2018 April 11 Wednesday

2018 April 11 Wednesday in Liberty Hill Texas

47° and mostly clear with zero wind. Reached 75° by noon and the wind picked up to between 16 & 25 mph. Going for a high of 80.

Before leaving home this morning, I started some ham and beans in the crock pot. I also mixed the dry ingredients for cornbread.

Once we returned from Grandies* I added the milk, egg, and butter and got it in the convection oven.

There were fifteen members at the Grandies meeting this morning. We mailed eight cards and okayed the purchase of some supplies for children in need. Our pastor joined us for a few minutes and we lifted our joys and concerns to the Lord. We did our roll call where we take the time to stay connected with each other. We then played cards games until nearly twelve.

With nothing on our schedule until choir practice in the evening, Ella and I just relaxed all afternoon.

Walmart has been doing a lot to promote it’s Pick Up Today grocery app so I’ve decided to try it. I placed an order to be picked up Friday mid afternoon. I’m curious as to how well it will work. My hope is that, by keeping us out of the store, it will help us to avoid impulse purchases and save some money. We’ll see.

Have any of you tried this service or one like it? How about the home delivery options that some offer? Or services like Blue Apron that send ingredients for a complete meal?

Choir practice went so well that we actually got done early. We sounded good also. Most of the music we practiced tonight are hymns that we’ve done many times before.

MUSING – April 11 2018

I’M NOT AS SMART AS I THINK I AM

Romans 11:33-34
“God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge are so deep that it is impossible to explain his decisions or to understand his ways. “Who knows how the Lord thinks? Who can become his adviser?”

Ouch! That question about who can be God’s adviser strikes too close to home for me. I am a good problem solver. It is something that I’ve done my whole life.

While others were seeking to place blame for the situation, I would look for a way to fix it. While others were listing all the things that couldn’t be done, I would look for what could be done, no matter how small, that would get us headed toward a bigger solution.

The first part of fixing something is to believe it can be fixed. Imagine what it looks like in its most perfect state and then work toward that goal,

Way to often when I go to God with a concern, I already have a path laid out. God seldom follows my well thought out plan. Frankly, the way I recognize that the solution came from Him is that it so totally different and unexpected.

William Cowper understood that when he wrote the hymn “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”

“God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sov’reign will.

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flow’r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain.”

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8

So, if like me, you are looking to be God’s advisor, try instead to be His follower.

*Grandies is a ministry for senior citizens who have, since it’s beginning, has mailed more than 3,300 greeting cards to our military, healthcare needs, sympathy, birthday, anniversary, and others.

They also work with the schools and other organizations to provide personal items, snacks and meals to children in need.

All content (except quotations) © 2018 Thomas E. Williams.