Do you ever read something, and think to yourself, "Wow, someone has been reading my Life!"
Or, my case, especially the past 3-7 years of my life!!!
I receive Proverbs 31 devotions daily, and they have so often pertained to whatever is going on in my life. God uses this ministry to encourage women of God. God is so amazing!! You can subscribe to receive them as well; CLICK HERE to join.
The below devotion from Tues, I just saw today (yet it is where I am at today...love how God does that!) It so explains how the story of my life has been the last few yrs especially with moves, friendships gone bad, me pulling in and losing my sense of confidence in being able to do things over the years of struggles. There was no one who truly cared. People acted like they did care, yet behind my back they tore me down. Only God truly knows.
Since we have gotten settled here in our new area of residence, I've been gaining my strength and confidence, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and through God's word. Through it all, I've learned of my true identity and true confidence in Christ alone! It has been a time of "getting real" with myself and most of all with God! He sees everything and knows my heart.
The Bible says, "Who can know the hearts of men? Only God can!" 1 Kings 8 39Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)
This is a great devotional!! I've been torn down these past 7-10 yrs, but ESPECIALLY ripped apart the past 3-5 yrs, but I'm being rebuilt from the ground up! In Jesus name!
Rebuilt
by Amy Carroll
"Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God." 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (NIV)
"Are you sure you're ready to have a tiger by the tail?" mom asked with a big grin. That was her first response when my then-boyfriend Barry asked my parents if he could marry me. It still makes me laugh, because I was certainly a strange mix of rule-following, first-child with a wide streak of sassiness and fierce independence. I'm still not sure Barry had any idea what he was getting into when he said, "I do."
That was over twenty years ago, so when Barry asked an unexpected question during our family vacation this year, it opened my eyes to some of God's difficult work in my life. Barry and I sat on the deck overlooking the ocean talking in low voices about the topics that concern many of us--finances, parenting, plans for the future... Suddenly, Barry asked his startling question.
"If you could change one thing about me, what would it be?"
My mind went blank except for the thought, "Whew! This is a really loaded question." At first I didn't want to answer (why ruin a great evening?), but I finally answered, braced myself and re-asked the question, "What would you change about me?"
I had a pretty good list going in my mind of what I thought he'd say--I wish you weren't so critical. I wish you wouldn't talk so much. I wish you would cook dinner more often.
What he actually said surprised me. "I want you to get your confidence back. When I married you, your favorite phrase was, 'I'll do it myself!' I've watched you lose your confidence over the years, and I want you to have it back." He replied.
A move, a couple of friendships with bad endings and struggling to find a place in my new home town had knocked the stuffing right out of me. I had fought and lost against my own tendency toward comparison, perfectionism and an overdeveloped sense of responsibility. Little by little, I became convinced that I couldn't and that I wasn't. My confidence was shaken and then it crumbled.
But sometimes things have to be torn down before they can be rebuilt.
Was it God's plan that I would move, fail in some friendships and beat myself bloody trying to be somebody else? No! He did, however, use this bad place to bring me to a better place. God began rebuilding in me about a year ago, but He capped it off when I got home from our She Speaks conference this year. There He spoke to me over and over again about trusting my life to His control. The scripture in my Sunday school class the following Sunday was our key verse today, 2 Corinthians 3:4-6: "Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant--not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." (NIV)
I started with, "I can do it," but God brought me to "He can do it in me." He has brought me out of my own power, which is so limited and flawed, to being dependent on the infilling power of His Spirit. Confidence in myself has very limited power whereas confidence in Him brings limitless possibilities.
I know that I'll still have days of struggle with confidence, but my rebuilt and renewed sense of confidence is now firmly in Christ. It's a beautiful place to be.
Dear Lord, I have depended on myself so many times and fallen short. My confidence has been shaken. Rebuild me by helping me to put my full confidence in You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Showing posts with label Christian encouragement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian encouragement. Show all posts
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Moving Again; Welcome to the Family!
So, we are getting geared up to pack for another move. :P
Even though it is in the same city, we still have to go through the motions of packing, breaking down furniture, and moving everything and setting up/unpacking again. Blah! I'm dreading it because the last move threw me into a flare for a few weeks; couldn't walk for a few days, had migraines from dealing with the pain. (No, this is not soreness from manual labor people...take your worst flu and multiply it by at least 10, and then keep it there for a few weeks...this is what it is like for a fibro flare. It is not just sore muscles. There is a huge difference ;)
Oh well, such as life, and can't complain because others do have far worse conditions they are dealing with! :) This too shall pass!!
Our family has been fighting some sort of flu/viral thing. Bubb had a high fever for a few days, body aches, nausea, headache, congestion. He still has congestion and sneezing now as I type this he is sneezing. However, he is doing so much better! YAY!
J; she has nausea, body aches, and congestion...in milder form though...no fever. They both had an occasional deep cough that would rear it's head at night. I've been giving them alkaselzer Cough and Cold gel tabs and Tylenol for fever.
I've had nausea, body aches, and fatigue. Of course, these are also fibro symptoms, so I never know if it is a virus or just typical symptoms of the syndrome.
Husband had it last week, and he is still coughing, but much much better overall.
Either way, I'm ready for us to all be WELL!!! Completely well again!!!! Especially since Oct and Nov are extremely busy months for us!
We are thankful for our church family! Many of our church friends have already told us to let them know of the move date, and they will help us move! So thankful!!!
When we moved here to this area last yr, husband and I had moved the majority ourselves. Then, the Pastor of (our now church...and another gentleman along with him), came to our rescue to move the heaviest pieces of furniture! Wow!!! What a God-send they were!!! Do you remember how heavy that armoire is Pastor??? lol. ;)
Speaking of church, our little family members are now all "PARTners". :) Such a good feeling to KNOW that we are going to be somewhere for awhile...so we can dig our heels in, connect with the folks, and the community.
These past few yrs I've been feeling like we've been living a gypsy life of being on the move! lol. (guess that is ministry for some folks, right??? Going where God leads :)
Through it all, God has taught us so much. He continues to teach us about His love for us, and our purpose. We are thankful for a Pastor and his sweet wife, family, our small group, and church family who are REAL; who apply God's word to TODAY. We can be ourselves, and they love us right where we are at, and guide us/point us to truth WITHOUT compromise. Yet does so in love, and without a condemning spirit. Our Pastor presents the truth, and allows the Holy Spirit to do His work...
The Holy Spirit through the word of God confronts, convicts, and guides us in all truth to keep us on the right track. The conviction isn't mean for us to feel sorrow unto death (except to die to our fleshly desires and agendas), but it is meant to bring sorrow unto repentance...to repent/turn away from our sin, and draw nearer to God. :) He loves us that much.
Even though it is in the same city, we still have to go through the motions of packing, breaking down furniture, and moving everything and setting up/unpacking again. Blah! I'm dreading it because the last move threw me into a flare for a few weeks; couldn't walk for a few days, had migraines from dealing with the pain. (No, this is not soreness from manual labor people...take your worst flu and multiply it by at least 10, and then keep it there for a few weeks...this is what it is like for a fibro flare. It is not just sore muscles. There is a huge difference ;)
Oh well, such as life, and can't complain because others do have far worse conditions they are dealing with! :) This too shall pass!!
Our family has been fighting some sort of flu/viral thing. Bubb had a high fever for a few days, body aches, nausea, headache, congestion. He still has congestion and sneezing now as I type this he is sneezing. However, he is doing so much better! YAY!
J; she has nausea, body aches, and congestion...in milder form though...no fever. They both had an occasional deep cough that would rear it's head at night. I've been giving them alkaselzer Cough and Cold gel tabs and Tylenol for fever.
I've had nausea, body aches, and fatigue. Of course, these are also fibro symptoms, so I never know if it is a virus or just typical symptoms of the syndrome.
Husband had it last week, and he is still coughing, but much much better overall.
