Three military men were standing on the deck of an aircraft carrier.  Suddenly their commanding officer spotted an approaching missile.  He shouted to them to “drop”.  Two of the men did, but the third one looked around to see what the problem was.  Just as he turned, the missile struck and killed him.   If you think of this, he could have obeyed and not had instant death.  This account shows two ways of obeying.

The first is the Greek approach.  That is to understand first and then obey.  The soldier who turned around wanted to know why he should drop and then he would obey.  This lead him to an immediate end.

The second is the Hebrew model.  Obey first, understand later.  This is the method that God used with Abraham when he asked him to leave his homeland and also to take his  son’s life.

In the case of wood ducks, they demonstrate the Hebrew model.  When it is time to leave the nest, they have to jump down from  a nest that is high up in a tree.  One such occasion, all the ducks but one obeyed.   He didn’t want to leave the nest because he was afraid of perishing from the fall so instead he perished in the abandoned nest.  Obedience is the very best way!

Of  course, it is hard to obey first, ask later.  But, God says in His WORD that we must obey, so…how about practicing it at home?

Here’s a test…..

1.  Do you obey regardless of what you are told to do?

2.  Do you ask for reasons when your request is denied?

3.  Do you obey immediately when told?

4.  You may do it, but do you do it with a smile?

5.  Do you give reason to not obey when told to?

6.  Have you been reminded to do the task right?

7.   Have you had to do the task twice?

8.  Do you ask one parent after the other said “NO”?

9.   While you are doing work , do you plan recreation?

10.  Do you ever think the job is stupid or worthless?

11.  Do you say “I know”, and run off before you know what the job  is?

12.  Does the parent have to have you repeat what they said because you weren’t listening?

“Obedience to God’s will is the secret of spiritual knowledge and insight.  It is not willingness to know but willingness to do God’s will that brings certainty.”                         Eric Liddell

The alternative to obedience is not freedom, but tyranny…..

So…………..do you need to work on your obedience?  I know I do!  This world we live in is failing and falling in so many places I see.  There is much disobedience and disrespect to parents, lawlessness, and more.  Let us be a light!!

Much of the information contained in this post is found in “The Power for True Success  How to build character in your life”  and is published by the Institute of  Basic Life  Principles, Inc.  The wording is changed in some areas, but I wanted to share this post about obedience and since it can be convicting to me and maybe a blessing to other readers.

Name them one by one…….. Our family has a pad that we write things down on that hangs on the refrigerator .  Well, every time we write on something on it (mostly food needs), you always see the title“Count your blessings.” (This is what caused me write this post )So, let’s do that!!

One huge blessing in my life is my family.  Now, some may say, “What, your family?!”  Why my family is always fighting or something and yet you enjoy your family?  Why, of course!  God made each family different, so we can grow in HIM and learn things as a family.  Some of our best times have been when we have been somewhere as a family.

One thing that God has been teaching me is to make your brothers and sisters your best friends.  It is not always easy, but your family will always be in your life whereas your friends may not always be.  Some of the people we knew back 2 or 3 years ago, we don’t even see most of them anymore and that just proves my point.  God placed us all in a family.  Each one of us he has a purpose and  a plan for, so He could make you a part of His clan!  So, as you’re growing in your family, your family is growing right along with you.  Just remember, God is in control!

Another thing that always made me feel like our family didn’t do anything fun, was when I would compare our family to other families because of what I heard  or saw them do something together.  But, when I had or have these feelings, I need to count my many blessings and remember the times we have spent together as a family.  It might be just one member of the family you can remember doing something with.   When we decide to do this, then we can be surprised at what the LORD has done.  So, count your many blessings name them one by one!!!!

  “When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed

When you are discouraged thinking all is lost  Count your many blessings name them one by one.  And it will surprise you what the LORD has done!”

Here’s a list that I came up with of suggestions on how you personally can come up with your own way to “count”or be a “blessing.”

