What do we think of when we let the words of 'Easter' gently roll off our lips?
Decorating eggs? Family reunions? The Easter bunny? Perhaps it's just another over-commercialized holiday like so many others.
What should it be?
A day to remember. The day Jesus rose from death after 3 days of a journey like no other man has ever or will ever experience.
A time to reflect. Jesus chose to take upon Himself your sin, my sin, and our children's sin's of the past, the present and the future.
A time to be so thankful. Had Jesus Christ, (the Son of almighty God and Creator of everything) decided not to be punished and whipped for our sins, wearing a crown of thorns and carrying our burdens amongst His entire body, being nailed to the cross and scorned, ridiculed and beaten, what hope would there would have been no hope for you, me, our children or our future generations to receive eternal life.
So what does this mean to you?
I don't know, but it means the world to me.
Today, take a moment to remember...to reflect...the be so thankful for the blood Jesus shed for YOU, to know that God loves YOU so much He gave up His one and only Son Jesus for YOU so that if you believe on Jesus Christ died for YOUR sins, you can be saved and have eternal life.
If you realize you are a sinful being in need of a Savior, pray these words from your heart.
"Lord Jesus, I confess my sins to you and ask for Your forgiveness. I repent, turn away from desiring the things in my life not pleasing to You. I believe You sent Your Son Jesus to die for me. I accept Your forgiveness and free gift of salvation. Come into my life and make me new. Give me the strength to let go of past sins, the wisdom to walk in Your path now, hope for a better future and change my heart as I grow closer to You each day. Thank You for saving me. I am now Yours and surrender my life to Your will. Guide me in Your ways and truth, from this day forward.In Jesus name, Amen."
Congratulations! You've just made the most decision of your life!
Wait! It doesn't doesn't stop there!
To help you learn about your new life in Jesus you need to begin reading the Bible. If you don't already have one, email me at created2blessothers@yahoo.com and I will send you one, FREE of charge.
To help you grow as a new believer, begin attending a church that supports your belief in Jesus Christ ans Lord and Savior. If you need help finding a church family in your area, email me and I can help get you connected with those on the same journey as you.
To get prayer, receive words of wisdom from those going through similar events as you perhaps, and to deepen your relationship with others in the faith look into home groups that may be offered through your church.
Most of all, enjoy your new found journey of purpose, hope and peace!
Some of my favorite scriptures in the Bible - John 3:16, Philippians 4:13, John 1:9, Jeremiah 29:11-13, Philippians 4:4, Psalms 150:6, Romans 8:28.
Showing posts with label Lord. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lord. Show all posts
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Joy of the Lord is My Strength - Nehemiah 8:10
Nehemiah penned these exact words long ago and we would be wise to embed these words into every crevice of our hearts. God's joy is what makes us strong when we are so spent and weak. It is He in us Who is greater than he that us in the world.
As we look upon the Lord to fill us with His strength to make it through the day, to encourage others in their own ways, to serve our families, uplift our friends, pray for relatives and give what we have to the poor, keep in mind our own strength in this life is just not enough. If you haven't already figured that out, you will soon enough.
We believe our strength can be multiplies, extended, built up and exercised without limits, but even Jesus had times He knelt before His Father in weariness to get refueled, energized and recharged Himself. Now if the Son of God had times He plugged into God's strength to continue what was called of Him, do we not think ourselves to be in need of almighty God's strength as well?
Living this life on our own, without tapping into the awesome strength provided by God and through Jesus, is like running a marathon on one leg, dehydrated to the hilt, weak and without hope. Jesus equips us to do all we are called to accomplish, He is our living water, strengthens us beyond good measure and fills us with hope when the finish line has not yet appeared.
Take a moment today to kneel before Father God, humbling ourselves at His feet as we come boldly to the throne of grace. God is able to do exceedingly more than we could ever imagine, Ephesians 3:20, if we let Him. What are you waiting for? Be strengthened today!
As we look upon the Lord to fill us with His strength to make it through the day, to encourage others in their own ways, to serve our families, uplift our friends, pray for relatives and give what we have to the poor, keep in mind our own strength in this life is just not enough. If you haven't already figured that out, you will soon enough.
We believe our strength can be multiplies, extended, built up and exercised without limits, but even Jesus had times He knelt before His Father in weariness to get refueled, energized and recharged Himself. Now if the Son of God had times He plugged into God's strength to continue what was called of Him, do we not think ourselves to be in need of almighty God's strength as well?
Living this life on our own, without tapping into the awesome strength provided by God and through Jesus, is like running a marathon on one leg, dehydrated to the hilt, weak and without hope. Jesus equips us to do all we are called to accomplish, He is our living water, strengthens us beyond good measure and fills us with hope when the finish line has not yet appeared.
Take a moment today to kneel before Father God, humbling ourselves at His feet as we come boldly to the throne of grace. God is able to do exceedingly more than we could ever imagine, Ephesians 3:20, if we let Him. What are you waiting for? Be strengthened today!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The Hidden Language of Feet
I am not a foot person by any means, so for me to rub a family member’s feet is a sacrifice like no other, but as I woke this morning, I realized feet have an important place in this world. They speak and have a language of their own. They tire and hurt, curl up to get warm when they are cold, withdraw themselves from anther's feet when hurt, anger or frustration are present, and they are created to walk a journey of faith in God-like fashion.
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace; who bring glad tidings of good things”, Romans 10:15. God says my feet are beautiful when they preach peace and bring joyful news of peace to others. Well, He obviously is a foot person and therefore my observation of feet must change to be like His. Beautiful feet preach peace and share joy! Now this is a statement to live by. What am I seeking each day? Is it God? Is it peace? Is it to share the love of Jesus, His peace and joy with others? What are my reasons for living? What is my purpose for drawing one more breath today?
