Wandering Thoughts

By Amy Carmichael in "Toward Jerusalem"

Gather my thoughts, good Lord, they fitful roam,

Like children bent on foolish wandering,

Or vanity of fruitless wayfaring,

O call them home.

See them, they drift like the wind-scattered foam;

like wild sea-birds, they hither, thither, fly,

And some sink low, and others soar too high.

O call them home.

My silence speaketh to Thee, but I roam

With my poor silly thoughts, I know not where;

That undistracted I may go to prayer

O call them home.

I can hardly contain myself. I have enough to write for TWO blogs but fortunately, for those who don't have time for longevity, I'll probably have energy enough for just a start.

Many of you are not interested in homeschool items, but I have to share something that was sent to me through my e-mail loop. It's an excerpt from the web site, www.TheHopeChest.net. You don't have to be a homeschooler or mom to visit this site. I'm recommending that you all go there for the entire collection of articles. They are awesome. 

The first thing I wanted to share was on the topic of pride and humility. Through the article, the author presented her journey and pilgrimage. She recently went through the "Valley of Baca" (representing a place of tears), and through her brokenness she discovered valuable lessons that she shared.

In it she listed some of the surface symptoms of pride that might indicate a problem. Because they hit home to me on SO many levels, I couldn't help but desire to share them with you. Hopefully they will prevent you from having to visit the Valley.

1.  Apathy or complacency about spiritual disciples such as Scripture, prayer, worship, confession of sin, accountability and church life;

2.  Reluctance to listen to others, receive correction, acknowledge fault, apologize graciously without counter attack, forgive wrongs against you, or serve in menial or inconvenient ways;

3.  Self centered attitude in wanting the best for yourself, craving approval and recognition from others, comparing yourself with others, demanding that others serve you, or being offended when you are slighted;

4.  Critical spirit, gossip, slander, divisiveness, fault finding, blame shifting, jealousy about the success of others, resentment when others are recognized;

5.  Talking too much about or showing off your "superior" family lifestyle, spiritual gifts, knowledge, possessions, appearances, accomplishments, children, church doctrine, or educational approach.

The LORD has often spoken to me about each of these.... Guilty as charged on all counts! Now I'm finding that I cannot settle for surface or shadowy verbal recognition of the deeper rooted problems. My desire is for a deeper study, a more thorough understanding of how my life and my thoughts are not lining up with His Word...how pride is causing me to put walls up in my relationship with Him and with others.  At times I hope to eliminate these ugly things within myself...all by myself. In the final analysis though, without the Holy Spirit it will be impossible. So, I'm committing to the LORD that He would search my heart and see what behaviors and thoughts are abhorrent to Him so that I can repent and be made whole. Wish me luck. It's never an easy journey, is it? Oh, but how it's worth every tear and every toil!

Recommended reading: 

Humility by Andrew Murray

www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/portraits/andrew_murray_213652.html

The Valley of Vision by Arthur Bennett (published by the Banner of Truth Trust)

http://www.sovereigngraceministries.com/music/projects/valleyofvision/

Toward Jerusalem by Amy Carmichael

The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis and John Eldredge (www.SacredRomance.com)

Today, I prayed for my children to have courage, to be strong and courageous in their character and in their actions (Deuteronomy 31:6). I prayed that they would find strength only in Christ and in His presence; that courage would come from having a greater faith and not from anything that they can produce in their own strength. I prayed that their courage would show itself in unexpected ways and at times when others are in need.

In my prayers I am also praying each day about another character trait or name of God, to profess and honor Him for who He is. Today, my prayer is to the Holy One, the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is and is to come (Revelation 4:8). He is Holy, Holy, Holy.

My dear friend Rebecca is coming home soon....in less than 10 days....but who's counting! When I think of courageous people, she is one of the first people who comes to mind. In literature, I would consider her character to be Lucy in The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Lucy was the youngest, and possibly the most inexperienced of all the children. While the others were living from day to day, Lucy was experiencing her greatest fears, yet courageous enough to be living her most memorable moments. Lucy was pure as well. She was not prejudiced or mean. She was truthful and faithful. Though she had imagination, she was always reliable as well. These are all things I see in Becca. I pray that as Becca's courage is a living testimony to those around her, that she will be blessed with friends in unusual places, and in unusual circumstances so that life will never be dull, and her adventures will be many.

