The Day The Lord Made

 One of my favorite scriptures comes from Psalm 118:24, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."     If I can start my day with a reminder of this verse, it helps me see the day as one of opportunity and blessings.  My days are not just past times, they are filled with meaning and life.   What I choose to do with them make me who I am and speaks volumes for my Christian walk. 

        The Day The Lord Made

"This is the day the Lord hath made.

I will rejoice and be glad in it."
  For, One day He died, yet arose;
  One day He saved me - a child He chose;  
  One day He forgave all He knows.
"This is the day the Lord hath made.
I will rejoice and be glad in it."
  For, this day, my burdens He hears;
  This day, He sustains through all my fears;
  This day, there are no forgotten years.
Oh!  Let me rejoice!
Let me lift up my voice.
  For this day He loves me;
  This day I am set free;
  This day, His grace helps me, just be. 
"I will rejoice and be glad in it."
  For, this day I am saved through Heaven's Source;
  This day I cast away my sins and remorse;
  This day He establishes my course.
Oh, yes!  Where is my voice through life's choice?
Let me sing and kneel to the King.
  For, "this is the day the Lord hath made.
  I will rejoice and be glad in it."
                                         Mary Crisp Jameson

Founding Fathers

     I am sure that when the Founding Fathers gathered to "cuss and discuss" the Constitution there was adversity, much like we have today.  Let's face it, our Founding Fathers had flaws and family issues just like we do.  Even back then, as throughout the previous generations, there have been questions whether we are truly a Christian nation.  Our words and actions surely have not shown it. 
     In reading the Old Testament and God's instructions to Moses for the Israelites, God repeated time and time again for the people to "commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today.  Repeat them again and again to your children.  Talk about them when you are home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.   Tie them to your hands and wear them on your foreheads as reminders.  Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy  6:7-9 NLT) 
     In order to be that committed to following God's commands and to be that dedicated to teaching them to our children, we must first follow His instructions found in verse 5, "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.."
     What are our words and actions showing our children today? 

    

Saying "No"!

     How often does a parent catch themselves saying, "No!" to their children?  We do it for their own good, often to protect them from harm.  As our children grow older, we continue to say "No" to their requests when we consider it to be a harmful situation.  Our children don't like it any more than we like the fact that God sometimes says "NO" to our prayers, desires, and wishes, as well. 
     What I have to remind myself daily is that God is all-knowing.  He has the insight to know what is best for me now and in the future.  He will answer my prayers according to His will.  It is up to Him to give me the blessings I desire in due season within His timing.   
     Thank you God for looking out for me, for protecting me, and for guiding me into your plan for my life. 
    

Megyn Kelly Interview

     As I watched an interview between Megyn Kelly and the woman who was fired for flipping off President Trump's motorcade, I was saddened by an adult woman's idea on how to solve problems and her idea on how to teach children respect.  I was saddened further by the applause from the listeners. 
     The interview went something like this:
Megyn:  "How did it feel to flip off the motorcade?"
Woman: "It felt great."
Megyn:  "Do you think it was right to be fired for your action?"
Woman: "Legal and right are not the same thing, are they?"
Megyn:  "Do you regret doing it?"
Woman: "I don't regret doing it. No, we have a big problem with this country."
Megyn:  "What message do you think you are communicating to your children?"
Woman:  "I think I am communicating to them to use their voice when they can, and how they can,  and when they have the opportunity."

     So, flipping off someone or something is using your voice!  So, flipping off someone or something is teaching respect! 
      I, for one, will have to strongly disagree.  I do not believe a finger flip solves a problem nor shows respect, nor does it show maturity at any level.  To quote the writer of today's Charles Stanley devotional, "Our thinking affects us more than we may realize, shaping us into who we are becoming.  Thoughts reap actions, actions reap habits, habits reap character, and our character reaps our destiny."  I will go even further by stating that our actions influence the actions of those around us, including our children.  We are certainly not seeking Christ or following His example when we are being disrespectful. 

Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."