The dictionary meaning of rapture: The state of being carried away with joy, love, etc.. ecstasy
The dictionary meaning of tribulation: Great misery or distress as from oppression
You should know that what I am writing is my opinion from the reading and studying that I've done, I am open to hear other opinions. I would love to hear what you think so please take my poll or leave me a message.
This is what I believe, 2 Peter 2: 5 says, "if He did not spare the ancient world when He brought the flood on its ungodly people but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness and seven others; if He condemened the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by lawless deeds he saw and heard)" Peter goes on to say, "if this is so then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgement while continuing the punishment"
Out of that scripture I got, that God protected or in other words to shield from injury or danger or loss, to defend, Noah and his family while they went through the flood.
On the other hand He rescued, or freed and saved from danger, Lot out of the cities before He burned them down. Peter goes on to say, "God will rescue us from the coming wrath." Not protect us through it, but rescue us from it. Wrath also meaning any action carried out especially punishment. Paul also confirms this in 1 thessalonians 1: 10, "and to wait for His son from Heaven, whom He raised from the dead- Jesus who rescues us from the coming wrath. Again, Jesus will rescue us, not protect us through the wrath.
Now peter also talks about trials that, "God knows how to rescue godly men from trials" trials: The act or process of testing. Revelations 3: 10, Jesus says, "Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on earth."
We are to be taken out, or rescued from the punishment, trial or wrath that will be coming so you can see why I believe we will be raptured at the beginning of the tribulation. If you have any other information confirming or any information, against this, please let me know. Thank you, Connie
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Screen Printers
Just before my third child, Elizabeth was born, my sister, Carol and I decided to start our own business, screen printing T- shirts. We both have some artistic talent, so screen printing seemed like a good way to use that talent. We started by making a very unprofessional looking flyer. It was 1983, and neither one of us had a computer, so you can imagine how awful this flyer was. We mailed out about a dozen flyers to local businesses and surprisingly, one of the busineses called and placed an order. We were excited, we could hardly wait to get started. At the art supply store, we bought a screen printing kit and an instruction booklet. When I think back, I'm amazed at how confident we were considering we had absolutly no idea as to what we were about to do.
We took the kit to my house and started by studying the instruction booklet. After reading and re-reading the entire booklet, we thought we had a good understanding of how to make the screen, which was the biggest part of it. We estimated that it would take about one hour from start to finish. We were excited and ready to start. We followed each step, just as the instruction booklet had said and everything seemed to be going just right. There were many steps, mixing ingredients, coating a screen, putting it under a light for a certain amount of time, washing the screen, and letting it dry.
The screen was finished and we were ready to print our first t-shirt. We carefully lined the screen up on the shirt, added the ink and slowly dragged the squeegee across the screen. As we lifted the screen, to see our first printed shirt, we were both disapointed and discouraged to see that it hadn't worked, not a drop of ink was on the shirt. Feeling very frustrated, we made screen after screen changing the process a little each time, finally after eight hours we had a screen that we could use.
We finished that job and they were actually happy with their shirts.
We mailed out additional flyers, orders came in, and we had to make more screens. We weren't sure what we had done right to get that first screen to finally work. Knowing how hard it had been the first time, left us feeling anxious. But after many mistakes, we learned exactally what we needed to know to make a perfect screen every time. We found that we didn't get a perfect screen by doing just one thing right, it was a very complicated process , and just reading the directions wasn't enough to get it right the first time, or the second or the third or the forth.
At the end of a year, we had mastered the complicated process of screen printing. We hadn't done it by just reading the directions, but more so by hands on experience. We could have had those directions memorized, word for word and it wouldn't have been enough to make a screen. Experience was the best teacher.
A month or so after we had gotten into the business, I remember meeting a lady who was also in the screen priting profession. I told her about all the problems we had making the first screen, and she told me that she had been making screens for so long, that she could probably make one in her sleep. I remember thinking, "Wow, I wonder if I'll ever be like her?" At the end of two years, I felt as though I too could make a screen in my sleep!
Repetition, trial and error is what taught us what we needed to do each step of the way. Learning that way turned something very complicated into something easily done.
I have read the new testiment a few times. I have read about half of the old testiment, and heard pastors talk about the Bible most of my life. reading studying and memorizing is so important. The next step is trying to follow those instructions for a Christian life. We may have a hard time at first, just like Carol and I did when we tried putting the knowledge from reading into practice. But unlike Carol and I, we have a teacher, a counselor, the Holy Spirit, and with the Holy Spirit's help, I believe we can succeed. Jesus said in John 14: 26, "But the counslor, the Holy Spirit whom the father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and remind you of everything I have said to you."
So read, study and learn the Bible, but also be hands on and you will overcome.
We took the kit to my house and started by studying the instruction booklet. After reading and re-reading the entire booklet, we thought we had a good understanding of how to make the screen, which was the biggest part of it. We estimated that it would take about one hour from start to finish. We were excited and ready to start. We followed each step, just as the instruction booklet had said and everything seemed to be going just right. There were many steps, mixing ingredients, coating a screen, putting it under a light for a certain amount of time, washing the screen, and letting it dry.
The screen was finished and we were ready to print our first t-shirt. We carefully lined the screen up on the shirt, added the ink and slowly dragged the squeegee across the screen. As we lifted the screen, to see our first printed shirt, we were both disapointed and discouraged to see that it hadn't worked, not a drop of ink was on the shirt. Feeling very frustrated, we made screen after screen changing the process a little each time, finally after eight hours we had a screen that we could use.
We finished that job and they were actually happy with their shirts.
We mailed out additional flyers, orders came in, and we had to make more screens. We weren't sure what we had done right to get that first screen to finally work. Knowing how hard it had been the first time, left us feeling anxious. But after many mistakes, we learned exactally what we needed to know to make a perfect screen every time. We found that we didn't get a perfect screen by doing just one thing right, it was a very complicated process , and just reading the directions wasn't enough to get it right the first time, or the second or the third or the forth.
At the end of a year, we had mastered the complicated process of screen printing. We hadn't done it by just reading the directions, but more so by hands on experience. We could have had those directions memorized, word for word and it wouldn't have been enough to make a screen. Experience was the best teacher.
A month or so after we had gotten into the business, I remember meeting a lady who was also in the screen priting profession. I told her about all the problems we had making the first screen, and she told me that she had been making screens for so long, that she could probably make one in her sleep. I remember thinking, "Wow, I wonder if I'll ever be like her?" At the end of two years, I felt as though I too could make a screen in my sleep!
Repetition, trial and error is what taught us what we needed to do each step of the way. Learning that way turned something very complicated into something easily done.
I have read the new testiment a few times. I have read about half of the old testiment, and heard pastors talk about the Bible most of my life. reading studying and memorizing is so important. The next step is trying to follow those instructions for a Christian life. We may have a hard time at first, just like Carol and I did when we tried putting the knowledge from reading into practice. But unlike Carol and I, we have a teacher, a counselor, the Holy Spirit, and with the Holy Spirit's help, I believe we can succeed. Jesus said in John 14: 26, "But the counslor, the Holy Spirit whom the father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and remind you of everything I have said to you."
So read, study and learn the Bible, but also be hands on and you will overcome.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Tin Men 2
My sweet dog had to be put down today. We got Jack, our jack russel in 2007 and he live a happy life with our family. He was much loved. We all cried.
Jack Cameron 2004 - October 27, 2011
Jack Cameron 2004 - October 27, 2011
Tin Men
The wizard of Oz is a great movie. When I was growing up, I would wait for it to play every year. A bowl of popcorn, my pillow and blanket and The Wizard of OZ! What an idea, the lion the scarecrow and the tim man. If there was a real wizard of Oz, he would be over run with tin men.
My dog is sick. He hasn't eaten in five days. He only drinks a little when one of us holds the bowl in front of his face. He doesn't seem to be in any pain, but the poor thing just lies there, hardly moving. The last time he had to urinate, he went where he was laying, he didn't even bother to get up. I don't understand, he was fine six days ago.
I've called around to find a place to take him, a vet, and all I find are tin men. One lady even asked if we were trying to get rid of him. I don't have any money, so I can't pay and I'm afraid my little jack russel is going to die before my eyes. What am I to do?
My dog is sick. He hasn't eaten in five days. He only drinks a little when one of us holds the bowl in front of his face. He doesn't seem to be in any pain, but the poor thing just lies there, hardly moving. The last time he had to urinate, he went where he was laying, he didn't even bother to get up. I don't understand, he was fine six days ago.
I've called around to find a place to take him, a vet, and all I find are tin men. One lady even asked if we were trying to get rid of him. I don't have any money, so I can't pay and I'm afraid my little jack russel is going to die before my eyes. What am I to do?
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Pain
No one's listening
To the cries
No one's answering
All the whys
A baby growing up
In hate
Sex and violence
Satan's bait
A father looks
The other way
Hey he'll be okay
Someday
Turn on the TV
Close the door
Turn off minds
Can't deal with more
A mother thinks
Her job is done
Out the door to,
Have some fun
She screams at her sons
Violent ways
He walks away
In a silent daze
Looked at with
The eyes of shame
Point the finger
Shake the blame
Cuts like a knife
With words and looks
Carries a gun
Along with books
A father asks what
He did wrong
Once again
The same old song
"Then never mind
I've got to go"
"Ive got no time
Don't even want to know"
His child screams inside with
Pain
He should have known
Always the same
No one's listening
To the cries
No one's answering
All the whys
Except
Jesus
To the cries
No one's answering
All the whys
A baby growing up
In hate
Sex and violence
Satan's bait
A father looks
The other way
Hey he'll be okay
Someday
Turn on the TV
Close the door
Turn off minds
Can't deal with more
A mother thinks
Her job is done
Out the door to,
Have some fun
She screams at her sons
Violent ways
He walks away
In a silent daze
Looked at with
The eyes of shame
Point the finger
Shake the blame
Cuts like a knife
With words and looks
Carries a gun
Along with books
A father asks what
He did wrong
Once again
The same old song
"Then never mind
I've got to go"
"Ive got no time
Don't even want to know"
His child screams inside with
Pain
He should have known
Always the same
No one's listening
To the cries
No one's answering
All the whys
Except
Jesus
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Jack O Lantern
The Irish brought the custom of halloween to America, they also brought over the custom of carving a Jack O lantern. They did have to modify the custom though because what the ancient Celts had began was the tradition of hollowing out and carving a demon's face in a large turnip. when the immigrants found few turnips in their new land, they substituted pumpkins.
It was also the Irish who originated the tern Jack O lantern. Irish folklore, has a legand about a nam named Jack, he tricked the devil into climbing up a tree. quickly carving a cross into the tree trunk, Jack trapped Satan until he swore never again to tempt Jack to sin. Jack wasn't welcome in Heaven or in Hell so he was forced to wander the earth. He begged Satan for a coal to light his way. Jack chewed the center out of a turnip and put the coal in it to forn a lantern.
If you want to participate in Halloween activities, just know that origianlly they weren't basically evil. They have taken on different meanings, through time. Avoid the dark side to Halloween these days. But if you don't feel convicted joining in, or feel like you are a stumbling block for someone else, have fun, but be careful.
It was also the Irish who originated the tern Jack O lantern. Irish folklore, has a legand about a nam named Jack, he tricked the devil into climbing up a tree. quickly carving a cross into the tree trunk, Jack trapped Satan until he swore never again to tempt Jack to sin. Jack wasn't welcome in Heaven or in Hell so he was forced to wander the earth. He begged Satan for a coal to light his way. Jack chewed the center out of a turnip and put the coal in it to forn a lantern.
If you want to participate in Halloween activities, just know that origianlly they weren't basically evil. They have taken on different meanings, through time. Avoid the dark side to Halloween these days. But if you don't feel convicted joining in, or feel like you are a stumbling block for someone else, have fun, but be careful.
Elijah And The Toothbrush
My husband, Mark and I wanted our little boy, Elijah to start brushing his teeth. He didn't like the idea. He didn't want to do it himself and he wouldn't let me do it for him. So his teeth were going un-brushed. Elijahs doctor said that he was getting some build up and that he needed to start brushing. Mark and I decided to hold Elijah and brush his teeth for him, big mistake. After that, there was no possible way he was going to brush his teeth by himself. We forced him and he ended up hating something that only would be good for him. After a week of hearing Elijah scream every time we would show him a toothbrush, we gave up for a while.
