Reservoir

Well! I've noticed that blogger has updated since my last post.

Has anyone noticed that just anyone can now post a comment? I wish this was there before I moved. However, I'm still at wordpress now and like I said the last time, my blog is still Reservoir!

If you are here from Iris's blog, my Thankful Thursday post is over there.

Oh and there's a book review you just might be interested in on the blog. Do check it out.

Dear people, I moved my blog over to Wordpress. I really love blogger and most people know to find me here, but my major stress is that my non-Gmail users can't post comments and that is sooo frustrating!

I really hope you still visit me there...it's still called reservoir.

Today, Iris who hosts the TT meme at Sting My Heart picked 'Rest' as her theme for this week's TT. And it's so apt. This week has been quite rough for me and I do have a lot to be thankful for.

• I have had three attacks of wheezing and breathlessness since November, 2007. I could not understand just what the problem was. Well, this week I was diagnosed with asthma, it is a fresh occurrence. I am thankful that I finally know what was causing the attacks. I am also grateful to God for the prayers and encouragement of friends.



• I have been able to rest in the arms of my father. I am thankful that I can relax and know that God is in control of my life and my health.



• I run a monthly ezine. Compiling it and sending it out each month is a lot of work and is especially challenging. I learn so much from the process. The theme for the next issue is Achieving Your Dreams. One thing I learnt is that God has a plan for each and everyone of us and it should be my life's dream to achieve that plan. I am so thankful for that reassurance. I know I can rest in the knowledge that God's thoughts for me are of good to bring me to an expected end.
  
  

Pray that your husband handle finances wisely, will have discernment concerning budgeting and investments, and will be a good steward of his money in regard to giving to the Lord’s work. Pray that money will not become a source of discord in your family.(Prov. 23:4-5; Rom. 12:13; Heb. 13:5).

This prayer is especially relevant in today's world. I have not spent so many years on earth, yet I have witnessed quite a number of marriages fold up because of ...guess what? Yes, money!

The issue of money and finances seems like such a trivial one when dealing with the more profound feelings and emotions associated with love. However, it is more closely linked than a lot of us realise.

I remember in University, there was a particular slogan that was bandied around by the girls; it was no finance, no romance!

It is sad, but it is an inescapable truth. My parents practice the joint account system and it works for them. But I also know of a marriage that suffered disastrous effects from the joint account system. One was a spendthrift, the other a miser.

Discord also arises when one partner is earning more than the other. This is usually an issue when the woman is earning more than her husband. So what do we do?

I'll tell the story of a Pastor in Ibadan. He was a full-time Pastor (Translation: He did not earn anything) and his wife was a doctor. So she was effectively the bread-winner. Each month when her pay cheque went into her account, there was a standing order with her bank to transfer the whole sum into her husband's account. She received her allowance from him.

This is not a hypothetical story; I actually do know the family. It worked that way for them and they are still happy operating like that. But let's not be naive, I'm aware it will not work as easily for everyone. Each couple needs to pick what suits them. However, there are a few components which must be taken into consideration:

1. Trust: If there is no trust in the relationship, no system will work; money will always be an issue regardless of how much or how little both partners earn.
2. Budgeting: You need to have a family budget. It is not going to work otherwise. Both parties need to be able to spend (and save) together.
3. The Role: Do not forget, the man IS the head of the partnership. Not the boss, just the senior partner and while he needs to live up to his responsibility, his partner (the wife) should allow him be the man that God created him to be.

If you have any more ideas about money and relationships, please leave a comment or send a mail to me at sharon.famonure@gmail.com.

Each classroom was arranged in learning centers instead of desks. The students moved from center to center as they completed assignments, a plan that naturally invited noise. I learned that because of overcrowding, each teacher had been asked to select two children to form a new classroom...my classroom...and of course, each teacher had chosen her two most difficult students.

The first few weeks were a nightmarish battle for control. After losing my voice twice, my sister, Betty, a veteran first grade teacher, gave me some great advice, "The louder you are, the louder the children will be. If you want to get their attention, speak softly so they will have to be quiet in order to hear your voice". I put her advice into action the very next day.

As the children entered the classroom, I greeted each one with a silent smile. In my hands was a brightly wrapped box. Curious, they asked, "What is that, Mrs. Southerland?" I merely smiled and said nothing until every student was quietly seated. "I have a new plan for our classroom," I began. "Sometime during the day, I will call your name once. If you hear my voice, you may choose one prize from our new prize box. If you don't hear my voice, you'll miss the opportunity to select a prize." It worked like a charm! In a matter of days, my students learned to listen for my voice above all others.

Stress thrives when we allow the many voices in life to drown out the only voice that really matters, the voice of God. Even Jesus couldn't please everyone. Why do we think we can?

Let's Pray
Father, sometimes it seems as if my head and heart are filled with voices and each one is telling me something different! Help me to hear You, to stop and listen for Your voice above the rest. I will seek You in the Scripture. I will seek You in prayer and in my daily walk. I am listening today for Your voice alone.
In Jesus' name, Amen

Now It's Your Turn

• Make a list of five "voices" that are frequently heard in your life.
• Examine each voice to see if it lines up with God's plan and purpose for your life.
• Strengthen your ability to hear God's voice above the others by reading and memorizing Scripture.

Below are a few of my favorites:

Psalm 32:8 I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you
(NLT).
Exodus 14:13 The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still" (NIV).

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble (NIV).

Isaiah 42:16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;

I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them (NIV).