Let's celebrate Jesus! Reading of the activities in a not too far away town made me so thankful for what God has done for me. He saved me when I was 15 by the blood of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of sins. He blessed be with my husband of 44 years. When the celebrations elsewhere were of lifestyles God does not approve, I celebrate Jesus. It made me want to shout the song:
Let's celebrate Jesus!
The King of Kings is He!
The Lord of Lords Supreme
Through all eternity.
Jesus is worthy!
So lift our hearts and sing.
Let's celebrate Jesus.
For he is Lord.
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
Scripture Passages of Prayers of Intercession
Studying this morning on my Sunday School lesson on the rare time I get to be home from work because of an ice storm. The class has been using "When God's People Pray" by Jim Cymbala.
I received such a blessing in looking up some suggested passages. And as usual, I read the verses before and after to fill in more of the lesson I'm learning. The scriptures were so encouraging and challenging.
1. Acts:14-15 the prayers were for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Ghost. In this same chapter is the lesson on Simon the magician who believed as a result of the preaching and was baptized. But later when he saw that the apostles were praying for people and he saw the results of the power of God working, Simon wanted to pay the apostles for the ability to have the same power. You see before Simon was a believer, he was reverenced and had much influence among his followers. He was admonished by the apostles of his error and that the power of God could not be bought.
This is a reminder to me that just because someone makes that first step of becoming a believer in Jesus, we can't let up praying for them. They're still like an unsteady babe or young child. They need our encouragement and help to grow in the Lord.
2. Ephesians 1:17:19 Paul prayed for believers to have the spirit of wisdom and revealed knowledge and the greatness of God's power. We never stop growing and we should never stop seeking growth.
3. Romans 15:31 Paul requested prayer for deliverance from those that don't believe and that his service would be accepted by believers.
4. Ephesians 3:16:19 Prayed to be strengthened by might of His Spirit. Rooted and grounded, to know the depth, width and length
5. Ephesians 6:19-20 To open mouth boldly as you ought to speak. Thought of our new pastor coming, Shawn Thomas.
6. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 That our communications of faith would be effective.
7. Philemon 6 Pray that sharing of your faith will help people recognize and appreciate and understand what we have in Christ Jesus
I received such a blessing in looking up some suggested passages. And as usual, I read the verses before and after to fill in more of the lesson I'm learning. The scriptures were so encouraging and challenging.
1. Acts:14-15 the prayers were for the Samaritans to receive the Holy Ghost. In this same chapter is the lesson on Simon the magician who believed as a result of the preaching and was baptized. But later when he saw that the apostles were praying for people and he saw the results of the power of God working, Simon wanted to pay the apostles for the ability to have the same power. You see before Simon was a believer, he was reverenced and had much influence among his followers. He was admonished by the apostles of his error and that the power of God could not be bought.
This is a reminder to me that just because someone makes that first step of becoming a believer in Jesus, we can't let up praying for them. They're still like an unsteady babe or young child. They need our encouragement and help to grow in the Lord.
2. Ephesians 1:17:19 Paul prayed for believers to have the spirit of wisdom and revealed knowledge and the greatness of God's power. We never stop growing and we should never stop seeking growth.
3. Romans 15:31 Paul requested prayer for deliverance from those that don't believe and that his service would be accepted by believers.
4. Ephesians 3:16:19 Prayed to be strengthened by might of His Spirit. Rooted and grounded, to know the depth, width and length
5. Ephesians 6:19-20 To open mouth boldly as you ought to speak. Thought of our new pastor coming, Shawn Thomas.
6. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 That our communications of faith would be effective.
7. Philemon 6 Pray that sharing of your faith will help people recognize and appreciate and understand what we have in Christ Jesus
Cookie Baking and Tea Time with the Master
I recently was looking for some culinary lavender to use in a cookie recipe. I couldn't find any locally so opted for looking for a lavender tea and found one at our Ingles grocery store that I have fell for. The aroma is wonderful. It is Traditional Medicinals organic Chamomile with Lavender.
In my Lavender Shortbread Cookie recipe that I got off the net, it called for 2 tablespoons of the lavender. I opened up enough dry teabags to get what I needed for my first batch. Since that time I ordered some lavender for cooking/baking and hope it gets here soon. I think it will have more of the color I want to show through on the finished cookies.
I'm practicing some cookie baking for our ladies tea that the ladies in our Sunday School are preparing for in March. I'm excited and looking forward to time spent drinking tea, enjoying Christian fellowship, reaching out and inviting others and being encouraged by the speaker that has been chosen. We're labeling our gathering "Tea Time with the Master" Anyone interested in coming may contact me.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
It was so good to talk with a friend at church to night and learn of an answered prayer request. Thank you Lord!
