Been a while since I had time to sit and write or something to write about. It is a cool fall morning here in Vermont. I love it.. Fall is one of my favorite times of the year here. Jeans and a Tshirt will do most days. Yet I can still wear my favorite shoes my crocs ok with socks..
A few weeks ago on one of the first cool nights we had, I was noting how much I Love fall in Vermont. As I stood in my mother in laws yard looking at the first few leafs starting to show signs of color change. My mother in law told me she hates fall. I stood in shock how any one could hate fall in Vermont. People come from all over the world to see fall in New England.
I questioned her as to why she hated fall? She replied because I know what comes after.. Winter in Vermont.. I laughed, I understand but I just try and enjoy a good season while we have it. Stock up the joy of cool fall mornings wrapped in a blanket, a mug in hand filled with hot tea and a bowel of apple pie for breakfast. Who does not like Pie for breakfast?
Seasons do change and I too like my mother in law understand what comes after fall in Vermont. Shorter days, longer nights, snow that covers the ground like a down filled blanket. Ice sake rinks where driveways once stood. Temps so cold your nose freezes together when you breath in the frozen air.
Life is full of seasons that change and not just the one that change the colors of the trees, but seasons of life.
Seasons are just a frame of time in life. The time passes and then season change. Like now, Fall is just starting but before I know it Jeans and a T shirt will be just one of the many lairs I put on before I walk out the door to face the cold dark winter days.
There Is a Time for Everything
Ecclesiastes 3:1-5
1 There is a time for everything, and everything on earth has its special season. 2 There is a time to be born and a time to die. There is a time to plant and a time to pull up plants. 3 There is a time to kill and a time to heal. There is a time to destroy and a time to build. 4 There is a time to cry and a time to laugh. There is a time to be sad and a time to dance. 5 There is a time to throw away stones and a time to gather them.
I love verse 5, that is a wonderful picture of fall in vermont. A time to throw out stuff that will not be helpful and a time to gather before winter sets in.
We can apply this truth to own spiritual life too. We have season too of plenty and times of want. During the fall seasons of our spiritual life we need to throw out the waste in our life. The things in our life that take up space because when comes in winter our spiritual life. A time then nothing new is growing. A time when there is nothing in our lifes that is giving us warmth or life. Sometimes in the dead os Winter here we will have two or three days where it is not safe to go outof the house. You have to use what you have in the house. Snow is up to the doorways. Most good vermonters will have a stockpile to take from during those days. A wood pile outside their doorways to fed the woodstove. Can goods they have put way during the fall haverst. Winter may be having its way outside but inside the true vermonters home it has not place. Rather they sit with mug and hand and mouth full of mothers sweet apple pie made from the apple stockpile that was picked during the fall season. We as believer need to stockpile the Word of God at the door way of our heart so that during the long dark spirital season on winter we have a resouce to pull from. It is a common things for people to freeze to death here in New England because they did not have enough fuel to burn. They did not plan ahead for wintesr dark days. Such a good truth for us believers to hear that we all have to plan ahead for the hard times. As the writter of Ecclesiastes knew life has seasons. We just need to be prepared for the seasons change.
I love fall because I too know what comes after Winter.. I am just thankful God has given us a chance to prepare for winter.
Are you prepare?
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Monday, June 30, 2008
Making lemon-aid out of lemons
Long time to blog sorry for my readers been busy getting my summer on.. It seem to hit me like a ton of bricks.. Wow summer is here how did that happen... We are only 5 weeks away from camp!! Woo hold on there buddy... I need more time!! For those readers who may not know my DH and I run a summer youth camp the first week in Aug in White River Vermont.. It is the highlight of our summer.. We spend the year getting ready for it.. We take one week of vacation a year and spend it with 80 teenagers between the ages of 12 and 18 ... Yea I know we are crazy... This weather one of our girls dorms was broken into and vandalized. Every bunk, every bed mat, the floor the walls you name it there was a curse word on it. At first my blood boiled with anger.. How could someone do this to my dorm!!! I said to myself.. A few weekends ago my DH left the kids with Nana and headed up to camp to do some work.. My DH set to work building a outside shower.. That is going to be SO cool well i hope hot really since most showers at summer camp are cold.. I plugged in my ipod and started painting. It was hot, the paint fumes were making my head light.. I was not happy this is not want I should be doing.. I have other things I need to do to get ready for camp then this grunt work.. I had spoken with a police officer about who they believed had done this act of vandalism's. He said he believe it was some boys between the ages of 12 and 13.. I even laughed with him about if i knew them they would be helping me clean up the mess. Anger came over me again as I spoke to this policeman..
But God,, you know if i had a dime for every time in my life a But God has happened I would not have to work for a living... But God spoke to my heart that hot sweating Saturday afternoon as I stood covered in paint and dirt. Those boys are just like every girl and boy that will fill these beds in a few weeks. They need me in their life's just as much as anyone. Pray for them and each of the ones that will fill these beds. My heart sank and I begin to see that what God was doing was not a waste of my time but helping me see that the real work for camp was being done now.. Hearts being softened by prayer.. I begin to worship as I painted those bunks. I was able to lay hands on each bunk and pray for whatever young lady would sleep in it. That God would work a mighty work in their hearts. I prayed that the spirit of God would call those young men that had given me the to spend a few hours along to pray for the week of camp to the grounds during the week. When I walked into that dorm for the first time and saw all the bunks, mats and floors with cruse words all over them. I saw work I did not want to take the time to do but had to be done.. God saw a way to slow me down so I could get some real work done.. God gives us lemons so we can take the time to make lemon aid... so sit back take it slow and see how you can bring glory to our Father in a time where you have more lemons then you need...
But God,, you know if i had a dime for every time in my life a But God has happened I would not have to work for a living... But God spoke to my heart that hot sweating Saturday afternoon as I stood covered in paint and dirt. Those boys are just like every girl and boy that will fill these beds in a few weeks. They need me in their life's just as much as anyone. Pray for them and each of the ones that will fill these beds. My heart sank and I begin to see that what God was doing was not a waste of my time but helping me see that the real work for camp was being done now.. Hearts being softened by prayer.. I begin to worship as I painted those bunks. I was able to lay hands on each bunk and pray for whatever young lady would sleep in it. That God would work a mighty work in their hearts. I prayed that the spirit of God would call those young men that had given me the to spend a few hours along to pray for the week of camp to the grounds during the week. When I walked into that dorm for the first time and saw all the bunks, mats and floors with cruse words all over them. I saw work I did not want to take the time to do but had to be done.. God saw a way to slow me down so I could get some real work done.. God gives us lemons so we can take the time to make lemon aid... so sit back take it slow and see how you can bring glory to our Father in a time where you have more lemons then you need...
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
house cleaning
I was doing some cleaning today out back in our basement. We were giving a upright freezer by my MIL. I am very happy to have a larger freezer to be able to stockpile things when they go on sale. Things are not getting any cheaper at the store these days. So i was doing some much needed cleaning out back to make room for this new gift. I opened the door to one of the cheast we used to store dry goods. i open the bottom door and to my surpise i found a few things that i can not even recall where or why i got then or even how long ago i got them. i looked for a date but was unable to find one. So into the trash they went. As I sat down here sweaty and stinky in bad need of a drink from all my cleaning labor, this thought came to me. we as believers should do some house cleaning our self in our spirits once and while. I have been studing this verse
2 Corinthians 13:5 Look closely at yourselves. Test yourselves to see if you are living in the faith. You know that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you fail the test.
Is that not kinda of like a good cleaning in the back of the basement like me today. A emoiton or thought crosses your heart and mind and you say to your self . Wow I did not know that was there! How long ago did i pick that up? Who gave me that?
To start a habit of asking God for what David asked for in psalm 51:10
Psalm 51:10Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again
Happy cleaning !
2 Corinthians 13:5 Look closely at yourselves. Test yourselves to see if you are living in the faith. You know that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you fail the test.
Is that not kinda of like a good cleaning in the back of the basement like me today. A emoiton or thought crosses your heart and mind and you say to your self . Wow I did not know that was there! How long ago did i pick that up? Who gave me that?
To start a habit of asking God for what David asked for in psalm 51:10
Psalm 51:10Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again
Happy cleaning !
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Heirlooms of the heart
This is something I wrote a while ago but has been on my mind... wanted to share it with you... Better for Christmas time but a message we all need to remember..
Heirlooms of the heart?
From Grandfather Clocks to pocket watches to Wedding dresses, Grandma tea cups.
All Heirlooms that are passed down from generation to generation. Gifts that remind us of our childhood. The old dirty chair Grandpa use to smoke his cherry pipe in. The pretty pink flowered china tea cup that Grandma use to drink honey lemon tea from. Pictures of family members we never met all tattered and yellow from time. Family Bibles that hold the family tree in their pages. A record of marriage, deaths and births with torn pages and worn leather covers. Note that mark a favortie verse in the word.
Even when these Heirlooms colors have faded away the memories of those we love don’t.
It is the heritage of our family that we pass down to our children.
This often happens at Christmas time around the family tree. Proud Fathers hand their sons the gift that was given to them as a boy. Tearful mothers hand their daughters gifts that were given to them as young girls. The question I have for you is what is the heirloom you are giving your children? It is a old tattered and torn gift yellow from time.
A common Heirloom giving at Christmas time is a Nativity scene. Something maybe your Great Grandmother brought at a five and dime store with the money she saved from doing others wash. Or maybe something your Grandfather craved out of wood. No matter where is came from or what it is made of the Nativity can be the greatest Heirloom you will every pass down thru your family.
