THE LEANING TREE HOMESTEAD

HAVING TROUBLE SEEING!! OPEN MY EYES LORD!!

GOOD MORNING!! What I am about to write is by no means meant to offend anyone.  Its just little ol' me trying to find my place in this world. 

  This morning I got up and was doing my daily quiet time.  I use each morning a little devotional book from my church that is distributed monthly called Journey, a 1 year reading bible, and then I read out of my Bible. I am currently reading out of 1 Corinthians to which I have been doing.

Let me give some background. I stumbled across a book about the Amish.  In reading it, I became intrigued in their lifestyle. They live as simple as possible.  It seems to me(and anyone correct  me if I am wrong) that they take the bible quiet literall.  Which to me is a witness in itself. Anyway, I started studying the Amish.   Having been intrigued so much by the Amish, I cannot figure out why.  I will admit, I am a bit envious (yet a sin, please forgive me Lord))of their lifestyle and beliefs.  But I tell you, after becoming accustomed to the lifestyle I have.......wow............what a change!!!

THEN GOD DID WHAT HE DOES!!!

This mornings topic in the Journey devotional was "Aging Gracefully". It talked about how society is so wrapped up in youth and beauty(looks).   God wants us to care for our bodies as He tells us in 1 Corinthians 6:19 "Do you not know that your body is the sanctuary  of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God?"  Romans 12:1 " Therefore, brothers by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God;this is your spiritual worship.

He does not want us to be obsessed with our bodies as the society is so teaching us and OUR CHILDREN to do.  Romans 12:2-3 " Do not be conformed to this age,  be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is good, pleasing, and the perfect will of God. 3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one.

So with all that, what am I trying to say?  I love how God can put together 3 different devotions and say the same thing.  But!! Yet, I am still having trouble seeing or understanding what He is saying to me.

Untitled Comment

{ 07:21, Monday, August 20, 2007 } { Posted by CarolinaWren }

Just keep walking with Him! The fact that you recognize He may be trying to speak to you is something in itself. You are obviously open to hearing Him and He will reveal, but sometimes it is slowly.
I've never studied them in-depth but I also love the Amish lifestyle! It really would be a big change from how I've lived my 40+ years of life, but some days I really crave that simplicity.
And personally I would love to trade in my car for a horse and buggy!! That would be cool.

Blessings to you!
Maria :)

I understand

{ 07:21, Monday, August 20, 2007 } { Posted by smallisbeautiful }

I think what you're on is a path or journey. You're learning that you don't need much or find that you get more out of life. I, too, am interested in the Amish and Mennonites and am working to firm up my faith and spirituality and to submit and live the Bible literally says to. I think that the answers are all there in the good book! My reverend told us a few things that have stuck with me lately: first is that God wants us to use our gifts for peace and that God wants us to be joyful. So, when in doubt, have faith and have joy!

He's teaching us all!

{ 09:15, Monday, August 20, 2007 } { Posted by cmmager }

I want to share with you that I think God is using us, here, together and teaching each of us more and more. You came to my blog and saw my post. It's similar to yours. That was no coincidence.
And the Amish, as you've listed in your blog, is no coincidence for me either. I live around them, in my community. I buy my produce, milk, eggs, cheese and some meat from them, and butter too. I have sat down with one family and conversed a few times. They are truly biblical people, who take God for His word. They do not look at Gods word as grey, but black and white. I don't want to trade in my car, and I didn't run my air on until the 95 degree days arrived on August 9th, and I was cooking and canninng in the house, but I did not hesitate to turn the air on then. I like my air. Can I live without it, yes I can. Did I enjoy the days much more, yes I did.
The Amish are simple, yet very God fearing and very kind. They, to me, represent how we are to be at peace with everyone and present ourselves holy at all times.
Thanks for sharing this with us all! Praise God for His glory!
Melissa

From a restful place

{ 12:02, Monday, August 20, 2007 } { Posted by beverly }

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after rightousness, for they shall be filled."