A Scripture for your day

From my church's daily Scripture email. I really appreciated this section of verses myself and thought they may benefit others.

Matthew 23:16-24
"Woe to you, blind guides, who say, 'Whoever takes an oath by the sanctuary, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gold of the sanctuary is bound by his oath.' Blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the sanctuary that sanctified the gold? Also, 'Whoever takes an oath by the altar, it means nothing. But whoever takes an oath by the gift that is on it is bound by his oath.' Blind people! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift?

Therefore the one who takes an oath by the altar takes an oath by it and by everything on it. The one who takes an oath by the sanctuary takes an oath by it and by Him who dwells in it. And the one who takes an oath by heaven takes an oath by God's throne and by Him who sits on it.

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay a tenth of mint, dill, and cumin, yet you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy, and faith. These things should have been done without neglecting the others. Blind guides! You strain out a gnat, yet gulp down a camel!

The Law of the Garbage Truck

Borrowed this from mom who got it on a daily inspirational thought board.

THE LAW OF THE GARBAGE TRUCK

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport.

We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us.

My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us.

My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean, he was really friendly. So I asked, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!' This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.

Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day.

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.

Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Have a blessed, garbage-free day!

Friendship

OK, little miss Kristina sure comes up with some great ones. I'm not sure if this is a quote from someone else, but this is what she posted today. Right on!

A friend is there when everyone else isn't, believing when everyone else hasn't, understanding when everyone else doesn't, loving when everyone else wasn't.

Daily Bible Reading

I think it's awesome that my church has started emailing scriptures daily! Love that they are doing everything in their power to help us along our discipleship journey! They've also started a scripture memorization initiative. The first couple I already knew, the last one was a new one to me, then again this week is one I know already. I guess growing up in church does some good.
Anyway, this is one of the scriptures from the Daily Bible Reading email. Thought others might also appreciate it.
Proverbs 30:32-33
If you have been foolish by exalting yourself, or if you've been scheming, put your hand over your mouth. For the churning of milk produces butter, and twisting a nose draws blood, and stirring up anger produces strife.

Becoming Self-Sufficient

So, in the last year, I have realized that I can do more for myself than I ever thought possible. I have learned how to change a headlight (low beam, not brave enough to do high beams), a blinker light, keep my oil changed (and got a great deal by buying the oil/filter myself and taking it to a shop for them to change it at cost), and even performed a full tune-up on a push mower. It's not completely shocking, as I've always been a bit mechanically inclined, but I am so proud of myself for even trying. I even got the nifty pink tools in the pink bag to do it with, lol! Oh yeah and I catch myself eying up the socket sets, knowing one day I will need them.
I think, I lost myself along the way and I am having a blast finding myself. Finding out what I can do and what I just need to throw my hands up and admit defeat about. I am glad to be free to explore who ME really is! Some things have changed, most have not. I have found that forgiveness comes easier than trust. I guess that's the whole "once bitten, twice shy" thing.
One thing I have decided to do is become more involved in my church. Now a year ago, I was in a completely different church, but I am doing more at my new church than I was doing before. This summer I am volunteering to teach preschoolers on Wednesday nights, which is a TOTAL BLAST! The Children's minister chose and excellent program for the summer! Then, I have talked to the youth pastor about volunteering with the teens. I have felt led to be involved with the teens for a long time, but this is my first opportunity to really do it. I am SO excited about that! I want to be that loving, caring voice to those in need. The voice I really needed to hear when I was a teenager. I want to tell these kids not to change who they are, especially who they are in Christ, for anyone or anything!
Aaah, back to life. I need to get studying for the class tonight.

A new book

So, on the suggestion of a good friend, I picked up the book Women, Food and God by Geneen Roth (recently featured on Oprah). I'm telling you what, anyone with food issues man or woman, should read this book. Actually anyone with issues that cause them to turn to anything whether it be food, drugs, alcohol, sex...needs to read this book. It is absolutely amazing! It came at the right time too. I have spent the last year trying to find who ME really is and it is teaching me to not be afraid to be me and to feel life, not run from it, not torture myself because of this or that. Just be alive! She's written several other books as well and I'm seriously thinking of buying more of her books!

Borrowed from a friend

When I got off work this morning, as I do most mornings, I sat down at the computer to "catch up" with my friends. This is when I go through the "300+" old posts on facebook. I came across one that I felt was very poignant.
Trust is like a mirror...once its BROKEN you can never look at it the same again.

Don't Cry for Me

My pastor, who fought cancer since the early 2000s went home to be with the Lord earlier this week. From what I know of him, both through personal interactions and stories of people whose lives he touched, I would like to say he was the most Christ-like person I have ever met. We all miss him dearly!
I think, though, that he would not want us to cry for him. He is in Heaven with Jesus! His is no longer in pain. He is walking streets of gold and hanging out in his mansion. So, it puts me in mind of a country song. It's by Brad Paisley and it is called When I Get Where I'm Going. Look it up on youtube. It's a great song!
Today is pastor's funeral. I know there will be lots of tears today, but I am so glad to know that he is walking with Jesus and no longer suffering! He was intent on bringing God glory throughout the entire ordeal. One person I know of said that when he would visit the pastor, trying to comfort him, he always came away being comforted himself. The pastor was selfless and loving!
I don't know the best way to end this post, but I am so glad to have known this wonderful man!