O
(28:23) Give ye ear, and hear my voice; hearken, and hear my speech.*
(28:24) Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?*
(28:25) When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and rie in their place?*
(28:26) For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.*
(28:27) For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.*
(28:28) Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen.*
(28:29) This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.*
There are times I can only look on in wonder as I watch God work in my life. As I see God make the way for me to accomplish the things I need to do.*
I cannot help but think that most people *are not aware of just how ever present God is in the things we do. From observation I notice that really most people notice Gods guidance when they are doing some kind of ministry work. Yet there is little evidence of them acknowledging Gods interaction and guidance in their everyday activities. It gives the impression that the underlining *belief is that God is only actively guiding when we are doing work specifically for one of His ministries.*
In my experience this only goes to show how unobservant many people can be. Or at least how, perhaps this is not the right word, unappreciative of all those times that God is working in absolutely every aspect of our lives. Even the most mundane and everyday things we have to do. Like going to work or school. Chores around the house. Every little detail God is actually right there putting the events in order so that we can continue forward in all that we do. We really do fail in acknowledging that fact.*
Today is a prime example of this continuing interaction of God in my own life. It really started yesterday. I was at work and received a call from my wife. Seems our upstairs bathroom has developed a leak in the plumbing. So the time is going to have to be made to find and repair the leak. One of the joys of an old farm house! Guess my weekend is now scheduled, or is it?*
When I hear my alarm this morning I wake up to another sound. He sound of rain hitting the roof. In my work this means one of two things. A day of working inside, or , a day off! Or, in this case a day to let God help me fix a leak! I am amazed at how God can bless through every event he leads us through. Is a plumbing leak a blessing? Sure is when you just know God is giving you the time to fix it! And with a bonus, I am going to get paid to do it! The nice thing of living in a house owned by someone else. Something breaks, you either call a repairman or you fix it yourself and send the bill to the owner. Who in this case is my employer as well!*
God really does care about every little detail of our lives. If we open our eyes and minds to His presence we can see it throughout our days. Even in those areas that seem the farthest from doing something specifically for Him. I think my Grandfather nailed it when he stated, "Take care of Gods business and watch Gad take care of your business!" *In thinking on that I have to state that really it is all Gods business. God wants us to place all our needs and cares on Him. So everything is Gods business. Even leaky pipes. Today I get the blessing of working on some of Gods leaky pipes.*
Taking this down real personal I am going to look at it like God wants to spend some personal time with me in my home, working along side of me in the house He has provided for my family. I have to say I have a very personal God. One that this day is showing me the God wants to have a work day with me in our place of private fellowship.*
At the suggestion of my accountability partner I am adding to this mornings thoughts. The course of events today were awe inspiring at times. One of those times such a wow moment that it prompted me to call my accountability partner to share it. Resulting in this addition to today's writing.*
As I wrote in this journal this morning I had no idea of how this day would go. Anyone who has ever done any kind of plumbing work in an older house would easily understand that. Even a simple repair can turn into a major undertaking * Of replacing not only the problem piece but often in removing the broken piece the parts attached to it will break as well. You never know how far that line of dominoes will topple before you find the one that ends the streak.*
As I sit here now reflecting on the events of today I have to say that today was far from what would be considered normal for this type of project. Some may say that it is the product of me over emphasizing the spiritual aspect of my day. I would say it was just God showing me just how he can handle anything that I may have to deal with as I go through my day.*
As I began to search for the leak it became obvious that it was not going to be an easy one to get to. The pipes run along the floor joists above the ceiling in our dining room. The leak had caused some ceiling tiles to come loose. The real question was how many of those tiles, besides the ones that were obviously going to have to be replaced, we're going to be damaged as well? Gods answer, none!*
With that area open for inspection I could easily see the pipes where they were routed and quickly realized that the problem was not in the pipe connections. Pretty obvious conclusion *due to the fact that the pipes were dry! The water was actually dripping from the sub-floor above them. Though curiously not from under any of the bathroom fixtures. Honestly at this point my thought was I'm really not wanting to have to rip up the flooring to backtrack the flow of that water. Typical of my normal outlook when faced with that type of discovery. Right now I can almost see God looking at me and chuckling at that point.*
As I entered the bathroom I was looking for what should have been some kind of water on the floor. Yet the bathroom floor was dry. So was the carpet in the hall outside the bathroom. Ok so how does water get to the space between the flooring and the pipes without passing through the flooring. Frustration is beginning for me. Having worked construction for a few years I know how the job superintendent looks over your shoulder all the time. Right at that time I think God was looking over my shoulder and telling me to just look closely and remember the characteristics of how water can travel. Everything is dry yet there is water dripping into the dining room below me. At this point it's time to look to God and ask his help. That's why he is here. When things just don't make sense that's when God really does show himself. Wait a second what is that tiny sparkle along the calk on the tub. Sure enough a trickle of water following the calk line. Coming from the faucet handle. This is not good. We have looked for a replacement for this before. With no success. It is a style not used very often and we had decided that we would live with it due to the fact that in order to update it would require an extensive remodel for the tub area. Not something I can get done even if I had the whole weekend to do nothing but concentrate on it.*
Now I get to see God take over and work it out! I hope you enjoy the following observations of my day!