Then we tried something new. Elijah loves juice. First thing every morning, he wants his juice. This particular morning, we said, "Sorry baby, no juice until you take the toothbrush and touch it to your teeth." He took the toothbrush, and he threw the toothbrush. I gave it to him again, and he threw it again. I gave it back to him, and he took it and hid it. He was so stuborn, he went most of the day drinking only water. He would ask for juice and I would say, "Yes, you can have juice, as soon as you touch the toothbrush to your teeth." And the last thing he did, was cry for juice.
Then it happened, having that juice meant more to him than having his own way. He found the toothbrush where he hid it earlier, in the livingroom. He brought it to me and he said, "Brush teeth?" I clapped and I hugged him! Then I gave Elijah the juice that I had ready and waiting for him. All he had to do was get what he wanted in line with what I wanted for him. The next morning he fought brushing his teeth again, but he did end up brushing his teeth and getting his juice. Every day it got a little easier, until one morning I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth, and he came in and asked if he could brush his teeth too!
This taught me something about prayer. I used to think that I had to talk God into things, to convince Him with my prayers. I realized that I was wrong. 1 samuel, is the story about Hanna. She wanted a child. The longer she prayed and didn't get one, the more desperate she got for a child. She finally got down and cried before God. She sobbed, "God if you just give me a son, I will give him to you." That was it, that was what God wanted all along. He was ready and waiting to give her that baby. He just wanted Hanna to do one thing, promise that baby to Him. She didn't persuade God to do anything, God gently persuaded her to give Him something that they both wanted. When her heart was ready, He gave her what He had planned for her from the beginning of time.
I love Elijah, I want the best for him, but forcing him to do what would be good for him, only made him hate it. Bringing him to a place where he would change his feelings about something he didn't want, so that he could have something he did want, worked. Now on his own, he brushes his teeth.
God sets it up so that we get to a place that we desire what He already wants for us. Then we cry out to God, "Please give us what we desire." And when our desires and our hearts are in line with His will and His desire for us, He says, "Yes."
Psalm 145: 19, "He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him, He also hears their cry and saves them."
Then we tried something new. Elijah loves juice. First thing every morning, he wants his juice. This particular morning, we said, "Sorry baby, no juice until you take the toothbrush and touch it to your teeth." He took the toothbrush, and he threw the toothbrush. I gave it to him again, and he threw it again. I gave it back to him, and he took it and hid it. He was so stuborn, he went most of the day drinking only water. He would ask for juice and I would say, "Yes, you can have juice, as soon as you touch the toothbrush to your teeth." And the last thing he did, was cry for juice.
Then it happened, having that juice meant more to him than having his own way. He found the toothbrush where he hid it earlier, in the livingroom. He brought it to me and he said, "Brush teeth?" I clapped and I hugged him! Then I gave Elijah the juice that I had ready and waiting for him. All he had to do was get what he wanted in line with what I wanted for him. The next morning he fought brushing his teeth again, but he did end up brushing his teeth and getting his juice. Every day it got a little easier, until one morning I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth, and he came in and asked if he could brush his teeth too!
This taught me something about prayer. I used to think that I had to talk God into things, to convince Him with my prayers. I realized that I was wrong. 1 samuel, is the story about Hanna. She wanted a child. The longer she prayed and didn't get one, the more desperate she got for a child. She finally got down and cried before God. She sobbed, "God if you just give me a son, I will give him to you." That was it, that was what God wanted all along. He was ready and waiting to give her that baby. He just wanted Hanna to do one thing, promise that baby to Him. She didn't persuade God to do anything, God gently persuaded her to give Him something that they both wanted. When her heart was ready, He gave her what He had planned for her from the beginning of time.
I love Elijah, I want the best for him, but forcing him to do what would be good for him, only made him hate it. Bringing him to a place where he would change his feelings about something he didn't want, so that he could have something he did want, worked. Now on his own, he brushes his teeth.
God sets it up so that we get to a place that we desire what He already wants for us. Then we cry out to God, "Please give us what we desire." And when our desires and our hearts are in line with His will and His desire for us, He says, "Yes."
Psalm 145: 19, "He fulfills the desires of those who fear Him, He also hears their cry and saves them."
Love
2 Timothy 1: 7, "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power of love and of self discipline."
There are so many scriptures that talk about love, basically, we are to love one another. And loving one another is important for many reasons, that are deeper than what we may think.
There were studies done in the 1940's and the 1950's with orphans. These orphans were examined through their teen years and compared to teens that spent their whole life in foster homes. First, there was a high mortality rate in the babies that were in institutions rather than foster homes. All of the babies basic needs were taken care of but, just their basic needs. Researchers found no reason for these babies not to survive, and the babies that did survive and later lived in foster homes when compaired to the teens that grew up in foster homes the first group were delayed intellectally.
The only thing these babies were deprived of in the insritutions was human contact. They were fed, diapered, and they slept but they weren't loved.
There has also been research done on spouses. When one partner dies after they have been together for 20, 30, 40 or more years, it has been reported that the other spouse dies within months of the first death. "Usually heart failure, " one doctor said but added, "I think it's more about connection." Or as the article asks, "Can you die of a broken heart?"
My Dad died three years ago and I truly believe that my mom is still alive after a 60 year marriage because, she has five kids, that love her and are around her daily, also grand children and great grand children. We all have and always have had much love for each other.
There is more to the command that Jesus gave us to love one another than you may think. Life depends on love. John 13: 34, "A new command I give to you; Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another." Jesus went on to say, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
1 Corinthians 13: 13 says, "And now these three remain: faith hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
If the greatest is love and life depends on being loved and loving, it's importance is essential. So, knowing this: love one another, today.
There are so many scriptures that talk about love, basically, we are to love one another. And loving one another is important for many reasons, that are deeper than what we may think.
There were studies done in the 1940's and the 1950's with orphans. These orphans were examined through their teen years and compared to teens that spent their whole life in foster homes. First, there was a high mortality rate in the babies that were in institutions rather than foster homes. All of the babies basic needs were taken care of but, just their basic needs. Researchers found no reason for these babies not to survive, and the babies that did survive and later lived in foster homes when compaired to the teens that grew up in foster homes the first group were delayed intellectally.
The only thing these babies were deprived of in the insritutions was human contact. They were fed, diapered, and they slept but they weren't loved.
There has also been research done on spouses. When one partner dies after they have been together for 20, 30, 40 or more years, it has been reported that the other spouse dies within months of the first death. "Usually heart failure, " one doctor said but added, "I think it's more about connection." Or as the article asks, "Can you die of a broken heart?"
My Dad died three years ago and I truly believe that my mom is still alive after a 60 year marriage because, she has five kids, that love her and are around her daily, also grand children and great grand children. We all have and always have had much love for each other.
There is more to the command that Jesus gave us to love one another than you may think. Life depends on love. John 13: 34, "A new command I give to you; Love one another. As I have loved you so you must love one another." Jesus went on to say, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
1 Corinthians 13: 13 says, "And now these three remain: faith hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
If the greatest is love and life depends on being loved and loving, it's importance is essential. So, knowing this: love one another, today.
It's All Up To You
By Bary Bennett
Morning has broken the sunshine is calling
Outside birds singing from trees leaves are falling
The green grass is covered with sweet morning dew
The warmth of the day cries, "Good morning to you"
Life is begining to move on the ground below
Insects are hard at work, see them move to and fro
Creation has movement because God has willed it
Where there is life it is God's breath that filled it
From deep in the sea to the hot desert sands above
All that has life was formed with Gods hands with love
I'm no exception, I know the story
All that you've made was made for your glory
Let all of cretion cry out to the Holy One
Every plant, every beast, every bird knows what God has done
Let man take notice of the image he's made
Let man be aware of the price that was paid
More precious is man than all else that exists
Bought with a price by the nails in Christs wrists
How can mankind not believe what he's told?
That if he believes he will never grow old
If it's Gods will then morning will break again
I pray Gods love will reach all seeking men
Jesus is coming soon so this is your warning
There's no guarantee you will ever see morning
Don't take for granted this life that you're living
Find God and see that he is forgiving
Today is the day of salvation my brothers
That includes you fathers, sisters and mothers
Don't let the chance go by, don't be left asking why
Even the birds of the air know it's true
In the end it's all up to you- what will you do?
Morning has broken the sunshine is calling
Outside birds singing from trees leaves are falling
The green grass is covered with sweet morning dew
The warmth of the day cries, "Good morning to you"
Life is begining to move on the ground below
Insects are hard at work, see them move to and fro
Creation has movement because God has willed it
Where there is life it is God's breath that filled it
From deep in the sea to the hot desert sands above
All that has life was formed with Gods hands with love
I'm no exception, I know the story
All that you've made was made for your glory
Let all of cretion cry out to the Holy One
Every plant, every beast, every bird knows what God has done
Let man take notice of the image he's made
Let man be aware of the price that was paid
More precious is man than all else that exists
Bought with a price by the nails in Christs wrists
How can mankind not believe what he's told?
That if he believes he will never grow old
If it's Gods will then morning will break again
I pray Gods love will reach all seeking men
Jesus is coming soon so this is your warning
There's no guarantee you will ever see morning
Don't take for granted this life that you're living
Find God and see that he is forgiving
Today is the day of salvation my brothers
That includes you fathers, sisters and mothers
Don't let the chance go by, don't be left asking why
Even the birds of the air know it's true
In the end it's all up to you- what will you do?
Monday, October 24, 2011
The Towel
I had a basket of dirty laundry in the kitchen, ready to go out to the washing machine. I noticed a red drink spill on the kitchen floor and absent mindedly , I picked up a cream colored towel out of the pile and wiped up the wet mess. I threw the whole pile right into the washing machine. I washed all the towels with detergent and hot water, but the towel came out of the dryer, stained. What could I do, I folded it and put it away with the other towels.
After a shower a few days later, I picked up that same towel off the shelf, to dry myself. I noticed the stain and I felt uneasy using that towel, it still looked dirty to me. I thought back, the towel had gone through the same process to get clean as all the other towels, that stain was new, it might lighten up in time but the towel was clean.
Drying myself with this towel made me think of how I feel about forgiveness. When I sin, I ask for forgiveness, and God forgives me. But sometimes I still feel the stain of my sin that is left behind and I feel as though I am still dirty. God has forgiven me but I haven't forgiven myself, I still feel guilty. So I have to remind myself that what God has made clean is clean indeed. Then I need to accept the fact that I am clean.
Jesus is our cleaning process, and I am the towel. And as the towel I am not responsible for the cleaning process. So I also can't take credit for getting myself clean. But if I deny that I am clean, I deny that Jesus forgives, and the sin remains because of my lack of faith.
Isaiah 4: 30 says, "Come now let us reason together says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; they are as red as crimson, they shall become like wool." If we ask, God will remove our sins as far as the east is from the west, all we have to do is believe and recieve.
After a shower a few days later, I picked up that same towel off the shelf, to dry myself. I noticed the stain and I felt uneasy using that towel, it still looked dirty to me. I thought back, the towel had gone through the same process to get clean as all the other towels, that stain was new, it might lighten up in time but the towel was clean.
Drying myself with this towel made me think of how I feel about forgiveness. When I sin, I ask for forgiveness, and God forgives me. But sometimes I still feel the stain of my sin that is left behind and I feel as though I am still dirty. God has forgiven me but I haven't forgiven myself, I still feel guilty. So I have to remind myself that what God has made clean is clean indeed. Then I need to accept the fact that I am clean.
Jesus is our cleaning process, and I am the towel. And as the towel I am not responsible for the cleaning process. So I also can't take credit for getting myself clean. But if I deny that I am clean, I deny that Jesus forgives, and the sin remains because of my lack of faith.
