Hello ladies and gents! And welcome to...
Tidbit Tuesday
(unless I can think of a better name...)
I know it has been a long... LONG time since my last post! I feel just awful about that. Here I am just squandering the talent and wisdom God has given me! Boy am I glad I serve such a forgiving God. But I still have to let Him do a lot of work on me. I'm striving for perfection here people...I'm not there yet! So bare with me!
Anywhoo...
There is A LOT of updating to do! So I'll have to do it bit by bit. For starters, My husband and I welcomed our first bundle of love in to the world on February 24, 2015. His name is Jeremiah Mathias Bentick. He is just so darling you don't even know! As you can see...or you can just do the math...He is 3 months old! Oh how time flies...
(Check out my one handed camera skills! haha)
Secondly, I have met a wonderful woman by the name of Treneka, who has motivated me to get back to blogging and doing what the Lord has called me to do. I am just so blessed and thankful for that precious woman, who is also a fantastic photographer, I am totally convinced that it was God's design for us to meet!
Check out her work here on Facebook or on her blog you will not be disappointed!
Okay so!
I'm going to keep this tidbit short since I'm writing suuuper late while my son is asleep. I know I know...I should be sleeping too BUT this is the only time I can get things done since my husband has been in Trinidad since December 2014 (he'll be back Saturday Lord willing!! *happy dance*).
My life these past months have been pretty intense (I'll give a full update later), but I am so thankful that the Lord has allowed me to still enjoy it all, even through the rough patches...like not knowing where our source of income is going to come from next or not knowing where we're going to live.
"I will make peace flow to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flood."
- Isaiah 66:12
Now I'm only focusing on the first part of this verse, because honestly I just couldn't get past it. I love to nit-pick at specific words or phrases in the bible. There is so much meaning behind even just one word. And this had me thinking about what a river is like and why God chose to compare peace to it. If you're like me, you envisioned a river being calm, peaceful, and undisturbed. But can be wild, loud and rough with either small or big rapids knocking anything and everything around.
So why a river??
I can obviously see how the analogy works for when rivers are calm, but the verse doesn't say peace like a calm river. Just "a river" period, which means it includes the times when rivers are intense with white rapids.
So now I'm thinking, maybe God is saying we can have peace while things are intense and looking all crazy. And I believe that is exactly what He's saying!
I while ago I read this devotional a friend sent me and a small portion of it really resonated with me.
So why a river??
I can obviously see how the analogy works for when rivers are calm, but the verse doesn't say peace like a calm river. Just "a river" period, which means it includes the times when rivers are intense with white rapids.
So now I'm thinking, maybe God is saying we can have peace while things are intense and looking all crazy. And I believe that is exactly what He's saying!
I while ago I read this devotional a friend sent me and a small portion of it really resonated with me.
"God's Word does not say we'll have peace like a pond...When God used the analogy of a river, He describes a peace that can be retained while life twists and turns and rolls over boulders. It means to have security and tranquility while meeting many bumps and unexpected turns on life's journey."
I don't know if you've ever seen white water rapids, but even though they're going crazy, there's still a peace and beauty to them.
I do also believe God wants us to know that like a river...He will give us peace that's always flowing. Have you ever seen a river that wasn't constantly moving?
I haven't...
I do also believe God wants us to know that like a river...He will give us peace that's always flowing. Have you ever seen a river that wasn't constantly moving?
I haven't...
Either way, there is beauty and peace to be had from the crazy times in our lives. If only we would truly let God in, then we could have so much peace and start enjoying the life and circumstances we are given.
Here's a few simple applications:
1) Read the bible. Specifically the places where it mentions God's power and His promises to everyone. If you're new to the faith just take it slow. There's so much to learn it'll take an entire lifetime to know it all, and even then you still won't know everything... So take your time and look in the concordance in the back to help you find what you're looking for. Or you can search specific subjects with the "youversion" bible app.
2) Replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Every time something negative pops in your head, immediately (out loud) say something that combats it. It could be God's goodness & power and/or the things you've been blessed with. There's no limit. It's not always easy, but you have to train your mind to give praise even when it's hard.
For example: God is in control, HIs thoughts and ways are better, you are alive, you had food to eat, etc.
3) Write them down...this is especially good for future reference, when times get tough again.
4) Repeat 1-3 daily.
