I am a Christian, husband to my beautiful wife & best friend of nine years and father of three adorable children.
I use this website to log my thoughts, happenings & whatnot. Sometimes my posts are work or web-related & sometimes they are family-related or just random.
I produce creative design and code for a living at Visual Notion.
God brought an interesting realization to me this morning that has to do with getting my hopes up for various things in life. I've heard the phrase, "Don't get my/your hopes up." What God brought to mind was this:
My frustration towards a given certain situation or set of circumstances stemmed from getting my hopes up because of a possibility instead of the One that provided it.
Me: Lord, I need this to be done. I'm worn out and tired of waiting for something to happen, here.
God: Wait.
Me: What!? After today and the previous couple of months!?
God: Wait.
Me: I'm tired of waiting. I'm frustrated and angry about all of this.
God: I know you are, but just wait.
Me: I'm at the end of my rope here!
God: The rope is longer than you think. I know it's hard on you now, but just wait.
Me: Why?
God: Because I said so. It's good for you to wait, right now. Trust me.
Had a lot on my mind and couldn't get to sleep. These verses certainly put all of these various things into a more focused and properly prioritized perspective:
I was watching TV while washing some dishes tonight and I noticed the St. Jude commercials where Marlo Thomas says, "Give thanks for the healthy kids in your life, and give to those who are not."
I've always thought that was a great slogan and thoughtfully done, but tonight the question came to mind: "But who are they giving thanks to?" I've heard a lot of PSA's (Public Service Announcements) and commercials that talk about giving thanks, but when you think about it, doesn't it seem odd that they never say who we're supposed to give thanks to?
I'll never forget the time God spoke to my heart to pack my backpack with an extra jacket, two pairs of clean socks and an umbrella. I was at a college retreat with other friends from church. The weekend had a typical retreat schedule and like most evenings, we were going to have a time of worship and a speaker would provide the sermon/lesson. I remember that tug at my heart not to go that evening. God didn't want me to go. What I learned that night has stuck with me ever since. God was calling me to be prepared.
I've learned today that God will ask us to sacrifice when WE are in need, for someone else who is also in need.
He will ask you to give, when what you have to give is what you were depending on; the very object you desperately need.
This leaves you wholly and completely dependent upon Him. You are more open to what He wants for you in your education of who He is and in what way HE wants you to be blessed.
Will I trust him with all I am and all I have?
Will you?
WHEREAS it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favour; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me "to recommend to the people of the United States a DAY OF PUBLICK THANSGIVING and PRAYER, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establifh a form of government for their safety and happiness:"
NOW THEREFORE, I do recommend and assign THURSDAY, the TWENTY-SIXTH DAY of NOVEMBER next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed;-- for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish Constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted;-- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge;-- and, in general, for all the great and various favours which He has been pleased to confer upon us.
And also, that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions;-- to enable us all, whether in publick or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us); and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
GIVEN under my hand, at the city of New-York, the third day of October, in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine.
(signed) George Washington
Source: The Massachusetts Centinel, Wednesday, October 14, 1789
I gave the "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day" speech to our oldest children this morning when they wanted to pick at their breakfast instead of eat it. (It's frosted mini shredded wheat. What's not to like?)
My proud speech: "Do you know what the most important meal of the day is? Breakfast. You need it to get you going in the morning and help you make it through the day. It will give you energy to run, play, and think. It is very important."
My wife and I got the kids ready and I dropped them off for school as is our priority most mornings. I knew I needed to read my Bible this morning and spend some time with God. In that still quiet voice that he used with Elijah on the mountain, He kept reminding me: "Spend some time with me."
Michael Oher's story is an awesome example of God intervening in a child's life.
Do your best to do the right thing in any situation.
It may cost you time, pain, money, etc., but there's nothing like a clear conscience.
For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. – 2 Corinthians 8:21 (NIV)
