Reflections for Friday 08May09

Inspired by Today's Devotion from Our Daily Bread
Bible Passage[2 Kings 5:1-15 (New Living Translation)]

Sometimes I forget that many times to accomplishing big goals is to take small step, one day at a time. I was reminded of this when I woke up this morning to find our kitchen sink full to the brim with water because I forget to turn the water faucet off all the way. I'm so thankful that we have a double sink and it did not overflow onto the floor but to hear that constant "drip, drip, drip" sound and to think that in a matter of 4-5 hours the entire sink was full of water.

That is how we should accomplish many positive things in life, take small steps but be consist ant. It's amazing how my Heavenly Father can take a bad experience for me and have me flip it for my good. I have been saying for about a month now, "I have to start walking, I have to start doing push-up, ab work but allow myself to talk myself out of it because I am wanting results NOW. I remember what a good friend told me years ago, "The same way you get yourself out of a hole is the same way you get out of it...one shovel at a time.

The devotion I read for this morning ties into this because with the bad thing that happened with the overflowing sink when at first I thought was "Thank goodness the water did not damage our floor" to "Ah! This is how I should read God's word...This is how I should pray...this is how I should look and act toward my goals!" Those 'one drips at a time' translates for me, 'One day at a time' or 'One step at a time'.

Isn't life's experiences something?

Be Blessed, Be Safe,
Have a WONDERFUL Friday/Weekend.

~DarrenKeith

Messages to listen to and download...

Dr. Charles Stanley
An Inspiring Example of a Godly Mother[from In Touch Ministries]

Pastor Paul Sheppard
Conclusion of: Storm Proof Your Life -- Part 2[from Enduring Truth]

photo:InterfaceLIFE.com

Devotion & Reflection for Today

This past week I have heard wonderful messages from Pastor Greg Laurie (via podcasts) and this devotion on covetousness and I have to admit about myself, I do from time to time get wrapped up in my "things". I get into that, "I really need this or that" and sometimes forget to be thankful for what I have in front of me. My systems are showing their age but they are getting the job done because some people do not have a computer. I get into the habit sometimes whining about my gadgets and forget that at least I have gadgets. As the devotion points out and the past messages I have heard from Pastor Laurie, they is nothing wrong with wanting things we enjoy, wanting a nice career, just put them in their place.

We complain about our computer, thank God we have fingers to type (or keyboarding as they call it now, schools are no longing calling typing, "typing"...whatever that's about) and I'm blessed to have wireless internet at that so I can type...I mean "keyboard" from any room in our home (okay, now I'm feeling like a jerk for complaining about my "old" machines). We complain about wanting another cell phone(my hand is going up on this "gripe") thank God I was able to have a cell phone and not have one at all, have you seen the prices of pay phones now? Yikes!!! I'm a gadget person, I'm not going to lie to you but I have to remember that without God I would not have any of my possessions. I want to honor God the best way I know how and that is why I have a ga-zillion blogs because I know He wants me to share His word, and my "little" knowledge on some tech information.

Later this weekend I will share how just having a choice of "quietness" is a blessing at work and I think at times that is what our heavenly Father wants from us, to strive for what He has put inside of us (we all have gifts from God) but to be grateful for what we have and to remember who has given us the know-how on striving for the dreams He has placed in each and everyone of His children.

I have to remind myself everyday that beginning my day with Him gives me peace, joy, and wisdom everyday.

Be Blessed, Be Safe, and have a Wonderful Thursday.

"Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge,
but he who hates correction is stupid."

~proverbs 12:1

Devotions for Thursday...4 Down/1 To Go

When All Looks Bright>>>more
from rbc ministries

I do this from time, all Christians from time to time...forget to thank the Lord when things are going so well. I'm getting better at this now day to day. I was just thinking about how people blame God when tragedy strikes and when good times are in our lives we forget to thank Him. I had mentioned this before in one of my earlier post how the media will call some disasters "
the act of God" or "this is Biblical proportions". When things are going well do you here the media say, "This the day the Lord has made" or "This wonder weather today is of biblical proportions" they give credit to Mother Nature(makes me chuckle)

I just started a part time job this Monday night cleaning. I doing this because of Christmas, I need better computer equipment, have extra money in my pocket and most important to sow into God's kingdom. It's going on the 4th day and I will be on my own, I have worked for this company before and he's a nice for letting me come back time again because he knows my work ethic but this time it's a little different for me. I have a different mind set. The first portions WILL go to the Lord.

