Hi Everyone
Just a short note to tell each of you Hello. I also miss my daughter too. She does need some time to spend with her family. She works hard. We had a laugh one day as we were talking about all the things she does in a day. She thought for a minute and said "I wonder if anyone would believe me if I told them what I do". She has always been a hard worker and devoted Mother and wife as you can see. Now she is still the hard worker,devoted mother, wife, grandmother and she is a great mother-in-law. Yes her daughter-in-law is a sweetheart too. lori does do more in one day than most of us get done in a week.
I am so Thankful each time I read her Devotions about our Lord and Savior Jesus!
She amazes me the time she spends learning of all He is and what He wants out of each of us.
I too will spend some time with her son, my favorite Grandson, as everyone says. Only because when he was a little fellow he never gave me any problems, I never could understand why others would get upset with him. Well as I heard some of the things he did(nothing serious) just normal boy stuff that would cause a parent to not be happy with the child. I had to smile because I never saw that part of him.
So yes he was labeled Grandma's Favorite.
Lori and I are not just Mother and Daughter but friends, very dear friends. I am so Thankful she is exactly what God has intended her to be. She sings, okay I have to share this (sorry daughter) she used to stand in front of her mirror with a hairbrush (as a mic) and sing. We would smile and tease her but as I look back, God had already chosen her to sing for Him.
Okay you can tell I am proud of her and who she is.
Next time I blog for her (or about her) I will have to add some funnies since she knows me as also making her laugh.
Keep her in your Prayers............Thank You in advance!
Monday, July 30, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
A special Guest!
The closer the time gets for Aaron to leave for the Navy the more things my husband and I are trying to do with the kids to create those last memories Aaron and the boy's will have with one another. (My goodness, this brought a big lump to my throat just typing this) Anyway, for the next few weeks I will be speeding as much time as I can with my boy before he leaves home. In my absence I will have a guest blogger! I've never done this before but I think my guest can handle filling in for me when I am away. She is one funny lady, I think you all, will enjoy her!
Bye for now!
Bye for now!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
A poem from my son, Bo
I wasn't going to blog again today but I just returned home from Trio practice and my little darling Boaz wrote me a poem. I thought I would share it with my wonderful blogging friends.
My poem
My love for you is like a river, it makes my soul shiver.
Your beauty is like a piece of gold, with your beauty, I could get you sold.
Oh goodness, he is so cute! I can't believe he was thinking of his mama tonight when I was away.
I can't imagine not having my children! They are always surprising me with something.
My poem
My love for you is like a river, it makes my soul shiver.
Your beauty is like a piece of gold, with your beauty, I could get you sold.
Oh goodness, he is so cute! I can't believe he was thinking of his mama tonight when I was away.
I can't imagine not having my children! They are always surprising me with something.
Blogger Reflections
Dot at Strolling through Georgria has given me this very special award!
She made this very sweet comment about me on her blog; Lori at Living for the Simple Things in Life is such an inspiration! She shines like a beacon in her love for Christ and her family and shares it all on her blog.
Thank you dot, you are so very sweet!
Friday, July 20, 2007
What are you willing to Sacrifice?
My husband's work picnic was fun! It rained pretty hard for a while but I don't think that was important. The important part was I was finnally willing to sacrifice something for my husband. As I continue to grow in Godly love for my husband I am reminded of the sacrifices that God and my husband make for me every day. It wasn't important that it rained! What was important, is the fact that I went to that picnic with a joyful heart. My husband wanted to take the kids, he didn't even think to ask me to go because he didn't think I would take time off of work to go. We talked about this yesterday a little. I was teasing him about not asking me to go and he looked at me and said, "Lori, you would never have taken time off in the past so how would I think that you would take time off now". Ouch! He didn't hurt my feeling, he was just telling the truth. When I came home from worship team practice last night, I sat down beside him and he thanked me for going with him to his picnic. I was so happy that I came out of my comfort join and asked him if I could go. These are very small baby steps, but I PTL that I am making a little progress.
It is not in my nature to take a day off of work! I have to pay someone to do my route and give up the control to love my husband enough to do that. I'll be honest, in the past, I wouldn't have given up for him. I am finnally seeing, what is important in my life. Giving up control and loving others is very important in my spiritual growth. How can I say I love God if I don't even show that I love my husband, I can see and feel and am around him all the time? How can I say I am willing to give up everything for Christ if indeed I give up nothing for anyone else? These are things I am working on in my life at this time.
Sacrifice must involve a real cost, or it is not really a sacrifice. The cost of offering a sacrifice in the Old Testament was atually quite substantial - an unblemished lamb, goat, or bull from your flocks was definately a substantial cost. While we do not offer such sacrifices today, the question remains: do our sacrifices or offerings to God actually cost us anything? If they do not, then are they really a sacrifice?
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart" (Ps 51:17).
Paul writes in Romans 12, "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 act of worship"
(Ro 12:1). Sacrifice today should involve us offering all of ourselves to God. This does come at a cost. If we truly offer ourselves to God, then we must lay down our own goals and ambitions, and submit them to what God's plans are. The paradox is that when we do that, it is then that we discover what our goals and ambitions should have been all along.
It is not in my nature to take a day off of work! I have to pay someone to do my route and give up the control to love my husband enough to do that. I'll be honest, in the past, I wouldn't have given up for him. I am finnally seeing, what is important in my life. Giving up control and loving others is very important in my spiritual growth. How can I say I love God if I don't even show that I love my husband, I can see and feel and am around him all the time? How can I say I am willing to give up everything for Christ if indeed I give up nothing for anyone else? These are things I am working on in my life at this time.
Sacrifice must involve a real cost, or it is not really a sacrifice. The cost of offering a sacrifice in the Old Testament was atually quite substantial - an unblemished lamb, goat, or bull from your flocks was definately a substantial cost. While we do not offer such sacrifices today, the question remains: do our sacrifices or offerings to God actually cost us anything? If they do not, then are they really a sacrifice?
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart" (Ps 51:17).
Paul writes in Romans 12, "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 act of worship"
(Ro 12:1). Sacrifice today should involve us offering all of ourselves to God. This does come at a cost. If we truly offer ourselves to God, then we must lay down our own goals and ambitions, and submit them to what God's plans are. The paradox is that when we do that, it is then that we discover what our goals and ambitions should have been all along.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Excellence is my Goal "How Great is our God"
Excellence: I think this is a goal worth pursuing.
"...so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ..."
Philippians 1:10
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14
Is there a description of the perfect Christian woman?
I don't think so! In my goal to obtain excellence in Christ, I see that I will always be striving to get there. I find that Christian women don't have boundless amounts of energy, super-human strength, or a superior spirituality. They are ordinary – failing, falling, and tired at the end of the day. They are tested and found wanting all too often. But they have heard from God through His Word, seen Him work in their lives, and have experienced peace, answered prayer, and power and comfort through the Holy Spirit. Thus their heart is fixed, their commitment firm, their joy complete. They learn and grow, and find divine purpose in mundane tasks and the every day routine of living. They are passionate believers living a purposeful life, alive with a passion for God!
I know that I will always be striving to reach my goal to be the excellent Christian woman, but this is a goal I want to always be reaching for.
Thank you Lord for "How Great You Are" without You I have no reason to keep striving to reach my goal for excellence.
Last night, the trio I sing in got together to come up with a song that we will be singing in a few weeks, during our Worship service. We have a new member of our trio, now that my daughter has moved away. After going through a dozen songs or more we decided on "How Great is our God" by Chris Tomlin. As I am sitting here doing my devotions this morning, I am listening to this song in the back ground. It has really ministerd to my heart this morning, I pray it will minister to your hearts as well.
I better get my tasked done for the day. The boy's all need hair cuts this a.m. We will be heading off to Geddes park at 12:00 p.m. to meet my husband for a work picnic. I took one of my routes off today so I could spend some at the picnic with my family. It will be off to worship team practice after my one route today! I am looking forward to yet another day to enjoy all the things God has given me.
"...so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ..."
Philippians 1:10
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:14
Is there a description of the perfect Christian woman?
