Psalms chapter 144 King James Version
1 A Psalm of David. Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
2 My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me.
3 LORD, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him!
4 Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.
5 Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.
6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.
7 Send thine hand from above; rid me, and deliver me out of great waters, from the hand of strange children;
8 Whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood.
9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.
10 It is he that giveth salvation unto kings: who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword.
11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
12 That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace:
13 That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:
14 That our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no complaining in our streets.
15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD.
12/03/2010
12/01/2010
On or around November 28th I was snatched from my home by a furry, four legged beast, stolen away from my mate! A kind woman took me from this beast before it could rip and devour me and placed me here so that I would be safe and hopefully if someone came looking I could be found and reunited with my sole mate.
Sadly, she failed to listen to the weather report, so here I sit, alone, cold, wet, with the rain pouring down on me. Bless her heart she tried to explain that this was really a blessing for the beast that stole me was not named Squirt for his size! She wants me to know that I am being washed and will soon be clean.
She claims to understand, how it feels to be alone and tells me of her soul mate Jesus, God who walked among men, who rescued her from being devoured by a beast and how without Him she too would be unclean, that he cleansed her of her sin, and that as with me, alone she has no strength but with her soul mate she too can offer comfort, warmth and love.
Sadly, she failed to listen to the weather report, so here I sit, alone, cold, wet, with the rain pouring down on me. Bless her heart she tried to explain that this was really a blessing for the beast that stole me was not named Squirt for his size! She wants me to know that I am being washed and will soon be clean.
She claims to understand, how it feels to be alone and tells me of her soul mate Jesus, God who walked among men, who rescued her from being devoured by a beast and how without Him she too would be unclean, that he cleansed her of her sin, and that as with me, alone she has no strength but with her soul mate she too can offer comfort, warmth and love.
So if you recognize me, please take me home, for without my sole mate I too am lost....
11/23/2010
MOVE
It's funny I have not thought about this in many years, but today as I was crocheting it was one of the many places my mind wondered to...
It was December 2002, a friend had told me that at The Villages Town Square they were having free rides on horse drawn carriages. I knew this was something my daughter would enjoy, and something I was never able to afford. So we went to the square and had been standing in line anticipating this ride, enjoying the sites, sounds and smells.
We were finally getting close just a couple more groups and it would be our turn, when suddenly I became ill, nervous, agitated, I KNEW we had to move, we could not wait we had to move. I know people thought I was crazy as I struggled through the crowd, I did not care I knew we had to go to the other side of the square.
We got to the other side and I lost my agitation and was feeling silly for not waiting a few minutes to see if I would feel better, when we heard crashing, screams, saw people running in terror. I was in shock, we rushed back to where we had just come from to see what had occurred, within a few feet of where my daughter and I had stood was a car, the driver had a seizure, crashed through barriers, killing two people and injuring 17 others.
Think what you want, but I KNOW that God touched me that night, my daughter and I may not have been hit by the car where we stood, we may not have been trampled by the crowd of terrified people running for their lives, but who knows what may have been had we stayed and not moved.
How often in your life and your faith walk do you ignore the call to MOVE. How often has moving saved you or someone else whether it is their life or their soul. When God tells me to move often I am reluctant and perhaps that is why I remembered this moment today, as a reminder when God says move, I better MOVE......
It was December 2002, a friend had told me that at The Villages Town Square they were having free rides on horse drawn carriages. I knew this was something my daughter would enjoy, and something I was never able to afford. So we went to the square and had been standing in line anticipating this ride, enjoying the sites, sounds and smells.
We were finally getting close just a couple more groups and it would be our turn, when suddenly I became ill, nervous, agitated, I KNEW we had to move, we could not wait we had to move. I know people thought I was crazy as I struggled through the crowd, I did not care I knew we had to go to the other side of the square.
We got to the other side and I lost my agitation and was feeling silly for not waiting a few minutes to see if I would feel better, when we heard crashing, screams, saw people running in terror. I was in shock, we rushed back to where we had just come from to see what had occurred, within a few feet of where my daughter and I had stood was a car, the driver had a seizure, crashed through barriers, killing two people and injuring 17 others.
Think what you want, but I KNOW that God touched me that night, my daughter and I may not have been hit by the car where we stood, we may not have been trampled by the crowd of terrified people running for their lives, but who knows what may have been had we stayed and not moved.
How often in your life and your faith walk do you ignore the call to MOVE. How often has moving saved you or someone else whether it is their life or their soul. When God tells me to move often I am reluctant and perhaps that is why I remembered this moment today, as a reminder when God says move, I better MOVE......
