somewhere between

Proverbs 16:33 The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. If the disposal of the lot is the Lord's whose is the arrangement of our whole life? If the a simple casting of a lot is guided by Him, how much more the events of our entire life-especially when we are told by our blessed Saviour: "The very hairs of your head are all numbered: not a sparrow falleth to the ground without your Father." It would bring a holy calm over your mind, dear friend, if you were always to remember this. It would so relieve your mind from anxiety, that you would be the better able to walk in patience, quiet, and cheerfulness as a Christian should. When a man is anxious he cannot pray with faith; when he is troubled about the world, he cannot serve his Master, his thoughts are serving himself. If you would "seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness," all things would then be added unto you. You are meddling with Christ's business, a

If one should ever be tempted to think that Jesus was all mushy and only said "positive" things that would build people's self-esteem, he should read Luke 11:37-54. Jesus goes against any idea that one might have about not offending your dinner host. A Pharisee had invited him to dinner and Jesus first makes a point by not ceremonially washing his hands - which gives an open door for a "real" conversation. One of the things he accuses the Pharisees of doing... "For you pay tithe of mint and rue and every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice and the love of God; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others." Makes me think - am I disregarding justice and loving God and emphasizing smaller, more insignificant things? It seems like it is one of those things of making an idol out of some good thing. For instance, lately I've been doing tons of reading and strategizing on how to save money on groceries an

From Spurgeon's Morning and Evening for 12/14 "Thou shalt never find a bundle of affliction which has not bound up in the midst of it sufficient grace."

From the world I came from almost 4 years ago, the concept of "losing my life" would have been something looked at with deep sadness and met with encouraging mantras of "doing something for yourself" or reminders that raising my children "won't last forever" and that I could still "do something with my life". The idea of leaving a successful and promising career confused a lot of people, but they also knew I was "very religious" so they expected something weird from me. So, on the day my first child was born I put my last development project live, cooked supper then went to the hospital. While I've had seasons where I worked part-time doing development work, my more-than-full-time job has been serving my husband and children as a home-maker. A few days ago a breeze from my old life blew through my office. I still manage one website and had to call my hosting company's technical support. It is amazing to me how refresh

This past month has been a little crazy with Thanksgiving preparations etc.etc. and then everyone in the house being sick. I hope that we have turned the corner...we'll see today. After Romans, I've been reading, on the suggestion of my husband, through one of the Gospels. I chose Luke, I think because the Christmas story in Luke 2 is the most familiar to me and is almost like poetry. However, I haven't had time to comment on the different chapters, but today! I did get up early enough (thanks to actually sleeping last night) to be able to journal some. So, what stands out to me today? Luke 8 is a long chapter! And, Luke 8:15 when Christ is explaining the parable of the sower (which Phil did an excellent job preaching a few weeks ago), he says in Luke 8:15 "But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance." Bearing fruit with perseverance.... 1. We shoul