I pray everyone has a safe and happy weekend. I pray God brings each one of you a special blessing. Just to be one of His children is blessings enough for me.
My weekend is very busy again. More blogging later, it's off to work for me.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Friday, September 29, 2006
Wild About You
God created livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals on the sixth day of creation.
"Wild" sometimes means hostile or violent, but a wild animal is simply an animal that lives in the state of nature, untamed by man. Therefore, lions and tigers are wild animals, but so are deer and giraffes.
When Adam was created, God told him to "rule over the fish or the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on teh ground" Genesis 1:28
When Adam and Eve were first created they had nothing to fear from any of the animals. Genesis 1:29 tells us that man and animals were given the plants of the earth for their food.It was only after Adam sinned that some of the animals became meat-eater. And many became dangerous!
Genesis 1:29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Romans 8:21-22 tell us that the creation groans because of man's sin. It continues to suffer in death and decay ntil the day when God brings about a new heaven and a new earth.
Romans 8:21-22 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Christ will reign in the new earth, and His reign will be marked by peace. Isaiah 11 descibes that peace by saying, "the wolf will live with the lamb, the leapard will lie down with the goat." There will no longer be anything for God's children to fear!
Genesis 1:25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
"Wild" sometimes means hostile or violent, but a wild animal is simply an animal that lives in the state of nature, untamed by man. Therefore, lions and tigers are wild animals, but so are deer and giraffes.
When Adam was created, God told him to "rule over the fish or the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on teh ground" Genesis 1:28
When Adam and Eve were first created they had nothing to fear from any of the animals. Genesis 1:29 tells us that man and animals were given the plants of the earth for their food.It was only after Adam sinned that some of the animals became meat-eater. And many became dangerous!
Genesis 1:29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Romans 8:21-22 tell us that the creation groans because of man's sin. It continues to suffer in death and decay ntil the day when God brings about a new heaven and a new earth.
Romans 8:21-22 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Christ will reign in the new earth, and His reign will be marked by peace. Isaiah 11 descibes that peace by saying, "the wolf will live with the lamb, the leapard will lie down with the goat." There will no longer be anything for God's children to fear!
Genesis 1:25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Snakes, Toads, Gators and Frogs
God created the animals on the sixth day of creation. Reptiles and amphibians were among the animals created.
Reptiles include animals like snakes, turtles, lizards, alligators and crocodiles.
Some people think snakes are slimy and wet, but most snakes really have dry scales.
Scientists believe that many of the dinosaurs were gigantic reptiles. These reptiles were created by God, but have since become extinct.
Amphibians like the frog begin life in the water, but they live their adult lives on land.
Frogs begin life as tadpoles; they have no legs or lungs, but they breathe through their gills, and swim by moving their tails. As they grow, they become "new creatures," legs and lungs develop and the tails and gills disappear.
II Corinthians 5:17 tells us that believers are also "new creations" new creation in Christ!
II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Genesis 1:24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.
Reptiles include animals like snakes, turtles, lizards, alligators and crocodiles.
Some people think snakes are slimy and wet, but most snakes really have dry scales.
Scientists believe that many of the dinosaurs were gigantic reptiles. These reptiles were created by God, but have since become extinct.
Amphibians like the frog begin life in the water, but they live their adult lives on land.
Frogs begin life as tadpoles; they have no legs or lungs, but they breathe through their gills, and swim by moving their tails. As they grow, they become "new creatures," legs and lungs develop and the tails and gills disappear.
II Corinthians 5:17 tells us that believers are also "new creations" new creation in Christ!
II Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Genesis 1:24 And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
In my quiet time with the Lord today this song came to my Mind
As I keep working on my creation post, I am in the Word daily pondering and thanking the Lord for what He has given us. Today, I imagined Adam and Eve in the Garden before they were cast out. What would it have been like? My mind than went to heaven, I can't even begin to think of how awesome it will be someday. Surrounded by the Lord's glory, I really can't imagine that day. I am so looking forward to it.
Artist: MercyMe
Album : Almost There
Song: I Can Only Imagine
Lyrics :
I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By Your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face
Is before me
I can only imagine
{Chorus}:
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine
Artist: MercyMe
Album : Almost There
Song: I Can Only Imagine
Lyrics :
I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By Your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face
Is before me
I can only imagine
{Chorus}:
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for You Jesus or in awe of You be still
Will I stand in Your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
"Little" Known Facts
God created some of the smallest animals on the fifth day of creation when He filled the waters with microscopic life, and created the winged insects.
The term "winged bird" in Genesis 2:21 means anything with wings, including insects. God created more than 800,000 kinds of insects.
Not only are there many different kinds of insects, but there are many insects of each kind. For every perosn on the earth you can probably find one million insects!
There is no place on earth you can go to get away from insects. They live on all kinds of land, in fresh water, and some even live in the ocean.
The smallest and simplest of animals are so small they cannot be seen without a microscope. They are known as portozoans.
God created about 30,000 different kinds of portozoans.
Our God is in charge of the vast universe of spinning stars and planets, but He is also the God of "small things" - small animals, small details and small problems. He cares about us!
The term "winged bird" in Genesis 2:21 means anything with wings, including insects. God created more than 800,000 kinds of insects.
Not only are there many different kinds of insects, but there are many insects of each kind. For every perosn on the earth you can probably find one million insects!
There is no place on earth you can go to get away from insects. They live on all kinds of land, in fresh water, and some even live in the ocean.
The smallest and simplest of animals are so small they cannot be seen without a microscope. They are known as portozoans.
God created about 30,000 different kinds of portozoans.
Our God is in charge of the vast universe of spinning stars and planets, but He is also the God of "small things" - small animals, small details and small problems. He cares about us!
The Island of Horror
This short story was written by my daughter Bec
February 19, 2002
The Island of Horror
It was a morning just like all the others. The sun was shining outside my bedroom window. I could hear the birds chirping, I could hear a light breeze blowing through the trees. Like every other day, a fear from my nightmares is in my bones. I feel myself shaking and the sweat pouring off my forehead like drops of rain falling off the trees. I wonder why I keep dreaming I’m on an island with someone chasing me. I know he or it is out to kill me but I don’t know what it is or why it is after me. I feel like I’m looking over my shoulder waiting for it to jump out of the shadows and get me. But it’s just a dream isn’t it? I need to do something to get this off my mind. Chase called last night and asked if I wanted to go boating with him. That should do the trick, thought Ken.
“Chase thanks for asking me to go boating with you today, Ken said. You know how much I love cruising the lake.” “Ken, I heard about this island about 5 miles off the coast, you being adventurous and all I thought maybe we could go check it out, Chase said to Ken. We better go right away if were going to. I heard on the weather channel that a storm was suppose to come in later this afternoon. So how ‘bout it, Chase implored, you game?” Ken could feel a cold sweat like water break out on his forehead. Should I tell Chase about my dreams or will he think I’m crazy? This is crazy! They are only dreams. “Sure, lets go, Ken said in a voice that sounded small and weak to his own ears.”
The storm came in faster than expected. “Chase, I think we better head back; the storm is coming in really fast. The island looks great but I think we better check it out another day, Ken said.” “Ken, I don’t think we will make it back to shore if we try to head back right now, Chase said. This island looks safe enough. We should find shelter and wait out the storm.” That’s what I was afraid he would say Ken thought. The storm got wilder by the minute. They lost control of the boat when a big wave came up and swallowed the boat throwing Ken and Chase out of the boat and into the storm ragging seas.
“Chase! Where are you, Ken yelled with the saltwater stinging his eyes?" Another big wave came up, and as he was calling for Chase, the saltwater choked him. We were close to the shore when we were on the boat Ken thought. I must be closer now because of these darn waves. If I don’t keep paying attention, these waves are going to drown me. “Owww, Ken yelled.” I must be close to the shore; I just hit my knee on something very sharp Ken thought with pain shooting up and down his leg. I don’t think I can swim much farther in this storm. I can’t see a thing. Oh no, now I know I am close to the shore because of all these huge rocks. But there are too many rocks. Oh no, here comes another big wave Ken thought terrorized. No! No!
“Oh, where am I, Ken said.” Oh no, not the island. How did I get here and where is Chase? “Chase where are you, Ken yelled.” What happened? My head is bleeding and I hurt all over. Why is the sun so bright? Where is Chase? It must be mid-morning by the feel of the sun. This sand is so hot. It is so quiet here; all I can hear is the waves and the trees. That breeze doesn’t do much either. It is so hot. I must have hit my head on one of those big rocks I saw last night. That is probably why my head is bleeding and hurting. At least it isn’t bleeding that much but I sure do have one bad headache. Man, I sure hope Chase is all right. “Chase! Chase, Ken yelled again.” I don’t think he’s around here. There are a lot of woods and lacerated branches all over back there. I think I’ll go look around, and take a look in the woods. Maybe I will find some sort of civilization. I can’t believe that I am even thinking this, its way too scary, but this is just like all of the dreams that I have been having. I can’t believe it.
These woods are pretty scary. I’m glad that it will still be daylight out for a few more hours yet. I have been walking around here for hours and still I haven’t so much as found a trace of anyone. I haven’t even heard anything except the sound of the birds and the wind blowing through the tree leaves. It is very spooky in this place. I hope I don’t get lost before…snap…what was that? I know I heard something. He listened…nothing. Well maybe it’s just my imagination. Snap…there it is again. I know I heard it that time. Sweat started to bead on his forehead as he turned around to see what the noise was. When he turned around, there was nothing there. I must be going crazy. I’m just getting a little paranoid; there is nothing to worry about. Come on Ken pull yourself together. He was telling himself this all the while he knew that there was something wrong. He could feel it with every step he took. He could feel someone, something, watching him, following his every move. He knew that it was there, and that it was only a matter of time before it showed itself. He heard another snap and that was it. With a head of determination, he turned very quickly and what he saw made him gasp in pure amazement. With trembling lips he mustered enough courage to bellow as loud as he could, “It’s you.” It was exactly like in his dreams, and now I know who my attacker is. But wait, this is not a dream this is in fact reality. He can’t be my attacker. He’s my best friend. “I can’t believe it was you”, said Ken. “Why not”, replied Chase? “Did you really think I was your friend?”
February 19, 2002
The Island of Horror
It was a morning just like all the others. The sun was shining outside my bedroom window. I could hear the birds chirping, I could hear a light breeze blowing through the trees. Like every other day, a fear from my nightmares is in my bones. I feel myself shaking and the sweat pouring off my forehead like drops of rain falling off the trees. I wonder why I keep dreaming I’m on an island with someone chasing me. I know he or it is out to kill me but I don’t know what it is or why it is after me. I feel like I’m looking over my shoulder waiting for it to jump out of the shadows and get me. But it’s just a dream isn’t it? I need to do something to get this off my mind. Chase called last night and asked if I wanted to go boating with him. That should do the trick, thought Ken.
