Worship is a Huge Thing~!

Yesterday at church we saw a short film clip about worship. At one time I would have said that worship was singing songs in a church building on Sundays or Wednesday night. Although that may be a part of worship you can do that and still not worship God.

The film clip made these statements, "Worship is a HUGE thing!"
"Worship is not about us at all."
"We look at God and place Him above all else because He is worth it."

I especially like the first one: "Worship is a HUGE thing!" There are so many ways I can worship God. Singing, taking care of my family, loving people, helping someone, reading my Bible, encouraging someone who needs it (and maybe someone who doesn't), and even smiling at someone who looks like they could use a smile are ways I can worship God. I believe it's putting Him first in whatever He has called me to do and being aware of His presence in my life.

I have not had a "job" in over 25 years now. Although I have been busy nearly every day of those 25 years I have to say I'm unemployed on any type of application. If only they knew~! I have gone through times of feeling unimportant and like I am not fulfilling a purpose. Several years ago when some of my friends went back to school and started training for various vocations I had to deal with it once again. They were doing something "important" and then here am I. I lost my joy until I realized that what I am doing is important too. It's important to God because that is what He has called me to do at this time in my life. It is important to my husband and children and maybe even others I have been able to help in some small way because I am not "employed" so to speak. This is one way I can worship God.

Worship is huge. Psalm 145:1 "I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King! and I'll bless your name into eternity. 2 I'll bless you every day, and keep it up from now to eternity. 3 God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness."

Spellchecker On

Donald and I took a ride this afternoon. We used to do that quite regularly when we were wishing for a larger home. Part of the motivation was just to get out of the house. All seven of us lived in a too small home and after a while you just needed out. So we would ride around and look for houses and covet in our hearts for what others had. Then we would resignedly return to our too small home until our next ride.

In His timing God blessed us with a larger home where we aren't crowded wall to wall and floor to ceiling. We have filled up most of this wonderful space in the course of the eleven years we have been here. However we don't ride around and wish for others' homes. The reason for the ride today was to view the river which is very high due to so much rain over the past month or so. Now maybe we just need to "get a life" but it was fun and I saw some great sights that I hadn't noticed before.

One was a beauty shop called the "Curl Up and Dye." I enjoyed that until we passed the "End Time Fellowship" on down the road. I don't think that would be the place for me. I don't worry about the end times as I believe God has all that under control and since I belong to Him He will take care of me. But to each his own.

I was so engrossed in my good time that I failed to notice the sign with the misspelled word. When you enter our fair city from the north and south one particular hotel has a huge sign that advertises a free continetal breakfast. Come on now, if you are going to spend all that money on those signs can't you have a proofreader to make sure the words are spelled correctly???? I wonder how many people besides myself have noticed that they left a "n" out of continental?? At least Donald didn't have to listen to me griping about the misspelling this time.

Now I've probably misspelled a word since I commented on the sign. I hope the spellchecker does its job. I think I've done mine.

More Grace

It is not our love for God; it is God's love for us in sending his Son to be the way to take
away our sins. 1John 4:10

Rhythms of Grace

While watching "What Not to Wear" I got an idea from a commercial. Now usually commercials bore me unless it's the Sonic ones or I'm watching basketball. Some of the funniest ones are shown during basketball games; maybe other sports fall into this category also, but I wouldn't know about that as I just watch basketball. BTW, I'm really missing basketball.

Back to the commercial (I get easily sidetracked if you haven't noticed). It was a commercial trying to sell me a "bender ball." Now this amazing ball will let me exercise with "Selective Stabilization." Besides that it's a $40 value for only the amazing price of $9.99 plus shipping and handling. Even though I can live without the ball I was contemplating the idea of "selective stabilization." I think that's what I've needed the past few days.

Maybe it's all the cloudy days and rain without much sunshine, but I've been unsettled. I'm finding it hard to concentrate and even get started on projects that I need to complete. I desperately wanted outdoors yesterday and even ventured out in the rain to a few stores; it did absolutely nothing for my restlessness though. I need to be stabilized, steady, firm in my emotions and decisions. As usual, I need Jesus.