What make a great Heirloom? Is it simple sentimental value alone that makes these family Heirlooms priceless? Is it just the picture in your minds eye of a family member over a 100 years ago holding this idem that is now in your care? Is it knowing that even thou it may have lost some of it glamour and gust it is still hold your familys love. It has held the test of time and has been well taken care of. Tucked away in for safe keeping inside a glass case or packed away wrapped in news paper. And it sits in the corner of you attic until it is to passed on to the next generation.
What good is Heirloom locked away for safe keeping if it is beauty is not shared. How can the next generation ever truly appreciate the value of it if they ever see it. Am I saying let the five year olds play with Grandmas tea set or let little Joe use Grandpa hunting knife down saplings in the back yard. No what I am saying is that some times we wait to long to share the value of what we want our children to remember. Of what we want them to pass on to there children. At Christmas time we share memories of years passed on. Of times and places and people that have changed or faded away.
How will our children ever be able to understand the greatest Heirloom is Jesus if we don’t give him to them. Family is not just traditions or a records written in the pages of a old bible.
Your family is a Heirloom or a gift to be passed of to the next generation. What heirloom are you leaving?
In 100 years what mark will your family have left?
Heirlooms of the heart?
From Grandfather Clocks to pocket watches to Wedding dresses, Grandma tea cups.
All Heirlooms that are passed down from generation to generation. Gifts that remind us of our childhood. The old dirty chair Grandpa use to smoke his cherry pipe in. The pretty pink flowered china tea cup that Grandma use to drink honey lemon tea from. Pictures of family members we never met all tattered and yellow from time. Family Bibles that hold the family tree in their pages. A record of marriage, deaths and births with torn pages and worn leather covers. Note that mark a favortie verse in the word.
Even when these Heirlooms colors have faded away the memories of those we love don’t.
It is the heritage of our family that we pass down to our children.
This often happens at Christmas time around the family tree. Proud Fathers hand their sons the gift that was given to them as a boy. Tearful mothers hand their daughters gifts that were given to them as young girls. The question I have for you is what is the heirloom you are giving your children? It is a old tattered and torn gift yellow from time.
A common Heirloom giving at Christmas time is a Nativity scene. Something maybe your Great Grandmother brought at a five and dime store with the money she saved from doing others wash. Or maybe something your Grandfather craved out of wood. No matter where is came from or what it is made of the Nativity can be the greatest Heirloom you will every pass down thru your family.
What make a great Heirloom? Is it simple sentimental value alone that makes these family Heirlooms priceless? Is it just the picture in your minds eye of a family member over a 100 years ago holding this idem that is now in your care? Is it knowing that even thou it may have lost some of it glamour and gust it is still hold your familys love. It has held the test of time and has been well taken care of. Tucked away in for safe keeping inside a glass case or packed away wrapped in news paper. And it sits in the corner of you attic until it is to passed on to the next generation.
What good is Heirloom locked away for safe keeping if it is beauty is not shared. How can the next generation ever truly appreciate the value of it if they ever see it. Am I saying let the five year olds play with Grandmas tea set or let little Joe use Grandpa hunting knife down saplings in the back yard. No what I am saying is that some times we wait to long to share the value of what we want our children to remember. Of what we want them to pass on to there children. At Christmas time we share memories of years passed on. Of times and places and people that have changed or faded away.
How will our children ever be able to understand the greatest Heirloom is Jesus if we don’t give him to them. Family is not just traditions or a records written in the pages of a old bible.
Your family is a Heirloom or a gift to be passed of to the next generation. What heirloom are you leaving?
In 100 years what mark will your family have left?
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
More on The Florida outpouring?
I have been emailing all week with a few friends on this Lakeland out pouring.. Now as my readers will note I have posted about this before. But I felt that I had to write more on this as I have learned more and had more and more chats about this with other believers.
A few weeks ago in our Sunday school class we learned about how we were to warn other Brothers and Sister who may be heading into trouble.
The teacher Andy Stanly ( who I have come to be very fond of) and for those that are wondering yes he is Charles Stanly son. Anyways he said it is like jumping out in front of our friends and yelling WOO slow down buddy your heading into something that could hurt you..
I feel that way about those that are easy to fellow men and teaching like those of this Lakeland outpouring..
First I have to state that I for one do believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have falling under his power many times. I have seen others be healed and delivered from everything from demons to cancer. I am not one of those people who believe that sighs and wonders are gone past. I believe that there is coming a day when God will pour out his spirit on all flesh and we will see signs and wonders like we have only read about in the bible.
But I do believe that Gods word is the true power by which God changes lives forever....
There are those that say we should not judge this move in Lakeland because of the way Todd Bently looks or talks.. We just need to let go of what was taught because God is doing a new thing in our hearts and spirit..
First thing I see wrong with that mind set is that God word has not change nor has he. As a matter of fact I believe his word says this in Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Reival is a move of God because of the hearts of men turning from their sin and repenting. It is not about signs and wonders. True Reival is best summed up in the book of 2 Chronicles 7:14
if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land
God is a God of oder not disoder. I do not read anywhere that reival is men and woman running around like dogs barking or flaping their arms like a chicken. I have always been taught to use Gods word for the standerd by which I juage what is of God and what is not. Since we know he never changes and his Spirit has been moving on the earth since the first days of creation then lets look at the effected it had on men. Lets look at the first time we see the power of the Holy Spirit at work. Again keeping in mind that God never changes..
Acts 2
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. First thing i note is that all the believers saw and heard all the same thing not just one person ALL!
5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
Second is that the men were speaking known languages now i do believe that the Holy Spirit can pray for us thur us when we have no words to pray. But the point i want to make is they were not running around like wild dogs! more on that later..
14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:
21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
25For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
34For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
35Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
I love this like any good Gospel the true Gospel is being preached. You too can be saved! NOt make more money or have gold dust fall on you, But be saved by a loving God.. I heard a sound bite from Todd Bently preaching where he states that God told him it was not all about Jesus any more but about Angels and Signs and wonders.. WHAT??? Reival with out the one who has the power to save?
I was thinking about the end of that verse ya shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. How do i know someone has the gifts of the Holy Ghost working in them? Simple you can see the fruit of the Spirit at work in their life..
A few weeks ago in our Sunday school class we learned about how we were to warn other Brothers and Sister who may be heading into trouble.
The teacher Andy Stanly ( who I have come to be very fond of) and for those that are wondering yes he is Charles Stanly son. Anyways he said it is like jumping out in front of our friends and yelling WOO slow down buddy your heading into something that could hurt you..
I feel that way about those that are easy to fellow men and teaching like those of this Lakeland outpouring..
First I have to state that I for one do believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I have falling under his power many times. I have seen others be healed and delivered from everything from demons to cancer. I am not one of those people who believe that sighs and wonders are gone past. I believe that there is coming a day when God will pour out his spirit on all flesh and we will see signs and wonders like we have only read about in the bible.
But I do believe that Gods word is the true power by which God changes lives forever....
There are those that say we should not judge this move in Lakeland because of the way Todd Bently looks or talks.. We just need to let go of what was taught because God is doing a new thing in our hearts and spirit..
First thing I see wrong with that mind set is that God word has not change nor has he. As a matter of fact I believe his word says this in Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
Reival is a move of God because of the hearts of men turning from their sin and repenting. It is not about signs and wonders. True Reival is best summed up in the book of 2 Chronicles 7:14
if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land
God is a God of oder not disoder. I do not read anywhere that reival is men and woman running around like dogs barking or flaping their arms like a chicken. I have always been taught to use Gods word for the standerd by which I juage what is of God and what is not. Since we know he never changes and his Spirit has been moving on the earth since the first days of creation then lets look at the effected it had on men. Lets look at the first time we see the power of the Holy Spirit at work. Again keeping in mind that God never changes..
Acts 2
1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. First thing i note is that all the believers saw and heard all the same thing not just one person ALL!
5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.
7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?
8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,
10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,
11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
12And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
13Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
Second is that the men were speaking known languages now i do believe that the Holy Spirit can pray for us thur us when we have no words to pray. But the point i want to make is they were not running around like wild dogs! more on that later..
14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:
15For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
19And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:
20The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:
21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
25For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
34For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,
35Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
I love this like any good Gospel the true Gospel is being preached. You too can be saved! NOt make more money or have gold dust fall on you, But be saved by a loving God.. I heard a sound bite from Todd Bently preaching where he states that God told him it was not all about Jesus any more but about Angels and Signs and wonders.. WHAT??? Reival with out the one who has the power to save?
I was thinking about the end of that verse ya shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. How do i know someone has the gifts of the Holy Ghost working in them? Simple you can see the fruit of the Spirit at work in their life..
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.Note that it did not say has Angels vist them or gold dust get in their hair..
I think that one of the most scary things i have read is that everyone keeps saying well tiem will tell wither of not this is a true move of God in Lakeland.. WHAT time? how long will people follow after a wind that is not of God.. ? How many will fall away from the true fruits of the spirit before they see how far it has taking them? Gods word tells us to test the Spirits to see if they are of God.. The Devil comes as a Angel of Light... I am not one to often WARN people agaist a preacher just because I do not agree with all their teaching but deep within my spirit the first few times i read or watched Todd Bently and others who are in this move. I felt very very WRONG about it.. I watched a few shows and prayed and ask God to give me wisdom about this. I spoke with a few Pastors and friends in Christ. Some like him most feel like it do.. So here is my WARNING~~~ If you or others have been following this man please pray and seek God as to his wisdom.. Do some reading online what others have to say,, I have read more bad then good... Second is get your bible out and read what a move of God looks like from his word.. I think you will find it to a very diffrent picture then the one of the spirit that is moving in Lakeland Fl.
