FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH

Saw this beautiful sight on an early morning drive last month. 
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  (Psalm 19:1) KJV 

LEST WE FORGET . . .

“You are as much serving God in looking after your own children, and training them up in God’s fear, and minding the house, and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of hosts.”

~ C.H. Spurgeon



♥¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪
All hail the power of Jesus' Name!
♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸♥
 

GOD'S PROMISE IN THE SKY



Last week we saw this beautiful rainbow on the way home.
Its colors were so vivid! So vibrant! So brilliant!

"And God spake unto Noah, and to his sons with him, saying, And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you; And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.  And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.  And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:  I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.  And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud:  And I will remember my covenant, which is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh.  And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth.  And God said unto Noah, This is the token of the covenant, which I have established between me and all flesh that is upon the earth."  (Genesis 9:8-17 kjv)

When I see a rainbow it reminds me that God is also looking upon it, and He is remembering His covenant.

Amazing!

MARTYRED MOTHERS

I received the post below in an e-mail, and it brought tears to my eyes.  It also caused me to give thanks.  I wanted to share it because this could become anyones reality . . . including mine. 

(I have placed the link below to give credit where it is due.)

http://raisinghomemakers.com/2012/martyred-mothers/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RaisingHomemakers+%28Raising+Homemakers%29

A young mother lost her three year old son last week in a fatal accident. I don’t know her. She is a friend of a friend.  That’s still too close.

In a moment that mama crossed over from an ordinary life of homeschooling, homemaking and what-will-I-fix-for-supper-tonight… into grief, sorrow and agony that crushed her heart beyond what we think humans can endure. When she woke up that morning she had no idea that her time was to be cut short with that boy.

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."  (James 4:14) KJV

His days were numbered by His Creator set to end on that specific day. Death touches us all at one time or another but when it touches, or threatens to touch our children, we recoil inside. Some of you reading have experienced the same anguish this grief-stricken mother has.  And when I heard the news I hugged my babes tighter and let my lips linger on their soft faces a bit longer at bedtime. Then I looked into my own mother-heart and realized with shame that many times I have given way to sin and selfishness and let the enemy whisper to me:

“Imagine how great it will be when they are all grown up and you have:

Lipstick that has a point on it

And a cake with no finger traces in it

And plastic tablecloths with no spaghetti stains on them

And no kisses with snot and no salad with olives picked out and no muddy knotted shoelaces to untie

Imagine!

A bookcase that stays perfect for more than five minutes

And a conversation with a friend that is uninterrupted

And a phone call that isn’t start and stop and a night of sleep that isn't disturbed

Oh yes….just imagine how wonderful that will be!”

And yet what would the grieving mother—the one whose toddler went to be with Jesus, or the one who is infertile or the one who is waiting on the Lord to bring her a husband—what would she give to have a day of messes, mischief, cutting up someone’s grapes, reading Peter Rabbit or rocking the sleepy body of a feverish toddler in the night watches?

Oh mothers, reject those thoughts. Take them captive!

Yes, there are days that are challenging as a mom. I’m not dismissing the fact that motherhood requires tremendous demands of patience, selflessness, lovingkindness and walking the way of the cross. Those actions are supplied only through the supplying of the Lord’s mercy as He strengthens our hands to the task, so we must abide in the True Vine. But may we not live our lives as martyrs that have given up something great, and thinking that motherhood is only about sacrifice. Sure there are some sacrifices. But to be a mother is a precious gift and privilege never to be taken for granted. Instead let’s walk in the joy of the Lord, being grateful for His gift of children, that aren’t really even ours.

". . . for the joy of the LORD is your strength."  (Nehemiah 8:10c) KJV

"Thou wilt shew me the path of life:  in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."  (Psalm 16:11) KJV

"REJOICE in the LORD, O ye righteous:  for praise is comely for the upright."  (Psalm 33:1) KJV

A SERMON IN THOUGHTS . . . ESPECIALLY FOR ME

I have been reviewing events God has allowed in my life from childhood to present . . . both the good, the bad, and the surprising.  Certainly, there have been many, and like snowflakes, no two have been the same.  I have allowed these incidents (at times involving others and studded with emotions) to color my thoughts and shape my views in a unique way that is particular only to me.  Thus, the reactions I've chosen for myself have caused me to become the person I am today. 

I am not always proud of myself, in fact, quite often I am ashamed. 

No brag - just fact.

  

Following is a collection of sentiments I filed away for such a day as this.  I was rummaging through them today, and decided I would like to put them all together in a post here on my blog.  A post to myself, for myself, and by myself. 

Since this is my blog . . . I can do that.    :)

I enjoy my blog immensely and post about things that are of interest to me.  It's kind of therapeutic. 

I hope those of you who do share in the reading of my posts enjoy your visits and come back often.

I hope you leave with a smile, something to think about, and/or a hearty, "Amen!"



Ain't that the truth!  I trust the next 40 years will be a bit easier.  ;)

I have become the worst at letting precious moments slip through my fingers.  I hope I can overcome this malady.

