Counting My Blessings

Five Favorites - Friends

It's time to discuss our favorites again. As Summer begins to wind down and we take time to enjoy a few more picnics and get the kiddos ready for a new school year - I thought it might be fun to think about all of the friendships we enjoy.

We find our friends in different places. When we were in school they either lived close, were in our class, or played on the same sports team. As we got older we found our friends at work, or they're the parents of our children's friends. Maybe we met them at the gym, church, or through a mutual friend.

Joshua 5 - The Promised Land, Renewal and Peace

We only have 15 verses to look at today, but they are packed - open your Bible to Joshua 5 and join me in study.

Joshua 5:1 makes me want to shout, "Glory!" All the Amorite kings west of the Jordan River and all the Canaanite kings along the Mediterranean Sea heard that the Lord had dried up the Jordan River so that the Israelites could cross. So they lost heart and had no courage left to face the people of Israel.

The message spread quickly. The God of Israel was powerful and cared for His people. Look back at Joshua 4:24; The Lord did this so that everyone in the world would know His mighty power and that you (His children) would fear the Lord your God every day of your life. I see so much parental love in that passage.

Elimination Diet - HELP!

Once again, I am turning to all of you for help. If you would pass this along to friends and family who you know have been down this path themselves I would greatly appreciate it.

I have dealt with some health aggravations for . . . well, for as long as I can remember. I call them aggravations, because they are issues that I simply believed were things with which I was just going to have to adjust. Lately, they have become a bit more annoying, and by God's grace He has placed several friends in my life who have been investigating food intolerance as the problem for many health issues.

My request for help comes from a need for recipes and yummy things to eat. I have read two books: 1. IBS - Free At Last, by Patsy Catsos (Okay, now you know the source of my aggravation.) and 2. Diet Wise, by Prof. Keith Scott-Mumby. Since reading these books recommended by my friend, Mel. Thank-you, thank-you! I have determined the need to try an elimination diet.

L.L. Bean - Consumer Report

I have decided to do something a little out of the norm for CMB. Today, I would like to exercise my right as a consumer and share my thoughts about shopping with L.L.Bean.

With our challenged economy, I believe that we can bless each other by sharing our consumer experiences both good and bad. We each want to be good stewards of the money with which God has blessed us, and I for one want to spend wisely on quality merchandise with a company that cares.

I have had a fabulous L.L. Bean experience this morning that I would like to share with you. Last month, while my dad was visiting we placed an order for him to celebrate his birthday and Father's Day. Some items were back ordered and all of them were being shipped to Northern Michigan where Dad is spending the majority of the Summer.

Captive Thoughts

  I got out of bed this morning feeling restless.  I can't really explain it, but no matter how hard I tried to "take my thoughts captive," negative thoughts continued to race through my mind.

God is so good and faithful. I sat down to spend some time in Scripture knowing that on my own I had not been able to control my negative thinking. I planned to turn to the Book of Psalms. A few minutes reading the praises of David and my thoughts are usually turned around; however, this morning my Bible fell open to Isaiah 25. In my Bible it is entitled Praise to the Lord, and is followed by A Song of Praise, chapter 26. I would like to share with you some of the passages the Holy Spirit used to change my thoughts . . .

Isaiah 25:1 - O Lord, You are my God; I will exalt You and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.

Five Favorites - Pics of JJ

Okay, it's my blog, and today I want to talk about my favorite little person. His dear momma sent me some pics yesterday, and I could not wait to share them here. So, today's favorites - pics of JJ!!

This is definitely a boy with an opinion! Gram thinks you're cute even when you're cranky!!

Joshua 4 - Remembering the Miracle

Last week we talked about following God, Jehovah Nissi - our Banner into our Promised Land. This week as we look at chapter four of Joshua we want to focus on God's instructions for remembering His miracles.

In Joshua 4:1-2 we read, The whole nation finished crossing the Jordan River. The Lord had told Joshua, "Choose one man from each fo the 12 tribes."

God had prepared the way for them. He had prepared the land for victorious take over. He prepared the people to move. He prepared their hearts and minds to follow in obedience. He prepared a way for them to remember this miracle for generations to come.

Proof

I found this video on Tangle.com, produced by Igniter Media.

 

Sing to the Lord a new song!

Sing to the Lord, all the earth!

Sing to the Lord! Praise His name!

Day after day announce that the Lord saves His people.

Tell people about His glory. Tell all the nations about His miracles.

Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad.

Let the sea and everything in it roar like thunder.

Let the fields and everything in them rejoice.

Then all the trees in the forest will sing joyfully

in the Lord's presence because He is coming.

He is coming to judge the earth.

He will judge the world with righteousness

and its people with His truth.

Psalm 96:1-3,11-13

Beginning a Better Day

A few weeks ago I was convicted by a teaching. I apologize for not being able to remember where I heard or read it. Things fly through my gray matter so quickly, I'm just thankful for anything that stays for a visit. Therefore, the "where" is forgotten, but the "what," the point, it has lingered long enough to make an impact. Praise God! 

The message concerned the ways in which we begin our day. How about you, how do you begin the day?

I usually begin by brushing my teeth, washing my face, and putting in my contacts. Then a bath and I get dressed. After that it depends upon what my schedule looks like. Most days, the next thing is my cup of coffee. It either goes with me to the bathroom where I do my hair and put on my makeup, or together we head upstairs to my office. 

Based on the picture, you have probably figured out the point of this post.

Tongue Taming

Our Sunday morning Bible Study is working through the book, 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue, by Deborah Smith Pegues. Click here to read endorsements, find an interview with the author, and read an excerpt.

We all know about the cursing tongue, the gossiping tongue, the slandering tongue, and the lying tongue. But did you know that when our tongues are judgmental, rude, cynical, belittling, or meddling they are make a negative impact, and probably get us into some trouble, too. 

James 3:8 says, No man can tame the tongue.  

If you are like me, you have experienced more than one occasion where you have planted your foot in your mouth, and it doesn't taste very good!