Wisdom Yields Patience

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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.

Book Review: "Nourished"

       

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.

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.

Humble, Pray, Seek (and Unplugging)

“Then if my people who are called by my name

 shall humble themselves and pray,

 seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,

 I will hear from heaven and will hear from heaven

and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”

 2 Chronicles 7:14 NLT

               These are the words of God. He lays out a plan for His children who attended the dedication,  (and us), when their (our) land becomes evil. God directs His children to humble themselves—come clean about sins.

               God’s people are to intently look into His face, again with an open heart. We all know people who try to fool others with their stories and their actions. We can’t fool God. He sees everything—no matter how we try to keep things from Him.

               We don’t hear of people seeking items any more. People don’t spend time in earnest searching for things they want. They look for them but they don’t always count the costs. I try to plan my days and think realistically about my purchases. 

                 In spiritual issues, maybe our society has become too casual in the things that make up relationships with God. When I returned to Jesus, I believed that Jesus loved me as I was, period. I could not or did not understand He wanted to make me into the person He desired me to be. You see, I thought that coming to Christ was the end of a journey; I didn’t know it was the beginning of one.

               We learn a lot of things about God and ourselves when we take time and sincerely pray to Him.

UNPLUGGING
              We are having some interior work done in our home: living room painted and new carpet. This is a two phase project,covering three days. We hope it will fall into place this week. Then, putting the house back into order will take some time.We are going down to the southern part of the state to help our son settle into his new apartment. I will be unplugged until April 6, 2015.

Seek and Find

“Ask and it will be given to you;

 seek and you shall find;

 knock and the door shall be opened to you.

” Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

               Ask “you have not because you do not ask God.”(James 4:2b) God wants us to ask for forgiveness. He expects us to realize our wrong doing. God, who is aware of our needs, from time to time wants us to bring our wants to Him.

               The act of asking implies two people have a relationship, one that is close or has the potential to be. However, when we ask God for anything, we have to accept that it will only be given to us if it is accordance to His will. We might not be able to handle what we think we can. However, he listens to us.

               Seek You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV) The word ‘seek’ Implies an effort being put forth. Have you ever lost something—a precious piece of jewelry or a favorite book? We search high and low for it. It’s like we have to find it or we will not be the same.

                 Knock “to him who knocks the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:8 (KJV) refers to a person summoning the attention of another. We try to get another person to listen to our need, hear of our wants, or consider aiding or assisting us. When we knock on heaven’s door, scripture tells us we should enter in an attitude of humility and yet with a mindset of believing God will listen to our petitions and our intercessions.

Seek and Rejoice

“Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.”

1 Chronicles 16:10 (NIV)

               King David committed the psalm (song) of thanks in which I found this verse. I have grown to love the section of this chapter(vv1-36). It is full of adoration and praise for Who God is.

               David tells his readers and listeners to “Glory in his name.” The Glossary in my Bible says this use of glory is to, “to worship and praise him for the qualities revealed.” (1)

               My favorite part of this verse is the next part. “let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice.” God rewards those who seek Him

By letting them see Him at work in the lives of others. The 10-year-old girl for whom our church has been praying, decided she wanted to get baptized. I heard she had 17 members of her family surrounding her on that day. The church service also included a healing service for her and her brother.

               When we seek God and strive to follow His ways, we may see events through His eyes. He blesses us in innumerable ways. I keep a log of His gifts, those praiseworthy deeds, to me. Toward end of February, I noticed I had quite a few more than I thought I would have. When I read this verse, I realize I have been seeking the LORD more.      

Seek First

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness

and all these things shall be added unto you.”

 Matthew 6:33 (KJV)

                

Seek Look for, search diligently for. We don’t have to search for things in the same way as our pioneer forebears. We go to the grocery stores and purchase our food. We don’t have to hunt for our meat, unless we want to.

               Seek first We must make our search for God a priority in our lives. If I don’t read my Bible and devotional source just after I awaken, I might forget. The day rushes ahead at a fast pace. If I have several things to do or other things come up. The day is gone and I haven’t spent time with God. I love the early morning time I spend with God.

1.) My house is quiet. I am not distracted by voices, the telephone, or the television.

2.) I am usually fresher in mind and spirit.

3.). When I have slept well, my mind is rested. My soul is calm.

4.) My thoughts are not rushed. I haven’t gotten into my day yet.

5.) Nothing is pressing.

6.) I can bask in God’s presence.

His Kingdom Several years ago, I wondered about God’s kingdom. I had been a Christian for several years. I knew the phrase, “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” I also was acquainted with the phrase, “God’s kingdom is within you.”

a.            But how did these thoughts relate to what His kingdom actually meant? A search of a Bible dictionary yielded the idea of His kingdom involved His rule.

b.            If God rules His kingdom, then He would have control over the hearts and minds of His children. He would guide them through their lives each day—each minute of their lives.

c.            We see this quality of God being acted out in a lot of people, but we also see it not being evident in others. People have to surrender their lives to Him before He can step in and guide them.

Have you ever wondered what our world would look like if all His created children would seriously seek Him and His Kingdom? I believe it would be a far better place than we have now. Don’t you? 


Seek Ye First