Came home and decided to look at my blog. It has been several months since I have posted and some of my links needed updating. But I need to get to bed if I'm to get up for work in the morning. Today was a stressful one. Dear Lord, please help me to get done tomorrow what I need to.
Came home and decided to look at my blog. It has been several months since I have posted and some of my links needed updating. But I need to get to bed if I'm to get up for work in the morning. Today was a stressful one. Dear Lord, please help me to get done tomorrow what I need to.
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Tell Me the Story of Jesus and Him Only
Today's sermon was a reminder of "Do Not Be Ashamed" of Jesus. I certainly needed the reminder and encouragement. One thought was that we can be saying Amen and excited in church but how about when we go out the church door? Are excited and assertive in our every day life? The video clip of a "famous" tv show person pointing out that it is impossible for there to be only 1 way stamped the message even further in my mind. Many people swallow that person hook, line and sinker. The key word here...sinker. If we don't read the Bible and instead choose to follow wrong thinking by a wrong role model, sinking is exactly where we end up.
Romans 1:18-25 is a great start to understand what is right. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wrong doing of men, who by their wrong doing suppress and hide the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did no honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up to the lust of their own hearts and because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator."
We ended by singing "Tell Me the Story of Jesus, write on my heart every word." Rick and I were discussing on the way home something he recently heard. When you're down to nothing, no friends, no finances, no health what do you have. If you believe in Jesus and have Him in your heart, He is there no matter what. And we said, yep, we've been there through those times, no friends, no finances, no health, but Jesus was still overwhelmingly there!
Romans 1:18-25 is a great start to understand what is right. "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wrong doing of men, who by their wrong doing suppress and hide the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did no honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up to the lust of their own hearts and because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator."
We ended by singing "Tell Me the Story of Jesus, write on my heart every word." Rick and I were discussing on the way home something he recently heard. When you're down to nothing, no friends, no finances, no health what do you have. If you believe in Jesus and have Him in your heart, He is there no matter what. And we said, yep, we've been there through those times, no friends, no finances, no health, but Jesus was still overwhelmingly there!
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Walk Close, Be Fervent and Hope in Renewal
I am reading a Beth Moore book "Paul: 90 Days on His Journey of Faith". The section I read this morning from Acts actually talks about Peter and got caught up in verses Acts 9:36-42. God raised Tabitha from death after Peter arrived, privately prayed and spoke "Tabitha, get up." Now my thinking went to Peter's closeness to God and as he prayed getting instructions from God on what His will was for Tabitha and the community. Peter didn't just get all spiritual on the spot but had been close with God before his prayer that day.
1. From God: "That's where you need to be Jane, close every day." And my thoughts went to the story of the dry bones and can I and even America get away from a dry spiritual condition. So as I began searching for that scripture about bones I found II Kings 13:14-21.
This tells about Elisha being sick before he died. King of Israel Joash came to Elisha weeping and they had a special time together with both their hands on a bow and arrow. Elisha prophesied that Joash would overcome the Syrians consuming them. As Elisha instructed Joash to smite the ground with the arrows, Joash struck the ground only 3 times. Elisha followed with anger that Joash was not more fervent striking 5 or 6 times and so he would only be able to overcome the Syrians 3 times.
I know this passage has nothing to do with the dry bones or Peter but I guess God is taking me a path through the Bible to bring some instructions home to me.
2. From God: Be fervent in what you're doing for God. Don't stop at only a 3 time effort but go on to 5 or 6 like you really want to accomplish what I want you to.
Now I look for the dry bones passage again. Vision of the valley of dry bones Ezekial 37:1-14 Read it. "Shall these dry bones live?" "And ye shall live ; and ye shall know that I am the Lord."
3. From God: Israel's hope was lost, their spiritual bones were dry. But God has abundant life and hope for dry bones, then and now.
Summary: Walk close, be fervent, and hope for God brings renewed life.
1. From God: "That's where you need to be Jane, close every day." And my thoughts went to the story of the dry bones and can I and even America get away from a dry spiritual condition. So as I began searching for that scripture about bones I found II Kings 13:14-21.
This tells about Elisha being sick before he died. King of Israel Joash came to Elisha weeping and they had a special time together with both their hands on a bow and arrow. Elisha prophesied that Joash would overcome the Syrians consuming them. As Elisha instructed Joash to smite the ground with the arrows, Joash struck the ground only 3 times. Elisha followed with anger that Joash was not more fervent striking 5 or 6 times and so he would only be able to overcome the Syrians 3 times.
