22
Jun '19
Thankful for the Scars
22
Jun '19
As was driving to work the other day, the song “Scars” by “I Am They” came on the radio and although I’ve heard this song many, many times, this particular morning it grabbed my attention more than usual:
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22
Jun '19
The Other “John 3:16”
22
Jun '19
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16
It is far better to give than to receive. That was something my mom taught me when I was little. As I look back, I reflected on those times that made me the happiest. It was usually around birthdays. My favorite Read more…
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22
Jun '19
In Awe of our Savior
22
Jun '19
I am amazed each and every day at what God does in my life. I’m just a simple person working to survive just like everyone else. When we stop and think about it, we’re all in the same boat. The only reason any of us make it through is because of God. We sure can’t take credit for any of it. He gave it all. He provides it all. I am in awe every day because I see Him in action in my life. He gives me the stamina to keep moving, Read more…
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15
Jun '19
The Miraculous You
15
Jun '19
Those of you that know me well, know I’ve set my house up as a smart home. Lights come on and go off based on motion or voice control, and also based on automations I have set up. One of my automations involves the master bathroom, where I have a vanity with 3 lights to light the room. This is the automation rule when motion is detected, based on a sensor in that bathroom: “If it’s after 10:30pm or before 5:45am, turn on the middle light only at 50%. If it’s after 5:45am or before 10:30pm, turn on all 3 lights at 100%”. This automation is helpful at 3am when I don’t want to get blasted with 180 watts of light, and instead only get a dim light of approximately 30 watts. (Note: If it were the left or right light only, that would set off an OCD-type reaction in me, so that’s why it’s the middle light that I choose to dim). 🙂
Wednesday morning of last week I had something going on at work where I had to get up earlier than normal. Since it wasn’t quite yet 5:45am, I was using the dim light to start getting ready for work. Once 5:45am came around and I was still in the bathroom, the automation was updated, the sensor continued to detect motion, and all 3 lights came on at 100% brightness. In the dim light I couldn’t tell, but once all the lights came on at 100%, I could see my pupils were hugely dilated. Since I had eye surgery a few weeks ago (and am very conscious of anything “different” with my eyes right now), I was a bit concerned as to why (not initially thinking that’s how our eyes work), but as a few seconds went by, my pupils quickly became smaller and more “normal”.
In that moment, I was reminded, and immediately amazed at God’s workmanship. In dim lighting, He made our eyes so detailed that our pupils would get larger so we would be able to see better in low-light, and in bright lighting, they get smaller so we can see better in brighter light.
Who, besides God, would’ve been able to figure all of this out? We surely didn’t “bang” into existence as the “Big Bang Theory” theorizes. As an example, since I work for a company that is involved in autonomous vehicles, it’s a struggle trying to figure out how all of this is going to work together automatically. It takes many, many teams of very skilled people (over long periods of time) to try to figure all of this out. It’s been years, and we’re still trying to figure it out. It doesn’t just “happen”.
Of course, we have sensor lights that come on at dusk and go off at dawn, which to some would seem like a similar thing as pupils doing their job; but once you add eyesight as a whole into the equation, it takes it up a notch, doesn’t it? I also recently heard in Bible study that our eyes actually take in what we see upside down, and then our brain flips it right side up. There’s something else to think on.
I know this blog isn’t anything earth shattering, but as I’m writing it, I’m hopeful that it makes you think on the intricacies of how God created you. Your blood. Your veins. Your organs. Your skin. Your muscles. Your nerves. Your fingers and toes. Your touch, smell, hearing, taste, and what we’ve been talking about – your sight. All of it works together, miraculously perfectly. How could that be? How much more intricate is our body than an autonomous vehicle – and if we didn’t exist prior to God creating us (which we didn’t), who then, besides God, was around and able to create us? It wasn’t scientists or engineers working together over long periods of time trying to figure it all out – because scientists or engineers didn’t exist; humans didn’t exist.
For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well. – Psalm 139:13-14 NIV
So, as I had been praying for God to reveal something for me to blog about earlier in the week, this thing came about last Wednesday and made me remember and think upon just how intricate and special God made us, and reminded me to think upon, and thank Him for making me, me!
P.S. That last sentence pairs nicely with a song we sing in the Awana Children’s Ministry. You can listen to it here: The Butterfly Song
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~Dena
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About Dena:
“First and foremost, I’m a Daughter of the King and a long-time Christ follower. I’m also a dog mom who enjoys reading Christian books, cardio drumming, traveling often, and I’m a bit of a techie geek. My life has seen its fair share of curve-balls and I’ve found that I’ve become closer to Christ in each trial as He’s comforted me and shown me that I can solely put my faith and trust in Him. 2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT says “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” I feel thankful and blessed for the messes in my life – as they have brought me closer to Him.”
#NoMessNoMessage
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15
Jun '19
Brain Fog
15
Jun '19
Staying focused on God is what I strive to do. So often our thoughts can drift and we begin to occupy our minds with worry and stress that take away from God’s intention for us. It’s easy to do. We can be working and let our minds get way ahead of where we’re at, and then we become worried about things that are not in our control. We can really start to drag our endurance down and lose sight of the good that God has Read more…
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15
Jun '19
Spiritual Tightrope
15
Jun '19
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do,
and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do,
and He will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6
There is a tight rope to walk when walking the path of worldly and Godly righteousness. I struggle when there are two sides of seemingly the same godly coin. For example, I was reading an article about protests having no place in Christianity. It used the verses of James 5 to emphasize this stating, “Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in Read more…
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15
Jun '19
A Call for Diligence
15
Jun '19
Written by: Mark Culp
Hebrews 5:14 NASB – ” But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.”
It has been awhile since I’ve written anything, but lately I have been burdened with a call for diligence. Diligence in prayer, diligence in reading His word, diligence in seeking Christ. He is my Savior, so it’s not in a “seeking Him to be found” way, but a striving to know Him more.. to know truth. Truth is under assault in Read more…
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08
Jun '19
Transformation
08
Jun '19
God’s blessings have always taken me through life. He’s made everything possible for me according to His will. Certainly, I’ve drifted away and taken my own route plenty of times, and fallen flat on my face. He’s always been right there to lift me up and guide me in the right direction. He created me, He knew my destination from the start. He knew all the trials I would face, He knew the heartbreak, He knew the hurt, He knew that I would be this determined person that was going to do things my way regardless of what Read more…
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08
Jun '19
The (Vacation) Table
08
Jun '19
I just got back from a vacation from a small island called Seabrook Island in South Carolina. Just south of Charleston, this is a small island, only 6 miles in diameter – but delivers big with huge private beaches and amazing views of the Atlantic. What an amazing place to visit. Time just seems to slow to a turtle’s pace as my whole body just relaxes into God’s creations on this little tiny island paradise. I’ve visited this island every year (except one!) since 2005, and not only am I blessed to be able to go to such a beautiful place, I’m blessed every year to see something different on this Read more…
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01
Jun '19
Details and Destinations
01
Jun '19
When I go through difficult times in my life, I usually find myself doing what I’ve done most always when something happens that I wasn’t expecting. I journal (aka blog), and I make lists. Lists of things that I can specifically pray about – dreams that God has placed in my heart that maybe I had lost somewhere along the way by relying on my own strength and not fully trusting in Him. These need to be in black and white for me (nowadays they’re written down in my Echo prayer app), and something I can reference often during prayer time. I also write blogs/journal Read more…
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