Loyalty

One of the things I wanted to blog about when I started was what God is teaching me lately. It seems like I get stuck on a word, and as I read my Bible or do a Bible study, that word just pops out. Right now it is loyal.

Last fall when all the TV shows started their new seasons, God used His Word to really get my attention that I didn't need to watch a particular show. The season before I would schedule to watch it, the kids had to be down a little early, and if I missed it, it was available to watch online--which I did. It was one of those that everybody was watching and talking about. And my Father wanted me to give it up.

The next day I read Psalm 51:10 in the New Living Translation. David is saying, "Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me." (empahsis mine)

Being a little different than I know it, the loyal stuck out to me. Loyal--God was asking me, not just to obey, but choose His side, follow His rules, be set apart, and be identified as His.

At first I thought it would be hard to avoid the show. I had no idea what I would do instead. You know, I felt like I had to do something "spiritual" or something! But God let me work on my scrapbook. Oh, I enjoyed it! I have been praying for Him to make me wise about time, and this is a project that I never set aside time to do. What I thought was going to be a punishment was really freedom! Then I read this verse in Philipians 2:13, "For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him." He makes it easier too!

So now it is winter and the shows are starting their new episodes again. Isn't it just like the Father to give us a booster when we need it! I'm studying The Patriarchs by Beth Moore and she gave us a little word study on "covenant kindness" and "loyal love." She said,

Through the covenant relationship we've entered by the blood of Jesus
Christ, the God of all creation is loyal to us.

2 Timothy 2:13 says it this way, "if we are faithless, He will remain faithful, for He cannot disown
Himself."

Wow! I knew He loved me first, but He promises to be loyal to me, even when I'm not. I agree with Beth when she continued, "[God's loyalty] drives me with urgency to be faithful in return. He staked His Name on our relationship. Realizing that, how could we do anything but cleave to Him with our whole hearts?" Give up a TV show? Sure, look what Jesus gave up first for me! I'm looking for more ways to show my loyalty to Him.

What's in a number

For Christmas we got a wii, which I must say even for this non-gamer, it is very fun. The whole family gets into it. SweetTater hears the little ding at the beginning at comes running from wherever he is! SweetBoy is a "pro" at boxing already. SweetDoll gives us a run for our money too. SweetHeart, being the gamer of the family, is surprised by the challenge we are to play. No matter what we play, if I want SweetHeart to play again, I have to beat him. I don't win all the time, but I can hold my own. The other day he told me I could back off! All of that to say, it is fun!

So part of the game, you can take a fitness test. It gives you three exercises on the game to play, and then it gives you a wii age from 20-80. Of course, at first I was on the old side. Now I finally got it lower than my real age! There are days that it says 61, and I feel 61! But with a birthday coming up, it feels good to see something that says I'm younger!

A few of my favorite things 2008

Here is a list of my favorite things January 2008:

1. my house picked up and clean and the kids outside or away at grandparents!
2. finding a new treasure in God's Word
3. Panhandle sunsets
4. hike in the mountains
5. finishing a project
6. not having to cook and clean
7. cobbler or angel food cake--fruit and bread
8. crunchy chocolate or chocolate cake
9. my kids' laugh
10. the older two did it too, but right now it is Sweet Tater--when he sees me at the nursery, and runs from accross the room for me to pick him up.
11. sleeping babies in my arms
12. opening day at the baseball park--any game is fun, but it is just more exciting opening day, especially when our team wins!
13. reading a silly book with my kids--right now our favorites are Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! and Fix it Duck
14. visiting with friends or reading their blog that cracks me up!
15. signing a song and worshiping God
16. getting lost in the story of a good book

Thanks Jen for the prompt!

Happy New Year!

Whew! We made it through the holidays! I love vacations and time with family, but there is something to be said about getting back to "normal." The down side of normal though is I'm back to head chef and dishwasher!

Now it is time for fresh starts and new goals--like doing sit-ups! I'm realizing that I'm getting older and pudgier and stiffer, so I thought I would try to at least do some sits-ups, stretch and walk every da... now and then. :) This morning, I lie down on the floor to do my sit-ups and here comes Sweet Tater! He loves to wrestle and body slam anybody he can find on the floor! Can't you just here that rise in his voice as he gets his tickle fingers ready! So here is to distractions and interruptions of New Year's Resolutions! Hope yours are fun too--the goals or the distractions!