Clay In His Hands

Perception is Not Reality

2011-12-13T15:38:00.007-06:00

My experiences good , bad and all the inbetween shade my outlook and view of how I see this world. This is my perception. Perception is not always reality though.

What I mean by that is, just because my experience in the past looked a certain way doesn't mean that is the way a similar situation or person will be in the present and future. Living by perception limits my experiences. It says if I do this- this will always happen or if they are like this then they are this. This is not reality. Perception forgets variables and differences. People are different, cultures, times, even myself are different as life goes on.

Perception judges new people based on how past people have treated us. It forgets that hearts are different. It gives no allowances for others because it says you did this so this is who you are. I wonder how many times I have missed a beautiful experience and passed by a valuable friend ?

Perception limits me from experiencing all there is in life and most of all , all there is to relationships.

I want each day to be a NEW experience. I want to believe the best about others- no matter what my perception says. I want to allow myself to try new things and old things again ...with hope instead of fear. I want to embrace, learn and glean the good from each person and experience. I want to live expecting acceptance instead of rejection, love instead of judgement, the best and not the worst, life instead of death, fullness of life instead of dullness.

How can I cross this bridge from perception to reality in my own life?
I feel like I see the problem but How do I LIVE the solution?

Lord, I look to You. Show me the Way to step out daily in faith instead of fear. Giving each person and experience a full chance , just like You have given me. May this be my everyday reality. In Jesus Name! Amen

To Kaci

2011-08-26T10:42:00.005-05:00

It will be one year Sunday when my good friend, Kaci Beth ,passed away. She is forever in my heart. My heart still hurts so much but I have joy knowing I will see her again one day!

Dear Kaci,

You never preached a sermon or liked being in the limelight

Yet you lit up the darkness and made it shine so beautiful and bright

Not by words or sermons, but by your simple childlike faith in God

Overflowing all around you, shedding and sharing His love abroad.

You inspired us to change because of the joy and peace you possessed

Your servant heart and fun outlook on life, encouraged us to be our best

You reached out to others by serving them in their time of need

You weren't too proud or busy, there was poor to be loved and hungry to feed

You encouraged the new mother and loved the lonely child

Without a doubt your crowns and treasures in heaven are stock-piled

You didn’t do it for treasure, but because you found The Treasure

God in you --so full, so overflowing , it was your duty and pleasure

To serve. To Love. To Love. To Serve. You showed us the Way.

May we never forget and carry on your legacy today and every day.

Forever in my heart to the very end

Lives lived a part, but together forever in Him!

I miss you so much!

Love,

Priorities

2011-07-27T12:22:00.012-05:00

Living by your priorities is a must! If you dont, then there will always be frustration and trouble in your spirit. So many times I have found myself putting things before my priorities. When I look back on the day, I see how I allowed things to steal my focus and joy, leaving me like a pauper lacking the things my heart really desired.

God showed me something a while back that has been very transformational for me. If I want to live by my priorities I need to do two very simple things. ( I love that God keeps things simple --I'm the one that complicates it!). The first thing is to pray for God's help and direction. Declare my dependence on Him. Secondly, I must make it a priority in my life. Prayer plus Priority= POWER!!!! So I'm sharing my life priorities below.

My main priorities are:
Know God
Know who I am in Christ
Love and Serve My Husband
Love and Serve My Children
Love and Serve Others

How these flesh out can look different on any given day. Thats also what I love about God :) No mundane average stuff going on here! Right now, this is what I am learning which each priority:

Know God- I agree with the thought that the chief end of man is to Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever. If all else fails, I must remember this!!! Only in doing this do I find purpose and passion in the daily-ness of life. Knowing God is my hearts desire and joy above all things. I want to see Him in each moment- enjoy the journey!!!
Know who I am in Christ. I must spend time in His Word. I must meditate on what God says about me (instead of what I say about me). I must base my security , happiness, joy, peace, and value in Him and not things or others. I like to see myself as a cup that must be filled with Him to have anything worth anything to give away.
Love and Serve My Husband- I must see, serve and support my husband. There are so many things that try to distract from this priority. I must put my husband before my children. I must be passionately intentional about this. My husband's love language is different than mine. I need to know what his is and meet his needs accordingly. My constant prayer is that God will speak to my heart immediately when I begin to see my husband out of my peripherals instead of really seeing and appreciating him. The best way to teach and prepare my children for godly relationships is to enjoy life hand in hand with my husband.
Love and teach my children- Deuteronomy 6:6,7says it best "And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up." First of all, I need to lose my ideal of perfectionism. I need to let them come alongside me in life and do things with me (even though it takes longer!) I must hold out God's standard always and consistently hold them to it. I must patiently instruct and correct them when they miss that standard. I must speak to their hearts and not their behavior-- which is by far more time consuming in the beginning! Obedience in our house means 3 things: immediately, completely and with a good attitude. This really resonated in me after listening to a sermon on the radio. The preacher said " Obedience must start with obeying the parent you can see, to obey God who you can not see." Wow! I try to explain to my kids why I ask them to do something but sometimes there will not be time for that. This also is preparing them for the whys of life-- to trust God anyways! I want our children to be full of godly character, whether I'm around or not. I must admit that this is a somewhat new revelation to me. I believe it is so huge though and I've committed to making this a major priority. I want our kids to be excited about God and what His Word says about them. I must present it in a life giving way! You've got to make it fun-- play games, reinact it, sing songs, get out in nature, whatever it takes! Must of all, we need to lead them to the cross and their need for a Savior.

I have to remind myself that the most important things about being a parent are not the dishes and laundry and what sports they are in. God's Spirit reminds me :Love them, encourage them, give them your eyes, get down on their level, try to see life through their eyes, draw out the issues of their heart, have fun, experience and learn life and servant-hood together! Laugh!

One of the best books I have read on child-rearing is Shepherding a Child's Heart by Ted Tripp.

Loving Others- Just like I try to teach my children obedience , this is where God teaches me obedience. He stirs in my heart to reach out to others around me. My desire is to immediately respond, completely do what He asks and do it cheerfully. Sadly, I admit to failing this test on more than one occasion. I have struggled with fear of rejection for as long as I can remember but God......He is so good! I've got one thing going for me and that is: I want to learn God's ways and God is a very patient Teacher.

I truly want to be His hands and feet. This requires esteeming others , building others up, speaking words of life. This means being willing to do things that I dont want to do sometimes. This means selfless servanthood. Hospitatlity. Genuine heartfelt compassion and mercy. Putting yourself out there and being secure enough in Christ that if people reject you, its ok.

It really does feel good to serve others and share God's love, whether its in the youth group , Sunday school, or just taking a meal or cookies to someone, or just giving a smile. When we are sensitive and obedient to God when He stirs in our hearts, we will be given more assignments. Each assignment matures us and enables us to experience Him, which is the whole purpose of life!

I've tried life all ways you can think to live. I wanted so much to not need God and if there was a way to be fulfilled without Him, I was set on find it! After many years down that stubborn selfish path, I realized once and for all that Jesus is the only Way! He is the Way, The Truth, and the Life that leads to fulfillment,peace and joy! Participating in this is the adventure of a life time and so worth it all!

It has to start with knowing Him or it just is a bunch of stuff you have to do. But in His presence, I am filled and empowered to live the life He has called me to live and to see life through His eyes. He transforms the mundane into a mission! :)

The Right Response to Conviction

2011-07-25T07:52:00.007-05:00

The Right Response to Conviction
Remorse: When God convinces me of something I have done wrong, a sin I have committed, it should break my heart. This is called conviction. It is important to know that God's conviction is not condemnation. Conviction is God's hand pulling you out of a pit, encouraging you to continue in your walk with Him. Condemnation is the enemy's hand pushing you further down in the pit, causing you to want to give up. Accept conviction, reject condemnation. "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"- Romans 8:1

Receive Forgiveness: God forgives us. His Son's sacrifice is enough to cover any wrong. I must accept and receive God's forgiveness and also forgive myself.

Repent: Repent simply means to turn the other way. When God convicts us of going down a wrong path, we need to agree quickly with Him and turn the other way.

Reject Reproach: We must reject shame, guilt, condemnation, insecurity, and fear. Jesus' sacrifice has paid the cost.

Rightousness and Rightness: We can live righteously before our Heavenly Father. Like babies learning to walk, our Father is there encouraging us and teaching us. Dont give up or lose heart when you fall. Just determine to get back up and try again. Also we can live with a rightness and peace in our spirit. God gives peace in the midst of imperfection.

We are learning from our Loving Father. Thank God for His grace and mercy today!

A Prayer

2011-07-23T09:10:00.002-05:00

Loving Lord,
I pray that when you look at me you see a girl who consistently lives by
Your Spirit and not her senses,
Your Word and not the world's ways,
Faith and not my feelings or fears,
Your revelation and not my rational and reasoning.
Thank you that even when I falter,
You are there to lovingly pick me up.
Teach me Your ways that I may grow a heart of wisdom.

Work Out Your Salvation

2011-06-06T06:30:00.004-05:00

"Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear."- Philippians 2:12b

Salvation is a gift. Receiving that gift should forever change us. Salvation is a seed planted in our spirit. For that seed to grow and be shown on the outside of us we must water it. We need to water that seed with relationship with God and studying His Word. As we water our holy seed, it becomes rooted deeply in love, perfect love- God's love. Once it is secure in perfect love, it starts to grow out so that others may see the fruit and we also enjoy this fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Break forth little seed of salvation, bloom O flower of sanctification , show your beauty in my motives, thoughts, words and actions. May all glory and praise be to You, my God! Thank you Holy Spirit for never tiring of the little by little growth taking place in me. May you find a fertile heart that is cooperating with what You are trying to cultivate in me. One day I hope to be called an "oak of righteousness". I know that will happen only when I cooperate with the Master Gardener.

His Love

2011-06-05T08:30:00.004-05:00

Ephesians 3:17-19 says : " May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love,That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];[That you may really come] to know [practically, ^[e]through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses ^[f]mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] ^[g]unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and ^[h]become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!"

Do not settle for a coffee cup of godly love and revelation when there is a whole warehouse to be tasted and experienced! I do not even know how many different varieties and flavors there is to be experienced. There is so much and I am convinced I can spend my whole life experiencing newness. God's love and revelations never get old. His mercies are new every morning. God will continue to reveal new and wonderful facets of His love for You as long as you keep coming to Him! Exercise your right as a kingdom kid to experience the whole warehouse of His love. Never settle for just one cup!

Called to Love

2011-06-03T16:49:00.004-05:00

God is the One who convicts and convinces people of their need for Him. John 6:44 says that He is the One to draw, attract and give each person a desire for Himself. If you have experienced this, then embrace Him! Be thankful and filled with joy, peace and love for this is true life! Our Father dreams for each of His children to experience this love that can only be found in Him.

Don’t take your eyes off of Him because if you do you may be tempted to condemn and judge others who have not yet experienced God’s love like you have.

Love is what we are called to do. Love others consistently because this allows God to do what only He can do, which is convince people of their need for Him! Be patient with others. Think of how patient God has been with you. If you feel judgement coming into your heart, confess that and ask God to fill you with compassion and tender-hearted mercies.

Enjoy the victories and revelations you have experienced in Him. Don't get upset if others can't share in it with you right now. Have faith! Pray for those who don't know Him. Be compassionate.

Most of all , don't lose your joy, that will be Your witness and testimony more than anything else :)

"Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always);Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]."- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Good Stuff

2011-01-02T08:40:00.000-06:00

"Christians know that we have future assurance of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven and yet fail to recognize the kingdom of heaven is in us here and now. What good is it to have car insurance on a car that won’t run? God did not just promise life in the “by and by,” but also in the here and now. Jesus says we do have it and that the kingdom of heaven is at hand. It is within us, and it is to be released through us. It is this power and the glory of God that will turn our upside-down world right-side up. "

- James Robison

Isaiah 9:6

2010-12-28T09:14:00.009-06:00

I like words. Definitions, adjectives, rhymes and rhythyms. One of my favorite past times are to lookup the Hebrew and Greek defintions of Scriptures. I think the original language gives such a deeper and richer description many times.

I've been entertaining Isaiah 9:6 all week and thought I'd delve in a little deeper to these words that describe Jesus.

" For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

I looked up all the defintions and here is the long version for any wordy types like me out there :)

He will be called Wonderful, Extraordinary, Hard to Understand, Admirable, Miracle of God, Judge and Redeemer. He is Counselor and Commander of Advise, Consult, Devising and Planning. He is Purpose. He is Mighty, Strong, Brave like a Hunter or Soldier. He is Everlasting, Ancient, Continuous, Forever. He is Father, Head, Originator, Producer, Benevelonce and Protection. He is Prince of Peace "Shalowm". He is Chief of Contentment. He is Ruler of Completeness, Soundness and Safety. He is Captain of Quiet and Health. True Health resounding throughout our mind, body, spirit and soul.

Thank You Jesus for all that You are to me!

Step of Faith

2010-11-19T07:56:00.006-06:00

A little over 4 years ago we bought our first house. It was a diamond in the rough. It had 4 bedrooms and 1.5 baths and 2 living rooms! It was huge and it was a fixer upper. It was definitely the best house I had ever lived in! I enjoyed picking out paint colors, tiles, decorations.

We put a lot of sweat equity into it with the help of friends and family.

In the last 6 months we had finished all the projects we could financially do. (There seems like there is always more to do) We made this house our home. The roses were beautiful every spring to late October.It became a place where we would have friend get togethers. So many fun memories! It enabled us to have my sister and her children to live with us when they needed a place to live. It was home!

Josh and I felt the Lord calling for change after we took the Financial Peace University class. We were blessed enough not too have credit card debts and things like that but it just seemed like we were stuck. We were living at our means- no margin for a tire to blow out or a kid to get sick. I would clip coupons and keep the lights turned off when we were not in a room. Just little things to hopefully save money. I wondered if I was supposed to get a job but as I presented my worries to God- He assured me that homeschooling was still what He was calling me to do.
We sincerely didn't know what to do and we started praying together for direction.

One night in our family devotionals Josh and I read a verse that changed us.

"Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. "- Romans 13:8

It was like God lifted the words off the page and said here, this is what you are to do, "owe no man nothing"! At first we talked about it like it was a high and lofty dream that we wondered if it was even obtainable. Then we decided to take God's word at it and committed to praying and seeking His face diligently in this matter. We laid our wills down and we were ready for God to do whatever He wanted to do.

We thought we were doing really great when we refinanced our house to from a 30 year to a 15 year with a lower interest rate and ended up saving 90,000 in interest. In the refinance process we had to get our house appraised. I was really nervous because we had done a lot of work ourselves and its just easy to doubt yourself. I was blown away when the appraisal came back and it planted a seed.

We knew this house wasn't where we wanted to be for the rest of our lives. We knew God was tugging on our hearts with the finances. We still had a car payment and we had thought of selling and buying a cheaper vehicle but as we prayed peace came when we felt the Lord leading us to sell our home and use the equity to pay our debt and save. I was really worried about where we would go because we have 2 cats and 2 dogs and there's not a lot of places that accept animals. I prayed if it was the Lord's will He would show us the next step. It just so happened that a friend's rent house came available. It was a sign. We put the deposit down and put the for sale sign up. A total step of faith!

We had many people look at our house but 6 months passed and it was still for sale. Josh and I would continue to present our request and concerns and doubts to God and there was always peace and assurance that we were doing the right thing. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. He built so many things up in the wait. True trust and reliance on Him. During the wait our friends who just sold a house needed a place to go so they lived in the rent house that we put a deposit on so we wouldn't have a mortgage and rent payment. God was taking care of us-- even in the wait!

The house sold. Our friends bought a house and the timing was perfect for them and us. God had this thing all worked out! And we are here in this new chapter, living in a small rent house built in 1940s. It is about half the square footage and I love it! I wake up every morning and thank God for His provision. We are doing what He asked and even though it goes against our culture it's ok because we have the assurance that we are doing what He said. I will live in a box if that is what He calls me to do- I must have His peace and joy more than these material things.

I don't know what's in store or what He is preparing us for but we are ready. We are living below our means and I feel like finally we are being a good steward of His money. We are able to give more and finally maybe save?! No more debt - except to love others! We are not bound by owing the world and we are free to go wherever He send us! Oh what freedom!

A friend wrote this note to me a couple of weeks ago and it was a confirmation of what God is doing in our lives. It said:

"Genesis 12:1-3He has said to go! To the land that I will show you. I will bless you and you shall be a blessing and your family will be blessed! Leave the past and start new. Give Him everything. When He says go He will Provide!! Sundays message. Keep praying and God will show you His way :)"

Living for God is the adventure of a lifetime! I have no clue whats next and that is OK. I don't have to know the plan, just the Man :)

Good or Best

2010-11-15T07:48:00.002-06:00

I read this devotional this morning and WOW! This is what I have been reminded about once again. God will never settle for good in our lives, when their is best to be had. So many times we would rather settle for good because we can have it now, God waits and holds out for our very best....ALWAYS. Or as this devotional states "Giver of good, so answer each request
With Thine own giving, better than my best."

Reminded to let God answer my prayers in the way He seems fit, to constanstly look around with expectancy to see Him working it all together for good in His way at His time. I don't have to know the plan, just the MAN!

Can Thine Heart Endure?

"We know not what we should pray for as we ought" (Rom. 8:26).

Much that perplexes us in our Christian experience is but the answer to our prayers. We pray for patience, and our Father sends those who tax us to the utmost; for "tribulation worketh patience."

We pray for submission, and God sends sufferings; for "we learn obedience by the things we suffer."

We pray for unselfishness, and God gives us opportunities to sacrifice ourselves by thinking on the things of others, and by laying down our lives for the brethren.

