Photo Credits~

(owl:donaldthompson95 on flickr, luna:BillLepidoptera/harkphoto.com on flickr, willow/fence:trensamiro on flickr, all remaining: Merana Leigh)

Psalm 25:4-5

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;

guide me in your truth and teach me,


for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long (NIV)





Drench yourself in words unspoken, Live your life with arms wide open,

Today is where your book begins, The rest is still unwritten. ("Unwritten" by Natasha Beddingfield)





It matters not how long we live, but how!



Thursday, August 5, 2010

Giving Firstfruits!

confession - this is my "weekend coffee cup" that makes a regular coffee cup look like a simple little shot glass! ;-}

I know in the hustle & bustle of this hurried, harried world it is truly difficult to sit, reflect & lose one's self in thought & praising. Each of us handle things differently due to our own personality, time constraints, and 'what works for us'. But, I've established a covenant of my own with God. He tells us to give Him our firstfruits, so that's just what I do. I get up an hour before my boys in order to give God the firstfruits of my day. And I "get" that He values that time too. When I had set 2 (count 'em TWO) alarms & neither one went off, I just woke up naturally ... now that's what I call a Godly wake-up call!

So, I quietly saunter into the living room, with my big 'ol cup of mocha-colored hazelnut bliss, light my favorite candle, and crack open (mind you, I sure don't have to dust off) my trusty Bible and lose myself in His Word and in communicating with Him. Sometimes I can actually open the door & enjoy some of the world coming to life for another day if it's not too hot/humid or cold. Often I pray for my needs (we humans are selfish that way). But that's what He wants us to do...come to Him with our needs...and even our wants...and dare I say it...our dreams. Of course, He already knows ALL of it anyway, but He can't work in your life if you don't invite Him in to work amongst all your needs/wants/dreams, now can He? (Ok, ok, well of COURSE He can, but work with me here...!!!) Anyway...back on track here Merana...my prayers naturally progresses to pray for my children (for now AND their future), for needs of others, for our troops, for those in emergency services, for our politicians (crooked or otherwise) b/c they still make the laws & make decisions that impact the rest of our lives (from the mayor all the way up to the President), the pastors & those serving to reach this hurting world, and even for the person that I know He has planned for me to spend my life with some day. And mostly, I pray for Him to guide me into becoming the person, and especially the mother, that HE wants for me to be. My most desperate dream, if I'm honest, is to reach as many people as I can for Him. I want to admit to them my faults, my doubts, my trials...just to stand before them (or, ok, sit at a computer & type) to tell them of His grace that gets me thru ALL of that ... and brings me out stronger in the end. It's kinda like the man in John 9 who was born blind & nobody's sin was to blame for it. It was allowed so that God's power, and glory, and grace could be shown. And if you want the truth...I've started praying for you all, dear Blog Buddies. That we will encourage & learn from one another, and that things we have to say here will extend out from each of us to reach people who are in need. So that we can say, "Ya know what (my friend sitting here with me), I read a post from one of my blog buddies that applies to just this thing. Let me find it for you." And thus His reach expands even further through us.

Then I usually end up our precious time together by thanking Him for the grace of being able to even spend that time together & then praising Him for all those gifts He's given me and others I know. My pastor called me on the carpet one time when I was meeting with him & his wife (lovely people) just sobbing my eyes out. He asked me point blank, "Well, when was the last time you praised God?" Ummm, what do you mean? Of course I'm thankful. Well then you need to spend some time actually letting Him know that!!!" Ummm....point taken! (yet another wake up call if you ask me!)

