Evil, Stubborn Heart: A Devotional Thought on Jeremiah 18:12 and 29:11

By:Mandy

My daily Bible reading today led me to Jeremiah 18. In this passage, God is showing the prophet how the people are like clay in His hands to be formed and re-formed however He chooses...and since He is the master potter, His way is best. While reading this I was reminded of probably the most quoted verse in all of Jeremiah: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans for a hope and a future" (Jer 29:11).
"Well," I thought, "that is reassuring. I just needed that extra little reminder that in the midst of what seems like uncertainty and chaos to me is all planned out with love from God." Right, but then I got to 18:12, the people's reaction to the Lord's plan of sanctification and a call to repentance. They say "That [repenting, following God's way] is in vain! We will follow our own plans, and will every one act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart."
Honestly, I have never told God verbally that I think His way is vain and pointless and I would like nothing more than to follow my own evil and stubborn heart. But I knew as I read this that is what my heart says more often than not. God says to put our house on the market and I say "No! I'm comfortable here...we've got the baby's room all planned out, I like the paint colors here, I have worked so hard on my garden. You don't really want me to leave all this?" He asks me to submit to my servant-leader husband and I say "Let me complain and nag first! He doesn't know what he's asking of me. I'm pregnant and emotional...just let me have my own way!" He asks me to study His Word, to pray, to serve others sacrificially and I say "Why can't anyone serve me? I have too much to do. I need to rest. I deserve to do my own thing."
Funny how all these words start sounding a lot like what the Israelites said. The point is I believe 29:11 and yet echo 18:12 in my heart. My prayer is that I would truly and fully believe that God's plan is loving and right. My plan, when it breaks with God's commands and leading, may look better at first, but in reality is for my harm and NOT to prosper me or God's kingdom.

"For Sale"

Well, this morning made it official. Our house is on the market. We know, we know...it's a horrible time to sell a house. We are trusting God, if He indeed wants our house to sell, to do so even in a bad real estate market.
Brian has truly felt God leading him to move from the Cartersville area to the Kennesaw/Acworth area, just a bit further south. This would mean we would be in the same community as our church and most of our friends. Honestly, we commute there nearly daily anyways. While a 30 minute drive does not mean much for most home-owners, this move will mean we can reach out to our community AND invite them to our church. We can invite our neighbors to game nights and cookouts hosted by friends without asking them to make such a commute. Cartersville is isolated from metro Atlanta, which is something we've always liked, but we now see this location is isolating us.
We are praying specifically that our house would sell quickly, especially before Baby Stock arrives in February. We also pray that we would find a lovely foreclosed or inexpensive property very close to Christ Community Church.
If you know anyone looking for a cute townhouse in NW Georgia, give us a call!

25 weeks

No picture this week. Our camera has a manufacturer's defect that is being repaired as we type and it's promised arrival is next week.

Just imagine a slowly expanding Mandy, not unlike Violet who turned into a grape after a tragic candy incident in Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

Baby Stock is about 1.5 pounds according to our baby book. There is apparently not much she can't do since the book has stopped listing her weekly skills (such as sucking her thumb, swallowing, etc). Despite this, her possessions have grown considerably with a few visits from the grandparents. She now has a huge bin of clothes with many more to come and a brand new running stroller for outings with Dad.

We took the time this weekend also to brave the corridors of Babies R Us. The registry is online for your viewing pleasure. Please feel free to tell us what we erroneously left off it or the things that will be a complete waste of space (eg. wipe warmer...not on there, but an option for the most scrupulous babies). Please do not think the presence of a Nintendo Wii and its accessories is a mistake. In fact, we believe Babies R Us stocks these for the specific purpose of luring dads into the store. Brian is hoping some kind person will take it upon himself (as we assume it will be a man to have sympathy) to buy the Wii and serve Baby Stock in this compassionate way. I think we all know if it came down to the tummy time mat and an extra controller which Baby Stock would pick for her new life of fun and entertainment. Maybe it's more for the parents' sanity. :)

24 Weeks

Here we are introducing Baby Stock to her new crib. The nursery is coming together with a barnyard theme. Daddy's books and computer are getting crammed into one limited space to make room for a crib, new dresser, baby book shelf, and a glider.

Our friend Sarah may even paint a little farm mural on one of the walls! Why not make it fun right!? Mandy is still trying to convince Brian to get a real chicken to put in a little hayloft. Not sure that's actually going to happen. :)

23 Weeks

Little Baby Stock has made it to the one pound mark! Her mom has gained quite a few more as well. With this new weight accomplishment she has also decided to kick and squirm much more, especially when mom is just laying down for bed.
The picture is getting out a little late this week. We had a little unexpected car break-down issue. Thankfully this "very rare mechanical problem" is being fixed and the car is back to health. The mechanic's bill may deplete Baby Stock's college fund, but we're hoping she's smart enough or a good enough runner to get lots of scholarships! :)

22 Weeks! (and 22 apples)

For the first time this week I noticed this belly getting in the way of things! Bending over and getting up are not super-difficult...but definitely have a different feel than they did a few pounds ago. I am feeling much better than I was the first few months and now my biggest concern is the closest bathroom and the nearest snack!
Baby Stock is growing fast. She is about 12.5 ounces now and 7.5 inches long (according to our pregnancy book). She also has apparently developed eye brows and fingernails as well. We have a doctor's appointment this week where we will be able to find more about our little girl. Pray she is continuing to grow healthy.


Brian also wanted to show the world how he is developing. Here he is "at 22 apples" we just picked in Ellijay.

An Apple Pickin' We A Goin'

My (Brian) last post was on how I love this fall weather and it reminds me of God's glory. And you know what else fall weather brings -- apple picking in Ellijay. Load up the car, pack a lunch and head up I-575 and then turn on Hwy 52 and you will find B.J. Reece's Apple Farm. Mandy and I have found this one to be the best.

We suppose it's much less effort to just pick up a bag of apples at Ingles, but this way is much more fun. You have many different kinds of apples to choose from: Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty, Mutsu, Yates, Arkansas Black, etc. I (Mandy) love watching Brian climb to the tops of the trees for the hard to reach ones (it seems we think those are usually the best!). We also saw the Cargo family too!

Of course, the best thing is the half bushel of apples sitting in our kitchen now! These will soon be turned into apple crisp, apple pie, apple cake, and whatever else we can think of. Maybe we will have an apple party!

A Moment of Glory

I love the fall weather. Yesterday, as I was leaving work, I stepped outside into a moment of glory. Moments of glory are hard to come by. That is, they are always there but hard to be awakened to. As the creation is always telling the glory of the Creator, yesterday, I was awakened to His glory in creation. I was in awe of how perfect the weather was that I stepped into. It was the kind of weather where you could wear t-shirts or long-sleeves, jeans or shorts, flip-flops or shoes. The sun warmed you up as the cool breeze refreshed you. The grass was dark green and oak tree was turning autumn. It was a great moment.

And in this moment of glory, Jesus was shining His goodness on His creation and I saw a glimpse of His glory. But these moments aren't the only moments of glory. His glory needs more than four seasons or hundreds of different climates, more than sunrises and sunsets, more than all of that. What this moment of glory drew me up to was in all moments, in all places, and in all seasons whether the sun is shining or the earth has just shook, all these moments reflect the vast array of diverse glories in who He is. Each moment wherever you are or I am shouts, "Glory to Jesus". I am thankful that I was awakened for a moment to His glory just a little bit more.