Read more about how the Swedish view fika.
Today is new day and in honor of a fresh week, I have a word for us to focus upon! (And you have to use it in a conversation this week 😃)
(I would have posted earlier, but life involving... gardening, making faux wasp nests, hitting up IKEA because the business is closing in Memphis, organizing the pantry, trying not to lose my mind over the messy state of my kids' rooms, and grilling steaks outside -which has not been done in so long. I need some fika, no?)
Father God - This week belongs to You because we know You are the One Who orders our steps. Remind us to turn to You when we encounter bumps in plans. Be our Navigator through the hills and valleys. Be our shelter when the unpleasant pelts us. Be our Commander, Counselor, and Comforter. We love Your goodness and mercy. We love You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray to You. Amen.
Today is new day and in honor of a fresh week, I have a word for us to focus upon! (And you have to use it in a conversation this week 😃)
(I would have posted earlier, but life involving... gardening, making faux wasp nests, hitting up IKEA because the business is closing in Memphis, organizing the pantry, trying not to lose my mind over the messy state of my kids' rooms, and grilling steaks outside -which has not been done in so long. I need some fika, no?)
Father God - This week belongs to You because we know You are the One Who orders our steps. Remind us to turn to You when we encounter bumps in plans. Be our Navigator through the hills and valleys. Be our shelter when the unpleasant pelts us. Be our Commander, Counselor, and Comforter. We love Your goodness and mercy. We love You. In the precious name of Jesus we pray to You. Amen.
🙏47❤16
Forwarded from CallToBattle
Testimony Tuesday
This week’s testimony will be an extension of the Praise and Worship devotional that Kris and I have been featuring.
I sense the Lord wanted me to share an aspect of worship that is not commonly known or viewed as a form of worship. Per the dictionary; lamenting; laments: to express sorrow, mourning, or regret.
You might think that lamenting is just complaining but the two are very different in my opinion. (And, yes there may be some overtones of complaining in those laments)
For instance in the Book of Job you will observe a deep intimate conversation between Job and God. I find it very interesting because all that Job suffered he still spoke to God. He still went before Him. He still worshipped God in his pain.
Job trusted God even when his life fell apart, even when Job didn’t know the ‘why’ about his affliction he still honored God. And God saw every tear, every prayer, every moment of endurance.
You’ll also see that with David throughout the Psalms.
Lamenting is different from complaining, because it is done in relationship, knowing that God is there and hears you, and that there is still hope within that lamenting anger and sadness because you are turning it toward God, and yet you still have hope in God, you still believe. You can question God and ask ‘why me?’, but in the end you still turn to Him.
Complaining on the other hand is SELF. It’s all about you. You’re inconvenienced, and bothered, and nothing is working out the way you believe it should go. It’s always negative. And most of the time there is someone or something else to blame. But even in our complaining, sometimes God shows up because He is that good to us especially when we don’t deserve it. That’s grace!
But when we lament to the Lord about an unfavorable condition we are speaking to God Himself. We may not always understand the why about most of the events that surround us, but we still go to Him. This pleases God.
This is still considered worship because we are directing our emotions towards Him. We are acknowledging the fact that God is worthy enough so much so that we continue to seek Him for answers.
When we choose to look toward heaven, and present ourselves, our emotions, our anger even, we are still honoring God. This is a form of worship. He cares deeply when you are frustrated, hurting or angry. Just take it to Him, thank Him and praise Him for all He has done!
'Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.'
Job 1:20-22
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
Job 13:15
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”
Psalm 42:11
This week’s testimony will be an extension of the Praise and Worship devotional that Kris and I have been featuring.
I sense the Lord wanted me to share an aspect of worship that is not commonly known or viewed as a form of worship. Per the dictionary; lamenting; laments: to express sorrow, mourning, or regret.
You might think that lamenting is just complaining but the two are very different in my opinion. (And, yes there may be some overtones of complaining in those laments)
For instance in the Book of Job you will observe a deep intimate conversation between Job and God. I find it very interesting because all that Job suffered he still spoke to God. He still went before Him. He still worshipped God in his pain.
Job trusted God even when his life fell apart, even when Job didn’t know the ‘why’ about his affliction he still honored God. And God saw every tear, every prayer, every moment of endurance.
You’ll also see that with David throughout the Psalms.
