tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71452736522344743492024-03-14T01:02:42.881-05:00Bulletin Board 4 The LordMy place to share how the Lord reveals His fingerprints on our lives. 2008-2015 Go to bb4thelord2.blogspot.com to read The Next Chapter.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.comBlogger270125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-84181897034834037932019-10-27T14:38:00.000-05:002019-10-27T14:38:13.350-05:00The Club<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">The club nobody wants to join: Widowhood</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">It took me a long time to say the word "widow". It was a title thrust upon me when I was 28 yrs. old. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #004000;"><span style="background-color: white;">But I have learned everyone you meet is grieving someone or something.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #004000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #004000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">To my fellow grievers, </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #004000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Breathe!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #004000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Pain and grief sucks the breath right out of us.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #004000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">We also try to control our emotions by not breathing deep. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #004000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">But we need that oxygen. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #004000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">So breathe deep.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #004000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #004000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">And remember though many things demand attention and overwhelm you.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #004000;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">All you got to do is breath.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #b06400;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #b06400;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Please know that that the LORD loves you. You might not feel it. You might feel very alone and forsaken. But know that the LORD is near. He may be silent. But He is near and is very tender towards you during this difficult time of sorrow. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Talk to HIM. Pour out your heart to HIM. He is listening. HE sees. He understands. He cares.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take life just one moment at a time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One prayer at a time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One breath at a time. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be gentle with yourself.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And since you stopped by, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #b06400;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I encourage you to go back to 2008 when I began posting.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
It was just 2 yrs after my husband died. </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">My heart was still raw and healing was slow.</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
I think the boys were 7, 4, and 2!!</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
</span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
It has been quite a journey. Many things besides parenting and grief were blogged. </span><br style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;" /><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 1.4; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
But the overwhelming theme is this:<span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span></span><br />
<strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Christ Jesus is Real.</span></strong><br />
<strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Christ Jesus is very Personal.</span></strong><br />
<strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: #222222; font-family: Arial,Tahoma,Helvetica,FreeSans,sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Christ Jesus is Enough.</span></strong><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-76508532586457650772017-11-27T08:22:00.000-06:002017-11-27T08:22:02.356-06:00Thanksgiving ChairI felt like this post needed to go on this older blog. It brings about our healing full circle. Almost 3 years ago, I verbally thanked the Lord for taking Jim. This Thanksgiving as we spent some time in silent prayer, Lord was working on Snurr's heart in ways I didn't know. We each took time sitting in the Thanksgiving chair. When we were done, Snurr lingered behind.<br />
"Do you know why it took me so long? I thanked God for taking Daddy. It was a hard thing to do."<br />
Oh, the preciousness of those words to me, I can't describe. But I feel lile Snurr just slammed a door in the enemy's face and has opened himself up to the Lord in a way he hadn't before.<br />
<br />
My mind went back to the night that the Lord told me to verbally thank Him outloud. And I realize my obedience was more than just for my healing. I paved the way for my youngest son. He needed to hear me say it as much as I needed to say it. And he followed that example.<br />
<br />
Obey the Lord, even when it is hard. Even when it hurts. You never know whose little eyes are watching or ears are listening. You have no idea how God will use your example in another's life.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-33671916845845048472017-01-02T11:20:00.003-06:002017-01-02T11:20:56.036-06:00Me in a WordThis is the description of me. I am no computer genius and I plan to have a little different description for my new blog bb4thelord2.blogspot.com. So just in case it changes on this blog as well I thought I would post it here:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCExtTBtpvtDRqBBRddqpvCZBzAkMG20QnAs3I56jba4GYRNuRGMj2s5bZw0AxgksjbP0tj0yiUN9QPCoFWvNmSDbjqx8O0y6gKVihOW4FJxMuF-BmmpKGXe1o-hsjMevXmaUGNWRLhWA/s1600/winter-preparedness-for-your-home-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCExtTBtpvtDRqBBRddqpvCZBzAkMG20QnAs3I56jba4GYRNuRGMj2s5bZw0AxgksjbP0tj0yiUN9QPCoFWvNmSDbjqx8O0y6gKVihOW4FJxMuF-BmmpKGXe1o-hsjMevXmaUGNWRLhWA/s320/winter-preparedness-for-your-home-01.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
HOME--this word describes me well. Jim and I were married at home on our front porch. I homebirthed our three precious boys (aka Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr). Homeschooling naturally followed. Home... the word brings thoughts of family, love, comfort, and refuge. My beloved husband was headed home when God called him Home to Heaven in 2006. Home is where he is buried. Welcomed home is how I felt when in 1998 I asked Christ Jesus to be Lord of my life and trusted Him as my Saviour. With hugs of rejoicing, He washed my sins away and I was adopted into His family. Oh, the comfort of being home. And someday, either by trumpet call or when He calls my name, I shall go Home to Heaven. But until then......... With the Lord, I am pressing onward in this journey of single parenting and homeschooling. He ordered this all up for me, and as hard as that is to accept, it is encouraging, because I know I am in the will of God. And that is the safest place to be, no matter what circumstances are around me or emotions are within me. Isaiah 41:13<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-77181905469081038612015-05-12T16:50:00.001-05:002015-05-12T16:50:12.048-05:00God Be With You, till I Post AgainIt will be 10yrs this coming birthday when my LORD spoke to my heart, <br />
"I love you more than you will ever understand, and I said this is best."<br />
<br />
I find my need to write and post is greatly dwindling. <br />
Not because my LORD isn't moving and working in my life,<br />
but because HE IS. He is working so abundantly that my computer time is extremely limited. <br />
<br />
I pour myself and focus into other things, though it has been a treasure and therapy to blog. <br />
I hope to get back to blogging more faithfully. But I know in my heart it won't be for awhile.<br />
Maybe a long while. <br />
<br />
So to all who browse here, I encourage you to go back to 2008 when I began posting.<br />
It was just 2 yrs after my husband died. My heart was still raw and healing was slow.<br />
I think the boys were 7, 4, and 2!!<br />
<br />
It has been quite a journey. Many things besides parenting and grief were blogged. <br />
But the overwhelming theme is this: <strong>Christ Jesus is Real and Christ Jesus is Enough.</strong><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="background-color: white;"><strong>"Leave thy fatherless children, I will preserve