It is Him who is giving me the strength to work this part time job, along with my full time job, along with me writing these post everyday. I thank God he is using me to spread His Good News and the feedback I get really makes this worth while. I can forget Him because just being able to think on my own, is a beautiful thing. This is rough for me because I am not as young as I used to be but this must be done because as have and will mention from time to time, this is partnership between God and I...a covenant. I heard Joyce Meyers say something that is so true..."Do what you can and God will do what you cannot". I hold on to that each and everyday.

I am trying to get in the habit now of saying thanks to God after I eat. We have been taught to give thanks to Him before we eat but in Deuteronomy Chapter 6 the Lord commands you and I to give thanks afterward as well. I am trying day by day to just enjoy everyday, the good and the bad, we grow from the bad days believe it or not, we learn more from the bad days, our wisdom should sharpen from the rough days; but we should thank our Lord and Savior for the days when they are pleasant, smooth, trouble free. I stop saying, "Thank God It's Friday" I know people say it from time to time and I truly know what they mean when the say this...getting through the work week, dealing with the home and if you are a parents or a single parent, I know why you're saying Thank God It's Friday...my prayers are with you, you parents are wonderful. :-)

I have stop saying it because I'm learning to really appreciate where He has brought me, where He's taking me and coming to realize that Satan attacks you and I when we are feeling our lowest and our highest. I am learning to say thanks when my stomach is full, the weather is nice, my income is in the black and not in the red.

Have a Blessed, Safe, & Wonderful Thursday everyone.

read Deuteronomy 28...the Lord goes into detail about "Blessings and Curses"

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

God's Grace

"I pray that my children may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lords and Savior Jesus Christ".

2 Peter 3:18

other devotions for Thursday:

• Clarify Your Life
• This Is a Test
• Discovering Our Real Needs

christian netcast for Thursday:

• Testing Our Spiritual Growth - Part 1
• The Gospel for Busy People, Part 2
• Conc. of: Dealing With The Perfect Storm - Part 2

tech netcast for Thursday:

• TWiM 26: We All Love HDMI
• Engadget Podcast 093
• *KFI Tech Guy #253

tech articles for Thursday:

• Newest iPod Shuffle even tinier than before
• Pictures, With Map and Pushpin Included
• Web reaches new milestone: 100 million sites

*netcast: old...knowledge: priceless :-)

headline news>>>click here

No Days Off>>>more
from Harvest Online

Yesterday I did not blog. I was tired, I needed the rest but I can't make a habit of it because I have a obligation to God. He gives us a day of rest and I need to follow His principles, because it worked for Jesus and I know it works for my life as well. I thank God doesn't take a day (or two) off like we do. He is always with us no matter what situation we are going through, what task is ahead of us, what trial we are going through.

I thank our Lord and Savior that He has granted you and I a day of rest because this gives us time to be truly be thankful for what we have in our lives and to work toward what our Savior's needs. I can't imagine what this world would be like if God took a hour off from watching over you and I. I am truly thankful that even when we take a day (or two, or three) away from God that He has not taking a day away from His children. When thinking of His love for me makes me want to work for Him, to spread His gospel through the web, through my life, through worship and praise.

Take time to think about His precious love and what would happen if He took a day off...on second thought, that's okay.

Have a Blessed, Safe, and productive day.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Joy

"Heavenly Father, grant that my children would be filled with the joy given by the Holy Spirit".

1 Thessalonians 1:6

other devotions for today: Mars?, Tapping The Treasure, Invisible Bridges

tech news: Apple Mecca Posting Provokes Reaction, Microsoft's Vista Changes Could Backfire On Disgruntled Rivals, Microsoft limits Vista transfers, Install Vista, Buy Graphics Card

netcast for today: He Keeps His Word - Part 2, TWiT 73: Hello Armenia, PodTech.net, Trust Him - Part 1

headline news>>>click here

painting: allposters.com