Just a Woman....after God!!!

2011-12-09T14:42:00.000-08:00

Source: christmaswow.com via Isa on Pinterest

Beauty from Ashes

2011-11-17T08:50:00.000-08:00

Tears like waves come pounding against the shore of my heart—
Strong and fierce, they threaten to sweep me under.
Yet, as the currents wash over me, stillness calms my soul,
And I hear Your gentle voice calling through the crashing thunder.

Day after day, stormy seas batter with their endless fury—
So sudden, so final, the unrelenting, all-consuming grasp of death.
About to drown, I catch a glimpse of sunlight through the clouds,
And Your hand reaches me as, once again, I catch my breath.

As the days turn to weeks, then to months, and finally years—
Ceaselessly the waves keep coursing steady to the shore.
Still, wet and salty, though now dancing with shimmering light,
Reflecting beauty, carrying comfort from memories of before.

I welcome them now, for they are precious, they are sweet—
They bring hope built on love and joy borne from sorrow,
Reminding me who awaits in a future not so very far away,
When the stain of tears will forever cease in our eternal tomorrow.

I'm learning to embrace all You give, even when it's taken away—
Discovering grace in sovereign love, when Your plan deals me pain.
For beauty does come from ashes, and morning dawns from the night,
And in the end life's fullness yet unknown shall unite us once again.

--Mary Fairchild

......to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. Isaias 61:3

I love that about God.

Most Richly Blessed

2010-11-17T10:40:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I wonder when things go wrong,
Has God forsaken and left me alone?
Then I remember through trials and distress,
He’s always with me,
I’m most richly blessed.

I asked God for strength,
that I might achieve;
I was made weak, that I might learn to humbly obey.

I asked for health,
that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches,
that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power,
that I might have the praise of men;
I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things,
that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for,
But everything I had hoped for,
And almost despite myself,
My unspoken prayers were answered.

He’s always with me
I am, among all men, most richly, blessed.

Unknown

And Because He Lives

2010-11-12T07:32:00.000-08:00

Because He lives, I don't have to carry around this huge burden of sin, shame, remorse and regret. I'm free. My crushing debt has been canceled. God accepted the payment that Jesus made for my sins when he suffered on the cross.
Because He lives, I don't walk into the world alone. He is with me. Job loss? Financial reversal? Terminal illness? It will be okay. I will never face anything that He doesn't have the resources to handle, and...
Because He lives--He is with me always, to the very end of this life.
Because He lives, I know His Word is true. In the maze of this crazy and confusing world, I have an unfailing compass that will guide me safely home and never steer me wrong.
Unknown

Daughther of the King!

2010-11-10T17:15:00.000-08:00

Nehemias 1:4-11

2010-02-08T06:55:00.000-08:00

[4]And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven,
[5] And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:
[6] Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.
[7] We have dealt very corruptly against thee, and have not kept the commandments, nor the statutes, nor the judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses.
[8] Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:
[9] But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.
[10] Now these are thy servants and thy people, whom thou hast redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand.
[11] O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.

Psalm 51

2010-02-04T12:12:00.000-08:00

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7 ¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
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.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14 ¶ Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

"Lend Me Your Hope"

2010-02-03T08:30:00.000-08:00

Lend me your hope for awhile,
I seem to have mislaid mine.
Lost and hopeless feelings accompany me daily,
pain and confusion are my companions.
I know not where to turn;
looking ahead to future times does not bring forth
images of renewal hope.
I see troubled times pain-filled days, and more tragedy.

Lend me your hope for awhile
I seem to have mislaid mine.
Hold my hand and hug me;
listen to all my ramblings, recovery seems so far distant.
The road to healing seems like a long and lonely one.

Lend me your hope for awhile,
I seem to have mislaid mine.
Stand by me, offer me your presence, your heart and
your love.
Acknowledge my pain, it is so real and ever present.
I am overwhelmed with sad and conflicting thoughts.

