Readin' Ritin' & Rithmetic...

Remember back in the day when school started after Labor Day? Now it seems the poor kids go back in the heat of summer.

Remember the 3 R's... Readin', Ritin' and Rithmetic? :) I am guessing that's how you spell reading, writing and arithmetic with an R. Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, those three subjects that followed us along each year we were in school. I can tell you, I was NOT a math girl. I loved to read, loved history, but math - ick! But I digress.

How about three new R's... for our prayer life! Our church kicked off a year long focus on prayer yesterday. We were given 3 R's for our prayer life during this spiritual renewal program that I wanted to share with you.

Recoginizing Jesus' Lordship over all.

Then Jesus came to them and said "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ~ Matthew 28:18

Responding to His Acts

Be joyful always; pray continually; given thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will fo you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessolonians 5:16-18

Requesting from Your Father...

When Jesus finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples." Jesus said to them, "When you pray say" 'Father....' ~ Luke 11: 1 - 2

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~ Phillipians 4:6

The verse from Phillipians really fell on my heart this morning during my devotions. I am in real estate and the market is down. I have to admit that there are days that I feel scared to what the future holds. I had to ask myself some questions as I lingered over those words from scripture. Am I dancing around what I really want from God? What I really want to ask Him to do? Am I specifically asking Him to help me? Or am I generalizing what I want from Him? For instance, am I asking Him to get a house sold for a client who needs their home sold? Or am I just praying to help me in my business while secretly holding on to doubt? Oh forgive my unbelief Lord! If if be His will, it will be done! But ask child! That's what He is telling me. For crying out loud He knows what I want - I don't have to ask, but oh how He loves it when I do. I think we are afraid to ask for things that pertain to money sometimes for fear of looking greedy. He knows the heart. It's OK to pray for money - as long as it is in step with what God would want for us. I could pray to win the lottery, but is that what I mean when I say it's OK to pray for money? No, not at all... I need to pray for what provides me with my daily bread. That pleases Him... He wants me to ask.

So, I will present my requests, with thanksgiving, knowing that He will provide...

Gracious Father, You are an awesome God and I am so thankful that I can come to you and ask! I thank You for all the blessings You have provided me... I thank You for the blessings You will provide in the future. I thank You that I can ask You to help me in money matters and that You will answer! Forgive me when I doubt, when I fear, when I cooperate with Satan. You are Lord of all, You will provide me for what I need and there is nothing I cannot come to You and ask! Amen

A Birthday... Prayer Request

Today I want you to say a prayer for Sarah and her husband Mike, as well as her entire family. I do not know Sarah personally, but enjoy her blog. Sarah's twin girl's lives were too short on this earth. But I am praising Jesus today for the faith she shows in the midst of her pain. In your quiet time today, please lift up Sarah, Mike and her family in your prayers.

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

~ Revelation 21:4

WFW ~ Nor Rain Nor Drought...

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
~ Matthew 7:25




The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever."
~ Isaiah 40:8







It's hard to believe that both of these photos are of my backyard and both were taken this year. The first was taken early in June on a very rainy day. There was flooding in areas that never flood. The second photo was taken last week. As you can see the rains of June faded into the drought of August. The comparison of the two photos startled me and I wanted to share both for Word Filled Wednesday.

Our foundation is Christ and His promise... God's Word will stand forever! Hallelujah!

For more WFW's visit Amy Deane @ 160 Acre Woods

Seasons....

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

As Labor Day comes and goes my thoughts turn to autumn...
I absolutely love fall. I am a nester and I love feathering my nest as the calendar promises cooler days and colder nights. Curled up in front of our fireplace w/ a good book and a warm cup of coffee... SIGH
Sweatshirt and football weather, apple cider, raking leaves, pumpkins... I love it! As it is with my home, it is with my blog. I have changed the theme to fall... I hope ya'll like it!

Of course right now in Indy it's going to be in the 90's today as well as he next few days. Uggh! It's September it should be cooler! (she grumbles) God has a reason for these hot days - not sure what it is, I may never know. This is the day that the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it! If it isn't fall outside - it can be fall inside! The weekend after Labor Day I traditionally pull out my fall decorations. A wreath on my door, pumpkins, bittersweet vines... mums will replace the petunias in the flower pots that have grown weary from the heat of summer, maybe even a trip to Adrians to pick up some apples and some cider! Oh how I do hope the temps will be cooler.

