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Sunday, December 28, 2008

Living Water You are so Refreshing!


When you go to the ocean or a waterfall do you feel the cleaning sensation of forgiveness or the feeling of new beginnings? I do, I think that's why I enjoy my feet running through the surf. Yet, I find total contentment while I enjoy simple meditation gazing into a waterfall. Both places leave me with an indescribable peace with and in God, because they remind me how refreshing His forgiveness and love really are.

God accepts us as we are, cleans the filth and fulfills our mind with His presence. How many true friends do you have that can honestly accept all your flaws, yet they say in spite of your flaws I really do love you. Let's just move on.

Those are the people you need to hang on to. That's the kind of person I want to be, one who accepts and loves in spite of any flaw. Love and forgiveness build others up faster than any words spoken in anger could possibly correct.

Only God can restore all the broken pieces; but He does it better than anyone can. Only God can wash our souls whiter than snow. There are 2 different passages of scripture I'd really encourage you to look at when you can. First slowly read, Deuteronomy chapter 30. There's a lot of wisdom for a long life there. Second check out, Ephesians Chapter 4:30-5:17 because we've been adopted into Christ's family through His blood let us follow His example in love and friendship.

Saturday, December 27, 2008

The Ultimate Gift!

Due to very limited funds our family enjoyed a wonderful Christmas centered around Christ instead of presents. We were able to enjoy the true gift of Christ's love and his gift of salvation without giving each other gifts.
Ironically, it actually was a blessing! I think a lot of other families experienced the same "lack of funds," this year. I hope and pray other families enjoyed each others company and celebrated the eternal gift of salvation as we did this year. Next year, I would really like to focus on giving to the "real needs" of others if God blesses us with any extra that we can give.
Let's all focus on the real meaning of Christmas, instead of getting lost in the bussel. God provided salvation through His only Son to a desperately needy world. That gift was purchased with an outrageous price of His blood. Salvation really is the most awesome gift you will ever accept. It has life changing power that transforms your final destination to a heavenly address. Have you accepted His gift?

"And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness." Romans 8:10 (New American Standard Bible)

We are created in God's image made up of a physical body, a spirit and a mind. Who we really are never dies if we accept Christ's ultimate gift. The body you are living in is only a temporary dwelling. Death separates the body and spirit. Where you take up an everlasting residence depends or your acceptance or rejection of salvation through Christ Jesus, the only way, truth and light to heaven. Is Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life?

Friday, December 12, 2008

Wake Up America

I can't help but wonder how and why our country has changed so quickly. How did tax payers end up with a huge tax bill that we'll probably never be able to repay? The government never asked any of us if we were willing to repay that huge amount,it was just thrown on our tax bill. Now they refuse to disclose where the "money" went.

Amazingly, the stock market goes up almost every Monday, and then falls again the rest of the week. Is that money being "dumped" into Wall street to create a false sense of security? Where is the money going?

Did you ever imagine government would have the power to tell privately owned companies you must appoint a "czar" to lord over your business? Are we a democratic society? The very term "czar" means tyrant or emperor. Do we really want the government to control any company or its wages?

Wake up America, we are quickly becoming anything, but a democratic society! Before things get any worse please wake yourself and everyone around you up! We must honor and obey God so He will bless us!

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance." Psalm 33:12 NASB

Friday, December 5, 2008

Only for for a Moment...

Isn't it amazing how fast life flys by? My husband and I were at the University of GA. yestrday for a brief visit. As we walked down the halls, my mind was flashing back to the few days I spent at Grand Rapids Baptist College "such a long,long time ago now."
My mind was flooded with fun happy memorires and wonderful people. I can't imagine how I we've went from 19 to 47 so quickly. There are so many happy memories and awesome family and friends in between all those years. This has been a wondeful journey. I'm so glad I was able to come.

"As for man,his days are like grass: As a flower of the field, so he flourishes, When the wind has passed over it; it is no more;And its place acknowledges no longer. But the loving kindness of the Lord is everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him. And His righteousness to children's children, To those who keep His covenant, And who remember His precepts to do them. Psalm 103:15-18 NASB

I encourage you to live your life to the fullest every day you take a breath. Give God the glory for your blessings and trials; they are the substance that make you who you are. Seek the Lord while He maybe found. When you find Him you'll discover the key to happiness.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Laugh and Love Often

My husband and I opened a new kind of shampoo last night in the shower. He reluctantly turned to me and said, "I'm not sure if I want to use this or not. It smells like a Granny Smith Apple."
"Yeah, so..."
"I might wake up in the middle of the night to find you chewing on my head."
After a long giggle I said, "Don't worry about it, unless of course you wake up to me smearing Carmel all over you."
It's so nice to have someone to laugh and love with. Don't be afraid to play and smile with those you live and love with!

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Peace and Love come only with Understanding

Albert Einstein said,"Peace can not be obtained by force; it can only be gained by understanding." Two family members were trying to enforce family peace by bulling. The comment was made, "All I really want in my family is peace!" Yet there was no love or understanding, as she talked about the way another family member had reacted after a stressful situation.
Shouldn't we all have patience and kindness when another is under pressure and stress? I'm so glad Jesus understands us, even when family fails. God understands we will fall short and sin. When Jesus was asked, "Him how much do you love them?" He stretched out His arms and said, "This much," and took our place in eternal death, so we could have eternal life. As they hung Him on the cross He never complained. Instead He became the sinless sacrifice to purchase our sinful souls. That's Real Love.
If we have Christ in our life, I hope we will reflect His love, care and kindness when others fail to meet our standards. Compassion and kindness will go miles beyond force.
"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

Monday, November 24, 2008

What is real wealth?

"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,for they shall be satisfied."
"Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy."
"Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." Matthew 5:6-8 NASB

These 3 qualities are what God searches for in our heart. Isn't it funny that whatever is in our heart, will ultimately come out in our actions? Wealth isn't necessarily what a man owns, but how he conducts his life from the depth of his heart. ;)

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Good Sunday Morning

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad! The sun is shinning and it's a brisk Sunday morning. Let's go to church and sing and worship like He's asked us to do. You'll feel better after you do!

"I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go down to the house of the Lord."
Psalm 122:1 NASB
"For the sake of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good."
Psalm 122:9 NASB

Saturday, November 22, 2008

What a friend we have in time!

Have you ever thought about all the wonderful people God has put in your life? So many souls we merely brush against for a brief moment, some for a season, others for a lifetime. But all of them have a reason; however long their season!

There have been so many people I'll be eternally grateful that God has put into my life. So many of those dear souls have changed the path of my life. Those are the people I carry around in my heart.

What a friend we have in time. They give us laughter and share our time. Friends I will remember you, I think of you, and I pray for you.

Though were apart you're always in my heart!


"Greater love has no one than this, that he would lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 NASB


"But now abide faith,hope,love these three:but the greatest of these is love." ICorinthians 13:13 NASB ;)


God bless you and have a good day!

Friday, November 21, 2008

In every circumstance of life, God gives you the choice to bring honor and Glory to Him through each event, or to let satan have the victory through sin. Free will gives us the power to decide.
Ironically, those choices affect those around us as well. Be careful little mind what you think, be careful little feet where you go, for the Father up above is looking down in Love...so be careful little heart what you do. Besides God, who else is watching what you do? Do any of us really know how many eyes are upon us?
"Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flows the springs of life." Proverbs 4:23 NASB (If you'll read on through verse 27 it speaks of watching your mouth, eyes and feet. It also reminds us to keep our "eyes directly ahead"-Are your eyes on the prize? :)

God uses our Journey to bring us closer to Him.