March 28, 2008 7:39 AM
Rich wrote:
Verse 1 is so accurate. When I am living in sin, hiding from God and hiding from others, not having quiet times, I feel like fleeing though no one is pursuing me. But when I am having quiet times, blogging, praying, fighting temptation and sin, I feel as bold as a lion!
I was just thinking last night about how good I feel. I have now had 5 quality QTs in a row. I am praying and confessing to God and I am actively fighting back temptations. I feel great. I feel alive and hopeful and happy. I still have all the same crud going on and I have not won the lottery or anything (bills keep coming in, work keeps piling on, kids and wife are demanding, one of my teams lost in the NCAA tournament last night, ...) but I feel good. It is not a mistake that God created us to have a relationship with him and that we are happiest when we are close to him. I just wish that I could remember this ALL the time!!!
Verse 13 - A day or two ago, Mac was talking about confessing sin. Here is a great verse to keep in mind. When we conceal our sins we do not prosper. I think some of that is because God might be opposing us. But I think it is also that a guilty conscience impedes our proper judgment. There is only so much space in our minds. If a section of our brain is consumed with guilt (which we will have when we sin if we still have a conscience), our brain is not fully functioning for normal purposes. It is like multitasking. Our brain is always being asked to multitask. If one section is tasking on guilt and covering up, that section is not allowed to be focusing on the needs of our family or of friends, or on any of a host of things that we are always thinking and feeling about. But confession clears that and frees up that section of our brain to do more productive things. In that way we are better able to prosper. Confession is a good and healthy thing. I have confessed to God my self centeredness over the past many weeks and my struggles with temptations common to MEN (I am sure you know what I mean) and now I am telling you all (or y'all as Rik said yesterday for the Southerners). This goes with the first half of my thoughts today. The other reason I feel bold as a lion is because my brain is not looking all around for pursuers that are not there.
The Bible really is FULL of truthful lessons!!! Reply to this
March 28, 2008 7:42 AM
Sam wrote:
First of all......my prayers HAVE gone out for Rik and his family because of the loss of his wife's job. A very tough situation. I will continue to pray and offer hope in doing so that she will be re-employed immediately. I will scour resources to see what I can find for her. (I would like an updated resume, however---please send ASAP.) The first part of verse 20 is good advice for you, Rik---A faithful man will be richly blessed. Continue in your faith in God and encourage your wife to increase hers...God WILL remedy the situation...I have zero doubt. With the summer almost here, we will have to just work more extra jobs to make up for it. We have been reading Proverbs now, I think this makes the 6th time since we started in late June last year. Most of the advice we glean from it can help in this situation. We are to fear God, gain wisdom, not act foolishly or pridefully, and in return, God Himself is faithful to us. There are lots of verses which tell us how not to act foolishly, some of which we will occasionally 'forget'. It is important for Rik's wife that we all try to remember more of these verses by following the advice of them. ALL---I offer this as a quick fix to the situation....small offer, but I believe it can work...come over at 4:30 Saturday and we'll ALL spend 30 minutes in prayer together. When two or more, as you know, get together in prayer to Jesus, He listens. Sometimes it takes groups, sometimes He responds to a single person's prayer. Let's not take a chance, let's toss up everything we have to Him for a quick resolution for this job situation. On the other hand, also, let's do the 'physical' things to aid while we wait (patiently) on God. Rik, no need to spend money on food to bring to the party. Tony, can you pick Rik, his son and wife up in your truck to save them gas? Rik---let's work on selling the Kia (or the gas guzzling Chevy). Time for your boarder to move out (as we have discussed before). Let's all talk with friends and acquaintences to see if any secretarial jobs are available. We can, with prayer and individaul efforts supported by God, beat this 'slight setback'. And, most importantly of all, let's all make sure that we be reminded of all the things we DO have. Financial hardships are often a reality, however, we have family, friends and life to be thankful for. All because God loves each of us. Reply to this
March 28, 2008 8:24 AM
Rich wrote:
I can bring whatever food is needed for the party. So far all I have is cokes and ice. Believe it or not, I am an excellent chef. I can make and bring whatever is needed. I agree, there is no need for Rik to have to bring anything except himself and family. Let me know what I can do. Reply to this
March 28, 2008 9:45 AM
rik wrote:
I am a good cook. (I think you need schooling to be a chef so I am not a chef) I will still be bringing my potato dish. Reply to this
March 28, 2008 9:09 AM
rik wrote:
All, I greatly appreciate all the advice and I can heed some of it. I do want you to know it is not as dire as it sounds. several years a go I took some advice from Jamile Dade. He suggested I set my budget up to only rely on my income. All my bills are covered with my paycheck so we will survive. It is the "fun stuff" we will be cutting back on. the kia gets the best gas millage of all our cars (it will also be a good car for Zack at 16) the gas guzzling chevy will be payed for by next month. so we are ok. It will take a little lifestyle change. I do not stop for coffee at QT every morning anymore (starbucks is definitely out of the question) we will be monitoring where we go due to the gas prices. Most likely it will be just me on Saturday (maybe Jeanette will come not sure yet) Zack will be watching the to littler ones. I will most likely meet tony at his house and ride up from there. the side jobs need to pay for the boat (this is the only item we have not budgeted into my regular expenses) Jeanette will be collecting unemployment which is basically the same as having a full time job at 8$ an hour. this will help. we basically have 21 weeks to find the job that she can enjoy and make good money. we are not in a crunch, we just need to be more mindful on a day to day basis. all of your prayers are greatly appreciated. Reply to this
Verse 1 is so accurate. When I am living in sin, hiding from God and hiding from others, not having quiet times, I feel like fleeing though no one is pursuing me. But when I am having quiet times, blogging, praying, fighting temptation and sin, I feel as bold as a lion!