Either way, I'm ready for us to all be WELL!!! Completely well again!!!! Especially since Oct and Nov are extremely busy months for us!
We are thankful for our church family! Many of our church friends have already told us to let them know of the move date, and they will help us move! So thankful!!!
When we moved here to this area last yr, husband and I had moved the majority ourselves. Then, the Pastor of (our now church...and another gentleman along with him), came to our rescue to move the heaviest pieces of furniture! Wow!!! What a God-send they were!!! Do you remember how heavy that armoire is Pastor??? lol. ;)
Speaking of church, our little family members are now all "PARTners". :) Such a good feeling to KNOW that we are going to be somewhere for awhile...so we can dig our heels in, connect with the folks, and the community.
These past few yrs I've been feeling like we've been living a gypsy life of being on the move! lol. (guess that is ministry for some folks, right??? Going where God leads :)
Through it all, God has taught us so much. He continues to teach us about His love for us, and our purpose. We are thankful for a Pastor and his sweet wife, family, our small group, and church family who are REAL; who apply God's word to TODAY. We can be ourselves, and they love us right where we are at, and guide us/point us to truth WITHOUT compromise. Yet does so in love, and without a condemning spirit. Our Pastor presents the truth, and allows the Holy Spirit to do His work...
The Holy Spirit through the word of God confronts, convicts, and guides us in all truth to keep us on the right track. The conviction isn't mean for us to feel sorrow unto death (except to die to our fleshly desires and agendas), but it is meant to bring sorrow unto repentance...to repent/turn away from our sin, and draw nearer to God. :) He loves us that much.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Do You Think I'm Beautiful???
God never ceases to amaze me.
Last weekend we had a dear lady over for dinner. We were celebrating J's birthday, and this lady has been a special part of her life the past yr. She was so significant in building J up in the Lord, when times were so uncertain for us.
We had just moved away from everyone we've ever known. Not to mention, just prior to our moving, she (we all) had lost her dear grandfather aka GaGa to the dreaded C word...cancer. God sent to J, Bubb, David and I this encouragement by way of a piano instruction, and this very godly woman!
Well, during our lunch celebration last weekend with this sweet lady, husband and I got into a very "deep" conversation about certain questions; concerning the Lord, and the Bible. One that we got stuck on: "How do we truly know the will of God for our lives?"
This is an age old question for christians, that seems to always come around from time to time for us. We pray, we seek God through His word...we believe God is leading us in a certain direction...them BAM, God has us going in another.
Does anyone go through this too?
In our conversation, our friend told us this: "I believe if God wants you to be in a certain place, it will come around again if we truly have a heart to serve the Lord, and yield to his will".
Since this past weekend, I've thought about this. I asked of the Lord to show me if this is true.
The children and I have been doing our Bible studies and reading of God's word in Proverbs 2, and the word of the Lord says that above all else to seek wisdom through the Bible. First, in the word of God, time with God, but also through wise believers in Christ who are older, and wiser in the Lord. I've noticed so many folks much younger than I (and some older too), do not attend their ears to the wise godly counsel and experience of the older who are spiritually wiser. I don't want to be that kind of person. Of course, I'm approaching 50 myself, but those ladies who are older and wiser need to be heard. Even with hearing, we always need to be sure it lines up with the word of God.
This week God has shown me the importance of this. Many years ago the Lord put a desire to lead worship in my heart, since I was a young girl. When I was around age 7-8, I'd walk the streets of our neighborhood, make up songs and sing them to God. At an early age I had an awareness of God's presence with me, and so loved that comfort of His presence. I attended christian schools where I had to memorize scripture, so many of my songs were of me singing scriptures.
Later in years, choir was my favorite! I've never learned to read music, however I could sing what I heard. So this is what I did...mostly with groups...then later in church choirs.
Through the years God has been calling me out, yet staying in the crowd was more comfortable. It wasn't until I was in my late 20's that I actually got the courage to sing with a small praise team at Lower Creek Baptist Church. Then little by little I tried duets, then solos. Still, I never felt worthy enough or good enough.
The first "official" tryout I had was at Mountain Grove. In front of the music minister...and 3 other music ministers from the area. Shaking from head to toe, I sang, "God Loves You". After singing it I went home and thought to myself...it is OK that I didn't make it. I can still sing in my car and in my shower. :) Then found out later... that I HAD made it. :) The first opening to our church membership classes, a Wed night... I sang for the first time in a church of 800-1000! Yikes! God was taking me out of my comfort zone!
Still today, I have trouble being out of my comfort zone. Sometimes I wonder if this keeps me so relying on God.
My life through the yrs has been a series of attempts, and fear of failure. I pull out, just when things get going...and get a little tough...something might happen, and I mentally sabotage everything with my sense of not feeling worthy enough.
The instruments I have always wanted to learn was the piano, guitar, and violin. I've taken up piano, and put it away about 3 times. I was given a keyboard, and gave it back out of discouragement. When we moved away, God led me to another instructor, and to another keyboard. Then we moved again. It seems like something is always breaking the flow of this process. I've taken song writing lessons...didn't get to complete those due to finances (and have unfinished half written songs in my notebook...some that God woke me in the night with)
So, I asked God...are the struggles and roadblocks You saying to me "no"? Or not yet?? Or are these struggles and times of discouragement normal opposition (the enemy trying to distract and discourage me), and I just need to press in and press through...even if it is with the instrument, by myself, and with God...do I keep going?
Well, God has shown me through the music, that He does not let me go in this area. He does love me and pursue me with my calling of worship, because He knows how much I love Him, and desire to serve him.
Sometimes I wonder if other distractions come into play because it is easy for me to focus on something that comes natural AND is comfortable (such as art/photography) So...Do I do both music and photography? Or do I only focus on the music? Do I finish my degree which is in a totally different field??? These things I do not know. But do know that God keeps bringing the music back. Also, my family and children's education are of first priority. Wonder how those who are in ministry keep everything in balance!
Ok, so this morning??? I look down on my shelf, and notice an old journal that I had not picked up in several yrs. It is one that was given to me for my birthday...by my friend Cindy Lou Who. It has a coffee cup on the front (YUM LOVE COFFEE), and a beautiful piano instrumental CD in it (AHHHH LOVE THE PIANO). This friend knows my heart! :) I used this journal during a women's conference back home that Wade and Francine Ivey led. Francine always did a part of the conference encouraging women to walk in the Love of Christ...reminding us that we ARE "daughter's of the King of Kings".
There were interesting words on the pages of that journal. Words that eyes had not seen, nor hands have written in several years. In those words, the dreams God placed on my heart; one about creating a worship CD that would encourage the wounded and hurt hearts of the world. There are scriptures, and encouraging God given words on those pages. One being *We are being transformed from Glory to Glory. EVERY day put off the "old you", and allow the "new you" to come alive. This statement (which is based on scripture) reminded me that this is a DAILY battle of the mind. God never said he waves a magic wand over us, and we are all of the sudden happy and perfect. He said in this world we WILL have troubles, but to take heart because He has overcome the world. God's word reminds us that we are "renewing our minds every day".
Part of the struggles are from so many years of being called names, being told I am fat and ugly. Yes, those things are in the past, but they did effect who I am today. They are struggles in my mind that I daily choose to overcome. So yes people, those kinds of words hurt kids, and cause long lasting effects on people's lives!!
Recently a new friend from our church here gave me a book titled, "Do You Think I'm Beautiful" by Angela Thomas. I've not read it yet, but will soon.
Guess what was in this journal from the women's conference of yrs ago??? A suggestion from Francine Ivey to the ladies, to read the book, "Do You Think I'm Beautiful". Along with the verse Colossians 3:9-10 (New Living Translation)
9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Isn't it so neat how God works? When He knows something is going to be good for us/part of His path and plan for our lives, He presents it again and again. (Thank you Cessie for hearing from God and bringing me that book) Not only the words, but even sometimes the people who once encouraged us in the Lord. In the past yr I had hooked up with Francine, and several of my friends from that conference who deeply shared that experience. God is so neat like that!
