Friday, January 6, 2012
Summer Already?
Temperatures in the low 70s (F), clear blue skies and bright sunshine = summertime, right? So, I took full advantage of the opportunity for sunbathing by the pool, and loved it! Now this is more like what we expected here in the wintertime. Yes!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
"You must subdue it!"
Currently I am reading the book of Genesis. Since Genesis is the first book in the Bible, and the account of the beginning of time, I figured it would be an appropriate place to start my Bible reading in this new year.
The first verse that has really stood out to me is Genesis 4:7: "You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy, and you must subdue it." (the New Living Translation)--especially this part: "You must subdue it!"
That says that it is up to me to take control of how I live my life--whether I choose to respond to hard things "correctly" (as pleases God) or "incorrectly" (as pleases me in the heat of the moment, but displeases God). It says that if I respond incorrectly, "sin is waiting to attack and destroy." Is that really what I want? If that's not what I want, then I am responsible to subdue what comes "natural" to me (In Genesis 8:21 it says: "...people's thoughts and actions are bent toward evil from childhood."), and choose to please God rather than follow my own natural instincts. That's really hard to do!
We begin life simply following our own natural instincts. The role of parents is to train children to learn right from wrong, and to develop the habit of choosing to do right. The life of a child is much more peaceful when he/she makes the right choices. That fact of life never changes. As adults we must continue to make right choices, responding correctly in the hard things--even when it doesn't come naturally!
The start of a new year is a great time to start learning to do this. It's not just a matter of asking God to help us, although that is a must. It's also a matter of taking personal responsibility for our responses--a choice to make. It's a matter of subduing (choosing to control) our natural instincts because God expects us to and empowers us to do that!
That is a worthy goal to aim for, and a great way to live! Woohoo for a fresh new start and a clean slate to try again!
The first verse that has really stood out to me is Genesis 4:7: "You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy, and you must subdue it." (the New Living Translation)--especially this part: "You must subdue it!"
That says that it is up to me to take control of how I live my life--whether I choose to respond to hard things "correctly" (as pleases God) or "incorrectly" (as pleases me in the heat of the moment, but displeases God). It says that if I respond incorrectly, "sin is waiting to attack and destroy." Is that really what I want? If that's not what I want, then I am responsible to subdue what comes "natural" to me (In Genesis 8:21 it says: "...people's thoughts and actions are bent toward evil from childhood."), and choose to please God rather than follow my own natural instincts. That's really hard to do!
We begin life simply following our own natural instincts. The role of parents is to train children to learn right from wrong, and to develop the habit of choosing to do right. The life of a child is much more peaceful when he/she makes the right choices. That fact of life never changes. As adults we must continue to make right choices, responding correctly in the hard things--even when it doesn't come naturally!
The start of a new year is a great time to start learning to do this. It's not just a matter of asking God to help us, although that is a must. It's also a matter of taking personal responsibility for our responses--a choice to make. It's a matter of subduing (choosing to control) our natural instincts because God expects us to and empowers us to do that!
That is a worthy goal to aim for, and a great way to live! Woohoo for a fresh new start and a clean slate to try again!
Remember: every day is a new beginning!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Happy New Year!
Wondering what 2012 will be like . . .
2011 was a very tough year for me--so glad that it's done! However, we ended it well by going for a 7-mile walk along a nice trail in Dallas yesterday. The weather was almost like summer, and the trail was busy with lots of people taking advantage of a beautiful day!
Today was spent, first at church, then taking down the tree and the house lights, putting away all of the Christmas decorations, and getting the house back in order. Finally, to celebrate a job well-done, and to start the new year off in a great way, I enjoyed sitting outside by the pool, soaking up the sunshine and mild temperature.
I'm now done with cardiac rehabilitation, and I'm feeling fine--back to normal. I will continue my cardiac exercise routine at home with treadmill, eliptical trainer, and hand weights.
Larry will begin a new job on Tuesday, still working for FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), but in a different department. Just like his original job with FDIC, this new job is also a 2-year contract job with the possibility of being extended for an additional two years. So, it looks like we will stay put here for another couple of years or more.
I am still working (volunteering) at the assisted living facility, two days a week, and still loving it! Every day I spend there is such a blessing to me, and I consider the residents my friends and family. It is so enjoyable to be with them, and know that they are filling up my heart just as I believe I am filling up their hearts.
So, as we enter this new year, I wish for you the joy and peace that comes from knowing Jesus intimately and letting Him fill up your heart and life. May His blessings overwhelm you and bless you abundantly throughout 2012!
2011 was a very tough year for me--so glad that it's done! However, we ended it well by going for a 7-mile walk along a nice trail in Dallas yesterday. The weather was almost like summer, and the trail was busy with lots of people taking advantage of a beautiful day!
Today was spent, first at church, then taking down the tree and the house lights, putting away all of the Christmas decorations, and getting the house back in order. Finally, to celebrate a job well-done, and to start the new year off in a great way, I enjoyed sitting outside by the pool, soaking up the sunshine and mild temperature.
I'm now done with cardiac rehabilitation, and I'm feeling fine--back to normal. I will continue my cardiac exercise routine at home with treadmill, eliptical trainer, and hand weights.
Larry will begin a new job on Tuesday, still working for FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), but in a different department. Just like his original job with FDIC, this new job is also a 2-year contract job with the possibility of being extended for an additional two years. So, it looks like we will stay put here for another couple of years or more.
I am still working (volunteering) at the assisted living facility, two days a week, and still loving it! Every day I spend there is such a blessing to me, and I consider the residents my friends and family. It is so enjoyable to be with them, and know that they are filling up my heart just as I believe I am filling up their hearts.
So, as we enter this new year, I wish for you the joy and peace that comes from knowing Jesus intimately and letting Him fill up your heart and life. May His blessings overwhelm you and bless you abundantly throughout 2012!