El Roi, Jehovah Jireh

El Roi, God sees me. Jehovah Jireh, God is my provider.

These words, one of the names of God, were tossed around (in retrospect, almost casually) at college, every time some need was met - an anonymously paid school bill, a few dollars in the mail for laundry, a care package from home - "wow, man, Jehovah Jireh!" and I never thought of it as irreverent. It was a continual reminder of how God saw, and provided.

Looking back, it became so commonplace at that time of my life, I took for granted that God would provide. I mean, everyone knows college students have no money, and I suppose it could have been a strange type of entitlement, I'm not sure. All I do know is that I was trusting that everything would happen as God wanted it to.  And back then, when life was a little simpler, I expected God to show Himself and provide. I saw it readily, I praised Him often. Even for little things.

But then, we grew up (a little) and started adulting - bills to pay, budgets to balance, children to provide for, and jobs to work to bring in the money for these things. OF COURSE we understood that God is the one who provides the work, the money, the bonus jobs, but at the same time, it's really easy to start relying on yourself, to stop asking God for things.

You see the deep needs of others and pray instead for them, not wishing to "bother" with your "little" need. "I can do it, it's fine, we'll be fine." becomes an easy rut to settle into. And when you stop asking, sometimes you stop being grateful for those little things. Sometimes you become self-reliant. Sometimes you stop looking to see Him working in those same, simple ways. So a couple of months ago, I picked out one thing to pray about. It was a legitimate need, something we had forgotten about the need for replacing, and we simply didn't have the extra in the budget. I wanted to pray specifically so that I could watch God work specifically.

And this weekend, we were humbled by our Jehovah Jireh. This item that I'd prayed about for a couple of months was very unexpectedly taken care of - a friend called and asked point blank if this exact thing was a need. He said he and his wife had been asking God to show them how they could bless others, and that God had laid it on his heart, very specifically, very clearly, just like that.

I didn't know HOW God was going to choose to provide, or if it would be obvious or just through extra hours, through trivet + board sales, or other random earnings. I assumed it would be through work and earnings, not through a gift. I hadn't told anyone I was praying about it except for Michael and my mom. I know she was praying too.

But God chose differently, and now we have freshly tasted, seen, and experienced God's knowledge of our needs. He is reminding us that He is not "generic" Jehovah Jireh, He is OUR Jehovah Jireh.  And it is so humbling - to be reminded that not only does God see, and know, and love, and care, but He can and does provide - however and through whomever He chooses.

I have been so encouraged and challenged through our friends' prayers and obedience that I now seek to pray this way. My prayer? God, show me how I can bless others. Show me who, what, and how. Show me specifically, because I want to see YOU. Being on the receiving end of the blessing just makes us want to give what we can to others. It's a beautiful and multifaceted gift we've been given. All because of God's amazing grace.

So much grace.

Works of God Monday

We finally seem to be emerging from the February fog of sickness. I hope this trend continues! What a work of our gracious God to allow the whole family to attend church this weekend - together, and all of the services! It was great to be a part of the baptism/communion service on Sunday evening. One of my mom's students was baptized.

And, my mom's symptoms are greatly improved. She has a stress test scheduled for a couple weeks from now, and she plans to also talk to the doctor about gastric reflux, which can mimic heart attack symptoms and happens to run in our family. I am praising the Lord that my mommy is okay!

So, how has God provided for your family this week? What has He been teaching you? What are you thankful for? How did you watch God work this week? Take a little time to praise the Lord with your blog or leave a comment!

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up..." 1 Thess. 5:11

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like.

Works of God Monday

We've had a hard weekend. Andrea posted a little of that today, so I will refer you to her blog for the details. We cling to God and rest in His grace at times like this. Please join us in prayer.

Also, my brother Nate and his wife Lissa are visiting from Oregon this week. I'm going to be using my larger chunks of blogging time to do my housework so that my free time can be used spending time with the family. I do have several hilarious stories to tell, so I will try to get around to those this week if I have a chance.

What is God doing in you?

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like.

Works of God Monday

Well, it was exactly three years ago this weekend that our friends Aaron & Julia (as of then, unmarried) went for a tour in our nasty prospective house. I think we'd made an offer on it, or we were about to, and I'm still not quite sure what Aaron thought. Julia, I am certain, was right on board with the possibilities. (but she still thought we were crazy, of course!) So the above photos were taken almost exactly three years apart. What a difference! Broughtons, we are signing you up NOW for a visit next Thanksgiving!!

