Mark’s Neighborhood

Here is my 3-year-old granddaughter talking a bit about self control.  Christmas is fast approaching, she has lots of gifts under the tree, and she is having a hard time with the waiting!  The gifts are also showing a bit of wear and tear, as she holds and shakes and sometimes accidentally tears the paper.  Oh well- we could all use a lesson on the subject.

Skylar And Santa

Skylar Talks About Self Control

Skylar Hope Lyle

I always say God's timing is perfect.  I never know when I turn on the radio what great thing I may hear on my favorite Christian talk radio station.  Many times I get delayed then I turn it on and think, wow, if I had been in the car 15 minutes ago or 15 minutes later I would have missed this.

Well, today I was listening to Family Life with Dennis Rainey and Bob Lepine.  The neat thing is they were interviewing a woman named Sharon Jaymes and she is the author of a new parenting book a friend gave me on How to Be a Great Mom and Raise Great Kids.

A quote was shared during this broadcast that really struck me and it was about managing yourself...mind, body and spirit. Especially your spiritual life.....

Here is the quote:  "Most of your unhappiness in life is due to the fact that you're listening to yourself, instead of talking to yourself.   The main art in the matter of spiritual living is to know how to handle yourself."  That's ultimately what you're talking about here, is knowing how to handle yourself.

So many times people just let life happen to them without truly engaging in a relationship with God.  God has really been teaching me about really listening to Him and being led in all things.  I am trying to look at predictable patterns that work and do not work and how to be more effective.

In fact, my latest prayer has been, "Lord teach me a better way.  How can I be a better mom, wife, friend and disciple. God show me how to be more effective in all I do."  But more imporantly than that, I am just learning to trust God when I do not always see how things are going to turn out.

Also, I am really worshiping the Lord a lot.  Our family listens and sings a lot of praise and worship music.  Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  So I am excited to see what God has in store for myself and my family.  Life is full of many ups and downs and uncertainty.....but that makes the certainty of God so much sweeter.

I am so thankful for a Savior because I have needed a lot of saving :)

I always like to share a video.  My daughter and I have been practicing this together for her to sing as a solo.  Love this.

Mr X: Looking at the calendar is depressing these days I realize will be 30 in one week and have done nowhere near what I wanted to do in life at this point... oh well it be a roller coaster of a ride so far might as well see whats over the next rise
December 3 at 6:09pm · Comment · Like

Mr. Y
Welcome to the crushing reality of existance.
Fri at 7:27am

Ms W
I turned that page back in October and I too had those thoughts and then I started writing down all the stuff I had done. It really made a difference in my mindset.
Fri at 8:16am

my comment:
II should probably just be quiet, but ...
The sum of one's life should not so easily be judged. The people you have made smile, the people you have helped, and the people you have influence are greater then you see. Our memories tend to include failures more then successes, which may be needed to keep us from failing to learn and being egocentric.
Matthew 25: 34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Matthew 25:31-46 (New International Version)
The Sheep and the Goats
 31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

Hands

Senator Democrats are attempting to pass legislation which will give President Obama the authority to shut down the Internet and seize private networks.

On CNET News, Lee Tien, a senior staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), stated “As soon as you’re saying that the federal government is going to be exercising this kind of power over private networks, it’s going to be a really big issue.”

The bill, misleadingly titled “The Cybersecurity Act of 2009″, allows Obama to declare an emergency based upon no hard criteria. Once he declares this emergency, he can effectively shut down free speech on the Internet.

Jay Rockefeller, the bill’s sponsor, said “I know the threats we face. Our enemies are real. They are sophisticated, they are determined and they will not rest.” Unfortunately, it looks like the threat which Jay is most worried about is free speech from Americans who do not approve of Obama’s plans to impose national socialism upon the citizens of the United States.

In addition, the bill will require government licenses of any individual who seeks employment as a “cybersecurity professional”, effectively giving the Democratic party authority to prevent their political opponents from being involved in protecting either government or private networks from attack.

Obama Seeks Power to Shut Down the Internet | Tech FAQ Blog

View site

Recently I heard someone say you should focus on what God is about and what He is for, not about trying to argue but trusting God to give us what to say in due season to bless in His Power.

I am always intrigued by Christmas Cards as so many are just useless.  Like cards that say Happy Holidays.  Well....what Holiday.  How can it be happy if there isn't one.  Why not say Merry Christmas.  I find it maddening that so many people want my money for gifts under the tree but don't want to let me call it Christmas. 

The beauty of faith is that no one can take away our freedom of thought, our salvation and our heart to worship God and love others.

So I am praying that people will look for meaning in Christmas.  That it will be more than a Holiday.  God says He draws all men unto him.  Draw us Lord and let us respond to your calling.

Recently I have been focusing on blessing others.  Finding kind words or helping someone.  I try to show my kids how to find something nice to bless someone whether it be their hair, smile, or painted fingernails.  Just asking someone how they are really doing knowing that you really mean it.

I have found that giving freely of my time and blessings is the greatest blessing of all. 

