I've Moved

Hi ya'll,

I've moved!

You can now find me at http://gatheringrubies.com/

All future posts will appear on the new address.

Please visit......

Janice

Divine Intervention

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. Romans 8:26

I’m not trying to be disrespectful or flippant, I’m just feeling soooo frustrated with myself. It must be that pesky perfection gene that pops up from time to time.

I feel like I need some divine intervention today. I’m feeling anxious by my lack of technical knowledge. I’m trying out a new blog site and I hope to share it soon. The person helping me has been most gracious and patient, yet I’m sure will soon be growing weary of me if I don’t learn my way around the site quicker than I’m am so far.

I am praying I will “get it”. Sadly I feel like I’m trying to do something blindfolded. I am one of those ‘hands on’ people. Show me how to do something a couple of times and I can usually grasp it.

If I was looking at a cookbook I wouldn’t be having this problem. I know my way around the kitchen. I understand all of those cooking terms, whip, cream, fold, stir, chop, dice etc. I’m able to follow a recipe and by looking at the measurements for the ingredients, I know from experience if I want to add more or less of any particular ingredient.

I can program TiVo’s, VCR’s, TV’s, Digital Appliances and even the gadgets in our car. I’ve been using computers for years. I use Outlook, Excel, Word, Zoom Browsers, I-Tune and the list goes on….so why can’t I get all the gadgets on this new site? I feel like I’m trying to learn a new language. Hmmm….if I could just become a bit geeky.

As I step out into this new realm of unknown, if you will, say a little prayer for me.

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. (Lao-Tse)

Quote For Today

“The temptation to cheat can be overwhelming, particularly if the stakes are high enough.” (from 1001 Quotes.)

Scripture For Today

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. Rom 3:19-20

Accountabiity

For the past several months we have heard a lot about accountability, or I should say, the lack of it. AIG, Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac, Madoff, Banks and the list goes on. Giant business dealings unchecked and unnoticed, that is until something catastrophic happens; then everyone demands to know “How did this happen?” Who’s Responsible? Of course everyone has their own idea of punishment for the offenders.

Interestingly, when I looked up the definition of accountability Wikipedia listed several different types and not one was individual. Those listed were Political, Administrative, Market, Constituency relations, etc. It’s as if someone else has to monitor others to make them responsible, consequently letting us off the hook for our own actions.

Who are you accountable to and are you only accountable if you get caught?

· Do you drive faster than the posted speed limit
· Skip Sunday worship to watch sports, hunt, fish, sleep late
· Call in sick when your not
· Cheat on you income tax
· Lie to your spouse/parents/children

The list is endless. Ultimately we have to be responsible for our own actions. I can do a lot of things under the guise of ‘no one is going to know’. But God always knows and I’m thankful he does. I try hard not to disappoint him. I know I do disappoint him often, yet if I hold myself accountable, according to his teachings, I will do it less and less. I pray my actions will never cause another to stumble, yet I also pray I will have the courage to teach accountability to others as well. Consider the following illustration from (from 1001 Quotes)...

Jawanza Kunjufu, in his book Restoring the Village, writes:

When I was a fourteen-year-old high school freshman, school was dismissed early for a teachers’ meeting. I conveniently neglected to tell my parents about the change and arranged to bring my girlfriend over to my house. We weren’t planning to study.

As we were going up the steps, my neighbor, Mrs. Nolan, poked her head out of a window and said, “You’re home awfully early, Jerome.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” I said, improvising a lame story about how we planned to review algebra problems.

“Does your mother know you’re home this early,” Mrs. Nolan persisted, “and do you want me to call her?”

I gave up. “No, Ma’am. I’ll go inside and call her while Kathy sits on the porch.”

Mrs. Nolan saved our careers that day. If Kathy had gotten pregnant, she might not have become the doctor she is today. And my father had warned me that if I made a baby, the mutual fund he set up for me to go to college or start a business would have gone to the child. I’m glad Mrs. Nolan was at her window, looking out for me.

So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way. Rom 14:12-14

Quote For Today

Tragically, many people go to the grave with their music still in them, never contributing to the symphony of God's work. They never realize their potential nor taken the risks that faith requires. They hang onto the security of the tree trunk, but the fruit is always on the end of the limb. Unknown

Scripture For Today

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Eph. 5:19-20