We are in sore need of an update around here, I hear!
God is faithful. The kids are growing and growing. Alan
is keeping his bosses happy at work and making lot's of
money for his company. And, we made it through another
homeschool year- all by God's grace, especially since
December of last year. What a blessing to have been finished
up by mid- April. So glad we didn't skip ahead- it was God's perfect plan for us to do that particular work load this year.
I am praying for Heather these days,whose husband has been deployed. Please add her into your prayers as well, even if you do not know her?
Jun 17, 2009
Apr 23, 2009
"One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy."
~ Elisabeth Elliott ~
~ Elisabeth Elliott ~
Apr 10, 2009
This seems like a good morning to update this blog.
It's the day before Ressurection Sunday and the kids and I are going to celebrate today and tommorow that Jesus was crucified by men, at the allowance of God- how surprised those men were when the Heaven's ripped open and the Earth trembled, and they
suddenly knew that this man was indeed GOD'S son!
How aware of his powerlessness the devil was when Jesus would not give into temptation to take the easy way out, and when Jesus submitted to even crucifixition, all the while trusting that His Father had a plan- and He did!
We are thanking God today for fathering His creation in such magnificent selflessness, thanking Jesus for His obedience that helped save, thanking God for leaving the Spirit to be our help because Jesus couldn't stay.
Magnificent Mercy to bring many son's and daughter's to glory!
We will be praying today that God might do a work in our hearts to love mercy even more, to see it's power above all evil with even clearer sight. Trusting God with my oldest, praising God for all He's done in our lives and in other's lives, thanking God for the church and His commitment to us, sinful humanity falling on the mercy of a great Savior. Thank you God for Your redemptive plan and all of Your other provisions for believers all over the Earth, You show Your mercy and love again and again, and again, and again!!!
Happy Easter to you and yours! <3
It's the day before Ressurection Sunday and the kids and I are going to celebrate today and tommorow that Jesus was crucified by men, at the allowance of God- how surprised those men were when the Heaven's ripped open and the Earth trembled, and they
suddenly knew that this man was indeed GOD'S son!
How aware of his powerlessness the devil was when Jesus would not give into temptation to take the easy way out, and when Jesus submitted to even crucifixition, all the while trusting that His Father had a plan- and He did!
We are thanking God today for fathering His creation in such magnificent selflessness, thanking Jesus for His obedience that helped save, thanking God for leaving the Spirit to be our help because Jesus couldn't stay.
Magnificent Mercy to bring many son's and daughter's to glory!
We will be praying today that God might do a work in our hearts to love mercy even more, to see it's power above all evil with even clearer sight. Trusting God with my oldest, praising God for all He's done in our lives and in other's lives, thanking God for the church and His commitment to us, sinful humanity falling on the mercy of a great Savior. Thank you God for Your redemptive plan and all of Your other provisions for believers all over the Earth, You show Your mercy and love again and again, and again, and again!!!
Happy Easter to you and yours! <3
Apr 3, 2009
Mar 28, 2009
This exposition of Ephesians 4:25-32 is very good to read through-if you have 6 or 7minutes to spare, please do, and let me know what you think of it!!
From the beloved scriptures comes Eph. 4:25-32:
Eph 4 :25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
I like these particular lines of scripture. Though verses 25-32 are not as much fun to read as verses 1-25 in this book, they are more important than fun. They are life-saving. Soul sparing. It is hard for me to forgive some people in my life right now, for hurts suffered. Maybe your struggle is not with forgiveness, maybe your the one who is gossiping and slandering,and maybe you know that you habitually practice that sin, and in your heart you know that your not struggling with that sin at all, your justifying it. But maybe you are really struggling, and the struggle has got you all worn out this time. That's how I feel too. But God is not limited by my feelings, only I am limited by by them. God spoke to me yesterday about this very subject. Just as He saved us, He will save us time and time again- save us from the strongholds that want to imprison our hearts. Our joy will not be dependent on circumstances if we trust in God. I know this to be true, by experiencing both my obedience and my disobedience at different times, my disobedience in the form of thinking more than just. simply.trusting.