<i>them</i> alive; and let thy widows trust in me."</strong> <strong><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Jeremiah 49:11</span></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><em>"Place them in my hand, my child. Release your children to ME. I will preserve them alive. I promise. And you shall learn to trust in ME."</em></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><em>Yes, LORD, when I let go of who I fear losing, you allow me to develop a trust in You that is like super glue. And LORD, who ever stops by and reads this blog, may they believe upon You for salvation and may they grow mightily in You as they see Your fingerprints in our lives.</em> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><strong><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Colossians 1:18b</span></strong> ......<strong>that in all <i>things</i> he
might have the preeminence.</strong> </span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: black;">Amen!</span></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"></span><br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-77291635611128736432015-02-09T19:53:00.000-06:002015-02-09T19:53:26.035-06:00SurrenderSo once again I was at prayer meeting.<br />
Pouring my heart about many burdens.<br />
Again I felt God telling me to verbally thank Him out loud for taking Jim. <br />
Surrender, yield.......I want to do that to my Lord.<br />
Yet I found the words stuck in my throat and without realizing it I began shaking my head.<br />
But I wanted to say it. I needed to say it..........<br />
More shaking of the head and tears overflowed.<br />
My throat grew tight.<br />
He was asking me to say what I knew I needed to. <br />
But for what seemed like a forever moment all I could do was look down and shake my head. <br />
<br />
<br />
I took deep breaths and forced my voice to speak.<br />
"Thank You for taking Jim........................<br />
(many tears poured down my face, I took a breath and continued)<br />
"cuz' I wouldn't know You like I do...."<br />
<br />
<br />
I don't remember what else I said.<br />
I finished and a brother-in-the-Lord gave me a box of Kleenex. <br />
I felt the Lord Himself had given them to me. <br />
Now that He had me dealt with me spiritually, <br />
He was taking care of my physically. <br />
And yet I also became aware of others around me again.<br />
Because when I was battling surrendering and speaking those words, <br />
everyone disappeared to me. It was like God and I were alone.<br />
<br />
<br />
After awhile, while others prayed, I felt my Heavenly Father beckoning me to go to a special place.<br />
It is where I feel like I am a little girl again and am being held in my Eternal Father's arms.<br />
I went to that spot and just let the tears flowed. <br />
<br />
<br />
My pastor walked by me and gently patted me.<br />
A gesture of care. Simple and yet I felt like My Eternal Father was patting my back. <br />
Like Jim used to with the boys......<br />
I could hear him say, " It's okay. God's got ya! It's okay."<br />
More tears slipped down my face. <br />
I leaned my head against the organ and just rested in my Heavenly Father's arms.<br />
A little while later another brother-in-the-Lord gave me a Kleenex.<br />
The tears were close to stopping.<br />
<br />
<br />
But it was again like the Lord was speaking to my heart.<br />
"Now that we got our business done on that, it is time for you to weep for someone else.<br />
<br />
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-70760852599057192872015-01-29T15:22:00.000-06:002015-01-29T15:26:51.800-06:00Revive Me<span style="font-family: Courier New;"><span style="font-family: Courier New;"><strong><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Psalms 138:7 </span></strong><span style="font-size: x-small;">Though I walk in the midst of trouble</span>,<strong> thou wilt revive me:</strong> <span style="font-size: x-small;">thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.</span> <br />
</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-_Vf4LjaDBqL77L1TybBNfawlnkaX_Hrm72Q9-rArD856w5ushNQvdcpw2YwRSVdH4d3o4ANJuQC9CG9Q15Az_m8zCGFF55R6EldqAJeflVqJ6_TMPKbAyLvpMixfqJ_xub1mWolgYk/s1600/Jesus_Lamb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-_Vf4LjaDBqL77L1TybBNfawlnkaX_Hrm72Q9-rArD856w5ushNQvdcpw2YwRSVdH4d3o4ANJuQC9CG9Q15Az_m8zCGFF55R6EldqAJeflVqJ6_TMPKbAyLvpMixfqJ_xub1mWolgYk/s1600/Jesus_Lamb3.jpg" height="320" width="265" /></a>My pastor preached Sunday about Revival. He quoted a man who said, "Go home, draw a circle around yourself, and ask God to revive everything inside that circle." During invitation, I knelt at the pew I was in. I was the only one in that pew and I felt God so close to me. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">As I prayed for God to revive me, I felt Him speak to my heart to obey what He had told me to do. I had to think for a moment, but then I knew what He was talking about. Two weeks ago during prayer meeting I was praying out loud, I was about to say "Thank You for this church family." But as I said thank you, I felt God prick my heart to say Thank you for taking Jim..............well I didn't. It was such a private thing to say in front of others. It is such a difficult thing to think let alone verbalize. So I caught my breath and then just thanked God for my church family. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">So Sunday I knew what I was suppose to do. So verbally out loud I told God thank You for taking Jim. Then the wave of tears came and I wept. The tears were of mixed emotions: grief, gratefulness, humility, brokenness. Without Jim in my life, I have pursued Christ in a way I never did when Jim was here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">I still miss Jim so much. Even in typing those words, tears come yet again. A part of me became crippled when he left my side. But the Lord used that crippling to draw me closer to His side. And draw others to Himself as well. There is so many ripples that God knew about that I didn't. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;">In Sunday School we have been studying about the miracles of Christ. Time and time again He is healing people and GOD is glorified. But there are times, when the Lord allows people to be crippled either physically or deep within their soul so He is glorified. The LORD continues to teach me how to thrive in Him. To find my completeness in Him. But He also understands the grief in my heart that makes me walk with a limp in my soul. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span><br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-51862915813211430452015-01-29T14:46:00.001-06:002015-01-29T14:46:50.664-06:00Strength<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pQqtJKjK2K7neyL9_5rhhFDhX6RtPpW1pBhyphenhyphenPw4VXem4uQFPvsGhwX7AHx17ip6O3tE3UR6nA3CuhfTHfDq4LqakiuXOQdifP_hSvK-9yHIXgex3XYWnH6jO5wL0Z7l0CrgbGZXrSFA/s1600/cave.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pQqtJKjK2K7neyL9_5rhhFDhX6RtPpW1pBhyphenhyphenPw4VXem4uQFPvsGhwX7AHx17ip6O3tE3UR6nA3CuhfTHfDq4LqakiuXOQdifP_hSvK-9yHIXgex3XYWnH6jO5wL0Z7l0CrgbGZXrSFA/s1600/cave.bmp" height="220" width="320" /></a><br /> <strong><tt>Psalms 138:3</tt> In the day when I cried thou
answeredst me, <i>and</i> strengthenedst me <i>with</i> strength in my soul.</strong>
<br /><br /> <strong><tt>Psalms 138:7</tt> Though I walk in the
midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me:</strong> thou shalt stretch forth thine hand
against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
<br /><br /><strong> <tt>Psalms 138:8</tt> The LORD will perfect <i>that which</i>
concerneth me:</strong> thy mercy, O LORD, <i>endureth</i> for ever: forsake not the
works of thine own hands. <br />
These are the verses God shared with me as I read my Bible on Jim's birthday. It is so hard to believe that it was nine years ago that Jim was fixing the van during the rain and sleet. Nine years ago he <br />
came in with ice covering his beard, ate supper and had cake with us. He opened his presents of warm flannel shirts, tucked the boys into bed and then went back out to finish fixing the van. Nine years ago we decorated the dining room with streamers that would remain hanging up till after his death. <br />
<br />
Tears bubbled on the surface of my churning emotions for half of the day. They finally spilled over when we were watching home videos. But as the day went on, my strengthen within grew. The boys and I had a good day together remembering, honoring, living. Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-86999978783071290332015-01-15T23:13:00.002-06:002015-01-15T23:13:36.613-06:00LORD, I Come to YouI know it has been much, much too long since I wrote. <br />
Life gets so busy as I balance all the hats in my life, and I find myself not having as much free time on the computer. Another reason is that there has been some heavy private prayers on my heart that others have shared with me. And I find that when I am carrying things like that I tend to cocoon myself. Maybe it is so I don't accidentally share what I shouldn't, maybe because by being silent it helps me hold back the tears, maybe some of what God shares with me or what I share with Him is so sacred though I long to share it words just don't do it justice. Whatever the reason, I know it has been toooooooo long since I blogged and journaled. I enjoy writing and it is very therapeutic for me. There has been several times in the few months when I thought, " I so need to blog this." It has happened enough that I come to my computer when I should be asleep and find the release of words so healing.<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