As I ponder these questions many thoughts come to mind, but those I want to meditate on are Matthew 6:33 which states, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be given to you.” What things? Needs, such as what we eat, drink and wear. Psalm 34:14 says to “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Romans 10:15 tells us to preach the gospel of peace and to share joyful events with others. My reason for living should be to worship Jesus as told to us in Luke 4:8, “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only” as well as to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son and the Holy Spirit” as said in Matthew 28:19. Exodus 9:16 and Jeremiah 29:11-13 shows us God has a purpose for our lives. In Exodus he says, “I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” and God tells us in Jeremiah, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
The answers to these questions show us not only the importance of using our feet to spread the gospel, preach peace and share joyful tidings, but to seek God and His righteousness, thank Him for supplying our needs, to turn from evil and do good, to seek after peace, to worship and serve God only and make disciples of others. Knowing God’s plans for us are good and not meant to harm us, plans to give us a future and a hope, we can take a breath of relief and rest in the knowledge of how much God loves us. Trodding the journey of faith may take our feet on unknown paths, but praise God Who will never leave us or forsake us and wants us to be content with such things as we have. (Hebrews 13:5) So during the next foot rub I give to a family member, what better revelations for me to ponder on than the beauty of even the one’s feet I am rubbing .
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace; who bring glad tidings of good things”, Romans 10:15. God says my feet are beautiful when they preach peace and bring joyful news of peace to others. Well, He obviously is a foot person and therefore my observation of feet must change to be like His. Beautiful feet preach peace and share joy! Now this is a statement to live by. What am I seeking each day? Is it God? Is it peace? Is it to share the love of Jesus, His peace and joy with others? What are my reasons for living? What is my purpose for drawing one more breath today?
As I ponder these questions many thoughts come to mind, but those I want to meditate on are Matthew 6:33 which states, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be given to you.” What things? Needs, such as what we eat, drink and wear. Psalm 34:14 says to “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Romans 10:15 tells us to preach the gospel of peace and to share joyful events with others. My reason for living should be to worship Jesus as told to us in Luke 4:8, “Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only” as well as to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son and the Holy Spirit” as said in Matthew 28:19. Exodus 9:16 and Jeremiah 29:11-13 shows us God has a purpose for our lives. In Exodus he says, “I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth” and God tells us in Jeremiah, “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
The answers to these questions show us not only the importance of using our feet to spread the gospel, preach peace and share joyful tidings, but to seek God and His righteousness, thank Him for supplying our needs, to turn from evil and do good, to seek after peace, to worship and serve God only and make disciples of others. Knowing God’s plans for us are good and not meant to harm us, plans to give us a future and a hope, we can take a breath of relief and rest in the knowledge of how much God loves us. Trodding the journey of faith may take our feet on unknown paths, but praise God Who will never leave us or forsake us and wants us to be content with such things as we have. (Hebrews 13:5) So during the next foot rub I give to a family member, what better revelations for me to ponder on than the beauty of even the one’s feet I am rubbing .
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Running the Great Race in 2010
Wow! Where in the world did 2009 go? It seemed to have whizzed right by with its twists and its turns. I feel I have been riding on the autobahn for the past 365 or so days, how about you?
Looking back at the various events that have happened in my life and in that of my family, I am thankful to have lived this past year in the richness of God's glory, growing ever closer to Him and making new friendships, nurturing relationships I have had for years and letting some go that aren't yielding fruit in my life. Life is like a race, one in which we are continually training for. Having God on my side, friends and family to cheer me on and sacrificing much to obtain the reward God has set before me humbly makes me wonder what's in store for 2010?
Hebrews 12:1-3 tells us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him Who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. God has put us in a race and He is giving us a much needed tip in running the race with success. We are to throw off, take off, remove, toss aside everything, not some things, but everything that hinders and entangles us in life. First of all think about this. God wants the best for us. His plans for us are for God and not for harm to give us a hope and a future as He has said in Jeremiah 29:11, right? With that in mind, we must realize because He is God He knows what He is talking about when He tells us to get rid of or avoid those things that weigh us down. In a race, runners wear shoes lighter than air, their clothing is feather light and they don't try and run with suitcases attached to their ankles dragging them down. They don't carry backpacks, sacks of clothing or equipment, cell phones or laptops along with them. They run as freely as possible with nothing to hold them back. That is how God wants us to run the race of life. Freely dashing from day to day taking what comes our way in stride knowing we are never without God by our side, Hebrews 13:5. God wants us to run the race with perseverance. Training alone for a race takes alot of willpower, patience and endurance. We aren't born fit to run any race but are equipped as we go along the journey of life, sacrificing for the greater good during the course. Training involved suffering and agony sometimes as we push ourselves to greater heights yet we know great joy is ours for the taking along the way. Just as Jesus suffered greatly at the hands of ill-willed men, so it is with us. If we believe we can sprint through life avoiding pain and sorrow, rejection and ridicule when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ could not, you might want to reconsider these notions.
But do not despair, we have hope. Isaiah 40:21 says, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." What greater hope can we have while running the race of life? As we wait upon the Lord around every turn, as we face new obstacles, when we grow weary and want to just give up, our strength is renewed by the One Who gave us life. God Himself gives us strength we can find nowhere else; enough strength to mount up as eagles flying high in the sky above all the cares of this world. We can run and not grow weary when we grab hold of His hand and run the race together. When all is said and done, we will walk and not faint once we have finished the race and our reward lies ahead of us.
