Pondering Passages

Oh my word!  I have about 20 posts running through my head.  WAY to much pondering going on around here!

So since it is Thursday I decided to go with an official pondering post.....it's been a while.

I have been pondering....just not posting.

This weeks passage is:
Colossians 3:15-17
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.  And be thankful.  Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."

First could there have been a more perfect passage for me to ponder this week?  I think not!  For those of you who don't follow my blog....My sweet Randy, who has spent the last 15 years of his career building in some form or fashion, was laid off last week.  With building it is feast or famine....and unfortunately the last 4 years or so have been very tough ones.  It is amazing that he has kept his job this long.  We knew this day was inevitable and we have been saving, living within our means, and he has been looking for another job for some time.....however as we are quickly discovering jobs are hard to come by these days!

It is very easy for me go worst case.....he never finds a job, we use all our savings, etc.....
HOWEVER....Passages like this remind me to run to the God of PEACE.  I can not worry and have peace at the same time!   Not only am I to have peace it is to RULE IN my heart.  Not pretend to have peace.  Not act peaceful.  Not want peace. BUT TO LET IT RULE MY HEART!  Sounds good to me but now for the biggie......HOW?

Well vrs. 15 says it is FROM Christ.  So I've decided if he has it then I am asking for it!  It has become my prayer that this time of our lives will be characterized with "a peace that passes all understanding".  I don't want to have my head buried in the sand.  I don't want to live in denial....but I do want peace....and guess what?  I have it.  I really am not consumed with worry and this my friend is ALL GOD....because if this girl likes anything it is control and when I don't have it.....and I can't get it.......I tend to worry about it!  So I'm thankful that Christ is at work in me.....because Kim would be worrying....but I'm not.  I care.....I'm staying plugged in....but I really do KNOW that we are going to be okay!

And the next part of the verse says, "BE THANKFUL".  I think the two must be linked.  When I focus on my blessings my whole attitude changes. 
1.  I'm thankful for a healthy happy marriage.
2.  I'm thankful for healthy happy kids.
3.  I'm thankful that God is going to use this for our good and his glory.
4.  I'm thankful for a church family that loves us.
5.  I'm thankful for extended family that loves us.
6.  I'm thankful for a husband who works hard, is smart, has a good personality, and a good reputation.
7.  I'm thankful for a home.
8.  I'm thankful for retirement savings!
9,  I'm thankful for an unemployment check.
10.  I'm thankful for 2 more van payments!
11.  I'm thankful for God's word.
12.  I'm thankful for in-laws that offer to pay for my kids to each do one extra curricular activity!  We had just told the kids they wouldn't be able to do any "extras" this year, and we hadn't told anyone else about this....and my MIL came over today and said...."oh yeah...if you want to sign them each up for an activity we would be happy to pay for it this year!"  NEEDLESS TO SAY WE ARE BLESSED!  THANK YOU!
13.  I'm thankful for a Dad who takes time to let MY BOY come and work with him today, so he can earn some extra spending money for his trip to Boston (we were sending money for his food but not any extra...now he has his own money if he wants a souvenir!)THANK YOU!
14.  I am thankful for God's word and truth!

I could go on and on and on....but the point is we (I) have SO MUCH to be thankful for!
 Oh and then comes vrs. 16
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."  I am so thankful for this pondering.  It has helped my mind be MUCH more filled and focused on his word....which is truth!

Here are a few from this year:
"Consider it pure joy, when you face trials of many kinds because you KNOW that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."  James 1:2-3
Christ is going to use this to produce a perseverance in my life.  I need perseverance!  I'm excited about growing in this area!  Another thing to be thankful for!!!

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1
I am HIS child.  He loves me!  I am going to be okay!

"I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better." Ephesians 1:17
My continual desire is to KNOW him better....and I have a feeling....I will KNOW him better after this because when we draw near to him.....he draws near to us!  THANK YOU JESUS!



LOVE PONDERING!  I'm going to stop here because this post is already really long!  I just want to encourage those who aren't in the word regularly to jump in.  Check out the pondering passages thing on Shay's blog.  You don't have to spend hours a day and be all solemn and ritualistic to grow in Christ.  A few minutes a day on a regular basis thinking over a very short passage and really chewing on it and really paying attention and asking questions about it brings better understanding, at least for me, then a yearly Bible reading plan.  Although if you are reading through your Bible in a year....go for it....it's just too much for me!

For Shay's Blog Click Here!