James 1:26-27

Good morning girls!
Wondering how this week's challenge went for all of you! My report is interesting, but un-stunning. I found myself in an argument with my husband on Tuesday, when I distinctly recalled the verse about being quick to listen and slow to speak and become angry. As usual, I know I said more negative than I should have at all, BUT thankfully I didn't become out of control and rant and rave. I remember sitting there quietly, with all my might, and when I did talk, I tried to choose my words very carefully. I didn't execute that "discussion" perfectly, but I definitely think that keeping those words at the forefront of my heart helped immensely!

Then yesterday, at work, some things felt tense and frustrating for me with a few of my co-workers, and I could sense the anger and hurt welling and welling inside me, quite literally. My heart started to race and I felt myself seriously needing to control my breathing, and even more so anything I said during that time. I remember being pretty quiet and taking a moment or two by myself to ask God for strength. Oh, girls, it took all my energy and focus to not say anything or the wrong thing!! I am very thankful for God's companionship in that situation, because fortunately I don't think anyone could tell the war going on inside of me except me! Eventually it passed and I sighed in relief that the wrong feelings inside of me didn't spill over into making an entirely bigger problem out of what I was probably overreacting to in the first place.

Those two events could have taken on a different color and meaning if I hadn't remembered our verses for this week. Thank the Lord for making a difference in our lives by his power working through us!! It literally protects us from all kinds of evil - even in ourselves!!

But of course, those weren't the only situations where I needed to practice our challenge this week. Each day there were many of other opportunities where I know I failed; those were just two of the bigger examples where I felt the power of God's Word working overtime for me in a positive way. :)

Well we learn, and we grow, and then we fail...and learn and grow, don't we? It's a lifelong cycle.

This week's readings can be very well summed up by the following video. (Be encouraged! I think she always says things in such an effective way!)

Week 3 Wrap-Up Video

And then to follow up with another quite beautiful, short&sweet reading to lead you into your weekend, Why Silence is Really Golden.

I hope that you all have a marvelous, relaxing weekend with plenty of time to BE, to pray and worship, to find yourself in Him after a topsy-turvy crazy week. I have to work this weekend, and maybe you do too, so we especially, must make the time.

I love you all dearly, as we learn and grow and appreciate the unending grace and love our Father has for us.
 In Him,
~Cait

James 1: 25

The word 'forget' got me thinking in this passage. A lot of the time we sin because we are being ignorant of the fact that what we are about to do/doing is a sin, but some of the time we sin knowing full well that what we are doing is wrong in God's eyes.

I hate the feeling I get when I am doing something wrong and realize it, but continue what I'm doing. It's our conscience at its finest, and at that moment I know I'm not thankful for it. Sometimes I ungratefully wish it away, telling it to be quiet and to just let me be... to just let me take the easy way out.

Our conscience is a beautiful blessing though, all the time...

It's God's voice that is constantly with us, whispering in our hearts.

He's our daddy giving his precious daughter the absolute best advice we could ever ask for.

This also got me thinking about the gift in fathers that God gives us. I know that everyone doesn't always have a father that's actively in their daughter's life, but everyone most likely has that person in their life, that cares about them more than anything. I know that my dad would do anything for me. He is the sweetest, most caring person I know, and probably will ever know. Even when I don't ask for it, my dad always tells me anything that he thinks I will need to know someday. He loves helping me and wants the absolute best for me, and I trust him with my whole heart. This is the trust I need to have in our Savior.

Thinking about my dad makes me miss him since I'm up here at school, but it also gets me thinking about my Heavenly Father. I can't imagine someone having more love for me than my own dad, but that's how strong of a love God has for us. A love that is impossible to understand.

I know I kind of went in a different direction, but those were my thoughts for this verse :) Hope you all are doing well and enjoyed this gorgeous day!

James 1:25

Good morning!
This morning, my husband and I are competing for computer time. He's got final touches on homework to do, and I'd like to mull and mull, writing and editing and thinking through my post for today...
But to no avail. I promised him I'd be done by now and I'm still not. haha I'm looking forward to having 2 computers in Seminary, since most likely, he'll always be using his then. ... :)
I smile and think about the minute frustrations that steal our sense of control. I thought I'd have the time I crave this morning for myself and God and adequately supplying encouragement for you today, but things change before you can say "change" sometimes. And it's a small thing, but still I want you to know that I am thankful for YOU on the days when I need encouragement as well! I so appreciate YOU in your quiet moments with the Lord, praying over what we read and praying for me, just like I pray about you sweet sisters.
Not every day can be a long, perfectly-written article on Christian living and faith. And really, that is not the point of this blog. I am so thankful just for the community we have and the motivation to daily stay close to the Lord found herein.
Thank you for being here. And I truly pray today, whatever your uncontrolled circumstances be, that God brings you peace and joy found from living close to him.
Like verse 25 says, "...he will be blessed in what he does."

Love you!
~Cait

All Things New

Due to an extreme overabundance of stress and sickness, my jam-packed days haven't allowed me even one spare minute to write a post since I did on Monday. Not to be completely neglectful, I have gotten on here and read your ladies' posts and been very encouraged by them. I know I have no excuse for setting aside time to read, meditate, and write about God's words to us. So this morning, before I rush off to yet another completely scheduled day, I just want to leave my thought.