“Chase thanks for asking me to go boating with you today, Ken said. You know how much I love cruising the lake.” “Ken, I heard about this island about 5 miles off the coast, you being adventurous and all I thought maybe we could go check it out, Chase said to Ken. We better go right away if were going to. I heard on the weather channel that a storm was suppose to come in later this afternoon. So how ‘bout it, Chase implored, you game?” Ken could feel a cold sweat like water break out on his forehead. Should I tell Chase about my dreams or will he think I’m crazy? This is crazy! They are only dreams. “Sure, lets go, Ken said in a voice that sounded small and weak to his own ears.”
The storm came in faster than expected. “Chase, I think we better head back; the storm is coming in really fast. The island looks great but I think we better check it out another day, Ken said.” “Ken, I don’t think we will make it back to shore if we try to head back right now, Chase said. This island looks safe enough. We should find shelter and wait out the storm.” That’s what I was afraid he would say Ken thought. The storm got wilder by the minute. They lost control of the boat when a big wave came up and swallowed the boat throwing Ken and Chase out of the boat and into the storm ragging seas.
“Chase! Where are you, Ken yelled with the saltwater stinging his eyes?" Another big wave came up, and as he was calling for Chase, the saltwater choked him. We were close to the shore when we were on the boat Ken thought. I must be closer now because of these darn waves. If I don’t keep paying attention, these waves are going to drown me. “Owww, Ken yelled.” I must be close to the shore; I just hit my knee on something very sharp Ken thought with pain shooting up and down his leg. I don’t think I can swim much farther in this storm. I can’t see a thing. Oh no, now I know I am close to the shore because of all these huge rocks. But there are too many rocks. Oh no, here comes another big wave Ken thought terrorized. No! No!
“Oh, where am I, Ken said.” Oh no, not the island. How did I get here and where is Chase? “Chase where are you, Ken yelled.” What happened? My head is bleeding and I hurt all over. Why is the sun so bright? Where is Chase? It must be mid-morning by the feel of the sun. This sand is so hot. It is so quiet here; all I can hear is the waves and the trees. That breeze doesn’t do much either. It is so hot. I must have hit my head on one of those big rocks I saw last night. That is probably why my head is bleeding and hurting. At least it isn’t bleeding that much but I sure do have one bad headache. Man, I sure hope Chase is all right. “Chase! Chase, Ken yelled again.” I don’t think he’s around here. There are a lot of woods and lacerated branches all over back there. I think I’ll go look around, and take a look in the woods. Maybe I will find some sort of civilization. I can’t believe that I am even thinking this, its way too scary, but this is just like all of the dreams that I have been having. I can’t believe it.
These woods are pretty scary. I’m glad that it will still be daylight out for a few more hours yet. I have been walking around here for hours and still I haven’t so much as found a trace of anyone. I haven’t even heard anything except the sound of the birds and the wind blowing through the tree leaves. It is very spooky in this place. I hope I don’t get lost before…snap…what was that? I know I heard something. He listened…nothing. Well maybe it’s just my imagination. Snap…there it is again. I know I heard it that time. Sweat started to bead on his forehead as he turned around to see what the noise was. When he turned around, there was nothing there. I must be going crazy. I’m just getting a little paranoid; there is nothing to worry about. Come on Ken pull yourself together. He was telling himself this all the while he knew that there was something wrong. He could feel it with every step he took. He could feel someone, something, watching him, following his every move. He knew that it was there, and that it was only a matter of time before it showed itself. He heard another snap and that was it. With a head of determination, he turned very quickly and what he saw made him gasp in pure amazement. With trembling lips he mustered enough courage to bellow as loud as he could, “It’s you.” It was exactly like in his dreams, and now I know who my attacker is. But wait, this is not a dream this is in fact reality. He can’t be my attacker. He’s my best friend. “I can’t believe it was you”, said Ken. “Why not”, replied Chase? “Did you really think I was your friend?”
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Something Fishy
God created the fish and the creatures of the sea on the fifth day of creation - the same day He created the birds. (see previous post)
The seas are filled with some of the most bizarre and beautful animals on the planet. Not only are there millions of types of fish, but there are also sponges, lobsters, crabs, clams, oysters, worms, snails, whales, octopi, starfish, sea horses, jellyfish, barnacles - and many, many others.
Man has never reached the deepest parts of the oceans. One spot on the floor of the Pacific Ocean is 36,198 feet deep. Compare this to Mount Everest, which at 29,028 feet is the highest mountain in the world!
The blue whale is the largest animal in the world today. The largest blue whale ever caught weighed 340,000 pounds - the weight of over 2,000 men! Because of its enormous weight, the blue whale could only exist in water, which helps to support it bulk. When whales are waashed asoure, their lungs are usually crushed by their tremendous bodies.
Our God knows everything there is to know about the sea and its creatures. He created them, He rules over them, and He rules over the winds and the waves. Psalms 104 and 107 talk about God, the ruler of the sea and its creatures.
God also knows the answer to every mystery or problem that may face us. We do not need to be afraid of the unknown, because He knows all and will take care of us.
The seas are filled with some of the most bizarre and beautful animals on the planet. Not only are there millions of types of fish, but there are also sponges, lobsters, crabs, clams, oysters, worms, snails, whales, octopi, starfish, sea horses, jellyfish, barnacles - and many, many others.
Man has never reached the deepest parts of the oceans. One spot on the floor of the Pacific Ocean is 36,198 feet deep. Compare this to Mount Everest, which at 29,028 feet is the highest mountain in the world!
The blue whale is the largest animal in the world today. The largest blue whale ever caught weighed 340,000 pounds - the weight of over 2,000 men! Because of its enormous weight, the blue whale could only exist in water, which helps to support it bulk. When whales are waashed asoure, their lungs are usually crushed by their tremendous bodies.
Our God knows everything there is to know about the sea and its creatures. He created them, He rules over them, and He rules over the winds and the waves. Psalms 104 and 107 talk about God, the ruler of the sea and its creatures.
God also knows the answer to every mystery or problem that may face us. We do not need to be afraid of the unknown, because He knows all and will take care of us.
Friday, September 22, 2006
It's the weekend
It's the weekend again! My week is much more relaxing than my weekends.
Tomorrow morning, I clean Kent's house (my new employer) I have been working for him for a month now. I have over 500 dollars saved for our vacation next summer. I want to take my family Up North before AJ leaves for the Navy. As I have blogged before, I love the U.P. We will go to the Mackinaw Bridge and stay at a hotel for two days. We are planning to go to the Island one day. (We will bike around the Island) We plan to go to the Mackinaw city and spend a day there; we stay right on the lake. We than, plan on going to Traverse City for 3 days. We rent a cabin which has enough beds for our entire family. They have a camp fire and grill at each cabin and a community pool. They have bathrooms and shower rooms just a little ways from our cabin. We went a few years back and really enjoyed ourselves. We will go to the Sand dunes and the beach while we are in Traverse City. On our way home will we will stay in Cash city. We rent a family suite; we order in and watch a movie as a family. They have an indoor pool we like to visit.
It is worth working each Friday for Kent in order to save for our vacation.
Kent is very easy to work for; he spoils me really; he makes sure I have everything I need for cleaning. He has bought me a lot of new items to make my job easier. He makes sure the coffee is always full. I can get my own coffee, but he insists on doing it for me. I try to get as much done as possible while he is following me around talking about things. I am use to him being around now. It really bothered me at first, but now it is not so bad. I keep working, so he has to keep up with me if he wants to talk.
He gave me feathered bedding for the kids bed last week. It was brand new, I put it on the kid’s bed and they love it. We have a full size bunk bed for JW and Bo.
I guess those are benefits for working for a wealthy man.
After working at Kent's house, I will go to my second job (Delivering News papers) it takes me about 4 hour’s total. Friday evening I told my boys their best friends could come over. Every other week I let them have Paul and Matthew over. My children have been friends with these boys for years. Their mom and I home schooled at the same time. We did a lot of activities together. My daughter took sewing class with their sister Michele. Michele's grandmother taught the girls how to sew and cook.
Saturday brings more work; I do my motor route at 2:30 a.m. and I work my Janitors job on Saturday's afternoons. I also have a birthday party to attend for my great-nephews Saturday. Ryan is going to be 4 and Jacob is going to turn 2. Like I have said many times before, I really love family gatherings.
This is my friend Barb; she is the blond. I on the other hand am the Brunette. This is a picture of Barb and I leading worship at our church a few months back. (Sorry the picture didn't turn out very well)
Sunday morning brings more work (I'm not complaining, I am thankful for the jobs the Lord has provided for me) I leave the house at 12:30 a.m. to start my route. I hopefully will get my papers on time and be done by 7:00 a.m. so I can be at church by 7:30 a.m. for worship practice. This is my week to lead worship; I lead worship with two men and another woman beside me. We have a full worship band; a guitar player, drums, key board player, piano player and a base player. I love being around this group of believers.
Sunday afternoon I will take AJ to his wrestling practice at the U of M again.
That will be my weekend; very full but I will love every minute of it.
There is always Saturday morning after my route and Sunday right after church; this is time I get to spend with my wonderful husband and family. : )
Tomorrow morning, I clean Kent's house (my new employer) I have been working for him for a month now. I have over 500 dollars saved for our vacation next summer. I want to take my family Up North before AJ leaves for the Navy. As I have blogged before, I love the U.P. We will go to the Mackinaw Bridge and stay at a hotel for two days. We are planning to go to the Island one day. (We will bike around the Island) We plan to go to the Mackinaw city and spend a day there; we stay right on the lake. We than, plan on going to Traverse City for 3 days. We rent a cabin which has enough beds for our entire family. They have a camp fire and grill at each cabin and a community pool. They have bathrooms and shower rooms just a little ways from our cabin. We went a few years back and really enjoyed ourselves. We will go to the Sand dunes and the beach while we are in Traverse City. On our way home will we will stay in Cash city. We rent a family suite; we order in and watch a movie as a family. They have an indoor pool we like to visit.
It is worth working each Friday for Kent in order to save for our vacation.
Kent is very easy to work for; he spoils me really; he makes sure I have everything I need for cleaning. He has bought me a lot of new items to make my job easier. He makes sure the coffee is always full. I can get my own coffee, but he insists on doing it for me. I try to get as much done as possible while he is following me around talking about things. I am use to him being around now. It really bothered me at first, but now it is not so bad. I keep working, so he has to keep up with me if he wants to talk.