I know this passage has nothing to do with the dry bones or Peter but I guess God is taking me a path through the Bible to bring some instructions home to me.
2. From God: Be fervent in what you're doing for God. Don't stop at only a 3 time effort but go on to 5 or 6 like you really want to accomplish what I want you to.
Now I look for the dry bones passage again. Vision of the valley of dry bones Ezekial 37:1-14 Read it. "Shall these dry bones live?" "And ye shall live ; and ye shall know that I am the Lord."
3. From God: Israel's hope was lost, their spiritual bones were dry. But God has abundant life and hope for dry bones, then and now.
Summary: Walk close, be fervent, and hope for God brings renewed life.
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Prayers That Need Resurrection Morning Answers
I have several prayer burdens for specific individuals that have been weighing on me in prayer for a long time. Several of them have bad health and are up in years. Some of them are long standing relationship needs. Oh God may I see some Resurrection morning answers. This morning they are magnified as my main prayer requests as I woke up at 4 am. I am longing to see some bursting forth of answers like when Jesus rose from the tomb. As buds come forth in the spring after seemingly being dead all winter.
I have been reading about Stephen in the book of Acts and the effect it had on Paul. The seeds that became planted in Paul's mind later produced fruit in his life to turn him around 180 degrees. That is what I long to see and hear of. That is what I long to have my faith believe for. May my faith burst forth also as the spring.
I have been reading about Stephen in the book of Acts and the effect it had on Paul. The seeds that became planted in Paul's mind later produced fruit in his life to turn him around 180 degrees. That is what I long to see and hear of. That is what I long to have my faith believe for. May my faith burst forth also as the spring.
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Milestones: God's Been Good
Reviewing a few things in my mind this morning:
1. I turn 60 this year! Wow! I think that number sounds so young this year :)
2. Rick and I will be married 40 years on August 17! Wow! We had a Christmas picture where we had a chalkboard that said something like "It gets better with age."
God has blessed us so much to have each other.
3. It dawned on me that I need to remember my spiritual birthday! 45 years old this year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Thank you to the Peters who spent time with me to show me the way to God. Boy, God has had a lot of patience and teaching to do in these years. As I said recently, I can't believe how many times He has had to adjust my GPS when I got off track. But I love Him so and wouldn't want my life without Him.
My thoughts this morning turned to the importance of not the number of 45 years in my spiritual life but what have I accomplished in those years. Not as much as I would like. I have always considered myself to have the "gift of helps" as stated in I Cor 12:28.
Paul said in I Cor 3 that some plant, some water, some sow, but God gives the increase. I am not pushy with the gospel. I know what it has done for me and rejoice in how real God is to me every day. I hope others will want that same relationship that God so willingly offers: to wipe out our past when we ask forgiveness, every day to have Him as our leader and guide and a glorious home in heaven. Hallelujah!
1. I turn 60 this year! Wow! I think that number sounds so young this year :)
2. Rick and I will be married 40 years on August 17! Wow! We had a Christmas picture where we had a chalkboard that said something like "It gets better with age."
God has blessed us so much to have each other.
3. It dawned on me that I need to remember my spiritual birthday! 45 years old this year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Thank you to the Peters who spent time with me to show me the way to God. Boy, God has had a lot of patience and teaching to do in these years. As I said recently, I can't believe how many times He has had to adjust my GPS when I got off track. But I love Him so and wouldn't want my life without Him.
My thoughts this morning turned to the importance of not the number of 45 years in my spiritual life but what have I accomplished in those years. Not as much as I would like. I have always considered myself to have the "gift of helps" as stated in I Cor 12:28.
Paul said in I Cor 3 that some plant, some water, some sow, but God gives the increase. I am not pushy with the gospel. I know what it has done for me and rejoice in how real God is to me every day. I hope others will want that same relationship that God so willingly offers: to wipe out our past when we ask forgiveness, every day to have Him as our leader and guide and a glorious home in heaven. Hallelujah!
Sunday, March 10, 2013
Wonderstruck again!
It has been such an awwwwesommme day of worship and prayer and.........whohoo!
Started yesterday and here is a quick timeline:
God inspired "prayer box" like a recipe box for my prayer burdens. First time I used it yesterday morning and a God inspired prayer enveloped me and He blessed me all day.
Wonderstruck Sunday School lesson today on being wonderstruck by prayer. Try praying in brief 3 or 4 word phrases concentrating on your request without a bunch of "filler words". You don't have to pray like this all the time but boy does it help you to focus and not have mindless prayers. Praying for a couple in our class who are certain God is going to answer prayer about the husband's recently diagnosed cancer in his neck.