Our pastor back home in western NC says this saying a lot; "God never wastes time or circumstances". Also, the sweet lady here in eastern NC says a similar saying, "Nothing is EVER wasted with God".
So, do I think I am beautiful? The answer is No. It isn't really all about what I think though...it is about what God thinks of me. It is about knowing that in Christ, he made me new and that He sees beauty in me. He created me and he thinks I am beautiful. So what He thinks of me is all that matters.
Other's around me will always be judging me or gossiping about me...or telling how I need to do certain things certain ways, or telling me who they think I am...or telling me that I am no good, and do not know how to do anything right. God knows the heart, and he sees things others don't. He sees it all, knows the real me, and the honest truth of the matter! He sees the GOOD in me, even when others (or I) don't.
God, You put the desires in my heart, as I seek You through your word, let me hear only Your voice gently guiding me. May I know and recognize whether others are speaking from Your heart, or from their own.
Last weekend we had a dear lady over for dinner. We were celebrating J's birthday, and this lady has been a special part of her life the past yr. She was so significant in building J up in the Lord, when times were so uncertain for us.
We had just moved away from everyone we've ever known. Not to mention, just prior to our moving, she (we all) had lost her dear grandfather aka GaGa to the dreaded C word...cancer. God sent to J, Bubb, David and I this encouragement by way of a piano instruction, and this very godly woman!
Well, during our lunch celebration last weekend with this sweet lady, husband and I got into a very "deep" conversation about certain questions; concerning the Lord, and the Bible. One that we got stuck on: "How do we truly know the will of God for our lives?"
This is an age old question for christians, that seems to always come around from time to time for us. We pray, we seek God through His word...we believe God is leading us in a certain direction...them BAM, God has us going in another.
Does anyone go through this too?
In our conversation, our friend told us this: "I believe if God wants you to be in a certain place, it will come around again if we truly have a heart to serve the Lord, and yield to his will".
Since this past weekend, I've thought about this. I asked of the Lord to show me if this is true.
The children and I have been doing our Bible studies and reading of God's word in Proverbs 2, and the word of the Lord says that above all else to seek wisdom through the Bible. First, in the word of God, time with God, but also through wise believers in Christ who are older, and wiser in the Lord. I've noticed so many folks much younger than I (and some older too), do not attend their ears to the wise godly counsel and experience of the older who are spiritually wiser. I don't want to be that kind of person. Of course, I'm approaching 50 myself, but those ladies who are older and wiser need to be heard. Even with hearing, we always need to be sure it lines up with the word of God.
This week God has shown me the importance of this. Many years ago the Lord put a desire to lead worship in my heart, since I was a young girl. When I was around age 7-8, I'd walk the streets of our neighborhood, make up songs and sing them to God. At an early age I had an awareness of God's presence with me, and so loved that comfort of His presence. I attended christian schools where I had to memorize scripture, so many of my songs were of me singing scriptures.
Later in years, choir was my favorite! I've never learned to read music, however I could sing what I heard. So this is what I did...mostly with groups...then later in church choirs.
Through the years God has been calling me out, yet staying in the crowd was more comfortable. It wasn't until I was in my late 20's that I actually got the courage to sing with a small praise team at Lower Creek Baptist Church. Then little by little I tried duets, then solos. Still, I never felt worthy enough or good enough.
The first "official" tryout I had was at Mountain Grove. In front of the music minister...and 3 other music ministers from the area. Shaking from head to toe, I sang, "God Loves You". After singing it I went home and thought to myself...it is OK that I didn't make it. I can still sing in my car and in my shower. :) Then found out later... that I HAD made it. :) The first opening to our church membership classes, a Wed night... I sang for the first time in a church of 800-1000! Yikes! God was taking me out of my comfort zone!
Still today, I have trouble being out of my comfort zone. Sometimes I wonder if this keeps me so relying on God.
My life through the yrs has been a series of attempts, and fear of failure. I pull out, just when things get going...and get a little tough...something might happen, and I mentally sabotage everything with my sense of not feeling worthy enough.
The instruments I have always wanted to learn was the piano, guitar, and violin. I've taken up piano, and put it away about 3 times. I was given a keyboard, and gave it back out of discouragement. When we moved away, God led me to another instructor, and to another keyboard. Then we moved again. It seems like something is always breaking the flow of this process. I've taken song writing lessons...didn't get to complete those due to finances (and have unfinished half written songs in my notebook...some that God woke me in the night with)
So, I asked God...are the struggles and roadblocks You saying to me "no"? Or not yet?? Or are these struggles and times of discouragement normal opposition (the enemy trying to distract and discourage me), and I just need to press in and press through...even if it is with the instrument, by myself, and with God...do I keep going?
Well, God has shown me through the music, that He does not let me go in this area. He does love me and pursue me with my calling of worship, because He knows how much I love Him, and desire to serve him.
Sometimes I wonder if other distractions come into play because it is easy for me to focus on something that comes natural AND is comfortable (such as art/photography) So...Do I do both music and photography? Or do I only focus on the music? Do I finish my degree which is in a totally different field??? These things I do not know. But do know that God keeps bringing the music back. Also, my family and children's education are of first priority. Wonder how those who are in ministry keep everything in balance!
Ok, so this morning??? I look down on my shelf, and notice an old journal that I had not picked up in several yrs. It is one that was given to me for my birthday...by my friend Cindy Lou Who. It has a coffee cup on the front (YUM LOVE COFFEE), and a beautiful piano instrumental CD in it (AHHHH LOVE THE PIANO). This friend knows my heart! :) I used this journal during a women's conference back home that Wade and Francine Ivey led. Francine always did a part of the conference encouraging women to walk in the Love of Christ...reminding us that we ARE "daughter's of the King of Kings".
There were interesting words on the pages of that journal. Words that eyes had not seen, nor hands have written in several years. In those words, the dreams God placed on my heart; one about creating a worship CD that would encourage the wounded and hurt hearts of the world. There are scriptures, and encouraging God given words on those pages. One being *We are being transformed from Glory to Glory. EVERY day put off the "old you", and allow the "new you" to come alive. This statement (which is based on scripture) reminded me that this is a DAILY battle of the mind. God never said he waves a magic wand over us, and we are all of the sudden happy and perfect. He said in this world we WILL have troubles, but to take heart because He has overcome the world. God's word reminds us that we are "renewing our minds every day".
Part of the struggles are from so many years of being called names, being told I am fat and ugly. Yes, those things are in the past, but they did effect who I am today. They are struggles in my mind that I daily choose to overcome. So yes people, those kinds of words hurt kids, and cause long lasting effects on people's lives!!
Recently a new friend from our church here gave me a book titled, "Do You Think I'm Beautiful" by Angela Thomas. I've not read it yet, but will soon.
Guess what was in this journal from the women's conference of yrs ago??? A suggestion from Francine Ivey to the ladies, to read the book, "Do You Think I'm Beautiful". Along with the verse Colossians 3:9-10 (New Living Translation)
9 Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.
Isn't it so neat how God works? When He knows something is going to be good for us/part of His path and plan for our lives, He presents it again and again. (Thank you Cessie for hearing from God and bringing me that book) Not only the words, but even sometimes the people who once encouraged us in the Lord. In the past yr I had hooked up with Francine, and several of my friends from that conference who deeply shared that experience. God is so neat like that!
Our pastor back home in western NC says this saying a lot; "God never wastes time or circumstances". Also, the sweet lady here in eastern NC says a similar saying, "Nothing is EVER wasted with God".
So, do I think I am beautiful? The answer is No. It isn't really all about what I think though...it is about what God thinks of me. It is about knowing that in Christ, he made me new and that He sees beauty in me. He created me and he thinks I am beautiful. So what He thinks of me is all that matters.
