Proverbs 10

Hello cyber world!  It has been a busy 2 months but I am back and ready to share one of my quiet time findings with you.

     I was reading Proverbs 10 tonight and added some new markings to the margins of my Bible.  There were a few big points that really stood out to me this time through but one in particular is how our lips can impact our lives.  I think we have all heard the saying, "Think before you speak."  This particular chapter of Proverbs really speaks to the control of our lips.  Proverbs 10:8 says, 

"The wise in heart will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall."  

I don't know about you but my vocabulary, until tonight, did not include the word "prating".  So, I grabbed my phone, opened up the Merriam Webster dictionary and looked it up.  The definition of 'prate' read, "to talk long and idly".  Have you ever met someone who is long winded about something of no value?  Who babbles on? Have you ever been this person?  Even as I write, I think of how easily we can slip into the trap of gossip.  Does that not fit into the definition of prate?  For what is gossip but idle talk that is usually long winded? Looking at the end of that verse we see that the "prating fool will fall".  My Bible gives two other translations of 'fall'.  The first, "be thrust down" and the second "ruined".  I don't think that long winded idle talk is worth the consequence this verse lays out.

     The next thing that drew my attention was that the second half of Proverbs 10:8 is not the only place in this chapter that says, "but a prating fool will fall".  It is repeated 2 verses later in verse 10!  I'd say it's pretty important if Solomon couldn't even wait another chapter or two to reinforce the idea.  This chapter of Proverbs states numerous times that a fool does not know the difference between the proper time to speak and the proper time to be silent.  One who practices the discipline of controlling their lips is wise.  (Proverbs 10:19)  Lord, teach us how to be the wise in heart!

     Heavenly Father,  

          I thank You for Your life giving Word!  I am overjoyed that You have given it to us as a means by which to know You better.  It is my prayer that You would open our eyes to our own prating and help us to remove that from our lives.  Give us grace that we might be the righteous; who's lips know what is acceptable.  Shape us into the wise in heart that we might receive commands and grow because of them.  I thank You for opening my eyes that I might benefit greatly from Your Word.  I thank You and praise You in Christ's Holy name, Amen!

To His Glory Alone,

JMarie

Let me start by saying that it has been a VERY long time since I have written.  It kind of makes me sad.  I will try to be writing more. :)

....ok, now on to the post :) ....

I am in such a singing mood tonight!  I have been on youtube listening to a man by the name of Jeremy Best.  He has a bunch of videos in which he sings hymns (and plays guitar).  In listening tonight I am just captivated by the lyrics to these hymns.  They're not unfamiliar hymns, in fact I've been singing along.  But the Holy Spirit is at work tonight pointing out the amazing truths in the words I am singing.   From the beauty that, "this  (the blood of Jesus) is all my hope and peace" to the "marvelous grace of our loving Lord" I can do nothing but praise Him and "stand amazed in the presence of Jesus Nazarene"!  I am left with a heart full of joy and thanksgiving!
     The sad part is I feel like my generation is afraid of hymns.  That a lot of churches today are moving away from them in part because "the younger generation" doesn't listen to this music on a daily basis...if at all.  In my opinion, it's a HUGE mistake.  Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of contemporary Christian music that is full of the truth and glories of God, but why do we run from hymns? Is it the doctrinal truth? Is it because they "just aren't as moving"?
     I would have to venture a guess that if the truth in a hymn can't move us to worship the one true God, our "worship" may be based more in the tune of the music rather than the words which are written within.  And in this case...are we really worshiping our Lord or the music and the composer of the music?  Are we more caught up in the music than the JOY that is our salvation?  A hymn's truths are just as capable of causing our arms to stretch out over our heads in praise and tears to come to our eyes.  If we take the time to slow down and listen to the words...beautiful things are revealed!  Maybe that's part of our problem; we live in a culture where we never slow down.  Where slowing down and taking the time to appreciate something is frowned upon.
     Again, I'm not trying to put down the Christian music of today.  (I listen to that as well and a lot of it does share the amazing truths of God.)  I am simply trying to bring to light the beautiful hymns that our churches and this generation seem to be turning its back on.
     If you get the chance I would encourage you to take a listen to some of Jeremy's videos. The URL is at bottom of this post. The hymns are some of my favorites and they share God's character in a very real and simple way . They lead me to praise the Lord with such a happy heart! <3

To His Glory Alone,
JMarie

http://www.youtube.com/user/1513Fulton

All I Have to Be

This song is now my alarm clock on my phone.  I must say, the last few mornings have been delightful!  It's a great reminder that all we have to be is a child of the Lord and He provides and cares for us.  The world around us tries to make us believe that there is something else we should be, someone else we should be acting like, or something else we should be striving for.  I encourage you to take a moment in the morning to sit in the stillness and talk with your Lord and Savior.  To thank Him for the day, to ask for guidance in serving Him that day, and to just enjoy the stillness with Him.  If you're like me, once you leave that stillness in the morning you wont return to it until you're getting into bed at the end of the day.  Don't miss that quiet time with Him.  Allow Him to be the calm before the storm.  Sit with Him before you enter the chaos of this world.  Prepare for the day with Him and it will make the day SO much better.  I know it makes a world of difference in my days.
To His Glory Alone,
JMarie

God at Work: Anatomy & Physiology

I haven't written in a while due to a busy schedule but I would just like to say God is SO GOOD!!!
     Sitting in Anatomy and Physiology the other day and I was left yet again in awe of this great creation.  My professor was explaining how a muscle contracts...actually she was getting there.  She was talking about how a muscle fiber receives the signal to contract from a neuron originating in the spinal column and how it transfers through the entire cell by way of T-tubules and so an and so forth.  Despite the fact the it was tortuously long and slightly boring in parts I was left in awe of our great Creator.  The types of signals sent and the mechanisms that shut down or open the routes or transport might just seem to any other student like information they need to know for the next test but it left me wondering how on earth anyone could believe that we could have just happened by chance.