I John 4:1
My dear friends, many false prophets have gone out into the world. So do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see if they are from God.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Double Blessing
BABY'S BABY'S BABY'S!!!
As many of you may know my baby Brother is going to be a Daddy! Andrew and his wife Hannah are due just after Christmas this year with their first child.
A couple in our church body had a little boy this past week named Matthew a name dear to my family's heart. ( I have a Brother Matthew in heaven who I will meet face to face one day) May God bless this little new boy Matthew with a mantel of Gods anointing to reach the earth as I know his parent Brian and Karina have a passion for.
Also Found out Sunday that some good friends of ours are having TWINS!!!
What a blessing for there house. I just wanted to say to them We are praying for Gods hand on those little lives in Jamie's womb. Boy if their children have half the anointing their mother does as she leads Gods people into worship then the Devil better run for the hills...
In our nation we do not take the joy in new life as we should. In the worlds eyes the only one that is truly a human life is Matthew because he is outside of the womb now.
From a God fearing Bible believeing Mothers seat I know that from the moment of concption life begins. Each with its own desity hand drawn by the maker of Heaven and Earth!
Take the time today to celabreate a new life. Wither it be to smile at a new mother who carrys her child or children in the womb. Take the time to coo and caa over a new borns smile or soft baby hair. Take the time to tickle your own childrens tummys just to hear their sweet laughter.
What power we take from the enemy when we celabreate life and the giver of life..
Truley each of us that have ever held a new born child understand that life truly is a gift from above....... and a sweet one at that.. I look forward to meeting these new gifts.....
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you." Jeremiah1:5
As many of you may know my baby Brother is going to be a Daddy! Andrew and his wife Hannah are due just after Christmas this year with their first child.
A couple in our church body had a little boy this past week named Matthew a name dear to my family's heart. ( I have a Brother Matthew in heaven who I will meet face to face one day) May God bless this little new boy Matthew with a mantel of Gods anointing to reach the earth as I know his parent Brian and Karina have a passion for.
Also Found out Sunday that some good friends of ours are having TWINS!!!
What a blessing for there house. I just wanted to say to them We are praying for Gods hand on those little lives in Jamie's womb. Boy if their children have half the anointing their mother does as she leads Gods people into worship then the Devil better run for the hills...
In our nation we do not take the joy in new life as we should. In the worlds eyes the only one that is truly a human life is Matthew because he is outside of the womb now.
From a God fearing Bible believeing Mothers seat I know that from the moment of concption life begins. Each with its own desity hand drawn by the maker of Heaven and Earth!
Take the time today to celabreate a new life. Wither it be to smile at a new mother who carrys her child or children in the womb. Take the time to coo and caa over a new borns smile or soft baby hair. Take the time to tickle your own childrens tummys just to hear their sweet laughter.
What power we take from the enemy when we celabreate life and the giver of life..
Truley each of us that have ever held a new born child understand that life truly is a gift from above....... and a sweet one at that.. I look forward to meeting these new gifts.....
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you." Jeremiah1:5
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Splinters
I have been thinking about splinters a lot today.. Seems like every kid I have in care today has gotten one. Big ones, little ones, deep ones, one that are have in have out of the skin.
Funny thing hit me as my son Noah said this to me" Mom just leave it in it does not hurt that bad". Why do you want to leave it in there I asked? Because mom it will hurt more to take it out then to just leave it there forever he replied..
My brain went flashed to the Word ,
Luke 6:42 (Amplified Bible)
42 How can you say to your brother, Brother, allow me to take out the speck that is in your eye, when you yourself do not see the beam that is in your own eye? You actor (pretender, hypocrite)! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.
We read here how our sin is like splinters of wood or logs in some cases.
Is it not true that we know in our mind that having Sin or a splinter in our body hurts us and can even lead to infections that will ruin our whole body. That is why we are so quick to tell others about the deadly sin they have in their bodies. Or why I tell Noah that we have to get the splinter out even if it hurts for a little while. But yet we would rater live with the pain of the splinter then deal with the pain of removing it?
Being that I have expriced a splinter and yes and even a little sin in my own life from time to time. I know that it is true that after a while it won't hurt any more. Your torn skin will grow over the wood and in a since the splinter will become a part of you. Much like our sin, we know it is wrong even hurtful but the longer we keep it around the less painful it because or so it would seem. We dred the removal prosses, the picking at the skin until the splinter is free. I think of sin as a splinter of the heart. Our hearts get hardern by sin and to remove it we have to pull back the hard skin to get at the sin. One thing a splinter will do it not removed is go deeper into the heart.... Much like sin, when we remove sin earily it does not hurt as much as sin that has buried it self deep in our hearts...
So grab the tweesers of Gods Word and pluck out the splinters of sin before they grow to deep in your heart. Just Beans View on Splinters....
Funny thing hit me as my son Noah said this to me" Mom just leave it in it does not hurt that bad". Why do you want to leave it in there I asked? Because mom it will hurt more to take it out then to just leave it there forever he replied..
My brain went flashed to the Word ,
Luke 6:42 (Amplified Bible)
42 How can you say to your brother, Brother, allow me to take out the speck that is in your eye, when you yourself do not see the beam that is in your own eye? You actor (pretender, hypocrite)! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.
We read here how our sin is like splinters of wood or logs in some cases.
Is it not true that we know in our mind that having Sin or a splinter in our body hurts us and can even lead to infections that will ruin our whole body. That is why we are so quick to tell others about the deadly sin they have in their bodies. Or why I tell Noah that we have to get the splinter out even if it hurts for a little while. But yet we would rater live with the pain of the splinter then deal with the pain of removing it?
Being that I have expriced a splinter and yes and even a little sin in my own life from time to time. I know that it is true that after a while it won't hurt any more. Your torn skin will grow over the wood and in a since the splinter will become a part of you. Much like our sin, we know it is wrong even hurtful but the longer we keep it around the less painful it because or so it would seem. We dred the removal prosses, the picking at the skin until the splinter is free. I think of sin as a splinter of the heart. Our hearts get hardern by sin and to remove it we have to pull back the hard skin to get at the sin. One thing a splinter will do it not removed is go deeper into the heart.... Much like sin, when we remove sin earily it does not hurt as much as sin that has buried it self deep in our hearts...
So grab the tweesers of Gods Word and pluck out the splinters of sin before they grow to deep in your heart. Just Beans View on Splinters....
Friday, May 9, 2008
Be all you can be, and if thats not good enough fake it
I was reading Thur my Tv Guide that I got for free I would never pay money for it, lol.
Here are the line up I found
1 American Idol
2 Hells Kitchen
3 Shot at Love with Tila Tequila
4 Wife Swap
5 I know My Kids a Star!
6 Survivor
7 The Real world
8 Americans Next Top Model
I read the little write ups about each of this shows. Like George Washington can not tell I lie, I have even sat and watch a few of these shows.
But I begin to see a trend. 5 of the shows are about winning moneybeing number one the best.
Number 3 is about a Bisexual woman looking for love from either sex. By the way this is the second season guess she did not find it the first time. The Real World which has turned into a real money maker for MTV by throwing 6 young people into a house to live and work together for a few months has turned into a soft porn where it is more about who hooks up with who and how drunk you were when it happen.. Sadly that is the picture of the REAL WORLD in this day in age for a lot of young people. One of the trends I saw in each of these shows is that is it all about being the most beautiful, smartest, cuties, sexiest.
In 1 Samuel 16 verse 7 is says this
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't look at how handsome Eliab is or how tall he is, because I have not chosen him. God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart."
I am so happy to know that I don't have to be good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, tall enough, thin enough to be chosen by God for a reason. In his eyes I am the best, number one, his child. Made just like he wants me to be. We live in a world where each and every day we are told you have to try harder to be this or that.
Amy Grant sings a song the words say" All I ever have to be is what you made in me to be. "
This world we live in needs to hear that message, you don't have to be anything other then what God has made you to be. What presure is off of us when we understand that God has made in us what we need to be great! That is not to say we should not study or try to impove our selfs.
2 Timothy 2:15 (New Living Translation)
15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker,
one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
The key in that verse is work hard so you can have approval from God not from the world.
I for one this we have been brain washed by the boob tube thinking we are not good enough for anything. Great lie the devil has sold us, people who are enough for nothing don't do much but sit around trying to think of ways to be better. If i were like so and so, then I could really do something great. So we just sit at home being a cough potatoe. Cough potatoes don't make history they become history..... My challage to you is rememeber the only person whos approval you need is Gods and the way to know you have it is by getting to know him and what he has made you for. No worries about wither of not you are up for the challage he made you for it!!!
Go make history ..................................
Here are the line up I found
1 American Idol
2 Hells Kitchen
3 Shot at Love with Tila Tequila
4 Wife Swap
5 I know My Kids a Star!
6 Survivor
7 The Real world
8 Americans Next Top Model
I read the little write ups about each of this shows. Like George Washington can not tell I lie, I have even sat and watch a few of these shows.
But I begin to see a trend. 5 of the shows are about winning moneybeing number one the best.
Number 3 is about a Bisexual woman looking for love from either sex. By the way this is the second season guess she did not find it the first time. The Real World which has turned into a real money maker for MTV by throwing 6 young people into a house to live and work together for a few months has turned into a soft porn where it is more about who hooks up with who and how drunk you were when it happen.. Sadly that is the picture of the REAL WORLD in this day in age for a lot of young people. One of the trends I saw in each of these shows is that is it all about being the most beautiful, smartest, cuties, sexiest.
In 1 Samuel 16 verse 7 is says this
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't look at how handsome Eliab is or how tall he is, because I have not chosen him. God does not see the same way people see. People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart."