And sometimes I stop to just get lost in the sound of silent worship. Ever do that? Just "listen" to those lovely things that are part of your life? Being thankful for the two gifts involved there? The gift of the various sounds created, and especially the gift of hearing! For me....the steady drone of the house fan, the gentle breeze through the leaves on the trees & tickling the windchimes outside, the song of several different birds, cows in a nearby field, a train whistle off in the distance...wait a minute...what the???...now wait just a dog-gone minute... Ok Mr. Harley Man you are ruining my moment here!! Get your sorry self to work already. Ah, there it is ... bliss again .... peace & tranquility. Dang, gotta go wake up the boys...there goes peace & tranquility - LOL! But then again...what a way to start a day...and then I also get to watch my children in their peaceful slumber before I wake them gently...now that's peace personified! I thank you for that, Lord - most of all!

27 comments:

  1. Hi Merana,

    I also enjoy the early morning as my quiet time with God. Praying, reading scripture and (especially now) hearing what He has to say. It's not an audible voice but I think you know what I mean.

    Like you, I pray for other bloggers as well, that the Lord will continue to use each of us as a message board of faith, hope and trust in the resurrection of His Son.

    Let us continue to offer firstfruits to the Lord.

    May He be pleased with our gifts of devotion and praise.

    MTJ

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  2. I relate to everything in the post, right on down to the early rising with the mucho grande cup of coffee and quiet time. I even relate to needing the remider to praise Him always.

    I have to tell you that I LOVED your comment about the haybales on my blog this morning! I relate to that, too! In fact, I just stopped my car this week to take a picture of some hay bales all lined up. It knocked my socks off. I'll post it soon, I'm sure. Unless God gives me another unexpected simple pleasure to report instead.

    Love what I have read here! And I think God is giving you that desire of your heart to reach people for him through this blog.

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  3. I love this post. There is no substitute for spending time with God in those first early hours of the day, before the everyday world interferes.

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  4. Hi,
    Just found your blog and I loved my visit here today.
    I too enjoy the early morning for my quiet time with the Lord. I also pray for blogging buddies and I thank God for the blogging world. I pray that I will be a blessing to many and that we can learn from each other and share our experiences. Praise The Lord!
    I am so thankful for all He has done in my life and He has been ever faithful.
    Blessings.

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  5. Debbie - PLEASE post haybale pix! Glad to follow you. You are welcome here always! Thank you for your encouraging words!

    Linda - glad you found me & hope you visit often. I welcome your comments always! God is so amazing!

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  6. I love this post… I need to be more intentional about doing my Time with God in the morning.
    Thanks for stopping by.
    Blessings,
    Virginia

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  7. Sounds like a perfect day to me. I'm glad you visit our Spiritual Sundays blog. I don't remember you linking there. I encourage you to do so.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  8. Merana, I loved this post and felt a kindred spirit in you. Mornings are so fresh and perfect for spending time with our Creator. I want to do that more often vs giving him my leftovers at the end of my day.

    Thanks for inspiring me. I'm glad I found your blog and may God lead and guide you as you seek to follow him.

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  9. Hi Merana - I loved your post. I love the early mornings - such a wonderful time to spend alone with the Savior.

    I love your blog header!

    Blessing,
    Joan

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  10. Since I made the comment above, I see that you had already linked to Spiritual Sundays. I'm glad.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  11. the psalm you have at the top of your blog...held me..I want what it says so bad....and your post...beautiful...your faith shines.

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  12. I love the style of your writing. It is just like you are talking to us over a cup of coffee! That is so nice you have a quiet time with the Lord in the morning hours. Happy Spiritual Sunday!

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  13. I read and thought I left a comment...but just wanted you to know your post...your message is great.

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  14. Gayle - we are kindred spirits, that's exactly how I feel too - that if I spent my time with Him at the end of the day, He'd only be getting my leftovers. But that's just how I'm made. That's why I said, 'what works for us', b/c some people have their greatest strength at the end of the day when I'm sapped. It is all about giving Him the best part of us, isn't it? No matter what time is works best for us individually.

    Joan - thank you about your comments on my header. Funny thing is that it wasn't a struggle at all to come up with any of it. God put "Quiet Ministries" on my heart YEARS ago. I just didn't know then what He wanted me to do with it. Now, hopefully I'm reaching many (& hope to grow that!).