I don't think so! In my goal to obtain excellence in Christ, I see that I will always be striving to get there. I find that Christian women don't have boundless amounts of energy, super-human strength, or a superior spirituality. They are ordinary – failing, falling, and tired at the end of the day. They are tested and found wanting all too often. But they have heard from God through His Word, seen Him work in their lives, and have experienced peace, answered prayer, and power and comfort through the Holy Spirit. Thus their heart is fixed, their commitment firm, their joy complete. They learn and grow, and find divine purpose in mundane tasks and the every day routine of living. They are passionate believers living a purposeful life, alive with a passion for God!
I know that I will always be striving to reach my goal to be the excellent Christian woman, but this is a goal I want to always be reaching for.
Thank you Lord for "How Great You Are" without You I have no reason to keep striving to reach my goal for excellence.
Last night, the trio I sing in got together to come up with a song that we will be singing in a few weeks, during our Worship service. We have a new member of our trio, now that my daughter has moved away. After going through a dozen songs or more we decided on "How Great is our God" by Chris Tomlin. As I am sitting here doing my devotions this morning, I am listening to this song in the back ground. It has really ministerd to my heart this morning, I pray it will minister to your hearts as well.
I better get my tasked done for the day. The boy's all need hair cuts this a.m. We will be heading off to Geddes park at 12:00 p.m. to meet my husband for a work picnic. I took one of my routes off today so I could spend some at the picnic with my family. It will be off to worship team practice after my one route today! I am looking forward to yet another day to enjoy all the things God has given me.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Recipes
I had some computer work to do this a.m. so I thought I'd write out a few of my recipes and post them this morning. The first recipe is of my favorite Carrot cake. This is the cake my husband normally makes for me on my Birthday. When my daughter lived here, it didn't seem like I was eating the whole cake so I would ask for this cake. (YUMMY)
This Taco salad is the one my entire family loves. (All of my relatives) I made this for serveral graduation parties I helped with and attended this summer. I don't care for Kidney bean at all plus you can put in onions and tomatoes if you like them. Some places I put them in some places (depending on the people) I left them out. The salad was always gone. I remembered years ago I tried to make a taco salad and all the recipes called for Italian dressing. (Yuck) It came out awful, so I used the dressing I liked and it is now a family favorite.
Fat Free Vegan Carrot Cake (makes one 4-5 inch high 10 inch bundt cake)
Wet ingredients:
2 Cups packed finely grated carrots
1 & 1/2 cups packed Brown Sugar (we use sucanat)
1 & 3/4 cups water
1-cup raisins
1 tsp vanilla
Dry ingredients:
3 cups unbleached white flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/14 tsp cloves
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
Optional additional ingredients: 1-cup nuts (we put in chopped walnuts)
Directions:
(Do this part ahead of time) Combine the wet ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, cover, and let the mixture sit for at least an hour. But overnight is best. The mixture will stay fairly thin.
When the allotted time has past, preheat the oven to 300 F and generously oil and flour a 10-inch bundt pan. Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add the cooled carrot mixture and stir/ford gently only until no trace of flour is left. Fold in any optional ingredients if you want to add some. Pour batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 1 hour or until the cake is firm to the touch and a probe comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes, and then invert onto serving plate.
For the top: Lemon glaze (after cake is baked)
1/2-cup sugar (gain we use sucanat)
1/4-cup fresh lemon juice
Combine in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves. That's it!
If you like, poke holes in the top of the cake with a toothpick or a sharp knife before you slowly pour the glaze over the top. That way more of the glaze can seep down into the cake.
If you are making muffins time will be 30 minutes at 300 F.
------------------------------------------------------------
TACO SALAD
1 lb ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 head lettuce, shredded
1 12 oz pkg. shredded cheddar cheese
1 12 oz bag nacho cheese flavored Doritos, crushed
1 16 oz. French Dressing
Brown ground beef and add taco seasoning. Simmer according to directions.
Place in large bowl and refrigerate until cool. lettuce, cheese, and Doritos. Mix well.
Cover with salad dressing. Mix again. Serve almost immediately.
This Taco salad is the one my entire family loves. (All of my relatives) I made this for serveral graduation parties I helped with and attended this summer. I don't care for Kidney bean at all plus you can put in onions and tomatoes if you like them. Some places I put them in some places (depending on the people) I left them out. The salad was always gone. I remembered years ago I tried to make a taco salad and all the recipes called for Italian dressing. (Yuck) It came out awful, so I used the dressing I liked and it is now a family favorite.
Fat Free Vegan Carrot Cake (makes one 4-5 inch high 10 inch bundt cake)
Wet ingredients:
2 Cups packed finely grated carrots
1 & 1/2 cups packed Brown Sugar (we use sucanat)
1 & 3/4 cups water
1-cup raisins
1 tsp vanilla
Dry ingredients:
3 cups unbleached white flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/14 tsp cloves
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
Optional additional ingredients: 1-cup nuts (we put in chopped walnuts)
Directions:
(Do this part ahead of time) Combine the wet ingredients in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes, cover, and let the mixture sit for at least an hour. But overnight is best. The mixture will stay fairly thin.
When the allotted time has past, preheat the oven to 300 F and generously oil and flour a 10-inch bundt pan. Combine the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add the cooled carrot mixture and stir/ford gently only until no trace of flour is left. Fold in any optional ingredients if you want to add some. Pour batter into the prepared pan, and bake for 1 hour or until the cake is firm to the touch and a probe comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a rack for 10 minutes, and then invert onto serving plate.
For the top: Lemon glaze (after cake is baked)
1/2-cup sugar (gain we use sucanat)
1/4-cup fresh lemon juice
Combine in a saucepan and heat until the sugar dissolves. That's it!
If you like, poke holes in the top of the cake with a toothpick or a sharp knife before you slowly pour the glaze over the top. That way more of the glaze can seep down into the cake.
If you are making muffins time will be 30 minutes at 300 F.
------------------------------------------------------------
TACO SALAD
1 lb ground beef
1 envelope taco seasoning
1 head lettuce, shredded
1 12 oz pkg. shredded cheddar cheese
1 12 oz bag nacho cheese flavored Doritos, crushed
1 16 oz. French Dressing
Brown ground beef and add taco seasoning. Simmer according to directions.
Place in large bowl and refrigerate until cool. lettuce, cheese, and Doritos. Mix well.
Cover with salad dressing. Mix again. Serve almost immediately.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Matt Redman - Nothing But The Blood -
Artist: Matt Redman
Song: Nothing but the blood
Album: Facedown
[" Facedown " CD]
Your blood speaks a better word
Than all the empty claims I've heard upon this earth
Speaks righteousness for me
And stands in my defense
Jesus it's Your blood
[Chorus]
What can wash away our sins?
What can make us whole again?
Nothing but the blood
Nothing but the blood of Jesus
What can wash us pure as snow?
Welcomed as the friends of God
Nothing but Your blood
Nothing but Your blood King Jesus
Your cross testifies in grace
Tells of the Father's heart to make a way for us
Now boldly we approach
Not by earthly confidence
It's only Your blood
[Chorus]
We thank You for the blood
We thank You for the blood
We praise You for the blood
We praise You for the blood
Nothing but Your blood
Nothing but Your blood King Jesus
Monday, July 16, 2007
My Birthday Pictures!
I want to thank all of my wonderful blogging friends for the great Birthday blessings I received. I lived through the day without any mishaps. My family, as always was very, very good to me.
My husband made me a wonderful burger on the grill with Swiss cheese, grilled mushroom and onions (my favorite) We also had a fruit tray, veggie tray with chips and dip. I asked for a carrot muffin from Whole foods. I am the only one around our house now that eats carrot cake so I asked my husband for a single portion. If he made me a big cake, I would eat the whole thing!
Here are the gifts I received from my wonderful family. My children gave me some hair products that I asked for too! I did receive a card and a call from my Rebecca! The card was very funny, I'll save that for another day.
One thing I couldn't figure out for the longest time when I was downloading these pictures today was where my granddaughter Jenna was. She was on my hip while I was taking the pictures. Hee, Hee No new pictures of Jenna!
My Carrot muffin (Yummy)
Flowers from my husband! Red carnations are my favorite flower! He is so good to me!
Yeaaaahhhh!!! I received the new Chris Tomlin CD from Bret & Jessica and my 3 adorable grand babies.
New P.J.'s from Bret & Jess and my babies!
This is also from Bret & Jessica. I really needed a new curling iron.
A purse and facial products from my Dad, Mom and little sisters.
