By Grace Alone

Happy New Year

2012-01-01T00:20:00.000-06:00

I thought it would be appropriate for the New Year to remind us of God's promise to be with us, even unto the end of the world. A new year is always exciting, but also can be daunting. The fear of the unknown. What will happen in 2012? Will the impending doom of the Mayan calendar come to be? For us believers it doesn't matter, we have the promise that He will be with us through it all. I wish you many blessings for the new year.

December Photo

2011-12-05T23:23:00.001-06:00

As the season of Christmas is upon us, my you find the light of Christ shining on you and your loved ones.

November Photo

2011-11-01T01:22:00.001-05:00

Remember to click on the photo to enlarge.

Here it is another new month. I love the Fall Season. A few weeks back, Kevin and I made our annual trip to a nearby town to view the changing of the leaves. It was a beautiful Autumn day and we had a wonderful time. I love admiring God's handiwork in nature. I'm still amazed at those who claim they don't believe there is a God. It is so evident that there is and the changing of the leaves is just another example of God's creation. This photo was one of the last photos I took that day. I loved the contrast of the light trunk of the tree against the Fall colors of the leaves. The hardest part was finding a readable font and color. I hope you can read the scripture. Just in case you can't, the verse I chose for this month is from Genesis 1:14 "And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark the seasons." As always feel free to use the photo for your personal* use.

*All content and photos are the personal property of Linda Hare. Please don't use for professional or for profit.

I Think I See A Common Thread

2011-10-04T22:49:00.000-05:00

I had forgotten all about last month's photo until I came on to post this month's photo. Sorry it is late, but boy have I been busy. As I was looking through my photos for one to post I came across this one. I think I even took it with my cell phone camera. I have always loved the way the sun beams shine through the clouds. It has always reminded me of God's love shinning through. No matter where I am, when I notice the sun and clouds I always stop and admire it.

Be blessed and know God is shinning down on you. Hope your day is brighter.

September Inspirational Photo

2011-09-06T23:09:00.000-05:00

It's been such a hot, dry summer I think everyone is ready for a new Fall and a new beginning. Last night during my Bible reading one of the scriptures was about "a new dawn." I thought, "how perfect for the September photo." Thankfully I love photographing sunrises and sunsets so therefore, here is September's photo.

August Inspirational Photo

2011-08-02T00:08:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it is already August. I really do have a devotional to post. I started it a couple of months ago and just haven't made myself sit down and finish it. I promise I will do that before the month is over. As for this month's photo, my family just returned from a retreat and this is one of the landscape photos I took while there. I love going to this particular place because it is so peaceful and you definitely feel the presence and peace of God while you are there. Blessings to you and your family.

Remember to click on the photo to enlarge.

July Inspirational Photo

2011-07-01T21:52:00.000-05:00

LORD Send The Rain

2011-06-21T17:49:00.001-05:00

The area I live in, the Great Plains of the US, more specifically, the Panhandle of Texas, is in the worst drought of recorded times. We have been 130 days without rain. One can’t help think about the droughts and famines of the Bible. This drought is of Biblical proportions.

I started with the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 16:29-17:1. King Ahab was on the throne and did “evil in the sight of the Lord.” King Ahab had set up temples and altars for the god Baal, as well as carved images of him. The Prophet Elijah had warned him that he was going against the covenant with God and that there would be judgment and punishment.

“Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.’ “ 1 King17:1 (NIV)

The conditions of our country makes me question “Why are we suffering from such a drought?” The drought of King Ahab’s time lasted three years! Will we have to suffer such a fate? What is God trying to teach or tell us? We may not have a carved image as Ahab did, but do we have idols that we put before God? I think we would have to answer “Yes.” God’s Word is clear that we are to put nothing before him, yet we do. It’s easy to rationalize our “idols.” Such as “I really need to work on my computer.” I know I spend many more hours on my computer than I do spending time with the Lord. What about TV time? Do you put your family before God? Work? The list can go on and on. That’s just one of the commandments we break.

What about murder? Does abortion qualify as murder? God’s Word says in Jeremiah 1:5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart;” (NIV) Seems pretty clear to me that if God “knew” you before you were formed, then you had to have been more than a mass of tissues and blood. I believe abortion is murder and we as a nation have killed a whole generation of children. We will have to answer for that.

I also think of the sexual immorality of America. The commonality of homosexuality, adultery, indecency, immodesty and pornography. God must be saddened. I think it’s time for some major soul searching.

Jeremiah 14:1-7 is a passage about the drought in Jerusalem.m
”This is the word of the LORD to Jeremiah concerning the drought:
"Judah mourns,her cities languish;they wail for the land,and a cry goes up from Jerusalem. The nobles send their servants for water;they go to the cisterns but find no water.They return with their jars unfilled;dismayed and despairing,they cover their heads. The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land;the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads. Even the doe in the field deserts her newborn fawn because there is no grass. Wild donkeys stand on the barren heights and pant like jackals;their eyesight fails for lack of pasture." Although our sins testify against us,O LORD, do something for the sake of your name.For our backsliding is great;we have sinned against you.” (NIV)

Sound familiar? Seeing any correlation or similarities between our drought and the land of Judah’s? I do. Maybe it’s time we all repent. Pray for Israel. Ask for God’s guidance and forgiveness. Spend some time on our knees or better yet prostrate before the Lord and then maybe . . . . He’ll send the healing rain.

June Inspirational Photo

2011-06-01T01:00:00.001-05:00

This month's photo comes from our vacation last month. They were blown glass ornaments hanging in the registration lobby of one of the hotels. They were breathtaking. I could have gazed at them forever and did for a long time. I took several photos. Just looking at them made me happy and filled with joy. I wished they were hanging from the ceiling of my bedroom to wake up to each morning. Therefore I chose the verse about joy and what better place to find joy than in the LORD. Enjoy and feel free to download and use as you please. Wishing you peace and joy.

May Inspirational Photo

2011-05-01T21:29:00.001-05:00

Surprise! I actually got the May photo up at the first of May. I took this photo on Easter Sunday and once I saw it out of the camera I thought it would be perfect for my May photo. I love looking at the photo and feel the peace and serenity of the family of geese swimming so gracefully across the water. It was a sweet scene. Enjoy and I wish you the peace of Christ today and always.

(Remember to click on the photo to enlarge.)

April Photo

2011-04-20T00:41:00.000-05:00

Sorry I have been so busy this month and did not get the photo up earlier. As we enter into the Holy Week to prepare our hearts for Easter Sunday, may we remember the sacrifice our Savior made for us. Be blessed.

How Heavy Is The Glass?

2011-03-27T00:38:00.000-05:00

The other day I received an email about a glass of water. When I saw the topic I was thinking “Oh another story about is it half empty or half full.” To my surprise that is not what the question was, but instead, “How heavy is the glass?”

The email went on to explain that it didn’t matter if the actual weight was 8oz or 20 oz. or somewhere in between but instead, it matters how long you hold it up. A glass of water doesn’t seem that heavy if you only hold it a few minutes, but it becomes unbearable if you have to hold the filled glass for hours, or even a day. The email related that to us holding on to stress. The longer we hold it the “heavier” it becomes. The lady speaking in the email suggested you put your burdens down and pick them back up after a rest, however, I think we would be better off to lay them down and leave them.

After reading the email I started thinking about how we hold onto our burdens and of all the scriptures that tell us to “Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you;” Ps 55:22 (AMP) I thought how often I want to carry my own burdens, or I lay them down at His feet only to pick them back up again. The burden, stress or sin might not originally be that big of a deal, but if we continually worry and dwell on it, then eventually it becomes too heavy to bear and therefore much more of a burden. In 1 Peter 5:7 we are told “Cast all your cares upon him; for he careth for you.” KJV

Why is it we are so arrogant to think we can handle our problems more than Christ can? I know I am guilty of that. He promises “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:29-30 (NIV) Why would anyone choose not to lighten their load? The previous verse in Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (NIV) Doesn’t gentle, humble rest sound better than stumbling under the weight of your burdens? So the next time you hear the age old question “Is the glass half full or half empty?” Counter that question with the better question “How heavy is the glass?” Re-examine your life and determine if you are carrying your burdens alone or if you have humbly and honestly laid them down, never to pick them up again.

March Inspirational Photo

2011-02-28T23:01:00.000-06:00

I don't know if you are ready, but I am SO ready for warm weather to return. It has been an exceptionally hard, cold winter. To make it even more suppressing, we had terrible wild fires in the area yesterday and many people lost their homes and everything they own. Thankfully there has only been one fatality reported. To bring a little hope and cheer here is this month's photo. Please feel free to download and use as you please.

(Remember to click on the photo to see enlarged version.)

False Hope

2011-02-26T23:30:00.000-06:00

“Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,” Ps. 146:3,5 (NIV)

Earlier this month I went out of town. We drove half way across the State, but didn’t worry because we had confidence that Lola would get us to our destination. Lola is what I call my navigation system in my car. We made the trip to our destination without a hitch, or I should say if there was a hitch it was my fault for not following directions, Lola was spot on. Even while we were in the unfamiliar city we depended heavily on Lola to get us where we needed to be. Then we get to the day we are to return home. We decided to make one last stop before we hit the road. Upon exiting the shopping center Lola said, “Turn right.” I remember thinking to myself “Right? I remember coming in from the right, so we should be turning left.” I ignored Lola and turned left. The GPS started recalculating the route to make up for my defiance. After driving a short distance I decided Lola was correct, so I did a U turn and headed the other direction. Apparently this was more than Lola could handle. The GPS recalculated once again and we were off. As we were driving I wasn’t noticing anything that looked familiar to our earlier arrival in the city. I asked my niece if she was recognizing anything. She also did not. I continued to drive following every merge and turn directed by the GPS. Nothing felt right. We had traveled for about thirty minutes when I finally looked up at the compass in my car. Much to my dismay we were going southeast! Amarillo is northwest from the city we were visiting. What? How could Lola betray me like that? I saw a road sign that was directing travelers to a nearby town that I knew would get us back on the correct road to home, so once again off we went defying the GPS directions again. I immediately thought to myself, “How many times do I put my trust in other people and things instead of trusting God and the directed path He has chosen for me? Do I really trust Him with complete abandonment like I did the GPS? “Unfortunately, if I’m truthful with myself, I would have to say “No.” I don’t always trust in God. It’s hard to even admit to that because if I don’t trust in God, who or what do I trust in? Why is trusting God so hard to do? It’s easy to say, “I trust.” But to follow through is not always so easy. There are numerous verses that tell us to “trust in the Lord.” In Proverbs 3:5 we are told “ Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.” (AMP) Just as Lola let me down and lead me in the wrong direction, we can apply that lesson to the rest of our lives with other people. That misplaced trust can sometimes lead us in the wrong direction. The only true one that is worthy of our trust is the LORD. “Trust in the LORD forever” Isa 26:4 (NIV) I am by no means saying you should not trust people in your life, but the deep, unabated trust for major decisions in your life "I will put my trust in him." Hebrews 2:13 (NIV) Since that trip, I now double check the confirmed route Lola recommends with a good old fashioned road map. I have learned my lesson and now only place my trust in the one that can always be trusted. “ Trust in him at all times,” Ps 62:8 (NIV)

February Photo

2011-02-06T20:52:00.000-06:00

I don't know what happened to January, but it has come and gone. Sorry about not getting a photo up for January. I was actually hoping for a snow photo from January, but instead got one for February. Enjoy and be blessed.

Please feel free to copy or save the photo for your personal use. Just click on the photo to go to the original size to download.

