{devotion} who am I to judge?

How many times a day do I look at her and judge? I'm obviously superior. Right?

Wait, what makes me any better than her? My clothes? My truck? House? Family?

HE pricks my heart with a verse.

Romans 15:7 Therefore,accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

Christ received US to glory. He accepts US. (everyone!) If I look at her and I through HIS eyes, I see sinners saved by grace. Equals.

How many times is HE going to prick my heart about this before I truly learn?

accept one another It's a command, not a suggestion!

I must stop looking at her with my sinful-human eyes. I am no better than she.

 Lord, cover my eyes with your love and grace! Let me see others through YOU.

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{devotion} exploding eggs and His voice

Beep, Beep Beep.

I heard the timer. I'll get it as soon as I finish this, I thought. Obviously, scrolling through Pinterest is way more important than the eggs boiling on the stove.

The next thing I hear....BOOM!

The EGGS!

All of the water had evaporated causing one of the eggs to explode.

Whoops.

I hear His soft, gentle whisper. But obviously, whatever I'm doing at the moment is more important than what He is telling me to do, right?

If I don't heed His voice, He will eventually get my attention. BOOM!

Whatever I'm trying to get done on my own will explode. I turn and finally obey His commands.

Why does it take an explosion? Why don't we heed His voice the first time?

We would end up with such a beautiful, perfect product instead of burned, dry eggs!

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you

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{devotion} the fullness of JOY

She never seems happy. She talks constantly about that thing. That one thing she wants so badly. She will finally be happy, content!, when she gets it. Only when she gets that thing.

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Will it really give her joy? It's material. I can't help but wonder if she will really be happy when it happens, even though I know the answer.

Habbakuk 3:17-19

     Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,  
      yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.

    The Sovereign Lord is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. 

Psalm 16:11 

      You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. 

In HIS presence is the fullness of joy. Search for HIM. Despite the circumstances, the bad days, the good days, only HE can pour out true joy.

I pray she finds that. This thing won't help her, I know it. HE will.

~

What are you looking to for joy?

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Cross references:

1. Habakkuk 3:17 : Joel 1:10-12, 18
2. Habakkuk 3:17 : Jer 5:17
3. Habakkuk 3:18 : Ps 97:12; S Isa 61:10; Php 4:4
4. Habakkuk 3:18 : S Ex 15:2; S Lk 1:47
5. Habakkuk 3:19 : S Dt 33:29; Ps 46:1-5
6. Habakkuk 3:19 : S Dt 32:13; Ps 18:33

{devotion} like squirmy first graders...

Priorities.
They're like first graders arguing over who gets to be the line leader.
Each child has a reason why he is best fit in front.

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As the new school year begins, many things are calling my name. Each priority has a reason why it should be number one. The hard part is getting them in line and keeping them there. Yet, like first graders, priorities are squirmy. They continue to plague me with reasons, vying for my time.

How do I keep them straight? What is most important? What comes first?

Searching answers today with prayer and 1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
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How do you deal with priorities? Are yours in line?
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christian priorities?

convicting, no?

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{recipe} The Perfect (addicting, non-healthy) Peanut Brittle

The Perfect (addicting, non-healthy) Peanut Brittle

Ingredients:

1 c. sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 c. raw peanuts

1 tsp. butter

1/2 c. light corn syrup

1 tsp. baking soda

1/8 tsp. salt

1)  In a 2 quart microwavable glass bowl, mix together sugar, peanuts, syrup, and salt. Microwave for 4 minutes.

2) Stir in the vanilla and butter. Microwave 4 minutes.

3) Stir in baking soda. Pour out onto a silpat or lightly greased cookie sheet.

4) After in hardens, break into pieces, and eat!

*I love to do this with nuts other than peanuts, like almonds or even a mixture of all nuts. Delicious.
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the unsafe question

Are you pregnant?

The question caught her off guard. Was her friend joking? She looked down. She knew her uniform was a little tight-it had been a year since she last had to wear it-but did she really look pregnant?

No, of course not, she told her friend.

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The seemingly harmless question plagued her all day. Feelings of insecurity, shame, guilt, and ugliness flooded her. With no one to turn to, she had to bear this burden all alone.

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This is a true story. The girl that told me this could not tell it without crying. We barely know each other, yet it was tearing her apart so much she just had to get it out; it didn't matter who, she needed someone to listen.

It is surprising just how many women struggle with insecurity and the "shame" of not being pretty.

Everyone is beautiful. We look at man's standards of beauty, but what about God's standards? Shouldn't we be looking at ourselves (and others!) through God's eyes?

Below are favorite posts on the subject

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Come Away With Me at SimplyHis.

A Love Letter to My Body at Joy in this Journey

As God Sees at Faith and Simplicity

beauty that cannot be captured in ESPN magazines at To Overflowing

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