Memory Monday: Psalm 18:28

I know this is called Memory MONDAY, but I still wanted to post this week's memory verse, even though I'm very late.  To be honest, I didn't exactly feel like posting a verse earlier in the week, but I definitely NEED a verse to memorize and meditate on this week.

I've chosen the verse that is part of my First Place Bible study this week.  It speaks of the only source of light in my darkest days, and that's where I am right now...very dark days.  I've found it hard to see God in the darkness the last few weeks.  It's truly grown darker and darker for me.  But I'm finding that the light is always there, when I choose to dwell in His presence.

For it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness. ~ Psalm 18:28 

 

For more Memory Monday, visit The Simple Wife.

Memory Monday: Psalm 92:1-2

I wanted to move my focus back to gratitude this week, so I looked for a verse to memorize that speaks of thankfulness.  I like this one.  It simply states that it is good to thank the Lord. 

I believe that it is good to continually look for things to thank the Lord for, and we should speak those praises out loud in the hearing of others.  It gives us proper perspective and sets our minds to thinking right and true thoughts.  His lovingkindness (His mercy or steadfast love) toward us is reason enough to thank Him.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High; to declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night," ~ Psalm 92:1-2 (NKJV)

If you want to join others in this, visit Joanne's blog The Simple Wife.

Chat Pack - What To Sell?

Guess what.  The Chat Pack is back!  I had gotten a little sidetracked in the last several weeks, but I have time to answer a question today.

Today's question is...

If you could open your own retail store, what type of merchandise would you sell?

The answer is BOOKS!  I love books.  A lot! 

Have I ever told you that my heart starts to palpitate whenever I drive anywhere near the library?  For some reason I think I have to go inside and find a book to read.  That's not crazy to the average book lover, except that I have a whole stack I own sitting at home on the shelf, waiting to be read.  Sometimes I even have as many as three library books at home, and I still want to go into the library to find a book.

Yeah, it doesn't make sense to me either.

So yes, if I owned a retail store, I would want to sell books.  What are you passionate about that you would enjoy selling?

Memory Monday: Psalm 3:3

This week the scripture I've chosen to memorize talks about the Lord lifting up my head.  I've been feeling discouraged in the last week because I'm waiting for God to move in a big way.  And as I wait, the negative thoughts come to mind, causing my head to hang down in despair.

This verse is a reminder to me that the Lord is a shield from all of those negative thoughts and Satan's arrows of doubt.  When my mind is filled with God's promises (His name LORD means He is a promise keeper), He lifts up my head.  I don't have to hang my head in hopelessness.  He lifts up my head when my confidence is in Him.

But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.  ~ Psalm 3:3 (NKJV)

If you want to join others in this, visit Joanne's blog The Simple Wife.

Gratitude Is Everything

You may not hear the end of my trek through the discipline of gratitude because I am still learning much in this area.  Yes, I say it is a discipline because, let's face it, being grateful doesn't come naturally.  It has to be cultivated and practiced.

I am becoming more convinced as the weeks go by that by expressing gratitude to God for the things He gives and the way He's working is the key to being joyful and peaceful.  We need to get our eyes off of our circumstances and fix our eyes on our God and His goodness.  We are bent toward being whiners rather than worshipers.  At least, I am.  How about you?

Finding myself at the center of an emotional storm, I could sense I was beginning to lose my grasp on the peace that comes with being near to God the longer the suffering continued.  Yesterday I decided to go back to the fundamental exercise of writing down what I can see above the trial, the ways that God is working in me, the things He's teaching me, and the way He is helping me.  When I finished writing, my heart was still.  My thoughts were quiet.  The Lord had my full attention.  I remembered that God is good.

I'm slowly learning that expressing gratitude to God is everything.

 

If you need a tool to help you get started in developing gratitude, check out this link from Revive Our Hearts ministry: Growing in Gratitude: 30-day challenge

Memory Monday: Psalm 9:9-10

Are you working on memorizing Scripture?  I have become more intentional about it since January, but it's something I have to be truly disciplined about or it will fall by the wayside.

Today I came across a new blog to me, The Simple Wife, and she posts Scripture on Mondays that she intends to memorize through the week.  I would enjoy sharing my Scriptures with you, so I thought I might participate with her. 

I especially need these verses right now because I need a refuge in the time of trouble I'm experiencing.  They remind me that God is my only refuge, not people.  And I will more quickly trust Him if I have sought Him and know His character.

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. 

And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.

Psalm 9:9-10 (NKJV)

Caffeinated Randomness: Talkin' Donuts

Let's serve up some donuts with the Caffeinated Randomness at Andrea's blog today.

If you read my post yesterday, you'll understand why my friend Mary sent me this video.

 

 

Have a great weekend... and eat a donut for me!

Uh Oh... She's Back!

I'll be open and honest here.  I'm having emotional food issues. 

You know what I'm referring to, don't you?  It's when you eat junk food because you believe it will somehow take away the emotional low you are experiencing.  This is something that I had overcome months ago, but it has made a comeback in the last couple of weeks.

Did I ever tell you about being tagged The Donut Girl?  This nickname was attached to me over a year ago when I shared a story in my First Place Bible study about my weakness for donuts.  They had been my nemesis to weight loss.  I could smell them way in the back of the grocer's dairy department, even when the bakery department was a mile away.  Yes, it was that bad.  So one of the ladies in my study tagged me The Donut Girl.  But I had overcome that.

Well, The Donut Girl?  She's back.  With a vengeance.

I have to drive past a grocery store almost every time I go out.  Do you know what I think about as I drive by?  Donuts!  I don't even buy donuts at that store, but I know that's where they can be purchased.  And I want one.  It's a good thing I'm just lazy enough that I don't want to go to the trouble of parking my car, walking into the store, and buying one on my way to wherever I'm going.

Oh, what a mess I am.