There's An Individual In the Way

I just finished reading from God's Word and was not going to post this morning, but the Lord impressed me with such a wonderful comparison, that I thought I'd share it with you. Of course, I may not be able to put it into words but will try. The thought between 'individuality' and 'personality' was the basis. The Scripture was 

Matthew 16:24, "Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man  will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." 

I also read a statement in a devotional by Chambers, which said, "Individuality is the husk of the personal life." I remember VERY well being an 'individual' as a teenager and dealing with that individuality as a young believer. Still at times it rears up in defiance at me and at the Lord! The comparison came when I read 

John 17:22 "That they may be one, even as we are one." 

I had a personality deep down inside me, something that had been forming since the day that I was conceived in the womb. Having come to know Jesus Christ at the age of 16, this personality had already built up a tough husk of individuality, through choices and rebellions that I had made and allowed. Even as a new believer I hesitated to let Christ take that crusty husk away! When Jesus came in He wanted my personality to be conformed to His person; that I may be one with Him and with the Father. What a blessing! 

I think of this fiddlehead fern, breaking through the earth. Before it's beautiful green color appeared and before it could be used up to its potential and purpose for growing, it had to break through the ugly brown husk under which it had been 'protected' from the elements under the earth.

After hearing of the tragic events of  yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with these families who lost such young children. I could not help but think of the shooter though; the act of him truly "losing his life" in the Lord Jesus Christ would have prevented him from being so caught up in his own individuality that he would take precious lives into his own hands and end them so viciously. Every day we hear of happenings that would never have occurred if the individuals had given their hearts, their 'persons' over to  the salvation of Christ. 

I am just thankful to know Him and to know that He would even WANT me to be "one" with Him!

Aren't you?

I hope that you all have a sunny Winter day, and thanks for coming to the chilly Hill this morning.

Early Morning Rambles

The temperatures are in the teens this morning but it feels much colder. My car sat at the post office yesterday, covered in snow. It was just chilly enough for it not to melt off most all day. People came in asking, "where had YOUR car been?" as there was no snow down in town. This will not be the case soon, as our little village is notorious for having snow when others do not. It is hard to believe that we are 1/3 way through December already!

I could hear the frigid temperature under the dog's feet this morning when they went out at 4:45. The still-clinging snow was crunching under their steps. It was not long before they returned to the door, perhaps not so much from the cold - but that they were ready to eat!  Then just before I leave for work, they watch me get a little "treat" prepared in their doggie bone (though, Ruger will go with me today and tomorrow). Knowing they're getting that before I head out keeps them near the house and not following their noses, off to the neighbor's compost pile. Lately they have even been getting a little mouthful of food before we head up to bed at night; it was suggested to us because Ruger was having trouble with acids in his stomach, causing him to throw up in the middle of the night. Since we started with the handful of food before bed, we haven't had one episode. ANYWAY, they seem to think now that every time they come back through the door, it's time to eat! I wonder who's fault that is...hmm.

In their positions, ready to eat; NO, those are not bibs (:

The same chill is creeping over our floor. I am happy to have a couple mornings, mid week, to spend more time curled up in the blanket to read from the Word and pray. The woodstove is doing its work and we are SO thankful for the free hardwood that comes from Syd's workplace. It's clean, hot-burning scrap wood. My hubby even left me the full pot of coffee today (it's a tiny pot), as the coffee is "all" (my Grammy, from Pennsylvania Dutch country would leave off the "gone") so that I could enjoy two cups this morning, while he got his at the Mini-mart on the way to work. What a sweetie! He knew that this Wednesday morning, away from the post office, would not be complete without that second cup of coffee. Have I ever mentioned how thoughtful he is?

"Meeting with new friends" is another bonus of going to work with Cyndy
Here, a little fawn that he met last Spring

The verdict is still out as to whether I love this new "position" at work. I did my first stamp order yesterday (I've done them before, but it was over 8 years ago when I did an "OIC" detail in a nearby town). It's a joy to have two days "off", mid-week. Though I do work at my little bookkeeping job, I can start later and am only there until about 1:00 p.m. on those days. This is the place where Ruger can come along and enjoy the woods and fields, able to bark to his heart's content. Little Sturm is safer in his kennel at home, as he doesn't pay heed to boundaries nearly as well.

Yes, a lazy morning

This is truly a rambling post! I have not posted in almost a week and I guess, just felt like thanking the Lord for a lazy morning. It is now 6:30 and I still don't have to be rushing off to dress or fix my hair.

The computer seems to be cold also. I haven't been able to get the pictures to show up where I want them, on the page!

  

I Corinthians 15:10 "But by the grace of God I am what I am; and His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."

I am thankful for this testimony of Paul and was reminded that we Christians should not be in the habit of exclaiming how incompetent we are. God has made us saints, completely able to work for Him, by the grace of God which is in us. Paul admitted that he was not worthy to be called an apostle because he had persecuted the Church of God but he went on to exclaim, "by the grace of God, I am what I am"! How true, it is only by the grace of God that we can be saved and used of Him. That He would even think upon us and send His Son to shed His blood and die on the cross for humans, who did not love Him, is hard to imagine. But since He has saved me, I ought not to slander Him with my impertinence; but declare that He has made me a saint and I'll be fully willing to be used in any way He sees fit. This was a blessed morning with the Lord and I'm glad you stopped by to read a rambling post.

Take care.