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How About Self-Control?

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25 (emphasis mine)

Sometimes it is amazing to me how some subjects keep come up. As we just finished Beth Moore’s ‘Living Beyond Yourself’ study, the first carnival deals with Self-Control…

Since I just posted extensively about Self-Control, I want to keep this post short and sweet. Well, okay, not so sure about the sweet part. Lets just say, more honest with myself and, you my faithful readers (I think I do have them :smile:).

So you are wondering how I am doing with this issue? Well, when I have His protection and let Him lead, very well. When I think I can handle it myself, I get in trouble. As I mentioned many times before, I worked in a ‘protected’ environment of a church office for 6 years. It had its perks. Devotions and prayers in a group of Bible believing Christians. Great way to start the day. And you don’t have to worry about using the name of Jesus without offending anyone…But are we able to witness in a protected environment like this? Sure, we pray, support and listen to each other. But is this what God wants us to do? How can we lead others to the Hope we have…Okay, getting of track here.

So, now working ‘outside’ this protective environment, it is very important for me to be on guard at all times. The evil one likes to make me unsure of God’s promise. That He will be with me at all times. It is not easy to ‘bless His name’ in all circumstances. But I know that God wants me in the place where I am at…So, I need His protection. I am sealed with the Holy Spirit, Who can give me Self-Control in every situation. When I feel that myself wants to take over, I pray and sing (in my head)…So, really self-control is nothing I can learn, but have to trust that God will fill me with His Self-Control…And I want people to see Him through me, to give people the hope they are searching for. It wouldn’t help if I acted like my ‘old self’ without the hope and promises I have in Him, my Lord and Redeemer…

So, who are you doing with your Self-Control? Do you let Him lead you, or are you trying to handle it yourself?

Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:5

Carnival Logo

This entry has been brought to you by the ‘Carnival of Beauty’, created by Sallie at ‘A Gracious Home’ and hosted by Susanna at ‘A Christian Mother’s Reflections’. There is still time for you to submit your entry for this week. Deadline is Tuesday, June 20th, 3pm EST. Living in His grace ~ Eph2810

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A Gazillion Things…

There are a gazillion things going on the blogsphere and I am having a hard time keeping up with it. I think I really need to start putting some money aside every week to buy a laptop. I am using my hubby’s right now; I don’t like to put to much software on it, because it is his…But then again, I might just put the money away for our Thanksgiving Get-Away (which is more important than another blogging tool :wink:)…
Anyway, I thought that I give you a little overview what is going on:

  • Loni at ‘Joy in the Morning’ is having a fun writing contest. The deadline is Wednesday, June 21st (well I better get started on writing for this one)…You can win a really neat bracelet. Check it out yourself :smile:.
  • Sallie moved her blog from Two Talent Living to a new location – ‘A Gracious Home’. What a beautiful new blog. Sallie also started the ‘Carnival of Beauty’ again. What a blessing that is to the Blogsphere. The first topic is ‘The Beauty of Self-Control’. Our hostess this week is Susanna at ‘A Christian Mother’s Reflections – or Ramblings!’. The deadline is on Tuesday, June 20th at 3pm EST. I hope to see you there this week.
  • Sunday, June 18th is not only Father’s Day, but also the Chicken Carnival hosted by the Blogging Chicks Metablog. Submit your entry today to Michele. This week Michele will still accept entries from our archives :wink:. I know which one I will submit.
  • If you liked Polly’s book “Life is a Buffet”, check out her blog titled ‘Life is a Buffet’. Just like her book, her blog is light-hearted and fun to read.
  • My blogging friend TNChick has a great ‘photo contest‘ going. The deadline for this one is July 2nd. I just have to get a couple more pics to enter. Hope to see you there.
  • Did you every wonder how you get your ranking at Technorati? Since I hosted the ‘Blog Olympics Training Camp’ this past week at My Lighter Side, I think I found out the secret. After I had posted the results, I went to every single blog that participated and left a comment. My ranking went up 200 spots after last night – wow…So, get yourself ‘out there’ and leave a gazillion comments 😀
  • Need to get yourself motivated about a project around the house? ‘Tackle Tuesdays’ hosted by Janice is a great way to get motivated. Not sure if I can get the project done I have in mind for this week – but I’ll try.
  • I have a guest blogger on My Lighter Side tomorrow. Some of you know her (I am praying for a daughter-in-law just like her) – No Average Girl is giving me the honor to post about Father’s Day…
  • Up-Dated post: Amanda at ‘Fun in the Twin Cities’ participates in ‘Team in Training’ which supports ‘The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’. You know that I don’t ‘advertise’ on my blog, but for me this is a cause to support. My dad died of lymphoma cancer at the age of 52. I pray that you will check it out and help support Amanda’s effort – thank you….