We pray for strength and humility, and some messenger of Satan torments us until we lie in the dust crying for its removal.

We pray, "Lord, increase our faith," and money takes wings; or the children are alarmingly ill; or a servant comes who is careless, extravagant, untidy or slow, or some hitherto unknown trial calls for an increase of faith along a line where we have not needed to exercise much faith before.

We pray for the Lamb-life, and are given a portion of lowly service, or we are injured and must seek no redress; for "he was led as a lamb to the slaughter and... opened not his mouth."

We pray for gentleness, and there comes a perfect storm of temptation to harshness and irritability. We pray for quietness, and every nerve is strung to the utmost tension, so that looking to Him we may learn that when He giveth quietness, no one can make trouble.

We pray for love, and God sends peculiar suffering and puts us with apparently unlovely people, and lets them say things which rasp the nerves and lacerate the heart; for love suffereth long and is kind, love is not impolite, love is not provoked. LOVE BEARETH ALL THINGS, believeth, hopeth and endureth, love never faileth. We pray for likeness to Jesus, and the answer is, "I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." "Can thine heart endure, or can thine hands be strong?" "Are ye able?"

The way to peace and victory is to accept every circumstance, every trial, straight from the hand of a loving Father; and to live up in the heavenly places, above the clouds, in the very presence of the Throne, and to look down from the Glory upon our environment as lovingly and divinely appointed. --Selected

I prayed for strength, and then I lost awhile
All sense of nearness, human and divine;
The love I leaned on failed and pierced my heart,
The hands I clung to loosed themselves from mine;

But while I swayed, weak, trembling, and alone,
The everlasting arms upheld my own.

I prayed for light; the sun went down in clouds,
The moon was darkened by a misty doubt,
The stars of heaven were dimmed by earthly fears,
And all my little candle flames burned out;

But while I sat in shadow, wrapped in night,
The face of Christ made all the darkness bright.

I prayed for peace, and dreamed of restful ease,
A slumber drugged from pain, a hushed repose;
Above my head the skies were black with storm,
And fiercer grew the onslaught of my foes;

But while the battle raged, and wild winds blew,
I heard His voice and Perfect peace I knew.

I thank Thee, Lord, Thou wert too wise to heed
My feeble prayers, and answer as I sought,
Since these rich gifts Thy bounty has bestowed
Have brought me more than all I asked or thought;

Giver of good, so answer each request
With Thine own giving, better than my best.
--Annie Johnson Flint

Streams In The Desert Devo

2010-10-14T07:04:00.001-05:00

I'm so thankful that our God delights in using the broken things in our lives. This devotional brought a whole new way of seeing things. Hope you are blessed, like I was!

Broken Things

"By reason of breakings they purify themselves" (Job 41:25).

God uses most for His glory those people and things which are most perfectly broken. The sacrifices He accepts are broken and contrite hearts. It was the breaking down of Jacob's natural strength at Peniel that got him where God could clothe him with spiritual power. It was breaking the surface of the rock at Horeb, by the stroke of Moses' rod that let out the cool waters to thirsty people.

It was when the 300 elect soldiers under Gideon broke their pitchers, a type of breaking themselves, that the hidden lights shone forth to the consternation of their adversaries. It was when the poor widow broke the seal of the little pot of oil, and poured it forth, that God multiplied it to pay her debts and supply means of support.

It was when Esther risked her life and broke through the rigid etiquette of a heathen court, that she obtained favor to rescue her people from death. It was when Jesus took the five loaves and broke them, that the bread was multiplied in the very act of breaking, sufficient to feed five thousand. It was when Mary broke her beautiful alabaster box, rendering it henceforth useless, that the pent-up perfume filled the house. It was when Jesus allowed His precious body to be broken to pieces by thorns and nails and spear, that His inner life was poured out, like a crystal ocean, for thirsty sinners to drink and live.

It is when a beautiful grain of corn is broken up in the earth by DEATH, that its inner heart sprouts forth and bears hundreds of other grains. And thus, on and on, through all history, and all biography, and all vegetation, and all spiritual
life, God must have BROKEN THINGS.

Those who are broken in wealth, and broken in self-will, and broken in their ambitions, and broken in their beautiful ideals, and broken in orldly reputation, and broken in their affections, and broken ofttimes in health; those who are despised and seem utterly forlorn and helpless, the Holy Ghost is seizing upon, and using for God's glory. "The lame take the prey,"
Isaiah tells us.

O break my heart; but break it as a field
Is by the plough up-broken for the corn;
O break it as the buds, by green leaf seated,
Are, to unloose the golden blossom, torn;
Love would I offer unto Love's great Master,
Set free the odor, break the alabaster.

O break my heart; break it victorious God,
That life's eternal well may flash abroad;
O let it break as when the captive trees,
Breaking cold bonds, regain their liberties;
And as thought's sacred grove to life is springing,
Be joys, like birds, their hope, Thy victory singing. --Thomas Toke Bunch

2010-10-01T07:59:00.002-05:00

Precious Redeemer and Loving Father,

Thank You for the this beautiful present called Today
I give You my hard headed strong will
in exchange for Your faithful, loving way
Open my heart to see Your purposes revealed

I lay down all these burdens and worries
I pick up Your cross and die to self
Use this broken vessel to show Your glory
May You use me daily and never put me on a shelf.

I love you! Teach me. I want to live according to Your ways.
First things first: Loving You and people all of my days
Direct each choice and decision no matter how big or small
Thank You for Your Providence and Sovereignty that covers all.

Be my Passion, Desire and Heart
May everything I say, do, and think start
from my love relationship with You.
The old is gone, thank You for making me new.

Love,
Calley

"I'll See You In A Lil While"

2010-09-13T10:09:00.006-05:00

My best friend Kaci Beth Ronne went to be with Jesus on August 28th. She was 30 years old. Her husband Ryan of 11 years and children Tate (7) , Mya (5) and Jada (9months) have been given a great legacy of love to be passed down to 1,000 generations.

The night before Kaci's passing we (close family and friends) were able to gather around her bedside in prayer and praising. We sang songs and I saw the most beautiful picture as her husband knelt on one side of her with her hand in his and on the other side her mom and dad holding her hand and lovingly admiring their beautiful daughter and wife. Even though physical death was on her doorstep and tears were streaming, smiles and peace filled the room. Zepheniah 3:17 says " The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing." This is the picture I had when I looked at Kaci. God reassured me that He was holding her and singing songs over her.

I never got to really have a heart to heart or say goodbye the way I wanted, but before leaving I whispered in her ear how thankful I was for our friendship and I said "I'll see you in a little while".

Friends are friends forever when the Lord's the Lord of them . Our friendship is not over, it will be continued on the other side and I can hardly wait til we can walk together on the streets of gold in that perfect place. Knowing Kaci, she is helping Jesus set the banquet table and get everything ready for us all to go Home right now :)

Great Devotional!

2010-08-20T09:03:00.001-05:00

August 20, 2010

Superman

Luann Prater

"The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him." Exodus 15:2 (NIV)

Devotion:

"He's really big and tall," she said.

This six year-old had never heard of Superman before visiting the towering blue and red 200 foot figure in Metropolis, Illinois. She didn't know that he was an action hero; he just looked like a rigid statue to her. She didn't know that millions before her had watched him rescue Lois Lane again and again. She didn't know he was from the planet Krypton and could fly. The tall, rigid statue was her reality of Superman.

Then it hit me - we often view God through the same limited vision. Even though His Word tells us He is:

El Elyon - God Most High

El - The Strong One

Jehovah - I AM

Jehovah-Rapha - The Lord Who Heals

El Shaddai - the All Sufficient One

...we often just imagine Him as a statue. If we have never trusted Him to supply our needs, heal us, or be our strength, we just don't get it. We see one angle of Him, but not the whole picture.

I pulled up a photograph of the Superman statue on Google and stared at it for several minutes. I saw a family standing at the base of this larger-than-life monument. Have you ever looked at God as a cold, uncaring statue? Wondering if He even notices you're down here? I have.

There is nothing cold or sterile about our God. He is multi-faceted! As today's verse says, He is my strength, my song, my salvation, my God and so much more! Just because we may not have experienced His healing, doesn't make Him any less the Healer. Just because we may not have sensed Him shower peace on our turmoil, doesn't make Him any less the Prince of peace. As we trust Him, obey Him and seek His face, He will reveal more and more of Himself to us.

We gals may not be Lois Lane, but there is One who can rescue us from any situation. Jesus Christ is His name. And man, is He super!

Dear Lord, thank You for being all we need and so much more! Grow my vision of You Lord to see past my limited knowledge. Open my mind to see beyond my reality. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Persistent Praying

2010-08-19T16:35:00.009-05:00

God wants persistent prayers. This is NOT because He needs to hear our prayers a certain number of times before He can answer. No rather the opposite. My flesh man needs to hear God's truth a certain number of times before it will let go of worry, anxiety, what ifs and doubts. Everything and anything that will stand between me and God. Once again I am reminded that God says to do something not for Him but as a blessing for myself. What a loving God we serve!

Before this week, I would bring a matter before Him one time or maybe a couple and say "Thy will be done" and thought I was trusting. Looking back I can see where I was still believing things would not change. I'm learning that persistent prayer works out all unbelief in me. It gets me to that place of saying YOU REALLY CAN GOD! It prepares my heart for Him to work and for me to see that work.

God may still choose to work differently than what I request but the more I pray the more my desires become His desires. My hope must be in Him and not the outcomes of my prayers. Because when its in the outcomes I will be disappointed. If it is in Him I will know that "all of His ways are loving and faithful" and the "word of our God stands forever". His ways are not my ways most of the time, but His ways are the BEST ways. God will never settle for less than our very BEST!

I've experienced a lot of heartache and pain in life along with the sweet and joyful times. All of them can bring us closer or separate us from Him , depending on how WE respond. He NEVER moves, His love is the same "yesterday , today and forever".

Since Friday I was overcome with the verdict that my friend might die in a couple of weeks. I had prayed for her healing many times before but never like I should . But as I sought truth on how to pray in God's Word, I learned what I should do. I wrestled all my worry , anxiety, what ifs, doubts before His throne and in His word. It took a solid 4 days of day and night praying and crying and not sleeping very much to finally work all of it out.

I came to the place of YOU CAN HEAL, if that be Your will. No longer unbelief, just His will. Today is peace like a river! I'm in a boat called "God's will". I ask God to take us to a destination called complete physical healing for Kaci. I know He can take us there, He knows the way. I also know He is the Captain of this sea called life. He is the Expert, I am just a passenger. He sees it all and I just see where I am at right now. I trust His eyes and His heart. I wait to see our destination. He will take us to the best place based on nothing less than His complete unfailing love and faithfulness.

Everything is worked out in me, peace is here. I will continue to ask for what I want. I believe He hears and has the power. I will rest in whatever happens. God's purpose and Kaci's plea above all is to bring the lost to Him. He knows the hearts of men and He knows how best to accomplish bringing many sons and daughters home.

I pray that Kaci's legacy of true life will be passed on to each of us no matter the "destination". Her willingness and obedience to God to be and do whatever He asks is an example . Her servant heart and putting others before herself is God's heart. Let nothing stand between you and God. Life is not life without Him in control of your life. He is NOT a control freak God, but because His banner over us is love, who better to trust?Who better to pledge our allegiance. Really.

I was reminded that Jesus was 33 years old when He went to the cross. He had accomplished what God ordained for Him to do. Kaci has lived a very full life touching so many lives for Christ. I know she will do more either by legacy or life still lived on earth. I know that whatever happens, she will hear God say "Well done, thy good and faithful servant."

If you still do not have peace about something in your life, I encourage you to wrestle before the Throne of grace and in His Word.

"So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most."- Hebrews 4:16

My Ultimate Prayer For Kaci

2010-08-18T20:50:00.002-05:00

Father,

May Your good, pleasing and perfect will be done
As your people come together at Your throne as one.

We believe you CAN heal and that is our plea
I commit this is all to the praise of Your glory

With faith sure and a heart that desires Your will
We wait watching to see Your glory revealed.

May all who are watching to see whether You are real
Not hinge their faith on whether You physically heal

We know that whether in this life or the next, Kaci will be healed
Your promises are sure and we rest in Your plan to be revealed.

If you choose to take Kaci to dance with Jesus above
May we know it was not our lack of faith, only Your perfect love

Help and heal our hearts if Kaci is taken
May our faith be found solid and not shaken.

I know You can and will heal Kaci, if that is best.
Help me not to waiver in faith, but trust in You and rest.

Thank you that you never leave or forsake
As a helpless child I hold Your hand and wait.

Pleading, trusting, pleading, waiting, pleading, praising
You hear these prayers and your love is amazing.

Resting and waiting, knowing and believing
Thank you for faithfulness and never leaving.

In Jesus Name!
Amen

Prayer

2010-08-14T18:43:00.004-05:00

Up until today I thought I was good at praying. I have been seeking God's face with great intensity the last couple of days. I am broken and desperate to know He is here and listening. As I've been on my face crying and seeking Him, I have asked Him to teach me the right way to pray. I don't want there to be anything obstructing my talk with Him or His talk with me.

I am so thankful for God's Word today. I don't think I could make it through without His words to guide and direct in one of the darkest times I have ever experienced.

A lot of these verses I have read before but now that they are relevant to this storm, I see them in a whole new light.

HOW TO PRAY:

Forgive any offenses I have against anyone....Mark 11:25

Know that the Spirit will translate what I can't put into words to be according to God's will....Romans 8:26-28

Have FAITH that He can do what I ask... Matt 17:20, Heb 11:6, Is 7:9, James 5:13-15

BE PERSISTENT. Luke 11, Luke 18, Romans 12:12, 1 Thess 5:17, Eph 6:18, Col 4:12

BE THANKFUL.. Col 4:12

At the end of my request, I need to be able to rest in His will being done , whatever that is....Luke 22:42

Most of all I must believe that I have received what I have asked for!....Mark 11:24

Tonight I close with a story that Jesus told. It brings me much comfort to know our God's heart and His love for Kaci.

"Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, ⁶because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

⁷"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' ⁸I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness^e]">[e] he will get up and give him as much as he needs.

⁹"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

¹¹"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for^f]">[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹²Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"-Luke 11:5-13

2010-08-14T11:33:00.001-05:00

Father God,

This is not a question of whether You hold the power to heal. I know that You can in a split second make all things new! I hope it is also not a question of whether we have enough faith. I pray that in this hour you would find faith on earth. You would find enough faith-- help us with any unbelief we ha...ve. Lord, this boils down to whether it is Your good, pleasing and perfect will. Help our finite minds rest in Your will. We pray that you would heal Kaci completely in Jesus Name for Your glory. I pray that at this very moment she would gain complete wholeness of mind and complete restoration of strength. That you would eat up death in her body and overflow her with Your life giving breath! May she not been done here on earth. Let her raise the children You gave her in Your ways and further Your kingdom in whatever way she can. Astound the medical community, astound everyone! Prepare our hearts for whatever is in store and help us to know that all Your ways are loving and faithful for those who keep the commands of your covenant. Be with the children and the family. I will not stop believing that You can heal her and if you choose not to, help us all rest in Your loving arms. Kaci is your baby girl and we can trust You with her. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Kaci

2010-08-14T01:04:00.001-05:00

This is a note I sent to all the Team Kaci members on facebook. I extend this invitation to you as well dear blog reader.

If you are not current on Kaci's situation, please read : http://theronnes.blogspot.com/

We all want to do something for Kaci and I say we can! Its not over! We are here together united for just a time as this. It is now time for us to go before the King of Kings together and intercede and plead for Kaci’s earthly life. No half hearted prayer or sympathies will do. This is a time for us to fall on our faces before the Giver of Life and to pray without ceasing with all that is in us.. Pray believing with child like faith, knowing our God “can do all things, no plan of His will be thwarted!”

Tomorrow at 11am CST, please stop everything you are doing and PRAY. Lets unite as one before God Almighty to intercede for Kaci's life here on earth. Lets band together, standing before our loving and faithful Father. For His glory and renown is the desire of our hearts!!!

If you do not know what to pray, remember God’s spirit inside of you is interceding to put all those tears and emotions into words. Our Father knows how many hairs are your head so He also knows what your heart is trying to say. Don’t worry about saying the right words just let your heart go before His presence tomorrow. It does not matter the word, but the faith that is brought before Him.

If you feel led,, post your prayer on the Team Kaci wall so we can all share in this time together. Set your alarm and let’s flood heaven’s prayer line tomorrow 11am CST. Feel you there!

Tonight my prayer is this:

Father God,
I pray that if there is anything standing between you and me. If there is, take it from me, cleanse me and make me new. In right standing before you, I come. I come for you to hear a prayer above any prayer I’ve prayed. I come to intercede for your daughter, Kaci. Lord, we plead that her earthly life not be over. There is so much good she has left to do. Lord, we pray for you to heal her COMPLETELY 100 % in the name of Jesus for God’s glory right now. May we all be a witness to Your power over cancer and everything that stands against us. Lord, there are so many people out there watching and waiting to see Your hand. Let Your glory be revealed! Lord, there is no glory in this for anyone but You. We ask that you come and claim your glory now! In Jesus Name, Amen!

2010-07-31T07:53:00.001-05:00

Never should we  so abandon ourselves to God as when He seems to have abandoned us. Let  us enjoy light and consolation when it is His pleasure to give it to us,  but let us not attach ourselves to His gifts, but to Himself; and when  He plunges us into the night of pure faith, let us still press on  through the agonizing darkness. Oh, for faith that brings the triumph  When defeat seems strangely near! Oh, for faith that brings the triumph  Into victory's ringing cheer-- Faith triumphant; knowing not defeat or  fear. --Herbert Booth

2010-07-28T22:05:00.003-05:00

There is so many things to write. I love writing so it makes me sad how far its gone. So much stuff has happened: All the wonderful things God has been teaching. All our family adventures. All the cute things Tay has said lately.

