Set Your Hearts on Things Above

I'm taking part in monthly writing prompts with the Scarf Sisters. Heaven knows how much this is needed.

February's Blog Prompt:  Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

There is a great rift in our nation and the world that is tearing folks right and left with much passion and angst.  Name calling, political fodder being slung, nasty comments, division in every topic of discussion.  This reaches into our homes via the radio, internet, news, sports, etc.  Families become divided and pitted against each other.  

Much has been the result of public media ~ do you really think it's such a good idea to 'say what's on your mind' in a short snippet on Face Book or a Tweet on Twitter?  Is your opinion important?  Yes.  Should your opinion render you to rant and rave and raise your blood pressure?  No.  

With a presidential campaign starting up, the mud slinging will once again tear into the fabric of the candidates ~ sordid 'laundry' will be hung on the line for all to see and the churning of stomach acid will be inside the bellies of countless numbers as they chime in their personal opinion for all the world to see or ignore.  In speech, remember one thing before speaking your mind:  LESS IS MORE.  

May your words be edifying to God.  May your mind be kept captive to the King of heaven and earth.  May your speech be peppered with grace and kindness. 

There is nothing new under the sun.  Mankind has gone through each and every thing in our current affairs over and over throughout history; maybe minus the media .. but still the same.  Guard your heart and eyes, keep your family rooted in the Good Book, stand firm, be kind, and be in prayer ~ most importantly ~ Set your hearts on things above!

I'm So Over Technology!

Give me the good old days with party line rotary dial phones!  No computers sucking the life out of my brain!  Actually .. a couple of tin cans and some string would be a big improvement to what we've had as phone and internet service of late.  Living in the mountains has it's plus sides .. and it's drawbacks .. technology here is dismal at best!

To counter the fried brain and pulled out hair, I've been ripping through the underbrush in the backyard to help reduce fire fuel.  My chainsaw and metal blade shrub cutter buzzed and sawed for several hours today .. and now I have a big mess to clean up ... but the mental tension is gone!

After seriously considering smashing my not so smart phone .. and dropping my brand new laptop computer out the second story window, I paused for reflection and decided I'd be a grown up and just take a moment to pray.  Walk away from the (junk) problem .. sit on the front porch rocker, water my flowers .. and tease the cat with some cat mint .. gather my composure .. reenter the house with all of the techie gadgets on the fritz .. only to find out that they are now working ... HUH!  My computer service is working (fingers crossed) .. and I updated a software on my telephone antenna .. that restored my home phone service ... All I needed to do was to remember to give my problems to God .. how could I forget that??? 

Fruit Of The Spirit

photo by Mrs. Mac

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."  Galatians 5:22-26

Church 'For' The Birds

Another Sunday rolls around and I'm home bound .. alone with Nathan.  He does not 'do' church well (period).  Today's Bible lesson was one that was observed from the comfort of my backyard perch wicker chair.  A pair of binoculars and a Western Bird field guide ... along with scripture were my instruments for learning.  God often speaks to me when I'm in the back woods observing His creation.  Today at the feeder I spied a red headed 'purple' finch.  The description in the field guide informs that this (male) bird appears to have been dipped in raspberry juice :)  I wonder why he's called 'purple'?  Anyway ... being in the presence of God's creation is very fulfilling.  The scripture says... Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky ... (Gen. 1:20).  Some days I envision all of man's devices for following God null and void.  When you strip all but the very basic form of worship .. you have communion with Him that has set the stars in place.  Just think how blessed we are to have written scripture and the ability to read.  Even so, without these abilities, we should still know that God is the creator of the universe.  He has left enough finger and foot prints for us to follow.  Have a blessed day.

"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."    Romans 1:18-20 (NIV)

copyright free image from here

A Question For God

Dear Lord,

I'm confused. I hope you can help me understand something that has been bothering me. Here goes:

Why do some people who defend the rights of pre-born children and approve of forceful/sanctioned methods used against t^^rorists in an attempt to further thwart said people causing hateful/evil destruction against your creation get 'trashed' by the news media and politicians? and ...

Why do some people pamper and cater to t^^rorists yet do everything in their power to have laws passed approving the termination of innocent pre-born life get promoted as a 'side' for the so called more 'enlightened', people?

Today's Grace

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Psalm 5:1-3

KJV

There's No Hiding

.... from God. In years past, I have been a magnet for depressed souls. Being a Polyanna optimist has its flaw in that the severely depressed seem to be attracted to me in an overwhelming number. My initial response is to help fix problems. Most people don't just look me up in the phone book under Miss Sunshine, but are lead to me by divine intervention (I presume ;). Some have been inherited through hubby's guy friends in the form of wives. Others from my past home schooling networks. However they find me, turning them away from a listening ear, a cup of tea, or an outing out has not been in my nature. Add to that the pressure of being the mom of child with his own special needs, it's not hard to understand how after moving to a new state, with a new start, has made me steer clear of forming attachments. Just last night I commented on a friend's blog about how I am 'hiding from God (in jest) considering myself not available to this 'outreach' He has bestowed upon me. No more than ten minutes had gone by from hitting the 'send' button for my comment when the phone rang. I picked it up to hear a familiar voice, from another state, just wanting to make sure she hadn't lost touch with me. This after 18 months of no contact. She being one of the ex-wives of hubby's childhood friend. I took this to be a sign from God that there is no hiding from Him. Just too coincidental. Am I alone in doing this 'hiding'?