Reflection: Psalm Five

Psalm 5

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by the flute.

 ¹ O Lord, hear me as I pray;
      pay attention to my groaning.
 ² Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
      for I pray to no one but you.
 ³ Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
      Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. ⁴ O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
      you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
 ⁵ Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence,
      for you hate all who do evil.
 ⁶ You will destroy those who tell lies.
      The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.
 ⁷ Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
      I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
 ⁸ Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
      or my enemies will conquer me.
   Make your way plain for me to follow.
 ⁹ My enemies cannot speak a truthful word.
      Their deepest desire is to destroy others.
   Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave.
      Their tongues are filled with flattery.^[a]
 10 O God, declare them guilty.
      Let them be caught in their own traps.
   Drive them away because of their many sins,
      for they have rebelled against you.
 ¹¹ But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
      let them sing joyful praises forever.
   Spread your protection over them,
      that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
 ¹² For you bless the godly, O Lord;
      you surround them with your shield of love.

The more you get into the Book of Psalm the more that a Christian should see God as our Father. He is one that shields His love around us so tight, and when we allow Him to do that, we can rejoice, we can be humble, and we can have joy. God hates sin. He hates that we choose that over His abundant love, however He still offers an abundance of grace and mercy. I have to realize that everyday is made possible because of this offer because without it I would dead and burning in Hell. It is through this thought process that I have to stand in Awe of who God really is. After Sunday, we will beginning Vintage Jesus with the Discipleship Program. I can't wait to hear how Jesus was a rugged hard working dude!

Reflection: Psalm Four

Psalm 4

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

 ¹ Answer me when I call to you,
      O God who declares me innocent.
   Free me from my troubles.
      Have mercy on me and hear my prayer. ² How long will you people ruin my reputation?
      How long will you make groundless accusations?
      How long will you continue your lies?
                         Interlude

 ³ You can be sure of this:
      The Lord set apart the godly for himself.
      The Lord will answer when I call to him.
 ⁴ Don’t sin by letting anger control you.
      Think about it overnight and remain silent.
                         Interlude

 ⁵ Offer sacrifices in the right spirit,
      and trust the Lord.
 ⁶ Many people say, “Who will show us better times?”
      Let your face smile on us, Lord.
 ⁷ You have given me greater joy
      than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
 ⁸ In peace I will lie down and sleep,
      for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

When I read this yesterday, I couldn't help but think about how my anger has changed over the past few months. It was about three weeks ago that I was pretty upset with Reson. In the usually case, I would yell, get pretty angry, and you can guess the rest. Now, people will usually see me and think that I am feisty, however I think that I changed a LOT in this aspect. When this incident happened, I just stayed silent, and I let Reson go about what he was doing. This did not stop me from being upset, and the tears that flowed that day were still hot. However, I noticed that the silence was more effective. It was as if God used my silence to send a VERY direct message to Reson. He even mentioned it later that day. He didn't really like my silence. =) Yet, when I read the passage, and I saw verses 4-5 it spoke a great truth to me. Trust in the Lord and your silence will be great self control. He gives us such a peace, he is our safe keeper. If we allow Him to really work in our lives, if we really let Him in and surrender what we have... The reward is phenomenal!
My Wednesday night kids (3-5 grade) were so responsive to the lesson today as I went over Psalm One, and it is just a true testament that God is working in my life. Man, He is just so good.

David Crowder Band's song "How He loves us" is just a portion of what we can expect from our God.

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us so,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves us,
Oh! how He loves.

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

*****************************************
Man, love like a hurricane, that is intense! He is our prize, His grace redeems us, and just to think that He loves us that much is almost unbearable to accept. Good Stuff!

Reflection: Psalm Two & Three

Psalm 2 ¹ Why are the nations so angry?
      Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
 ² The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
      the rulers plot together
   against the Lord
      and against his anointed one.
 ³ “Let us break their chains,” they cry,
      “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”
 ⁴ But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
      The Lord scoffs at them.
 ⁵ Then in anger he rebukes them,
      terrifying them with his fierce fury.
 ⁶ For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
      in Jerusalem,^[a] on my holy mountain.”
 ⁷ The king proclaims the Lord’s decree:
   “The Lord said to me, ‘You are my son.^[b]
      Today I have become your Father.^[c]
 8 Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance,
      the whole earth as your possession.
 ⁹ You will break^[d] them with an iron rod
      and smash them like clay pots.’”
 ¹⁰ Now then, you kings, act wisely!
      Be warned, you rulers of the earth!
 ¹¹ Serve the Lord with reverent fear,
      and rejoice with trembling.
 ¹² Submit to God’s royal son,^[e] or he will become angry,
      and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities—
   for his anger flares up in an instant.
      But what joy for all who take refuge in him!