He gave me feathered bedding for the kids bed last week. It was brand new, I put it on the kid’s bed and they love it. We have a full size bunk bed for JW and Bo.
I guess those are benefits for working for a wealthy man.
After working at Kent's house, I will go to my second job (Delivering News papers) it takes me about 4 hour’s total. Friday evening I told my boys their best friends could come over. Every other week I let them have Paul and Matthew over. My children have been friends with these boys for years. Their mom and I home schooled at the same time. We did a lot of activities together. My daughter took sewing class with their sister Michele. Michele's grandmother taught the girls how to sew and cook.
Saturday brings more work; I do my motor route at 2:30 a.m. and I work my Janitors job on Saturday's afternoons. I also have a birthday party to attend for my great-nephews Saturday. Ryan is going to be 4 and Jacob is going to turn 2. Like I have said many times before, I really love family gatherings.
This is my friend Barb; she is the blond. I on the other hand am the Brunette. This is a picture of Barb and I leading worship at our church a few months back. (Sorry the picture didn't turn out very well)
Sunday morning brings more work (I'm not complaining, I am thankful for the jobs the Lord has provided for me) I leave the house at 12:30 a.m. to start my route. I hopefully will get my papers on time and be done by 7:00 a.m. so I can be at church by 7:30 a.m. for worship practice. This is my week to lead worship; I lead worship with two men and another woman beside me. We have a full worship band; a guitar player, drums, key board player, piano player and a base player. I love being around this group of believers.
Sunday afternoon I will take AJ to his wrestling practice at the U of M again.
That will be my weekend; very full but I will love every minute of it.
There is always Saturday morning after my route and Sunday right after church; this is time I get to spend with my wonderful husband and family. : )
Thursday, September 21, 2006
The Heavenly Lights
God made the sun, moon and stars on the fourth day of creation. He created the universe and set it in motion.God created the heavenly lights to mark the seasons days and years - to help us measure the passage of time.
The earth is exactly at the right distance from the sun. Any closer, and it would be too hot on the earth for us to survive. Any further away, and we would freeze!
The earth is also tipped at the right angle to allow the sun to reach a large part of the earth in the summertime. If the earth weren't tipped, most of the U.S.A. and Canada would never get warm enought to grow plants.
David writes in Psalm 8 that when he looks up at the moon and the stars, he feels small and unimportant in the universe. He wonders why God thinks about mankind at all, but praises Him for crowning man "with glory and honor."
Psalm 8:1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.
Psalm 19:1-4 says that the heavens announce God's glory to everyone who sees them, and that people of every land and language can understand God's glory from seeing His work in the heavens.
Psalm 19:1-4
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
The Old Telephone
This story came from my mom, I thought it was worth the read.
When I was quite young, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother talked to it.
Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was "Information Please" and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone's number and the correct time.
My personal experience with the genie-in-a-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer, the pain was terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy.
I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear. "Information, please" I said into the mouthpiece just above my head.
A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear. "Information."
"I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough now that I had an audience.
"Isn't your mother home?" came the question.
"Nobody's home but me," I blubbered.
"Are you bleeding?" the voice asked.
"No," I replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts."
"Can you open the icebox?" she asked.
I said I could.
"Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice.
After that, I called "Information Please" for everything. I asked her for help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math. She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts.
Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died. I called, Information Please," and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?"
She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, "Wayne always remember that there are other worlds to sing in."
Somehow I felt better.
Another day I was on the telephone, "Information Please."
"Information," said in the now familiar voice. "How do I spell fix?" I asked.
All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston. I missed my friend very much. "Information Please" belonged in that old wooden box back home and I somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me.
Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.
A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in Seattle. I had about a half-hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown
operator and said, "Information Please." Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well.
"Information."
I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying, "Could you please tell me how to spell fix?"
There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now."
I laughed, "So it's really you," I said. "I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time?"
I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your call meant to me. I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls."
I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.
"Please do", she said. "Just ask for Sally."
Three months later I was back in Seattle. A different voice answered,
"Information." I asked for Sally.
"Are you a friend?" she said.
"Yes, a very old friend," I answered.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this," she said. "Sally had been working part-time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago."
Before I could hang up she said, "Wait a minute, did you say your name was Wayne?" "Yes." I answered.
"Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called.
Let me read it to you."
The note said, "Tell him there are other worlds to sing in.
He'll know what I mean."
I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant.
Never underestimate the impression you may make on others.
Whose life have you touched today?
Lifting you on eagle's wings. May you find the joy and peace you long for.
Life is a journey ... NOT a guided tour.
When I was quite young, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the wall. The shiny receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother talked to it.
Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was "Information Please" and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone's number and the correct time.
My personal experience with the genie-in-a-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer, the pain was terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy.
I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear. "Information, please" I said into the mouthpiece just above my head.
A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear. "Information."
"I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough now that I had an audience.
"Isn't your mother home?" came the question.
"Nobody's home but me," I blubbered.
"Are you bleeding?" the voice asked.
"No," I replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts."
"Can you open the icebox?" she asked.
I said I could.
"Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice.
After that, I called "Information Please" for everything. I asked her for help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math. She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts.
Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died. I called, Information Please," and told her the sad story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?"
She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, "Wayne always remember that there are other worlds to sing in."
Somehow I felt better.
Another day I was on the telephone, "Information Please."
"Information," said in the now familiar voice. "How do I spell fix?" I asked.
All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston. I missed my friend very much. "Information Please" belonged in that old wooden box back home and I somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me.
Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.
A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in Seattle. I had about a half-hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown
operator and said, "Information Please." Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well.
"Information."
I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying, "Could you please tell me how to spell fix?"
There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now."
I laughed, "So it's really you," I said. "I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time?"
I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your call meant to me. I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls."
I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.
"Please do", she said. "Just ask for Sally."
Three months later I was back in Seattle. A different voice answered,
"Information." I asked for Sally.
"Are you a friend?" she said.
"Yes, a very old friend," I answered.
"I'm sorry to have to tell you this," she said. "Sally had been working part-time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago."
Before I could hang up she said, "Wait a minute, did you say your name was Wayne?" "Yes." I answered.
"Well, Sally left a message for you. She wrote it down in case you called.
Let me read it to you."
The note said, "Tell him there are other worlds to sing in.
He'll know what I mean."
I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant.
Never underestimate the impression you may make on others.
Whose life have you touched today?
Lifting you on eagle's wings. May you find the joy and peace you long for.
Life is a journey ... NOT a guided tour.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
The next story of my life
The next story fits right along with the rest. You know me up until I was 13. This is the summer I turned 13. I already told you my dad moved to Texas this summer, also my Grandma died she is the glue that held our families together. I missed her so much; her and my grandpa would take us up north each summer for a month. It was a great time to get away from all the mess. This is also the summer I meant Kurt (BC's father)
I really wasn’t into boys yet. Kurt was new in town he lived around the corner from us. My sister would be talking on the phone to her boyfriend and I was the only one left to talk to. So we talked a lot. I don’t know how it happened but we became an item. Why a 17 year old would want to date a 13 year old is beyond me. Well not really after you hear the rest of the story. I wasn’t allowed really to go out with him in his car but my mom allowed us to go together to his house. My mom always made sure that his mom was going to be home. What she didn’t know was his mom let us spent time alone in his room together.
I really didn’t know anything about sex at that time but BC's father let me know if I didn’t do that we wouldn’t be together. I couldn’t lose him as well as losing my dad and grandma. So guess what, I got pregnant a year later. I was going into my 9th grade year of school. It was awful!!! He wanted me to run away, so I pack what I thought was important (My underclothes) and meant him at our meeting place.
This is what can happen when young people are left alone. The hormones are just too strong to resist. This is why, we as parents should know where our children are.
I couldn’t leave; something in me just couldn’t do it. We were suppose to go to Tennessee that’s were he was from. His momma said girls were old maids if they didn’t marry before 16. Well I couldn’t leave. So we faced my mom, she made us not see each other (which was the right thing to do) I was going to get an abortion but mom talked to a Pastor she new and he said I needed to keep the baby. I praise God for that wise council. We didn’t go to church or anything but mom at least had the since to seek good advice.
After a while Kurt and I snuck around to see each other. I don’t know why he would of he was going to leave anyway. I guess because it was the right thing to do.
Time went on and when I was 7 month pregnant he stop coming around, stopped calling, stopped picking me up for school.
I talked to his brother and he told me he was seeing someone else. Kurt did get around to telling me. He picked me up from school on day and told me at my door that it was over. He said I had a wonderful smile and if I smiled a lot I would find someone else.
Time went by and I found out from all these girls that he was seeing them the whole time he was seeing me. How stupid I was to think I was the one and only. I was young and didn’t know any better.
To get help from the State I had to tell them who the father was (I could of said I didn’t know but I had to much pride to do that) they prosecuted him and he denied that BC was his. We had to get blood test taken. How awful this was. Ninth grade girls should not have to go through this. I should not have sleep with him it was my fault. Anyway the test proved to be his. The prosecuting attorney didn’t want Kurt or his family to see BC. The guy said Kurt was a punk and it would be bad for BC. Do remember he was only 17.
I saw Kurt off and on through school. I was very thankful to my mom for watching BC so I could finish school. I also worked after school so I could support him and my mom was very good about keeping him.
(Thanks goes to my mom for this)
The week before I got married Kurt came to my work and asked me to please have coffee with him. He wanted to try and work things out. I just couldn’t go back with him. Plus, I was very in love with JW at this time. I am very glad I married my husband.
BC's father didn’t want to pay child support so he came back into the picture when Bret graduated. We were very young, Kurt sees my son now; I am fine with it, God has really worked in my heart with this. I am at the point in my life I can now pray for him. This is what we are called to do.
This is the end of a very long story.
I really wasn’t into boys yet. Kurt was new in town he lived around the corner from us. My sister would be talking on the phone to her boyfriend and I was the only one left to talk to. So we talked a lot. I don’t know how it happened but we became an item. Why a 17 year old would want to date a 13 year old is beyond me. Well not really after you hear the rest of the story. I wasn’t allowed really to go out with him in his car but my mom allowed us to go together to his house. My mom always made sure that his mom was going to be home. What she didn’t know was his mom let us spent time alone in his room together.
I really didn’t know anything about sex at that time but BC's father let me know if I didn’t do that we wouldn’t be together. I couldn’t lose him as well as losing my dad and grandma. So guess what, I got pregnant a year later. I was going into my 9th grade year of school. It was awful!!! He wanted me to run away, so I pack what I thought was important (My underclothes) and meant him at our meeting place.
This is what can happen when young people are left alone. The hormones are just too strong to resist. This is why, we as parents should know where our children are.
