - there has been too much proof of his faithfulness - isn't it GREAT?? And could I use any more dashes??? Sorry! Have a great day!
Kate in VA
Wendy, so glad you're home safe and sound!
I picked the same verses from Ps. 77 as Wendy. It's so hard to turn your thinking around when everything around you seems so horrible, but remembering past happy things and the many wonderful ways in which God works is the only thing that can help! Isn't it great that He's commanded us to "commemorate" the things that He's done so that we have a really long list for when we need it??
Wendy, your 'mountaintop' comments today reminded me of a song I loved when I was in middle school. It's called "Mountaintop" by Amy Grant and talks about some of the reasons why we can't stay camped out on top but have to go down into the valleys. You can listen to it here if you'd like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7_3gF9vwJs
Jennifer Renee, I read somewhere about a family who does that same idea with the blessings box but in a journal each night at dinner. I keep thinking that I should try it with my family but haven't. Anybody else done anything like that??
Kate, praying for Fred today, and Karen, praying for a church for you, too! We're in the same boat, sort of. It's not fun!
Amy
Good Morning! I’ll be checking back later to “see” all the new Calif. gals! So, start posting sisters. Smile…
Michelle, Holy Glue – I never thought of Wendy that way, but that’s exactly what she is!
Jennifer Renee, I was happy to “see” you this morning! I’m keeping your idea tucked away. I don’t believe I could begin doing it now, w/ my teenager’s (smile), BUT…as soon as those little grandbabies pop out…hmmm, doesn’t that sound like a fun jar to have at ‘grandma’s house!’ – next to the candy jar of course!
And, Kate, I’m always feeling like the ‘dash-lady’ too! I worry sometimes if Jennifer Renee can understand this punctuation mark. (?)
Fred, will be lifted up this morning.
Linda in Ark. Thank you for your N.T. reference yesterday! Heb. 13:15!!!
Susie, I love what you wrote yesterday, I had to go back and re-read Psalm 73, and it was opened up in a new way to me. Thank you!
Oh, those of you who do not have a home church, we need to make that a priority prayer –daily. The enemy does NOT want you belonging to a group of Believers. He’d rather have you go down the path alone, - because it much easy to get you to slip to the right or to the left. But, when you belong to a group, you’ve got people all around you to support you when you need it. Karen, this is my new top prayer on your page. Amy, you too sweetie!
Friends, I have really enjoyed the Psalms, even more this second time around. There are so many treasures in today’s reading, I’m not sure where to begin.
My Old: To remember all of the miracles He has done. They are listed (I marked 6 in my Bible between Psa 78: 13-27). I don’t ever want to be one of those that, “despite his wonders, [I] refused to trust him” (78:32). “Each generation should …not forget his glorious miracles and obey his commands” (7). Our faith needs to be passed down. Our children need to learn it from us. We can’t expect Sunday school to do the work. From the day the children our born, they need to hear us praising and thanking Him. Young minds eagerly accept this. They cling to the O.T. Bible stories, wide-eyed. I read to my boys daily, and how I wish I read Bible stories, rather than making sure all the “classics” were marked off the list!
My New: My new verse popped out to me, most likely because, from yesterday, I’ve got “praising Him” on my mind: “I will sing praises to God…He will increase the power of the godly” (75:9)
To Do: Today, I want to “thank you, O God!” (75:2).
Well, I could go on, but will say good-bye, cuz I’m out of room.
My dear sweet friends – each of you are a special treasure to me! Thank you for sharing your heart, - I love the Jesus coming out of you! Hugs & praying, Lori
Good morning all!
Wendy, I was blessed as always by your teaching and ladies by what you have shared already. Such a great way to start the day.
