Pray Without Ceasing - Word-Filled Wedneday

A Word Filled Wednesday quickie...

My #1 resolution for 2012:

And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle,
encourage the fainthearted, help the weak,
be patient with them all.

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil,
but always seek to do good to one another
and to everyone.

Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Do not quench the Spirit.

Do not despise prophecies, but test everything;
hold fast what is good.

Abstain from every form of evil.

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 ~

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."  Psalm 18:24 (The Message)

Word Filled Wednesday: Hannah's Prayer

Hannah's prayer for a child makes me weep.

Tears of empathy. Of sorrow. Of humility. Of weakness.

Tears of joy.

So many babies are conceived but not wanted.So many children are discarded, neglected, unloved. Abandoned.

Hannah would have taken them all, so great was her desire for a child.

Some find returning a portion of their gifts to the Lord to be a hardship; Hannah knew it to be a blessing, so she pledged it all.

"Give me a son, and I'll give him back to you," Hannah prayed.

The Lord answered her prayer, and in turn she fulfilled her vow to Him.

I can't even imagine having Hannah's faith, but I can pray for it.

Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on a chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s temple. In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord. And she made a vow, saying, “O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”
1 Samuel 1:9-12

You'll find more visually-inspired Scripture at The Internet Cafe. Come on over! Sit down, kick back, and take a break with us.

Cleaning up in a Blood Bath - Word Filled Wednesday

I might be making an assumption, but when you think of blood, you probably don't think of clean. It's illogical, right? Blood, especially in the age of AIDS and other raging blood-borne diseases, is something to be handled with care, or avoided at risk to your health and life. But since when are God or His ways logical to mankind? Since never.

When Jesus told His followers in John 6:54 "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day", they grumbled that this teaching was too hard, they were offended, and many turned back and followed Him no more. (It does sound creepy, doesn't it?)

And in addition to eating his flesh and drinking His blood, we are to bathe in his blood. And THAT will make us clean. Yep. Sounds pretty illogical. But God says, "My ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9)

That's where faith comes in. Faith that, even when I don't understand, I can trust God.

Be blessed,
Cat

Visit the Internet Cafe,
home of Word Filled Wednesday,
for more visual scripture,
and a daily dose of inspiration!

Catrina Bradley
"God rewrote the text of my life when I open the book of my heart to his eyes." Psalm 18:24 (Msg)

Assurance: He's Got You Covered

Live with assurance of His covering.
Go forth under the armor of His promises.
God is faithful and true.

-----

I'm linking up with two memes today ---

a2z: Take 2 -- An open blog prompt. One letter a week, anything goes! Hosted by the adorable and multi-talented Patty Wysong at Patterings.

And the long-running and always inspiring Word-Filled Wednesday, whose home is at the Internet Cafe.

 

Be blessed,
Cat


Catrina Bradley
"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes." Psalm 18:24 (Msg)

Word Filled Wednesday: Let My Teaching Fall Like Rain

Teaching 1st and 2nd grade Sunday School has been an unexpected blessing, like a German Chocolate Cake on my birthday when I thought no one remembered. And Vacation Bible School during the summer is the cold glass of milk to wash it down.

Halfway through my joyous, challenging week of Vacation Bible School this year, I turned my calendar to July and was brought to my knees by these words: "Let my teachings fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants."

How perfect!

It's too easy to get caught up in the theme, the decorations, the hype, the numbers, and the inevitable snags along the chaotic way. It's too easy to lose focus on what Bible School is all about.

I may frame this calendar page and hang it in the children's area at church so, long after I turn the calendar page to August and the next Scripture, I'll still be reminded to pray it each Sunday before I enter my classroom.

Be blessed,
Cat

Catrina Bradley
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Word Filled Wednesday: I Get Misty

Living life is all about THIS moment. This very nanosecond in time.

The moment that has just past is behind you--gone. You can't get it back. You can't change it.

The moment yet to come isn't within your control. You have no need to worry about it. You'll be wasting your time if you obsess about it.





Take a deep breath.

All the way In....

All the way Out....


That's all you are guaranteed of. That's THIS moment.


What are you going to do with it?