Just as soon as I take my eyes off of Him, my joy is affected by my circumstances. Let me have it all or have not a thing, and still sing. I have a ways to walk yet, before I am all the way there. I still want to look at the broken dreams around me and cradle them, willing them back to life. Relationships won't always be what *I* think they "should" be. Pray for me that I will be happy with all the good gifts that God has given me, and grieve less the gifts He has taken away. For my soul to be quieted within me. That I will remember that all I need for my heart and mind and soul to be healthy is God.
Grieving God: Sin in the Christian’s Life
Jason Boothe
Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are
members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
27 nor give place to the devil, 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working
with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no
corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may
impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed
for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away
from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Introduction
As I grew up in church, man y times I heard the scripture, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” However,
is was always in the context of church worship. If the congregation wasn’t being emotional or
demonstrative enough during the worship music, then the preacher would usually say, “Don’t grieve
the Holy Spirit, Church!” Naturally, I assumed that grieving the Holy Spirit involved not being
emotional enough during worship services - that is until I began to read that Scripture passage in
context for myself.
Grieving God has more to do with the sin that we harbor in our lives following our conversion.
Christian, you can literally grieve the heart of God by continuing in sin. Understand that if God has
the power to save you from sin, He also has the power needed to deliver you from the strongholds
of sin that the enemy of our souls works so hard to keep in place. Oh, God desires to break down the
sinful strongholds in our lives by renewing us by the Holy Spirit and cleansing us from all
unrighteousness.
Today, may Paul’s words to the Ephesians stir our souls to press on in righteousness and holiness,
forsaking the strongholds of sin in our lives. God move on our hearts as we study your Holy and
precious word today.
Outline
V. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, “for
we are members of one another.
A. Christians are to speak truth at every occasion.
1. Col. 3:9 declares:
“Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his
doings,”
B. In order for the Church of Christ to be taken seriously in this world, we must be a
truthful and honest people. Nothing less will do.
V.26 “Be angry, and do not sin ," do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
A. Do not confuse anger with sin. Anger can be justified at times.
B. However, to let the “sun go down” on your anger is to purposely harbor ill feelings
toward another person, thus clearing the way for bitterness to spring up in your heart.
1. Eccl. 7:9 -
Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of
fools.
2. Rom l2:18-21-
If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. Don’t
seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is
written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink For in
doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head” Don’t be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good
3. James l:19-20-
So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak,
and slow to anger, for the anger of man doesn’t produce the
righteousness of God
V.27 nor give place to the devil,
A. Anger can give place to bitterness and spite. Christians should constantly guard
against these attempts by the enemy of our souls to gain a foothold in our lives.
1. 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober and self-controlled Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks,
around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
2. James 4:7-
Be subject therefore to God But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
V. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands
what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
A. Hear we see that the Christian experience is one of transformation. The God who
saves us is the God who will change our behavior and actions as well.
B. Zacchaeus had a life-changing experience that mirrors this text beautifully
1. Luke l9:8
Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I
give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore
four times as much.”
C. God not only grants us the power to quit our sinful behavior, but grants us the
strength to live for the welfare of others, putting others above self.
1. Consider the account of the widow’s gift:
Luke 21:1-4 -
He looked up, and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the
treasury. He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins.. He
said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them, for all
these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty,
put in all that she had to live on.
V. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification,
that it may impart grace to the hearers.
A. James 3:2-10-
For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn’t stumble in word, the same
is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. Indeed, we put bits into the
horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. Behold, the
ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by
a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. So the tongue is also a little member,
and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! And the
tongue is afire. The world of iniquity among our members is
the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and
is set on fire by Gehenna. For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing
in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind But nobody can tame the
tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and
Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God Out of the same
mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be
so.
B. What we say should build others up in the Lord!
V. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of
redemption.
A. Don’t continue to live in sin because God has delivered you from that reality!
B. You can trust Him, He will never let you go - Now strife for righteous living
because He desires it and will grant you the strength to perform His will!
V. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with
all malice.
A. If you must be angry, be angry at your sin!
B. If you must be violent, be violent with your sin!
C. Put your sinfulness out of commission!
V. 32 And be kind to one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
A. This is the reason why we can forgive: God forgave us through Christ!
1. Colossians 3:12-13 -
Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion,
kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another,
and forgiving each other, any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ
forgave you, so you also do.