1.  What blesses you most?  Is it encouraging words, someone singing or a nice note ?    Who usually is the one who blesses you?(a family member or friend)  Write down how this blessed you.   

2.     Write down how many times your family has gone somewhere or done something together like a trip to the museum, state, country, or played a game, or surprised you on your birthday with silly string and water balloons (not mentioning any names here, like my own or anything-tee-hee).    So, you get the idea, right?

3.  What were some blessings in disguise?  (Oh, that’s a hard one!)  How about leaving some friends you really liked but they weren’t edifying to you or helping you grow closer to the LORD?  What about times when you really want to do something your way but you obeyed and found out later that was the best thing for you to do because it was for your good and HIS glory?

4.  How are your parents a blessing to you; your sister(s), and or your brother(s)?  Write down how many times you can remember that they blessed you.

Now, how can you be a blessing?!

1.  Sing  a hymn or special song while you work.

2.  Encourage your family with a note or word of encouragement.  (My special favorite

is to write notes and hide them so that family members can find them later). 

3.  Do something for someone like : the laundry, dishes, make a bed or two, clean up something for someone without their asking.

4.  Always be joyful!  This can go with being an encourager.  It has a definite effect on the family!

5.  Bless your Mom or Dad or both by your OBEDIENCE!

Remember that as I write this, I’m encouraging myself to do and be the same way!!  You can probably come up with more for this list, but here are a few things to start with!  If you are blessed by this post, I would love to hear from you!  It would greatly bless me!! (Get it!?)Also if you don’t think this is a good name for this post tell me.

This is a story we have and the meaning of it hit home to me.  I hope this will bless you! 

 A gentlemen had a servant who exasperated him because of his slow mind.  One day, when he was slower than usual, the angry master of the house threw a book at the servants head.   The servant ducked and the book flew out of the open window. 

“Now, go pick that book up!” ordered the master.  The servant started to obey, but  a passerby had saved him the trouble, and had walked off with the book.  The scientist (for this was his occupation) thereupon began to wonder what book he had thrown away in his anger.  To his complete horror,  he discovered it was a quaint and rare book of mathematics which he had bought in London for fifty dollars. 

But, his punishment was not yet complete.  The weeks went by and time had begun to ease his disappointment.  But, when strolling into a second-hand bookshop he perceived, to his great delight, a copy of the book he had lost.  Thereupon he asked the price. 

” Well, “said the dealer reflectively, “I guess we can let you have it for forty dollars.  It’s a pretty rare book, and I dare-say I could get seventy five dollars for it by holding on  awhile.” 

The man of science pulled out his wallet and produced the money, delighted at the opportunity of replacing his lost treasure.  When he reached home a card dropped out ot the leaves.  The card was his own, and further examintaion showed that he had merely bought back his own property.

“Forty dollars’ worth of temper!  Huh!  I think I shall mend my ways!”  he was overheard to say.

Author unknown

Proverbs 14:24 ” He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding:  but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.”

The Wilkes are a huge blessing to us. We are encouraged by their zeal for Christ and their testimony and desire to live their lives so Christ shines through them.

A couple of days before Thanksgiving we had the privilege of spending two days with them, we helped out  at their growing barn, met their new chickens and chased them around.  I’m sure the chickens couldn’t wait until we left them alone. 

The ladies stayed at the house to help out, while the men worked on the barn. It was encouraging to drive up with lunch and see the men hard at work 

We had time later to sit down around the table and have an early Thanksgiving dinner with them.  They taught us a new tradition about the Pilgrims and the 5 pieces of corn.   We also ate until we where stuffed just like a turkey.

Later; Jenny did Corissa and Hopes hair – much to their delight and we had the opportunity to see the grand piano arrive.   I know their home will bring much joy and music to them and others.

I finished up the day at my grandmothers house where she and I made two chocolate pies, coleslaw and jello salad. 

I want to say a big thank you to the Wilkes & Grandmother for a wonderful time of fellowship.

Giving thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.

I Thessalonians 1:2