I couldn’t leave; something in me just couldn’t do it. We were suppose to go to Tennessee that’s were he was from. His momma said girls were old maids if they didn’t marry before 16. Well I couldn’t leave. So we faced my mom, she made us not see each other (which was the right thing to do) I was going to get an abortion but mom talked to a Pastor she new and he said I needed to keep the baby. I praise God for that wise council. We didn’t go to church or anything but mom at least had the since to seek good advice.
After a while Kurt and I snuck around to see each other. I don’t know why he would of he was going to leave anyway. I guess because it was the right thing to do.
Time went on and when I was 7 month pregnant he stop coming around, stopped calling, stopped picking me up for school.
I talked to his brother and he told me he was seeing someone else. Kurt did get around to telling me. He picked me up from school on day and told me at my door that it was over. He said I had a wonderful smile and if I smiled a lot I would find someone else.
Time went by and I found out from all these girls that he was seeing them the whole time he was seeing me. How stupid I was to think I was the one and only. I was young and didn’t know any better.
To get help from the State I had to tell them who the father was (I could of said I didn’t know but I had to much pride to do that) they prosecuted him and he denied that BC was his. We had to get blood test taken. How awful this was. Ninth grade girls should not have to go through this. I should not have sleep with him it was my fault. Anyway the test proved to be his. The prosecuting attorney didn’t want Kurt or his family to see BC. The guy said Kurt was a punk and it would be bad for BC. Do remember he was only 17.
I saw Kurt off and on through school. I was very thankful to my mom for watching BC so I could finish school. I also worked after school so I could support him and my mom was very good about keeping him.
(Thanks goes to my mom for this)
The week before I got married Kurt came to my work and asked me to please have coffee with him. He wanted to try and work things out. I just couldn’t go back with him. Plus, I was very in love with JW at this time. I am very glad I married my husband.
BC's father didn’t want to pay child support so he came back into the picture when Bret graduated. We were very young, Kurt sees my son now; I am fine with it, God has really worked in my heart with this. I am at the point in my life I can now pray for him. This is what we are called to do.
This is the end of a very long story.
The Green Scene
On the third day of creation God also, separated the land from the seas, He covered the earth with vegetation -grasses, vegetables, flowers, trees, mosses, and all other kinds of plants.
God did not create just one kind of plant that would develop or "evolve" into many different plants; He produced a great variety, each with "seed according to their kind"
Genesis 1:12 The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Scientists have discovered that green is the most soothing color to the human eye; that's why surgeons wear green garments in brightly - lit operating rooms.
Plant life is the basis of all life on earth. As animals and people eat plants (or eat animals that eat plants, like sheep and cows), their life is sustained by the energy the plants provide
God's Word promises in Genesis 8:22 that "seedtime and harvest" will continue until the end of the world.
Genesis 8:22 "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease."
God created plants to be more than just functional. He created them to be beautiful and delicious, and He created many, many different kinds of plants to please us. We should be thankful for His goodness to us.
Jesus said we shouldn't worry about the clothing we will wear because God will provide for us, just as He clothes the lilies of the field. Even the simple lilies are more beautiful than King Solonmon in all his splendor!
Matthew 6:29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these lilies of the field
Creamy Caramel Dip
My best friend made this for her daughter-in-laws baby shower on Saturday. It went over very well, all the ladies were raving about it.
Creamy Caramel Dip
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
8 oz. sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla
2 t. lemon juice
1 c. cold milk
1 3.4 ounce box instant vanilla pudding
Beat cream cheese and brown sugar together until smooth. Add remaining ingredients, beating well after each addition. Cover and chill at least one hour.
Makes about 3 1/2 cups.
Creamy Caramel Dip
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. packed brown sugar
8 oz. sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla
2 t. lemon juice
1 c. cold milk
1 3.4 ounce box instant vanilla pudding
Beat cream cheese and brown sugar together until smooth. Add remaining ingredients, beating well after each addition. Cover and chill at least one hour.
Makes about 3 1/2 cups.
Happy Birthday AJ
This picture is of AJ on his first Birthday.
My baby is now 17; we had a family birthday party for him on Monday. I wanted my mom and step-dad, Mother-in-law and my oldest Son and Daughter-in-law and children to come this year. We waited to have his party until my son and his family returned from vaction. This will be the last family party we will have for AJ.
After high school he will be going into the Navy.
It is very hard for me to think of him leaving. I remember when my oldest son left for the Navy. He left a child and came back a husband and a father. In my heart I knew he wouldn't be able to stay single. I think when you are raised with a big family it is hard to be alone.
AJ seems so young to me still, to think of him going off by himself, just makes me so very sad. If he wants to serve our Country, I want him to do that. I will just miss him.
This is just going to be a very hard year for me. I cried almost my whole route on Sunday morning, just thinking about him away from home. Not having him home for his birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, just breaks my heart. I am a real family person, I like being around my family as much as possible. I know I have no assurance that my children will live around me. I am just having a hard time cutting the apron strings.
My daughter reminded me last night after everyone left, how I use to cry myself to sleep before my oldest son went off to the Navy and how I cried for a year after he was gone. Hopefully, I have matured over the years and it won't last that long.
AJ is the fourth child, he was always sort of put on the back burner. At the end of his school year last year we started taking a big interest in him. He loved the attention and has really excelled in school and sports because of it. Praise God we noticed that he really needed our attention before it was too late. He is a great kid.
Happy Birthday AJ! (It doesn't matter how old my children are, they will still always be my babies)
Monday, September 18, 2006
I am glad the weekend is over
My life seems a little bit on the busy side right now. With the kids starting school and all the fall programs starting up, I can hardly keep up with things.
Since Friday I have been going non stop; I worked my cleaning job and motor route, plus I had my niece-in-law and her children over for dinner and a movie after work. I want to try and have her over a few times a month. With her husband in jail it seems like none of my family is reaching out to her. After a long year apart, my nephew started drinking; he is now in jail for drinking and driving, he caused an accident that hurt his best friend. My nephew and niece-in-law had gotten back together right before Jeremy's sentencing. They are trying to make their marriage work. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. God has forgiven her, I have to also. I feel like I need to reach out to and the children right now.
Saturday brought yet another busy day; I went to a baby shower for a good friend of mines daughter-in-law. I felt like I should really be there for my friend. She is the lady I wrote about earlier this summer, she is the one that took me out for a surprise birthday event.
I work on Saturday afternoons cleaning my church; I also had to practice my songs for Sunday's singing at Immanuel. My only regret is, I didn't get to go see Bob.
Sunday brought more fun; I worked through the night on Sunday delivering papers. I have 700 hundred total Sunday papers to deliver. I didn't get home from work until 8:30 a.m. my papers were late again, I had to hurry when I got home so I wouldn't be late for my singing at Immanuel. The singing went very well, I prayed that God would be gloried and I think He was. They gave me a standing ovation, which I turned over to the Lord. I sang three song; "In His Time", "You are my Hiding Place", "There is Joy in the Lord".
Sunday afternoon I had to take AJ to his wrestling practice at the U of M. While he was busy with wrestling, I went and got all the things for his Birthday party, which we had tonight. I'll blog about AJ tomorrow.
The weekend was full yet very rewarding.
Since Friday I have been going non stop; I worked my cleaning job and motor route, plus I had my niece-in-law and her children over for dinner and a movie after work. I want to try and have her over a few times a month. With her husband in jail it seems like none of my family is reaching out to her. After a long year apart, my nephew started drinking; he is now in jail for drinking and driving, he caused an accident that hurt his best friend. My nephew and niece-in-law had gotten back together right before Jeremy's sentencing. They are trying to make their marriage work. The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God. God has forgiven her, I have to also. I feel like I need to reach out to and the children right now.
Saturday brought yet another busy day; I went to a baby shower for a good friend of mines daughter-in-law. I felt like I should really be there for my friend. She is the lady I wrote about earlier this summer, she is the one that took me out for a surprise birthday event.
I work on Saturday afternoons cleaning my church; I also had to practice my songs for Sunday's singing at Immanuel. My only regret is, I didn't get to go see Bob.
Sunday brought more fun; I worked through the night on Sunday delivering papers. I have 700 hundred total Sunday papers to deliver. I didn't get home from work until 8:30 a.m. my papers were late again, I had to hurry when I got home so I wouldn't be late for my singing at Immanuel. The singing went very well, I prayed that God would be gloried and I think He was. They gave me a standing ovation, which I turned over to the Lord. I sang three song; "In His Time", "You are my Hiding Place", "There is Joy in the Lord".
Sunday afternoon I had to take AJ to his wrestling practice at the U of M. While he was busy with wrestling, I went and got all the things for his Birthday party, which we had tonight. I'll blog about AJ tomorrow.
The weekend was full yet very rewarding.
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Giving Glory To God
I was asked once again to sing at Immanuel Baptist church. I have prepared three songs; the only thing I want to do tomorrow morning is to Glorify God. I have been a bit busy this weekend with basic life things. I just don't want to forget why I sing.
I know that this is nothing to do with me. God is using me to lead His people to Worship Him. I am so very grateful for the opportunity.
Lord,
Thank you for reminding me why I am here,
Thank you for convicting me of my sins,
Thank you for opening up my eyes to the path that I was taking,
Thank you for showing me who really loves me,
Thank you for loving me even at my lowest points
May everything I say, and everything I do, be Glorifying, uplifting and pleasing to You.
You have restored me unto you and I want to "Thank you".
AMEN
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.(Psalm 19:1).
How Do We Glorify God?
Through Fellowship.
The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. (Exodus 33:11).
Through Worship:
"So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God" (II Chronicles 5:14). [This was at the completion of the building of the temple by Solomon].
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! (Psalm 22:23).
"All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, O Lord;they will bring glory to your name." (Psalm 86:9).
Through LORDSHIP:
"and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:11).
When we accept Jesus as Lord.
When we lead others to accept Jesus as Lord.
Through Praise:
"He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him [a] the salvation of God." (Psalm 50:23).
I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. (Psalm 86:12).
Through Thanksgiving:
"For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God" (II Corinthians 4:15).
"And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God" (Luke 17:15). (The one leper stopped to give Jesus thanks for the healing.)
Through Righteousness:
"Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:11).
Through Humility
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6:14).
"Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken. Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness" (Jeremiah 13:15-16).
Through Claiming the promises of God:
"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us" (II Corinthians 1:20).
"He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God" (Romans 4:20).
Through Receiving one another:
"Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God" (Romans 15:7).
Through Suffering as a Believer:
"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" (I Peter 4:16).
Through Faithfulness unto death:
"This spake he, signifying by what death he [Peter] should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me" (John 21:19).