At the same time I can say, its been great to get away. Sometimes you just got to do it. It has been just what I needed for this season of faith. I have desperately needed to spend time with God instead of the computer.

Zaine will be home on August 21st -- I can't wait! I've been organizing the homeschool room and it looks so much better! I'm so excited for school to start! Taylor is learning like crazy, I think she is already smarter than me and she is only 3! She has been taking swim lessons all summer and loves it! Josh and I have been working out at the Y and that has been good for us. We enjoy taking our evening walk with the pooches and just trying to value each day God gives us.

We took a drive this evening to see the buffalo and elk and that was a very nice end to a beautiful day! God's creation amazes me.

Thats all for now!

God-Shaped Vacuum

2010-07-28T08:01:00.001-05:00

There is a God-shaped vacuum in every human heart. Man was made for God, and his soul will be restless until it finds its rest in Him. Our longings for love, relationships, belonging, security, meaning, purpose, and identity are ultimately met only in the Lord Jesus Christ. We find temporary fulfillment in the pursuit of people, possessions, and circumstances; but eventually, these will pass away or we will change and they will no longer satisfy. We have been made for God, and we will find our deepest longings met only in Him.
- Quiet Walk Devotional

My Heart

2010-07-22T09:34:00.003-05:00

I finsihed the Team Kaci scrapbook last night. This has been my heart and passion since March. It has been AMAZING to see the body of Christ come together and be such a blessing! This does not cover all the things that were done for this family but there were many pictures taken of various events and it was neat to put it all together! A hardcopy has been ordered for the Ronne's so they can always remember all the love and support they have surrounding them!

| View Sample Photo Books | Create your own Photo Book

My Badge is LOVE

2010-07-19T07:53:00.002-05:00

I read this devotional this morning and it confirmed what God has been teaching me again. People will know me by the love I show or withhold. Just like a police officer wears a uniform and a badge to identify his or her role, so I must clothe myself in love everyday. Love is my badge. As my actions are full of love centered things people will see love, they will see God because 1 John says "God is love". My prayer is that my every thought and action would be compelled first by Love. I know I have a long way to go. For this to happen, I must spend time with God for me to have any love to give away. He has to fill my love reservoir since He is love. As He fills it to overflowing I can go out and give it to others and so the love cycle begins and that is where I want to live!

Show Love

"Put on as the elect of God, kindness" (Col. 3:12).

There is a story of an old man who carried a little can of oil with him everywhere he went, and if he passed through a door that squeaked, he poured a little oil on the hinges. If a gate was hard to open, he oiled the latch. And thus he passed through life lubricating all hard places and making it easier for those who came after him.

People called him eccentric, queer, and cranky; but the old man went steadily on refilling his can of oil when it became empty, and oiled the hard places he found.

There are many lives that creak and grate harshly as they live day by day. Nothing goes right with them. They need lubricating with the oil of gladness, gentleness, or thoughtfulness. Have you your own can of oil with you? Be ready with your oil of helpfulness in the early morning to the one nearest you. It may lubricate the whole day for him. The oil, of good cheer to the downhearted one--Oh, how much it may mean! The word of courage to the despairing. Speak it. Our lives touch others but once, perhaps, on the road of life; and then, mayhap, our ways diverge, never to meet again, The oil of kindness has worn the sharp, hard edges off of many a sin-hardened life and left it soft and pliable and ready for the redeeming grace of the Saviour.

A word spoken pleasantly is a large spot of sunshine on a sad heart. Therefore, "Give others the sunshine, tell Jesus the rest."

"We cannot know the grief That men may borrow;

We cannot see the souls Storm-swept by sorrow;

But love can shine upon the way today, tomorrow;

Let us be kind.

Upon the wheel of pain so many weary lives are broken,

We live in vain who give no tender token.

Let us be kind."

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love" (Rom. 12:10).

2010-06-15T21:51:00.002-05:00

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

Nor deem these days--these waiting days--as ill!

The One who loves thee best, who plans thy way,

Hath not forgotten thy great need today!

And, if He waits, 'tis sure He waits to prove

To thee, His tender child, His heart's deep love.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

Thou longest much to know thy dear Lord's will!

While anxious thoughts would almost steal their way

Corrodingly within, because of His delay

Persuade thyself in simple faith to rest

That He, who knows and loves, will do the best.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

Nor move one step, not even one, until

His way hath opened. Then, ah then, how sweet!

How glad thy heart, and then how swift thy feet

Thy inner being then, ah then, how strong!

And waiting days not counted then too long.

Sit still, my daughter! Just sit calmly still!

What higher service could'st thou for Him fill?

'Tis hard! ah yes! But choicest things must cost!

For lack of losing all how much is lost!

'Tis hard, 'tis true! But then--He giveth grace

To count the hardest spot the sweetest place.

--J. D. Smith

I read the above poem in a devotional this week and it really hit home. God in His sweet loving way has been asking me to do something for more than a year and I have to come clean! I've made excuses and ignored His request.

This verse has been a constant annoyance during my rebellion! "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." -Mark 1:35

God was saying in His still small voice "Will you come away with me to a secret place, just me and you?", "Will you give up a little sleep to come see me this morning?" "Do you want to get control of that grouchy morning person?" Come! I have something special for you"

So, I couldn't take it anymore. I said O.K. I was scared though because I know how much my body likes sleep. This sounds so corny writing it out but it was such a huge thing for me at the time. So much so, I didn't even trust myself to follow through but I asked that God would help me and He has indeed!

The first week I woke up every morning before the alarm clock. I wake up excited and alert. I can't believe I've been cheating myself of this. Just quiet. Just Him and me. Just His sweet Spirit rubbing off on my cranky morning self, changing me, changing the whole day! WOW!

I can see now that God was trying to answer my prayers for a sweet spirit, control over my mouth and emotions. Lord, thank You for not giving up on me. My little sacrifice that I bring every morning is so worth it!

Head on His Heart

2010-05-19T09:45:00.003-05:00

"..Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure, in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders." - Deuteronomy 33:12 (NIV)

What are you going through today? Can I encourage you to get up in Daddy God's lap and rest between His shoulders. There with your head on His heart you will be reminded of His loving faithfulness.

" Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty." - Psalm 91:1

When you can not trace His hand,
TRUST HIS HEART!

A Good ONE!!!

2010-05-07T08:07:00.000-05:00

May 7, 2010

The Dailyness

Ariel Allison Lawhon, She Reads Co-Director

"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." Proverbs 8:34 (NIV)

Devotion:

Life wouldn't be so hard if it wasn't so daily. As I sit here surrounded by laundry and dishes piled high in the sink, I see more than ever how life wears us down one day at a time.

Crumbs litter the floor and dirty smudges cover the windows. And I have yet to discover where that smell is coming from. For this mother of four, a simple trip to the grocery store requires an act of God and Congress - attempted only when we are down to powdered milk and Ramen noodles. Not thirty minutes ago a little one-year-old boy clung to my legs, belting out that scream - you know the one, bats can hear it. And I felt my coping skills slipping away. Not because he was crying but because he cries every day.

The daily-ness.

The job of motherhood feels so vast, and frightening, and unending. I am called to raise these children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and yet there are days that I can't seem to get out of my pajamas much less lead them in a time of prayer. I think anyone could endure the temper tantrums of a small child or the rebellion of a teenager or the constant needs of another if they lasted just one day. But the truth is that these things are the stuff of daily life. And when I am honest with myself, they grind down the rough edges of this woman. Because parenting can not be all about me when diapers must be changed, noses wiped and beds made.

In those moments I force myself to take a deep breath and thank God for this season of life. These children. The privilege of wiping noses and bottoms and countertops. A privilege many women would love to have, but don't. I remind myself that the days are long but the years are short. And one day I will look in the rear-view mirror and see empty seats. The cup that is overflowing right now will slowly drain. The stretch marks will fade. And I will find that a new set of daily struggles has overtaken me. When that day comes I will find the strength to face them as well because God gives the grace, daily.

The daily-ness.

As C.S. Lewis once said, "The thing is to rely on God... Meanwhile, the trouble is that relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing has yet been done."

Your daily-ness is probably different than mine, but it is nonetheless God-ordained. It is exactly what we need to live dependent on His grace instead of our own strength. The One who knows us best, who knit us together in our mother's womb, has allotted these days that are equal parts trial and triumph. And He knows that we will see Him most clearly from a place of dependence.

So today I embrace the normal things. The daily things. Another round of laundry. The ring in my toilet. The dust on my dresser so thick a child could write his name. But even more than that I want to celebrate the important things. A child slowly learning to read. A husband that finds his comfort in my arms. A baby who learns to walk and talk. Because all these are the things of life: some mundane and some holy. And all of them must be received daily.

Dear Lord, sometimes daily life is just hard. And we're tired. And overwhelmed. But You promised to be our strength and our hope and our comfort. So today we look to You for what we need. Would You meet us in this, our daily-ness, and help us receive Your grace? In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Yes, Indeed...."even more undignified than this" for my LORD!

2010-04-29T08:30:00.001-05:00

April 29, 2010

Undignified Worship

Glynnis Whitwer

"...It was before the LORD who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD's people Israel -

I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this... ."

2 Samuel 6:21-22a (NIV)

Devotion:

I grew up in a traditional church, singing traditional hymns. Being a Christian was very matter-of-fact for me. I was a Christian in the same way I would have told you I was a student.

Nothing much changed in our little church. Every Sunday, faithful men and woman of God taught Sunday school, served on committees and made lemonade, coffee and cookies for after-church fellowship. It was a wonderful experience and I grew up loving God's Word, His church and its people.

When I was a high schooler in the late 70s, I was introduced to Christian "rock and roll." Being in Arizona, we got overflow from the California Jesus movement, and were familiar with many of the bands coming on the scene. I heard songs by Keith Green, Second Chapter of Acts and Phil Keaggy. These songs depicted a faith in God that was passionate and alive. Something stirred within me as I listened to their music over and over.

I can still vividly picture myself in a sold-out symphony hall before a live concert as one half of the room yelled, "We love Jesus, yes we do. We love Jesus how 'bout you?" I was on the other side, and we answered as loudly as we could, repeating the challenge. Joy and celebration vibrated through the hall as we shouted, jumped up and down and waved our arms in the air for love of Jesus.

It was completely undignified and I was completely undone ... never to be the same. I knew I wanted a faith like that. I wanted to be so excited about Jesus that it overflowed, and I didn't care what my worship of Him looked like.

A few years ago, I read the story of King David dancing before the Lord. Now there was someone who didn't worry what others thought. David had overseen the return of the ark of the Lord to Jerusalem, and as it neared, he couldn't contain his joy. He replaced his kingly attire with a simple outfit and danced with all his might.

His wife, Michal, watched from the window and didn't approve of David's behavior. She was disgusted with him, and told him so. David wasn't fazed, and responded with words that encourage me today, "It was before the LORD who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD's people Israel - I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this ..." (2 Samuel 6:21-22a).

David was so in tune with God's heart, that he was unconcerned with the judgmental comments of others. David's only focus was on worshipping his God with sincerity and abandon.

That is my hope and prayer for myself. I want to let go completely of the fear of man, and worship with uncontained joy. When I am older, too old to dance in some people's opinion, I hope you'll find my gnarled hands raised, my gray head bobbing and my body swaying in worship. My kids and grandkids might be embarrassed. But, yes, I will be even more undignified than that for my King.

Dear Lord, King David got it right, and I want to as well. You are worthy of all my worship and adoration. Forgive me for letting the opinions of others influence my worship of You. Help me to focus more on Your majesty, and less on myself. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Streams In The Desert Devo

2010-04-29T08:21:00.001-05:00

"He sat by a fire of seven-fold heat,
As He watched by the precious ore,
And closer He bent with a searching gaze
As He heated it more and more.
He knew He had ore that could stand the test,
And He wanted the finest gold
To mould as a crown for the King to wear,
Set with gems with a price untold.
So He laid our gold in the burning fire,
Tho' we fain would have said Him 'Nay,'
And He watched the dross that we had not seen,
And it melted and passed away.
And the gold grew brighter and yet more bright,
But our eyes were so dim with tears,
We saw but the fire--not the Master's hand,
And questioned with anxious fears.
Yet our gold shone out with a richer glow,
As it mirrored a Form above,
That bent o'er the fire, tho' unseen by us,
With a look of ineffable love.
Can we think that it pleases His loving heart
To cause us a moment's pain?
Ah, no! but He saw through the present cross
The bliss of eternal gain.
So He waited there with a watchful eye,
With a love that is strong and sure,
And His gold did not suffer a bit more heat,
Than was needed to make it pure."

Kaci Beth

2010-04-16T15:26:00.004-05:00

I was asked to write a short story about Kaci that could be passed out at upcoming fundraisers.

I do not feel that I even came close to describing her in all of her awesomeness but in human elementary words, I tried.

Here is her story. I hope you will read it and commit to being a part of her life by prayer and support.

She’s one of Guymon’s very own. Over the years she has been called daughter, sister, friend, wife, mother, nurse and business owner to name a few.
Kaci Beth Ronne.

She is adventurous and loves scavenger hunts and skiing. She is a wonderful cook and likes to plan every meal. She has a way of being silly and sarcastic. Her favorite food is a donut, especially the powdered sugar kind.. She has a heart for kids and has always had the dream to adopt.
She is constantly thinking of ways to help others. She loves God! She is beautiful.

Kaci was born March 10, 1980. As a child she enjoyed the normal kid things we all enjoy. In high school she was class president and enjoyed basketball and band. She met Ryan while still in high school and they like to joke how he was her first and last boyfriend. They were married soon after graduation and started the adventure of a lifetime.

They moved to Amarillo where Kaci became a nurse and Ryan worked for a construction company. Kaci truly enjoyed the years she spent nursing children in the pediatric ICU. In May of 2003 they welcomed their first child, Tate Riley, in the world, two years later Mya Drew graced the world with her beautiful presence. They were living their dream, having a family of their own!

When Mya was 3 months old they moved back to Guymon. Ryan started work at SPC. Kaci stayed home with the kids and ran a kids apparel store in downtown Guymon.. They were really enjoying being close to grandparents and raising their children in the same little town they had both grown up in.

While in Guymon, their love and passion for God grew and they became very active in their church. A couple years went by and they felt God calling them to be missionaries. They picked up their young family and moved half way across the world, to Albania for almost 2 years. While there, they made many friends and were able to help a lot of people. The time they spent there created a very strong and special bond with God and their family.

Baby Jada was born soon after arriving back in the States. Life seemed to proceed as normal. Ryan went back to work at SPC and Kaci stayed home with the 3 children. They were just enjoying the basics of life like family, friends, church, water and central heat and air.

Little did they know that it was the calm before the storm. Soon after returning home and having baby Jada, Kaci starting getting headaches. At first she thought it was just sinuses but as the headaches became stronger she went to the doctor. She was prescribed different medications and nothing seemed to work. A week after celebrating her 30th birthday, a CAT scan revealed a tumor in her brain. More and more testing was done and after weeks of surgery and intense pain it was diagnosed as terminal cancer.

Ryan and Kaci are trusting in God for a miracle. Many of their family and friends have banded together around them in prayer. They stand united to pray for Kaci’s complete healing. Do you believe God still performs miracles today? If so, would you join us in prayer?

Kaci is receiving chemotherapy and high doses of radiation in OKC Mercy hospital. During this time, the children are living with their grandparents and visiting Ryan and Kaci on the weekends. This is an especially trying time for them. Their children are Tate (7), Mya (5) and Jada 4 months old. Would you commit to praying for their children?

The medical bills are rising everyday and your prayers and financial support are very much needed and appreciated. The have already accumulated over a 1/2 million dollars in medical bills and this is just the beginning.

Follow this family’s amazing journey of faith on their blog: theronnes.blogspot.com. Leave them an encouraging comment to let them know you are thinking about them.

2010-04-12T22:59:00.002-05:00

All I can say, is thank You Jesus! What a beautiful picture of what He did for each one of us.

No matter where you've been or where you are at , you will never outrun His grace, mercy and love!

2010-04-12T22:58:00.001-05:00

Wanna see a white girl rap about Jesus? Check this out! WOW!

Me Without You

2010-04-10T15:47:00.006-05:00

Me without You is ugly and blue

All life is about is do, do, do.

Overloaded, stressed and tired.

There is nothing in me to be admired.

Me without You is not a life worth living.

Its just anger, harshness and unforgiving.

I need You Lord more than my body needs air.

Only with You can I have meaning and care.

Forgive me where I've lost sight

Bring me back to being right.

I lay down all these burdens and grief

My worries about life, in You, turn to relief.

I want to do Your will in all things.

For Your Name Renown and the glory it brings.

Thank you that as I walk in Your ways

You have promised to be here beside me all of my days.

-Calley

Kaci, Sweet Kaci!

2010-04-07T13:34:00.003-05:00

The Parable of the Persistent Widow

¹Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. ²He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. ³And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'

⁴"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, ⁵yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' "

⁶And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. ⁷And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? ⁸I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Luke 18:1-8

I am claiming this Scripture for my dear friend Kaci. She was diagnosed with stage 3 terminal cancer today. Please lift them up in prayer. Visit their blog to see this incredible family, their faith in God and how He is holding them together through all of it.

