Fact: Homework takes precedence over blogging.
Fact: Both kids have homework that must be done on a computer.
Result: There has been precious little blogging going on around here.
I've gone from not worrying about it, to making myself a promise to blog, to realizing that there are seasons for everything and this is just not gonna be my season to be on the computer...for however long it lasts.
I might sneak in a post now and again, and I do have some things I want to blog about, but, well, when I don't sit down at the computer until 10:30 PM, there's not much chance of me writing a coherent post about much of anything.
So, my bloggy friends whom I love with all the gratitude in my heart for sticking with me on this cyber journey, don't despair that I have forgotten you. I haven't...and I'll drop by here when I can.
Meantime, we're still fighting the schoolwork warfare; things have improved greatly but there is still one area of concern.
And we will celebrate when an English essay actually gets turned in on time instead of two days late...
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
If My People....
posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi. I was gonna just make this a note on Facebook, but I decided to post it here instead...since I messed up and changed pages before I published it and lost it over there.
How often do we quote that verse without really taking in the context of it? Look at 2 Chron. 7 13:
When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people.... In other words, when the nation is in the midst of judgment, there is a promise:
If my people, who are called by my name...that means He's talking to US...the CHRISTians...
will humble themselves...not 'humble those who are in error' or 'humble those who are against them' or 'humble those who refuse to know Me' or even 'bring correction to those whose doctrine isn't exactly perfect'...
and pray and seek my face... why is it we want to do what Jesus would do (WWJD?) without doing what Jesus did...he spent HOURS, even ENTIRE NIGHTS in prayer, seeking God's face, so he could say what the Father said and do what the Father was doing in every situation. THAT's what Jesus did. And I think my measly little few minutes of prayer here and there is gonna cover me. Ouch....
and turn from their wicked ways... Read that again. THEIR wicked ways. Not turn sinners away from sin, but abandon the wicked ways in our own lives. Things like pride, jealousy, gossiping, lying, rebellion, selfishness...oh, my...
then I will hear from heaven... it's not lack of humility and repentance amongst our government officials or in Hollywood, it's lack of humility and repentance amongst God's people that keeps our prayers from reaching heaven.
and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
It's up to us.
How often do we quote that verse without really taking in the context of it? Look at 2 Chron. 7 13:
When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people.... In other words, when the nation is in the midst of judgment, there is a promise:
If my people, who are called by my name...that means He's talking to US...the CHRISTians...
will humble themselves...not 'humble those who are in error' or 'humble those who are against them' or 'humble those who refuse to know Me' or even 'bring correction to those whose doctrine isn't exactly perfect'...
and pray and seek my face... why is it we want to do what Jesus would do (WWJD?) without doing what Jesus did...he spent HOURS, even ENTIRE NIGHTS in prayer, seeking God's face, so he could say what the Father said and do what the Father was doing in every situation. THAT's what Jesus did. And I think my measly little few minutes of prayer here and there is gonna cover me. Ouch....
and turn from their wicked ways... Read that again. THEIR wicked ways. Not turn sinners away from sin, but abandon the wicked ways in our own lives. Things like pride, jealousy, gossiping, lying, rebellion, selfishness...oh, my...
then I will hear from heaven... it's not lack of humility and repentance amongst our government officials or in Hollywood, it's lack of humility and repentance amongst God's people that keeps our prayers from reaching heaven.
and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
It's up to us.
Monday, September 21, 2009
A Maybe Road Trip
It's funny how God works things out.
I began trying again to implement Flylady during the Jubilee year; didn't really make it to baby steps but I did get up on my hands and knees rocking. Maybe I'll crawl before long...
Anyway, I just found out that the Flylady crew will be doing a couple of days of exhortation and encouragement in Western Kentucky this Friday and Saturday.
It's three hours away and it's free. I think I've got a couple of friends talked into going with me.
I'll have to leave the house at something like 4:15 AM...but, you know, I bet it's worth it...
Plans are being made.
I began trying again to implement Flylady during the Jubilee year; didn't really make it to baby steps but I did get up on my hands and knees rocking. Maybe I'll crawl before long...
Anyway, I just found out that the Flylady crew will be doing a couple of days of exhortation and encouragement in Western Kentucky this Friday and Saturday.