You wouldn't recognize it if you hadn't watched it happen! I wish I'd been able to take a "before" photo of the outside in the spring. Then the crazy gardening techniques in the front yard would be even more visible. I'm almost as happy with the smooth yard as I am with the siding. Almost. The siding project is well over halfway done, and from the road, you almost can't tell that there is any construction at all going on here at the Muth house! All that remains is one end of the house and the back and side of the garage. Praise the Lord for His provision!

This is the house that God is building. We are so blessed to be part of the process. May we use what He has given us for His glory!!

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like.

PLEASE NOTE: You don't have to post just on Monday! You can link a post from a previous week, or come and link on Thursday if that is when God works and you want to share! And if you don't have a blog, leave your work of God in the comment section!

Works of God Monday

Some friends from church got a new washer and dryer, and instead of selling their "old" Maytag Atlantis set, they decided to bless our socks off. Here is our new, free, washer and dryer.

So I have some new friends to help me wash the clothes. Praise the Lord for this answer to prayer! Our old washing machine was doing all right, but I knew it was just a matter of time, as we'd bought it third hand and it's companion dryer had already bit the dust.

Aaron is giving it two thumbs up, as he's been doing a lot lately. So many blessings!

Incidentally, you don't have to post YOUR blessing just on Monday! You can link a post from a previous week, or come and link on Thursday if that is when God works and you want to share!

So, how IS God proving Himself to be faithful to you? It could be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Blog about it - then follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

Works of God Monday

God has been teaching me a lot this week about His Grace and reminding me to keep trusting and relying on Him. I'm sure this lesson will be a repeat one, and I'm so thankful for His patient teaching and His constant compassion for me. I need all the help I can get!

How has God been at work in your life this past week? First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this past week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

Works of God Monday

This week, I'd love to tell you about how God cares about root canals, and the bills that result. We have dental insurance, and until last month, I was under the impression that it was GREAT dental insurance. It had always covered everything that I'd needed to have done, including cleanings, fillings, x-rays, etc. I never thought for one minute it might not cover root canals.

So when I had some major pain issues with one of my teeth, I had it fixed without a thought. Then, I found out that the procedure was not covered. Oh, hurray, hurray. That same week, we found out about some other rather significant medical charges that were also not covered, leaving a gigantic hole in our bank account. And I mean gigantic. Oh, did I mention we also got a letter from the city of Midland that week stating that our house was too ugly and had to be fixed by August 1st? Um, yeah. That was a very hard week. God is good, always. ALL of the things we found out about that week have been taken care of in God's perfect way, and in His perfect timing.

So anyway, back to the root canal. The dentist office thankfully is willing to work with us on a payment plan, so last Monday I had the procedure finished. Lord willing there will never be pain again on that particular location!! While I was there, the receptionist asked me if I'd be interested in applying for a partial payment assistance through a memorial fund (a dentist had set this up before passing away). Well, I was and I did and God decided to allow me to receive $200 through this fund toward the payment of the root canal bill! Praise the LORD!!

So now it's your turn!! First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

Works of God Monday

Today, I need the refresher course on what to do when you don't particularly like what's happening. Tonight, our friends pull out of town, heading for their new ministry. The last few weeks have been a flurry of packing, both of boxes and of schedules, trying to get in as much time with them as possible. God is at work on their behalf for certain! He's obviously led them to go to California, and it's been truly awesome to see how He is working out details to continue to confirm His plan for them. We are excited that they are going to be just where God wants them.

And we are just where God wants us, too, which is equally exciting, even if it's not new and novel. We have been encouraged greatly in the past weeks by the provisions of God. This week, through a variety of unexpected events, we have been able to make the decision to move ahead with our siding project, one of the last major steps in our home renovations.

For those of you who don't know the story about our house (I need to add new photos!), we bought it a little over two years ago on auction after it had been foreclosed and the tenants evicted. It was in pretty rough shape, and through God's provision we have been able to improve it quite a bit. The outside still looks about like this, though, and until recently we thought we would have to wait yet another year until siding could be afforded.