When I got off work last night I saw I was low on gas. My normal routine is to do that in the morning when I go to work. So I will just do it on my way to find something to replace the faucet. I quickly discover a small problem with that. Vicki had the gas card last, she asked me if I needed it today and I had told her yes. She was already gone for the day where did she put that card? I can't use a check, we ran out before the new checks arrived. So text Vicki and ask her where it is. Her reply, oops, she still has it. So here I am not enough gas to get much past the gas station and no access to any money.*
As I was headed for a cup of coffee to sit and figure this one out. I notice on the table a package. My bro-in-law who is staying with us had just brought the mail in. There were the checks we ordered!
As I headed into town to get gas before going further on my search mission, I went by the old hardware store in town. This old hardware store has a reputation of having things that really you would never expect to be able to find anywhere. On a whim I decide to stop and see what they might have in the line of replacements.*
You know when God takes over it is really amazing. When I explained what I was looking for the owner said yes he had a couple of different ones that might work. It took a little effort to get to them but sure enough there I was looking at virtually the same faucet! Not only that but he also had the items I needed to adapt from the old copper lines to much easier to work with CPVC! One stop two miles from home and everything I needed to fix the problem! MAN! God is good!
Those two events were really the big things that got my attention and just psyched me up. I was really paying attention to how God was just showing me he was there working with me. There were some other little things that really struck me as well.*
Like the glue for the CPVC. Anyone that works with this glue knows that once you open the can if you don't use it right away. Within a few weeks you might as well buy a new can because what you had left isn't going to be any good. I bought some knowing that if I did find the can I had it probably wouldn't be any good. As I started to assemble the faucet and plumbing I realized that I hadn't gotten a couple of elbows that were needed. I have an assortment of parts like that so I go to look. There "just happens" to be just the amount I need. In a bag right on top of the container. In that bag as well is my can of glue. As I settle back into my assembly project I decide to see if that old glue will even open. It was just like opening a new can! I asked my wife tonight when the last time was that I had done any work with that glue. As near as she can recall it was over a year! WOW
One thing that can really frustrate you doing a project like this is channel lock pliers. They are never in the right groove to fit what your trying to grab, and it usually takes a couple of adjustments to get them right. It was a strange feeling today when it seemed like every time I used those pliers they "just happened" to grab right the first time.*
As I was seeing those little things just work together my frustration vanished and I actually began to enjoy the challenge of fitting a 4"x2" rectangle into a 3" round hole. Once in place and the pipes hooked up time to turn the water back on. One leak due to human error! No surprise there! It helps if the pipe is all the way into the fitting! I choose to look at it like God pulling a prank on me! I honestly do believe He can show that type of humor!*
The finishing touch, putting the ceiling tiles back in place. I didn't know where Vicki had put the box of replacements we have so I had to wait for her to get home. So I sat down and started this "documentary" which has turned into a short *story. But really God wanted to show us both how he takes care of things.*
When Vicki got home she told me where the tiles were, "BUT" , she didn't know if there were any good ones left. Seems that where they were had a water problem as well! I should have seen this one coming, if there is one thing that we have been shown God can control it is water, The Flood, The Red Sea, The Jordan River, The Floating Axe Head, The Dry Fleece, and my own addition, 6 dry and undamaged ceiling tiles, exactly what was needed!
Of those who actually take the time to read this, many may think that the credit I gave God through this is almost *belittling to who He is. That believing God would work out even the smallest of details in such an almost insignificant task is taking away from his greatness. To me however it shows a greatness that could boggle the human mind. Because just as he showed his presence and ability to me all day today. He can do the same thing for everyone in the world at the same time, the same way!
