Thursday, November 05, 2009

Dying Words, One

Dying words and legacies have interested me for some time...especially comparing those who know Christ and those who die on their way to hell and still in their sins. I am going to start a sort of series of posts on dying words of note, IMHO.

"Waiting are they? Waiting are they? Well--let 'em wait."
In response to an attending doctor who attempted to comfort him by saying, "General, I fear the angels are waiting for you." - Ethan Allen, d. 1789

"This is the last of earth! I am content." - John Quincy Adams, d. February 21, 1848

"See in what peace a Christian can die." - Joseph Addison, d. June 17, 1719

"Damn it . . . Don't you dare ask God to help me."
To her housekeeper, who had begun to pray aloud. - Joan Crawford, d. May 10, 1977

"It is very beautiful over there." - Thomas Alva Edison, d. October 18, 1931

"All my possessions for a moment of time." - Elizabeth I, Queen of England, d. 1603

"All is lost. Monks, monks, monks! So, now all is gone - Empire, Body, and Soul!" - Henry VIII, King of England, d. 1547

"Why do you weep. Did you think I was immortal?" - Louis XIV, King of France, d. 1715

"Lord help my poor soul." - Edgar Allan Poe, d. October 7, 1849

"I die hard but am not afraid to go." - George Washington, d. December 14, 1799

"I am ready." - Woodrow Wilson, d. 1924

"This is no time to make new enemies." When asked on his deathbed to forswear Satan. Other sources say his final words were “I am abandoned by God and man! I will give you half of what I am worth if you will give me six months’ life. Then I shall go to hell; and you will go with me. O Christ! O Jesus Christ!” - Voltaire, d. 1778

"Wait a minute…" - Pope Alexander VI

"I am not the least afraid to die." - Charles Darwin

"I've always loved my wife, my children, and my grandchildren, and I've always loved my country. I want to go. God, take me." - Dwight D. Eisenhower

"I shall be with Christ, and that is enough."Being asked: "Have you ever pondered by yourself what will be your occupation in the next world?". - Michael Faraday

"Nothing soothes pain like human touch." - Bobby Fischer

"Das ist absurd! Das ist absurd!" (German) Translation: This is absurd! This is absurd! - Sigmund Freud

"Money can't buy life." - Bob Marley

"Die, my dear? Why, that's the last thing I'll do!" - Groucho Marx

"Let me have none of your popish stuff. Get away with you. Good morning."
Spoken to two clergymen who were trying to lead the famous Deist in a deathbed conversion. - Thomas Paine

"Every damn fool thing you do in this life you pay for." - Edith Piaf

"I'm losing..." - Frank Sinatra

"The sun is God." - J. M. W. Turner

"Don't pull down the blinds. I feel fine. I want the sunlight to greet me!" - Rudolph Valentino

"The best of all is: God is with us." - John Wesley

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

How My Life Is Going

WOW. A few of my friends told me they admired how brave it was for me to go to Oklahoma on my own. "Pshaw!" I thought. How hard could it be? Travelling 2,000 miles away from my family and husband - not to mention my seventeen year old rebellious daughter whom I love and adore - on my own with very limited funds, and only the promise of more to come...no job waiting for me, no house or apartment (I wanted to see what I was leasing!), and four kids in tow...one of them a very angry fifteen year old who tells me daily how much she hates me, her family, Oklahoma...and everyone in general. How bad could it be?

Well, the apartment we were going to move into (for $199 through a move-in special) was a dive! Kicked in doors in a very bad area of town...live there?! I was scared to even drive through! So we turned a two night hotel stay into a weeklong stay, and I explored OKC...finally settling in a little town that reminds me of the community in Shaftsbury, VT. Larger, yes...but low in crime, good schools, and seemingly quiet. Of course...with they house lease came a lot more bills...utility deposits...first and last month full rents (no move in specials!)...and my money dwindled rapidly. On top of all of this...the place was overrun with roaches!! I don't mean a roach here and there. I mean we bombed, the landlord bombed...we bombed again...the landlord paid for spraying....and then we bombed again...delaying our move out of the hotel by another three days. The first night in we killed over 100 roaches. They were in the bed with us at night! Coming from Vermont...I never had to deal with roaches!

