Some days it seems like a dark cloud lingers over my head. Today was one of those days. I allowed my mind to be filled with anxieties, fear, and selfishness. My mom reminded me that when we count our blessings all of our worries start to disappear. I was driving when my mom reminded me to be thankful, and then the song "More than Enough," by Barlowgirl, came on the radio. I lifted a hand toward heaven and was reminded that I have all I need in Christ. Beyond that, He always has what is best in mind for His children. So, I lifted my requests to Him and then started to rest in His peace, being gently reminded that His grace is sufficient for me.
Side note...aside from my hubby being in class tonight, my evening has gone very well:)
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Reflecting on Easter
http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2010/4563_The_Immeasurable_Greatness_of_His_Power_Toward_Us/
Easter day came and went. It was a beautiful day spent in church, with family and enjoying creation. The day was perfect, well almost. Easter is the most important holiday as a Christian, yet I felt apathetic. In fact, most days I find myself feeling apathetic to the truth that I belong to Christ. I am not pleased when dwelling on this truth and my heart kind of cringes to write it openly.
While doing my quiet time today, I read the above Easter sermon by John Piper. The sermon focuses on a prayer for spiritual wisdom that Paul spoke of in Eph. 1:15-23. The sermon hit on the honest truths that are weighing on my heart. Paul knew that Christians would be apathetic to the great power they possess in Christ. He knew Satan would continue to attack Christians and attempt to blind their eyes to the glorious truth that we are not bound to things of this world. He knew that the Chrisitan fight to bring God glory in day to day living would be a lifelong battle.
Paul's prayer that I "may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe..." The same power that raised Christ from the dead, that seated Him on the throne in heaven and the power that rules over heaven and earth is working in me. Paul knew when he wrote the prayer that my eyes would need to be enlightened and that I need Christ to reveal this power to me. He knew that the church would struggle with keeping the fire of faith lit.
This message has just encouraged me to know that I am not alone in my quest to know God and attempt to understand the miraculous power He has bestowed on His children. I certainly do not live in the "exceeding greatness of His power" each day of my life. I think that will be my Easter prayer; for the revelation of even a portion of the power of the risen Christ in me.
~ ERS
Easter day came and went. It was a beautiful day spent in church, with family and enjoying creation. The day was perfect, well almost. Easter is the most important holiday as a Christian, yet I felt apathetic. In fact, most days I find myself feeling apathetic to the truth that I belong to Christ. I am not pleased when dwelling on this truth and my heart kind of cringes to write it openly.
While doing my quiet time today, I read the above Easter sermon by John Piper. The sermon focuses on a prayer for spiritual wisdom that Paul spoke of in Eph. 1:15-23. The sermon hit on the honest truths that are weighing on my heart. Paul knew that Christians would be apathetic to the great power they possess in Christ. He knew Satan would continue to attack Christians and attempt to blind their eyes to the glorious truth that we are not bound to things of this world. He knew that the Chrisitan fight to bring God glory in day to day living would be a lifelong battle.
Paul's prayer that I "may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe..." The same power that raised Christ from the dead, that seated Him on the throne in heaven and the power that rules over heaven and earth is working in me. Paul knew when he wrote the prayer that my eyes would need to be enlightened and that I need Christ to reveal this power to me. He knew that the church would struggle with keeping the fire of faith lit.
This message has just encouraged me to know that I am not alone in my quest to know God and attempt to understand the miraculous power He has bestowed on His children. I certainly do not live in the "exceeding greatness of His power" each day of my life. I think that will be my Easter prayer; for the revelation of even a portion of the power of the risen Christ in me.
~ ERS
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
The Cutest Baby
Tim, Lauren, Charlotte, and David all came for a visit last weekend. We were able to share laughs, stories and Mary's golf tournament. Charlotte always gives me a laugh!
Fun at Ryan and Irene's Wedding
Ryan and Irene Schaffer were married on March 20, 2010!!! Tim and I spent the weekend with Jon and Abby Holuta and Jeff and Rachel Griffin. We had so much fun celebrating with Grove City friends! Tim and I always feel more at home in Pittsburgh than Baltimore...I think it may be because it's Steeler's country!!!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentines Day!
Elizabeth ~This is our second Valentine's Day as a married couple but our fourth celebrated together. It's funny how nothing compares to the first Valentines as a couple who is madly in love:) I remember every part of our first Valentines Day while courting; every part of the day was so special and new. I am blessed to be cherished by a husband who not only loves me but is also very romantic. I have found that each Valentines Day becomes more special after marriage. Not because fireworks are going off or everything is new, but because the love is more real. It is amazing how God allows love to grow and roots to go deeper. Being pursued after marriage is even more precious than while courting because it is such a picture of Christs love for His children. Christ continuously draws his children to himself and expresses love when a person is fully known, and not always lovable. Thank you Tim for loving me with a beautiful, Christlike love!
Tim ~ I love Valentine's Day because it really gives me an opportunity to try and be creative and surprise Elizabeth in a new way. This year, we were gone for the weekend with family, so it was a little harder to plan things, but I think I was still able to suprise her a little! Elizabeth is right when she says that it is different in marriage than during dating, but I also believe it is more sweet. God has given me more and more love for Elizabeth the longer we have known each other, and I look forward to many more Valentine's Days with my beautiful wife. Thank you Elizabeth for being such a wonderful woman of God!
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Christmas 2009
This Christmas was spent in Georgetown VA near DC. We had the unique privilege of staying in the last privately own mansion in the city. It was our biannual Abel Family Reunion. We were blessed to be with family near our country's capital!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)