(28:24) Doth the plowman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?*
(28:25) When he hath made plain the face thereof, doth he not cast abroad the fitches, and scatter the cummin, and cast in the principal wheat and the appointed barley and rie in their place?*
(28:26) For his God doth instruct him to discretion, and doth teach him.*
(28:27) For the fitches are not threshed with a threshing instrument, neither is a cart wheel turned about upon the cummin; but the fitches are beaten out with a staff, and the cummin with a rod.*
(28:28) Bread corn is bruised; because he will not ever be threshing it, nor break it with the wheel of his cart, nor bruise it with his horsemen.*
(28:29) This also cometh forth from the LORD of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.*
There are times I can only look on in wonder as I watch God work in my life. As I see God make the way for me to accomplish the things I need to do.*
I cannot help but think that most people *are not aware of just how ever present God is in the things we do. From observation I notice that really most people notice Gods guidance when they are doing some kind of ministry work. Yet there is little evidence of them acknowledging Gods interaction and guidance in their everyday activities. It gives the impression that the underlining *belief is that God is only actively guiding when we are doing work specifically for one of His ministries.*
In my experience this only goes to show how unobservant many people can be. Or at least how, perhaps this is not the right word, unappreciative of all those times that God is working in absolutely every aspect of our lives. Even the most mundane and everyday things we have to do. Like going to work or school. Chores around the house. Every little detail God is actually right there putting the events in order so that we can continue forward in all that we do. We really do fail in acknowledging that fact.*
Today is a prime example of this continuing interaction of God in my own life. It really started yesterday. I was at work and received a call from my wife. Seems our upstairs bathroom has developed a leak in the plumbing. So the time is going to have to be made to find and repair the leak. One of the joys of an old farm house! Guess my weekend is now scheduled, or is it?*
When I hear my alarm this morning I wake up to another sound. He sound of rain hitting the roof. In my work this means one of two things. A day of working inside, or , a day off! Or, in this case a day to let God help me fix a leak! I am amazed at how God can bless through every event he leads us through. Is a plumbing leak a blessing? Sure is when you just know God is giving you the time to fix it! And with a bonus, I am going to get paid to do it! The nice thing of living in a house owned by someone else. Something breaks, you either call a repairman or you fix it yourself and send the bill to the owner. Who in this case is my employer as well!*
God really does care about every little detail of our lives. If we open our eyes and minds to His presence we can see it throughout our days. Even in those areas that seem the farthest from doing something specifically for Him. I think my Grandfather nailed it when he stated, "Take care of Gods business and watch Gad take care of your business!" *In thinking on that I have to state that really it is all Gods business. God wants us to place all our needs and cares on Him. So everything is Gods business. Even leaky pipes. Today I get the blessing of working on some of Gods leaky pipes.*
Taking this down real personal I am going to look at it like God wants to spend some personal time with me in my home, working along side of me in the house He has provided for my family. I have to say I have a very personal God. One that this day is showing me the God wants to have a work day with me in our place of private fellowship.*
At the suggestion of my accountability partner I am adding to this mornings thoughts. The course of events today were awe inspiring at times. One of those times such a wow moment that it prompted me to call my accountability partner to share it. Resulting in this addition to today's writing.*
As I wrote in this journal this morning I had no idea of how this day would go. Anyone who has ever done any kind of plumbing work in an older house would easily understand that. Even a simple repair can turn into a major undertaking * Of replacing not only the problem piece but often in removing the broken piece the parts attached to it will break as well. You never know how far that line of dominoes will topple before you find the one that ends the streak.*
As I sit here now reflecting on the events of today I have to say that today was far from what would be considered normal for this type of project. Some may say that it is the product of me over emphasizing the spiritual aspect of my day. I would say it was just God showing me just how he can handle anything that I may have to deal with as I go through my day.*
As I began to search for the leak it became obvious that it was not going to be an easy one to get to. The pipes run along the floor joists above the ceiling in our dining room. The leak had caused some ceiling tiles to come loose. The real question was how many of those tiles, besides the ones that were obviously going to have to be replaced, we're going to be damaged as well? Gods answer, none!*
With that area open for inspection I could easily see the pipes where they were routed and quickly realized that the problem was not in the pipe connections. Pretty obvious conclusion *due to the fact that the pipes were dry! The water was actually dripping from the sub-floor above them. Though curiously not from under any of the bathroom fixtures. Honestly at this point my thought was I'm really not wanting to have to rip up the flooring to backtrack the flow of that water. Typical of my normal outlook when faced with that type of discovery. Right now I can almost see God looking at me and chuckling at that point.*
As I entered the bathroom I was looking for what should have been some kind of water on the floor. Yet the bathroom floor was dry. So was the carpet in the hall outside the bathroom. Ok so how does water get to the space between the flooring and the pipes without passing through the flooring. Frustration is beginning for me. Having worked construction for a few years I know how the job superintendent looks over your shoulder all the time. Right at that time I think God was looking over my shoulder and telling me to just look closely and remember the characteristics of how water can travel. Everything is dry yet there is water dripping into the dining room below me. At this point it's time to look to God and ask his help. That's why he is here. When things just don't make sense that's when God really does show himself. Wait a second what is that tiny sparkle along the calk on the tub. Sure enough a trickle of water following the calk line. Coming from the faucet handle. This is not good. We have looked for a replacement for this before. With no success. It is a style not used very often and we had decided that we would live with it due to the fact that in order to update it would require an extensive remodel for the tub area. Not something I can get done even if I had the whole weekend to do nothing but concentrate on it.*
Now I get to see God take over and work it out! I hope you enjoy the following observations of my day!