Conclusion
Christian, do not grieve the heart of God by continuing in sinful behavior. Trust that the same God
who forgave your sin can deliver you from sin today! While it is challenging to live up to God’s
standard, it is also very rewarding. God will grant the grace you need in order succeed in fulfilling
His will for your life!
* When you think you can’t speak honestly - trust Jesus and tell the truth anyway!
*When you think you can’t forgive - trust Jesus and forgive others in His strength!
* When you think you must be angry toward someone forever - trust Jesus and surrender your anger
for His name’s sake!
*We can live this Christ-empowered life if we simply Trust Him.
So today, will you trust God and take Him at His word? Or will you continue to grieve the heart
of God by reaffirming your bitterness, hatred, and lying? Trust Jesus today
From the beloved scriptures comes Eph. 4:25-32:
Eph 4 :25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
Eph 4:26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Eph 4:27 Neither give place to the devil.
Eph 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Eph 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
Eph 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Eph 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
I like these particular lines of scripture. Though verses 25-32 are not as much fun to read as verses 1-25 in this book, they are more important than fun. They are life-saving. Soul sparing. It is hard for me to forgive some people in my life right now, for hurts suffered. Maybe your struggle is not with forgiveness, maybe your the one who is gossiping and slandering,and maybe you know that you habitually practice that sin, and in your heart you know that your not struggling with that sin at all, your justifying it. But maybe you are really struggling, and the struggle has got you all worn out this time. That's how I feel too. But God is not limited by my feelings, only I am limited by by them. God spoke to me yesterday about this very subject. Just as He saved us, He will save us time and time again- save us from the strongholds that want to imprison our hearts. Our joy will not be dependent on circumstances if we trust in God. I know this to be true, by experiencing both my obedience and my disobedience at different times, my disobedience in the form of thinking more than just. simply.trusting.
Just as soon as I take my eyes off of Him, my joy is affected by my circumstances. Let me have it all or have not a thing, and still sing. I have a ways to walk yet, before I am all the way there. I still want to look at the broken dreams around me and cradle them, willing them back to life. Relationships won't always be what *I* think they "should" be. Pray for me that I will be happy with all the good gifts that God has given me, and grieve less the gifts He has taken away. For my soul to be quieted within me. That I will remember that all I need for my heart and mind and soul to be healthy is God.
Grieving God: Sin in the Christian’s Life
Jason Boothe
Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are
members of one another. 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
27 nor give place to the devil, 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working
with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. 29 Let no
corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may
impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed
for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away
from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Introduction
As I grew up in church, man y times I heard the scripture, “do not grieve the Holy Spirit.” However,
is was always in the context of church worship. If the congregation wasn’t being emotional or
demonstrative enough during the worship music, then the preacher would usually say, “Don’t grieve
the Holy Spirit, Church!” Naturally, I assumed that grieving the Holy Spirit involved not being
emotional enough during worship services - that is until I began to read that Scripture passage in
context for myself.
Grieving God has more to do with the sin that we harbor in our lives following our conversion.
Christian, you can literally grieve the heart of God by continuing in sin. Understand that if God has
the power to save you from sin, He also has the power needed to deliver you from the strongholds
of sin that the enemy of our souls works so hard to keep in place. Oh, God desires to break down the
sinful strongholds in our lives by renewing us by the Holy Spirit and cleansing us from all
unrighteousness.
Today, may Paul’s words to the Ephesians stir our souls to press on in righteousness and holiness,
forsaking the strongholds of sin in our lives. God move on our hearts as we study your Holy and
precious word today.
Outline
V. 25 Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, “for
we are members of one another.
A. Christians are to speak truth at every occasion.
1. Col. 3:9 declares:
“Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his
doings,”
B. In order for the Church of Christ to be taken seriously in this world, we must be a
truthful and honest people. Nothing less will do.
V.26 “Be angry, and do not sin ," do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
A. Do not confuse anger with sin. Anger can be justified at times.
B. However, to let the “sun go down” on your anger is to purposely harbor ill feelings
toward another person, thus clearing the way for bitterness to spring up in your heart.