I am sitting here with my two little foster sons (almost 2 and almost 3) that will soon be legally part of our family. They were leaning over me as alwsys,pointing at Wendy and asking who? They made me think of where I have been and where God has brought me. Almost 20 years ago at age 29, I became a believer, I was so excited and so in love with my Savior and I sang joyful songs in the night even as God walked me through difficult things. The newness and excitement is gone, but as I think about Psalm 77:6-9 I know that my love for Him has deepened and steadied. As He has held my hand and led me, I have seen that His kindness is everlasting, His love never fails, His promises never fail,He cannot forget to be gracious, and He has shown me again and again that His mercies and compassion are new every morning. If I feel far away and dry, it is definitely not He that has changed because He is never changing. It is me. My journey has had its ups and downs like each of you, and I love to look at the amazing adventure that He has brought me on and all that He has given me and I want to always remember to have His praises on my lips and teach my children and my grandchildren all that He has done.
Even in the short time that we have been together on this journey, I have enjoyed seeing God in action through the prayers of this group and what He is doing in your lives. I was in awe just this weekend with what all He is doing! He is amazing! Lifting you all up in prayer and thanksgiving to our awesome God!
Have a great day in Him!
Michelle in VA
I am back. I did not see if anyone posted this link for Cindy in PA.
You can read online...
http://oneyearbibleonline.com/oneyearweeklychrono.php?version=51&startmmdd=0101
I like reading with my Bible so I can write and mark in it, but I can read online easily too.
Welcome to our group!
Michelle in VA
Dear Michelle in New England, to see my name today in a prayer has made by tears flow. The Lord knows how I so needed that. Thank you sweet sister.
Days when I question walking with the Lord, I am taken back to remembering the time I wasn't walking with Him and though according to the world standards, I may have been better (more things), inside I was a mess. I had no peace. Now walking with Him, the world treasures may be less, but oh, the peace and my treasures are laid up for eternal enjoyment.
Wendy, thank you for your continued dedication to this study!
Praying for Fred and the other requests.
His,
Gaylene
Good morning everyone,
Thank you Wendy , for leading this wonderful group. It truly is a blessing for all of us to grow in God's word. I have been praying for all the prayer requests and have been keeping a list of answered prayer. From today’s discussion, I think I will add in my journal a list of praises every day. On days that I need encouragement, I can go back and read all that awesome things God is doing in my life.
have a great day everyone,
linda
Washington
Good morning Ladies ~
Psalm 78 took on a whole new meaning for me this morning. Although it is a rather lengthy Psalm it sort of summarizes a lot of what we have read so far. It was a refresher for me and reminded me again of the powerful God we serve.
What stood out for me today were verses 36-38. But all they gave him was lip service: they lied to him with their tongues. Their hearts were not loyal to him. They did not keep his covenant. Yet he was merciful and forgave their sins. Oh, how often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved his heart.
Lord, I pray that I would not just give you lip service. That words of praise and adoration would come from my mouth, lifting you up and exalting your most glorious name. My heart would be loyal to you and only you. I’m so grateful for your mercy and forgiveness. Thank you, sweet Jesus.
My to do: Keep praises on my lips today.
Have a great day everyone,
Kris
Back for a quick little praise!
This morning, I read some of the verses from Ps 77 and then Ps78:1-9to my 13 year old son, then I read from our devotion that we have been reading together. They worked together so well, that he wanted to know if I had read our devotion first this morning to myself and then chose the verses. I did not! God just knows what we need and directs every little detail. He is so good!
Michelle in VA
Kate, adding Fred to my "health" prayer list.
Gaylene, dear Sister, I pray for you and your needs each day. How is your husband doing?
Okay, back to work.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle in New England
Wendy...You are so sweet...Thank you for your dedication to us...especially after such a busy weekend...love you...
Welcome Cali Girls..
I loved all the reading, but 2 verses stuck out...
Old: "Ps 78:7 So each generation should set it's hope anew on God"...
As a mother of 2 grown children I have learned that you can lead them there but they have to choose God for themselves in their own timing (I am waiting and praying patiently)
Ps 78:36 "But all they gave him was lip service" Reminded me of James 2:14 "faith without good deeds is dead" Let it not be said of me that all I gave to Him was lip service...
Have a wonderful day...Keeping you all in my prayers..
Sue in No. Cal.
Wendy, I echo what Karen said, you are beautiful inside and out. Thank you for being faithful everyday to come and teach us. Bless you my sister.