Psalm 3

A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.

 ¹ O Lord, I have so many enemies;
      so many are against me.
 ² So many are saying,
      “God will never rescue him!”
                         Interlude^[a]
 3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me;
      you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.
 ⁴ I cried out to the Lord,
      and he answered me from his holy mountain.
                         Interlude
 ⁵ I lay down and slept,
      yet I woke up in safety,
      for the Lord was watching over me.
 ⁶ I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies
      who surround me on every side.
 ⁷ Arise, O Lord!
      Rescue me, my God!
   Slap all my enemies in the face!
      Shatter the teeth of the wicked!
 ⁸ Victory comes from you, O Lord.
      May you bless your people.
                         Interlude
The reflection of these two chapters is one that solidifies that I don't need tons of friends to feel accepted, if anything they will make me feel alienated because of my Christian walk. I will not be afraid to share my thoughts about what God has planned for me because is my protector. This is a very comforting thought as the world begins to crumble in sin. These chapters are the reassurance we need when this is happening. We should not waste our plans on things that are not going to show God's glory. When I type that sentence it makes me think about the recent research I did to buy Luk/Logan's school curriculum.
Reson was worried about me because I was nonstop planning what I was going to get for their schooling. It is a stressful idea knowing that their education is in my hands. I read night after night into the wee hours of the morning about all different subjects, curriculum, standards... and I wasn't resting for peacefully. All I could think about was the Convention, and hoping that God would show us clearly what we were to buy. We there only the first day, and God made it VERY clear what we were to buy. I feel confident that I did not waste time in planning because we are building our boys to be men of God. This was more than just "school," but a decision that would build our boys in our Heavenly Father's image.

God is indeed my shield, I will fear him for He knows what is best for me through His will.

Reflection: Psalm One and more...

Psalm One
1 Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.

4 But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.
5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment.
Sinners will have no place among the godly.
6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,
but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.

Reson and I have had many recent convictions with worldliness. When you used to be persons that had a HUGE focus on what the world does, it consumes you. We are starting a Youth Discipleship Program with three of our youth this summer, and it has created a new drive in us. We wanted a program that would drive our kids, for the ones that wanted it. It is a journey through who Jesus really is ("Vintage Jesus"), into the plan he had for us as people ("I Kissed Dating Goodbye" & "And the Bride wore White"), and how we use that love to fuel our lives for Him ("Crazy Love").  Along with the reading of these three books (the guys won't read "And the Bride..."), they will walk through the New Testament, and have daily journal writing.
Reson and I decided we would do everything the same as what we have asked them. I wanted to have a more direct focus with the Bible so along with the New Testament, I'm starting Psalm. The first Psalm hit a cord really with me. You see, a whole new journey is awaiting these guys and us as we purge the worldliness out of our lives, and others just don't get it. I remember in High School not having many "core" friends (which I always thought "why do I need more?"), and it was mainly because I didn't have the urge to relinquish into peer pressure. Even Reson will say that people misread me (and even call me not so nice words) because if you aren't someone to bring me up spiritually, I don't want to be around your world. Do I care? No, but I know that if these kids take this thing seriously they are going to experience the life of friends not understanding their life with Christ. Now, let me straighten the comment of "I don't want to be around your world." I give the benefit of the doubt, but if there is a pattern in your life, I just prefer to hang alone.

I want to be the tree bearing fruit every season.
I want to delight in God's law.
I want my life to stay healthy, and I want my life to prosper.
I do NOT want to be worthless.
I do NOT want to be condemned.
I do NOT want to be led into destruction.