Lessons to Learn From Geese

2011-01-22T19:26:00.003-06:00

The other night, I was standing out in the yard with the pets, finishing up the night, preparing for bed. Even though it’s the Winter season, I enjoy standing out for the few minutes, enjoying the quiet and stillness. As I was lost in thought I heard a faint but familiar “Honk, honk, honk.” I looked up in the moonlit sky to see a flock of geese flying over in their standard V formation. As I watched them fly over I was reminded of the research done to help us understand why they fly in this manner.
We can learn several lessons from geese.
First, the geese fly in the V formation because it is the most aerodynamically. It is the most efficient use of their energy. As one moves back in the formation the work is easier, the path of lest resistance. In 1 Peter 4:10 we read,” God has given each of you some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings.” (TLB)
Secondly, the lead goose has to work the hardest. When he gets tired, he falls off into the formation for another goose to take the lead so he can rest. They each share the burden of working and leading. God instructs us to do the same. “Six days a week are for your daily duties and your regular work, but the seventh day is a day of Sabbath rest before the Lord your God. “ Ex 20:8-10 (TLB) Work hard, but remember to rest.
Thirdly, scientists believe the geese fly in the V formation to help communicate more easily. The formation makes it easier for visual contact and keeping the flock together. This decreases the risk of losing members of the flock along the way. Just as in Proverbs we are instructed to keep our eyes on our path. Prov 4:25-26 “Let your eyes look directly forward,and your gaze be straight before you. Take heed to the path of your feet, then all your ways will be sure.” (RSV)
Lastly, the belief that all the “honking” going on is encouragement for those in front, where the task is more difficult. This is the thought that came to me the evening I heard the flock passing over our yard, “They are encouraging each other to press on. Keep up the pace, you can do it, we are almost to our resting place…” Who do you know that needs some encouragement? Maybe it’s someone in your family, or the new mother that is struggling with the adjustments of a new baby. Perhaps it’s your friend that has just lost their spouse, or the neighbor who lost his job. It might not even be anyone you know personally, but the checker at the grocery store, or the barista at Star Bucks. We to need to encourage others. “ But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” Heb 3:13 (NAS)

So what can we learn from geese?
1. Use your gifts and talents efficiently.
2. Work hard.
3. Rest when you need to.
4. Keep your eyes focused on the goal.
5. Encourage others daily.

Making Your Plans for 2011

2010-12-31T23:00:00.000-06:00

As we close out another year and welcome in the New Year, most of us reflect on what we accomplished in the past year. We made our plans and ponder the results. Did we accomplish what we set out to do? I used to get very discouraged at making and breaking resolutions. I always felt like such a failure. Then a while back I heard someone on the radio say, "The Bible says ' We make our plans, but God designs the path we take.'" That really caught my attention as I don't think I had ever heard that scripture reference before. As soon as I got home I started researching out that scripture. Sure enough it says in Proverbs 16:9 "The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps." (NASU) I was so relieved to know that. All those years I thought I was being defiant to God by making MY plans.Looking back on my life it is evident that I made the plans, but the path was definitely directed by God. So as you make your plans for the new year, rest assured that God will be directing your path. He wants you to be happy and successful, just depend on Him to accomplish your goals.
Prov 19:21 tells us "Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand." (AMP) God has plans and a purpose for your life in 2011. Blessings to you in the New Year.

Forgiven or Condemned

2010-12-09T00:05:00.003-06:00

Rev 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

Have you really thought much about being forgiven? Lately several things have happened that reminded me about the amazing fact that God loved us and sent His Son to die, that we might be redeemed. Sometimes I tend to minimalize that wonderful gift of grace and forgiveness.

The first occurrence was a couple months back. I was harboring some resentment towards someone. The situation was over, everyone had moved on, but I just couldn’t let it go. I was really hurt and very angry. One afternoon I was stomping around complaining when I felt that inner voice say, “Don’t you think you’ve ever disappointed me? Even though you have I forgave you and still love you. Now you need to forgive.” Ouch! As of that moment, I decided to move on and try to show love towards this person, instead of the animosity I had been harboring.

The second instance is more recent. Someone I know was in the wrong place at a very wrong time and now could be facing a felony charge. The family is trying everything they can to get the charge dropped, forgiven, redeemed.

According to A Dictionary of the Holy Bible by John Brown, it says: “The reference is an allusion to the Greek custom of marking their absolution by white stones, a white stone given by Christ, denotes a full pardon and a glorious reward.” Another use of white stones was to allow entry, like a ticket to an event. The white stone given to us by Christ also has this meaning, redemption and now entry into heaven.

In the reference, Exposition of Revelation by Walter Scott, he says “A white stone was largely employed in the social life and judicial customs of the ancients. Days of festivity were noted by a white stone; days of calamity by a black stone. A host’s appreciation of a special guest was indicated by a white stone with a name or message written on it. A white stone meant acquittal. A black stone meant condemnation in the courts of justice.”

In ancient times courts used a stone system to signal the guilt or innocence of the accused. After the evidence was presented, the jury or judge would hand out either a white stone to signal forgiveness or innocence or a black stone to show guilt, condemnation.

The Biblical reference is at the end of time when Christ returns and the stones will be handed out, not only will we receive a white or black stone, but a new name will be written on the white stone. A name that only you and God will know.

Rev 2:17 "Let everyone who can hear, listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches: Everyone who is victorious shall eat of the hidden manna, the secret nourishment from heaven; and I will give to each a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one else knows except the one receiving it.” TLB

Have you asked God to forgive you of your sins and trespasses? When Christ returns will you receive a white stone with your new name, redeemed, forgiven or a black stone of condemnation. I pray we all repent and prepare to be redeemed.

Just in case you were wondering what the Hebrew words on the stone say:

מחול = forgiven

חנינה = pardon

לחוס = spare

מכוסה = covered

Unto Us a Son Is Born

2010-11-30T22:33:00.002-06:00

I just love Christmas. It's never really been about the presents for my family, but more about celebrating the birth of Christ and family time. I have very fond memories of Christmas time as a child, but I don't really remember much about the gifts. There are a few Christmases I remember, one time we got Barbies and mom made us several outfits for them. Another time a family friend gave us some huge goldfish, so big we put them in the bathtub, only to come home from church to find they had all jumped out of the tub and had died. One other time we went out looking at Christmas lights only to come home and find that Santa had been by while we were out. We got a talking Ludwig Von Drake that year. He was very high tech. You connected him to a reel to reel tape recorder and he would talk. I think he's still around Daddy's shop somewhere. I mostly remember going to church, being in church plays, singing in the choir, going out caroling and going to Grandma Enloe's for Christmas lunch. I feel very blessed to have had parents that instilled the true meaning of Christmas and not "what's in it for me." We usually got two to three gifts total, not the twenty plus you get now a days. We were taught to worship and celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It's harder now a days to not get caught up in the hype, but I pray that we each take some time to thank God for the best Christmas gift ever, His Son. I know that Christ was not born on December 25th, but I don't see any harm in setting aside a day to honor His birth. Wishing you all a blessed and wonderful Christmas.
Here is the December photo. I took it last year, but still love it. Who knows, if it snows I may post a bonus photo for December.

November Photo

2010-11-10T21:25:00.000-06:00

Sorry I'm a little late getting this posted. It's not really what I wanted for this month, but wasn't ever able to find what I was looking for. I did want to post a Thanksgiving photo as every day we should be thankful, but I especially love the Thanksgiving Season. I hope you are blessed and are abundantly blessed this Thanksgiving. Let's "enter into His presence with Thanksgiving."

Inspirational Photo

2010-10-03T23:25:00.002-05:00

The other day as I was reading in my monthly Journey magazine, I was looking at the first page of the magazine. Each month the first page is a nice photograph with a scripture. They are always so beautiful and so inspirational. Many times I've torn out the page and framed it to use on my desk at school and I know Lavonna has too. So . . . I got to thinking. Why don't I post one of my photographs that I took every month on By Grace Alone for you to copy and use as you want. You could use it as your background on your desktop, or print it out, or maybe if it really speaks to you even frame it, or print it to use on a note card or whatever else you can think of. Whatever you decide I hope you are blessed. I'm going to try to do one each month at the beginning of the month. So if you check back and there is not a new photo, email me or call and say . . . ."Hey Linda you said . . . ." Please leave me a comment if you do decide to take the photo. And I'd love to know how you used it. It is a really large file as I left it in the original format out of my camera. Until next month.

Trust God's Purpose

2010-09-29T01:24:00.000-05:00

Again, one of the daily devotions from Open Windows really spoke to me. I will share it in it's entirety and then add my comments at the end.

The scripture reference is Jeremiah 1: 4-8

"The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." "Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD." (NIV)

Here is the devotional.

"The blessings and trials we experience in life are like the ingredients in a cake. When you're mixing them, some taste good by themselves such as sugar and chocolate. But other ingredients - like baking powder and flour aren't pleasant by themselves. Still, they are essential and must be mixed with the good-tasting ingredients to make a delicious final product.

Sometimes we have a hard time understanding why God allows us to go through difficulties and trials. The prophet Jeremiah is a perfect example of tremendous suffering. Through it all, God reassured him that, even from the womb, His purpose for Jeremiah was being fulfilled.

We can trust God, our Maker, to take even the bitter experiences of life and blend them together with the good ones to make all things work for our good. If you are a believer, then God is very clear about your purpose. God is at work in His work, and He's involving each of us in a very specific way."

This is my reaction and comments on the reading.
I loved the way the author compared our experiences to the ingredients in baking. I know from my own personal experience that all, as a matter of fact most, of the ingredients individually taste terrible. Just try a spoonful of flour, or a pinch of baking powder or baking soda. Even vanilla, as sweet as it smells, burns and is over-powering by itself. Have you ever eaten a raw egg? Definitely NOT tasty. Try some powdered cocoa! It tastes so bitter, but mixed correctly it makes a delicious cake or brownies. Each of the ingredients are necessary to make a master piece. If even one is omitted, your delicacy will not taste right, it might not even cook right.

We can be confident that the Master Chef is working on us as a perfect creation. Each "recipe" for life calls for specific ingredients (experiences). Each plan is individual and unique. Your recipe is not the same as mine. Yes, some of the ingredients will be bitter to experience. Others will be sweet and pleasant. Another might even make us physically ill, but we have to trust the Master. He has a plan. He has had a plan all along, even before we were a thought, from the very beginning in our mother's womb. Find comfort in that fact, that the trials you may have been through or are going through now is mixing and creating you into that perfect creation. Afterall God's Word tells us "you have been appointed for a purpose." God has a plan specifically for YOU! May you be blessed and most of your ingredients be sweet.

Facing Difficult Circumstances

2010-06-21T13:11:00.001-05:00

In January, Kevin and I started reading a daily devotional every morning at breakfast. The other day the passage really spoke to my heart. Maybe it was because there are so many things going wrong in today's world. I know personally of several of my friends and family members that are facing very difficult circumstances such as illness, financial stress, divorce, custody battles, moving, death of loved ones and the list could go on and on. The Bible passage for the devotional was 1 Peter 3: 15-18 "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; and keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; "

Here is the devotion word for word from the study guide. It doesn't list an author but was taken from Open Windows Daily Devotional.

"When I couldn't find margarine in Riobamba, I decided to use butter in my recipe. Instead, my husband came home from the store with a plastic bag of fresh cream. "I couldn't find butter, so I thought you could make your own," he said.

I put the cream into the bowl of my stand mixer, attached the paddle, and turned it on. After 30 minutes, all I was was whipped cream. Ten minutes later, the sound changed and yellow chunks floated in the white cream. I turned off the mixer, rinsed the chunks, and had two cups of homemade butter! If I had stopped sooner, I would have had whipped cream instead.

Sometimes, I feel whipped around by my circumstances. I want the troubles to stop! However, if trials end before they accomplish God's purpose, I won't become the person He wants me to be.

When a child of God overcomes difficulties, the result is endurance. God uses trials to perfect us - even when we've done the right thing."

So the lesson I take from the devotional is yes, expect trials and troubles. We can be certain they will come our way, but we can also be certain God is right by our side. He will use the situation for His purpose we are just the vessels. Prov 25:4 "Take away the dross from the silver, And there comes out a vessel for the smith; " If you are feeling beaten, whipped and paddled by your circumstances I pray for you to have strength and endurance to be perfected in Christ through your trials.

What’s Your Destiny?

2010-03-06T23:21:00.004-06:00

Please click on cartoon to enlarge for easier reading.

This cartoon came out in the Sunday paper a couple of months ago and even though the artist probably meant something totally different, it just struck a chord with me about our Godly purpose or destiny. I sincerely believe we all have a purpose, a destiny designed by God, even before we were born.
In Ps 139:13-16 we read "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
The root word for ordained is nathan (naw-than'); a primitive root used with greatest latitude of application: apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, charge, commit, ordain, perform.
Positive proof we were designed for a purpose. In Jer 1:4-5 The Lord said to me, "I knew you before you were formed within your mother's womb; before you were born I sanctified you and appointed you as my spokesman to the world."
TLB. The root word for sanctified is, qadash (kaw-dash'); a primitive root; to appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify. So my friend we have all been sanctified, chosen and dedicated for a specific purpose in God’s master design. Just as the cartoon suggests we need to live our life to the fullest and be the best at our destined purpose.