Random thoughts while pondering whether I should play "just a few" games of Bejeweled Blitz on Facebook. Can you guess my decision? :-)
Cat

What is your life?
For you are a mist that appears
for a little time
and then vanishes.
~James 4:14~

Catrina Bradley
"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes." Psalm 18:24 (Msg)

Word Filled Wednesday: Look to the birds...

If I started keeping count, I wonder if the number of times I've grumbled that there was "nothing" to eat would win out over the number of times I've thanked God for providing the food in my cupboard. I could wear my voice out singing God's praises, and still not begin to thank Him enough for all the blessings He has bestowed upon me. 

Oh, how He loves me!

Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?
Matthew 6:26

For more encouragement, follow the links at Lori's blog, All You Have To Give . If you don't go for the links, please go to look at her blog. It's so pretty! :-)



Counting my blessings,
Cat

Catrina Bradley  
"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes." Psalm 18:24 (Msg)

Word Filled Wednesday: Psalm 17:6

Sometimes (like lately), I don't know what else to do but fall on my face before the Lord of mercy, grace and healing, and beg Him to hear me and comfort me. Reading the Psalms reminds me that I am not alone.

I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God; 

Incline Your ear to me, [and] hear my speech.

Psalm 17:6

Word Filled Wednesday is hosted this week by PennyRaine. Visit her blog for more visual inspiration!!

Be blessed,
Cat

Catrina Bradley  
"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes." Psalm 18:24 (Msg)

Word Filled Wednesday: Worship at His Holy Mountain

"Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his holy mountain, 

for the Lord our God is Holy."

Psalm 99:9

I'm short on words today, so I'll let this picture and Psalm 99:9 speak for how I feel in His presence, and my reaction to His Holiness.

May the Lord bless you.

For more Word Filled Wednesday, run to The 160 Acre Woods where AmyDeanne will welcome you.

Catrina Bradley

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."
Psalm 18:24 (Msg)

Word-Filled Wednesday: I Will Sing!

"I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live: 

I will sing praise to my God while I have my being." 

Psalm 104:33

My favorite part of church has always been the singing. I even sing along with the choir and the soloists, much to my husband's chagrin. When I discovered contemporary Christian radio I was overjoyed! Now I don't have to wait for Sundays to "sing unto the Lord". Yes, I will sing praise to my God as long as I live, and when I enter Heaven I will have the ultimate joy of singing praises with the angels.

For more Word Filled inspiration, visit Susan at "Forever His"

Photo from dbthielman's album at www.photobucket.com. Scripture from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

 
Catrina Bradley

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."
Psalm 18:24 (Msg)

Word-Filled Wednesday: Oh the books!

This may not surprise you, but I love books. New books, old books, shabby books, shiny books, it doesn't matter. I gobble them up.

To think the wisdom, kindness and teaching imparted by one man could not be contained by all of the books in the world is astounding. Add to that, this man's life was cut short at the age of 33. Unfathomable.

If you laid the shelves in the Library of Congress end to end, they would stretch from New York to Boston. Not even close to enough books. Incomprehensible.

Our God is an awesome God.

Praise His Name.


Catrina Bradley

"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."
Psalm 18:24 (Msg)

The purpose of Word filled Wednesday is to share God’s word through photo’s & a verse! If You’d like to join us for Word Filled Wednesday, run to The 160 Acre Wood and find our host for today!

WFW: Revive Me

"Revive me according to Your lovingkindness"
Psalm 119:88

I have a confession.

I know Psalm 119 is famous, mostly for being the longest Book in the Bible, but before this week I had read it from start to finish only one time. (Maybe because of it's reputation for being the longest book in the Bible?) Anyway, my pastor drew this past Sunday's sermon from a few passages and encouraged us to read the whole thing.

I liked what I heard, so I did.

And I'm not sorry.

Psalm 119 is filled with cries for deliverance, comforting truths, convicting vows, and poetic imagery. Oh, the imagery! Since Word Filled Wednesday is all about images and Scripture, I'll paste a few of the verses that made me go "wow".

v.25:
"My soul clings to the dust;

Revive me according to Your word."

v.28:
"My soul melts from heaviness;

Strengthen me according to Your word."

v.54:
"Your statutes have been my songs

In the house of my pilgrimage."

v.81:
"My soul faints for Your salvation,

But I hope in Your word."

v.103:
"How sweet are Your words to my taste,

Sweeter than honey to my mouth!"