Other's around me will always be judging me or gossiping about me...or telling how I need to do certain things certain ways, or telling me who they think I am...or telling me that I am no good, and do not know how to do anything right. God knows the heart, and he sees things others don't. He sees it all, knows the real me, and the honest truth of the matter! He sees the GOOD in me, even when others (or I) don't.
God, You put the desires in my heart, as I seek You through your word, let me hear only Your voice gently guiding me. May I know and recognize whether others are speaking from Your heart, or from their own.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Every Day New! A little pray-er; Pride
I so love that God's mercies are new with EACH day. What a loving God!
I've been thinking today about how much God loves us, and how His thoughts toward us are so many more than the grains of sand. Wow, that cannot be fathomed!
I'm reading this book called "The Shack". You can read it HERE. It is a tough read for me personally, but also a very touching read. I recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it yet.
Friday, our neighbor knocked on our door to show us a praying mantis, which was hanging out on the outer bushes outside of her apartment. It stayed very still as we all observed this interesting creature. From time to time the head would turn, but that is about all the movement we caught.
Here is a snapshot of it. When we have seen them, they are usually green. This one was brownish. :) (One of those moments where I was wishing I had a macro lens! lol)
The praying mantis reminded me to spend more time in God's word...reading the Bible...fasting and praying. Thank you to my friend who took the time to share this wonder of God's creation with our family. :)
Still no "definite" word on a job for David. God has it all figured out. Just when we think we have it figured out, God shows us differently. We learn to live flexible, to trust, and to remember what faith is...to live out our faith!
Last week at dinner, we broke bread with new friends. They have a plaque on their wall that says something like, "Faith isn't believing that God can do it, It is believing God will do it". I think that it is...(correct me if I am wrong) Either way, it basically says that Faith is knowing God will do it and it is already done. So I'm resting in the promise that God has it under control.
Here are a few more of my faves from my last shoot. Looking forward to some upcoming shoots this week. God is good!
What a sweet family!!
So...onto the next thing...
I've been studying about pride lately...which I'm learning ranks up there with murdering, lying...WOW, such a subtle sin that can creep into our lives. I'm reading scripture in the Old and New Testament that deals with pride. One thing I'm gleaning, it appears to be a condition of the heart.
Many times I have read this verse below, but never focused on pride being there. We always tend to focus on the worst (or what we think is worst), more obvious sins like blasphemy, adultery, etc. Pride is just as bad, and is said to defile man.
Mark 7:21-23
21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Doing much heart searching, asking God to forgive me of my pride, and to pull out all of the roots of pride in my life that would cause my heart to be hard.
Psalm 51:9-11
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
I've been thinking today about how much God loves us, and how His thoughts toward us are so many more than the grains of sand. Wow, that cannot be fathomed!
I'm reading this book called "The Shack". You can read it HERE. It is a tough read for me personally, but also a very touching read. I recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it yet.
Friday, our neighbor knocked on our door to show us a praying mantis, which was hanging out on the outer bushes outside of her apartment. It stayed very still as we all observed this interesting creature. From time to time the head would turn, but that is about all the movement we caught.
Here is a snapshot of it. When we have seen them, they are usually green. This one was brownish. :) (One of those moments where I was wishing I had a macro lens! lol)
The praying mantis reminded me to spend more time in God's word...reading the Bible...fasting and praying. Thank you to my friend who took the time to share this wonder of God's creation with our family. :)
Still no "definite" word on a job for David. God has it all figured out. Just when we think we have it figured out, God shows us differently. We learn to live flexible, to trust, and to remember what faith is...to live out our faith!
Last week at dinner, we broke bread with new friends. They have a plaque on their wall that says something like, "Faith isn't believing that God can do it, It is believing God will do it". I think that it is...(correct me if I am wrong) Either way, it basically says that Faith is knowing God will do it and it is already done. So I'm resting in the promise that God has it under control.
Here are a few more of my faves from my last shoot. Looking forward to some upcoming shoots this week. God is good!
What a sweet family!!
So...onto the next thing...
I've been studying about pride lately...which I'm learning ranks up there with murdering, lying...WOW, such a subtle sin that can creep into our lives. I'm reading scripture in the Old and New Testament that deals with pride. One thing I'm gleaning, it appears to be a condition of the heart.
Many times I have read this verse below, but never focused on pride being there. We always tend to focus on the worst (or what we think is worst), more obvious sins like blasphemy, adultery, etc. Pride is just as bad, and is said to defile man.
Mark 7:21-23
21For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Doing much heart searching, asking God to forgive me of my pride, and to pull out all of the roots of pride in my life that would cause my heart to be hard.
Psalm 51:9-11
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
In The Waiting...
This morning I woke up and found myself in a flare. A flare is the term used when you are in pain with flu-like symptoms, muscles and joints in tremendous pain...sometimes numbness of face and limbs. If the heat is not too extreme today, I think I'll consider going to the pool for a swim. When I am in a flare, being in the water is helpful and does not cause more pain/inflammation.
Last night I took two Tylenol PM, and prayed myself to sleep. I slept well through the night, so this will help that I had a full night of sleep. Most of the time when in a flare, rest is in order. Swimming seems to help as well. It can be so frustrating at times, but then I am thankful to God that it is not a life threatening syndrome. So many people are facing far worse.
We have about 1 week left before husband graduates from the Chaplain Residency Program. We are down to the wire with no job secured as of today. Of course, this can change within a moment! He does have a few interviews lined up (two were scheduled yesterday, and one we are waiting on for the definite interview time from a call the day before). God amazes me...how we can go from one day or moment of having nothing lined up, to the next day or next two days having 3 interviews. :)
Isn't this how God words so often? I mean, His time table is way different than ours. This is something that husband and I have a challenge with. Mainly, because we have folks asking us if we have anything lined up, (AND the bills will not stop coming in either) We are getting questions that we are not qualified to answer at this moment, because we are waiting on God for the answers. :)
From a world's perspective, we should already have a job secured and plans laid out. From a God-centered perspective it is all about the unknown, faith and trusting in Him completely.
Trusting in God completely means...not worrying about tomorrow. Worry is a huge sin in my life that I desire to be rid of! I know God is able, and that it takes a choice on my part as to if I am going to keep on worrying about these things and frantically trying to fix it, or if I am going to do all I can do, and "stand"...enter in with God's plan. He is ready and willing to take these burdens, and to lead us on the path we should go.
Matthew 6:24-29 (New Living Translation)
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
1 Peter 5:8-10 (New Living Translation)
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
Does anyone else struggle with truly "letting go" of situations or concerns, and truly giving them over to God to handle?
I'm not saying to sit back and do nothing. We can seek the Lord on it by reading the Bible, praying, searching for the job...applying everywhere possible (believe me, husband has applied to HUNDREDS; ever day he is on the computer, in the newspaper, talking with other folks about leads), making calls, and checking every possible lead. We've lost count after all of these months of searching for a job!!
However from our experience with it...most of our plans are usually fruitless. Often times what we think to be God's plan, is actually not His plan at all.
Most of the jobs or ministry situations we have been a part of, were not part of "our" plans. Heck, they weren't even in places he had ever thought about. They were opportunities that came to us right at the last minute, in places we had never thought about going...places we couldn't even remember applying to...or opportunity brought to us from a totally different avenue.
God is so amazing. He holds the answers, and as I type this I am reminded of how much lack of trust I have in the Lord when I worry over something.
The children are doing well, but a little anxious about where we may be living. They are hoping we stay here, because we are beginning to meet new friends. However, they understand, and are flexible to the fact that we could very well be moving away.
I love this song. It is from the movie, "Fireproof". A great moving!!
Last night I took two Tylenol PM, and prayed myself to sleep. I slept well through the night, so this will help that I had a full night of sleep. Most of the time when in a flare, rest is in order. Swimming seems to help as well. It can be so frustrating at times, but then I am thankful to God that it is not a life threatening syndrome. So many people are facing far worse.
