Slacker...Slacker...Slacker

I've been a blogging slacker! Much my surprise, I have actually been rather busy! Busy playing, busy hanging out with hubby and friends, busy getting stuff done around here, and just busy piddling.

Sunday was great! Jamie and I went to this FAN. TAS. TIC. Japanese buffet with hibachi food and sushi! Oh goodness, it is delicioso, and I highly recommend it. It is called Eat Well, and believe you me, Jamie and I ate very VERY well. Sunday afternoon consisted of Jamie napping, while I watched a movie, "Bring It On Again" (yes, I realize my brain probably shrunk while watching it), and then I went on a walk and then we went out with some people from our Sunday School class, BJ and Sarah. Oh my goodness, what fun we had! They are such a funny and fun, God-loving couple whom Jamie and I will certainly hang out with again. I was literally sweating at Newks just laughing! We had the best time!

Monday consisted of me waiting at Firestone for 2 hours to get my oil changed while I listened to a man march around the tiny perimeter of the store with his squeaky shoes. You know how there are old people mall walkers (no offence)? Well he was a Firestone store walker! That place is not big! Squeak squeak squeak. He didn't hear his squeaking, because he was listening to his cassette player walkman. God love him. God love ME. He was certainly trying to teach me a practice in patience. Then the Firestone guys tell me I need like $250 worth of work to my stellar Explorer ("Exploder"), and I said, "No, thank you.". My car is just fine :)

Today I got Jamie's oil changed (less than an hour! Heck yes!), and headed to the Apple store (round 4, need I mention) to get him an iphone 4, and no luck, Chuck. There is not a single iphone 4 is this massive city! Poor hubster must order it online. Good news: I got to see him at lunch because I brought him Subway! Man, I'm the greatest wifey in the world!

Sorry about the slackage of the posting of my quiet times. I really need to just get a set time where I have a quiet time and blog, because I'm not liking my sporadic posting times. I like to think I'm more organized than that. So here's what I've been reading the past few days. I'm still in my book about Ruth and this was my last day of the short little devotionals. Not sure what I'll start tomorrow, but I'll certainly find something fabulous :)

7-31-10 "Reputations"
*Scripture: Ruth 2:4-7, 14-21 (Read it here and here)
-In the previous lesson, we read that Boaz was "a wealthy and influential man." What evidence do you find in this passage to support that statement?
-What report did Boaz receive from his foreman regarding Ruth?
-What did Boaz offer Ruth and why?
-Why do you think Boaz gave special orders to his young men regarding Ruth?
How did Naomi respond to Boaz's provision?
*Find God's ways for you:
-What doe sit mean to you to have character?
-Difficult situations in life reveal our real character. Wat kind of report could be given about you?
-What opportunities have you had to encourage people less fortunate than you? How have you treated them?
*Scripture: James 2:14-18 (read it here) (Side note: Sometimes when I type "James", I end up typing "Jamies"...my sweet husband must always be on my mind*)
-According to this passage, how important are your actions toward others in need?
*Stop and Ponder
*Scripture: Matthew 25:35-36, 40 (read it here and here)
-What would the King have to say about you?
*What I learned: I must say that I feel as though the King isn't too happy with me many times. I feel as though I've lost my heart and compassion for the poor. I look at my husband, and my parents and my friends and family who work their tails off to make a living and provide for themselves and family members. And then I see other people, never lifting a finger to provide for anyone, and they're collecting our hard working dollars to pay their bills. I don't know. It's just something I've really struggled with and needed to pray about, because I know that God has given people healthy, working bodies, and these able-bodied people are sitting at home, sleeping in till noon and not taking care of anyone, collecting welfare for their own laziness. I see a problem in that. But at the same time, God still created them, and regardless of their poor work ethic, it is MY job to love on them and show Godly compassion.