2010-04-05T22:15:00.008-05:00

It's been so long! I've entered the season of EXTRA busy- where has time gone- wish there were 5 of me-- God, could you make the sun stand still like you did for Joshua?- season of life! There is just not enough hours in the day!

So much has happened.

Mostly, one of my best friends and sisters in Christ was diagnosed with a brain tumor last month. She went to the doctor because of headaches that just wouldn't go away and came out with this news. She has a precious family, 3 kids, with the smallest being 3 months old. It's been a roller coaster of emotion. Mostly , learning and learning on God. Kaci's faith is amazing, even as she has started radiation and has had to endure excruciating pain--she holds on to Daddy God!

Kaci has a special place in my heart forever. God used her family over 2 years ago to bring me back to Him. I saw this young family, on fire and passionate for God, willing and ready to go wherever and do whatever for Him. As they picked up their young family and and moved across the world to Albania to be missionaries, my heart became alive for God. I wanted that same passion and desire that I had once had when I was a teen in love with God more than anything. God became my first love once again and life hasn't been the same since! Freedom, joy, peace...thats what I have now that I was able to grow the confidence to give my all to the Lord. I will always be thankful for their true love and heart for our Lord and Savior!

Many of you have joined in prayer all over the world to pray for this sweet family. If you want to read about their story, go to The Ronnes blog. Pray for them and send them an encouraging if you feel led to do so.

The other big thing that has been going on is....we are selling our house! This was not a planned thing by no means. This was a God thing. . Josh and I constantly pray together for wisdom and discernment on how to handle finances. We thought we were doing good when we refinanced from a 30 year loan to a 15 year loan in January, saving our family 90,000 dollars in interest. Little did we know that this would just be the beginning of preparing our hearts to what was to come...

There is a verse in the Bible that we feel like God has been speaking to us for a while and that is " ⁸ Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law."- Romans 13:8.

In our culture, this seems impossible, "owe nothing to anyone". Wow! Point blank but how do we do that in our society where everything is mortgages and loans. And as we've prayed , its seemed very high , lofty and way out there but we prayed we could live this verse...someday. God has been working all the while . This whole time has been more about me being ready to accept what He would ask us to do.

I'm living in the nicest house I have ever lived in. It's 4 bedrooms, 2 living rooms and I could go on. We've spent a lot of time and energy into making it nice and it is finally the way we like it. I envisioned our family being here for a long time. The thought never crossed to ever move .I love our house. God says "Do you love it more than me?"

So here we are. Stepping out in faith. We have a rent house setup for May 1st. This is a big deal and I believe the first step in God confirming this is what we should do. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats that are part of our family and finding a place that will accept them is nearly impossible. We had a lot of anxieties and I told Josh that if it was God's will that He would meet us as we stepped out in faith and the next day this house became available! Plus our friend's own it! Talk about good timing! Thank You Lord!!! I'm excited and at the same time I started feeling anxious, I started thinking "can we sell our house quickly so we are not paying rent and a mortgage??"

I was really starting to feel anxious about everything this weekend. We had a big long list of things that would normally take 2 years that needed to be done in a weekend. Doubt and emotions of leaving our home really started to set in . God spoke to me very clearly on Sunday. Moral: My relationship with God means NOTHING if I can't trust Him with this. Wow! OK , God. Those were the exact words I needed to relax and remember that this is no big thing for my God.

So here we go, exchanging comfortable for adventure....where will we end up? Stay tuned to see.....

2010-03-11T07:49:00.001-06:00

This is a very well written devo. I lived this way for so long. I'm so thankful to God for the "abundant" life. The secret is in the surrender :)

March 11, 2010

What Does It Mean To 'Believe?'

Micca Monda Campbell

"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9 (NIV)

Devotion:

I didn't take the time to discuss it with my parents or even tell them where I was going. Inside that large arena, I leaped from my seat and ran toward the stage. I was running to Jesus. My mother called my name and begged me to stop. As I looked back at her, a sea of people began to fill the gap between us. Normally, this would have frightened a small child, but I wasn't afraid at all. The pull towards the stage was much stronger than the fear of being separated from my mother. Luckily, a counselor reunited us and my mother was there to witness my introduction to Jesus.

I was seven years-old when I met Jesus for the first time. While attending a James Robison crusade with my family, I was captured by the words of the evangelist as he described Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. That divine night, my eyes were opened to God's message of hope. When Pastor Robison invited all who believed to come forward, I went.

That was an exciting day for me. However, as the years passed I noticed something disturbing. I wasn't experiencing the change I had hoped for. In fact, each time I heard a pastor say, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and experience freedom from sin and a life marked by peace, power, and joy," I became more confused. I do believe in Jesus. Why weren't those truths a reality in my life?

Like some today, I had misunderstood what it meant to believe.

To "believe" means much more than simply acknowledging Christ's death on a cross.

Unfortunately, for many today that word has been reduced to just that - a mere mental acknowledgement. Like me, multitudes have said the sinner's prayer because they believe Jesus died on a cross. But without the call to confess sin and commit to a life of following Christ in obedience, no transformation takes place. That's the problem with knowledge alone. It requires no commitment and brings about no lasting change.

The Bible teaches that to believe means to acknowledge what Christ did on the cross and to be so changed by it that we want to obey His will and His Word. Therefore, to believe is to obey. A person who truly believes is compelled by God's love, and responds with a desire to obey Him. Their belief not only motivates them to obey but to trust God completely with their life.

When I finally understood this truth, I made a new and final commitment: "God, I so believe in Your Son who died for my sins that I surrender my will for Yours." Then, I began studying and applying God's Word to my life. That's when I noticed real change taking place. I noticed something else too. My problems didn't instantly go away, but I wasn't carrying them alone anymore. That's not all. No matter who mocked me or what trouble came my way, I decided to trust God. Doing so brought peace to my heart like never before.

A true believer is not only identified by what she confesses, but by the fruit of her obedience. The only way to identify genuine belief in your life and the lives of others is by a life that demonstrates it. When a person has experienced real change through a surrendered life, others will know it by their actions.

If you are like me, wondering why no change has occurred since you prayed to become a Christian, perhaps you need to move from acknowledging Christ to living a life of obedience to Him. I promise you ... it's what you're looking for.

Dear Lord, for too long I have only acknowledged You as the Son of God and the Savior of the world. I long for real change. Today, I surrender my will to You. I commit to a life of obedience. Forgive me for my sins and fill me with your Spirit. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Reflections:

How does your life reflect the fact that faith and action are inseparable?

Can you feel secure in your experience with God if it never leads to obedient action?

Power Verses:

James 2:24, "You see then that a person is justified by what he does, and not by faith alone." (NIV)

James 1:23-24, "For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was." James 1:23-24 (NASB)

2010-03-08T08:13:00.003-06:00

I read this poem from Streams in the Desert Devotional this morning. So good!

I longed to walk along an easy road,

And leave behind the dull routine of home,

Thinking in other fields to serve my God;

But Jesus said, "My time has not yet come."

I longed to sow the seed in other soil,
To be unfettered in the work, and free,
To join with other laborers in their toil;
But Jesus said, "'Tis not My choice for thee."

I longed to leave the desert, and be led

To work where souls were sunk in sin and shame,

That I might win them; but the Master said,

"I have not called thee, publish here My name."

I longed to fight the battles of my King,
Lift high His standards in the thickest strife;
But my great Captain bade me wait and sing
Songs of His conquests in my quiet life.

I longed to leave the uncongenial sphere,

Where all alone I seemed to stand and wait,

To feel I had some human helper near,

But Jesus bade me guard one lonely gate.
I longed to leave the round of daily toil,
Where no one seemed to understand or care;
But Jesus said, "I choose for thee this soil,
That thou might'st raise for Me some blossoms rare."

And now I have no longing but to do

At home, or else afar, His blessed will,

To work amid the many or the few;

Thus, "choosing not to choose," my heart is still.

--Selected

2010-02-08T08:14:00.002-06:00

February 8
Let Go, and Grow Up
Hebrews 5:11-14

Yesterday we learned about the three levels of life. Today our focus will be on the fleshly man. Sadly, many Christians are stuck on this plane of existence. They try to obey the Lord, but the old "flesh" keeps emerging. Life is a roller coaster of spiritual ups and downs.

Sometimes this condition is due to ignorance. There are many people who fail to realize that 1) this lifestyle is not meant to be the norm for believers, and 2) the Lord has given us everything we need to live a godly life (2 Peter 1:3-4).

However, the primary reason believers live fleshly lives is because they have not yet made up their minds who will be in control. There is something they are unwilling to surrender to God—it could be a desire, habit, or source of security or pleasure. Another possibility is that they have sensed His call on their lives but are running from Him in fear or rebellion.

The consequences of living this way are devastating. Without the Spirit's governing control, the carnal Christian is spiritually immature and ruled by his own desires, rights, and expectations. Because he has not applied previously learned biblical truths (milk), he cannot understand the deeper things of Scripture (meat). The result is stunted spiritual growth.

If you find yourself described here, take courage. You do not have to remain in this condition. What are you holding onto? Letting go can be very difficult, but the power of almighty God resides within you through His Spirit. Relax your grip, surrender to Him, and rely on His strength.

-Dr. Charles Stanley

When I read this , I felt that fire burn with me. My heart burns to show others the abundant life found in Christ. I lived my life as a "carnal Christian" for so long. I missed out on the "abundant life" thinking if I gave my life to God He would punish me or something. I had a wrong perception of who He was. There was this disconnect. I bought into the lie. I lived my own life. I was in control. I was miserable.

When I took that step of faith to say "Lord, I don't care what You have me do. I'd rather be miserable in You , than miserable trying to do things myself". When I came to that point that said "God , You are worth whatever." Life changed. Boy, did life change. Real life came. Everything I had been so striving for was fulfilled in my heart. I no longer had to chase the externals. Peace. Joy. Fulfillment. Purpose. Love. Acceptance. All in Him and in giving Him control. I realized He wasn't a mean God, but the most loving One I would ever encounter. The whole time He was holding out for my best. When I showed up, He showed up. Praise Him! I am so glad that "his patience leads to our repentance."

2010-02-08T08:11:00.002-06:00

This is my prayer! I want my life to be one big Thank You to the One who deserves it most!!!

"O the Spirit filled life; is it thine, is it thine?
Is thy soul wholly filled with the Spirit Divine?
O thou child of the King, has He fallen on thee?
Does He reign in thy soul, so that all men may see
The dear Savior's blest image reflected in thee?

"Has He swept through thy soul like the waves of the sea?
Does the Spirit of God daily rest upon thee?
Does He sweeten thy life, does He keep thee from care?
Does He guide thee and bless thee in answer to prayer?
Is it joy to be led of the Lord anywhere?

"Is He near thee each hour, does He stand at thy side?
Does He gird thee with strength, has He come to abide?
Does He give thee to know that all things may be done
Through the grace and the power of the Crucified One?
Does He witness to thee of the glorified Son?

"Has He purged thee of dross with the fire from above?
Is He first in thy thoughts, has He all of thy love?
Is His service thy choice, and is sacrifice sweet?
Is the doing His will both thy drink and thy meat?
Dost thou run at His bidding with glad eager feet?

"Has He freed thee from self and from all of thy greed?
Dost thou hasten to succor thy brother in need?
As a soldier of Christ dost thou hardness endure?
Is thy hope in the Lord everlasting and sure?
Hast thou patience and meekness, art tender and pure?

"O the Spirit filled life may be thine, may be thine,
In thy soul evermore the Shekinah may shine;
It is thine to live with the tempests all stilled,
It is thine with the blessed Holy Ghost to be filled;
It is thine, even thine, for thy Lord has so willed."

-Streams in The Desert Devotional

Terse Verse and Peppy Prose

2010-02-02T21:17:00.005-06:00

I know very little about my family history. I have 5 family members that I know and 1 other that I know about. Most of our history is gone but one little piece remains and it brings a smile to my face.

My great grandfather was a doctor. He was also a poet and wrote a book called Terse Verse and Peppy Prose (the copyright is 1956). I have an original copy and I happened upon it tonight. A lot of his poems talk about the patients he had over the years, not by name but just different sorts of people and their funny stories.
As I thumbed through , I came to one called Faith. I thought I would share it.

Faith
There is no trial sent by God
But can be borne;
The paths you tread the Master trod,
So do not mourn.

Although your future path seems dark,
Be not afraid;
With faith in God and self embark
Be undismayed.

Then follow on the unseen hand
That points the way,
And find at last the Blessed Land
Of Endless Day.

-A.L Dillon

2010-02-02T17:41:00.003-06:00

I'm so glad that my happiness is not hinged on what God is DOING in my life. My joy comes from WHO HE IS. Simply. He is the GREAT I AM. Whenever my heart starts to fret I look to Him who says I AM to whatever question, doubt or worry I have. He is I AM. I AM. HE IS WHAT I NEED! What do you have in your life, that needs the GREAT I AM?

Examples:

I'm lonely....I AM your Comforter
I'm scared... I AM your Protector
I'm worried...I AM your Peace
I dont know...I AM the WAY
I'm tired of living a lie...I AM the Truth
I'm tired of just living....I AM the Life

Thank you Lord that You are the GREAT I AM to whatever we need!!!

2010-02-02T17:26:00.003-06:00

If anyone cares to see what we do at "school", you can visit this site. I made it so at the end of the year we can print it off and it can act as sort of a year book of what we did for that year.

Dress Up

2010-02-02T17:21:00.003-06:00

2010-02-02T17:03:00.005-06:00

We recieved over 12 inches of snow last week. The kids enjoyed going out and playing in it. Zaine went sledding until he couldn't sled anymore. We built a snowman and had snowball fights. Most of all we had lots of hot cocoa with extra marshmallows!

2010-01-29T10:28:00.002-06:00

My friend Laura turned 30 a couple weeks ago. Josh's parents got me a KitchenAid mixer for Christmas so I just had to make a homemade cake for her :). I'm really starting to like baking. The mixer rocks! This cake was a raspberry lemon with homemade fondant icing. It was a lot of fun!

Good Enough

2010-01-28T22:31:00.011-06:00

When I was a child I found it very hard to accept the fact that I had freckles. As early as I can remember I've always had them. I had the big splotchy ones on my shoulders and as I grew I seemed to collect them unwillingly around summer time, right before school started up again. I remember looking around and comparing myself to everyone else in school. There was one other girl that had the same extent of freckles as I did but even our similarity was different. She had red hair and red freckles. I had brown hair and brown freckles.

I remember playing with my toys passively listening to whatever was on t.v one day. My attention was perked when I heard a lady say that if you rubbed lemon juice on age spots it would make them disappear. My grandma had age spots and they looked a lot like freckles. I drew this excited conclusion that the lemon juice would work on my freckles.

One day when no one was looking I snuck the lemon juice out of the fridge. Then I closed myself into the bathroom and started rubbing away. I was so happy, envisioning how pretty I would look without freckles. I was caught up in grandeur visions but was brought back to reality when nothing changed on my skin. I figured I needed to put a little bit more elbow grease into it. I was determined. I rubbed and rubbed until the hairs started coming off. My arm was red and burning. Still nothing. Now with hot steamy tears rolling down my face I started scratching with my fingernails. Still nothing. I was defeated and bleeding.

My collection of unwanted freckles would always be there, laying claim to who I was.

Years went by. The freckles faded a little or maybe just my perception of them. I accepted that I was different. My name was different, my freckles, buckteeth and my growing up years..all of it was different and all of it was me. At times I wanted to hide or run away from all my differences but no matter where I went it was always there with me.

Over the years, I've come to love who God created me to be. It's been years of allowing God to demolish lies, lies and more lies. Through every lie, I've become more free to just be who
He created me to be freckles and all.

In the past I've tried to hide and run away from God but I realized just as much as I have these freckles that will never leave ,God will never leave. I've come to love the freckles (especially the ones on my children) More so than the freckles, I LOVE LOVE LOVE GOD!!!! He is what what makes me, really me! Just like I can't hide these freckles, I can't hide Him and the amazing things He has done in my life. I am not ashamed!

" We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.^b]">[b] This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves."

2 Corinthians 4:7

NLT Women's Devotional

2010-01-25T08:29:00.003-06:00

I read this devotional and thought how I simply do not share my story of what Jesus has done in my life enough. I've had some things happen that could really help others, yet I choose to keep them to myself because I don't want to offend or want others to think wrongly of me. Reading this , took me back to the basics. It's not complicated. Sharing Jesus should be just like water overflowing from a cup that is under a faucet. It's natural and at the same time it does not come without pain. I know I will be rejected and people will take me wrong but to me it is worth the one person that might need to hear.

I hope you enjoy the devotional as much as I did:

"Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!”
John 4:39

Marketing is a tricky business. There is a fine line between motivational advertising and uninspiring tedium. The secret to a successful advertisement is its ability to connect with its audience. Once in a while there is an ad that is unforgettable. Do you remember, “I can’t believe I ate the whole thing?”

Or the famous hot dog song, “Oh, I wish I were…?”

The woman Jesus met at the well was no saint. Several obviously painful life experiences led her to be an outcast in her hometown. She hauled water all alone in the heat of the day because no one would have anything to do with her. Or perhaps she simply wanted to avoid confrontations and humiliation. Because of her reputation, she possessed no influence or authority with her townspeople.

One day, she returned to the community so excited that she couldn’t contain her enthusiasm. She was so persuasive that the entire community went out to meet Jesus. Did she have to exaggerate to get their attention? Did she have to dress up in an outrageous costume? Did she offer coupons or a discount on laundry to get the community to listen? No. All she did was tell her story of how Jesus knew her, cared about her, and told her everything she needed to hear. Jesus changed her life with his words. This woman became the instigator of revolutionary change in her entire community through her story. Once her town met Jesus, they were captivated and changed forever by his words.