It's three hours away and it's free. I think I've got a couple of friends talked into going with me.
I'll have to leave the house at something like 4:15 AM...but, you know, I bet it's worth it...
Plans are being made.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
SHE: The Battleground Reflections (6)
I've been trying for 2-3 days to get enough time to write about Saturday night's session; Dawn gave us an amazing word on a seldom discussed story from 2 Samuel 20...Sheba's Rebellion.
As she pointed out, we often hear teachings on Absalom's rebellion, but the near-civil war that resulted from the rebellion of Sheba, son of Bicri, is not often a teaching subject.
Which is interesting because even David said, 'Sheba son of Bicri will do us more harm than Absalom did.' (v. 6)
Dawn analyzed the meanings of the names 'Sheba' and 'Bicri' and, putting it with the situation, identified the 'voice of Sheba, son of Bicri' as the voice of 'infinite accusation'. Absalom was subversive; Sheba was openly rebellious, denying the inheritance of David.
But, Joab (who was not a very nice fellow at all by this point either) chased Sheba to the town of Abel, then laid siege to the town so that he could not escape.
Dawn pointed out that it was 'a wise woman' (v. 16) who defended her city to Joab and discovered that the problem wasn't Abel, it was the rebellion that the city harbored...the voice of accusation that had taken refuge there.
This wise woman declared that the head of the accuser would be thrown over the wall, and it was.
We were challenged to look for the voice of Sheba in our own thoughts...that voice that declares God has no inheritance for us, that we should retire to our tents to tend our business ourselves. That voice that continues to discourage us from following the King.
Then, once that source is located, throw his head over the wall.
Graphic, isn't it?
But you know, when I was praying my way through it at the end of the service, I had a mental picture of battling someone who looked very much like the character 'Wormtongue' in The Lord of the Rings movies...the discourager. And I took my sword and yelled as I pressed the attack and lopped off his head.
The first part of our battle (yes, the conference was about doing battle!) is recognizing who the real enemy is...the siege came to Abel in order to deliver Abel, but the inhabitants of that city had to recognize that the enemy wasn't the army of the King, it was the discourager within their own walls.
And I declare that, in my own spirit, Sheba, son of Bicri is dead.
And if I did not have any other revelation during the conference, that would have been enough.
As she pointed out, we often hear teachings on Absalom's rebellion, but the near-civil war that resulted from the rebellion of Sheba, son of Bicri, is not often a teaching subject.
Which is interesting because even David said, 'Sheba son of Bicri will do us more harm than Absalom did.' (v. 6)
Dawn analyzed the meanings of the names 'Sheba' and 'Bicri' and, putting it with the situation, identified the 'voice of Sheba, son of Bicri' as the voice of 'infinite accusation'. Absalom was subversive; Sheba was openly rebellious, denying the inheritance of David.
But, Joab (who was not a very nice fellow at all by this point either) chased Sheba to the town of Abel, then laid siege to the town so that he could not escape.
Dawn pointed out that it was 'a wise woman' (v. 16) who defended her city to Joab and discovered that the problem wasn't Abel, it was the rebellion that the city harbored...the voice of accusation that had taken refuge there.
This wise woman declared that the head of the accuser would be thrown over the wall, and it was.
We were challenged to look for the voice of Sheba in our own thoughts...that voice that declares God has no inheritance for us, that we should retire to our tents to tend our business ourselves. That voice that continues to discourage us from following the King.
Then, once that source is located, throw his head over the wall.
Graphic, isn't it?
But you know, when I was praying my way through it at the end of the service, I had a mental picture of battling someone who looked very much like the character 'Wormtongue' in The Lord of the Rings movies...the discourager. And I took my sword and yelled as I pressed the attack and lopped off his head.
The first part of our battle (yes, the conference was about doing battle!) is recognizing who the real enemy is...the siege came to Abel in order to deliver Abel, but the inhabitants of that city had to recognize that the enemy wasn't the army of the King, it was the discourager within their own walls.
And I declare that, in my own spirit, Sheba, son of Bicri is dead.
And if I did not have any other revelation during the conference, that would have been enough.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
I need to buy stock in toothpicks...
...since I'm using so many to prop my eyelids so I can blog this week! It's been late every night before I can get access to the computer; sorely testing my resolve to blog daily!
