1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
(Thursday during the yard sale Issac wrote and created cards for several of his friends–Pam, next time I see you he made one for each of your girls.)
Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer
A side note: the following was sketched out while watching the kids play in the pond today. The sheer joy and peace they had was heartening and brought to mind Psalm 104 and its wonderful story of God’s absolute provision. I only share a portion of it here, the rest can be found here.
10 He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains.
11 They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.
13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
14 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth:
15 wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.
16 The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees.
18 The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the coneys. [b]
19 The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.
20 You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl.
21 The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.
22 The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens.
23 Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.
24 How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25 There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small.
26 There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.
27 These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time.
28 When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.
A side note: the following was sketched out while watching the kids play in the pond today. The sheer joy and peace they had was heartening and brought to mind Psalm 104 and its wonderful story of God’s absolute provision. I only share a portion of it here, the rest can be found here.
10 He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains.
11 They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.
13 He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work.
14 He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth:
15 wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart.
16 The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees.
18 The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the coneys. [b]
19 The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.
20 You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl.
21 The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.
22 The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens.
23 Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening.
24 How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25 There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small.
26 There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.
27 These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time.
28 When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.
The following is a good morning song the kids and I sing to the tune of the Veggietales song Laura sings at the beginning of Rack, Shack, and Benny. We sing it most mornings when we wake up, and I know I have it in my head every morning as I wake. I had it in my head this morning and it seemed the perfect thing for this week.
God is everywhere working all around us, just as learning is everywhere, and with both all we have to do is open our eyes to see so we can join in.
When God really wants us to learn something He speaks to us through our circumstances exactly where we are.
Living for Him and loving His people should be our lifestyle just as learning should be a lifestyle.
Opportunities to learn and to know God better are everywhere, not just in traditional settings.
In fact, those times when we are learning outside of traditional settings tend to be those where we learn and grow the most.
Expect the unexpected and don’t be surprised when God shows up.
It is amazing the learning and growing that God has provided through living life to the fullest, finding joy in His creation, and reading about Him from His Word. I am so thankful for the numerous opportunities He provides us to learn and grow in wisdom and understanding and in getting to know Him better. God is GOOD!