Where to start?<br />
<br />
<br />
Why today of course. I went to the mailbox and there was a simple sweet note from a sister-in-Christ and a sister-in-sorrow. "Praying this will be an encouragement to you today!" and the following was with it:<br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<em>Lord, I Come to You</em><br />
<em>Read: John 6:65-69</em><br />
<em><br /></em><br />
<em>" Lord, I come to You," ad my heart is comforted already, just in coming.</em><br />
<em>"Lord,"</em><br />
<em>my Saviour,</em><br />
<em>the Lord of my life, who knows, understands, and plans all for good, the One who has all the power I need for this hour.</em><br />
<em>"I come,"</em><br />
<em>so needy,</em><br />
<em>in my weakness and my inability,</em><br />
<em>with burdens pressing on my heart,</em><br />
<em>when my tongue cannot frame the words or utter my deep longings,</em><br />
<em>with tears of sorrow for my wretched failures, and needing forgiveness.</em><br />
<em>"To You,"</em><br />
<em>in trust, claiming Your promises,</em><br />
<em>in confidence, acknowledging that You know what You are doing in my life, </em><br />
<em>for comfort in the cares that fret and wear, </em><br />
<em>for strength to plod on faithfully and know this too shall pass.</em><br />
<em>"Lord, I Come to You," with gratitude that You are there.</em> <br />
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
I don't know who wrote this to give credit to at the moment.<br />
But I know Who knew I needed it this day.<br />
My Lord, my Best Friend, the Lover of my soul, my Jesus, my Saviour............<br />
He knew and He had this come at just the right time.<br />
<br />
<br />
LORD, I Come to YOU........<br />
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-52465847825615130022014-09-21T02:21:00.004-05:002014-09-21T02:21:39.794-05:00Be Willing<h4>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Be willing...........................</span></h4>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>To do it GOD's way............</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">And let your actions prove your heart.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">~CLS</span></strong><br />
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-6822269412515569032014-09-21T02:18:00.001-05:002015-01-02T12:23:09.163-06:00What Can I Do? Part 1We are heading into our Fall Sunday School Campaign.<br />
It is titled What Can I Do?<br />
<br />
When Jesus was missing and Mary and Joseph found Him in the temple, He asked them, "wist ye not that I must be about my<strong> </strong>Father's business?" I want to be about my Heavenly Father's business and so do many of the children in our Sunday School. So I am looking forward to the next 7 Super Sundays. <br />
<br />
Wk 1<br />
As I prepared for Sunday's lesson, I was reminded of Mark 12:30 that I learned when I was 21 and newly saved. I remember sitting at the kitchen table and God opening my eyes to the truth of that verse. I always thought the golden rule was the greatest commandment. Thought the LORD does what us to treat others how we want to be treated, Mark 12:30 is even more important.<br />
<strong> </strong><br />
<strong>And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength:
this <i>is</i> the first commandment.</strong> <br />
<br />
So the first and most important way to be about my Father's business is to invest all of me into my relationship with HIM. Time spent in prayer greatly develops this relationship as I pour my heart out to Him and He pours His heart into mine. Spending time with godly people also nurtures this relationship as they encourage me in my relationship with the LORD. And I need to be teachable in my relationship with the LORD because He has many things to teach me, but I must have a heart that is willing to learn and adjust to what He says. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYvFZNJTo3pjqgs1ZPlGrwPlNhXuTOLJOvhzTVqAb-r_OZRfYZlR4jbKCY-fCl2ZzqwDOG96_JGVgZg4PG-aUeTihkBwXulWzhM-RgvhBpBq6y5OSw0xfez8p7v0Hw0c5KWK24T2TqGk/s1600/image022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYvFZNJTo3pjqgs1ZPlGrwPlNhXuTOLJOvhzTVqAb-r_OZRfYZlR4jbKCY-fCl2ZzqwDOG96_JGVgZg4PG-aUeTihkBwXulWzhM-RgvhBpBq6y5OSw0xfez8p7v0Hw0c5KWK24T2TqGk/s1600/image022.jpg" /></a>A week ago I spent much time in prayer for my preacher and others who were going through a difficult trial. Many times I hit my knees praying and weeping, and many times I rose up still burdened to pray. Finally God gave me peace, peace that my preacher was going to be okay, peace that HE heard and HE was working on it. Then I felt it was time to get up and trust. Trust HIM to work in this trial, trust HIM to heal, trust HIM to make it be okay like HE said HE would. Sometimes it can be a battle to trust, especially if the enemy has us tricked into believing lies. But I know my God loves my preacher and knows what is best for him. And God told me it was going to be okay and He has never lied to me. So I trusted and prayed for his family to feel the same blanket of peace. God was true to HIS word; everything is okay, preacher is healing from his surgery, and through all that praying my heart was drawn even closer to my LORD. Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-53092128192389197412014-09-13T21:25:00.001-05:002014-09-13T21:25:33.642-05:00God is SovereignToday is one of those days when I have been allowed to see God's perfect timing displayed before my eyes. Often we don't understand why we seemed delayed at one place or that God impresses on our heart to do this or that, but when you find yourself exactly where God planned for you to be to be used of HIM, it is an awesome thing. My God is Sovereign. He has a plan. Many times I run too far ahead of Him and I miss it. But today wasn't one of those days. Today was a day when the enemy kept seeking to prevail and God kept limiting him. Today was a day when I tried to discern more dilegently the LORD's leading. Today was a day that was spent in much prayer and sometimes seeing discouragement around me. But today was also a day when GOD said, "Let me show you just a glimpse of what I am up to in the lives of others. " Wow! <br />
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-48459729811225770442014-08-20T09:14:00.002-05:002014-08-20T09:14:53.174-05:00Camps and School BeginsWhere has the time gone!!!<br />
<br />
It has been a looooooooong time since I posted:<br />
July was full of preparing for and participating in church camps. Camp was just amazing and I will have to try to put the experience into words. For now here are the snapshots: a lot of prayer, very little sleep, many tears, great closeness with God, many got saved, great joy of seeing someone receive Christ, over much too soon.......<br />
July was also final school prep for me.<br />
<br />
August we started our school year. We have had a fun year so far with three fieldtrips so far<br />
and we are on our third week of bookwork. We are studying our state this year and are enjoying putting our notebooks together. <br />
<br />
I am typing this on break between classes and break is almost up.<br />
So write more later. <br />
<br />
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-19074640598145096212014-07-02T14:27:00.000-05:002014-07-02T14:28:28.230-05:00Silent but God is Very BusyI have been silent on this blog for over 6wks but God has been very busy.<br />
We finished up our homeschooling year and have been busy with yard work, house work, time with extended family, ministries, and various other things. <br />
<br />
But just like when God seems silent, He is still busy; <br />
when this blog is silent, God is still busy.<br />
He has answered so many prayers this past several weeks. <br />
And I just stand in awe of His work in my family and the lives of others. <br />
<br />
One of my goals this year is to study the fruit of the spirit more closely. In June I focused on LOVE.<br />
The verse that stood out the most to me was "Charity is longsuffering and kind..." In application to my heart this was Love suffers long and is still kind. It isn't easy to be kind when God has allowedyou to suffer, but we can do all things through Christ.<br />
<br />
Snipp has decided to work in the Bus Ministry as well as be a helper at Kids' Camp. <br />
I love to hear him pray; and he's read through the Bible twice this year. He is heading into 8th grade and is looking me in the eyes these days. He goes to youth camp soon and I look forward to the work the LORD will do there. <br />
<br />
<br />
Snapp has battled mono this spring and we rejoice in God's healing. We saw a lot of wildlife in our own backyard and I love to see how Snapp reconizes God at work. He is looking forward to camp and has such a tender heart to the Holy Spirit. I love hearing him sing to the LORD. <br />
