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...
Monday, June 30, 2008
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.
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