Lamenting is different from complaining, because it is done in relationship, knowing that God is there and hears you, and that there is still hope within that lamenting anger and sadness because you are turning it toward God, and yet you still have hope in God, you still believe. You can question God and ask ‘why me?’, but in the end you still turn to Him.
Complaining on the other hand is SELF. It’s all about you. You’re inconvenienced, and bothered, and nothing is working out the way you believe it should go. It’s always negative. And most of the time there is someone or something else to blame. But even in our complaining, sometimes God shows up because He is that good to us especially when we don’t deserve it. That’s grace!
But when we lament to the Lord about an unfavorable condition we are speaking to God Himself. We may not always understand the why about most of the events that surround us, but we still go to Him. This pleases God.
This is still considered worship because we are directing our emotions towards Him. We are acknowledging the fact that God is worthy enough so much so that we continue to seek Him for answers.
When we choose to look toward heaven, and present ourselves, our emotions, our anger even, we are still honoring God. This is a form of worship. He cares deeply when you are frustrated, hurting or angry. Just take it to Him, thank Him and praise Him for all He has done!
'Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.'
Job 1:20-22
Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.
Job 13:15
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”
Psalm 42:11
🙏13👏6❤5
These hang in our bedroom, installed about the time Felix came home from the hospital.
It's a reminder that trusting God is a way we give Him our love.
He will never abandon or abuse, or ignore this trust, this love, we give Him.
For that, there is much to praise Him, much to be grateful for...
It's a reminder that trusting God is a way we give Him our love.
He will never abandon or abuse, or ignore this trust, this love, we give Him.
For that, there is much to praise Him, much to be grateful for...
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Forwarded from Shannon Guerra
If you've never read Great Expectations — and NO, none of the movies count 😵💫😅 — we'll be reading it together soon in Gaining Ground and we'd love to have you join us.
We'll be reading about 40-50 pages a week for 12 weeks, and you can ask all the questions, join the discussion, share the memes, do all the things. Stop in anytime; we're just finishing up A Little Princess and mostly behaving ourselves.
We'll be reading about 40-50 pages a week for 12 weeks, and you can ask all the questions, join the discussion, share the memes, do all the things. Stop in anytime; we're just finishing up A Little Princess and mostly behaving ourselves.
Telegram
Gaining Ground
The sweet spot where wholeness, writing, and classic lit come together, meeting you right where you are and helping you go where He’s called you.
Substack notes and thoughts here: www.gainingground.substack.com
@ShannonGuerra
www.copperlightwood.com
Substack notes and thoughts here: www.gainingground.substack.com
@ShannonGuerra
www.copperlightwood.com
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Forwarded from Gaining Ground
Starting soon! If you need a copy, here are a few options:
Free online at Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1400
Free audio at Librivox: https://librivox.org/search/?q=great%20expectations&search_form=advanced
New or used at ThriftBooks: https://prf.hn/l/kVMJNA9/
Free online at Gutenberg: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1400
Free audio at Librivox: https://librivox.org/search/?q=great%20expectations&search_form=advanced
New or used at ThriftBooks: https://prf.hn/l/kVMJNA9/
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Hello Friends! The last few days have been gorgeous and put me in the mood to work outdoors. So I have, and plan to do so again Monday.
Handling God's soil, smelling God's nature, seeing God's flowers, listening to God's birds, being under God's clear blue skies... Keep my mind on Him and my heart ready to treasure whatever He wants to impart.
As we approach Resurrection Sunday, ask the Holy Spirit if you need to abandon some traditions or learn the history behind Easter.
Above all, it is a time of reflection and a time of gratitude.
Handling God's soil, smelling God's nature, seeing God's flowers, listening to God's birds, being under God's clear blue skies... Keep my mind on Him and my heart ready to treasure whatever He wants to impart.
As we approach Resurrection Sunday, ask the Holy Spirit if you need to abandon some traditions or learn the history behind Easter.
Above all, it is a time of reflection and a time of gratitude.
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March 30th is a day when @CallToBattle and @ThinMint set aside as time for praising our LORD and Savior. Join us?
Are you struggling in your relationship with Him? Frustrated with His timing or method? Tell Him. He welcomes our honesty.
Even in our lament, even in our pain, there is always something we can thank and praise Him for (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
I came across this over at Undoubted Grace. She shares some ideas about giving thanks to God.
Set aside time today to praise your Creator.
You are so precious to Him. Let this love between you be a balm to your soul.