<br />
Snurr is tender one moment and rambuncious the next. Just this last Sunday after a sermon on the Christian home, speaking mostly on the roles of the husband and wife, Snipp rubs my back during invitation and says, "I think this sermon is good for widows too." Then as tears start to come to my eyes, he looks at my face and says he's sorry for the way he's been disrespecting me. Here I thought he was getting nothing out of the sermon. Just precious and the tears flowed down my face and dropped on my shoes. <br />
<br />
There is much more I could write about but this is a snap shot of what God has been busy doing in my silence on this blog. <br />
<br />
Have a Happy Independence Day!<br />
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<strong> And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free.<br />
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be
free indeed. <span style="font-family: Courier New;">John 8:32,36</span></strong></div>
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<strong>Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith
Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke
of bondage.</strong> <strong><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Galatians 5:1</span></strong></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-41591121548612030182014-05-15T12:25:00.001-05:002014-05-15T12:29:23.126-05:00Prison Letter<span style="font-size: large;">Jim's dad recently shared with me a letter he wrote and gave me permission to post it:</span><br />
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<a data-ved="0CAUQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&docid=NbNyJ7knRiO5kM&tbnid=Z0TaDv_A1RiWkM:&ved=0CAUQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fjamesrg.wordpress.com%2F2013%2F01%2F23%2Flast-days-in-rome%2F&ei=2fd0U7nHJZaZqAaqzoHYAg&bvm=bv.66699033,d.b2k&psig=AFQjCNGozToO_AGGlxhL4eAf00gpyyswOQ&ust=1400260862713212" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px currentColor; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="http://jamesrg.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/rome-537.jpg" height="299" id="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was gray half-light as
Paul began to wake up. He knew it was day because the rats and mice scurrying
to find a day time hiding place, was probably what woke him up. It wasn't
really day light, he never saw any; there were no windows in his prison. As he
became more alert, he immediately went to prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God had protected him through
the night, and had given him another day to worship and praise Him and he did
so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul's prayer list was even longer
than his worship and praise time, for he prayed faithfully for all the churches
the Lord had used him to start, then he prayed for the individual helpers and
close friends he had. Then he had to relieve himself, he went to the corner
that he used for that and took care of nature, he had no bathroom, and he didn't
worry about washing up, he had no water to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had no bed, so he didn't have to make
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did kick some straw that had
scattered back up on to the small, low pile he had, and that started the rats
and mice scurrying again. He slept on the pile at night and they hid in it by
day, there was no place else. The filthy dirt floors and the forlorn straw pile
were the things in the room. <o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With his prayer and praise
time accomplished, Paul felt renewed and somewhat refreshed. He turned to his
most precious possessions a few books of the Bible and some parchment epistles.
He had read them so many times yet they comforted him and god seemed especially
close when he read the Word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had no
way of knowing what time it was, but the jailer had been by a couple of times
making his rounds so Paul thought it must be getting late afternoon. <o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As he surveyed his cell he
noticed a centipede wiggling in a spider web. He was thankful for the spiders
for they kept the flies down, and there were certainly were lots of flies, Paul
realized that this whole prison had such a stench that it almost made your eyes
water, and he realized he was a part of the stench.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had not bathed in also many months that he
was not sure when his last bath was, nor had his clothes been changed or
washed, he only had the ones on his back. <o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul was starting to feel
hunger, he had not eaten in two days, but maybe today he would have a visitor
who would bring his food, the only time he got to eat was when that happened,
the prison fed nobody.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Usually the
jailer would bring around water a couple of times a day, if he felt like it. <o:p></o:p></span></em></span></div>
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span></em><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Today was Paul's special
blessing day for late in the evening a fellow believer came to visit and
brought an ample bowl of food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul
savored every bite, and ate till it was all gone, because he had no way or
place to keep leftovers, only those rats would get them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thing that made Paul the most joyful was
this friend had brought pen, ink, and some parchment. Paul wrote, "<strong>Not
that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith
to be content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know both how to be
abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed
both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me."</strong></span><tt><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><strong> </strong></span></tt><tt><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Philippians 4:11-13</span></tt></span></em></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<tt><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span></tt> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<tt><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Written by J.M.S. </span></tt></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-5836338173642919072014-05-12T17:47:00.000-05:002014-05-14T01:42:39.816-05:00The God Who Answers Prayers<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwGeN4au5rpTLom_XAsgLZPhPZRkxYSGjj2R3fvxacPS2RAc5EqDipINQkiAWOt4we-5sGX5jVkRRKvfj1hKFjDeAPpWsnzyPi2IAa-lilU7EW4fV0iYohslNhv7dwwQKECufVWU6h8s/s1600/woman_praying.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwGeN4au5rpTLom_XAsgLZPhPZRkxYSGjj2R3fvxacPS2RAc5EqDipINQkiAWOt4we-5sGX5jVkRRKvfj1hKFjDeAPpWsnzyPi2IAa-lilU7EW4fV0iYohslNhv7dwwQKECufVWU6h8s/s1600/woman_praying.jpg" /></a>The last 8 days have been full of prayer. Many prayers were need about many different things from praying the flickering yard light would turn on and stay lit to prayers about graduations and a wedding. 32 prayers, I recorded in my prayer journal. The Almighty God answered 30 of those with yes, 1 was a no, and one more I feel He is working on yet.<br />
<br />
30/32=94% answered positively in 8 days!<br />
<br />
I know the LORD doesn't always answer prayers so quickly and in such positive ways. <br />
Sometimes we forget how much the LORD loves to tell us yes, when we ask unselfishly and with faith. Some people talk about prayer as moving the hand of God. The most wonderful thing about prayer to me is seeing how the LORD answers them. I never get tired of seeing His mighty hand at work. Makes me stand in awe and reverance.....<br />
<br />
I will admit I was disappointed with the one that was answered no. But when I look back at all He has done, I am content to realize the LORD had a plan different than I did. He knows people's hearts more than I do and what is needed. <br />
<br />
I just remembered 5 other prayers the LORD is working on that He allowed me to see a glimpse of what He is doing..............I know these will take time, but it encouraged my heart to see the Lord moving in people's lives.<br />
<br />
To all my readers, Never Doubt the power of prayer; the LORD is listening. Ask Him for eyes to see His hand at work. Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-89468313059097855892014-05-05T22:04:00.002-05:002014-05-14T01:42:23.800-05:00I Want That Mountain FinaleSo the last mountain is Apathy or simply "I don't care!"<br />
<br />
Most often people get this attitude from having a hard heart.<br />
Hard hearts are caused most often by fear and pain.<br />
It can be easy to put up walls to keep people out and to not let ourselves care.<br />
We need to ask God to break our hearts for the things He cares about.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier New;">1 Corinthians 15:34</span></strong> <b>Awake to righteousness</b>, and sin
not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak <i>this</i> to your shame.