1. Eccl. 7:9 -
Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of
fools.
2. Rom l2:18-21-
If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. Don’t
seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is
written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” Therefore
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink For in
doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head” Don’t be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good
3. James l:19-20-
So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak,
and slow to anger, for the anger of man doesn’t produce the
righteousness of God
V.27 nor give place to the devil,
A. Anger can give place to bitterness and spite. Christians should constantly guard
against these attempts by the enemy of our souls to gain a foothold in our lives.
1. 1 Peter 5:8
Be sober and self-controlled Be watchful. Your adversary the devil, walks,
around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
2. James 4:7-
Be subject therefore to God But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
V. 28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands
what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
A. Hear we see that the Christian experience is one of transformation. The God who
saves us is the God who will change our behavior and actions as well.
B. Zacchaeus had a life-changing experience that mirrors this text beautifully
1. Luke l9:8
Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I
give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore
four times as much.”
C. God not only grants us the power to quit our sinful behavior, but grants us the
strength to live for the welfare of others, putting others above self.
1. Consider the account of the widow’s gift:
Luke 21:1-4 -
He looked up, and saw the rich people who were putting their gifts into the
treasury. He saw a certain poor widow casting in two small brass coins.. He
said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow put in more than all of them, for all
these put in gifts for God from their abundance, but she, out of her poverty,
put in all that she had to live on.
V. 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification,
that it may impart grace to the hearers.
A. James 3:2-10-
For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn’t stumble in word, the same
is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. Indeed, we put bits into the
horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. Behold, the
ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by
a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires. So the tongue is also a little member,
and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! And the
tongue is afire. The world of iniquity among our members is
the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and
is set on fire by Gehenna. For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing
in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind But nobody can tame the
tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and
Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God Out of the same
mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be
so.
B. What we say should build others up in the Lord!
V. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of
redemption.
A. Don’t continue to live in sin because God has delivered you from that reality!
B. You can trust Him, He will never let you go - Now strife for righteous living
because He desires it and will grant you the strength to perform His will!
V. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with
all malice.
A. If you must be angry, be angry at your sin!
B. If you must be violent, be violent with your sin!
C. Put your sinfulness out of commission!
V. 32 And be kind to one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
A. This is the reason why we can forgive: God forgave us through Christ!
1. Colossians 3:12-13 -
Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion,
kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another,
and forgiving each other, any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ
forgave you, so you also do.
Conclusion
Christian, do not grieve the heart of God by continuing in sinful behavior. Trust that the same God
who forgave your sin can deliver you from sin today! While it is challenging to live up to God’s
standard, it is also very rewarding. God will grant the grace you need in order succeed in fulfilling
His will for your life!
* When you think you can’t speak honestly - trust Jesus and tell the truth anyway!
*When you think you can’t forgive - trust Jesus and forgive others in His strength!
* When you think you must be angry toward someone forever - trust Jesus and surrender your anger
for His name’s sake!
*We can live this Christ-empowered life if we simply Trust Him.
So today, will you trust God and take Him at His word? Or will you continue to grieve the heart
of God by reaffirming your bitterness, hatred, and lying? Trust Jesus today
Mar 11, 2009
Mar 7, 2009
Usually I don't have any time to make a real post these days, but this morning I awoke before the light and was full of that tired-but-can't-sleep energy. All the better to have an extended time at the foot of the cross before all of Saturday's fun,chores and errands step in.
I have a lot to be thankful for these days! So, this is my own little Thankful Saturday post :) What with all that I have and want to do with my family right now- it is a very busy, wonderful season of raising and teaching small children and one adolescent around here- I'd love be able to keep up with all of those wonderful Christian blogs on the CWO, and to particpate with these great ladies of the faith in the CWO posting schedule- but I just can't. I have plans to though, when my kids are older and I have what will for sure feel like too much free time by then on my hands! ;)
I have been seeing the work of God's masterful hands popping up in our lives like crazy lately, beautiful threads that form and come together all on their own on our behalf- with the only requirements for them being God's mercy, and faith in Him.
I want to thank Him for all that He has done and will do.
