A Quote to Ponder

"Our values determine our evaluations.
If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset.
If we value the material & physical more than the spiritual,
we will not be able to count it all joy!
If we live only for the present & forget about the future,
the trials will make us bitter, not better."
~Warren W. Wiersbe

thankfulness....or lack thereof!

I have been really enjoying Ann Voskamps book called "One Thousand Gifts" an the concept of being thankful for even the smallest things is something I have been focusing on and practicing in my daily spiritual path. If one searches they will find snippets of blessings everyday. Yes! EVERYDAY there is soo much we can notice and observe if we take the time to do it.

This morning, my dear hubby was up pretty early (as he is every work day) and my first selfish instinct was to grumble! what was I grumbling about? Well I was annoyed that by him getting up to get dressed in his work coveralls, he tripped on a toy and that made a loud bang - which woke up the baby, who then started crying and fussing, which meant I had to open my eyes, get out of bed unwillingly and put the soother in her mouth, all the while giving my man the quick annoyed "What are you thinking waking ME up so early?!" look. I crawled back into bed, put the blanket over my head hoping to catch a few more minutes of precious sleep...without even kissing him goodbye.

As I lay in bed, I then realized how self-centred I had been and felt pretty bad about it. Was I thankful? really? NOPE. not a bit and my heart showed through my actions. Here is my man, waking up early out of his own deep sleep to go out to work long hours day in and day out to provide for his wife and dear children and taking his responsiblity with joy and an eager to work attitude, and all I could think about was how he disturbed me? How petty and foolish. This may seem insignificant to some but to me God was showing me the contents of my heart and my attitudes and it was convicting.

Now if I only I could replay that scenario it would be quite different. A thankful grateful wife would have been excited to get up early to spend time with the man who puts his own needs on the back burner to make sure his wife and children have all THEY need! If I was thankful, I could have even enjoyed a laugh or two with him about how we are blessed with many children who actually have toys to play with , to trip over even. It is a running joke between us that no matter how hard we try to keep the house in order, theres always toys and stuffed animals on the floor. I could have gone downstairs and enjoyed a few quiet minutes with him as he ate some breadkfast and maybe our morning devotions would have been sweeter. I could have been thankful to be up EARLY as the sun was rising to get a headstart on the day before the children woke up. unfortunatly thats not how it played out at all.

My ungrateful heart came through this morning. but the good news is that "Tomorrows another day" . I am thankful for second chances. I am beginning to learn it is the "little things" in life that do count. I am also thankful that after a prayer of repentence I knew I was forgiven and that God will give me another oppurtunity to be thankful.

He Lives!

God sent His son, they called Him Jesus
He came to love, heal, and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives.
But greater still the calm assurance,
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.

And then one day I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain.
And then as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, All fear is gone!
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives!

Words of Song by: Bill & Gloria Gaither

nose in a book!

As a busy mother, its sometimes tricky to find time for one of my favorite pastimes: READING! the only thing I usually have time to read is a quick article here and there in my "ABOVE RUBIES" collection or sometimes a devotional a couple of times a week. This year I have the goal or reading more than that and this takes scheduling and commitment. Other than reading my Bible I have been able to actually "dig in" to a good book! Its quite amazing! My latest one happens to be very popular lately and what inspired me to pick it up was a You Tube Video!



I really enjoyed the video and that night dear hubby and I were shopping and he was sweet to buy me a hard copy of this particular book!

I am on the second chapter and so far i have had to put it down due to my eyes getting all blurry from the tears. IT is a FANTASTIC read and I recommend it has already my perspective on life is changing!!

Please dear wife, or mother if you get a chance to read it ...Do it! You will be forever changed....

In Him,

Nikiyah

spiritual pride

"Proud people tend to speak of other's sins, the miserable delusion of hypocrites, the deadness of some saints with bitterness, or the opposition to holiness of many believers. Pure Christian humility, however, is silent about the sins of others, or speaks of them with grief and pity.

The spiritually proud person finds fault with other saints for their lack of progress in grace, while the humble Christian sees so much evil in his own heart, and is so concerned about it, that he is not apt to be very busy with other hearts.


He complains most of himself and his own spiritual coldness and readily hopes that most everybody has more love and thankfulness to God than he."


"One under the influence of spiritual pride is more apt to instruct others than to ask questions. Such a person naturally puts on the airs of a master. The eminently humble Christian thinks he needs help from everybody, whereas the spiritually proud person thinks everybody needs his help. Christian humility, under a sense of others’ misery, entreats and beseeches, but spiritual pride commands and warns with authority."





~Written by Jonathan Edwards