This is a picture of my new little corner of the world. I had a bare spot in my living room and wanted to place something in the corner that I could sit on. This is my new bench (It goes with the curtains in my living room) and my new book shelf. If you look above the bench you will see a picture. (See below)
I received this picture from my Daughter-in-laws mom. I love the Bible verse and the colors go perfect with my living room.
I received this Humming bird feeder from my Dad and Mom on Mother's Day. I placed in a tree right in front of my front porch swing so I could watch for the humming birds. I was sitting reading my book on Friday evening and sure enough I saw a humming bird eating from this feeder. Thanks Dad & Mom and my two little cute sisters.
My husband made me a wonderful burger on the grill with Swiss cheese, grilled mushroom and onions (my favorite) We also had a fruit tray, veggie tray with chips and dip. I asked for a carrot muffin from Whole foods. I am the only one around our house now that eats carrot cake so I asked my husband for a single portion. If he made me a big cake, I would eat the whole thing!
Here are the gifts I received from my wonderful family. My children gave me some hair products that I asked for too! I did receive a card and a call from my Rebecca! The card was very funny, I'll save that for another day.
One thing I couldn't figure out for the longest time when I was downloading these pictures today was where my granddaughter Jenna was. She was on my hip while I was taking the pictures. Hee, Hee No new pictures of Jenna!
My Carrot muffin (Yummy)
Flowers from my husband! Red carnations are my favorite flower! He is so good to me!
Yeaaaahhhh!!! I received the new Chris Tomlin CD from Bret & Jessica and my 3 adorable grand babies.
New P.J.'s from Bret & Jess and my babies!
This is also from Bret & Jessica. I really needed a new curling iron.
A purse and facial products from my Dad, Mom and little sisters.
This is a picture of my new little corner of the world. I had a bare spot in my living room and wanted to place something in the corner that I could sit on. This is my new bench (It goes with the curtains in my living room) and my new book shelf. If you look above the bench you will see a picture. (See below)
I received this picture from my Daughter-in-laws mom. I love the Bible verse and the colors go perfect with my living room.
I received this Humming bird feeder from my Dad and Mom on Mother's Day. I placed in a tree right in front of my front porch swing so I could watch for the humming birds. I was sitting reading my book on Friday evening and sure enough I saw a humming bird eating from this feeder. Thanks Dad & Mom and my two little cute sisters.
The Twins Birthday Pictures!
We had a great time at the twins Birthday party! Here are the pictures from our fun evening.
Here is my husband trying to light all the candles.
This is of course the twins, Jimmy and John with their cakes.
Fun gifts for Jimmy and John, with all the boy's in the back ground. I love those smiles Ethan, Bo and Josh.
My Mother-in-Law hates to get her picture taken but I grabbed this picture of her when she wasn't looking.
Here is Jimmy and John with my two adopted sisters Shi Shi and Mali.
This is my son Bret and his beautiful wife Jessica.
This is my Step-dad and my mom.
Here is my husband trying to light all the candles.
This is of course the twins, Jimmy and John with their cakes.
Fun gifts for Jimmy and John, with all the boy's in the back ground. I love those smiles Ethan, Bo and Josh.
My Mother-in-Law hates to get her picture taken but I grabbed this picture of her when she wasn't looking.
Here is Jimmy and John with my two adopted sisters Shi Shi and Mali.
This is my son Bret and his beautiful wife Jessica.
This is my Step-dad and my mom.
Interesting Pictures!
I was downloading the birthday pictures and came across some very interest prints. Boaz and Joshua are way to smart for their own good.
Such a little head on such a big body!
Three cute boy's: Bo, Ethan and Josh. You'd better clean up that mess when your done.
a very scary masked man!
What in the world are you doing with the plunger Josh?
A little hop, skip and a jump, Ethan.
Such a little head on such a big body!
Three cute boy's: Bo, Ethan and Josh. You'd better clean up that mess when your done.
a very scary masked man!
What in the world are you doing with the plunger Josh?
A little hop, skip and a jump, Ethan.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
God's Purpose: Part 2
Living for the simple things in life: God's Purpose Part 1
To conform us to Christ:
The secret is this, simply this: Christ in you! Yes, Christ in you bringing with him the hope of all the glorious things to come.Colossians 1:27
God sent His Son to show us His glory and to purchase our redemption. God's heart, as our Father, is for us to come to Him through our acceptance of Jesus Christ as His Son and His death on the cross as purification of our sins. When we believe in Jesus Christ, we become new creations and Christ begins to live within us. Only as we are in Christ, can we hope to be what God intends. His purpose becomes real and transforming as we yield to the process He chooses for us to duplicate His character. God purchased our salvation and He continues His sanctifying work in us so that we will betransformed into His image and thereby glorify Him.
God desires for us to come to Him and to know Him. He loves us and has fully provided for our union with Him. The following Scriptures reveal how God has made it possible for us to be in relationship with Him.
John 5:24 His word tells us if we hear His word and believe in God we will have eternal Life. We will not come into judgement but pass from death into life.
Colossians 2: 9-10 In Christ (The supreme being) dwells all the fullness of the Deity. Because of this we posses the knowledge to live Godly lives. We have the knowledge and wisdom because of Christ we and live a life worthy of the lord Christ posses the fullness ofthedevine nature and attributes of the God-head, the supreme being. We can posses this through Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ was eternally rich, glorious and exalted; but "though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor."...Poverty must be enriched by Him in whom are infinite treasures before it can venture to commune; and guilt must lose itself in imputed and imparted righteousness ere the soul can walk in fellowship with purity. Jesus must clothe His people in His own garments, or He cannot admit them into His palace or glory; and He must wash them in His own blood, or else they will be too defiled for the embrace of His fellowship. O believer, herein is love! For your sake the Lord Jesus "became poor" that He might lift you up into communion with Himself.
Charles H. Spurgeon
Once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord, God's Spirit immediately begins to live within us. He also begins to work in our lives, for He has a plan for us.
This is what I got out of each of the following scripture.
Romans 8:29
For whom He fore knew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. Predetermined to set His love on us and establish an intimate relationship with Him. He chose us to be conformed to the Image of Christ to be like Christ.
Ephesians 4:22-24
We are to put off the old-self and put on a new attitude a new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-7
God called us to live a holy life. We should control our body in a holy and honorable way. We should not live as those who do not have Christ. We should not be controlled by lust we should not take advantage of our brother we also should not live as the heathen do We are to be conformed to the image of Christ.
To be conformed to somethings means: To be or become of the same form, to comply with, to act in accordance with.
I want to be conformed to be like Christ. I don't have the power to posses this but God tells us He gives us the power through the blood shed of His Son that we can conform to the image of Christ.
The one marvellous secret of a holy life lies not in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfections of Jesus manifest themselves in my mortal flesh. Sanctification is "Christ in you." It is His wonderful life that is imparted by faith as a sovereign gift of God's grace.
Oswald Chambers
God takes responsibility for our growth and sanctification.
Ephesians 2:10 We are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared for us in advance to do.
Philippians 1:3-6 We have a partnership in the gospel. He tells us we can be confident that He sho began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of christ return.
The word "Work" refers to God sactivity in saving us.
"Day of Christ Jesus" Refers to His return, when our salvation Will be brought to completion.
I accepted Christ as my personal Saviour in my late teens. I remember our pastor asking me at a revival "Do you believe that Jesus Chrsit is the Son of God and that He died for your sins?' I have sensed the Lord's presence in my life sense that very night.
As I have mentioned before, it wasn't until I was an adult that I began to understand that God wanted to conform me to the image of His Son. He used the birth of our twins to instill the fruits of the Spirit in me! What better way for me to learn patience, self-control, gentleness, kindness, love, joy, faithfulness, and goodness. It took a
while for me to receive peace. After Boaz was born I realized my great need to fully surrender my life to God and allow Him to begin to transform my life according to His plan.
I think that is what God is after-as our Father; He wants us to have a strong family resemblance to Him. He uses all sorts of ways to mold us and to bring us to dependence up Him. For some, this sanctifying process may involve not having children, not being married. For others its marriage, children, parents, jobs that God will use to conform us to the image of Christ.
God has purchased us by the blood of His Son and as a faithful Father, He desires us to grow in Christlikeness, which is the very best and the highest good for any of us.