Be blessed this Christmas and remember that JESUS is the reason for the season.

I recently heard this song and loved it.  I love to end with a worship video.  Enjoy as this is what Jesus is longing for.

Ok, let us try to keep this simple and concise.

Thanks.
Thank you for letting me get to know you.
      "     "    "  the world, the sun, the animals, and the plants.
      "     "    "    "   work of your hands.

Thank you for myself.
      "     "    "  my good points and my bad.
      "     "    "   purchasing for me a right relationship with you.

Thank you for Jesus.
      "     "    "  being the loving God that you are.
      "     "    "  not leaving me to justice, but giving inconceivably of yourself.
      "     "    "  living as a man and seeing what I live through.

Thank you for your sacrifice on the cross.
      "     "    "  being there and paying the price.
      "     "    "  the pain, sweat, blood, and the forgiveness.
      "     "    "  completely finishing an act that replaces my error and wrongness.

Thank you for Jesus' resurrection.
      "     "    "  the final complete proof that you have made me right with you.
      "     "    "  hope beyond this life to a better life.
      "     "    "  a living person I can choose to live for and serve.

Thank you for family.
      "     "    "  their good points, humor, smiles, and how wonderful they are.
      "     "    "    "   bad points and efforts to improve themselves.
      "     "    "  being able to love them and express this love.

In the same way, thank you for: friends; pets; church; co-workers; and neighbors.

Thank you for the United States of America.
      "     "    "    "  wonderful way you have blessed the US.
      "     "    "    "  marvelous way America has been your nation.
      "     "    "    "  foundation of God given rights America was founded upon.
      "     "    "    "  for good people, even if they are wrong, trying to make things good.

Thank you for all the people in service to America.
      "     "    "    "  the people in service to me.

Thank you for shelter, food, safety, and comfort.

There is more, but thank you

Thank you that I can be thankful.

 

The accomplished Alaskan governor can gaze into the face of tiny Trig and inherently know that she still has much to learn, even from her little guy.  Meanwhile, her less accomplished critics gaze mostly into TV cameras (and mirrors) and have convinced themselves that they already know it all.

Well gosh darn. Who is right? (Complete article here)

Several times I have been thinking about something and wish I could see or think in three dimensions.  I want another angle on something or I need another perspective.  Many times God is that third dimension for me.  Where I can go beyond myself and my limited thinking.

Also, I think it is important to surround ourselves with sound teaching.  Listening or reading what other's have to say is not a substitute for our own relationship with God, but it can provide another view.

God reveals himself in so many wonderful ways and I love to read the excitement others have when sharing their experiences.  I have listed some resources on my blog and I hope you will enjoy them. Batterson, Jentezen and Moore are a great place to start.  Do you have any other resources you would like to share.

Also, I have been searching for new, deeper worship songs that can really minister to my family.  We all love to sing and there is nothing like a good song to touch the heart.  Here is one of my recent favorites.  I love to preview songs on You Tube since it has become quite expensive to buy so many songs.  Enjoy this simple song that is so profound.

We all go through tough times. At times I have heard people say, "Oh my problems are small compared to this or that."  God cares about each one of them.

I love reading God's word.  I have learned that when you read it in the good times, you are more prepared for the harder times.  So many people are short on answers but the word of God is the answer.

I love seeing how God works through other people's lives that are truly seeking God.

The three devotionals that I love to read are Mark Batterson at www.evotional.com, Beth Moore at livingproofministries.blogspot.com, and Jentzen Franklin.  They all have very different styles of blogging but I know they all love the Lord and value biblical truth. 

For many years I was jealous of other people and what God was doing in their lives, but I came to the realization that God's plan for me is straight from Him and is for no other.  I have learned to not covet other's dreams above God's dreams for me.

I pray you enjoy these resources for yourself.  I encourage you to explore how God is working and moving and that you seek God above all. Read Matthew 6 and Ephesians 3 for a great reminder of who God is and just how much He loves us.

Love, Carol

I think it is very important to have a solid group of resources to count on in your spiritual walk.  These resources should be spiritually sound but stretch us in many different directions.  I like to read blogs, books and listen to music of many different faiths.  I don't want to be guilty of "group think" on issues on one hand, but on the other hand, everything must line up with the word of God.

In the coming days I will be sharing some highlights of these resources and how you can use them in your life. I know they have been a huge blessing in mine.

On that note, here are some of my regular favorites:

Blogs:

Mark Batterson (pastor,author) - National Community Church:  www.evotional.com

Jentzen Franklin (pastor, author) - Free Chapel:  http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/blog/

Beth Moore (speaker, author, bible study writer) - Living Proof - http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com

Family Resources:

Focus on the Famiily:  www.focusonthefamily.com

Family Life Ministry - www.familylife.com

Music:

Jason Upton - www.jasonupton.com

Hillsong Music - www.hillsong.com

Casting Crowns - www.castingcrowns.com

Worship Music - www.worshipmusic.com

Favorite Ministries:

Samaratains Purse - www.samaratainspurse.com

Life Today - www.lifetoday.org