God speaks in a barn

Had wonderful weather today, those 60 degree temps that were promised arrived. Wow, gotta love this in January. When the weather is warm the horsey care is easier. When it freezes we carry our hose to and from the barn. When it freezes, the spoiled little pony with insulin-resistance, gets his hay (which must be soaked in water to reduce sugar content), toted to and from the barn as well. So warm weather lightens the load. Warm weather also makes me linger in the barn to do the chores. Mucking stalls is much more appealing on days like today. Although frozen pony poop can be easier to manage (TMI?).

A sermon kept my attention today while I worked, and affected me. It was about Jesus asking the lame man "Do you want to be well? ...then you must get up, pick up your mat and walk." We (I) can get comfortable/ lazy/stagnant in our needy (sinful) estate. I can't be satisfied on the mat. There are no excuses, no hiding from God. I must desire what Jesus is offering, I must want to be well. I don't want to settle for mediocre living when Jesus has offered abundance, I want to be well. Only He can make me well.
( South Hills Bible Chapel 1/7) http://biblechapel.org/radioministry.htm

The Sermon quoted John Piper,

"The tragedy is that Satan uses the guilt of these failures to strip you of
every radical dream you ever had, or might have, and in its place give you a
happy, safe, secure, American life of superficial pleasures until you die in
your lakeside rocking chair, wrinkled and useless, leaving a big fat inheritance
to your middle-aged children to confirm them in their worldliness."

Past sins, failures, guilt, can keep you on the mat. But God has offerred abundant life, I don't want to stay on the mat.

Micah 7:8-9

8Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall
rise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me. 9 I will bear
the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against him, until he pleads my
cause and executes judgment for me. He will bring me out to the light; I shall look
upon his vindication.

God does speak in the barn.

G'Night

Mom's Thoughts on Sundays & Christmas II

Today started early, up at 6 to practice at church. Late night Steeler game, ugh... Steeler fans what'd you think of that nailbiter? Deflating. After the game there was last minute cleanup, in preparation for family to arrive after church. Anyway, little sleep last night. But rose "bright eyed and bushy tailed" praying in the shower for help to worship.

I love Sunday. I love to be with my family, extended through our adoption into God's family: I love to go church. I don't know what your experience is with "church." I only know that it is the best part of my week, I come each Sunday needy and weak, and God meets me, refreshes and restores. I bring nothing (but my mucky, sinful heart) and God gives everything, what love. When my attention is turned to this Holy God, I see my need of a Savior and I am humbled. How He then changes the mess in my heart (that I can't even understand,) it seems a mystery...and I am free. Soaring in joyful worship. So I will say boldly today, only the blood of Christ can create this miracle in my heart, in any heart. Oh, I hope you will love Sunday too.

Church, then home to do last minute tasks, then the family arrived for Christmas II with Barry's siblings. It was a warm, friendly, peace-filled gathering (with lots of good food.) We were so happy to be able to share our home and spend time together.

Day is done, the new week begins...

Let's see what new adventures await.

G'Night All