Karen, I am sorry they do not have any Calvary affiliates in Switzerland. I pray that you find a church home soon. In the meantime, do you know any believers there? Maybe you can start a small group study perhaps? Then listen to audio teachings on the internet so you have a focus each week. There are a lot of great bible teachers who teach chapter by chapter, verse by verse. Chuck Smith of Calvary Costa Mesa http://www.twft.com/, Chuck Missler (Koinonia Institute) David Hocking of www.davidhocking.org. David Hocking even goes beyond verse by verse sometimes and go word for word! I pray that God will make divine appointments for you over there whether you are at a supermarket, coffee shop or anywhere else.
Jennifer Renee, the idea of a praise jar/praise notebook is wonderful! I am thinking of a praise notebook because I'd like to keep it all in one place. This would make a great before bedtime exercise. My son could write his praises (added bonus: we can see how his handwriting changes through the years) or my DH if we can get him to participate. Either way, it is going to be a keepsake.
Michelle, thank you for mentioning our names in your prayer.
Kate, praying for your Dad. May the doctors find a way to give him relief and treat whatever condition may develop. I pray for God's wisdom to guide them. I pray for His holy hands to touch him. Amen!
What stood out to me in the reading is Psalm 75:2a "God says, “At the time I have planned..."" Meaning God's timing, not mine. Hard to do for a patience-challenged person like me. I want things done and now. I think it comes from being a Mom with a lot of things on my mind. If I ask someone to do something I would like it done so I don't have to keep thinking about it and I can move to the next thing. God is teaching me to wait, to rely on Him and stretch my faith.
This is also a battle for the mind. When I don't see God acting as fast as I want to, I need to fill my mind with His word so the enemy does not have the billboard space for his lies. I have mentioned before that the next 6 weeks is going to be challenging for me because I am double enrolled in my Koinonia Institute classes. But I realized this morning that the recent events with my Dad could not have happened at a better time. Because for the next few weeks my mind will be filled with God's word. I will be too busy reading the bible to listen to the enemy. Hmmm, I think that's going to be the first entry on my praise journal tonight.
To do is Psalm 78:4 "We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders." Wow, when I chose this verse last night as my to do, I did not know the praise journal idea would come this morning. Perfect timing, Lord - as always.
Have a blessed day, everyone and I can't wait to meet my fellow Cali girls - eventhough they're way up north.
I have been reading along for most of the year and have posted a few comments. I decided today that I want to be a part of this wonderful group. You ladies so bless my heart every day. Wendy I love hearing your vlog. It has opened up my mind and heart to so many things that I would have over looked.
Todays vlog was just what I needed today. I feel like I have not heard from the Lord in such a long time and have been wondering in the desert. He has me here for a reason. Today my pray is that if I have unconfessed sin in my life causing this that He would make me aware of it. I would love to hear from the Lord in a big way on an issue my husband and I have been praying about for months. Can u ladies please pray for us. The issue is where the Lord would have us in ministry. We have been at one place and another door has opened up and we want to follow the Lord and be in His will. Help me Lord to remember all the wonderful things you have done in my life and the life of my family and not forget that you are the one that is in control and to be still and know you are God.
Thanks for your prayers in advance. I look forward blogging with you in the days ahead. Thanks for blessing my life so much.
Hi everyone,
Last night I thought to due a quick Bible study from the link of Easy English Info, it was one of the links I found on Wendy's website when I first started this group.
The one I completed was regarding Jehoshaphat and his anxiety.
The study says to:
1. Ask the Lord what to do iin anxious times.
2. Do not let your troubling thoughts take control in these anxious times.
3. Recall how God has helped in the past. The Hebrew peoples of the East look back to the promise given to Abraham, to Moses parting the Red Sea, how God has fed them, how God has fought their enemies, and how God guides them. They do not look to the what if future as we westerner's are prone to do.
4. Remember God rules in times of trouble. This is not your battle but God's battle, He is in charge and we can look to the vastness of the Heavens for help. We can pull huge armies down from Heaven to help.
