Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free you will be free indeed." John 8:34-36 NIV
The green in the pool was pretty bad. We began the process of getting it clean: turn the filter on 24 hours a day, add the chlorine, brush the pool down. There was hope the next day the green shade was a little lighter, so chlorine was added again. The next day though the pool was as green as before.
The process was done again and again. Water samples were taken to the pool supply store. They sent home directions on exactly how to get the water clear. Occasionally, there was hope a glimmer of blue and then right back to green. A new filter was bought and a pool vacuum.
Next, some water was drained off and replaced in hopes that a foot of new water would help. Again the chemical process was done and once again it failed. Finally, the decision was made to completely drain and refill the pool. There was hope as it refilled and looked clear. Unfortunately, once it was completely filled there was once again a hint of green. Why was this happening still? Somehow though, it cleared up and the pool is usable once again.
Having a green pool made me think of a time of when I held my secret from God. Was there something I wasn't doing or admitting? How could I hide my sin away from Him or anyone else? I could try to clean it up, but still it lingered there taunting me. It wasn't until I admitted my problem to Him, that it was finally completely gone and cleaned up.
Now I am truly free indeed.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Sometimes I'd Rather be a Hippo
Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. Proverbs 10:4 NIV
A trip to the zoo can be rather interesting. The smells, the sounds, the seeing the different animals...it was an enjoyable day.
The kids had lots of questions and were very good as we walked and walked. Most of them experienced touching a string ray, and it was quite amusing as the manatee seemed to be drawn to our bright orange shirts. We even witness an orangutan getting dressed.
After a lunch break we continued our voyage. There was still much to see. The prairie dogs were busy at work as usual. Their diligence brought about new holes and a lot of business that I don't quite understand. At times I feel busy. I set about on a task that I know needs completed and keep at it until it's done. Business that no one quite understands but me.
Then we saw the hippo. At first, we thought he was hiding somewhere since we didn't see him. To our surprise he was in the water right under our feet, napping away completely unaware of our presence. It was very hot and I thought "how wonderful it would be, to be in the cool water relaxing away." The hippo seemed rather content to be lazy. At times it's nice to be lazy. Laying around not worrying about anything.
There are times when I need to be busy. It's a lot easier to get the things done when they need to be rather than putting it off and adding undo stress in my life. It's when things get piled up that I tend to be more stressful and grumpy. There are also times when it's OK to be lazy. God does want us to take a day of rest at least once a week.
Now where is my swimsuit and raft? It's time to relax and enjoy the coolness of the water.
A trip to the zoo can be rather interesting. The smells, the sounds, the seeing the different animals...it was an enjoyable day.
The kids had lots of questions and were very good as we walked and walked. Most of them experienced touching a string ray, and it was quite amusing as the manatee seemed to be drawn to our bright orange shirts. We even witness an orangutan getting dressed.
After a lunch break we continued our voyage. There was still much to see. The prairie dogs were busy at work as usual. Their diligence brought about new holes and a lot of business that I don't quite understand. At times I feel busy. I set about on a task that I know needs completed and keep at it until it's done. Business that no one quite understands but me.
Then we saw the hippo. At first, we thought he was hiding somewhere since we didn't see him. To our surprise he was in the water right under our feet, napping away completely unaware of our presence. It was very hot and I thought "how wonderful it would be, to be in the cool water relaxing away." The hippo seemed rather content to be lazy. At times it's nice to be lazy. Laying around not worrying about anything.
There are times when I need to be busy. It's a lot easier to get the things done when they need to be rather than putting it off and adding undo stress in my life. It's when things get piled up that I tend to be more stressful and grumpy. There are also times when it's OK to be lazy. God does want us to take a day of rest at least once a week.
Now where is my swimsuit and raft? It's time to relax and enjoy the coolness of the water.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Standing Strong
Finally, be strong on the Lord and his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10 NIV
Over and over again this week I've needed to be strong in the Lord. I've needed to step back and watch Him come through again and again.
A store I usually go to was out of something I needed. Sure there are other stores around here that I could of gone to and checked to see if they had it. I decided to go a different route though. I came home and located the item online. It promised that I could have it by Tuesday, so I went ahead and ordered it. That would give me several days to complete the job I needed to do with it.
Realization came when it was time to pay for express shipping, I was willing to until my $90 bill ended up $440. It wanted to charge me $350 for shipping. There was a problem there, so I went back to the free shipping. Now I'd have to trust in God to get it here in time. If not there wouldn't be any shirts until half way through Bible school. Not a good plan.
I asked others to pray and wouldn't you know it, the items arrived a day ahead of the original expected delivery day.
Time and time again I have had things come up. Some have made me frustrated, others have left me confused. When I began it my way it wasn't going well. Luckily, I realized it and soon I stood strong in the Lord and the problem seemed to solve itself.
God keeps showing me again and again His mighty power and how good it is to stand strong in His strength.