I am so happy to know that I don't have to be good enough, pretty enough, smart enough, tall enough, thin enough to be chosen by God for a reason. In his eyes I am the best, number one, his child. Made just like he wants me to be. We live in a world where each and every day we are told you have to try harder to be this or that.
Amy Grant sings a song the words say" All I ever have to be is what you made in me to be. "
This world we live in needs to hear that message, you don't have to be anything other then what God has made you to be. What presure is off of us when we understand that God has made in us what we need to be great! That is not to say we should not study or try to impove our selfs.
2 Timothy 2:15 (New Living Translation)
15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker,
one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.
The key in that verse is work hard so you can have approval from God not from the world.
I for one this we have been brain washed by the boob tube thinking we are not good enough for anything. Great lie the devil has sold us, people who are enough for nothing don't do much but sit around trying to think of ways to be better. If i were like so and so, then I could really do something great. So we just sit at home being a cough potatoe. Cough potatoes don't make history they become history..... My challage to you is rememeber the only person whos approval you need is Gods and the way to know you have it is by getting to know him and what he has made you for. No worries about wither of not you are up for the challage he made you for it!!!
Go make history ..................................
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Lakeland Fl Revival?
A friend of mine asked me what i thought of what is going on in Lakeland Fl with Todd Bently. I wrote her back and felt maybe others were asking the same kind of ?? So here is Beans View on it..
I have been watching some of the meetings in Fl and some clips as well. I have to be truthful and say I am not yet sure what to think of it. So you are making me think about it so thank you for that..
Is it what I would call revival I am not sure, could it be a move of Gods power yes. But to me I think those are two different things. I have always been taught that revival is more about me then about God. God is waiting to bring revival to us. We are the ones that stop that not God.
In the Book of Acts, if you trace through the revivals which took place during the first years of the church, you’ll find that the same two terms are used repeatedly. The first term is the “word of the Lord” or the “word of God” or the “teaching of the Lord”. Basically the same thing is meant there. It’s referring to the Gospel going out. And the second term is “believed”. So on the one hand, there are those who are spreading the Word of the Lord, preaching the Gospel, and on the other hand there are those who are receiving it, who believe. I’ll give you some examples.
Then those who gladly received His Word were baptized. Many of those who heard the word believed. And the number of the man came to be about 5000”. Again; “but the word of God grew and multiplied”. And again:
“and the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region”. And again; “so the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed”.
And again; “and the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord”.
Again; “and the proconsul believed when he saw what had been done, he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord”.
Again; “therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks prominent women as well as men. Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many had been appointed to eternal life, believed and the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region”.
So one of the things that bothers me is that Todd Bentley himself said he has been unable to preach but only a few times.
How can it be revival if Gods word is not being taught?
I guess also for me revival is more about the hearts of the people in my area being changed by the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit working in that. Not me flying somewhere to hear someone else who is not living in my town and knowing what it is that needs to happen in the hearts of people here. If a revival is going to come to my area then the God is going to be responsible for it not a man or a member of his 'team'.
One thing that did not sit right with me is one night after the ministry time Todd asked people get up on stage to testify, things took a turn that gave me a sour taste in my mouth
Over and over, Todd reminded people of the "word of knowledge" he had that brought each person their healing and even once asked, "Do you know why this man is healed?" What I heard broke my heart. Todd answered himself: "He got healed because I had a Word of Knowledge..." No mention of the Gospel. No mention of Jesus. Just Todd and what he did.
We are changed by one thing and one thing only the power of the word of God working in our hearts.
So I guess what I am saying is that Yes people are feeling something, but true revival is not about a feeling or a emotion or even about people being healed. It is about the hearts of man being so remorseful that we turn from our sin.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (New Century Version)
14 Then if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, if they will pray and seek me and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land.
That is the true heart of revival not a movement or a man, not signs and wonders, not angels or gold teeth. Not bones being healed or scars being wiped away. Not Words of knowledge or laughter or tears. But the hearts of Gods people not seeking for a feeling or the glory of God but coming to understand that we are worthy or nothing.
When men start to seeking the Favor of God( which is his Grace) rather then the Blessings of God then revival will come to our nation.
That is my view on things…. You asked I gave……. It is not for me to judge what is a move of God.. I look to Gods word for the weight by which I measure things.. From this I think what is happen in Fl is a wonderful blessing for those who have been touched and healed but is it revival from my view No….
I have been watching some of the meetings in Fl and some clips as well. I have to be truthful and say I am not yet sure what to think of it. So you are making me think about it so thank you for that..
Is it what I would call revival I am not sure, could it be a move of Gods power yes. But to me I think those are two different things. I have always been taught that revival is more about me then about God. God is waiting to bring revival to us. We are the ones that stop that not God.
In the Book of Acts, if you trace through the revivals which took place during the first years of the church, you’ll find that the same two terms are used repeatedly. The first term is the “word of the Lord” or the “word of God” or the “teaching of the Lord”. Basically the same thing is meant there. It’s referring to the Gospel going out. And the second term is “believed”. So on the one hand, there are those who are spreading the Word of the Lord, preaching the Gospel, and on the other hand there are those who are receiving it, who believe. I’ll give you some examples.
Then those who gladly received His Word were baptized. Many of those who heard the word believed. And the number of the man came to be about 5000”. Again; “but the word of God grew and multiplied”. And again:
“and the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region”. And again; “so the word of the Lord grew mightily and prevailed”.
And again; “and the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord”.
Again; “and the proconsul believed when he saw what had been done, he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord”.
Again; “therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks prominent women as well as men. Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many had been appointed to eternal life, believed and the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region”.
So one of the things that bothers me is that Todd Bentley himself said he has been unable to preach but only a few times.
How can it be revival if Gods word is not being taught?
I guess also for me revival is more about the hearts of the people in my area being changed by the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit working in that. Not me flying somewhere to hear someone else who is not living in my town and knowing what it is that needs to happen in the hearts of people here. If a revival is going to come to my area then the God is going to be responsible for it not a man or a member of his 'team'.
One thing that did not sit right with me is one night after the ministry time Todd asked people get up on stage to testify, things took a turn that gave me a sour taste in my mouth
Over and over, Todd reminded people of the "word of knowledge" he had that brought each person their healing and even once asked, "Do you know why this man is healed?" What I heard broke my heart. Todd answered himself: "He got healed because I had a Word of Knowledge..." No mention of the Gospel. No mention of Jesus. Just Todd and what he did.
We are changed by one thing and one thing only the power of the word of God working in our hearts.
So I guess what I am saying is that Yes people are feeling something, but true revival is not about a feeling or a emotion or even about people being healed. It is about the hearts of man being so remorseful that we turn from our sin.
2 Chronicles 7:14 (New Century Version)
14 Then if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves, if they will pray and seek me and stop their evil ways, I will hear them from heaven. I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land.
That is the true heart of revival not a movement or a man, not signs and wonders, not angels or gold teeth. Not bones being healed or scars being wiped away. Not Words of knowledge or laughter or tears. But the hearts of Gods people not seeking for a feeling or the glory of God but coming to understand that we are worthy or nothing.
When men start to seeking the Favor of God( which is his Grace) rather then the Blessings of God then revival will come to our nation.
That is my view on things…. You asked I gave……. It is not for me to judge what is a move of God.. I look to Gods word for the weight by which I measure things.. From this I think what is happen in Fl is a wonderful blessing for those who have been touched and healed but is it revival from my view No….
Monday, May 5, 2008
The journey from your mind to your hands
Slow Fade by Casting Crowns
"It's a slow fade when you give yourself away. It's a slow fade when black and white are turned to gray.Thoughts invade, choices are made. A price will be paid when you give yourself away.People never crumble in a day.It's a slow fade."
The journey from your mind to your hands, Is shorter than you're thinking.
Such true words that the journey from a thought becoming a action is a short trip.
I was thinking about a friend of mine today who took that short trip a few months ago and has been out of fellowship for sometime now. . Yesterday I recived a phone call that brings joy to Christians when a Brother Sister has been out of fellowship.
He came to church and he was broken.
What joy filled my heart! As Christians we ask, pray, seek that our falling Brothers and Sisters will come to the end of themselves. That they will long to be broken before the Lord.
A alter moment between God and his child is one of the most beautiful things we can see. A Heart that has seen its self for what it is, Hard, alone, lost, afraid, needful, dark.
It like one of the quotes i posted a few days ago the heart has forgotten in the dark what it heard in the light. For a moment it almost hears a whisper of our Savoir saying I know where you have been and I still love you. I still long to hold you in my arms again. To mend the self inflected worns you have suffered. Welcome home child, welcome home.
I am glad my friend is back on the journey back home. It helps me remember why I need to write Gods word in my heart.
When talking about this brother who was broken, a friend said" it is hard for me to imagine people like him finding themselves in that situation",
But really anyone of us is just a small step away from being lost. As my friend put it "what seemed like a small step ends up being a bigger one".
2 Corinthians 10 :4- 5(New Century Version)
4 We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy's strong places.
We destroy people's arguments
5 and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.
I pray that you will be able to capture every thought before it makes the journey from your mind to your hands.
"It's a slow fade when you give yourself away. It's a slow fade when black and white are turned to gray.Thoughts invade, choices are made. A price will be paid when you give yourself away.People never crumble in a day.It's a slow fade."
The journey from your mind to your hands, Is shorter than you're thinking.
Such true words that the journey from a thought becoming a action is a short trip.
I was thinking about a friend of mine today who took that short trip a few months ago and has been out of fellowship for sometime now. . Yesterday I recived a phone call that brings joy to Christians when a Brother Sister has been out of fellowship.