The landlord promised to fix a few broken things, and that the roaches would leave in time. Two weeks later, I was still killing up to 50 a night. I roamed the house with a can of raid and a roll of TP to flush those roaches away with every night...and got very little sleep! Little by little I noticed their numbers decreasing. Last night I only killed five. The landlord has fixed most of the things he promised to fix; the doorbell, the bathroom fan, and the smoke detector still need to be repaired. I still can't use the kitchen (could you?!)...so we are eating out of the car. Hmmm...I wonder what the neighbors think when I am outside at 7am making peanut butter sandwhiches for the kid's lunches out of the back of the car? Iiiiinteresting.

My husband is NO HELP at all, as he laughs - yes LAUGHS - when I tell him of our moving adventures. This is not funny. He asks me what would I do if he was called to Costa Rica - is that where they have the giant hissing cockroaches? Well...that is true - it could be worse. But...this is bad enough. On top of all the roach problems...the teen drama is still occuring. They grow out of this right?! The roaches are dying...and the exterminators are coming to spray some different (and they say very stinky) chemical to help kill any of our brain cells which have survived the 7 giant size cans of Raid I have used so far - and the four large cans of Boric Acid I have sprinkled everywhere imaginable in the house. We used the kitchen for the first time a few nights ago to microwave some Ramen noodles...and I think we can start using it soon...things are getting better. Right? Somebody tell me "Right".

Monday, October 12, 2009

Friday, September 18, 2009

Monday, September 14, 2009

Old Bibles

Bible Senders www.thebiblesenders.info is a IFB ministry based out of Walworth Baptist Church in Ulen, MN Our goals is to send Bibles (KJV), tracts, and other scripture to needy missionaries around the world. We accept used Bibles, good Bible based literature, dvds, cds, etc.

We also have a sister ministry www.afterdeathwhat.com which seeks to produce high quality tracts. All materials are free as the Lord provides.


Visit their Facebook page here: Facebook

Visit their website here: Website

If you have old Bibles, consider taking up a collection of them, and sending them off to be used!

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Loving Mercy


Lately God has been showing me the truth in Micah 6:8. I am a disciplinarian. It's how I was raised. I see things very much as black or white - wrong or right. While this worked great with my kids when they were little, as they get older, the stubborn streak they inherited from both parents (as well as a sin nature!) balks against a heavy hand. My husband is much more gentle, patient, and teaching with them. And it shows as they get older, and start to prefer his company over mine. Boy, does that hurt!

God works with us all of our lives, molding us into the image of His Son, the Bible says. What he has been teaching me of late is to love mercy. Today's Proverb dealt with this as well. Training up a child doesn't always mean pinching off every flaw and tiny mark of sin. Sometimes it means gently guiding, having the patience to allow the child to come to the right conclusion in their own time, and not forcing your own "perfect will" on the emerging "plant".

Think of a garden. How well would our plants grow if every time we saw a bug infestation on them, we trampled the spout while killing the bugs? Or how sickly would the plant be if we were constantly pinching off any weak or unsightly new growth before it had a chance to correct itself? Part of this is having the faith in God and His Word, that you have sown the right seeds. You have watered, and weeded, and now it is time to step back a little...not completely. The plants may still need to be tied to stakes, powdered for mildew, or picked up if a windstorm knocks them over. But a plant that is never allowed to stand on it's own, will never be strong.

What does this have to do with loving mercy? Mercy is not giving someone what they have rightly deserved. Does your child deserve a punishment for breaking a house rule? Yes. Do they know the rules? Yes. Did they break them? Yes. But instead of a harsh hand, I am watching my husband get real results with a quiet talk, and if the action is apologized for and repented of, showing them mercy.

"WHAT!?!?" I thought. "No punishment! No consequences!? Isn't that sending the wrong message that they can do wrong and get away with it?!?!" Until my husband gently reminded me of all the things I had done wrong to him...and he forgave and showed mercy in. I have a good man. And a good God to teach me, that sometimes, I lack in showing mercy.

Finally, (I have noticed this is a pattern with me) a song (surprise!) came to mind. It is a song that my husband actually taught me twenty years ago in Bible college. Micah 6:8 "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? " You can hear it here: CLICK

Monday, September 07, 2009

Letter From a Friend

"Don't worry about people having their own choice and free will. When God works a sinner can change his mind in a hurry."

I have been going through a lot of trials in my life regarding my two teenage daughters, ages 15 and 17. Trying to do the right thing, I have been in a lot of prayer, and although I know God can have the victory, I have been somewhat defeated by the thought that even though I could pray until my knees bleed, they still have free choice. I think I have gotten sidetracked with that thought. Today I got a letter from a missionary friend who says that churches in America are weak and have no power. He has seen things that he only ever read about here in America. He constantly encourages me to pray more - and a key of prayer is faith. If I am praying that God will intervene and change hearts...but then I fret about free will...am I having any faith? I am still working through all this, but I do know that the above quote gave me some peace and hope...and I wanted a place to post it where I could remember it.