What do you like about fall? Is it a season you love? I am a "seasons" kind of gal. I love the change... as the seasons come and go I appreciate them. When the end of summer heat parches, I look forward to the crisp cool of fall. As the last leaf falls to the ground the holidays are getting close... have I told you I love Thanksgiving? As the thoughts of roast turkey and cranberries fade, I really look forward to settling down for a long winter's nap and the most wonderful time of year Christmas! :) I even love snow! (I know call me crazy) As the snow, ice and cold temps continue I long for the warmth of spring and the promise of new life. Winter melts into spring and the outdoor work on the house begins. Digging in the dirt, reparing the garden for summer veggies and then spring blossoms into summer. Bicycling, swimming, bbq's... I am excited to enjoy all the outdoor fun summer has to offer.

As the seasons continue to turn from one to the next... I will rejoice in the gifts that each season brings. Yes, there is a time for everything... a season for every activity - aren't we blessed!

Happy Labor Day!

A History Lesson...

Labor Day Weekend, for most of us, symbolizes the last hurrah of summer. Of course in my neck of the woods summer temps are going to be hanging on at least through the first few days of September as temps will hover in the low 90's. Believe me when I tell you, I am longing for fall.

A little history on Labor: Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September. The holiday originated in 1882 as the Central Labor Union (of New York City) sought to create "a day off for the working citizens".

Congress made Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894. All fifty states have made Labor Day a state holiday.

Websters (online) defines labor:

1. productive activity, esp. for the sake of economic gain.
2. the body of persons engaged in such activity, esp. those working for wages.
3. this body of persons considered as a class (distinguished from management and capital).
4. physical or mental work, esp. of a hard or fatiguing kind; toil.
5. a job or task done or to be done.

–verb (used without object) 9. to perform labor; exert one's powers of body or mind; work; toil.
10. to strive, as toward a goal; work hard (often fol. by for): to labor for peace.
11. to act, behave, or function at a disadvantage (usually fol. by under): to labor under a misapprehension.
12. to be in the actual process of giving birth.
13. to roll or pitch heavily, as a ship.
–verb (used with object) 14. to develop or dwell on in excessive detail: Don't labor the point.

What does the word labor mean to you? Does the idea of "work" thrill you or does the idea bring about thoughts of disdain, contempt, loathing?

Yesterday in church our pastor gave us a sermon titled "Taking God to Work"

It was a wonderful sermon (A Godly praise to Pastor Bill) and is worthy of me posting some of the key points on this Labor Day. If you have an opportunity this week... I hope you ponder the points. There is so much more meat that could be covered, but little time to post. And, I am not sure anyone would want to read a 3 page blog post! ha ha!

#1. Work is ordained by God!

"The LORD God too the man and put him in the Garden to work it and take care of it." ~ Genesis 2:15

#2. Work is disdained because of sin

"Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all your days. So the LORD banished him from the Garden to work the ground from whence he came." ~ Genesis 3:17, 23

Work isn't cursed, the ground, the condition at work changed after the fall. Work is not the result of sin.

#3 Jesus Christ has redeemed us from the curse

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." God redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to us through Jesus Christ..." ~ Galatians 3:13-14

#4 Work as a form of worship

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men -- it is the Lord Christ you are serving. ~ Colossians 3: 23-24


God ordained work - that is refreshing isn't it! I have to admit, there are days when I need an attitude adjustment at work. To realize that my work isn't cursed. The profession in which I serve is an opportunity to worship.

God ordained work - it was not meant to be a burden. Jesus worked - he was a carpenter. He used his hands to build things. The hands of our Father got dirty when he formed us, the hands of our Savior used hammer and nails to build things. Can you imagine... Jesus building a table for you? The hands of our Savior took the nails to prepare a table for you...

Gracious Father, you lavish us with so many gifts. I thank you this day for the gift of work. The opportunity my work gives me to glorify You, to worship You to reflect You. Most days Lord, I love what I do, however, I know there are days that I fall short. I grumble because I have to work, I am frustrated with the current market. Forgive me, restore to me a right attitude toward work. Change my heart. Lord, the workplace can be a very "worldly" place. An off color joke, aggravation toward the boss, the temptation to steal or cheat, becoming a "workaholic", becoming lazy in our work... so many ways we can dishonor You and cooperate with Satan. Forgive us Lord. You ordained work! I thank and praise you for this profession you have placed me. I thank You for the many, many Christian workers out there who dedicate themselves and their work to You! All honor, glory and blessing to You, in the wonderful, awesome, saving name of Jesus!
Amen!

Enjoy your Labor Day friends... may you enjoy a day of rest as we reflect on the gift of our work!