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver." ~ Proverbs 25:11
And on the flip-side . . .
Speech has been compared to an arrow:  once the words are released, like an arrow, they cannot be recalled, the harm they do cannot be stopped, and the harm they do cannot always be predicted, for words like arrows often go astray.

I don't normally intend on wasting my time, but invariably it does happen in spite of my best efforts. 
Oh, that I could truly understand the value of a single minute.

This just makes me sad - because it is so undeniably TRUE.  :(

It's so easy to become carnally minded, and put my eyes on the storm around me. 

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

trust - one in which confidence is placed

“Mistrust makes life difficult. Trust makes it risky.” ~ Mason Cooley

“It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust.” ~ Dr. Samuel Johnson

“It is an equal failing to trust everybody, and to trust nobody.” ~ English Proverb

It's a beautiful thing to be able to pick up where you left off (no matter how much time has passed) . . . with a friend.
It's even more wonderful, though less likely, to turn enemies into friends.

" . . . He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone . . . "
(John 8:7) KJV

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Philippians 2:3) KJV

I can make a difference for the good. 
(Note to Self:  Don't believe the lies!)

 perspective - a way of regarding situations, facts, etc, and judging their relative importance

This is not always easy for me to do. 
However, it can be quite refreshing and insightful when done properly.

A snail walks into a bank to make a deposit. Then a turtle comes in and robs the bank. Afterward, the police are interviewing the snail and asks him to recount what had happened. The snail says, "I don't know, it all happened so fast."

Easier said than done . . . but not impossible.

". . . With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."
(Mark 10:27) KJV
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
(John 8:32) KJV

Habits are so hard to break.  If only I could remember to ask this question when the need arises.

I really need to work on numbers 1, 4, 7, 8, and 10. 
(I don't have the market yet on the other five either.)

I can't imagine life without regrets.  Someday it will be, though.  :)

- Tucking my youngest into bed at night -
- Watching my two daughters as they grow -
- Listening to my son tell about his new job -
- Praying for my oldest two sons and their safety -
- Praising God for my husband in the good times and in the bad -
- Thanking God that He isn't finished with me yet -

These are just some of the BIG things.

This is not an easy attitude for me to adopt, but one I think will save me from shedding too many more tears.
"Boo-Hoo."

Really?  Do I really believe this? 
FMI-  (For My Information)
I am learning to.

I don't know the swami, but he sure has a great quote.  ;)

Couldn't have said it better myself.

God knows me.
Sometimes that makes me glad.
Most times it makes me sad.

Oh, how I'll wish I had given Him more!

If I finally give up, it's because there was nothing left to hold on to.

LEST WE FORGET

Please read the little cartoon carefully.  It is powerful. Then read the comments at the end, and please - forward it. We cannot, we must not, ever forget what happened in Europe over 60 years ago, because it could happen again. Anyone, any group, could be the target. It has been said that those who refuse to study history are doomed to repeat it. In this case, those who are attempting to rewrite history are probably planning to repeat it. The hatred is already there, in place, taught to the children from infancy, with promises of glory and honor to those who carry out the plans.

Forewarned is forearmed, and I'm doing my small part by forwarding this message. I hope you'll do the same.

It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This is being sent as a memorial, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated with the German and Russia peoples looking the other way!

Now, more than ever, with Iran, among others, claiming the Holocaust to be "a myth," it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets, because there are others who would like to do it again.

The Islamic extremists are bent on the same thing that Hitler and Stalin were. The conquest of the world and the destruction of anyone who doesn't believe the way they do. The rest of the Muslims who say or do nothing about them are as guilty as the extremist.

FROM A STRICTLY MATHEMATICAL VIEWPOINT

What equals 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%? Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been in situations where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 101%? What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might help you answer these Questions:

If:

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

Then:

H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K

8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

and

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E


11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But,

A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E

1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

AND, look how far the love of God will take you

L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D

12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%


Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that: While Hard work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will get you there, it's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

PRACTICE RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS

How many times have you been cheered by a small act of kindness?

I can think of many: 

The friend who drove out to our house to take pictures of it when it snowed in 2004 (when it rarely snows in our area), and we were out of town and missed it.

The child who hugged me, when I was most unlovely, and made me feel so wretched . . . and so loved at the same time.



The many friends and acquaintances who have blessed our hearts and home with their gifts of food, cards, phone calls, prayers, well wishes, money, and time when we've experienced major life changes.





The strangers who smile at me . . . just because.

Those folks who have done something unselfish and kind for me and/or someone in our family - and we never even knew it.

Gestures of kindness don't have to make the history books to make them worthwhile.  Think of everyone for whom you've done a favor, and know that they would agree.

 

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. - Oscar Wilde

 

A GENTLE REMINDER . . .

. . . to bring continuous praise to God, and His Son, Jesus Christ.

"Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!"