We have about 1 week left before husband graduates from the Chaplain Residency Program. We are down to the wire with no job secured as of today. Of course, this can change within a moment! He does have a few interviews lined up (two were scheduled yesterday, and one we are waiting on for the definite interview time from a call the day before). God amazes me...how we can go from one day or moment of having nothing lined up, to the next day or next two days having 3 interviews. :)
Isn't this how God words so often? I mean, His time table is way different than ours. This is something that husband and I have a challenge with. Mainly, because we have folks asking us if we have anything lined up, (AND the bills will not stop coming in either) We are getting questions that we are not qualified to answer at this moment, because we are waiting on God for the answers. :)
From a world's perspective, we should already have a job secured and plans laid out. From a God-centered perspective it is all about the unknown, faith and trusting in Him completely.
Trusting in God completely means...not worrying about tomorrow. Worry is a huge sin in my life that I desire to be rid of! I know God is able, and that it takes a choice on my part as to if I am going to keep on worrying about these things and frantically trying to fix it, or if I am going to do all I can do, and "stand"...enter in with God's plan. He is ready and willing to take these burdens, and to lead us on the path we should go.
Matthew 6:24-29 (New Living Translation)
24 “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, 29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
1 Peter 5:8-10 (New Living Translation)
8 Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.
10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
Does anyone else struggle with truly "letting go" of situations or concerns, and truly giving them over to God to handle?
I'm not saying to sit back and do nothing. We can seek the Lord on it by reading the Bible, praying, searching for the job...applying everywhere possible (believe me, husband has applied to HUNDREDS; ever day he is on the computer, in the newspaper, talking with other folks about leads), making calls, and checking every possible lead. We've lost count after all of these months of searching for a job!!
However from our experience with it...most of our plans are usually fruitless. Often times what we think to be God's plan, is actually not His plan at all.
Most of the jobs or ministry situations we have been a part of, were not part of "our" plans. Heck, they weren't even in places he had ever thought about. They were opportunities that came to us right at the last minute, in places we had never thought about going...places we couldn't even remember applying to...or opportunity brought to us from a totally different avenue.
God is so amazing. He holds the answers, and as I type this I am reminded of how much lack of trust I have in the Lord when I worry over something.
The children are doing well, but a little anxious about where we may be living. They are hoping we stay here, because we are beginning to meet new friends. However, they understand, and are flexible to the fact that we could very well be moving away.
I love this song. It is from the movie, "Fireproof". A great moving!!
Friday, July 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Dedicated to the One I Love...
David recently had a phone interview with a hospital located in Montana. He is waiting to hear back from them, and if they will fly him out for a second face to face interview. There are also 2 other job possibilities, with one being here locally. Our prayer is for whatever God wants. "Not our will, but Your will be done Lord".
Still, can't get this song out of my mind since David played it for me. He said that this song came to his remembrance, and he always loved it. So I am dedicating it to him. :)
The chorus is: Won't you meet me in Montana, I want to see the mountains in your eyes, I've had all of this life I can handle, meet me underneath that big Montana Sky.
I love it, and can't seem to get this out of my mind either...and I'm not even a big country music fan; however I always loved the Donny and Marie show. (revealing my age here a little by saying that...lol!)
God is dealing with me on many aspects of my life. I've always had big God dreams and aspirations, but never the courage to even step out much. When I do, I feel defeated immediately with negative thoughts about myself. In it all, I realize that everything I do is first for God, and then quite possibly to encourage someone else along the way in their dreams. So, if I never reach that point where my dreams come true, I am learning to be so fulfilled in knowing that God used my life to encourage another life. Anyway, that is what I hope and pray to do.
Unfortunately, I fail in the process. So God lovingly redirects me with His word! :)
Galatians 6:2-5 (The Message)
Galatians 6
Nothing but the Cross
1-3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day's out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ's law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived.4-5Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Grabbed the Syrup, Missed Out on the Honey
This morning I did something in a rush, without thinking it through, really. I was making home-made pancakes with blueberries for breakfast (our routine Wed morning breakfast-more on that later) Anyway, I usually put honey on my waffles (and pancakes) for several reasons. Mainly, it is what is best for me personally.
I prepared J and Bubb's first (they like the light syrup), and I got them settled. Then in a rush, I completed my plate by grabbing the syrup and putting it on my waffles as I was walking to the table...before thinking twice about it. I realized what I had done after they were pretty much drenched.
Thinking the syrup would be just as good...if not BETTER...mmmmm, I went ahead and ate it! :)
It was sweet, and oh so good for the moment. Yet, in the long wrong, it wasn't what is best for me.
Have you ever done this? Grabbed or done something on the fly before thinking it through...then later realizing it was not the best thing for you? Sometimes it is immediate...we realize it almost right after the fact...that it isn't really best for us. Yet, we ignore it, and keep on with it. Sometimes it is way down the road before we realize it wasn't what was best for us at all.
Whether it be food, jobs, ministry, or other activities in our lives? Someone suggests something, so we jump to it, without even consulting with God first on the matter. Or we jump into something because it seems like a good and godly thing to do, without even consulting with God prayerfully first.
God really impressed on my heart how easy it is for me to do this...especially with bigger decisions. (However, I believe God is just as concerned about our every day small decisions too. Like how we spend a dollar, and how we spend our time.) Each moment is a gift, and I desire for every part of it to be God led.
Of course, there is no way to do things perfectly...every moment of every day. We all mess up. We all get caught up in thinking we have the answers, or with thinking someone else's ideas are the best or even god-led. We all get caught up in our own agendas...doing our best to mask them in the name of the Lord. You know, making our agenda, God's agenda kind of thing. ;)
These verses really spoke to me:
Proverbs 16:25 (Amplified Bible)
25There is a way that seems right to a man and appears straight before him, but at the end of it is the way of death.
Romans 3:10-11 (New International Version)
10As it is written:
"There is no one righteous, not even one;
11there is no one who understands,
no one who seeks God.
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.1 John 1:8 (New International Version)
There have been times where I grabbed/jumped before even thinking about praying...especially in ministry. At the time, it seemed the right and "godly" thing to do. Yet in the end, it wasn't God's direction at all. This doesn't mean that I didn't learn something in the process though. Or that God still didn't use me even with my wrong turns. :)
(Sure the syrup in and of isn't that horribly bad for me in moderation...hey, its seems good and "light", but if I had taken my time to be patient and think it through, the honey would have been a better choice...sweetest...so much better for me in the long run.)
It is easy to grab for the quick fix, and lets get it done.
There is always someone trying to fix us quickly, OR I am always trying to fix myself up or someone else quickly. It is for good reasons too. I care, and want to help. Advise is given because others care and want to help us. Yet, when our advise becomes forced and thoughtless, then I fear we are playing God...and that is scary!! When it boils down to it, only God truly knows what is best for us.
Whatever it is in my life, service, struggles, circumstances...if it is a rushed decision, it won't be nearly as sweet as when the Lord is given full reign/complete control to direct our steps.
This is where the surrender part comes in...which is so so difficult for we humans to do. To "Let Go", and allow God do HIS best work in us in total surrender.
So in my breakfast time this morning, God reminded me to slow my thoughts and actions. To not be too hasty in decisions. or in giving quick advice...especially in a forceful way. To "wait upon the Lord, and be of good cheer".
As I type this, in my human reasoning I'm thinking, "this is easier said than done". Especially where the world says to get on with things quickly, to make money quickly, to do everything...quickly. God is saying to my heart and soul..."be still child, and know that I am God".
Isaiah 40:30-31 (New International Version)
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 8Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.Romans 8:24-26 (New International Version)
Hebrews 6:15 (New International Version)
15And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 (King James Version)
It is difficult to be patient, and to remember that God's timing is "perfect". I'm not saying sit back and do nothing. What I am saying is, not to force things or jump into something too quickly without prayerfully waiting on the Lord for HIS direction.