5. Be brave and do not worry as God is with those who do good.
6. Remember to praise God, to sing to Him praise even in times of trouble.
So, how does this relate to the psalms we have just studied. I did not pick this out last night. I found other nuggets.
However, this morning after praying to God that I can remember these instructions for anxious troubling times I found Wendy's nugget Psalm 77-it seems the psalmist was following this path of handling his troubling times, his infirmity. But, in addition, the psalmist was also allowing us to feel the emotion of being in the valley, being in troubling times and practically applying what I had found in my simple study last night.
All from a simple prayer, to let me remember how to apply these directions.
With love,
Susie
Howdy GIG! Today I was immediately stuck with the first line: Psalm 78:1 "We thank you, O God!"
Exclamation point and everything! After being mindful of thanking Him all day yesterday...it was such a good way to start today.
I want to be thankful at all times. Lord, please instill a thankfulness in my heart for You and everyone I encounter daily. Amen.
Jen-Ren...love the prayer/blessing box idea you shared...gonna get that going in my house.
Kate...I SAP for Fred.........I thanked God for his symptoms...some people don't get that gift. May the doctors be alert and able as they meet with your dad.
So many verses today were uplifting:
"Let everyone bring tribute to the Awesome One"
"I cannot stop thinking about Your mighty works"
"You are glorious and more majestic than the everlasting mountains"
"I will sing praises"
The Lord just lifts my heart, friends! With the weather being beyond gorgeous here in MN I cannot help but sing His praises today!
Morgen
I am getting behind on my reading, dear friends. Haven’t even listened to Wendy today yet. I need to take some God time on my day off. May is the busiest month of the year for our family with graduations, school activities, weddings, anniversaries, etc. Where is the harmony?!!
Thank you Lori for continuing to shake me up with my commitment for peace and harmony in my home—you actually help me to stay accountable! Will I ever achieve it? I guess it will never be "finished," because harmony is dynamic-- it needs never-ending tweaks and corrections to keep things humming—it takes active work!! Sigh! Harmony is a process, not a destination. Your harmony definitions were inspiring! I love the “sweetness in the air!” (don’t go near my fridge till I clean it today!). I’m trying to keep my thermostat set (smile for Dixie!) but the temp runs hot and cold some days…. Thank you for uplifting me, sweet sisters!
So much to hold up to the Lord! G&P’s father and family situation, Susie’s family, especially her daughter Kelly, Karen’s finding a church home, the memory of Amy’s friends- Sarah and their former choir director, Teeny’s health (Teeny, my mom is 87 and has the same condition with COPD-- I deeply understand how hard it is for you), Kate’s father Fred and his doctors, Brandee’s church members who have suffered losses, Ethan and his family, and also thanks for our newer members who have joined lately, including Kris, Mary Ann, Cindy in PA, Allie, Trusting Him, all the regulars, and the spontaneous “pop-in” posters, and especially dear Wendy, our Holy Glue! You are all in my heart and prayers daily!
Allie, about your son Ryan—I don’t want to step out of bounds, but one of our patients told me she was on an antibiotic for a long time, similar to Ryan, and developed Clostridium Difficile Colitis. She is past the acute phase now and is taking probiotic pills, (she will have to avoid antibiotics for a year). I shared some of my grains of kefir, a probiotic culture that helps protect the bacterial/yeast balance in the colon and helps boost the immune system. My DH and I have been culturing and using it for over a year now, and we’ve been healthier than we can remember. Sorry if I got off track, but I was moved to suggest this for Ryan. I will continue to pray for a return to health for your sweet child.
Michelle, I am praying for your daughter and fiancé’s journey (figuratively as well as literally). It is a stressful and exciting time for everyone I am sure. Congrats on your son-in-law-to-be graduating from med school! It is not the “beginning of the end," but the “end of the beginning!”— they are starting a new chapter in their lives and you in yours! My son graduated from med school two years ago, and his fiancé just graduated from med school Saturday. They just bought a house together and moved a few weeks ago, just in time for her graduation party. Even though their wedding will be next year, I still have to accept their being together now. I love her and now that I have met her family I know that she is God’s choice for him. Lots of mixed emotions here. I must hand this couple over to God, who knows the truly big picture. Prayers for you, dear mother of the bride, as you embrace your next few weeks-- there will be many ways to affirm your love and confidence in these young adults. Then begin watching the miracles of your fruit!
