With all of the talk about our troubled economy lately, I found this article very encouraging. It’s always good to keep our perspective straight.

A Truly Safe Investment

Update:

Here is another thoughtful piece on the economy.

Why I Pray for the Economy

Matthew 28:6

He is not here, for He has risen, as He said. Come, see the place where He lay.

I’ve been listening to James MacDonald’s series, “Laws of the Harvest”. It’s been a good reminder to me how we reap what we sow. The reality of reaping and sowing hit home to me in a funny and slightly painful way this morning as I was walking. This time of year, when we have some thawing and re-freezing, makes for some rather slick conditions on the back roads. The side road I was walking today was a solid sheet of ice. There was a fresh coat of snow on top and I thought it would be enough to give me some traction. Unfortunately the snow didn’t keep me from slipping and falling. It hit me that had I chosen to exercise this morning at home on the treadmill or stationary bike, I wouldn’t have fallen on the ice. I suffered the consequence of a foolish choice.

Listening to this series I’ve been challenged with the question of what am I sowing? What am I sowing in my marriage? What am I sowing in the lives of my children? When I began my walk I even prayed that God would keep me safe as I walked and specifically prayed that I wouldn’t slip and fall. However, God allowed me to suffer the consequence of walking on ice and I did fall. How often do I make a mess out of my life by foolish, sinful choices and then ask God to rescue me? God allows us to reap what we sow. I want the seeds that I sow to reap a harvest of righteousness not corruption. I want to be more thoughtful about what I’m sowing each day.

Galatians 6:7-9 (ESV) 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Psalm 118:24

This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.

I took this picture this morning while I was out walking and thought it was neat how it looks like a reflection of a cross in the water. What a great reminder to reflect on the cross and the hope it brings. I am so thankful for the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

As I was walking this morning, I was struck once again by the beauty, order, design and variety present in God’s magnificent creation. All around us are signs of God’s greatness.

Psalm 145: 3 Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise;
His greatness no one can fathom.

As a family, we’ve been keeping track of the books we are reading this year. Kevin set up a family wiki for us so we can record the titles of the books we’ve read. It’s been a great way to encourage all of us to read more and be more mindful and thoughtful of the types of books we are reading. It’s been a practical way for us to encourage each other to read more. This is one small way my family can encourage each other. As I was thinking how beneficial this has been, it reminded me of my church family and how encouraged I am when we meet together.

My parents were faithful in taking me regularly to church. We didn’t just put our time in on Sunday morning but were there for all of the regular services and were active and involved. I know God has used those times to grow me and prepare me for service. I look forward to times when our church gathers together and it’s always a blessing to meet with God’s people.

God intends for us to encourage each other. If I stay home from church I might miss out on an opportunity to encourage another believer or an opportunity to be encouraged by another believer. God is so good to place others in our lives who encourage us and spur us on toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

As I walked this morning, I enjoyed seeing the signs of new life that come in Spring.

God is good to give us so many beautiful plants to enjoy.

Zechariah 10:1

Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime;
it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds.
He gives showers of rain to men,
and plants of the field to everyone.

Last week I went for a bike ride in the evening with Kevin M. and Taylor. We stopped by the lake and I took a few pictures. Kevin M. borrowed my camera to take some pictures of a spider web. I took a few more pictures and then stuck the camera in my pocket and we headed home. When we got home I put my hand in my pocket to get the camera and it wasn’t there. I had a sick feeling as I realized that I had lost my camera somewhere between the boat launch area where we had been using it and home. Kevin M. and Taylor joined me in riding back over the area in search of the camera. Taylor and I also walked the area again looking for it. In the next couple of days, several of the kids and I went looking again.

In the hope that someone may have found it, I called the relevant local law enforcement agencies to report the lost camera. I also placed an ad in the classified lost and found section of our local paper. So far no one has reported finding it.

I felt terrible when I lost it. It’s actually a camera Kevin had bought so he could have a handy pocket camera to grab and take with him more conveniently than taking his larger, nicer camera. When I told him I had lost it, he replied, “it’s just a camera.” While looking for it on the trail I was struck by the thought that it was “just a camera” and thought of times when I’ve seen reports of groups of people looking for a lost child. How heart wrenching it would be to have a missing loved one. In light of eternity, a lost camera really isn’t that big of a deal.

Kevin pointed out to me that after a couple of days of being out in the rain and cold, if someone hasn’t found it, the camera would be worthless anyway. Losing the camera has been a good reminder to me that stuff really isn’t important. What matters is the eternal. I want to store up treasures in heaven not on earth.

Matthew 6:19 (ESV) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Kevin took this picture of the new camera he bought for me. Thanks to my generous husband, I made out quite well since this is a better camera than the one I lost.

I read this article this morning and thought it was very helpful in understanding ways parents provoke their children to anger. It was a great challenge and encouragement to me as I seek to bring my children up in “the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Ephesians 6: 4

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.