With this encouragement, let me challenge you in the year 2010 to remember you do not have to run the race of life alone. At any time, you can grab the hand of God through Jesus His Son, (John 14:6 says "No one comes to the Father {God} except through Me {Jesus Christ}, and be filled with His strength to endure whatever trials and hardships you are facing. God will give you patience as you need it and help you endure whatever it is that you are tackling. He will not leave, abandon or ignore you. He wants good things to happen in your life, things that offer you a great future and one that is hopeful.
You don't have to run this race alone, unless you choose to. God did give us a freewill to believe in Him or not, to have eternal life with Him or to spend eternity in hell with satan. John 3:16 reminds us, "For God loved the world so much, He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Jesus, will not perish (spirit ad soul)but have everlasting life."When the race is over, and rewards are handed out for the way we ran the race, there will be only one of two places we spend the rest of eternity. Either in heaven or in hell and that is completely our choice. God is a gentlemen and He will not force Himself on anyone. It is His desire that no one spends eternity in hell, II Peter 3:9 and in Hosea 4:6 God tells us we perish for lack of knowledge. Well, now you have the knowledge you need to spend eternity in with God instead of in hell with satan, what will you do with it?
Looking back at the various events that have happened in my life and in that of my family, I am thankful to have lived this past year in the richness of God's glory, growing ever closer to Him and making new friendships, nurturing relationships I have had for years and letting some go that aren't yielding fruit in my life. Life is like a race, one in which we are continually training for. Having God on my side, friends and family to cheer me on and sacrificing much to obtain the reward God has set before me humbly makes me wonder what's in store for 2010?
Hebrews 12:1-3 tells us to throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him Who endured such opposition from sinful men so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. God has put us in a race and He is giving us a much needed tip in running the race with success. We are to throw off, take off, remove, toss aside everything, not some things, but everything that hinders and entangles us in life. First of all think about this. God wants the best for us. His plans for us are for God and not for harm to give us a hope and a future as He has said in Jeremiah 29:11, right? With that in mind, we must realize because He is God He knows what He is talking about when He tells us to get rid of or avoid those things that weigh us down. In a race, runners wear shoes lighter than air, their clothing is feather light and they don't try and run with suitcases attached to their ankles dragging them down. They don't carry backpacks, sacks of clothing or equipment, cell phones or laptops along with them. They run as freely as possible with nothing to hold them back. That is how God wants us to run the race of life. Freely dashing from day to day taking what comes our way in stride knowing we are never without God by our side, Hebrews 13:5. God wants us to run the race with perseverance. Training alone for a race takes alot of willpower, patience and endurance. We aren't born fit to run any race but are equipped as we go along the journey of life, sacrificing for the greater good during the course. Training involved suffering and agony sometimes as we push ourselves to greater heights yet we know great joy is ours for the taking along the way. Just as Jesus suffered greatly at the hands of ill-willed men, so it is with us. If we believe we can sprint through life avoiding pain and sorrow, rejection and ridicule when our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ could not, you might want to reconsider these notions.
But do not despair, we have hope. Isaiah 40:21 says, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." What greater hope can we have while running the race of life? As we wait upon the Lord around every turn, as we face new obstacles, when we grow weary and want to just give up, our strength is renewed by the One Who gave us life. God Himself gives us strength we can find nowhere else; enough strength to mount up as eagles flying high in the sky above all the cares of this world. We can run and not grow weary when we grab hold of His hand and run the race together. When all is said and done, we will walk and not faint once we have finished the race and our reward lies ahead of us.
With this encouragement, let me challenge you in the year 2010 to remember you do not have to run the race of life alone. At any time, you can grab the hand of God through Jesus His Son, (John 14:6 says "No one comes to the Father {God} except through Me {Jesus Christ}, and be filled with His strength to endure whatever trials and hardships you are facing. God will give you patience as you need it and help you endure whatever it is that you are tackling. He will not leave, abandon or ignore you. He wants good things to happen in your life, things that offer you a great future and one that is hopeful.
You don't have to run this race alone, unless you choose to. God did give us a freewill to believe in Him or not, to have eternal life with Him or to spend eternity in hell with satan. John 3:16 reminds us, "For God loved the world so much, He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Jesus, will not perish (spirit ad soul)but have everlasting life."When the race is over, and rewards are handed out for the way we ran the race, there will be only one of two places we spend the rest of eternity. Either in heaven or in hell and that is completely our choice. God is a gentlemen and He will not force Himself on anyone. It is His desire that no one spends eternity in hell, II Peter 3:9 and in Hosea 4:6 God tells us we perish for lack of knowledge. Well, now you have the knowledge you need to spend eternity in with God instead of in hell with satan, what will you do with it?
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saving us from Ourselves
Sitting in church this morning I was listening to my pastor share one of the most amazing facts with the congregation I had ever heard. Mark spoke of how we all needed to be saved from ourselves as in Matthew 1:21, "And she (Mary) will bring forth a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins." Saved from sins, yep, I totally agree with this, but save me from myself? I needed saved from me? Wow! I had not thought of this before but as I did, I realized how true this statement really was.