Lend me your hope for awhile;
a time will come when I will heal,
and I will share my renewal,
hope and love with other.

Author Unknown

2008-08-14T05:50:00.000-07:00

For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?

This verse has a "wow factor" I don't think many people think on this, really think. I didn't even know (or overlooked) it existed in the Bible! But when I did It hit me! Wow, there's nothing in me that it has not be given to me!!!! If I have Faith is because God gave it to me! If I have mercy, compassion, talents, a wonderful husband, my daughters... Do I merit the gifts that God gives me? NO! but nonetheless it has been given to me, not earned, given!! So why belittle someone else?

The following is something I read again and I thought I'll post it on my blog!!

By Amy Carmichael

If, in any way, I belittle those who I am called to serve...

if I talk of their weak points in contrast, perhaps, with what I think of as my stronger points...

if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting to consider the wisdom of the voice that asks me, inwardly, "Who made you different from the one you are criticizing--and what do you have that you have not been given?"

If I can easily discuss the shortcomings of the sins of any man or woman...

if I can speak in an offhanded way, even of a child's wrongdoing...then I know nothing of Calvary love.

My Father, how often do my words "singe" someone else? (And how much time do I spend thinking critically about another--so that nothing but words that singe come out?)

Today, Lord, work in me. Change the thought-life in me when I strip others of dignity...or reduce them point by point...in order to build myself up.

And give me your voice, to speak words of value...admiration...encouragement... compassion...true kindness.

2008-07-04T08:19:00.000-07:00

Just something I was reading......

"The trials have no value or intrinsic meaning in themselves. It's the way we respond to those trials that makes all the difference."

1 Peter 3:8-12

2008-06-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

2008-06-20T18:49:00.000-07:00

The Wooden Bowl

I guarantee you will remember the tale of the Wooden Bowl tomorrow, a week from now, a month from now, a year from now.

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law,and four-yearold grandson. The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. "We must do something about father," said the son. "I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor."So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.There,Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl! When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometime he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, "What are you making?" Just as sweetly, the boy responded, "Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up." The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note,
I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life."

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch -- holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.!

Louie Giglio - Laminin

2008-06-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

To all Mothers

2008-05-11T12:01:00.000-07:00

Just a Thought!

2008-04-23T05:37:00.000-07:00

"Anxiety and misgiving, proceed solely from love of self. The love of God accomplishes all things quietly and completely; it is not anxious or uncertain. The Spirit of God rests continually in quietness. Perfect love casteth out fear. It is in forgetfulness of SELF that we find peace. Happy is he who yields himself completely, unconciously, and finally to God. Listen to the inward whisper of His Spirit and follow it--that is enough; but to listen one must be silent, and to follow one must yield." -- Fenelon

2008-03-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

After living what I felt was a 'decent' life, my time on earth came to the end.

The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting
room of what I thought to be a court house.

The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat
by the defense table.

As I looked around I saw the 'prosecutor.'

He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me.

He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney,
a kind and gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to
me, I felt I knew Him.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full
flowing robes.

He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I
couldn't take my eyes off of Him.

As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, 'Let us begin.'

The prosecutor rose and said,

'My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this woman
belongs in hell.'

He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole,
and In the past when I cheated others Satan told of other horrible
Perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the
further
down in my seat I sank.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn't look at anyone, even my own
Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely
forgotten
about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about
me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not
Offering any form of defense at all.

I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some
good in my life - couldn't that at least equal out part of the harm
I'd
done?

Satan finished with a fury and said, 'This woman belongs in hell,
she is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person
who
can prove otherwise.'

When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might
approach the bench.

The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan,
and beckoned Him to come forward.

As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in
His full splendor and majesty.

I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus
representing me, my Lord and my Savior.
!
He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, 'Hi,
Dad,' and then He turned to address the court.

'Satan was correct in saying that this woman had sinned,
I won't deny any of these allegations.

And, yes, the wage of sin is death, and this woman deserves to be
punished.'

