TreasuresInTerraCotta

For the past few weeks/months I seem to be getting one of those repetitive messages from God. You know the ones...you read your Bible, hear a sermon, you read a book, go to Bible study, read a blog...and the same message appears over and over. For me, the message is about food consumption/ health/ craving/ sacrificing/ satisfying. This was my Bible reading this morning. 1 Corinthians 6: 12-20 ( ESV ) "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful for me," but I will not be enslaved by anything. "Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food" -and God will destroy both one and the other...Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. My study notes say: "All things are lawful" and "Food is means for the stomach and the stomach for food" - The q...

While reading through Luke along with Strongs and a study Bible I had this thought process. Luke 2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. I have heard many discussions about Jesus' appearance, his stature,etc. But the point I was reading today said he was likely very strong because of his training as a carpenter. So I thought I would do a little word study to see if I could get a better idea about Jesus. I looked up "carpenter." It's only used twice and it is really the same reference. Mark 6:3 and Matthew 13:55 "Is not this the carpenter (carpenter's son), the son of Mary." Interesting that in all the New Testament no one else is described as having the same job as Jesus. A number of fishermen, a handful of tax collectors, a few prostitutes, but no other carpenters. Makes me think that his job was significant. The Greek word is tekton (Strong's 5045) and defines "carpenter" as you might expect: 1) ...

To live in the desert and see beauty you have to look with different eyes. You usually have to look up. To the distant mountains or the beautiful blue overhead. You have to be aware because the beauty constantly changes. Sunsets change second by second and if you wait to enjoy one you might miss it. The beauty is seasonal, not constant. The summer monsoons darken the sky and intensify the greens and blues of the desert and cause the creosote to release its pungent smell. In the Spring and the second-Spring (aka Fall) the Texas Rangers color every median and park in purple. There is beauty in the odd juxtaposition of snow on cactus. But now, this is the season when cactus bloom.

Last week my niece said to me, "I smell your smell Auntie Nita." I wasn't sure if I should be offended or concerned! But she immediately followed up by saying, in her 4 year old voice, "I y-ike your smell." I think that's a good thing. To a four year old I have a smell that, I think, represents love and hugs and fun and good feelings and time together. Conicidentally, I have been memorizing 2 Corinthians 2: 14-16 that says: But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. So I had to ask myself: Who am I close enough to that they could say "I smell your smell"?

I don't know why it's so amusing to me but mommy-hood seems full of strange verb-noun combinations. Slide on the Slide Swing in the Swing Spin the Spinner Go Potty on the Potty Put the Trash in the Trash (I'll spare you a pictures) I could probably come up with a few more that have come out of my mouth. What about you? "Sometimes it’s the smallish things that take up the most room in our hearts." — A.A. Milne (Winnie-the-Pooh)

I recently drove by a church with one of those little quips posted in the roadside sign. It read: Saying Prayers Will Decrease Your Cares I understand the sentiment, but for me, the opposite seems to be true. Saying prayers seems to increase the amount that I care. When I have prayed about something or someone I am much more interested in the outcome. I am more likely to ask follow up questions or send an email or pray another prayer when something jogs my memory. Saying prayers increases the number of facets I pray for a situation. A prayer for a friend to have a good trip turns into something that includes her rest and rejuvenation , her witness to her unsaved family, her love to grow for the family at home, ease in the airport and beauty in her travels. Saying prayers seems to open my eyes to more things to pray about. An internet article challenged me to pray for other countries. Other countries!?! I don't even keep up to date with what is happening in this country,...

This is one of the Bible story books in our growing collection of child-friendly Bibles/devotionals. It is copyrighted 1970 and was given to my husband in 1975 for his 6th birthday. This is the second time we are reading through it with our, now, 3 year old. And honestly, I was not looking forward to starting it again. Written long before Francine Rivers popularized "putting flesh" on Bible characters and Readers Digest allowed Bible illustrations to be rendered in primary colors I veiwed this book as rather boring. But, would you be surprised that God's Word is living and active even in drab colors? I know! I shouldn't have been surprised either! Every day I am finding myself saying, "I didn't remember that part of the story" or "Really? Is that really in there?" And of course, because it was written nearly 40 years ago, the answer is yes! Isaiah 55: 10-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without waterin...