"But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55).
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Revelation 12:11).
Through Receiving Healing:
"When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby" (John 11:4).
"He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (John 16:14).
Through Calling upon the Lord for help.
"Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake" (Psalm 79:9).
"And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me" (Psalm 50:15).
Through The Witness Of Good Works:
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation" (I Peter 2:12).
Through Physical Discipline:
"you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (I Corinthians 6:20).
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2).
Through Giving:
"Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." (II Corinthians 9:13).
Through Bearing Fruit:
"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (John 15:8).
Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise [a] will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:2-3).
Producing the fruit of the Spirit. Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22-23).
Through Believing Jesus:
Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40).
I know that this is nothing to do with me. God is using me to lead His people to Worship Him. I am so very grateful for the opportunity.
Lord,
Thank you for reminding me why I am here,
Thank you for convicting me of my sins,
Thank you for opening up my eyes to the path that I was taking,
Thank you for showing me who really loves me,
Thank you for loving me even at my lowest points
May everything I say, and everything I do, be Glorifying, uplifting and pleasing to You.
You have restored me unto you and I want to "Thank you".
AMEN
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Corinthians 10:31).
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.(Psalm 19:1).
How Do We Glorify God?
Through Fellowship.
The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. (Exodus 33:11).
Through Worship:
"So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God" (II Chronicles 5:14). [This was at the completion of the building of the temple by Solomon].
You who fear the LORD, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
Revere him, all you descendants of Israel! (Psalm 22:23).
"All the nations you have made
will come and worship before you, O Lord;they will bring glory to your name." (Psalm 86:9).
Through LORDSHIP:
"and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:11).
When we accept Jesus as Lord.
When we lead others to accept Jesus as Lord.
Through Praise:
"He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him [a] the salvation of God." (Psalm 50:23).
I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. (Psalm 86:12).
Through Thanksgiving:
"For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God" (II Corinthians 4:15).
"And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God" (Luke 17:15). (The one leper stopped to give Jesus thanks for the healing.)
Through Righteousness:
"Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:11).
Through Humility
"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" (Galatians 6:14).
"Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken. Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness" (Jeremiah 13:15-16).
Through Claiming the promises of God:
"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us" (II Corinthians 1:20).
"He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God" (Romans 4:20).
Through Receiving one another:
"Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God" (Romans 15:7).
Through Suffering as a Believer:
"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf" (I Peter 4:16).
Through Faithfulness unto death:
"This spake he, signifying by what death he [Peter] should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me" (John 21:19).
"But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55).
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" (Revelation 12:11).
Through Receiving Healing:
"When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby" (John 11:4).
"He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you" (John 16:14).
Through Calling upon the Lord for help.
"Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name's sake" (Psalm 79:9).
"And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me" (Psalm 50:15).
Through The Witness Of Good Works:
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).
"Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation" (I Peter 2:12).
Through Physical Discipline:
"you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (I Corinthians 6:20).
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:1-2).
Through Giving:
"Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." (II Corinthians 9:13).
Through Bearing Fruit:
"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (John 15:8).
Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise [a] will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. (Daniel 12:2-3).
Producing the fruit of the Spirit. Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
(Galatians 5:22-23).
Through Believing Jesus:
Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" (John 11:40).
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Landscape, Seascape
On the third day of creation God separated the seas from the dry land. This is the day He created the mountains, canyons, plains, etc. It is also teh day that He pushed back the seas into the lower areas of the earth, and set boundaries for the seas.
If the earth were totally smooth today, with no mountains and no valleys, everything would be covered with water almost two miles deep!
Most of the earth is covered with water. We have 350 million cubic feet of water on our planet, but there is no liquid water on any other planet in the solar system.
Water is absolutely essential for life - plant life, animal life, and human life.
God's tremendous, eternal power is seen in the separation of the land from the seas
Jeremiah 5:22
"Should you not fear me?" declares the LORD.
"Should you not tremble in my presence?
I made the sand a boundary for the sea,
an everlasting barrier it cannot cross.
The waves may roll, but they cannot prevail;
they may roar, but they cannot cross it.
Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
God's widom and love of beauty are seen in the beauty and variety of earth's land masses and seas.
Psalm 104:24
How many are your works, O LORD!
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
Stromboli
Hit Counter
When my dad was visiting, my daughter-in-law had us all over and made this meal. It was very good and went a long way.
Frozen Bread dough - let thaw
1 egg yolk
1 table spoon permasan cheese
1tsp parsley
1tsp oregano
1/2 tsp pepper
2 table spoons oil
Mix together,
Roll out dough, spread mix over dough.
fill with Meat and cheese and veg of your choice.
Pinch dough sides together.
Use egg whites - brush over the bread
roll up dough
Bake at 350 degrees for 35 - 45 minutes
This makes 1 loaf
She made 3 different kinds when we were over.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
The Air That's There
God created the atmosphere on the second day of creation.
Genesis 1:6-8 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
The earth is the only planet in our solar system to have oxygen in its atmosphere.
Our atmosphere is 21% oxygen. It is also made up of other gases, specks of dust, and water.
The water in our atmosphere gives us our weather.
The ozone layer above the atmosphere protects us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Without the ozone layer, all living things on the earth would die in a very short time.
In the Bible, "breath" and "life" are sometimes used to mean the same thing.
Isaiah 42:5 "He who created the heavens and stretched them out...who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it."
We need to praise God for everything - including the air we breathe.
Psalm 150:6 "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!"
Genesis 1:6-8 And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky." And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
The earth is the only planet in our solar system to have oxygen in its atmosphere.
Our atmosphere is 21% oxygen. It is also made up of other gases, specks of dust, and water.
The water in our atmosphere gives us our weather.
The ozone layer above the atmosphere protects us from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays. Without the ozone layer, all living things on the earth would die in a very short time.
In the Bible, "breath" and "life" are sometimes used to mean the same thing.
Isaiah 42:5 "He who created the heavens and stretched them out...who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it."
We need to praise God for everything - including the air we breathe.
Psalm 150:6 "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!"
The Facts of "Light"
I am working in our Awana clubs this year; I worked in this club for 11 years and than took a few years off to be in a prayer group with my husband. This year, I will be working with 3rd and 4th grade girls. I have to bring them a council time message so I thought I would do it on the days of creation. I know some of the girls learned this truth about God when they were younger, I thought it would be nice to bring to them the days of creation in a different light. I will be posting what I have come up with all week, or until the 6 days of creation are over.
I really want to put my whole heart into working with these young girls. I was so blessed last Wednesday at our first Awana meeting. The person that will be the Director over the group I will be involved in this year, so happens to be a young woman that I had in Awana years ago. She is now a wife, mother, and faithful servant for our Lord. How awesome is that!
On the first day of creation, God created light - and that was all He created that day.
God created light before He created the sun, moon or stars.
Light is energy; light was necessary on the first day of creation to make God's work visible-and to make life possible.
Without light there could be no life! Plants use light to make food, and animals and people eat plants to live. Even coal and oil come from plants, which get their energy from the sun
Gods Word is a light - to show us the right way to go.
Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path".
Jesus said He was the Light of the world
John 8:12, Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life."
God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all
1 John 1:5, This is the message which we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
Christians are also to shine like lights. Jesus wants us to let our lights shine before everyone, so that they may see our good works, and glorify our heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:16, Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God crated the heavens" and the earth.
I really want to put my whole heart into working with these young girls. I was so blessed last Wednesday at our first Awana meeting. The person that will be the Director over the group I will be involved in this year, so happens to be a young woman that I had in Awana years ago. She is now a wife, mother, and faithful servant for our Lord. How awesome is that!
On the first day of creation, God created light - and that was all He created that day.
God created light before He created the sun, moon or stars.
Light is energy; light was necessary on the first day of creation to make God's work visible-and to make life possible.
Without light there could be no life! Plants use light to make food, and animals and people eat plants to live. Even coal and oil come from plants, which get their energy from the sun
Gods Word is a light - to show us the right way to go.
Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path".
Jesus said He was the Light of the world
John 8:12, Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life."
God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all
1 John 1:5, This is the message which we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
Christians are also to shine like lights. Jesus wants us to let our lights shine before everyone, so that they may see our good works, and glorify our heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:16, Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God crated the heavens" and the earth.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
The Black Bag
My Friday evening was spent going through every piece of paper work that I have compiled for the last 20 years. I could not find our original paperwork for our van. When we purchased it out dealer told us not to lose the agreement papers we signed, we would need it to get our money back if we didn't use our extended warranty plan.
We moved two years ago, I thought I had put all the important papers in a folder in my new home. I looked through all of those papers twice, thinking I might have missed it the first time. Everything from the kid’s birth certificates, our marriage certificate, shot records, titles to all of our vehicles. Everything except for the papers that I needed. I knew my husband would be upset if I didn't find this paper work. I'm not the most organized person in all the earth. I guess I am the least organized person in all the earth.
It seemed like I spent hours looking through all the boxes twice, my file cabinets twice, my important paperwork drawer twice. I sat down upstairs in our garage and was talking our loud to the Lord. I told Him I was going to be shot (figure of speak) if I didn't find this work. I told Him that I have looked everywhere I could think to look.
I didn't hear a voice in my ear, but as I sat there I saw a black bag that my husband use to carry all of his Church papers in. He led a Wednesday night group through the book of Jeremiah years ago. I thought "NO WAY" but I looked inside anyway. His notes for his class were there, and other papers, plus a folder. I thought if this is the paper work I am going to cry. You won't believe this, but it was the paperwork I had looking for; I was so happy I ran and called my husband at work right away. He told me he had full confidence in me that I would find the paperwork. I told him it was a miracle that I found it since it was in his bag. He laughed at me and said good job.
I am glad that awful adventure is over. I have two more file cabinets now. I am going to organize my paper work so I won't have to go through that again. The thing is I could have had all the paperwork nicely organized in file cabinet and that paperwork would have still been in my husbands black bag.
We moved two years ago, I thought I had put all the important papers in a folder in my new home. I looked through all of those papers twice, thinking I might have missed it the first time. Everything from the kid’s birth certificates, our marriage certificate, shot records, titles to all of our vehicles. Everything except for the papers that I needed. I knew my husband would be upset if I didn't find this paper work. I'm not the most organized person in all the earth. I guess I am the least organized person in all the earth.
It seemed like I spent hours looking through all the boxes twice, my file cabinets twice, my important paperwork drawer twice. I sat down upstairs in our garage and was talking our loud to the Lord. I told Him I was going to be shot (figure of speak) if I didn't find this work. I told Him that I have looked everywhere I could think to look.