In the story of Esther, she had no reason to ever believe she would become queen to King Xerxes and therefore save her people. Yet, God knew and preordained her purpose. She was of Jewish descent and the Jews had been driven from the land. As the story unfolds, the threat to annihilate the Jewish race becomes a reality. Esther fasts and prays before approaching the King with her request. Everything she did went against customs, but God was with her. The text tells us “Esther was born for such a time as this.” Through her predestined purpose she was able to save her race.

At one really low point in my teaching career, I had really decided to call it quits. (Notice the “I” in the sentence.) I had made my deal with God and had already written up my letter of resignation. To make a long story short, the exact day I was to resign, nothing short of a miracle happened. Later that night after I got home from school, I was discussing the situation with God. He so vividly placed on my heart that I was “right where He wanted me to be.” I knew in that moment that my destiny was to be a teacher. That really changed my perspective about teaching. From that point on. I really took teaching as my mission and that even though I would probably never know all the whys and whatnots of God’s plan, I was doing just what I was called to do.
We are chosen for our paths. John 15:16-17 tells us “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go . . .”( NIV) The Bible dictionary lists the root word for chosen as eklegomai (ek-leg'-om-ahee) to select, make choice, choose, chosen.
So live up to your destiny. Go forth as a chosen one to do God’s bidding. Be the best “sea turtle” you can be. After all He has plans for you. “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3

You Can't Out Give God

2010-02-21T23:15:00.004-06:00

In the past, when I regularly attended church, I always tithed. It was never an option and I didn't even give it a second thought. It was a habit, a good habit. Then all the problems with our pastor and his wife, the inevitable divorce, our church not having a pastor for almost three years, and my habit of attendance and tithing was broken. I still gave to all the charities, helped out those I could and gave to the church if we went, but it was not on a regular basis. Then around Thanksgiving of last year, we decided we were going to choose a church and start back to going regularly. We ended up going back to our original church. It felt good to be going back and getting into the habit again. But now as a retired person living on a pension, writing out that 10% check each month seemed like a major obstacle and sacrifice. The real issue is my lack of trust or faith that God will provide and take care of me. The Word tells us in Luke 12:24-34 that God will provide all our needs, all we have to do is trust Him. “Look at the ravens-they don't plant or harvest or have barns to store away their food, and yet they get along all right-for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! "And besides, what's the use of worrying? What good does it do? Will it add a single day to your life? Of course not! And if worry can't even do such little things as that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things? "Look at the lilies! They don't toil and spin, and yet Solomon in all his glory was not robed as well as they are. And if God provides clothing for the flowers that are here today and gone tomorrow, don't you suppose that he will provide clothing for you, you doubters? And don't worry about food-what to eat and drink; don't worry at all that God will provide it for you. All mankind scratches for its daily bread, but your heavenly Father knows your needs. He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern. "So don't be afraid, little flock. For it gives your Father great happiness to give you the Kingdom. Sell what you have and give to those in need. This will fatten your purses in heaven! And the purses of heaven have no rips or holes in them. Your treasures there will never disappear; no thief can steal them; no moth can destroy them. Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.” Luke 12: 24-34 TLB

I remember discussing with my Mom about her dad and his philosophy about tithing. She said Grandpa always said, “Tithing was an Old Testament law.” I have heard all my life tithing is giving ten percent, but thought I’d look into the scriptures behind that thought. Sure enough the ten percent tithe is only mentioned in the Old Testament. Not that I think we are not supposed to tithe, and ten percent is a good starting place, but God does expect us to give and give freely with a generous attitude. In 2 Cor 9:6-8 we read “ Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” God will bless those that freely give. In Mal 3:10 God says, “Test me.” “ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”

I really hadn’t thought much about tithing, but do remember in January, when I wrote out that check for my tithe, having a moment of hesitation. Thinking, “Can I really make it this month without that money? Things will be tight, but oh well.” So I wrote my check and dropped it in the collection plate as it came by. Then I put it out of my mind and didn’t think about it again. Later on toward the end of the month as I was driving around town listening to the radio, the program was about intentional living. Each program is about the choices we make that are intentional in following Christ and his precepts. One of the ladies that had called in said she and her family had decided to begin to tithe and how hard it was taking that leap of faith. Right then and there God reminded me of my tithing and how I had hesitated and as if he said to me, “You were worried about your tithe, but don’t you remember how that girl just called you out of the blue and placed a large make up order? Do you remember how much her total bill was? (Which I didn’t.) So when I got home I pulled out my ticket book and the total bill was exactly what my tithe had been . . . plus ten percent! Okay, I get it!!! So now when the collection plate comes around I gladly drop my check in and thank God that I am so blessed and that he continues to love me even when I am so weak in my trust. You can’t out give God, just try. Test him for yourself.

The True Christmas Story

2009-12-23T13:43:00.004-06:00

As foretold by the prophets: Isa 7:14 tells us:

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

The prophecy comes to fruition in Luke 2:1-20

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered.2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria.3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.

4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David,5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered.7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8 Glory in the Highest

Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.10 Then the angel said to them,"Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14 "Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us."16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger.17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds.19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

May you and yours have the most blessed Christmas ever and be thankful for the greatest gift of all, Jesus our Lord.

Merry Christmas,

Will You Have a Martha or a Mary Christmas?

2009-12-01T23:45:00.002-06:00

I must admit the idea for this post came from a magazine article in this month’s Home Life Magazine. The article was written by Karen Kingsbury . In the article she tells of a time her young daughter made her a Christmas picture and wrote “Mary Christmas.” Karen related it to the story of Mary and Martha in Luke chapter 10. Even though it was a child’s simple mistake it was still a profound statement.

“38 As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem they came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed them into her home. 39 Her sister Mary sat on the floor, listening to Jesus as he talked.

40 But Martha was the jittery type and was worrying over the big dinner she was preparing.

She came to Jesus and said, "Sir, doesn't it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me."

41 But the Lord said to her, "Martha, dear friend, you are so upset over all these details! 42 There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it-and I won't take it away from her!" TLB

That got me to thinking about the story and about the upcoming Christmas holiday. I tend to be more like Martha instead of Mary, worrying about the details and then I wonder why I always dread the Christmas season. So how can we be less like Martha, caught up in the craziness and more like Mary and focus on “The One thing worth our concern?” A few years ago I purchased a book to give away at a Christmas dinner, but never gave it away. The title is Simplify Your Christmas: 100 Ways to Reduce the Stress and Recapture the Joy of the Holidays by Elaine St. James.

Here are some tips from the book, as well as some I found on the Internet to help us simplify Christmas.

1. Delegate: Divide up things that need to be done. Categorize them into three groups: things that must be done, things to do if you have time, things that can be eliminated. Then ask for help from friends and family members to do the things on the “must do” list. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work” Eccl 4:9 (NIV)

2. Let guests help. If you are hosting a party or Christmas dinner, invite guests to bring something. Ask what they would like to bring whether it is food or the centerpiece. Use disposable dishes and flatware. If someone objects, let them be in charge of clean up. Most people would rather use disposable dishes than spend hours washing fine china and stemware.

3. Prepare some things early and freeze them. A lot of soups and desserts can be fixed weeks in advance and will save you time and anxiety. “She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family “ Prov 31:15 (NIV)

4. Limit activities. You don’t have to attend every party and function you are invited to. Ask yourself if you really are interested or really want to attend. If you answer “No.” Politely decline. You can even tell the host you are trying to simplify Christmas. Your children also don’t have to be involved in every party, play or performance. Spend your time wisely. “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: “ Eccl 3:1 (NIV)

5. Exercise. Kevin and I were just talking today after we walked at the mall, how a little exercise energizes you. A brisk walk in the fresh crisp air will give you time to relax and refocus on what you need to get done. Learn a couple of yoga moves to help relieve stress and don’t forget to breathe. 1 Cor 6:19-20 tells us “ Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. “ (NIV)

6. Look at Christmas from a child’s perspective. What is really important to them. Would they rather make cookies, drink cocoa and sing carols, watch at favorite movie together? Remember to spend time with your children and make stress-free memories with them. Teach them how to enjoy the Season and to know they are high on your priority list.

7. Stay flexible. If the turkey burns it won’t be the end of the world, just go with the flow, make lemonade from those lemons. If someone cancels at the last minute make some plates to go and take them to an elderly person you know, or take the whole meal to a less fortunate family. If someone drops by unexpectedly be gracious and hospitable anyway. You may be the only person that shows them kindness. ”Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” 1 Peter 4:9 NAS

8. Be organized. Keep a calendar with large enough blocks to write everyone in the family’s activities. Try to keep a limit on activities so you and your family won’t be stretched thin so stress can take over. Make a list each evening of things that need to be done the next day, whether it’s shopping for gifts, grocery shopping, errands to run, bills to pay etc. Make a list and stick to it. Prioritize your errands. At the end of the day if you didn’t get everything done on your list, start your new list with those items. I love marking things off my list. It gives me the feeling I am getting things accomplished “diligence is man's precious possession.” Prov 12:27 NKJV

9. Spend less. Take a poll from your family members to get a consensus on how much to spend on gifts. You may be surprised to find out other family members are stretched in their budget too and might find it a relief to for-go gifts for the adults this year or at least set a spending limit. Quality time is the most precious gift you can give. Pool your money with other family members if a gift costs more than you can afford. Resist the temptation to use your credit card for purchases that are out of your means. Prov 22:7 “The borrower is servant to the lender.” (NIV)

10. Stop being a perfectionist. This is one of my own personal demons. I have done better in the past few years, but have to constantly fight off the will to make everything perfect. If we really stop to think about it there has only been one perfect person to walk this earth and He is the one we are celebrating this Christmas season. No one will really notice if there are dust bunnies in the corner and if they do, hand them the broom. I have found that most of the time all those little details I stressed over didn’t really have any effect on the outcome of the occasion. I only made myself crazy. Let it go and let Christ be the perfect one. “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” Heb 5:9 KJV

So as the Christmas Season fast approaches, let us strive not to follow Martha’s example and be anxious about the details, but instead follow Mary’s example and discover the One thing worth our concern. Have a Mary Christmas.

What’s Growing In Your Garden?

2009-11-08T15:12:00.004-06:00

Please click on the photo to enlarge text.

The other day while out running errands, I was listening to a minister on the radio. He was talking about “weeds” growing in your garden. That got me to thinking about what we should have growing in our gardens. I have never planted a vegetable garden personally. I would love to, but have never had a plot of land big enough to do so, but my grandparents always had a huge garden every summer. It was out between their home and grandpa’s gas station. One of their friends would plow up the earth with a tractor to get the ground ready to receive the seeds. I know from that yearly experience that planting, growing and harvesting a garden takes a lot of care and attention. You can’t just plant the seeds and then sit back and wait for the produce to magically appear on your dinner table. No, it takes a lot of attention and work, or the weeds, critters, and insects will take over. As I was thinking about these thoughts, I began to realize our Christian life is like a garden. The Bible tells us in 2 Cor 6:4-7
“Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in sincere love; in truthful speech . . .” (NIV)

Our Christian garden should be full of patience, kindness, love, understanding and truth. We also know that “when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control; “ Gal 5: 22-23 TLB

But just as a vegetable garden needs attention, so does our Christian garden. If we fail to tend our garden it will be overtaken with weeds of pride, envy and hatred. Protect your garden from an infestation of greed, untruthfulness and foolishness. Drive out the critters of immorality and slander. In Mark 7 verse 20-22 we read “And He said, What comes out of a man is what makes a man unclean and renders [him] unhallowed. “For from within, [that is] out of the hearts of men, come base and wicked thoughts, sexual immorality, stealing, murder, adultery, Coveting (a greedy desire to have more wealth), dangerous and destructive wickedness, deceit; unrestrained (indecent) conduct; an evil eye (envy), slander (evil speaking, malicious misrepresentation, abusiveness), pride ( the sin of an uplifted heart against God and man), foolishness (folly, lack of sense, recklessness, thoughtlessness).” AMP In addition to keeping out the unwanted things in a vegetable garden it must also be nourished or it will die. The same holds true for our Christian garden as well. We must water our garden with the Holy Spirit and defend it with God’s Truth. Don’t forget to cover your garden with daily prayer for God’s intervention, protection and guidance. When we do these things our harvest will be abundant. “For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:4-8 RSV

So again, I ask what’s growing in your garden? Does your garden need some attention? I know mine does. To close I want to include this poem from the book “A Forever Friend”

Your Garden

First, plant six rows of “peas”

Praise, Patience, Preparedness,

Promptness, Perseverance, Politeness.

