“In my Father’s house are many mansions ~ if it were not true, he would have told me so…”  words and music by ‘Elvis ‘Presley

I actually did not know that E.P. wrote the song.  Silly me!  You all probably knew that!  http://www.wrensworld.com/in-my-fathers-house.htm (link to hear Mr. E sing the song)

Let’s see…where’s the Wisdom in this?   For one thing, understanding is always a wise thing to pursue.  My mindset is, to wonder why this has been so on my mind.  Is the Holy Spirit to blame, or do I need therapy?  I prefer the Holy Spirit theory! #1, because I believe in, and am purposefully open to listen and hear from, the Holy Spirit.  #2, I have had therapy…he he he!

John 14:1-4 “Do not let your hearts be troubled (agitated, distressed).  You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God, believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me.  In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places (homes).  If it were not so, I would have told you, for I am going away to prepare a place for you.  And when I go and make ready a place for you, I will come back again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.  And (to the place) where I am going you know the way.”  Amplified Bible Translation

This is what Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary says.  (Remember, Jesus is speaking to His disciples.  Guess what?  You and I are disciples of Christ! pam)   “Others are overwhelmed with the sorrow of this present time, be not you so.  Christ’s disciples, more than others, should keep their minds quiet, when everything else is unquiet.  Here is the remedy against this trouble of mind.  Believe.  By believing in Christ as the Mediator between God and man, we gain comfort.  The happiness of heaven is spoken of as in a father’s house.  There are many mansions, for there are many sons to be brought to glory.  Mansions are lasting dwellings.  Christ will be the Finisher of that of which he is the Author or Beginner; if he have prepared the place for us, he will prepare us for it.“

As I ponder this awesome thought, I have been led to 1 Peter, chapter 1.  In particular, verses 3 and 4.  It’s like Peter is so thrilled, and so in awe of his reservation in heaven.  He says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah!  By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; born anew into the inheritance which is beyond reach of change and decay (imperishable) and unfading, reserved in heaven for you.“  ABT

I love it, when the Holy Spirit gives way to The Word through something impressed on our minds (that song I couldn’t get off my mind) or our hearts.  Don’t you just love it when that happens!

A Mansion In Heaven ~ The Holy Spirit Leading To Pursue and Understand The Word

I am totally thrilled and in awe of my reservation, that awaits me in heaven!  And, if for no other reason for this wisdom I have been led to today, it is to find reason to dwell on eternity in heaven and not the crazy~un-eternal stuff going on in this present world.  It all comes back to where I place my focus and counting my blessings (which are many)!

Today, I pray that I would speak words that build up rather than words that tear down.  I pray for His guard over my mouth and for the wisdom to think before I speak.

Do you have trouble making your mind up?  Well…do you?

When I’m not in my right mind, does my left mind get crowded?

Was it wise of me to ask the two previous questions?

Quotes

Always and never are two words you should always remember never to use  ~~~~~ Wendell Johnson

Tell me what you need and I’ll tell you how to get along without it  ~~~~~ Author unknown

Wisdom From The Word

“Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God”  Colossians 4:2

Yesterday, as my Hubby and I were driving, we saw this little box turtle in the middle of the road trying to cross.  As the cars went by he would stop and draw his head back into his shell.  Poor little turtle.  He had left the cover of the grass along the road, and had crossed a boundary into dangerous territory.

Seeing the little turtle made me think about a little box turtle named Wilbur.  He lived in our basement for a long time when I was a little girl.  He seemed to be very content.  He had the run of the concrete basement and all the lettuce and water he could consume.  I’m sure he ate plenty of bugs too.  He had nothing to fear.  He could only travel so far, until he ran into the boundary which was impossible for him to cross over (it was a concrete wall).  Every family member watched carefully not to step on him.  We moved away from our home on Madison street for a while, so we decided to move Wilbur to the backyard while we were gone.  There was no way he could fend for himself in that basement for a long period of time.  When we moved back to our home on Madison street, we were amazed to find Wilbur still living in the backyard.  You might say, “maybe it wasn’t Wilbur, just another turtle”.  But we knew it was Wilbur.  We lived with him for a long time.  Why was he still there, in that backyard?  I guess he lived within the boundaries of that basement for so long, that when he was placed in the backyard, he was secure in traveling just so far.  He was surely getting all his little turtle needs met in that backyard.  So why should he cross over into dangerous territory.  I know he didn’t reason all of that out, but you have to admit the ‘little turtle decision’ to stay in that backyard was a good one.

We’re like that little box turtle trying to cross the road sometimes.  When I was young I crossed many boundaries, crossing into dangerous territory.  My ‘Sis’ and I were talking the other day about some of those boundaries I crossed when I was young.  I told her that there is no way I could cross those boundaries today.  What was I thinking?  I was crossing the boundaries of God, into dangerous territory.

Since the beginning, God has been setting boundaries for His creation.  Just like Adam and Eve, there is a price to pay for crossing God’s boundaries.  Just like that little box turtle crossing the road, he may have made it across yesterday, but if he continues to cross he will pay the price.  We all need to be more like Wilbur the turtle.  Become VERY aware of the boundaries of God and be content to stay within them.

The Word is a very good place to start, to learn where God’s boundaries are.  The Word will infuse our hearts with His righteousness, His standards for living.  Listen closely for the Holy Spirit, because He will touch our hearts and souls, of the ways of God.  He will clearly identify those ”yes we shoulds” and “no we should nots” in life, and get us off that (middle of the road) fence when we need to get off.  

Thoughts to Ponder:  We find authority in God’s Word.  The Holy Spirit springs into action in our lives through the Word.  The Word helps us to discern ‘right’ from ‘wrong’.  We find security within the boundaries of God, just as Wilbur the little box turtle found security within the boundaries of that basement and backyard.