I didn't hear a voice in my ear, but as I sat there I saw a black bag that my husband use to carry all of his Church papers in. He led a Wednesday night group through the book of Jeremiah years ago. I thought "NO WAY" but I looked inside anyway. His notes for his class were there, and other papers, plus a folder. I thought if this is the paper work I am going to cry. You won't believe this, but it was the paperwork I had looking for; I was so happy I ran and called my husband at work right away. He told me he had full confidence in me that I would find the paperwork. I told him it was a miracle that I found it since it was in his bag. He laughed at me and said good job.
I am glad that awful adventure is over. I have two more file cabinets now. I am going to organize my paper work so I won't have to go through that again. The thing is I could have had all the paperwork nicely organized in file cabinet and that paperwork would have still been in my husbands black bag.
Blessed our those who mourn for they will be comforted
The Second Beatitude
Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
How will all the 9/11 relatives survive all of this hurt. The Word tells us only God is the comforter.
The person that mourns is the one who recognizes that he is a sinner before God. Such a person mourns over his various sins because he recognizes that not only do his sins greatly hurt our heavenly Father, he also realizes that he is empty of righteousness, and does not even begin to deserve salvation and the joys of heaven. This miserable, but repentant sinner, realizes that only through the grace of God does he have forgiveness and salvation. Jesus says such a person is blessed, and there is no greater blessing than to receive such divine approval. Those who are blessed in this way by God will see God and dwell with him forever.
Do you mourn for the many sins you have committed? No one mourns unless the Holy Spirit convicts him of sin and reveals to him that he is a violator of the laws of God. We must also realize that as believers we all have violated God's law but only true Christians, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, will realistically declare that not only are they spiritually bankrupt, but they are completely lost without Jesus Christ living in their lives. And only Christians will declare that they are by nature enemies of God, acknowledging that to sin means to set oneself against a holy God. The unbeliever on the other hand feels that this is nothing but foolishness, and he has no time for any of it. For the wicked refuse to take down such barriers to God as pride and arrogance. Psalm 10:4 "The wicked are to proud to seek God; God is in none of their thoughts."
Thus, the mourning of Christians referred to in this beatitude is not because of financial loss, terminal sickness, the death of loved ones, loneliness, a divorce, or some rejection being experienced. Christians mourn because they realize that they have sinned against a holy God and have brought dishonor to his name. And this dishonor of God's very name brings great mourning to the true believer. The true believer mourns when he sins because he knows that the sin just committed brings great pain and sorrow to God. And this mourning by the true Christian is the kind of mourning recorded by Paul in Romans 7:24, where he says, "What a wretched man I am!"
It is also the kind of mourning that brings unbelievable joy and hope to the believer. Paul wrote about this in 2 Corinthians 7:10 "For sadness in a Godly way makes for repentance that leads to salvation".
That's right, it is Godly mourning and sorrow that leads to repentance which brings salvation to those experiencing it. Godly sorrow causes us to loathe, despise, and repudiate sin, and this leads the believer to sincerely repent of those sins. Those who experience Godly sorrow truly forsake sin and turn to the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. These are the necessary steps to eternal salvation.
What is the promise to those who mourn? They will be comforted. Who will be comforted? Only those who mourn, meaning only those who repent. Only those who grieve over their sins under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and cry out to God, saying, "Woe is me! I am a sinner. I am unclean. I have sinned against heaven and against you. I have sinned grievously. My sin is so great". They will be the ones who will be comforted. Why will only such people be comforted? Because they alone know that Jesus Christ came to seek and save that which is lost. They alone look to the cross of Jesus Christ and realize that Christ died for their sins.
Using the prodigal son once again as an example, it tells us in Luke 15 of this young man who became very dissatisfied at home, and looked to the world for answers. This man left his father's house to go to a far country to experiment and find pleasure with sin, but soon the fun was over. He became famished, lonely, brokenhearted, and rejected by all. But by God's grace this young man came to himself, became sober and began to think clearly and Godly.
In verse 20 of Luke 15 we see this young man going back home. He was now a poor, wretched, miserable, naked specimen of humanity, but he was going home to his father. He mourned and wept as he walked, and when he reached his father, he said, "Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am not worthy to be called your son. Just make me a servant of yours at the lowest rank, for I need to be comforted. Save me, for I am lost."
How did the father react to his son? He cried out in joy and then comforted him. The father hugged and kissed him and gave him a fine garment to wear. He told the servants to put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. He ordered a great celebration with music and feasting. And when the other son questioned why the father was doing these things, the father said he had the greatest of all reasons: "This son of mine was dead but is now alive; he was lost but now is found" (Luke 15:24). What awesome comfort this son now had.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
How will all the 9/11 relatives survive all of this hurt. The Word tells us only God is the comforter.
The person that mourns is the one who recognizes that he is a sinner before God. Such a person mourns over his various sins because he recognizes that not only do his sins greatly hurt our heavenly Father, he also realizes that he is empty of righteousness, and does not even begin to deserve salvation and the joys of heaven. This miserable, but repentant sinner, realizes that only through the grace of God does he have forgiveness and salvation. Jesus says such a person is blessed, and there is no greater blessing than to receive such divine approval. Those who are blessed in this way by God will see God and dwell with him forever.
Do you mourn for the many sins you have committed? No one mourns unless the Holy Spirit convicts him of sin and reveals to him that he is a violator of the laws of God. We must also realize that as believers we all have violated God's law but only true Christians, under the conviction of the Holy Spirit, will realistically declare that not only are they spiritually bankrupt, but they are completely lost without Jesus Christ living in their lives. And only Christians will declare that they are by nature enemies of God, acknowledging that to sin means to set oneself against a holy God. The unbeliever on the other hand feels that this is nothing but foolishness, and he has no time for any of it. For the wicked refuse to take down such barriers to God as pride and arrogance. Psalm 10:4 "The wicked are to proud to seek God; God is in none of their thoughts."
Thus, the mourning of Christians referred to in this beatitude is not because of financial loss, terminal sickness, the death of loved ones, loneliness, a divorce, or some rejection being experienced. Christians mourn because they realize that they have sinned against a holy God and have brought dishonor to his name. And this dishonor of God's very name brings great mourning to the true believer. The true believer mourns when he sins because he knows that the sin just committed brings great pain and sorrow to God. And this mourning by the true Christian is the kind of mourning recorded by Paul in Romans 7:24, where he says, "What a wretched man I am!"
It is also the kind of mourning that brings unbelievable joy and hope to the believer. Paul wrote about this in 2 Corinthians 7:10 "For sadness in a Godly way makes for repentance that leads to salvation".
That's right, it is Godly mourning and sorrow that leads to repentance which brings salvation to those experiencing it. Godly sorrow causes us to loathe, despise, and repudiate sin, and this leads the believer to sincerely repent of those sins. Those who experience Godly sorrow truly forsake sin and turn to the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. These are the necessary steps to eternal salvation.
What is the promise to those who mourn? They will be comforted. Who will be comforted? Only those who mourn, meaning only those who repent. Only those who grieve over their sins under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and cry out to God, saying, "Woe is me! I am a sinner. I am unclean. I have sinned against heaven and against you. I have sinned grievously. My sin is so great". They will be the ones who will be comforted. Why will only such people be comforted? Because they alone know that Jesus Christ came to seek and save that which is lost. They alone look to the cross of Jesus Christ and realize that Christ died for their sins.
Using the prodigal son once again as an example, it tells us in Luke 15 of this young man who became very dissatisfied at home, and looked to the world for answers. This man left his father's house to go to a far country to experiment and find pleasure with sin, but soon the fun was over. He became famished, lonely, brokenhearted, and rejected by all. But by God's grace this young man came to himself, became sober and began to think clearly and Godly.
In verse 20 of Luke 15 we see this young man going back home. He was now a poor, wretched, miserable, naked specimen of humanity, but he was going home to his father. He mourned and wept as he walked, and when he reached his father, he said, "Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am not worthy to be called your son. Just make me a servant of yours at the lowest rank, for I need to be comforted. Save me, for I am lost."
How did the father react to his son? He cried out in joy and then comforted him. The father hugged and kissed him and gave him a fine garment to wear. He told the servants to put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. He ordered a great celebration with music and feasting. And when the other son questioned why the father was doing these things, the father said he had the greatest of all reasons: "This son of mine was dead but is now alive; he was lost but now is found" (Luke 15:24). What awesome comfort this son now had.
Friday, September 08, 2006
My busy Week
Things have been pretty busy around my home front this week. The kids went back to school Tuesday after a long weekend off. We are trying to get back into the swings of things. AJ just started wrestling tonight; I just picked him up from practice. He will be going to special training every Sunday and Tuesday evenings.
My twins are in 7th grade football this year; they like it, but they are pretty tired after practice. Their first football game is September 20th. School is going o.k. for them; we just started school on August 23rd, we will have to see how things go for them. The boy's have a few classes together.
Bo is in the 4th grade; he loves school. They have been doing something special in his classroom this week; he is really excited about it. They are voting on jobs; he wanted to be a candy store owner. He said he wants to make a lot of money this year. What he is forgetting is I have to buy the candy. : ) He said he didn't think I would mind.
My daughter RD just started a new business this week. She is a cosmologist at a Salon about 15 minutes from our home. Her dad thinks she would be good at selling Mary Kay products. She is a very pretty young lady; she keeps herself looking very nice. She doesn't wear a lot of heavy makeup just soft and nice. She signed up on Thursday; I am going to go with her Monday evening to see the new product line coming out.
My older son and family just left for vacation. They are going to the coast for a week. They rented a house last year on the beach with some of my daughter-in-laws relatives. They had so much fun they decided to all do it again.
I have had my grandchildren a lot this week. With my children going back to school I have been a bit lonely. I watched Jenna and Jack on Tuesday and Wednesday for my daughter-in-law. I kept Jack with me all day on Wednesday; he has been asking if I could take him with me to work, so I took him on motor route with me. I thought for sure he would go to sleep after the first hour, but the little guy stayed awake for three hours into my routes. He told me many stories.
Jack is three; he is always telling me how much he loves me and how wonderful I am. My daughter called Wednesday when I was on my route; Jack wanted to talk to her. He told my daughter how wonderful she was and that he loved her with all his heart. When he got done talking to her, he looked at me and said, "Nana who was that" I had to
LOL!! I'm not so sure how much he really loves me now that I heard that. : ) I had a wonderful time with him.
This weekend I have to find the paper work for our van. We bought it in 2003 that was 2 years before we moved. I looked through every box I kept paper work in. Do you think I can find that paperwork? I have looked just about everywhere. We get $1300.00 back from Fords for not using our warranty. Thing is, we have to have that paper work in order to get the money back. .
I must get more organized!!!
