Every Rung Goes Higher, Higher

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

 ⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹As it is written: 

   "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; 

      his righteousness endures forever." ¹⁰Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

 ¹²This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.  ¹⁵Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

This is the first of three scripture readings being used in our services this weekend.  I don't know any more about what message will be delivered but when I read this passage it hit home hard.  I was always told "you will reap what you sow".  Simple enough, be good or when it comes your time, you will not get back good.  But when I read these verses it really says a whole lot more.

God makes grace abound!  His grace is huge....um....abundant!  God grows our supply and increases our righteousness.  And in the end, God will be praised, you will be prayed for.  His indescribable gift.

Do you hear (see) the motivation in this passage.  It's not just being good so that we will have good happen to us.  It is about  1.) be identified in Christ and 2.) to reap His blessing and 3.) So that God will be praised!  All this given to us by God, Himself because, He wants us to be rich ~ in Him.

I don't know about you, but when I read this yesterday, it just made my heart soar and gave me a desire to serve Him more.  

May His mercies rain -  no -  pour, down up on us.  Go, serve Him.

Short Lived

I just can not believe the weekend is over, along with Monday and that we are actually well on our way into Tuesday.  Mother's Day was spent with my mommasita.  It was good to get out of town, even if it was for a 4 hour car drive over a 3 hour visit.  But we are fortunate that we can get together rather easily, none of the flying stuff for us, no real vacations, just visiting.  The simple life.  (for simple minds.)

The truck choked to death a couple of weeks ago.  The new engine should be installed by Wednesday.  Not too bad, waiting.  Affords one the opportunity to come up with the funding.  My money tree out back has been plucked so badly, I don't know if it will ever grow back.  And of course, before we can get the truck back on the road the "check engine light" has now come on on the toyota.  It says engine maintenance....uh yeah.  It's hard to see through this, yet I know it will work out.  I don't know how.  I guess I don't need to know how.  It just will.

I think it must be my bed time.  I am getting pissy.....and since I don't need to take you there, I guess I will just shut down for the night.

g'nite from some where out there......

g

Moving Right Along

Ahhhhh Saturday.  I am beginning to like them.  

Especially since Cooper D packed up his hobo bag and left with his ma'ma'.  She got him a new house!  With all the dirt in the backyard ready made.  No need to tear up the lawn.  And besides a new house, he got a baby brother.  Jackson has joined the troupe.  It's a mixed lot now, ranging from white to black to gray.  With blue eyes even.  And what's best about it....my kitchen floor is free of dirt, grime, dog slopper, and the I give up attitude.  I may even wash it again today, just because I can.  [that is sick]

Clinicals start Monday for J.  Out of the classroom, she now goes to the hospital where she will be practicing her learning.  Kind of glad I don't live up there, but sure do miss her.  Maybe she will come visit me tomorrow.  Anyway, she's halfway through and no doubt in soon-time, she will be out on the streets paramedic'ing.  Pretty cool, if you ask me.

Well it is time to hop up and down, shake out the lead, and get this day on the road.  Yay.

Have a good one.  

144 Posts

Well that's interesting.  As I was bringing up this form to begin writing, I noticed that I have posted 144 times.  I have always been fascinated by that number.  Don't know particularly why, I think it had something to do w/ multiplying the biggest number we got to in elementary school with itself.  Now I know that probably sent your head reeling as you asked yourself, "Wow!  Is she a mathematician?  How did she know that?"  Relax.  I am not any where close to being a mathematician or a scientologist ....scientist, (however i am not a scientologist either.)  It's just an obscure fact that I managed to cram into this head many many moons ago that hasn't fallen out.

Speaking of many many moons ago.  The Dock-watcher just passed another moon.  Sounds like it was real exciting.  Many more moons to ya, bro.

I am rambling....

Oh yeah, the retreat.  How was it?  It was awesome.  Topic:  Soaring Faith, Isaiah 40:31.