Wonderful worship service with lots of praise, inspiring message, prayer at the alter and rejoicing closing song. I received more than I prayed for yesterday. :)
Started instrumental worship practise playing my flute with a group. Always wanted to learn real worship instrumental music.
Wonderful time at evening Bible study on prayer. God gave the 2nd confirmation on a prayer request that we have had for years. Men and women were teary eyed as we learned and relearned how important prayer is over top of everything else we do for God. Closed with great heartfelt prayer for each others soul burdens.
I tried to go to bed on time so I can get up early to go to gym before work. But I'm just bubbling over...it's bubbling...it's bubbling...it's bubbling in my soul. So here I am up again.
Ok...I'm starting to feel sleepy......
Started yesterday and here is a quick timeline:
God inspired "prayer box" like a recipe box for my prayer burdens. First time I used it yesterday morning and a God inspired prayer enveloped me and He blessed me all day.
Wonderstruck Sunday School lesson today on being wonderstruck by prayer. Try praying in brief 3 or 4 word phrases concentrating on your request without a bunch of "filler words". You don't have to pray like this all the time but boy does it help you to focus and not have mindless prayers. Praying for a couple in our class who are certain God is going to answer prayer about the husband's recently diagnosed cancer in his neck.
Wonderful worship service with lots of praise, inspiring message, prayer at the alter and rejoicing closing song. I received more than I prayed for yesterday. :)
Started instrumental worship practise playing my flute with a group. Always wanted to learn real worship instrumental music.
Wonderful time at evening Bible study on prayer. God gave the 2nd confirmation on a prayer request that we have had for years. Men and women were teary eyed as we learned and relearned how important prayer is over top of everything else we do for God. Closed with great heartfelt prayer for each others soul burdens.
I tried to go to bed on time so I can get up early to go to gym before work. But I'm just bubbling over...it's bubbling...it's bubbling...it's bubbling in my soul. So here I am up again.
Ok...I'm starting to feel sleepy......
Thursday, February 14, 2013
God Wonders
Involved in Sunday School class Bible study on God Wonders. Looking for wonders of every day to be thankful for.
3 for today:
Good evening with my husband and I together.
Making progress on year end accounting at work.
Able to have Bible study at the gym this morning
Another day:
Beautiful sky in the morning
Someone at the gym asking me what I was reading in the Bible
Encouraging service at church
Also, there is a group I found on facebook that is eliminating negativity for Lent and replacing it with positive God thoughts.
3 for today:
Good evening with my husband and I together.
Making progress on year end accounting at work.
Able to have Bible study at the gym this morning
Another day:
Beautiful sky in the morning
Someone at the gym asking me what I was reading in the Bible
Encouraging service at church
Also, there is a group I found on facebook that is eliminating negativity for Lent and replacing it with positive God thoughts.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Half Empty or Half Full?
Most of the time when we hear the phrase half empty or half full, it is in regards to how we are to look at life in a positive manner. It goes right along with being thankful to God for what we have and being content.
The other day it came to me in a new way. For a long time I was taught to look at other Christians as half empty and unexceptable to God. God has, is and will be, teaching me to look at other Christians as half full. If I am to see my own life that way, shouldn't I look at others that way?
No, I don't believe in people or myself claiming religion or belief in God yet living a life without any "fruit" or choosing to live any sloppy way we want and expecting God to just forgive our lousy choices.
Yet for too long I didn't try people's spirits as the Bible tells us to, I just looked at outward appearance and where they went to church and judged them guilty. Thankfully, I haven't been too old for God to teach an old dog new tricks :)
And I have realized that some people are really strong in areas I'm weak. Each one of us has things we've conquered and things we are still working on and things we haven't even started on yet. And we're all working on our individual weak areas and hopefully admiring others strong areas and getting tips from their life on how we can do better.
I love God and the good things He is doing in my life and have faith in Him working behind the scenes on what I'm praying for.
The other day it came to me in a new way. For a long time I was taught to look at other Christians as half empty and unexceptable to God. God has, is and will be, teaching me to look at other Christians as half full. If I am to see my own life that way, shouldn't I look at others that way?
No, I don't believe in people or myself claiming religion or belief in God yet living a life without any "fruit" or choosing to live any sloppy way we want and expecting God to just forgive our lousy choices.
