Jan 16, 2012 - God stuff    No Comments

A testimony like that…

I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers, hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

- Philemon v. 4-7

Wow, what a testimony of God’s unfailing love for us and others. So many times we start looking at our walk with God, and we begin to focus solely on God and us. We get tunnel vision. We forget that along the way there are other people out there. Whether they are hurting, angry, lonely, or just need a word of encouragement, they all need to know God’s love.

We need to acknowledge what God has done in our lives, but we also need to tell what He is doing. What has God done in your life lately? Has He sent someone with a kind word? Someone to help you with a problem? Someone to simply be there for you during a difficult time? No matter what it may be God is there.

As we live out our lives we get busy with things, some important, some not so important. It is easy to fall into the trap of busyness and get beat down and worn out. We need the light of Jesus in our lives. We need it in the lives of others. Today I want you to look at your life right now, not the problems and troubles you are facing. Instead I want you to look at the encouraging things, the blessings you have received and those you have given. Acknowledge every good thing that is in you in Christ Jesus.

God is faithful in all things. He is good in all things, even the painful ones. If we remember that and hold it close to our hearts we will see the great joy and consolation in our love, because the hearts of  the saints will have been refreshed by you, brother.

Then Philemon v. 4-7 can be our testimony as well.

Jan 11, 2012 - God stuff    No Comments

A prayer…

“Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”-Acts 26:28

Lord, help me to follow You completely. I don’t want to be someone who almost does what You want. Give me strength to make the choices which will bring me closer to You. Carry me when I am weak, so I may carry others. Open my ears to hear your voice whenever You speak. Open my heart to receive all You have to give me that I may share it with others. Help me remember I am Your vessel to be used, not an object to be put on a shelf. I pray I would get out of the way, so you can do in me what You want. I don’t want to be an almost Christian. I want to be Yours through the good and the bad. Help me Lord to be your servant in all things.

In Jesus’ name I pray.

Amen

When there are no words…

This year is not starting off well. I’ve been told someone I know doesn’t have long to live, and my cousin’s dad died suddenly. I was hoping things would get better this year. Instead it is already beginning with tears. Seeing so many people in such pain is just gut wrenching. I feel so helpless. Thankfully, God is in control. He knows why these things happened, and He will be there for them in ways no one else can.

I’m praying He will pour his love, compassion, and strength on them in the coming days, weeks, months, and years to come.

I wish I had words. I wish I knew what to do. I am so thankful that at times like this the Holy Spirit will intercede for me and them. When there are no words, and there isn’t anything else I know to do He is there, just like always. He hasn’t moved. I’ve just moved a little closer to Him.

Jan 1, 2012 - Life in general    No Comments

Goodbye 2011

As I was talking with my husband this morning, we were naturally reflecting on the past year. Looking back over this year we’ve experienced some really good times and really bad times. We’ve been heartbroken and we’ve rejoiced. Every step of the way God has shown us something, whether positive or negative, and we have learned a lot.

Some of the Lows:

  • dealing with some issues in school
  • entering teenage angst with two teenage boys
  • finding out our furnace needs to be replaced
  • but perhaps the toughest times were losing 2 friends within 6 weeks of each other

Some of the Highs:

  • Family Movie nights
  • Finishing the upstairs bedroom. (It has carpet now!)
  • Watching the kids grow up
  • Going to Disney World

There are many more little things but those are some of the things that stick out to me right now.  As Charles Dickens famously wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.”  I have a feeling as we turn the page to 2012 there will be more of the same: new experiences, new lessons, new hurts, new joys. Through it all I pray we will walk closer with God and at the end of the year say we are closer to Him than ever before. :)

Dec 30, 2011 - Home Life    No Comments

Getting back to the basics again…

I am so happy right now. Right before Christmas we began to realize we desperately needed to get back on a budget, and really watch how we were spending our money. So the payday before Christmas we made ourselves start. It was a tight stretch especially with having last minute gifts to buy. Admittedly we did use our credit card for the first time in a while. However, we tried to be very careful with it, and not put too much on it. So the week of Christmas we started paying back on our credit card and really sucking it up when it came to spending money.