Scripture to Ponder:  Psalm 119 ~ An instruction manual devoted to aligning life with God’s Word  

Just as with physical fitness, spiritual fitness comes with a starting place.  There is great value in both. As important as our physical fitness is, the Scripture places priority on spiritual fitness.  In 1 Timothy 4:7b-8, we are reminded that we should spend our time and energy in training ourselves for spiritual fitness.  Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next.  This is true, and everyone should accept it.  NLT

Thought to Ponder:  Training is important, both spiritually and physically.

Scripture to Ponder:  “We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”  Ephesians 2:10  NLT

You’re welcome to check out my Physical Fitness post at www.butterflybiblestudies.blogspot.com

The wisdom to impart today is:  “Not enough sleep” quotes

“A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book” ~ Irish Proverb

“Life is too short to sleep on low thread count sheets” ~ Leah Stussy

Don’t worry, the quotes get better!

“Without enough sleep, we all become tall two-year olds” ~ JoJo Denson, Dirt Farmer Wisdom, 2002

“People who snore always fall asleep first”  ~ Author Unknown

“If people were meant to pop out of bed, we’d all sleep in toasters”  ~ Author Unknown, attributed to Jim Davis

And the No 1 quote is:

“And if tonight my soul may find her peace in sleep, and sink in good oblivion, and in the morning wake like a new-opened flower, then I have been dipped again in God, and new-created” D.H. Lawrence

Have A Great Wednesday!

Day 13 of BE~Attitudes vs Emotions Will be posted later today, after my nap(s)!

~ Smile

Today was a work day for me, in my office (yes, I have a job…self employed has it’s moments).  Every time I tried to get my work done, someone (advertisers) would call wanting money for this or that!  I think there were 8 total calls.  I figured it up…if I didn’t know how to say NO, I would have spent around 4500 dollaroos!  One person asked me for $299.  When I said NO THANKS, she said would you be willing to spend $200…I said NO…she said $100…I said NO…she said $50…I said NO…she said how about $1…I said NO!  We both just laughed!

Then I was trying to work with a mortgage (they needed proof of insurance for a borrower).  I’ve been in the business for 30 years…all I can say is mortgagees ~ humbug!  The world is not the same as it was 20 years ago.  The hometown bank (and its nice hometown folk) is gone!

Well, with all that said…it was a little stressful today…have we been talking about emotions the last couple of days?

CAUSE:  Advertisers, etc. asking for $$, and difficult money-loaners!

EMOTION (Primary): Anger or Ticked

AFFECT (Secondary Emotion): Frustration; Exasperation

EFFECT: Spilling my Exasperation and Frustration to my Hubby and Son ~ Poor guys!

Oh My,  I feel so much better (he he)!  See what I mean?  We are affected (caused) to Emote.  I know that’s not a word ~ Oh No, I was wrong.  I just looked it up to be sure, and there is such a word.  It means to give expression to emotion; especially in acting; on a daily basis!

  Smile ~ We All Have Days Like This!

Tomorrow:  ATTUTUDE 

The Burial of Jesus

Do you realize that the two men who sought to prepare Jesus body and bury Him were Disciples in Secret?  Yes, they were.  The Scripture says that Joseph of Arimathea was a Disciple of Jesus, but in Secret for fear of the ‘Jews.  And, the Scripture also says that Nicodemus, which first came to Jesus by night, brought the myrrh and aloes.  Apparently they were deeply touched by Jesus life and His death.  Matthew Henry’s commentary says that these two men showed the value they had for Christ’s person and doctrine.

I wonder, did these men understand the full measure of Jesus message?  Did they understand that the tomb they burried Jesus in, would soon be found empty?  Had they heard that part of Jesus message?  Were their acts of placing value upon Jesus a sign of their BELIEF?  I don’t know for sure, but I would like to think the answer is YES!  My words of wisdom to Joseph and Nicodemus would be, Do not lose heart.  Jesus has overcome the world.  This place that you bury Jesus, will soon be empty.  I know this, because I BELIEVE!

I just have not been able to get yesterdays post off my mind, Sifting Like Wheat.  I’m thinking about Jesus’ prayer for the Disciples, as they were about to face His arrest and death (total loss of His physical presence~something they had become very accustom to).  Jesus’ prayer was of interceding, that their faith may not fail.  Each morning, our prayer should be that Jesus would intercede for us, and that our faith may not fail.  In those times throughout our day, when even those seemingly small experiences (like impatience with life or people, moments of weakness of character, emotional outbursts) or when we are hurting, or when we have lost someone or something we hold dear in our hearts, or when life in general is just not going according to plan, Lord intercede for us, that our faith may not fail.  The evil’ one of this world would love for us to fall through the mesh in defeat.  I just want to remind you (and me) that Jesus prays for you (and me).  Why should we assume that he quit praying for those who BELIEVE and FOLLOW Him, at any given point?  How Awesome!  Jesus Prays For Us!   

Psalm 27:14

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and WAIT for the Lord”

 Psalm 16:8-9

“I have set the Lord always before me.  Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will REST secure”

Psalm 73:24

“You guide me with your counsel, and afterward RECEIVE (you will take) me into glory”

I may be silent for a couple of days.  Going on a 2 day, Gals Only, retreat.  Hopefully, with help from the Lord, we will find REST…we won’t have to WAIT (he he) on anybody…and we will RECEIVE blessings from one another’s company.

Okay, that was so weird.  I must have hit a “wrong” key, because all of a sudden, the font is enormous.  Oh well, if I don’t know what I did….how am I going to undo it.  Where’s the Wisdom in that?  he he…again