Friday, August 20, 2010

Pop Tarts

So, pop tarts have no nutritional value and are actually quite bad for you buuuuut, there is hope for the pop-tart-loving, want-to-eat-healthy people out there.  Nature's Path makes a toaster pastry that, while not quite the same as a pop tart, is quite good (see link above)!  They still aren't the best thing in the world for you, but, they are made with real ingredients at least and won't do much harm in moderation!!

Oh, and they are BOGO at King Soopers thru Tues of next week!

http://www.naturespath.com/products/toaster%20pastries?tid=8&brand=All&nutri=All

Friday, August 13, 2010

Early Morning Thoughts....





I couldn't sleep, so got up early this morning and am sitting at the kitchen table, looking out at the just risen sun.  It puts a golden tint on the field and trees.  Cool air is coming in the back door - so refreshing before the heat of the day.  I was reading in Matthew Henry's commentary and came across this thought provoking/convicting passage:

Note, Many that attend on the word come rather to see and be seen, than to learn and be taught, to have something to talk of, than to be made wise to salvation. Christ puts it to them, what went ye out to see? Note, They who attend on the word will be called to an account, what their intentions and what their improvements were. We think when the sermon is done, the care is over; no, then the greatest of the care begins. It will shortly be asked, "What business had you such a time at such an ordinance? What brought you thither? Was it custom or company, or was it a desire to honour God and get good? What have you brought thence? What knowledge, and grace, and comfort? What went you to see?’’ Note, When we go to read and hear the word, we should see that we aim right in what we do. (Matthew Henry, on Matt. 11v7, where Jesus is speaking of John the Baptist)


I do this so often (the bad part, not the good part) and it reveals my heart of pride, selfishness (in only thinking of how I appear or sound, instead of how to benefit others), and self-love.  


This brings a question to me...how do you apply the lessons learned in quiet time, church, fellowship, or wherever else?  I suppose one answer is in review,continued reflection, and prayer - asking the Lord to convict my heart and drive the lesson home.  And then doing the hard work of application when the opportunity arises, and repentance when I realize it did arise and I didn't do it right - which will no doubt happen often as I am not in the habit of doing so, or of calling the circumstance to mind later.


In Stepping Heavenward, the idea is put forth of offering all you are and have to God each morning, then having a time of self-examination in the evening to review and determine if you did so and repent as necessary.  As I am not in either habit, I'm not very good at this, but, think that the idea of offering the day up to God - the little and big things - and asking Him for His hand upon me at all times, reminding me of lessons learned, may be an effective means of such application, preparing me for those opportunities to practice throughout the day.  And self reflection provides the opportunity to focus and realize where I erred and repent (if I have not already), and perhaps keep me from falling into the same sin again.


How do you apply what you learn?  Do you have a structure for study and reflection and application of what you hear/read?  Please do share!!