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with
outstretched arms and proclaimed, 'However, I died on the cross so
that
this person might have eternal life and she has accepted Me as her
Savior, so she is Mine.'

My Lord continued with, 'Her name is written in the Book of Life,
and no one can snatch her from Me.

Satan still does not understand yet.
This woman is not to be given justice, but rather mercy.'

As Jesus sat down,

He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said,
'There is nothing else that needs to be done.'

'I've done it all.'

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down.
The following words bellowed from His lips..

'This woman is free.'

The penalty for her has already been paid in full.

'Case dismissed.'

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving,
'I won't give up, I will win the next one.' I asked Jesus as He gave
me
my instructions where to go next, 'Have you ever lost a case?'

Christ lovingly smiled and said,

'Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them
has received the same verdict as you,

~Paid In Full~

'Stop telling God how big your storm is.
Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!'

Boredom or Abundant Living by Ruth Youngdahl Nelson

2008-03-22T06:52:00.000-07:00

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

It is sad when people find life boring and take to artificial means to either stimulate or dull their God-given senses. It is particularly sad because the One who brings fulfillment and excitement and joy stands at each heart's door knocking. But the thief is also there, the thief who comes to steal and kill and destroy. Who is this thief?

As simplistic as it sounds, it is nevertheless eternally true, that thief is embodied in the one letter "I." "Navel gazing" is no newfangled occupation. Since the beginning of time it has been man's chief foe. The "poor me" attitude, the stench of self-pity, repels other people and shuts out God.

That big "I" is the only vowel and the middle letter in the word "sin." This same "I" is the blockade between us and heaven. If we permit the Holy Spirit to take hold of the "I" and bend it around until each meets, it becomes "0"--zero, nothing. Then the transformation happens, and "sin" becomes son," God's Son. As He takes over our lives, heaven enters out hearts here and now. He is also the means for the gate to be wide open to the hereafter.

Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. Psalms 100

Three Things In Life!

2008-03-19T06:31:00.001-07:00

Three things in life that, once gone, never come back

1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity

Three things in life that can destroy a person

1. Anger
2. Pride
3. Unforgiveness

Three things in life that you should never lose

1. Hope
2. Peace
3. Honesty

Three things in life that are most valuable

1. Love
2. Family
3. Kindness

Three things in life that are never certain

1. Fortune
2. Success
3. Dreams

Three things that make a person

1. Commitment
2. Sincerity
3. Hard work

Three things that are truly constant -

Father - Son - Holy Spirit

I ask the Lord to bless you, to guide you and protect you, as you go along your way. God's love is always with you, God's promises are true.
And when you give God all your cares, you know God will see you through.

2008-03-12T06:58:00.001-07:00

Christian Filmmakers to Receive The Top Cash Prize in World

2008-03-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

See the article HERE

2008-03-09T09:27:00.000-07:00

His Appointment

2008-03-05T07:11:00.000-08:00

I love to think that God appoints
My portion day by day;
Events of life are in His hand,
And I would only say,
Appoint them in Thine own good time,
And in Thine own best way.

------A. L. Waring

If we are really, and always, and equally ready
to do whatsoever the King appoints, all the tri-
als and vexations arising from any change in
His appointments, great or small, simply do not
exist. If He appoints me to work there, shall I
lament that I am not to work here? If
He appoints me to wait indoors today, am I to
be annoyed because I am not to work out-of-
doors? If I meant to write His messages this
morning, shall I grumble because He sends
interrupting visitors, rich or poor, to whom I
am to speak, or "show kindness" for His sake,
or at least obey His command, "Be courteous"?
If all my members are really at His disposal,
why should I be put out if today's appointment
is some simple work for my hands or errands
for my feet, instead of some seemingly more
important doing of head or tongue?

----------Frances Ridley Havergal

Thy servants are ready to do whatsover
my lord the king shall appoint.
2 Samuel 15:15

A Huge Prayer!