Over and over again this week I've needed to be strong in the Lord. I've needed to step back and watch Him come through again and again.
A store I usually go to was out of something I needed. Sure there are other stores around here that I could of gone to and checked to see if they had it. I decided to go a different route though. I came home and located the item online. It promised that I could have it by Tuesday, so I went ahead and ordered it. That would give me several days to complete the job I needed to do with it.
Realization came when it was time to pay for express shipping, I was willing to until my $90 bill ended up $440. It wanted to charge me $350 for shipping. There was a problem there, so I went back to the free shipping. Now I'd have to trust in God to get it here in time. If not there wouldn't be any shirts until half way through Bible school. Not a good plan.
I asked others to pray and wouldn't you know it, the items arrived a day ahead of the original expected delivery day.
Time and time again I have had things come up. Some have made me frustrated, others have left me confused. When I began it my way it wasn't going well. Luckily, I realized it and soon I stood strong in the Lord and the problem seemed to solve itself.
God keeps showing me again and again His mighty power and how good it is to stand strong in His strength.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Trust Is Sometimes Hard
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight. Proverbs 3:5 NIV
Why again Lord? I mean you know I trust you, so why I am being put in a situation again to prove that I trust you.
As summer approaches, I begun to worry(just a little). I wondered will I have enough kids to help the bills stay paid? Will there be enough money for vacation? Will everyone do what they promised to do?
It came at no surprise that two of the children I care for will not be here for the summer. One is moving and the other is getting tutored and staying with a cousin. So the concern of money came to my mind. I mean I trust the Lord to provide for our needs, I just don't want to go crazy and spend to much money.
He assured me though. For months I wrote out our budget and figured everything out. At the beginning of the year I kind of stopped because everything was basically the same, so as long as I spent the same as the other months it'd be fine. Now the thought of being down $400 plus for the next few months was a little scary. So finally after I sat down and did the budget for the next four weeks. Everything seem to work out with a small adjustment to the amount spent on groceries, and no date nights. I was comforted. Even though I'm more worried about the four weeks that follow these four weeks, but I trust it will be fine.
Then yesterday worry filled me again as something didn't happen that I planned on happening. The worry thoughts consumed me. I tried not to go there, but my brain kept doing it anyway. Even if my heart was trying to assure me it'd be fine. After sharing with the lovely ladies at Bible study, I was comforted.
Another obstacle popped up over the weekend. The store where I usually buy supplies to make T-shirts didn't have what I needed. Sure I could have ran from store to store searching for what I needed. Instead I came home and searched over the Internet. I found what I needed and I could have had the merchandise in two days or even overnight. I requested that and was shocked when my bill went over $400. I looked and the shipping for two day was $350, "no way" I said. So then I changed it back to regular and now I have to trust that it will get here in time, so I can make 30 t-shirts for Vacation Bible School. I'm probably bugging God as I keep asking Him to get the shipment here in time. But I also trust Him to work it out.
Trust is placing confidence in one. So now I will once again place confidence in the one who created me and has the power to do amazing things. With God all things are possible.
Why again Lord? I mean you know I trust you, so why I am being put in a situation again to prove that I trust you.
As summer approaches, I begun to worry(just a little). I wondered will I have enough kids to help the bills stay paid? Will there be enough money for vacation? Will everyone do what they promised to do?
It came at no surprise that two of the children I care for will not be here for the summer. One is moving and the other is getting tutored and staying with a cousin. So the concern of money came to my mind. I mean I trust the Lord to provide for our needs, I just don't want to go crazy and spend to much money.
He assured me though. For months I wrote out our budget and figured everything out. At the beginning of the year I kind of stopped because everything was basically the same, so as long as I spent the same as the other months it'd be fine. Now the thought of being down $400 plus for the next few months was a little scary. So finally after I sat down and did the budget for the next four weeks. Everything seem to work out with a small adjustment to the amount spent on groceries, and no date nights. I was comforted. Even though I'm more worried about the four weeks that follow these four weeks, but I trust it will be fine.
Then yesterday worry filled me again as something didn't happen that I planned on happening. The worry thoughts consumed me. I tried not to go there, but my brain kept doing it anyway. Even if my heart was trying to assure me it'd be fine. After sharing with the lovely ladies at Bible study, I was comforted.
Another obstacle popped up over the weekend. The store where I usually buy supplies to make T-shirts didn't have what I needed. Sure I could have ran from store to store searching for what I needed. Instead I came home and searched over the Internet. I found what I needed and I could have had the merchandise in two days or even overnight. I requested that and was shocked when my bill went over $400. I looked and the shipping for two day was $350, "no way" I said. So then I changed it back to regular and now I have to trust that it will get here in time, so I can make 30 t-shirts for Vacation Bible School. I'm probably bugging God as I keep asking Him to get the shipment here in time. But I also trust Him to work it out.
Trust is placing confidence in one. So now I will once again place confidence in the one who created me and has the power to do amazing things. With God all things are possible.
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