Feeling Satisfied?

My Bible study this morning asked me some questions about feeling satisfied. What does being satisfied mean to me? You might want to ask yourself the same question. To me it means feeling full to the brim with contentment, joy and peace no matter what the circumstances. It might mean something totally different to you.

Is my soul entirely satisfied with Christ or is something not right and I feel empty? Am I "pining" for something in the depth of my soul that is not being fulfilled even though life is going smoothly? ? I think I've been away from Him for so long that I haven't even noticed that I haven't felt hungry or thirsty for Him. As a result, I have been discontent and not a lot of fun to be around. I've been trying to fill myself up with the wrong things and it just plain hasn't worked. Just being aware is the first step in the right direction.

"My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you." (Psalm 63:5)

One of my favorite things to do is eat a nice meal at a nice restaurant. I love fine dining! I also love rich chocolate; actually I don't get it when someone says something is too rich! Starting just yesterday I decided to get back on track regarding the amount of sugar I consume. It is not good for me. Last weekend I made the mistake of making a batch of chocolate chip cookies. I hadn't made any in a long time, but I thought I would be the good mom and wife (yeah right, using them as an excuse!). All I can say is, I ate the majority of them. I can't be trusted with chocolate chip cookies!

When it comes down to it, those cookies didn't make me feel better. They did not satisfy a need I had in the depth of my soul. I only felt guilty afterwards and I was miserable to be around. Ask any of my family members and they'll tell you.

Thank you Lord, for making me hungry and thirsty for You. I know in the depth of my soul that You are the only way to make me the person I want to be, and a joy to be around.

Have a great Tuesday!

If it wasn't too long I would have memorize this one instead.

This morning when I was in search for the perfect verse I totally got off track. It took me WAY too long to find only my second verse of the year! I chose a verse that I could apply to my daily life, but it's those times when it's dark (3AM) that I am wide awake and my mind starts to wander. It's then that I really need a good Word.

I will let you in on where my mind went wandering last week in the middle of the night. When you get my age, you really don't care if people think you are nuts anymore. I was thinking about Jesus and the last supper. I think He was about 30 years old at the time. (I'm not completely sure, but I should research it and get back with you.) Anyway, I wondered how he chose His closest friends to be on His "A" team? Did others wish He would have picked them? Did they feel like outsiders wanting to be in the "in" crowd? I also wondered if He had lived on earth for 50+ years, would He have gotten sick of them or them of Him? I know that sounds strange for me to consider (and the fact that God is perfect and Holy, so probably not). Were His friends there for the long haul? Would they have gotten bored by seeing Him do all of those miracles if He continued doing them for years and years? Would they have gotten desensitized by it all? Was there ever conflict or misunderstandings?

I've also been thinking that God only knows how long we will live here on earth. I don't like change, and I really don't want to lose any more loved-ones... or friends.

"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." (Colossians 3:12-14)

2013 Scripture Memory #2

"for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." (Phil 2:13) NIV

This verse is a great reminder for me to trust God's Will in our lives, especially regarding job opportunities for someone living upstairs in the same bedroom he lived in when he came home from the hospital. He will give him the necessary guidance that is needed at a time such as this. It's exciting and scary at the same time, waiting on the Lord. I wish I was capable of helping him, but I trust God knows exactly what He's doing here.

Ugh. ;)

Blog-worthy reflections

Last night I spent the night alone at our little cottage. Every now and then it just feels nice to have an evening to myself. I know, I'm a bit of an introvert, but I'm okay with it. When I woke up and looked out the window this morning I saw the most beautiful sight. I didn't take my camera so this is taken with my phone. I immediately thought back to when we lived on a lake growing up and when my dad made us the best ice skating rinks. He spent so much time making them perfect for us. I wish I had a picture. He was so sweet to us. It was warm today and the snow had melted off the ice. I thought about how nice it would be if it got real cold and I could skate forever. Dad would have loved it.

Then I thought about the many times I had fallen while skating and how much it hurt when I fell on my head. The ice is so hard! My mind drifted as I thought about how hard our hearts can be when we are in a "Winter" season. But when we let the light of God in, He can melt our hardened hearts. When we don't allow HIm in we can be as cold as ice to our loved-ones and deeply hurt them. I would rather be warm and loving. When we make the choice to be vulnerable, spending some time alone with Him, there might be a few tears shed because we are disappointed about something, but He can change us and make us beautiful Oh, so beautiful.

