I have been wanting to post for almost 2 months now. Blogging has been on the back burner due to football season. Yes, that's right. Here in Texas, football controls everything. I have one in the marching band, therefore football games on Friday nights, sometimes Thursdays and one Saturday this year. This also means lots of practice and marching contests as well. Thankfully that kid is driving! However, I'm the "official" band photographer so I have been attending all the games and events, taking a lot of pictures, and going through a lot of pictures to post on Flickr and share with the other band parents and students. I'm loving it, but thankfully we only have 2 more weeks of this...unless we go to playoffs.
The other son is also in band but not at the high school level so they aren't playing at all the games yet...just two this year. That one actually PLAYS football so that means picking up from practice every day and games every Tuesday. And then there is the other non-football/band child who is actually graduated and attending our local community college, and working some, and not driving yet SO, that means driving her around (I have had GREAT help from GREAT friends though, thank YOU!). Suffice it to say, I've been a taxi for the last two months. (in addition to my job of course, and other responsibilities, and lest we not forget I am actually studying the Word, just haven't stopped to POST the Word, although I do love it so much :)
So with that said, here is what I want to share this week. I get so excited about what I'm reading and I will be spending the next couple weeks sharing several things that the Lord has been teaching me. But the following is actually a repeat from 3 years ago because it is such an important message to share this time of year, this week of Halloween. I hope you are reminded that YOU are valued and treasured by the Lord God Almighty. He will never leave you or forsake you, even in the midst of your trials, busyness or when you forget He's there. This is what I'm reminded of this week. Even when I get busy and overwhelmed...even when I'm not blogging about Him, He is there...He is going before me and ahead of me to continue to work the plan that He has set in motion, a plan for MY life and YOURS. He is protecting me and guiding me. He is creating each day a HOPE and future and it is up to me to choose whether to be a part of it.
This was my blog from 10/1/10:
This is actually my SOAP devotional from several weeks ago on 9/9/10 when I happened to be reading this passage but it made me think of this awesome analogy I've been using with kids (and grown-ups) for years. It's perfect for the month of Oct., especially with so many focused on Halloween. Enjoy!
S - Ezekiel 11:17-21
"Therefore say: 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will gather you from the nations and bring you back from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you back the land of Israel again.' 18 "They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. 19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD."
O - This passage reminds me of a comparison I once heard of us to a pumpkin. It refers to God's promise of restoration. He "gathers" us to Him as a farmer gathers the harvest. He gathered and restored Israel during the "dispara" and He will do the same for us. We are scattered around the world even today but God has a plan for restoration.
A - The story goes like this:
God goes to the pumpkin patch and He chooses you. He opens you up, scoops out all the muck and guck and puts a new face on you. He places His light in you and puts you on His front porch for all the world to see. The question then is, Will you shine your light before men in service to God for this great gift of life and restoration? OR will you sit there, let your light go out and become "squash"?
God has given us talents and abilities and we are to use them to shine God's light on others...to light the path that leads to His kingdom.
P - God, thank you that you don't just leave us in the field but you CHOOSE us, and have a plan for restoration and healing. You restore us to what we can become. Thank you for your light that fills us in so many satisfying ways but also is a beacon for others to find YOU. I am privileged to be a part of your plan. Amen.
