2. PROTECT YOUR HEART

As another follow-up "pondering" to the simulcast, "siesta Beth" said the following:

"Anytime we take the word of God away from the heart of God we take it out of context."

How do I know the heart of God?
Sometimes he shows me through discipline...I don't like it, but sometimes it's the only way to get my attention. Deuteronomy 8:5 "Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you."

I learn about God's heart when I truthfully examine myself. I want to be in the "in crowd", and be liked by lots of people and have lots of things. I find myself measuring myself and/or my things to those around me--oh, if I could have a bigger house...if I could have more friends. These are such trivial worries in the scheme of life, yet I still fall into them at times. The more important thing to be asking, "How often do I ask how pleased God is with my actions rather than what I have for a little while?" Luke 16:15 "He said to them, 'You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight.' "


God, please direct my heart to Your love, Your Word that isTruth, to live it, teach it, and rest on it as each day unfolds. Forgive me for seeking temporal today things. Your perseverance is like none that I can ever achieve so I rest in You, and You alone. Amen

2 Thessalonians 3:5

May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.

PROTECTION, Please!

New driver; Mommy worries

Changing frets into prayer

Share concerns, He's there

Away she drives, gone

Pacing, waiting, then ringtone

Calm returns

God's wholeness, protects

El Shaddai, at the right hand

All-sufficient Lord

Returning home, whole

Door opens, lights go out

Protection supplied; thankful sleep

Psalm 121:7-8

God guards you from every evil, He guards your very life. He guards you when you leave and when you return, He guards you now, He guards you always.

ITS ONLY 12 Steps?!

Earlier today I read about families struggling with dysfunction...and I started asking myself some questions. We were always taught to start with the dictionary, so I went to dictionary.com:

dys·func·tion [dis-fuhngk-shuhn]

1.Medicine/Medical. malfunctioning, as of an organ or structure of the body.
2.any malfunctioning part or element: the dysfunctions of the country's economy.
3.Sociology. a consequence of a social practice or behavior pattern that undermines the stability of a social system.

I believe ALL families struggle with dysfunction, in some form or fashion; and I believe it is called original sin. We are in "the body" of humans that occupy this earth, and, we each tend to malfunction in major ways from time to time, day to day, moment to moment...in our own special way; and, we all have behavior patterns we KNOW undermines ourselves, to our own detriment, then we get tummy aches, can't sleep at night, snap at the slightest provocation, or avoid relationship with those who should be closest to our hearts...so why is it so hard to correct this "dysfunction"?

This question pulled me along in curiosity, so I wanted to look at AA's 12 steps--to look at their list. I've heard of it over many years yet I hadn't read the steps specifically. When I found it, I decided to make a very abbreviated bullet list, 'cause I can absorb better in small snippets. Here's what I bulleted:

*admit problem
*believe in Power greater than self
*turn will/life over to God
*take moral inventory
*admit wrongs
*ready for God's removal of defective character
*ask God's removal of shortcomings;list persons harmed
*make amends to those people
*continue taking inventory

*admitting when wrong
*pray/meditate with God, pray His Will/power to carry out
*carry this message to others
*practice these principles in all our affairs

None of the above 12 are easy, and we humans want the easy route, the path of least resistance....it's just too hard or a substance could take control of us should we step into waters we should reject less it sweeps us down the "river of pain and suffering".

Matthew 7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it."

Thank you, Jesus, for Alcoholics Anonymous, for their reaching out to those in need in their program and those outside their program. Thank you for giving us your Son, His example of love in its most compassionate form, for His sitting at your Right Hand. May we share what He has done in our lives with people every day through our actions, words and deeds.

Yes, I believe I need to use this as my daily guide to my behavior.

For a full version, see: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twelve-step_program#The_Twelve_Steps)

photo: http://www.freefoto.com/index.jsp

I'm repeating PHIL. 4:6 a lot today...
shoulder surgery awaits CK in the next few hours and I'm honestly anxious for him.
Having been "under the knife" myself several times, "prep night" and "pre-op" activities always have a way of making it "real" before you get to it.
Last night's youth program even dealt with this subject, so God was preveniently going before us again...putting his Word in front of my face...reminding me: Phil. 4:16 "Be anxious in nothing" .
Then, this morning's "STREAMS" contributed its part. The following is paraphrased for "emphasis".

"In everything,":
All day long…when you wake in the night, whatever consumes,
speak to our Lord--your heart.

"By prayer and supplication,":
Earnest, persevering; going on and waiting, waiting on God.

"With thanksgiving":
Always present--He saved you from Hell…gave you His Holy Word, His Son, the Holy Spirit
—your reasons for thanksgiving!

"And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.":
Precious blessing--known experimentally at first…it passeth understanding.
Walk in the spirit, more abundantly glorify God
George Mueller, Life of Trust

"PRAISE GOD...GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME;

ALL THE TIME, GOD IS GOOD!