In our urgency to help ourselves, or others along, let us all remember that only God makes things happen for us... as we soak in His word, pray, and trust in Him completely. I can encourage, and suggest, but it is really up to that person to allow God's best direction for them. It is up to us to allow God's best direction for us. God can use others to speak into our lives, but even still...we always benefit from waiting on the Lord for the final word.
Exercising my faith in these areas is a great challenge for me personally. What about you?
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Saw Something Last Night, Heard Something This Morning...
Our Uncle Bob went to be with Jesus recently.
We love our dear Uncle and will miss him! The family farm is just not the same right now. I know it will get better, but it is quiet out there right now.
Our family gathered last night at the farm, to comfort one another. When we have family get togethers at our farm, a tent is put up, and usually food is involved. ;) We laugh and enjoy one another. The children run and play hard.
Last night, we cried, and laughed... and fondly remembered our lost loved ones.
Before we ate, we prayed together. Right before the prayer, David's brother spoke about memories of our Uncle. During that time, I looked behind me and noticed a large butterfly inside of the tent; flying around in the tent right around the outside of our group of loved ones as we were standing together. It flew around in several circles underneath the tent as he spoke, then flew out and up toward Uncle Bob's house. Then it gently rested on some grass near the tent.
It first made me think of my grandmother. We released butterflies at the graveside when she passed away. Each child, grandchild and great grandchild released a butterfly. Then this butterfly made me think of our sweet Uncle Bob being with us; how his spirit is with our family always. That is how I see it anyway.
Butterflies always make me think of new life. We have new life in Christ; when we die, it is really gain because of the hope we have of eternal life. The life of a butterfly is short lived on earth, yet in that short time they bring so much beauty to behold.
The butterfly I saw meant nothing to anyone else, I'm the only one who took notice to seeing it. I know God brought personal comfort to me in the simple flight of that butterfly.
This morning, I was up watching Pastor David Jeremiah with my mother-in-law, when this verse he spoke really jumped out at me, and encouraged me this morning.
A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.
He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock . Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!
Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.
Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!
It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.
We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy.. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.
There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.
May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.
I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with you.. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.
APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE
THING YOU HAVE, ESPECIALLY YOUR FRIENDS!
LIFE IS TOO SHORT AND FRIENDS ARE TOO FEW!
Part of it was, that it doesn't matter what our outside looks like, how we look or how we dress, etc., but what is going on in the insides of us that matters. God sees the heart of the matter. Also, this verse encouraged me, and reminded me that our Lord will never leave nor forsake us. He sees the precious jewels that we are, hidden in our jars of clay.
2 Corinthians 4:7-12 (The Message)
7-12If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best!
Here is another story a friend shared with me this week that was on the same lines...
A man was exploring caves by the Seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake. They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.
He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock . Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!
Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left.
Then it struck him. He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!
It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.
We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy.. But we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.
There is a treasure in each and every one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.
May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.
I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with you.. Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.
APPRECIATE EVERY SINGLE
THING YOU HAVE, ESPECIALLY YOUR FRIENDS!
LIFE IS TOO SHORT AND FRIENDS ARE TOO FEW!
Pass this on to another Clay Ball!!!
It is so easy to get caught up in putting down others for their personality flaws or because they are not as neat looking on the outside. Let us remember who we are in Christ, and how we are to love others no matter how they look or behave on the outside. We never truly know what is going on in the heart of someone else. We are all fragile.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Songs I'm Into Right now...
The songs I'm totally into right now...
Shadowfeet by Brooke Fraser (Lindsay sang it at our church and it was AMAZING!!!)
Our Hope Endures by Natalie Grant
Shadowfeet by Brooke Fraser (Lindsay sang it at our church and it was AMAZING!!!)
Our Hope Endures by Natalie Grant
Boundin'
Who would have thought that God would speak to me through a Disney Pixar animation...but He did!
Sometimes I just feel so stripped like this little guy (you will see after you watch the movie), or I feel like damaged goods. People aren't short on reminding us of our flaws either...too fat, a terrible mother, I'm unlovable, I'm an idiot, the list goes one...people can be quick to judge someone they THINK they know, but really have no idea about the insides of them at all. They make deductions based only on a few (of their perception) of the outward evidences. Or, they look for the bad, instead of the good in folks.
Can't wait to show this to the rest of our little family too. We all needed it.
David has been really down since his dad died, and so have the kids and I. Things going on with our loved ones can affect the whole family dynamics. We are all in need of a major rebound!!! What we don't need though, is people telling us how they think we should feel, or not feel. That is like pouring salt on the wound. God does the work!
After watching this, I cried happy tears...it was sweet. Of course, God was working on me last night as well...to lift my head up, pull myself out of the valley, and to remember that God really does care (even if it doesn't feel like it at all...i know i know, we don't go on a feeling-however, we do have feelings that God cares very much about!).
Thankfully, I had my good cry yesterday (and a little this morning), and I don't plan to stay there in the hard places.
I'm so praying for David. He is a good man, and has been through so much. He deserves the very best of encouragement and treatment. He has a caring heart. My prayer is that God will so bless him for all of His hard work...all of his struggles and pain. I'm not a name it claim it person. However, I believe it is his time to SHINE!! I want to see this happen for him...soon!
Thanks Andrea for sending this vid. Our whole family needed this reminder through something fun. ;)
I'm just so ready to be "settled" somewhere...where we can dig in as a family with some staying power. Everything is always so up in the air. To think about packing up everything AGAIN, and moving and starting over again...well, I just don't want to think about it right now...It is in God's hands, and whatever He wants is what I will do. If David's time to shine means we move again...then I am definitely ready to go!
Anyway, Hope you all enjoy this cute vid too!
Boundin' by Pixar
Sometimes I just feel so stripped like this little guy (you will see after you watch the movie), or I feel like damaged goods. People aren't short on reminding us of our flaws either...too fat, a terrible mother, I'm unlovable, I'm an idiot, the list goes one...people can be quick to judge someone they THINK they know, but really have no idea about the insides of them at all. They make deductions based only on a few (of their perception) of the outward evidences. Or, they look for the bad, instead of the good in folks.
Can't wait to show this to the rest of our little family too. We all needed it.
David has been really down since his dad died, and so have the kids and I. Things going on with our loved ones can affect the whole family dynamics. We are all in need of a major rebound!!! What we don't need though, is people telling us how they think we should feel, or not feel. That is like pouring salt on the wound. God does the work!
After watching this, I cried happy tears...it was sweet. Of course, God was working on me last night as well...to lift my head up, pull myself out of the valley, and to remember that God really does care (even if it doesn't feel like it at all...i know i know, we don't go on a feeling-however, we do have feelings that God cares very much about!).
Thankfully, I had my good cry yesterday (and a little this morning), and I don't plan to stay there in the hard places.
I'm so praying for David. He is a good man, and has been through so much. He deserves the very best of encouragement and treatment. He has a caring heart. My prayer is that God will so bless him for all of His hard work...all of his struggles and pain. I'm not a name it claim it person. However, I believe it is his time to SHINE!! I want to see this happen for him...soon!
Thanks Andrea for sending this vid. Our whole family needed this reminder through something fun. ;)
I'm just so ready to be "settled" somewhere...where we can dig in as a family with some staying power. Everything is always so up in the air. To think about packing up everything AGAIN, and moving and starting over again...well, I just don't want to think about it right now...It is in God's hands, and whatever He wants is what I will do. If David's time to shine means we move again...then I am definitely ready to go!
Anyway, Hope you all enjoy this cute vid too!
Boundin' by Pixar
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Question...
What does a "True Friend" look like to you?
I'd love to know what you all think. From a Biblical standpoint or otherwise.
Personally, I'm not always seeing the true friend within the body of Christ, or even within myself at times.
Yes, Our first concern should be sharing the message of Christ. Yet, if Christians can't even be a friend toward one another...show they care for one another...why would anyone outside want to accept Christ and become a part of the body of Christ? Why would Christians even want to continue being a part of a fellowship that does not have sweet fellowship among the people?
Something I am pondering these days.