It began with Redemption; it continues on today. As we were knit together in our mother's wombs, God knew the plans He had. Thank you, God! I am thanking God today for His work in our family, on my heart and on my childrens heart's, on my husband's heart and for His protection and shield over our family. He has been bringing more and more obedience out of me, one of my constant prayers has been that obedience would come quickly and with less struggle sometimes (who doesn't pray that, right? lol!) and in His mercy, He is helping me with that. Where I would have thought that I was pretty much obedient before, He is bringing forth more obedience and then pouring on blessing after blessing for that obdeience-- those small steps all day long that God gives me strength to make? He blesses me for them,too! Too good to be true? It's not!
If anyone in the world would ever be reading this post today and you are prone to anxiety, let me tell you that walking in faith will in one way aggrevate that tendancy- but in a good way, a bondage-breaking way- and it will also make you closer to the Father than you are to your fears- a very, very good thing!
If I don't share that, I won't be able to share all that God has done in my life and in our lives, and it is good to bring Him glory. God has taught me how to walk all over again. He has been at work in my relations with my eldest son, whom I have been with since I was 19 and who has been with me from a previous marraige- the other children have no recollections of life before God(I never thought I would be a small part in God being able to give that gift to my children from when they are small!,)- but he does. Because of that, he has had a birds-eye view of watching his Mother change, in a series of little tiny ways that have spun together over time into quite a big difference. This has led to priceless times of questioning,curiosity, wondering- and all the talks that come of that- and I have faith that God is indeed using His work in my life to be a witness to my children. T. is my first child, so he is the first who will grow up into a young adult man right in front of my eyes. I am so thankful to have a God who is always at the ready willing and able to help us raise him the right way, to draw his heart towards Him- we will no doubt make plenty of mistakes as the years go by but there is no fear in that anymore! There have been mistakes in the past, God has Redeemed them and worked them for Good; we know now that God Will work all things for good in the life of a believer so this is one more thing we don't have to fear. Sometimes anxiety even tells you it's too scary to have faith in God- as if we ourselves could protect ourselves and our families better than He could. Don't try to be that shield for your family and your heart that is burdened with all the cares un the world, trust God and let His light in; He will take care of all the things you can never take care of for your family.
He will even grow you into a submissive woman, trusting to the point where you will not feel need ever to question Him, not knowing if all He says is real or too good to be true... I am not fully there yet, but in faith I look forward to that day when the struggle with unbelief at times and sin all the time will be lessened; God is doing a good work and He has promised- and kept All His promises- to grow me and to never stop growing me- He will do the same for you. As this year is more peaceful in the heart, so will next year be more peaceful than this yet.
It's not peaceful because there have been no storms or valleys, in fact the stormy
winds have been beating quite regularily against the doors of our hearts and it's not because we never feel too stressed or scared or sometimes sad, but it's because God protects us, gives us strength, encourages us, teaches us what to do and holds us there.
Beyond that, He even blesses us for the obedience He helps us to have!
I want to praise God this morning with whoever reads this because I *know* that you have your own story of redemption and lifelong mercy and love and protection that you could share as well!
I wanted to add onto the praise how great the Marriage and the Mercy of God seminar was in Hershey in January- and even share some of the gold nuggests from Betsy Ricucci's teachings, but I guess that will have to come at another time---
the sun has been up for awhile now and the family will be stirring soon!
I want to to be at the DMV for 8:30, and the boys and I are going bowling this morning after that- there's a free show rental coupon on the website for berks lanes if your local or semi-local! $3.25 per game before noon.
Have a great day and God bless!
I have a lot to be thankful for these days! So, this is my own little Thankful Saturday post :) What with all that I have and want to do with my family right now- it is a very busy, wonderful season of raising and teaching small children and one adolescent around here- I'd love be able to keep up with all of those wonderful Christian blogs on the CWO, and to particpate with these great ladies of the faith in the CWO posting schedule- but I just can't. I have plans to though, when my kids are older and I have what will for sure feel like too much free time by then on my hands! ;)
I have been seeing the work of God's masterful hands popping up in our lives like crazy lately, beautiful threads that form and come together all on their own on our behalf- with the only requirements for them being God's mercy, and faith in Him.
