Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Thumps In Our Lives…

Potter9

“Count it all joy.” James 1:2 NKJV

Max Lucado writes: “When a potter bakes a pot he checks its solidity by pulling it out of the [furnace] and thumping it.

If it ‘sings,’ it’s ready. If it ‘thuds,’ it’s put back in.

Character is also checked by thumping…Late night phone calls…grouchy teachers…burnt meals…flat tires…you’ve-got-to-be-kidding deadlines. Thumps trigger the worst in us…They aren’t big enough to be a crisis, but if you get enough of them, watch out. Traffic jams…long lines…empty mailboxes…dirty clothes on the floor…

Thump. Thump. Thump.

How do you respond? Do you sing or do you thud?

Jesus said, ‘People speak the things that are in their hearts’ (Lk 6:45 NCV), and there’s nothing like a good thump to reveal the true nature of a heart…it’s not in momentary heroics, but in the thump-packed humdrum of day-to-day living.

If you’ve a tendency to ‘thud’ more than you ‘sing,’ take heart. There’s hope for us ‘thudders.’

Begin by thanking God …not a half-hearted thank-you…but a rejoicing, jumping-for-joy, thank-you from the bottom of your heart.

James says: ‘Count it all joy when you fall into various trials…the testing of your faith produces patience.’ God’s doing the thumping…for your own good…You’re going to be tested…you might as well learn from the thumps.

See it as an opportunity to develop patience and persistence.

Each thump helps or hurts you, depending on how you use it. Be aware of ‘thump-slumps’…For all of us there are times during the week when we can anticipate an unusual amount of thumping. Handle them head on…bolster yourself with extra prayer… don’t give up…and remember no thump is disastrous.

(By Rick Godwin)

 

All thumps work together for good when you love and obey God.”

Please join us today over at The 160 Acre Woods for more WFW posts!

29 comments:

Kim@Seasons of My Heart said...

Hey girlie~
Great post today.....and I want to be a singer...even when my situations/circumstances might cause me to do otherwise!

Praying you have BLESSED...BLESSED...day...

Denise said...

Thank you sweetie for this powerful WFW.

Bobbi said...

Thanks for the challenging post. This is my first visit to your blog, I think. Very nice! Happy WFW!

Beth Herring said...

this is great! what a much needed reminder of the correct way to deal with those thumps we are sure to get!

Susannah said...

Awesome! Love that "thump" word. I'll remember you by it. :~D

Have a blessed week, Susan.

P.S. Your question: I'd like to explore Facebook more in the future. Right now I'm doing a fair amount of Twittering. :~D

LisaShaw said...

Hi precious Sister,

I finally made my way over to visit with you and your very beautiful and loving blog.

I enjoyed this message. I especially liked:

"You’re going to be tested…you might as well learn from the thumps. See it as an opportunity to develop patience and persistence. Each thump helps or hurts you, depending on how you use it."

I like the helps or hurts you depending on how you use it. I often say things happen to make you better or bitter but it's my choice as to how I will respond. I CHOOSE better in Jesus Name.

I love you.

LisaShaw said...

O and I love that photo!!!

Peggy said...

Blessings Susan, Counting it all JOY!

Trying to SING loud enough to drown out the thuds...oops! But so thankful for these words from Max & Rick & you! Always love a beautiful graphic with a hand thrown pot & The Potter!I'm so glad the Potter is still thumping me to mold me & make me more in His image! Thank you for this WORD!

Hope that this finds you surrounded by His love & enjoying the summer & those sweetie pies above! Have a wonderful WFW!

SnoWhite said...

thanks!

praying God will help me become a singer.

Amydeanne said...

ouch well that will help put my bad attitude in check today!

Toia said...

Thanks for sharing. Happy WFW!!

Laurie said...

Susan,
I laughed out loud when I saw your post- because I can so relate to being the clay! It was like an arrow hitting my heart. I love how you break it all down for us. This is so good for me to read today. I needed it! Love, Laurie

aspiritofsimplicity said...

What a wonderful post. I love it.

Cathy said...

I love that, thank you ~

luvmy4sons said...

Love it! Thumping produces character!

Anonymous said...

WoW! I love Rick Godwin, but he is so hard. Well, I guess b/c the Word of God is sometimes (most of the time) hard.

With school getting closer and closer, and my stress level getting higher and higher, I really needed to be reminded to quit "thudding" so much!

My focus in these upcoming weeks will be to sing and give a SACRIFICE OF PRAISE.

Thanks for the reminder.

Love, Kristin

P.S. I will be singing on Sunday. ;)

Laurencita said...

Wow! so inspiring blogs. such beautiful and wonderful kids. Nice knowing you.

Anonymous said...

Praying right now!
Romans 8:26-28 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Marilyn in Mississippi said...

Thanks! I needed that! Because I'm afraid that I tend to be more of a "thudder" then a "singer"! But my DESIRE is to sing !!!!!

God bless!

Marilyn....in Mississippi

lori said...

GIRLFRIEND...getting that cafe calendar out this week had me a day late....I MISSED getting around yesterday...THIS IS hands DOWN my favorite verse in the Bible...and not because it's short! lol:)

It's ALL JOY...I need the reminder, each and every day!!

How are you doing?? shoot me an email when you get a chance!!

love you!!
lori

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Seems I need to be put back in the over for a bit longer. I've been doing a lot of "thudding" these days. Longing for the song to return.

peace~elaine
Did hubby write this? Way to go, Rick!

peace~elaine

Jean Stockdale said...

I am just now catching up on some blog hopping to see others posts. You have a great site and I love your picture. Great verse and wonderful insight. Thanks for sharing.

I am hosting "5 Things Friday" on my blog at http://jeanstockdale.typepad.com and I hope you will stop by and play along. I write to encourage MOMS in the fine art of Christian mothering. Such an awesome privilege, such a tough job! Blessings.

Maxine said...

Oh my. How often I thump around here. Great word.

Anonymous said...

Continuing to lift up prayers!
Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Laureen said...

What a great reminder for us.Thanks!

Warren Baldwin said...

I'm writing a lesson about character now. Thanks for the reminder that we need some "thumps" along the way!

Samantha said...

Such a powerful post !
Have a very blessed weekend !

Anonymous said...

Stopping by to let you know I'm here praying!
Psalms 28:1-2 Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
Prayer Bears
My email address

Tea with Tiffany said...

Want a continuous song going up to heaven even when the thumps come.

Thanks for the encouragement.
Love,
T