Happy 7th Birthday, My Little Sweetie!

Dear Bug-Catching, Nature-Walking, Animal-Loving "Inger",

Today is your 7th birthday. You have just about busted out of your seams all week waiting for this day. That's one of the many things I love about you. You are so excitable and your enthusiasm is contagious. You love life. You love God's creation. You make me laugh by all your little sayings and doings. God has given you incredible talents that, I pray, you never take for granted or forget about.

I am so thankful that Jesus placed you in our home 5 years ago. You are a gift from God. He knew this family needed you when he brought us together.

Our prayer for you is to grow up in all aspects. You are a beautiful young lady on the inside at out. But remember, the beauty in your heart and soul is so much more important than the beauty of your person and body. We pray that your love for Jesus will become so strong that it infects all of those around you. We pray that the world will see Jesus in you.

Aim your affection toward Him and He will be all you need.

We love you, silly goose!

Obligation or Privilege?

Quiet time. Devotions. Time with God. All these phrases describe what some would call part of their routine.  Yet, routine is just what it becomes. Or even the magic bullet to a great day. Quiet time=item checked off on the to-do list.


I Samuel 4 is a story of the Israelites going against the Philistines in war. They choose to take the Ark of the Covenant to help them win, using it as a good luck charm instead of realizing it represents the Presence of Almighty God. End of story? They lose the battle and in the end, the Philistines capture the Ark. 


As I read through this story, I realized that my Bible and time with the Lord becomes somewhat like this. Do I realize as I go to His Word that this precious book contains His Word? That He is speaking to Me? That the Magnificent Creator is speaking to me?


It is not just the next thing to do. It is not just a simple equation of do this, than this will happen. It is a precious opportunity to hear from my Father and enjoy His presence and learn to live out His will.


So, the next time you sit down to have time with the Lord, be quiet before Him. Bask in His presence. He is with you. He is real.

Motives of My Heart

This week I have been challenged with the question, "What are my motives in doing all that I do?"

When I love, is it for the glory of Christ?

When I worship is it for the glory of Christ?

When I clean toilets is it for my Savior's glory?

When I teach my children is my Jesus magnified?

Asking these questions get to the heart of all I do. Colossians 3:23,24 give us a simple, yet very precise prescription for loving Jesus. "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Loving God with all my heart reigns in my emotions.

Loving God with all my mind keeps my thoughts pure and directed upward.

Loving God with all my soul enables me to be committed to my first love.

Loving God with all my strength...well, this one ultimately comes from my Master. For I am weak. He is strong.

Keeping the cross central brings me to my knees. For I am nothing without him.

I Am Meditating on This Today...

In the School of the Savior

Many lessons have been learned here at the Ponderosa as we have attended the School of the Savior. Our Teacher happens to be the best that has ever existed. In fact, He has always existed.

We have learned much about ourselves.
We have hearts full of desires to please self, but our Teacher desires us to deny self, take up our crosses daily and follow him.

We have hearts that even deceive ourselves and many times we think we are denying self, when we really have OUR best interests at heart.

Falling apart during trials, we have learned how little we truly trust our Teacher.

Our hearts and minds struggle to meditate on the Perfect Teacher without the pulls of the world invading.
Our hearts boast of great things. We strive to DO much and in the end we are looking for man's praise.

Our teacher wants to be the One we serve.

We are prone to wander.

We have learned much about the Teacher.
He is patient, Oh, so patient.

He wants us to be in love with Him; having our undevoted attention.

Our teacher loves those around us and wants us to love just like Him.

During trials, our Teacher, who has brought them about, wants us to cling to Him as His beloved.

He hung out with the prostitutes, beggars, people with diseases, and the downhearted. He wants to do to the same. Love those who are lost in their sin.

He loves His children so much He was willing to leave His Father's side and take our sin upon Him and give us His righteousness.

He desires our intimate communion with us and promises He can help us achieve that, IF we REALLY want it.

We have been in this school for many years and yet, there is so much more to learn.

Grant us the wisdom and endurance, Lord, to not drop out, to continue to persevere and learn to love you more than we have.