Picture DEES~~~Tuning Fork

As I sat in the sanctuary listening to the music team I was blessed once more for my early arrival to church. The music team had their audience of one and I got a sample of what was to come. 

In the midst of their warming up the lead guitar player took out a tuning fork and struck it on a nearby object. Silence was in the room as everyone concentrated on the pitch they were hearing. Soon each player and singer did their best to copy that sound that would set their song service off on the right note. 

Instead of setting me off on a musical note it got me to thinking about the Bible and how it is God's tuning fork. It is design just right to strike that correct pitch we are to imitate and follow. Something that sets our life or day off on the right note. 

As with the tuning fork the Bible is an acoustic resonator in the form of a book inspired by God for us to read and apply to our lives. 

The tuning fork resonates at a specific constant pitch when set vibrating by striking it against a surface or with an object, and emits a pure musical tone after waiting a moment to allow some high overtones to die out. The Bible has the same effect when we open it up to read and study it striking it against the surface of our heart, soul, and mind. 

 The pitch a particular tuning fork generates depends on the length and mass of the two prongs. It is frequently used as a standard of pitch to tune musical instruments such as a piano. The same holds true with the Bible. The tune or pitch it produces in our lives depends on the length of time we are in God's word and how well we listen and are able to mimic its tune or guiding pitch set out for us to follow. 

The most important similarity they have in common is the fact that neither are designed to fit us. We are the ones who are to change to follow their example or pitch. They are the guides set before us to get us on the right track. To start out on the right note with many to follow. 

As instruments of God our job is to not tune out but tune in to what they have for us and do it. When we do we will see the results of a life properly tuned. Beautifully set to give God the glory in the way we set off our lives on the right note. 

The right note generated by the acceptance it is us who needs to be adjusted not our tuning fork, the Bible. 

Copyright 2015 Karen J Gillett at Pencil Marks and Recipes Publishing

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Picture DEES~~~A New Selfie

In the midst of a discussion one day I was informed by one of my grand kids that, "they were born that way and I needed to get over it." As I looked them in the eye I told them they were right, they were born that way.

Truly what I was hearing was an age old argument that probably started with Adam and Eve. One we try to use as an excuse that we are born the way we are therefore we are excused to stay that way. Wrong!

We are all born sinners, fleshly people that are greedy, impatient, selfish, loud mouth , out of control, undisciplined, unforgiving, and so much more. People who need to be taught how to discipline ourselves, how to be generous, selfless, patient, forgiving, and how to control our tongues.

This is why we accept Jesus in our lives to help us take off the old and put on the new. The new selfie that looks good, behaves well and has the attitude of Christ instead of an out of control person who can't see passed an unproductive nature. A life that weighs one down instead of builds it up.

Our entire lives from the time we were kids needs to be spent finding a balance between improving ourselves and accepting ourselves as we are. Too often we fall to one extreme or the other. We try to change too much that which wasn't meant to be changed in God's eyes or we refuse to improve ourselves at all.

The choice is ours and the consequences too if we don't do what truly needs to be done in God's eyes not our own when it comes to our "selfie."

Just because we were born with our finger stuck up our nose or yanking our sister's hair doesn't make it something that is permissible the rest of our lives. Think about it. Pray about it! Allow God to help with your new selfie.

Copyright 2014 Karen J Gillett @ Pencil Marks and Recipes Publishing

Every hour on the hour prayer 12:00 midnight

Midnight hour prayer: pray for repentance and to be idol free.

Years ago when my oldest granddaughter hit her teens I made a list not only for her but her siblings too. Well I guess I would have to say the list was for me for them as I picked out things to pray for them around the clock. 

For the lack of a better place to start I started at midnight. I realize my clock in this picture is a little off schedule. I was asleep at that time and just woke up at 2:29 am and wanted to pray for my grand kids this every hour on the hour prayer. So, backing up the clock not only one hour I went back two and began at midnight praying for the grand kids. 

Midnight. A good place to start with our Christian walk is to repent. To repent is to not only to confess our sins but to turn from them and change our ways. This is not a one time thing, we are baptized and then we are done with it sort of a thing. 

As many times as people get into sin, big or small this is something that needs to be done on a daily basis. After all, have you only had to say sorry to your parents once in your lifetime and you were done with it never having to say it again. My guess is never. That you've had to say you were sorry multiple times. I am over fifty right now and I have found myself still repenting and having to change my ways on some situations. 

As much as we would like to think we can master this being human being thing by the age of 18 it doesn't work that way. It a learning process that will take our entire life time of humbling ourselves, admitting when we were wrong and doing our best to change what needs to be changed. 

The things in life called idols that stand in our way of a good relationship with God need to go. Recognizing these things is a good first step and repenting from this wrongful behavior is the place to start. 

When we do we will find our day starts much better and it ends well also. 

They call me,

Grandma

Copyright 2013 Karen Gillett @ pencil marks and recipes publishing

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Kid DEES~~~God will change you but you have to do your part

It's been awhile since we've had one of our "Kid DEES devotionals." Here we go to get back on track.....

The first order of business when you think about this quote is the issue of “Do I need to change? Why should I be the one to change? Why not the other guy, they are worse than I am?”

I hate to burst any bubbles you’ve built around yourself but we all have things about us that need to change. Like the clothes you pick out for the day. Depending on what you did for the day at the end they are more than likely going to be dirty. Our attitude, habits, minds, and thinking are no different. By the end of the day we more than likely have picked up some habit or attitude that needs to go as it’s not what Christ would want us to be wearing.

If we truly want to get rid of the things we have picked up along the way God is more than willing to help us get changed. Taking off only our dirty socks and keeping on the T-shirt that is heavily soiled isn’t going to make us “clean.” It all comes off. Don’t keep back what you “kind of like” or don’t want to deal with.

The process doesn’t happen over night. You don’t come to Christ today and are changed tomorrow. It takes time and effort on your part. The process doesn’t start when you are a kid and ends when you become an adult. It’s something that goes with life at any age. You can do it and don’t ever let Satan tell you otherwise. You are the one that grades your efforts. If you want an A+ day you need to make A+ decisions and choices. You want to be an A+ person get rid of the things that can drag that grade down.

Go with God and He’ll go with you. The first step is yours.

They Call Me, Grandma
Copyright 2009 Karen J. Gillett @ Pencil Marks and Recipes Publishing