Today's kitchen table involved an excellent dinner...sauteed marinated fresh salmon, sweet fresh boiled corn taken off the kernal after cooking, then touched with a hint of butter, and an exceptionally good Caesar salad. Mmmmm. Conversation around the kitchen table was about what our day constituted, things that we've learned, chance to request specific prayers, shredding papers, and how to finish the day well.

Do you spend time together around the kitchen table? How often? If not, why? Opportunity to encourage, to correct, to laugh. Even when it's short, I look forward to time around the table. That is connection time for us. Try it; you'll like it.

Currently Reading Daniel: Lives of Integrity, Words of Prophecy By Beth Moore see related

It is summer. It is hot. It is humid. Hallelujah for being bathed in my own sweat 24/7 !

Have you ever watched a rocket launch? I hadn't...until recently. Watching the shuttle launch was one of the most awe inspiring moments I've ever had. Soaking in the information at the NASA visitor center (as well as soaking in sweat), touring the VAB, seeing the launch pad up close, gazing at the space station operations, as well as those yet to be sent into space, walking beneath the exhaust vents of the Saturn V rockets, touching a piece of the moon....absolutely amazing moments. The excitement of all that God has allowed us to know and do as humans; to be part of that if only by viewing it and being changed by it....WOW!! We waited four days for the launch (they had two days of delays and one day of rest). Would we do it again? You bet.

I've found several web sites recently that have so encouraged me and caused dramatic change in my life. In the most recent one (found today) it discussed praying for our children. As a parent, prayer for my children is an every day thing. However, just as we pray before eating, how often do we find our prayers sounding repetitious like the ones we learned from childhood, ("God is great, God is good....")? The author addressed his convictions for a more detailed and planned way to pray for his girls. He was convicted by the Holy Spirit to pray for their safety and for concerns of that day, but also to pray for a specific character trait, virtue or fruit of the Spirit to be planted and nurtured in his girls ... through he and his wife's efforts, through the influence of others, and through God's own hand. He set up a "schedule" for each of these things, but the details of what he prayed he left up to the Holy Spirit's guidance. The schedule was:

1st: salvation (Isaiah 45:8; 2 Timothy 2:10)                2nd growth in grace (Peter 3:18)

3rd  love (Ephesians 5:2; Galatians 5:22)                     4th  honesty and integrity (Psalm 25:21)

5th self control (1 Thessalonians 5:6)                         6th  a love for God's Word (Psalm 19:10)

7th justice (Psalm 11:7; Micah 6:8                              8th  mercy (Luke 6:36)

9th respect (for self, others, authority) (1 Peter 2:17a)    10th  strong Biblical self esteem (Ephesians 2:10)

11th  faithfulness  (Proverbs 3:3)                              12th  courage (Deuteronomy 31:6)

13th  purity (Psalm 51:10)                                         14th  kindness (1 Thessalonians 5:15)

15th  generosity (1 Timothy 6:18-19)                        16th peace and peaceability (Romans 14:19)

17th  joy (1 Thessalonians 1:6)                                    18th perseverance (Hebrews 12:1)

19th  humility (Titus 3:2)                                             20th compassion (Colossians 3:12)

21st   responsibility  (Galatians 6:5)                            22nd  contentment (Philippians 4:12-13)

23rd   faith  (Luke 17:5-6; Hebrews 11:1-40)             24th a servant heart (Ephesians 6:7)

25th   hope  (Romans 15:13)                                       26th  the willingness & ability to work hard (Col 3:23)

27th  a passion for God (Psalm 63:8)                         28th  self discipline (Proverbs 1:3)

29th  prayerfulness (Ephesians 6:18)                          30th gratitude (Col. 2:7; Ephesians 5:20)

31st  a heart for missions (Psalm 96:3)

He began to pray one of these each day of the month in his quiet time (When the month had less than 31 days he would double up some of the traits). Then he began to say the prayers out loud with his girls at night before they went to bed.. He found that they in turn began to pray these things over themselves, and others.

As I saw the shuttle rise above the earth I thought about God's power in answering prayers. All the power that put that rocket into space is nothing compared to the God we serve. The power He exerts on behalf of His people is more amazing than anything we can see or feel. I'm glad I watched the shuttle, but it's nothing compared to watching God change a life and a heart....anybody need prayer today?  

Abba Father, Please take this word and multiply it in the hearts and minds of those who read it ... that they may be stirred and inspired to begin praying for Your children today. Hear their prayers and answer them today for we ask it in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.