To conform us to Christ:
The secret is this, simply this: Christ in you! Yes, Christ in you bringing with him the hope of all the glorious things to come.Colossians 1:27
God sent His Son to show us His glory and to purchase our redemption. God's heart, as our Father, is for us to come to Him through our acceptance of Jesus Christ as His Son and His death on the cross as purification of our sins. When we believe in Jesus Christ, we become new creations and Christ begins to live within us. Only as we are in Christ, can we hope to be what God intends. His purpose becomes real and transforming as we yield to the process He chooses for us to duplicate His character. God purchased our salvation and He continues His sanctifying work in us so that we will betransformed into His image and thereby glorify Him.
God desires for us to come to Him and to know Him. He loves us and has fully provided for our union with Him. The following Scriptures reveal how God has made it possible for us to be in relationship with Him.
John 5:24 His word tells us if we hear His word and believe in God we will have eternal Life. We will not come into judgement but pass from death into life.
Colossians 2: 9-10 In Christ (The supreme being) dwells all the fullness of the Deity. Because of this we posses the knowledge to live Godly lives. We have the knowledge and wisdom because of Christ we and live a life worthy of the lord Christ posses the fullness ofthedevine nature and attributes of the God-head, the supreme being. We can posses this through Christ.
The Lord Jesus Christ was eternally rich, glorious and exalted; but "though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor."...Poverty must be enriched by Him in whom are infinite treasures before it can venture to commune; and guilt must lose itself in imputed and imparted righteousness ere the soul can walk in fellowship with purity. Jesus must clothe His people in His own garments, or He cannot admit them into His palace or glory; and He must wash them in His own blood, or else they will be too defiled for the embrace of His fellowship. O believer, herein is love! For your sake the Lord Jesus "became poor" that He might lift you up into communion with Himself.
Charles H. Spurgeon
Once we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord, God's Spirit immediately begins to live within us. He also begins to work in our lives, for He has a plan for us.
This is what I got out of each of the following scripture.
Romans 8:29
For whom He fore knew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. Predetermined to set His love on us and establish an intimate relationship with Him. He chose us to be conformed to the Image of Christ to be like Christ.
Ephesians 4:22-24
We are to put off the old-self and put on a new attitude a new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-7
God called us to live a holy life. We should control our body in a holy and honorable way. We should not live as those who do not have Christ. We should not be controlled by lust we should not take advantage of our brother we also should not live as the heathen do We are to be conformed to the image of Christ.
To be conformed to somethings means: To be or become of the same form, to comply with, to act in accordance with.
I want to be conformed to be like Christ. I don't have the power to posses this but God tells us He gives us the power through the blood shed of His Son that we can conform to the image of Christ.
The one marvellous secret of a holy life lies not in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfections of Jesus manifest themselves in my mortal flesh. Sanctification is "Christ in you." It is His wonderful life that is imparted by faith as a sovereign gift of God's grace.
Oswald Chambers
God takes responsibility for our growth and sanctification.
Ephesians 2:10 We are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared for us in advance to do.
Philippians 1:3-6 We have a partnership in the gospel. He tells us we can be confident that He sho began a good work in us will carry it on to completion until the day of christ return.
The word "Work" refers to God sactivity in saving us.
"Day of Christ Jesus" Refers to His return, when our salvation Will be brought to completion.
I accepted Christ as my personal Saviour in my late teens. I remember our pastor asking me at a revival "Do you believe that Jesus Chrsit is the Son of God and that He died for your sins?' I have sensed the Lord's presence in my life sense that very night.
As I have mentioned before, it wasn't until I was an adult that I began to understand that God wanted to conform me to the image of His Son. He used the birth of our twins to instill the fruits of the Spirit in me! What better way for me to learn patience, self-control, gentleness, kindness, love, joy, faithfulness, and goodness. It took a
while for me to receive peace. After Boaz was born I realized my great need to fully surrender my life to God and allow Him to begin to transform my life according to His plan.
I think that is what God is after-as our Father; He wants us to have a strong family resemblance to Him. He uses all sorts of ways to mold us and to bring us to dependence up Him. For some, this sanctifying process may involve not having children, not being married. For others its marriage, children, parents, jobs that God will use to conform us to the image of Christ.
God has purchased us by the blood of His Son and as a faithful Father, He desires us to grow in Christlikeness, which is the very best and the highest good for any of us.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Rules
I have been tagged by many blogger's but have never fulfilled this taste before. OK so I've been tagged by Choc Mint Girl and thought I'd give this a try.
The Rules: "Each person posts the rules before their list, then they list 8 things about themselves. At the end of the post, that person tags and links to 8 other people and then visits those peoples' sites and comments letting them know that they have been tagged, and to come read the post, so they know what they have to do."
1. I love Christ and try to follow and obey His word!
2. I have been married to the same man for the last 21 years.
3. I have given birth to 7 children, and I have 3 grandchildren. I love them all very much!
4. I love to read! I read up to 3 books a month.
5. This one will be hard to believe, coming from a Worship leader. In my younger day's, I was so shy, I had a hard time meeting and talking to people.
6. My favorite movie is "A Walk to Remember". A Walk to Remember
7. I love listening to music. I love Chris Tomlin's songs.
8. I will be 44 in two days. Yikes! I don't do well with old age.
All my blogging friends have been tagged many times so I'm not going to fulfill this part of the tag.
The Rules: "Each person posts the rules before their list, then they list 8 things about themselves. At the end of the post, that person tags and links to 8 other people and then visits those peoples' sites and comments letting them know that they have been tagged, and to come read the post, so they know what they have to do."
1. I love Christ and try to follow and obey His word!
2. I have been married to the same man for the last 21 years.
3. I have given birth to 7 children, and I have 3 grandchildren. I love them all very much!
4. I love to read! I read up to 3 books a month.
5. This one will be hard to believe, coming from a Worship leader. In my younger day's, I was so shy, I had a hard time meeting and talking to people.
6. My favorite movie is "A Walk to Remember". A Walk to Remember
7. I love listening to music. I love Chris Tomlin's songs.
8. I will be 44 in two days. Yikes! I don't do well with old age.
All my blogging friends have been tagged many times so I'm not going to fulfill this part of the tag.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Having a submissive Heart and a Christ like Attitude!
As my husband and I talked last night before we went to bed, I told him about a caller that called into a radio talk show I was listening to on my Motor route yesterday. This woman said that her and her husband had been married for 25 years, they fought all the time. Two years ago her husband handed her a book and asked her to read it. 10 months ago her husband passed away from a Brain Aneurysm, he died on the spot. She just found the book he handed her and read it! (It was a book on how they could save their marriage) The lady was crying, she was so remorseful. Two years ago she was to prideful to read the book her husband gave her to read. She said, "I read the book praying that God may someday give her another chance at love".
As I laid next to my husband last night, I told him how my life is changing. He said he has seen it, I PLT for that. I tell my story praying that it will change one persons life. God didn't give up on me, He is still growing and molding me into the "Image of Christ". I have a long way to go, it is not happening over night. It is a very long process, I am just now getting to the point were I will let God lead me and let other people into my life. I am still learning how to be a Godly wife, mom, and friend to others. Through reading His "WORD" and learning from Godly examples, I will continue to grow and be more Christ like. Giving Him all the glory, the glory only He deserves.
More of my life story:
After the death of our son Joshua, my husband and I seemed to be fighting all the time. I was a very insecure person! My husband and I were very young in the Lord, (By God's grace), it was enough to keep us together, but not enough to keep us from fighting all the time. I don't know how many times my husband left me, (we only had one car, so he went off walking home to his parents many times. Sometimes I let him get pretty far before I went and picked him up. I just can't believe how awful I was, it is very hard to write all of this down) I didn't want to be with him, yet I didn't want to be without him. Looking back on my life, I see now, that most of our fights were caused by me, my jealousy, my controlling attitude, my pride, my selfishness, my bitterness. I tried to control him and mold him into the little toy, the puppet I wanted him to be. My husband has a very strong personality and would never go for something like that. PTL!!!!
Rebecca was born 10 months (to the day) from Joshua's birthday. I had a miscarriage a year later, Aaron was born two years after that.
