Memory Verse

Psalm 118:5-6
I called on the LORD in distress;
The LORD answered me and set me in a broad place.
the LORD is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?

Wordless Wednesday

New family toy - first camp out for Monkey
In the backyard, of course!

Now we can bring this in the warm months - Heath - don't have to worry about waking your brood. we'll just put the men outside - and I'll take the couch! :)

I need to learn better

As you grow up - you learn never to pray for patience - because the Lord never just gives it... He makes you learn it. He allows things to happen so that you must practice that for which you seek so desperately. Much like praying for patience I need to learn how to choose the Bible verses I decide to memorize. In my earlier blog I mentioned that this time I'm memorizing Eph 3:20-21 - I blogged about "Exceedingly Abundantly." I should have considered while writing the blog that there was a reason for the Lord's choosing of that verse.

The day after that blog my Monkey got into some trouble. What we as parents thought was just another pothole in the road turned quickly into a crevasse that seemed insurmountable. Of course, to God, it was just a teeny tiny divot - barely noticeable. During this time I tried to meditate on the verse - "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us..."

What exactly does this mean for us? We are currently going through this storm that feels like a hurricane - wind howling and swirling around us, cold driving rain pelting our skin like pin pricks, and poor visibility. It would be very easy to lose myself in the goings on around me, focusing on the circumstances, my feelings, the cause. Instead, a better use of my time is to meditate on God's Word, turning my focus toward Christ, knowing that He has our best interest at heart, and standing on the promises of "'I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord..." Jer. 29:11-12, or "Call upon Me in the day of trouble, I will rescue you and you will glorify Me." Ps 50:15, or "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7.
It is here in the Scripture that my God comforts me. He assures me that He is here. That nothing is out of control. That He will make all things beautiful in His time. What may seem as an insurmountable crevasse is a way in which God is strengthening me, Monkey, Jeremy - to bring glory to Him. And on that day - when success is achieved - you better believe that I will say - "Here we erect an altar of remembrance to God Almighty - He has brought us through this. Nothing is impossible with Him. He is faithful to save to the uttermost."

From now on, I'm sticking to memory verses like, "Jesus wept." or "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Maybe memorizing Scripture that doesn't have its roots in edification will stave off trials and storms.


Somehow, I don't think it will happen that way. :)

Wordless Wednesday

Only my boy would make a smiley face with his spaghetti. :)
So Proud!

Exceedingly Abundantly

I have been on a quest to memorize 21 Bible verses this year. I add an additional verse on the first and fifteenth of each month. I had one ready for April 1st , however, I never added it to my blog.

My April 1st verse is Ephesian 3:20-21:

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.


Think on that for a minute. He is able to do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us". Wow! All of those prayer requests that we have... that we lift to Him? Exceedingly abundantly! The desires we have in our hearts to change? Exceedingly abundantly! The salvation of our loved ones? Exceedingly abundantly! And then it goes on to say that it is according to the power that works in us! It's already there. He gave us the power in the Holy Spirit! Exceedingly abundantly! We have no cause for fear! We have no cause for dismay! We have no cause for trepidation! We have Exceedingly abundantly! It is ALL TO THE GLORY OF HIS NAME! That is why He gives us exceedingly abundantly... so that is all to the glory of HIS name! This is available to all generations, forever and ever!

When I consider my sin, it often causes me to stumble. To go down in to the pit and wallow in self-pity, self-defeat, sorrow, and helplessness. Why would I want to stay there when I can have exceedingly abundantly? Then, I remember Jesus on the cross. Living a holy perfect blameless life only to sacrifice Himself up on the cross of a criminal - the worst torturous death imaginable. My cross. He left heaven and perfect communion with His Father to live in an imperfect world to die a death that wasn't His to die so that I could live a life forever with Him. It inspires me to live exceedingly abundantly.

Happy 5th Birthday!!!!

What a difference a year makes!!!!!
Monkey, we are so proud of you and your accomplishments this year.
You have done so much growing, not just in stature, but also in attitude.
I love to see how Jesus is shaping your heart.
It is my prayer that you follow Him always, and grow in His favor daily,
that you may turn many to righteousness and be like the stars, forever and ever.

Happy 5th Birthday!
We love you and are so blessed to have you as our son!