My twins are in 7th grade football this year; they like it, but they are pretty tired after practice. Their first football game is September 20th. School is going o.k. for them; we just started school on August 23rd, we will have to see how things go for them. The boy's have a few classes together.
Bo is in the 4th grade; he loves school. They have been doing something special in his classroom this week; he is really excited about it. They are voting on jobs; he wanted to be a candy store owner. He said he wants to make a lot of money this year. What he is forgetting is I have to buy the candy. : ) He said he didn't think I would mind.
My daughter RD just started a new business this week. She is a cosmologist at a Salon about 15 minutes from our home. Her dad thinks she would be good at selling Mary Kay products. She is a very pretty young lady; she keeps herself looking very nice. She doesn't wear a lot of heavy makeup just soft and nice. She signed up on Thursday; I am going to go with her Monday evening to see the new product line coming out.
My older son and family just left for vacation. They are going to the coast for a week. They rented a house last year on the beach with some of my daughter-in-laws relatives. They had so much fun they decided to all do it again.
I have had my grandchildren a lot this week. With my children going back to school I have been a bit lonely. I watched Jenna and Jack on Tuesday and Wednesday for my daughter-in-law. I kept Jack with me all day on Wednesday; he has been asking if I could take him with me to work, so I took him on motor route with me. I thought for sure he would go to sleep after the first hour, but the little guy stayed awake for three hours into my routes. He told me many stories.
Jack is three; he is always telling me how much he loves me and how wonderful I am. My daughter called Wednesday when I was on my route; Jack wanted to talk to her. He told my daughter how wonderful she was and that he loved her with all his heart. When he got done talking to her, he looked at me and said, "Nana who was that" I had to
LOL!! I'm not so sure how much he really loves me now that I heard that. : ) I had a wonderful time with him.
This weekend I have to find the paper work for our van. We bought it in 2003 that was 2 years before we moved. I looked through every box I kept paper work in. Do you think I can find that paperwork? I have looked just about everywhere. We get $1300.00 back from Fords for not using our warranty. Thing is, we have to have that paper work in order to get the money back. .
I must get more organized!!!
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
It's in the Valley we Grow
I don't know who wrote this poem, but I was cleaning out my junk draw tonight trying to find some paper work for our Van. This poem was given to me in a picture frame 2 years ago when I first moved into my new home.
We lived in our old home for 15 years. We were 10 months from paying it off, but we still had a mortgage. We had a lot of offers, but none that could come up with the money to buy it. (We lived in a double wide mobile home) I got an extra motor route and a Janitors job to cover both house payments. A man on my route has been a very good customer to me. He is around 80 years old; every Christmas he has given me a very good tip, plus he gives each one of my children money for Christmas. He won't stop his paper if he goes away, so I won't lose money. I will miss this customer when he passes on to be with the Lord. Not just because he has given to me, but he cares about my well being.
He has been in a nursing home/care facility for a few months now. I'm not sure of the ends and outs of what happened. I finally asked his grandson were he was. I knew something was wrong, so I asked. He informed me that Bob’s stomach went up into his chest. I asked were he was and if I could go visit him. I went up to see him on Saturday; he was very shocked to see me. He said, I was the last person he thought he would see. I guess paper route people don't visit their customers when they are in the hospital? I stayed for about and hour; we had a very good visit. He told me I had brightened his day. He told me he would be in the hospital for 6 more weeks. I'm going to visit him again tomorrow before I go to work. I want to repay that kind gift from a few years ago and give him his poem back.
Matthew 25:34-40 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me
These verses are a model for my life. I'm not always able to go visit people in these situation, I think e-mom put this so plan one day in her comment to me.
e-Mom said...
Someone called the Bible our "owner's manual." It contains the instructions for life.
e-Mom hit the nail right on the head.
Thanks e-Mom!
My heart goes out to him; this man is normally very active; to be laid up all summer in a hospital bed is not Bob’s style. Anyway, he was praying for my house to sell and gave me this poem.
It's in the Valley we Grow
Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then we have to remember
That it's in the valleys we grow.
If we always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
We would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.
We have so much to learn
And our growth is very slow,
Sometimes we need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys we grow.
We do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.
The little valleys are nothing
When we picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.
Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.
Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.
Thank you for the valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!
Have a blessed day!
We lived in our old home for 15 years. We were 10 months from paying it off, but we still had a mortgage. We had a lot of offers, but none that could come up with the money to buy it. (We lived in a double wide mobile home) I got an extra motor route and a Janitors job to cover both house payments. A man on my route has been a very good customer to me. He is around 80 years old; every Christmas he has given me a very good tip, plus he gives each one of my children money for Christmas. He won't stop his paper if he goes away, so I won't lose money. I will miss this customer when he passes on to be with the Lord. Not just because he has given to me, but he cares about my well being.
He has been in a nursing home/care facility for a few months now. I'm not sure of the ends and outs of what happened. I finally asked his grandson were he was. I knew something was wrong, so I asked. He informed me that Bob’s stomach went up into his chest. I asked were he was and if I could go visit him. I went up to see him on Saturday; he was very shocked to see me. He said, I was the last person he thought he would see. I guess paper route people don't visit their customers when they are in the hospital? I stayed for about and hour; we had a very good visit. He told me I had brightened his day. He told me he would be in the hospital for 6 more weeks. I'm going to visit him again tomorrow before I go to work. I want to repay that kind gift from a few years ago and give him his poem back.
Matthew 25:34-40 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me
These verses are a model for my life. I'm not always able to go visit people in these situation, I think e-mom put this so plan one day in her comment to me.
e-Mom said...
Someone called the Bible our "owner's manual." It contains the instructions for life.
e-Mom hit the nail right on the head.
Thanks e-Mom!
My heart goes out to him; this man is normally very active; to be laid up all summer in a hospital bed is not Bob’s style. Anyway, he was praying for my house to sell and gave me this poem.
It's in the Valley we Grow
Sometimes life seems hard to bear,
Full of sorrow, trouble and woe
It's then we have to remember
That it's in the valleys we grow.
If we always stayed on the mountain top
And never experienced pain,
We would never appreciate God's love
And would be living in vain.
We have so much to learn
And our growth is very slow,
Sometimes we need the mountain tops,
But it's in the valleys we grow.
We do not always understand
Why things happen as they do,
But I am very sure of one thing.
My Lord will see me through.
The little valleys are nothing
When we picture Christ on the cross
He went through the valley of death;
His victory was Satan's loss.
Forgive me Lord, for complaining
When I'm feeling so very low.
Just give me a gentle reminder
That it's in the valleys I grow.
Continue to strengthen me, Lord
And use my life each day
To share your love with others
And help them find their way.
Thank you for the valleys, Lord
For this one thing I know
The mountain tops are glorious
But it's in the valleys I grow!
Have a blessed day!
Life
I was a little tired this morning when I started to blog, so I thought I would check out some poems. BTW- I am not talented in this area at all; I think a lot, but I really can't come up with anything useful. I thought this life poem was very good. I will add my little comments to some of the statements. This woman knew what she was talking about when she wrote this poem. All I can say is take time for God, your friends, your loved ones, and don't forget your little ones; they grow up so very fast.
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
(This one is so very important)
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained or the sofa faded.
(I am a Janitor, I invite people over when the carpet is stained, feel guilty because my grandson was laying on it looking like that, so I spend two hours the next evening cleaning it)
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
(This one touched my heart strings)
There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorry's."
(I try very hard with this one; I want my family and friends to know I love them. I try to not just say it, but I try and show it as much as possible)
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it, live it and never give it back.
(I can say I really do try to seize every minute)
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
(This one is so very important)
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained or the sofa faded.
(I am a Janitor, I invite people over when the carpet is stained, feel guilty because my grandson was laying on it looking like that, so I spend two hours the next evening cleaning it)
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
(This one touched my heart strings)
There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorry's."
(I try very hard with this one; I want my family and friends to know I love them. I try to not just say it, but I try and show it as much as possible)
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute, look at it and really see it, live it and never give it back.
(I can say I really do try to seize every minute)
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
A special morning Out
My daughter-in-law turns 30 today. I am watching my grandchildren this morning so my daughter could take her out to breakfast and get her a manicure and pedicure. We wanted to do something special for her. She is a stay at home mom that doesn't get out much.
My son had a birthday party for her yesterday. He made her dinner and a beautiful cake. He saved a little money out of each of his checks so he could give her money that didn't come from their check book. I was very proud of my son for doing this for her. They have 3 adorable children. 2 little boys ( 8 and 3) and a little girl (6 months). She is a very good mom to these children. I am glad it worked out that I could watch my grandbabies and my daughter had the morning off to take her out.
My son had a birthday party for her yesterday. He made her dinner and a beautiful cake. He saved a little money out of each of his checks so he could give her money that didn't come from their check book. I was very proud of my son for doing this for her. They have 3 adorable children. 2 little boys ( 8 and 3) and a little girl (6 months). She is a very good mom to these children. I am glad it worked out that I could watch my grandbabies and my daughter had the morning off to take her out.
Turning our burdens over to Him
I talk a lot about my nieces and nephews; this is because I have so many of them.
(20 in all; 12 nieces and 7 nephews)
I have one sister; she has 8 children.
Two adopted sisters; they are to young to have children. (9 years old and 4 years old girls)
I have two brothers; one is two years younger than I am, he has 7 children. My youngest brother is 10 years younger than I am. Between him and his new wife; they have 5 children.
Friday morning I went to court with my niece-in-law. My nephew and niece were having very serious marriage problems a year ago. They split up for a while, my nephew turned to alcohol. He was in a bad accident a few months ago, hurting the person that was with him. He has been in jail since May for this offense. His court date was Friday; Him and his wife are trying to get there life back on track now. Problem is we all have to pay the consequences for our sins. I went to his hearing on Friday. They gave him a year in the county jail; it was go hard to see my nephew with jail clothes and shacked. He and his wife have 2 children with one on the way. I feel badly for both of them, but I know we all have to pay the consequences for our wrong doings. I pray this will wake both of them up to the sin they have both commented. God could have taken his life or the life of the person that was in the car, this could have been a lot worse. I tried to disciple my nephew when his wife first left him. I told him he needed to live his life for Christ regardless of how his wife is living hers. This is a very hard thing to do. We want to hurt others the way they have hurt us, instead of turning to Christ and letting Him handle it. He will if we let Him.
If we will turn our problems over to the Lord and not try to handle them ourselves we wouldn't have half the problems we do today. My nephew is now turning things back to Christ, but God had to stop him dead in his tracks. Put him behind bars in a county that will not tolerate this behavior. He is being treated like a person that did a very serious thing. I thought about this throughout the day on Friday. He did comment a very serious offense. He could have killed another person with his actions. I pray he and his wife have learned from all of this.
