Deadline Approaching

Research Paper #1

Seeking God's Face

This question was asked in our ladies' Sunday school discussion a few weeks ago:

Am I seeking God's face...

or am I seeking what's in His hand?

When we come before Him--when we pray, when we're having our devotions, when we have a long-term request we constantly bring before Him--are we delighting in Him for who He is, or are we merely delighting in Him for what He does? We should rejoice and be grateful for God's blessings, but we shouldn't let our focus shift from the Giver to the gift.

It Happened :)

The excitement I'd been waiting for came to fruition last Thursday!

When my betta fish died about a month ago, at first I thought I'd take a break from the fish thing.

BUT...I missed my little fishy.

AND...I decided to "upgrade." ;)

A friend from work sold me a fish tank. Originally, I thought I'd go with 10-gallon. But when she brought it for me to look at, I realized how small it seemed. No problem--she had a 20-gallon tank (neither of which she needs, as her fish live in a 150-gallon tank. Maybe someday. ;) I was very excited not to end up with a rectangle box but a "stylish" half-moon-shaped tank!

My dad got excited about my fish tank, and asked if he could buy a couple fish to put in it. :) We had to wait for a day when we both could go "fishing" as he liked to say! When that day finally came, it ended up being a tank-set-up day rather than a fishing trip, because we realized we didn't have a table strong enough to hold the tank. And I had to set up the tank and let the filtration system run for at least 24 hours before putting fish in. So at least we found a nice aquarium stand and set that up, and then I put together my fish home and got everything running.

Things were starting to get exciting. :) I was able to go back to the pet store 2 days later, and get the first catch of fish that Dad and I picked out.

First, though, the last minute touches--I was excited to find frog and turtle decorations to put in my tank. It's the simple things. :)

The fish first have to acclimate to the water temperature in the tank to avoid shock or something like that. (There's really only 1 red fish...it's a reflection; there's a total of 4 fish. The black and black/white ones are Dad's and the other two are mine!)

Sigh. It's so much fun. I'm actually not a huge "animal-lover" but I very much enjoy my fishy-friends!

September Winds

Along with Grandma's visit and another happening yet to fully happen :), September has been a full month (and it's not over yet!). Enjoy an overview...

It wasn't actually a tornado.

Just high winds.

And...we slept through it.

Praising God for His protection!

This is right in front of my brother's bedroom window.

Our landscape has changed!

* * *

My Squishy-friend is no longer with us...

so it was time to re-decorate.

I like it--but it's definitely missing something.

But maybe that's related to the

"happening yet to happen." ;)

* * *

A new Bible.

I decided it was time for

new notes and new underlinings...

It is a sad and exciting thing to switch Bibles!

* * *

A new project?

Maybe. :)

It's been on my list for a couple of years,

but at least I finally bought something...

* * *

Shopping. :)

* * *

Lots of work and shifting schedules.

* * *

That is definitely not leisure reading.

Hello, grad school.

Don't worry--2 1/2 of those were consumed

in just 3 weeks of school so far...

And, Peeps, that's just 4 credits.

As I said, goodbye sleep!

* * *

I am very thankful for God's grace that sustains and enables! I've been hurdling several challenges this month, but I've certainly seen God at work!

I will give thanks to the LORD

with my whole heart;

I will recount all of

Your wonderful deeds.
I will be glad and exult in You;

I will sing praise to Your name,

O Most High.

The LORD is a stronghold

for the oppressed,

a stronghold in

times of trouble.
And those who know Your name

put their trust in You,

for you, O LORD,

have not forsaken

those who seek you.
Sing praises to the LORD,

who sits enthroned in Zion!

Tell among the peoples

His deeds!

(Psalm 9:1-2, 9-11)



Grandma's Visit :)

Hope you've had a good week :)

Remembering

It's been 10 years. Pre-9-11 I lived in an innocent, okay world. Yes, I knew there was sin and evil, but it had never affected me big time before. And even 9-11 was not "personal"--I didn't know anyone remotely close to the attacks.

But a lot of things changed. I've realized how much evil and sin is out there. But I also know how much God works. He is sovereign. Our little finite minds can't really grasp that--but God is in charge, He hates sin, and yet He uses it to bring Himself glory.

I know a lot of good things happened post-9-11. Missionaries were able to go places and reach people they formerly couldn't. And maybe it's just me, but I think God was reminding us He is still working. The 10-year anniversary is on a Sunday--maybe that won't necessarily make people stop and think...but I do know that God plans details.

In the nitty-gritty, it's hard to remember, but we must never allow ourselves to forget: God is at work all the time. Trust Him, rest in Him, love Him, serve Him!

White: Purity

I'm sure you're surprised. :)

I had known the Bible talked a lot about purity, but I have to admit my e-sword search results were a little different than I thought--the topics were very diverse.

The Bible speaks of...

purity of ministry

"We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, ... by purity, ... the Holy Spirit, genuine love; by truthful speech, and the power of God..."

{II Corinthians 6:3-7}

the Word of God

"The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times..."

{Psalm 12:6}

my heart

"So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."

{II Timothy 2:22}

human sinful nature

"Who can say, 'I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin'?"

{Proverbs 20:9}

God's work in human hearts

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word."

{Psalm 119:9}

my life's aim

"And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."

{Philippians 1:9-11}

a woman's characteristic

"...train the young women ... to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind..."

{Titus 2:5} 

my thought life

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."

{Philippians 4:8}

God's wisdom

"But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere."

{James 3:17}

responding in hope

"And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure."

{I John 3:3}

all ESV