I am sitting here in my quiet time this morning, reading a devotional, when all of a sudden I hear this loud noise and lots of water hitting up against the wall beside me (outside). I look at the clock and it is 5:07AM. Ok, are the sprinklers in our courtyard coming on? And why is it so loud and hitting against the wall? I grab a robe and stop to ask hubby to go outside with me. It's dark and neither of us know anything about stuff like that, but let's investigate. Hubby thinks the 'head' of the sprinkler broke. I have no clue, but water is spraying all over the courtyard from this one sprinkler. He goes out in the yard to shut off the valve (it's been about minutes now and going full force still) - and said he had to wade through water. Interesting.... did the landscape people turn the valve on full force yesterday and it blew the cap off the sprinkler in our courtyard and also have the water flooding the yard and street (again)? First time this has happened in the courtyard. He will be calling the management company today to have someone come out and check it out. We don't pay our water bill, the HOA does, but water still needs to be conserved.
So glad it's Friday. I don't think I have anything on my calendar I have to attend to workwise, but do have things I need to do. Tonight and this weekend I need to get refocused on the messages again.
Tomorrow will be busy with what our church calls 'Men's Crew' (men's breakfast) and then 'Ladies Crew' (Ladies luncheon). Hubby will go to the first one, and he pushed on me to go to the second one; I haven't attended any yet. But the Ladies Crew is every other month whereas the men meet every month. The leaders for the women want to make this one a special lunch so they plan to have a 'red carpet' for everyone to walk down on, and photos taken. You know how I feel about my photo being taken. I wasn't going to go, but finally gave in. I know it will be good to get out and have lunch with other women and make more friends. I know it is a good thing. I just have withdrawn so much from others that I struggle with being with a lot of women that I don't know yet. I know a few, of course, but still.... at least I don't have to cook... it's a catered lunch, which is why it cost us $20 each. That's ok, I can do catered. And I know I will have a good time.
We are on the last lesson - week 10 - of the Rooted group we have been going to. I was looking over the last lesson last night and it wants us to list an affirmation for each one, that we can share at the meeting. I wrote down all the names so that I didn't forget anyone. And then I thought. And thought. I can't mention how one person does twenty rabbit trails and takes 15 minutes to tell a very short story... how do I turn that in to a positive? I don't want to comment how one person makes himself look more in touch with the Holy Spirit and God (and maybe he is.... but still) than anyone else...that his words usually begin with the "Holy Spirit told me"... and I'm not saying He didn't... another person knows his scriptures and quotes all the time.... another person ... well, you get the picture. We ae a mottly crew, are we not? And the affirmation should only be one word or two... it's going to take some thinking to get through these 15 names. I want to be truthful, but when you only see them for a couple ours for ten weeks, and it's only a few sharing at a time.. it's hard to figure out what to say.
I John 2:15-16 (NKJV): "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world."
How can we determine those things in us? One of the things that came to mind as I was typing out that scripture is food (of course). Do we not often SEE food and WANT it really bad? I'm finding it interesting that chocolate doesn't do much for me anymore. I mean, I still enjoy it at times, and where I used to sneak to eat anything chocolate, I've grown past that (thank goodness!) I go through stages where I tell myself not to mess with the 'milk chocolate' and eat only 'dark chocolate' cause it is full of antioxidants and is better for me. I have a candy dish here at home with some chocolate candy in it - and I rarely get in to it. And that is a good thing.
I want to keep my mind pure and holy - without the three sins mentioned above - lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. I am who I am by the grace of God alone. I don't need those things in my life. It doesn't mean one shouldn't be honored or recognized for things.... but it does mean we shouldn't feel life is 'all about us and what we think of ourselves'. I think you can figure out the lust of the eyes and the lust of the flesh is all about. I had written two paragraphs above this.... but deleted them. Enough said.
Romans 12:3 (NKJV): "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith."
I feel like I'm talking in circles this morning, and perhaps I am. But in all the circles, I pray that God will open your mind to His Word and will reveal to you whatever may not be pleasing to Him that you have in your life. Turn it over to Jesus, and allow Him to work with you in letting it go - whatever it is. You will find your life much easier to deal with.
When I open my hand to let go of the things I have held on to..... I find that God feels it with so much more wonderful things that I never thought possible. Try it. Squeeze your hand shut, hold it up, and open it. Tell God you are letting Him have that prideful thing, that habit, that lust. Ask Him to help you turn away from it and that He will bring to mind your commitment to give it to Him. He will, you know. He will never force you... you always have the choice. What will you choose? I choose the....
Blessings!
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