Like a tree planted by the water

More on my study of the characteristics of a meek and quiet spirit...

The meek woman's confidence is in the security of the truths of scripture and the faithfulness of God, but the fretful woman's trust is in her own abilities and power to control others and details.

"Thus says the Lord, cursed is the man who trusts in mankind and makes flesh his strength, and whose heart turns away from the Lord. For he will be like a bush in the desert and will not see when prosperity comes, but will live in stony wastes in the wilderness, a land of salt without inhabitant. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water, that extends its roots by a stream and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought nor cease to yield fruit."
- Jeremiah 17: 5-8

I know I have written on this subject quite a bit, but it is only because this is an area in which I obviously struggle. I am learning to trust God and not rely on my own strength, but sometimes I forget. Isn't it silly or even absurd to put confidence in our own flesh and to even think that in our own strength we can accomplish anything fruitful? When we attempt to take control over our lives aren't we essentially telling God that we don't need Him, that we are wiser, stronger, smarter than Him??? Does that even make any sense? Not really, but there are still times when I put my ways before God's ways. I continue to pray that my confidence in Him would increase, that I would find peace in the truths and promises of His word, and that He will be my trust.

"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers." - Psalm 1:1-3

A few ways to help Haiti

Our dear friends Kyle and Lorraine Jones are missionaries in Haiti and I just wanted to post a copy of an email I received from them today:

Dear Friends,

As many of you know by now, Lorraine and I and our mission are ok. We definitely felt the earthquake and all the aftershocks, but we are far enough north that we didn't receive the same damage and devastation as Port-au-Prince. The situation here is certainly tragic. Haiti is already a tragic place without this devastating earthquake, but now they are talking about thousands of people being dead and missing, and many of our students at Sonlight have close family or friends in Port-au-Prince that are missing. Everyone here is in a frenzy, so to speak, and they need a lot of prayer.


Lorraine and I have been asked a lot over the last few days ways in which people can help the situation here in Haiti, and if we knew of any organizations specifically that is in need of some immediate help. We have compiled a few different organizations that we have some connections to. The biggest need is most definitely prayer at this time, but supplies and donations are necessary also to help save lives. Below is a letter from a Doctor friend whom we trust that has an organization called Missions of Love. In his letter you will see specific needs and a good place to send donations. Please read the letter:



*Gentlefolk,
A nightmare beyond your wildest imaginings is unfolding in Port-au-prince, Haiti as I write you this fervent plea. Hundreds of thousands dead, many more seriously injured and dying as we speak. The medical and surgical implications are beyond description. The needs would seem insurmountable, yet, as always in the past, Americans will be touched to be of help and surely help will come again in this horrible situation.

Here's a list of actual supplies and meds we need immediately. Beyond that, money in any amount will buy much needed meds in Port-au-prince IF they are available.

Materials:
Dresssings of any type (tape, gauze, Kerlix, ace bandages, roller bandages, ABD pads, 2x2s, 4x4s, bandaids, perineal pads)
Plaster or fiberglasss splinting materials
Syringes with needles, (2.5 to 10cc, 20g. to 25 g.)
Alcohol /Betadine pads or wipes
Betadine solution
Surgical instruments (i.e., suture removal kits, procedure kits)
Burn dressings
Silvadene cream
Vaseline
Meds:
Topical antibiotics (Neosporin, Gentamycin, etc.)
Antibiotics, any (amoxicillin, tetracycline, cephaloxin, ciprofloxin, sulfa-TMX)
Painkillers, any (Tylenol, acetominophine, ibuprofin, naproxen)

Deliver any medical supplies or meds to
Reflection Of Christ Church
200 Main St Hartford, KY

or in the Florida area to
Dr Johnson at 621 Morning Cove Circle, Palm Bay FL 32909

Or phone us for a pickup at your place: (270) 315-7284 or (270) 315-7489.
Please send any donations marked "earthquake relief" to MISSIONS OF LOVE, Inc., PO Box 292, Hartford, KY 42347. You'll receive a receipt for tax purposes. Please spread the word in your church, workplace, friends, neighbors, etc. to help in any way they can. God bless all! Dr Bob and Betty*

Once again these are folks we trust and have a wonderful medical mission here in Haiti. Also there is an organization named Lifeline Christian Mission in Grand Goave that needs help. There website is www.lifeline.org, if you want more information. And finally we are connected with some friends in Port-au-Prince involved in an organization called MCC. Their website is www.mcc.org/haitiearthquake. They do a lot of different things in Port-au-Prince, and will most assuredly need your help and donations. Many blessings to you all!


Just wanted to get this letter out there to even more people who might be able to help in some small way.

A Peaceful Trust

A friend of mine and I are doing a Nancy Leigh DeMoss study on having a meek and quiet spirit and we have also done 30 days of praying for our husbands. There are many more studies and prayer challenges on her site Revive our Hearts which I highly recommend. There is a section called Grow where you can print off downloads and there are several different ones to choose from. Everything she puts out is straight from scripture and is very solid and encouraging.
So, we just began our study on having a meek and quiet spirit and I wanted to share a scripture that really spoke to me.