Our loan situation has been little iffy - we had chosen a zero down loan with an adjustable rate interest in order to maximize the use of our savings for the remodel, with the intention that we would refinance in a few years when we'd built up some sweat equity. This refinancing would allow us to get rid of PMI and possibly finish up the multiple projects needing completion to sell the house at the greatest possible financial benefit to us.

So today, we are praising the Lord that He has orchestrated some unique circumstances that will allow us to fast forward some of the steps! It looks like we will begin some preparation work for siding here in the next few weeks (including a Very! Anticipated! Garage! Storage! Area!!) and perhaps by Fall have some pictures of the completed job to post here. We are so excited to see Him work beyond our expectations.

So now it's your turn!! First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

Works of God Monday

Psalm 62:8 - "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."

I shared a great story on Friday of God's provision for our family - working through my forgetfulness - and I hope you've been able to read it. God is at work in so many ways at our house. I see it often in the little things - this weekend, I was able to buy ground beef for 98 cents per pound due to the fact that the "freshness" was almost expired. What a blessing - I bought 7 lbs and won't have to think about ground beef for a long while. It's in our freezer, separated into manageable amounts.

Our God daily holds us up, especially in times of discouragement (which, if you haven't guessed, is something we're going through now) We have FULL confidence in the faithfulness of our God, and I can't wait to share with you how HE works out the details. And when He does, I will share the details! Until then, we wait on Him. These are times when God is working, when He will show His power. It's never been about me and my timing, anyway. God is good. Let's praise Him for His wonderful works!!

First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

If you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your works of God testimony in the comment section!

Works of God Monday

Thank you all for praying for me; I know you did. This weekend has been interesting, each day a little better as far as pain goes, and I know that I will remember the past week for years to come with "fondness" in the most opposite sense of the word. Well, opposite except for the lessons learned about God and His faithfulness.

My teeth are feeling significantly better. I still have minor sinus pain (and headaches) and a sore jaw, but I will take that ANY DAY over the agony of the past week. It is all a bit of a blur.

God IS GOOD, all the time. He gives grace and uses people at the right place and time to help us. He will not give us more than we can handle. I know this more deeply now. Praise the Lord for using pain and painful situations in our lives to make us more like HIM!!

OK, now it's your turn!! Let's encourage one another in the Lord! First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

If you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your works of God testimony in the comment section!

Works of God Monday

Here is a neat little story of a blessing that God surprised me with this week. Aaron and I went shopping to find some gifts for Michael's birthday. We had a coupon from our credit card company that stated if we spent $10 on our credit card at Penney's we could get $10 off. This is one of my favorite deals at Penney's - I've gotten so many free things when they do this!

Well, we went to go check it out, and as we were moseying around the store trying to decide what to buy, a lady stopped me and asked if I was shopping at Penney's that day. She explained that she had a $10 off a $10 purchase coupon and that she hadn't been able to find anything she needed and would I like it? YES!! This coupon was even better since I wouldn't have to use the credit card at all! I thanked her and we went shopping in earnest! We found a nice shirt for Michael on the clearance rack - I thought it was $12.99 and was pumped to find out it was an additional percent off.

We paid 41 cents. Praise the Lord for His provision, even of "extras" like birthday presents!!

OK, now it's your turn!! Let's encourage one another in the Lord! First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

In the Mister Linky widget below, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

If you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your works of God testimony in the comment section!

Works of God Monday

ACK! I was so excited to wake up this morning with energy that I started cleaning the house and doing laundry, and before I knew it, the time had gotten away from me and now it is noon! Happy Monday! (and sorry for the delay in posting this)

That "waking up with energy" is my work of God testimony this morning. This pregnancy has been a little rougher than the last, and I feel like I've had to let a lot of things slide around here just to keep up with our lives in general. I am thankful that God gave strength this morning to enable me to catch up on some much needed household chores that have been neglected for far too long.

It's your turn!! Let's encourage one another in the Lord! First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

If you've never used Mister Linky before, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

If you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your works of God testimony in the comment section!

Works of God Monday

Does God care about little things? I would submit that He does! The Bible says that He knows how many hairs are on our heads, and that He provides for all our needs. He even surprises us with little blessings.

This week was a busy, busy week. I am beginning to long for the end of May in hopes that the summer slows down a little bit and we can take some deep breaths before baby #2 arrives! In all the scurrying about, I kept forgetting to bring my "fridge list" to the grocery store - I usually write down the things that I am almost out of or completely out of on a pad on the fridge. (my other items I type out when I do menu planning) I went to the grocery store TWICE this week, which is unusual, and both times did an ok job of remembering what I needed to buy - EXCEPT I kept forgetting to buy Lawry's seasoned salt, which at our house is a seasoning that we just don't care to run out of.

