Friday, April 10, 2015

Wisdom Yields Patience


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whatchristianswantoknow.com
A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.”


Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)



               What makes a person wise? I once heard that knowledge was what we learned and wisdom was found in how we applied said knowledge.      
   
               Solomon tells us that when we apply what we know to a circumstance we receive patience .I have seen this played out in my life in the past few days. If I dwell on an issue that affected our son, I find myself worked up and that is not good for me. I just realized that my getting upset takes away from my witness for Christ.

               The mother in me wants to communicate with these people and tell them the hardship they could have caused by their neglecting to inform our son of the extra time for them to complete the job he had hired them to do and for their lack of customer service skills when he made inquiry about the end result. Some people would say this is not my problem but I believe it is because it affects our son.

               Solomon says that a man will be seen in a better light if he overlooks the wrong doing. Could this be from God’s perspective or from man’s? I realize God has allowed this circumstance into our lives. This could be a test of our faith, our son’s creativity, and all our patience. I believe I may have initially failed this test.  All this circumstance brought out frustration in me. Stress and frustration cause me physical problems.

               Some offenses can only be overlooked by handing that condition over to God. This has to be one of them. I know the company will not listen to me or to our son because this company, while working for individuals and families, is still a business entity and has to look out for itself.

               But God can guide us through this time of waiting. He will get the victory.


Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Book Review: "Nourished"

     ISBN: 9780310331018  


Subtitle: A search for health, happiness, and a full night’s sleep.

By Becky Johnson and Rachel Randolph

               Becky Johnson and Rachel Randolph comprise a mother-daughter writing team. This is their second time writing as a team, their first being a cookbook, called “We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook”

               In this latest book, they share with their readers points that enrich and nourish lives. Becky describes Rachel as, “an extreme get-er-done type gal.” She describes herself as, “more of a ‘porch swing and hammock’ girl. In one short passage, Becky tells of ‘loving acceptance’ when unforeseen things happen and how the calm, cool, and collected attitude helped them when they were on a trip. She and her husband worked within the parameters of the circumstance and received some special perks because of the way they came across to those in their path. 

Rachel’s life is that of a young mother with a very busy husband and a very active toddler. Her husband is a high school football and basketball coach. She gives interesting ways to nourish herself, her marriage and her soul. In one section she tells readers to make a list of activities to calm their souls. She shares her list to get them started.

               I enjoyed reading this book; I can almost identify with the stage of life that Becky is in.(Becky's husband works as a literary agent,traveling with his work. Mine is retired and a homebody. That and I am a few years her senior.)
I applaud Rachel for her creativity in finding time and energy to write and in finding time for herself amid her busy life. 
               I would recommend this book to anyone who finds herself bogged down by the details of her life.

               I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through its BookLook bloggers program. All I was asked to do was give an honest and unbiased review.


Monday, April 6, 2015

RJD: Grace and Peace—April 2015




Journal Entry 10/18/2010

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the 
knowledge of God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:2 (NIV)

Grace  God’s unmerited love for us, our receiving something we don’t deserve, comes to us as a gift when we ask Jesus into our hearts.

Peace
the presence and experience of right relationships—is a desire, a goal and a gift from God. True peace belongs to those who turn away from their sin and ask the Father’s forgiveness.

               Peter tells us we can have these gifts in abundance when we have an intimate relationship with God through His Son.

               I need to possess these qualities in my life as I write for Him, as I live for Him, and as I communicate with other people.

               I desire God’s help in the way I present myself, especially when I face circumstances not of my choosing—the harsh ones.

UPDATE: While we were clearing out our living room for repainting and new carpet, I came across this old journal. I believe it is one I did when I read “Write His Answer” by Marlene Bagnull. I say this because the majority of the entries have a paragraph that starts with the phrase, “As one who writes for Him . . . .”


               I have enjoyed re-reading some of the entries. I intend to continue rediscovering what I believed were my responsibilities to Him at that time as I try to regain what I feel I may have lost over the years.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...