A Heart of Wisdom

Each day as we pass the cemetery I pray, “Lord, teach me to number my days that I may get a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). I look forward to my children having the same request.

On the kids’ daily wagon ride around our neighborhood, this is the site we see about 2 blocks away from our house. Unlike many people, I like having a cemetery near by. Not in a morbid way, but as a daily “wake-up call”. Life is VERY SHORT! Just take a look at 10 words/phrases that are listed in The Bible to describe man’s frailty & life’s brevity.

* fleeting (Psalm 39:4)
* a few handbreadths (Psalm 39:5)
* a mere breath (Psalm 39:5,11)
* a shadow (Psalm 39:6)
* like grass (Psalm 103:15)
* like a flower (Psalm 103:15)
* a mist (James 4:14)
* dust (Psalm 103:14)
* a wind (Psalm 78:39)
* passing away (I Corinthians 7:31)

So, if “my lifetime is as nothing before God” (Psalm 39:5), what really matters? A heart of wisdom matters! Wisdom means “to be wise in mind, word or act” (STRONG’S Comprehensive Concordance of the Bible – Hebrew Dictionary p.39). The wisdom that comes from above leads to righteousness (James 3:13-18). How would you answer the following questions?

-Are you striving to have a heart of wisdom more than you are that Degree, position, or raise on your job?
-Are you striving to have a heart of wisdom more than you are trying to keep up with the latest episode of a TV show or gossip of a TV star?
-Are you striving to have a heart of wisdom more than you are buying more stuff or doing more activities?

If Jesus answered these questions about you, would He be pleased with the results? Most likely, we ALL need to grow in this area. May the Lord help us to desire Him more and strive for the wisdom that only He can give.

And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. I John 2:17

It’s Not A Fad!

Fad (noun) - a temporary fashion, notion, manner of conduct, etc., esp. one followed enthusiastically by a group. Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
- a temporary fashion; a craze, interest or activity that (some) people follow enthusiastically, but lasts for a short period of time. Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary (Beta Version), © 2000-2006 K Dictionaries Ltd.

Isn’t it interesting that the definition of the word “fad” matches the world’s view of marriage? Just take a look at most Hollywood marriages. Are they temporary fashions - YES! Are they enthusiastically followed, but last only a short period of time - YES! However, this is all they know. God is love (I John 4:16) and God created marriage (Genesis 2:24). Most of them don’t know God so they’re doing what’s expected of them.

Sadly, many Christian marriages look the same. The church is full of families that have broken homes, broken commitments, and broken vows. The marriages last as long as the 2 people are “happy”. There is no where in the Bible that says happiness is a prerequisite for commitment. I would define commitment as sacrificial endurance in fulfilling a promise or vow. It takes sacrifice – give up your self for the sake of your spouse (i.e. selfless serving). It takes endurance – patience & perseverance.

So, on today, I want to Thank you Mom and Dad for being my Marriage Heroes of the Faith. By God’s grace, you have stood through many storms in your marriage that many could not bear. Your commitment to one another speaks volumes of God’s love and gives glory to Him. I am grateful for the legacy that you have paved for your children, grandchildren, & generations to come.

I praise God that June 2nd marked the 35th year of your Marriage!

I pray that you will have many more years of trusting in the Lord together and continue to be great examples of commitment.

I Love You!

Pics of the Week: My God's Glory

These pictures speak of the glory of God. Just look at His awesome creation! Give Him honor & praise!

Taken on 6.9.08 while on an airplane.

"There is none like God, ...who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty" (Deuteronomy 33:26).

OUR 9TH ANNIVERSARY!!!

Sorry I haven't blogged in so long. We just got back from celebrating our 9th Anniversary at the RiverWalk in San Antonio, TX. What a joyous celebration! Kempton was already in TX speaking at a Retreat and then I flew down to join him. My parents stayed with the kids...Praise Jesus for selfless & serving grandparents! We stayed in the Omni La Mansion del Rio Hotel. If you ever stay on the RiverWalk, stay there! It's beautiful and the service is top notch.

When I walked into our room, I was surprised by the dozen of long stem roses that my hubby had the hotel put in the room before our arrival. I thank God for a romantic husband.

We didn't have plans to do anything in particular. We just enjoyed spending much needed alone time together. This is a MUST for all you married couples out there. Plan at least one get away with your spouse each year. IT'S SO WORTH IT!!!

Better than MasterCard!

New Outfit....................... $50

Hotel ............................... $260

Airplane ticket ...................$470

Celebrating 9 Joyous Years of Marriage.....

PRICELESS!!!

Integrity: Part 2

In the previous post, I talked about having integrity within your home. Let’s take a look at what integrity means and how we can practically live out this characteristic.

Integrity means completeness, innocence, perfection, uprightness. With integrity, you desire to be blameless, righteous, and holy. So, how do you do that? Well, here are a few things that have helped me in striving to “walk in integrity within my house.”

1) Each day (preferably in the morning), pray and read the Word (A Psalm a day is an idea). The Word is our only Truth. The only way to walk in integrity throughout the day is to have a sanctified mind. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17).

2) After you pray and read the Word, pick a key verse to meditate on throughout the day.
Idea: Post the verse on an index card. Take an index card and on the left side write the days of the week then write the verse beside that day (eg. Monday – Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10). Post the index card in a place that you frequent throughout the day (eg. by the kitchen sink or bathroom mirror). By the end of the week, you have a complete card with all your verses from that week. This is also a great way for scripture memorization.
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night” (Psalm 1:2).

3) Be quick to confess your sins to God and apologize to your hubby and children. If you get a bad attitude, respond harshly or angrily, yell or scream, etc, you should be quick to make the situation right with God and with your loved one. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).

4) Whenever you watch TV, go online, listen to music, or read anything, ask yourself:
1. Is this beneficial or worthless for my soul? “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless” (Psalm 101:3).
2. Is this allowing me to stay spiritually sober and in a mindset of prayer? “Be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers” (I Peter 4:7).
3. Do you realize that Jesus is right there with you? Is He & His Word being honored, reverenced, and glorified by what you’re looking at? “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (I Corinthians 10:31).

These 4 points just touch the surface of striving for integrity. There are many, many others. So, take the time to ask the Lord how you can best express integrity of heart within your house.

I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. Psalm 101:2-4

Integrity: Part 1

This past winter, I was riding with 2 others ladies on the way to our church’s Annual Pastor’s Wives Retreat. One of them is in the season of life that I am in being a stay-at-home mom with a preschooler and infant. So, we shared our many challenges of trying to do it all and do it well. The other woman in the car was an older wise mother who had passed this stage and now was enjoying grandchildren. I will never forget the words of wisdom she shared with us that day.

She shared this verse with us, “I will walk with integrity of heart within my house” (Psalm 101:2b). I had never seen that verse before. It’s such a perfect verse for us homemakers who from sun up to sun down (& beyond :-) give ourselves to serving our kids, hubbies, & homes. She also encouraged us to not be discouraged about not being able to get everything done. The most important thing we can model to our children is to have a heart of integrity in all that we do. Even though we don’t have a lot of outside ministry or influence during this season, we are still responsible before God to have integrity within our homes. Remember that you always have an audience of One – Almighty God. He is the One that you please and serve. By His grace, He will reward your faithfulness.

His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.' Matthew 25:21