God speaks – through a quiz show

 

The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. Isaiah 30 8

I want to learn to read His word,
for this is how I know the way,
to live my life as pleases Him,
in holiness and joy:   C. Simmonds,

I guess this is intentional living for 2012 part one.
And the first thing had to be…God. And his word. Daily. I have always struggled with this. For many years I bought reading notes but I’d miss a day and give up for a month…or two. Then I discovered Wordlive – emailed daily notes. Well, altho’ I can go a day without opening my Bible, a day without opening my lap top – unthinkable. So now my browser opens to my emails and the first thing to do is read the Bible notes. Then it’s the notebook and counting blessings. Job done and I was feeling a bit pleased with myself…until…
I read this. A challenge to memorise God’s word with your children. I stopped feeling so smug and considered it.Obviously it made sense. But memorising the whole Sermon on the Mount? My son couldn’t be expected to do that with his modern upbringing of instant messages his brain couldn’t cope and he’d fail. (I conveniently forgot all those As in history, science etc).
And so I didn’t mention it. Next day my son told me he had a new hobby. Inspired by Eggheads and other quiz shows he was setting himself a daily task to learn and memorise new facts and within two days had all the countries of Europe and was on to Africa! Ouch.I can’t say the Lord didn’t speak clearly enough.
So we’re going to do it. We’ve both been ill so I’m thinking we’ll start in Lent. Forty days of memorising (with Sundays off for rest). I hope for all the blessings mentioned in 2 Timothy: wisdom and training in righteousness so that we may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. And I pray for a spirit of perseverance.

14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.2Timothy 3

gifts 115-132
broken bread at the Lord’s table,dinner cooked for me, thrifted jeans – a blessing to find my size
surprising gift of pizza when I was hungry,husband home early cooking dinner for me again, and the gift of a muffin – seems I am always surprised by food.
friend’s laughter at a surprise baby shower, watching quiz shows in our pyjamas, older boys doing sports leadership with the little ones - joy in service.
Students’ pleasure in their achievement, parents’ evening, a privilege to meet supportive families, the blessing of Christian workmates and their prayers.
3 hard Eucharisteos – seems hard to go to church today but I am blessed by hearing God’s word, by worship and by fellowship.
Behind my wardrobe door the first fruits of project 333, no clutter, 33 things that fit, are modest and seasonal – my intentional capsule wardrobe.

the commandment to have courage?

He spreads the snow like wool

   and scatters the frost like ashes.

Psalm 147 ¹⁶

^{Snow is unusual in these parts. And in a rare blessing we have been granted the beautiful sight of snow spread like wool on the downs while our pavements are clear and safe for our elderly folk to get about.}

I am a bit prone to anxiety. So that, rather than rejoicing if I open my front door and find snow, I would be worrying about falling over, about my auntie who broke her hip on the ice being afraid to leave her house. Sometimes I can be so anxious about what might go wrong that I won’t try anything. I can be so anxious that I might offend someone that I don’t text them when they’re ill. I often worry for so long about doing the right thing that the moment passes and I’ve missed the chance to help, support or comfort.
I know the verse in Philippians to have no anxiety about anything but in my Bible notes last week came across Joshua 1 ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Not just the comfort of knowing God is with us but a command…do not be frightened and dismayed. A hard command for me to follow, Lord but as I seek to live more intentionally, I will strive to be that strong courageous woman of faith that you have commanded me to be.

Gifts 91 –114

a kind note from an old friend

generous ladies giving up their lunch to help my students

photo on the wall of my late father in law painting my children

helping a reluctant reader

glorious red sunset

joining in a quiz with my son

more Herman bread, and macaroons and homemade Viennese whirls

Daily Bible notes in my inbox, and Christian bloggers and a free Christian mystery novel on my Kindle

Laura’s parenting book

green shoots on a  gifted Campanulus

Tartan pyjamas my dH gave me

our lovely new windows to keep the storm out

a blanket my parents left in the airing cupboard

3 gifts outside: snowflakes falling, the beauty of snow covered fields, the blessing to the oldies that snow didn’t settle here

so thankful in these minus weather conditions for the warm red scarf my son gave, the lady who knitted my red gloves and the gift of a spicy red candle to make my home cosy.