Am glad to be back in the loop, so now I will get busy with my readings!
Blessings to all,
Jacque
Girls, I have some more thoughts re: yesterday’s chapter Psalm 73, (still thanking you Susie, for opening this up to me, in a different way.) Then, today, W & P said, “At the time I have planned..." So many times we question God. Why did this happen to a ‘good’ person? I know my unsaved husband will say, “Lori, how can you believe there is a God when so many bad things happen to good people?”
Yesterday, while driving, I had Family Life radio on, and this was the exact topic! Unfortunately, I arrived at my destination and had to turn it off. I wish I could have heard the ending, but God let me hear what he wanted me to know. The very Godly pastor said, [I can’t remember his exact quote, but something like]: “We often times wonder why bad things happen to good people. God’s Word says, we are all sinners.”
All. That means you. That means me. NONE of us are good. We are all bad. We are here, from God’s point of view, - a second. Just a blink of an eye. We are here for His purpose. That may be one day. That may be 100 days. But. Those of us that are saved -live forever. Eternity, forever with God! Those people who are not saved will be judged. They will burn in the fire forever. So, maybe for a split second, during their life here on earth, it may seem unfair to us, but really it’s all part of God’s perfect timing. Everything happens because it is His way. Just like G & P said, “At the time I have planned..." Wow, does that not put a different picture on the whole idea of death? And, the closer and more intimate I feel with God, the more I desire to go to Heaven, to be with Him! I think about my sons getting ready to fly the coop one day. The world they are getting ready to enter…and I think aahh, how sinful it is…how much better off they’d be up in heaven! Protected under God’s wings, in His shelter. I’m beginning to think that those taken away from this earth may be given a special gift, less life here on earth, amongst all the sin.
We do not have the ability to comprehend the shortness of this life. It’s all we know. Everything we have belongs to God. He is Sovereign. We are here on earth to give Him the Glory. That is what we were created to do, to praise Him, not to question, “why?” I thank Him that in His mercy, He picked me out to be part of his Chosen Few. Aahhh, that about takes my breath way! Why me? Lord, Help me not to ever question why things are happening. Lord, my little brain does not even begin to understand your Mighty and Perfect plan. But, I am thankful beyond words at this very moment, that you have allowed me to be engraved on your hand. You have adopted me into your family. You have wooed me so close to You. I don’t want to ever question, “why.” Please forgive me for all of my past doubts. Lord, your ways are perfect. You are Lord. I love you so much. In your name, dear Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Love you all, Lori
Wow, Ladies! Thank you so much Wendy for being the "holy glue" that holds us together! This message is exactly what I needed to hear and I feel is an answer to some struggles I have been having lately. I also have felt a pull to spend more time reading everyone's comments but have put it off as too busy! I hear clearly today it is God's calling for me in this season! I listen to the video and have kept up with the reading but I don't always comment nor do I always go back and read! I will be more diligent in reading and commenting!
What a blessing all of you ladies are! Thank You, Lord for bringing this group together! Thank You, Lord for Wendy and for giving her the strength to diligently serve You, Lord!
Welcome Cali girls!
In Him,
Bethany
Lori when I read that you'd put the blessing jar next to the candy jar I said to myself cookie jar. My grandmother always had a cookie jar with cookies in her kitchen. She now has candy jars as well and sometimes it even has candy. Smile. You should go ahead and write down a dayly blessing in your journal. Maybe you already do. I need to do the same thing for myself. Maybe I wouldn't feel so down like I do today.
Lori I didn't understand what you meant by your statement, "I worry sometimes if Jennifer Renee can understand this punctuation mark. (?)"
I don't know what the different punctuation marks mean and unless someone tells me what they mean so I can learn I don't have a clue what someone is trying to say.