Allow me to shed some light on this revelation. Think about it, we are mere, fragile humans, born incapable of helping ourselves and we leave normally in this same manner. Yet, as we develop into toddlers we think the world is all about us and we can do as we please. The word 'share' is more like a cuss word to us that must be avoided at all costs and when we move into adolescence we don't think the world is all about us, we know it is and wonder why everyone else does not agree with us. The tweens hit and we still are firm believer's that the world revolves around us, but now we can't understand why grown ups don't gravel at our feet begging to do favors for us. As teenagers, we're sure parents want to make our lives miserable and frustrating right along with our teachers, except we are convinced they all know absolutely nothing and we are self sufficient so have no need for either one of them. We celebrate our magical 18th birthday and run off waving hastily to mom and dad knowing full well we can take care of ourselves and our parents will apologize for their ignorance of our abilities to sustain ourselves without their help. As young adults, life is all about work and play. YA's don't need anyone for the most part and have no trouble making decisions for themselves without a second thought about the after effects of their actions ...but by the time we humans reach 30 years of age, enough natural and self-inflicted consequences have occurred to prove we need the help from others at one point or another. We really do need a Savior as well; a Savior to save us from ourselves. In Romans 3:10, we are told "there is none righteous, no, not one." "We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" is written in Romans 3:23 to remind us we are not the perfect human beings we had always thought we were.
The God of this universe set up a plan for humanity to be saved so we would not destroy ourselves through lack of knowledge, Hosea 4:6. That plan of salvation came to us and still does this very day, through a tiny baby born in a manger over 2,000 years ago, Luke 2:8-20. Jesus saves us from ourselves. John 3:16-17 confirms our eternal destiny aside from receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior.Won't you acknowledge you are a sinner in need of a Savior today?
Allow me to shed some light on this revelation. Think about it, we are mere, fragile humans, born incapable of helping ourselves and we leave normally in this same manner. Yet, as we develop into toddlers we think the world is all about us and we can do as we please. The word 'share' is more like a cuss word to us that must be avoided at all costs and when we move into adolescence we don't think the world is all about us, we know it is and wonder why everyone else does not agree with us. The tweens hit and we still are firm believer's that the world revolves around us, but now we can't understand why grown ups don't gravel at our feet begging to do favors for us. As teenagers, we're sure parents want to make our lives miserable and frustrating right along with our teachers, except we are convinced they all know absolutely nothing and we are self sufficient so have no need for either one of them. We celebrate our magical 18th birthday and run off waving hastily to mom and dad knowing full well we can take care of ourselves and our parents will apologize for their ignorance of our abilities to sustain ourselves without their help. As young adults, life is all about work and play. YA's don't need anyone for the most part and have no trouble making decisions for themselves without a second thought about the after effects of their actions ...but by the time we humans reach 30 years of age, enough natural and self-inflicted consequences have occurred to prove we need the help from others at one point or another. We really do need a Savior as well; a Savior to save us from ourselves. In Romans 3:10, we are told "there is none righteous, no, not one." "We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" is written in Romans 3:23 to remind us we are not the perfect human beings we had always thought we were.
The God of this universe set up a plan for humanity to be saved so we would not destroy ourselves through lack of knowledge, Hosea 4:6. That plan of salvation came to us and still does this very day, through a tiny baby born in a manger over 2,000 years ago, Luke 2:8-20. Jesus saves us from ourselves. John 3:16-17 confirms our eternal destiny aside from receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior.Won't you acknowledge you are a sinner in need of a Savior today?
Thursday, November 26, 2009
A Day to be Thankful
I am thankful to God for loving me enough to send His Son Jesus to die for me and choosing me to be His daughter. I am thankful to Jesus Christ for taking all my sins, oh how many there are, upon Himself and paying the price for them so that I may have eternal life. I am thankful for my husband Kenny, what a blessing and gift to me. I am thankful for my children Doug, Chrissy, Tiffany and Branden; for they are blessed rewards I could never have even dreamed of receiving from the Lord. I am thankful for their spouses, Jessica, Jeffry and Kevin; for they complete our family perfectly. I am thankful for my precious grandchildren, Nathen and Tahlya; I am blessed beyond words because of these two wonderful gifts of life and love. I am thankful for extended family, my dad and stepmom, mom and dad in law, sweet sister-in-laws, awesome cousins, nieces and nephews and I am thankful for my friends because they enrich my life so very much. I am thankful for teachers who push me and believe in me. I am thankful for all my sweet pets as they are therapy to my soul. I am thankful for a home that keeps me warm, food to fill my tummy, a car that gets me from here to there, a good college education, health that I may bless others, a voice to praise God with and my very life and breath. And I am thankful for all of you, what would facebook be without you all!
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Not my own.........
Kenny called me and told me he had another job offer from the Christian owner of the tire shop we visited while there last March. Now going from $25 per hour to $15 I hourly is a significant reduction, but as I began to think about it, I heard God whispering to me that He was giving me the desires of my heart. I said, “What? How?” He brought to memory the past several years I have been asking Him to draw me closer to Him and to help me trust Him to a greater degree. Wow! This is it? Figures it has to involved finances, one of the hardest areas to totally surrender. I have not had trouble cheerfully giving 20% of my income when I made good money, but was I ready for us to live on almost half of what Ken made here in Oregon to grow closer to God, to trust him more fully? If not, whoa! I have a bigger issue on my hands than my distance from God or lack of trusting Him fully.
Am I trusting in money through Ken’s job or want to avoid stressing about money? That’s not trusting God for my finances. Do I want Ken to make more money so we can help our kids and others? That’s not trusting God to financially care for or provide for them. Would I rather have more money to give to God? I know God doesn’t need my money and can multiply any amount we give to increase the kingdom for Him.
Surrendering means giving up what I think I have a right to. In all actuality, when I gave my life to the Lord, did I mean for a time, only if certain requirements were met or just specific areas of my life? I don’t recall making a deal with him such as this but somehow when it comes to asking more from me than I had expected to give, conditions fill my head and fear seems to grasp my heart.