When Rebecca was 8 months old, I landed a job working in an Accounts Payable department. I loved working with numbers, this job was wonderful. I had taken many accounting classes in school and was the accounting teacher's helper my senior year of High School. All of this prepared me for my accounting job. I worked my way up in my department until I was head over it; as I look back, this wasn't the best thing in the world. I wasn't happy with my marriage and I wouldn't allow myself to get to close to my husband or my children. I loved all of them but was always afraid that I would lose them. I couldn't handle thinking about losing another person in my life so I turned all my attention to my work. At one point I was working from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. at night. This left my mom and my husband to care for our children. At that point in my life, I couldn't see that I was putting my family at the bottom of the list, but I was. I thought I was helping out, instead I was once again, controlling every situation that came up in our lives.
As I look back over those years, I just can not believe I thought I was being a good wife and mother. After the death of our son, I held everyone at arms length, including my husband and my children. I had a wall built so high no one could get to me unless I let them. I would never let anyone or anything hurt me again, (I wouldn't allow it) not by a man,(Bret's father left me when I was seven months pregnant) not by a lose, not by anything or anyone. I wouldn't let anyone get to close to me. As my husband has told me many times, my son Bret, was the only thing that I cherished.
When our son Aaron was five, my husband told me he would like for me to have another child. I couldn't even believe that he would ask me to go through that again. I fought him with all of my might. I loved my job and thought that another child would just get in the way. I finally told him (instead of submitting) that I would have another child (everything had to be on my terms) but I wanted it to be before I turned 30. I got pregnant when I was 29, and had the twins 3 days before I turned 30.
I never wanted, or even thought about, having twins. Like I said, I loved my job and thought I'd go right back to work after I had this baby. I remember my first office visit to the doctor's. "Let me back track for a minute". The day before going to my first office visit, one of my employee's asked me if I would be coming back to work after the baby was born. I jokingly said, "Yes, unless I have twins". I went to my first office visit trying to explain to the doctor why at three months pregnant I was so big. I told him, "I must have the dates wrong" and "I must be eating to much". He said "let's take a look to see what's going on and how big the baby is". He said "Oh, I see the problem, you are carrying twins". I didn't even want to have one baby,let alone twins. Some people cry, I started laughing. It ended up being an out of control laugh. I couldn't believe that God could have such a sense of humor, that He would do this to me. Instead of looking on it as the blessing that it was, I could only see it as a big joke. The doctor make me call my husband before I left that office so I could get myself under control.
I remember calling my husband and telling him I was pregnant with twins. He said, "God has answered my prayers". I had no idea he was praying that I would have
twins. May God bless him for being such a wonderful husband and father.
Looking back, I can see now that it was all in God's perfect plan for our lives. God had to stop me dead in my tracks and humbled me. I wasn't suppose to be that working woman. After the twins were born, it was a turning point in my husband's and my life. I still had a lot of growing in the Lord to do, (I still have a lot of growing in the Lord to do) so I could be the wife and mother God called me to be, but it started me on the right track.
Tomorrow is the Twins 13th Birthday! I can't imagine our lives without these two very funny boy's. As soon as I can, I'll try to write about my husband and the twins. My husband just didn't stop at praying for us to have twins, he helped me every step of the way and still does. I had to stop working when I was 5 months pregnant due to the fact twins normally (not in my case) are born early. My husband worked two jobs so I could stay home (and not worry)while I waited to have our twins.
As I laid next to my husband last night, I told him how my life is changing. He said he has seen it, I PLT for that. I tell my story praying that it will change one persons life. God didn't give up on me, He is still growing and molding me into the "Image of Christ". I have a long way to go, it is not happening over night. It is a very long process, I am just now getting to the point were I will let God lead me and let other people into my life. I am still learning how to be a Godly wife, mom, and friend to others. Through reading His "WORD" and learning from Godly examples, I will continue to grow and be more Christ like. Giving Him all the glory, the glory only He deserves.
More of my life story:
After the death of our son Joshua, my husband and I seemed to be fighting all the time. I was a very insecure person! My husband and I were very young in the Lord, (By God's grace), it was enough to keep us together, but not enough to keep us from fighting all the time. I don't know how many times my husband left me, (we only had one car, so he went off walking home to his parents many times. Sometimes I let him get pretty far before I went and picked him up. I just can't believe how awful I was, it is very hard to write all of this down) I didn't want to be with him, yet I didn't want to be without him. Looking back on my life, I see now, that most of our fights were caused by me, my jealousy, my controlling attitude, my pride, my selfishness, my bitterness. I tried to control him and mold him into the little toy, the puppet I wanted him to be. My husband has a very strong personality and would never go for something like that. PTL!!!!
Rebecca was born 10 months (to the day) from Joshua's birthday. I had a miscarriage a year later, Aaron was born two years after that.
When Rebecca was 8 months old, I landed a job working in an Accounts Payable department. I loved working with numbers, this job was wonderful. I had taken many accounting classes in school and was the accounting teacher's helper my senior year of High School. All of this prepared me for my accounting job. I worked my way up in my department until I was head over it; as I look back, this wasn't the best thing in the world. I wasn't happy with my marriage and I wouldn't allow myself to get to close to my husband or my children. I loved all of them but was always afraid that I would lose them. I couldn't handle thinking about losing another person in my life so I turned all my attention to my work. At one point I was working from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. at night. This left my mom and my husband to care for our children. At that point in my life, I couldn't see that I was putting my family at the bottom of the list, but I was. I thought I was helping out, instead I was once again, controlling every situation that came up in our lives.
As I look back over those years, I just can not believe I thought I was being a good wife and mother. After the death of our son, I held everyone at arms length, including my husband and my children. I had a wall built so high no one could get to me unless I let them. I would never let anyone or anything hurt me again, (I wouldn't allow it) not by a man,(Bret's father left me when I was seven months pregnant) not by a lose, not by anything or anyone. I wouldn't let anyone get to close to me. As my husband has told me many times, my son Bret, was the only thing that I cherished.
When our son Aaron was five, my husband told me he would like for me to have another child. I couldn't even believe that he would ask me to go through that again. I fought him with all of my might. I loved my job and thought that another child would just get in the way. I finally told him (instead of submitting) that I would have another child (everything had to be on my terms) but I wanted it to be before I turned 30. I got pregnant when I was 29, and had the twins 3 days before I turned 30.
I never wanted, or even thought about, having twins. Like I said, I loved my job and thought I'd go right back to work after I had this baby. I remember my first office visit to the doctor's. "Let me back track for a minute". The day before going to my first office visit, one of my employee's asked me if I would be coming back to work after the baby was born. I jokingly said, "Yes, unless I have twins". I went to my first office visit trying to explain to the doctor why at three months pregnant I was so big. I told him, "I must have the dates wrong" and "I must be eating to much". He said "let's take a look to see what's going on and how big the baby is". He said "Oh, I see the problem, you are carrying twins". I didn't even want to have one baby,let alone twins. Some people cry, I started laughing. It ended up being an out of control laugh. I couldn't believe that God could have such a sense of humor, that He would do this to me. Instead of looking on it as the blessing that it was, I could only see it as a big joke. The doctor make me call my husband before I left that office so I could get myself under control.
I remember calling my husband and telling him I was pregnant with twins. He said, "God has answered my prayers". I had no idea he was praying that I would have
twins. May God bless him for being such a wonderful husband and father.
Looking back, I can see now that it was all in God's perfect plan for our lives. God had to stop me dead in my tracks and humbled me. I wasn't suppose to be that working woman. After the twins were born, it was a turning point in my husband's and my life. I still had a lot of growing in the Lord to do, (I still have a lot of growing in the Lord to do) so I could be the wife and mother God called me to be, but it started me on the right track.
Tomorrow is the Twins 13th Birthday! I can't imagine our lives without these two very funny boy's. As soon as I can, I'll try to write about my husband and the twins. My husband just didn't stop at praying for us to have twins, he helped me every step of the way and still does. I had to stop working when I was 5 months pregnant due to the fact twins normally (not in my case) are born early. My husband worked two jobs so I could stay home (and not worry)while I waited to have our twins.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
WorshipFest, 2007
I've been a bit busy this week planning for our next WorshipFest. I've been working with our worship Leader to come up with an awesome night of praise and worship to our GREAT King.
This is what I have been up to this morning! I want to get this hand out to as many people as I can the next two Sunday's. Maybe, it will inspire some of you to have one of these praise nights at your church.