Here are some Bible verses about friendship that jumped out at me.
Job 6:14-15 (New International Version)
14 "A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends,
even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
15 But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams,
as the streams that overflow
17 A friend loves at all times, Proverbs 17:17 (New International Version)
and a brother is born for adversity.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10; 12 (New International Version)
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
10 If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!
12 Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. I love this one...it is just so very sweet... 13I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink. 14I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face. So often the church, or whomever is being addressed in the scriptures...will begin; "Dear Friends". It seems that society and even the churches of today have lost this sweet kind of fellowship of brother and sisterly love; the Holy kind of love that is patient and kind, caring and compassionate toward one another. I don't know, I'm just not seeing it evident. It is more surface-y and more about numbers or becoming a "mega church". I'm just as guilty, so don't think that I don't have my 5 fingers pointing back at me... What are your thoughts?John 15:12-14 (New International Version)
1 John 4:6-7 (New International Version)
7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.1 John 4:10-12 (New International Version)
3 John 1:13-14 (New International Version)
Peace to you. The friends here send their greetings. Greet the friends there by name.
Monday, February 16, 2009
If You Will Take The Time
If you will take the time to read something that my friend Catherine wrote, you may be encouraged and blessed. I know I was!
She sent this to me today through Myspace as encouragement.
God is so on time!!! He never ceases to amaze me... whatever I am going through for the moment, God is always sending encouragement through so many different avenues.
Hope you are blessed by this as well: Click Here for Catherine's Blog
She sent this to me today through Myspace as encouragement.
God is so on time!!! He never ceases to amaze me... whatever I am going through for the moment, God is always sending encouragement through so many different avenues.
Hope you are blessed by this as well: Click Here for Catherine's Blog
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Be Careful Little Ears What You Hear...Awaken from the Spell, and Seek After the Truth- by Jenn
As christians we should be alert, and be sure that we are measuring everything against the word of God. This is a reminder to myself and encouragement for us all...
It has been on my heart for quite some time to share this with everyone! The Holy Spirit has prompted me to just DO IT, and share from my heart on this subject. So here goes! =)
The enemy is all about tickling our ears and giving us "feel good" feelings that go beyond the true peace, joy and contentment in living the abundant christian life. The enemy uses the same old tricks as he did back in the garden of Eden when he told Eve that she could be as a god if she ate of the fruit of the tree that was forbidden! Same tricks, more modern methods. It can be masked under many titles...one of them is "New Age"...there are other more subtle titles.
This has troubled me ever since I've seen Oprah talk on the subject of "The Secret" many months ago. I used to be an Oprah viewer...not avid...like, I didn't have to see it every day! Yet I enjoyed the show if I caught it... until she got off on religious tangents. The Holy Spirit in me rose up and took notice.
She claims to be a christian of Baptist upbringing, yet denies Christ as being the only way.
Don't get me wrong...she has a lot of positive and informative materials on her show about weight loss and inspirational messages, but she is playing on emotions and drawing a huge crowd through this avenue, and leading even Christians astray from the Truth.
I believe if we deny Christ as being the only way, the truth, and the life...we are getting into dangerous territory.
The Bible says that the ONLY way to the Father is through Jesus Christ.
This is how the enemy operates through subtle and glamourous ways. He takes just enough truth to make it believable, and mixes that with lies... then it becomes all about self, and not about impacting the world by sharing the love of Jesus. It becomes about whatever we can do to feel better, look better, become wealthier.
The word of God says not to be even concerned about what we will wear...Matthew 6:28 (New King James Version) 28 "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; (As a matter of fact, when Adam and Eve took their eyes off God, that was when they got concerned about what they were wearing!)
Even many churches today get hung up on material things...what people wear (feeling like they must dress up to please or impress God), how many members they have warming the pews vs. another churches and they boast about it...these are all traditions of men and Jesus is not one bit concerned about what we are wearing and whether our church roster holds more than another's! There can be a church FULL of people who are totally lost or ineffective for the cause of Christ.
I'm not saying to purposely walk around without trying to have some personal hygiene and care for yourself. Yet should we risk an opportunity to share Christ by making people feel they must look or act a certain way before they are welcomed in? After all, the cleaning up is really from the inside out.
God is concerned about the position of our hearts, and if we are sharing his love with a lost world. Jesus said in the Bible that the most important commands to him were (1) loving God (Father Son and Holy Spirit) with all our hearts, souls and minds and (2) loving others as much as we love ourselves. Mark 12:29-31
New Age teaching is all about self and feeling good....if one thinks hard enough one can will it!
I'm not saying we shouldn't have goals and be hopeful. We should stay hopeful in Christ, and positive and not be a negative sour-puss (and believe me, I've been guilty of that too!), but God teaches us how to live in His word, The Bible.
I could be way off base here: I believe that God gives us dreams and "a purpose" or mission or vision...for our lives. Yet our God given dreams should be about a bigger cause than ourselves (not merely for wealthy gain or fame or even to feel all warm and fuzzy inside)...it should be first and foremost about spreading the gospel/love of Jesus Christ to the lost.
We know in the Bible that Jesus says in Matt 6:33, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you".
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit-Three in One...the Bible, gives us everything we need to know about how to live (MORE than Enough). We don't need an extra written book, manual or DVD to help us along.
Check out both of these videos...shocking!
Oprah Denies Christ as the Only Way
Oprah - New Age Teachings
If we as Christians would exercise the power of the Holy Spirit we have in Jesus Christ, and live out our lives in joy according to HIS word, people would not need, "The Secret".
I'm wondering would Jesus who said to His disciples "Go and tell the world of the GOOD NEWS" want us to present this as some "secret" that people need to be "let in on"? It is no secret that Jesus took such horrific pain, so that we can live! It is something we should shout from the rooftops! We shout for our favorite teams...let's shout for Jesus!!!
If we would devote our time to studying the Bible, fervent prayer and fasting(in Jesus name!)...we would see the miracles come! Again, preaching to myself here first!!!
I've already seen the hand of God performing miracles here even in our home church in past months. A young girl who was to have spine surgery at DUKE Hosp was prayed for and completely healed by the power of God, through Jesus Christ! She was to have her spine broken and aligned with a titanium rod...God healed her, and Duke was astounded!!!
I personally have received a healing in my body when my dear sister Pastor Diane C. prayed over me...In Jesus Name...and by NO other name would I give the glory to, nor would she. She does not take the credit, and neither do I...I didn't do a mind over matter thing..."think positive or hard enough" to get healed (I tried that too and it didn't work!). (although staying positive is something that is good to do!) GOD through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit healed me through my faith in HIM alone and in HIS Holy word, the Bible! =)
Here are a few scriptures that remind us that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life:
Ephesians 4:13-15 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
3.. till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
1 John 2:22 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.
1 John 4:3 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is NOT of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
2 John 1:7 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Beware of Antichrist Deceivers
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
John 10
Jesus the True Shepherd
1 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
John 14:6 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Deuteronomy 13:2-4 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
2 and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.
Personally, the Bible has everything I need to live the abundant life. It is up to me, (and all christians) to read it and live it out. =) Something I work on every day. Once again...I know I am preaching to the choir here, but I pray that God will keep us all uplifted and sober in these last days. Even christians can be taken away if we don't keep one another encouraged and grounded in the word of God. It is our responsibility to keep one another pointed to Jesus. If one stumbles, we lift them up in Jesus name. So...if I am not in line with God's word with what I have shared, please correct me...in love. =)
You know, there are so many miraculous healings (by the power of the Holy Spirit...through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior) going on in places overseas (and especially countries where Christians as so persecuted),and that is because they commit themselves to studying the word of God day and night, devoting themselves in Bible study, and fasting in prayer, even 24 hrs a day with small groups of believers. It is amazing, people are being healed...truly healed! If we did the same (you may already be), we would see the hand of God in such a mighty way.
Please know that I share all of this from my heart and passion for Christ, and know that I am preaching to myself here too because I'll be the first to say I don't spend as much time doing these things as I should...but I will never stop trying.