Have I not built enough monuments reminding me of God’s faithfulness, protection, goodness and sovereignty? Why would I think he would stop supplying our needs when that is basically what we are going out to Arizona with and not much else? Why is it hard for me to trust Him yet again, when I have peace about this decision of Kenny’s even though it was NOT my first choice? Could I be engineering my own peace over this massive pay deduction? Uh, I would think not.
So I have a choice . . . will I surrender or grasp tightly that which doesn’t belong to me in the first place? Hmmm, let me think, or rather pray about this. What is there really to think about? What is there really to pray about? Do I love God or not? Have I totally given Him my life or have I not? Do I trust Him or don’t I? I believe a surrender that brings me closer to sweet Jesus and causes me to trust in Him more is the only choice for me. Awww, a sweet surrender it is. Arizona, here we come!
Am I trusting in money through Ken’s job or want to avoid stressing about money? That’s not trusting God for my finances. Do I want Ken to make more money so we can help our kids and others? That’s not trusting God to financially care for or provide for them. Would I rather have more money to give to God? I know God doesn’t need my money and can multiply any amount we give to increase the kingdom for Him.
Surrendering means giving up what I think I have a right to. In all actuality, when I gave my life to the Lord, did I mean for a time, only if certain requirements were met or just specific areas of my life? I don’t recall making a deal with him such as this but somehow when it comes to asking more from me than I had expected to give, conditions fill my head and fear seems to grasp my heart.
Have I not built enough monuments reminding me of God’s faithfulness, protection, goodness and sovereignty? Why would I think he would stop supplying our needs when that is basically what we are going out to Arizona with and not much else? Why is it hard for me to trust Him yet again, when I have peace about this decision of Kenny’s even though it was NOT my first choice? Could I be engineering my own peace over this massive pay deduction? Uh, I would think not.
So I have a choice . . . will I surrender or grasp tightly that which doesn’t belong to me in the first place? Hmmm, let me think, or rather pray about this. What is there really to think about? What is there really to pray about? Do I love God or not? Have I totally given Him my life or have I not? Do I trust Him or don’t I? I believe a surrender that brings me closer to sweet Jesus and causes me to trust in Him more is the only choice for me. Awww, a sweet surrender it is. Arizona, here we come!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
A Marriage Code - part II
Knowing the marriage code sure makes a world of difference. Bill and Pam Farrel tell us in their book, The Marriage Code, the username for wives is wife and the password is success which gives her access into a workable relationship with her husband. A woman's greatest desire is to connect with her husband emotionally, spiritually and financially. She wants her husband to experience the same emotional fullness she does. I have to agree with Bill and Pam. Come on ladies, think about it. Do we not want our hubbies to feel the same things we feel, understand how we understand and love us like we want to be loved. Let's be honest now. I know I am guilty of this. What happened to the giving part of the relationship? All of a sudden somehow, somewhere, as wives we begin to get caught up in the selfishness of being a spouse and the next thing you know, life is all about us. Not good....
Bill and Pam also say that the username for husband is husband and the password is security. Using these gives husband's access into workable relationships with their wives. His greatest desire is to help his wife succeed at what she wants to do in life. Meeting a wife's security need first in all things. This goes against a man's most basic instincts, but if a husband accomplishes this task, he draws his wife towards him and the relationship becomes relaxed. All simply because of the marriage code that can radically change a marriage.
Knowing issues within our marriage can make a world of difference once we know how to access the marriage codes that provide succession our husband's and security for us wives.
To purchase their book go to: http://www.farrelcommunications.com/
Bill and Pam also say that the username for husband is husband and the password is security. Using these gives husband's access into workable relationships with their wives. His greatest desire is to help his wife succeed at what she wants to do in life. Meeting a wife's security need first in all things. This goes against a man's most basic instincts, but if a husband accomplishes this task, he draws his wife towards him and the relationship becomes relaxed. All simply because of the marriage code that can radically change a marriage.
Knowing issues within our marriage can make a world of difference once we know how to access the marriage codes that provide succession our husband's and security for us wives.
To purchase their book go to: http://www.farrelcommunications.com/
Monday, October 26, 2009
Check out the lyrics to Fyleaf - you're teens are gonna love it!
I love the way that your heart breaks
with every injustice and deadly fate
Praying it all be new
and living like it all depends on you
Here you are down on your knees again
trying to find air to breathe again
Only surrender will help you now
I love you please see and believe again
I love that you’re never satisfied
with face value wisdom and happy lies
you take what they say and go back and cry
you’re so close to me that you nearly died
Here you are down on your knees again
trying to find air to breathe again
Only surrender will help you now
I love you please see and believe again
they don’t have to understand you
be still
wait and know I understand you
be still
be still
Here you are down on your knees again
trying to find air to breathe again
Only surrender will help you now
The floodgates are breaking
and pouring out
Here you are down on your knees
trying to find air to breathe
right where I want you to be again
i love you please see and believe again
Here you are down on your knees again
trying to find air to breathe again
Right where I want you to be again
See and believe!
with every injustice and deadly fate
Praying it all be new
and living like it all depends on you
Here you are down on your knees again
trying to find air to breathe again
Only surrender will help you now
I love you please see and believe again
I love that you’re never satisfied
with face value wisdom and happy lies
you take what they say and go back and cry
you’re so close to me that you nearly died
Here you are down on your knees again
trying to find air to breathe again
Only surrender will help you now
I love you please see and believe again
they don’t have to understand you
be still
wait and know I understand you
be still
be still
Here you are down on your knees again
trying to find air to breathe again
Only surrender will help you now
The floodgates are breaking
and pouring out
Here you are down on your knees
trying to find air to breathe
right where I want you to be again
i love you please see and believe again
Here you are down on your knees again
trying to find air to breathe again
Right where I want you to be again
See and believe!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Choosing to Blossom Along the Journey
I was just thinking this morning about how a seed is rooted in the ground, nurtured with water to sprout, emerges either strong or weak, is pumped full of vitamin D from the sun and grows useful or dies pitifully. Kind of like the human life, wouldn't you say?