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Psalms 51:10</span></strong> <b>Create in me</b> a clean heart, O God; and
renew a right spirit within me. <br />
<br />
Not a dramatic end to the campaign. But I know in the busyness of May if I don't type something now, I'll leave it hanging again. <br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-49197828386929186332014-04-21T07:55:00.000-05:002014-05-14T01:42:12.529-05:00I Want That Mountain Part 3<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-_Vf4LjaDBqL77L1TybBNfawlnkaX_Hrm72Q9-rArD856w5ushNQvdcpw2YwRSVdH4d3o4ANJuQC9CG9Q15Az_m8zCGFF55R6EldqAJeflVqJ6_TMPKbAyLvpMixfqJ_xub1mWolgYk/s1600/Jesus_Lamb3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-_Vf4LjaDBqL77L1TybBNfawlnkaX_Hrm72Q9-rArD856w5ushNQvdcpw2YwRSVdH4d3o4ANJuQC9CG9Q15Az_m8zCGFF55R6EldqAJeflVqJ6_TMPKbAyLvpMixfqJ_xub1mWolgYk/s1600/Jesus_Lamb3.jpg" height="320" width="265" /></a>Being that yesterday was Resurrection Sunday, the lesson was on salvation.<br />
But before I shared the good news, I had a sober talk with the girls about hell.<br />
Many of them have grown up coming to church. It is easy to get complacent.<br />
It is easy to just have a mental knowledge and never a heart knowledge of Christ.<br />
I was like that for years. <br />
Then I shared the good news and God's plan of salvation.<br />
I also shared my testimony with them.<br />
Here is it:<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">"God is real!</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Going to Sunday School,
church, and VBS were some of my earliest memories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easter dresses and Christmas candle light
services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as I grew I didn’t
understand how personal God is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I doubted
He cared about the details of my life or that He was even real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean if He cared why did He let bad things
happen to me? And so maybe He wasn’t even real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I listened to these lies of the enemy. And so like the prodigal son, I
journeyed far from my Heavenly Father, from church, and from what I knew was
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasted my knowledge of God, was
a horrible testimony, was immoral, cussed, and spit in the face of the heritage
God had given me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted what I
wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I did what I wanted. Sin
feels like freedom, for a season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
then it becomes a harsh master and a destroyer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So one day I realized I didn’t like me, so I tried to fix things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got out of a bad 3 ½ year relationship, got
a new haircut, new make-up, new clothes, began walking to lose pounds……I felt
better, but hallow, incomplete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One cool
day on my walk I was in the back part of the park when I heard my name on the
wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I looked around; there was no one.
My heart trembled and tears began to flow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>My heart knew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was God
whispering my name.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He saw me, He cared
for me, even after all I had done against Him, even when I didn’t like myself. I
sat down on a park bench and wept. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I don’t know how far the
prodigal son had to journey back, but I know my journey back to God was rough
with many rocks, hills, and traps from the enemy. But that longing for
something more kept growing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One day, I
overheard two elderly ladies talking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The old widow stated, “Oh, I don’t live alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My best friend Jesus is with me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She really meant it. Wow, I wanted that!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was dating Jim at the time and he’d talked
about his mom reading the Bible to him and his siblings each night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wanted to be that kind of mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But I knew I couldn’t give something to my
future children that I didn’t have myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">In July of 1998, I finally
made the decision to go to church on a hot Sunday morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a long story. So the nutshell version
is that I had car trouble and I ended up walking all the way to the
church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so weary that I felt if
the doors were shut I wouldn’t have strength to open them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I slid into the back pew as the Pastor was
preaching a sermon on “Doubting Thomas” and I kept thinking, “That’s me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t remember the closing song but again
it pierced my heart that “that is me.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
was the first person to the pastor and through my tears tried to shared how I
had car trouble and hadn’t been to church for a long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He directed me to a room and his wife came
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We talked together and prayed
together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I felt the Lord embrace my
heart that day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">A few weeks later, I was
curled up in Jim’s favorite chair. The house was quiet as I read my new book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Experiencing God</i>. It said I must have a
personal relationship with the Lord or I wouldn’t be able to completely
understand the book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was hungry to personally
experience God in my life, so I read carefully what it said:</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Romans 3:23-All have sinned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Romans </span><st1:time hour="18" minute="23"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">6:23</span></st1:time><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Eternal life is a free gift of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Romans 5:8 Because of love,
Jesus paid the death penalty for your sins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Romans 10:9-10 Confess Jesus
as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Romans </span><st1:time hour="10" minute="13"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">10:13</span></st1:time><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> Ask God to save you and He will<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">To place your faith in Jesus
and receive His gift of eternal life you must:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">-Recognize that God created
you for a love relationship with Him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
wants you to love Him with all your being.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">-Recognize that you are a
sinner and you cannot save yourself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">-Believe that Jesus paid a
death penalty for your sin by His death on the cross and rose from the dead in
victory over death.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">-Confess (agree with God
about) your sins that separate you from Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">-Repent of your sins (turn
from sin to God)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">-Ask Jesus to save you by His
grace (undeserved favor).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I read through each line,
looking up each scripture, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and making
