A promise for us.

I ran across this verse in Isaiah a few months ago and have felt the past 2 weeks that God has really put it on my heart to memorize and keep these as a promise for the delivery of our baby.

Isaiah 66:9
"Do I bring to the moment of birth
and not give delivery?" says the LORD.
"Do I close up the womb
when I bring to delivery?" says your God.

We have had beautiful experiences delivering both of our babies. But I would definitely say that the pushing-phase of delivery has been frustrating and difficult for both. Both pushing experiences have lasted approximately 2 hours (Andrew a little less, Luke a little more) with Luke being face-up and very difficult to get out.

So anyway.... I think that God wants me to just believe that He is the One Who Delivers these babies. And it's in His time and His way.
Agree with us on this and please pray that we would just trust Him to bring our baby girl out when the moment is right...no excessive "trying," no frustration...just patience and trust.

The wisdom in Proverbs

I'd read the book of Proverbs several times in the past and many times gone searching there for specific understanding...but never has Proverbs spoken to me so deeply as in the past couple months. I'm on my second straight pass through it - a chapter a day with a weekly memory verse.
I can't explain this except to say that different scripture just comes alive at different times based upon what God is interested in saying to me (or us). I think He is desiring a building up and deeper understanding of His wisdom at the present time.

I couldn't help but be struck by all the commands in Proverbs to "keep his knowledge in your heart" "carry his commands with you" and to have access to this knowledge at all times. So I've decided that absolutely means committing it to memory and having it just written on my heart. This way God can dig it up and speak it back to me whenever he wants to.

So if you're reading this, I'd encourage to be reading and memorizing some Proverbs that speak to you. Here are mine of late:

Proverbs 3:25-26 "Have no fear of sudden disaster or the ruin that overtakes the wicked. For the Lord is your confidence and He will keep your foot from being snared."

Proverbs 6:23 "For these commands are a lamp and this teaching a light and the corrections of discipline are the way to life."

Proverbs 16:32 "Better to be patient than powerful and better to have self-control than to conquer a city."

Proverbs 21:21 "He who pursues righteousness and love will find life, prosperity and honor."

Proverbs 28:13 "He who conceals his sins will not prosper but he who confesses and renounces them will find mercy."