I was getting ready this morning, for once, not completely dragging my entire body. I got to bed early last night and actually feel GOOD this morning. That makes a huge difference, and I read my Bible flip calendar verse of the day. "Behold, I make all things new..." (Rev. 21:1) I smiled and said a prayer of thanks to Him for making me new today. And even on the days when I am so tired and worn-down that I can barely stand at the bathroom counter to put on my makeup, even on those days, He makes me new. Over and over again, so that each day I have to ask Him for strength and grace to keep going, keep smiling, and keep learning.

I think that is so beautiful :)

Prevalent moral filth

Sometimes it is the hardest thing to be seen as the "odd one out." situations that come to mind are when so many of my friends and people I love are indulging themselves in moral filth (whatever it may be) and I opt out because of my Christian morals. Im sure a situation like this comes to mind for you when you were seen as the "goodie-two shoes."

Please, don't get me wrong, I am not trying to sound self-righteous and compare myself to others. I myself am full of filth...Im only making a point with my example.

Sometimes it is SO hard to not jump right along side those people and give into the "sexy" lifestyle, the parties full of drunkenness, the sick humor, or whatever.....its evil.

"Humbly accept the word planed in you. "

What does this mean for me?...especially in those situations! It means not joining those who are for whatever reason sinning willingly. I stop to think....ok, what are the reasons for indulging in this moral filth? Popularity with the world?? to be "cool," "sexy," or just "accepted" by the world???

HUMBLE!

God's word says these things are filthy, lies, not lasting, and ungodly.

These filthy things should be so irrelevant to me when it comes to my faith! Sometimes they're not and so "PLEASE GOD! Give me a humble spirit! One that says I only need YOU! and NOTHING else.

And when I forget and stumble....again....open your everlasting, loving arms to me. Carry me and strengthen me.

Amen."

James 1: 21-24

Yesterday I definitely experienced what James was talking about in verses 23 and 24.

"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."

After reading through yesterday's verse and wanting to keep going for our goal this week, it didn't take long for me to completely fail at it. I got sick Monday night, and it made me pretty grumpy. My friend and I were talking the next night, and she was telling me about how a girl was saying mean things about me to the whole class while I wasn't there since I was sick. I was frustrated and hurt, and I started venting to my friend about the girl. During my angry rant I knew that I should just calm down and breathe, but getting it out just felt better at that moment.

Later on, I felt so guilty about the things I said. I read the verses for this week in my mind over and over again, and just felt like a complete failure. I didn't handle the situation well, and I wasn't a good example for my friend that I was talking to.


Slow to speak... Slow to become angry...


I listened to the word, but I didn't show it through my actions at all. Thank the Lord for His understanding and merciful heart.

I'm starting over, and am going to do my best with God's help to do better with this goal!

James 1:21-24

Good morning girls :)
It's a bright, sunny day here in New Ulm - I'm almost convinced by our weather this week that spring is here! It's been a busy week already, so it's been no secret that the struggle to keep this commitment a priority rears its ugly head for me at times! There are always ways to make time for God's word, and yet I find my sinful self "needing" to sometimes get other things done first. "I have to or it won't get done!"  Ugh.

NOTHING is more important than "accepting the word planted in [me], which can save [me]." But I can only do that if I am in the word daily, receiving it in humility and gentleness, because by myself, pride and self-interest would be the word of the day otherwise.
I NEED this.

Yesterday and today's readings really make me think honestly about things. When James tells us to "get rid of all moral filth and...evil" it is impossible to skim over what that actually means. All of us cling to certain filthiness that somehow makes us comfortable in our Old Life. The process of sanctification is more often than not uncomfortable and not what is natural for us. It makes me analyze in my own life where the filth is hiding, and what it particularly looks like. I'll be praying for God to open my eyes to this, because I'm certain I'm either blind or just positively ignorant to what needs OUT of my life as God's child.
In my commentary I read that the accepting of God's word must be a daily reoccurance, much like in Luther's Catechism we remember reading that our Old Man must be drowned by daily contrition and repentence. Praying for forgiveness each day and night is definitely a godly habit to employ that brings us closer to the Lord, but I believe it needs to go beyond just prayer. We need to hear back from the Lord, and this is done through reading his letters to us in that big, beautiful book we all own. :)
It's like verses 22-24 described: we are so prone to listening - or reading - the words, and then walking away and forgetting what we're supposed to DO.
We are so good at going to church and then Monday through Saturday living so...differently.
Hypocrites and deceivers is what we are sometimes, aren't we...

But by God's love and grace, with his strength, we can turn over a new leaf. Reading his Word with attentive ears and hearts, and by staying aware in ordinary circumstances of how God may be trying to speak to us (because he does!) - that, over time in our walks of faith, will strengthen our roots and make us into a healthy, mature, fruitful plant.