Well, I better get going, catching up on blog comments and than tackle my household for the weekend. Since I was very lazy last weekend, having fun with my Sweetheart, things have pilled up…Have blessed weekend and I hope to see you around ~
Eph2810 aka Sting My Heart 🙂

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Carnival and a New Site

Well it is carnival time again and Blair at Scribblings by Blair is hosting this week. Wahoo! When you stop by Blair’s place, would you be so kind and leave a comment of encouragement. She is a little sad right now, because Erik took his responsibilities at his new job and left his sweet family behind. I really would appreciate it.

On another note: Vicki at Windows to My Soul is celebrating Open House this week at her new dwelling place ‘Light for a Writer’s Soul‘. Vicki was the first blog I had discovered last year when I started blogging. Every time I stop by Windows to My Soul, I leave refreshed. She is a wonderful encourager and always shares wisdom from God’s word. So stop by her new site and leave a comment or two.

And last but not least – yours truly is joining the work force again. I received a call out of the blue.

Believing God Is Who He Says He Is (does that sound familiar to some of my readers?). To Him all Glory, Honor and Praise.

Have a blessed day in the Lord…~ Eph2810

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Hallelujah – Grace Like Rain

“Praise the LORD with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
For the word of the LORD is right and true;
he is faithful in all he does.” Psalm 33:2-4 (NIV)

I have to admit, I am one of those gals that enjoys contemporary Christian music. I love to worship my Lord with guitar, bass, keyboard, drums and tambourine. Sometimes I feel really lonely in my congregation. Yes, I like to raise my hands and sway with the music. Oh, don’t get me wrong – I like traditional hymns too (my favorite one is “Were you there when they crucified My Lord”). But oh, contemporary music is my joy. And my favorite group to listen to: Third Day!

Many older members of my congregation don’t agree with my taste of music, because it is not teaching you anything. I beg to differ. Third Day is teaching the Trinity in “You are so Good to Me”. Sometimes I get so frustrated, because we are so close minded. I hope that I don’t step anyone’s feet right now. I have talked to so many un-churched Christians and why they do not attend church. It is too stuffy for them. Some traditional hymns are wonderful teaching instruments, but they usually do not have very easy melody lines. For as with contemporary Christian music – oh yeah! I have seen people dance out of church with the closing song. Isn’t that what we want? People leaving church with a light heart and are ready to witness to the world. I know I do!

I remember the first time we had done “Grace Like Rain” by Todd Agnew. Oh my! Sure we had some positive comments, but mostly not so positive. People could not understand why you put the words from a traditional hymn to ‘ROCK MUSIC’. At the end of this post you have the chance to listen to a different version of “Amazing Grace”. All I am asking is that you listen to it with an open heart. It ROCKS!!!! I listen to it as I write this post. I hardly can contain myself. All I want to do is dance before my Lord and shout “Hallelujah – Grace Like Rain – all my stains are washed away” – Glory to God!!!!! Oh, how I wish we could listen to it together and raise our hands toward heaven and praise His Holy Name! He is an awesome God. Saved me by His grace – nothing I can do but just accept His precious gift to me. I hope and pray that today is your day to accept that precious gift.

“God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” ~ Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT)

“Grace Like Rain” – Todd Agnew [audio:https://eph2810.com/audio/Grace%20like%20Rain.mp3]

Carnival Logo There is still time for you to sumbit your Carnival entry to Blair. Deadline is Tuesday, April 25th, 3pm Eastern Time. To get all the guidelines regarding the Carnival of Beauty, please visit Sallie at Two Talent Living. I hope you will share your thoughts on the Beauty of Art. For me it is music – for you? Writing, music or paitnings?