Ash Wednesday

Ginger Creek held an Ash Wednesday service last night that was inspiring.
We were given the opportunity to worship God in song, worship Him by receiving communion, worship Him through Scripture teaching and worship Him by receiving ashes on our foreheads. Each experience opportunity was Scripture-ally explained.

It was a wonderful service and I walked out of there thinking of what I can give during these next 40 days - preparing for Easter - instead of what I can give up. I decided to give Him my thoughts - and to focus more on His Holiness and less on my life.

Upon arriving home, I muddled through some TV and, on Channel 11, found an amazing program about outer space. The program had satellite shots of our planet and the sun that were so marvelous - really beyond my words - and I saw God's HUGENESS in pictures of His creation. The scientists acknowledged how little we know about our "outer space" and planet. I sat and basked in thinking of our Holy God - who knows.

This led me to thoughts of The Knowledge Of The Holy - A.W. Tozer's book - which I have read and then given away numerous times - yet it remains my favorite choice for a book on my nightstand. Each chapter speaks of one of God's attributes and reminds me of how HUGE and how HOLY Our God is - which I love to be reminded of as I close my day.

Looking it up on Amazon, I was getting ready to order it - again - and saw it was available on Kindle for $.99. Really? I received a Kindle for my birthday last month and have yet to really dive into it. So, I ordered it and was able to sit and open this wonderful book in my Kindle early this morning.

I am amazed at what $.99 can purchase!! I have the most amazing book (next to the Bible) available forever on this computer device - and I can be reminded to focus on God's Holiness not only for 40 days - but for the rest of my life!!

May your thoughts enjoy our Holy, Amazing God - however you focus on His attributes :)

For Jesus' Glory,
Mary

My Past Idol Worship

I have spent several weeks trying to discern my feelings in several relationships. Processing and the mental torment that can come with some thoughts do not seem like they are from God. And, thoughts have taken up a lot of my gift of time
- which is so precious.

This morning, when I woke up, I immediately went to my knees and prayed for discernment. I am amazed at how quickly The Lord can answer our prayers! Within an hour, it was revealed to me that I have made an idol out of relationships. I have spent way too much time on thoughts of others - and how we relate. I repented of idol worship - which had made relationships huge in my life - and am now free :) When my focus was spent on what others thought - or what I should do about what they did or did not do, I was spending precious time on thoughts that could, instead, be thoughts of love - and focus on how big God is - and what He did for me.

Our time and our thoughts - what do we spend them on?

I choose the verse in Philippians - 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on THESE things."

Sweet - God's Word gives us directives on our thoughts - and a way to focus for today!

Lord bless each of us with a Philippians 4:8 day - may our thoughts be focused on these lovely things.
For Jesus' Glory,
Mary

Surgery and Recovery

This past week, I was blessed with successful surgery.
Preparing for it did not feel like a blessing, but keeping my
focus on God's will for my body did help.
Now, as I recover, I count my blessings. I was blessed with family
at the hospital - I was blessed with nourishment, flowers, phone
calls and cards from family and friends.
I was blessed with a warm place to come home to in this very cold weather.

Counting our blessings - if that is all we do all day - we will have
a very good day :)

As my body heals, I thank God for the blessing of medical expertise.
I thank Him for all they know in order to help put our temples in
their best working order.

And, I thank Him for you - because if you read this - you are a
blessing in my life from Him - and I count you when I count my blessings.