Get Pumped

Do you ever hear a song and it just sets you off and gets you in the mood to get er dun? That feeling of being pumped is a great, energizing feeling. I get that feeling sometimes when I read theology and I just have to jump and move and bask in the wonderfulness of God.

For example, I am reading a chapter in Daniel L. Akin's book A Theology for the Church titled The Doctrines of Christ, in which he discusses The Person of Christ. He is breaking down a "Christology from Above" referencing John 1. Here is a poem that he shares with the reader.

Light looked down and beheld darkness,
thither will I go said Light.
Life looked down and beheld death,
thither will I go said Life.
Love looked down and beheld dispair,
thither will I go said Love.
So came Light and shone truth,
So came Life and conquered death,
So came Love and gave hope.
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
     - Author Unknown

Please go read it for yourself in John 1:1-18.

In the words of Pastor Larry Wood, "If that doesn't get your fire going, then your wood is wet!"

God Knows What I Need

God knows what I need.  I've known for a few weeks that I need to get up before Eliana in order to do my quiet time.  She only takes one nap now.  It ranges from 45 minutes to 3 hours.  Most of the time, it is around an hour.  That means I have a TON to do while she sleeps.  Trying to do my quiet time while we eat breakfast just isn't the same as when it was just me, or when she was nursing, or when I could put her down and she's stay in one spot.  The problem is that Eliana's wake up time ranges from 5:30 to 7.  For now, my goal wake up time is 5:40 (which is 5 minutes earlier than I woke up when teaching).  This morning I woke up and thought, "Should I really get up?"  Bad idea.  I should not have questions, I should have just got up.  The answer is yes, but my groggy brain might say that sleep would be much better.  I sat there and decided to think about it, and thus I promptly fell back asleep.  Eliana started to stir a little before 6.  I thought, "Rats, now I messed up my quiet time and I'll be off center all day."  Then, Eliana did a glorious thing.  She fell back asleep.  I was totally up this time and got out of bed.  I was able to spend until 7 reading my Numbers 23 and journaling.  Just as I was finishing up writing down my prayer, Eliana woke up.  God knew I needed Eliana as my second alarm clock.  God knew I needed a great hour of quiet time.
God knows what I need.  The Bible and Art Club starts up tomorrow!  For various reasons, I hadn't gotten to writing up my first lesson.  God has placed the book of Matthew on my heart to teach this year.  We'll be studying Matthew 1:1-17 tomorrow.  I knew that I'd have to make due with whatever time Eliana napped today as my study time.  She went down around 12 and still isn't up!  Glorious again!!!  I was able to make a calendar for the year, do some research on why it is important that Jesus came from both Abraham (Gen. 12:13) and David (Psalm 89:4), and really get ready for tomorrow's lesson.  God knew I needed some stretched time.  I'd prayed about it this morning, and he has allowed Eliana to take one of those rare naps that is nice and long.

God knows what I need.  I was checking email which is a rare thing now that Kyle is home recovering from surgery, and Eliana takes such short naps, when a friend encouraged me to go take 5 minutes with God.  These 5 minutes were to be just me and God.  No Bible, journal, electronic, notecard, or anything else.  Just me and God.  Awe, it was so good to sit on the floor and pray.  I had to sit on the floor and initially close my eyes, because I would probably get distracted if I were other places.  I'd notice the laundry, or dishes, or other to do things.  Once I was really focused, I opened my eyes and prayed while looking outside.  God knew I needed to be still and pray.

Is there a time you reflected and realized God knew what you needed?

As I am finishing up, Eliana is beginning to stir.  He knew how long I'd need to write this post.  He knows everything!