Don't be surprised if you see one of these verses make an appearance soon. ;)

I chose Verse 88 because, out of the 176 verses, "Revive me" is the one my soul keeps echoing. I believe it was also the psalmist's prayer; he repeats that phrase nine times (by my count).

• Revive me according to Your word. (v.25)
• Revive me in your way (v.37)
• Revive me in your righteousness (v.40)
• Revive me according to your lovingkindness (v.88)
• Revive me, oh LORD, according to your word (v.107)
• Revive me according to your justice (v.149)
• Revive me according to your word
• Revive me according to your judgments (v.156)
• Revive me, O LORD, according to Your lovingkindness. (v.159)

I urge you to spend some time in Psalm 119, and let God speak to you in Truth and in Spirit. Start a revival in your soul!

In Him,
Cathy



Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to visit Amydeanne at The 160 Acre Woods, the home of Word Filled Wednesday!

"God rewrote the text of my life
when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."
Psalm 18:24 (Msg)

WFW: Walk Worthy

I know I've been very quiet lately, but I'm here with a Word Filled Wednesday contribution.



Ever since I helped my boss (also my pastor) with research for his sermon series "The Walk", I've been fascinated by Scriptures about the walk...and there are a lot of them! Lisa (aka Dandelion) from The Blog Squad reminded me today how much I like Ephesians 4:1-2. It is one of my favorite passages for its conviction factor. In her post the Blog Squad: A Collective Destiny, Lisa refers to a verse's HSF, or "Head Smacking Factor." That's an even better description.

With every step I take on my walk with Christ comes a decision: I can be gentle or rude; I can be humble or proud; I can be patient or testy. These choices I face are gifts from Him; I get to decide which way to turn. Not only that, as a child of God, I also have His presence and His power through the Holy Spirit within me to help make the right decision, no matter how hard it is.

How often do I stop to make a choice?

Yep, I'm smacking my head.

Tune in tomorrow for a special treat - Dandelion herself will be making a guest appearance right here on my blog! She has graciously offered to fill in for me for a day or two. She has some powerful things to say, so you don't want to miss it!

Then stay tuned right here at A work in progress for Friday Fiction! Yes, that's right - I have the honor and privilege of being the host this Friday!!!


Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to check out the 160 acre woods for more visual inspiration from scripture!




"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."
Psalm 18:24 (Msg)

WFW: Sandcastles

I'm in under the wire this week for Word Filled Wednesday! I'm falling back on an old favorite of mine from Matthew.

"Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."
Matthew 7:24-27

What kind of foundation are you building your house upon? A firm, solid, unchanging Rock, or shifting sands that can be washed away by the next wave, the incoming tide, or even the gentlest of rains? Look to the Master Carpenter and heed His Words -- live them!. Your house will never come tumbling down.



"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."
Psalm 18:24 (Msg)


Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to visit eLisa at Extravagant Grace for more visual inspiration from scripture!

WFW: My Help

PSALM 121
A Song of Ascents.

I WILL lift up my eyes to the hills--
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the LORD,
Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.

The LORD is your keeper;
The LORD is your shade at your right hand.
The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.

The LORD shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.




"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."
Psalm 18:24 (Msg)

For more Word-inspired art,
run to The 160-Acre Wood!

WFW: Our God is Generous

Having made it through Jeremiah, then Lamentations, and now into Ezekiel this month as I read my way through the Old Testament, I'm finding myself falling into a pit of depression. I don't know if it's the prophets or my own chemically imbalanced brain, or maybe a combination, but I needed something to give me encouragement and joy this week. Last night I snubbed Ezekiel and asked God to bring me to something more joyful. My Bible opened to Romans and I heaved a sigh of relief as I poured His promises into my spirit.

Since I'm reading the prophets in The Message, that was the Bible in which I read "We can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit." (Romans 5:5)




Ahhh. Thank you Father. Exactly what I needed.



"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."
Psalm 18:24 (Msg)


Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to visit eLisa at Extravagant Grace for more visual inspiration from scripture!