Interesting this is that all the do NOTs will happen of this world, but not with my Heavenly Father. I can handle that. I hope that through this journey with our three that they will learn this, and that Reson and I continue to grow in the word of God.

Laughter

Psalms 15:13 (The Message)
A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face;
   a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.

Usually I don't read from The Message, but I love the way this verse is worded. One of the things that I thrive on is to have happy hearted boys. If there is ever a time that Luk has a temper tantrum over not getting what he wants, or he is just a grouch in the morning I usually say, "Luk, you need to have a happy heart." It doesn't stop Luk automatically from his bad attitude, but it does make him stop and think about the way he is acting.
Needless to say, to we laugh a LOT in the house. Luk is Logan's personal comedian. The love that Luk has for his brother is precious, and seeing him interact and do things to make Logan happy is special. Here is one of those moments. Luk was "fighting" with his swords, and Coocoo was "fighting" back.

 

It makes me realize that I don't always put this verse into practice. I pursue to make sure that my boys do, but I ignore my own happiness. There are times that I am grouchy or just not in the mood, and I need to turn that verse around on myself. My voice talking to Luk should ring in my ear, "Aislynn, you need to have a happy heart!" I need to work on that...

Our "New" Classroom

My husband was asking me all day Friday what I wanted for Mother's Day. He had already gotten me a present, however he wanted to give something more. That evening Logan (our youngest) gave us the worst night we have been in the seven months he has been in our room. In the middle of his 3 hour crying fit, I looked at my husband and I said, "I want to have Logan put in his own room." We want the boys s share a room, but we want Logan to sleep through the night. Well Saturday, I had to go dress shopping with a friend, and my husband went to work. I call the room "Logan's Temporary Room/Luk's Schoolroom." Let me paint the picture for... we live with my parents. We did this to help pay bills, and we all get along. My older brother still lives in the house as well. The "office" and "garage" have become huge storage rooms, and it led to Luk, my brother, and my parents in the their room, while we shared our room with Logan. The "office" was piled high in storage.
Now, we have a room that still has a small portion of storage, but mainly an area for Logan and Luk's school things. Here it is for, now. Honestly, I couldn't be happier. Next step, convert the garage and office in a grandparents suite!

Those boxes that are piled are from a video store my parents use to own. Image junk that high all over that room... progress indeed.
As for Luk's area, you can see his desk, charts, board, and maps. I am slowly trying to do a Workbox System, but I will get more indepth with it after I buy the rest of our curriculum at the FPEA Convention on the 26th. Here is a peek into the boxes:

These are the Craft box. I have a collection of paint brushes, pipe cleaners, pompoms, finger paint stamps, finger paint, glitter, markers, crayons (that I divided into six baggies), and glue.

The World Map and United States Map with the Legend at the bottom. Luk already told me where Florida is and Tennessee. Which is great because we haven't gotten indepth with this yet. I plan on doing a letter tree to the right of this.

1-100 Number Chart, Long/Short Vowels Chart, Manners Rules. On the refrigerator, Luk has charts for practicing good manners, chores, and toy rules. He receives stickers for each thing that he completes. After the week, his money earned is based on the work that he has completed. These are his jobs.

Our lot of educational board games. We love playing games in this house. There is also his Ant Hill that we will be doing starting in the fall, along with the Butterfly Garden.

This is Luk's Workbox for the Letter "I." The red box is his supplies for writing and crafts. The money tray is just misplaced for right now.

I want to end with my sweet Logan; he was hanging around, enjoying his little area for the moment.

Hmmm... Tornado in the Mind

If you are a Christian that seeks out God's will for your life, you have probably experienced were a person says something or does an action that coincides with the plan God is trying to get you to run after. Last week, I posted a blog about the calling to do something in foreign missions, and that I don't want to just live a safe life. To continue on with that thought, I wanted to mention a few things that a neglected to discuss in that post.
The first things was to describe what Francis was talking about further in his video. He was a balance beam (of life), he mounted, and then he wanted to stay safe to he wrapped his arms and legs around the beam. He then very carefully "dismounted" by carefully stepping down with each leg, and then he did his "gymnastic" pose at the end. It looked silly, and rightfully so. He mentions how if you saw an Olympian do that how would he or she be judged? Not too good, right. Well, if we live our Christian walk with Christ like that then what? What will He say on judgment day? Do we seriously think that He will be pleased and call us good and faithful servants?
So... as I was creating Luk's lessons for the next couple of weeks, I decided that my Discipleship class at church would do a lapbook. The thought came on... which book. They had mentioned Daniel and Lions Den, so Daniel. I printed out the activities for it, assigned the kids each a different chapter, and then on Monday I sat and read it. Now, I have read it before, however like any book the connotation changes when you read a book again or your life is different and means more.

