THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD

Thoughts on the sovereignty of God have been mulling around in my head for days. You know how something will settle in your mind and you just keep thinking and pondering on it and it just keeps popping up again and again.

Sovereign: 1) above all others; chief; supreme. 2) supreme in power, rank, etc. 3) independent of all others.

Now I doubt if there are very many who read my blog who do not believe in God as The supreme, chief, above all other God. Supreme in power and rank and independent of all others. But what does that really mean? What does it mean to my life? How do I fit this Sovereign God, who I believe in, into every aspect of my day.

I'm afraid too many see Him, and believe in Him, as this supreme, powerful personage but what does that mean to them and to their life? Kind of like we believe that The President of the United States is powerful, or the Queen of England, etc. But, it doesn't really have much to do with our everyday life or thinking as we go about our daily business. We do our thing and sort of fit God in on occasion and as needed.

What the sovereignty of God really means is that NOTHING happens to me, or in my life, that takes God by surprise because it all revolves around Him. This sovereign God who has numbered the very hairs on my head (Matt 10:30 & Luke 12:7); who knows my goings (Proverbs 20:24). This sovereign God who "Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not, yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure." Isaiah 46:10

I have just shared the following in e-mails to two blog friends who are dealing with situations in their lives. One to do with illness and the other with a job situation. Totally unrelated issues and yet I could tell them each the same thing because it fits anything and EVERY thing we might be facing at any given moment.

I've been thinking a LOT lately about the sovereignty of God. There are things you and I know for sure. 1) God does not bring illness 2) God works ALL things together for good to those who are called according to His purposes 3) God will never leave us or forsake us 4) God is not a God that He should lie.. In times like this we have to lean on and rely on God's promises and what we know to be TRUE in the face of whatever we see or feel.

The greatest gift is salvation, God is bringing us to Himself and He is conforming us into the image of Jesus. What that takes and how that works out in our individual lives is in His sovereign will.

I know you've heard the example of the beautiful tapestry that God is weaving and yet we look at the back side and all we see is a tangled mess of strings going every which way with no beauty or design that WE can see. I cannot tell you how much I have been thinking about all this the past week or so. In fact, Mickey and I had a long talk about it just yesterday morning.

We KNOW in whom we have believed and we are persuaded!!!!!!!!

That really does sum it up for me.....

I KNOW and I am Persuaded that God is sovereign in my life.

How about you?

OBSERVATIONS

The following are my personal observations and comments. We all have our opinions, and one thing about blogging is that we are free to express our opinions. One of the things I've observed in my almost 3 months of blogging is that bloggers seem to fall into various categories. These are my opinions of various categories.

SERIOUS BLOGGERS: These bloggers have strong opinions, usually on political or moral issues. They use their blog as an avenue to take and expound on the issue at hand. Most of them are good writers and their posts tell an interesting story and are not just rants or boring facts. I enjoy reading serious bloggers and have bookmarked many I read daily. They stretch me and make me think.

THEOLOGY BLOGGERS: I find these to be SERIOUS and very knowledgeable students of the Bible. They are good writers and have a way with words that captivates me with the topic being discussed. Some of them have regulars who comment and there is a lively flow of ideas and opinions back and forth. These theology bloggers captivate me and stretch me and make me think. I have several bookmarked. I have "lurked" on these blogs since the beginning and seldom left a comment. I am just now "Tip Toeing" in, a very little bit, because I feel I am way over my head. They are being very kind to me.

PREACHY BLOGGERS: These differ totally from the above theology blogs. They are throughly indoctrinated into their PARTICULAR denomination and/or belief systems. They do not view The Church as The Universal Body of Christ. They use their blog as a soap box to preach their particular beliefs that in their view are the "gospel". I do not enjoy this type blog and do not read them once I realise this is their format, soap box, and purpose.

FRIENDLY WELL ROUNDED BLOGGERS: Many bloggers fall into this catagory. They are very nice people who post a variety of posts. They can be serious, informative and very funny depending on their mood. My blogroll contains these and several have, and are becoming, good friends.

