Daily Nuggets

Well, I just got off my first trip to the gym in a very long while.  (It's not like it's a long trip - just upstairs in my house!  How is it that I haven't been able to make time to run upstairs for 45 minutes a day??)  Today is the day to get back on track - all the way around!  My old habits snuck back in - it's been a few days since I took the time to jot down some thoughts.  I've been catching a Daily Reading or couple of chapters while I dry my hair, but not sat down and devoted time to my spiritual health.  Getting both back today - even knowing it will be a crazy one! Today I'm in Exodus Chapter 15 - 16.  I picked up some new nuggets today to keep close! 1. By nature, we will grumble when we perceive that things are not going our way.  If we will just learn to "trust and obey, there is no better way!" As my dear friend Coach Carter used to day, "GOD'S GOT IT."  I added two new words to my analogy vocabulary today:  Marah ...

Sisters, I pray that you're having a fantastic week!  I've really been thinking about the messages that I have heard from Jesus over these last couple of weeks, particularly "What Next, not Why Me?" and "Release and let God direct." Several times over the course of daily life these messages have either come up in conversation or they applied (in my head) to a situation.  Then, in God's perfect timing, I resurrected my iDisciple app and the perfect lesson from Proverbs 31 Ministries was waiting for me: God I'm Worn Out .  What a great message for me to hear, especially right now!  I wanted to keep this link for future reference and to share it with you! If you haven't noticed, there is a section on the left side of my blog with links to various pages and apps.  I'm adding iDisciple and would love to know about other resources that you like & value! Today I'm heading to Exodus Chapter 12 beginning at v31:  The Exodus from Eg...

Good morning, sisters - As I laid in bed this morning having my morning cuddle with my sweet Golden Retriever "Berkley," I asked God what lesson he had in store for me today.  What an incredible change I see in myself. Rather than doing Bible Study because I know I should, I read because I can't wait to see what is waiting for me today!  (I know that there are peaks & valleys in our walk, and I can remember times in my past that I have been on the top of the hill.  But.... those are distant memories.  Recently I've been down in the valley.  It's great to be climbing higher and higher up the mountain again!) Today God showed me leadership skills to learn from Moses through the story of the Plagues: 1.  If God chooses you for a special job, He will provide what you need to succeed! 2.  Just like Moses in Exodus 6:1-13, there will be times that I feel ineffective or unable to complete the task.  Often, those are just times where ...

I missed a day in journal blogging, but did not miss a day in the word!  Yesterday I finished the book of Genesis, Some of the take-aways from the last few chapters: 1.  Remember that God is faithful, even when we can't see the end picture.  Jacob thought that his son Joseph had been killed, only to find out many years later that God had turned the evil intentions into a great result.  Stay faithful in God's perfect timing, and keep looking for his answers. 2.  Always look for the ways we can serve and use our gifts - regardless of the situation.  Joseph was in some terrible conditions, but he looked for ways to serve ("what next" rather than "why me?")  This fundamental way of approaching life opens us to receiving God's grace and blessings, and becoming a beacon of light for those around us. Today I began the book of Exodus (a bit scared of this one - I expected that it would not make much day-to-day living kind of sense, but anticipating that...

Joe & I attended my first "Reunion Group" last night - what a wonderful time with Christian brothers and sisters!  This was a couples group - very much like our old Home Groups that we miss so much.  I look forward to going back next month! This morning I am studying the story of Joseph, looking for lessons that I may have missed or forgotten over the years.  Of course there are many! 1.  Rather than thoughtfully ponder the meaning of his dreams, Joseph bragged about them to his brothers and father.  God gives us gifts to use for his purposes, but not to brag about and bring glory to ourselves.  Be careful not to try accepting the credit for God's work in me! 2.  Suffering builds character and wisdom.  Approach each situation with the question, "What next?" instead of "Why me?"  Remember that God's got it, and you are just to keep obeying and trusting. Off to church - looking forward to a morning of praise and worship!

Well... the exhaustion that most of the Tres Dias family must have felt on Monday finally hit me!  I explained to a friend that I am wonderfully exhausted - he could not quite figure that out! This morning I had to get some help from my Study Bible to catch the nuggets that I missed in reading on my own.  I'm not sure if I should jump to an 'easier' section of the book, or stick it out and use the resources at hand.  My history has been to jump to the New Testament because it's much easier, but then again this is not the old me!  I'll stick it out and use this as an opportunity to find good resources to help. This morning I am reading Genesis 32-36 (the chapters where Jacob & Esau make peace with each other, and then through until the story of Joseph begins.) With help, I found three big take-aways: 1.  When all hell breaks loose and you're really scared, go to God!  This has been the familiar theme all week - go to him in all circumstances...

Good morning! I am struggling this morning.  I came to my bible thinking about what I had learned earlier in the week but also thinking about what lays ahead on my to-do list today (more than it is physically possible to complete - as always.)  For some reason I seem more distracted this morning, and had a hard time finding that special message as I read.  I’m not sure exactly how to feel, so I’m just going to think as I type.  Somehow the words always seem to flow - and often they surprise me! The big message I took away this morning is that living our lives publicly in accordance with God’s will may be painful for a time, but God will reward us.  And, others who are watching will see God’s grace in us, giving them an example to follow.  Whether those rewards are financial or an inner unexplainable joy (or both), they are witnesses to those around us.  Even the people who may appear to be against us are watching, and our consistent choice to ...