What if the woman at the well had kept her joy to herself? What if she had been too embarrassed to confess that Jesus had told her about her many husbands? If she had decided that her story was too unseemly, no one would have witnessed the miraculous change in this woman’s life. And no one else would have been changed by Jesus. Yet, “Many Samaritans from the village town believed in Jesus because . . .” her transparency helped them see him. No longer ashamed, she became an effective witness.

Our stories of how Jesus loves us are miracle stories. Every single testimony displays God’s amazing interaction with his children. Our stories can bring people out to meet Jesus where they too can be changed forever.

I associate with this lady. There was a time in my life that I would have walked to the well in the heat of the day to avoid the shame b/c of the life choices I had made. I love how Jesus met her right where she was, right smack dab in the middle of the muck and mire of life. He told her everything she ever did. Transformation took place as love was extended instead of judgment.

That love shattered the strongholds and the woman was free. She could not withhold the good news and in simply telling others the simple act of love extended to her, others wanted it too.

Questions for myself: Why do I always assume that people will not want God? Why do I think I have to glam up God before I can share him?

God does not need any makeup or glamming. He is awesome. I do not have to make Him out to be anything except what He is--which is all we need and want. We were formed to fellowship with Him as much as a car was fashioned to take gasoline.

Once again I am reminded and invited to become childlike in faith. Quit complicating things and live simply.

NLT Women's Devotional

2010-01-25T08:29:00.000-06:00

To My Father

2010-01-22T09:20:00.008-06:00

Today is my father's birthday. It is always a day of somber remembrance. I never knew my father. To tell the truth, I don't even know much about the man. I do know he was adopted. My mom and him met in a bar. He was quoted as being a "genius with no common sense". He wasted his whole life on the addiction called drugs and alcohol. He had at least one other child, and was not involved in his life either. Thats about it.

My mom never hid the truth and that truth should have stopped my longing to know him but it did not. I had an insatiable need to know my father. I felt like half of me was missing and I would never be complete without knowing him for myself.

I had this notion that one day he would come and rescue me. My step father adopted me. My dad had to sign his rights way for this to happen. I would dream that he would show up in that judge's office and stand up for me on adoption day. He didn't show up and I was at the mercy of an abusive man for years after. That was a turning point in my life. My childhood was gone and my hope turned to disappointment, that turned to anger. I was constantly bombarded by questions and lies like: Why did he choose not to be in my life? Why was he not there to protect me from evil? Why didn't he love me? What did I do wrong? If my dad doesn't love me, no one else will. I am worthless. If I was to die, no one would care. I was a mistake. I am a bastard. I will never be anything.

I met my half brother, his son, when I was 18. It was strange how the void of our father had impacted us much the same way. Although we had never knew our father, we both had a strong addiction to alcohol. We both were trying to fill the void of not knowing half of ourselves, believing the lies that we had done something and we must be worthless. Most of all longing for love that would never come.

I found an address to my dad and sent a heart felt letter. Weeks later it was sent back , stamped with the word "Deceased". I had sent it to his cemetary plot. He had killed himself two years prior. My longing for his love would never come. I can not tell you how many times I too, would try to commit suicide, it was a constant thought.

I will never know why God did not allow us to meet or if my father ever found Jesus before he died. My hope is that he was able to find peace and maybe one day I will get to see him. I do not hold out for this though.

In the world's eyes I am the least likely to be a "Christian" but God revealed Himself to me when I cried out to Him as a child. This was not a "religious" thing. I had no clue what denominations were or even how to understand the Bible. All I knew is if there was a God, I needed Him. He came to where I was.

Over time I was able to let go of the shattered image of God and behold Him as a Perfect Loving Daddy. Just what I needed. My void has been filled. My longing for love has come. The Perfect Heavenly Father, my Abba, my Daddy God He is the Great I AM to the need that nothing in this world could fulfill. My heart has found rest in His presence. I imagine myself sitting in His lap. He broke the chains of addiction in my life. I am not held by generational sins , by my "nothingness" or anything else that tries to lay claim to who I am. I am loved by the Creator of Universe, the God who spoke the stars into existence. He is my Daddy God and is more than able to hold me together. He knows me by name. I was not a mistake but created with a "plan and a purpose".

Who knows what kind of relationship I would have with God if my father had been involved in my life. I do know that my longing for a father lead me to the cross and that cross did not disappoint! So I can say with gratitude in my heart, I am thankful for my life, the good and the bad.

Thank you Daddy God!

To anyone that needs a mom or dad. (I still need a Daddy and I'm 28!) Remember this:

^" Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close."
-Psalm 27:10

2010-01-20T08:56:00.001-06:00

January, 20

Whatever the Cost

"'Because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son...I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven;...because thou hast obeyed my voice" (Gen. 22:16-18).

And from that day to this, men have been learning that when, at God's voice, they surrender up to Him the one thing above all else that was dearest to their very hearts, that same thing is returned to them by Him a thousand times over. Abraham gives up his one and only son, at God's call, and with this disappear all his hopes for the boy's life and manhood, and for a noble family bearing his name. But the boy is restored, the family becomes as the stars and sands in number, and out of it, in the fullness of time, appears Jesus Christ.

That is just the way God meets every real sacrifice of every child of His. We surrender all and accept poverty; and He sends wealth. We renounce a rich field of service; He sends us a richer one than we had dared to dream of. We give up all our cherished hopes, and die unto self; He sends us the life more abundant, and tingling joy. And the crown of it all is our Jesus Christ. For we can never know the fullness of the life that is in Christ until we have made Abraham's supreme sacrifice. The earthly founder of the family of Christ must commence by losing himself and his only son, just as the Heavenly Founder of that family did. We cannot be members of that family with the full privileges and joys of membership upon any other basis. --C. G. Trumbull

We sometimes seem to forget that what God takes He takes in fire; and that the only way to the resurrection life and the ascension mount is the way of the garden, the cross, and the grave.

Think not, O soul of man, that Abraham's was a unique and solitary experience. It is simply a specimen and pattern of God's dealings with all souls who are prepared to obey Him at whatever cost. After thou hast patiently endured, thou shalt receive the promise. The moment of supreme sacrifice shall be the moment of supreme and rapturous blessing. God's river, which is full of water, shall burst its banks, and pour upon thee a tide of wealth and grace. There is nothing, indeed, which God will not do for a man who dares to step out upon what seems to be the mist; though as he puts down his foot he finds a rock beneath him.

--F. B. Meyer

2010-01-11T08:14:00.004-06:00

Everyone should watch this video. It really puts things in perspective! I love when Science and God come together!!! Wow, what an AWESOME- MAJESTIC- BIGGER than any problem I have or will ever have- He's got the whole world in His hands God !!! If you are having issues trusting Him this will help You relax in the VERY capable and strong arms of our MIGHTY God. He is SOOOOO BIG. I don't think we can even comprehend 1% of who He is!!! Mind blowing! Watching this video made me feel very small but at the same time I am reminded of how He knows piddly ole me by name and has numbered every hair on my head and has a plan and purpose for each one of our lives---AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!!

It reminded of Isaiah 40:
⁸ The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of our God stands forever.”
¹⁰ Yes, the Sovereign Lord is coming in power.
He will rule with a powerful arm.
See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.
¹¹ He will feed his flock like a shepherd.
He will carry the lambs in his arms,
holding them close to his heart.
He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
¹² Who else has held the oceans in his hand?
Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers?
Who else knows the weight of the earth
or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale?
¹³ Who is able to advise the Spirit of the Lord?^c]">[c]
Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him?
¹⁴ Has the Lord ever needed anyone’s advice?
Does he need instruction about what is good?
Did someone teach him what is right
or show him the path of justice?

¹⁵ No, for all the nations of the world
are but a drop in the bucket.
They are nothing more
than dust on the scales.
He picks up the whole earth
as though it were a grain of sand.
¹⁶ All the wood in Lebanon’s forests
and all Lebanon’s animals would not be enough
to make a burnt offering worthy of our God.
¹⁷ The nations of the world are worth nothing to him.
In his eyes they count for less than nothing—
mere emptiness and froth.

¹⁸ To whom can you compare God?
What image can you find to resemble him?

²¹ Haven’t you heard? Don’t you understand?
Are you deaf to the words of God—
the words he gave before the world began?
Are you so ignorant?
²² God sits above the circle of the earth.
The people below seem like grasshoppers to him!
He spreads out the heavens like a curtain
and makes his tent from them.
²³ He judges the great people of the world
and brings them all to nothing.
²⁴ They hardly get started, barely taking root,
when he blows on them and they wither.
The wind carries them off like chaff.

²⁵ “To whom will you compare me?
Who is my equal?” asks the Holy One.

²⁶ Look up into the heavens.
Who created all the stars?
He brings them out like an army, one after another,
calling each by its name.
Because of his great power and incomparable strength,
not a single one is missing.
²⁷ O Jacob, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles?
O Israel, how can you say God ignores your rights?
²⁸ Have you never heard?
Have you never understood?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of all the earth.
He never grows weak or weary.
No one can measure the depths of his understanding.
²⁹ He gives power to the weak
and strength to the powerless.
³⁰ Even youths will become weak and tired,
and young men will fall in exhaustion.
³¹ But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

Streams in The Desert

2010-01-11T08:13:00.000-06:00

These are so good, I've just gotta share!!!

January, 10

Polish Comes Through Trouble

"He hath made me a polished shaft" (Isa. 49:2).

There is a very famous "Pebble Beach" at Pescadero, on the California coast. The long line of white surf comes up with its everlasting roar, and rattles and thunders among the stones on the shore. They are caught in the arms of the pitiless waves, and tossed and rolled, and rubbed together, and ground against the sharp-grained cliffs. Day and night forever the ceaseless attrition goes on--never any rest. And the result?

Tourists from all the world flock thither to gather the round and beautiful stones. They are laid up in cabinets; they ornament the parlor mantels. But go yonder, around the point of the cliff that breaks off the force of the sea; and up in that quiet cove, sheltered from the storms, and lying ever in the sun, you shall find abundance of pebbles that have never been chosen by the traveler.

Why are these left all the years through unsought? For the simple reason that they have escaped all the turmoil and attrition of the waves, and the quiet and peace have left them as they found them, rough and angular and devoid of beauty. Polish comes through trouble.

Since God knows what niche we are to fill, let us trust Him to shape us to it. Since He knows what work we are to do, let us trust Him to drill us to the proper preparation.

"O blows that smite! O hurts that pierce This shrinking heart of mine! What are ye but the Master's tools Forming a work Divine?"

"Nearly all God's jewels are crystallized tears."

Streams in The Desert Devotional

2010-01-08T08:08:00.000-06:00

I thought this was great!

January, 8

Delayed Blessings

"For the Vision is yet for an appointed time...though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry" (Hab. 2:3).

In the charming little booklet, Expectation Corner, Adam Slowman was led into the Lord's treasure houses, and among many other wonders there revealed to him was the "Delayed Blessings Office," where God kept certain things, prayed for, until the wise time came to send them.

It takes a long time for some pensioners to learn that delays are not denials. Ah, there are secrets of love and wisdom in the "Delayed Blessings Department," which are little dreamt of! Men would pluck their mercies green when the Lord would have them ripe. "Therefore will the Lord WAIT, that He may be gracious unto you" (Isa. 30:18). He is watching in the hard places and will not allow one trial too many; He will let the dross be consumed, and then He will come gloriously to your help.

Do not grieve Him by doubting His love. Nay, lift up your head, and begin to praise Him even now for the deliverance which is on the way to you, and you will be abundantly rewarded for the delay which has tried your faith.

O Thou of little faith,

God hath not failed thee yet!

When all looks dark and gloomy,

Thou dost so soon forget--

Forget that He has led thee,

And gently cleared thy way;

On clouds has poured His sunshine,

And turned thy night to day.

And if He's helped thee hitherto,

He will not fail thee now;

How it must wound His loving heart

To see thy anxious brow!

Oh! doubt not any longer,

To Him commit thy way,

Whom in the past thou trusted,

And is "just the same today."

--Selected

In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley‏ 12/14/2009

2009-12-14T08:15:00.001-06:00

December 14

Experiencing God's Goodness

Psalm 31:19-24

When life is pleasant, we find praising God easy because His kindness is abundantly evident. However, we may have difficulty recognizing pain and trouble as an expression of His loving care. In difficult times, we need to trust today's Scriptures, which tell us that the Lord has stored up goodness for those who trust and obey Him.

If you feel that God is good only when your circumstances are enjoyable, then you misunderstand His nature and have become numb to the expression of His benevolence toward you. Those who have learned to know His character and trust His ways will be able to see evidence of His goodness in all situations.

I haven't always felt that the Lord was being good. While I was growing up, my goal was to be obedient so He wouldn't do anything bad to me. The difficult and painful situations in my life hindered my understanding of His goodness. Now as I look back, I can see His love and wisdom in allowing and using those trials to shape my character.

Today when God does something that I don't like, I pour out my heart to Him. After seeking His perspective and listening, I am filled with gratitude and trust in His character. And then I am willing to accept His wise choice for my life.

We live under the umbrella of God's goodness. When circumstances and feelings tell you otherwise, rely on what you know. Throughout the day, look for signs of His loving care for you. As your perspective changes, you will be able to see the signs of His goodness everywhere you turn.

Around the World Today....

2009-12-14T07:57:00.002-06:00

Fast-Growing Christian Churches Crushed in China

The Associated Press reports that the forced closure of what could be called China's first megachurch shows both the spread of house churches and official aversion to them. The Golden Lamp Church in the city of Linfen could hold 50,000 attendees before hundreds of police and mercenaries abused and vandalized the property almost three months ago. More than a dozen worshippers were seriously injured in the attack. Now, police patrol the former church's neighborhood while the church's pastors have been imprisoned. The church represented the country's growing number of unregistered (and therefore illegal) house churches, where an estimated 60 million Chinese attend. Only about 20 million worship in the state-approved Three-Self churches. "They are so afraid of rallying points developing for gathering of elements of civil society," said Daniel Bays, who follows Chinese Christianity at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Hindu Nationalist Party Official in India Charged in Nun's Rape

Compass Direct News reports that police in Orissa state have arrested an official of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly leading an attack that ended in the rape of a Catholic nun during last year. Gururam Patra, identified by local residents as general secretary of the BJP in Kandhamal district, was arrested on Dec. 6 in Balliguda; he was charged with leading the attack but not with the rape of Sister Meena Lalita Barwa, then 28, on Aug. 25, 2008. "He is the one who went into the house where the nun was staying and took her out, along with his associates who outraged her modesty," said an investigating officer, Dilip Kumar Mohanty. Previously police had arrested 18 associates of Patra. Hindu extremist groups distanced themselves from Patra, with Orissa BJP President Suresh Pujari telling Compass that he did not know if Patra was a member of his party.

British Inn Owners Cleared of Hate Crime against Muslim Guest

Religion News Service reports that two Christian hotel operators have won a legal fight against a Muslim convert who accused them of insulting her faith. Ericka Tazi, an ex-Roman Catholic who embraced Islam 18 months ago, told a magistrates' court in Liverpool, England, that during her stay at the Bounty House Hotel, innkeepers Benjamin and Sharon Vogelenzang subjected her to an hour-long anti-Islam tirade when she showed up for breakfast wearing a hijab, a Muslim head covering. Judge Richard Clancy threw out Tazi's complaint on Wednesday (Dec. 9) and dismissed a charge of a religiously aggravated "hate crime" against the owners, saying, "I'm not satisfied on the facts that this case has been made out." The ruling came only days after former church elder Gary MacFarlane lost a court case revolving around his own Christian beliefs, which he said prevented him from offering relationship counseling to gay couples.

Church Torched by Hindu radicals in India

ASSIST News Service reports that Hindu radical torched and destroyed another church in Andhra Pradesh state, India. Police investigations found that members of two Hindu radical groups, Rashtriya Swayam Sevaks and Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP), poured petrol [gasoline] on Jesus Lights Manna Church and set it on fire on Dec. 8. The main entrance door of the church, the altar, window panes, church Amplifier (PA system), service books and Bibles were burnt to ashes. Witnesses saw the church burning around four o'clock in the morning and warned Pastor Mengu Elia. Police officials have arrested a BJP leader and another culprit for their alleged involvement in setting the church on fire.

Father God, the news can be so discouraging. Thank you Lord that you are in the midst of each one of these situations and that Your arm is not too short to save. I pray that their faith would be proven and that You would be glorified. I pray that Your message of love would overcome evil and hatred and that Your salvation would spread to the ends of the earth. Thank You that You are not contained by governments, sin or oppression. Your will surpasses all of these and You will not be contained! In Jesus Name Amen!

"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Colossians 1:16-17

The Big 10

2009-12-13T18:32:00.009-06:00

My baby boy turned 10 last week. I really had a hard time with it! I found myself crying throughout the day as I pondered his life and mine.

Before he came into my life, I was traveling fast down the road of self destruction. I was 17 and drinking, drugs and parties were the life. But once I found out I was pregnant everything changed. I was overtaken by a flood of childhood promises I had made to myself. I would not break those vows. Inasmuch as I hated myself at the time, I was determined to love this little guy and give him the things I yearned for when I was a child. He was worth whatever I had to do.

I was 18 and so naive when he was born. I was just a girl myself. As I look back I can see how I had so much to learn. I thought babies slept through the night! Boy,was I in for the shock of a lifetime. I remember the first time he got the hiccups I was so panicked and called my mom to ask what I was supposed to do. He had a first few months of life. First , he had issues with his bowels. I remember him being a week old and sitting in the emergency room. We were there again when he was a month old and had to be admitted for RSV. I realized now that being a mother was so hard and sacrificial. I had more understanding towards my own mother now.