WorshipFest Fall ’07
Hi All,
Can you hear it? It’s the sweet sound of praise to our King, At WorshipFest Fall ’07!! We’re planning another WorshipFest for this fall, October 28th to be precise. This one will be a little different in that the focus will be on congregational participation. What that means in the rubber-meets-the-road sense is there will be no “special music.” The worship will be led by the worship teams, Josh Whited’s band, Nick Slayton’s band, the adult choir and the men’s choir.
We would love your help preparing for this awesome night! I have put all the songs that the worship bands have lead in the past few years, on the reverse side. All you have to do is let us know the songs that have ministered to your heart, so we can include them into our WorshipFest.
Just circle the songs that you would like to have included or write it in the space below. Place it in the box on the information desk marked WorshipFest 2007, or you can place it in Lori Householder’s hand or box # 62. Forms must be turned in by August 12, 2007.
In Christ,
Jake Losee and Lori Householder
This is what I have been up to this morning! I want to get this hand out to as many people as I can the next two Sunday's. Maybe, it will inspire some of you to have one of these praise nights at your church.
WorshipFest Fall ’07
Hi All,
Can you hear it? It’s the sweet sound of praise to our King, At WorshipFest Fall ’07!! We’re planning another WorshipFest for this fall, October 28th to be precise. This one will be a little different in that the focus will be on congregational participation. What that means in the rubber-meets-the-road sense is there will be no “special music.” The worship will be led by the worship teams, Josh Whited’s band, Nick Slayton’s band, the adult choir and the men’s choir.
We would love your help preparing for this awesome night! I have put all the songs that the worship bands have lead in the past few years, on the reverse side. All you have to do is let us know the songs that have ministered to your heart, so we can include them into our WorshipFest.
Just circle the songs that you would like to have included or write it in the space below. Place it in the box on the information desk marked WorshipFest 2007, or you can place it in Lori Householder’s hand or box # 62. Forms must be turned in by August 12, 2007.
In Christ,
Jake Losee and Lori Householder
Above all
Ah, Lord God
All hail King Jesus
All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name
Amazing Grace
And can it be
Are you washed in the blood
As the deer
At calvary
Away in the manger
Awesome God
Be unto Your Name
Because of Your Love
Blessed be Your Name
Breathe
Breathe
Calvary covers it all
Christ arose
Cleanse me
Come into His presence
Come into the king's chambers
Come on and celebrate
Come, now is the time to worship
Come, thou fount of every blessing
Create in me a clean heart
Crown him with many crowns
Day after day
Days of Elijah
Emmanuel
Emmanuel
Enough
Everything That Has Breath
Face to face
For All You've Done
Give thanks
Glorify thy name
Glory to the King
God is good all the time
God is my refuge
God is so good
Grace greater than our sin
Great and mighty
Great are you Lord
Great is the Lord
Hallelujah
Hallelujah! Our God reigns
Hallowed be thy name
Hark! The herold angels sing
He is exalted
He is Jehovah
He is the King
He knows my name
He leadeth me
He lives
Heaven came down
Heavenly Father, I appreciate you
Here I Am To Worship
His name is wonderful
His name is wonderful
Holy ground #1
Holy ground #2
Holy Is the Lord
Holy, holy, holy
Hosanna
Hosanna (Baloche)
How great our joy
How great Thou art
How majestic is your name
I Adore
I have decided to follow Jesus
I love to praise Him
I love to tell the story
I love you Lord
I need the every hour
I sing praises
I stand in awe
I surrender all
I will call upon the Lord
I will celebrate
I will enter His gates
I will praise Him
I will sing of the mercies of the Lord
I will worship you Lord
I worship you, almighty God
I'd rather have Jesus
I'll fly away
I'm forever grateful
In all things give Him thanks
In His presence
In my life, Lord be glorified
Indescribable
Isn't He
It came upon a midnight clear
Jehovah Jireh
Jesus saves!
Jesus the Same
Jesus what a friend for sinners
Jesus, name above all names
Jesus, we just want to thank you
Joy to the World!
Lift up your heads
Lord I'm gonna love you
Lord Most High
Lord, I lift your name on high
Lord, I'm coming home
Lord, Reign in Me
Love You So Much
Majesty
Mighty is our God
More precious than silver
My faith has found a resting place
My Jesus I love thee
My Redeemer Lives
My soul follows hard after thee
Near the cross
No other name
Nothing but the blood
Now I belong to Jesus
O come, all ye faithful
O come, let us adore Him
O little town of Bethlehem
O Lord, you're beautiful
Oh, how he loves you and me
Open our eyes, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
Praise Adonai
Praise Him
Praise the name of Jesus
Precious Lord, take my hand
Psalm 5
Refiner's fire
Rock of ages (fast)
Salvation belongs to our God
Seek ye first
Shine, Jesus shine
Shout to the Lord
Silent night
Since Jesus came into my heart
Since Jesus came into my heart
Sing unto the Lord
Softly and tenderly
Solid Rock
Son of God
Soon and very soon
Spirit of the living God
Step by step
Tell me the story of Jesus
The beauty of holiness
The church's one foundation
The first noel
The longer I serve Him
The old rugged cross
The wonder of it all
There is a redeemer
There is no other name/Wonderfull
There is none like you
There is power in the blood
Think about His love
This is the day
Through It All
Title
To God be the glory
To You
Victory Chant
We are an offering
We bow down
We bring the sacrifice of praise
We fall down
We magnify your name
We Sing
We three kings
We will glorify
What a day that will be
What a mighty God we serve
What a wonderful savior
What child is this?
When I survey the wondrous cross
Whiter than snow
With all my heart
Wonderful grace of Jesus
Worthy is the Lamb
You are crowned with many crowns
You Are Holy
You are my all in all
You are my hiding place
You are my king
You Have Been So Good
You oh Lord, are my refuge
Your Love O Lord
Your Name
Sunday, July 08, 2007
God's Purpose
What is God's purpose for us?
To have a people who will reflect His Glory.
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Revelation 4:11 NIV
The proper understand of everthing in life begins with God. No one will ever understand the necessity of conversion who does not know why God created us. He created us "in His image" so that we would image forth His glory in the world. We were made to be prisms refracting the light of God's glory into all of life. Why God should want to give us a share in shining with His gloryis a great mystery. Call it grace or mercy or love I tis an unspeakable wonder. Once we were not.
These verses all speak of God's glory.
Psalm 19:1-1
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
It's not what we do , but what God does through us and for us that should bring all the Glory. Because of his love and faithfulness to us.
Psalm 116:1
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.
God's mercy is so great I can't comprehend all of what He has done for me.
Isaiah 6:3
And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
All the earth is full of God's glory. How can I not rejoice at this?
1 Corinthiams 10:31-
Whatever we do, it should be done to Glorify God.
In my actions, words, and deeds, I should always find things to glorify God.
John Piper says; Once we were not. Then we existed for the glory of God!
God's ultimate objective, as the Bible declares it, is threefold-To vindicate His rule and righteousness by showing His soverignty in judgement upon sin, to ransom and redeem His chosen people, and to be loved and praised by them for His glorious acts of love and self-vindication. God seeks what we should seek-His glory, in and through men and it is for the securing of this end, ultimately, that He is jealous.
J. I. Packer
Everything we do should be done to bring glory to God. When I seriously consider this, it has a profound effect on my choices and my way of life! If I read this book, will God be pleased? If I do this activity, will it cause others to want to praise God? If I listen to this music, will it enable me to worship God? If I say these words, will it bring glory to God? If my purpose is to reflect the majesty of God, then all decisions should be based on "Will God receive Glory".
My heart's desire is to be so overwhelmed with our incomparable, awesome God that my life cannot help but bring Him glory.
To have a people who will reflect His Glory.
"You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."
Revelation 4:11 NIV
The proper understand of everthing in life begins with God. No one will ever understand the necessity of conversion who does not know why God created us. He created us "in His image" so that we would image forth His glory in the world. We were made to be prisms refracting the light of God's glory into all of life. Why God should want to give us a share in shining with His gloryis a great mystery. Call it grace or mercy or love I tis an unspeakable wonder. Once we were not.
These verses all speak of God's glory.
Psalm 19:1-1
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
It's not what we do , but what God does through us and for us that should bring all the Glory. Because of his love and faithfulness to us.