sure I believed it in my heart, not just in my mind because I want to
experience God in my life like they described in that book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><strong>Then I read the last line, “Turn over the
rule in your life to Jesus. Let Him be your Lord.”</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">My heart felt pricked. And I
realized that He was to be the center of my universe and I revolve around Him,
not the other way around. As my brother-in-Christ said recently, “This life is
not about us, it is about God and glorifying Him.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Christ was to be first in my heart. I prayed
that moment to Jesus and made sure He was my Lord, my Master. That He could be
in charge of my life. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">And my life has
never been the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">God is real, and God is very personal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He sees you right where you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He knows your thoughts and your deepest
pain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He doesn’t demand you take a bath
before He embraces you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He embraces you
and clothes you like the prodigal’s father did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He loves you. </span><tt><b><span style="font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Jeremiah
31:3</span></b></tt><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 14pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The
LORD hath appeared of old unto me, <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">saying</span>,
Yea, I have <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">loved thee with an
everlasting love</span>: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee."</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-58956431327955594682014-04-16T23:28:00.000-05:002014-05-14T01:41:28.886-05:00I Want That Mountain Part 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcq4hllt0CWySi-YiOC5YUYZMix_hT_p3jyuVSYiheSqUwgk739mpYruUpoUPb8H2tJRntL2uer9iVeVCCTvJzIi5kPIi8CYTyQj9v-FqoHID2O3TEu0aTzLuzZgpUDW39FzcGTE9GG8/s1600/God%2527s+Hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVcq4hllt0CWySi-YiOC5YUYZMix_hT_p3jyuVSYiheSqUwgk739mpYruUpoUPb8H2tJRntL2uer9iVeVCCTvJzIi5kPIi8CYTyQj9v-FqoHID2O3TEu0aTzLuzZgpUDW39FzcGTE9GG8/s1600/God%2527s+Hands.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></a>So last weeks lesson was on conquering the mountain of Attitude.<br />
Oh, wow, did God prepare me for this one.<br />
From having a day were everything seemed to go wrong and me having a bad attitude about it, to kids with attitudes, to students with attitudes right before I began the lesson, I am thoroughly convinced attitude is something we work on constantly to keep in right.<br />
<br />
I heard John Bishop speak and he said, "God is always good; God is always right." There is truth to that statement. Psalm 119:68 Thou art good and doest good....<br />
<br />
So to keep a good attitude we need to remember God will make everything work out for good. <br />
<br />
<br />
This week's lesson is on conquering anger.<br />
After eating humble pie last week, I thought this week would be easier.<br />
But God has a way of making sure I learn the lesson before I teach it.<br />
Anger is probably one of the biggest mountains to conquer.<br />
And I know I am not alone when I say, I struggle with this.<br />
Other people don't met our expectations and we get angry.<br />
That isn't right. But what is just as serious is many of us are walking around <br />
angry at God and we don't admit it.<br />
Pain happens in this life; this life never promised to be fair.<br />
But we have expectations and we have our idea of how things should be.<br />
When God orchestrates different, we get angry.<br />
<br />
It took me a long time to admit I was angry at God for allowing my husband to not live longer on this earth. I was angry that he wasn't here for me and the children. I was angry that God took Jim sooner than I was willing to let him go. I remember the day before our third son was born. I was an emotional mess. I woke up having contractions and told my midwife stubbornly that I didn't want to have this child without Jim. Then we discovered I had a lot of water in my basement. I stormed upstairs. My bewildered parents and sister-in-law stared at me as I shouted, "I'm going to talk to my dead husband!!" I hurried down the steps and headed to his grave. And there I sobbed and sobbed saying, "You are suppose to be here for this!!!!" I was so angry Jim wasn't here. After a lot of tears, I went back inside and told everyone I was ok. My dad dealt with the basement and my contractions stop. My poor body probably decided it wasn't safe for the little fellow to be born yet. Everything turned out ok. My dad got the water pumped out and after I got the other boys asleep, I talked to the LORD once again. "Ok, if we are going to do this, let's do it" In the early morning hours, my third son was born. And I exited the black hole of grief, and entered a different chapter of single mom with three boys. But emotionally I was kicking and screaming about it on the inside as loudly as my newborn was on the outside. I felt cheated. <br />
<br />
Many, many difficult things have happened since then. And God spoke to my heart twice on this.<br />
Once was on my first birthday without Jim. He simply told me this was best and he loved me and my boys more than I will ever understand. The other time was in more recent years, when I said once again, "Jim is suppose to be here for this." And God simply whispered to my heart, "No, he isn't."<br />
Smack! God's 2x4 cushioned with love smacked my heart and mind. That is true. God's plan was for Jim to not be here; it is what is best. God is all wise and all loving. He has a plan. Not just a good plan, but the best plan.<br />
<br />
So anger is a big mountain to conquer. It requires focusing on God and who He is and letting go of what I think I am entitled to. It is letting go of expectations and trust God to do what is best for me and mine. Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-84599982066280245632014-04-02T23:00:00.000-05:002014-05-14T01:41:47.590-05:00Day of Delight<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2Hl1DTAiNs7_ZPUKZWRqWA6JGn-iITSY8bKIabpFpINgKG1yGuvj7kjr6uUEglEImk2qrvxS906a8fx-7Doi8CQqSHJWr4FgEYjXjHjrZVqW02u3JJdu1R77TjQ3J-DGmB9f2Pyk3tA/s1600/sky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS2Hl1DTAiNs7_ZPUKZWRqWA6JGn-iITSY8bKIabpFpINgKG1yGuvj7kjr6uUEglEImk2qrvxS906a8fx-7Doi8CQqSHJWr4FgEYjXjHjrZVqW02u3JJdu1R77TjQ3J-DGmB9f2Pyk3tA/s1600/sky.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a>We had cold wind and snow flurries yesterday, today had sunshine and thought still breezy, had warmer weather.<br />
<br />
The part to fix the washing machine came early! We fixed it in record time!<br />
<br />
We celebrated with icecream.<br />
<br />
Everyone finished school very timely and had extra time to play outside.<br />
<br />
We took a little country drive as we ate our icecream.<br />
<br />
The power is on so we could continue to pump water out of our basement.<br />
It is finally looking like we are getting somewhere!<br />
<br />
The dryer works, so I am finally getting caught up on laundry.<br />
<br />
We had money to make hotel reservations for our annual trip before Easter.<br />
<br />
We have only garder snakes and not poisonous snakes in our yard, so the boys feel like tough guys and I don't have to fret at the same time.<br />
<br />
We live in the country with millions of things to do and explore. No hearing the words, "I'm bored!"<br />
<br />
The snow is all melted!<br />
<br />
The breeze is refreshing and whispers, " Another winter is passed" Amen!<br />
<br />
All the boys are healthy and happy. <br />
<br />
I am doing good also.<br />
<br />
Many, many blessings, some just can't be put into words.<br />
<br />
Now several nights ago it seemed like one of those were everything was going wrong!<br />
We've all been there.<br />
<br />