8-1-10 "Collaboration"
*Scripture: Ruth 3:1-18 (read it here)
-According to this passage, what is Naomi's concern for Ruth?
-Describe Naomi's plan.
-What evidence do you find that Ruth trusted the advice of her mother-in-law?
-What did Ruth ask of Boaz when he discovered her at the food of his bed?
-What was Boaz's response, and what does he reaffirm about Ruth?
-What surprising information did Boaz tell Ruth, and what did he plan to do about it?
*Find God's ways for you:
-What concerns do you have for your loved ones?
-What plans have you tried to make for them? How did they turn out?
-How have you handled awkward situations with loved ones? What was their response?
-Share how you have carried out special promises.
*Stop and Ponder:
*Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 (read it here)
-Who directs you?
-What I learned: Sometimes I go into "stubborn mode" and want my plans to work out my way on my time and exactly how I want them to be. Too often do I forget and ignore that God's plans are higher than mine and no matter what, He is a sovereign God whose plans will prevail. I need to trust my God with all my heart and ignore my selfish ways. I need to seek Him in ALL that I do, not just in a few things. When I wake up in the morning, how am I seeking Him? When I eat meals, am I taking care of His holy temple that He has allowed me to walk in? When I am exercising, am I seeking Him for strength and endurance? When I am going through hard times, do I seek my own will? Or do I seek God for His guidance? It's good to stop and think about whom I'm seeking before I start acting on what I want.

8-2-10 "Obligations"
*Scripture: Ruth 4:1-8 (read it here)
-According to this passage, where does Boaz go and what does he do?
-Initially, what does Boaz tell the next of kin? What is the relative's response?
-What information does Boaz withhold at first?
-What excuse does the relative offer for his change of mind?
-What does the relative finally tell Boaz?
-How was a transaction of this kind legalized?
*Find God's ways for you:
-How do you go about making major decisions?
-From whom do you draw support and wise counsel?
-What excuses do you offer people when you don't want to do something?
-How would you speak truth in love? Give an example.
*Stop and Ponder
*Scripture: Romans 12:2 (read it here)
-Have you let God transform you?
*What I learned: It's hard to not allow the world to transform you. From the shows I watch on TV to the magazines I buy to the movies I watch and clothes I wear. How am I transforming to the world that is causing me to stray from God? What standards have I made for myself as to not transform to the pattern of the world, but also to not be a recluse and hide from the world? It's a tough line. I feel as though I have allowed God to transform me. He's taught me how to listen to my convictions when I feel uneasy about something and follow it. He's taught me how to seek Him more rather than my own pleasures. I constantly have to ask Him to redirect me and transform my heart and my thoughts because they're often my own and not of God's.

8-3-10 "Celebrations"
*Scripture: Ruth 4:9-22 (Read it here)
-Boaz is sitting with the elders, and the relative has declined any right to Naomi's property. What does Boaz announce to this assembly of elders?
-What further claim does he extend regarding Ruth?
-The elders respond by saying, "We are witnesses!" What is their blessing for Boaz?
-Finally, Ruth and Boaz marry. When they have a baby son, how do the townswomen react? How do they bless Naomi?
-Who would this new baby's grandson be?
*Find God's ways for you:
-Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30 (read it here)
-Who has offered to give us rest from the burdens that weary us?
-A yoke is used to help oxen share a burden. What kind of yoke does Jesus offer?
-What is the weight of the burden Jesus will give us?
-What is the nature of Jesus' character?
*Stop and Ponder:
*Scripture: John 14:6 (read it here)
-Are you yoked to Jesus? If not, what hinders you?
*What I learned: As it said in Matthew 11:28-30, I serve a God who is humble and gentle. He gives me rest and the burden He lays on me is light. Wow. I also serve a God who allows me to come straight to Him. I don't have to go anywhere or worship any false idols to follow Him. I can come straight to Him and He's waiting there with open arms. He has offered to give us rest, and I often continue to carry my burdens, because I want to handle them on my own. For those of you who have children or a spouse or really just anyone...whenever they are hurting, don't you want to take that hurt from them instantly? That's how God is, except on a much higher level. He REALLY wants our hurt and pain and suffering and tears and worry and strife. He wants us to trust Him and rely solely on Him. I need to try to do that more and not keep it to myself.

As always...I love you all and pray that you've had a TERRIFIC TUESDAY!