(Psalm 107:8, 21, and 31) KJV

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

 

A LESSON IN LIVING

A young banker was driving his BMW, in the mountains, during a snowstorm.  As he rounded a turn the vehicle slid out of control and toward a cliff.  At the last moment he unbuckled his seatbelt and jumped from the car.  Though he escaped with his life, his left arm was caught near the hinge of the door and torn off at the shoulder. 

A trucker passing nearby witnessed the accident.  He stopped his rig, and ran back to see if he could be of help.  There standing in a state of shock was the banker at the edge of the cliff moaning, "Oh, my BMW, my BMW." 

The trucker pointed to the banker's shoulder and said, "Man, you've got bigger problems than a car." 

With that the banker looked at his shoulder, finally realizing he'd lost his arm, and began crying, "Oh, my new Rolex, my new Rolex!"

The pull of the world can easily steal our affections away, and cause us to live for the wrong things, but believers must live in light of eternity. Lord, please help me to have the right focus.

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt:  for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward." Hebrews 11:24 - 26

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Do we long to do more for God?

Hudson Taylor replied to such a question with these words,  "The Lord was looking for a man WEAK enough to use, and He found me."

It was D. L. Moody who once said, "We may easily be TOO BIG FOR GOD TO USE, BUT NEVER TOO SMALL."

GOOD ADVICE

"O' LORD, PLEASE HELP ME TO KEEP MY

OUT OF OTHER PEOPLE'S BUSINESS."

WORDS OF WISDOM

Feel glum?  Keep mum.

Don't grumble.  Be humble.

Trials cling?  Just sing.

Can't sing?  Just cling.

Don't fear - God's near.

Money goes - He knows.

Honor left - not bereft.

Don't rust - Work! Trust!

- E. B. Allen

CHRISTIAN WAYS TO REDUCE STRESS

1. Pray.

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many).

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.

9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.

11. Separate worries from concerns . If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety . If you can't do anything about a situation, leave it with God.

12. Live within your budget, and don't use credit cards.

13. Have backups like an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S. (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the "Kid in You" everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its logical place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Find time every day to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud.

24. Make friends with godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite Scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good, "Thank you Jesus!"

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but do not take yourself seriously at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33 Talk less.  Listen more.

34. Slow down, and breathe deeply.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

'If God be for us, who can be against us?'

(Romans 8:31)

WILL THE WORLD END IN 2012?

Please take a few minutes out of your day to view this video.

It could change your life!



 

SHARING SOME LAUGHS

1) The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot 's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, "My mommy looked back once while she was driving," he announced triumphantly, "and she turned into a telephone pole!"

2) A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan. She asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?"  A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, "I think I'd throw up."

3) A Sunday school teacher asked, 'Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark? ''No," replied Johnny. "How could he, with just two worms?"

4) Nine-year-old Joey was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School. "Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt . When he got to the Red Sea, he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he radioed headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved." "Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you," his Mother asked.  "Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never believe it!"

5) A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible - Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the chapter. Little Rick was excited about the task - but he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line. On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know."

6) The preacher's 5 year-old daughter noticed that her father always paused and bowed his head for a moment before starting his sermon. One day, she asked him why.  "Well, Honey," he began, proud that his daughter was so observant of his messages, "I'm asking the Lord to help me preach a good sermon."  "How come He doesn't answer it," she asked.

7) During the minister's prayer one Sunday, there was a loud whistle from one of the back pews. Tommy's mother was horrified. She pinched him into silence.  After church she asked, "Tommy, whatever made you do such a thing?" Tommy answered soberly, "I asked God to teach me to whistle . . . and He did!"

8) When my daughter, Kelli, said her bedtime prayers, she would bless every family member, every friend, and every animal (current and past). For several weeks, after we had finished the nightly prayer, Kelli would say, "And all girls."  This soon became part of her nightly routine, to include this closing. My curiosity got the best of me and I asked her, "Kelli, why do you always add the part about all girls?"  Her response, "Because everybody always finishes their prayers by saying 'All Men'!"

9) Little Johnny and his family were having Sunday dinner at his Grandmother's house. Everyone was seated around the table as the food was being served. When Little Johnny received his plate, he started eating right away.  "Johnny! Please wait until we say our prayer," said his mother.  "I don't need to," the boy replied.  "Of course, you do," his mother insisted. "We always say a prayer before eating at our house."  "That's at our house," Johnny explained, "but this is Grandma's house, and she knows how to cook!"

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES

A father wanted to read a magazine, but was being bothered by his little girl. She wanted to know what the United States looked like. Finally, he tore a sheet out of his new magazine on which was printed the map of the country. Tearing it into small pieces, he gave it to her and said, "Go into the other room and see if you can put this together."

After a few minutes, she returned and handed him the map, correctly fitted and taped together.

The father was surprised and asked how she had finished so quickly.

"Oh," she said, "on the other side of the paper is a picture of Jesus. When I got all of Jesus back where He belonged, then our country just came together."

AN INTERVIEW WITH GOD

CAN YOU GO IN?