Lori it just came to me which punctuation mark you were talking about. When I went back to read your comment again I saw you wrote w/ and I know that means with. It took a while but I also figured out what you all meant when you wrote sil or mil.
Back one last, time!
Gotta share my praise notebook idea, which was opened up to me from Beth Moore.
She call it her, “GODSTOPS” (STOP –Savoring the Observable Presence)
In the morning, we greet the day…expecting to see Him.
When we do (see Him throughout our day)…we STOP and take notice! We learn more and more to say to ourself, “that’s God!” A God Moment! And, we stop and savor the moment! We grow to recognize him all through our day by doing this…then, at night time we remember Him (Psalm 63:6) by stopping and jotting down this event in our journal. Thank you, sweet Jesus for Beth’s idea!!!
G&P, the teacher in me just loves you -the mamma observing the handwriting, right along with journaling! And, it is a keepsake, a treasured one, at that!!!
To tell ya the truth, when I go back and re-read the good things he has done for me, it lifts my spirit! How easy I forget all His deeds! I have so much to praise Him for! An added bonus to the journal: just think when we are no longer here on earth…who may see this journal? Can you imagine as they read through all of the GODSTOPS.
My last thing I want to share with you is my “other” journal. I’ve found a very easy way to do it, (ya’ll probably have already done it this way, and why did you NOT share with us your secret! Smile) I bought a 3 ring, journal book about the same size as a Bible. ( 7 1/2 x 9”) (Staples) You can purchase single sheets. Then you can put dividers into it, to make it work for you. Like I have one for Wend’s GIG, my small group, my Women’s Bible Study, & others’. Then, on the individual sheets, you can put one page/name…And, being the type A that God wove into my being, smile…I put them into ABC order. It’s a piece of cake to flip to the correct sister, to jot down an added prayer, praise, or add a new sister! Then, too, when the page is filled you can add another page….Last year, I was going crazy with my spiral journal. So, maybe this idea may help you out, too.
I can’t emphasize enough, how much God will begin to bless you as you pray. This is one way He talks to us. It’s a dialogue, going back and forth. I always feel like I’m the one being blessed, as I pray. If you’re new to praying, just start out small like I did. Pick one person to pray for each day driving into work, or even while your taking your shower. And, tell Him to help you…ask Him to give you the words. That is what I did, because I never had anyone teach me how to do it. My mom always told me to just think of him being next to me and have a conversation with Him. She was a private person and never prayed aloud. So, that is what I’ve known to do, just talk to Him.
He has wooed me so close, during these times with him. The more I began doing it, the more he started putting names on my heart throughout the day. I’ve got a long way to go. Still, I feel like I don’t know how to pray. But, I know He is with me, each day teaching me little nuggets and drawing me closer to Him as he reveals His secrets and treasures with me.
Love u LOTS, Lori
Well, so much for one last post…sweet Jennifer Renee, I’m going to keep you on my mind today, know that you are being prayed for. I pray that your spirit will be lifted. Lord, shower Jennifer Renee with your kindness and love. Be everything she needs today. May she feel your presence. Come down to where she is, and place something or someone on her path today to give her encouragement. Amen.
As to your question…I was wondering, as I type, I put – (dash marks) in between my words, cuz I am typing a mile a minute (haha) and it is easier than writing complete sentences. But, I often think about you, and have wondered if this makes it too hard for you to read. Bless your heart Jennifer Renee, I don’t know you do it.
Love, Lori
PS This “future grandma” is not the baking type, smile…or, I’d have a cooky jar myself! I can just hear my sons as they drop their kids off, “you never had a candy jar for us!!!”
Jennifer Renee, I love you sister, sweetie-pie. Catch my tight hug coming your way!
GODSTOPs, I love it! "Savoring the Observable Presence." Now when I'm driving around and see a STOP sign that I may be reminded to not just do a rolling stop (haha, I hope none of y'all are married to highway patrol officers) but to send a prayer of THANKS to our God.
Love you all to bunches,
G&P
Thank you for the info and welcome Michelle in VA, and for your welcoming prayers Jacque!