Psalm 116:1
I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.
God's mercy is so great I can't comprehend all of what He has done for me.
Isaiah 6:3
And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
All the earth is full of God's glory. How can I not rejoice at this?
1 Corinthiams 10:31-
Whatever we do, it should be done to Glorify God.
In my actions, words, and deeds, I should always find things to glorify God.
John Piper says; Once we were not. Then we existed for the glory of God!
God's ultimate objective, as the Bible declares it, is threefold-To vindicate His rule and righteousness by showing His soverignty in judgement upon sin, to ransom and redeem His chosen people, and to be loved and praised by them for His glorious acts of love and self-vindication. God seeks what we should seek-His glory, in and through men and it is for the securing of this end, ultimately, that He is jealous.
J. I. Packer
Everything we do should be done to bring glory to God. When I seriously consider this, it has a profound effect on my choices and my way of life! If I read this book, will God be pleased? If I do this activity, will it cause others to want to praise God? If I listen to this music, will it enable me to worship God? If I say these words, will it bring glory to God? If my purpose is to reflect the majesty of God, then all decisions should be based on "Will God receive Glory".
My heart's desire is to be so overwhelmed with our incomparable, awesome God that my life cannot help but bring Him glory.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Always lots to do around here! Tuesday, July 03, 2007
How my Husband and I Meant and more reasons why I love him so Much!
I have no idea why it took me so many years to see what a fantastic man I am married to. Three months ago my eyes were openned, I could finally see all the sacrifices and the love this man has for me. Tears spring to my eyes just thinking about how I could have lost this man years ago. God spared his life and I am so thankful to Him for that. May I never take my husband for grated again. He is a strong leader, a very hard worker and provider, the best husband a woman could ask for, a dad that loves and gives up doing anything for himself to take care of and give to his children, last but not least and most importantly a very Godly example for me and our children to follow. I never hear him complain about how hard he has to work to provide for us. The more I write about him the more my heart bursts with love for this man.
My husband and I meant while we were both working at McDonalds's. I was the opening manager and he was an employee. I don't remember the first time we meant but I love to hear him tell his side of the story.
I was down in our break room at McDonalds's sitting with my boyfriend at the time. My husband (Jim) was on his orientation. The manager that was taking him around introduced us. (I don't remember this) My husband said he thought WOW! when he first saw me. (He is such a funny guy) He said, "I saw this beautiful lady through smoke filled eyes." (I smoked very heavy back then, I quit smoking 17 years ago,May). I love when he tells this story, I always get a chuckle from it.
My husband worked the night shift, I only worked with him a few times before he went on his senior trip to Spain. After he return home, I needed to cross train a closer on the opening shirt. (It was for a raise, all the manager's had to cross train an employee). My husband (just friend's at the time) and I, along with a group of our friends started hanging out together after work. Jim (My husband) and I became really good friends over a period of time. We played on the Mcdonald's coed softball team together, plus we did many other things as a group.
Manager's and crew were not allowed to date. A friend of my husband's dared us to go out on a date together. I had a little boy and really needed my job but I went anyway. We were already friends but it was a bit different being alone with him. Oh my, did I think he was good looking. The only problem was that he was younger than I was. I was looking for a father for my son and I didn't see how this could work out.
I kept seeing him anyway regardless of his age. (He is three years younger than I am) Like I said, we had went out on several dates, one night in McDonalds's parking lot he came up to my car window and asked me if I like him? I said yes! He said, "NO, I mean do you really like me?" At that point I knew I wanted to marry this man. (He was just so cute) After we dated for over a year he asked me to marry him. We were married not long after that.
My husband not only married me but took on my son (Bret was seven at the time) he treated Bret like his own from the very start. Even when we were just friends he would go to Bret's Baseball games. No other man I dated took such interest in Bret. Bret started calling him dad right after we got married. At 19 he was more responsible than a lot of the older men that I dated. It was o.k. that they dated me but they really didn't want anything to do with my son. My husband gave up a Three year scholarship to the U of M to marry me? I wonder why such a smart guy would give up so much and have to work so hard his whole life, to marry me and take on my son? I don't know if I will ever figure that out. How could I every replace such a man? Even back then, he sacrificed his life for me. I didn't mention this in yesterday's post but this happens to be, one more reason, I fell in love with this man.
My husband is a great dad, he loves all of his children very much!
I already wrote about us losing our son Joshua. I'll put the link on here for any new reader's. I don't know how my poor husband got through that time. I have thanked the Lord so many times for not allowing me to find our son dead in his crib. My husband knew CPR and was able to do all he could for Joshua. My husband did save a man's life once when he had a heart attack on a golf course my husband was playing on. My husband knew what he was doing, it was just Joshua's time to be with the Lord.
Living for the simple things in life: Joshua's Story
Living for the simple things in life: A little about Me
I will write about # 2 as soon as I get the time to.
2. Raising twins. (My husband slept in our easy chair all night holding one of our twins).
Happy Independance day to everyone!
We will be going to see a movie in the a.m. and we'll be off to my Son and my Daughter-in-laws for a bonfire/winnie roast tomorrow afternoon/evening. I'm sure looking forward to being with my dear family tomorrow.
My husband and I meant while we were both working at McDonalds's. I was the opening manager and he was an employee. I don't remember the first time we meant but I love to hear him tell his side of the story.
I was down in our break room at McDonalds's sitting with my boyfriend at the time. My husband (Jim) was on his orientation. The manager that was taking him around introduced us. (I don't remember this) My husband said he thought WOW! when he first saw me. (He is such a funny guy) He said, "I saw this beautiful lady through smoke filled eyes." (I smoked very heavy back then, I quit smoking 17 years ago,May). I love when he tells this story, I always get a chuckle from it.
My husband worked the night shift, I only worked with him a few times before he went on his senior trip to Spain. After he return home, I needed to cross train a closer on the opening shirt. (It was for a raise, all the manager's had to cross train an employee). My husband (just friend's at the time) and I, along with a group of our friends started hanging out together after work. Jim (My husband) and I became really good friends over a period of time. We played on the Mcdonald's coed softball team together, plus we did many other things as a group.
Manager's and crew were not allowed to date. A friend of my husband's dared us to go out on a date together. I had a little boy and really needed my job but I went anyway. We were already friends but it was a bit different being alone with him. Oh my, did I think he was good looking. The only problem was that he was younger than I was. I was looking for a father for my son and I didn't see how this could work out.
I kept seeing him anyway regardless of his age. (He is three years younger than I am) Like I said, we had went out on several dates, one night in McDonalds's parking lot he came up to my car window and asked me if I like him? I said yes! He said, "NO, I mean do you really like me?" At that point I knew I wanted to marry this man. (He was just so cute) After we dated for over a year he asked me to marry him. We were married not long after that.
My husband not only married me but took on my son (Bret was seven at the time) he treated Bret like his own from the very start. Even when we were just friends he would go to Bret's Baseball games. No other man I dated took such interest in Bret. Bret started calling him dad right after we got married. At 19 he was more responsible than a lot of the older men that I dated. It was o.k. that they dated me but they really didn't want anything to do with my son. My husband gave up a Three year scholarship to the U of M to marry me? I wonder why such a smart guy would give up so much and have to work so hard his whole life, to marry me and take on my son? I don't know if I will ever figure that out. How could I every replace such a man? Even back then, he sacrificed his life for me. I didn't mention this in yesterday's post but this happens to be, one more reason, I fell in love with this man.
My husband is a great dad, he loves all of his children very much!
I already wrote about us losing our son Joshua. I'll put the link on here for any new reader's. I don't know how my poor husband got through that time. I have thanked the Lord so many times for not allowing me to find our son dead in his crib. My husband knew CPR and was able to do all he could for Joshua. My husband did save a man's life once when he had a heart attack on a golf course my husband was playing on. My husband knew what he was doing, it was just Joshua's time to be with the Lord.
Living for the simple things in life: Joshua's Story
Living for the simple things in life: A little about Me
I will write about # 2 as soon as I get the time to.
2. Raising twins. (My husband slept in our easy chair all night holding one of our twins).
Happy Independance day to everyone!
We will be going to see a movie in the a.m. and we'll be off to my Son and my Daughter-in-laws for a bonfire/winnie roast tomorrow afternoon/evening. I'm sure looking forward to being with my dear family tomorrow.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Challenges my husband has had to face in his adult life.