From before we were born, God knew us (Psalm 139:13-16) and had plans for us; plans for good and not for harm, plans to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). He knew us as a seed yet formed, rooted, nurtured and growing. WOW! How awesome is that?!
But, because of His great love for us, He gave us a choice. A choice to choose Him, to choose life through His Son Jesus, or to choose the world and all it has to offer, to choose death and eternity in hell (John 3:16).
When we choose life, just as with the seed rooted firmly in the soil, we can choose to be rooted firmly in Christ. God is a gentlemen, He will not force us to choose to love Him and accept His Son Jesus Christ. It just isn't going to happen. God created us with our own wills, (remember Adam and eve in the garden of Eden?), ya. We become firmly rooted when we spend time with God, reading His words to us in the Bible, filling our minds with heavenly things and being obedient to all He says. Sure, we are human and make mistakes. That was the whole reason we needed Jesus to be our Savior, but what little effort it takes to confess our wrong doings and receive Jesus' forgiveness, go on and become better because of God's unconditional love for us.
Our nurturing takes place when we love Jesus will all our hearts, minds, souls and strength, are daily spending time in God's word, memorizing scripture so that we don't sin against our Lord (Psalm 119:11), praise Him (Psalm 100:4) and allow the Holy Spirit to wash our lives with His word, empower us to lives well pleasing to our Lord and to be blessings to those God puts in our paths.
Time spent in the sun adds vitamin D to our bodies thereby enriching our very beings. So it is with time spent with the Son of God. Our lives are enriched beyond measure and as we grow in the knowledge of Him (II Peter 3:18) our lives are transformed into the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29).
Our lives are a journey of blossoming into what God has called us to become. We can either radiate the fragrance of lavander or emminate the vile stench of a corpse flower.
We can choose to grow or choose to shrivel up and die. It is all about choice; and it is a matter of life and death.
For further reflection I highly recommend-
(http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=3206)
From before we were born, God knew us (Psalm 139:13-16) and had plans for us; plans for good and not for harm, plans to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). He knew us as a seed yet formed, rooted, nurtured and growing. WOW! How awesome is that?!
But, because of His great love for us, He gave us a choice. A choice to choose Him, to choose life through His Son Jesus, or to choose the world and all it has to offer, to choose death and eternity in hell (John 3:16).
When we choose life, just as with the seed rooted firmly in the soil, we can choose to be rooted firmly in Christ. God is a gentlemen, He will not force us to choose to love Him and accept His Son Jesus Christ. It just isn't going to happen. God created us with our own wills, (remember Adam and eve in the garden of Eden?), ya. We become firmly rooted when we spend time with God, reading His words to us in the Bible, filling our minds with heavenly things and being obedient to all He says. Sure, we are human and make mistakes. That was the whole reason we needed Jesus to be our Savior, but what little effort it takes to confess our wrong doings and receive Jesus' forgiveness, go on and become better because of God's unconditional love for us.
Our nurturing takes place when we love Jesus will all our hearts, minds, souls and strength, are daily spending time in God's word, memorizing scripture so that we don't sin against our Lord (Psalm 119:11), praise Him (Psalm 100:4) and allow the Holy Spirit to wash our lives with His word, empower us to lives well pleasing to our Lord and to be blessings to those God puts in our paths.
Time spent in the sun adds vitamin D to our bodies thereby enriching our very beings. So it is with time spent with the Son of God. Our lives are enriched beyond measure and as we grow in the knowledge of Him (II Peter 3:18) our lives are transformed into the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29).
Our lives are a journey of blossoming into what God has called us to become. We can either radiate the fragrance of lavander or emminate the vile stench of a corpse flower.
We can choose to grow or choose to shrivel up and die. It is all about choice; and it is a matter of life and death.
For further reflection I highly recommend-
(http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=3206)
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Tough Times Gettin' Tougher
With only four days until Ken hits the road for Arizona, I have found myself one moment in tears and the next excited about the adventure that lies before him. This new journey God has called us to is both scary and exciting, somehow all at the same time. God keeps speaking to my heart, "Remember, I am with you", Hebrews 13:5 and suddenly His peace covers me and I feel I have the faith to move a hundred mountains.
As these tough days get tougher, I must remember God will not give me more than I can handle with Him, nor will He abandon me, nor will He stretch me beyond my breaking point, no matter what I feel on any given day.
In my devotional Treasures for Women Who Hope by Alice Gray, I love the phrase "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars", spoken by Barbara Johnson in her book Irrepressible Hope. I definitely feel I am in the gutter and have always loved gazing at the stars. As a matter of fact, my oldest daughter Christina, gave me a wonderful gift a few Christmas' ago, naming a star after me. I received the certificate and a map of just where this star lies in the heavenlies. It was as if God Himself had declared a spot in heaven just for me through a simple star created at His command. WOW! As long as I keep looking up, focused on Jesus, I have hope. What more could I possibly ask for in such tough times as these.
