Simple Schedule Keeping

I admit I am the most miserable of schedule keepers.  Without the external influence of a "job", I don't have a schedule to my day.  I don't even have a routine that I can admit to keeping.  Wait...  I get up.  I do stuff.  I eat at some point.  I do more stuff.  I go to bed.

Yup, that's it.  That is the extent of my routine.  Whoo.

Now, I know that a routine is good for me.  I know that Creation testifies that a routine is necessary.  Spring is followed by Summer which is followed by Autumn which is followed by Winter which is followed by Spring.  Ah, you get it.  Night is followed by day which is followed by night which is...  Ah, you get it.

So, why is it so difficult for me to stick to a routine?  Why can't I get up at about the same time every day?  Why can't I take a shower about the same time each day?  Why can't I eat at approximately the same time each day?  Why can't I?  Why can't I read my Bible consistently?  Why can't I pray regularly each day?  Why can't I?  Why can't I clean the kitchen as I cook?  Why can't I finish the laundry all the way through to hanging it up?  Why can't I?

I wonder, could it have something to do with Satan's deceptive practices?  Have I allowed a foothold here in my life?  Uh oh.  This isn't going to be easy.  Thankfully, God gives me all the strength I need.  God alone can put me on the right path.  God is the one I trust.  Yes, it's that simple.

(Father God, I leave my routine in your hands.  Thank you for creating me so wonderfully.  I ask that you repel any attempts by the enemy to meddle in our day, our week, our month and our years.  Be my strong tower and strengthen me.  All this I ask in the powerful, healing name of Jesus, My Saviour.  Amen.)

Mundane and Routine

I really hate mundane tasks. I hate those overly repetitive things that require not thought to completing. They bore me. They offer no challenge to living.

Yet, they must be done. Laundry, dishes, vacuuming, cleaning out the gutter - all things that are routine and boring but have to be done or the results are, well, horrible.

But, routine can help us accomplish many things. I'm missing a bit of routine in my life. Since school is out, I don't have anything necessary for scheduling. Therefore, my day is random and unpredictable. I prefer the random and predictable to happen within a routine. Yes, I don't always get what I want and I see an opportunity to exercise some self-control. So, here goes...

(Father God, I need your help today and always. I know that you are an orderly God and not a god of chaos. You know what is good for me. I ask now that you help me establish a routine that accomplishes your good purpose. Thank you for the assistance you give freely and abundantly. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.)

Back to School!

Yup, it's back to school time in my world. Off-spring are back in their respective schools and we've made it through the beginning of the session at work. I think I'd like the greener grass of year round school. It seems I might find it easier to keep a routine going. However, not ever having done year round school, it's only speculation at this point.

In any case, with the return of routine comes the return of blogging. God is faithful to keep me sustained in Spirit and Truth.

(Dear Lord, I pray that you will protect the teachers under your care. I thank you for the familiar routines of Autumn. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.)

Stonecipher

Between my house and my mother's house on the path most often taken, is an exit to "Stonecipher". When I passed this sign on our recent trip that way, I thought of the original Stone Cipher. Now you have to understand that I don't always jump at the first meaning of a word. Take cipher for instance, the first meaning of cipher is the number zero. Later meanings deal with coded methods of writing. Yes, I like the later meanings.

So, when I think of the original Stone Ciper, I think back to Moses. And he gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with him upon mount Sinai, two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. (Exodus 31:18) God is the One that wrote on the stone a code for us. The Key to that cipher died for the sins of the world.

(Lord God, I thank you that the message is simple and easily decoded. You loved me. You made me. You died for me. You wanted me. I accepted you. You will take me to heaven someday. Simply written. Simply perfect. You. In Jesus holy name I pray, amen.)

Absence Explained

Yes, I've been away from the blog for a couple of weeks. There have been some changes at work that required extra thought processing and that increased my stress level exponentially.

And, I was preparing for a Mother/Daughter retreat at my mother's church. Mom lives 240 miles from me. It's interesting trying to make sure I understood everything that was going on for the retreat. (I didn't.)