WFW: The Way of Man

I was wondering if I was going to contribute to Word-filled Wednesday this week. No verse had really spoken to me (or I haven't been listening, more likely.) A friend posted as her FaceBook status tonight "Jeremiah 10:23". I looked it up, and it was just what I needed to hear.

O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself;
It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps

I was inspired to find a picture to go with this verse. I didn't find quite what I was looking for, so I settled on a different type of picture. I put the verse in and added some font-fun, and then took time to study this photo more as I was meditating on the verse.



The footprints are headed directly toward the mountain, but before this walker can get there, he has to climb a steep dune. Our goal is the Mountain of God, the Highest of High. God is leading us there, and will help us keep a straight path, our goal in focus. He will also help us over the hazards, never letting go of our hand.

When I get to that steep, tall, treacherous dune, I could let go of Him, and make my way around it, meandering until I find a more gentle climb, an easier trek. But there's always the chance that once the goal is out of my line of sight, I'll get lost.

God's way isn't always easy, but I'll never walk it alone. And He'll get me to the top of that Mountain.

Peace, love, hugs, and prayers.



"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."
Psalm 18:24 (Msg)

Visit Amy Deanne's blog, "The Hundred Acre Wood", for more inspired art!

WFW: New Birth

Welcome to Word Filled Wednesday,
hosted by Amydeanne at The 160 Acre Woods

Amen.



"God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to his eyes."
Psalm 18:24 (Msg)

Don't forget to visit the home of Word Filled Wednesday for more Inspired art!

WFW: Christ died for us

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

With Good Friday approaching, I thought I'd share an image I put together for my church's April newsletter.

Much focus is put on Christ's resurrection (and rightfully so!), but I tend to dwell more on His sacrifice. Romans 5:8 is one of my favorite verses (ok, I have hundreds I guess); the words that strike me to the core are "while we were still sinners". Not after we turned our lives around and decided to be good; not after we made great strides on the road to Holiness; but while we were rotten to the core. That's PURE, UNADULTERATED, UNCONDITIONAL, PERFECT LOVE, baby!

I didn't realize the extent of Jesus' sacrifice until I read "The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel. Mr. Strobel spells out, quite graphically I might add, the horror, the pain, and the suffering the man-Jesus endured. He didn't have to endure it. He could have called a legion of angels to protect Him. He could have called on His divine nature to avoid it. But to save us, He DID endure it, with all of the emotional and physical agony any man feels. I haven't looked at the Cross the same since.

Take a moment to reflect on what Christ's gift to us cost Him, and don't forget to thank our Father for His Love, His Grace, and His Mercy.

In His most Holy and precious name,
Cat



For more Word inspired art, run to the 160 Acre Woods and visit Amydeanne!!

Word-filled Wednesday: Stepping off the path

I have a love-hate relationship with convicting sermons. I love how a Word I've heard preached many times is delivered in just the right way, and I say, "ohhhh!.. uh ohhh." And the hate, of course is for the gut-twist that follows the "uh ohh."

Pastor's point-packed lesson on Joshua 1 tonight inspired my WFW. He spoke at length on Verse 7.

Be strong and very courageous.
Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you;
do not turn from it to the right or to the left,
that you may be successful wherever you go.
Joshua 1:7

What convicted me tonight was his point on the words I have bolded above: "Do not turn from it to the right or to the left". When God says THIS is what you are to do, don't step to the right or to the left and say, "Ok, God, I hear ya, but this is way is almost the same and just as good."

I found this photo to illustrate Joshua 1:7 - I think it would be a fun challenge to walk on that narrow path. (I have a thing for paths, stepping stones, boardwalks, and stuff like that. But that's probably another blog entirely) Soon enough, though, the grass would start to look really inviting, and oooo - I want to climb on that rock!



When we are walking the way that God has set for us, the temptations on the side of the path make it hard not to step off to the right for just a minute and go run and play. When I get to Heaven, I'm likely to bonk my head on the pearly gates because I'm just a bit off the path.

Peace & Love & Jesus Hugs
Cat


For more Word inspired art, run to the 160 Acre Woods and visit Amydeanne!!!