When I got off work last night I saw I was low on gas. My normal routine is to do that in the morning when I go to work. So I will just do it on my way to find something to replace the faucet. I quickly discover a small problem with that. Vicki had the gas card last, she asked me if I needed it today and I had told her yes. She was already gone for the day where did she put that card? I can't use a check, we ran out before the new checks arrived. So text Vicki and ask her where it is. Her reply, oops, she still has it. So here I am not enough gas to get much past the gas station and no access to any money.*
As I was headed for a cup of coffee to sit and figure this one out. I notice on the table a package. My bro-in-law who is staying with us had just brought the mail in. There were the checks we ordered!
As I headed into town to get gas before going further on my search mission, I went by the old hardware store in town. This old hardware store has a reputation of having things that really you would never expect to be able to find anywhere. On a whim I decide to stop and see what they might have in the line of replacements.*
You know when God takes over it is really amazing. When I explained what I was looking for the owner said yes he had a couple of different ones that might work. It took a little effort to get to them but sure enough there I was looking at virtually the same faucet! Not only that but he also had the items I needed to adapt from the old copper lines to much easier to work with CPVC! One stop two miles from home and everything I needed to fix the problem! MAN! God is good!
Those two events were really the big things that got my attention and just psyched me up. I was really paying attention to how God was just showing me he was there working with me. There were some other little things that really struck me as well.*
Like the glue for the CPVC. Anyone that works with this glue knows that once you open the can if you don't use it right away. Within a few weeks you might as well buy a new can because what you had left isn't going to be any good. I bought some knowing that if I did find the can I had it probably wouldn't be any good. As I started to assemble the faucet and plumbing I realized that I hadn't gotten a couple of elbows that were needed. I have an assortment of parts like that so I go to look. There "just happens" to be just the amount I need. In a bag right on top of the container. In that bag as well is my can of glue. As I settle back into my assembly project I decide to see if that old glue will even open. It was just like opening a new can! I asked my wife tonight when the last time was that I had done any work with that glue. As near as she can recall it was over a year! WOW
One thing that can really frustrate you doing a project like this is channel lock pliers. They are never in the right groove to fit what your trying to grab, and it usually takes a couple of adjustments to get them right. It was a strange feeling today when it seemed like every time I used those pliers they "just happened" to grab right the first time.*
As I was seeing those little things just work together my frustration vanished and I actually began to enjoy the challenge of fitting a 4"x2" rectangle into a 3" round hole. Once in place and the pipes hooked up time to turn the water back on. One leak due to human error! No surprise there! It helps if the pipe is all the way into the fitting! I choose to look at it like God pulling a prank on me! I honestly do believe He can show that type of humor!*
The finishing touch, putting the ceiling tiles back in place. I didn't know where Vicki had put the box of replacements we have so I had to wait for her to get home. So I sat down and started this "documentary" which has turned into a short *story. But really God wanted to show us both how he takes care of things.*
When Vicki got home she told me where the tiles were, "BUT" , she didn't know if there were any good ones left. Seems that where they were had a water problem as well! I should have seen this one coming, if there is one thing that we have been shown God can control it is water, The Flood, The Red Sea, The Jordan River, The Floating Axe Head, The Dry Fleece, and my own addition, 6 dry and undamaged ceiling tiles, exactly what was needed!
Of those who actually take the time to read this, many may think that the credit I gave God through this is almost *belittling to who He is. That believing God would work out even the smallest of details in such an almost insignificant task is taking away from his greatness. To me however it shows a greatness that could boggle the human mind. Because just as he showed his presence and ability to me all day today. He can do the same thing for everyone in the world at the same time, the same way!