05/31/12

 

I should still be cleaning out the office as it is quite disastrous right now, but I needed a break so let's chat.

Let's talk TV today.

Specifically, let's talk about the show "Toddlers and Tiaras"....

OH. MY. WORD.

I have seen this show several times before in the past year or so but not until we have been on break have Mikayla and I sat and watched it for a longer period of time.

What are these people thinking????

The things that these young girls are being taught... and at such a young age!... are beyond my comprehension.

There is definitely not taught a humbleness with the ones we have seen.  

These parents are pushing these little girls to be so adult-like and the attitudes... goodness.

We watched an episode last night where the 3 year old was rotten to the core and the Mom thought she was just being "independent."  Yeah... that independence is going to rear its ugly head one day in the form of a teenager with a whole lot of 'tude and no respect.  There was also a five year old who used foul language!!!

Mikayla and I just shook our heads.  I asked her what she thought these parents were teaching their children and she listed off a slew of things like: pride, to be demanding, no respect, unthankful, etc...

I completely understand there are some legitimate contests out there but, honestly, I have no desire to have my daughter prance on stage in front of a crowd just to see how many crowns and trophies she can get for being "pretty" and cute.  Beauty is on the inside... not on the outside.  The girls we saw may have been adorable in all their makeup, but on the inside it was rotten to the core.

As I did my devotions last night the Lord gave me these verses and, as always, I was thankful for His gentle reminder of how He wants us to be in this world and what He desires parents to teach their children:

I Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 

James 4:6

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

I Peter 5:5-6

 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook this morning and I thought it was hysterical, but so true as to what I discussed today.

"... can't wait to see the follow up reality show that will come after "Toddlers In Tiaras" ... "Terrors in Teens," "Tantrums in Twenties," "Twisted in Thirties," "Fits in Forties," "Fakes in Fifties," and "Sick in Sixties." ... After that, I just don't think anyone would want to see that train wreck ... :P"

05/30/12

This post today may not be for any males out there who might read my blog.  lol  I am having a "Mother Moment" so bear with me.

This is how I have seen my daughter for a long time now.  I realize she is growing up and I realize she is changing into a young lady.  However, the rosy cheeks, curly hair and bangs are always in my mind.

 I have had to wake up and realize she isn't that little girl anymore, but growing more and more each day.  Gone are the bangs, the curly hair is wavy and beautiful.  She adores more grown up things.

Because she is growing up I knew it was time to help her in some things.  We've already had talks and they have gone over well.  She knows what she needs to know NOW.  More will come later, I realize.

However, last night, it was surreal.

I helped my baby girl shave her legs for the first time.

Now, I realize this is a wonderful time in the life of a girl.  I remember well the first time I finally got rid of the horrid dark hair that covered my legs.

But that was ME.

This was MY LITTLE GIRL.

We bought pink shaving cream and pink razors just for her.

On the outside I was calm, cool, and collected.  I was her MOTHER for goodness sake!  I KNOW things and it is my duty to impart this knowledge at the appropriate times in her life.

On the inside, I couldn't believe how nervous I was at actually helping her shave the first time.  I just didn't want to hurt her or scar her for life as I am known to be quite heavy handed.   I wanted to take the bull by the horns and just shave them all for her so she wouldn't hurt herself.  (I remember all too well the issues I had.... lol)  BUT... I had to let her do it.  I had to let her experience it.

I had told her "Now, you realize when you start this there is no turning back... you'll have to do this for the rest of your life."  

She was ready.  She was excited!

I think I had said that for ME and not really for her.  I am not sure I was ready!

It was the continuing realization that my baby girl is no longer that baby.

She has been sharing with me about things that concern her.  I can talk with her freely.  It isn't so much the same relationship as it was when she was smaller.

Don't get me wrong... I am loving this new season of our lives.  It is a wonderful chance to get to know her in a different way while still being her Mom.  I am still not her "friend" yet.... that will come in time.

However, last night was just so poignant and surreal for me.  I knew we were moving into a new season of life.  

Is it that I am grieving the moments that are now in the past?  I honestly don't know.

What I am learning is that I am growing right alongside her.  I love the young lady she is becoming and I pray that she will always desire to be close to the Lord.  I pray that she will always feel that being modest is the only appropriate way to be.

I am just remembering last night and the memory we made together.

But for this moment, I am still seeing my little girl... just a little more grown.