Yet for too long I didn't try people's spirits as the Bible tells us to, I just looked at outward appearance and where they went to church and judged them guilty. Thankfully, I haven't been too old for God to teach an old dog new tricks :)
And I have realized that some people are really strong in areas I'm weak. Each one of us has things we've conquered and things we are still working on and things we haven't even started on yet. And we're all working on our individual weak areas and hopefully admiring others strong areas and getting tips from their life on how we can do better.
I love God and the good things He is doing in my life and have faith in Him working behind the scenes on what I'm praying for.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Who Receives God's Message?
Still reading in Luke. This morning beginning of chapter 3.
Luke lists who is ruling in Rome at this time, Caesar....Pilot was the governor...Herod and his brother Philip were tetrarchs (rulers of a portion of the country). This was the government officials.
In the religious realm....high priests were Annas and Caiaphas
Luke didn't say anything about God speaking to any of these government or religious rulers.
The fact is we have to "Know God" and be in touch with Him and listening to Him before He is going to make an effort to talk to us. But I'm getting ahead of myself or ahead of the scripture. :)
Luke then says, after listing the government and religious rulers,........"the word of God came unto John in the wilderness."
Are you or I in a wilderness time of our life? God speaks to us there. Praise God!
Luke lists who is ruling in Rome at this time, Caesar....Pilot was the governor...Herod and his brother Philip were tetrarchs (rulers of a portion of the country). This was the government officials.
In the religious realm....high priests were Annas and Caiaphas
Luke didn't say anything about God speaking to any of these government or religious rulers.
The fact is we have to "Know God" and be in touch with Him and listening to Him before He is going to make an effort to talk to us. But I'm getting ahead of myself or ahead of the scripture. :)
Luke then says, after listing the government and religious rulers,........"the word of God came unto John in the wilderness."
Are you or I in a wilderness time of our life? God speaks to us there. Praise God!
Friday, January 25, 2013
How Would Someone Go About Looking For Me or You?
Reading Luke 2 this morning. Pondering some of the scriptures anew instead of just reading through quickly. Jesus was 12 and went to Jerusalem with Mary and Joseph. On the way back they discovered Jesus was not with the crowd. They went back looking for him. When they found Him, Mary said "You worried us. We've been looking for you." He said "How did you go about looking for me. Didn't you know I would be about my Father's business?"
That made me start thinking. If someone were looking for me or you, where would they think to look? Where are we most likely to be found? What are we most likely to be doing?
That made me start thinking. If someone were looking for me or you, where would they think to look? Where are we most likely to be found? What are we most likely to be doing?
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Looking at How We Handle Inevitable Conflict
Well, my DH was able to go out some on Sunday and we journeyed to Journey church again. The congregation takes several minutes to worship God in songs and then a second message in the series of My Crazy Family Life.
By the way, I understand this congregation offers smaller group studies through the week. That might be good to have more input from group members that share with one another. I have always enjoyed Sunday School classes that were full of participation.
But back to the notes from Sunday: "Conflict is inevitable but combat is optional." If someone says they have a relationship without conflict they're not being honest. DH and I have been married for almost 40 years, love each other, but are not always in agreement, not always happy. But we talk and pray, forgive and cherish the positive.
A lot of scripture was shared from Proverbs because it gives a lot of advice and wisdom....
Pro 11:29 "He that troubles his house shall inherit the wind....
Pro 13:3 "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life but he that opens wide his lips shall have destruction"
Pro 15:1 "A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger"
Many times its not what we say but HOW we say it. We've got to stop and think before we speak. I know for me, when I'm real tired or not feeling well, my tone of voice can come out wrong when I don't mean for it to...or sometimes I give in to grouchiness at these times.
Pro 18:19"A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city and their contentions are like the bars of a castle"
Pro 19:11 "The discretion of a man defers his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression."
Overlook minor offences. Sometimes offences are not worth pointing out and getting upset about. We can handle some minor offences and enjoy peace. Everyone, including ourselves, are not always going to have the same opinion. Or we can stop and realize, hey that person is having a bad day and we should lay aside our anger and not make a big deal over a minor offense.
Pro 26:21..."A contentious man kindles strife" Are we one that likes to argue and keep things stirred up all the time?
