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fermented drinks

I finished up this weeks BSF homework just now and I’m mulling over a few scriptures that I read. I just love when the Lord does that to me! So I’ve placed them on notecards and will meditate on them over the next few days. But I want some of your thoughts on one set of scriptures in particular. The passage is from Luke 1:13-15. It says:

But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and a delight to you and many will rejoice because of his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from birth.”

What struck me as odd was that this passage was filled with the joy of a new birth, a long awaited son that Zechariah thought might not ever come. (he was gettin up there ya’ll) And then mysteriously the sentence, “he is never to take wine or other fermented drink”, was added in. Why warn Zechariah of that? Look at what follows, “and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from birth“. So here are my thoughts, take them for what they’re worth. I think that God warned Zechariah that John was never to drink wine, because it would inhibit the work that the Holy Spirit would do through John. There are many things in our life that de-rail us from walking the path God has for us. Be it alchohol, drugs, addictions, even gossip. Anything that would take the place of what God wants us to do, could be our “fermented drink”. I think God warned for John to not partake in the wine because John had an amazing job to do. John was part of God’s plan for the life of Jesus. John’s ministry would be instrumental in the carrying out of God’s will for Jesus’ life. Therefore John could not be inhibited by anything. Basically the boy had to have a clear head in order to do what God wanted him to do. (that’s Texas talk ya’ll). I like that God got right down to it. Laid it out and said, don’t let him do that because he’s got ME in him. (emphasis mine) Makes me think of the dumb things I do that I know are not in God’s purpose for my life. What “fermented drinks” have I put between myself and following God’s direction? Is there something, even one small thing, that I have allowed myself to partake in that would muddy up the communication line from God’s lips to my heart?

Lord how I pray that you would show me what keeps me from doing what you have planned for me to do. Show it and remove it, Lord. I don’t want anything, big or small, to stand between me and the awesome plan you have for my life. I don’t want the “fermented drink, I want You! Help me each day to stand up and make the choice for you and not creature comforts. Take those things I put before myself to stumble on and toss them aside. Whatever cup you have for me, I want to drink it in.

mother’s day out

Well the boy will be starting Mother’s Day Out next week. I am really excited about it. I have been pretty stressed over the past few weeks and have been finding it hard to get some “me” time. So I called and the class has ONE open spot and if we want it, it’s ours. So he’s signed up and will go every Tuesday from 9:00 – 2:30. And now that it’s set and he’s in… I have to admit I’m feeling some guilt. False guilt, but it’s there none the less. I know to be a good mother I have to take care of myself, and being stressed out most of the day doesn’t do any of us any good. So I know that’s a plus. I just feel a bit guilty that I’m doing this more for me than for Daniel. He will love it, I have no doubt. I had a choice to either do Music day or Motor Lab day and I didn’t even think twice. The boy loves music. With a passion more on fire than mine, the boy LOVES his music. I guess it’s just that I haven’t ever sent him to something like this. I know we both need it though, so we’re excited! And the best part is that his Moms Day Out class will be at the same church that our Wednesday BSF is at. So he’ll be in the same place both days. It’s worked out great and so I guess instead of allowing false guilt to cloud this fun day, I’m going to put on some music and praise God for working this all out in the span of 4 hours. Man, He is FAST! Pray for deliverance from stress and, BAM – here it is.

What will I do with my time?? All of you that have had kids in Mother’s Day Out… what did you do? Clean house? Read? Shop? Gimme some ideas!

you can quote me on that

Oh my goodness! I’ve been quoted in the paper! How fun! Last week our newspaper put out a call for submissions on the after life. The article was titled, “What Happens When We Die?”. Well I couldn’t pass up the opportunity! I sent in a fairly long submission and in it I outlined step by step how to become a Christian. I also gave permission to print all or some of the article so long as what was printed remained in tact. (didn’t want any mis-quoting, especially with a subject of this magnitude!) Well I didn’t hear back so I assumed that meant they weren’t going to use my submission. Durn it. But then today my mom e-mailed me and told me I was quoted! I don’t get the paper, we usually buy one on the way home from church, but the boy was sick today so we didn’t go to church today. (first Sunday missed in 8 months! EEK!) So I had to wait until Scott got home from work for a paper. Finally, FINALLY, he gets home with the paper and I tear in. My beautifully written, spell checked twice, elegant submission was reduced down to one line. At first I was dissapointed but then I read and re-read the line that he’d quoted me on and now I’m pretty happy with the one-liner that he took out of what I sent in. So gals, here’s the link:

http://reporternews.com/news/2007/sep/29/the-after-life/

And you can find my quote 3rd from the bottom. I do recommend reading the entire article though. It was really neat hearing what others thought about the afterlife. Although (as I’m quite sure you will also) I am now praying for several of the people that wrote in.

new to me

okay, so I’m trying out WordPress and I gotta say, I kinda like it. Not that it’s much different from my regular blog, but it’s really user-friendly. Which works out great for a non-computer-savy person like myself. So here goes, I’m taking the plunge and will try out WordPress. Wish me luck!