"In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: We have a strong city; He sets up walls and ramparts for security. Open the gates, that the righteous nation may enter, the one that remains faithful. The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in God the Lord, we have an everlasting Rock. For He has brought low those who dwell on high, the unassailable city; He lays it low, He lays it low to the ground, He casts it to the dust. The foot will trample it, the feet of the afflicted, the steps of the helpless. The way of the righteous is smooth; O Upright One, make the path of the righteous level. Indeed, while following the way of Your judgments, O Lord, We have waited for You eagerly; Your name, even Your memory, is the desire of our souls. At night my soul longs for You, Indeed, my spirit within me seeks You diligently; for when the earth experiences Your judgments the inhabitants of the world learn righteousness." -Isaiah 26:1-9

Y'eshua himself says "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30
The meek will react to circumstances with peaceful trust, seeking Him diligently, and resting in His perfect plan for our lives.

A fishfry and cheerfulness

We had an amazing New Year's Eve. The kids went fishing with Matt and Pop-Pop and caught several trout. It was enough to make into a meal, so they cleaned 'em and fried 'em up and it was absolutely mouth watering. Elijah has been dreaming about catching fish and eating the...even at his young age he knows that there is something so good about providing dinner for the table. We enjoyed every bite of fish with some homemade hush puppies and steamed veggies. By the time we finished eating it was dark and we decided to go for a night walk on the beach. The kids had such a blast running and chasing each other in the dark. It was very exciting for them to be outside, running wild, when the are normally getting ready for bed. Elijah told me that he wished we could live at the beach and go on night walks every night:)
So onto my goals and plans for the New Year...at the very top of my list is Cheerfulness. I was reading an article in the most recent No Greater Joy magazine and it spoke straight to my heart about cheerfulness. The article explained that cheerfulness "is the first and most important quality a child trainer must possess...a young parent that is full of good cheer has 75 percent of what it takes to be a successful child trainer. Everyone is attracted to joy. Children will do anything for one who enjoys them. Once they get in the joy zone, they never want to do anything that will jeopardize that relationship. A parent of good cheer can deliver a more effective rebuke in less time and without damaging the relationship than a legalistic grump could do with a thousand Bible verses and a hundred spankings. If you are cheerful in our Messiah you will be a dynamic child trainer. You will be to children what a flower is to a bee."
These words are so true. Everyone wants to be around a cheerful person, not just children. The cheerful person is so encouraging, uplifting and pleasant to be around that they have the ability to lighten the load of those around them and their joy is somehow contagious. When someone is smiling at you, it is impossible to frown. I have tried this with my children. When they are feeling grumpy I just look right into their eyes and give them the biggest smile and though they try to cling to their grumpiness, without fail a smile comes to the surface. The mother's attitude determines the atmosphere of the home. If I am walking around complaining about everything that has to be done, then they can feel my stress. If I am constantly pointing out their shortcomings and my face shows more disappointment than joy, they feel discouraged. If they are greeted with more frowns than smiles, they feel frustrated and grumpy themselves. How can I capture the hearts of my children when my own heart feels weary. Why weary? The times I feel weary are the times I try to do things in my own power and strength, with my own wisdom and understanding. I allow myself to lose sight of the true source of cheerfulness and joy. In Proverbs 17:22 it says "A joyful heart is good medicine. But a broken spirit dries up the bones". A joyful heart is good medicine for my children and for my home. How often have I dried up the bones with my joyless heart? If we are without joy and cheer then we are looking too hard at our own inward selfishness... what we don't have, what we think we need, ungrateful for what we have...but true joy is born out of a thankful heart. And I have SO much to be thankful for. As I remind myself to be thankful and to stay in the presence of God I realize that, indeed, it is possible to live a life FULL of joy and cheer.

Little Scribby turned 1!

He wasn't a big fan of the birthday candle, but he sure did love the cake:)

It is so hard to believe that this time last year I was holding newborn Ezra Joseph in my arms. He has brought so much joy and laughter to our home this year. We always have nicknames for our children, usually given by our other children. Ezra has quite a few names. Caleb first came up with Nibbler, then Scribby, I call him Z and lately Jonas has been calling him a little Poo-Pot:)
He has a very lively little personality and great determination to keep up with his brothers. He is also the first climber I have ever had and by far the most curious. He has been the first one ever caught playing in the toilet, the first to put a slug in his mouth, and various other gross things. He's also a professional hunter of every small thing that should not go in his mouth like coins, marbles and small legos. Ezra also has a very laid back demeanor and quite a funny sense of humor. He is by far the happiest, most smiley baby I have ever had. His favorite game play peek-a-boo and he loves to be chased and has the fastest crawl I have ever seen. I can't wait to learn more about this little guy and see what purpose God has for his life.