Something familiar but heard in a new way? Loved Psalm 78! Beginning with the importance of knowing and teaching the history of Israel to the future generations. And then telling the history of God's relationship with them. God's power, miracles, anger, jealousy, and forgiveness.
Also, vs. 39, "He remembered that they were but flesh, a passing breeze that does not return." God knows we are a sinful, selfish people. Yet....He loves us, forgives us. Thank you God!
I also appreciated Wendy saying that she would pray asking that if she has unconfessed sin in her life, she would ask God to reveal it to her. I've never thought of that before and thank her for her wise leadership and teaching.
So my mind is full of ideas on how this applies to my life today!
Hi GIG,
Welcome all newcomers!
The Psalm are indeed food for the soul and spirit.
Reading today made me see just how much God hates unbelief. Lord help us all to have grateful hearts and commit to giving thanks "IN" all things. When we can't thank him for the situation, we can always thank him in the situation. Thanksgiving brings us closer to the presence of God, which bring us closer to trusting God to be who he say he is.
I read somewhere we should write our victories in stone and our failures in sand! What an awesome way to keep the faithfulness of our God forever at the fore front of our minds.
Praying for you all.
Blessings!
Debbie - North Carolina
Another try as I just lost my comment.
Bugeyed and curly hairWendy, you look beautiful inside and out. You're our Holy Glue! Thanks Michelle, loved it.
Slept much better last night with less coughing today. Thanks to each of you for your prayers.
Kate, praying for Fred and his doctors for proper treatment for him.
Psalm 78:1 I will teach you hidden lessons from your past. Truly the Lord has taught me many lessons from my past. Drawing near to Him each day and presenting myself anew to Him gives the Lord freedom to have His way in my life. His desires instead of my desires. However many days he allows me to live I pray they will honor and glorify Him.
I glean so much from your comments and thank God for drawing us together in His Word.
Blessings and love.
Teeny in NC (still in VA)
Hi to Everyone!
My old - a reminder from Psalm 78 that we are just dust.
New - I will explain below.
To do - remember that we are not just dust - but as I discovered last night on Discovery Channel - star dust.
Sometimes I have the time to watch the Discovery channel and last night was one of those. Although it might have been a scientific explanation of the beginnings of the universe, I kept seeing the hand of God in every part. Utterly mind boggling facts and pictures of our universe. The earth has a solid core, surrounded by molten lead and then a crust. (I am trying to simplify and get it right.) Because of the molten part, the earth has a magnetic force which pulls things to it. Super Novas - enormous stars, have exploded in dying and sent their debris into space some to be attracted to earth because of its magnetic field. The Bible says we come from dust and unto dust we shall return. Yes, science is proving we come from star dust! Also the earth has just the right amount of water, less we would be as the desert planets, more and human beings couldn't surive. God has given us the perfect balance and, I believe, Man is working very hard to upset that balance. I heard the oil spill may be making its way to Florida and then possibly up the East Coast. Oh, when a supernova explodes its light can be seen to the edge of the universe. All of this proves a lot to me - God did create the flood that destoyed the earth that he created and can obliterate it in a second when he chooses.
Didn't mean for this to be a lesson in astronomy but couldn't help myself pass along the awesomeness of our God Then he would become man and take on all of our sins, each one of them, past and future so that we could dwell with him forever and ever!
I have to remember all the time to thank him for the enormity of all of it!
I am so unworthy God but thank you and praise you. Amen
Dixie in Florida
Good afternoon everyone, First off,
Thank You Father and Praise You! Thank You Wendy and Thank You ladies. Thank You Dear Michelle for praying for us by name.
Susie, I prayed for your daughter today in our Tuesday prayer group.What is your daughter's name?
Wow, there are so many replies it overwhelming, i can not possibly read them all. I tend to do my study in the afternoon so many of you have responded already and I live in Ca.
Hello Dublin Ca girls, I am Debra and I live in Livermore, Ca. When Wendy said she was going to Dublin,Ca I got very excited to hear that.