Isaiah 4: 30 says, "Come now let us reason together says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; they are as red as crimson, they shall become like wool." If we ask, God will remove our sins as far as the east is from the west, all we have to do is believe and recieve.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Writer
When My kids were babies, I spent so much time feeding them, taking care of them, holding them, I did everything for them. As they grew, they started doing some things for themselves but I was there to help them. When they started walking I held their hand, and soon they were walking with out my help. All my kids are grown and doing things on their own now. Two of my boys still live with me but my older three even have their own places.
I took a writing class when I was in high school. I had read many books about writing but never read what I learned in this class. This teacher taught us something I had never thought about before. This teacher said that if a story is well written then there is a purpose for everything. I started looking for that in the next books that I read, which were mystery novels. I did see that nothing in the story happened just to fill space. Everything meant something, and it all connected in the end.
I started writing when I was about 30 and living in Anaheim. I didn't write too much before that time, maybe some poems but no stories. After becoming a Christian, I think that God had decided that I would write, because I would get stories word for word, like a gift from God. And I knew they were from God because I would get the story in the middle of the night while I was sleeping. I would wake up with the whole story in my mind, and I couldn't get back to sleep until I got up and wrote it all down.
It was at those times that I feel God had me in his arms, feeding me these stories, when I first started writing. Then he held my hand as I wrote some of the stories, and now I feel like He is standing back watching me, giving me room to write these stories on my own. And at times I am wishing that He was still here spoon feeding me but I know that I have to grow up and do it on my own. I also know that all the things that have happened to me and are happening to me are for a reason, maybe not so much before I became a Christian but now I look at the things that are happening and I can see that God doesn't fill our time with empty space, everything is for a reason.
I thank God for this gift He has given me of writing, I thank Him for being there like a good Father does, standing back watching over me, letting me do this writing on my own now. And I am glad to know that this is all for a reason, a purpose, I may not know it now but I know that there will be a conclusion to my life where He wraps everything up and it will make sense one day.
I took a writing class when I was in high school. I had read many books about writing but never read what I learned in this class. This teacher taught us something I had never thought about before. This teacher said that if a story is well written then there is a purpose for everything. I started looking for that in the next books that I read, which were mystery novels. I did see that nothing in the story happened just to fill space. Everything meant something, and it all connected in the end.
I started writing when I was about 30 and living in Anaheim. I didn't write too much before that time, maybe some poems but no stories. After becoming a Christian, I think that God had decided that I would write, because I would get stories word for word, like a gift from God. And I knew they were from God because I would get the story in the middle of the night while I was sleeping. I would wake up with the whole story in my mind, and I couldn't get back to sleep until I got up and wrote it all down.
It was at those times that I feel God had me in his arms, feeding me these stories, when I first started writing. Then he held my hand as I wrote some of the stories, and now I feel like He is standing back watching me, giving me room to write these stories on my own. And at times I am wishing that He was still here spoon feeding me but I know that I have to grow up and do it on my own. I also know that all the things that have happened to me and are happening to me are for a reason, maybe not so much before I became a Christian but now I look at the things that are happening and I can see that God doesn't fill our time with empty space, everything is for a reason.
I thank God for this gift He has given me of writing, I thank Him for being there like a good Father does, standing back watching over me, letting me do this writing on my own now. And I am glad to know that this is all for a reason, a purpose, I may not know it now but I know that there will be a conclusion to my life where He wraps everything up and it will make sense one day.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Just Another Day
This poem is by Bary Bennett
Today is just a day
Like any other day before
You wake up to a cigarette
Perhaps you'll have one more
The coffee pot is brewing
So you turn on your TV
You sit and drink your coffee
Wondering what you're going to see
The news brings all the pictures
That the world wants you to view
It's a murder, it's a car chase
It's a special deal for you
It's an earthquake, it's a famine
It's a little thing called war
So we sit and watch and wait
For that final football score
It's a day like any other
We have lost that sense of care
We've become a hardened people
To what's going on out there
America wake up wake up
To the troubles of our time
We're in deep and still asleep
We are guilty of the crime
Of forgetting where we came from
And neglecting all we claim
We are children of the most high God
And Jesus is his name
We're to pray for those in bondage
And lay hands upon the sick
We're to warn those being swindled
When the devil plays a trick
We're a nation blessed with freedoms
That the rest may never know
If we don't take up our crosses
We will reap the wrath we sow
So turn that TV off awhile
Make some time to pray
Dwell upon the things you've seen
And think on what to say
Lift up the needs of those you hurt
Lift up the world leaders too
It's just a day like all the rest
So try something that's new
Turn off that TV set and let
That coffee brew some more
It's time we make this day a day
Unlike the one before
Today is just a day
Like any other day before
You wake up to a cigarette
Perhaps you'll have one more
The coffee pot is brewing
So you turn on your TV
You sit and drink your coffee
Wondering what you're going to see
The news brings all the pictures
That the world wants you to view
It's a murder, it's a car chase
It's a special deal for you
It's an earthquake, it's a famine
It's a little thing called war
So we sit and watch and wait
For that final football score
It's a day like any other
We have lost that sense of care
We've become a hardened people
To what's going on out there
America wake up wake up
To the troubles of our time
We're in deep and still asleep
We are guilty of the crime
Of forgetting where we came from
And neglecting all we claim
We are children of the most high God
And Jesus is his name
We're to pray for those in bondage
And lay hands upon the sick
We're to warn those being swindled
When the devil plays a trick
We're a nation blessed with freedoms
That the rest may never know
If we don't take up our crosses
We will reap the wrath we sow
So turn that TV off awhile
Make some time to pray
Dwell upon the things you've seen
And think on what to say
Lift up the needs of those you hurt
Lift up the world leaders too
It's just a day like all the rest
So try something that's new
Turn off that TV set and let
That coffee brew some more
It's time we make this day a day
Unlike the one before
Poor in Spirit
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven," Matthew 5: 3
What does it mean to be poor in spirit? I think it means that in any life situation, rich or poor, you are humble, you don't look down on anyone less fortunate than yourself. You may think that's easy, but is it? Anyone can give to the poor and come away feeling good about themselves. Five dollars to a homeless person and a, "God bless you." But it's harder to walk away with the feeling that "This person is my equal." It's only by the grace of God that you are the one giving and they are the one taking.
James was talking to all Christians when he wrote James 2: 1- 5, "My brothers, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here's a good seat for you.' But say to the poor man, 'you stand here or sit on the floor by my feet.' Have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the Kingdom he promised those who love Him?
Next time you see a person less fortunate than you, look on them as you would look on a rich man because in God's eyes they are rich, rich in faith.
James goes on to say in James 2: 8, "If you really keep the royal law found in scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers."
Paul also talks about the poor in 2 Corinthians 6: 10, "Sorrowful, yet always rejoycing; poor yet making many rich; having nothing yet possessing everything."
So wheather you are rich or poor, love one another as equals and you will be pleasing to God.
What does it mean to be poor in spirit? I think it means that in any life situation, rich or poor, you are humble, you don't look down on anyone less fortunate than yourself. You may think that's easy, but is it? Anyone can give to the poor and come away feeling good about themselves. Five dollars to a homeless person and a, "God bless you." But it's harder to walk away with the feeling that "This person is my equal." It's only by the grace of God that you are the one giving and they are the one taking.
James was talking to all Christians when he wrote James 2: 1- 5, "My brothers, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, 'Here's a good seat for you.' But say to the poor man, 'you stand here or sit on the floor by my feet.' Have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my dear brothers: Has God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the Kingdom he promised those who love Him?
Next time you see a person less fortunate than you, look on them as you would look on a rich man because in God's eyes they are rich, rich in faith.
James goes on to say in James 2: 8, "If you really keep the royal law found in scripture, 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers."
Paul also talks about the poor in 2 Corinthians 6: 10, "Sorrowful, yet always rejoycing; poor yet making many rich; having nothing yet possessing everything."
So wheather you are rich or poor, love one another as equals and you will be pleasing to God.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Body Parts
By my good friend Bary Bennett
The tongue is like a rudder
So be careful what you utter
It can take you places
You don't want to go
It is wise to keep it humble
Lest you say something and stumble
I know because the
Bible tells me so
The heart is like a vessle
Where the spirit comes to wrestle
It's where the victor
Stores what he loves best
If it's sin that he's professing
And not love that he's confessing
Then come judgment day
He'll never pass the test
The eye is a deciever
To the sinner and believer
Wisdom is required
When we see
Although vision is its duty
It misleads us from true beauty
The beauty that God teaches
"Sets us free"
The tongue is like a rudder
So be careful what you utter
It can take you places
You don't want to go
It is wise to keep it humble
Lest you say something and stumble
I know because the
Bible tells me so
The heart is like a vessle
Where the spirit comes to wrestle
It's where the victor
Stores what he loves best
If it's sin that he's professing
And not love that he's confessing
Then come judgment day
He'll never pass the test
The eye is a deciever
To the sinner and believer
Wisdom is required
When we see
Although vision is its duty
It misleads us from true beauty
The beauty that God teaches
"Sets us free"
Busted
My super smart son, Joe wrote this:
This ziplock freezer bag weighed a good six pounds. It was full of "chromies." At least that's what we called them. When no one was around I would hold the bag up and shake it around a little bit and feel a sense of pride, like I had accomplished something great, like I was somehow victorious. But I needed more.
You can find chromies on just about any custom car or luxury sedan, and even on select bicycles. They're really just air valve stem caps. If you can pump air into it , it probably has one. Most of them are made of black plastic. Some of them though are chrome (hence chromies) and can have a square or rounded crown. I've seen eightballs, and dice and just about anything else you can imagine.
And I stole every one that I saw.
My friends and I would go on secret missions looking for chromies. They became collectables, like baseball cards or pogs, that we could admire and trade. Every time we unscrewed one of these caps was a thrill. We'd have a lookout, and we were quick about it. I felt invincible every time I walked away with one in my pocket, a rush that I had never felt before.
But I got cocky. One day we targeted a black Escalade in the cul-de-sac where my friends and I lived - a little too close to home. Just as I was pulling the last of four beautiful chromies off the neighbor's car, this angry bear of a man came storming out of his house. We scattered. Eventually though I had to go home.
When I got home it was all I could think about. Did I get caught? Did I get away with it? What am I supposed to do? My questions were answered by a knock at the door. Nowhere to hide. The jig was up. My mom walked up to me minutes later to ask about the recent heist. Natural insticts is to lie right? Say it wasn't you , or blame it on your friends. Pleading the fifth could buy you some time, say nothing at all. What did I do?
"I'm so busted" I cried. I literally cried, I bawled. I broke down . I was busted. I didn't cry because I thought it would get me out of trouble, I cried because I felt so ashamed. There was nothing left to do but cry, and feel sorry.
My mom was calm. She didn't need to do anything. She could see that I felt genuinely remorseful. This was stealing and I knew it all along, but the temtation and the thrill was so hard to resist. I never stole another chromie again.
In my heart I felt sorry, and my mom knew it. She forgave me.
I feel the same way when it comes to my relationship with Christ. When you are genuinely sorry for what you have done, your Father knows it, and He is happy to forgive.
I'm glad I got caught. I learned a very valuable life lesson, and now we can all have a good laugh about it. Twenty years later and my family still jokes with me as they sob and blubber "I'mmmm...soooo...buuusted." [sniff].
This ziplock freezer bag weighed a good six pounds. It was full of "chromies." At least that's what we called them. When no one was around I would hold the bag up and shake it around a little bit and feel a sense of pride, like I had accomplished something great, like I was somehow victorious. But I needed more.
You can find chromies on just about any custom car or luxury sedan, and even on select bicycles. They're really just air valve stem caps. If you can pump air into it , it probably has one. Most of them are made of black plastic. Some of them though are chrome (hence chromies) and can have a square or rounded crown. I've seen eightballs, and dice and just about anything else you can imagine.
And I stole every one that I saw.
My friends and I would go on secret missions looking for chromies. They became collectables, like baseball cards or pogs, that we could admire and trade. Every time we unscrewed one of these caps was a thrill. We'd have a lookout, and we were quick about it. I felt invincible every time I walked away with one in my pocket, a rush that I had never felt before.