05/29/12

19 years ago...

Sometimes it seems like just yesterday.

Other days I can't remember what it was like without him.

Sweet Man and I have been married for 19 years today.

We've been through a lot.

We've learned what real love is... and it isn't glamorous most days.

It is the day in/day out commitment to each other.

It is the understanding when the others world seems to be falling apart.

It is the arms that wrap tightly and wipe away tears.

It is the unconditional devotion.

It is the listening heart.

It is the helpfulness present at any time.

It is my Sweet Man.

Many things have changed over the years... but I would do it all over again with him. 

 

I made this for Sweet Man for our anniversary last year.  I couldn't help posting it again.

05/28/12

I saw this on a friend's Facebook post today and thought it was very good:

... wonder how many men and women in Afghanistan and in service to our country around the globe will have a BBQ tomorrow? Kinda puts any of our circumstances into perspective, huh?

How many times do we only see Memorial Day for a weekend of pleasure without truly realizing the sacrifice made so that we may do so?  There are probably many Americans today waving their American flags because it is "the thing to do" this weekend without truly considering the many men and women who have laid down their lives so that we may "eat, drink, and be merry."  

Let us not forget the sacrifices that have been and are still being made.

Our freedom is built upon them.

05/27/12

 

Romans 10:17

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

05/26/12

 

So what have I been doing this first full day of my summer vacation?

Stayed in bed longer just because I could.  Still got up "early" compared to some people's thoughts of late.

Caught up on my blog reading.  I was about 3 weeks behind finding out how all of my peeps in blogworld have been doing.

Walked my 3.3 miles.  It felt wonderful.

Began cleaning up the end of the year mess that accumulates in large quantities the last two weeks of school.

Washed sheets.

Cleaned up the kitchen.... which is still a work in progress.

Began cleaning/cleaning out the fridge.  Oh my... it had been neglected far too long as I have been in survival mode.

Wandered around aimlessly having some ADD cleaning moments in other parts of the house.

Cleaned out one side of my jewelry armoire.  Found some necklaces that have been in there way too long.

Did everything at a slower pace.

Enjoyed the day.

05/25/12

 

My summer will be....

Recovering from the year 

Believing God Bible study

Quiet time with the Lord

Reading books

Walking in the early morning

Making jams/jellies/conserves, etc...

Time with friends

No specific thing I have to do each day unless I choose

Enjoying time with my sweet babies

Powerpoints... yes, they must get finished.

Cross-stitching

Cleaning out this house

Memories

05/24/12

 

Today I said goodbye to 19 little faces and wished them a wonderful summer.

Today I hugged some very special people.

Today I celebrated my own two earning different awards.

Today I enjoyed just being Mom in that crowd.

Today I went out to celebrate this day with friends at lunch.

Today was the last day of school.

HALLELUJAH.

05/22/12

 

Daily devotions.... do you do them?

If you do, are they just a little booklet you read and the verse is with it and you never pick up God's Word?

Are you getting into the "meat" of Scriptures and trying to really understand what God is saying?

When I was growing up I did not really get into devotions and that was bad for me because I missed out on a lot of blessings the Lord wanted me to receive.

I knew a lot of Bible verses and read a lot of good stories, but I didn't really dig deep into His Word until later.

I wanted that to be different for my two.

We have taught Wesley and Mikayla that devotions are not just something you *do* but something from which you gain.  We have wanted them to see that it is a way for God to speak to them now even though they are young.  We know they won't understand everything they read because we, as adults, are still learning too, but it gives the the opportunity for growth.

The past couple of weeks Mikayla has been asking me if she could get devotionals for a couple of her friends.  She has asked them if they have a quiet time with God and they said they didn't.  One even looked at her kind of funny.

Today we went and got the devotionals.  It made my heart happy to see my little girl being that encourager in the Lord to someone else.  I shared with her that she needs to understand her friends may be quite surprised at this gift she is giving them and they may not show excitement like she is showing because this is quite new for them.  I had to get her ready for that reality.  I pray they both are excited and willing to have quiet time with the Lord daily.  She was very excited, though, and can't wait to give them to her friends tomorrow.

While I was at the Christian book store I also picked up new devotionals for Wesley and Mikayla.  I want their devotionals to be ones where they have to read Scripture before they read the "story" that goes with it.  They have been needing a new one for a bit of time, too. 

