Nothin' much

Coach has been reading a book that he got for Christmas called, First Things First by Kurt and Brenda Warner. I would highly recommend this book. Kurt Warner is a professional football player for the Arizona Cardinals. He and his wife have seven children and the book cover reads...the rules of being a Warner...what works, what doesn't and what REALLY matters.

It is funny how God puts us in the right place at the right time. We like to refer to these coincidences as "God Winks" at our house, but basically, they are God's touches that remind us who is in control. We had one of those moments the other day when school was cancelled. We had a snow day and we were watching ESPN when Kurt Warner announced his retirement. He had his whole family there with him and I was so glad that we got to see that. We also had one of those God is in control moments when Brady was brought to this world...yep...we completely get that HE is in control.

So today's devotional is about the three tools that can be used to help us go to God daily. And not just go to him, but to truly hear his word. These are great tools and they kind of go with what I was talking about the other day as far as my consistency is concerned.

The first tool is to find a regular time and place. Some people prefer to have time with God first thing in the morning. Others like to have time with him before bed. Coach used to have his time with God on his way to work. It is a personal preference, but it is important to find that time and make it HIS everyday.

The second tool is to have an open Bible. But before opening the Bible, pray. Max Lucado says, "Don't go to Scripture looking for your own idea, go searching for God's." I thought that was great...how often do I go to the back of my study bible looking for a certain word to lead ME to a certain verse. I need to listen to him more...

And the final tool is to have a listening heart.

The man who looks into the perfect mirror of God's law, the law of liberty, and makes a habit of so doing, is not the man who sees and forgets. He puts that law into practice and he wins true happiness" James 1:25

Max Lucado says, "We know we are listening to God when what we read in the Bible is what others see in our lives." I love that. It is so very true...when we can mirror the word with our actions, we truly know what he is trying to tell us...how he wants us to live...how he lived.

So, the First things First book talks about gathering together at the table every night. This is a rule at their house...dinner together...as often as possible. And they also like to list a positive in their day. We also like to gather at the table, but the "every night" part is a bit unrealistic for us. We ARE working on that though. Anyway, we like to ask the boys what they have learned that day. Sometimes they answer with more than I can absorb and sometimes they answer with..."nothin' much". The devotion today says that learning and understanding the bible are much like that of learning in general...Understanding comes a little at a time over a lifetime. There will be days when we absorb a lot from the word...and there will be days where we learn very little. We might take that information and store it away. We may feel like we learned very little that day, but over time, we'll learn how to apply the knowledge that he has given us...and it will be visible for all to see.

Jeremiah 29:12-13

"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart"

Have a blessed Monday!
Amy