Then plant five rows of “lettuce”

Let us be faithful.

Let us be loyal.

Let us be truthful.

Let us be unselfish.

Let us love one another.

Author Unknown

Will You Be Ready??

2009-07-25T18:51:00.004-05:00

Will you be ready when your number is called? In Ps 90:12 we read, “Teach us to number our days and recognize how few they are; help us to spend them as we should.” TLB. Once again I have been reminded of how short and unpredictable life really is. The other day, Tuesday to be exact, we had been to the Farmer’s Market and then out for breakfast. We were on our way home, when Kevin noticed Lily Fong working in the corner of the yard, where we were stopped at the sign. Lily is the mother of one of Kevin’s childhood friends. Right away Kevin said, “I want to say ‘Hi’ to Lily.” I didn’t think she would know who we were, but Kevin rolled down the car window and called out to her. She immediately stood up and turned to see who it was, and recognized us and came over to the car. We chatted for a few minutes about yard work, “weed farming”, her grandchildren, and retirement. We then wished her well and drove on. Two days later I was reading the paper and was shocked to see Mrs. Fong’s obituary listed. Then I was even more shocked to see the date of Tuesday, July 21st. I called Kevin to come look. We were both pondering the notice when Kevin said, “I wonder if we were the last people to talk to her?” There really was no way of knowing. Later, come to find out, we probably were the last to speak to her on this earth. The time we spoke to her was between 10:15 – 10:30 a.m. and her husband found her at peace at 11:00 a.m. In a way it has been such a unique experience because her family has found such peace in the story that we talked to her and she was her happy, cheerful self. There was no indication of a problem and that she would be gone within the hour. The Bible tells us “Lord, help me to realize how brief my time on earth will be. Help me to know that I am here for but a moment more. My life is no longer than my hand! My whole lifetime is but a moment to you. Proud man! Frail as breath! A shadow! And all his busy rushing ends in nothing. He heaps up riches for someone else to spend. And so, Lord, my only hope is in you.” Ps 39: 4-7 TLB It is inevitable we will all die and leave this earth. We often lose sight of the fact why we are placed on earth. We make our own plans and then start going forward with them. I remember as a child, the pastor always saying, “Live each day as if it were your last.” That is great advice, but a little harder to follow, but we should do just that. Our purpose on earth is to further the Kingdom of our Lord and to share His message of love and forgiveness. So as we prepare to say our goodbyes to another earthly friend, I am reminded of the verse in James 4:13-17 (NIRV) “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city. We will spend a year there. We will buy and sell and make money.” You don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? It is a mist that appears for a little while. Then it disappears. Instead, you should say, “If it pleases the Lord, I will live and do this or that.” So what should our reaction be to this reminder that life is short? First and foremost be thankful for what you have, especially your family. Secondly, tell friends and family what they mean to you. I think we should adapt the verse in Eph 4:26 Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, (NIV) to include any conversation whether by phone or in person, to never end in anger or with bad feelings. Just as we experienced with our friend Lily, it could be your last conversation. Lastly, make plans but don’t forget to include God and His will in going forth with them. After all, our days are numbered. Until next time, may you be covered in God’s grace and His peace be with you.

A Slice of Humble Pie

2009-04-12T23:40:00.004-05:00

In Dan 4:37 we read, “And those who walk in pride he is able to humble. “(NIV)I just hate it when I have to eat some more humble pie! It’s not really that I think so highly of myself, but occasionally I do get my priorities out of order, such as worrying too much about what others think. The word humility means to be humble. In Webster’s Dictionary it defines humility as the quality or condition of being humble; modest opinion or estimate of one's own importance, rank, etc. Well, it just so happened that Easter Sunday morning, we had gone to visit my Mom and Dad. We all were up early to dress and arrive at church in plenty of time to get enough seats so the family could sit together. At the last minute I had to hem one of my nephew’s new slacks, so I was a little thrown off and stressed to get myself ready. As I put the final crease in his pants, I handed them off and shooed the boys out of the room so I could get dressed myself. I put on my hosiery, skirt and blouse, then went to my suitcase to get out my dress shoes. Much to my disbelief my black dress shoes were NOT in my suitcase! I thought to myself, “Maybe I already took them out.” I didn’t think I really did, but was hoping I had. I checked under the bed, then in the living room where I had slept the first night. Again, no dress shoes. I was almost in a panic by this time because you see, it’s not like I can borrow anyone else’s shoes as I wear a size 2. Yes, you read that right, a size 2. I finally dumped everything out of my suitcase onto the floor just to make sure and absolutely there were no dress shoes. I quickly replayed the day before when I was packing my suitcase and remembered taking out my two pairs of dress shoes. I have one pair of navy and one pair of black and always have a hard time telling them apart. I brought both pairs out of the closet and placed them side-by-side on the chest and chose the black pair. I guess in my haste I put both pairs back in the closet. So now, back to Easter Sunday. What was I going to do??? There were no stores open and no one to borrow from. My only options were to stay home or wear the black orthopedic shoes I used to wear when I taught school. I really did not want to wear those ugly black shoes. They are fine with jeans or slacks, but not with my Easter dress! Then I quietly heard the Holy Spirit say, “Why are you going to church today? To show off your clothes or worship the Risen Lord?” I immediately felt convicted. So I decided to forgo fashion and wear my ugly, black, orthopedic shoes with a smile. And guess what? It wasn’t the end of the world and of course no one said a word about it (at least to my face). The service was great, the choral performance was moving and I was very blessed and in the end it didn’t matter what I was wearing. I was again reminded of what an awesome God we serve and He didn’t really care if my shoes matched my outfit or not. “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Col 3:12 (NIV) Thanks for another lesson in humility.

Passion of Easter

2009-04-07T14:17:00.007-05:00

Last Sunday the church service we attended was especially meaningful. It was an interactive day for Palm Sunday. We had the opportunity at the end of the service to go down to the altar and do four things. First we were to write something we needed to "leave" at the cross on a blank piece of paper and then nail it to a cross. Secondly there was the communion tray where you could partake in the Lord's Supper. Thirdly, there were blank cards for you to write on the front side a statement of testimony and on the back side how God answered that need. Lastly, we were to turn in prayer request cards and light a candle at the altar for those who needed prayer. When you were not at the altar you were to be in prayer, all the while you could hear the hammering on the Cross. It just made it so real what Palm Sunday and Easter are really about, the triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the death and resurrection of Christ. It's easy to get caught up in the secular part of Easter and I'm sure nothing pleases Satan more, for Christ's followers to minimize the incredible sacrifice Christ did for us. It is also very appropriate that Passover is this week. Christ was in the city to observe Passover with his disciples. During the Passover meal the third cup of wine is the Redemption cup. It's meaning during the Seder is "With this cup Israel remembers their deliverance from 430 years of slavery, and their redemption from the plague of death by the blood of the first Passover Lamb." (A MESSIANIC PASSOVER HAGGADAH) After the Passover meal (the last portion is what we now call the Lord's Supper) Christ and the disciples went out singing the halal (Psalms 113-118) and went right to The Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Part of Christ's prayer was" Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will." Mark 14: 36-37 Did you get it? "Remove this cup from me, Christ knew God's plan, that he was the Redemption for mankind. He knew that his blood would have to be shed. This is the very place the Roman soldiers arrested Christ and God's plan was put into action. I am so amazingly moved when I really stop and absorb once again, the great sacrifice Christ gave for us. As you meditate on what Easter means in your life here is a video to watch. The song is New Again, performed by Sara Evans and Brad Paisley. Enjoy and be blessed this Easter and Passover season.

Mean People

2009-04-02T22:40:00.007-05:00

I’ve actually been thinking about writing this post for quite a while. I have noticed several times lately that most people’s behavior or “loving one another” is a little less than desirable. Kevin and I are always easy marks for the panhandlers in the parking lot, as we very rarely turn them away empty-handed. We feel like we have been very blessed and don’t want to be accused of not helping “angels unaware.” But in today’s society what has happened to the Good Samaritan? We used to be known as a country that would always help. Why have we become so jaded? Now it seems like everyone is either too busy, in too big of a hurry or just don’t want to get involved. The other day I was stopped at a traffic signal and as I was waiting for the light to change, I noticed on the other side of the major intersection that a car had stalled out just as it was merging onto the busy street. All the other drivers were honking, gesturing and yelling at the driver, but no one stopped to help. I was thinking, “What can I do?” I had already decided I would go through the intersection and turn around and come back on the other side when I noticed someone had finally stopped to offer assistance. I thought to myself “mean people.” Just last week my niece Courtney was telling me about her friend that had seen this woman on a motorized scooter crash and burn during one of our horrific wind storms, and people were just driving right on by. Courtney’s friend stopped and the woman was a mentally handicapped woman and was hurt severely enough that Chelsea called 911, but not one other person stopped to help. Again I say, “Mean people.” Kevin and I like to watch 20/20 and one of their new segments is titled, “What Would You Do?” It is exactly what I’m talking about. The show that really got to me was the one about someone collapsing on the sidewalk of a busy inner city. When a nicely dressed actress was pretending to be the one needing help, most people stopped within seconds to assist her, but when the producers changed the scenario to a homeless type man, all of a sudden no one stopped to help. Amazingly enough the only person that ever stopped to help the man was another homeless woman. Here is the video from You Tube.

If you want to watch any of the other segments just do a “What Would You Do?” search on You Tube. The video so reminded me of the story from Luke chapter 10:25-37:
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' "Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." (NIV) What makes the story even more compelling is that the Jews hated the Samaritans and if the Samaritan needed help, most likely the Jew would not have stopped to help. Who would you be, the priest, the Levite or the Samaritan? I would hope we would all react as the Samaritan, but history seems to be proving otherwise. Christ commands us thirteen times in the New Testament to “love one another.” If we are the Body of Christ isn’t that our responsibility? Can you imagine Christ reacting to those in need the way we as Christians do? I admit we must react with discernment as it can be dangerous, but I encourage you to pray and ask God to guide you and place those He wants you to minister to in your path. Until next time, let’s try to be “loving and compassionate people” instead of “mean people.”

What God Has Promised

2009-03-28T20:06:00.004-05:00

During some of our darkest hours it’s easy to feel like everyone has abandoned us, even God. You’ve heard the saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Well, I find it to be more like “When the going gets tough, the friends and allies get going.” That probably isn’t always the case, but Satan loves to put those thoughts in our hearts and minds and loves it even more when we believe him. While stumbling through my last bout of depression the Lord reminded me of one of my favorite poems. I remember receiving a copy of it at church when I was about ten years old and have carried it in my Bible since then. I have several different versions of the Bible and had not seen, read or thought about the poem in many years. I guess that was a God thing . . . putting it on my heart. I thought I remembered which Bible the card was in, so I pulled the Bible I carried in High School out of the drawer and sure enough there it was. I read the poem and reread it again and was truly blessed by the words. It was written by Annie Johnson Flint. I’d never really heard or read anything about her, but now with easy access to the Internet I thought I’d look her up to see what I could find. According to the web pages I found about her, she was born in 1866 in New Jersey. Her mother died following the birth of her younger sister. Her dad sent the two girls to live with a widow, but it was not a happy arrangement. The two girls were not wanted in the home and it was apparent. Later another family, the Flints, adopted Annie and her sister about two years after the death of their mother. Their father agreed to the adoption as he was in failing health and soon also passed away. We would hope for a “happily ever after” ending, but it was not to be. Annie and her sister had a very stable and enjoyable childhood, but in Annie’s early adult life arthritis appeared. Eventually she became an invalid, dependent on others to survive. During this time in her life is when she penned “What God Hath Promised.” She knew all too well, that yes, God could heal her and any of us from our pain and afflictions, but more often He has other plans, to use us for his glory and honor but He promises "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor 12:9 NIV
As you read the poem you can feel the anguish, but also comfort in God’s promises.

What God Has Promised

God hath not promised Skies always blue Flower-strewn pathways All our lives through.
God hath not promised Sun without rain Joy without sorrow Peace without pain.

God hath not promised We shall not know Toil and temptation, Trouble and woe; He hath not told us We shall not bear Many a burden Many a care.