PRETTY BLOGGERS: These bloggers have pretty, eye appealing sites and present a lot of pretty and beautiful items for display. Sometimes they follow a particular skill ie; quilting, scrapbooking, a craft, etc. and give instructions on how to make various items. These fill a very needed niche for those interested and involved in like activities. I enjoy the eye appeal of these sites. They are a pleasure to visit.

ORGANIZERS BLOGGERS: These seem to have all their household skills together and are there to teach and enlist others to do like wise. They love encouraging others to set goals, make lists, etc. Some of them have huge followings and names for themselves so it appears there is a need for these blogs. They do not appeal to me or my needs so I do not follow them.

RECIPE BLOGGERS: This really could be a sub-group of the above.

KNOW IT ALL - END ALL BLOGGERS: Fortunately I haven't stumbled onto many of these but they are there. They have very big Ego's and think they know it all. Not only do they know it all, but the KNOW the know it all!!!! They take every opportunity to inform you that they know it all. Guess what? No, I don't have them on my blogroll.

BUSY BLOGGER SITES: These bloggers probably have some very interesting things to say but I find it almost work to plow through their blog because there is too much there. Too many pictures, too many items on the side bar, just too many of everything and too busy for my taste. Because I enjoy this blogging experience and find it fun I don't read many of these sites because it is work and it wears me out.

OUT OF THE U.S. BLOGGERS: This name is self-explanatory. It is all those bloggers who are located outside our borders. These bloggers expose me to locales, places, sights, ideas and views of our great big world that I would find difficult to get any other way. Actually, these fall into sub-categories within this broader group: 1) those U.S. citizens living out of the U.S. for various reasons; missionaries, jobs, choice, etc. & 2) people born and raised outside the U.S. These are absolutely my favorite bloggers. I have, and am, learning so very much from them. I am seeing sights, through their beautiful pictures, my eyes would never be able to behold otherwise. I am getting such a much broader view of our world and how very much alike we truly are. My favorite part of all: I am getting a REAL feel for The Body of Christ that I always knew existed.

PHOTOGRAPHY BLOGGERS: These bloggers who delight our eyes with the beauty they capture so well with their cameras and their skill in the art of photography. I so enjoy these sights and what they share with me.

HELPFUL BLOGERS: These dear souls have been a life line to me as I've struggled to learn (a little bit!!!!) of the technical aspects of blogging. There are others who I have reached out to for particular advise (apart from the how to of blogging) who have been so ready and able to offer me help when I've asked for it. I'd love to name names here (but that wouldn't be nice!) but YOU ALL know who you are and I thank you from the bottom of my heart!


Everyone may be getting tired of hearing me say it....but I have to repeat it again and again. I am so thankful for each and everyone of you who bless me daily. You are so sharing. You share your ideas, your needs, your advise, your comments, your joys, your sorrows, your fears, your jokes, your photos, your stories, but most of all you share YOURSELVES with me and you allow me to share all of these things back with you.

YOU'RE SPECIAL TO HIM...

YOU'RE SPECIAL TO ME..

THANK YOU AND GOOD BLESS YOU!

Feeling Randomized???

As you know Susan of Learning for Lifetime posted a Randomization meme on her blog. I was naive enough to volunteer to participate!!!! Now three brave souls have stepped up to the plate and the challenge to be Randomized by MY 5 questions.

For Aisha, Kahri, & Tina here goes:

#1. If you could re-do your life, what I thing would you do that you did not do. And why?

#2. Of my 5 answers to the questions asked of me by Susan, of Learning for Lifetime, which did you like best? And why?

#3. Do you screen your comments before they are published? Why or why not?

#4. (This one is not original since Susan answered on her blog and then asked me and now I'm asking you because I think it's the best question ever.)
What are five things you would do if "money were no object"? And of course, why?

#5. If you were forbidden to live in the United States, what country would you choose to live in? And why?

Good luck to you 3 brave hearts and be sure and let me know when you get your answers posted and pass this one on. We were passing around Thinking Blogger Awards. This Randomization meme FORCES you to think!!!! Hope you get more than 3 brave souls that will step up to your challenge and your questions.