We need to turn our worries and problems over to God; we need have a deep desire to please Him. God gives us instructions in his word how we can do this.
The first thing we need to do is pray and tell the Lord that you hear what He's saying in John 16:33, which are where Jesus says, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Then, ask the Lord to show you how He has "overcome" your problems, your worries, your anger, and your guilt. My nephew would try this, but he could get away from what his wife was doing. He blamed her for all the problems they were having instead of looking at him and how he needed to change.
This is a hard thing but God reveals to us in His word "the Bible" that we can be of good cheer that we can rejoice in our "problems" because God's Word says in Romans 5:3-4, "knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." And we need to see our "worries" as an opportunity to practice Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." We can counteract our "anger" by obeying Ephesians 4:32, "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.", and we can deal with our "guilty" feelings by simply believing in the truth of 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." All of our problems, worries, anger, and guilt can be dealt with through simple faith in God's Word.
In reality, feelings come from thoughts, so, even though you can't change how you feel, you can change how you think. And this is what God wants use to do. For example, in Philippians 2:5, Christians are told, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." In Philippians 4:8, Christians are told to think on "things" that are "true", "noble", "just", "pure", "lovely", "of good report", and "praiseworthy" In Colossians 3:2, I tried with all my might to get my nephew to think this way. When his world was falling down around him, I begged him to take a good look at his own life. God wants all of us. Sometimes he takes things out of our life so we will turn to Him. Thing that we may put above Him.
We are told to "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." I am sure my nephew thought this was easy for me to say, my husband hadn't left me. I still believe if he would have prayed for God's Word to guide him and prayed and turned it over all of his problems, worries, and anxieties, God could have handled this with out him sitting in jail for a year.
The secret is we have to give Christ all the things in our lives. We have to be willing to give Jesus our burdens, hurts, wants, needs. Without Christ in our lives what really do we have?
1 Peter 5:7, "...casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."
(20 in all; 12 nieces and 7 nephews)
I have one sister; she has 8 children.
Two adopted sisters; they are to young to have children. (9 years old and 4 years old girls)
I have two brothers; one is two years younger than I am, he has 7 children. My youngest brother is 10 years younger than I am. Between him and his new wife; they have 5 children.
Friday morning I went to court with my niece-in-law. My nephew and niece were having very serious marriage problems a year ago. They split up for a while, my nephew turned to alcohol. He was in a bad accident a few months ago, hurting the person that was with him. He has been in jail since May for this offense. His court date was Friday; Him and his wife are trying to get there life back on track now. Problem is we all have to pay the consequences for our sins. I went to his hearing on Friday. They gave him a year in the county jail; it was go hard to see my nephew with jail clothes and shacked. He and his wife have 2 children with one on the way. I feel badly for both of them, but I know we all have to pay the consequences for our wrong doings. I pray this will wake both of them up to the sin they have both commented. God could have taken his life or the life of the person that was in the car, this could have been a lot worse. I tried to disciple my nephew when his wife first left him. I told him he needed to live his life for Christ regardless of how his wife is living hers. This is a very hard thing to do. We want to hurt others the way they have hurt us, instead of turning to Christ and letting Him handle it. He will if we let Him.
If we will turn our problems over to the Lord and not try to handle them ourselves we wouldn't have half the problems we do today. My nephew is now turning things back to Christ, but God had to stop him dead in his tracks. Put him behind bars in a county that will not tolerate this behavior. He is being treated like a person that did a very serious thing. I thought about this throughout the day on Friday. He did comment a very serious offense. He could have killed another person with his actions. I pray he and his wife have learned from all of this.
We need to turn our worries and problems over to God; we need have a deep desire to please Him. God gives us instructions in his word how we can do this.
The first thing we need to do is pray and tell the Lord that you hear what He's saying in John 16:33, which are where Jesus says, "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Then, ask the Lord to show you how He has "overcome" your problems, your worries, your anger, and your guilt. My nephew would try this, but he could get away from what his wife was doing. He blamed her for all the problems they were having instead of looking at him and how he needed to change.
This is a hard thing but God reveals to us in His word "the Bible" that we can be of good cheer that we can rejoice in our "problems" because God's Word says in Romans 5:3-4, "knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope." And we need to see our "worries" as an opportunity to practice Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." We can counteract our "anger" by obeying Ephesians 4:32, "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.", and we can deal with our "guilty" feelings by simply believing in the truth of 1 John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." All of our problems, worries, anger, and guilt can be dealt with through simple faith in God's Word.
In reality, feelings come from thoughts, so, even though you can't change how you feel, you can change how you think. And this is what God wants use to do. For example, in Philippians 2:5, Christians are told, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." In Philippians 4:8, Christians are told to think on "things" that are "true", "noble", "just", "pure", "lovely", "of good report", and "praiseworthy" In Colossians 3:2, I tried with all my might to get my nephew to think this way. When his world was falling down around him, I begged him to take a good look at his own life. God wants all of us. Sometimes he takes things out of our life so we will turn to Him. Thing that we may put above Him.
We are told to "Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth." I am sure my nephew thought this was easy for me to say, my husband hadn't left me. I still believe if he would have prayed for God's Word to guide him and prayed and turned it over all of his problems, worries, and anxieties, God could have handled this with out him sitting in jail for a year.
The secret is we have to give Christ all the things in our lives. We have to be willing to give Jesus our burdens, hurts, wants, needs. Without Christ in our lives what really do we have?
1 Peter 5:7, "...casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."
Friday, September 01, 2006
Joshua's Story
Joshua was a normal healthy baby. He weighed 7 1/2 pounds when he was born. Joshua was a very good sleeper; he would sleep any where from 8-10 hours each night. He fussed like normal babies, but for the most part he was very good.
I have told only a few people that I had a son that died of "SIDS". Only a few of my closer friends at church are aware of this. I guess it is because I really don't want people to look at me to pity me. I feel at times that we try to out do one another with our testimonies. I don't know why, but I have never given my testimony at my church. I was once asked to, but I declined saying I really didn't want to at that time. I am grateful for the joy that Joshua brought to my life. I don't feel sorry for myself in the least bit. I am grateful for how that little guy blessed my heart each day. His smile brighten up even the saddest of days. We had no money, but we had a lot of love in our home.
We are all sinners and needed Christ to come and die on the cross for our sins. No testimony is better than His. He did the sacrificing.
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel . . . that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. I Corinthians 15:1-4
Joshua died February 5th 1987. I could see the seen in my head for a very long time after Joshua died. Strange thing, I was really upset that day about having to leave Joshua to go to work. I worked at a little general store; it was right around the corner from my house. I only worked 2 hours a day, 4 days a week. This was enough money to keep Joshua in diapers. My husband worked midnights; I had to wake him up to watch Joshua this particular day. I would normally put him down for his nap, so I would not have to wake my husband. Joshua wanted me to play with him and hold him. I thought this was the reason for my uneasy feeling about leaving him.
My boss had given me an advance on my paycheck so I could buy Joshua diapers. We were very poor at the time. I had quit my job as a bank teller to stay home and raise Joshua. My husband, bless his heart, only made $4.00 an hour at that time.
Anyway, I promised my employer I would be in the next day. This happened to be the day he passed away. My husband put Joshua down so he could take his shower and be all ready when I came home from work. He would always have Joshua up when I got home from work. My husband knew when I walked in the door; I would always want to see Josh.
I was so upset at work, my boss told me to go home early. Like I said, I lived minutes away from this store. My husband had my 8 year old son call me to tell me to come home right away. (I had already left to come home) When I walked in the room, my husband was giving Joshua CPR. It was a scene that I will remember for the rest of my life. I had never heard of SIDS before; I thought Joshua must have choked on something. He was only three months old, but I couldn't figure out why he wasn't breathing. I remember grabbing him from my husband and slapping him on the back to try to free what ever he had swallowed, only formula came out. He was an awful shade of blue at this time.
The ambulance came and took him to a local hospital; they worked on Josh for what seemed like hours. Finally, they came out and told us they had done all they could. I will admit it was very hard, I wanted to blame someone, anyone, but who was to blame? After that, I looked at people with babies and couldn't figure out why it had to be my baby. I didn't want it to be anyone else’s baby. I just wanted my son back.
The day's that followed are truly a fog to me. I remember trying to hold it together at the viewing. People would try to say things to comfort me, but there were really no words that they could say at that time to bring me any comfort. I longed to hold my baby in my arms. The funeral was a nightmare, I remember my husband making me leave the casket and get in the car to drive to the cemetery. After a few years, God did bring me the comfort that only He could give. I posted about this a few days ago.
They have so much information on SIDS now, back then I had never heard of it. I would have never thought that my baby would die in his sleep. I think they figured out that babies are belly breathers. It isn't until later that they become chest (lung) breathers. Joshua was a big boy at three months; he weighted 16 pounds. He never liked to lie on his stomach, but back in the 80's, we were taught at the hospital to make sure we put them on their stomach, so they wouldn't choke on their spit up. Joshua spit up veru badly, for this reason my husband would put Joshua to sleep on his stomach. This is how the hospital told us to put him to sleep. They now tell us to place babies on their sides instead of on their stomachs to go to sleep. I did so much research on SIDS after Joshua died. I just didn't want this to happen to another one of my children. I do remember when my oldest was a baby, I put him on his stomach to sleep.
That was a long time ago. I would do it all over again to have him for those few months.
By oldest son wrote this, on what would have been Joshua's fifth Birthday. I keep this in the back of Joshua's photo album.
October 27, 1991
It is almost five years after Joshua’s death. He would have gone to school this year. He would have had a sister and two brothers. Tomorrow he would have turned five. Even though he died a long time ago; he is still loved by his whole family, especially his big brother.
A little side note; My oldest son named his son after our Joshua.
A little more about Me
This is a picture of me singing in a "Praise in the park event". I have been singing for the last 15 years on my churches Worship team. I also sing with my daughter and a very good friend of mine in a trio, I sing with two males and a female friend of mine in a Quartet, I also sing duets with my daughter and many others in my church, (whoever will sing with me) : ) and I sing solos. (I prefer singing with a group of people and not so much by myself) As you can tell I enjoy praising God through the songs that I sing. I like many different styles of music; I love the old hymns, I sing a lot of Southern Gospel and contemporary Christian music. I am a member of a non-denominational church. (It is a Bible believing, close to Baptist beliefs church) I have been a member there for the last 19 years. Through the years; I have worked in Awana, I have taught Sunday school to children, I have been in charge and worked in the Nursery, I have been a Deacon/Elders wife, I was the director over the Children's choir. I love serving in whatever area God has for me to serve. 
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