Next is the view from another window. I took this picture on New Year's Eve. As I look at so many things I'd like to change (It would only take me and hour to fix them!), I am forced to look beyond them. Instead of focusing on everything that bothers me, those imperfections better not stop me from seeing what is important in the big picture. I need to keep my eyes on what needs changing in my own property... and in my own life. I can't go changing the neighbors (or husband or kids!). It's not my job. It's never my job to change anybody else. Whew, this one is hard! I love the owners, but WOW! I better mind my own business. Honestly though, my tendency to be a perfectionist is being tested big-time!

Now I better tell you that I asked my friends to pose for this one at Bunco the other night. I cannot tell you how much it bothers me when people are not fully present when we are together. I cannot change the way the world is changing, but Miss Manners would not approve. I'm just as guilty as the next girl, but I hope to stop being rude and distracted when I'm with you in person or on the phone. Please forgive me because I will no longer multi-task.

xoxo

Happy Thursday

the list continues...

7- resolved conflict & the safety to be honest
8-that I know that I know that I know that when my imagination goes wild it comes from satan
9-clean white snow and the sun shining on it
10- girlfriends
11- travel plans
12-so many new beginnings
13- laughter
14- kind people
15- the confidence that comes along with being 50 yrs old for almost a year
16- time to ponder my blessings
17- what music does to me
18- that I have hope...
that it's going to be a good year and I will (hopefully) bear more fruit this year than I did last year. I'll be more loving; have more joy; be more at peace; have more patience; be kinder to anyone in my path; be more gentle; have more self-control; be a "good" wife, mother, sister, aunt, counsin, neighbor and friend; and believe God by faith more this year than last.




"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control." (Gal. 5:22-23)

A New Year & A New List to get to 1000 Gifts

1-  I'm thankful that my son opens up to me about things.
2- I'm also thankful for cozy cottages in the winter with wood burning stoves.
3- I'm thankful for how thoughtful Meghan is in regards to Christmas gifts. She is amazing. Did I mention it last week? I can't remember. Anyway, it is worth repeating.
4- It's a weird Thursday because all day today and yesterday I haven't been able to remember what day it is. I think it is because Christmas and New Year's were on Tuesday. I'm thankful for routines.
5- It wouldn't be right if I didn't mention how much I appreciate my husband for continuing to be himself, even when I try like crazy to change him! I don't ever want to stifle that guy or kill his spirit. God made him the way he did, so I need to focus on his many good qualities and take it one step further by mentioning it here. ;)
6- Movies, especially Les Miserables. I just enjoyed it for the second time tonight. I'm grateful that I could afford to treat J. I loved it even more this time when I wasn't distracted.


Okay, there's a start to my new list. I'm going to try to get to 1000 by the end of 2013. It should be easy. I'm going to be a little more random about my list and not just do it on Thursday this year. I have to mix it up a little so I don't get texts from a certain little sister of mine. I appreciated her reminders and encouragement, but I'm hoping I'll be a little more self-motivated. Since I'm the big sister, I need to be a better example.

2013 Scripture Memory #1

I am dedicating 2013 to Scripture Memory. I did it a few years and it was truly life-changing. My plan is to memorize two verses per month, on the 1st and 15th. There is a group doing it together on Beth Moore's blog and I'm going to do it with them to hold me accountable.  Want to join us? If so, you can find her blog here. I find that I am better at staying in the Word on a consistent basis when I apply it to my life, so I'm going to choose verses that I need.

I'm starting out feeling a little pathetic and embarrassed that I even need to memorize this first verse. It probably comes naturally to you! I'm memorizing it because I don't always find it easy to obey God, especially if I'm in a particular mood or am a little bit mad for whatever reason. I'm pretty sure that if I commit this one to memory and action (sort of a New Year's Resolution, too!), my marriage will improve. It's going to be my own little "Love Dare." Feel free to ask me how I'm doing with it throughout the year. Thanks!

"Greet one another with a holy kiss." (2 Cor 15:12) NIV

Sounds easy, right?!

Always,
Angie