    Sarah - yes, you did leave a comment, but I didn't see it 'til I got on the computer this morning. I have moderation set up so that I KNOW when someone left a comment, without having to go search my different posts to determine if anyone did. I appreciate so much what you said & may I say that I'm glad Psalm 25:4-5 spoke to you, dear one! I pray that every morning! (oh ok...several times a day!!) I feel deeply that you are facing some sort of struggle. Please read my Rutted Paths post & pray those Scriptures there & take them to heart! Hugs & prayers are coming to you, my friend!

    Whidbey - wouldn't it be great indeed if we could all gather around a table with some java & talk about all the Lord does for us...even the simple fact that we have found one another here!?! Ok...would be great to have some cinnamon rolls with that java too ;o}

    Thanks everyone that you find God's grace in my writing & sharing what He asks me to say to you (I've just learned to say "Yes sir!", when He tells me to get a pen & paper)

    Blessings in Christ's love ~ Merana

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  15. What a thought provoking post. I am of the early riser club with God and I love thinking of it as the first fruits...I especially like the stillness that comes in the early morning, listening to nature, it's the best atmosphere for converstaion with God. Thanks for the beautiful comment...I am now your newest follower. Blessings, Patty

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  16. Glad you stopped by. I'm glad I returned the visit. I appreciate your set aside time with the Lord. I do the same thing. I don't have to be at work until 8 am but I get up at 4:30 so I can sent out Daily Grace and put it on the blog. Then I commune with the Lord. It's the most awesome part of the day. God bless, be hearing from me soon. Bobbi

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  17. Practical, easy to understand,much needed post. Thank you for sharing from your heart in such an open way.

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  18. Thank you for sharing your morning prayer time with us today. Thanks for coming by my blog...Your cyber home is beautiful and inspirational!! God bless.

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  19. What more can you ask for in the morning. I just loved this post today. Thank-you so much for sharing your morning with us. OH~~ I LOVE your coffee cup, I need to get one like that.
    Blessings,
    Ginger

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  20. Our sermon at church today was called, "Hitting the pause button"...stopping the hustle and bustle around us and taking the time to be with God. He must have been speaking to you too! Your blog is beautiful, thanks for stopping by mine too!

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  21. Good evening Merana!
    I'm SO happy you stopped by today, and in turn, invited me here. Already I'm hooked -- you're the only person I know who also enjoys her "mud" in the morning ... we're sisters that way! :)
    I look forward to following!
    God bless,
    Myra

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  22. Everyone...I'm humbled that I can touch you with what He has to share. Thank you for all your kind comments. I am enjoying stopping by your blogs tremendously!! Ginger, stop by Bed Bath & Beyond - that's where I got the mug...then ENJOY!

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  23. Your prayers and your prayer time is beautiful. And yes, I too just stop and listen. :)

    Blessings,
    Lyn

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  24. This early morning thing has been the hardest thing for me. I am a mid-morning person because my brain doesn't work earlier. I love my time with the Lord and I cherish it daily...but early? Well, not so much. Yet, what you have shared about "firstfruits" is true. In order to not allow my "leftovers" to be given to God, I must put Him first in my day. It is too easy to be taken hostage by the many little things that fill my time.

    Thank you for your wise words!

    I think the size of your coffee mug is perfect:)

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  25. Hii Merana -
    Thank you for your heartfelt prayers! Please, feel free to copy and use the "UPS" piece however you wish ... what's mine is yours! :)
    Myra

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  26. I love morning quiet times with the Lord! Thank you for the reminder that praise is so important! I was struck by several such verses this morning in my own quiet time: Psalm 95: 1-3 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

    Now that really puts things in the right perspective, doesn't it?! Blessings to you!

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  27. Sweet Merana, what a treasure you are and how I love when you visit. You so inspire me in my walk with God, its beautiful to see the love you have for Him. Thank you so much for sharing the beauty of you!
    Hugs
    Melly:)

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