God hath not promised Smooth roads and wide, Swift, easy travel, Needing no guide; Never a mountain, Rocky and steep, Never a river Turbid and deep:

But God hath promised

Strength for the day, Rest for the labor, Light for the way;
Grace for the trials, Help from above, Unfailing sympathy, Undying love.

by Annie Johnson Flint

So in reflection, we are assured in God’s Word of many promises. Here are a few to bring us comfort during dark and stormy times:

Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, Ps: 14-15 NIV

Do not be afraid, for I am with you; Isa 43:5 NIV

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deut 31:8 NIV

For the Lord your God is merciful-he will not abandon you nor destroy you nor forget the promises he has made to your ancestors. Deut 4:31 TLB

If you want to read more about the life and poetry of Annie Flint Johnson here.

Be blessed and assured that God is big enough and cares enough to handle all your problems. After all that’s a promise!

Coming Back

2009-03-27T22:23:00.002-05:00

Just to let you know, if you really care and have been checking in, I am actually working on a new post now. Since we are snow bound by a blizzard, what a better way to spend my day tomorrow than finishing up my research and getting my thoughts together. So hopefully tomorrow or Sunday there will finally be a new post. Sometimes it's hard and you feel like you're all alone flapping in the wind. . .know what I mean? I have discovered that during those times when it feels like God has abandoned us, usually it's us that has slipped away from God. Thanks for all your words of encouragement. I'm looking forward to again writing and being blessed by God's Grace Alone.

Hurry Up and Wait

2009-01-28T22:42:00.003-06:00

As I’ve posted before patience is not one of my strong personality characteristics. As a matter of fact, my niece just asked me if I’d like to learn to crochet and my immediate response was, “I’m too impatient.” The Lord is constantly putting stumbling blocks in my path to teach me patience. I’m either a very slow learner or just plain stubborn. I have an idea it’s more of the later, just plain ‘ole stubbornness! No matter what, I always pick the slowest lane at the store. I catch all the red lights while driving. Arrive at my appointments at least fifteen minutes early only to have to wait in the waiting room for at least thirty minutes until my turn. I have definitely been working on using the “wait” time constructively instead of getting perturbed. A couple of my very dearest relatives are in “wait” mode. I know both of them are trying to be patient, but it’s hard. I thought I’d check out God’s Word to see what I could find about waiting.

I first thought about Job and all the trials he had to endure. Talk about waiting! You know the old saying, “The patience of Job.” I often pray for that patience. Job’s prayer was “All the days of my struggle I will wait; Until my change comes.” Job 14:14 (NASU) Most Biblical scholars believe Job was about the age of 70 when his afflictions began. At the end of the book of Job it states that Job lived 140 years after he was blessed twofold. That means he suffered many years. Do you think you would have the patience to “wait” on the Lord as Job did? I’m not sure I would.

Next I turned to the book of Psalms. There are several references to “wait.” David had been chosen as the next king, but King Saul wasn’t ready to give up his rein. David had to wait, all the while being persecuted by Saul and his men. David wrote most of these scriptures during this time. We can feel his despondence, but his determination to wait. Ps 27:14 Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD! (NKJV) Ps 33:20 We wait in hope for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. (NIV) Ps 37:7 Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; (AMP) Ps 130:5-6 That is why I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for he has promised. (TLB)

If you find yourself in a “waiting” season of life stand firm on God’s promise that he has a plan for you, he has not deserted you. I challenge you to memorize some of the scriptures in this post or write them out on cards or sticky notes to keep them fresh in your mind. As we all deal with patience and waiting on the Lord may we find comfort in Isa 30:18 "For the Lord is faithful to his promises. Blessed are all those who wait for him to help them." (TLB) Be blessed while you wait.

El Shaddai

2009-01-24T00:48:00.004-06:00

The other day while driving on the freeway I was listening to the radio. I was not familiar with the song playing but one of the phrases really spoke to my soul. “El Shaddai, all sustaining.” I thought to myself, “ I have heard the name El Shaddai and knew it was one of God’s names, but didn’t know the meaning was ‘all sustaining.” As I drove the rest of the way to my destination, I kept thinking over and over “All sustaining.” Isn’t that awesome that our God sustains us in every situation! Think about that for a moment and let it soak in . . . all sustaining in every situation! How blessed we are. I wanted to check my BibleSoft computer program as to the first reference of El Shaddai. I did a search and the first verse where we find El Shaddai is Gen 17:1 "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect." (KJV) I know what you are thinking where’s the reference to El Shaddai. We have to go to the Hebrew dictionary to get the translation. The Hebrew word for Almighty is Shadday (shad-dah'-ee). Wikipedia says “The noun containing the dagesh is the Hebrew word Dai meaning "enough, sufficient, sustaining. This is the same word used in the Passover Haggadah, Dayeinu, "It would have been sufficient." Derived from the contraction of sha (who) and dai (enough) to indicate God’s complete sufficiency to sustain.

Next I checked the dictionary for the meanings of sustain.
1. To uphold; to support
2. To keep from sinking in despondence
3. To keep alive; to nourish
4. To aid, comfort or relieve
5. To endure without failing
6. To bear
7. To supply with necessities and support
8. To carry the weight of

Do you see God in each of those definitions? Does God support you in your time of need? Is He your life raft to keep you from sinking into despair? Does he supply your nourishment to keep you alive? Is He the one you turn to for comfort and relief during trials? Can you count on The Almighty, El Shaddai to endure without failing? Does He bear your burdens and carry the weight of your problems? “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you;” Ps 55:22 (NIV) Our God is the same El Shaddai of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He will be there to sustain us through all of our trials. El Shaddai, all sustaining.

Stubborness

2009-01-17T19:56:00.002-06:00

The thought for today’s blog actually came from a post on another blog I frequent. I feel as if I know the author well, but we have never met as she lives in Australia and I live in Texas. We have corresponded via our blog comments and emails, but never met face to face. That’s one thing I love about blogging, all the new friends I have made across the world.

Anyway, a while back Jen had posted on her blog, Life in the Retired Lane, that she had dismantled a workbench in the garage. Her husband had passed away and she was working on downsizing so she could move. What got my attention was “one stubborn screw.” She tried several times and methods to get it out; drill, screwdriver, allen key, pliers, and finally she was successful. That one screw was a hindrance to the final outcome. As I was reading her blog, the Lord placed on my heart, “How many times have I tried to move you, but you were stubbornly planted?” In Deut 10:16 we read “Therefore, cleanse your sinful hearts and stop your stubbornness. “(TLB) Emphasis on “stop” is mine. I immediately started some soul searching to think of times I felt God trying to move me, whether spiritually or physically, but I resisted. I joke a lot of times about being stiffnecked, but it really is a serious character flaw and a sin. I thought of the time when the minister talked about mending relationships and being the first to make a move. There are always times I need to apologize, but I don’t. Stiffnecked! What about when I see someone having car trouble and feel the urge to help, but just drive on by because I’m in a hurry. Another example is when the perfect opportunity presents itself to spread the Gospel, but I remain silent. Or when a new job opportunity came available but I chose to remain where I was. How about the time I was asked to serve in some manner, but I made up an excuse why I couldn’t. What about when I was asked to sing in the choir, but didn’t have time. Maybe someone calls needing to talk but it doesn’t fit my plan, so either I don’t answer or cut the call short. After all, isn’t that why we are here, to fulfill God’s plan. Unfortunately I forget that sometimes and get off on my own agenda. My sister loves to say, “You want to make God laugh, make plans for tomorrow.” She’s right! We are supposed to be yielding to His ways, not Him yielding to ours. Isa 44:21 says “I have made you, you are my servant;” (NIV) But when we are stubborn in our yielding then how can we be His servant. So let’s get out the oil can, and loosen those stubborn “screws” so we can be His faithful servants and not just stiffnecked believers.

Trust

2009-01-10T22:37:00.003-06:00

In my last post I talked about faith and having childlike faith. Today I want to talk about faith’s sister trait, trust. I must admit that trust is not one of my strong suits. I ponder over it all the time, "Why don’t I trust people?" I can’t think of any devastating instance that should have shaken my trust in humanity, but trusting others is always difficult. Unfortunately, that weakness spills over into my relationship with Christ. Of course I trust in Christ as my Savior, but when it comes to the really hard decisions my lack of trust is always an issue. Then I started thinking, “What is the difference between faith and trust?” I thought, “When I flip on the light switch I have faith that the light will come on,” but “I trust that my annuity payment will be deposited in my bank account each month.” The dictionary has several definitions for trust :
1. reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, of a person or thing;

2. confident expectation of something; hope.

3. confidence in the certainty of future payment for property or goods received;

4. a person on whom or thing on which one relies:

5. the condition of one to whom something has been entrusted.

6. the obligation or responsibility imposed on a person in whom confidence or authority is placed:

7. charge, custody, or care: to leave valuables in someone's trust.

8. something committed or entrusted to one's care for use or safekeeping.

This week I have definitely had to trust in God’s divinity whether I liked it or not. Three family members have had some very serious health scares this week. All three had problems that I could do nothing about, nothing but trust in God and his promises. As I look back over the definitions for trust, God fits each one. He is always reliant. In Matt 28:20b Christ promises "lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." (KJV) Now that’s reliance we can count on. Our hope comes from the Lord, "Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. "Ps 62:5 (NIV) Parents who take their children to day care providers or school each day entrust them to the teachers for their safety and well being. We too entrust God with our souls, in 1 Peter 4:19 we read "Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will do right and entrust their souls to a faithful Creator. "(RSV) We as believers can have confidence that God keeps his promises, does what he says he will do now and forever more. Jer 17:7 reminds us that "blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and has made the Lord his hope and confidence." (TLB) So for now it is my prayer that during this trial and trials to come, I will trust in God and stand firm on his promises. God is trust.

Childlike Faith

2009-01-07T15:31:00.005-06:00

The other day I was at a luncheon and the speaker was telling a story about her granddaughter. At the time the instance happened her granddaughter was a small child about three. Every year their family goes to a local production of the Life of Christ. Now this was the first time the little girl had attended. All of her three years, she had been taught that Jesus loves her and that God is good and all the other things we teach young children in Sunday School. That it’s good to love Jesus, he will care for you when no one else does. Well it never dawned on her family that she had not heard “the rest of the story” about what happened to Christ at the end of his ministry. So as the pageant unfolded past the birth of Christ and the story of His teaching in the temple as a young boy, it came to the part where Christ made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The little girl was so excited and began to shout, “There’s Jesus! Look Nana, there’s Jesus! There’s Jesus!” She could hardly contain her excitement and could not stay in here seat. Everyone around was amused at her delight, but the amusement wouldn’t last. We as adults know what happens next in the story, Jesus is arrested, beaten and crucified, but the little child didn’t know that part of Jesus’ life. She continued to watch the play and as the actors portraying the Roman soldiers began to whip, beat, tear his clothes and spit on Jesus she became very upset and began screaming, “STOP! STOP! Don’t hurt Jesus! Nana make them stop!” The child was now crying uncontrollably and could not be consoled. Everyone around was now not amused, but so touched by this little child’s honest trust and love for her Jesus. The one that she had learned about that was love and goodness, why were they hurting him? The grandma kept trying to tell the child, “It will be alright, you’ll see. There’s a happy ending.” but the child kept crying, “Stop hurting Jesus.” Well, at the luncheon, I was so moved by the story that I couldn’t help but get weepy. I have experienced many times as a kindergarten teacher that pure innocence of a little child and their trust. It is so heartbreaking when that trust is betrayed. As the days got more hectic with the holidays I would forget about the story, but it would always creep back into my mind. And God kept prompting me to have child like faith, to trust in him explicitly and to love him like no other. In Mark 10:14-16 we find a perfect example of how we are to believe, “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” (NIV) As I am writing this I am convicted once again, to cast off my blinders, shed my hardened heart and love, worship and trust Christ as a little child, completely and explicitly. As we go forward in the New Year may that be our prayer for all of us to have the faith of a child.

The painting is titled Under His Wing and is by Jay Bryant Ward.