A couple of funny stories were also shared. 1.The speakers wife was known to talk in her sleep. One night husband woke up to see wife staring at him and then she said to him "You just shut your mouth"....oh my, what a contentious phrase! The next day husband was angry and wife said what's wrong? He said "You ask me what's wrong after what you said?" Wife still clueless.. he tells her she told him to shut his mouth which causes her to laugh...that doesn't make husband feel any better. Then she said she didn't remember that at all...she was talking in her sleep with her eyes wide open. They both had a good laugh! 2. True story speaker heard about revenge: Wife getting ready for an important interview, dressing in her best dress. She asks husband to zip her up, which he does, but he plays with the zipper, up and down, till it accidentally breaks. Wife has to change clothes, is steaming about the broken zipper all day. When she comes home her husband is laying under the car fixing it. For revenge she zips his zipper up and down and then goes in the house. She sees her husband standing in the kitchen. She says "What are you doing in here? You were just out under the car!" No he says, that's our neighbor under there fixing the car. Point is don't try to get revenge, it can get you into all kinds of trouble.
Psalm 32:1 "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."
Summing it up: There is going to be conflict in our life. But how do we handle it? And as we learned last week, every conflict is not going to immediately be gone, but we need to keep trying and hoping and turning it over to God to work where we are unable to.
By the way, I understand this congregation offers smaller group studies through the week. That might be good to have more input from group members that share with one another. I have always enjoyed Sunday School classes that were full of participation.
But back to the notes from Sunday: "Conflict is inevitable but combat is optional." If someone says they have a relationship without conflict they're not being honest. DH and I have been married for almost 40 years, love each other, but are not always in agreement, not always happy. But we talk and pray, forgive and cherish the positive.
A lot of scripture was shared from Proverbs because it gives a lot of advice and wisdom....
Pro 11:29 "He that troubles his house shall inherit the wind....
Pro 13:3 "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life but he that opens wide his lips shall have destruction"
Pro 15:1 "A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger"
Many times its not what we say but HOW we say it. We've got to stop and think before we speak. I know for me, when I'm real tired or not feeling well, my tone of voice can come out wrong when I don't mean for it to...or sometimes I give in to grouchiness at these times.
Pro 18:19"A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city and their contentions are like the bars of a castle"
Pro 19:11 "The discretion of a man defers his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression."
Overlook minor offences. Sometimes offences are not worth pointing out and getting upset about. We can handle some minor offences and enjoy peace. Everyone, including ourselves, are not always going to have the same opinion. Or we can stop and realize, hey that person is having a bad day and we should lay aside our anger and not make a big deal over a minor offense.
Pro 26:21..."A contentious man kindles strife" Are we one that likes to argue and keep things stirred up all the time?
A couple of funny stories were also shared. 1.The speakers wife was known to talk in her sleep. One night husband woke up to see wife staring at him and then she said to him "You just shut your mouth"....oh my, what a contentious phrase! The next day husband was angry and wife said what's wrong? He said "You ask me what's wrong after what you said?" Wife still clueless.. he tells her she told him to shut his mouth which causes her to laugh...that doesn't make husband feel any better. Then she said she didn't remember that at all...she was talking in her sleep with her eyes wide open. They both had a good laugh! 2. True story speaker heard about revenge: Wife getting ready for an important interview, dressing in her best dress. She asks husband to zip her up, which he does, but he plays with the zipper, up and down, till it accidentally breaks. Wife has to change clothes, is steaming about the broken zipper all day. When she comes home her husband is laying under the car fixing it. For revenge she zips his zipper up and down and then goes in the house. She sees her husband standing in the kitchen. She says "What are you doing in here? You were just out under the car!" No he says, that's our neighbor under there fixing the car. Point is don't try to get revenge, it can get you into all kinds of trouble.
Psalm 32:1 "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."
Summing it up: There is going to be conflict in our life. But how do we handle it? And as we learned last week, every conflict is not going to immediately be gone, but we need to keep trying and hoping and turning it over to God to work where we are unable to.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
"My Crazy Family Life"
Journey is the name of a church in Morganton and I visited there today. I saw that they were starting study series on family relationships. The message was very encouraging: titled "My Crazy Family Life". Several thoughts caught my attention. Scripture was from Jeremiah 29:11 specfically, but generally the whole chapter.
Everyone wants to appear so normal and "fine" as the speaker said. When really, there are hurts and problems going on in life. He said people always answer the question "How are you?" with "I'm fine". He heard that fine means:
F freaked out
I insecure
N neurotic
E emotional
High points of the lesson:
1. There is hope...for each situation...don't give in to statements or thoughts of hopelessness.
2. "For I Know" God knows everything that's going on...He knows
3. He does have plans for us.
4. He wants peace and well being in our lives... not misfortune
5. Go after God for you and your family. Stop acting like everything is ok when you need to seek God with all your heart for your family.
6. When we are seeking God with all our heart He promises that He will respond.
7. Failure is not final.
The Israelites were in exile. No, this lesson does not mean that the family problems will go away next week or next month...it may go on for some time.
