As of right now it is 4:15 a.m. . Some of you might be wondering what in the world I am doing on the computer at such an insane hour... well, there is an easy answer for that too! We are being hit be a storm. Like most nights when we are hit by storms, the power is out, the roof is leaking in places -- there is one right over my head that is dripping constantly. I am already wet, though, so it doesn't really matter too much. I am wet mainly because I had to step outside to find the mop... took me a little bit because the only light I had was a cellphone and the occasional flashes of lightning.
Still, even though storms here do have their downsides, I can't help but love the wildness of them. There is something so magestic about the rolling of the thunder -- that is the perfect word; "rolling". It does sound like it is "rolling" across the sky... BEAUTIFUL!!
Anway, aside from the fact that it is 4 oclock in the morning and the power is out, lets just pretend that this is a normal update. Sound good?
My days have been pretty full this past week. If I am not doing one thing I am doing another. I have been trying to keep my hands busy. I find that when I have my hands busy I am less likely to fall into temptation.
The principal filler of my time has been the memorization of verses. I am trying to memorize the book of 1 John. Right now I am on chapter three. It is very fulfilling to be able to quote passages of scripture; it's nice to know that what I am putting so much time into is something that's going to be of lasting importance. I have also found that when you are memorizing passages of scripture it really helps in your understanding of it. Kind of like the "meditating on His word" that Psalm 1 talks about. I believe that when we take the time to really think about what a verse means, the Holy Spirit gives us understanding.
The best way I have yet found for "meditating on His word" is memorization. For those of you who feel up to it, I would like to challenge you to learn a book of the Bible. After 1 John I am thinking about beginning on the book of Romans. I know that it is a long book, but don't you think that it would be worth the struggle? I do! Take up the challenge, and don't put it off another day. It's a trap that we fall into, procrastinating. Live every day as though it were your last... such a hard motto to live by, but if we want to live lives that will leave a lasting mark on this world, we will have to do more than just plan. It's going to take action and sacrifice...
Luke 9:22-23
"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me"
... are you going to take up that cross? Then take it up! And follow HIM to the end!! And this isn't just about memorizing verse -- thought that's a good thing -- it's about what you are going to do with the grace and mercy that you have been given through the blood of Jesus Christ.
God bless you guys! I hope and pray that you have a wonderful week! May te peace of God which surpasses all understanding be with you!
Hello Yochana!
ReplyDelete(Yes, me. Commenting again. Feels like I deserve to be treated to an ice cream, or something. LOL.)
I completely hear you on storms! They are so awe-inspiring...so big, huge, and powerful, just like you're seeing a little of God's might, or something. I get the same feeling with watching the ocean. It's so massive, so mighty...makes you feel so small in comparison! I love them.
You're on to something with Bible verse memorization. (Sends a high-five for encouragement and support.) I remember having to memorize long passages of scripture in elementary school - we were using the Abeka video homeschool program, and in Bible class they had us rattling off verses right and left. They never told us we were too young, or that it was really hard to memorize so much, so there I was, at 8 or 9, rattling off the whole chapter of Hebrews 11! (Of course, you couldn't ask me to do that NOW, but I was able to at ONE TIME.)
Now, in our youth class, we have a scripture to memorize every week that goes along with the lesson brought. (In all fairness, Felecia and I ARE usually the only ones who actually do memorize it...must be the homeschooling, or something...lol.) Our teachers stress the importance of having the Word of God in your HEART, of being able to recall important passages at any given time or place, as we someday may need them. And, you're right - it DOES definately help!
So keep up the good work! You threw out an excellent challenge there that I only wish more young people woudl take. Hey, you know? Wouldn't it be awesome if you DID sort of host a challenge for that? Kind of like how Jocelyn does the Feelin' Feminine challenge? Wouldn't that be something if a ton of us are all committed to learning scriptures together? It would make the effort that much easier...I mean, it would actually be fun! That would be something! Doing hard things, you know?:-)
Anyways, I love you tons! Take care of yourself...and enjoy the wetness!:-)
~Nastyachka
Great post, Fred. Good job on the scripture memorization, too. You're a real inspiration to Evie. Have you realized yet how much she looks up to you?
ReplyDeleteGotta love battery back-up. Next black-out, I call dibs on the BAM stick! ;^)
Sorry about the drip. I'll remind Dad to pester Esteban about the tar. Love you!!!
I think Romans is a good choice. There are a lot of helpful passages in there!! I'm glad you are finding the importance of scripture memorization. I love you.
ReplyDeleteLove, Aunt Debbie