I want to thank Him for all that He has done and will do.
It began with Redemption; it continues on today. As we were knit together in our mother's wombs, God knew the plans He had. Thank you, God! I am thanking God today for His work in our family, on my heart and on my childrens heart's, on my husband's heart and for His protection and shield over our family. He has been bringing more and more obedience out of me, one of my constant prayers has been that obedience would come quickly and with less struggle sometimes (who doesn't pray that, right? lol!) and in His mercy, He is helping me with that. Where I would have thought that I was pretty much obedient before, He is bringing forth more obedience and then pouring on blessing after blessing for that obdeience-- those small steps all day long that God gives me strength to make? He blesses me for them,too! Too good to be true? It's not!
If anyone in the world would ever be reading this post today and you are prone to anxiety, let me tell you that walking in faith will in one way aggrevate that tendancy- but in a good way, a bondage-breaking way- and it will also make you closer to the Father than you are to your fears- a very, very good thing!
If I don't share that, I won't be able to share all that God has done in my life and in our lives, and it is good to bring Him glory. God has taught me how to walk all over again. He has been at work in my relations with my eldest son, whom I have been with since I was 19 and who has been with me from a previous marraige- the other children have no recollections of life before God(I never thought I would be a small part in God being able to give that gift to my children from when they are small!,)- but he does. Because of that, he has had a birds-eye view of watching his Mother change, in a series of little tiny ways that have spun together over time into quite a big difference. This has led to priceless times of questioning,curiosity, wondering- and all the talks that come of that- and I have faith that God is indeed using His work in my life to be a witness to my children. T. is my first child, so he is the first who will grow up into a young adult man right in front of my eyes. I am so thankful to have a God who is always at the ready willing and able to help us raise him the right way, to draw his heart towards Him- we will no doubt make plenty of mistakes as the years go by but there is no fear in that anymore! There have been mistakes in the past, God has Redeemed them and worked them for Good; we know now that God Will work all things for good in the life of a believer so this is one more thing we don't have to fear. Sometimes anxiety even tells you it's too scary to have faith in God- as if we ourselves could protect ourselves and our families better than He could. Don't try to be that shield for your family and your heart that is burdened with all the cares un the world, trust God and let His light in; He will take care of all the things you can never take care of for your family.
He will even grow you into a submissive woman, trusting to the point where you will not feel need ever to question Him, not knowing if all He says is real or too good to be true... I am not fully there yet, but in faith I look forward to that day when the struggle with unbelief at times and sin all the time will be lessened; God is doing a good work and He has promised- and kept All His promises- to grow me and to never stop growing me- He will do the same for you. As this year is more peaceful in the heart, so will next year be more peaceful than this yet.
It's not peaceful because there have been no storms or valleys, in fact the stormy
winds have been beating quite regularily against the doors of our hearts and it's not because we never feel too stressed or scared or sometimes sad, but it's because God protects us, gives us strength, encourages us, teaches us what to do and holds us there.
Beyond that, He even blesses us for the obedience He helps us to have!
I want to praise God this morning with whoever reads this because I *know* that you have your own story of redemption and lifelong mercy and love and protection that you could share as well!
I wanted to add onto the praise how great the Marriage and the Mercy of God seminar was in Hershey in January- and even share some of the gold nuggests from Betsy Ricucci's teachings, but I guess that will have to come at another time---
the sun has been up for awhile now and the family will be stirring soon!
I want to to be at the DMV for 8:30, and the boys and I are going bowling this morning after that- there's a free show rental coupon on the website for berks lanes if your local or semi-local! $3.25 per game before noon.
Have a great day and God bless!
Mar 1, 2009
Reminicing in The New Year
Some writings from a newly saved soul, me- in 2002.