He came to church and he was broken.
What joy filled my heart! As Christians we ask, pray, seek that our falling Brothers and Sisters will come to the end of themselves. That they will long to be broken before the Lord.
A alter moment between God and his child is one of the most beautiful things we can see. A Heart that has seen its self for what it is, Hard, alone, lost, afraid, needful, dark.
It like one of the quotes i posted a few days ago the heart has forgotten in the dark what it heard in the light. For a moment it almost hears a whisper of our Savoir saying I know where you have been and I still love you. I still long to hold you in my arms again. To mend the self inflected worns you have suffered. Welcome home child, welcome home.
I am glad my friend is back on the journey back home. It helps me remember why I need to write Gods word in my heart.
When talking about this brother who was broken, a friend said" it is hard for me to imagine people like him finding themselves in that situation",
But really anyone of us is just a small step away from being lost. As my friend put it "what seemed like a small step ends up being a bigger one".
2 Corinthians 10 :4- 5(New Century Version)
4 We fight with weapons that are different from those the world uses. Our weapons have power from God that can destroy the enemy's strong places.
We destroy people's arguments
5 and every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God. We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.
I pray that you will be able to capture every thought before it makes the journey from your mind to your hands.
Friday, May 2, 2008
some good quotes to build our faith.
Don't doubt what you heard in the light when your in the dark.
During a Trying time is not the time to stop Trying.
The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God can not protect you.
You know God today according to the degree you went after Him yesterday.
During a Trying time is not the time to stop Trying.
The Will of God will never take you where the Grace of God can not protect you.
You know God today according to the degree you went after Him yesterday.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Weak moments
I gave a word a few weeks ago now at my home church about God using our weak moments. For those of you that read my Daddys blog he wrote a bit about it and posted a wonderful picture of me.( that I btw took without him knowning on his camara being a wackO. Lesson learned not to do that again. You never know where a picture will end up. Should have learned that lesson from Hannah Montata or whatever her name is.
Anyways back on topic,
Weak moments, I read a blog from a childhood friend about his stuggle with a weak moment in life that is not going away anytime soon without a move of God. His son has MD( muscular dystrophy) A tough topic for him to write about much less live out each day. My heart breaks for him as a parent and as a friend. I can not for a moment put myself in his shoes nor do I want to try. To watch your childs health fail in fornt of your eyes and there be nothing to stop it seems almost more then a parent could bare. I wrote to him and said "Trust in the fact that there is no better place for our children to be but in Gods will. Because I know your hearts a believers. I know that your heart is that not only this child but for all your children would be in Gods will. Whatever that may be" That is just hard to feel in a weak moment
I shared with him how I wanted to wipe our car crash from the minds of my children. But God spoke to me and said But I don't want them to forget what I did for them and thru them because of this weak moment.
It is in our weak moment that God is able to glorife himself. God has a plan for each of our lives. We are only able to see part of the picture he is painting. The hard part is to have Faith and Trust in his plan is best and hold on to his promises thru the weak moment. I shared with my friend that we were and are standing in Faith for Kyles healing and standing on the promise of Gods word that by his strips we are healed. But more over I am praying that Kyles life would bring Glory to God and touch peoples lives. When our goal is bring God glory no matter the cost we are blessed. The Kingdom of God growns before our eyes because of our weak moment. Any heart break we may exprise is wiped away at the site of a heart changed forever by the power of God moving in our weak moment. So My friend keep this in mind wherever your weak moment leads you. That as a believer in Christ we know nothing happens outside of his loving hand. As Andy Stanly says God is up to something he is just giving us a chance to join in. Don;t let a weak moment make you miss it. Because you never know but you were born for such a time as this.........
Anyways back on topic,
Weak moments, I read a blog from a childhood friend about his stuggle with a weak moment in life that is not going away anytime soon without a move of God. His son has MD( muscular dystrophy) A tough topic for him to write about much less live out each day. My heart breaks for him as a parent and as a friend. I can not for a moment put myself in his shoes nor do I want to try. To watch your childs health fail in fornt of your eyes and there be nothing to stop it seems almost more then a parent could bare. I wrote to him and said "Trust in the fact that there is no better place for our children to be but in Gods will. Because I know your hearts a believers. I know that your heart is that not only this child but for all your children would be in Gods will. Whatever that may be" That is just hard to feel in a weak moment
I shared with him how I wanted to wipe our car crash from the minds of my children. But God spoke to me and said But I don't want them to forget what I did for them and thru them because of this weak moment.
It is in our weak moment that God is able to glorife himself. God has a plan for each of our lives. We are only able to see part of the picture he is painting. The hard part is to have Faith and Trust in his plan is best and hold on to his promises thru the weak moment. I shared with my friend that we were and are standing in Faith for Kyles healing and standing on the promise of Gods word that by his strips we are healed. But more over I am praying that Kyles life would bring Glory to God and touch peoples lives. When our goal is bring God glory no matter the cost we are blessed. The Kingdom of God growns before our eyes because of our weak moment. Any heart break we may exprise is wiped away at the site of a heart changed forever by the power of God moving in our weak moment. So My friend keep this in mind wherever your weak moment leads you. That as a believer in Christ we know nothing happens outside of his loving hand. As Andy Stanly says God is up to something he is just giving us a chance to join in. Don;t let a weak moment make you miss it. Because you never know but you were born for such a time as this.........
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
True Change
Ever said to your self this is the day I am going to change............. From this moment on my life is going to be diffrent!
For each of us we have diffrent things that we need to have changed in our lives.
For some it is to stop drinking, smoking, eating, lying, fighting, beating, yelling, cheating.
Sin....... We all want to stop sinning... We try, we fail, we try again.... We work up more streaght to be better a good person. We sin again... we try yet again this time will be diffrent, we fail again harder.
How is it we can have true change in our lives? What is the key to stop the sin ball from rolling over us? I have been giving this alot of thought. Why do we fail? How there are just those people who can never seem to never get it right. They cry, they make promise to never do that....... again..... Time passes and oops I did it again.. it is not just Brittny Spears that sings that song.... We all do.
How come it seems like for some true change never last? Is it maybe that true change never really came? They call on Jesus to save them, they stop what ever it is that needs to be stopped...... for a while but then there they do it again but this time it is worse...... They just can not seem to change..... I have been thinking about a girl i know who fits this picture like a glove.....
Why can't she seem to get it right???? Her own words told me why she never gets things right.. I will fix my life! I will get things back togather.. It is My life, This is mine to fix. I don't need anyone.
I don't know about you but Me, myself and I have gotten into more troble then I can count!
That is the problem we have We always want to fix our lives. I got into this mess and I will get out.. Gee smart huh? You have been driving this boat and look how great a job you did? You did not see the mess coming how can you see the way out? My dad has a fav cartoon that I love. It goes like this.. A little man is standing at the end of his boat. He yells back I have found the Enemy and We are He! How true is that? The person in my life that messes up things more offen in my walk with God is me. True Change comes when I get on my knees in a Alter moment with God can say I can do nothing to change mylife but ask you to change my heart.
Without him we can do nothing.. We create so many messes in our lives because of our heart we have to allow God to create in us a new heart. Not just once but daile.
I have found the enemy and We are He We can not have true change until we come to a place where we give up trying and turn things over to the one who over came sin once for all. Jesus....
For each of us we have diffrent things that we need to have changed in our lives.
For some it is to stop drinking, smoking, eating, lying, fighting, beating, yelling, cheating.
Sin....... We all want to stop sinning... We try, we fail, we try again.... We work up more streaght to be better a good person. We sin again... we try yet again this time will be diffrent, we fail again harder.
How is it we can have true change in our lives? What is the key to stop the sin ball from rolling over us? I have been giving this alot of thought. Why do we fail? How there are just those people who can never seem to never get it right. They cry, they make promise to never do that....... again..... Time passes and oops I did it again.. it is not just Brittny Spears that sings that song.... We all do.
How come it seems like for some true change never last? Is it maybe that true change never really came? They call on Jesus to save them, they stop what ever it is that needs to be stopped...... for a while but then there they do it again but this time it is worse...... They just can not seem to change..... I have been thinking about a girl i know who fits this picture like a glove.....
Why can't she seem to get it right???? Her own words told me why she never gets things right.. I will fix my life! I will get things back togather.. It is My life, This is mine to fix. I don't need anyone.
I don't know about you but Me, myself and I have gotten into more troble then I can count!
That is the problem we have We always want to fix our lives. I got into this mess and I will get out.. Gee smart huh? You have been driving this boat and look how great a job you did? You did not see the mess coming how can you see the way out? My dad has a fav cartoon that I love. It goes like this.. A little man is standing at the end of his boat. He yells back I have found the Enemy and We are He! How true is that? The person in my life that messes up things more offen in my walk with God is me. True Change comes when I get on my knees in a Alter moment with God can say I can do nothing to change mylife but ask you to change my heart.
Without him we can do nothing.. We create so many messes in our lives because of our heart we have to allow God to create in us a new heart. Not just once but daile.
I have found the enemy and We are He We can not have true change until we come to a place where we give up trying and turn things over to the one who over came sin once for all. Jesus....
Thursday, April 24, 2008
I married because of Maine and JT?
I am heading out in a few hour to one of my fav places. Maine! Wayne and I honeymooned there but our love affair with the great state of Maine started long before that.
I felt the need to tell this story today about how Maine and James Taylor are the reason I married Wayne, well ok two of the reason I married him.