It kind of reminded me of a song I learned when I was young:

When the Canaanites hardened their hearts against God,
And grieved Him because of their sin,
God sent along hornets to bring them to terms,
And to help His own people to win.

If a nest of live hornets were brought to this room,
And the creatures allowed to go free,
You would not need urging to make yourself scarce,
You’d want to get out, don’t you see!

They would not lay hold and by force of their strength,
Throw you out of the window, oh, no!
They would not compel you to go against your will,
But they would just make you willing to go.

When Jonah was sent to the work of the Lord,
The outlook was not very bright.
He never had done such a hard thing before,
So he backed and ran off from the fight.

Now, the Lord sent a great fish to swallow him up,
The story I am sure you all know.
God did not compel him to go against his will,
But He just made him willing to go.

CHORUS:
God does not compel us to go, oh, no!
He never compels us to go.
God does not compel us to go against our will,
But He just makes us willing to go.

Monday, August 10, 2009

My new favorite song (yes, it's on the playlist!)

Many years ago I gave my heart to You,/I humbly asked You, Lord, to lead in all I'd do;/But now the burdens seem so heavy You've given me to bear,/Before I press on any farther, I need to know that You're still there.

ch Lord, if Your presence go not with me, I don't want to go;/And if Your Spirit is not leading me, Lord, I need to know./You have placed me here, I'll do Your will, Your love I'll try to show;/But if Your presence go not with me I don't want to go.

2. You've been so good to me I don't mean to complain:/You've healed my heartaches, dried my tears, and soothed my pain./And I'm still willing, Lord, to follow, no matter where You lead;/I'm only asking for assurance that You'll still be near to me.

ch Lord, if Your presence go not with me, I don't want to go;/And if Your Spirit is not leading me, Lord, I need to know./You have placed me here, I'll do Your will, Your love I'll try to show;/But if Your presence go not with me I don't want to go.

3. He said, "My child, I have a place for you, and here you can abide;/I'll be your Friend, your Cleft, I'll cover you, I'm still your Faithful Guide,/I'll keep you safe through all your storms and doubts, in Me you can confide.../I have a special place for you, my child, it's here close by My side.

I'll keep you safe through all your storms and doubts, in Me you can confide.../I have a special place for you, my child, it's here close by My side.

Sunday, August 09, 2009

Finishing Well

What do you think of when you hear the name Miriam? She was intelligent, resourceful, and a leader. I have known women to say of someone like this, "When she walks into a room, strength walks in". Miriam faithfully watched her little brother by the river's brink. She bravely offered help and wisely suggested her own mother to nurse baby Moses. In Exodus 15, we find her leading the other women in praise to the Lord. She was a prophetess according to verse 20, yet shortly thereafter, she oversteps her boundaries, speaks against her brother Moses, and God swiftly puts her in her place.

In Numbers 12 we read of a terrible humbling she endured. She spoke against Moses for marrying an Ethiopian woman, and then asks this question, "Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us?". Was she jealous of the attention Moses was getting? Did she desire a higher place of leadership? Was the complaint against his wife just an excuse used to tear him down in order to make herself look better? For whatever reason, the Bible makes a note of recording, "And the LORD heard it."

The Lord was not pleased with her attack on his servant, Moses. He made it very clear to her in verses 6-8: "...If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches..."

While the prophets saw visions and dreams, Moses spoke to God face to face! God's judgement fell on her, and Miriam became a leper. Even though Moses prayed and God removed her leprosy, she was shamed for seven days as a leper: "...the LORD said unto Moses, If her father had but spit in her face, should she not be ashamed seven days? let her be shut out from the camp seven days, and after that let her be received in again."

Miriam had held an honored place next to her brothers Aaron and Moses. She was a prophetess of God! The women obviously looked up to her, and followed her lead as she praised God. But after she faltered here, you never read of Miriam in the Bible again. Was she restored? Did she learn her lesson and go on to serve the Lord? It is important that we are careful not to think more of ourselves than we ought. Jesus was meek. Moses was meek. "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble".

As we serve Him, we need to be careful not to let pride, arrogance, jealousy, and bitterness ruin our testimony, shame us before others, and falter in the race God has left us to run. Rather, humbly and meekly we should serve the Lord, in our place, building up one another, and submitting to those in authority over us, so that we can one day say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith".

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

..."the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong..."

