Who Is Your God?

Who is your God? 

 I could also ask, "What is your god?", but that has an entirely different meaning. I'm asking, WHO is your God. Is He someone you pray to before most meals, think about at church on Sunday and cry to in times of trouble? Or is he the all-powerful, awesome God that surpasses everything in this world? One who's name sends a shiver of excitement through you, and nothing can contain the awe you have when you speak of Him?

 This is not a little question. The God I know is not to be compared with anything, or anyone. It makes me almost sick when I realize how we completely act like God is just another "interest" on Facebook and His name one we put a heart around and wear on a t-shirt. Do you really love Him, and are you truly living for the sole purpose of glorifying Him?

 His majesty is so far above us, and what our simple minds could ever comprehend. We try to understand Him and His ways, but continue to fail. We should be striving daily to seek His face and desire nothing but His will for our lives, knowing it is best. Worry should not be a part of our life. Ever. Instead, we should have faith and trust in place of worry and fright, bringing peace and rest to our lives, as we bask in His light and revel in His eternal glory. He has given us a hope; one that cannot be broken.

We read A passage in Ezekiel 36 today in church, and it is absolutely incredible what the Lord has done!  Here is a portion that portrays the power of God,  "For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.  Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.  A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.  And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God." Ezekiel 36:24-28

 Do you see a theme there? Did you notice that "I will" or a form of it was used ten times?! This is only a section of the chapter! He continues to say what He will do. Do you see the power that is shown? Or do you fail to see? Not only has he made e entire universe, and is the center of all life, but He given us "a heart to know, (Jeremiah. 24:7 "And I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.") and a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 11:19 "And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh:").

He also promises in Psalm 37:4 that if we delight ourselves in Him, He will give us the desires of our heart.  Something that I've found is when I seek Him more, I desire Him more.  I also receive peace and joy when I am living for Him and stop longing for what this earth offers.

Just some things I've been thinking on. :)

I praise my God Almighty, for He is greater than anything!

Family Relationships and Love Languages

Last night I was talking to a friend and it got me thinking over the past few years, and all my relationships in my family. I have four brothers and two sisters. Sadly, I was not the most wonderful older sister, especially to one of my brothers. It caused so much hurt and resentment in our lives because of it. I wasn't careful about how I spoke to others, or how they felt when I said things. I've always loved to tease people, but it wasn't always a good thing. I didn't know when not to, and in what ways could cause hurt feelings.  Sometimes I didn't care if it did, and that was where my problem really was.

Several years ago I realized how much pain I had caused my brother, and all those around me. It was very hard for me to admit that I had been wrong all those years, and not been thoughtful in any way. My pride wanted to just say that it was my brother's fault, and he had taken my teasing the wrong way. So, I started really working on repairing the damage I had done to our friendship and gaining his trust. I also had to keep myself from ever falling back into the way I had previously acted toward him.

During the time of healing I read a book called "The Five Love Languages". As I studied my family and what their love languages were I found that my brother's love language was words of affirmation. It all made sense then. By teasing him I had been tearing him down with the words I spoke. Even by calling him my little brother, or immature, crushed him. It helped me to also know how to best build him up. Giving him a hug, while still nice, wasn't the same as telling him how much I loved him, praising him, and how I respected him. I started working on sharing things with him and saying how I knew I could trust him. As time went on I started gaining his trust. Of course I had to really try to seek God also, needing His strength to fight against my bad habits.

There were things about the book I didn't agree with, but I found it to be very helpful to just know the five love languages and look for how I could best serve my family, and bless them. It is not enough to speak your love language or the one that comes easiest. I needed to study each person in my family and find out what makes them feel loved individually.

I am so thankful for each of my siblings, and feel that I have wonderful friendships with each of them!  God has really worked on me and shown me many areas that needed to be worked on...and some that still need a lot of work!  But I am so glad that my family relationships have been repaired, and we all just have so much fun! :)  Forgiveness is such an amazing gift.  Christ has set the example of forgiveness for us.  We need to always set aside any quarrels and resentment we may have held for others and learn to forgive and begin again.  I pray that the Lord will continue to work in my life and make me the woman He has made me to be...using my weaknesses to produce a stronger character through it.

Garden 2012

Yesterday I marveled at God's beautiful creation as my feet sank into the soft soil, mud, cool from the afternoon shade, making it's way between my toes, the earth damp from a recent Spring rain and a breeze blowing wisps of hair around my face. There were clouds that helped protect me from the sun's hot rays. Such a beautiful day to be working with living plants - some to be saved, others removed.

My plants are all either growing very well, or ending their season. My lettuce and spinach are going to seed from my Spring planting, the Swiss Chard is growing beautifully, so is the kale, and I picked the first of my peas two days ago! :)oh, I love their fresh, crisp texture and mildly sweet flavor!

I have other things growing in my summer garden now. I have planted four types of winter squash (delicatata, butternut, buttercup and spaghetti), zucchini, yellow squash, green beans (a pole variety), cucumbers, cantaloupe, watermelon, pumpkins, okra, peppers and tomatoes, along with a variety of herbs.
I am just getting so excited for all the wonderful garden produce!

Daddy's picking up some straw for me to lay down between rows today. It should help with weed control, insulation and runoff since my garden is on a slight incline.

I am trellising my cucumbers for the first time this year, in hopes of less insect problems and easier harvesting. I've wanted to do it in past years, but hadn't gotten around to actually doing it. I will be posting pictures as my garden grows. Right now there isn't much to look at besides the peas.

Well, there's my first 2012 summer garden update! :)
I'm going to go enjoy this lovely day!!