But I got cocky. One day we targeted a black Escalade in the cul-de-sac where my friends and I lived - a little too close to home. Just as I was pulling the last of four beautiful chromies off the neighbor's car, this angry bear of a man came storming out of his house. We scattered. Eventually though I had to go home.
When I got home it was all I could think about. Did I get caught? Did I get away with it? What am I supposed to do? My questions were answered by a knock at the door. Nowhere to hide. The jig was up. My mom walked up to me minutes later to ask about the recent heist. Natural insticts is to lie right? Say it wasn't you , or blame it on your friends. Pleading the fifth could buy you some time, say nothing at all. What did I do?
"I'm so busted" I cried. I literally cried, I bawled. I broke down . I was busted. I didn't cry because I thought it would get me out of trouble, I cried because I felt so ashamed. There was nothing left to do but cry, and feel sorry.
My mom was calm. She didn't need to do anything. She could see that I felt genuinely remorseful. This was stealing and I knew it all along, but the temtation and the thrill was so hard to resist. I never stole another chromie again.
In my heart I felt sorry, and my mom knew it. She forgave me.
I feel the same way when it comes to my relationship with Christ. When you are genuinely sorry for what you have done, your Father knows it, and He is happy to forgive.
I'm glad I got caught. I learned a very valuable life lesson, and now we can all have a good laugh about it. Twenty years later and my family still jokes with me as they sob and blubber "I'mmmm...soooo...buuusted." [sniff].
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Costumes
Halloween, named "All Hallows Eve," was first celebrated by the ancient Celts in Ireland in the fifth centery B.C. on the night of October 31, then, the official end of summer. All would gather outside the village around a huge bon fire to honor the sun god for the past summers harvest and to frighten away furtive spirits. The Celts believed that on October 31 all persons who died in the previous year came to choose a body of a person or animal to inhabit for the next year. So families dressed up to frighten roving souls away. Families were as loud and destructive as possible.
Irish immigrants fleeing their countries potato famine in the 1840s brought Halloween customs to America with them.
Halloween these days are thought of as a evil holiday. It really is what you make of it. If you think it's a bad thing and you participate in it, it is a bad thing.
In the next few days I will write about where other Halloween customs came from, so enjoy.
Irish immigrants fleeing their countries potato famine in the 1840s brought Halloween customs to America with them.
Halloween these days are thought of as a evil holiday. It really is what you make of it. If you think it's a bad thing and you participate in it, it is a bad thing.
In the next few days I will write about where other Halloween customs came from, so enjoy.
The Trial
Walking circles in a desert land
Out of hope I feel so lost
Without an anchor in a raging storm
with every wind my mind is tossed
On my knees I come to you Oh God
In the middle of this trial
Tears are rolling down my face
Haven't heard from you in a while
I'm frightened and I'm lonely
And I don't know what to do
I need your presence in my life
I need a word from you
The devil is a clever sort
Whispering lies into my ears
I begin to pray, I hear him say
Is Jesus really here?
I want to please just you my Lord
Though my flesh sometimes controls
Make my spirit strong, show me where I'm wrong
Teach me what I need to know
You are my strength and shield Oh Christ
Victory is your name
My rock, My God, My king, My sword
Your blood takes away my shame
The devil is defeated
Peace comes from up above
Jesus has won, new day's begun
I'm filled with Holy love
Out of hope I feel so lost
Without an anchor in a raging storm
with every wind my mind is tossed
On my knees I come to you Oh God
In the middle of this trial
Tears are rolling down my face
Haven't heard from you in a while
I'm frightened and I'm lonely
And I don't know what to do
I need your presence in my life
I need a word from you
The devil is a clever sort
Whispering lies into my ears
I begin to pray, I hear him say
Is Jesus really here?
I want to please just you my Lord
Though my flesh sometimes controls
Make my spirit strong, show me where I'm wrong
Teach me what I need to know
You are my strength and shield Oh Christ
Victory is your name
My rock, My God, My king, My sword
Your blood takes away my shame
The devil is defeated
Peace comes from up above
Jesus has won, new day's begun
I'm filled with Holy love
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Toys
I have five wonderful kids. When my older three were small, I went through a time of learning how to be an effective parent, with them. I would ask them to clean up their room, allowing them plenty of time, but when I got back their room would still be a mess. Every stuffed animal off it's shelf, every toy out of the box and on the floor. I tried threats like, "If you don't clean up that mess, no dessert." I would come back and the room would still be a mess. Then I would have to go through with my threat to show them I meant business.
After that, they understood that I meant what I said, but they were just sad and angry, and their room, still a mess. I tried all kinds of things. I couldn't believe some of the things I would catch myself saying, "While you are living under my roof, " and, "someday when you have kids of your own." They could tell I was angry with them, so they would put a few things away, but only enough effort to get mom off their backs for a while.
One day when I was sitting in the middle of their room, every toy on the floor around me, thinking, "I really hate this." When I thought of something new and I tried it.
I asked my daughter, Christina, "Will you put this ONE toy in the box?" She said, "Okay." As soon as she did, I praised her saying, "Oh, thank you!" She liked that, it made her feel good, I could see it on her face. Then on her own, she picked up another and put it away, and looking at me for the same approval, I gave it to her.
My son Joe, saw how happy I was with Christina and he put a toy away. Then my four year old, Elizabeth joined in. Pretty soon they were racing each other, to put away as many toys as they could, and I was praising them all! I didn't have to get angry, and they didn't have to feel bad, it was so much easier when I started to focus on what was good instead of only the bad.
I think we can use this learning experience to help in any relationship. We would do more good, strengthening and encouraging each other. Try love and praise with your kids, Try love and praise with you husband or wife. Try it in your Church or at your work. Make a list of every good thing you can think of about the people in your lives and let the focus be on those things.
Philippians 4: 8, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praise worthy- think about such things."
After that, they understood that I meant what I said, but they were just sad and angry, and their room, still a mess. I tried all kinds of things. I couldn't believe some of the things I would catch myself saying, "While you are living under my roof, " and, "someday when you have kids of your own." They could tell I was angry with them, so they would put a few things away, but only enough effort to get mom off their backs for a while.
One day when I was sitting in the middle of their room, every toy on the floor around me, thinking, "I really hate this." When I thought of something new and I tried it.
I asked my daughter, Christina, "Will you put this ONE toy in the box?" She said, "Okay." As soon as she did, I praised her saying, "Oh, thank you!" She liked that, it made her feel good, I could see it on her face. Then on her own, she picked up another and put it away, and looking at me for the same approval, I gave it to her.
My son Joe, saw how happy I was with Christina and he put a toy away. Then my four year old, Elizabeth joined in. Pretty soon they were racing each other, to put away as many toys as they could, and I was praising them all! I didn't have to get angry, and they didn't have to feel bad, it was so much easier when I started to focus on what was good instead of only the bad.
I think we can use this learning experience to help in any relationship. We would do more good, strengthening and encouraging each other. Try love and praise with your kids, Try love and praise with you husband or wife. Try it in your Church or at your work. Make a list of every good thing you can think of about the people in your lives and let the focus be on those things.
Philippians 4: 8, "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praise worthy- think about such things."
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Help
Today was a bad day. My husband Mark, my son Elijah, and I had to have a meeting with the District Attorney. Elijah missed 52 days of school last year. So we went to the meeting; Mark had to reschedule his dialysis, he is an end stage renal patient, so that was a bit of a pain. We were there along with many other unhappy parents and truant kids. I raised my hand and tried to tell the DA that my son has agoraphobia and that we were home schooling him and she politely shooshed me. I waited until the end of the hour long meeting to talk to her. After almost every one had left the room, she took us aside to talk.
I told the district Attorney that Elijah was diagnosed with agoraphobia and he was throwing up every day before school and that we had documentation saying that he was being home schooled during the time he was supposed to have had all the absences. She, being very polite again said, "Yeah, I've heard that one." So we left.
In the car, I started crying, everything that we have been going through was coming to a head in my mind and I felt like I could not handle one more thing. Mark being sick, me with borderline personality disorder, Elijah and Michael anxiety problems, and that is just the beginning of our trouble, I could go on and on, and I have in other stories.
My eyes were puffy from crying by the time we got home. I went up to my bedroom and looked at my pain pills that I have for a damaged back. I started imagining taking all those pills and being done with this hard, hard life. We never have enough money to make ends meet, we are all sick and then to top that off, we get taken advantage of because we are poor and Christians. I didn't want one more day of it. I started to plan how I was going to do it. I thought about all my kids; which usually changes my mind, but this time it didn't. I was going to do it.
I took Elijah to school, came home took Mark to dialysis and then went to my Mom's house. We watched TV for a while then my Mom got up to get something to eat. At 3:00 we usually watch Dr. oz but today Mom was in the kitchen and Dr Drew came on, and on the show was a man with a burned face who caught my attention, so I went in and sat down.
His name was JR and he got burned while serving in Irac. I couldn't stop looking at him, not because he was burned but because I saw something so attractive in him. I couldn't stop listening to him talk about how he got blown up in his jeep. Then he went on to say that he thought he was going to die in that jeep, but he held on until someone pulled him out and he held on in the hospital. Then he said something that I had been thinking that same morning, "Why am I here?" I related to that in a deep way. Then he told how he was asked to speak to another burn patient. He went but he didn't quite know why. Then as he stood looking into the patients room, it came to him, he was here to help others going through the same thing, I cried!
That was the moment I decided that I wasn't going to hurt myself. That was the moment that I realized why I had been here all this time, and why after trying so many times to die, God wouldn't let me.
Please E-mail me if I can help you. Lyricoc@yahoo.com
I told the district Attorney that Elijah was diagnosed with agoraphobia and he was throwing up every day before school and that we had documentation saying that he was being home schooled during the time he was supposed to have had all the absences. She, being very polite again said, "Yeah, I've heard that one." So we left.
In the car, I started crying, everything that we have been going through was coming to a head in my mind and I felt like I could not handle one more thing. Mark being sick, me with borderline personality disorder, Elijah and Michael anxiety problems, and that is just the beginning of our trouble, I could go on and on, and I have in other stories.
My eyes were puffy from crying by the time we got home. I went up to my bedroom and looked at my pain pills that I have for a damaged back. I started imagining taking all those pills and being done with this hard, hard life. We never have enough money to make ends meet, we are all sick and then to top that off, we get taken advantage of because we are poor and Christians. I didn't want one more day of it. I started to plan how I was going to do it. I thought about all my kids; which usually changes my mind, but this time it didn't. I was going to do it.
I took Elijah to school, came home took Mark to dialysis and then went to my Mom's house. We watched TV for a while then my Mom got up to get something to eat. At 3:00 we usually watch Dr. oz but today Mom was in the kitchen and Dr Drew came on, and on the show was a man with a burned face who caught my attention, so I went in and sat down.
His name was JR and he got burned while serving in Irac. I couldn't stop looking at him, not because he was burned but because I saw something so attractive in him. I couldn't stop listening to him talk about how he got blown up in his jeep. Then he went on to say that he thought he was going to die in that jeep, but he held on until someone pulled him out and he held on in the hospital. Then he said something that I had been thinking that same morning, "Why am I here?" I related to that in a deep way. Then he told how he was asked to speak to another burn patient. He went but he didn't quite know why. Then as he stood looking into the patients room, it came to him, he was here to help others going through the same thing, I cried!
That was the moment I decided that I wasn't going to hurt myself. That was the moment that I realized why I had been here all this time, and why after trying so many times to die, God wouldn't let me.
Please E-mail me if I can help you. Lyricoc@yahoo.com
Psalm 91
My husband, Mark wrote this:
I read the psalms sometimes when I'm afraid. The concept is of being safe, protected like a mother hen protects her chicks. It paints a picture of rest and security, rescue from danger. Images of standing invincible in the midst of holocaust if we make the Lord most high our dwelling place. Angels rushing to our side to guard us against the evils that would see us destroyed.
Daily I tread upon the lion and the cobra, my kidney disease is progressive, and fear rises up inside me when I'm alone with my thoughts, sometimes I'm covered with a blanket of dread, and I wonder.... I read this psalm when I'm afraid. In it God tells me that I am not alone in my trouble, that he will deliver me, and satisfy me with a long life.