2008-03-04T17:49:00.000-08:00

Thought you might enjoy this interesting prayer given in Kansas at the opening session of their Senate. It seems prayer still upsets some people.

When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas

Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard:

===========================================

"Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance.

We know Your Word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly that we have done.

We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.

We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.

We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.

We have killed our unborn and called it choice.

We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable.

We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self esteem.

We have abused power and called it politics.

We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition.

We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression.

We have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlighenment.

Search us, Oh God, and know our hearts today; cleanse us from every sin and set us free.

Amen!

The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest. In 6 short weeks, Central Christian

Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively. The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India , Africa and Korea .

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program,

"The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired.

With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our nation and

wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called "one nation under God."

Thought for the Day

2008-02-23T06:47:00.000-08:00

The Blind Man One day, there was a blind man sitting on the steps of a building
with a hat by his feet and a sign that read: "I am blind, please help."

A creative publicist was walking by and stopped to observe. He saw that the blind man had only a few coins in his hat. He dropped in more coins and, without asking for permission, took the sign and rewrote it.

He returned the sign to the blind man and left. That afternoon the publicist returned to the blind man and noticed that his hat was full of bills and coins.
The blind man recognized his footsteps and asked if it was he who had rewritten his sign and wanted to know what he had written on it. The publicist
responded: "Nothing that was not true. I just wrote the message a little differently." He smiled and went on his way.

The new sign read: "Today is Spring and I cannot see it."

Sometimes we need to change our strategy. If we always do what we've
always done, we'll always get what we've always gotten.

And remember too, sometimes it's not WHAT we say,
it's HOW we say
it!!

Romans 12:1-2,5,9-21

2008-02-22T05:40:00.000-08:00

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God...

So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another...

Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

Rejoice with them that do rejoice, an weep with them that weep.

Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate, be not wise in your own conceits.

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

If it be possible, as much a lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
AMEN

2008-02-18T08:49:00.000-08:00

You probably have seen this but if you have not this is an awesome Skit!!!!
I hope you enjoy it!! God Bless!

2008-02-15T08:06:00.000-08:00

"SO WHAT ABOUT SOCIALIZATION?"...AND OTHER QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT HOMESCHOOLING!

Whenever we go out and someone asks my children where they go to school, or what grade they are in, I mentally cover my head, and wait for the "bomb to drop"! For some reason, when it comes to the subject of homeschooling, people feel they have the freedom to tell you what they think you should do, and what your children need... even if they are total strangers! If you have been homeschooling for any amount of time, you have more than likely faced some type of criticism or questioning. It seems to just come with the territory. Over the years, I have had more comments, questions, and criticism than I can count regarding our choice to home school. Family members, acquaintances, and even people I don't know. I'm not sure that I'll ever get to the point where this doesn't bother me, but I guess I just have gotten used to it.

I've had questions like:

"Do your children have FRIENDS?"
"What about socialization?"
"How do you teach them every subject? Do you know everything?"
"How do you have the patience for that? I could NEVER do it!"
"Well, don't your kids need to get out SOMETIME?
"What if your kids want to play sports?"
"Aren't we called to be "salt and light"?

The rest of this article can be found HERE, in Gina's monthly column entitled "Reaching High! For the Glory of God!

Romans 8:28-39

2008-02-15T06:56:00.000-08:00

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2008-02-14T06:05:00.000-08:00

The Crosswalk

2008-02-12T06:20:00.000-08:00

The Crosswalk
Every once in a while, a seemingly-simple email comes around that ends up being quite profound. This is one of them.

Awesome!! We complain about the cross we bear but don't realize it is preparing us for the dip in the road that God can see and we cannot.

Whatever your cross,

whatever your pain,

there will always be sunshine, after the rain....

Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall;

But God's always ready, to answer your call....

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,

a word from His lips, can calm every fear...

Your sorrows may linger, throughout the night,

But suddenly vanish, by dawn's early light...

The Savior is waiting, somewhere above,

to give you His grace, and send you His love.

May God fill your day with blessings!!

Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle!

2008-02-09T07:48:00.000-08:00

WHAT IS A FRIEND?

Your Heart is your Love,
Your love is your Family ,
Your family is your Future ,
Your future is your Destiny ,
Your destiny is your Ambition,
Your ambition is your Aspiration ,
Your aspiration is your Motivation ,
Your motivation is your Belief ,
Your belief is your Peace ,
Your peace is your Target ,
Your target is Heaven,
Heaven is no fun without FRIENDS
It's ' World Best Friends Week'!

F - Few
R - Relations
I - In
E - Earth
N - Never
D - Die

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

To seek God is the greatest adventure.
To find God is the greatest experience.
To fall in Love with God is the greatest of all Romances.

Against The Current

2008-02-04T10:45:00.000-08:00

"Against the Current" was my devotional today. This spoke loudly to me! yesterday's message was great, it was about "coveteousness" and in between, the Pastor used Hebrews 13:5 (my husband's favorite verse) where it says: ...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. And the pastor shared with us that in the long run is not what you do (in church, or position you hold) but who you are what counts! At the end, when we die or when God comes for us, we can not take anything with us. Who I am in God's eyes, how I follow after Him, how I seek after Him, that's where my concentration needs to be!!! That's all I've known all my life, is being active in church. My husband was a deacon, choir director assistant, congregational leader, we were the homeschool group leaders...and though I've had a "good" relationship with God, it's obvious to me that I need to know him more, I need to draw nearer to my blessed Lord and totally trust His guidance in this "against the current" situation I'm in right now. In my shortsighted eyes I don't see what's awaiting for me! I have to be reminded that His thoughts are not my thoughts (good thing, right?) and the only one that knows the outcome is God and I need to trust in Him alone!!!

Against the Current by Hannah Whitall Smith

So like wise, whowoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. LUKE 14:33

You must remember that our God has all knowledge and all wisdom, and that therefore it is very possible He may guide you into paths wherein He knows great blessings are awaiting you, but which, to the shortsighted human eyes around you, seem sure to result in confusion and loss. You must recognize the fact that God's thoughts are not as man's thoughts, nor His ways as man's ways; and that He alone, who knows the end of things from the beginning, can judge of what the results of any course of action may be. You must, therefore, realize that His very love for you may perhaps lead you to run counter to the loving wishes of even your dearest friends. You must learn, from Luke 14:26-33 and similar passages, that in order to be a disciple and follower of your Lord, you may perhaps be called upon to forsake inwardly all that you have, even father or mother, or brother or sister, or husband or wife, or it may be your own life also. Unless the possibility of this is clearly recognized, you will be very likely to get into difficulty, because it often happens that the child of God who enters upon this life of obedience is sooner or later led into paths that meet with the disapproval of those he best loves; and unless he is prepared for this and can trust the Lord through it all, he will scarcely know what to do.

Every Eye!!!

2008-01-20T14:48:00.001-08:00

The 2nd Coming

You have got to see this ... it ' s so awesome ... You can ' t help but to be blown away emotionally by this... "The 2nd Coming.
(Click on Every Eye) below...

Every Eye

Amazing Grace!!

2008-01-17T05:48:00.000-08:00

I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee. ISAIAH 44:22

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19

If my shut eyes should dare their lids to part,
I know how they must quail beneath the blaze
Of Thy love's greatness. No; I dare not raise
One prayer, to look aloft, lest it should gaze
On such forgiveness as would break my heart. --H. S. Sutton

O Lord God gracious and merciful, give us, I entreat Thee, a humble trust in Thy mercy, and suffer not our heart to fail us. Though our sins be seven, though our sins be seventy times seven, though our sins be more in number than the hairs of our head, yet give us grace in loving penitence to cast ourselves down into the depth of Thy compassion. Let us fall into the hand of the Lord. Amen
--Christina G. Rossetti

"Love with Shoes On"

2008-01-04T07:15:00.000-08:00

I heard about this message from a dear lady "Plodding the Course", Thank you Jan. Truthfully a "stand in awe" message of God's beauty! I've heard messages in my life, and when she suggested it, I said "hey I'm all for listening" let's hear what it's all about! Needless to say I found out and went before the Lord in humility and sorrow of heart!! Because I don't love My Lord Jesus Christ with shoes on!! This is just an excerpt from Darrell Champlin message, It's worth it!