The first person to take action in my thought process was unknowingly me. Daniel was more than a guy that put his faith in God when he was stuck in a lion's den. He was much more than that. It was through him that God changed the hearts of Kings, it was through his that God interpreted dreams and revelations for the kingdom. There are four main praises to God that struck me when I read the book, and I want to share them:

Daniel 2: Daniel's Praise to God
"Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever;
       wisdom and power are his.
 ²¹ He changes times and seasons;
       he sets up kings and deposes them.
       He gives wisdom to the wise
       and knowledge to the discerning.
 ²² He reveals deep and hidden things;
       he knows what lies in darkness,
       and light dwells with him.
 ²³ I thank and praise you, O God of my fathers:
       You have given me wisdom and power,
       you have made known to me what we asked of you,
       you have made known to us the dream of the king."

Daniel 4: King Nebuchadnezzar Praises God:

 ³⁴ At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
       His dominion is an eternal dominion;
       his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
 ³⁵ All the peoples of the earth
       are regarded as nothing.
       He does as he pleases
       with the powers of heaven
       and the peoples of the earth.
       No one can hold back his hand
       or say to him: "What have you done?"
 ³⁶ At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. ³⁷ Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Daniel 6: King Darius tells his people of God

 ²⁵ Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land:
       "May you prosper greatly!
 ²⁶ "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.
       "For he is the living God
       and he endures forever;
       his kingdom will not be destroyed,
       his dominion will never end.
 ²⁷ He rescues and he saves;
       he performs signs and wonders
       in the heavens and on the earth.
       He has rescued Daniel
       from the power of the lions."

The next would be Daniel 9 (all of it), Daniel prays for his people, here is a small piece.
  ⁴ I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed:
       "O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, ⁵ we have sinned and done wrong. We have been wicked and have rebelled; we have turned away from your commands and laws. ⁶ We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.
⁸ O LORD, we and our kings, our princes and our fathers are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. ⁹ The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him; ¹⁰ we have not obeyed the LORD our God or kept the laws he gave us through his servants the prophets. ¹¹ All Israel has transgressed your law and turned away, refusing to obey you. 
¹⁵ "Now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and who made for yourself a name that endures to this day, we have sinned, we have done wrong. ¹⁶ O Lord, in keeping with all your righteous acts, turn away your anger and your wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. Our sins and the iniquities of our fathers have made Jerusalem and your people an object of scorn to all those around us.

That's some powerful praising. Do we do this when we pray? Do we seek what we can do to glorify God, or do we just seek what God can do to make our lives better, more comfortable?
Now, if you read the prior blog you may see where I am going with this, if not stay with me a bit more.

The second people God used for my current thought process would be none other than our dear friends the Landress'. They are relentless. =) Really, they aren't, but God uses them in great ways. We were talking with them about the Student Life camp that our youth group will be attending. We were excited about having Chris Tomlin for a week as the worship leader! Need I say more... Well, this led to Jennifer talking about a book that he had written about his walk through music and his calling. Mitch, of course, reached over and handed me the book... that's when my studying of Daniel really hit me. I opened the book last night, and bam it hit me, I had been trying to pick my own personal theme for the book of Daniel (that would be my English degree brain setting in).

Chris' book is "The Way I was Made," do you see where this is going now. The men in the book of Daniel went through trials, serving/ignoring God, and He finally got them to realize what they were made for! Chris was hitting me on the head a gazillion times saying so are you going to do what God has asked of you? You want your sons to seek God's will for their life, but what about you?

So... I guess I am just waiting for God to open the doors. I don't know when or how long it will take, but I am patiently waiting and willing. I know that he is working in mine and Reson's heart, but I know that my thoughts are thinking in a grander scheme.