When I finish reading this psalm, I'm no longer afraid. Fear melts away. Peace calms my mind, and I lose myself in the rapture that is God.
I read the psalms sometimes when I'm afraid. The concept is of being safe, protected like a mother hen protects her chicks. It paints a picture of rest and security, rescue from danger. Images of standing invincible in the midst of holocaust if we make the Lord most high our dwelling place. Angels rushing to our side to guard us against the evils that would see us destroyed.
Daily I tread upon the lion and the cobra, my kidney disease is progressive, and fear rises up inside me when I'm alone with my thoughts, sometimes I'm covered with a blanket of dread, and I wonder.... I read this psalm when I'm afraid. In it God tells me that I am not alone in my trouble, that he will deliver me, and satisfy me with a long life.
When I finish reading this psalm, I'm no longer afraid. Fear melts away. Peace calms my mind, and I lose myself in the rapture that is God.
Monday, October 17, 2011
The Tongue
My husband Mark wrote this:
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat it's fruit." Proverbs 18: 21
Here in lies wisdom, the ability to control the tongue. How brutal, or how lovely the words can be that are formed and set into motion via one small muscular organ. Sometimes I think, then I realize my tongue has already spoken. And as my brain realizes what I've said, I find, though less often having learned some degree of control, That the damage has already been done. My wife can attest to the fact that I have frequently suffered from, "Foot in mouth disease."
Although I don't consider myself a religious man, I do feel close to God. What I have learned in my life is the tongue has great power. A passage in the Bible compares it to the rudder of a great ship; such a small thing can steer the course of a huge vessel. What we say can steer the course of our lives.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that one should be aware that the tongue releases the contents of the speaker, and has the capability to do great harm, or great good, it is something to be mastered.
"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat it's fruit." Proverbs 18: 21
Here in lies wisdom, the ability to control the tongue. How brutal, or how lovely the words can be that are formed and set into motion via one small muscular organ. Sometimes I think, then I realize my tongue has already spoken. And as my brain realizes what I've said, I find, though less often having learned some degree of control, That the damage has already been done. My wife can attest to the fact that I have frequently suffered from, "Foot in mouth disease."
Although I don't consider myself a religious man, I do feel close to God. What I have learned in my life is the tongue has great power. A passage in the Bible compares it to the rudder of a great ship; such a small thing can steer the course of a huge vessel. What we say can steer the course of our lives.
I guess the point I'm trying to make is that one should be aware that the tongue releases the contents of the speaker, and has the capability to do great harm, or great good, it is something to be mastered.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
By Faith
Hebrews 11: 1, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." "Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ," Romans 10: 17. I grew up in the Catholic Church, my parents were both Catholic and I can remember going to Church every Sunday and to Catholic Bible class on Saturday morning. I was baptized in the Church and had first communion in the Church. I learned all the stories, Noah and the ark, Daniel and the lions den, and of course, Jesus. but in my heart, the stories were just that, nice stories.
Hebrews 11: 6, "Without faith it is impossible to please God. Because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
I was confirmed in the Catholic Church, that is another ceremony that you have when you are a teenager. And when I got married for the first time, it was in a Catholic Church. I always felt like it was all just something to do to be a good person. If you were to ask, at that time, if I was saved, I would say, "I hope so."
2 Corinthians 13: 5, Examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith; test yourself. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you- unless of course you fail the test." "I have been crucified with Christ and no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Galatians 2: 20.
I met my husband, Mark when I was 28, and I married him about a year after that. His Mom, Mary, always talked to me about Jesus, the first time I met her she put her hands on us and said, "The blood of Jesus on you." I asked Mark, "Did she put blood on us?" Her stories and her passion sparked something in me.
"Before this faith came we were held prisoners by the law. Locked up until faith should be revealed, " Galatians 3: 23.
I said the sinners prayer with Mark. I said, "Lord I give my heart to you, I believe in you and I want you to live in me, come in to me now."
Romans 1: 12, "This is , that you and I may be encouraged by each others faith." "God has opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, " Acts 14: 27.
If someone was to ask me if I was saved after I said the sinners prayer, I would say, "Yes, I am, thank God!" And then we started going to Church, every Sunday and during the week for a prayer meeting. Mark had band practice on Tuesday nights. I loved it all!
Romans 3: 3, "What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfullness? Not at all!"
I was healed of many things, migraines, a toothache, kidney infections. I felt like I was filled with faith. I had great love for Jesus and I trusted God for everything.
"The Spirit clearly says that In the later times some will abandon the faith and follow deciving spirits and things taught by demons." 1 Timothy 4: 1. Also Romans 14: 23 says, "everything that does not come from faith is sin."
Our life is hard. Mark is sick, my boys have anxiety problems, I have problems with depression. We are financially in a bad place. I feel like the wieight of the world is on my shoulders, and I have to constantly remind myself to give it to God.
"I can have a faith that can move mountains but have not love, I am nothing ." 1 Corinthians 13: 2. 1 Corinthians 13: 13, "And now these three remain: faith , hope , and love. But the greatest of these is love."
If I had a chance to go back in time and change anything I wanted, I wouldn't change a thing.
Hebrews 11: 6, "Without faith it is impossible to please God. Because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."
I was confirmed in the Catholic Church, that is another ceremony that you have when you are a teenager. And when I got married for the first time, it was in a Catholic Church. I always felt like it was all just something to do to be a good person. If you were to ask, at that time, if I was saved, I would say, "I hope so."
2 Corinthians 13: 5, Examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith; test yourself. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you- unless of course you fail the test." "I have been crucified with Christ and no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Galatians 2: 20.
I met my husband, Mark when I was 28, and I married him about a year after that. His Mom, Mary, always talked to me about Jesus, the first time I met her she put her hands on us and said, "The blood of Jesus on you." I asked Mark, "Did she put blood on us?" Her stories and her passion sparked something in me.
"Before this faith came we were held prisoners by the law. Locked up until faith should be revealed, " Galatians 3: 23.
I said the sinners prayer with Mark. I said, "Lord I give my heart to you, I believe in you and I want you to live in me, come in to me now."
Romans 1: 12, "This is , that you and I may be encouraged by each others faith." "God has opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, " Acts 14: 27.
If someone was to ask me if I was saved after I said the sinners prayer, I would say, "Yes, I am, thank God!" And then we started going to Church, every Sunday and during the week for a prayer meeting. Mark had band practice on Tuesday nights. I loved it all!
Romans 3: 3, "What if some did not have faith? Will their lack of faith nullify God's faithfullness? Not at all!"
I was healed of many things, migraines, a toothache, kidney infections. I felt like I was filled with faith. I had great love for Jesus and I trusted God for everything.
"The Spirit clearly says that In the later times some will abandon the faith and follow deciving spirits and things taught by demons." 1 Timothy 4: 1. Also Romans 14: 23 says, "everything that does not come from faith is sin."
Our life is hard. Mark is sick, my boys have anxiety problems, I have problems with depression. We are financially in a bad place. I feel like the wieight of the world is on my shoulders, and I have to constantly remind myself to give it to God.
"I can have a faith that can move mountains but have not love, I am nothing ." 1 Corinthians 13: 2. 1 Corinthians 13: 13, "And now these three remain: faith , hope , and love. But the greatest of these is love."
If I had a chance to go back in time and change anything I wanted, I wouldn't change a thing.
The Golden Calf
In the story of Moses, the Israelites made themselves a golden calf. Exodus 32: 4 says, "He took what they handed him, and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf. Fashioning it with a tool, then they said, these are your gods o israel who brought you up and out of Egypt." Were the israelites worshiping the one true God? If they were, they were not worshipping God in an acceptable way.
I've been going through some really hard times lately, and wondering why? I became a Christian at the age of thirty. Soon after, we started attending a Church where we began doing everything we could think of, to help that Church. My husband Mark and I were tithing reguarly, we started a prayer line in our home and prayed with anyone from the Church that would call. We got on the board at the Church. I worked in the nursery, and Mark played on the worship team. We took Bible study classes, and volunteered for anything that came up. But still, things were more than bad. After reading the story of the golden calf, I started to think that maybe we were being cursed instead of being blessed.
Deuteronomy 28: 15 says, "If you do not carefully follow all the commands and decrees I am giving you today all these curses will come upon you and over take you." I read down the list of curses, "Confusion, diseases, being defeated before your enemies, at midday you will grope about like a blind man in the dark. You will be unsuccessful in everything you do, day afterday you will be oppressed and robbed with no one to rescue you. The sights you see will drive you mad. You will sow much seed in the field but will harvest little, because locusts will devour it. The alien who lives among you will rise above you higher and higher but you will sink lower and lower. He will lend to you but you will not lend to him. He will be the head but you will be the tail. The Lord will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing and a despairing heart. You will live in constant suspense filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life. This will be upon you because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity." These are just part of the curses listed.
Was I serving God the way He wanted me to serve Him? Or was I serving Him the way I thought I should serve Him. I started to think that maybe I wasn't serving God at all. Somehow I had started to serve the Church, instead of serving God, and I made a golden calf of my own. I didn't even stop to ask, "God, what do you want me to do?" Instead I just made up my own mind and did what I thought I should be doing.
We were having financial trouble, I felt unstable, confused and I just wanted to give up trying. My family has sickness. And I felt like everything that could go wrong pretty much was going wrong.
I kept thinking, "Where is God?" I'm in so much trouble and where is God? I felt that I was far from Him.
I read more in Deuteronomy 30 , "And when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where He scattered you. Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back.
Deuteronomy 30: 19 says, "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his vioce and hold fast to him for the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land He swore to give your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
I know that a lot of things have changed with the coming of Jesus. I know that there is grace, and I am righteous through Him, and not because of how good I am. I had put myself back under the law. I knew the truth, but somehow I had started to think that by doing good things I could earn God's blessings, and I can't. The only way to be blessed by God is to totally submit to Him. Pray and listen for his voice, then follow. Only then, Jesus in me will help me to please God, Jesus through me will produce good fruit and I will be blessed.
I've been going through some really hard times lately, and wondering why? I became a Christian at the age of thirty. Soon after, we started attending a Church where we began doing everything we could think of, to help that Church. My husband Mark and I were tithing reguarly, we started a prayer line in our home and prayed with anyone from the Church that would call. We got on the board at the Church. I worked in the nursery, and Mark played on the worship team. We took Bible study classes, and volunteered for anything that came up. But still, things were more than bad. After reading the story of the golden calf, I started to think that maybe we were being cursed instead of being blessed.
Deuteronomy 28: 15 says, "If you do not carefully follow all the commands and decrees I am giving you today all these curses will come upon you and over take you." I read down the list of curses, "Confusion, diseases, being defeated before your enemies, at midday you will grope about like a blind man in the dark. You will be unsuccessful in everything you do, day afterday you will be oppressed and robbed with no one to rescue you. The sights you see will drive you mad. You will sow much seed in the field but will harvest little, because locusts will devour it. The alien who lives among you will rise above you higher and higher but you will sink lower and lower. He will lend to you but you will not lend to him. He will be the head but you will be the tail. The Lord will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing and a despairing heart. You will live in constant suspense filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life. This will be upon you because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity." These are just part of the curses listed.
Was I serving God the way He wanted me to serve Him? Or was I serving Him the way I thought I should serve Him. I started to think that maybe I wasn't serving God at all. Somehow I had started to serve the Church, instead of serving God, and I made a golden calf of my own. I didn't even stop to ask, "God, what do you want me to do?" Instead I just made up my own mind and did what I thought I should be doing.
We were having financial trouble, I felt unstable, confused and I just wanted to give up trying. My family has sickness. And I felt like everything that could go wrong pretty much was going wrong.
I kept thinking, "Where is God?" I'm in so much trouble and where is God? I felt that I was far from Him.
I read more in Deuteronomy 30 , "And when you and your children return to the Lord your God and obey him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, then the Lord your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where He scattered you. Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back.