     The amount of complications that occur when one of these mechanisms is disturbed are deadly and yet there are those who believe that all of creation is just one big accident.  That we came to be by chance.  How little a difference there would have to be, in something as understandable and seemingly simple as a muscle contracting, for human life to cease.  HOW?  That is my question how could you not see that this was created and did not happen by mere chance?
     Don't get me wrong, I know the answer.  Eyes blinded by sin.  But it just seems so imposable that it could be missed.  I guess it can only leave me in awe and in prayer.

Heavenly Father,
     I thank you, so much, for You gifts of grace and mercy.  For the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ and His work on the cross.  I am left in amazement as I learn more of You through my classes.  I thank You that You are working in me through them and that You have open my eyes to see Your Truth.  There are so many Lord that cannot see it.  It is my prayer that You would not allow me to get so wrapped up in classes that I forget that the entire reason for my education is to seek after You.  To seek to know more of You and Your character. To seek after the places in which You show Yourself in creation.  I thank You and praise You, Father, for the opportunity to seek You through my education, even in a secular college.  Try as they may there is no disguising You, no portraying You as something other than what You are, especially to one of Your children.  I thank You for the friends and family that You have surrounded me with.  They are always an encouragement and I only hope that You would lead me to be as much of an encouragement to them.  My words are not near strong enough to convey my praise, thanks, and adoration.  Left in amazement says nothing close to how I am left by Your works.  I thank You for all that You provide, that seen, and especially that I cannot see or begin to know about.
     In Jesus name,
     Amen.

The Thoughts of a 19 Year Old

In flipping through old notes on my facebook I found a few poems I wrote a while back.  I honestly don't really remember writing them :)  hope you enjoy

Just A Thought of Life
(may 19, 2010)

I don't' know how it happens, It's something I can't explain.
The way He floods my heart with peace, and silences my pain.
My prayers never go unanswered, the Father works His will.
I can't see the whole picture yet, but I feel Him working still.

He gives me what I need, and so I need not fear.
No matter how alone i feel, I know that He is near.
Our love for Him will keep us close, today and for always.
For where He is there's continuous love, the love in which my heart stays.



 Untitled
 (November 23, 2010)

I sit here by the stream
I've gotten lost in a day dream


Of things gone by and things to come
Of where I'm going and where I'm from


Of a past that's made me who I am
Of a future brighter than I could ever plan


With worries of unknowns I try not to bother
Because all things great and small rest in the Father


For He leads my path and is transforming me
Into the woman He knew I'd one day be.

 ********************************************************************************

I'm glad I have a record of these.  It's one of those things that makes me excited.  It's like watching my life unfold, to see what I was thinking about at a particular time in my life.   Like a parent looking on at a child's life, it makes me proud.  Except it is my own life and I get to see how I grew in that period of time and how I've grown since. Praise the Lord for His guiding hand!  Also for the fact that I have a record of my appreciation for it at work in my life at age 19.  God is SO good!!

The Storm

On my way home last night during the little thunder storm we had I started thinking.  When I start thinking I start writing.  And this is what came of my thinking. Enjoy!

The Storm

Your great might and power both seen here on display
In the roaring of the wind and the driving of the rain.

In the beauty of the lightning and the rolling of the thunder
I am often left to sit here and wonder.

Why does the Creator with strength and power so great,
Care about we humans, by no standard righteous or ornate?

As the lightning flashes, a tingle in my heart
We are His children, made in His image from the start!

In the garden, we with Adam did fall
But God sent His only Son to pay the price for all

All who do believe in Him alone as Lord and Savior
Their hearts then are changed and it shows in their behavior.

So the storm has got me thinking about the changing of my soul
from a broken, wounded spirit to a body now made whole.

Such power and majesty combine for all to see
What other Being could create a change so great in me.

I am like the world in a storm washed clean
Though the process in fear is often seen.

When the storm of life has finally passed
I'll be home with my Father, I'll be home at last!


To His Glory Alone,
JMarie

Psalm 5:11

' but let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.' Psalm 5:11
Are you joyful in God?

Even as a Christian it is easy to get distracted with the things of this word. Where do you find your joy? Is it in that new car or house? Your boyfriend or girlfriend? Your job, money, family, or social status? If it is, its time to rethink and fix priorities.
Your joy should be in the Lord!  If it's not, what happens to your joy when you car gets totalled, or your house burns down? Where does it go when your boyfriend or girlfriend leaves you, you lose your job, a family member dies or you gain some weight and lose that social status you once held? I'm not saying that will happen to everyone, but everyone faces hardships.  What happens then?
If your joy is in the Lord you lean on Him. It doesn't make it all "feel" better right away.  There are hard times and things which will make you 'unhappy'. But since when does 'unhappy' in life equal not having joy in God?  It is in Him that we are saved and that's more than enough reason to be joyful! 

To His Glory Alone,
JMarie