I found my answer in Matthew Chapter 11. (The Message)
27 Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly. "The Father has given me all these things to do and say. This is a unique Father-Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge. No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does. But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen. 28 "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. 29 Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. 30 Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

This is my desire, my prayer, my focus for today.

Redolent with Life

15 I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father. 16 "You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. John 15:15-16 (The Message)

Isn't it incredible that Jesus lets us in on everything He has heard from God the Father?? Wow~! I guess we should really pay attention to what He says. I want to bear fruit that won't spoil, don't you? Anything spoiled really stinks. Sometimes my attitude stinks. I mean really
stinks. I looked up stink in the Merriam-Webster online thesaurus and this is what it says:

Entry Word: stink Function: noun Text: a strong unpleasant smell Synonyms reek, stench
Related Words acridness, fetidness, foulness, fustiness, malodorousness, mustiness, rancidity, rankness, staleness; badness, vileness; dirt, dirtiness, filth, filthiness, nastiness; odor, redolence, scent, sniff

I don't see any word listed above that I want to be identified with. They all stink~! However if you continue further to the antonym part this is what it says:

Near Antonyms floweriness, lusciousness, savoriness, spiciness, sweetness; bouquet; ambrosia
Antonyms aroma, fragrance, perfume

Left alone, I fall into the synonym category. It's only in Christ that I can be what I want to be.
Because of Christ, we give off a sweet scent rising to God, which is recognized by those on the way of salvation - an aroma redolent with life. (2 Corinthians 2:15) The Message

Even the word "redolent" means 1 : exuding fragrance 2 a : full of a specified fragrance

I want my fragrance to be that of Christ. It's not always, but that is what I am aiming for. Its the little things that really pull me down. Left alone, I can't even manage my attitude~!

A Story

I was looking through some documents on our computer and ran across this story Hannah wrote for me. It was an English assignment, and I don't remember the specifics. Although the storyline was changed and some of the circumstances, I was totally captivated by my "prince" in real life~!

Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess named Sarah. Sarah lived with her parents and her younger brother, Teddy. Although Sarah was a princess, no one could know. So she went to a normal school, had friends, and enjoyed helping her father pick cotton out in the fields. One day as Sarah was at work, an extremely handsome man entered the store. His long wavy hair flustered along his face. Sarah was in awe of this gorgeous person. His crest white smile filled the room. Princess Sarah was very sad when he left. "I wonder what his name was. such a beautiful person has to have a beautiful name.". The day ended and Sarah couldnt seem to let herself forget about this strangely wonderful man. Several days went on. She gazed at the door for several days as she was at work, but he didnt come. One day as Sarah was working with all lost hopes, suddenly this man walks through the door once more. His hair blowing with the wind. Sarah felt as if she was going to faint. Out of nowhere the man comes up to the counter, "Hello, do you happen to have any hair gel??" Sarah was so shocked, and at that moment, the man said "I'm Donald, whats your name?" Sarah could hardly speak "Sss.a.Sarah." Donald just stared. "do you want to go get some donuts on your next break?" Sarah didnt hesitate for a minute "YES! I mean, um, Sure." Donald and Sarah had a wonderful date. In fact, it went so wonderful that they had many more. One night Sarah and Donald were out on a date. Sarah had been dreading this night. "Donald, I must tell you something." said Sarah "oh, okay." "I'm a princess. I cant just marry anyone. I'm sorry, I would have told you sooner, but I just couldnt bring myself up to say it." there was a moment of silence and then "THATS WONDERFUL! See, my father is the King, and I have been dreading the night I was to tell you that I was to marry a princess." Much more was said and many hugs were given. Several months went by and the lovely couple were married! They had 5 beautiful children. God told Sarah that she was to homeschool her children. For what reason she did not know. But she was obediant and did so. Sarah has given up many things for her children. And so has Donald. Although they saw themselves in a Castle doing everything they wanted to do, God had different plans in store for them, They were always faithful and obediant to their God. And they are still living happily ever after. The End

Because of Him

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail." Lamentations 3:22 (NIV)

I love this verse. It especially has great meaning right this moment. Last night everything looked so troublesome, trials poured high, hardly a way of escape. I felt so weary and discouraged. Today everything has changed. Not the troubles and trials and worries, just my perspective of them. God can do that for you. I'm so glad I belong to
Him.