But I will bow to higher priorities...namely, homework. So, it's been late. And kinda disjointed. (yawns)
I'm not sure which is worse...posting a rambling arrangement of words that doesn't really say anything or not blogging at all.
Anyway, I *do* have one more post to make about the last session of the SHE conference, as soon as I can get enough time at the computer to make it coherent! Maybe tomorrow...
But I will bow to higher priorities...namely, homework. So, it's been late. And kinda disjointed. (yawns)
I'm not sure which is worse...posting a rambling arrangement of words that doesn't really say anything or not blogging at all.
Anyway, I *do* have one more post to make about the last session of the SHE conference, as soon as I can get enough time at the computer to make it coherent! Maybe tomorrow...
Friday, September 18, 2009
Fight the Weariness
The Actor posted the following on his Facebook:
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. - Gal. 6:9
I'm encouraged that he posted that...we are struggling mightily to not become weary in doing good (that would be writing essays for AP classes). We turned a corner on attitude, but it's still a mind-grinding load of work. He gets weary of doing it; I get weary of trying to be the understanding supportive mom and not slip back into the role of being angry when he doesn't do it the way I think he should.
He's got to find his own voice. Even if he turns in the essay late, if he writes a really good one it will pull his average up. Not as much as if it had been turned in on time, but up is up.
The key for him is to not give up until the good essay is written...the key for me is to not give up praying for him and encouraging him to do his best work.
But these late night efforts are making me tired enough that my ears are ringing.
Thank you, Lord, that as he makes the shifts in his mental gears to grasp the form of essay writing they will get easier for him.
Do not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. - Gal. 6:9
I'm encouraged that he posted that...we are struggling mightily to not become weary in doing good (that would be writing essays for AP classes). We turned a corner on attitude, but it's still a mind-grinding load of work. He gets weary of doing it; I get weary of trying to be the understanding supportive mom and not slip back into the role of being angry when he doesn't do it the way I think he should.
He's got to find his own voice. Even if he turns in the essay late, if he writes a really good one it will pull his average up. Not as much as if it had been turned in on time, but up is up.
The key for him is to not give up until the good essay is written...the key for me is to not give up praying for him and encouraging him to do his best work.
But these late night efforts are making me tired enough that my ears are ringing.
Thank you, Lord, that as he makes the shifts in his mental gears to grasp the form of essay writing they will get easier for him.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
SHE: The Battleground Reflections (5)
I have a son who must get on the computer momentarily to finish homework (essay writing!), so my evening reflections will be brief.
At the end of Saturday morning's general session, in which Susan Dyer spoke of having an encounter with God, all the leadership ladies were called to the front to pray for folks.
But, knowing what was going on in my heart, that I had very recently identified two very large issues that were ongoing battles, I didn't feel competent to pray for anyone. And, the moment the release was given to ask for prayer, I scooted down the line a bit and asked Mama Lela to pray for me.
Oh...if only I could accurately describe Mama Lela. This lady ministers to people in the highest and lowest place in our city and she treats them all exactly the same. She absolutely loves people without condition and without reservation. I probably squalled on her shoulder for a good 10 minutes. And it was ok. She prayed over me, she exhorted me, she encouraged me, and most of all she just gave me a good Mama Lela hug.
And if I hadn't had anyone else ask me if I was ok for the whole weekend, that would have been enough. ;)
At the end of Saturday morning's general session, in which Susan Dyer spoke of having an encounter with God, all the leadership ladies were called to the front to pray for folks.
But, knowing what was going on in my heart, that I had very recently identified two very large issues that were ongoing battles, I didn't feel competent to pray for anyone. And, the moment the release was given to ask for prayer, I scooted down the line a bit and asked Mama Lela to pray for me.
Oh...if only I could accurately describe Mama Lela. This lady ministers to people in the highest and lowest place in our city and she treats them all exactly the same. She absolutely loves people without condition and without reservation. I probably squalled on her shoulder for a good 10 minutes. And it was ok. She prayed over me, she exhorted me, she encouraged me, and most of all she just gave me a good Mama Lela hug.
And if I hadn't had anyone else ask me if I was ok for the whole weekend, that would have been enough. ;)
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