Listen or Read it here

Why missions?
Because we love our Lord Jesus. Do you realize when you take this book, this matchless Word of God, and
begin to read it, begin to suffuse your life with it, when you begin to be filled with the reading, and the
direction, and blessing, of the Word of God in your life, that you begin to know Him? As you begin to
know Him, you begin to grow in His likeness. And the amazing, matchless Lord Jesus that we meet in the
Scriptures becomes the object of our love. Becomes the object of our passion. Becomes the very darling of
our lives. He becomes the root of our being, the very foundation of our existence. And as we grow in grace
and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, something happens to us. The heartbeat of God begins to throb
within our very veins.
I won’t take time to preach a message like that to you tonight -- we’ll be here until midnight. But
let me just summarize. When it happens young man, when it happens Dad, when it happens Mom, the very
heartbeat of God begins to throb within your heart, and you find blazing in your heart a passion that cannot
be quenched. You find blazing in your very being a vision that cannot be dimmed. And what is that vision?
The vision of the glory and the exaltation of our Lord Jesus Christ. The vision of those being brought out of
the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, into the Light of God. The vision of
the establishment of a Kingdom throughout eternity, of the saved and sanctified children of the God of
heaven, the family of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. It becomes an obsession that cannot be denied. A
destination, the fulfillment of that task, and the bringing in of lost souls into the presence of the God of
heaven, that will not be abandoned.
The very heartbeat of God: A passion that cannot be quenched. An obsession that cannot be
denied. A vision that cannot be dimmed. A destination, the enthronement of our matchless God with a
people to worship Him for eternity, that will not be abandoned.
And that, beloved, is why I’d like to talk with you tonight for a little while about love. Because it
begins right there. Not a pumped up love, but a love that comes from being immersed in this glorious Book,
and allowing the Spirit of God to accomplish in my life and in yours that which God has determined, as
mentioned here in the book of Romans. A verse with which we’re all very familiar.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that
he might be the first born among many brethren. i
When the passion of God begins to burn in our hearts then you young men, one after another,
filled with a passion that cannot be quenched, lighted with a vision that cannot be dimmed, ablaze with an
obsession that cannot be denied, filled with the destination of the exultation of your God, will march across
this world as an army. You young ladies will be by their sides. You dads and moms will be on you knees
crying out for the power of God upon them, and pouring out of the resources God gives you to send the
gospel across the world. Because you love your Lord Jesus. That’s where it begins. And that’s where we
begin tonight. Open your Bibles with me to John 21:15-19

Please let me know, you don't have to leave your name, it could be anonymous!

In Christ Love, Isa

For My Two Beautiful Sisters, I love you more than words can say!! Though we're apart, we are joined heart to heart!

2008-01-01T15:02:00.000-08:00

2008-01-01T10:18:00.000-08:00

God's hands.

2007-12-22T08:27:00.001-08:00

Cara Winship sent this out it is called: God's hands.

I took this picture on Hwy 30, traveling to London , KY. It has given me
Strength in the times of trouble. I feel I should share it with the rest of
The world. I hope it is an inspiration to you. It just goes to show what
We already know.... We have a God and he's watching over us.

I e-mailed this picture to News Chanel 36. I was contacted by
Meteorologist John James. He said that this picture of the sky is
Showing up, in all states, around the world. He wanted to know where
I was from and where I took it. He saw a similar picture taken in Texas .
He said this is amazing to him!

