10 reasons why Thursday is…

better than Friday. Or Ode to Thursdays.

1. I was born on a Thursday. I had one of those porcelain figurines that read “Thursday’s child has far to go.” I’d like to think it meant the work of sanctification even then.

2. Thursday is spelled like it sounds. Unlike Wed-nes-day (windsday).

3. Thank God It’s Thursday gives the acronym TGITH which sounds like something Tigger would say. I like Tigger.

4. Thursday signals the end of the week is near but without all of that Friday end of the week pressure.

5. Thursday means you have one more day to get your week’s work done.

6. Thursday night television is better than Friday night. Okay, maybe this one doesn’t count since all TV really stinks right now.

7. Thursday gets the limelight of being the last day of the week on a four day work week but again without all of that Friday pressure.

8. Thursday gets the highlight of being the beginning of a three day weekend.

9. Thursday is refrigerator smorgasbord day which means no cooking, just reheating.

10. Thursday is our family’s official sleep-in day September through May.

11. I know I said 10 but here’s the best reason today: This Thursday is my Dad’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy Thursday!

Following directions might be…

the solution to bring about world peace. At least in our schoolwork, following directions could bring peace to a particular child and this mom.

Time and again, one of my sons persists in skipping right over the directions or instructions of his assignment in an attempt to get something on paper. His frustration at having to re-do the assignment is proportional to my own exasperation that once again he ignored the directions. The multiplied effect is that prior to the assignment I specifically instruct that he read the directions first.

It’s two times of neglecting to pay attention to the instructions.

And there are lots of tired stories about the man (okay, or woman) putting together a cabinet and not reading the directions. Those stories alone created the etymology for “catty-wompus”.

But the most severe examples of consequences attached to not following directions exist in the lives of God’s people choosing to disobey His Word’s instructions for faith and life. I can speak personally to this. You can too. There is no peace found in not following His directions.

And just like this parent, my Heavenly Father requires that I acknowledge my error and re-do the assignment He gave. Confess, forgive, reconcile and then, walk worthy of the manner to which I was called. There can be no mere getting something down on the paper that suffices before the Lord. He rightly requires more.

Father, please continue to show grace to the child known as me to learn how to follow Your directions, the very first time.

Happy Monday…

to you!

If your day is at hot as the one we’re having here in High Humidityville, I certainly hope that a cool pool is in your plans.

If your day is full of life’s littles and their needs, I certainly hope that time in the Word first filled you up to meet their needs.

If your day is reeling with life’s troubles, I certainly hope that you will see God in His providence cherishing you as His child and keeping His everlasting arms beneath you.

If your day is simply a day, then I certainly hope that it is one you choose to live fully grateful to God for His many gifts.

Happy Monday.

Chapter 1, Hebrews…

An expression my pastor often uses in teaching the Old Testament is “pop-up book”.  This illustration really makes sense to me when you consider all the visual symbols of Christ that God gave in the layout and articles of the Tabernacle, the Levitical priestly garments, and the details to the nth degree for the sacrifices and offerings. Each ceremony and law pointed to Christ.

In Chapter 1 of Hoping For Something Better, Nancy Guthrie describes this process as well regarding how God the Father from Genesis through Malachi was teaching His people about Jesus, who was to come. Hebrews is the book that gives the inside explanation on how all that had gone before is now seen clearly and fully in Jesus Christ.

In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by His Son…Heb 1:1-2

Jesus is throughout the OT, from Genesis 1:1, He is found in the Word before He is seen in the Living Word-Flesh. Believers should joyfully celebrate Christ in the OT truths of Law, prophecy, narrative, symbolism, poetry, songs and proverbs.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading through each detail of Hebrews 1 and relishing the intimate descriptions of Jesus Christ: heir of all things, radiance of God’s glory, exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. What an amazing Savior the Father has given!

What struck me in this chapter was the requirement of God to respond to His giving us the fullness of Christ. In the questions at the back of the book,  Nancy asks you to express in your own words the idea of Heb. 1:1-4. I answered, “Jesus is the first, last and eternal Word of God, in His life and model, in His instruction and work, in His character and Person.”

At the end of the chapter, she challenges, “God’s message to us in Jesus requires a response. God has spoken to us plainly, clearly, personally in the person and work of Jesus. And we need no other word. Jesus is everything God wants to say to us. Are you listening?” (Chap. 1, p.20)

There’s the rubber to the road. My personal profession that Jesus is the first, last and eternal Word of God requires an application response. If I’m listening to what God is saying to me in the model of Jesus, then I must seek to know and obey His Word in my own life and model, in my instructions to others, in the work He has given me to do, and in my character and person. A response to the Person of Christ is always required.

I’ll discuss the warning of drifting away in the next post on this chapter. I know that several of you are still waiting on books. When your book arrives, the first chunk of reading includes the foreword, introduction and before you get started section. Then remember to work on the Chapter 1 questions in the back before you read Chapter 1.

If you’re reading along, let me know in the comments what you thought.

Musing on a life motto…

has been the other significant event in the Chairman’s life this week. While picking blueberries the other morning, he stated, “The frostier the blueberry looks, the better it is.” And then he proceeded to tell me that this was his motto for picking blueberries.

While picking blueberries, he remembered the new Natalie Grant song, Perfect People, and stated that, “There is no such thing as perfect people.” He told me that this was his new motto for living. I realized this was a discussion waiting to happen so I asked him what he thought about God telling His people to be perfect as He is perfect.

Which turned into a discussion right there between rows 3 and 4 of the blueberry patch how if you can’t be perfect on earth, then why even try?

We talked about why God tells us to be perfect, Who God gives us in perfection, and what it means to be perfect in God’s eyes. He was glad to hear that God is perfecting us. And even more glad to know that one day all will be perfect.

Thereby reminding me of a necessary parenting motto, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deut. 6:5-7

And when you’re picking blueberries.

When the bigger boys are away…

the Chairman is lonely. I’ve been so informed. When you’re the fourth in line, the third to his relevant experience, having always had someone to entertain him, being the only has its downside. His two older brothers are living the camping life with their Boy Scout troop and will not be back until the weekend.

In the effort to dispense some undivided attention, which would be the upside for this lonely only, he has helped me plan each  day with a particular “fun” thing to do to keep the lonelies away. Sunday featured jellytelly.com computer games with Mom and Dad. Monday had a playdate with movie and popcorn. Tuesday highlights were blueberry picking and blueberry eating plus an afternoon pool party.

Wednesday…whew! Mom is tired. Apparently it is easier to keep up with three than with one.

I know from Husband’s report that the bigger guys are having the time of their camping life, and I am certainly grateful they are getting this experience. But for the record, I miss the bigger boys too. Guess the Chairman and I will just have to soothe our loneliness with ice cream.

Probably on Wednesday.