I needed to remember that today was one of those days, though not perfect, is full of things that went right.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-44779422005632180702014-03-28T06:47:00.001-05:002014-05-14T01:42:00.557-05:00I Want That Mountain Update 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mWcz5HfzS2g1Obcc8hXBVuES96tFBB4bOD_-n-7K_f8Rl5zgXk7BFrmCRsoxSD990R8z-THniYdOQBFPyu56YWJ0kONC5Bceen0fM8NUFouWi3_Ye8zjpVTEW8k-FsJBIYSwMgqrVdI/s1600/Blue+hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mWcz5HfzS2g1Obcc8hXBVuES96tFBB4bOD_-n-7K_f8Rl5zgXk7BFrmCRsoxSD990R8z-THniYdOQBFPyu56YWJ0kONC5Bceen0fM8NUFouWi3_Ye8zjpVTEW8k-FsJBIYSwMgqrVdI/s1600/Blue+hills.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a>So we kicked off our campaign and I dressed up like a hiker with a visor, backpack, and a walking stick the boys cut and worked on for me. I chose an ibex as our mascot as they are fearless, surefooted and agile.<br />
<br />
Our first week was Promises and Mountains:<br />
<ul>
<li>God promised Caleb that land. What has God promised you? Our job is to believe God will give it to us and remind Him you are trusting in Him for it.</li>
<li>Mountains are hard! There are difficult areas in our lives we need to conquer. </li>
<li>Mountains are big; so we will turn to God and not try to do it in our own strength.</li>
<li>Mountains are protected; our problems seem tough. God puts people in our life who have conquered mountains to help us have courage.</li>
<li>Caleb had to be patient; we need to be patient too. Trust God and wait on God.</li>
</ul>
As a friend had a medical emergency, I reminded God of His promise to me, that her health issues would not be unto death. God was faithful and she got the help she needed. <br />
<br />
Our second week was The Mountain of Rejection:<br />
<ul>
<li>Mountains either hold us in or we can conquer them and control them.</li>
<li>The fear of rejection is a common mountain in many of our lives</li>
<li>A person doesn't fully mature until they learn to give over to God their desire to gain the approval of their parents, friends, and family.</li>
<li>We commonly respond to rejection by getting anger and bitter. We say we don't care, when we really care deeply. We also run.</li>
<li>We can overcome rejection when we stop seeking approval of others, and instead seek God's approval. </li>
<li>We need to choose to believe Christ accepts me, not by what I've done, but because of what Christ says about me after He covered my sins with His blood. </li>
<li>Why does God allow rejection? So we come to turn to Him, find approval in Him, and let God make you into somebody that is needed and valued.</li>
</ul>
I have seem multiple examples of people reacting wrongly to rejection. <br />
Please pray for us as we seek to respond correctly to any kind of rejection.<br />
<br />
Our third week is The Mountain of Selfishness:<br />
<ul>
<li>Being selfish isn't only about caring only about yourself. It is also caring for others, BUT caring for what you want and what's best for us above everyone else.</li>
<li>We need to live for God. Live for eternity and not today! </li>
<li>We need to seek to make others happy. But don't compromise Biblical values.</li>
<li>Serve others. God puts extremely selfish people in a place where they always have to serve another.</li>
<li>Give to meet the needs of others. The giving person can be the most unselfish person. </li>
</ul>
God gave me the opportunity to give this week. To give my time to another, to give my prayers, to give my tears of understanding, to give financially, to give a listening ear, to give encouragement, to give a helping hand. I still have much to learn to conquer this mountain completely though.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-67649581206869223672014-03-14T20:23:00.002-05:002014-03-14T20:25:21.889-05:00God's Little Pocket WatchI have a new nephew.<br />
The boys are excited, another boy!!!!<br />
<br />
My nickname for this little guy is God's Little Pocketwatch.<br />
From conception to birth was all God's timing.<br />
A lot of things happened while my sister-in-law was pregnant with him.<br />
And many times she wondered about God's timing in this all.<br />
<br />
But he's a precious bundle!<br />
His big brother before him, Prayer Boy, taught us all more about prayer.<br />
His big sister, Little Cup of Grace, was a reminder of God's grace for each moment.<br />
And now God's Little Pocketwatch joins them.<br />
<br />
And now my sister-in-law and brother-in-law's quiver is as full as mine. <br />
Three precious souls to nurture and raise up as warriors in the LORD's army.<br />
"A threefold cord is not quickly broken."<br />
<br />
God bless you, God's Little Pocketwatch<br />
Many prayers, Aunt ChristineChristinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-48974446185812927612014-03-14T20:14:00.000-05:002014-03-14T20:14:08.642-05:00"I Want That Mountain"Spring is coming and so is our spring Sunday School campaign.<br />
Last fall God did such amazing things, and I missed recording them all.<br />
So I am hoping to do a better job this time.<br />
<br />
<span>Caleb said in Joshua 14:7-14<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now therefore <strong>give me
this mountain</strong>, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that
day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if
so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD
said.</span></i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQloTQt0sE30tqv9gcoINlQEixKiIWOe4rQbP0pHPmyOkAz4SwXFJMPiy5D9H0tBqIvKA4xu58xiZmJMWkoevIJjdxsyRWbe0a0XC4E6cxnUB-wYSPTyOdYytRYa7rQ_H0XHDwTKeNOg4/s1600/DSCN0140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQloTQt0sE30tqv9gcoINlQEixKiIWOe4rQbP0pHPmyOkAz4SwXFJMPiy5D9H0tBqIvKA4xu58xiZmJMWkoevIJjdxsyRWbe0a0XC4E6cxnUB-wYSPTyOdYytRYa7rQ_H0XHDwTKeNOg4/s1600/DSCN0140.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
Our theme is "I Want That Mountain" quoting the words to a hymn.<br />
<span style="color: #333300;">
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"I Want That Mountain"</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Words and Music by Bill Harvey</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;">I saw the giant of Prayerlessness upon the mountain high;<br />He laughed so
hard at my unbended knee.<br />No longer in the wilderness I'll stay, and so I
cry;<br />I want that mountain, It belongs to me! </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;"><u>Chorus</u><br />I want that mountain! I want that mountain!<br />Where the
milk and honey flow,<br />Where the grapes of Eshcol grow,<br />I want that
mountain! I want that mountain!<br />The mountain that my Lord has given me.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;">There was a giant of Laziness who said I wouldn't go,<br />And witness for the
One who set me free.<br />I'll come from out the wilderness, I'll witness now I
know;<br />I want that mountain, It belongs to me! </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;">Chorus</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;">One faithless giant upon the crest of Hebron's lofty height,<br />Has vowed
that he's the one to make me flee.<br />I'll climb from out the wilderness! and
trust Jehovah's might!<br />I want that mountain, It belongs to me! </span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;">Chorus</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;">Let ev'ry giant of distress and unbelief and sin,<br />Get ready now to vacate,
for you see;<br />I've come from out the wilderness! I know I'm going to
win!<br />I want that mountain, It belongs to me!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;"></span></span></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;">Chorus</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333300; font-size: medium;"><strong>The Story before Joshua 14</strong></span></div>
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier New;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Numbers 13:23-33</span></strong> And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut
down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between
two upon a staff; and <i>they brought</i> of the pomegranates, and of the figs.
