Built on the Rock

I admit it, I’m a proud MOM.

Today was our boy’s first day of Grade 1.

You can call him HBIW.  For privacy, I never reveal his full name online, but you can know that the “B”  stands for Brick.  And yes…you might already know that our last name is “Wall”.  Here’s the story behind that…

When he was in the womb, we got tired of saying “the baby this, and the baby that” so for fun, we started calling (it) Brick.  Everyone thought that was kind of funny, and gave us new suggestions of Stone Brick Wall, The Brick Wall and many other combinations.

When HBI came out…he was a full 9 lbs and 10 ounces…I looked at Hubby and said “the Brick has to stay in”….and so…one of his middle names is Brick.

Let me introduce you to the toothless wonder.

(if anyone reading this can help me make the photos larger I’d appreciate it!)

 Travelling is nice, but so is being home!

Here is a short photo-blog about our last 10 days traversing several states and provinces.  (Manitoba, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan and the Muskoka Region in Ontario)

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

check out this little beauty from Romans 3

27 God does not respond to what we do; we respond to what God does. 28 We’ve finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all others by letting him set the pace, not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade.  

Anyone else struggle with wanting to make things happen?  Learning to let God lead is my biggest struggle thus far.  I feel unproductive, I feel like I’m not using my gifts while I’m in ‘the waiting period’, and yet I’m profoundly aware of the new things God has taught me during this time.

31 But by shifting our focus from what we do to what God does, don’t we cancel out all our careful keeping of the rules and ways God commanded? Not at all. What happens, in fact, is that by putting that entire way of life in its proper place, we confirm it.

There is so much to be said for having the proper ORDER on things.  As an action-driven person I, many times, have thought that I was on God’s agenda…when really it was just a warped agenda of my own. 

Lead on Lord - Lead On….

awwww.

That’s us.

Again…what a great devotional from My Utmost for His Highest…

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The Death Side. In sanctification God has to deal with us on the death side as well as on the life side. Sanctification requires our coming to the place of death, but many of us spend so much time there that we become morbid. There is always a tremendous battle before sanctification is realized— something within us pushing with resentment against the demands of Christ. When the Holy Spirit begins to show us what sanctification means, the struggle starts immediately. Jesus said, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate . . . his own life . . . he cannot be My disciple” ( Luke 14:26  ).

In the process of sanctification, the Spirit of God will strip me down until there is nothing left but myself, and that is the place of death. Am I willing to be myself and nothing more? Am I willing to have no friends, no father, no brother, and no self-interest— simply to be ready for death? That is the condition required for sanctification. No wonder Jesus said, “I did not come to bring peace but a sword” ( Matthew 10:34  ). This is where the battle comes, and where so many of us falter. We refuse to be identified with the death of Jesus Christ on this point. We say, “But this is so strict. Surely He does not require that of me.” Our Lord is strict, and He does require that of us.

Am I willing to reduce myself down to simply “me”? Am I determined enough to strip myself of all that my friends think of me, and all that I think of myself? Am I willing and determined to hand over my simple naked self to God? Once I am, He will immediately sanctify me completely, and my life will be free from being determined and persistent toward anything except God (see 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24  ).

When I pray, “Lord, show me what sanctification means for me,” He will show me. It means being made one with Jesus. Sanctification is not something Jesus puts in me— it is Himself in me (see 1 Corinthians 1:30  ).

**

What does death mean to you?   What rights do you still need to give up?  Did you see how it says He will IMMEDIDATELY sanctify us when I strip myself down; after I get rid of all the junk I carry….?

I hope this speaks to you today.

    

 

I’ve never posted a photo before so this is a test….

 We hosted 12 - 6 year olds for our son’s 6th birthday party this past week…not sure you can see in the photo.  Ignore all the toothpicks - I was just getting ready to cover them. 

It was busy but fun!   We had a ‘Sports’ Day with all kinds of activities in the yard.  Great weather - great day!

 

“Blessings in trials”

That’s it - that’s my post.  What can you share about blessings you’ve received through trials?

Psalm 91

1-13 You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow,
Say this: “God, you’re my refuge. I trust in you and I’m safe!”

That’s right—he rescues you from hidden traps,shields you from deadly hazards.

His huge outstretched arms protect you— under them you’re perfectly safe; his arms fend off all harm.

Fear nothing—not wild wolves in the night, not flying arrows in the day,

Not disease that prowls through the darkness, not disaster that erupts at high noon.

Even though others succumb all around, drop like flies right and left, no harm will even graze you.

You’ll stand untouched, watch it all from a distance, watch the wicked turn into corpses.

Yes, because God’s your refuge,
the High God your very own home,
Evil can’t get close to you, harm can’t get through the door.

He ordered his angels to guard you wherever you go.

If you stumble, they’ll catch you;
their job is to keep you from falling.

You’ll walk unharmed among lions and snakes, and kick young lions and serpents from the path.

My Blog friend Sarah said this so clearly on her blog, I just had to copy it and share it with you Vox’ers.

**

“WAIT.

I can’t believe you’re rushing into things again.

Let’s bring back to mind what happens when you do that.

For starters, you completely blot out all that I promised.
All that I said I’d do.

You forget what I told you before.

Would I lie? Is it possible for me to lie?

And then you just start heading to THAT path…. You know that well don’t you? You walked it for many years. It’s just one big circle.. And when you enter it, feels like I’m really far off. When the truth is, I’m right there, waiting for you to look up and ask me to give you a hand.

But you don’t. And you feel alone, deceived, hopeless.
What can I do but cry, Lord
Just remember who stops your tears from falling.
Why are you doing this to me again?
Wait… it wasn’t me! you rushed into the wrong path. again.
What’s the way out?
(well now i’m REALLY gonna hush cuz I know you can remember… My grace is sufficient for you.)
Where ARE you God?
RIGHT HERE!! Look up!!! C’mon.. just LOOK UP!

You know the circle only gets tighter. Remember the tears?

Yes you remember… You slowly remember. And you remember who saved you. How you were saved. What happened after. What’s in store for you.
You remember you have to go back to the road. Walking in circles won’t get you far, it will stop you. But you’ve stopped for too long, it’s time to catch up.

Look up!

Yes child, I knew you’d do it.
Here’s my hand, grab on to it tight.
Let’s walk side by side again.

And remember. Mustard seed.
Have faith in me and you won’t go astray. Mustard seed.
That’s all the faith I’m asking you to have. It’s not that difficult.

Remember? ”

“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed […] nothing will be impossible for you”

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint”

“No one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides you, who acts on behalf on those who wait for Him”

“Be strong and corageous. Do not be terrified; DO not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”

“No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame”

“The eyes of the Lord are on those whose hope is in his unfailing love”

“Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust”

“Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”.