Deuteronomy 30: 19 says, "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his vioce and hold fast to him for the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land He swore to give your fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
I know that a lot of things have changed with the coming of Jesus. I know that there is grace, and I am righteous through Him, and not because of how good I am. I had put myself back under the law. I knew the truth, but somehow I had started to think that by doing good things I could earn God's blessings, and I can't. The only way to be blessed by God is to totally submit to Him. Pray and listen for his voice, then follow. Only then, Jesus in me will help me to please God, Jesus through me will produce good fruit and I will be blessed.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Broken Dreams
I found this poem and loved it, the author is Unknown
As Children bring
their broken toys
With tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreans
to God
Because He was my friend.
But then instead
of leaving Him
in peace to work alone,
I hung around
and tried to help
with ways
that were my own.
At last I snached them back
and cried,
"How could you be so slow"
"My child," He said
"What could I do?
You never did let go."
As Children bring
their broken toys
With tears for us to mend,
I brought my broken dreans
to God
Because He was my friend.
But then instead
of leaving Him
in peace to work alone,
I hung around
and tried to help
with ways
that were my own.
At last I snached them back
and cried,
"How could you be so slow"
"My child," He said
"What could I do?
You never did let go."
Guardians
People are fascinated with angels. If you check the internet you will see many sites having to do with angels. Some are Christian sites, but most aren't. There are also many books about encounters with angels. I've even read one. Again some of the books were written by Christians and some were not. But all the stories tell of strong beings with extra ordinary powers. Some of the accounts are true, and It's important to know what is true and what is false.
Psalms 91: 11 tells how angels were sent to take charge and guard people. Angels also announce births, and interpret dreams. They are warriors and protectors. Satan even masqueraded as an angel of light.
In 2 peter 2: 4, peter says that God did not spare angels, but sent them to gloomy dungeons for doing wrong. So angels aren't perfect, they can and do sin.
The Bible tells of an arch angel named Michael. Michael is called a prince in Daniel 10: 21. And he battles against the dragon in Revelation 12: 7, And against the kings of persia in Daniel 10: 13. Michael is an angel of God who fights evil.
Gabriel is an angel that hears prayers and brings news from God as in Daniel 10: 9 also in Luke 1: 19. Gabriel understands visions and interprets dreams in Daniel 8: 16.
These are all the things that are recorded in the Bible. If you hear things other than these I would take them with a grain of salt. Angels were created by God and most do work for God, they are not gods themselves, so they should be treated with respect but not worshiped. And last but not least, Hebrews 13: 2 says, "Entertain strangers for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
Psalms 91: 11 tells how angels were sent to take charge and guard people. Angels also announce births, and interpret dreams. They are warriors and protectors. Satan even masqueraded as an angel of light.
In 2 peter 2: 4, peter says that God did not spare angels, but sent them to gloomy dungeons for doing wrong. So angels aren't perfect, they can and do sin.
The Bible tells of an arch angel named Michael. Michael is called a prince in Daniel 10: 21. And he battles against the dragon in Revelation 12: 7, And against the kings of persia in Daniel 10: 13. Michael is an angel of God who fights evil.
Gabriel is an angel that hears prayers and brings news from God as in Daniel 10: 9 also in Luke 1: 19. Gabriel understands visions and interprets dreams in Daniel 8: 16.
These are all the things that are recorded in the Bible. If you hear things other than these I would take them with a grain of salt. Angels were created by God and most do work for God, they are not gods themselves, so they should be treated with respect but not worshiped. And last but not least, Hebrews 13: 2 says, "Entertain strangers for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
Friday, October 14, 2011
Angels
Angels He sends keep me from falling
They steady me with heavenly hands
Because He loves me He will save me
On Christ the solid rock my victory stands
A thousand fall at my side
Around me ten thousand more are dying
But that evil will not touch me
My Savior wipes away my tears
and ends my crying
My God above is my only refuge
His wings will shelter me from all harm
I'm safe within His word and promise
I will find my strength within my Saviors arms
He's with me so in the dark I am not firghtened
I do not fear the dangers of the day
I trust in His name, and He directs my path
And with me He says He will always stay
Ive got joy in the midst of sorrow
I've got peace in a troubled time
I've got love to conqure hatred The Holy Spirit as my guide
Even though a thousand fall at my side
They steady me with heavenly hands
Because He loves me He will save me
On Christ the solid rock my victory stands
A thousand fall at my side
Around me ten thousand more are dying
But that evil will not touch me
My Savior wipes away my tears
and ends my crying
My God above is my only refuge
His wings will shelter me from all harm
I'm safe within His word and promise
I will find my strength within my Saviors arms
He's with me so in the dark I am not firghtened
I do not fear the dangers of the day
I trust in His name, and He directs my path
And with me He says He will always stay
Ive got joy in the midst of sorrow
I've got peace in a troubled time
I've got love to conqure hatred The Holy Spirit as my guide
Even though a thousand fall at my side
Pure Joy
Things are hard for everyone, these days. I know, Ive see it on the news. Poverty, earthquakes, hurricanes, wow. When I look at all of that, I think, "I'm so lucky." But what I'm really thinking is, "Why are things so bad for me?"
This all started on a Friday, my son Elijah was really sick, fever, cough, sore throat, the works, and my son Michael was just getting over a cold. I go to an ATM to pull some money off my card and it doesn't work, I try many more times, but no deal. I get in the car and go to the grocery store to use the ATM, before I go in, I pray, thank God, it worked, and I get my money. But on the way home, my engine light comes on.
Saturday morning, I get the rest of the money that I needed from the ATM at the grocery store, great, but Saturday night we all feel sick, Elijah's got a cold, Michael is just getting over a cold, my husband Mark just wasn't feeling good, and my fibromylgia was acting up.
Early Sunday morning about 3:00 am, I wake up, Mark is awake and feeling very sick. I'm in pain and Elijah is coughing. Mark's blood pressure is 212 over 109, that's very high! He asks for a bucket and he starts throwing up, then he throws up again, and again, and again. I fall to my knees crying, I feel like Im in the middle of a storm, everything is going wrong. I pray, "Jesus, help us!" I turn off the TV. I sit by Mark, who was still holding the bucked and his bottle of nitro pills. I keep praying, I feel peace come over me. I put my hand on Mark and continue, now Mark starts praying, and he lifts his hands. Peace comes over the apartment, I feel it, it's quiet, no more coughing. Mark takes his blood pressure again, it's 150 over 90, much better, thank God. I feel like things are going to be okay, we go back to sleep.
Monday morning I wake up in great pain, my head is pounding, my hands hurt. Michael and I go to get the car fixed, I have to, Mark has dialysis tomorrow, I can't do it then. Michael goes with me. We had to go to a place we haven't been to before, because it 's a holiday and the place we usually go to is closed. The man talks me into much more than I counted on, but I feel like at least it will be done, but now we are $200.00 short in our rent. I get home and go straight to bed.
Tuesday morning, we are all feeling somewhat better. I get in the car with Mark, heading to dialysis and the enging light comes on, again, and the air conditioner isn't working, I start crying. This feels like a huge storm, but what comes to mind is, "Consider it pure joy." When I get home from taking Mark to dialysis, I look that scripture up in my Bible, I find, James 1: 6, "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." That is what we have been going through, a huge storm, blown and tossed about.
I have been working on a story about palm trees. When the palms have dry weather, they stretch out their roots to find water, which is a good thing because when a down fall comes, those palms who's roots are deeply grounded, will stand. Bend but not break, lean but not fall. I wanted to believe I was that palm, but am I? Well I'm still here! And though I may be going through a storm, but I do have roots that are grounded in the word of God. I may bend but I will not fall.
James 1: 2-4, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith developes perseverance, perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Yes, pure joy is what I'm going to have today, Tuesday.
This all started on a Friday, my son Elijah was really sick, fever, cough, sore throat, the works, and my son Michael was just getting over a cold. I go to an ATM to pull some money off my card and it doesn't work, I try many more times, but no deal. I get in the car and go to the grocery store to use the ATM, before I go in, I pray, thank God, it worked, and I get my money. But on the way home, my engine light comes on.
Saturday morning, I get the rest of the money that I needed from the ATM at the grocery store, great, but Saturday night we all feel sick, Elijah's got a cold, Michael is just getting over a cold, my husband Mark just wasn't feeling good, and my fibromylgia was acting up.
Early Sunday morning about 3:00 am, I wake up, Mark is awake and feeling very sick. I'm in pain and Elijah is coughing. Mark's blood pressure is 212 over 109, that's very high! He asks for a bucket and he starts throwing up, then he throws up again, and again, and again. I fall to my knees crying, I feel like Im in the middle of a storm, everything is going wrong. I pray, "Jesus, help us!" I turn off the TV. I sit by Mark, who was still holding the bucked and his bottle of nitro pills. I keep praying, I feel peace come over me. I put my hand on Mark and continue, now Mark starts praying, and he lifts his hands. Peace comes over the apartment, I feel it, it's quiet, no more coughing. Mark takes his blood pressure again, it's 150 over 90, much better, thank God. I feel like things are going to be okay, we go back to sleep.
Monday morning I wake up in great pain, my head is pounding, my hands hurt. Michael and I go to get the car fixed, I have to, Mark has dialysis tomorrow, I can't do it then. Michael goes with me. We had to go to a place we haven't been to before, because it 's a holiday and the place we usually go to is closed. The man talks me into much more than I counted on, but I feel like at least it will be done, but now we are $200.00 short in our rent. I get home and go straight to bed.
Tuesday morning, we are all feeling somewhat better. I get in the car with Mark, heading to dialysis and the enging light comes on, again, and the air conditioner isn't working, I start crying. This feels like a huge storm, but what comes to mind is, "Consider it pure joy." When I get home from taking Mark to dialysis, I look that scripture up in my Bible, I find, James 1: 6, "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." That is what we have been going through, a huge storm, blown and tossed about.
I have been working on a story about palm trees. When the palms have dry weather, they stretch out their roots to find water, which is a good thing because when a down fall comes, those palms who's roots are deeply grounded, will stand. Bend but not break, lean but not fall. I wanted to believe I was that palm, but am I? Well I'm still here! And though I may be going through a storm, but I do have roots that are grounded in the word of God. I may bend but I will not fall.
James 1: 2-4, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith developes perseverance, perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Yes, pure joy is what I'm going to have today, Tuesday.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Pruning
In John 15: 1 and 2 Jesus said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that It will be even more fruitful.
And in John 15: 5 Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
My Mom and Dad grew big beautiful purple grapes in our back yard, when I was young. The grapes needed sun, water, good soil, and of course, my Dad was the gardener. When The season was right, we had grapes, and out of season, the branches needed to be pruned.
Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, God is our gardener and He prunes us when we need it so that we can produce good fruit in season. And our good fruit is talked about in Galatians 5: 22, "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self- control."
If we don't have good fruit, we will be cut off and thrown into the fire. Galatians 5: 19 talks about the acts of a sinful nature. Those acts are, "Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,dessentions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like.
When you prune a tree, you have to know what you are doing because you can damage, even destroy that tree if you do it wrong, and you can yeild much more fruit by pruning it the right way. We need to allow God to prune his precious trees the right way. Submit to Him in all things. Stay in Jesus and look for an abundant harvest of wonderful fruit.
And in John 15: 5 Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. if a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
My Mom and Dad grew big beautiful purple grapes in our back yard, when I was young. The grapes needed sun, water, good soil, and of course, my Dad was the gardener. When The season was right, we had grapes, and out of season, the branches needed to be pruned.
Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, God is our gardener and He prunes us when we need it so that we can produce good fruit in season. And our good fruit is talked about in Galatians 5: 22, "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and self- control."
If we don't have good fruit, we will be cut off and thrown into the fire. Galatians 5: 19 talks about the acts of a sinful nature. Those acts are, "Sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition,dessentions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies and the like.
When you prune a tree, you have to know what you are doing because you can damage, even destroy that tree if you do it wrong, and you can yeild much more fruit by pruning it the right way. We need to allow God to prune his precious trees the right way. Submit to Him in all things. Stay in Jesus and look for an abundant harvest of wonderful fruit.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
A Record Of Wrongs
I am still learning to listen for Gods voice. I am also learning to be obedient to God. One thing that I have learned is; what might seem like foolishness to some is not foolishness, if God tells you to do it.