My heart is still full of whirling thoughts on these verses. I'm sorry for the sort of disorganized flow of my post! haha

I pray that all of you girls dig deep into your lives with brave honesty and let God show you what needs to be seen. And change what needs to be changed - so that we can "be doers, and not hearers only."
That is my prayer today!

Love in Him,
~Cait

James 1: 19-20

I wish this verse was written on everyone's forehead so we could constantly be reminded of God's will for us! Haha. I know that I tend to struggle with these things. I blow things out of proportion by getting angry at people, and not even give them the chance to explain things to me. Sometimes I feel like I should be the one talking instead of listening, and when I do talk, a lot of the time it's without thinking. All of these things come down to being selfish.

God is telling us these things for our benefit! Every time I'm quick to anger, it makes things completely worse. When I don't listen to those around me, I'm losing their trust, and not being the good friend that I should be to them. And when I speak without thinking, I can say things I don't mean, and also make situations worse.

God wants the very best for us, and wants us to do these things so that we can rely on Him, not ourselves. We should put everything in His hands, and let him take care of everything, instead of us messing it up!

Have a wonderful week girls!

James 1:19-20

“The first duty of love is to listen.”- Paul Tillich

I don't know about the rest of you ladies, but I also keep up with a number of other Christian blogs for women, including our very own inspiration for this blog, Good Morning Girls, and the above quote is actually from that website! I utterly enjoy cross-referencing other godly women's thoughts and inspirations, and other Christian devotions/articles online. It's become something of a daily ritual for me that strengthens my faith and reminds me that I'm not alone! :)
With that said, there is a blog post that I found fitting to share relating to the subject of today's verse. It does refer to marriage, but I think that it would aptly apply to any loving relationship, whether agape OR eros love.
So be encouraged by this and reminded that we do need to control our tongues with a strength and ferocity that only God's Spirit gives!

Taking Every Thought Captive

“We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.”  -Epictetus

Have a loving and peaceful Valentine's evening, sweet girls,

Love in Christ!!

~Cait

James 1:19-20

Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry...how hard this is to do.

We women get so emotional sometimes, don't we? Even if it's not "that time of the month," as we are all too familiar with, I feel like some days someone can say one wrong thing and I completely snap. For no good reason at all!  I definitely need to work on being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. It is really easy to say something that can really hurt someone if we are not listening to them, and if we are not thinking about what we are saying. There's an obvious reason why God told us to be slow to speak and slow to anger. The world would be a lot better, and there would be much less misunderstanding if we would follow this principle. I know it's hard. We ALL need to pray and ask God to help us in this very hard area. There's a reason God called the tongue "a fire" (James 3:6). It is very easy to use our tongues to hurt someone, whether we mean to or not.

Today is Valentine's Day, perhaps one of the easiest days of the year to be kind and loving and happy with whomever God has placed in our lives. But soon today will be over. Then it will be Tuesday, and all of the magic rosepetal dust will have blown away, and it will just be another ordinary day, with the same struggles as before. So as the week goes on, let's hold onto that love which bites its tongue when it wants to lash out. The love that says, I refuse to get angry because I don't know the whole story yet, and I want to understand. That love is a God kind of love, and I think we could all use a little dose of that. :)

Have a wonderful Valentine's girls!

Weeks 3-4 Printables & Ideas

Week 3 S.O.A.P

Week 4  S.O.A.P


 And an idea from the GMG Website...

Week 3 Challenge: This week we are going to focus on putting verse 19 into action in our lives. As you interact with your families and friends, focus on being quicker to listen, slower to speak and slower to become angry.

(If any of you ladies have other "Challenge" ideas based on what we're reading for each consecutive week, please don't hesitate to post them! Making the Word of God living and active in our lives is one of the purposes of studying the Bible, so the more we can prayerfully apply it, the better!)

Praying for you all as you work through this week's challenge! :)
Love,
~Cait

James 1:18

Hello Girls!
Writing Friday's post a little late again this week, because Pete and I ended up having a date night Friday after I finished my 7-2 shift at work, and then retreating for a short weekend visit to his folks. That was very nice, and relaxing! But now we're back home, and I'm excited and anticipating another wonderful week studying more of James.
But first, a bit on Verse 18....

I looked into the word "consecrated", and also remembered from confirmation classes that it means "to make holy". My commentary said that in Jesus' day, in Judea, the firstfruits of the harvest were consecrated to the Lord, to represent the best being given to God. We are so intrinsically important to God that he had Jesus die so we could be reborn into his workmanship! By that Good News, and grace through the Gospel, we're Christ's workmanship, his consecrated people. We are constantly renewing the image of Christ in the world.

He loves us enough to do that through us.
I think that's pretty impressive. The words sound so familiar, we know the jargon of these verses almost too much by heart that it's easy to forget their weight.
Tonight I pray that God would fill me with joy and desire to live like I'm a born-again, new woman! I pray to live my life worthy of the calling I've received to be his firstfruit.

It's quite the Good Gift. And with great gifts come great responsibility.

By his powerful love working through you to motivate and inspire you, live like you're born new today!

I hope you've enjoyed such beautiful and spring-fresh weather as we've had here this weekend. Looking forward to studying with you and being in God's Word more again this new week! :)

Love in Him,
~Cait