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.