70 x 7

70 x 7 = 490

That is exactly how many times Jesus tells us we are to forgive people who are mean, nasty, and just plain evil towards us. Seems like an awful lot of times...so what happens when you surpass 490...do you still have to forgive?



Personally, I think by the time you reach 490, it will be so ingrained in you to forgive who ever this person or people are, you continue to do it because it has become a habit and because it is the right thing to do. Just like Jesus would.



Jesus also tells us we are to pray for our enemies and these evil people who pride themselves on causing others pain. I guess their own lives must not be so happy and cheery if they have nothing better to do than to try to cause harm and misery to others. Seriously, if their own lives were as fulfilling and happy as they say, why would they waste time on trying to harm others? It takes a lot of energy to be hateful and hate filled.



Let's face it, it isn't the easiest thing to pray for people who are mean. Honestly, what's that saying - MEAN PEOPLE SUCK? It's true, but we are still commanded to pray for them. And even if it is not heartfelt, we're still supposed to do it. Seriously, how heart felt can you get towards someone who only wants to cause you misery and pain?



God tells us to. And I am sure God knows it isn't heart felt. But I don't think that is the point. I think the point of it all is, we're being obedient to God when we do it. And I know if you continue to pray for who ever these mean people are in your life, it gets easier. And it gets more sincere. And so what if they don't even know you are praying for them, GOD KNOWS! And that is all that matters. Being obedient to my Father in Heaven.



I have the New Living Translation One Year Bible, and I've been reading it faithfully and am completely up to date on my reading. Each day before I open it I ask God to help me understand and retain what I am reading. And guess what? It is happening. I am absorbed, interested, entertained, enlighted. I AM HOOKED.



I AM HOOKED ON READING MY BIBLE!



I want to keep on reading, and I probably will start doing just that. Who knows, I may finish in less than a year!



I used to read my bible regularly, I've read thru several of the different books, but it seemed like a chore at times. I read it becuase I knew I should. But now, my heart has changed. I am enjoying getting to know my Savior even more intimately by studying His word.



Mercy, was Pharaoh a big, fat, pig headed jerk or what? I'm like, dude, seriously? Egypt's entire water system being turned into blood, frogs crawling all over the place, gnats covering everything and everybody, boils on your animals and all the people, all your livestock dropping dead, flies all over the place, the worst hail storm EVER in Egypt and you still are screwing around with God?



WHAT AN IDIOT!

I am seeking after God. Craving for an intimacy that only He can fill. And, the only way to get it is to search His word, to spend time with Him each and every day. To pray without ceasing. To talk to Him, like I was talking to a friend. Because He is my friend. And He loves me unconditionally. Forever and ever and ever and ever. HE just rocks my world and it is so stinkin' AWESOME!

I want to be more like Jesus. I want to learn to love those mean people who suck. I want to learn to turn the other cheek. Because that is what my sweet Jesus does. And I want to be like Him. And I want to be His hands and feet.

Lord, continue to break my heart for the things that break yours.

Resting in the SON,

~s

Blessed!

A couple of weeks ago I was on a photo shoot and tragedy struck.

I.DROPPED.MY.CAMERA.

I use my camera almost daily. Love seeing the world thru my camera lens. She was my BFF, my trusted companion, and I rarely went anywhere without her. Until almost three weeks ago.

I've been cameraless for almost three weeks now. My first thought - after wanting to throw up and cry - was to go right out and purchase a new camera. My subject for the day, Little Miss, was oblivious to what had happened. She was just glad I didn't have the black box in her face any more. Later that day, after sharing with the hubs about the tragedy, I got an earful from the hubs about how it should have been in the case, how I always sling that thing around, yada yada yada. He was right, of course, but it didn't help how I felt at the time.

Once I was over the shock and awe of killing my Nikon, I started researching, comparing prices, reading reviews, etc. I had been using a Nikon Coolpix L100 and it took great pictures, was automatic point and shoot, and was very user friendly. A long standing dream of mine has been to upgrade to a DSLR with the ability to change lenses. I've always told myself someday I'll take it to the next level. But for time being, my faithful Nikon point and shoot worked just fine and I just couldn't justify spending the $$ to upgrade when my camera was perfectly fine.

Then tragedy struck due to my carelessness and I was in the situation of finding a replacement. Do I go with the same thing, try something new, different brand, take it to the next level now that I was in the position of having to replace my Nikon, buy what I could afford now and make due? So I prayed about it, talked to the hubs about it, and decided to not run out and replace it right away. I would wait until I had enough $$ stashed away to buy a DSLR.

The decision felt right. Yet I felt naked without my camera. I literally have been having withdrawals. Each time Little Miss does something absolutely adorable and I can't capture it on film, goodness what am I to do?

