Thankful

We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us – one gracious blessing after another. (John 1:16 nlt)
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. (Col 4:2 nlt -emphasis added)

I am blessed beyond words and would like to touch on the particulars of some recent reasons for thankfulness in this sometimes ugly world. Darkness in the world, manifested in hatred of God and directed toward true Christians is a force we must not ignore. The god of this world (Satan) is in a spiritual battle with God and the truth of who Christ is and what He did for us on the cross. One need not look much further than the television and entertainment industry to find this raging, spiritual war. I've had limited experience in the industry yet have seen the animosity toward the Bible, Christians and Jesus Christ. You probably have seen it and have experienced it as well. We can conclude that basically nothing has changed from the hatred of Christ nearly 2000 years ago---as recorded in the gospels.

Now I would like to share a true blessing among this darkness that truly stands out. Currently I work in a television station...some might say next to the heart of Hollywood, as visual media goes. There are those at work who openly are not ashamed to express their hatred of the Bible, God and Christians. The devil is ever present.
Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is also present not only within each Christian who might work at the station but Christ is likewise being shared and discussed to honor and glorify His name. Within the darkness, a Bible study goes on each week. It meets once a week between the 6 o'clock and 10 o'clock news. Any are welcome to attend and it's a blessing I needed to recognize and be thankful for.
Among the many blessings we all must not forget to be thankful for, (such as our parents, siblings, water, food, love, and most importantly what God did in sending his Son Jesus Christ to die for us on a cross and rise again to pay the penalty for our sin), there is another one I would like to mention because I've seen it shared a lot in the past few days.
This blessing I believe is directly from the Lord as well. This blessing is more personal to me and has meant more to me than words can express yet I know she is someone others surely have been blessed to know as well. I think so much of her and pray for the wisdom to be able to express my thanks to her for whom she is and has been in my life. When I'm feeling low or feeling sorry for myself for example, she is the calm and reassuring peaceful expression of what love is. When she is simply being who she is, I think she is a wonderful expression of what love truly looks like. Of course, I might be a little biased since she's the girl who I'm in love with, but I don't think so.
Thank you Reada for your affection and Christ-like love you've shown me since our relationship began 5 months ago. I thank God for you daily.
"Let us come before him with thanksgiving. Let us sing him psalms of praise." (Psalm 95:2 nlt -emphasis added)

All of these things are for your benefit. And as God's grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. (2 Corinthians 4:15 nlt)

Sauce and Beans

Today is Friday and I am suppose to be preparing for a rehearsal dinner for someone I have not yet met. The couple is getting married tomorrow. I find it fascinating how marriage comes up in one's thoughts when it does. I would like to let it be known... (beware of the sarcasm in the following statement)
I love to dress up for weddings. If only I wasn't trying so hard to make you laugh. Now really, do you know a guy who truly enjoys dressing up for anything? I am sure they exist but I haven't met any yet. Having said that, I will admit, should I be dressing up for my wedding, I might rather like it.
Choices to be made
Generally, I don't enjoy choices. Whether it's food choices, life choices, financial choices, sock choices, clothing choices, fast food or sit down choices, toothpaste choices, when to stop writing the word "choices".......oh so many choices! No, I don't enjoy making these choices unless someone else makes em for me, then I will sometimes wish I would've made my own choice.
Dressing up choices
I know sometimes one doesn't have a choice for what is worn, especially should one be married already.... but if I do get the luxury to make my own choice, I will wear a tie at my wedding. I like ties. If only I could remember how to tie em. I always forget after the first crossover...or was it the second what to do next..is it under or over?.....can't quite recall but you should see my tie when I get done tying it!
A Wedding
Lord willing, I want to marry my Sweetheart someday, should God leave us here for that day. I know marriage is not all sauce and beans but at least there will be SOME sauce included. Beans aren't so bad either especially refried (my favorite!) but I'm sure that has nothing to do with a wedding. Although come to think of it...it could and won't only impact just a wedding because the more you eat, the more you T**T !! (Forgive me for that one, Sweetheart.)
When we have God as our refuge and strength, we can call on Him to help in the good times and in the struggles. I need constant reminders of this. I pray we will do these things together. I think of the time now while we are dating as a time we can form a routine for seeking Him and praying together.
To conclude
I am happy with today's web log entry. I think I've done many a favor by writing it. Wouldn't you agree? No? Hmm...maybe some things should be kept to myself while other things should definitely be shared. What fun would it be to keep all thoughts to myself? Especially since I know you've thoroughly enjoyed this, perhaps just not quite as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Wisdom = Understanding

In Proverbs 4:7 is written, "....though it cost all you have, get understanding." (italics added)

Proverbs 3:5 - "Lean not on your own understanding..."(italics added) So it appears from this verse that our own understanding isn't good enough but we still need correct understanding.....because in Proverbs 4:7 we are told we have to get it."..though it cost all you have, get understanding." (italics added)

So I want to ask the question you may be asking too. What is this understanding and how do we get it? I believe the first half of Proverbs 3:5 answers how we get understanding...we are to "Trust in the Lord" and "in all our ways acknowledge Him and He'll make our paths straight. " Here we learn we are to trust and cry out to Him for this understanding. Next question. What is this understanding we desperately need? We get that answer in the beginning of Proverbs 4:5- " Get wisdom, get understanding." So when we get wisdom from the Lord by seeking Him first, understanding is wisdom that comes from His Word---in Christ alone.