My husband Mark, and I were arguing, I was growing tired of the argument so I prayed, "God, tell me how to end this argument." I got a strong feeling to just let it go. So I went to Mark and I said I was sorry. He accepted my apology, but I just felt that things weren't right We were still being cold to each other. I didn't know what to do, so again, I prayed for Gods help. I got an answer that I wasn't expecting and I just didn't see how it would change anything.
I had been keeping a diary, actually more like a record of wrongs. I told myself that I needed it to show Mark all the things that I felt he was doing wrong. Then God spoke to me, "Get rid of the diary." But stubborn me, I couldn't see how that would change anything. But the next morning I did tear up the diary and I threw it in the trash.
A half an hour later, Mark came to me and asked, sweetly, "Can we start over?" Wow! We forgave each other and decided to recommit to each other and build a stronger relationship.
Tearing up some papers didn't seem like an answer to me. I thought that I had to be in control and that I had to show Mark a thing or two. But being obedient was more important than being right. And to my surprise, God worked fast and perfectly.
Here is a list of a few other things that I learned that will help a relationship:
1. Submit yourself to God
2. Always seek Gods answer in everything
3. Encourage, don't tear down
4. Get rid of all frustration and anger
5. Don't ignore bad things, because they will eventually build up inside of you. Defend your position in love and peace, without anger for the health of the relationship.
My husband Mark, and I were arguing, I was growing tired of the argument so I prayed, "God, tell me how to end this argument." I got a strong feeling to just let it go. So I went to Mark and I said I was sorry. He accepted my apology, but I just felt that things weren't right We were still being cold to each other. I didn't know what to do, so again, I prayed for Gods help. I got an answer that I wasn't expecting and I just didn't see how it would change anything.
I had been keeping a diary, actually more like a record of wrongs. I told myself that I needed it to show Mark all the things that I felt he was doing wrong. Then God spoke to me, "Get rid of the diary." But stubborn me, I couldn't see how that would change anything. But the next morning I did tear up the diary and I threw it in the trash.
A half an hour later, Mark came to me and asked, sweetly, "Can we start over?" Wow! We forgave each other and decided to recommit to each other and build a stronger relationship.
Tearing up some papers didn't seem like an answer to me. I thought that I had to be in control and that I had to show Mark a thing or two. But being obedient was more important than being right. And to my surprise, God worked fast and perfectly.
Here is a list of a few other things that I learned that will help a relationship:
1. Submit yourself to God
2. Always seek Gods answer in everything
3. Encourage, don't tear down
4. Get rid of all frustration and anger
5. Don't ignore bad things, because they will eventually build up inside of you. Defend your position in love and peace, without anger for the health of the relationship.
Communion
My wonderful Husband Mark, wrote this:
1 Corinthians 11: 23- 27, "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it , and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread or drink the cup, you proclaim the Lords death until He comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
Facts about the communion meal: At the time they were observing the passover meal, they were also participating in an act of submission. Obedience is primary in our relationship with our heavenly Father. Obedience always brings about promise.
Communion is an act of commemoration. Until now the observation of the "Passover Supper", was done in remembrance of what God did to deliver Isreal from the captivity of Egypt.
The feast was now to be a covenant and remembrance. The covenant was that of fellowship. The items signifying the "Peace Offering" were not cosumed by fire and were therefore for the consumption of the priest and the people. Jesus was saying that their receiving of these portions were more than symblolic of their participation in His death. Furthermore, they were now to remember His death as deliverance from eternal captivity to eternal life.
Jesus picked up the cup, filled with wine, set aside for the anticipated Messiah, He was proclaiming to them that He was the fulfillment of everything they had been waiting for. This was an act of proclamation. Partaking of the settings of the Lords table if a proclamation of our part that we believe in Calvary, Jesus and everything fulfilled through both.
an act of anticipation. We do not come to this table because it is the popular thing to do. We come beause we show the anticipation of his return.
A word needs to be said about the warning against eating and drinking unworthily. Many who have misunderstood this have abstained from the partaking. The unworthiness has nothing to do with the person,but the manner as desribed in 1 Corinthians 11: 20- 22, 'Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lords supper for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another drunk. What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the Church of God, and shame those who Have nothing? What shall I say to you? In this I will not praise you.
Conclusion; Communion a precious practice reserved for those who accept the life made available to them through the blood of Jesus. It is an act which includes submission to the Lords command, commemoration of the atoning act of Jesus, a proclamation of Faith; and a statement of the anticipation of the return of Christ to finalize His redeeming work.
1 Corinthians 11: 23- 27, "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it , and said, 'This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.' For as often as you eat this bread or drink the cup, you proclaim the Lords death until He comes. Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
Facts about the communion meal: At the time they were observing the passover meal, they were also participating in an act of submission. Obedience is primary in our relationship with our heavenly Father. Obedience always brings about promise.
Communion is an act of commemoration. Until now the observation of the "Passover Supper", was done in remembrance of what God did to deliver Isreal from the captivity of Egypt.
The feast was now to be a covenant and remembrance. The covenant was that of fellowship. The items signifying the "Peace Offering" were not cosumed by fire and were therefore for the consumption of the priest and the people. Jesus was saying that their receiving of these portions were more than symblolic of their participation in His death. Furthermore, they were now to remember His death as deliverance from eternal captivity to eternal life.
Jesus picked up the cup, filled with wine, set aside for the anticipated Messiah, He was proclaiming to them that He was the fulfillment of everything they had been waiting for. This was an act of proclamation. Partaking of the settings of the Lords table if a proclamation of our part that we believe in Calvary, Jesus and everything fulfilled through both.
an act of anticipation. We do not come to this table because it is the popular thing to do. We come beause we show the anticipation of his return.
A word needs to be said about the warning against eating and drinking unworthily. Many who have misunderstood this have abstained from the partaking. The unworthiness has nothing to do with the person,but the manner as desribed in 1 Corinthians 11: 20- 22, 'Therefore when you meet together, it is not to eat the Lords supper for in your eating each one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry and another drunk. What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the Church of God, and shame those who Have nothing? What shall I say to you? In this I will not praise you.
Conclusion; Communion a precious practice reserved for those who accept the life made available to them through the blood of Jesus. It is an act which includes submission to the Lords command, commemoration of the atoning act of Jesus, a proclamation of Faith; and a statement of the anticipation of the return of Christ to finalize His redeeming work.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Teacher
One summer when I was very young, I remember waking up early in a cabin, in Canada. My mom, Dad, little brother and I were staying by lake winnipeg with my Moms family. Everyone was asleep, except for my Dad.
I found him with a cup of coffee, a pad and pencil sitting out on the steps of the cabin, sketching. The whole thing struck me as being very wonderful. I don't know what about that moment I loved the most, but it's a fond memory, I've never forgotten. Early morning, the smell of coffee, the birds singing in the trees, the air, cool and crisp and there I was, standing behing him, watching him draw. What I wanted most at that moment was to learn from my Dad.
You see, my Dad has a way of teaching that would sometimes frustrate me, but now that I'm older I gotta tell you, that man can really teach. That morning at the lake, he taught me how to draw.
He showed me what to do, then he let me try it, myself. Mistakes never bothered him; they were just a part of the learning process. He watched over me and tenderly corrected me when I needed it.
When I was going to school I would ask my Dad questions about my homework, looking for a quick and easy answer. But the answer I always got was, "Let's look that up in the encyclopedia." Never the easy way out for him,. or should I say never the easy answer for me. He wanted to be sure that I understood and remembered what I needed to learn.
God has many ways of teaching and the Bible is our eneylopedia. God teaches us through his Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 14: 25- 26, "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you." All the answers are there but God doesn't leave it up to us to teach ourselves. He helps us to understand and remember. He allows us to make mistakes along the way so that we will become the kind of people that he would have us be.
Hebrews 4: 12 tells us another way he has helped us, "For the word of God is living and active." We don't have a dead encyclopedia.
Last of all, Gods desire for us, just as my Dads desire for me, is to be complete and not lacking in anything. 2 Peter 1: 5- 8, "For this very reason make every effort to add to your Faith; goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge; perseverance; and to perseverance; godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
My Heavenly Father, and my earthly Father, want the best for me. Both are there, helping, teaching and watching me grow through my mistakes so that I can live a life, complete and effective, lacking nothing.
I found him with a cup of coffee, a pad and pencil sitting out on the steps of the cabin, sketching. The whole thing struck me as being very wonderful. I don't know what about that moment I loved the most, but it's a fond memory, I've never forgotten. Early morning, the smell of coffee, the birds singing in the trees, the air, cool and crisp and there I was, standing behing him, watching him draw. What I wanted most at that moment was to learn from my Dad.
You see, my Dad has a way of teaching that would sometimes frustrate me, but now that I'm older I gotta tell you, that man can really teach. That morning at the lake, he taught me how to draw.
He showed me what to do, then he let me try it, myself. Mistakes never bothered him; they were just a part of the learning process. He watched over me and tenderly corrected me when I needed it.
When I was going to school I would ask my Dad questions about my homework, looking for a quick and easy answer. But the answer I always got was, "Let's look that up in the encyclopedia." Never the easy way out for him,. or should I say never the easy answer for me. He wanted to be sure that I understood and remembered what I needed to learn.
God has many ways of teaching and the Bible is our eneylopedia. God teaches us through his Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 14: 25- 26, "All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you all things and remind you of everything I have said to you." All the answers are there but God doesn't leave it up to us to teach ourselves. He helps us to understand and remember. He allows us to make mistakes along the way so that we will become the kind of people that he would have us be.
Hebrews 4: 12 tells us another way he has helped us, "For the word of God is living and active." We don't have a dead encyclopedia.
Last of all, Gods desire for us, just as my Dads desire for me, is to be complete and not lacking in anything. 2 Peter 1: 5- 8, "For this very reason make every effort to add to your Faith; goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge; perseverance; and to perseverance; godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
My Heavenly Father, and my earthly Father, want the best for me. Both are there, helping, teaching and watching me grow through my mistakes so that I can live a life, complete and effective, lacking nothing.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Home Town Theater
I must have been about nine years old, my sister, Carmen who is ten years older than me, worked in our small town theater. Unlike most of the theaters of today, which are relatively small, this theater was huge. It had a large stage from which the host of the show would stir up the audience, giving away prizes at the Saturday afternoon matinees.
There was a balcony with plenty of room to accommodate all of the children and parents that would come to the matinee. This theater had a gigantic screen, and a massive red velvet curtain that would slowly rise as the lights began to dim and the movie would start.
I had been to these matinees many times with older members of my family, but this saturday I went with my younger brother, Bob.
Hansel and Gretal was the feature movie of the day. Carmen bought us some candy. Then she led us down to some seats close to the front, where Bob and I settled in. It was early and the theater was almost empty. Before Carmen left us, she told us not to worry, she said she would be working at the theater entrance taking tickets.
Bob and I were happy, excited and waiting for something good to happen. Watching the people file in was even exciting, at first, but as the crowd and the noise level started to grow, Bobs and my anxiety started to grow. I looked toward the door at the back of the theater every little while and noticed Bob was doing the same. Our excitement turned to fear. "Where was she?" we asked each other. "Why isn't she here sitting with us?"
It seemed like we had been there forever, and the longer we waited, the worse we felt, until both of us, in a panic, started to cry.
A lady sitting near us asked us if we were okay. In tears, we told her that our sister was lost. The lady took us by the hand and led us to the big door in the back of the theater. She opened the door to the lobby and there was Carmen, just outside the door, working. We ran up to her, our faces wet with tears, "Where were you?" we asked, trembling. "Ive been right here the whole time" she answered.
She had told us the she had to work, we knew it, but we let fear get a hold of us and take control. She knew where we were, and if we would have just stayed in our seats we would have been fine.
After she calmed us down, Carmen wanted to take us back into the theater, for the show, but we were still feeling fearful and upset, so we didn't want to stay for the rest of the movie. Carmen called our Dad to pick us up and take us home.
Later that day, I felt stupid. I missed something the I would have enjoyed, because of fear. And there was no real reason for it, everything was under control, Carmen had been there, she told us what to expect, but because we didn't see her, we panicked.