Keeping my eyes on the prize and being patient, calculating how long it will take me to save the $$ needed to purchase the camera. I researched, compared, and finally found the camera I would be purchasing, a Pentax K-X. Once the decision was made, I felt at peace with it. Now all I have to do was be patient and continue with my saving plan so I could pay cash for it. I was adamant that I would not go into debt buying it on credit.

Then something happened. The hubs made an announcement that he was blessing me with an early Valentine's gift...

Meet my newest BFF. Isn't she pretty?

She should arrive late next week!

I.AM.SO.STINKIN'.BLESSED!

Thank you Love, you rock my world!

Resting in the SON,

~s

Fundraising Help

Are you an adopting family fundraising to bring your treasure home? Do you need some help with your fundraising efforts? If so, hop on over to onelessbrokenheart.blogspot.com. Team One Less Broken Heart is in the business of helping families with their fundraising. They aren't a huge operation, just a couple of people who love Jesus and love the orphan. Maybe they'd be able to help you bring your treasure home.

Resting in the SON,
~s

Do You Need Him? I Do

In direct contradticion to the American dream, God actually delights in exalting our inability. He intentionally puts his people in situations where they come face to face with their need for Him. In the process he powerfully demonstrates his ability to provide everything his people need in ways they could never have mustered up or imagined.

This is how God works. he puts his people in positions where they are desperate for his power, and then He shows His provision in ways that display His greatness. Radical by David Platt

Do you need HIM?

I do.

And I am so looking forward to Him showing me His provision. I want to see His greatness.

Resting in the SON,

~s

Do We Believe Him Enough?

Do you and I believe HIM enough to obey HIM and to follow HIM wherever HE leads, even when the crowds in our culture -- and maybe in our churches -- turn the other way? Radical, David Platt


Very powerful question...Do you? At all costs? Even when your family doesn't understand? Even when your bestie doesn't understand? When your spouse just doesn't get it?

Resting in the SON,
~s

WHERE ARE THE MEN?

Below is the post Lara wrote, from thefarmerswifetellsall.blogspot.com

In movies when all appears to be lost and the characters are doomed, a hero always comes riding in, slaying the dragons and saving the day. We need a few of those around here. Heroes, that is. In the form of ordinary men. I hear something very, very disturbing all too often.

At least twice a week in conversations or e-mails with other women. I would love to adopt, but my husband is just not on board. What disturbs me most is that this comment is usually made regarding Christian men. I've asked my husband to decode this for me, but I just don't get it.

Is it the whole biological connection thing? Aren't men supposed to be the heroes? Aren't they the ones that run into burning buildings to save lives (who they usually have no biological connection to?)

Aren't they the ones who fight for my freedom during times of war?

Aren't they often the ones who work from dawn to dusk to support their families?

So I don't understand what is so scary about filling out papers and raising money to give an innocent child a Daddy, especially for men who already are wonderful Dads. Where are the men?

Do you hear me, men? We need you. Yeah, you. Because although we women can accomplish just about anything, we can't be Daddies. And kids need Daddies. They need heroes. Who aren't scared of financial hurdles or traveling or homestudies. Who are willing to go wherever God leads them to be a Daddy to a child.

Do you know anyone like that?

IS TRUE LOVE COLORBLIND?

God is love - God is perfectly perfect - so how can God be colorblind?



The following was written by Tracie over at wearegraftedin.com. What an awesome rant from this mama's heart.



"On to the phrase that set me off on this little rant to begin with…though I have used it in times past, just as other well-meaning folks will likely continue to do: ”True love is colorblind.”


True love is NOT colorblind! The Bible teaches me that God is love. God? colorblind?? I don’t think so! God created us to be diverse, colorful, beautiful! He sees our colors and diversity and celebrates it! I’m thinking certainly a better phrase to spread would be, “True love celebrates color,” because that is the TRUTH!


Not for one second would I want to be colorblind! Who would, either literally speaking or metaphorically? Aren’t colors beautiful? Aren’t they what give life visual pizazz and spice? Imagine your wardrobe or your home devoid of color! I want to see those things in full color! I want to see and love people in full color!


So, let it be declared by me right here and right now: MY LOVE IS NOT COLORBLIND! I see color! I celebrate it! I LOVE IT!


As a matter of fact, I just want to openly say, “Thank you Jesus for allowing me to be part of a colorful family! Thank you for helping me to celebrate the rainbow of skin tones and hues that you so lovingly and beautifully created! Help those out there that are afraid of our differences and blinded by the lies of fear and hatred to see and love in full color!”"



Resting in the SON,

~s