Christ Notes

Some time ago, a lovely lady I got to know via Flickr introduced me to Christ Notes. The cool thing about the site is that it has a "Daily Bible Verse", as well as "Weekly Wisdom". You can even sign up to have these emailed to you regularly (but for some reason, it's not working for me and so I have to keep visiting the site). This week's "Weekly Wisdom" is great -- press on everyone!

If God took you to it, He'll get you through it

Exodus 14 records the story of how the Hebrews escaped from bondage and slavery in Egypt. On their way out of Egypt, they camped in the desert near the Red Sea. They thought God was leading them out of Egypt. However, Pharaoh led the Egyptian army to where the Israelites were, and he trapped them against the sea. The Israelites must have felt betrayed by God, for it looked as though he didn't follow through on his plan to lead the Israelites out of captivity in Egypt. But God was faithful to his word -- he didn't let his people down. He led them through the Red Sea and delivered on his promises.

You have probably faced times when you thought that you could never do something, never complete a particular task, or never make it to the finish. However, if God has promised you something, then you can be confident that God will get you through the difficult times in order to bring about his promise.

This is true in Joseph's life. God took him through years of pain and suffering for an ultimate benefit; Joseph realizes this and, in Genesis 50:20, says, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." God had a bigger plan for Joseph's life, and God didn't let him down. God led Joseph through his struggles.

This principle is also true in your life. Even though you may be going through extremely painful times, do not fear for God will get you through the hard times you face (see Psalm 23:4). If God took you to it, He'll get you through it.

From Christ Notes' Weekly Wisdom

moments

I read this not too long ago; in the book in which it was quoted, it said the author was anonymous, but I've since found out it's attributed to the late Nadine Stair, who wrote it when she was 85:

If I had my life to live over, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.
I'd relax. I would limber up.
I would be sillier than I have been this trip.
I would take fewer things seriously.
I would take more chances. I would take more trips.
I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.
I would eat more ice cream and less beans.
I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day.
Oh, I've had my moments and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them.
In fact, I'd try to have nothing else.
I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat, and a parachute.
If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.
I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies.

* * * * * * *

The part that especially struck me was that she said she would choose to have nothing else but "moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day".

I was walking Kip today, enjoying the serenity of the evening and the fact that I was actually living in the moment, with my thoughts actually dwelling in the now, when it seemed to me that that is what a content life is -- living moments, and not some grandiose, hypothetically endless affair in which one continually plays centre stage. Just moments to be fully experienced as they happen, without pointless reasonings, analyses, and fearful what-if type imaginings. Just moments, experienced with gratitude and a conscious focusing on one's blessings.

B's poem

While (finally) tidying up B's room today, I find this:

Through the year our hair will grow,
But one day the hair will go.
You will have to go to Primary One,
And that will be the end of fun!
* * * * * * *

I also find this:

memo to Dollyland Animal Palace Staff

My doll company is called Magical Letters, and is the most popular company in Dollyland! With the power of Magical Letters to design a webshow titled: "The Life of Hers", it's a show where I show what I do every day and where we are, and how we began to create this show! (with the help of Magical Letters).

Note to all Dollyland Animal Palace Staff.