In Hebrews 13: 5, God said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." In the theater that Saturday afternoon, my brother and I were afraid because we thought Carmen had left us. At times, as a Christian I have had those same feelings about God. It's at those times fear has a chance to take control, and has kept me from the good things God has planned for me
That afternoon, Carmen gave us the option to go back into the theater, and watch the movie. We didn't because of fear.
We can't always help feeling fearful,but we can remind ourselves that God is there with us. And we can make the decision, not to walk away from the good things that are waiting for us.
There was a balcony with plenty of room to accommodate all of the children and parents that would come to the matinee. This theater had a gigantic screen, and a massive red velvet curtain that would slowly rise as the lights began to dim and the movie would start.
I had been to these matinees many times with older members of my family, but this saturday I went with my younger brother, Bob.
Hansel and Gretal was the feature movie of the day. Carmen bought us some candy. Then she led us down to some seats close to the front, where Bob and I settled in. It was early and the theater was almost empty. Before Carmen left us, she told us not to worry, she said she would be working at the theater entrance taking tickets.
Bob and I were happy, excited and waiting for something good to happen. Watching the people file in was even exciting, at first, but as the crowd and the noise level started to grow, Bobs and my anxiety started to grow. I looked toward the door at the back of the theater every little while and noticed Bob was doing the same. Our excitement turned to fear. "Where was she?" we asked each other. "Why isn't she here sitting with us?"
It seemed like we had been there forever, and the longer we waited, the worse we felt, until both of us, in a panic, started to cry.
A lady sitting near us asked us if we were okay. In tears, we told her that our sister was lost. The lady took us by the hand and led us to the big door in the back of the theater. She opened the door to the lobby and there was Carmen, just outside the door, working. We ran up to her, our faces wet with tears, "Where were you?" we asked, trembling. "Ive been right here the whole time" she answered.
She had told us the she had to work, we knew it, but we let fear get a hold of us and take control. She knew where we were, and if we would have just stayed in our seats we would have been fine.
After she calmed us down, Carmen wanted to take us back into the theater, for the show, but we were still feeling fearful and upset, so we didn't want to stay for the rest of the movie. Carmen called our Dad to pick us up and take us home.
Later that day, I felt stupid. I missed something the I would have enjoyed, because of fear. And there was no real reason for it, everything was under control, Carmen had been there, she told us what to expect, but because we didn't see her, we panicked.
In Hebrews 13: 5, God said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." In the theater that Saturday afternoon, my brother and I were afraid because we thought Carmen had left us. At times, as a Christian I have had those same feelings about God. It's at those times fear has a chance to take control, and has kept me from the good things God has planned for me
That afternoon, Carmen gave us the option to go back into the theater, and watch the movie. We didn't because of fear.
We can't always help feeling fearful,but we can remind ourselves that God is there with us. And we can make the decision, not to walk away from the good things that are waiting for us.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Servant
My sweet husband, Mark Cameron, wrote this
"Whoever serves me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." John 12: 26
Too many people come to Church three times, primarily. They're Baptism, they get married, and they have their funeral service at the Church. The first time they throw water on you, the second time rice, and the third time, dirt.
Sometimes Church can be a boring uninspiring routine... but don't blame God. Today we will learn that when being, comes before doing, the Church can be a fulfilling and affirming place to attend and belong.
Jesus clearly states that servants follow the Lord. It's never the servants prerogative to tell the master what he will do. To follow Christ is to be led by the Spirit, to make choices with His wisdom, to live for Him to do what He would have you do. If we were really honest with ourselves, what we want is for Jesus to follow us around and bless what it is that we have chosen to do with our time and resources. But that is not Jesus command to us today. Today Jesus gives the callange, "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be."
Look at what God has placed into your life today and ask yourself, "If Jesus were given this life of mine, what would He do with it? Where would He go?" Would Jesus be trying to get popular with that group of people at school? Would Jesus be spending so much time at work? Would Jesus skip an opportunity to pray with his disciples because of a TV show? Would Jesus have a hard time squeezing in the needs of the poor and homeless?
Servant, in our English New Testament, represents the Greek doulos, (bondslave). Sometimes it menas diakonos, (deacon or minister); this is strictly accurate. Both words denote a man who is not at his own disposal, but is his masters purchased property. Bought to serve his masters needs, to be at the beck and call every moment, the slaves sole business is to do as he is told. Christian service therefore means, first and foremost, living out a slave relationship to ones Savior.
What work does Christ set His servants to do? the way that they serve Him, He tells, is by becoming the slaves of their fellow- servants and being willing to do literally anything, however costly, irksome or undignified, in order to help them. This is what love means, as Jesus himself showed at the last supper, when He played the servnats part and washed the disciples feet.
When the New Testament speaks of ministering to the saints, it means not primarily preaching to them but devoting time, trouble and substance to giving them all the practical help possible. Only the Holy Spirit can create in us the kind of love toward our Savior that will overflow in imaginative sympathy and practical helpfulness towards his people. Unless the Spirit is training us in love, we are not fit persons to go to college or a training class to learn the know- how or particular branches of Christian work. Gifted leaders who are self- centered and loveless are a blight in the Church rather than a blessing.
What are you doing in service to your Lord that will out live you? Ephesians 2: 10 states, "For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
You say, Mark, I am saved by Grace not by works, and I would say, "Amen" to that. Remember however that while we are saved by Grace alone, the Grace that saves is not alone!
The great violinist, Niccolo Paganini willed his marvelous violin to the city of Genoa on condition that it must never be played. The wood of such an instrument, while used and handled, wears only slightly, but set aside, it begins to decay. Paganinis lovely violin has, today, become worm- eaten and useless except as a relic. A Christians unwillingness to serve may soon destroy his capacity for usefulness.
Servants follow the Lord
Servants are found where Jesus is working
Servants will be honored by God
"Whoever serves me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me." John 12: 26
Too many people come to Church three times, primarily. They're Baptism, they get married, and they have their funeral service at the Church. The first time they throw water on you, the second time rice, and the third time, dirt.
Sometimes Church can be a boring uninspiring routine... but don't blame God. Today we will learn that when being, comes before doing, the Church can be a fulfilling and affirming place to attend and belong.
Jesus clearly states that servants follow the Lord. It's never the servants prerogative to tell the master what he will do. To follow Christ is to be led by the Spirit, to make choices with His wisdom, to live for Him to do what He would have you do. If we were really honest with ourselves, what we want is for Jesus to follow us around and bless what it is that we have chosen to do with our time and resources. But that is not Jesus command to us today. Today Jesus gives the callange, "Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant will also be."
Look at what God has placed into your life today and ask yourself, "If Jesus were given this life of mine, what would He do with it? Where would He go?" Would Jesus be trying to get popular with that group of people at school? Would Jesus be spending so much time at work? Would Jesus skip an opportunity to pray with his disciples because of a TV show? Would Jesus have a hard time squeezing in the needs of the poor and homeless?
Servant, in our English New Testament, represents the Greek doulos, (bondslave). Sometimes it menas diakonos, (deacon or minister); this is strictly accurate. Both words denote a man who is not at his own disposal, but is his masters purchased property. Bought to serve his masters needs, to be at the beck and call every moment, the slaves sole business is to do as he is told. Christian service therefore means, first and foremost, living out a slave relationship to ones Savior.
What work does Christ set His servants to do? the way that they serve Him, He tells, is by becoming the slaves of their fellow- servants and being willing to do literally anything, however costly, irksome or undignified, in order to help them. This is what love means, as Jesus himself showed at the last supper, when He played the servnats part and washed the disciples feet.
When the New Testament speaks of ministering to the saints, it means not primarily preaching to them but devoting time, trouble and substance to giving them all the practical help possible. Only the Holy Spirit can create in us the kind of love toward our Savior that will overflow in imaginative sympathy and practical helpfulness towards his people. Unless the Spirit is training us in love, we are not fit persons to go to college or a training class to learn the know- how or particular branches of Christian work. Gifted leaders who are self- centered and loveless are a blight in the Church rather than a blessing.
What are you doing in service to your Lord that will out live you? Ephesians 2: 10 states, "For we are Gods workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
You say, Mark, I am saved by Grace not by works, and I would say, "Amen" to that. Remember however that while we are saved by Grace alone, the Grace that saves is not alone!
The great violinist, Niccolo Paganini willed his marvelous violin to the city of Genoa on condition that it must never be played. The wood of such an instrument, while used and handled, wears only slightly, but set aside, it begins to decay. Paganinis lovely violin has, today, become worm- eaten and useless except as a relic. A Christians unwillingness to serve may soon destroy his capacity for usefulness.
Servants follow the Lord
Servants are found where Jesus is working
Servants will be honored by God
Billboards
I must have been about five years old, riding down the freeway, in the back of my parents old green Rambler. One of the things I remember the most about these road trips, were all the billboards. I was too young at the time to read them, but I remember using all the pictures and letters to make up stories, to pass the time while we drove. I have a distinct memory of riding down the freeway after I had been taught, in school, how to take all those ABC's that had meant nothing to me, and put sounds to them, make words, and sentences. It seemed like all at once, I knew what all those billboards had been trying to say to me. I felt like a whole new world was opening up, and I was very excited. I didn't have to make up stories, I had learned how to read. I remember it so clearly.
For me, reading billboards isn't as exciting as it was when I was six or seven. But I had an experience that was similar in my late twenties. I was in the middle of a very hard time in my life, when I was touched in my heart by the Gospel. I made a decision to serve God, by inviting Jesus into my heart, and giving my life to Him. I was given a little red bible, I put it in our van, and I began reading a little bit every day. I had read parts of the Bible before, but I always came away feeling confused, this time was different, I was starting to understand.
I grew up in the Catholic Church. I had also attended a Christian Church for a while in high school, and again in my early twenties, but I never quite believed, I just felt like it was something I was supposed to do.
One Sunday morning my husband and I were watching a Church service on TV, by this time I had read a large part of my New Testament in my little red Bible. But this was the first service I had seen since my early twenties. I started to cry. My husband, Mark, looked at me kind of funny, and asked, "Are you okay? Why are you crying?" I answered, "I finally understand, I've seen it all with my eyes before, but finally in my heart, I understand!"
A whole new world was opening up to me and I was overwhelmed, I was excited! Like those giant billboards that I passed so often when I was five, I saw them with my eyes and only pretended to understand. It wasn't until I learned to read that I really understood what they were saying.
After receiving Jesus into my life, the Holy Spirit started teaching me my spiritual ABC's and the things that I had seen before, but could only imagine the meaning, I was now beginning to understand,
1 Corinthians 2: 11- 14, "For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God, except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing Spiritual truths in Spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
For me, reading billboards isn't as exciting as it was when I was six or seven. But I had an experience that was similar in my late twenties. I was in the middle of a very hard time in my life, when I was touched in my heart by the Gospel. I made a decision to serve God, by inviting Jesus into my heart, and giving my life to Him. I was given a little red bible, I put it in our van, and I began reading a little bit every day. I had read parts of the Bible before, but I always came away feeling confused, this time was different, I was starting to understand.
I grew up in the Catholic Church. I had also attended a Christian Church for a while in high school, and again in my early twenties, but I never quite believed, I just felt like it was something I was supposed to do.
One Sunday morning my husband and I were watching a Church service on TV, by this time I had read a large part of my New Testament in my little red Bible. But this was the first service I had seen since my early twenties. I started to cry. My husband, Mark, looked at me kind of funny, and asked, "Are you okay? Why are you crying?" I answered, "I finally understand, I've seen it all with my eyes before, but finally in my heart, I understand!"
A whole new world was opening up to me and I was overwhelmed, I was excited! Like those giant billboards that I passed so often when I was five, I saw them with my eyes and only pretended to understand. It wasn't until I learned to read that I really understood what they were saying.
After receiving Jesus into my life, the Holy Spirit started teaching me my spiritual ABC's and the things that I had seen before, but could only imagine the meaning, I was now beginning to understand,
1 Corinthians 2: 11- 14, "For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God, except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing Spiritual truths in Spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
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