This morning I worked on the budget for this pay period, and then made a list of needs and bills. I was so happy. I budgeted enough for groceries I thought, pulled out some of my coupons and off we went. I did my best to stick to my list, and only added things for meals. I ended up with enough food for five definite meals, and then enough food to play around with the menu a couple of days. The big bonus was I came in under budget, and now I still have some money left over to splurge on some other things I may need later in the week.

I have been dreading starting this budget process again, but now I am so glad we did! It is easier this time. I just need to discipline myself a little and I think things will be improving very soon! :)

Dec 20, 2011 - God stuff, Life in general    No Comments

My desires or His?

As I’ve been reading, Acts 20:18-24 has stuck with me. In this passage Paul is telling others what lies ahead for him. The Holy Spirit is showing him the trials and tribulations he is going to face. Paul knows what is ahead, yet he still says he wants to finish his race with joy. It seems he is saying, “I know I am going to my death and it is okay. I still have joy. No regrets.” I don’t think I could do that.

In chapter 21:4, he stops in Tyre and the people tell him “through the Holy Spirit” not to go to Jerusalem. I have to wonder. Since the Holy Spirit doesn’t contradict himself, was it the Holy Spirit telling the people Paul should avoid Jerusalem? Or had the people become so attached to Paul they were putting their own emotions and desires above God’s plan?

I would like to say I am more like Paul than the people of Tyre. Unfortunately if I am honest, God’s will comes in second more than my own desires a good part of the time. It goes back to a conversation I seem to be having a lot lately with my teenage son. He has plans everyday for what he wants to do, and he is continually becoming frustrated because my plans are not the same as his.

Maybe I should take my own advice…

Maybe I should simply talk to my Father and listen to what He is saying. Then I need to make sure I get His plans finished first. There will be time for what I want later. If I stay close to Him, and truly develop a relationship with Him where I am listening and doing as much as I am talking then I may yet find what Paul found.  Then it won’t matter that I may be headed toward my own “Jerusalem”. I will have Him, and He will be enough.

Dec 8, 2011 - Life in general    No Comments

How I want to handle the “War on Christmas”

In this time of year when there is so much said about the “War on Christmas”, I thought this was very appropriate. I found this on a friend’s facebook status. It was too good not to share.

Dear children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are
taking My name out of the season. Maybe you’ve forgotten that I wasn’t
actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of you’re
predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a
time of Pagan festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily
understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your
own. I don’t care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My
birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me
go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn’t allow a scene
depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen
and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My
followers did that there wouldn’t be any need for such a scene on the town
square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday
tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can &
may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you
wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in
relation to you & what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that
one, look up John 15: 1 – 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my
wish list. Choose something from it.

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My
birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers
away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of
year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don’t have to know them
personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing Obama complaining about the wording on the
cards his staff sent out this year, why don’t you write and tell him that
you’ll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up.
It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can’t afford and
they don’t need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth,
and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms
and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or
her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their
own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you
don’t know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm
smile it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting
the local Hot-Line: they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the
holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile
and a kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish you a “Merry
Christmas” that doesn’t keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping
there on Sunday. If the store didn’t make so much money on that
day they’d close and let their employees spend the day at home with their
families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary,
especially one who takes My love & Good News to those who have never heard
My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here’s a good one. There are individuals & whole families in
your town who not only will have no “Christmas” tree, but neither will
they have any presents to give or receive. If you don’t know
them (and I suspect you don’t) buy some food & a few gifts & give them to
the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity that
believes in Me & they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if You want to make a statement about your belief
in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don’t do things in
secret that you wouldn’t do in My presence. Let people know by your
actions that you are one of mine.

P.S. Don’t forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me
& do what I have told you to do. I’ll take care of all the rest. Check out
the list above & get to work; time is short. I’ll help you, but
the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with
all those whom you love and remember, I LOVE YOU

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