We just returned from a trip around the US and were able to catch up with many old friends we had not seen in about twenty years, since graduating from Bible college in 1991. It was interesting to see that those who may have been written off humanly speaking, are often the ones who are at the forefront of the spiritual battle we are all fighting: pastoring churches, leading ministries, working in missions, etc.

Some of the people I thought were once on fire for the Lord, who had everything going for them, natural born leaders, wit, brains...people I could see leading a sweeping revival across America...are not even in the ministry anymore. Erasing every Christian identification from themselves, they work in a worldly field...promoting a cigarette company, selling casinos trinkets, or some other small task that they have settled to complete. They no longer serve the mighty King of kings, and their focus is no longer on working for their old Master until He returns.

The pilgrim way is rough..full of blessings, accomplishable in Christ, free from regrets...but it is still a hard way. There are pilgrims who leave the way, Christians who make shipwreck, and children who go astray and roam far from the will of God. Only God knows the heart. God knew who would follow Him, and who would serve Him all the days of their lives. He takes the weak things of the world and makes them strong building blocks that He works with here on earth to accomplish eternal works in heaven. It was sad to see some people I was so impressed by, who I thought could make great strides for God, wasted by the world into an ineffectual nothing for the Lord..but also encouraging to think that in Him we can do all things. He can take nothing, and mold it into something useable...someone who will allow Him to work through themselves and create a lasting work of God.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Another Plunge of Faith!


The old line "only one life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last" was brought to mind today, and I went off (across the wide expanse of the www) to track down who it was that coined this popular phrase. I found a whole poem existed I never even knew about.

Only One Life
By Charles Thomas Studd,
Missionary to China, India, and Africa

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgment seat;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
Living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, “Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say ’twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’ twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

I also found a page of other noteworthy quotes of his here, and the one that spoke to me the most was: "The best cure for discouragement or qualms is another daring plunge of faith."

Our family is facing deep discouragement on many sides, yet the sweetest peace I find is when I "let go, and let God" (I wonder who coined that phrase?) - when I stop trying, and failing, to control the ravenges around me...and just trust God to work it all for good, Romans 8:28. Without trials, our faith stagnates. Without obstacles to overcome, we slow to a hobble in the ruts of the road. Without enemies to test us, tempters to try us, and deserters to leave us, how can we know how strong our faith really can be? A "daring pluge of faith"? Are you SURE LORD? Ok! Here I go!

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Was that kind?

This is the question I have been asking myself lately. If you have been saved any length of time, you know that God does not always do things the "quick and easy way"...sometimes He does things the long and tedious way...the way that builds character in various lives along the way. There is usually a section of verse that kind of gets "stuck" in my head from a sermon, and it just sits there for a few weeks, and it slowly changes me from the inside out. Pastor preached on Mothers Day on Proverbs 31...or maybe it was a radio preacher? Anyway, somewhere I heard this verse...one I have read probably literally a hundred times before, but this time it stuck: "and in her tongue is the law of kindness."

The law of kindness. Wow. It sounds so serious...so important! Is the law of kindness in my tongue? The tongue is a difficult thing to control..surely that is true even according to James...but if I can do one thing, it is to try to make every word I say be kind.

Sometimes kindness is not saying what someone wants to hear. Agreeing with error may be "nice", but it is not kind. Sometimes it is very hard to be kind when you are being treated unfairly, or thought evil of. At those times, I need to not say anything. Like Thumper's mother always told him..."If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all!" Kind words can even be hurtful, considering one of my all time favorite verses: "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." Confrontational loving and careful, Spirit-led correction, can wound, yet be kind.

However, the majority of time, kind words should be just that: kind. Gentle, sweet, nice - I ask myself, and I hope to make this a habit, "Was that kind?"

Thursday, May 28, 2009

But He sought us where we were...




I love this line of a song (I will add a link so you can hear the song). It is a beautiful song, but lately, the third verse about Jesus our Shephard brings a tear of gratitude to my eye. As I go through life, the images and icons I am drawn to change, but lately it has been Jesus as my Shepherd. I never grasped the full meaning of this thought before, but He is a loving and kind, caring Guide, and such a good, good, wonderful Shepherd, who will bring us SAFELY HOME TO GOD! (Amen!) Here are the words to the song, I hope you take the time to listen to it, and I hope it blesses you too.

He was wounded for our transgressions,
He bore our sins in His body on the tree;
For our guilt He gave us peace,
From our bondage gave release,
And with His stripes,
and with His stripes,
And with His stripes our souls are healed.