What was quite shocking, and a bit disappointing, was the fact that there were really no devotional books for kids their age.  The ones we got for their friends were a bit more simple for them right now, but since Wesley and Mikayla have been doing ones that involve Scripture reading I wanted to find one similar to that.  Let's just say we only saw two and they were not that thorough.  There were tons for the wee kids and that is so important to get our kids started off on God's Word early.  However, these "tweens" and teens are really needing to dig deeper into Scripture on their own and not just because it is assigned to them in a Bible class or something with church. 

I was able to find Wesley and Mikayla devotional books that will give them what they had already been experiencing in their previous devotions.  When I brought it home for Wesley (Mikayla was already with me when I bought them) he was SO excited and kept telling me thank you.  That made my day.

I have taught my students this year that a Bible on the shelf isn't going to do you any good.  A devotional booklet, without reading Scripture and growing from it, is not going to give you the same growth.  Believe me, I have plenty of those that I read, but that is in addition to my Scripture reading.

Remember - don't just look at God's Word when you are having troubles.  He wants you to learn from Him in the good times, too.  When we put God's Word on the shelf and think everything is great we begin to wander away.  He never leaves... it is us that leave.

Take the time each day to get some quiet time with the Lord.  If you have children who are able to read on their own and older, get them a personal devotional booklet, too, on top of having family devotions. 

You will never regret listening for His still small voice....

God's Word will never return void!

05/21/12

 

Today was my babies last full day of Elementary.  

I was a bit nostalgic all day... going back in time and re-living key times of their Elementary years.

It is hard to believe we are heading for Middle School.

I will greatly miss the times I could go by their classrooms and see them if I so choose.

I am cherishing every moment with my babies.

OH... and there is only 3 days of school left - all of which are half days!

05/20/12

 

II Thessalonians 2:13

But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.

05/19/12

 

I am excited.

The Lord led me last night to what I'll be doing this summer:

 

For the past two summers I have had in mind which Bible study I thought I would do, but when I got there the Lord led me to a different one.  I have heard great things about this one and look forward to what the Lord is going to show me through it.

I have 4 more days of school.... 3 of which are half days.

Just in case you didn't remember.

05/18/12

 

One of my kids wrote this for me today and I thought it was precious.  It will be something I will keep for always... I know that this sweet one listened during lots of my talks of the Lord directing our lives!

I am typing out exactly what and how she wrote this.  

The Book of Mrs. Fowler

Once upon a time there was a little girl names Kellie.  Kellie's last name was Fowler.  Kellie grew up to be a very smart lady.

Kellie did not know what she should be when she grew up.  First she said she wanted to go to space and then Kellie said she would be a social worker.  Then one day in church Kellie felt like God was telling her to be a teacher.  And sure enough God was.  When Kellie was old enough she was a teacher.  And it turned out to be that she was the best teacher in the world!

The End

05/16/12

My Mom and Dad are celebrating 48 years of marriage today.  That is quite special in this age of drive-thru divorces.  They have been through a lot, but through it all, have clung to the Lord and each other.  I am so thankful for the example in my life!!!

I only have 6 days of school left.... 3 of which are half days.

Just checkin' to see if you are following me.....

05/15/12

 

I am full of randomness today... totally RANDOMNESS:

I have 7 more days of school.... three of which are half days.

I read another Karen Kingsbury book in 3 or 4 days this past weekend.... Take Three...  very good.

I have had to sing to my children lately as "sibling loud talking" has occurred... I have sung the famous song that I made up "We LOVE each other!!!!!!!!!!!" at the top of my voice.... and not especially on key.  It worked.

I have 7 more days of school.... three of which are half days. 

Oops... did I already say that?

My day today didn't go as planned on my lesson plan book... but that is why I do them in pencil.

I finally cleaned off Mt. Everest in our room.  (otherwise usually known as our dresser)  It wasn't clothes this time that took up most of it, but just STUFF.  After I successfully cleaned it, Mikayla came in and congratulated me.  She said we need to do more of that in the office.  

She is not sentimental like her mother.

I only have 7 more days of school... three of which are half days.

Oh, goodness... there I go again.

I have finally figured out that my body reacts to allergies in the form of itching.  I itched so much on Sunday morning while walking I couldn't finish.  I think I need an IV of Zyrtec now.  Itching is NOT fun.