Yesterday I decided to stop by the store and buy a paper in the afternoon, and I decided to grab a canister of Lawry's, too. It "just so happened" to be on sale - BOGO! I was delighted and was praising the Lord for His little blessing, even as I was forgetful and absentminded!

It's your turn!! Let's encourage one another in the Lord! First, blog about how God has been at work in your life this week - it can be a physical provision, a spiritual lesson learned, an opportunity to share with others, anything that was an evidence of God at work in you. Then, follow these directions:

If you've never used Mister Linky before, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like. Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!

If you don't have a blog, feel free to leave your works of God testimony in the comment section!

When God is at Work

What do you do when God WORKS and you don't really like it? I'm one hundred percent certain that it means the problem is with me and my thinking, and not with God and His working.

Here's just one example:

For the past couple of months some of our closest friends here have been considering what God would have them do about moving. Not across town or even to another town nearby. No. Across the country. Pretty much as far away from Michigan as you can get and still be in the US. God has definitely been working to show them each step in this process, and it's not like it's a done deal - they are still praying, and I am still in complete and total denial. Friends like this just don't happen every day. I have to be honest. I. don't. want. them. to. move. But God might, and I need to be okay with that.

So here is where the practical part of my theology, my view of God, is supposed to kick in, and I'm supposed to start asking the right kind of questions.

What do I know to be true about God? He is Sovereign, He has a plan, it is for our good, it will give Him glory, He wants us to trust Him, He loves us, He knows what is best. He has promised to lead us, never leave us, give grace, give wisdom, provide, and the list goes on. (I'm already reassured, how about you?)

What do I know to be true about myself? I do not know best, I am not perfect, am not eternally minded, have no idea what God's long-term plans are, cannot be trusted, have a heart that is sinful and selfish. I am helpless, without wisdom, weak, needy.

Sounds like the perfect fit. As long as I trust Him. And guess what? There are more things God is doing that, at first look, are "uncomfortable" for me. But He is at work in my heart, too. He gives more grace, more strength for me to trust Him in every situation, every day. I cannot handle the daunting task of yielding my will, of trusting, but God can. He is working - in our friends, in this specific situation, and in my heart.

I am learning. Slowly, but richly - beyond knowing in my head. I am growing in grace. I am growing in the knowledge of my Lord and Savior, a knowledge that comes by experience, by tasting to see that the Lord is GOOD. And I am learning to praise Him, to bless His name, His works, at all times.

Works of God Monday

This weekend at ladies' retreat I was reminded of the importance of being purposeful at seeing God at work in every day. I was thinking back to my own childhood and made sure to thank mom for starting the pattern of identifying God's hand in the little and the big things that happened, and praising Him for them. Mom was great about reminding us that it was God who helped us obey, it was God who gave us a sunny day, etc. I am sure dad did the same thing, but since he was at work a lot of the time, most of my memories are of mom's reminders. This was a great beginning for me to form a habit of praising God for His work.

Then, of course, I remembered Works of God Monday during Monday chapels for each of my years at Northland, and the testimonies we would hear of how God was working in fellow students' lives. Sometimes it would be $3 in the mail right when someone needed laundry money, or an opportunity to share the gospel, or some other way that God had shown that He was alive and working in our lives.

So I was thinking - there are bunches of "theme" days out there on the web, why not start our own virtual bloggy Works of God Monday? I hope this will be a blessing and encouragement to you as you read of how God has been at work in your life and in others' lives this past week! I will be posting on each Monday, but feel free to add posts throughout the week or save it until the next Monday. If you want to link a post that you've written this past week, that would be great!! God is definitely at work - let's encourage one another!

If you've never used Mister Linky before, simply type your name in the top box, or a short description of the work that God has done, and then in the second box, paste the link from your specific "Works of God Monday" post. PLEASE make sure the link is to a specific post on your blog that is a personal testimony of how God has been at work in your life in the past week. Feel free to use the image from the top of this post if you like (or someone can volunteer to make a much nicer one!) Just right click the image and choose "save image as" then upload it into your post. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions, and spread the word to your blogging friends!