He was numbered among transgressors,
We did esteem Him forsaken by His God;
As our sacrifice He died,
That the law be satisfied,
And all our sin,
and all our sin,
And all our sin was laid on Him.

We had wandered, we all had wandered
Far from the fold of "the Shepherd of the sheep";
But He sought us where we were,
On the mountains bleak and bare,
And bro't us home,
and bro't us home,
And bro't us safely home to God.


Music HERE

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Found a different player!

The old one changed to 30 second clips (boo!!), now this one...we'll see how it does.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Well, I have SUCCUMBED!

I don't like to autoplay music on my blogs, but I found such a great autoplayer and playlist, I am adding it to this blog - http://water05201.blogspot.com/. It's at the bottom and we'll see how it goes. My apologies in advance to dial up users!! I know I hated autoplaying blogs when I was on dialup, but I'm only adding it to this one, my most personal, blog. :) I don't think anyone reads it but me anyway! It does have an easy to find OFF button if that helps? :)

Monday, February 02, 2009

Petition

What would happen if President Obama signed the Freedom of Choice Act?

If signed, the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) would wipe away every restriction on abortion nationwide. It would eradicate state and federal laws that the majority of Americans support, such as:

- Bans on Partial Birth Abortion
- Requirements that women be given information about the risks of getting an abortion
- Mandates that only licensed physicians can perform abortions
- Parental notification laws requiring consent for a minor's abortion



FOCA would erase these laws and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future.
President Obama made a promise to Planned Parenthood that they expect him to keep.

"The first thing I'd do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing I'd do." - Barack Obama


Sign here: http://www.fightfoca.com/

Friday, January 30, 2009

Salvation: it's about a relationship, not a religion.

When my grandmom died, we went to Virginia for her memorial service, and while there did a little sightseeing. One of the things we visited, was the house my sister was born in (that's her and hubby), and I was saved in at the age of four.

I usually was allowed to sleep though the service, and I woke up for the end...and the preacher was giving the plan of salvation, and mentioned during the invitation that you could not be saved until you knew you were a sinner. Well, I really really wanted to be saved...but what could I do? I was NOT a sinner!! (this is a four year old's mind) Only one thing to do..I'd better get to sinning. And quick!

We lived on an old farm/cattle ranch, and we had to pass through cow gates to reach our home. At each one, my mom would turn to me and say "Now you stay in the car! I'll be right back", and go open the gate, drive through, and lock the gate again. Well, I thought this was the perfect chance to become a sinner!

I stepped out of the car..and right into a cow patty! My mom was furious, took me home, spanked my bottom, and sent me to my room. It was bugging her that I was not crying, but seemed pleased to be punished, so she crept up the stairs to spy on me. I was kneeling by my bed, telling Jesus I was a sinner, and would He please wash away my sins and save me so I could go to heaven?

Well, my dad brought me down to the couch, and explained things to me, and talked about a lot of big words like "redemption" and "transgression" that I can clearly remember not understanding, but although I can't remember much of my childhood, I remember details about that day like the color of the fabric on the couch where I got saved, November 24, 1974. Baptized the next Sunday night in church.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." - John 3:16-20

"But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed." - Romans 10:8-11

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Roe Vs. Wade - Jan. 22 - Remember



ROE v. WADE. Decided January 22, 1973
"...the blood of the innocent on their hands..."
Wars, poverty, abortions, starving children, pain, broken homes, abuse and hurt. Jesus can save. God can forgive.

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

KJV Devos thoughts

Today's Bible reading at http://kjvdevos.blogspot.com/ makes me think about the tithe. I have heard many things online from those who do not believe tithing is for Christians, or who do not give to their church on a regular basis. However, in today's reading in seems so clear to me what the tithe is for...not a "jewish law", but a principle that transcends one time period or one group of people. That principle is found in this passage: "Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year. And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the place which he shall choose to place his name there, ...that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always."

The passage goes on for some time, but this thought is then related: "that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them."

The thoughts I bring from today's passage are that the tithe is God's way of training us to fear the Lord, and put Him first. When we do, it clears the way for Him to then bless us as obedient children, and to take pity on us when we are in trouble, because we fear Him. As a mom, I can relate to this thought. Sometimes just my children submitting to a rule, makes me have pity on them and softens my heart to their needs and even their desires. Sometimes I think the reason God set up humans to procreate the way we do, is so we can see firsthand how He sees our relationship, and understand just a little the way He deals with us.

I also like the way the reading ties into Psalm 103:13-22.