How wonderful to read them again today! :D
I wanted to be free so badly
He paid my ransom and I could run
not knowing where I was going
I had nothing but I had it all
Now I'm tired and I'm thirsty
and the Living Water is all I need
and it's painful
to learn to walk again
at times I don't know what to do
I tell my legs to go,
they just won't make a move
maybe you have felt this way
my mind is being renewed
lumbering little baby steps
just a little petition,
and He will show he way
Christ is standing there,
with His hand out
for every step
not because of me
but because of God
I get closer to Him every year
When He is making me strong, rejoicing with me
When He is allowing me to feel so weak,
covering me with His wings
keep it always this way Lord,
for when I feel
I need to go
I need to flee
to the cross
When I cannot stop,
I must get there,
for He is waiting there for me
I just need to be able to see Him clear
He is there and I am here
I need to get back to that place
Draw me near
I am here
Hear my small, small voice
in the wood of this world
take up my plea
and set my path straight
You don't forget about me
How wonderful to read them again today! :D
I wanted to be free so badly
He paid my ransom and I could run
not knowing where I was going
I had nothing but I had it all
Now I'm tired and I'm thirsty
and the Living Water is all I need
and it's painful
to learn to walk again
at times I don't know what to do
I tell my legs to go,
they just won't make a move
maybe you have felt this way
my mind is being renewed
lumbering little baby steps
just a little petition,
and He will show he way
Christ is standing there,
with His hand out
for every step
not because of me
but because of God
I get closer to Him every year
When He is making me strong, rejoicing with me
When He is allowing me to feel so weak,
covering me with His wings
keep it always this way Lord,
for when I feel
I need to go
I need to flee
to the cross
When I cannot stop,
I must get there,
for He is waiting there for me
I just need to be able to see Him clear
He is there and I am here
I need to get back to that place
Draw me near
I am here
Hear my small, small voice
in the wood of this world
take up my plea
and set my path straight
You don't forget about me
Feb 26, 2009
I wrote this to get my feelings out, as I prayed, alone in the hotel bathroom on Saturday afternoon- lol!I had to go off somewhere! - sometimes circumstances bring me to my knees, but it is there that I learn to lean on Christ.
I decided to share it during my bible study time this morning.
It's not meant to be anything; truthfully I don't know what it is.
It's just what tumbled out as I sat under God and cried over my
desires that won't come just yet, and prayed for strength to resist
temptation to sin. As I did that He taught me and comforted me-
and I was comforted by what He said.
This is from the best place, at the Savior's feet...
"Trust in God rather than yourself...
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6
Every time I have to run, I run to Him,
I flee this temptation and throw myself
upon Christ. His protection, my only
place of rest. No one but God, not any man,
can bare my soul and see my heart
like God can.
God alone sees every longing, every
temptation,ever desire, every weakness,
every strength, every fear.
His word says that He will Not allow me
to be tempted beyond what I can bear, so
I have to trust in that. I get to trust in
that; it's all I have, nothing seems as real
as Christ.
It's been so easy for despair,
she sees me as so weak-
but my Father is So Strong!
Though I may stumble, or even fall,
He picks me up and girds me strong,
helps me to walk again.
By God's grace I won't stop walking,
He will get me through.
These tempters, these haters of the human
soul, they will rattle and bang their big threats
and can set my soul on edge;
they can blast and buffet but my soul stays in the slip.
These gray skies and clapping beasts are all illusion anyways,
formed to lure my eye's off Christ, threatening jackals sent by
the evil one meant to make me lose my way.
I am but human,
but he is God.
I am weak, He is Strong.
I am scared, He is Not Afraid.
Take all things away, but they can take not Christ-
my only hope and stay.
I will fall, He will pick me back up.
I will cry, He will collect every tear.
I will yet not despair, for He will keep me near.
You'll not have my family,
My God has drawn the line!
He will sew all the broken pieces,
create the most beautiful quilt that you have ever seen.
Arise my soul, I say- along with the psalmist I urge
my quaking heart,
Arise, I say Arise!
a new hope has been purchased for me,
and I am finally FREE!
I decided to share it during my bible study time this morning.
It's not meant to be anything; truthfully I don't know what it is.
It's just what tumbled out as I sat under God and cried over my
desires that won't come just yet, and prayed for strength to resist
temptation to sin. As I did that He taught me and comforted me-
and I was comforted by what He said.
This is from the best place, at the Savior's feet...
"Trust in God rather than yourself...
