From Passivity to Passion

My pastor recently did an excellent sermon on moving from Passivity to Passion. It was based in Phil 4, but, ( as usual), is chock full of connecting scriptural references, which I won't go into. (If you want his messages, you can go to the Reseda Valley Vineyard's website- good stuff.)

But one thing that stuck with me was his talking about how, as a new believer, he wanted the Word so badly that he would read it and not even eat breakfast until he'd done his readings.

And how much he grew in the Word. But he talked about how, after some time, it can become less of a passion and we can lose our focus. It can go from that to reading the Word AND eating breakfast, then to reading the Word while checking e-mails AND eating breakfast, and so on.

I sadly related. I have been losing my focus.

Which leads me to Andrew Murray. He is so amazing, but I have been trying to read this powerful little devotional called "Abiding in Christ,"f or months, yet losing focus.

This morning, I didn't. This morning I told myself that I didn't need to put away that stuff, or check anything, or move off the couch for more coffee until I'd read my Andrew Murray and prayed about it. And it turned out to be a very blessed time.

Very direct and powerful scriptures about how God is establishing me. How it is His work. He began it and He will complete it. How he loves to do it, and to do it forever. And it's ours to trust and surrender.

I found myself consciously singing the words to the worship songs in the car. Meaningfully.

And I found myself having a much better day.

Rosie wrote about the interest and power of quotes. I've been pondering that, thinking about quotes that I like.

This one's from Bill's sermon quoting Jonathan Edwards. "Posture your life so that you may be easily enticed by the beauty of Christ."

and Bill's action plan,

"Decide to live a life of 'planned neglect.' Determine to do the most important things whenever possible."

Giving thanks and Selah's birthday!

Enough woes on my blog dedicated (loosely) to giving thanks! There is always a reason to give thanks. Right now I sit in my S. Cal living room with the front door and window open at almost 8 PM and it feels so good. A light breeze and a lovely serenade by the birds next door. The guy sort of has an aviary going on. I love it!

Yes, I have to do some more work tonight. I can't seem to get caught up on it this year. But

I have a job! No, really, in this day, that's big! A home.

But the biggest thing tonight is the birthday of my beautiful granddaughter . Selah!

Selah is such an exuberant, creative, thoughtful, and PASSIONATE child!

How that looks at 2 is all over the place. And invigorating. I just love to hear her talk. On Mother's day, one of her imaginary friends had gone to school. The other one didn't because she needed a break, as she'd already gone 3 times that day. Their names elude me now, but are very creative.

And I'm happy to know that one of her goldfish is still named "Ha-ha!"

Selah! She loves her mommy's hair! She loves to go outside. She loves life!

And I love her!

I am so grateful that I got to be with her and the rest of the family this weekend.

I was going to post more...or the woes of E-Harmony.

First of all, I guess I don't have much pride- announcing to the whole cyberspace world that I have tried E-Harmony- again!

I would like to rename it- How to get rejected twice a day for 2 months in 5-7 different ways.

They have had these pre-programmed responses as to why a "match" would close on you.

My favorite reject is from guys who have never even communicated with me, but to say ,"the chemistry isn't there." WHATEVER! Does that mean my pictures turn them off? How do you know if there's chemistry if you've never met?

Then there's, " you live too far away." This is bogus because we put in the range of distance we are interested in when we set up our profile info.

Or, how 'bout, "I am now seeing someone else." Could actually be valid....

Or, I have to paraphrase here, but the one that says something to the effect that, 'based on your profile, I'm not interested." Okay, can't argue there.

Then there's the nebulous "Other." That's it. Just, "other."

I think the one I respect the most, and am even complimented by at times, is ,"Our difference in values are too great." This is because I really put my faith out on my profile, and the importance of putting Jesus first.

You have to be very thick skinned to handle those places.

Why am I posting this? Because, a major reason I haven't been posting is the monster called E-Harmony. Maybe I could call it Out- of-Balance -omony. or Dis-harmony. How bout Reject- armony.

(Is this reminding anyone in the family of St. Gray Squirrel???)

So to end this, I am posting some of the pictures that I put on that other place, which I will now call, "Site-Which-Shall-Not-Be-Named-Omony."

And I will remind myself and the world of THIS truth: "Seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." ( forgot address, but Jesus said it!)

I labeled this one: Me from the back. Clever, eh? And I wonder why no ones interested!