I hope to hear the rest of the series. Thankful for a planned series built on helping with specific needs. Thank you Lord for your guidance today.
Everyone wants to appear so normal and "fine" as the speaker said. When really, there are hurts and problems going on in life. He said people always answer the question "How are you?" with "I'm fine". He heard that fine means:
F freaked out
I insecure
N neurotic
E emotional
High points of the lesson:
1. There is hope...for each situation...don't give in to statements or thoughts of hopelessness.
2. "For I Know" God knows everything that's going on...He knows
3. He does have plans for us.
4. He wants peace and well being in our lives... not misfortune
5. Go after God for you and your family. Stop acting like everything is ok when you need to seek God with all your heart for your family.
6. When we are seeking God with all our heart He promises that He will respond.
7. Failure is not final.
The Israelites were in exile. No, this lesson does not mean that the family problems will go away next week or next month...it may go on for some time.
I hope to hear the rest of the series. Thankful for a planned series built on helping with specific needs. Thank you Lord for your guidance today.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Shopping and Supporting Local Businesses
I have begun to really appreciate our local businesses. With the direction our country is taking, we really need to be involved in our nearby communities and families. Glen Alpine has a new business called TEA TREE. It is a small business right on Rt 70. I shopped there the day before Thanksgiving since we got off work early that day. TEA TREE is a beautiful and warm gift shop displaying items made by MOMS to help support their families. It is run by volunteer moms. (It also has many of my favorite items, tea pots and cups and you may enjoy a cup of tea while there.)
Another gift shop in the area is TURKEY TALES. (Turkey tales has long been a byword in the community: street name, local paper, etc.) Although I am not a big spender, I love to go in and look at the great items and talk with the ladies that run it. This store is also on Rt 70 on the corner at the only light in Glen Alpine. In this same building there is THE PERFECT SOLUTION. I have recently stopped there for a haircut and style. Brittany, a young mother, has quickly earned my favoritism.
Not too far away from us is another local business THE BARN. Open only on certain weekends or by appointment, it has gently used, low cost decorative items. It is packed full and laid out beautifully. You would think you were in a famous shop. The owner Ann has become a good friend.
We also have COTTAGE GARDENS for plants, APPLE ANNIE's an antique shop, LAKE JAMES WINERY AND ANTIQUES, EMILY'S which is a thrift shop that supports South Mountain Childrens Home, and not too far away, THE CHRISTMAS SHOP run by J.Iverson Riddle, with beautiful gifts made by handicapped residents.
(And for all your car repairs, NORVILLE SERVICE CENTER. I can't leave them out they have been wonderful to us. They are in Glen Alpine on 70).
Another gift shop in the area is TURKEY TALES. (Turkey tales has long been a byword in the community: street name, local paper, etc.) Although I am not a big spender, I love to go in and look at the great items and talk with the ladies that run it. This store is also on Rt 70 on the corner at the only light in Glen Alpine. In this same building there is THE PERFECT SOLUTION. I have recently stopped there for a haircut and style. Brittany, a young mother, has quickly earned my favoritism.
Not too far away from us is another local business THE BARN. Open only on certain weekends or by appointment, it has gently used, low cost decorative items. It is packed full and laid out beautifully. You would think you were in a famous shop. The owner Ann has become a good friend.
We also have COTTAGE GARDENS for plants, APPLE ANNIE's an antique shop, LAKE JAMES WINERY AND ANTIQUES, EMILY'S which is a thrift shop that supports South Mountain Childrens Home, and not too far away, THE CHRISTMAS SHOP run by J.Iverson Riddle, with beautiful gifts made by handicapped residents.
(And for all your car repairs, NORVILLE SERVICE CENTER. I can't leave them out they have been wonderful to us. They are in Glen Alpine on 70).
Cooking Pans
This set of crockpot/warmers worked great for Thanksgiving. It kept 3 items hot and ready for our plates. Rick bought it for me while he was in Ohio. He said it was an early Christmas present. I have a funny story to share about the pans in my life.
This is my dutch oven full of turkey broth, waiting to cook home made noodles like my Mom used to make for holidays. This pan is part of a set Rick gave me as a wedding present 39 years ago. Yep! Still using them.