I'm aware that there really is no normalcy about my life. Yet, I am making time to get back to this. I distracted myself so that I might be able to enrich my relationship with both my mother and my daughter in accordance with God's desires for us. I know it was the right thing to do because Satan tried to interfere using my work. He was not successful. God did enrich my relationship with Him, Mom and Daughter.

(Dear Lord, thank you for the travel time and the retreat time with my female family members. Thank you for the ones willing to care for my male family member in my absence. I pray that I will be able to take the things that You spoke to me from the retreat and use it for Your glory alone. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.)

Mundane and Not Exciting

My evening described in just a few words. Cleaning, laundry, dishes, and lectures were the mundane items. None of them were exciting. I would have much preferred to be studying and seeking treasure from God's Word. Instead, I was folding t-shirts and underwear. I have a hard time getting excited about chores. I'm not good at them. I haven't (even after all these years) figured out how to do them efficiently.

But, the sense of work done keeps me coming back. I know it's a never ending job. There will always be one more piece of laundry, one more dirty dish, one more crumb on the floor, one more leaf to rake, one more blade of grass to mow, one more, one more. I like having clean clothes and dishes. I like having a floor that your shoes don't stick too. So, I'll keep doing as many of these things as I can.

By the way, I got a new penguin this week. I'll post him as soon as I get him photographed.

(Lord, thank you for the things that should be done. My heart could get into a lot more mischief if I didn't have those things. I get into enough as it is. Guard my heart and keep my focus on You. In Jesus' name, Amen.)

Spring Break - Over

Yes, spring break is over. The kids and I will get back to our routine beginning tomorrow. I have one that is excited to go back to school and one that, well, isn't.

I miss the routine when it's not there. Oh, don't get me wrong, I fight routine. I don't really "like" it. Routine is boring. Routine is the same ol', same ol'. Ugh! Routine doesn't allow for the creativity my mind thinks it craves. Yet, I know that routine is good for me. Physically, it's good to get regular sleep. It helps cut down on stress and weight gain. Mentally, it's good to know what's expected next in the day. So, sometimes I find myself wandering about aimlessly when the routine has been interrupted.

I believe that can also be the case spiritually. God calls us to consistency in our relationship with Him. He is always consistent. (He is never boring and He is very creative so I'll not describe Him as routine.) When I lose the routine, consistent time with God I begin wandering about aimlessly in the spirit. God wants me to be focused on the hope of His return.

Tonight I am thankful that spring break is over and the routine returns.

(Lord God, Thank you for the blessed hope that Your resurrection brings. I am so glad that You made a way for us to have a relationship that is intensely personal. Your love is amazing and beyond the boundaries of my feeble mind. I thank you that You loved me even before I knew I needed you. I praise you for the sacrifice you made. I'll never know what it means. I'll never be able to fully comprehend the depth of love and pain you experienced. Thank you. Thank you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.)

Faithful Promise - From the Archive

Date Unknown.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)

Just when things seem to go the worst, remembering that God is with me brings a measure of confidence. Most days, I read my devotional and then read the section of scripture that goes along with it as the foundation for my day. This has made it easier for me to be calm throughout the day. I find that I am not as quick to anger. I tend not be critical and degrading to others. And pleasant thoughts come easier. I know that Satan will attack and I know that God will overcome. I can usually tell when I have not spent the time securing my foundation for the day. There is so much that I want to do for God and sometimes I feel like I can never get any of it done. I will try to call on God's promise and know that I can do whatever He desires of me. While I know this in my head, applying it to my heart is where the difficulty comes in.

(Lord, I am so glad that Your promises are faithful. I am weak and blinded. Your thoughts are so incredible that my mind cannot grasp the fullness of them. I pray that You will fill me with Your spirit so that I might fully see Your promises. I pray that organizing these thoughts and sharing them (even after all this time) bring honor to You. I pray, Lord, that I learn what You would have me to know from all this. Again today, I thank You for loving me to death and life. In Jesus name I pray. Amen)