Mary's Little Lamb

2007-12-21T06:11:00.000-08:00

Wonderful view on The Lamb! HERE

Recipe for Christmas All Year Long

2007-12-20T07:47:00.000-08:00

Take a heap of child-like wonder
That opens up our eyes
To the unexpected gifts in life—
Each day a sweet surprise.

Mix in fond appreciation
For the people whom we know;
Like festive Christmas candles,
Each one has a special glow.

Add some giggles and some laughter,
A dash of Christmas food,
(Amazing how a piece of pie
Improves our attitude!)

Stir it all with human kindness;
Wrap it up in love and peace,
Decorate with optimism, and
Our joy will never cease.

If we use this healthy recipe,
We know we will remember
To be in the Christmas spirit,
Even when it's not December.

By Joanna Fuchs

A Christmas Poem!

2007-12-19T09:03:00.000-08:00

Every day is Christmas
When you have the kind of mind,
That stores up all the goodness
And the sweetness it can find.

When you don't need an occasion,
To spread a bit of cheer,
But just keep on a-giving,
Of yourself throughout the year.

Every day is Christmas,
With a gaily wrapped surprise,
When you've learned to see the friendship,
In someone else's eyes.

When you try a little harder,
And complain a little less,
Holding fast to all the fervour
Of the faith that you possess.

Every day is Christmas,
When you've found that you can be
More concerned with words like "you"
And less with "I" and "me".

When it's fun to do a favour,
And to lend a helping a hand,
When being understood means less,
Than when you understand.

Every day is Christmas,
With a beauty deeply cast,
When you find it doesn't matter,
If you're first or if you're last.

When you can face your conscience,
And be glad of what you are,
Then every day is Christmas,
With a stable and a star.

Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad!

2007-12-18T06:46:00.001-08:00

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Five Minutes After Death!!!. . .

2007-12-14T06:01:00.000-08:00

Wonderful message! Listen Here If you hear it, please tell me what you think, post your comments, I'd like to know! Thank you! This is for everybody, for those that don't believe and for those that believe and look down on people, the poor, the different from you, for those that is easier to think of the poor on other countries than those close to them!! ...interesting thought!

Oh, how did He die for a wretch like me!!!...

2007-12-12T09:56:00.000-08:00

With tears in my eyes as I listened to this message, here I questioned myself, how did He (my Holy Savior) die for me, instead of me on that cross? How can I not serve this precious God? How can I not be on my knees daily praising Him, my God, my Saviour? Oh! How I love Jesus!!

Refiner's Fire

2007-12-01T13:58:00.000-08:00

Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold.

Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire is to be holy
Set apart for you, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for you my Master
Ready to do your will.

Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within
And make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin deep within

A Treasured Keepsake

2007-12-01T11:03:00.000-08:00

How long do words linger in someone's heart? How far-reaching are the echoes of a kind word?

I'm reading "The Power of a Woman's Words" by Sharon Jaynes and this story touched my heart that I ended up crying, so I wanted to share!!
This is her story:

He was in the first third-grade class I taught at Saint Mary's School in Morris, Minnesota. All thirty-four of my students were dear to me, but Mark Eklund was one in a million. Very neat in appearance, he had that happy-to-be-alive attitude that made even his occasional mischievousness delightful. Mark also talked incessantly. I had to remind him again and again that talking without permission was not acceptable. What impressed me so much, was his sincere response every time I had to correct him for misbehaving. "Thank you for correcting me, Sister!" I didn't know what to make of it a first, but before long I became accustomed to hearing it many times a day. One morning my patience was growing thin when Mark talked once too often, and then I made a novice-teacher's mistake. I looked at Mark and said, "If you say one more word, I am going to tape your mouth shut!" It wasn't ten seconds later when Chuck blurted out, "Mark is talking again." I hadn't asked any of the students to help me watch Mark, but since I had stated the punishment in front of the class, I had to act on it. I remember the scene as if it had occurred this morning, I walked to my desk, very deliberately opened the drawer, and took out a roll of masking tape. Without saying a word, I proceeded to Mark's desk, tore of two pieces of tape and made a big X with them over his mouth. I then returned to the front of the room. As I glanced at Mark to see how he was doing, he winked at me. That did it! I started laughing. The class cheered as I walked back to Mark's desk, removed the tape, and shrugged my shoulders. His first words were, "Thank you for correcting me, Sister."