I was just thinking last night about how good I feel. I have now had 5 quality QTs in a row. I am praying and confessing to God and I am actively fighting back temptations. I feel great. I feel alive and hopeful and happy. I still have all the same crud going on and I have not won the lottery or anything (bills keep coming in, work keeps piling on, kids and wife are demanding, one of my teams lost in the NCAA tournament last night, ...) but I feel good. It is not a mistake that God created us to have a relationship with him and that we are happiest when we are close to him. I just wish that I could remember this ALL the time!!!
Verse 13 - A day or two ago, Mac was talking about confessing sin. Here is a great verse to keep in mind. When we conceal our sins we do not prosper. I think some of that is because God might be opposing us. But I think it is also that a guilty conscience impedes our proper judgment. There is only so much space in our minds. If a section of our brain is consumed with guilt (which we will have when we sin if we still have a conscience), our brain is not fully functioning for normal purposes. It is like multitasking. Our brain is always being asked to multitask. If one section is tasking on guilt and covering up, that section is not allowed to be focusing on the needs of our family or of friends, or on any of a host of things that we are always thinking and feeling about. But confession clears that and frees up that section of our brain to do more productive things. In that way we are better able to prosper. Confession is a good and healthy thing. I have confessed to God my self centeredness over the past many weeks and my struggles with temptations common to MEN (I am sure you know what I mean) and now I am telling you all (or y'all as Rik said yesterday for the Southerners). This goes with the first half of my thoughts today. The other reason I feel bold as a lion is because my brain is not looking all around for pursuers that are not there.
The Bible really is FULL of truthful lessons!!!
Reply to this
First of all......my prayers HAVE gone out for Rik and his family because of the loss of his wife's job. A very tough situation. I will continue to pray and offer hope in doing so that she will be re-employed immediately. I will scour resources to see what I can find for her. (I would like an updated resume, however---please send ASAP.)
The first part of verse 20 is good advice for you, Rik---A faithful man will be richly blessed. Continue in your faith in God and encourage your wife to increase hers...God WILL remedy the situation...I have zero doubt. With the summer almost here, we will have to just work more extra jobs to make up for it.
We have been reading Proverbs now, I think this makes the 6th time since we started in late June last year. Most of the advice we glean from it can help in this situation. We are to fear God, gain wisdom, not act foolishly or pridefully, and in return, God Himself is faithful to us. There are lots of verses which tell us how not to act foolishly, some of which we will occasionally 'forget'. It is important for Rik's wife that we all try to remember more of these verses by following the advice of them. ALL---I offer this as a quick fix to the situation....small offer, but I believe it can work...come over at 4:30 Saturday and we'll ALL spend 30 minutes in prayer together. When two or more, as you know, get together in prayer to Jesus, He listens. Sometimes it takes groups, sometimes He responds to a single person's prayer. Let's not take a chance, let's toss up everything we have to Him for a quick resolution for this job situation.
On the other hand, also, let's do the 'physical' things to aid while we wait (patiently) on God. Rik, no need to spend money on food to bring to the party. Tony, can you pick Rik, his son and wife up in your truck to save them gas? Rik---let's work on selling the Kia (or the gas guzzling Chevy). Time for your boarder to move out (as we have discussed before). Let's all talk with friends and acquaintences to see if any secretarial jobs are available. We can, with prayer and individaul efforts supported by God, beat this 'slight setback'. And, most importantly of all, let's all make sure that we be reminded of all the things we DO have. Financial hardships are often a reality, however, we have family, friends and life to be thankful for. All because God loves each of us.
Reply to this
I can bring whatever food is needed for the party. So far all I have is cokes and ice. Believe it or not, I am an excellent chef. I can make and bring whatever is needed. I agree, there is no need for Rik to have to bring anything except himself and family. Let me know what I can do.
Reply to this
I am a good cook. (I think you need schooling to be a chef so I am not a chef) I will still be bringing my potato dish.
Reply to this
To Rich...
Any sidedish specialty would be great, but only if you want to. (like casseroles)
Reply to this
All,
I greatly appreciate all the advice and I can heed some of it. I do want you to know it is not as dire as it sounds. several years a go I took some advice from Jamile Dade. He suggested I set my budget up to only rely on my income. All my bills are covered with my paycheck so we will survive. It is the "fun stuff" we will be cutting back on. the kia gets the best gas millage of all our cars (it will also be a good car for Zack at 16) the gas guzzling chevy will be payed for by next month. so we are ok. It will take a little lifestyle change. I do not stop for coffee at QT every morning anymore (starbucks is definitely out of the question) we will be monitoring where we go due to the gas prices. Most likely it will be just me on Saturday (maybe Jeanette will come not sure yet) Zack will be watching the to littler ones. I will most likely meet tony at his house and ride up from there. the side jobs need to pay for the boat (this is the only item we have not budgeted into my regular expenses) Jeanette will be collecting unemployment which is basically the same as having a full time job at 8$ an hour. this will help. we basically have 21 weeks to find the job that she can enjoy and make good money. we are not in a crunch, we just need to be more mindful on a day to day basis. all of your prayers are greatly appreciated.
Reply to this