My Ten Things for Tuesday October 28

1. Today I am thankful to be back here posting My Ten Things
2. Today I am thankful for no travel for work in the near future
3. Today I am thankful for the "A" I received on my last course
4. Today I am thankful that my next course is already on it's way to me
5. Today I am thankful to serve a sovereign God "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness,and light dwells with him." Daniel 2:20-22
6. Today I am thankful for friends who listen for God's words and are willing to share them
7. Today I am thankful for the freedom to worship without fear of harm. This is a right we so often take for granted. Please remember the persecuted church in your prayers.
8. Today I am thankful for the diagnostic imaging that caught a malignancy in my mother's breast when it was very, very small so they can perform a lumpectomy instead of more extensive surgery
9. Today I am thankful I remembered to put our heated mattress pad on yesterday. What a treat to climb into a warm bed on a cold night
10. Today I am thankful for my beloved Rick who shares that bed with me!

What are you thankful for today? Join Jill at Xbox Wife and share your gratitude.

Psalm 91

I have been meditating and praying these days about time spent in the "secret place" with my God, and was led to create a Wordle of Psalm 91.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.
He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,
Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.
Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.
Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,
No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”

Cafe Chat Week of October 18

Kim asked another great question this week at Café Chat:

What is something in your life that was a “good” thing, but as in the verse in 1 Corinthians states was something that although good, was not beneficial or constructive for you?

"Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive.” 1 Corinthians 10:23 (NIV)

As Christians we cherish the Word of God. The Bible is indeed our centre, our manual for life, the answer to our questions and the greatest love story we could ever read. I would never have thought that reading His Word could be anything but beneficial. If some is good, more is better, right? My husband and I choose a reading plan to work through the entire Bible for each new year as it begins. Each year has a different style, a different structure and we usually pick a different version each year as well. We have grown used to this discipline, perhaps, I am sad to say, even taking great pride in our reading.

I believe that the Lord is trying to teach me that more is not always better, for in one of my “Naturally Supernatural” course assignments I completed the following journaling session:

"Lord, talk to me about what true Bible study is to be like. Is it what I have been doing? Are there any ways You want my process of Bible study to deepen? If so, how? Thank You, Lord, for what you say.

I Am My Word and when you step into the Word, you step into Me and allow Me to penetrate your heart and spirit. To simply read the Word is touching Me with your mind only. My desire is total communion. We have talked much lately of abiding and this is another door into Me. I long to reveal truth to you in new ways, and all you need do is ask and listen. You do this, but often you are too impatient, child.

In some ways, you take bites of My Word that are too big for one swallow, even too big to chew. Let’s think about smaller pieces at one time. I know you are hungry, but more will always be there. Instead of stuffing yourself in one big meal, think of grazing throughout the day. This is the way to more complete digestion and will give us time to discover new truths together.

Thank You, Lord. I confess that I have been very rigid, even legalistic about the discipline of Bible reading, following a reading plan and listening to the plan instead of Your Spirit. Help me to stay more in tune with where You choose to lead me."

I would never disagree with Paul as he taught the following to Timothy:

“Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Amplified

It is not the Word itself that is not beneficial for me, it was my approach to reading it that was getting out of hand. This year, as my Lord suggested, I will be taking smaller bites, chewing on them longer and instead of following my own plans I choose to ask His Holy Spirit to guide me.

Join us at Cafe Chat and add your response to this week's question.

I've Been Tagged - 5 for 5

Beth, at warmHarte, has invited me to join in on a tag. The rules are that I have to list 5 things about me in the following 5 categories:

10 Years Ago:
I was a self-employed personal trainer and exercise instructor
My life was purely physical
I was not interested in love or commitment, just pleasure
I lived for the moment with no plans for the future
I did not know that Jesus loved me

Today's "To-Do" List:
Relax for the first time all week
Spend time in the “secret place”
Study before final exam for “Naturally Supernatural”
Catch up on blogging
Cook something yummy for dinner for my beloved husband

Snacks I Enjoy:
Pretzels
Cookies
Stone Ground Wheat Crackers
Harvest Crunch Cereal
Apples

Things I Would Do If I Were a Millionaire:
Give the glory to God
Pay off the remainder of our mortgage
Pay off car loan
Thank God that we have no other debt!
Devote more time to missions work

Places I Have Lived:
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Evanston, Illinois, USA
Des Plaines, Illinois, USA
Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada
Gilbert Plains, Manitoba, Canada

Jobs I Have Had (or still have):
Candy girl at cheap movie theatre
Administrative assistant at Northwestern University
Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor
Cashier at Safeway
Regional Coordinator Alzheimer Society Manitoba

Now it's my turn to tag 5 more people:
Jill at Xbox Wife
Sharon at Resevoir
Mzzterry at Mzterryz
Jendi at Jendi's Journal
Kipi at In My Own Little Corner

Leave me a comment and link back to this post. Be blessed and have fun!