It started one a warm June night here in Vermont. Wayne and I were at a stand still in our friendship. He was ready to move on and start the road to marriage. I on the other hand was in full freak out mode because my heart and Spirit knew that was Gods plan. It was getting the rest of my mind and body out of the way. I have to state that before Wayne and I started dating my heart had been broken. I was very scared of starting that road of love again. I had been So SO sure that the heart breaker was the ONE! Boy was i wrong and I thank God ever day that he does not always gives us the things we ask for. Enough said on that. Wayne was my best friend and I knew that you should always marry your best friend. But yet my heart did not want to go there. I needed to know that this was Gods ONE for me. I needed a sign! So how does James Taylor and Maine fit in to this love story? God is a man that I think likes to giggle at this children! He does things for the sake of showing that he is God and he can! Wayne and I both love James Taylors Music! We have worn out many many cds of his. His tunes have gone with us and been with us thur many many times. Some good some bad. Like us James is a big fan of the great state of Maine. Had even written lyrics about it in songs. Wayne and I had often joked about how we would get married and go to Maine to see James play. That was long before we dated. We would leave notes for each other like I have dollar and fiffty cents want to go to maine and see James? Silly things! But you know God is always listening to us even in our sillyness.
We had a blow up, knock down,drag out fight! Wayne was wanting me to say that I was in for the long haul, a lifetime, I was holding back. Then Wayne threw up his hands and in a half prayer half heart break and said God give her a sign any sign that this is right that I am the man for her. I don;t know what kind of sign Like James Taylor in Maine kind of sign. He started the truck and her rode without a word being said and made our way to a ice cream shop to met up with some friends. With in ten mintutes of being there a waiteres that we are friends with came up and said Hey maybe you guys would want to go? Go where we asked? OH I have two extra tickets to see James Taylor in Maine in two weeks. Would you like them? I choked on ice cream and knew that my God was a man who liked to show that he was God and if you would not hear his voice he would speak louder. Thanks God for using two of my fav things to show me that you are God and are able to move things and people in our lives to show us your plan! So yes we went and yes we had a wonderful time. Funny thing is we have seen James a few other times live but never again in Maine. Maybe one day. Off to pack for the Great state of Maine..
I felt the need to tell this story today about how Maine and James Taylor are the reason I married Wayne, well ok two of the reason I married him.
It started one a warm June night here in Vermont. Wayne and I were at a stand still in our friendship. He was ready to move on and start the road to marriage. I on the other hand was in full freak out mode because my heart and Spirit knew that was Gods plan. It was getting the rest of my mind and body out of the way. I have to state that before Wayne and I started dating my heart had been broken. I was very scared of starting that road of love again. I had been So SO sure that the heart breaker was the ONE! Boy was i wrong and I thank God ever day that he does not always gives us the things we ask for. Enough said on that. Wayne was my best friend and I knew that you should always marry your best friend. But yet my heart did not want to go there. I needed to know that this was Gods ONE for me. I needed a sign! So how does James Taylor and Maine fit in to this love story? God is a man that I think likes to giggle at this children! He does things for the sake of showing that he is God and he can! Wayne and I both love James Taylors Music! We have worn out many many cds of his. His tunes have gone with us and been with us thur many many times. Some good some bad. Like us James is a big fan of the great state of Maine. Had even written lyrics about it in songs. Wayne and I had often joked about how we would get married and go to Maine to see James play. That was long before we dated. We would leave notes for each other like I have dollar and fiffty cents want to go to maine and see James? Silly things! But you know God is always listening to us even in our sillyness.
We had a blow up, knock down,drag out fight! Wayne was wanting me to say that I was in for the long haul, a lifetime, I was holding back. Then Wayne threw up his hands and in a half prayer half heart break and said God give her a sign any sign that this is right that I am the man for her. I don;t know what kind of sign Like James Taylor in Maine kind of sign. He started the truck and her rode without a word being said and made our way to a ice cream shop to met up with some friends. With in ten mintutes of being there a waiteres that we are friends with came up and said Hey maybe you guys would want to go? Go where we asked? OH I have two extra tickets to see James Taylor in Maine in two weeks. Would you like them? I choked on ice cream and knew that my God was a man who liked to show that he was God and if you would not hear his voice he would speak louder. Thanks God for using two of my fav things to show me that you are God and are able to move things and people in our lives to show us your plan! So yes we went and yes we had a wonderful time. Funny thing is we have seen James a few other times live but never again in Maine. Maybe one day. Off to pack for the Great state of Maine..
Monday, April 21, 2008
Thank you Ben Stein
So i went to go see Ben Steins new movie yesterday and left the movies feeling dumb! Boy was that a smart movie . This movie was filled to the brim with smart people and some really really dumb smart people.. lol.. I love Ben Stein he seems to have no fear of asking the tough (???)s
I do have to say that one thing that struck me was one man in the movie who said that it was his hope that religion would someday become something fun people did on the weekends! That had no real impact in their everyday lives. That believing in God was a fairtale. My sister in law put it best when speaking of this man. Boy would i hate to be that guy on Judgment day! You got that right Hannah. But it struck me that we live in a world where the smartest people in the world, the men and woman who are shaping the minds and hearts of next world leaders. That they want us to become a world in which Faith or Believeing in God or any other higher power is that same as a Disney movie. Just make believe, A fairy tale, not real. My heart pains for those who have taken the lie that we are alone in this world. That there is not a loving God who cares for even the smallest birds wings. After watching this film it made me want to run into the street and tell every young people who is getting ready to attend collage and say don't believe the lie. God is real he did make you for a reason. There is reason for your life here on earth.
Christians we better get out of our pews and into the streets. We need to let the whole world that there is a God a living God not a fairly tale god that lives inside books. But that the God of heaven and earth who made the foundtions of the earth is alive and well and active in the world around us.The God w ho set the stars into heaven is alive and well and longing to be in their lives. Thank you Ben Stein for giving me insite into the worlds view for a moment. Not a place i would want to live. Alone and alive for no reason. I am So greatful i know the God who knew me before i was formed in my mothers womb.
I do have to say that one thing that struck me was one man in the movie who said that it was his hope that religion would someday become something fun people did on the weekends! That had no real impact in their everyday lives. That believing in God was a fairtale. My sister in law put it best when speaking of this man. Boy would i hate to be that guy on Judgment day! You got that right Hannah. But it struck me that we live in a world where the smartest people in the world, the men and woman who are shaping the minds and hearts of next world leaders. That they want us to become a world in which Faith or Believeing in God or any other higher power is that same as a Disney movie. Just make believe, A fairy tale, not real. My heart pains for those who have taken the lie that we are alone in this world. That there is not a loving God who cares for even the smallest birds wings. After watching this film it made me want to run into the street and tell every young people who is getting ready to attend collage and say don't believe the lie. God is real he did make you for a reason. There is reason for your life here on earth.
Christians we better get out of our pews and into the streets. We need to let the whole world that there is a God a living God not a fairly tale god that lives inside books. But that the God of heaven and earth who made the foundtions of the earth is alive and well and active in the world around us.The God w ho set the stars into heaven is alive and well and longing to be in their lives. Thank you Ben Stein for giving me insite into the worlds view for a moment. Not a place i would want to live. Alone and alive for no reason. I am So greatful i know the God who knew me before i was formed in my mothers womb.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Christmas music in April?
My daughter Grace just put on a Christmas Cd. I laughed and said Christmas in April? She said yea mom I like it! Funny how we don't think about singing the praises of our Lords birth but on dec 25th? Or maybe at least the weeks following up to it. But the truth is that we should always be singing out to the world that born this day in the city of David a Savoir who is Christ the Lord. The King who has come to save us from the sin that holds us in chains! How great is our God that he loves us So much to send his son to us not just on Dec 25th for a season but for a lifetime to save all. He died once for all! I for one am greatful that the reason for our Christmas season is not just a season but a an eternty... Thanks Grace for reminding Mom..
Monday, April 14, 2008
Jesus name replaced?
I watched a clip from American idol over the weekend . I got so mad i fumed around the kicthen. Wayne told me i was getting upset over something i could do nothing about and that i should have seen coming anyways. So what is it that mad me SO mad.. American idol has a show every season where they raise money for diffrent charity orgs. A worthy cause from a show that is worth nothing most days. On this show were to sing a inperational song of their choice. It was wonderful and alot of pretty moving songs were sung. To close the show to my surprise they chose a worship song we sing at our church. Shout to the Lord is the name of the song it is a Hillsong United Sydney and Darlene Zschech. The words of this song start like this. My Jesus my savoir Lord there is none like you. They sang every word of this song but one.
Jesus! They changed the word Jesus to Shepherd! Now don't get me wrong i am So happy that this song was sung on live Tv for millions and millions to hear but i guess the thing that rubs me the wrong way it that out of all the words to this song it is not, Lord ( because Lord can be alot of things not just one Lord) Not Shepherd ( which is just one who leads not the one true leader who cares for his sheeps needs) Not comfort, my shelter, Tower of refuge and strength, Because that still does not name who it is that is all those things to us. King? What king? King of what?
The whole world sings out praise to a nameless God.
Why is it that the name of Jesus is bloted out from live Tv like a curse word ( which you can say Jesus or God if it is in a curse word form on Live TV) But to sing out the praise of our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ, The King and Kings and the Lord of Lords! My blood boils and my heart breaks for those that thing they can reach God by some other path then the Son Jesus.
I said to Wayne your right there is nothing i can do about this but i can procliem the name of Jesus loud and long and give thanks that my Lord does have a name and one day every knee shall bow and every tounge confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!!