God never promised me a rose garden, pie in the sky much less a life void of troubles and tough times. He did promise me I can do all things through Him (Philippians 4:13), He will never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5), His grace is sufficient for me when I am weak (I Corinthians 12:9) and He will not allow me to be tempted beyond escape (I Corinthians 10:13) especially when I feel like jumping back in bed and hiding under the covers until these tough times are through. Because God has not given me a spirit of fear but a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7) I can resist the desires to run and hide and come boldly to His throne of grace because He is merciful (Hebrews 4:16). I can ask for strength and power to glorify Him through these trials (Matthew 21:22) and be a blessing to others.
So, if the tough times are getting tougher, I encourage you to hit your knees in prayer, crank up that praise and worship music and begin to thank God for seeing you through the trials and tribulations you are going through right now. He is so able, so capable and so wanting to love you and be loved by you.
If it were not for Ken's job loss, losing our home and going through bankruptcy, maybe we just might not be able to understand those who are suffering these things themselves, quite the same as if we'd been spared this suffering. With God on our side, who could possibly be against us (Romans 8:31) so I have no reason to fear what lies ahead, and neither do you if you are a child of God.
If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please me at Jesusismorethanenough@yahoo.com and I would love to tell you how you can receive Jesus as you Lord and Savior!
As these tough days get tougher, I must remember God will not give me more than I can handle with Him, nor will He abandon me, nor will He stretch me beyond my breaking point, no matter what I feel on any given day.
In my devotional Treasures for Women Who Hope by Alice Gray, I love the phrase "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars", spoken by Barbara Johnson in her book Irrepressible Hope. I definitely feel I am in the gutter and have always loved gazing at the stars. As a matter of fact, my oldest daughter Christina, gave me a wonderful gift a few Christmas' ago, naming a star after me. I received the certificate and a map of just where this star lies in the heavenlies. It was as if God Himself had declared a spot in heaven just for me through a simple star created at His command. WOW! As long as I keep looking up, focused on Jesus, I have hope. What more could I possibly ask for in such tough times as these.
God never promised me a rose garden, pie in the sky much less a life void of troubles and tough times. He did promise me I can do all things through Him (Philippians 4:13), He will never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5), His grace is sufficient for me when I am weak (I Corinthians 12:9) and He will not allow me to be tempted beyond escape (I Corinthians 10:13) especially when I feel like jumping back in bed and hiding under the covers until these tough times are through. Because God has not given me a spirit of fear but a sound mind (II Timothy 1:7) I can resist the desires to run and hide and come boldly to His throne of grace because He is merciful (Hebrews 4:16). I can ask for strength and power to glorify Him through these trials (Matthew 21:22) and be a blessing to others.
So, if the tough times are getting tougher, I encourage you to hit your knees in prayer, crank up that praise and worship music and begin to thank God for seeing you through the trials and tribulations you are going through right now. He is so able, so capable and so wanting to love you and be loved by you.
If it were not for Ken's job loss, losing our home and going through bankruptcy, maybe we just might not be able to understand those who are suffering these things themselves, quite the same as if we'd been spared this suffering. With God on our side, who could possibly be against us (Romans 8:31) so I have no reason to fear what lies ahead, and neither do you if you are a child of God.
If you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please me at Jesusismorethanenough@yahoo.com and I would love to tell you how you can receive Jesus as you Lord and Savior!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
A Change in Plans
As I look around at this most beautiful place, sadness fills my heart knowing this is truly God’s country, yet it was not the place my family could write their names in the soil and be at peace spending the rest of our lives.
Our plans when we arrived almost fifteen years ago, was for each one of our children to raise their children amongst the beautiful blue skies, emerald green land and magnificent Redwoods. The majestic mountains were our fortress and the light mist that filled the chilling air soothed out tired skin on a warm summer’s day.
Goals, dreams and vacations never to be realized . . . I will miss this place, after all. A home on with an acre on a quiet country road served us well even with its constant need of repair. My front window view is as beautiful as a postcard and the trip home each day takes my breath away as I pass pastures filled with lush grass for lazy cows grazing peacefully and rugged. old barns standing amidst tress of splendor surrounded by leaves of burnt orange, golden yellow and luscious purple. A minute piece of heaven was granted us in this place.
What happened over time that took my family from the open land of a charming, little town called Williams, to a small, yet busy town of Grants Pass, and finally will lead us back home to an enormous city of growth known as Phoenix in a state rich in opportunity.
From Arizona, to Oregon and back to Arizona again we will travel over years of children growing, opportunities tried and lost, fewer fun times than desired, trials and tribulations around every corner but many friends acquired that we will never forget. The laughter, the tears, the few glorious victories, the bitter taste of final defeat, all remind us of our life here in Oregon that we’ll take with us to the warn, dry desert.
Stories to be told, memories shared and friends we’ll always keep in touch with…..are the back drop of this chapter in our lives. The peaceful life my husband so badly wanted to experience here in Grants Pass, became harder work, deeper restlessness and unfilled dreams as we struggled, always struggled to make a living for our family. Health care far from our reach, a broken septic system, educational grants denied, mold spreading fast like a disease, illness looming, gray skies on the horizon as winter approaches, opportunity for growth diminished and finally the city that has so harshly tolerated us will now be through with us. As we leave our home of just under nine years and sorrowfully look back at possible mistakes, missed chances to make things better and friends we shed tears for as we say goodbye, we fight to look forward at the journey God has planned for us. Reflections of plans for good and not harm surround our thoughts and His strength lifts our heads in sorrow as we recognize His voice, feel His presence carrying our weary, depressed bodies away from a small slice of heaven here on earth, to a place of wonder, new opportunities, our son and his wife along with our two wonderful grandchildren sorely missed, and a lovely home in a neighborhood of need and desire to know Who this God is that carries our burdens and blessed the path we walk on. A new world to share His promises of unconditional love and acceptance, laughing with our precious family and raising foster children who have no one to call their parents is a venture we wait for in sheer excitement amidst the harsh surroundings of our move.