We have a new program at school called IXL math.  It is a website the kids can go on and work on things we are doing in class.  It is pretty cool.  I think I might work on it myself to help prepare me for Wesley and Mikayla's 6th grade math next year. 

Seriously. 

I don't do well with math above 2nd grade.

I only have 7 more days of school... three of which are half days.

My, my... I keep bringing this up for some reason.

My desk at school looks like it is stacked high with miscellaneous items.  That is because it IS stacked high with miscellaneous items.  Gotta love the end of school desk.

I love quietness.

It was raining when I got up this morning.  The kind of rain that refreshes your soul and makes you want to curl up with a good book and watch it come down.  It caused me to be later leaving for school because I was a little too absorbed in the peaceful sound of the rain.  

I love to come home from school and immediately get into my pajamas.  Anyone else do that?

I have a book calling my name.

BUT...

I have to tell you one more important thing:

I ONLY HAVE 7 MORE DAYS OF SCHOOL LEFT.... THREE OF WHICH ARE HALF DAYS.

Just sayin'.

05/14/12

Great quote I found for today:

"The thing is, in this life you can know a great deal about something and still be wrong."  

- Sir Len Hutton

05/13/12

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

 

 The Proverbs 31 Woman...

That is what I desire to be.

I know I will never measure up, but I can do my best each day with the Lord's help to be the Momma I need to be.

There is so much in this passage of Scripture.  Please read it and enjoy: 

Proverbs 31:10-31

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

 

¹¹ The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
¹² She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
¹³ She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
¹⁶ She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
¹⁷ She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
²⁰ She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
²³ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
²⁵ Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
³⁰ Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

05/12/12

 

Here are some sweet and fun quotes in honor of Mother's Day weekend:

Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.  ~Elizabeth Stone

Sing out loud in the car even, or especially, if it embarrasses your children.  ~Marilyn Penland

Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.  ~Charles R. Swindoll, The Strong Family

 A mother understands what a child does not say.  ~Author Unknown 

05/11/12

 

Here is a funny moment I had in teaching today:

I was reading the biography of John Deere while the kids had "doodle time" and I read a sentence that stated John Deere's second blacksmith shop burned to the ground.  One of my children cheered when this happened.  I looked at her with a puzzled expression and said "______, why did you cheer when the man's shop burned down?"  She stated, "Because my dad works for Caterpillar!"  

I am still laughing at that one!

This week has been Teacher Appreciation Week.

I have been showered with lots of chocolates, purple and green things, and sweet notes and flowers from the students.

One child gave me a homemade note this afternoon and this is what it said:

1.  Thank you for teaching us.

2.  Thank you for loving us.

3.  Thank you for being nice to us.

$.  Thank you for teaching us about GOD. (Another student saw this and said "THIS is what I love the most, Mrs. Fowler!"  I must admit that did my heart the most good!)

5.  Thank you for giving us a word search.  (This is a gift I gave them for Valentine's Day.)

6.  Thank you for everything.

And then a majority of the class signed it... some were gone or she ran out of time trying to get signatures before we went outside.

It was precious to me.

It meant a lot and I will always keep it.

Some days as a teacher you never know if you are getting through.

It is nice to see that some of what I am teaching really is making a difference.

05/10/12

 

Here is a cute story someone emailed me and it gives us something to think about:

IT'S  WHAT YOU SCATTER
I  was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes.
I noticed a  small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily  appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was  also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.

Pondering the peas, I couldn't  help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller (the store owner) and  the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello  Barry, how are you today?'

'H'lo,  Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure look  good..'

'They are good, Barry. How's your  Ma?'
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla'  time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you  with?'
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them  peas.'
'Would you like to take some  home?' asked Mr. Miller.

'No,  Sir.. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'

'Well, what have you to trade me  for some of those peas?'

'All I got's my prize marble  here.'

'Is  that right? Let me see it', said Miller.

'Here 'tis. She's a  dandy.'

'I can see that. Hmm mmm, only  thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one  like this at home?' the store owner asked.

'Not zackley but almost.'

'Tell you what. Take this sack of  peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble'.  Mr. Miller told the boy.

'Sure will. Thanks Mr.  Miller.'

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing  nearby, came over to help me.

With a smile she said, 'There are  two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor  circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples,  tomatoes, or whatever..

When they come back with their red  marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and  he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange  one, when they come on their next trip to the  store.'