Jesus! They changed the word Jesus to Shepherd! Now don't get me wrong i am So happy that this song was sung on live Tv for millions and millions to hear but i guess the thing that rubs me the wrong way it that out of all the words to this song it is not, Lord ( because Lord can be alot of things not just one Lord) Not Shepherd ( which is just one who leads not the one true leader who cares for his sheeps needs) Not comfort, my shelter, Tower of refuge and strength, Because that still does not name who it is that is all those things to us. King? What king? King of what?
The whole world sings out praise to a nameless God.
Why is it that the name of Jesus is bloted out from live Tv like a curse word ( which you can say Jesus or God if it is in a curse word form on Live TV) But to sing out the praise of our Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ, The King and Kings and the Lord of Lords! My blood boils and my heart breaks for those that thing they can reach God by some other path then the Son Jesus.
I said to Wayne your right there is nothing i can do about this but i can procliem the name of Jesus loud and long and give thanks that my Lord does have a name and one day every knee shall bow and every tounge confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Ah to be 18 again
Remember when you were 18 years old and had the whole world in fornt of you? The world at your hands for the taking. Today i sat with a group of young people all between the ages 16 to 19 years old. All either out of school or in their last year of high school. Life is grand at that age.
New jobs, new homes ,new friends a new life. No longer under the hand of parents. on your own. So i thought for a moment about myself at that age. What would i tell myself if i could have a good hour with my 18 year old self. This is what i came up with...
Listen you don't know everything. God is in control no matter how hard you try to control your life. Life is not easiser on your own. Home is always sweet no matter how much you are fighting with your Mom and Dad right now. They do know best!
What would you tell your self..?
New jobs, new homes ,new friends a new life. No longer under the hand of parents. on your own. So i thought for a moment about myself at that age. What would i tell myself if i could have a good hour with my 18 year old self. This is what i came up with...
Listen you don't know everything. God is in control no matter how hard you try to control your life. Life is not easiser on your own. Home is always sweet no matter how much you are fighting with your Mom and Dad right now. They do know best!
What would you tell your self..?
Friday, April 11, 2008
Faith and Trust
What is the diffrence in Faith and Trust?
Is there any ?
That came up today with a friend who said their parter did not trust them. What is that saying about that person? They don't have Faith in the person to meet their needs to be what they said they would be.
How can you be in love with someone who does not have faith in you to be what you need?
Guess that is beyond me.
` I also think that when you are a Christian and married that you are not only trusting that person you marry but you are trusting God that he put you togather for life!
hat it is part of his plan for you. God will never give us more then we can handle. Spouse are a part of that too. Even if at times they may seem like more then we can handle.
The great thing is that as Christians we never have to handle things on our own. Paul wrote I can do all things thru Christ who gives me streaght! That is the best gift a marriage could ever have. Knowing that God is with us. I am one of the lucky ones who not only has faith in my spouse but in my God... Togather we can face anything even each others faults....
Is there any ?
That came up today with a friend who said their parter did not trust them. What is that saying about that person? They don't have Faith in the person to meet their needs to be what they said they would be.
How can you be in love with someone who does not have faith in you to be what you need?
Guess that is beyond me.
` I also think that when you are a Christian and married that you are not only trusting that person you marry but you are trusting God that he put you togather for life!
hat it is part of his plan for you. God will never give us more then we can handle. Spouse are a part of that too. Even if at times they may seem like more then we can handle.
The great thing is that as Christians we never have to handle things on our own. Paul wrote I can do all things thru Christ who gives me streaght! That is the best gift a marriage could ever have. Knowing that God is with us. I am one of the lucky ones who not only has faith in my spouse but in my God... Togather we can face anything even each others faults....
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Carried to the table
I was listening to a group called LeeLand. I saw them preform a few months ago in Mass. They were great not at all my style but I really enjoyed the message they gave in song.
One song that stuck out to me is called Carried to the table it is the story of David and Mephibosheth you can read the story in the book of 2 Samuel chapter 9.
Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, he was crippled in both feet but yet David allowed him to sit and eat at the Kings table.
The words to Leelands song go like this.
I was carried to the table, Seated where I don’t belong, Carried to the table, Swept away by His love And I don’t see my brokenness anymore When I’m seated at the table of the Lord I’m carried to the table The table of the Lord
What a picture of what the Lord does for each one of us. In our broken sinful state he carrys us to his table. In his eyes we can no longer see our brokeness, our pain we are made whole at the table of the Lord. Each one of us comes to the Lords table in a diffrent state of being. Some broken by our own sin others yet by others sins. but yet each one of us takes the cup of wine to remember our Savoirs blood that reminds us that it is by his strips we are made whole. We take the bread to remember that it is only because his bones were broken that ours were restored.
If your broken today come sit at the table of the Lord and remember that it is because of his brokeness that we can be made whole. Thank you Lord for your table......
One song that stuck out to me is called Carried to the table it is the story of David and Mephibosheth you can read the story in the book of 2 Samuel chapter 9.
Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan, he was crippled in both feet but yet David allowed him to sit and eat at the Kings table.
The words to Leelands song go like this.
I was carried to the table, Seated where I don’t belong, Carried to the table, Swept away by His love And I don’t see my brokenness anymore When I’m seated at the table of the Lord I’m carried to the table The table of the Lord
What a picture of what the Lord does for each one of us. In our broken sinful state he carrys us to his table. In his eyes we can no longer see our brokeness, our pain we are made whole at the table of the Lord. Each one of us comes to the Lords table in a diffrent state of being. Some broken by our own sin others yet by others sins. but yet each one of us takes the cup of wine to remember our Savoirs blood that reminds us that it is by his strips we are made whole. We take the bread to remember that it is only because his bones were broken that ours were restored.
If your broken today come sit at the table of the Lord and remember that it is because of his brokeness that we can be made whole. Thank you Lord for your table......
Sunday, April 6, 2008
What stops us ?
What stops us? part two of being in Minstry..
So what is it that stops us from fullfilling the command to be in minstry? This So goes back to being a good christian and being a Great one... Anyone can be a Christian. In Mark 16:16 it says all you have to do is believe and be baptized and you will be saved. But what does it take in fact to be a great christian? That word great keeps sticking in my mind. Great! I do want to be great! Most Christians are good, so if i am just a good christian does that make me middle of the road? Like everyone else? The best of the worst? Cream of the Crap as my Dad would say!
Makes me think about the GREAT Commission
The Great commission is the last recorded personal instruction given by Jesus to His disciples. It's a calling from Jesus to all Christian to take action while on this earth. In case you were wondering the great commission can be found in the book of Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
When i think of this story i always try and put myself in Jesus frame of mind. He was about to leave his friends for a long time. I always think of times in my life when i knew i was going to leave them and not see them for a long time. I always tell them i love them and that i will miss them, but more then that i tell them the most importian things to rememeber. Take Wayne when he leaves for a trip.. I always remember him to watch what he eats( for those of my readers that don't knwo he has type 2 he has to watchs his blood sugar) to make sure he rememeber to take his meds and on time.. Don';t forget to call the kdis befoer bedtime. Call you mother when you get there.
What am i telling him? I am telling him the most importian things he needs to do to be healthly. I think that was Jesus goal when he gave the great commission.
Most people believe that Jesus gave the great commission to bring the gospel to the whole earth. But God does not need us to fullfill his mission on the earth. He has invited us to join in the fun! Because he knows something we don't.
Most of the time we think of doing minstry , spreading the good news, witnessing, sharing Jesus, meeting the needs of others what ever you call it , as work, wasted time, to hard. It takes away from real life!
I hate to bust your bubble but a good friend of mine put it this way. Minstry for a Christian is not something we do in our live it should be our life.
The Great Commission, Jesus calls every Christian to step out in faith and spread the Good News. This is faith in action! People who obey this command change their spiritual lives forever!
So what is it that stops us from fullfilling the command to be in minstry? This So goes back to being a good christian and being a Great one... Anyone can be a Christian. In Mark 16:16 it says all you have to do is believe and be baptized and you will be saved. But what does it take in fact to be a great christian? That word great keeps sticking in my mind. Great! I do want to be great! Most Christians are good, so if i am just a good christian does that make me middle of the road? Like everyone else? The best of the worst? Cream of the Crap as my Dad would say!
Makes me think about the GREAT Commission
The Great commission is the last recorded personal instruction given by Jesus to His disciples. It's a calling from Jesus to all Christian to take action while on this earth. In case you were wondering the great commission can be found in the book of Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.
When i think of this story i always try and put myself in Jesus frame of mind. He was about to leave his friends for a long time. I always think of times in my life when i knew i was going to leave them and not see them for a long time. I always tell them i love them and that i will miss them, but more then that i tell them the most importian things to rememeber. Take Wayne when he leaves for a trip.. I always remember him to watch what he eats( for those of my readers that don't knwo he has type 2 he has to watchs his blood sugar) to make sure he rememeber to take his meds and on time.. Don';t forget to call the kdis befoer bedtime. Call you mother when you get there.
What am i telling him? I am telling him the most importian things he needs to do to be healthly. I think that was Jesus goal when he gave the great commission.
Most people believe that Jesus gave the great commission to bring the gospel to the whole earth. But God does not need us to fullfill his mission on the earth. He has invited us to join in the fun! Because he knows something we don't.
Most of the time we think of doing minstry , spreading the good news, witnessing, sharing Jesus, meeting the needs of others what ever you call it , as work, wasted time, to hard. It takes away from real life!
I hate to bust your bubble but a good friend of mine put it this way. Minstry for a Christian is not something we do in our live it should be our life.
The Great Commission, Jesus calls every Christian to step out in faith and spread the Good News. This is faith in action! People who obey this command change their spiritual lives forever!
Beans ? of the day
Beans ? of the day
Is being in full time Minstry a calling , a job, or a commandment?