The place was called the brook Eshcol,
because of the cluster of grapes which the children of Israel cut down from
thence. And they returned from
searching of the land after forty days. And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of
the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought
back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of
the land. And they told him, and said,
We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk
and honey; and this <i>is</i> the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people <i>be</i> strong that dwell in the
land, and the cities <i>are</i> walled, <i>and</i> very great: and moreover we
saw the children of Anak there. The
Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites,
and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea,
and by the coast of Jordan. <strong>And Caleb
stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it;
for we are well able to overcome it. </strong>But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the
people; for they <i>are</i> stronger than we. And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had
searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have
gone to search it, <i>is</i> a land that eateth up the inhabitants thereof; and
all the people that we saw in it <i>are</i> men of a great stature.
And there we saw the giants, the sons
of Anak, <i>which come</i> of the giants: and we were in our own sight as
grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-family: Courier New;">Numbers 14:6-10</span></strong> And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of
Jephunneh, <i>which were</i> of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:
And they spake unto all the company of
the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it,
<i>is</i> an exceeding good land. <strong>If
the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a
land which floweth with milk and honey. Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for
they <i>are</i> bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD
<i>is</i> with us: fear them not. </strong>But
all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD
appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of
Israel.Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-48176659633787072402014-03-14T16:54:00.000-05:002014-03-14T16:54:07.434-05:00Purity vs VirginityRecently I have had several different girls ask me if someone is still a virgin if they were molested or raped. I know I usually don't write on this stuff here but it is on my heart so I must write.<br />
<br />
Personally I think <strong>purity</strong> is more important than virginity.<br />
Why?<br />
Well, let's see.....<br />
There are many "technical virgins" who have never gone "all the way" but who have kissed handfuls of boys and made out with them and don't see any problem with it. They defile their minds with romance books and give their hearts away to boys they text or Facebook. <br />
<br />
Then there is the girl who was raped as a young girl. She is told she isn't a virgin anymore.<br />
She feels defiled and has a choice to make.<br />
<br />
She can choose to dedicate her body back to Christ and ask Him to make her pure again.<br />
And ask Him to help her stay pure in body, mind, and heart.<br />
<br />
OR she can choose to stay feeling defiled and listen to satan's lies that she can never be pure. She will abuse her body and let others use her body. She will let her mind be polluted by lies and she will give her heart away to those who don't cherish it. <br />
<br />
Another thing about virginity.<br />
Why is it some boys think they can just walk up to a girl and ask her if she is a virgin.<br />
That is a very private question. That is a question that a man who decides to court a young lady should ask. If her virginity was stolen from her, she can then tell him and the choices she made afterwards.<br />
<br />
Sadly the statistics are very alarming. Last I knew the reports said 1 out of every 4 girls has been violated sexually before they are 18. And that is only those that report it. I think it is more likely a lot higher. So when we talk about virginity, I think we need to stress PURITY. These girls that are statistics need to know there is hope that they can be pure no matter what has been taken from them.<br />
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-67721620854846900592014-02-26T23:29:00.000-06:002014-02-26T23:29:45.147-06:00SuperheroAs has been my routine for the last year, <br />
I went and picked up some girls to bring to church tonight.<br />
One of the girls' little sister is almost four and I just never know what she is going to say. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSinTxyQ0N2eNSGJ6IyPAol7b0chiuuY-qVOH8rID6VO0TBc9tshba-oEfNJhzwN4Gd9k4CzQQJw2kZRb0AoAMmgR7TByymrcKJGu7J3s4nfmDGSNIRoe5FIOy8s0XSv0nYlN8U0R1IH0/s1600/superman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSinTxyQ0N2eNSGJ6IyPAol7b0chiuuY-qVOH8rID6VO0TBc9tshba-oEfNJhzwN4Gd9k4CzQQJw2kZRb0AoAMmgR7TByymrcKJGu7J3s4nfmDGSNIRoe5FIOy8s0XSv0nYlN8U0R1IH0/s1600/superman.jpg" height="137" width="200" /></a><br />
Tonight she said, "I am a superhero, just like you, Mrs. Christine!" She gave me a hug when we got to church. I told her, "I love you." <br />
She responded with "I love you too. And I love Jesus also." Amen!!!<br />
<br />
She made my night:)<br />
<br />
Her big sista texted me tonight about some prayer needs and stated " (my sister) is right, you are a superhero"<br />
<br />
Now, folks, I don't see myself this way. <br />
But I remember the day I first met these two sisters.<br />
And they have grown to love Jesus so much.<br />
<br />
I don't think I have any super powers, but I know the GOD who does!<br />
And HE has allowed me to see HIS power at work in the lives of these two girls. <br />
What a blessing!Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7145273652234474349.post-82060431955690844082014-02-10T12:35:00.001-06:002014-02-10T12:35:42.689-06:00Peace<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXboUGkZ4_J2JoWk-LkGObwsmXnwG-aZmr2vES86fs4vyiNIQiySlJF93G4-nTiDYppJlUcr7ag_7Y6rUrbcgYg849PMbEHkwPT5wwFBpA0U3myiqaalSJJXNRYABcDhCPyj4Q_mwgtMs/s1600/peacewave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXboUGkZ4_J2JoWk-LkGObwsmXnwG-aZmr2vES86fs4vyiNIQiySlJF93G4-nTiDYppJlUcr7ag_7Y6rUrbcgYg849PMbEHkwPT5wwFBpA0U3myiqaalSJJXNRYABcDhCPyj4Q_mwgtMs/s1600/peacewave.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a>After the grief waves, come peace........................<br />
<br />
A sweet peace that is impossible to put into words.<br />
<br />
It is like having your heart wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket fresh from the dryer.<br />
<br />
Storms still crash around, troubles lay unsolved, children still demand attention and patience....<br />
<br />
But within is a peace that passes all understanding.......<br />
<br /> <tt><b>Isaiah 26:3</b></tt> Thou wilt keep <i>him</i> in perfect
<b><b>peace</b></b>, <i>whose</i> mind <i>is</i> stayed <i>on thee</i>: because
he trusteth in thee. <br />
<tt><b>Philippians 4:7</b></tt> And the <b><b>peace</b></b> of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ
Jesus. Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155383233560215768noreply@blogger.com0