Patience is a Virtue

In our busy lives from day to day we think we have it all planned out: wake up, eat breakfast, get kids ready, go to the store, get back in time for a nap if needed, ect. Sometimes, actually a lot of times, it doesn't go according to our plan. Do we groan and complain when that happens, or do we accept it as God's will with patience? It seems like the past few days I've been noticing that I'm not as patient as I thought I was. I can't imagine what Job had to go through; all of a sudden his whole life changed in an instant, and everything dear to him in this world was gone; and in all that he still did not sin. That's amazing to me! Not only do I sin, I complain against my husband or someone near me that has nothing to do with the situation at all! James 5:9 says "Do not complain, brethren, against one another...". When you are irritated by your day being messed up, or your plans not going well, don't take it out on innocent bystanders, which are usually our husband and kids! I know I am too often guilty of this. James continues in chapter 5 verse 11: "We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful." We can endure through whatever bump comes in the road, we just need to trust God and not try to fix everything on our own! Be patient, for you do not see the big picture which God has already drawn for you before the foundation of the world. Wait on Him, He will never fail you. Isaiah 40:31

Planning: Good or Not?

This week in our Titus Two study in the book of James we went through verses 4:13-17 and James is telling his readers to be careful when you make plans to not boast about your plans that haven't even happened yet. I know God wants us to plan carefully and with wisdom because that would be unwise of us to just throw our day together the morning we wake up: "I guess today I will go to the store, wait maybe I will just do laundry" and then nothing gets done! What James is saying is to not make plans without consulting God. In verse 15 it says, 'Instead you ought to say, if the Lord wills we will live and also do this or that'. So then do we have to always say 'If the Lord wills, I will have pancakes for breakfast'? I don't think so, but we should always remember that God is sovereign and His plans are always over our plans. He alone knows the future, our life is like a vapor and we don't know what our life will be like tomorrow. I think of Mary who probably had all kinds of plans with her future husband Joseph and then suddenly an angel of the Lord appears to her and her life is completely turned around. Are we ready for a change in what we think are our 'perfect plans' for the future? I guarantee you that the Lord probably has something different planned for us than what we think 'should' happen, but it is always for our good. Thank God He doesn't allow our lives to go the way WE plan, but the way He has planned it.

God's Creation

Today we made it up to the summit on Mount Diablo which is about 3800 feet. It was a beautiful day with the sun shining and clear skies. With sights as breath-taking as these, no one can deny that there is a God. Romans 1:20 says: "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." We all have witness to God through His creation which is all around us, so even if some have not heard the gospel with their ears, they are still without excuse. I can't help but think that if the sights on this present earth are so beautiful, what beautiful things will we see on the New Earth?

Dear Friends in Palo Cedro

This past weekend we had the blessing of going with my parents to visit Barry and Terry McGee and their family. They are such a loving, giving family and they opened their home to all of us. Before we started our trek home we stopped at the famous Sun Dial bridge in Redding. It tells the time according to the sun. This picture of Troy, me and Solomon is funny because I was yelling 'take the picture, I can't see, the sun!' Something about that sun up there, it is brutal! We will definitely be going back to visit this summer, Lord willing.

Merry Christmas!

Solomon doesn't quite understand Christmas yet, but he enjoyed it anyways!

Like a Vapor

Today Solomon had his 4 month check up. He is now 16 pounds and 26 inches! I feel like everyday is going by so fast! Before I know it he will be starting school. It reminds me that our life here on earth is so short and compared to eternity it is like a vapor. This verse says it well: 'Man is like a mere breath; His days are like a passing shadow.' (Psalm 144:4) When it is cold outside and you exhale, you can see your breath, but only for a second and then it is gone. That is how short our lives are. That is also a reminder to me that I need to not put things off for tomorrow, because like James says, 'yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.' I hope this encourages you to minister to those around you today and don't wait for tomorrow because tomorrow might not come.