The funny part is my gift of pans through the years. We had a family joke going that I usually got a new electric frying pan every year for Christmas because cooking for our family of 6 wore it out in a year's time. I guess the tradition continues this year, I got pans. ; > )
Not an electric skillet because we are now officially empty nesters and no longer have a crowd to feed on a daily basis. Besides the fact that for health reasons we try to stay away from fried foods.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
We Gather Together
Today we sang this old hymn in church. Before I led the song, unknown to me, Rick had looked this song up in the book "Then Sings My Soul" Book 2 by Robert J. Morgan. Rick prefaced our singing with a summary of the story behind the song:
In the 1500's there were those of Belgium that struggled for religious freedom under the rule of Spain. "We Gather Together" was written to celebrate the freedom that was gained when the people were finally free to worship openly together.
"We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing:
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,
Sing praises to His name: He forgets not His own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning:
Thou, Lord wast at our side, all glory be Thine!
We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender wilt be,
Let Thy congregation excape tribulation:
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!"
In the 1500's there were those of Belgium that struggled for religious freedom under the rule of Spain. "We Gather Together" was written to celebrate the freedom that was gained when the people were finally free to worship openly together.
"We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing:
He chastens and hastens His will to make known;
The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing,
Sing praises to His name: He forgets not His own.
Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,
Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;
So from the beginning the fight we were winning:
Thou, Lord wast at our side, all glory be Thine!
We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,
And pray that Thou still our Defender wilt be,
Let Thy congregation excape tribulation:
Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!"
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Book of James Bible Study
I just finished this evening our last ladies class on the Beth Moore Bible study of the book of James.
It has been a great experience, studying James the half brother of Jesus, his background and his writings.
Tonight while ending with the last 2 verses of James 5, it was brought out how James experienced these verses himself. Jesus himself showed himself to James personally after His resurrection.(I Cor 15:7) James not having faith in Jesus' divinity and relationship as God's only begotten Son placed him in the position of needing converted by Jesus and experiencing the victory of having his soul saved from death and having his sin of unbelief forgiven. :)
James 5:19-20 "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him: Let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."
It has been a great experience, studying James the half brother of Jesus, his background and his writings.
Tonight while ending with the last 2 verses of James 5, it was brought out how James experienced these verses himself. Jesus himself showed himself to James personally after His resurrection.(I Cor 15:7) James not having faith in Jesus' divinity and relationship as God's only begotten Son placed him in the position of needing converted by Jesus and experiencing the victory of having his soul saved from death and having his sin of unbelief forgiven. :)
James 5:19-20 "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him: Let him know that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
God's Blessings and Our Duty.
I am so thankful for the leading and peace of God this morning. The last few weeks He and some of you bringing encouragement has reminded me that my anchor in Him does not go away no matter which way the election is decided. And I've always known that but I needed my strength girded up and He knew it and gently began leading my thoughts in that direction.
He blessed me again this morning with wonderful thoughts to share. As I prepared for work I put on one of my favorite CD's by The Booth Brothers. The songs seemed linked bringing me a message of peace, that America under God is the only way we can survive, and that "I've got new shoes now, to walk all over this world, and tell the world that Jesus saves."
Then this final thought: Moses' mother protected him in a basket against being killed by the enemy. When the Egyption princess took him home, Moses' mother was able to be with him since she was picked to be his nurse. My main thought is she no doubt taught him songs of God and scriptures and instructed him at his young age how to discern and stand strong.
That is our duty. Get ourselves rooted deep and raise little Moses's. Take our new shoes and plant them as voices and influences in our community.
Be closely involved with our children in what they learn in school. Read their history books and make sure you teach them to understand how to discern things for themselves and question and take a stand if something is not right. And their spiritual training is not up to a church or a Sunday School. It is up to us. It is wonderful to teach them right from wrong and to be kind, to be good students and be active in sports. But that is not enough. They need so much more.
He blessed me again this morning with wonderful thoughts to share. As I prepared for work I put on one of my favorite CD's by The Booth Brothers. The songs seemed linked bringing me a message of peace, that America under God is the only way we can survive, and that "I've got new shoes now, to walk all over this world, and tell the world that Jesus saves."
Then this final thought: Moses' mother protected him in a basket against being killed by the enemy. When the Egyption princess took him home, Moses' mother was able to be with him since she was picked to be his nurse. My main thought is she no doubt taught him songs of God and scriptures and instructed him at his young age how to discern and stand strong.
That is our duty. Get ourselves rooted deep and raise little Moses's. Take our new shoes and plant them as voices and influences in our community.
Be closely involved with our children in what they learn in school. Read their history books and make sure you teach them to understand how to discern things for themselves and question and take a stand if something is not right. And their spiritual training is not up to a church or a Sunday School. It is up to us. It is wonderful to teach them right from wrong and to be kind, to be good students and be active in sports. But that is not enough. They need so much more.
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