Blessings for The New Year

2009-01-03T00:27:00.004-06:00

At this time of year I always find myself pondering the coming new year and what all is in store for me. Most people make New Year’s Resolutions, but I gave that up years ago as I always felt like I failure when I didn’t accomplish my resolution. However, with the state of the economy and unrest in the financial and political world I am really finding myself thinking about the coming year. I asked myself, “What would you really like the New Year to hold for you?” I immediately thought of “Blessed!” Please don’t think I don’t know I have already had a very blessed life, because I have. I thank God daily for all His many blessings. Some that came to mind are my comfortable life, enough money to pay the bills and put food on the table, a loving family, a wonderful husband, a Christian heritage and the list could go on and on.
I love the song by The Martins Count Your Blessings.
Here are the lyrics to the chorus:
“Count your blessings,
you’ll find one if you try.
Count on the Lord and
watch your blessings multiply.
Those might haves, could haves,
Should have been,
are nothing but distressing.
When you’re down and out
It’s time to count your blessings.”
So with things in the material world in such disarray stop and count your blessings.

As we look into God’s Word to find more about blessings, I first thought of Luke chapter one when Gabriel came to Mary to tell her of the impending birth. In verse 28 we find "And having come in, the angel said to her,'Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!" (NKJV) Can you imagine being told you are blessed and highly favored by the Lord? Oh what a blessing that would be. If we look a little further to other references about blessings we find in Deut 2:7 where the Lord was talking to Moses and said "For the LORD your God has blessed you in all that you have done; He has known your wanderings through this great wilderness. These forty years the LORD your God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing." (NASU) If we just trust the Lord and do His will, we will be blessed! In Ps 1:1-3 we find these encouraging words “How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” (NAS) Are you firmly planted and ready to be blessed and prosper? The next reference I want to use is Ps 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,” (NIV) Once upon a time our nation was a Godly nation and we were blessed. Let’s pray for our nation and our new leaders that they will lead us back to being a Godly nation so we will continue to be in God's favor and receive His blessings. Finally our last reference comes from Luke 11:28 when Christ was speaking to the crowd after he had just freed a man from demon possession and he said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." (NIV) So my brothers and sisters in Christ to receive his blessings in 2009 let us not worry about the state of the nation and the economic woes, but instead let’s meditate on His word, hear and obey. Instead of wishing you a Happy New Year I want to wish you a Blessed New Year.

More Christmas Symbols

2008-12-22T15:13:00.003-06:00

Well, I hope you have enjoyed the Christmas posts up to this point. I hope the messages have been a little helpful in keeping the focus on the true celebration of the gift of Jesus Christ and off of the materialism so prevalent in our society. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE shopping for Christmas and looking for just that special gift that will really mean a lot to the recipient, but I always want to leave everyone with the thought of what the most important gift at Christmas time should be. Since I am running out of days before Christmas and I like to leave a post up for a few days, I am going to combine the last two messages of more than one Christmas symbol.

First I want to look at holly. The holly, with it's prickly thorns and bright red berries can serve as a vivid reminder of the crown of thorns our Saviour wore, with the red berries representing the drops of blood shed for our salvation. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! Matt 27:29 KJV But let the holly also remind us of the promise we find in 2 Tim 4:88 In heaven a crown is waiting for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And not just to me but to all those whose lives show that they are eagerly looking forward to his coming back again. TLB

Our other Christmas symbol I want to examine is the wreath. The Christmas wreath being made of evergreen boughs, should cause us to think of eternal life. We have been promised everlasting life as ours through Jesus Christ. As I stated in my Christmas tree post, the evergreen tree and branches have been used since ancient times to symbolize victory over death. We can use that same symbolism for us to represent everlasting life and victory over death, through Christ Jesus. John 6:46-47 47 says I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.(NIV) and finally let's claim victory "Death has been swallowed up in victory."
1 Cor 15:54 (NIV)

So as we are in the last days before Christmas let us look for things that continue to remind us of the purpose of the season and be thankful for the greatest gift of all, Jesus our Savior.

The Best Christmas Gifts

2008-12-20T15:38:00.005-06:00

Today, I have a guest posting for my blog. I got an email from my friend about what she wanted for Christmas and so I decided to post it for her. We have been friends since the early '70's. Oops, I guess that ages me some. Anyway, she is just joining the digital age, but I haven't gotten her into blogging yet, but I enjoyed her thoughts and decided to post them. I did get her permission. So thanks Cheryl for your insight.

"Hi! I don't have time to learn to blog yet, but I had this thought come to me the other day when I was telling the girl's to get me their wish list!(not that they actually did) Sigh! to the good old days! Anyway, I was thinking about what to tell my family what I wanted for Christmas this year! The fruit or gift of the Spirit is what came instantly to my mind.

Love, is the first one, if we could all love each other as Christ loved us and told us to love, what a gift to each of us and the world!!.

Joy is next, & I have a hard time with joy sometimes, I am happy most of the time and I try to be a positive person, but pure joy? But, we are instructed to be joyful in all things and that is where it is hard, especially when we are having a hard time with something in our lives. But, I love to see pure joy on the face of a child, they will help you remember how to really just enjoy something won't they?I really have been trying to find JOY this year, Lacy isn't home this year so its hard, Bob is usually Bah Humbug! or the Grinch! And Lexie is just a teenager that is like her daddy! They don't get into the cookie making or decorating or even gift wrapping or buying! So I have to really search for joy!

Peace is third on the list, but I think that during a time of war and turmoil in the world, we all want peace. But, what about the peace that comes even in the midst of trials? I want

Bob to have peace this next year more than anything.

Patience is an oldie but goodie, most of the time I think I am the most patient one in our family! Then my impatience rears its ugly head! Lexie decided she was really going to help me clean house this year! I've said for years that's all I want is you to help me clean!! She decided to help me mop the floor yea! She mopped the kitchen tile with mop &shine wow! But, then she said she mopped the entry floor too! It is natural stone, granite and travertine! YIKES!!! You are supposed to only dust mop it or vacuum or damp mop with water!! Of course I went nuts! Poor girl! She hasn't done a thing around here all week! So much for patience! I handled that badly!

Kindness is next, I do try to be kind to people in lines, in traffic anywhere I can! Lost it today when I found out I had been scammed on the Internet, for $58, twice for a club I did't sign up for! I filled out something though so, unless the bank gets a police report that this is a really a statewide or nationwide scam, I'm out of luck on refunds, including the overdraft fees! I wasn't kind today!!

I did practice goodness yesterday! Gave the little bus girl $5.00 for a tip because she had to clear all those yucky tables at Rosa's. Gave my groomer a $20 extra tip for my expensive dogs grooming day! What a fun job! NOT! Glad someone out there can do it though! Wish I had enough money to tip all the people that do those yucky jobs for me!

Faithfulness, to be full of faith! At this season and at all times of the year! I am trying to be more faithful in my attendance at Church, in my giving of tithes and offerings, in my Bible studies and in all areas of my life! I am grateful for a faithful husband, friends, and family. But, most of all,for a faithful Father and a faithful friend in Jesus.

Gentleness, I think of being gentle with a newborn baby, a kitten or a puppy, But, I think God wants us to be gentle in all our ways, in word and deed. How we speak to one another, how we are gentle with each other, like He is with us, when we crawl up into His arms.

Self-control is last on the list but not least. How hard is it to practice self-control everyday, every minute? I can't do it without Him! I should pray before I do anything, that He will help me with self-control over my eating, drinking, things I might watch every now and then or even read or hear! I am not watching the news because of the doom and gloom out there in the world! I believe that is why He wants us to lean on Him, to come to Him so that He can give us this fruit of the spirit or these wonderful gifts if we will only let him teach us and direct our steps!"
References: (Galatians 5:22,23.)(Ephesians 4:1,2.)(Isaiah 33:15,16.)(Psalm 101:6)
Cheryl

Thanks Cheryl, those were some enlightening words and I agree, The Fruits of the Spirit would be the best gifts we could ever give or receive.

But What About Joseph?

2008-12-16T14:58:00.007-06:00

The other day as I was driving down the road, the radio was playing Christmas songs. The song Mary Did You Know? was wafting through the air. I absolutely love that song and as I was singing along the thought ran across my mind, “But what about Joseph?” At Christmas time we hear a lot about Mary and the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus and her dedication as his mother. But I don’t remember ever hearing a sermon or song about Joseph and his part in the story. That got me to thinking, "Yeah, what about Joseph?"

I am definitely a Daddy’s girl. I think most girls are. I remember I couldn't wait for daddy to come home from work. I would climb on the cabinet and as soon as he came through the door would jump and shout, “Daddy catch me!” It never even dawned on me he might not catch me and I could fall and get hurt. He was just daddy and I trusted him. If I decided not to surprise him with a jump, I would hide and shout, “Daddy find me!” I remember him pretending not to know where I was and looking and calling my name, but he always “found” me. More importantly Daddy instilled morals and values to all of us girls. We were very involved in our local church. Daddy and mom were always Sunday school teachers, and mom played the piano and daddy led the song service. We would go to Prayer Meeting, Bible Study, visitation and every other time the church doors were open. I also remember Daddy praying and studying his Bible daily. He also taught me the value of working hard. It didn’t matter if it was for a paycheck, grades on my report card, or chores. You better do your best and nothing less would do! Those values are still with me today.

Now let’s get back to Joseph. We’ve established that daddies are important in our moral fiber and upbringing, so what can we find out in scripture about Joseph, abba to Jesus. The first reference I want to look at is in Matt 1:19 “Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.” (NIV) The key word I want to focus on is “righteous.” What does it mean to be righteous? In Nelson’s Bible Dictionary we find “Righteousness is Holy and upright living, in accordance with God's standard. The word righteousness comes from a root word that means "straightness." It refers to a state that conforms to an authoritative standard. Righteousness is a moral concept.” After finding out Mary was pregnant, before they were married, Joseph was upset and rightfully so. I’m sure he was confused and had many questions, but being a compassionate man and not wanting to cause trouble for Mary, the woman he loved, he wanted to handle the matter quietly and discretely. God intervened and told Joseph through a dream he was to take Mary as his wife, name the baby Jesus, and rear him as his own son. How many men today would be obedient to God and follow his command? Talk to your local Crisis Pregnancy Center if you want to know how most men react to an unplanned pregnancy. Thankfully Joseph was not a regular guy but was righteous and obedient.

Another characteristic we notice about Joseph is his obedience to man’s law. A census was decreed where people were required to register in his hometown. We read "So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child." Luke 2:4-5 (NIV) The journey is about eighty miles, over rough, uneven rugged terrain. Can you imagine even driving this route today? Even though his wife was nine months pregnant and they would have to travel by foot and donkey, Joseph did what was required and made the journey. He was a man of honor.

Our next reference to look at is Luke 2:22-24 "When the time came for Mary's purification offering at the Temple, as required by the laws of Moses after the birth of a child, his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord; for in these laws God had said, "If a woman's first child is a boy, he shall be dedicated to the Lord.” At that time Jesus' parents also offered their sacrifice for purification-"either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons" was the legal requirement." (TLB) The Mosaic Law required the baby to be circumcised and named after eight days. Then after forty days a purification and dedication offering were to be given at the tabernacle. Again, Joseph was obedient.

Are you getting a picture of Joseph? He was a man of honor, righteousness and obedience. What great things to be able to say about a man! Oh what an honor it would be to have those things said about each of us. But there’s more. In Luke 2:41-48 "When Jesus was twelve years old he accompanied his parents to Jerusalem for the annual Passover Festival, which they attended each year. After the celebration was over they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn't miss him the first day, for they assumed he was with friends among the other travelers. But when he didn't show up that evening, they started to look for him among their relatives and friends; and when they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there. Three days later they finally discovered him. He was in the Temple, sitting among the teachers of Law, discussing deep questions with them and amazing everyone with his understanding and answers. His parents didn't know what to think. "Son!" his mother said to him. "Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere." (TLB) We learn in this passage several things; first that Joseph was fulfilling more of the requirements of the Law concerning his son Jesus. At the age of twelve every Jewish boy was called 'a son of the law;’ to be trained and instructed in the laws of The Torah. To be instructed in attendance on public worship and set to learn a trade. About this age they are presented for confirmation, where this rite is practiced. Some people wonder how Mary and Joseph could have missed the fact that Jesus was not with them. They were not the only ones traveling. It was common for families, neighbors, and relatives to travel together to the Passover Feast and celebration, so it is easy to see why they thought Jesus was with the group. When they stopped for the first nights rest that is when they discovered Jesus missing. The Hebrew word used here is odunao pronounced

od-oo-nah'-o which means to grieve, sorrow, torment. Don’t you know Joseph’s thoughts were running wild, “How could I have lost Jesus? I’ve been entrusted with his care and instruction and now he’s gone!” There was one time I was in the mall with my sister and her niece hid in the corner and frantic doesn’t come close to describing the feeling I had when we noticed her missing. We found her in a minute or two but I couldn’t stop shaking for a long time. I can’t imagine the distraught feelings Joseph and Mary must have had. The text says they found him three days later. I’m sure those were exhausting days and nights both mentally and physically, searching for their son.