At the end of the year I was asked to teach junior high math. The years flew by, and before I knew it Mark was in my classroom again. He was more handsome that ever and just as polite. Since he had to listen carefully to my instruction in the "new math," he did not talk as much in ninth grade as he had in the third. One Friday, things just didn't feel right. We had worked hard on a new concept all week, and I sensed that the students were growing frustrated with themselves and edgy with one another. I had to stop this crankiness before it got out of hand. So I asked them to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then I told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down. It took the remainder of the class period to finish the assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed me the papers. Charlie smiled. Mark said, "Thank you for teaching me, Sister. Have a good weekend." That Saturday, I wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and I listed what everyone else had said about that individual. On Monday I gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" I heard whispered. "I never knew that meant anything to anyone!" "I didn't know others liked me so much!" No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. I never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and with one another again.

That group of students moved on. Several years later, after I returned from vacation, my parents met me at the airport. As we were driving home, Mother asked the usual questions about the trip, the weather, my experiences in general. There was a slight lull in the conversation. Mother gave Dad a sideways glance and simply said, "Dad?" My father cleared his throat as he usually did before something important. "The Eklunds called last night." he begun. "Really?" I said. "I haven't heard from them in years. I wonder how Mark is." Dad responded quietly. "Mark was killed in Vietnam," he said. "The funeral is tomorrow, and his parents would like it if you could attend." To this day I can still point to the exact spot on I-494 where Dad told me about Mark.

I had never seen a serviceman in a military coffing before. Mark looked so handsome, so mature. All I could think at that moment was Mark, I would give all the masking tape in the world if only you would talk to me. The church was packed with Mark's friends. Chuck's sister sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Why did it have to rain on the day of the funeral? It was difficult enough at the graveside. The pastor said the usual prayers, and the bugler played "Taps." One by one those who loved Mark took a last walk by the coffin. I was the last one. As I stood there, one of the soldiers who had acted as pallbearer came up to me. "Were you Mark's math teacher?" he asked. I nodded as I continued to stare at the coffin. "Mark talked about you a lot," he said. After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates headed to Chuck's farmhouse for lunch. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting for me. "We want to show you something," his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. "They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it." Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded, and refolded many times. I knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which I had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him. "Thank you so much for doing that," Mark's mother said. "As you can see, Mark treasured it." Mark's classmates started to gather around us. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home." Chuck's wife said, "Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album." "I have mine too," Marilyn said. "It's in my diary." Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet, and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. "I carry this with me at all times," Vicki said eithout batting an eyelash. "I think we all saved out lists."

Adapted from Sister Helen P. Mrosla, O.S.F., "All the Good Things." Originally published in Proteus, Spring 1991. Reprinted by permission as edited and published by Reader's Digest in October 1991.

How long will our words echo in the hearts and minds of our children, our husbands, our friends, fellow believers, and the world? For all eternity. To the end of the age.

Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; . . .

2007-11-28T06:33:00.000-08:00

Hear my voice, O God, in my prayer: preserve my life from fear of the enemy.
Hide me from the secret counsel of the wicked; from the insurrection of the workers of iniquity:
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words:
That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.
They encourage themselves in an evil matter: they commune of laying snares privily; they say, Who shall see them?
They search out iniquities; they accomplish a diligent search: both the inward thought of every one of them, and the heart, is deep.
But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.
So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away.
And all men shall fear, and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of his doing.
The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

Psalm 64

2007-11-23T12:55:00.000-08:00

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Happy Thanksgiving!

2007-11-22T13:33:00.000-08:00

...And Always!

PRAISE THE LORD

Give thanks to The LORD
for he is good.
His steadfast Love endures
forever!!!