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6
Every time I have to run, I run to Him,
I flee this temptation and throw myself
upon Christ. His protection, my only
place of rest. No one but God, not any man,
can bare my soul and see my heart
like God can.
God alone sees every longing, every
temptation,ever desire, every weakness,
every strength, every fear.
His word says that He will Not allow me
to be tempted beyond what I can bear, so
I have to trust in that. I get to trust in
that; it's all I have, nothing seems as real
as Christ.
It's been so easy for despair,
she sees me as so weak-
but my Father is So Strong!
Though I may stumble, or even fall,
He picks me up and girds me strong,
helps me to walk again.
By God's grace I won't stop walking,
He will get me through.
These tempters, these haters of the human
soul, they will rattle and bang their big threats
and can set my soul on edge;
they can blast and buffet but my soul stays in the slip.
These gray skies and clapping beasts are all illusion anyways,
formed to lure my eye's off Christ, threatening jackals sent by
the evil one meant to make me lose my way.
I am but human,
but he is God.
I am weak, He is Strong.
I am scared, He is Not Afraid.
Take all things away, but they can take not Christ-
my only hope and stay.
I will fall, He will pick me back up.
I will cry, He will collect every tear.
I will yet not despair, for He will keep me near.
You'll not have my family,
My God has drawn the line!
He will sew all the broken pieces,
create the most beautiful quilt that you have ever seen.
Arise my soul, I say- along with the psalmist I urge
my quaking heart,
Arise, I say Arise!
a new hope has been purchased for me,
and I am finally FREE!
Feb 20, 2009
My son encouraged me in my faith tonight, by talking to me about space hurricianes on our way home from Exeter tonight. It emboldened my faith to hear about how powerful and potentially scary these space storms can be because it reminded me of how God's hand protects us from them; His will allows us on Earth to be protected from being obliterated by a space storm. Indeed, even the gnarliest of storms, typhoon's, monsoons, tsunami's, and disease are controlled by His hand~ it sunk in again: just what have I to fear, in all the world, at all? If my God is for me, who/what can be against me? I sure enjoyed this comfort from God tonight.
I can be tempted to anxiety, but my circumstances are often F.E.A.R. = False Evidence Appearing Real. Today, a good friend (thank you, Corey!) helped me lift my eyes again to see that God is working even when, and sometimes especially when, I can't see His handiwork. I may be pressed but I will not be broken. Lord God, thank you. We are your children...and You do not forsake us <3
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling, God sets the lonely in families." (Psalm 68:5,6a)
"And unto old age and gray hairs: O God, forsake me not." (Ps. 70: 9, 18).
"...My prayer... is that God would stand forth and reassert his Creator-rights in our lives, and show us his crucified and risen Son who has all authority in heaven and on earth, and waken in us the strongest faith in the supremacy of Christ, and the deepest comforts in suffering, and the sweetest fellowship with Jesus that we have ever known." John Piper, from his website. Post about Hurriciane Katrina.
~*~*~ I have recieved the undeserved most- greatest (Please excuse the grammar!) comforting, and the sweetest fellowship that could ever be; now Lord please awake the strongest faith in Christ's supremacy within me.~*~*~
I can be tempted to anxiety, but my circumstances are often F.E.A.R. = False Evidence Appearing Real. Today, a good friend (thank you, Corey!) helped me lift my eyes again to see that God is working even when, and sometimes especially when, I can't see His handiwork. I may be pressed but I will not be broken. Lord God, thank you. We are your children...and You do not forsake us <3
"A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling, God sets the lonely in families." (Psalm 68:5,6a)
"And unto old age and gray hairs: O God, forsake me not." (Ps. 70: 9, 18).
"...My prayer... is that God would stand forth and reassert his Creator-rights in our lives, and show us his crucified and risen Son who has all authority in heaven and on earth, and waken in us the strongest faith in the supremacy of Christ, and the deepest comforts in suffering, and the sweetest fellowship with Jesus that we have ever known." John Piper, from his website. Post about Hurriciane Katrina.
~*~*~ I have recieved the undeserved most- greatest (Please excuse the grammar!) comforting, and the sweetest fellowship that could ever be; now Lord please awake the strongest faith in Christ's supremacy within me.~*~*~
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