Is being in full time Minstry a calling , a job, or a commandment?
No one wants to be seen nude
Beans view for the day
As I sit here on this cold cold morning it was -4 when Wayne left for work at 5am but it is up to a whole 10 now woo hoo.. I am drinking my cup of hot tea as i do every morning. I just read the paper and was sadden by one of the Obits i read.
Most of you know that Wayne is a dispatcher for bratt PD. He took a call for a 3 year old this week who got killed thur a very tracigic way at his home. It was no ones fault just one of those things. Kids play and sometimes they get hurt and sometimes they die. Now i am not in anyway down playing the saddess of this boys death. My heart breaks for his Mommy and Daddy. Parents should never have to lay to rest a child. I held my kids close to my heart after hearing this. You see i too understand how fast life can change and you can be facing death. When we were in a crash a few summers ago, I saw how fast life can slip out of your hands and there is nothing you can do to stop it. I am sure that the mother of this young boy did not wake up thinking she would lose her sweet boy. She was I guess like most moms , thinking about getting the wash done, Cleaning out the bathroom trash. What to make for dinner. She was thinking about life not death. I don't like to talk about death or even think about it. My grandmother is facing the end of her life. I can see it but i don't want to look at it. Death is not something anyone likes to look at. I have caused some of you readers of my blog to be upset or sadden by my lastest blogs. For that i wish i could tell you i am sorry but in truth i am not. I love all my friends more then i think you could know. I am not a warm and fussy person, never have been. I work on it i try and hug. ( I hate hugs from most people i am not a touchy feely kind of gal) I want my friends to look at the death in their life. Just as I don't like to look at my own sin, i understand why no one else does. But for me because i know what freedom there is in looking at death head on. I was talking last night with a friend about this, i put it like this. Its like driving by a bad car crash, you don't want to look but you have to. It hurts breaks your heart but somehow looking at death head on brings relief to your heart. When we face our sin like that, look at it head on, call it what it is, don;t blame anyone but ourself. There is freedom from the death that sin brings when we stop hiding. I think of Adam and Eve in the garden hiding from God. What freedom they had when they stood in fornt of God and confess their sin. We so many times run and hide, try to cover our sin with fig leafs. We are afraid to stand bare in fornt of God and let him or anyone else see our faults.
As much as it hurts the only way to get over death in our life is to face it. Grief sorrow, tears, let it out, talk about it. But on the other side of the coin, We the mournings have to be that mournings not be afaird to stand beside the one facing death and hold them just as God does with us. He did not run when we were in sin, He did not walk away from us when he lelf his side. He had true unconditional love for us. So many times we think calling sin sin, is a sin ( sorry that had to be said) Because in a way it pulls the fig leafs off us. No one wants to be seen nude...
As I sit here on this cold cold morning it was -4 when Wayne left for work at 5am but it is up to a whole 10 now woo hoo.. I am drinking my cup of hot tea as i do every morning. I just read the paper and was sadden by one of the Obits i read.
Most of you know that Wayne is a dispatcher for bratt PD. He took a call for a 3 year old this week who got killed thur a very tracigic way at his home. It was no ones fault just one of those things. Kids play and sometimes they get hurt and sometimes they die. Now i am not in anyway down playing the saddess of this boys death. My heart breaks for his Mommy and Daddy. Parents should never have to lay to rest a child. I held my kids close to my heart after hearing this. You see i too understand how fast life can change and you can be facing death. When we were in a crash a few summers ago, I saw how fast life can slip out of your hands and there is nothing you can do to stop it. I am sure that the mother of this young boy did not wake up thinking she would lose her sweet boy. She was I guess like most moms , thinking about getting the wash done, Cleaning out the bathroom trash. What to make for dinner. She was thinking about life not death. I don't like to talk about death or even think about it. My grandmother is facing the end of her life. I can see it but i don't want to look at it. Death is not something anyone likes to look at. I have caused some of you readers of my blog to be upset or sadden by my lastest blogs. For that i wish i could tell you i am sorry but in truth i am not. I love all my friends more then i think you could know. I am not a warm and fussy person, never have been. I work on it i try and hug. ( I hate hugs from most people i am not a touchy feely kind of gal) I want my friends to look at the death in their life. Just as I don't like to look at my own sin, i understand why no one else does. But for me because i know what freedom there is in looking at death head on. I was talking last night with a friend about this, i put it like this. Its like driving by a bad car crash, you don't want to look but you have to. It hurts breaks your heart but somehow looking at death head on brings relief to your heart. When we face our sin like that, look at it head on, call it what it is, don;t blame anyone but ourself. There is freedom from the death that sin brings when we stop hiding. I think of Adam and Eve in the garden hiding from God. What freedom they had when they stood in fornt of God and confess their sin. We so many times run and hide, try to cover our sin with fig leafs. We are afraid to stand bare in fornt of God and let him or anyone else see our faults.
As much as it hurts the only way to get over death in our life is to face it. Grief sorrow, tears, let it out, talk about it. But on the other side of the coin, We the mournings have to be that mournings not be afaird to stand beside the one facing death and hold them just as God does with us. He did not run when we were in sin, He did not walk away from us when he lelf his side. He had true unconditional love for us. So many times we think calling sin sin, is a sin ( sorry that had to be said) Because in a way it pulls the fig leafs off us. No one wants to be seen nude...
Keeping it MAD REAL
Keeping it MAD REAL
I gueess i have a burr under my backside and i have to get it out! I have to say what is on my heart
Yesterday we had a great sermon at church on being GREAT for God not just good. If your a good Christian then it is easy to settle for being good and never work to be GREAT! To never do GREAT things for God only good things.
I have for the past few week been sicked by the bullins and comments and songs i have seen on SO many Christians on myspace!
Now i am not one to point out others faults without first dealing with myself. After listening to the sermon yesterday i have come to understand that i have been settling for being Good and not Great for God. I want to start to be great! To see God do Great things in my life and use me in a Great way. That is why i have to say what i am about to say.
I have to say that really my heart was moved by seeing so many of my young people who have put their arms around me and promise to live their lives for Jesus. NO matter the cost! SO i ask you today are you paying the cost to live your life for Jesus or are you just being good. Anyone can be good with out paying a cost. But to be Great and have great things happen in your life and in the lives of the people you love. It cost you! So many of you post things for all your friends to read., Cursing, what kind of lover you are? The new tattoo you defaced you body with. What kind of drunk you are. Your songs on your page are about having sex, smoking pot, cusing Gods name rather then procaiming the name of Jesus as Lord. Pictures of you in sexual clothes showing off your bodys. In a lip lock with your love!
My heart for you is this. How is it that you will in just a few months be asking these same friends to come to summer camp with you to praise God? How is it that some of you will ask these same friends to join you at church or youth group this very week? Because you want your friends to meet Jesus the man who changed your life. Did he? Are you diffent then the world? Or are you just a good person?
Is your life reflecting the change Jesus made in your heart? Or is it just showing that if you get saved you become a good person who does not do bad things, like kill or steal?
I hope that you hear my heart for you those i love the most in life my kids.. BEAN <>< keeping it MAD REAL!
Revelation 3:16 (The Message)15-16"I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit
I gueess i have a burr under my backside and i have to get it out! I have to say what is on my heart
Yesterday we had a great sermon at church on being GREAT for God not just good. If your a good Christian then it is easy to settle for being good and never work to be GREAT! To never do GREAT things for God only good things.
I have for the past few week been sicked by the bullins and comments and songs i have seen on SO many Christians on myspace!
Now i am not one to point out others faults without first dealing with myself. After listening to the sermon yesterday i have come to understand that i have been settling for being Good and not Great for God. I want to start to be great! To see God do Great things in my life and use me in a Great way. That is why i have to say what i am about to say.
I have to say that really my heart was moved by seeing so many of my young people who have put their arms around me and promise to live their lives for Jesus. NO matter the cost! SO i ask you today are you paying the cost to live your life for Jesus or are you just being good. Anyone can be good with out paying a cost. But to be Great and have great things happen in your life and in the lives of the people you love. It cost you! So many of you post things for all your friends to read., Cursing, what kind of lover you are? The new tattoo you defaced you body with. What kind of drunk you are. Your songs on your page are about having sex, smoking pot, cusing Gods name rather then procaiming the name of Jesus as Lord. Pictures of you in sexual clothes showing off your bodys. In a lip lock with your love!
My heart for you is this. How is it that you will in just a few months be asking these same friends to come to summer camp with you to praise God? How is it that some of you will ask these same friends to join you at church or youth group this very week? Because you want your friends to meet Jesus the man who changed your life. Did he? Are you diffent then the world? Or are you just a good person?
Is your life reflecting the change Jesus made in your heart? Or is it just showing that if you get saved you become a good person who does not do bad things, like kill or steal?
I hope that you hear my heart for you those i love the most in life my kids.. BEAN <>< keeping it MAD REAL!
Revelation 3:16 (The Message)15-16"I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
memorys
Friendship is a wonderful thing.. I don't have alot of close friends in my life. I can count them on my hands. But i have to say this about the friendships i do have. Last week a friend called me who lives a few states away. I not talked to her or since the end of the summer. She was passing my town on the highway and stopped at the store near my house to pick up a few things. I met her in the parking lot and we chatted for maybe ten mintutes but it did not seem like we had not seen or talked to each other in months. She is my friend and time and space does not change that. Now just today i came across a old friend on the web. We emailed a few times today and again it did not seem like anything had changed. Even thou it had been years since we had seen each other or talked. Friendship last if they are true friendships.. Glad to talk to you Krissy Pooh and Heidi we need to have a cup of tea togather soon.. Bean
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