We can't get what we need from talk shows or self-help books. We can only get what we need from the Bible, God's Holy word and believing, accepting, receiving the precious gift of Jesus Christ as our Saviour. Then, we grow as we study the Bible...the word is God...and the power of the Holy Spirit guides us every day. It is only by God's word can we know how to truly live. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can be truly rescued from the darkness. You all know this...and that is GREAT! =)
Let us pray for God's truth to be revealed to Oprah and all those who are lost and christians especially to be sober...we need to lift one another up in prayer...in a mighty way. Can you imagine if she were to turn away from this teaching, and back to the truth of the Bible?...what an impact she would have for the kingdom of God! Let us be sober and alert...and let us pray for her and for one another in Christian love.
Stay strong believers!
It has been on my heart for quite some time to share this with everyone! The Holy Spirit has prompted me to just DO IT, and share from my heart on this subject. So here goes! =)
The enemy is all about tickling our ears and giving us "feel good" feelings that go beyond the true peace, joy and contentment in living the abundant christian life. The enemy uses the same old tricks as he did back in the garden of Eden when he told Eve that she could be as a god if she ate of the fruit of the tree that was forbidden! Same tricks, more modern methods. It can be masked under many titles...one of them is "New Age"...there are other more subtle titles.
This has troubled me ever since I've seen Oprah talk on the subject of "The Secret" many months ago. I used to be an Oprah viewer...not avid...like, I didn't have to see it every day! Yet I enjoyed the show if I caught it... until she got off on religious tangents. The Holy Spirit in me rose up and took notice.
She claims to be a christian of Baptist upbringing, yet denies Christ as being the only way.
Don't get me wrong...she has a lot of positive and informative materials on her show about weight loss and inspirational messages, but she is playing on emotions and drawing a huge crowd through this avenue, and leading even Christians astray from the Truth.
I believe if we deny Christ as being the only way, the truth, and the life...we are getting into dangerous territory.
The Bible says that the ONLY way to the Father is through Jesus Christ.
This is how the enemy operates through subtle and glamourous ways. He takes just enough truth to make it believable, and mixes that with lies... then it becomes all about self, and not about impacting the world by sharing the love of Jesus. It becomes about whatever we can do to feel better, look better, become wealthier.
The word of God says not to be even concerned about what we will wear...Matthew 6:28 (New King James Version) 28 "So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; (As a matter of fact, when Adam and Eve took their eyes off God, that was when they got concerned about what they were wearing!)
Even many churches today get hung up on material things...what people wear (feeling like they must dress up to please or impress God), how many members they have warming the pews vs. another churches and they boast about it...these are all traditions of men and Jesus is not one bit concerned about what we are wearing and whether our church roster holds more than another's! There can be a church FULL of people who are totally lost or ineffective for the cause of Christ.
I'm not saying to purposely walk around without trying to have some personal hygiene and care for yourself. Yet should we risk an opportunity to share Christ by making people feel they must look or act a certain way before they are welcomed in? After all, the cleaning up is really from the inside out.
God is concerned about the position of our hearts, and if we are sharing his love with a lost world. Jesus said in the Bible that the most important commands to him were (1) loving God (Father Son and Holy Spirit) with all our hearts, souls and minds and (2) loving others as much as we love ourselves. Mark 12:29-31
New Age teaching is all about self and feeling good....if one thinks hard enough one can will it!
I'm not saying we shouldn't have goals and be hopeful. We should stay hopeful in Christ, and positive and not be a negative sour-puss (and believe me, I've been guilty of that too!), but God teaches us how to live in His word, The Bible.
I could be way off base here: I believe that God gives us dreams and "a purpose" or mission or vision...for our lives. Yet our God given dreams should be about a bigger cause than ourselves (not merely for wealthy gain or fame or even to feel all warm and fuzzy inside)...it should be first and foremost about spreading the gospel/love of Jesus Christ to the lost.
We know in the Bible that Jesus says in Matt 6:33, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you".
The Father, Son and Holy Spirit-Three in One...the Bible, gives us everything we need to know about how to live (MORE than Enough). We don't need an extra written book, manual or DVD to help us along.
Check out both of these videos...shocking!
Oprah Denies Christ as the Only Way
Oprah - New Age Teachings
If we as Christians would exercise the power of the Holy Spirit we have in Jesus Christ, and live out our lives in joy according to HIS word, people would not need, "The Secret".
I'm wondering would Jesus who said to His disciples "Go and tell the world of the GOOD NEWS" want us to present this as some "secret" that people need to be "let in on"? It is no secret that Jesus took such horrific pain, so that we can live! It is something we should shout from the rooftops! We shout for our favorite teams...let's shout for Jesus!!!
If we would devote our time to studying the Bible, fervent prayer and fasting(in Jesus name!)...we would see the miracles come! Again, preaching to myself here first!!!
I've already seen the hand of God performing miracles here even in our home church in past months. A young girl who was to have spine surgery at DUKE Hosp was prayed for and completely healed by the power of God, through Jesus Christ! She was to have her spine broken and aligned with a titanium rod...God healed her, and Duke was astounded!!!
I personally have received a healing in my body when my dear sister Pastor Diane C. prayed over me...In Jesus Name...and by NO other name would I give the glory to, nor would she. She does not take the credit, and neither do I...I didn't do a mind over matter thing..."think positive or hard enough" to get healed (I tried that too and it didn't work!). (although staying positive is something that is good to do!) GOD through Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit healed me through my faith in HIM alone and in HIS Holy word, the Bible! =)
Here are a few scriptures that remind us that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life:
Ephesians 4:13-15 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
3.. till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
1 John 2:22 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
22 Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.
1 John 4:3 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is NOT of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
2 John 1:7 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
Beware of Antichrist Deceivers
7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
John 10
Jesus the True Shepherd
1 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
John 14:6 (New King James Version)
New King James Version (NKJV)
6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Deuteronomy 13:2-4 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
2 and if the sign or wonder of which he has spoken takes place, and he says, "Let us follow other gods" (gods you have not known) "and let us worship them," 3 you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. The LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.
Personally, the Bible has everything I need to live the abundant life. It is up to me, (and all christians) to read it and live it out. =) Something I work on every day. Once again...I know I am preaching to the choir here, but I pray that God will keep us all uplifted and sober in these last days. Even christians can be taken away if we don't keep one another encouraged and grounded in the word of God. It is our responsibility to keep one another pointed to Jesus. If one stumbles, we lift them up in Jesus name. So...if I am not in line with God's word with what I have shared, please correct me...in love. =)
You know, there are so many miraculous healings (by the power of the Holy Spirit...through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior) going on in places overseas (and especially countries where Christians as so persecuted),and that is because they commit themselves to studying the word of God day and night, devoting themselves in Bible study, and fasting in prayer, even 24 hrs a day with small groups of believers. It is amazing, people are being healed...truly healed! If we did the same (you may already be), we would see the hand of God in such a mighty way.
Please know that I share all of this from my heart and passion for Christ, and know that I am preaching to myself here too because I'll be the first to say I don't spend as much time doing these things as I should...but I will never stop trying.
We can't get what we need from talk shows or self-help books. We can only get what we need from the Bible, God's Holy word and believing, accepting, receiving the precious gift of Jesus Christ as our Saviour. Then, we grow as we study the Bible...the word is God...and the power of the Holy Spirit guides us every day. It is only by God's word can we know how to truly live. It is only through Jesus Christ that we can be truly rescued from the darkness. You all know this...and that is GREAT! =)
Let us pray for God's truth to be revealed to Oprah and all those who are lost and christians especially to be sober...we need to lift one another up in prayer...in a mighty way. Can you imagine if she were to turn away from this teaching, and back to the truth of the Bible?...what an impact she would have for the kingdom of God! Let us be sober and alert...and let us pray for her and for one another in Christian love.
Stay strong believers!
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