Psalm 136:1
Are you struggling in your relationship with Him? Frustrated with His timing or method? Tell Him. He welcomes our honesty.
Even in our lament, even in our pain, there is always something we can thank and praise Him for (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
I came across this over at Undoubted Grace. She shares some ideas about giving thanks to God.
Set aside time today to praise your Creator.
You are so precious to Him. Let this love between you be a balm to your soul.
Psalm 136:1
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Forwarded from Professor Patriot (Professor Patriot)
It’s Palm Sunday. Time for some special altitude with reverence.
On Palm Sunday, Christians commemorate Christ’s triumphal arrival in Jerusalem, and it was triumphal.
Jesus rode in on a small donkey, greeted by throngs of people who called him King and cheered enthusiastically, laying cloaks and palm branches in his path and shouting, “hosanna,” (save us).
He was but 33 years old. He knowingly rode to a place of mortal suffering and crucifixion.
Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem has always seemed, to me, his greatest act of humility and faith. I think about when I was 33, with so much life ahead of me, still wearing that bright, youthful feeling of immortality. It was a time when everything still seemed possible.
They called him King. They cheered.
It is hard to imagine a man so humble and comfortable in his faith that He ignored the promises of this world to serve at His Father’s feet. He could have had anything this world could have provided; wealth, fame, glory, carnal pleasures, the power of a mortal King… but He rode on, recognizing the glory to come; one that so thoroughly outshone mortal reward that it was as the sun to a matchstick.
It makes me ask myself, “what do you hope for?” Is happiness found in being known and glorified by man? Is it a big house and a fancy car, or surf and turf every night? Or is it serving others and waking each day with a full heart and an eye toward a reward that is greater than the baubles of mortality?
It has often been on my mind that the people we fight against each day have decided that what this world can provide is their relentless goal and sets aside that greater glory.
Christ’s ride into Jerusalem promised everything the world could provide. He set it aside to suffer, bleed and die so that we could attain that greater glory, and in so doing became more famous, powerful and wealthy in eternal splendor than any king who will ever live.
Palm Sunday was His coronation parade to become the King of Kings.
He chose what He wanted.
What do you want?
On Palm Sunday, Christians commemorate Christ’s triumphal arrival in Jerusalem, and it was triumphal.
Jesus rode in on a small donkey, greeted by throngs of people who called him King and cheered enthusiastically, laying cloaks and palm branches in his path and shouting, “hosanna,” (save us).
He was but 33 years old. He knowingly rode to a place of mortal suffering and crucifixion.
Jesus’ ride into Jerusalem has always seemed, to me, his greatest act of humility and faith. I think about when I was 33, with so much life ahead of me, still wearing that bright, youthful feeling of immortality. It was a time when everything still seemed possible.
They called him King. They cheered.
It is hard to imagine a man so humble and comfortable in his faith that He ignored the promises of this world to serve at His Father’s feet. He could have had anything this world could have provided; wealth, fame, glory, carnal pleasures, the power of a mortal King… but He rode on, recognizing the glory to come; one that so thoroughly outshone mortal reward that it was as the sun to a matchstick.
It makes me ask myself, “what do you hope for?” Is happiness found in being known and glorified by man? Is it a big house and a fancy car, or surf and turf every night? Or is it serving others and waking each day with a full heart and an eye toward a reward that is greater than the baubles of mortality?
It has often been on my mind that the people we fight against each day have decided that what this world can provide is their relentless goal and sets aside that greater glory.
Christ’s ride into Jerusalem promised everything the world could provide. He set it aside to suffer, bleed and die so that we could attain that greater glory, and in so doing became more famous, powerful and wealthy in eternal splendor than any king who will ever live.
Palm Sunday was His coronation parade to become the King of Kings.
He chose what He wanted.
What do you want?
❤32🙏5💯4
I first came across Erin when my twins were elementary aged. (For those who are not aware, I homeschool all four of our kids. The twins are graduating next month. And that is an emotional post waiting to be written *stage whispers sigh*)
Though preschool days are behind us, I opt to still receive her email updates as I find her authenticity refreshing.
This is what she wrote for Good Friday,
In lieu of our usual good news sharing today, I am posting her commentary.
Though preschool days are behind us, I opt to still receive her email updates as I find her authenticity refreshing.
This is what she wrote for Good Friday,
In lieu of our usual good news sharing today, I am posting her commentary.
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