I left the store smiling to  myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado,  but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering  for marbles.

Several years went by, each more  rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some  old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr.  Miller had died. They were having his visitation that evening and knowing  my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the  mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to  offer whatever words of comfort we could.

Ahead of us in line were three  young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice  haircuts, dark suits and white shirts...all very professional looking.  They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her  husband's casket.

Each of the young men hugged her,  kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the  casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young  man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand  in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his  eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller.  I told her who I was and reminded her of the story from those many years  ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles.  With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the  casket.

'Those three young men who just  left were the boys I told you about.

They just told me how they  appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last, when Jim could not  change his mind about color or size...they came to pay their  debt.'

'We've never had a great deal of  the wealth of this world,' she confided, 'but right now, Jim would  consider himself the richest man in  Idaho.'

With loving gentleness she lifted  the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were  three exquisitely shined red marbles.

The  Moral:
We will not be remembered by our  words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take,  but by the moments that take our breath.
Today  I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~

A  fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself...

An unexpected phone call from an  old friend....

Green stoplights on your way to  work....

The fastest line at the grocery  store....

A good sing-along song on the  radio...

Your keys found right where you  left them.
 

05/09/12

 

Today I am:

THANKFUL for the way NC voted for the marriage amendment.

SAD at all of the hullabaloo that it has caused and how some people are so rude on both sides of the issue.

CONCERNED with the direction of our country with our President's latest "affirmation."

BURDENED for the lost and for those who say I am judgmental for the way I believe in what God's Word says.

HAPPY that I serve a God Who is in control no matter what.

PRAYERFUL over many things as of late.

REJOICING that I only have about 2 weeks of school left.

OVERWHELMED in these last few days of school with everything that needs to be done.

EXCITED about time off from school and the ability to get into a new Bible study.

AMAZED at God's provision.

APPRECIATIVE of my husband and what he does for me daily.

LOVING my family.

READY to keep going with God getting me through.

05/08/12

 

Here is a great quote:

"By learning you will teach;
by teaching you will understand."
- Latin Proverb

Let's just say that I have lived that quote.  I learned, I teach, but it wasn't until I taught that I understood a lot.  I was a bit of an "ADD" child and didn't always grasp things. haha....

Case in point:   It wasn't until I was around 25 years of age and teaching the concept of time to my second grade students that I realized why they call "quarter after".... "quarter after".... DUH.

It took me teaching and drawing a circle on the board shading in the "quarter after" part for me to UNDERSTAND.

Sad, huh?

Just think of how much I have finally understood in the 17 years I have been teaching!  :)

05/07/12

 

As I was walking yesterday this came on my MP3 player.

I was reminded how true this song is as I had just gotten ready for Homecoming for church, the kids were coming in and out of the house, trying to get a zillion things accomplished at one time,  and tons of dirty dishes in my sink that needed to get cleaned.

This song says a lot!

05/06/12

 

Our church celebrated Homecoming today.

We are 210 years old.

I am thankful for the heritage and the fact that my church still stands on a firm foundation of God's Word being the literal words of God.  

We don't bend to the latest fads in the world, but stay close to what the Bible teaches.

Our church began when Thomas Jefferson was president.

So thankful for such a long legacy.

05/05/12

 

Be Content

Philippians 4:11 - I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

The English word "content" can bring up thoughts of indifference and mild temperament.  Modern usage tends to give "content" a negative connotation, as though such an attitude has little ambition or drive.

Not so of the Greek term that the Holy Spirit chose for this passage.  It is composed of the pronoun for "self" and the noun for "sufficiency."  Both in Scripture and in secular Greek literature, the word demands an ability to conquer whatever circumstances that may oppose one's purpose or goal and to continue through in spite of difficulties.

The context of our text is a prime example.  Paul had experienced hunger and satisfaction.  He knew what is meant to be obscure and to be a celebrity.  There were times when he had more than enough resources to accomplish what he understood God had called him to do, and other times when resources were very scarce.  In whatever state he found himself, Paul had learned to be self-sufficient.

Our problem is that we often are looking only at the physical and circumstantial issues and have not learned that our Lord Jesus provides grace that "is sufficient for thee: for [His] strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).  The resources of the omnipotent Godhead are enough for us to "be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5).

The self-sufficiency of the twice-born rests on the eternal fact that God "worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).

- Henry M. Morris, III

Days of Praise Devotional