Speaker:  Martha Lawley.  Cool lady.  Things to think about:  Faith is not just a desirable option, but the foundation of our walk with God.  It is not for Him, but what He wants for us.  Spirit or flesh, whichever one you feed will be the one that leads.  Serve for His glory.  Ask, "What have you planned for me today, Lord?"  As we come to know how big God is, we will be moved to genuine worship.  

Good stuff.  

The ocean was perfect, from the cliffs we were on.  Would have gone down to the beach but it meant climbing back up.  Fresh air makes for easy sleeping.  Gaggles of girls, from young to old, makes for good talks and warm hearts.

Good stuff.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh it was that relaxing.  :)

The End o' Six

Today, I begin my 7th month at my job with a day off.  My first full day off since I began.  I have looked so forward to it because I am taking the day off to go to the Women's Retreat.  It's a full weekend at THE BEACH.  Forecast:  rain.  But who cares.  I am looking for some quiet time, time to relax and recharge.  Yep.  

So here's to you at The Dock, and in The Rockies and even you in the Te'-ja-cho-pees.   Enjoy your weekend.  Pretend this is a post card.  

Loving Like Jesus

I don't know if you guys noticed or not, but I took down my last post.  I actually deleted and don't even know word for word what I said in it.  But I do remember the general content and and several days after posting it I was convicted to remove it.  Why?  

About six months ago, maybe longer, even, but certainly since, I have had a strong, immeasurably so, desire to learn more about "how" to love like Jesus does.  "Give me your eyes, so I can see...."  These lyrics may ring in your head.  I have heard about Jesus since as far back as I can remember.  I have sang the "Jesus Loves Me" multitudes of time, during my highest highs and my lowest lows.  I know Jesus.  But as our relationship grows and I gain a better understanding of not only "who" He is, but what He did for me, I want to be more like Him every day.

I recently started a book, I am about 1/2 the way through it.  "What's So Amazing About Grace?", by Phillip Yancey.  If you have not had an opportunity, make one and dive in.  

G.R.A.C.E ~ God's Redemption At Christ's Expense.    Certainly an easy way to remember what He has done for me.  He bore it all.  All of me, my filthy self, He took to the cross, died and rose again in order to clean whiter than snow that I may be reconciled to our Father.  

I took the post down because, even though we may never forget, and need to remember in order to move closer to Him, we need to forgive.  That is grace.  I am not quite sure that I have forgiven others who may have not offended me directly and I harbor ill-feelings towards those who hold beliefs counter to my own.  And in harboring those feelings, grace can not be borne towards others.  Do "I" need to apologize for things "I" did not do?  I do if it is a situation where my actions are based upon other's actions taken when/where there was no forgiveness...grace.....allowed. 

Reconciliation will only come when each of us look more closely at and work towards leading grace-filled lives. 

So in this re-post.....Never forget, but always forgive.  

There ya have it,,,,,,have a good day....He made it just for you.

Tax Freedom Day

I didn't have to work today.  But I did have to file my income taxes.  A drudge of a task, if you ask me and I am way late gettin' 'er done this year.  So late even, that as a matter-of-fact, I managed to file them on the National Holiday, better known as Tax Freedom Day.  Today you, all you working dogs, have theoretically earned enough since January 1, 2009 to pay your federal income tax.   Ha!  Doesn't that make you feel special????  Ha!  Don't get to excited, this does not mean you are tax free as of today.  They will continue to take your donation throughout the rest of the year AND they will continue to charge you where you least see it for all the wonderful things Uncle Sam wants to give to you.  Like taxes on hotel rooms,  gasoline, cigarettes (although most of us have quit), and so on.  And even as they collect every penny they can get their hands on, they still are not anywhere close to satisfying the nation debt, let alone current budget.

Let's do a flat tax.  Just for the sake of trying something new.  But until then, lets check out The Tax Day Tea Party on April 15th.  http://taxdayteaparty.com/ .  I am sure there is a "celebration" somewhere close to you.  I think I will be starting a new tradition in my home town.

Here's to you Uncle Sam...your brother Arnold is just as bad.