Abba's Girl

Time for another SSMT, my verse is Psalm 73:26 NET - My flesh and my heart grow weak, but God always protects my heart and gives me stability. Rodeo Houston is on the home stretch, it ends this weekend. A few nights ago, it was 40 degrees and raining as we walked into NRG Stadium and colder when we walked back to the car. Today it was 80 and quite humid, I was happy to remain home tonight. The weather changes in the blink of an eye this time of year. Life presents constant changes - some bring much joy, others bring heartache and leave a wake of devastation. No matter what life throws at us, no matter the circumstances in the USA and or around the world, God is there and He does not waver with the whims of man or the forces of nature. I take comfort in knowing He never changes. He is my fortress, shield, and refuge. Sometimes I find myself looking to someone or something other than God as tough circumstances present themselves which will always fail. When I falter, I know I need t...

It is March 1st and time for another SSMT verse, I chose Psalm 73:25-26, NET: Whom do I have in heaven but you? I desire no one but you on earth. My flesh and my heart may grow weak, but God always protects my heart and gives me stability. It is RODEO time in Houston which means hats, boots, riders, ropers, and winter's last gasp. By the end of the rodeo it will probably be 80 and humid. Spring in Houston is very brief but quite beautiful, blossoms and lush green foliage all over the area. As I commit Scripture to memory, I want to transform the dark places inside me to something living and as pretty as spring blossoms. I want to live out God's Word and not be a legalistic hypocrite. Of course all Christians sin, but many are so busy pointing out the rules they never pour out the love of Jesus on hurting people in this world. When Christians are cruel, condemning, and or holier than thou - they do nothing the advance the Kingdom. Ladies, I pray God's Word is alive ...

How is it February 1st already! Time seems to be passing more quickly this year than last year. I am quite tired at this season of my life and finding it hard to love difficult people - both family members and strangers alike. The verses the Lord has led me to so far this year are about loving and serving. My SSMT verse for February 1st is: Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord. (Romans 12:11, NET) Today is such a beautiful day, I hope to work up the energy to drag a chair outside and soak up Vitamin D as I read a book and watch birds. (And maybe drink another cup of coffee.) So ladies, let us serve Him with gladness and pour out His love wherever we go.

Time for the 2nd SSMT verse, mine is Romans 12:10 from the NET: Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another Many churches preach love and grace and not much else. Yes we live in grace and yes we are to love, but many times I hear Christians say the only thing they hear about love at church is from a few key verses which led to me search for verses containing the word love which led to my choosing Romans 12:9 for my first verse and 12:10 for my second. Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another. I think as Christians we are most certainly to love all people, but we need to know how God wants us to love. We must not love conditionally, we must not love evil, we must cling to good, we must be devoted to one another and honor one another without seeking something for ourselves. We need to seek what God says about love for our...

I cannot believe Epiphany has come and gone, before you know it Bluebonnets will be in bloom! I am reading through the Bible in 90 Days (instead of a year) which means I am not bogged down in Leviticus because I read 14 chapters of it today and should finish it tomorrow. It is almost time for the second SSMT verse. Seriously, the holidays are so far back in the rear view mirror, all that remains are a few flecks of glitter on the floor which to date have shown great resistance to the mop and broom. Must be a signal to hire a maid... The weather has caused me to be indoors a great deal over the last 2 weeks, as a result I feel a great need to pare down our belongings. We have too much stuff or as my English godson says - Surplus to Requirement. Time to: Sort through seasonal decorations - keep what I used this year, save the rest for a garage sale. Donate books to the library and or Good Will. Donate clothes that are too large. Organize cabinets (Ugh) Improve my knitting skill...

How is it January 1, 2015? Seems like I just celebrated July 4th, 2014. I don't make resolutions, but I do set a few goals: Spend more time in person with family and friends. In January 2013, Kathleen and I said we were going to get together more often. She departed this world in December of 2013. We saw each other at Bible Study that year but never found the time to meet for lunch or dinner and just catch up with one another. Run another 5K or 8K with my girlfriends. Be diligent exercising the entire year instead of fizzling when the heat arrives in southeast Texas which could be in March, April, or May. (It will remain through October or so.) Get back outside and garden again, I've always loved it, but in 2013 I let grief intrude in my life and the result was ignoring something I loved. Diligently take the vitamins prescribed by the doctor and not let a day or 2 or 3 slide by without taking them. Find a senior citizen pas de deux class. (OK maybe not, ballet can...

Have you ever let a little housework slide only to be overwhelmed by clutter? I let some mail, catalogs, magazines, and books pile up in the den and our bedroom. I dealt with some of it today by placing items in a basket and immediately loading the basket and dog in the car so we could drop it off at a paper recycling bin. I survived without perusing the catalogs. So what...I did not copy recipes out of magazines. Great feeling as I dumped political candidates' postcards and letters into the bin. Books have been placed on shelves and in cabinets. Order is being restored. Sin can be a bit like clutter, it usually creeps into our lives a little bit at a time with disastrous results. In my daily Bible reading the past few days have been from the 1st 10 chapters of Jeremiah. I am participating in Anne Graham Lotz's Bible Study - Expecting to See Jesus. This week's study is from 2 Chronicles 34 about King Josiah. Both deal with sin. Many churches do not talk about sin thes...