My Ten Things for Tuesday October 14

1. I'm away in the city for two days of meetings, but I'm thankful I have my laptop and can post My Ten Things.
2. I am thankful for brief hotel stays with high speed internet access so I can update and upgrade my computer and view things people have sent me that are too big to view at home on our slow, slow dial-up.
3. I am thankful that I can fly into the city instead of making a 4-1/2 hour drive.
4. I am thankful for God's protection as I travel.
5. I am thankful for a taxi driver who knew where he was going and didn't feel the need to make conversation when I was feeling like being quiet.
6. I am thankful for my cell phone that keeps me connected to my beloved, even when work puts distance between us.
7. I am thankful for the cleanliness and comfort of this hotel room and it's king sized bed.
8. I am thankful that tomorrow night I will again sleep in Rick's arms, snuggled in our queen sized bed.
9. I am thankfuk for the fellowship I shared with co-workers over dinner.
10. I am thankful for the truth of Psalm 91:1 "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty" and that the Lord is teaching me how to enter into that secret place.

What are you thakful for? Join Jill and the rest of us at Xbox Wife and share your ten things.

Election Day

It is election day in Canada and I am in a hotel room watching returns and praying that all God's people will be willing and able to honour, respect and pray for which ever party and leaders win, believing the Word which clearly states:

"Therefore he who resists and sets himself up against the authorities resists what God has appointed and arranged [in divine order]. And those who resist will bring down judgment upon themselves [receiving the penalty due them].
For civil authorities are not a terror to [people of] good conduct, but to [those of] bad behavior. Would you have no dread of him who is in authority? Then do what is right and you will receive his approval and commendation.
For he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, [you should dread him and] be afraid, for he does not bear and wear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant to execute His wrath (punishment, vengeance) on the wrongdoer." Romans 13:2-4 Amplified

We may not understand or agree with every choice our leaders make, but it is God who is in control and has chosen them to serve. Our prayers and obedience honour our Lord.

No more heart of stone

Let me obey.... let me obey... whatever Your will… whatever You say
let me be true to Your Sprit in me
and walk in Your love and set captives free
open my eyes and my ears and my heart
remove any blinders that sin can impart
let me close any doors that have let evil in
repent for my part, repent from my heart
let my tears wash the feet of the One I adore
I want more I want more I want more.
I am Yours, Father God, I belong to Your Son
wash me clean, leave me spotless
the expectant bride
I know He has always been here at my side
it is I who have wandered
and been led astray
when deep in my spirt, I still knew The Way
I will run to Your arms
and there I will stay
and go when You send me and do what You say
it's a vow I have spoken and a vow I will keep
to wait on Your will
and Your will alone
thank You for replacing my heart of stone
for a heart of flesh, as You said in Your Word
and this heart understands
and this heart has heard
and I wait with great wonder for what lies in store
I want more I want more I want more!

"A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will take out of your flesh the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Ezekiel 36:26

My Ten Things for Tuesday October 7

Once again, it's Ten Things Tuesday. This feels like more of a stretch for me than most weeks. I am tired, indeed weary to the bone. Not because of my weekend away, but because I would prefer to not return to my day to day work life. It is good for me to take a moment to recall all I have to be thankful for.

1 -- I am a child of the Most High God.

2 -- God is most IN control when I am out of control.

3 -- This is Day 30 of the 30 Day Encourage Your Husband Challenge and not only have Rick and I grown closer, I have spent the month counting my blessings because I never had to struggle a bit to think of positive things to say about my beloved!

4 -- God is painting the landscape in new ways every morning and evening. Sunrises and sunsets are brief this time of year, and all the more precious in their glory. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

5 -- I have shelter from any storm, both in the natural and spiritual realm.

6 -- Our weekend travel was safe, with no snags or delays. I am always blessed by the favour we have with customs, immigration and security officials, no matter where we go.

7 -- My nephew is now beginning a new season of his life as a married man. I was able to be a witness to their vows and celebrate with family the joy of their union.

8 -- Once again I rejoice in the healing and restoration God worked between my brother and myself. We are able to truly enjoy each other. Our time together this weekend was wonderful. We laughed and cried and laughed some more.

9 -- Faith has a safe place to stay when we travel. I am excited to pick her up this afternoon and receive all the dog kisses I've missed since Thursday.

10 -- The peace of God. "Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7 New Living Translation

What are you thankful for? Join Jill and the rest of us here to add your own list of gratitude!

Another Flickering FireFly Award

It's time for me to announce the next recipient of the Flickering FireFly Award, a award to recognize bloggers who shine the light of Christ for a watching world.

Shining For Christ

Kathy at Blessed Builder is certainly shining brightly. Check out her blog and see her love for our Lord. Congratulations Kathy, snag this little picture for your blog, give it away to others who are lighting the way with a link back to me, please, and shine, girl, shine!