Learning to suffer, sometimes silently, sometimes with gentle tears, serves as the training field for us to patiently comfort those in Phoenix with the same, enduring care God has so lovingly covered us with as we move to a different land, with fresh plans to hold fast to the great commission Christ gave us in Matthew 28:19 & 20. It is our desire the follow the Lord’s will over our own, walking in His guided paths and fulfilling the law of Christ as we will tenderly aid the homeless and give them shelter, pray for parents confused by the world’s way of molding their children, and honor our God Whom we choose to faithfully serve with hearts of gladness. Our spirit’s at rest about living in a land that will cause our lips to be parched as the scorching sun will beat down on our dry, aging skin and the majestic mountains in the far distance will be painted with the finest desert landscaping full of poisonous critters and cacti serving a their nourishment, tumble weeds everywhere and dry ground that cries out in anxious waiting for its Creator to return and end its thirst.
To Oregon we say farewell, for a new mission has opened before us and we dare not hesitate to enter a land that once celebrated our presence and victory was at every turn. To our friends and family we leave behind, we pray earnestly for the spirit of our Lord to comfort and guide you, remind and empower you as we leave to remember to pray for us as well, seek God for His plans for your lives and give you strength to carry our those missions God has set before you at such a time as this. We love you and know we will see you again one day soon…..very, very soon. May God’s peace be with you all.
I Corinthians 1:3-5
Blessed be God Who comforts us in all our tribulations that we may be able to comfort them which are in trouble, by the comfort that we ourselves are comforted by God.
Our plans when we arrived almost fifteen years ago, was for each one of our children to raise their children amongst the beautiful blue skies, emerald green land and magnificent Redwoods. The majestic mountains were our fortress and the light mist that filled the chilling air soothed out tired skin on a warm summer’s day.
Goals, dreams and vacations never to be realized . . . I will miss this place, after all. A home on with an acre on a quiet country road served us well even with its constant need of repair. My front window view is as beautiful as a postcard and the trip home each day takes my breath away as I pass pastures filled with lush grass for lazy cows grazing peacefully and rugged. old barns standing amidst tress of splendor surrounded by leaves of burnt orange, golden yellow and luscious purple. A minute piece of heaven was granted us in this place.
What happened over time that took my family from the open land of a charming, little town called Williams, to a small, yet busy town of Grants Pass, and finally will lead us back home to an enormous city of growth known as Phoenix in a state rich in opportunity.
From Arizona, to Oregon and back to Arizona again we will travel over years of children growing, opportunities tried and lost, fewer fun times than desired, trials and tribulations around every corner but many friends acquired that we will never forget. The laughter, the tears, the few glorious victories, the bitter taste of final defeat, all remind us of our life here in Oregon that we’ll take with us to the warn, dry desert.
Stories to be told, memories shared and friends we’ll always keep in touch with…..are the back drop of this chapter in our lives. The peaceful life my husband so badly wanted to experience here in Grants Pass, became harder work, deeper restlessness and unfilled dreams as we struggled, always struggled to make a living for our family. Health care far from our reach, a broken septic system, educational grants denied, mold spreading fast like a disease, illness looming, gray skies on the horizon as winter approaches, opportunity for growth diminished and finally the city that has so harshly tolerated us will now be through with us. As we leave our home of just under nine years and sorrowfully look back at possible mistakes, missed chances to make things better and friends we shed tears for as we say goodbye, we fight to look forward at the journey God has planned for us. Reflections of plans for good and not harm surround our thoughts and His strength lifts our heads in sorrow as we recognize His voice, feel His presence carrying our weary, depressed bodies away from a small slice of heaven here on earth, to a place of wonder, new opportunities, our son and his wife along with our two wonderful grandchildren sorely missed, and a lovely home in a neighborhood of need and desire to know Who this God is that carries our burdens and blessed the path we walk on. A new world to share His promises of unconditional love and acceptance, laughing with our precious family and raising foster children who have no one to call their parents is a venture we wait for in sheer excitement amidst the harsh surroundings of our move.
Learning to suffer, sometimes silently, sometimes with gentle tears, serves as the training field for us to patiently comfort those in Phoenix with the same, enduring care God has so lovingly covered us with as we move to a different land, with fresh plans to hold fast to the great commission Christ gave us in Matthew 28:19 & 20. It is our desire the follow the Lord’s will over our own, walking in His guided paths and fulfilling the law of Christ as we will tenderly aid the homeless and give them shelter, pray for parents confused by the world’s way of molding their children, and honor our God Whom we choose to faithfully serve with hearts of gladness. Our spirit’s at rest about living in a land that will cause our lips to be parched as the scorching sun will beat down on our dry, aging skin and the majestic mountains in the far distance will be painted with the finest desert landscaping full of poisonous critters and cacti serving a their nourishment, tumble weeds everywhere and dry ground that cries out in anxious waiting for its Creator to return and end its thirst.
To Oregon we say farewell, for a new mission has opened before us and we dare not hesitate to enter a land that once celebrated our presence and victory was at every turn. To our friends and family we leave behind, we pray earnestly for the spirit of our Lord to comfort and guide you, remind and empower you as we leave to remember to pray for us as well, seek God for His plans for your lives and give you strength to carry our those missions God has set before you at such a time as this. We love you and know we will see you again one day soon…..very, very soon. May God’s peace be with you all.
I Corinthians 1:3-5
Blessed be God Who comforts us in all our tribulations that we may be able to comfort them which are in trouble, by the comfort that we ourselves are comforted by God.
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