Like any boy, he loved mud puddles , being outside and anything that consisted of dirt. From the time he was two he loved playing games on the computer.

I remember one time when he was about 2 years old he thought he would go exploring outside. One second he was right by my side and the next he was stepping onto a busy highway outside our front yard. My life stood still as I saw a semi truck coming. I ran with all my might and it seemed like forever before I got to him and grabbed up in my arms back to safety.

As I look back through the years, I think of trips to the library after preschool and spending hours in the sandbox. I remember him on his orange motorcycle tricycle, he was the coolest 3 year old in the neighborhood. I think about swim class and how he was the one that sat in the corner and cried the first 10 times we went. My heart would break every class. I was so close to pulling him out. I remember saying the 10th time , "If he doesn't like it this time, we will just try when he's older". But he did it and he did awesome! I think of preschool graduation and walking together the first day of school.

I think about how much I missed him because I worked so much. I think about trying to catch up on lost time by staying up late and playing board games and snuggling. Our three sayings before bedtime was "Snug as a bug in a rug", "Good night don't let the bed bugs bite" and "Snuggly buggly wuggly".

I didn't know how I would love another child as much as him but when Taylor Nicole was born, my heart grew to love her just as much. Zaine has become the best big brother a girl could have. I always wanted a boy and then a girl. Just this week , he asked if I would take him to the store so he could buy (with his own money) his sister a present for Christmas.

God used this little boy to bring me back to Him. When he was 7 , we had just finished our children's Bible. He was insistent on getting a new one. One day I was shopping online for a new Bible and was overcome with conviction. . For years I knew the truth about God, I had experienced his greatness first hand but was living my own life now and for years struggled with the thought of trusting God. I felt an urgency like I had never felt. I felt like it would be the last time that I would have the chance to come back to Him. I was so shaken that I got down on my knees in the middle of my living room and committed my life back to God. I gave Him complete control of everything. I was going to trust in the Everlasting Arms finally! The burden of my life was rolled away. Peace, joy, life came and has been there ever since!!!! All because a little boy's plea and God never-ending love! Some months later , Zaine would ask Jesus into his heart as well.

This last year he asked me if we could do home-school. This is something I did not think I could ever do but I committed to praying about it. We stepped out in faith and once again, a transformational time in both of our lives. God is soooo good! I am so thankful for this precious time we have together. He is restoring what was lost. I love learning with him. God is growing our hearts closer to one another into a bond I pray will never be broken. We are also growing closer to God and I would not trade this time for the world.

He's a boy that loves sports, video games, and good movies. He likes a challenge. His favorite foods are burritos, hotwings, bagels with creamcheese, yogurt and nachos and jalepenos.

He's so big now. I remember that little baby and now his foot is the size of what he once was as a whole. So surreal. On a positive note, I can borrow socks from him now :)

We have grown up together and as I reflect, time goes by way too fast. I agree with Solomon and David , our lives are like a vapor, mist, or grass that withers away. I'm embracing being a mother these days as I realize just how short a time I have. I don't want to miss a thing or not fully enjoy it.

³ Children are a gift from the Lord;
they are a reward from him. - Psalm 127:3

Thank you Lord, for Zaine and Taylor. They are more than I deserve. They have changed my life for the best. Thank you for their lives and their child like faith. As I watch them, I learn about You. Help me to raise them in a way that is honorable and pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus Name, Amen.

He's Got It

2009-12-11T08:17:00.004-06:00

Good morning , precious one, loved by God and chosen before the foundations of the earth. This morning I'm thinking about thanking God in the midst of wherever I'm at in life. No matter what I have or don't have, no matter what unfair circumstance happens or whoever lets me down. Can I say like David said in Psalm 16:5-8:

⁵The Lord is my chosen and assigned portion, my cup; You hold and maintain my lot.

⁶The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; yes, I have a good heritage.

⁷I will bless the Lord, Who has given me counsel; yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.

⁸I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

Did you know there was about 17 years between when David was anointed to when he actually became king? He had the promise long before it was fulfilled . In the mean time he continued to be a shepherd , errand boy and musician to the king . Once Saul became jealous of him , he spent years running for his life and hiding in caves. I'm sure there was the temptation to question God. Instead, he thanked God and trusted Him. I believe David needed those years to prepare him to be a king that always kept God first.

In Isaiah 41:10 God says:

¹⁰Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.

It is so easy for us to humanize God. What does that mean? To transfer how people have treated us onto God and see God that way. But I must remember, that God is perfect and I am hindering my relationship with Him when I forget that He ALWAYS has my best interest at heart. He knows me better than I know myself. Why would I not allow Him to lead my life? I can only see this tidbit of life right here and right now. Most days I feel like I am chasing shadows. He is never guessing, wondering, scurrying. He's got it. I want to enter His rest. He's got it! I love what God says in Isaiah 41:4.

4Who has prepared and done this, calling forth and guiding the destinies of the generations [of the nations] from the beginning? I, the Lord--the first [existing before history began] and with the last [an ever-present, unchanging God]--I am He.

He's got it and He's everything I need! He knows what I have or don't have, who likes me or doesn't like me and all that life will bring me and He's got it.

I'm going to rest in Him today.

"Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell]." -Heb 4:11

2009-12-11T07:58:00.001-06:00

"When each earthly prop gives under,
And life seems a restless sea,
Are you then a God-kept wonder,
Satisfied and calm and free?"
-Streams In The Desert

Charles Stanley Devotional for Dec 10th

2009-12-10T08:08:00.001-06:00

December 10
Our Trials
1 Peter 1:3-9

Some people have the wrong idea about the Christian life. Once they become believers, they expect smooth sailing. Yet Jesus made it clear that troubles are inevitable for God's children. His own life was no exception: He endured false accusation, rejection by His own people, betrayal by a close friend, and separation from His Father—to name a few.

As His followers, we can expect difficulty. The cause of tribulation differs with each circumstance. Some problems arise from the fallen nature of the world, while others result from satanic warfare. And we can cause our own heartache from ignorance, sin, and poor decisions. There's also another possibility—sometimes God Himself brings trials. While this last option is difficult to accept during a painful time, the Lord never brings hardship unless He has a beautiful purpose. And He gives strength to endure.

Remember, God allows struggles—whatever their source—only for our benefit. Perhaps they are to purify and grow us for greater service. Maybe He has in mind to test our endurance and devotion to Christ, thereby strengthening our trust. Or He might be revealing His sustaining power. This side of heaven, we may never know the cause of each challenge. But we can trust God's ability to deliver and mature us.

What trials are you facing? Jesus understands your pain, and He longs to be the One you cling to through good times and bad. You can choose to look elsewhere for comfort, or you can use your hardship as a source of growth. No matter how painful the trial seems, don't waste the opportunity. - Charles Stanley

Streams in the Desert Devotional...

2009-12-10T08:02:00.001-06:00

"Keep looking up--

The waves that roar around thy feet,

Jehovah-Jireh will defeat

When looking up.

"Keep looking up--

Though darkness seems to wrap thy soul;

The Light of Light shall fill thy soul

When looking up.

"Keep looking up--

When worn, distracted with the fight;

Your Captain gives you conquering might

When you look up."

Ephesians 5

2009-12-09T08:32:00.006-06:00

I read Ephesians 5 last night. I love God's Word. It's always new, fresh and applicable. I emphasized the parts that really stood out to me.

"¹ Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. ² Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us^a]">[a] and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

⁶ Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. ⁷ Don’t participate in the things these people do. ⁸ For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! ⁹ For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

¹⁰ Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. ¹³ But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, ¹⁴ for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper,
rise up from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.

¹⁷ Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do
²⁰ And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." - Eph 5 :1, 6-14, 17, 20

Have you ever compared yourself to someone that you thought was more beautiful , had more money, possessions, personality or friends? How did that make you feel? If you are like me, anytime I have compared myself with another person it has led a self destructive situation. First, I compare, then I criticize myself and who God made me, then I compromise. Once I've comprimised I am so disappointed because I am not living according to my values and beliefs or who God created me to be, but I have traded that in to chase the mirage of being like someone else..Have you ever tried to be what you thought other people wanted you to be? Ick!!!! That is one of the worst feelings in the world!

As Christians, the only person we should compare ourselves to is Jesus. Like Ephesians 5:1 says "be imitators". If we do this, there will be no compromises. Rather, we will be pulled out of our ruts, cycles, habits and addictions that seem to lord over us to the wide open spaces of God's love and freedom for us. Also when we live to please God, we become who we are supposed to be. Isn't that what we all want? To be who we are supposed to be!

Keep your eyes on Jesus, compare yourself to Him and Him alone. Any other comparison will lead to harm. We have to be intentional and set our minds to this. Our natural selves want to go against God. We have to make this a priority and as we do God will couple up with us to give us the power to do this! You can do this!!! Be imitators of God, live in the light!

Disclaimer: I am not perfect and never will be on this side of heaven. Becoming like Christ, is a life long process to which we will never perfectly obtain BUT it's so worth the journey!!!

What's Happening to Christians Around The World Today....

2009-12-09T07:59:00.001-06:00

Uyghur Church Leader Sentenced to 15 Years

ASSIST News Service reports that a Uyghur house church leader has received the harshest sentence China has forced on a Christian in almost 10 years. 36-year-old Uyghur house church leader Alimujiang Yimiti received 15 years criminal detention on Oct. 28 for allegedly "providing state secrets to overseas organizations." His attorney, Li Dunyon, said, "The whole case is about religious faith issues which are being used against Alimujiang for his conversion from Islam to Christianity, by biased law enforcement agents, prosecutors and the court." Alimujiang must now serve the maximum penalty for the spurious charge of "divulging state secrets." ChinaAid President Bob Fu said, "The whole world should be appalled at this injustice against innocent Christian leader Alimujiang. We call upon the UN and people of conscience throughout the world to strongly protest to the Chinese government for this severe case of religious persecution."

Eritrea Arrests 30 Evangelical Christian Women

The Christian Post reports that the Eritrean government threw 30 elderly, Christian women into its notorious prisons this weekend. The women, who attend a Methodist-background Faith Mission Church, were taken into custody while praying together at a house. "We condemn the arrest of the 30 women by Eritrean officials," said International Christian Concern's regional manager for Africa and South Asia, Jonathan Racho. "We urge officials of Eritrea to release the detainees and all the imprisoned Christians in the country. We call upon Eritrea to stop violating the freedom of religion of its people." Eritrea has allegedly held dozens non-registered Christians in metal shipping containers as prisons, subjecting the prisoners to heat and physical duress.

Special Investigations Team Sought in Orissa Violence

Compass Direct News reports that Christian leaders in India have called for a special investigations team to counter the shoddy or corrupt police investigations into last year's anti-Christian violence in Orissa. Of the 100 cases handled by two-fast track courts, 32 have been heard as of Nov. 30, resulting in 48 convictions and more than 164 acquittals. The number of cases registered total 787. Among those exonerated "for lack of evidence" was Manoj Pradhan, a legislator from the Hindu extremist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who was acquitted of murder on Nov. 24. Thus far, Pradhan has been cleared in six of 14 cases against him. Attorneys have said acquittals have resulted from police investigations that are intentionally defective to cover up for Hindu extremist attackers. Meantime, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has publicly admitted that Hindu nationalist groups were behind the killings and arson of Christians and their property.

High Court to Hear Christian Student Club's Case

Religion News Service reports that the U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of an evangelical Christian group that was banned by University of California in San Francisco. The Christian Legal Society was prevented from being recognized as a campus organization at a California law school because it excluded gays and lesbians. The group sued to be officially recognized at the public Hastings College of Law -- part of the University of California in San Francisco -- but was denied. Officials from the group said the school's policy violated their freedoms of speech, religion and association. "All student groups have the right to associate with people of like-mind and interest," said Kim Colby, senior counsel for the Christian Legal Society's Center for Law & Religious Freedom. Hastings said the organization must comply with the school's nondiscrimination policy to receive formal recognition, which gives them access to resources and travel funds.

Kyria Blog: More Dangerous Than Vampires

2009-12-07T22:18:00.001-06:00

I thought this article about Twilight was very good and nicely worded.

More Dangerous Than Vampires

True love is not about losing oneself in another.

by Kelli B. Trujillo

Golden-eyed vampires with bodies like marble and a (nearly) unquenchable thirst for blood.
Shape-shifting werewolves that prowl through the night.

Stuck in the middle: a love-struck 17-year-old girl.

Yes, I’m talking about the Twilight saga that’s taken teen-girl-dom (and some of their mothers) by storm.

Rather predictably, many Christians have been up in arms about Twilight since the first best-selling book was published in 2005. It is about vampires after all—those denizens of evil and death that have creeped out readers since Bram Stocker first wrote Dracula. Personally, I don’t see a problem with reading fiction about mythical creatures. But there is something very insidious in Twilight . . . something much more dangerous and threatening than werewolves and vampires.

The Twilight Saga is the story of teenage Bella and her romance with Edward Cullen—an almost 100-year-old vampire in the body of an eternal 17-year-old who goes to her high school. Bella falls for Edward and she falls hard. He’s magnetically attractive. He’s hauntingly mysterious. Thoughts of Edward begin to dominate every waking moment for Bella.

Despite the unusual circumstances, Bella’s story is a lot like that of many teenage girls—and that’s why gaggles of them are going gaga over the books and movies. Teen girls love love. I remember being a teenager—and teen love is a lot like that. The guy becomes the center of the girl’s world. Other interests fade in importance. Life becomes all about Mr. Right (or Mr. Vampire, in Bella’s case).

But what’s really dangerous about Twilight is that it takes this teen version of love way too far. Bella doesn’t merely daydream about Edward; Edward becomes her entire world. Within days of meeting him, nothing else in Bella’s life is really important to her anymore. She’s willing to leave her family forever. She even says she’s willing to be killed by Edward.

Rather than enhancing Bella’s life, loving Edward diminishes who she is.
This kind of love is dangerous . . . and it’s anything but true.

I’ve seen this kind of love in action in the lives of grown women and the results aren’t pretty. In real life, this kind of love leads to male-dominated marriages, to depressed and isolated wives, and sometimes even to emotional or physical abuse.

What is God’s design for romantic love? Certainly there is an element of being enamored with the other—of thinking about the other a lot and of being emotionally dependent on that person to some degree. In marriage, God intends us to treasure our spouse above all others; in that sense, our lover is at the center of our life.

But God-honoring romantic love should never diminish us. True love is not about losing oneself in another.

Romantic love that honors God is a love in which we as women have a strong sense of ourselves, our interests, our gifts, and our passions. Rather than neglecting those things in our love for the other, our sense of identity should be enhanced, emboldened, and strengthened. Our lover helps us see and know and embrace who we are. We feel a confidence in who God made us to be and we offer that to our spouse just as he brings many things to us.

No romance is perfect, but we owe it to ourselves (and to the young women in our lives!) to reject false brands of romance when we see them and to instead aim to live out confident, mature, and self-affirming romantic love.

What do you think? When have you seen the danger of self-diminishing love in the lives of others? How can we as Christian women embody God’s plan for romantic love and personal identity? Why is it important to do so?

2009-12-07T08:47:00.004-06:00

^"9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests,^>]">[f] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

¹⁰ “Once you had no identity as a people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.”^g]">

¹¹ Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. ¹² Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.^{h]">[h]" 1 Peter 2:9-12}

The question I ask myself today is "how attached am I to the things of this world?" Do I treat them as if I am camping or have I made a home. What does "world" mean? It means everything visible. I am not saying that we should not enjoy ourselves here. I know that God brings family, love and things into our lives for us to enjoy but we must keep ourselves in check. It is very easy for us to fall into relying on these things and letting them take the place of God in our lives. We have to guard our hearts and only let God fill that place in our hearts that only God can fill. I have come to that realization all over again. It's a lesson I'm sure I will continue to learn. I also don't think it is wrong to ask God for things or circumstances to change. I ask for things from God but I keep my faith, hope and trust IN GOD so if I get that thing great, if I don't get that thing great. I praise Him either way because my dependence is on Him and not in that thing or circumstance. That is such freedom. I don't have to ride the waves of life putting my hope in this or that but keeping my hope in the Rock, that is the" same yesterday, today and tomorrow."

God should not be contained and compartmentalized into the religious category of our lives either. If we do that , we will never get what God is all about. If we will allow Him to spill onto every category of our lives we will experience the life He came to give us.

If you are a believer do you know that He picked you out? You are His treasured possession. A royal priesthood! You are a princes and princesses of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! We have an inheritance they will never "perish, spoil or fade" . That's something to be excited about today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thank You God!!!!

Jesus said "let your light SO shine". I've thought a lot about that little word "so". We need to quit being half-hearted. Don't be ashamed to show His light. My admonition to you today comes from Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

^h]">

2009-12-07T08:31:00.001-06:00

The Touch of the Master's Hand

It was battered and scarred,
And the auctioneer thought it
Hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bid, good people," he cried,
"Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three."
But, No,
From the room far back a grey haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow.
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet,
As sweet as the angel sings.
The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet low,
Said, "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.
"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone," said he.
The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?
Swift came the reply
"The Touch of the Master's Hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
All battered with bourbon and gin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin.
A mess of pottage, a glass of wine
A game and he travels on.
He is gong once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.
But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Master's Hand
-Myra Brooks Welch

2009-12-07T08:29:00.001-06:00

Beloved, do not try to get out of a dark place, except, in God's time and in God's way. The time of trouble is meant to teach you lessons that you sorely need.

