but I get a text or a phone call that just says "I love you, mom". I got one of those yesterday. They probably won't remember the call today....sigh.... but the call was made and said. I need moments like those to confirm to me that I am not forgotten since they are living their own lives. Those of you who are parents know exactly what I am talking about.
Yesterday...well, we never did make it to the gym, but I did do a short workout with an app on my phone. I forget what the excuse given was.... but we didn't go. I ended up making broccoli cheese soup and another new recipe - Crockpot Chicken Chili... and oh my goodness, it was so good! And yes, I did manage to get some over to Ms. Diane, and visited for about 45 minutes. Then I took some of each over to Ms. Vicky and visited for about the same amount of time. Came home and hubby and I ate soup, and then I put the rest away and cleaned the crockpots. Guess what's for lunch today! Well, if not lunch, it WILL be for dinner.
Church this morning and we are on the schedule to greet today. Sadly, part of me just wants to stay home and worship God, but yet, I know we need to be in the fellowship of other believers. And, with greeting, it will help us get to know other people. That is how we started at one point at a former church. We offered to help greet one Sunday a month, and we were able to put names with faces.
Free Chapel just came on for their first service. If I recall correctly, Greg Groschel is speaking today and I can't wait to hear him. I love his books - and his latest is The Power to Change - and it is so good. In fact, I think I will pull it out to read again. I always learn something new when I read a book for second or even a third time. I just wish I had more time to read. I can watch this until 8AM and then I have to get in the shower. Jentezen Franklin frequently goes over the time, but will see how this guy does. The next service is at 9AM today. In March, when the times change, it will be 6AM and 8AM.
Acts 2:42 (NIV): "They devoted themselves to the Apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer."
Yes, there are Christians who refuse to set foot in a church for numerous reasons. Many are from childhood, when they were 'forced' to attend church. Once they turn 18 and move out, they feel they don't have to do it anymore. No one can tell them to go. There are Christians who go to church just whenever they feel like it, cause after all, going to church is not a requirement to be a Christian, right? And then we have the C & E Christians. You know who they are - Christmas and Easter Christians. No, I'm not calling anyone out.
But we are called to listen to the Word being taught, to learn more how to live for Jesus. None of us know it all. As many times as I have read the Bible, many times the Word I read is fresh and new to me. I wonder how did I miss it before. God's Word is a light unto our path; He lights the way in which we should live. And each time we hear His Word, we read His Word, we learn more about Him and His many blessings He just wants to bestow upon us. He is so great and so mighty. He loves us with such a great love. Oh come, Lord Jesus! Be with us today and lead us in the right path!
We are also called to fellowship with other believers. That is how we grow. We come to know and love others and grow with them in love and knowledge. Even with the times we don't want to go to church, we miss that fellowship that encourages us in life. We need others in our life to help us to walk this life.
February 18, 2024.... the day that God gave me one single simple tool that changed my marriage. That is what Greg Groeschel is sharing this morning. Uh... do I really want to listen? I'm all for improving my marriage... I just don't like hubby TELLING me my faults and that I should do to bring him pleasure or joy. Men, do NOT tell your wife what you think she should be doing to make you happy. I think that was the beginning of the end of a lot of things for us. We had gone away for a 'romantic weekend' several years ago now... and I had to sit and listen - because there was nothing to distract me - to being told what a failure I was in being a wife. And I got to listen to what was needed, required, or demanded. Guess what.... after that conversation, I mentally shut down. Truth.
Greg Groeschel is talking about things we see on Facebook, social media, of things that we think we want... only the photo is not real. You've seen the ones of men and women doing unique things, positions of lifting the other up - and 'real' people minicking the same things and failing. It's not real. We want life to be perfect.
God gives us one tool to make our marriages better.
Matthew 6:33 "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Seek FIRST the kingdom of God, and His righteousness. If we seek Him first, all the things we desire will come about. We need to seek God FIRST.... then we will learn what love is. We are called to love the Lord our God first and foremost. Not our spouse. Not our children. We are to love the Lord FIRST.
Because in a Christ centered marriage, Christ is the one cord, and the 2nd cord in a Christ centered marriage - it is your spouse. Not your child(ren). The 3rd cord - is you.
Yeah.... I know I have some things to ponder and think about, cause you know I have a fault in some of this. You gotta listen to this message today. He's funny, but the point is made.
If you want a Christ-centered marriage in the future, live a Christ-centered life today.
That is huge. Especially for our single friends; our single children; our single grandchildren. Become the type of person you're looking for is looking for. If you are married, become the person your spouse can love completely. Are we living our lives that our spouses can look to us for living the Christian life? Will our spouse help us have a Christ-centered marriage? Is Christ first?
Pray together every day. Even if it is just a sentence or two together seek God first. Ask Him to bless your marriage; ask Him to watch over your children, your grandchildren. Keep it short. Keep it consistent. Miss one day, but don't miss two.
What the devil wants to do is divide you; and he does it when you don't pray with your spouse every day. Yeah.... we haven't done that for awhile, other than at meals. You may have to work things out from an argument BEFORE you pray together, but you can do it, and you can pray together.
Dare I ask hubby to watch this message? It makes me uncomfortable... cause I know what he wants (demands) and I don't want to be submissive and obedient at all times.....
But yet, Jesus .... I want to be His. Completely. Empty of self.
Erasmus, a leading scholar of the 14th century who seemed to understand the core truth of all emptying prayers wrote this....
Sever me from myself that I may be grateful to you; may I perish to myself that I may be safe in you. May I die to myself that I may live to you. May I wither to myself that I may blossom in you, May I be emptied of myself that I may abound in you; may I be nothing to myself, that I may be all to you.
Blessings!