The last characteristic of Joseph I want to examine is his teaching Jesus a trade. The Bible tells us Joseph was a carpenter and we can assume he began teaching Jesus in the tools of his trade about the age of twelve. I have always had a deep respect for those that have the talent to take a raw piece of wood and create something beautiful. I have attempted a few times to build something but was never very successful. All it takes is a slight miss measurement and disaster occurs. Carpentry was a rough, tough job that demanded a great deal of physical strength and as well as skill. There were two aspects to the carpenter's work: firstly building and secondly the making of smaller objects that included furniture. And remember they didn’t have the tools that we have today, Joseph and Jesus would have probably used an axe, chisel, hand drill, handsaw, mallet and saw.

In review of our study of Joseph, abba, daddy, earthly father to Jesus, we find that he was a man of honor, righteous, obedient, faithful, compassionate, kind, and involved in the training and instruction of his son. This is a great list of characteristics for daddies today to strive to achieve. So as we continue to celebrate this Christmas Season, give thanks for your own dad and the life lessons he has taught you, as well as a thanks for the dad to our Savior, Joseph a righteous man.

The Origin of the Christmas Tree

2008-12-07T23:49:00.002-06:00

With Christmas just around the corner, for my next few posts I plan on writing about Christmas themes and symbols. There has been some discussion in my family about the meaning of putting up a Christmas tree, and whether we should or shouldn’t. When I put up my tree, by no means is to worship it. I do it strictly for the beauty and enjoyment and there are many years I don’t put up a tree of any kind. But could there be more to the story? I had heard that the tradition came from pagan rituals, but didn’t know the exact story. I decided to delve a little deeper and see what I could find. It seems my family is not the only one that can’t agree on an answer. There are several different explanations, but I’ll choose three to discuss. Beginning with the earliest reference we have to go all the way back to 700 A.D. The Vikings and Druids used evergreen boughs and trees in ceremonies to their gods. They used them as thanks for bountiful harvest and as hope for the Spring. At that time, surviving the Winter was very treacherous and many did not. To get them through the long, dreary, cold winter they would have festivals and celebrations, offering gifts and sacrifices to their gods. They chose the evergreen tree because it was a symbol of sustaining, everlasting life because it could survive the harsh winter and remain green. Even though they were worshiping false gods, the symbolism could be the same for our God. He is the sustainer and giver of life. Just as the evergreen is a constant, God’s love and presence is also a constant and everlasting.

The next reference begins around the 7th century when a monk from Crediton, Devonshire came to Germany to teach the word of the Lord. Legend has it that he used the triangular shape of the Fir Tree to describe the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The converted people began to revere the Fir tree as God's Tree, as they had previously revered the Oak.

Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century, when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. Some built Christmas pyramids of wood and decorated them with evergreen boughs and candles if wood was scarce. It is a widely held belief that Martin Luther, the 16th-century Protestant reformer, first added lighted candles to a tree. Walking toward his home one winter evening, composing a sermon, he was awed by the brilliance of stars twinkling amidst evergreens. To recapture the scene for his family, he erected a tree in the main room and wired its branches with lighted candles.

One of the scriptures used against putting up a Christmas tree is Jer 10:3-4
“For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest,
and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel. They adorn it with silver and gold;
they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.” (NIV) If you read more than this scripture as an excerpt and read commentaries on this scripture, you will find that it is not referring to what we know as a Christmas tree at all. This scripture is in reference to a time of Babylonian rule and many people worshiped golden idols. The people that couldn’t afford a solid gold idol would cut down a tree and pay an artesian to carve it into the idol of the time and then gold leaf it so it would look like the golden idol.

And the debate goes on. I believe everyone has to make the decision for himself or herself based on their own relationship with Christ. I do think Christmas can be over done and that the focus can be distorted, but as long as you know without a doubt where your priorities lie, there is no harm in having a Christmas tree. In Isa 55:12-13 we find this scripture about an evergreen fir “Where once were thorns, fir trees will grow; where briars grew, the myrtle trees will sprout up. This miracle will make the Lord's name very great and be an everlasting sign [of God's power and love]. “ (TLB)

Honeycomb

2008-11-30T21:59:00.003-06:00

As I was thinking about my next post the thought “honeycomb” kept coming to mind. I kept questioning, “Honeycomb?” Have you ever eaten honeycomb? I’m not talking about the breakfast cereal, but the real deal made by bees. I remember as a small child, occasionally when I would go to my grandparents, they would have a jar of fresh honey with honeycomb. Grandma would pull the honeycomb up and cut some off and give it to us. It was so delicious and sweet. I remember after all the honey was eaten out, the waxy comb was left. I’d chew it for a while, but then discard it, not knowing that the honeycomb was just as healthy for you as the honey. As I searched out the topic honeycomb on the Internet, I learned that honey and honeycomb has been used for centuries for healing and medicinal purposes. The more amazing information I found was about the actual structure of the honeycomb. It is symmetrical and the most efficient use of space of any shape possible. By making the honeycomb cells hexagonal no space is wasted. Isn’t that amazing that our God created the tiny honey bee with such mathematical prowess that they can create honeycomb after honeycomb and never once need to measure and re-measure and their craft always comes out perfect. In addition to efficiency of space the honeycomb cells are also created with just the right tilt for maximum storage of honey without any dripping out. Amazing! And lastly I discovered that the honeycomb cells are created in two layers. One layer can be accessed from the front side and the other from the backside, again, very efficient use of space. The only verse I knew of that referred to honeycomb was Prov 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (NIV) What could the message possibly be? So my first thought was that pleasant or nice words spoken were sweet as honey to the recipient. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing anything so I went to my computer and looked up the verse and the commentaries on “pleasant words are a honeycomb. “Honey took its place not only among the luxuries, but also among the medicines of the Israelites. This two-fold use made it all the more suitable to be an emblem both of the true Wisdom which is also true obedience, and of the "pleasant words" in which that Wisdom speaks.”(Barnes' Notes) According to another commentary, the honey from the honeycomb was the most precious and tasteful, good for body and soul. Another source interpreted honeycomb as symbolic of sweet words that preserve and heal with love. Finally in Matthew Henry’s Commentary it said “The pleasant words here commended must be those which the heart of the wise teaches, and adds learning to words of seasonable advice, instruction, and comfort, words taken from God's word, for that is it which Solomon had learned from his father to account sweeter than honey and the honey-comb.” So I interpret the reference to honeycomb to have two meanings. First the speaking of sweet, kind words that offer healing to those that hear them. Secondly the honeycomb can be symbolic of God’s Word, perfect in every way, sweet and healing to those that hear. I think it’s time to enjoy some honeycomb won’t you join me?

Give Thanks

2008-11-25T21:34:00.002-06:00

O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever. Ps 30:12 (NIV) I must admit that Thanksgiving is my all time favorite holiday. I love Christmas, but there is just something so special about Thanksgiving. It's a wonderful time to fellowship with family, whether your biological family, family by marriage or your church family. Thanksgiving is the perfect time to reflect on your past year and all the blessings you have to be thankful for. Even if you have had some hard times this year, think of all the wonderful things you have to be thankful for. I'm so thankful for my husband, my family, my health, my friends, that I live in America, my home, my pets, and the list goes on and on. You can even be thankful for the sunrise, sunset or the spectacular Fall foliage, your ability to read, technology etc. There is always something to be thankful for, if we just stop to take a moment to do so. Even in difficult times we should still be thankful. God is a supreme God and will continue to bless his own. The psalmist David experienced some very difficult times after his affair with Bathsheba and the death of their son, but he still gave thanks. In Ps 30:11-12 David wrote You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.(NIV) The most important thing to be thankful for is the amazing gift of God's Son. Without His sacrifice we are nothing and have nothing to be thankful for. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Cor 9:15 (NIV) So I urge you as we begin our hectic holiday season, take some time to meet with our God and truly celebrate Thanksgiving for all your many blessings. Until next time, be blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.

Hands

2008-11-18T21:33:00.008-06:00

I received an email a week ago about hands. It's funny how something can burrow into your thoughts and keep working it's way to the surface for days. That's how I've been since reading the email about hands. The message was about an elderly woman looking and reflecting on the uses of her hands. I immediately started thinking about all the Bible passages that have to do with hands. I did a quick search on my computer and found over 500 references to hands and over 800 references to hand. As I was studying I started thinking about all the uses and purposes for our hands. Here are some that I came up with. I challenge you to search out others. The first one I thought of was blessing, in Deut 24:19 so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. (NIV) So we receive and give blessings with our hands, but we also work with our hands, in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete. Deut 16:15 (NIV) Next, I thought about the Proverbs 31 woman and all she did with her hands, she plants, sews, cooks, extends her hands to the poor. We also praise with our hands Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD. Ps 134:22 (NIV) Our hands clap in joy Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! Ps 47:1 (RSV) We fold our hands in reverence and prayer I will spread out my hands in prayer to the LORD. Ex 9:29 (NIV) Our hands can tend and heal the sick "In my name, they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." Mark 16:17a, 18c (NIV) Rest your hands A little sleep, a little slumber,a little folding of the hands to rest. Prov 24:33 (NIV) In 2 Kings 4:16 we find that we embrace with our hands "About this time next year you shall embrace a son." (NKJV) Our hands are vital to our existence, but more importantly His hands are our existence. We can hold on to the truth that He holds us in His hand because He told us as much in John 10:27-30 "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one." (NIV) We are safe and secure He loves you so much He has you engraved (tattooed if you will) in the palm of His hand. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; Isa 49:16 (NIV) I wanted to make certain that is what the text meant so I looked up the root word in the Strong's Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary chaqaq (khaw-kak'); a primitive root; properly, to hack, i.e. engrave (being cut in stone or metal tablets in primitive times) or (gen.) prescribe: -appoint, decree, governor, grave, lawgiver, note, portray, print, set. So rest assured, you are safe in our Father's Hands.

The Shade of the Cross

2008-11-16T21:48:00.007-06:00

Sorry it's been a while since I posted. First of all, I kept re-reading my post about fear to help calm myself and secondly it's much harder to post here than on my chatter blog. I want this blog to be a blessing and a ministry to anyone that reads it, so I take that challenge very seriously. I'm just glad I'm not a preacher that has to prepare a couple messages a week. Gives me a whole new respect for their calling. So with that being said here we go.

Back in the summer, my sister-in-law and I and some other friends drove over to see the large cross in Groom Texas. It was not terribly hot that day, but was very bright and sunny. As we were walking around and looking at the statues, the sun started to bother my eyes, so I said, "I'm going back in the shade of the cross." Tina said,"That would make a good song title. Why don't you write one." Well, I don't think I'm up to that challenge yet, but I have been thinking about "the shade of the cross" ever since. I kept thinking, what a great place to be. If you are in the shade of something you have to be very close to the object. What better place for a Christian to be than in the shade of the cross. Of course I was talking literal that day in Groom, but am using it figuratively today. If we stay close to the cross, we have to stay close to Christ. God promises in his Word Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8 KJV Staying close to the cross gives us boundaries. If you think of a literal shadow, once you step outside the shadow, you've lost your protection and comfort. Isn't that a terrible thought when you apply it to your relationship with Christ? I don't know about you, but I need His comfort and protection. So let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. Heb. 10: 22a, 23 NKJV He has promised, if we draw near to Him, he will draw near to us.

The shade of the cross,

Is where we long to be.

Draw close to the Savior,

He's waiting there for thee.

He offers love and protection,

His Word gives us direction.

His promise is to draw near,

we've nothing to fear.

We have the shade of the cross

because He paid the cost.

So I'll meet you in the shade of the cross.

F.E.A.R.