My nuggets:
ps 77:11-12 Your wonderful deeds are constantly in my thoughts.
Ps 78:70- He choose his servant David
Ps 78:72-He cared for them with a true heart and led them with skillful hands.
Hello GIG's and welcome to all the newcomers --
I just cannot tell you ladies what it means to me on a daily basis to read the Word, watch Wendy, and then read your words. I have been here since the first of the year - and rarely blog. However, I just wanted each of you to know that you are prayed for and the I am truly blessed by all your comments and insight into the readings. I always get some new type of insight each day - different that my own. I love the way the Lord is working in all of us.
Thank you dear sweet Wendy for devoting so much to us - the time for research, the time to video, the time away from your family....it is a true blessing to all of us.
From today's reading, I am a chronic worrier, especially about medical concerns. I have tried desperately, my entire life, to give those worries to the Lord. Some days are better than others, sigh. I am getting better with His help, but there are times when I fall into the "stinkin' thinkin'" pit and cannot get out.
The Lord gives us what we can handle and what we can learn through times of trial and times of tribulation. Thank Him dearly for all He continues to bless us with and shout the praises.
I do have a prayer request - the worrier in me....I have a medical issue right now that is probably nothing, but I cannot seem to control the fear. Prayer for strength for me to give it to Him - all of it, all of the time.
I love you ladies - and your daily comments are what get me through. Thank you Lori, G&P, Brandee, Rhonda, Michelle, Jacque, and all of you for your comments and prayers.
Kristin, TX
Good evening dear friends,
Praising the Lord because my daughter and her fiance arrived safely in Germantown, TN today - one hour before the scheduled walk-through of the home they are buying. (They wisely stopped to sleep last night.) All their mortgage paperwork was approved today, and they will pass papers tomorrow morning. Thank you, Lord, for answered prayers!
Welcome to all our newcomers. It is so good to have you join us! Having this place to come to each day is like opening up a new box of yummy chocolates, only with NO FAT OR CALORIES! It is food for the soul!
Teeny, it's sooo heart warming to hear you are feeling better. I hope you post more often to give us all the benefit of 80 years of wisdom, Sister!
Jennifer Renee, you are so good about sharing great songs with us. Here is one for you. I just bought a Selah CD, and this is my favorite from it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sON021K1Z7E&feature=related
Enjoy!
Lori, just today I was pondering how I could do a better job of keeping track of the information gathered here, and the Lord whispers to you to post about your system. "Thank ya, Jesus", to quote Florida from the Yada Yada Prayer Group books :) I, too, feel blessed when I pray for others. My spiritual mentor is a very Mighty Prayer Warrior! I wish you all could hear her!
Jacque, I loved your post. We do have to be constantly vigilent about the "temperature" in our homes, and operate like a thermostat (love that analogy). I think I have been hearing God whisper to me to be especially sensitive to my husband, whom I think is going to suffer from a painful emotional hole when our daughter moves next month. They are very, very close and loving.
Rhonda, as I have been taking walks through our beautiful New England spring and praising God's colorful handiwork, I've thought about your beautiful gardens. How are they doing this year? Have you posted any new photos on your blog?
Have a blessed night, friends. Thank you for the prayers for my daughter. See you in the morning.
Peace and Gratitude,
Michelle
Wendy I love that stinking thinking it stuck with me and reminded me how easy it is to get wrapped up in that if your not paying attention. I will use that saying to correct my mind when I stumble on that situation. Get your rest and thank you again very much for this awesome bible study. Tina I left my heart in Cali...:)
Oh my gosh - I forgot to mention Jennifer Renee - what a true blessing and inspiration for all of us. Jennifer, you are a gift from above, your talents and spirit are awe-inspiring. We are all so blessed to have you among us. Hope you are feeling better and know that the Lord is always with you.
Oh my gosh - I forgot to mention Jennifer Renee - what a true blessing and inspiration for all of us. Jennifer, you are a gift from above, your talents and spirit are awe-inspiring. We are all so blessed to have you among us. Hope you are feeling better and know that the Lord is always with you.
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