I think it is now time to introduce you all to my husband! This week I will post the many Challenges my husband has had to face in his adult life. I am blessed and honored to be married to such a God fearing wonderful, awesome, handsome, Godly man.
1. The death of our son. (Our first born)
2. Raising twins. (My husband slept in our easy chair all night holding one of our twins).
3. The death of his father. (His father was only 49 when he died)
4. A brain tumor at age 29. (My husband was sick for many years with what we thought was migraines headaches, he lost his right eye to the brain tumor before they found it)
5. Weight gain from the medication he was on to shrink the tumor(At one point he weighed 450lbs, I will post pictures of him before during and after the weighloss)
6. Brain Surgery (A very frightening time in our lives)
7. Vomiting at least 4 times a week all night for years (He still worked and supported us through all of this)
8. Returning of the brain tumor (He almost lost his eyesight in his left eye also to this tumor)
9. A new Medication (This keeps the tumor shrunk)
10. 250lbs weightloss (He did this only with the help of the Bible and his own desire to stay alive for his family)
I can't believe that one person could go through all of this and still be the Godly husband and father that he is today. I want to be his helpmate, his lover and his best friend. I want to learn how to please him and be the Godly wife that he deserves. May God be with me on my pursuit to be "The excellent wife"
As I wrote in my post on Friday, I am working on being a better wife to my husband. These are the question that I have asked myself the last three months.
What is an excellent wife?
How can she be recognized?
What is she like?
What does she do?
How can she put her husbands wants and needs before her own?
My husband has supported me and all my ministries for the last 21 years. He sacrifices all his time to take care of our children so I can be on the worship team, work in Awana, teach Sunday School, Lead the Jr. Choir program, make meals for people, organize our singspirations and the list goes on. I couldn't do all of this having six children to feed, run around to all there sporting events, help with school work, if it wasn't for my wonderful husband. He never complains about having to run the kids and stay home with the kids. I want to now give back to him.
How can she make her husband want to come home to her at night? My husband always come home to us but I want him not be able to wait to be with me.
These questions might seem silly to some people but they are questions I have asked myself many times lately.
Many of these questions are answered in Proverbs 31:10-31. My home life has radically changed by me applying these and other Scriptures. God gave me a heart to obey His Word and will for my life, I am becoming the godly wife that He wants me to be.
I am reading and going through the following books:
This truth is so important to God that He has clearly and completely revealed it in His Word, the Bible. Indeed, the Scriptures alone are sufficient to provide the wisdom wives need for living the Christian life. One of the most important Scripture passages concerning God's will for the Christian wife is Proverbs 31. Iin this chapter of Proverbs are the words of King Lemuel "which his mother taught him" Proverbs 31:1 (emphasis added). In verse 10, King Lemuel asks the question:
"An excellent wife, who can find her" For her worth is far above jewels."
"The Excellent Wife" here
"God's will for every Christian wife is that her most important ministry be to her husband" (Genesis 2:18). After a wife's own personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, nothing else should have a greater priority. Her husband should be the primary benefactor of his wife's time and energy, not the recipient of what may be left over at the end of the day. Whether her husband is a faithful Christian man, or an unbeliever, God wants every Christian woman to be a godly wife-an excellent wife.
from the author of the book "The Excellent Wife"
I wanted to know what men were saying they want from their wives. I do understand being a Godly wife is of utmost importance! I wanted to read a book that showed what men were saying they look for in their wife. This next book was not written by a christian author. This author has taken what she has learned from men and wrote this book. Like I said she is not a christian so read at your own discretion. I just wanted to get a feel of what husbands were saying they need from a wife.
The proper care and feeding of husbands
I just popped over to view a few blogs and found this at Sex life: 20 ways to please your husband at chrysalis place Thanks E-mom! Great minds must think a like, Hee, Hee.
I want to mention one more sweet gal that I think you all would love The Most Exciting Thing We've Ever Done She nominated me for a special "Reflections award" she said this about me on her blog.
Kristy said,
"When I'm a grandma - I wanna look as good as this girl !!
Lori's wisdom, her faith, everything about her radiates Jesus Christ.
Going through huge changes in her life right now, she keeps perspective.
Always giving God credit. You amaze me Lori, and thank you for being the example that you are"!! "Thank you dear friend"!
1. The death of our son. (Our first born)
2. Raising twins. (My husband slept in our easy chair all night holding one of our twins).
3. The death of his father. (His father was only 49 when he died)
4. A brain tumor at age 29. (My husband was sick for many years with what we thought was migraines headaches, he lost his right eye to the brain tumor before they found it)
5. Weight gain from the medication he was on to shrink the tumor(At one point he weighed 450lbs, I will post pictures of him before during and after the weighloss)
6. Brain Surgery (A very frightening time in our lives)
7. Vomiting at least 4 times a week all night for years (He still worked and supported us through all of this)
8. Returning of the brain tumor (He almost lost his eyesight in his left eye also to this tumor)
9. A new Medication (This keeps the tumor shrunk)
10. 250lbs weightloss (He did this only with the help of the Bible and his own desire to stay alive for his family)
I can't believe that one person could go through all of this and still be the Godly husband and father that he is today. I want to be his helpmate, his lover and his best friend. I want to learn how to please him and be the Godly wife that he deserves. May God be with me on my pursuit to be "The excellent wife"
As I wrote in my post on Friday, I am working on being a better wife to my husband. These are the question that I have asked myself the last three months.
What is an excellent wife?
How can she be recognized?
What is she like?
What does she do?
How can she put her husbands wants and needs before her own?
My husband has supported me and all my ministries for the last 21 years. He sacrifices all his time to take care of our children so I can be on the worship team, work in Awana, teach Sunday School, Lead the Jr. Choir program, make meals for people, organize our singspirations and the list goes on. I couldn't do all of this having six children to feed, run around to all there sporting events, help with school work, if it wasn't for my wonderful husband. He never complains about having to run the kids and stay home with the kids. I want to now give back to him.
How can she make her husband want to come home to her at night? My husband always come home to us but I want him not be able to wait to be with me.
These questions might seem silly to some people but they are questions I have asked myself many times lately.
Many of these questions are answered in Proverbs 31:10-31. My home life has radically changed by me applying these and other Scriptures. God gave me a heart to obey His Word and will for my life, I am becoming the godly wife that He wants me to be.
I am reading and going through the following books:
This truth is so important to God that He has clearly and completely revealed it in His Word, the Bible. Indeed, the Scriptures alone are sufficient to provide the wisdom wives need for living the Christian life. One of the most important Scripture passages concerning God's will for the Christian wife is Proverbs 31. Iin this chapter of Proverbs are the words of King Lemuel "which his mother taught him" Proverbs 31:1 (emphasis added). In verse 10, King Lemuel asks the question:
"An excellent wife, who can find her" For her worth is far above jewels."
"The Excellent Wife" here
"God's will for every Christian wife is that her most important ministry be to her husband" (Genesis 2:18). After a wife's own personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, nothing else should have a greater priority. Her husband should be the primary benefactor of his wife's time and energy, not the recipient of what may be left over at the end of the day. Whether her husband is a faithful Christian man, or an unbeliever, God wants every Christian woman to be a godly wife-an excellent wife.
from the author of the book "The Excellent Wife"
I wanted to know what men were saying they want from their wives. I do understand being a Godly wife is of utmost importance! I wanted to read a book that showed what men were saying they look for in their wife. This next book was not written by a christian author. This author has taken what she has learned from men and wrote this book. Like I said she is not a christian so read at your own discretion. I just wanted to get a feel of what husbands were saying they need from a wife.
The proper care and feeding of husbands
I just popped over to view a few blogs and found this at Sex life: 20 ways to please your husband at chrysalis place Thanks E-mom! Great minds must think a like, Hee, Hee.
I want to mention one more sweet gal that I think you all would love The Most Exciting Thing We've Ever Done She nominated me for a special "Reflections award" she said this about me on her blog.
Kristy said,
"When I'm a grandma - I wanna look as good as this girl !!
Lori's wisdom, her faith, everything about her radiates Jesus Christ.
Going through huge changes in her life right now, she keeps perspective.
Always giving God credit. You amaze me Lori, and thank you for being the example that you are"!! "Thank you dear friend"!
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