11/16/2010
"I"
I really need to "try" to remember to bring paper and pen with me when I go outside to crochet. It seems that these are the times God most often fills my mind with thoughts of my day, words spoken, written and read. Somehow, through God's design I am sure, these thoughts intertwined today to become what follows. Hope you enjoy my day!
I
WORDS
I
HAD
WRITTEN
THEY HAD
ALL
INTERTWINED
TO BECOME
WHAT
FOLLOWS
FROM
THE
JUMBLE OF
MY MIND
JUST BECAUSE
I
CANNOT SAVE
THE WORLD!
DOES THIS
MEAN
I
SHOULD
NOT TRY!
JUST BECAUSE
I
MAY NOT
FIT IN!
DOES IT
MEAN
I
CANNOT
BECOME
A PART
OF
THE WHOLE
FOR IS
IT
NOT TRUE,
THAT IF
NOT
FOR THE
ME'S
OF THIS
WORLD
THERE
WOULD BE
NO
" I's "
11/11/2010
IN MEMORY, IN HONOR-FOR YOU
“I asked Jesus,
‘How much
do you
love me?’
And Jesus said, ‘
This much.’
Then He stretched
out His arms
and died.”
- Unknown
********************************
MY THOUGHTS
WERE OF YOU
TODAY
THE
MEN AND WOMEN
WHO
HAVE FOUGHT
WHO HAVE
DIED
AS I SAT
CROCHETING
A GIFT
FOR ONE WHO
SERVES TODAY
I CHOSE MY
COLOR
FOR THE
SORROW
YOUR LOVED
ONES FEEL
FOR THE
LOSS
OF YOU
FOR THE
MEN AND WOMEN
TO WHOM
THIS GIFT
GOES
KNOWING IT
WILL ABSORB
THE LIGHT
AND
LIKE THE
LIGHT OF
JESUS
WILL
PROTECT YOU
IN THE
NIGHT
I
THOUGHT OF
THE NAM
VETS
WHO CAME
BACK HOME
TO ABUSE
AND
RIDICULE
AND HOW
THEY
STILL
HAVE NOT
RECEIVED THE
HONOR
THEY ARE
DUE!
I
CROCHETED
WITH MY
HANDS, NO
THOUGHTS OR PLANS
FINALLY I
WAS THROUGH
I
LAID OUT
THIS CREATION
MADE
WITH
THOUGHTS
AND PRAYERS
OF YOU
I WAS
STUNNED
TO SEE
A WREATH
FOR THOSE
WHO DIED
A TRIANGLE
FOR
THE FATHER
THE SON
AND
HOLY GHOST
AND
A CROSS
FOR
JESUS
WHO WALKS
AT
YOUR
SIDE
11/10/2010
Our Greatest Gift
Atheism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Atheism, in a broad sense, is the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities. Most inclusively, atheism is simply the absence of belief that any deities exist. Atheism is contrasted with theism, which in its most general form is the belief that at least one deity exists.
ATHEIST,
I woke this morning thinking of God's love, how blessed I am. I seem to be running across many professed atheist lately, spreading their hate and anger on the pages of believers. Lashing out at people they do not know, their words meant to hurt, to cause doubt, to make people of faith question their beliefs.
I have prayed and asked God why, what is this need that drives them to search out people of faith. I just could not understand such a driving need in them that they feel compelled time after time to attack people of faith. I was at a loss, I have never felt the need to try to force my belief on anyone. I certainly know that people need to know my God, the love of Jesus and the sacrifice He made for us... I think that perhaps more than anyone out there they need to know that they are not to far gone for redemption, that the same God that loves and forgives me will also forgive them.
They cannot confuse or move people of faith for what we feel for them is love. We see the lost soul, crying out in need, searching not really to condemn us, but feeling their own condemnation and reaching out to the warmth of the love that they can see in us, but like the children they are they lash out in anger because we have what they want but fear they never will have.
KAREN'S DEFINITION OF AN ATHEIST: Atheist are people who feel their sins are so great, that they cannot believe any God could forgive them, who lash out in anger and fear, at others who have what they fear can never be theirs.
We should love these people, reach out to them in love, let them know that we see the confusion behind their words of anger, the fear. Let them know that they too can know the love we have, that no sin is to great to overcome the love Jesus has for them.
Our greatest gift is Love!
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Atheism, in a broad sense, is the rejection of belief in the existence of deities. In a narrower sense, atheism is specifically the position that there are no deities. Most inclusively, atheism is simply the absence of belief that any deities exist. Atheism is contrasted with theism, which in its most general form is the belief that at least one deity exists.
