What I Learned in August

Instead of my normal daybook, today I'm posting What I Learned in August.

1.  I learned these are the days of

• too much to do
• unending to do lists
• hot, oven-like days
• uncertainty
• trying to find the will of God
• the family table with daughters and grands
• baby kisses
• needing quiet
• Saturday afternoons lakeside
• missing the grands if I go more than a couple days without them
• white pants, shorts or capris
• sandals and pedicures

August scenes

2. August sermon notes

• God has already ordained we should walk in good works (Eph. 2:8-10)
• "We're good at quoting scripture but not living it." (Travis Schroeder)
• "Are you obeying God? Or taking the spoils?" (Travis Schroeder)
• "You think you're done ... but it's time to do a little bit more." (Travis Schroeder)
• "By THEIR strength, they caught nothing. By HIS strength, they almost sank the boat." (Travis Schroeder)
• "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him who He has sent." John 6:29 ESV
• Can you believe in "the midst of your mess?"
• "Sometimes we get in the way of our own blessing." (Bro. Chapman)
• "When your mouth is open; your ears are closed." (Bro. Chapman) (This is classic!)

3. When I was feeling low ....

I had a conversation with Pastor Mike about all the applicants for the Family Life Pastor having master’s degrees.  He said you hardly ever get an applicant these days that do not have a master's degree.  I was feeling all, “well it is too late for me to do anything with my life because I never finished college,” and, “how can I work toward a degree with limited free time and no money?.” Then I saw this ...

"I will make you fruitful in your old age." Psalm 92:13-14

... and it was like God telling me HE will make me fruitful in spite of my limitations but because of His power. What does a degree matter to Him? (I'm not saying it's not important to have a degree, just that He can use you in your calling despite your lack of formal education.)

Pics of these two always lift MiMi's spirits

4.  Thought-provoking reads found in August:

•  We’ve lost the ability to see the everyday miracles. … Edie Wadsworth
• And our real problem is what we are going to do about it. … Kristen Welch
• I am easily lost in the doing. … Michelle Discavage

5. Quote of the month:

“The spirit of complaint is born out of an unwillingness to trust God with today. Like the Israelites, it means you are spending your time looking back toward Egypt or wishing for the future all the while missing what God is doing right now.”  ~ Priscilla Shirer  … seen on Grace and Beauty

6.  Scripture of the month:

When we love others, we know that we belong to the truth, and we feel at ease in the presence of God. But even if we don’t feel at ease, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if we feel at ease in the presence of God, we will have the courage to come near him. 1 John 3:19-21 Contemporary English Version (CEV)

See this scripture discussed here.

What did YOU learn in August?  I'd love to know! Leave a comment or consider linking up at emily p freeman.