What do you do first...1 Sam 23:4 "Then David inquired of the Lord once again"

I'm reading through the Bible and have read the NT first, and am now wading through the OT. I'm now in 1 Samuel and there are so many things that catch my eye. But the one thing that really stopped me, made me underline it and sit back and read it again, was just a short little line; one I have read before and even done studies containing it, but it still is a good reminder.

"Therefore, David inquired of the Lord..." this is such a powerful statement. Even the word 'therefore' shows that it was because of the situation that David found himself in, that caused him to stop and 'inquire'. I did a word search and came up with 9 different times that David 'inquired' of the Lord in 1 &2 Sam. I'm sure there are more in a different word list, and I am very sure that he inquired more times than is recorded.

I want to remember to 'inquire of the Lord' before I step into a new situation; before I decide what is the right thing to do; before I 'attack the enemy'.
Me *julie* at  # 12:34 AM

Heart Check

Keeping your heart healthy is the big fad these days. And for good reason, because if your heart doesn't work so good.. life just kind of stops abruptly. In the same way life seems to stop and becomes meaningless when your 'heart' isn't right. It can happen when pain comes, or when responsibilities out number the hours in the day. Even though it may be a gradual increase, you don't usually see it until it's all on top of you. It can even happen when someone enters your life and grabs your attention, either in a good or bad way. No matter what the cause, the results seems to end up being the same; focus drops off of God and onto self. Frustration and stress hits and that can lead to self pity. Even positive things can get our focus off God and onto other things.

So, my heart check that has to happen at those times is: When was the last time I really read the Bible, not just skimmed it? When was the last time I had a good talk with my Father and did some good confessing and praising? When was the last time I reached out to someone else and tried to minister to them..Especially those who I have to put an effort out to do so?

Just doing these things in and of themselves doesn't take the problem or stress away per se. But it gives me a heart-refresher so that I can then think through the situation at hand better. It mostly clears my walk with God so that not only can I 'hear' from Him, but it just lifts that burden that happens when I'm separated from Him. It's important for life to keep your 'heart' healthy.

Just thought I should encourage you to do a 'heart-check' today.
Me *julie* at  # 11:33 AM

Should have posted this in the morning!!

HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY, JESSE! Cory, you're just weird.... the end.



Go to his blog and tell him hi there too!
Me *julie* at  # 4:09 PM

Dont Ya Hate It When......



Me *julie* at  # 3:24 PM

Part of a very honest and humbling prayer about 10 years ago.
Me: God, You can have anything of mine you want.
God: How about your kids?
Me: umm. no.. you can't have my kids.
God: Why not?
Me: I'm afraid of what you'll do to them if I do.
God: Think about what I can't do through them if you don't.
Me: Oh wow, God, You're right again.. you can have my kids.

Since I prayed that prayer I have been a front row observer of what happens when a life is yielded to God. Some people tell Jim or I that we must be good parents, and while I might reply 'thanks', I know inside that it's all been God.

Maybe because it's easier to see God doing things in other people's lives; Maybe because it is because of the amazing things that have happened and are happening to my kids, but I continue to stand amazed at God's work. Amazed because some of the things wouldn't have been what I would have orchestrated if I were 'in charge'. And yet, looking at them I am humbled because of how perfectly God has moved everything together.

And even though I tend to talk about my kids the most, I stand amazed at how God has worked in and through my husband. He would be the first to say that he feels he has failed God more times than he can count, but even that.. isn't that what God wants us to admit to? That we can do nothing without Him?

Joy isn't always a sign of ignorance.. sometimes its caused by the knowledge that I'm not in control.. and God knows what He is doing.

Me *julie* at  # 1:41 PM

If you're going to get a virus.. this is the type to get!

Important virus alert!!


And this actually made me laugh outloud.. but that's not too hard to do.. anyway...
From Theophilus

THE HOKEY POKEY
Original Lyrics

Put your left foot in,
Your left foot out,
Your left foot in,
And shake it all about.
You do the hokey pokey
And turn yourself around
That's what it's all about.

THE HOKEY POKEY
Shakespearean Style

O proud left foot, that ventures quick within
Then soon upon a backward journey lithe.
Anon, once more the gesture, then begin:
Command sinistral pedestal to writhe.
Commence thou then the fervid Hokey-Poke.
A mad gyration, hips in wanton swirl.
To spin! A wilde release from heaven's yoke.
Blessed dervish! Surely canst go, girl.
The Hoke, the poke -- banish now thy doubt
Verily, I say, 'tis what it's all about.

Courtesy of Mikey's Funnies.

Me *julie* at  # 5:43 PM

Bible/ NKJV/ "From that land he went to Assyria and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, and Resen between Nineveh and Calah (that is the principal city)."

Follow the herd:

1. Grab the nearest book.
2. Open the book to page 23.
3. Find the fifth sentence.
4. Post the text of the sentence in your journal along with these instructions.

via Wilson
Me *julie* at  # 4:49 PM