2008-11-07T21:51:00.006-06:00

Fear, that's what I have been feeling since Barak O'Bama was chosen as president elect. I've been trying to self analyze why. I remembered a lesson sometime back on fear and the speaker gave us an acronym. F(false) E(evidence) A(appearing) R(real). So with that in mind, I started studying on fear, strength and hope. If fear is false evidence, then why be fearful? I immediately thought of the verse in Deut 31:66 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (NIV) So again, I ask, "Why be afraid?" Our God is bigger than the president, the democratic controlled senate and house, the economic crisis. He has promised not to leave us and He never will. More evidence that we are not to be fearful is in Isa 41:10 Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. (AMP )
Now that's a promise we can stand firm on. If there is nothing to fear, then maybe we should ask for strength. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, Ps 46:1-2a (NAS) Even if the future is uncertain seek your strength from God. The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; Lam 3:25 (NIV) And finally we can look at the story of Joseph after he was sold by his brothers into slavery. Many years later Joseph was in a position to provide for his brothers and their families. His brothers were worried Joseph might retaliate but we read in Gen 50:19-21 But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." (NIV) When others intend to harm us, God can use their intentions for His good will. If you are still having doubts and fear take action today. First, pray for those in authority. As hard as that might be, we are commanded to do so. Rom 13:1 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (NIV) Secondly, search your own heart for unrepentant sin. Therefore this is what the LORD says:"If you repent, I will restore you. Jer 15:19a (NIV) Thirdly, trust in God's plan For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11 (NKJV) Until next time rest in His grace and trust in His plan.

Love One Another

2008-11-03T15:32:00.004-06:00

Today as I was spending extra time seeking the Lord, I thought I was praying about our nation and the election tomorrow. As always "I think" instead of submit to the Holy Spirit. I am thankful that the Spirit does work even if I am headstrong. Yesterday during the sermon, the pastor made the point that it's hard to expect God to bless America when we continue to allow the murder of unborn children and the deviation from God's design for marriage. So today, as I am praying for America and the election of a new leader, I feel the Spirit nudging me to pray for repentance. Repentance? I thought it should be for guidance, not repentance. But isn't that where it always begins, repenting of our sins, whether worldly, nationally, or individually? As I continued to ponder the sin of America, in addition to abortion and homosexuality, I thought of other sins that plague our nation. Sins such as pornography, lust, covetousness and then I thought about greed. Wouldn't greed be the bottom line for the financial situation we are now suffering through? In Rom 1:29-32 it says "being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil, untrustworthy,. . . and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." (NASU) As I was thinking about corporate sin America needs to repent of, I then was prompted to start searching my own heart for unrepentant sin. I hate it when God does that. Don't get me wrong, I need it, but I don't like it. It's like when a parent asks their child, "Do you want me to punish you?" Of course not, but that's usually what they need, just as I needed to search my own heart. God has a way of shining the light right where we need to focus. Immediately I felt Him say, "Love." That's right, "Love." Love? There's this person in my life that I find very hard to love or show love to. In fact, it would never even cross my mind or heart to love them. Now bitterness or hatred, I can do that. As I was thinking about this person I was complaining to Him, that she is really an "unlovely" person. She's mean spirited, hateful and spiteful. How can I love her? The answer promptly came, "You are those things too, yet I love you. I loved you enough to send my Son to die for you." OUCH! Those were my toes that just got stomped. I know we are commanded to love one another, but it can't mean the unlovely? Yes it does, because we are all unlovely and full of sin. The King James version of the Bible mentions the word love over 300 times so it must be pretty important. Love one another is Christ's new commandment: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35 (NIV) So as I continue to pray for our nation, new president, repentance for our sins, I pray for myself that I will be more Christ-like in showing love for others, especially the unlovely.

Our Hope Is In The Lord

2008-10-29T20:40:00.007-05:00

As we are entering the last days before the presidential election, my heart is burdened for America. There are several references in the Bible where God called his people stiffnecked . . .

For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people. Ex. 33:5 I feel like Americans have also become stiffnecked. In Matthew Henry's Commentary he says "God would have brought them under the yoke of his law, and into the bond of his covenant, but their necks were too stiff to bow to them. God would have cured them of their corrupt and crooked dispositions, and have set them straight; but they were wilful and obstinate, and hated to be reformed, and would not have God to reign over them." Sound familiar? We forget too easily the lessons of the past. Right after the September 11th attacks, we turned back to God. Attendance in churches rose, people were more free to pray in public or thank God. Even though it was a terrible time in our history, we put our hope in the Lord. It didn't last. We all fell back to our stiffnecked ways. The Israelites were stubborn and refused to repent and follow the ways of God, I see similarities in America. Lately, we have had the economic crisis. Whose fault is it really? I know many people that have been spending like there's no tomorrow. Kevin and I have often mused "How are they paying for that stuff?" Well, now we know, they weren't. I know we receive at least 2 to 3 credit card applications daily in the mail. Thankfully the shredder is right next to the mailbox and that is where they go, but it would be tempting to use them if we were in a financial situation ourselves. And finally the election of our next president. I have said for a long time this was going to be a heated election, both sides are very passionate. Everything is in such a mess and everyone is seeking answers. If I really start dwelling on the "What if's" I begin to panic. My only solace is to dive into The Word and wait on the Lord. We can be assured that God is in control. His plan will be fulfilled. I do ask you to pray for our nation and our next president. Pray that God's will be done. Remember our hope is in the Lord. We read in Lam. 3:21-23 Yet there is one ray of hope: his compassion never ends. It is only the Lord's mercies that have kept us from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his loving-kindness begins afresh each day. (The Living Bible)

Cinderella, Your Prince Will Come

2008-10-23T22:29:00.006-05:00

I must confess the seed for this post was planted by Candy Gibbs at CareNet. I went to a program presented by Candy and this was part of her topic. I mulled it over for a couple of days and added my own thoughts and came up with the Cinderella connection.

We are all familiar with the story of Cinderella and how her charming prince came to save her. The Prince searched tirelessly for the princess who's foot would fit the glass slipper left behind at the ball. Well sister, since you are a daughter of the King that means you are a princess and your prince will come. He has searched tirelessly for you. I'll begin the story in the book of Ruth. If you are not familiar with the story, Ruth had become a widow and came to live with her mother-in-law, Naomi. It was the custom in those days for the husband's family to take care of widows for the rest of their lives. I would encourage you to read the whole story in the book of Ruth, but I want to get back to the Cinderella link. Stay with me as it may seem like a stretch, but hopefully it will all fall in to place and make sense. As the story unfolds, there is a transaction made to secure a future for Ruth. Now this was the custom in former times in Israel concerning redeeming and exchanging, to confirm anything: one man took off his sandal and gave it to the other, and this was a confirmation in Israel. Ruth 4:7 There's the connection, did you get it? Each person involved in the transaction keeps a shoe. A sign that the deal is final and legal. Christ has your slipper! When you become His, the transaction is complete. I decided to do a little more checking into the tradition and looked in the Commentary on the Old Testament by Keil and Delitzsch. According to their commentary, the custom existed among the Indians and ancient Germans. It was a symbol of the transfer of a possession or right of ownership. The primitive word used quwm (koom) translates as accomplish, enjoin, establish, uphold, remain. So being as we are redeemed by the Blood of Christ and the deal is complete, He has your "glass slipper." When He returns as the Prince of Peace, princess, he will bring your "glass slipper" to establish his ownership of you. Can you hardly wait to slip your foot in and be joined with your Savior for eternity? Until then, rest assured, your prince will come.

I Love Autumn

2008-10-20T22:04:00.004-05:00

I just love Autumn, don't you? I always say, "It's my favorite season!" but I love Spring and Summer almost as much. I do have to admit that a snowy, Winter day glistening in the sun is pretty spectacular, as long as I can stay inside. Anyway, back to Autumn. It's so amazing, once you actually know the complexities of the leaves changing, and to know that our God just spoke it into existence. In Gen. 1:14 God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons . . . I've had two recent experiences to observe God's master artistry, first in New Mexico and this past weekend in Canadian, Tx. I'll try not to get too technical, but want to say a word about the actual process of how and why the leaves change. It all begins as the days grow shorter, but are warm and sunny, while the evenings grow cooler. In fact it needs to be 45 degrees or cooler for the process to begin. All summer the leaves have been doing their job of making food for the trees, processing chlorophyll. In fact they make so much the leaves turn green. Did you know the color the leaf turns in the fall is always there, but just masked by the chlorophyll? But in the fall the leaves stop their food-making process. The chlorophyll breaks down and the green color disappears, and the fall colors become visible giving the leaves their Autumn splendor. Isn't our Creator awesome? I can't help but think of the verse in Isa 55:12 For you will go out with joy. And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. I think I actually witnessed some of the Aspen trees in New Mexico clapping their hands. They were definitely dancing with joy. It makes me want to break out in praise just thinking about it. In 1 Chron 16:33 Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the LORD. So as you are out and about during this spectacular season, join the trees and sing praises to our God, for Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise, Psm. 48:1

Patience

2008-10-17T21:13:00.003-05:00

I've always heard the saying "patience is a virtue." If we check the Random House Dictionary of Popular Proverbs and Sayings entry for "Patience is a virtue" is the ability to wait for something without excessive frustration and is a valuable character trait. The proverb has been traced back to 'Piers Plowman' written by William Langland and is similar to the Latin phrase, Maxima enim..patientia virtus (Patience is the greatest virtue) and the French phrase, Patience est une grant vertu. (Patience is a great value.) Some ten years after Langland, Chaucer wrote in 'The Canterbury Tales' that 'Patience is a high virtue.' So is patience a virtue? I say yes, but unfortunately I am very lacking in most instances. I hate it when I am trying to call a business and get the usual automated reply, "press 1 for English." Then "press 1 to review your account" "press 2 to file a complaint," "press 3 to hear more options and on and on. I am always tempted to just hang up and sometimes I do. That's always a lesson in patience. Or what about driving in traffic, waiting through 2 or 3 red light signals before being able to move on down the road, drive a couple of blocks and get another red light. I'm usually not a very friendly driver by the second or third light. My blood pressure also goes up when I get "trapped" behind an extremely slow drive or boxed in by other cars. How about waiting in line at the local store? Seems no matter what, I always choose the slow lane with the person in front of me having several items that need a price check. Last but not least is when I am ready to leave the house and those traveling with me are not moving fast enough. I usually lose it and get so frustrated. God has really been convicting me of this weakness called impatience, as I usually don't appear very Christ-like. So I grabbed a cup of tea and settled in for a study with my Bible for some Divine inspiration. Of course right off the bat I was drawn to Gal. 5:22 The fruit of the Spirit is . . . patience reminding me that patience does not and can not come from me but from the Holy Spirit and the Spirit's operation in my soul. So to be more patient I need to make sure I am not suppressing the Holy Spirit. My usual cry is "Why can't I be patient?" Now I know, I can't do it by myself. I need to ask, "Lord show your patience through me?" Next I was led to 2 Cor 6:4-64 But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, . . . by the Holy Spirit. There it is again, "only through the Spirit." I may be a slow learner, but I think I am getting it. Finally, I looked up Col 3:12 in the Amplified Bible and loved what it said, Clothe yourselves therefore, as God's own chosen ones, [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]. The last part really hit home, "endure whatever comes with a good temper." Starting today, my prayer in time of impatience will be "Lord fill me with your Spirit of patience that I may commend myself as your servant." Until next time, be covered in His grace and filled with patience.

Welcome

2008-10-14T15:22:00.002-05:00

I have been thinking about having an inspirational blog for sometime. Thanks for stopping by and come back again. I pray that God will lead me to the exact words you and I need to hear.

Now on to today's thoughts.

Lately, a good friend of mine, has had tragedy strike more than once. Both of her young adult girls have lost friends to unexpected death. Of course the first question is "Why?" It seems so unfair. They were both in the prime of life doing what young people do. Living life to the fullest, looking forward to the future. Again, "Why? I just don't understand." Then like most of us we begin to feel guilty for boldly questioning God. As a parent we hate it when we tell our children to do something and they respond with "Why?" I wonder if God gets tired of all our "Whys?" There are many instances in the Bible when the question of Why? is posed. In Exodus 5:22, Moses asks "Why?" Then in Judges 21 again, "Why has this happened?" David asked God "Why?" in Psalms 10 and again in Psalms 43. Finally, even Christ questioned God in Matthew 27:46 "My God, my God why have you forsaken me?" So we can learn from history that it is not wrong to ask God "Why?" We are offered that privilege through Jesus Christ, but I think we need to reflect, study and pray to receive His answer, not just dwelling on the why. We may not get the answer we expect, but God always answers our prayers. You can be assured of that. So even when things go wrong, whether it's an unexpected death, financial problems, marital problems, problems with your family or children remember to seek out God and rest in his promise ". . . that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God . . . Romans 8:38-39 Until next time, may you be covered in His grace.