Premature deliverance may frustrate God's work of grace in your life. Just commit the whole situation to Him. Be willing to abide in darkness so long as you have His presence. Remember that it is better to walk in the dark with God than to walk alone in the light. --The Still Small Voice

Cease meddling with God's plans and will. You touch anything of His, and you mar the work. You may move the hands of a clock to suit you, but you do not change the time; so you may hurry the unfolding of God's will, but you harm and do not help the work. You can open a rosebud but you spoil the flower. Leave all to Him. Hands down. Thy will, not mine. --Stephen Merritt

2009-12-06T21:07:00.002-06:00

Josh took a picture of me while I was blogging just now. I didn't realize I was in the circus!

Our Thanksgiving Trip to Arkansas

2009-12-06T20:30:00.011-06:00

On our way out we stopped at Little Sahara State Park. It is mostly for Dune buggies, 4 wheelers and bikes but I wanted to show Tay what a desert looked like.

This is her "digging for sand snakes" , this is what she said when I asked her what she was doing...

This is just one of the ways to keep a 2 year old entertained on an 8 hour drive...stickers!

Our second day in Arkansas we found the cutest little chapel surrounded with all kinds of beautiful landscaping. It was Thanksgiving day and we sat in the parking lot eating one of those yummy sub sandwiches from Walmart. As we enjoyed our frugal lunch we cracked our windows and listened to the beautiful old hymns being played on the hour. As Blessed Assurance and How Great Thou Art chimed out for all to hear , I thought about how God's love . In the midst of all the bad, God is there, beautiful and beckoning us to His side.

After our lunch we got out and took a couple of pictures ...

We stopped at Mr and Mrs Duncan's house and Taylor found a rocking chair and some toys right away.

The next day we walked a trail behind that chapel. It was so beautiful!

We went to Lewis' and Clarks for some good ole rock climbing. Zaine did it 3 times and Josh and I did it once. It was harder than I thought and I got a little woozy when I had to let go and look down. It was fun though!

We went with my friend Christie and her son Cayden to the park. Tay went down the slide at least 20 times!

This was her "drive-thru" she asked me for my order. Silly girl!

This was Tay's favorite part. The hotel had a pool. The kids really enjoyed it!
It changed colors at night.
The hot tub was the best part!

Taylor's other favorite part of the hotel was the "elegator" or elevator as you may know it :)

I forgot to bring my camera so these were all pix from my phone. We got to see a lot of loved ones and share some very special times. It was a good Thanksgiving!

2009-12-06T08:17:00.004-06:00

^" So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. ¹⁵ But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. ¹⁶ For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”^c]">

¹⁷ And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as “foreigners in the land.” ¹⁸ For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. ¹⁹ It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. ²⁰ God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days.: - 1 Peter 1:14-17

The greek word for holy means set apart. God commands his children to be holy. We are urged to live as "foreigners". We should not be too comfortable here relying on earthly possessions and people for contentment. Not to say that God does not bring things and people into our lives to enjoy. It is the obsession to them that we have to be careful to guard. Our allegiance should be to Christ, above everything and everyone. We must remember the price that was paid. This is not too be treated lightly. Someone loved you enough to die for you. In remembering that price I am willing to be who He calls His children to be, no matter what. He is so worth it all!!!

Calley

2009-12-05T08:25:00.001-06:00

This is one of my favorite verses...

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
Hebrews 11:6, NLT

2009-12-04T08:19:00.000-06:00

Pondering this scripture this morning....

"¹⁷ Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it."- James 4:17

Streams In The Desert Devo...

2009-12-03T08:56:00.000-06:00

I thought this one was good....

Open the Trenches

"Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts. And this is but a light thing in the sight of the Lord: he will deliver the Moabites also into your hands" (2 Kings 3:16-18).

To human thinking it was simply impossible, but nothing is hard for God.

Without a sound or sign, from sources invisible and apparently impossible, the floods came stealing in all night long; and when the morning dawned, those ditches were flooded with the crystal waters, and reflecting the rays of the morning sun from the red hills of Edom.

Our unbelief is always wanting some outward sign. The religion of many is largely sensational, and they are not satisfied of its genuineness without manifestations, etc.; but the greatest triumph of faith is to be still and know that He is God.

The great victory of faith is to stand before some impassable Red Sea, and hear the Master say, "Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord," and "Go forward!" As we step out without any sign or sound--not a wave-splash--and wetting our very feet as we take the first step into its waters, still marching on we shall see the sea divide and the pathway open through the very midst of the waters.

If we have seen the miraculous workings of God in some marvelous case of healing or some extraordinary providential deliverance, I am sure the thing that has impressed us most has been the quietness with which it was all done, the absence of everything spectacular and sensational, and the utter sense of nothingness which came to us as we stood in the presence of this mighty God and felt how easy, it was for Him to do it all without the faintest effort on His part or the slightest help on ours.

It is not the part of faith to question, but to obey. The ditches were made, and the water came pouring in from some supernatural source. What a lesson for our faith!

Are you craving a spiritual blessing? Open the trenches, and God will fill them. And this, too, in the most unexpected places and in the most unexpected ways.

Oh, for that faith that can act by faith and not by sight, and expect God to work although we see no wind or rain. --A. B. Simpson

2009-12-02T10:48:00.002-06:00

This is a Streams In the Desert devotional I get through email everyday. I thought this was really good.

Show Love

"Put on as the elect of God, kindness" (Col. 3:12).

People called him eccentric, queer, and cranky; but the old man went steadily on refilling his can of oil when it became empty, and oiled the hard places he found.

Our lives touch others but once, perhaps, on the road of life; and then, mayhap, our ways diverge, never to meet again, The oil of kindness has worn the sharp, hard edges off of many a sin-hardened life and left it soft and pliable and ready for the redeeming grace of the Saviour.

A word spoken pleasantly is a large spot of sunshine on a sad heart. Therefore, "Give others the sunshine, tell Jesus the rest."

"We cannot know the grief
That men may borrow;
We cannot see the souls
Storm-swept by sorrow;
But love can shine upon the way
Today, tomorrow;
Let us be kind.
Upon the wheel of pain so many weary lives are broken,
We live in vain who give no tender token.
Let us be kind."

"Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love" (Rom. 12:10).

Sassy Shenanigans

2009-11-24T10:14:00.004-06:00

My little "sassy rascal" who is 2 going on 20 is a riot!!!

I just went into the bathroom and found that she had peed and pooped on the floor. When I asked her why, she said "I dont' understand" again I asked her and she said "I don't understand, I'm just two"

The other day Nana asked her to help pick up and she said "I'm too little".

Last night we were trying to get her to eat her dinner and she said "No, it smells like you, dad"

When I ask her why she is grumpy she says "I'm tired!"

Last night she grabbed my face and said "I need some attention please!" and then smiled as big as she could.

She also only likes to be called big kid or big boy, do not call her big girl or she will tell you that is wrong.

Ahh these days wont last forever so I've got to just laugh!

FRIENDSHIP

2009-11-23T14:06:00.003-06:00

I am thankful for friendship. I am thankful that I can share my convictions and feel no condemnation. I'm thankful for one's that pray for me and with me. I am thankful for ones that encourage me and that I can encourage. I am thankful for building up and not tearing down. I am thankful for accountability. I am thankful that I can be vulnerable. I am thankful for one's that share the same passions and desires as I do. I am thankful for the royal sisterhood. I am thankful for ones that will cry with me and love me anyways. I am thankful for ones that will spur me on in the faith. I am thankful for laughter and being able to laugh at ourselves. I am thankful that we can share the hardest times of our lives and not be judged. I am thankful for clean fun. I am thankful for honesty and transparency. I am thankful for quiet kindred spirits. I am thankful!

The Gift

2009-11-23T13:22:00.007-06:00

I am taking a break from face-book. I need to zoom out. I've got too many feelings right now.

What I do know is that I can voice my thoughts on this blog because anyone who comes here is making the choice to read about my convictions.

I'm thankful for my God. I am overwhelmed by His love. How could anyone see everything I've ever done wrong and still love me? No one would. In the worlds eye's I was a nobody and a nothing. I had been looked over, looked past and looked down on. I was angry, rebellious and full of hate. But in my worst condition, my most ugly, most unwanted, most hurt condition God's perfect love came. His Son stepped down into the muck and mire of this sinful world and died for the uggliest of which I am sure I am at bottom of this barrel. What gets me is He did this on the off chance that we would choose Him. There was no guarantee because He has also given us freewill. I can not comprehend such love, such patience, mercy and grace!!!

How could I not give my heart to Him after what He did for me? In doing so, I would be forever changed. I have found place value in Him. My worth is determined by His character and not by my mistakes or lot in life. Hallelujah! What freedom. There is no more condemnation. There is no more being ruled and told who I am according to my circumstance, background,childhood or other people. I have entered the rest of God. He has taken over that place that used to be tossed back and forth by every outward thing. He has become my hiding place, my refuge. No one and nothing can shake it.

When I really think about this I think about our attitude of gratitude as Christians. How do we treat this gift of eternal life? Do we slump down in the easy chair of life and settle in to being a comfy cushion Christian , knowing we've got the ticket to heaven and that is it. I believe this mentality is not right.

Let me explain.

Before we know about God's love for us it is like sitting in a dark room. Once we hear the truth, it is like a light that has been turned on. Now there is a choice to make. When the light is off it seems appealing there is a lot of people, selfishness and strivings for worldly gains in this room plus I can CONTROL my life. I can do what I want to do when I want to do it. When the light is on, I realize the emptiness and the void that can never be filled. So here is my choice. Turn the light back off and pretend everything is O.K or I can realize that I MUST get up and get out of this room, realizing where I am and where I need to be. So am I perfect now that I've left the room? By no means! I am going to fall a long the way but at least I'm trying. And yes, it is going to seem very lonely at times. But Jesus is there and in the most loneliest time, I have the sweetest fellowship with my Lord and Savior.

1 John says:

"⁵This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth" 1 John 1:5-7

³We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. ⁴The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. ⁵But if anyone obeys his word, God's love^b]">[b] is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: ⁶Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6

¹¹But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him. 1 John 2:11

¹⁵Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.1 John 2:15-17

God knows each person's heart and I just see the outside but it just seems like a lot of "Christians" have had the light turned on and say they are a Christian but then they stay in the room and turn the light back off.

If it looks like the world, and smells like the world and talks like the world and does all the same things as the world , is it not the world???

Pondering how we should treat the gift of eternal life,

Good Ole Fashion Fun

2009-11-21T22:23:00.005-06:00

It was just the kids and I this lovely Saturday night. We enjoyed some family time by turning the t.v off and drawing. Zaine drew in his sketch pad and for not being into crafts he does a really great job . Taylor and I had fun with the water color pencils. She mostly had fun using a paint brush and water on her coloring book...who would of thought that would be so entertaining??? I would have tried it a long time ago since its mess free! She also drew a rainbow and I attempted to draw Zaine and Tay. I've loved drawing since I can remember and I especially like drawing people and faces. I'm not great at it but Zaine and Taylor knew who it was so I might getting a little better??hehe. Anyways , we had fun and thats what counts.

Last night Zaine and I played jacks. You know the old fashioned game with a ball and jacks. It was simple but challenging. Charlie even got into when the ball got away from us , he would fetch and bring it back. It was lots of fun!

It truly is the simple things in life that make this girl the most happy :)

Inspiration: Decaupage and Paint

2009-11-14T10:18:00.009-06:00

This summer I found a 2 little wooden chairs at a garage sale for 5 dollars. They sat in the storage shed all summer waiting for inspiration. I finally completed both of them!

I found this old end table at a second hand store for 20 dollars. It needed to be sanded down really well but it is solid wood and I love the storage area. I thought it would be a perfect "tea party" table, as Taylor would say.

Here is the finished ensemble. I really enjoyed doing this. Taylor has already had a tea party with Daddy and Papa.

Here is a picture with Papa...

I love scrapbook paper but I'm not a "scrapbooker". I bought a whole bunch at Hobby Lobby when there was a half priced sale. They have been in my drawer waiting for inspiration. Taylor was needing storage for her baby doll clothes and dress up clothes so I took a baby wipes box and diaper box and decaupaged. It was really fun and they are functional!

I found this shelf for 3 dollars at a garage sale. It was white and a child had wrote all over it. I sanded it, and then painted it. I put a cute little knob on it from Hobby Lobby half price sale and wallah!

2009-11-13T22:11:00.017-06:00

I'm so far behind. Life is crazy sometimes. I really purposed to catch up on the blog and get pictures organized when Zaine was on fall break but it didn't happen and now with homeschool back in full force its been hard to find the time. I used to stay up until 12 or 1 am but now that I am in learning mode my brain needs a rest and I find myself ready for bed about 10, which ends up being about 11 :) I miss writing, connecting and sharing our lives and I am looking for balance.. During the day, I'm still trying to find my balance between schooling Zaine and playing with Tay , cleaning house and being a wife. That leaves little time to even check email, needless to say blog.

When I first set out to homeschool I was so worried about socialization. Ha! It's exactly the opposite I have to protect our learning time! It seems there are so many things that can pull us away. Good things that require creativity to make happen and other things we have to say "no" to. We are learning to be more on the go and learn at the same time. Next week he will do some of his school at the church while we help with Operation Christmas Child. We are also breaking out of the school room and doing class in the kitchen so I can do dishes and help when he needs. What a concept! Sheesh, I'm slow sometimes. I blame it on the public school system (hehe, just kidding) But really, for so long you think of school a certain way , it's hard to think outside the box sometimes but we are getting there :)

So now on to blogging...

We have been enjoying playdates at my house every other Friday. Each mom takes a turn making a craft and bringing lunch. It gets a bit crazy but it gives me a reason to clean my house and I think the kids enjoy playing.

Last week it was warm enough to go outside and have a picnic...

Rylee and Tay...

Kids painted pumpkins...

Eric and Lily...
Lane, Tay and Kambree painting...

I have been really enjoying hanging out with some REALLY AWESOME teen girls every week to talk about life and how to be a Christian in today's world, junior high and high school. (I never knew what a crazy place it can be). I get so excited to see them every week. They have such tender hearts and I just love them.

At the end of October I went to a Women Of Faith Conference in Oklahoma City. I met with my two childhood friends , Amber and Kimmie. We enjoyed an awesome weekend together with 8,000 women who love God, eating at the Cheesecake Factory and shopping! What could be better???

We have been studying the earth's layers in science and did a volcano project the other day. We didn't have red food coloring so ours had blue lava :). It was fun. I love homeschooling!

My friend Amber and her three precious ones, Jacinth (5), Andrew (4), Amelia (1) stopped at our house for a couple days on their way to Colorado. We really enjoyed having them here! I envy that her kids go to sleep at 7:30!

Jacinth loves dress up...

Amelia is such a cuddle bug...
Andrew was too busy playing video games with Zaine. Such good kids!!!

Here are a couple misc pix from the last couple months...

Tay is 2 1/2 and would watch Dora, Diego and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse all day if I would let her. Is this normal?????Is she being brainwashed?! Look at that face!

Tay painting a bird house for Nana and Papa...
Mommy and Tay and the boys...

Who got into the post it notes???? One guess!

Our new mantle decor ...A couple of times the past month Tay has woke up in the mornings and snuck into the living room without me hearing her. When I have come in she is sitting at the computer and I ask her what she is doing she says "checking my email". Hehe. Monkey see monkey do. I do read my devotionals online every morning so I guess she was reading hers so she would be prepared to handle me those days. Silliness!

She has been doing really good at the potty. During the day she wears underwear and at night we put a pull up on her. It's the weekend and I'm feeling ambitious so we have underwear on tonight. We walked through our path to the bathroom and hopefully she will do a rehearsed but I don't expect much. So since I am in store for potty training adventures tonight I should get off here and catch some zzzzz's while I can.

I love you Caterpillar!

2009-10-19T15:18:00.002-05:00

Taylor loves animals, creatures and nature. She really made my heart melt when she happened upon a caterpillar this morning. She just loved that little thing. The poor guy was surely scared to death and probably saw his little life flash before his eyes a couple of times .

2009-10-19T15:05:00.003-05:00

I'm in a growing season. A season, where you don't see much from the outside maybe but the roots are growing deeper. Have you ever been there?

God is teaching and I am listening. I am being schooled by the Almighty and there are things that need to be fixed in me!! I have so much to learn. I am so glad God deals gently with us. I'm afraid if He were to reveal every inadequacy in me, I would just go to the garden and eat worms. But He doesn't. He knows what I can handle and He reveals just enough :)

One of the things He has really been impressing on my heart is good works versus God works. What I mean by that is just because I THINK I could be doing something good here or there doesn't mean thats what I should be doing. It is way too easy to get caught up in "good works". I still need to go before Him first to see if it is a "God" thing or a "me" thing.

I don't want to just be a shell of activity , frustrated and burnt out on life. I WANT EVERYTHING I DO TO BE OUT OF THE OVERFLOW OF MY RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. That is my hearts desire!!!

2009-10-08T07:54:00.001-05:00

Where showers fall most, there the grass is greenest. I suppose the fogs and mists of Ireland make it "the Emerald Isle"; and whenever you find great fogs of trouble, and mists of sorrow, you always find emerald green hearts; full of the beautiful verdure of the comfort and love of God. O Christian, do not thou be saying, "Where are the swallows gone? They are gone; they are dead." They are not dead; they have skimmed the purple sea, and gone to a far-off land; but they will be back again by and by.

Child of God, say not the flowers are dead; say not the winter has killed them, and they are gone. Ah, no! though winter hath coated them with the ermine of its snow; they will put up their heads again, and will be alive very soon. Say not, child of God, that the sun is quenched, because the cloud hath hidden it. Ah, no; he is behind there, brewing summer for thee; for when he cometh out again, he will have made the clouds fit to drop in April showers, all of them mothers of the sweet May flowers. And oh! above all, when thy God hides His face, say not that He hath forgotten thee. He is but tarrying a little while to make thee love Him better; and when He cometh, thou shalt have joy in the Lord, and shalt rejoice with joy unspeakable. Waiting exercises our grace; waiting tries our faith; therefore, wait on in hope; for though the promise tarry, it can never come too late. --C. H. Spurgeon

2009-10-03T08:05:00.002-05:00

This devotional spoke volumes to me today. I hope it will do the same for you! Have a great day!

Perfection of Suffering

"The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me" (Ps. 138:8).

There is a Divine mystery in suffering, a strange and supernatural power in it, which has never been fathomed by the human reason. There never has been known great saintliness of soul which did not pass through great suffering. When the suffering soul reaches a calm sweet carelessness, when it can inwardly smile at its own suffering, and does not even ask God to deliver it from suffering, then it has wrought its blessed ministry; then patience has its perfect work; then the crucifixion begins to weave itself into a crown.

It is in this state of the perfection of suffering that the Holy Spirit works many marvelous things in our souls. In such a condition, our whole being lies perfectly still under the hand of God; every faculty of the mind and will and heart are at last subdued; a quietness of eternity settles down into the whole being; the tongue grows still, and has but few words to say; it stops asking God questions; it stops crying, "Why hast thou forsaken me ?"

The imagination stops building air castles, or running off on foolish lines; the reason is tame and gentle; the choices are annihilated; it has no choice in anything but the purpose of God. The affections are weaned from all creatures and all things; it is so dead that nothing can hurt it, nothing can offend it, nothing can hinder it, nothing can get in its way; for, let the circumstances be what they may, it seeks only for God and His will, and it feels assured that God is making everything in the universe, good or bad, past or present, work together for its good.

Oh, the blessedness of being absolutely conquered! of losing our own strength, and wisdom, and plans, and desires, and being where every atom of our nature is like placid Galilee under the omnipotent feet of our Jesus. --Soul Food

The great thing is to suffer without being. discouraged. --Fenelon

"The heart that serves, and loves, and clings,

Hears everywhere the rush of angel wings."

2009-09-28T08:38:00.012-05:00

Ok, its been way too long.

Ever feel like Life is way ahead of you and all you can do is keep running in hopes that you will catch up and then be able to breathe?? That's how its been lately. God has reminded me that I need to be enjoying this marathon and not just be focused on getting caught up to wait to enjoy myself. I don't have to be caught up to have joy :) So, I've been really trying to do that.

I am going to see if I can recap our life the last couple of weeks...

Homecoming was a couple weeks ago and although Zaine is homeschooling now we still enjoy going to school events . Tay loved dressing up like a cheerleader and kept saying "Go Tigahs"

We have started doing playdates at our house every other Friday. In the summer we go to the park but since the weather is changing that is not an option anymore so I thought what the heck, lets just have everyone over here. Yes, I'm crazy but I figure my real friends wont mind if my house isn't always clean :) The kids really enjoy having their friends over. It gets pretty crazy around here but I think the moms like getting out of the house. The first week the kids made their own personal pan pizzas. Last week they decorated sugar cookies. Zaine really enjoys having a gaming buddy over and I think Tate enjoys it as well. I think we had 12 kids here last week.

Little Tate really enjoyed his sugar cookie as you can see...

Taylor goes to story time every Wednesday. They sing some songs and Miss Sheila has crafts and guests. A couple of weeks ago the firemen came and she got to see what one looked like in all his gear. She was a little scared but interested. She also was standoffish when we went outside to look at the firetruck. She finally touched the trouch but didn't want to sit up in the seat.

Josh and I have started going to Financial Peace University classes. We have really enjoyed Dave Ramsey's insights and it feels like an answer to prayer on learning how we can be the best stewards of God's money. Zaine is already liking it as we decided to start paying him "commisions". I have always been against allowances because I feel like the kids should know that they need to help b/c they are part of the family and not for money but... Dave had a good point and that was that we need to teach our children how to give/save/spend. There are 5 chores that he gets "paid" for and the rest of the things we ask him to do is just because he is part of the family. It has worked out very well. He had his first pay day today. He has the ability to earn 5 dollars a week. We use the "envelope system" in which 1 dollar goes to giving, 2 dollars go to saving and the remaining to 2 dollar is his "spending" money. I hope we can engrave this mentality into him now and it will become a way of life.

Mom came to visit this weekend. It was short but we had a nice lunch and Nancy brought her special apple pie.

Josh has completed our lighting projects....WOOHOO!!! We now have recessed lighting in the kitchen and bathroom. Now we just need new carpet in the living room ;)....there's always something, right??hehe

Taylor is growing up so fast. I started rewarding her with hershey kisses when she goes to the potty and it's amazing the motivation that has came ;). Other emerging things are: I think she would rather live with Nana and Papa. She loves them a LOT, she is almost obsessed and if she doesn't see them every couple days she starts asking for them and making us promise her that she will see them "tomorrow". She loves going to their house and picking "mato's, qwash and peppers" from "Papa's garden". She loves looking for caterpillars and grasshoppers , riding her Red Rider tricycle around their house and feeding the "toorkies" (turkeys).

The kids and Josh have been going out to visit Nana and Papa on Saturday mornings so I can work on my Sunday School lesson. Zaine has been learning to shoot with the gun and bow .

One day I told Tay that God made the moon. Now whenever she sees a beautiful sunset or the stars she will say "God made that". Then she will say "He did a good job!". Tonight while we were walking she pointed out a big hill and said "God made that?" I said "Yes" and she said "He did a good job, mom". One night we came out of church and there was the most beautiful sunset, she looked over and said "He did a REALLY God job mommy!".

She was singing one of her favorite songs the other day. I didn't know she knew the whole song until I stopped to listen and I got it on video (that never happens!). She's growing up way too fast!!!

Solar System

2009-09-09T17:09:00.002-05:00

Zaine is studying the solar system right now. We wanted to have a little fun so we did a craft with balloons, newspaper/glue and paint. I have to say, it turned out better than I thought. We have been having a lot of fun learning new things! The more I learn, the more I am completely amazed by our God. Romans 1:20 says "²⁰For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

Interesting...

2009-09-09T07:58:00.002-05:00

This was in the news this morning:

Texas Schools Confused over Bible Literacy Law

Dallas Morning News reports that the decision to include the Bible in Texas public schools still has many teachers walking on eggshells. The new state law requiring Bible literacy in the curriculum provides little regulation or guidelines, leaving teachers wondering how - and how much - to incorporate the Bible into their existing lessons. "Asking a school district to teach a course or include material in a course without providing them any guidance or resources is like sending a teacher into a minefield without a map," said Mark Chancey, an associate professor of Religious Studies at Southern Methodist University and author of the report "Teaching the Bible in Texas Public Schools." Proponents hope the law will help students examine the Bible's influence throughout history and literature.

This could be good and this could be bad. Please pray with me that the Truth of God's Word will be taught in a way that is truthful and not in a twisted, misaligned, mishandled way .I pray that the Truth of God would spread like wild fire and that it would break down every lie that has set itself up against our God. My hope is that children and teachers in childlike faith would have their minds opened to Him, their hearts would be softened and they would allow truth to reign!

2009-09-08T15:04:00.003-05:00

No need to chase after all these materialistic things.
All I need is to wait for what the Spirit brings.
To the Living Water I go, to rest, by the springs.
There everything is put in its place and my heart sings.
I see my Beloved, Best Friend, Father and King of Kings.
He is all I need to be satisfied. To Him my heart clings.
I will rest in the shadow of His Almighty wings.

-By Calley

Zoo

2009-09-08T07:49:00.005-05:00

Nana and Papa took the kids for the day on Saturday. Josh and I stayed home and worked on the bathroom. While we were doing that they made a trip to Amarillo and met up with Clayetta, Kevin and Talee. They all went to the zoo. They said it was pretty small but they had some hands on petting and animals that aren't at the normal zoo. The kids really enjoyed it!

Josh and I were able to get a lot accomplished on the bathroom. Now just have to do crown molding, paint the door (ran out of paint) and a couple other touch ups here and there. I love having a light above the tub!

Here are some pictures from their trip.

Poem

2009-09-05T22:54:00.012-05:00

God lovingly made the way
but we chose to stray.
Now we have to pay.
Our skies are so gray
and God seems so far away.

We cry out and He is there.
We allow God to repair
as we turn from sins glare.
He answers our hearts prayer
and takes away our despair.

He has a purpose to declare:
"Most Precious Child, you are rare.
Prince and Princess, you are a royal heir.
There is none of you to spare.
I did not make a pair.
I did not err or compare.
You are most precious and rare.

I've got a plan and purpose and YOU are the one.
I will finish the good work I begun.
I will not be found undone or outdone
Life in me is real and true fun
The way has been paid by my Son
The battle has been won.
There is no others way, none.

Your destiny awaits...
You, precious one, have a story
For My glory."

- By Calley

Father, when I don't understand
I'll keep holding Your hand
Knowing You have the plan.

-By Calley

Good News in the News...

2009-09-04T07:47:00.001-05:00

Please join me in praying that this case and any like it will be upheld.

Pharmacy Owners Win Preliminary Injunction

Baptist Press reports that two Illinois pharmacy owners have gained at least a temporary victory in their effort to conduct their practice according to their pro-life consciences. The Seventh Judicial Circuit Court in Springfield, Ill., has granted a preliminary injunction protecting Luke VanderBleek and Glenn Kosirog from having to abide by former Gov. Rob Blagojevich's 2005 order requiring pharmacists to fill all prescriptions. The injunction will remain in effect until there is a final ruling in the case. The decision means the pharmacies owned by the two men will not be required to dispense the "morning-after" pill Plan B and other drugs to which they object. VanderBleek and Kosirog "are suffering irreparable harm in the form of an ongoing chill of their free exercise rights and rights of conscience under federal and state law," Judge John Belz noted in his Aug. 21 ruling.

Good Devo This Morning

2009-08-31T08:32:00.001-05:00

This sounds like most of my life. Always having to learn lesson through painful experience. I'm finally starting to take God's Word for it and it is so nice!!! :) Hope you have a great week!

August 31, 2009

Learning The Hard Way

Mary Southerland

Today's Truth

"So do not be foolish with your lives. But learn what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:17" (ICB).

Friend To Friend

There is only one thing more painful than learning from experience - and that is not learning from experience. Life is a journey, not a destination. It is through that journey that we are born, broken, changed and shaped. God is big on learning the lessons of life because life is His chosen classroom through which He teaches His children His truth. One of the first and most vital truths we need to learn in our walk with God is obedience.

Truth does not change! We must change in response to the truth! A learned truth is an applied truth and when we apply truth, we are practicing obedience. When we don't learn from our wayward steps, we are doomed to make the same mistakes again, falling back into disobedience. It is like climbing the same old mountain again and again!

Dan served as Youth Pastor for many years in South Florida. Each summer, we took the youth on a mission trip to the mountains of North Carolina where they conducted youth rallies in parks, taught back yard Bible Clubs and held worship services in local churches. Everyone worked hard, but each afternoon was free time. We all piled into a rickety old school bus and headed for the mountains to play. Our favorite mountain activity was tubing. One year a pastor told us about a tubing company tucked up in the mountains on Lake Lure, assuring us that the crowds were small, the price was right and the ride was incredible. Off we went!

We soon discovered why it was such a great deal. You couldn't find the place! We got so completely lost - several times. After two hours of searching, we finally found the tubing company and had a great, but short ride. As we headed back to our hotel, one of the counselors wisely suggested that we write down the directions so that we would have them each year. Great idea!

The next summer, everyone was excited about tubing at our new spot - until we discovered that no one had actually written down the directions - and once again, we got lost, wasting an hour of valuable tubing time. I took matters in hand, grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down detailed directions.

The following summer, we were half way to Lake Lure and the mapped out tubing spot when we discovered that we had indeed documented the directions but had left them at the hotel. Once again, we went around that same old mountain, wasting time and energy until we found the tubing place. I looked at Dan and said, "We must be slow learners!"

I am afraid that our Father looks at us many times and with a broken heart wonders, "Why are they so slow to learn and practice my Truth?" In order to learn the ways of God we have to know the Truth of God. Saturating our lives with Scripture is essential to finding and doing the will of God. The Bible is the road map, the blue print and the ultimate plan for our journey.

As we begin to walk in the right direction we must not only have the right directions for today, we must go back and destroy those paths of yesterday that once led us in the wrong direction. Eliminating wrong choices makes the right choices much easier to make. Some of those old paths are familiar and may be hard to uproot. A friendship may have to be ended. A behavior pattern may have to be changed. A habit may have to be eliminated. But if it leads to sin, if it makes it easier to sin, if it entices or tempts you to sin, run from it now! Don't go around that same old mountain of wrong choices again. Learn the lesson and choose obedience.

Let's Pray

Father, I am so tired of going around the same old mountains of defeat and failure in my life. I am afraid of being lost and without direction. Right now, I choose Your ways. Please lead me in them. Help me to see and turn from anyone or anything that would keep me from learning and then obeying Your truth.

In Jesus' name,

Amen.

Now It's Your Turn

Make a commitment to learn whatever lessons God has for you today. Right now, choose obedience and ask the Holy Spirit to give discernment and power to make the right choices.

Ask God for the wisdom to identify the "old" ways and the strength to turn from anyone or anything that makes it easy to disobey the new ways.

What "new" ways do you need to put in the place of the old ways?

What part does the Holy Spirit and the Word of God play in our ability to be obedient?

Actively Sinning and Ministering?

2009-08-31T08:06:00.003-05:00

I've been reading about gay clergy a lot lately. This baffles me as well. I am glad to see that Methodists say No. But more times lately I've been seeing Yes. Here is the news brief from this morning:

Methodists Say No to Lutheran Gay Clergy

The Christian Post reports that although the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the United Methodist Church are in "full communion," they do not agree on all points. Gay ministers from the Lutheran church will not be allowed to serve in the Methodist church. "Our Book of Discipline on that subject did not become null and void when they took that vote," said Bishop Gregory Palmer, president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops. "It still applies to United Methodist clergy." The churches approved full communion with each other last week, an agreement which includes filling each other's pulpits. But full communion is not tantamount to a merger, church officials said. As Palmer stressed, "the doctrine, polity and standards of ministry of the respective denominations in any full communion agreement are not wiped out when one denomination does something."

All I can think is "Have we not read the Word, people?" How can a "man of God", "preacher", "pastor" be openly actively living in sin, going against the outright, point blank Word of God???

We can not just take the parts of the Bible we like and leave the others out. God is not pleased and teachers will be judged more strictly (James 3:1). Any time I see gay and church put together I think...have we not read the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, Leviticus and How about this in Romans 1.

"8The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, ¹⁹since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. ²⁰For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

²¹For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²²Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools ²³and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

²⁴Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. ²⁵They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

²⁶Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. ²⁷In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

²⁸Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. ²⁹They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, ³⁰slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; ³¹they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. ³²Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them."

Also I think of :

^"3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. ⁴They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."- 1 Timothy 3:3,4

I'm not gay bashing so please know that I love the sinner but not the sin. It's not even really about gays at all. It's about the fact that someone is actively walking in sin and ministering the gospel of Christ. It would be just like if I had tried to be a preacher when I was into drugs and alcohol do you think I was fit for ministry? No! I needed to have my sin dealt with. I needed to confess my sin and part of confessing is turning away from that sin. It's not about the externals be it gay, sex, drugs, rock n roll but it's about the heart. Do we believe God's Word, all of it, or just what is fitting for our need at a certain time? It should be all or nothing. None of this half truths, half lies shenanigans with God please. And if we do wholeheartedly believe we should be trying to live a righteous life by continually confessing ours sins and turning away from them with God's power. Yes, we will fall and there is forgiveness but we can't just actively be sinning and say "we're forgiven". God calls us to REPENTANCE!!!

1 John 3:5-6 says "5But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. ⁶No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him."

Is God Unconstitutional????

2009-08-31T07:48:00.003-05:00

I read this in the news this morning as well. I am baffled. How in the world can they say that God is unconstitutional??? Have they read the constitution and what our forefathers believed??? If you read history, even before the constitution you will see that one of the main reasons for the pilgrims making their journey to this "new world" was so that they could worship God freely. We have been blessed as a country because we have put God first BUT as this country pulls away from God in the name of "freedom", we WILL lose our freedom!

Read the Old Testament! Whenever God's beloved people, Israel, started worshipping other gods, what happened? Do you not think that if it happened to them , it will not happen to us as well?? We will be judged and its good to remember that God often times used ungodly countries to wage war and be victories over the Israelites. It's also good to note that in the times that Israel put God first they were UNTOUCHABLE.

I am reminded of Colossians 1:16-17 "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

May we not forget the SOVEREIGN GOD in these desperate times. I implore each Christian to stand your ground. Do not compromise the standard of God any longer.

Judge Rules against Ky. Reliance on God for Protection

Religion News Service reports that a Kentucky court has ruled that a state law that declares the state Office of Homeland Security cannot do its job without God's help is unconstitutional. The New Jersey-based group American Atheists filed suit last December against the Commonwealth of Kentucky for a 2002 law that says "the safety and security of the Commonwealth cannot be achieved apart from reliance upon Almighty God." Edwin Kagin, national legal director for American Atheists, said the language crossed an inappropriate line. "It is not merely acknowledging God, it is requiring Kentuckians to rely on that God," Kagin said. In his ruling on Wednesday (Aug. 26) Judge Thomas D. Wingate called the language in the law unconstitutional. Riner, however, says the statement is not about religion, but rather about God