ATHEIST,
I woke this morning thinking of God's love, how blessed I am. I seem to be running across many professed atheist lately, spreading their hate and anger on the pages of believers. Lashing out at people they do not know, their words meant to hurt, to cause doubt, to make people of faith question their beliefs.
I have prayed and asked God why, what is this need that drives them to search out people of faith. I just could not understand such a driving need in them that they feel compelled time after time to attack people of faith. I was at a loss, I have never felt the need to try to force my belief on anyone. I certainly know that people need to know my God, the love of Jesus and the sacrifice He made for us... I think that perhaps more than anyone out there they need to know that they are not to far gone for redemption, that the same God that loves and forgives me will also forgive them.
They cannot confuse or move people of faith for what we feel for them is love. We see the lost soul, crying out in need, searching not really to condemn us, but feeling their own condemnation and reaching out to the warmth of the love that they can see in us, but like the children they are they lash out in anger because we have what they want but fear they never will have.
KAREN'S DEFINITION OF AN ATHEIST: Atheist are people who feel their sins are so great, that they cannot believe any God could forgive them, who lash out in anger and fear, at others who have what they fear can never be theirs.
We should love these people, reach out to them in love, let them know that we see the confusion behind their words of anger, the fear. Let them know that they too can know the love we have, that no sin is to great to overcome the love Jesus has for them.
Our greatest gift is Love!
11/09/2010
STILL STANDING
TAKEN
SOME HITS
STILL STANDING
YEAH
I KNOW
YOU HAVE
BEEN HANGING
AROUND
WOULD
RECOGNIZE YOU
ANYWHERE!
STILL STANDING
THE HARDER
YOU TRY
THE MORE
I HAVE
TO SHARE!
STILL STANDING
SO DO YOUR
WORSE!
I KNOW
WHERE I
STAND
AND
WHO STANDS
AT MY
SIDE
STILL STANDING
ON
GOD'S PROMISE
ON
GOD'S WORD
11/08/2010
HONEY
I thought that my posts for the day was written and was looking forward to working on winter caps for my Nanababies, but that will have to wait, for these thoughts crowding my mind.
It is a little known fact, though well established, that if you move to an area and have allergies ingesting locally produced honey on a daily basis, will build an immunity in you to many of the plants causing your allergies.
The Bible, Jesus and a woman I refer to as Honey are all like this, if we ingest a little of each into our life's each day we will build immunity, we will still have problems, but we will be better for taking this step to help us through our day, along the path of our faith walk.
The testimony: I first heard Mac Gober's Testimony on KCM (Kenneth Copeland Ministry) This is just a very small part, but huge, of that testimony. I refer to the woman as Honey because her identity is unknown here on earth, and I think without his even realizing he did so Brother Mac referred to her as Honey.
Mac was a biker, a gang member, someone if you met on the street day or night would have most likely filled you with fear for your safety. He visited a friend one day (I am only giving a small portion of the whole here) to do drugs, hang out. He did not think his friend was home, he let himself into this friends apartment. As he entered he saw a piece of paper on the floor and picked it up. It said that Jesus loved him, that he was worthy of this love and forgiveness, his friend came out of his bedroom and he asked him what this #$@# was, his friend laughed and told him that the old lady he punched in the face the night before must have dropped it, that she knocked on his door trying to spread this $@#$# and he punched her.
This story that should not have bothered a man who had himself done far worse, stayed with him haunted him, created in him a desire that he did not have the knowledge or words to understand but nonetheless felt, a desire to know why this woman would show up in a neighborhood like that one, in an apartment complex where she knew she could be killed or hurt, what kind of woman was this, what kind of love, what kind of God would lead her there.
This woman through one act, one moment in time, with no thought or knowledge of where this would lead, through her action led this man to Christ and through his faith in God, he has changed the lives of thousands.
Brother Mac went on to tell of a dream he had one night, that he was visiting Heaven and was in a hallway of pure white, he saw Jesus leading this old woman down this hall and Jesus said to her, Honey there is something I want to show you. Jesus opened a door and behind that door were thousands of people, none that Honey knew or had ever met, Jesus told her that through her these people were led to Him.
I write here what I feel led to share as I am led. Very few visit this site, I share to my Facebook page. I write the good, bad, and the ugly, my thoughts, feelings, so that perhaps someday someone might read my words and thoughts and something in them will touch their heart, their lives.
It would be nice to only write and publish the good, I would much rather that people think well of me, that you believe God always only works good and does not allow any bad into me or my life. But that is only partially true, I allow bad in my life, like you I get angry, I get hurt, I lash out at people! I would prefer you not see that, but how do I know what may touch your heart, what may lead you to want to know the God that I love so much, that I allow you to see all of me....Even the parts for which God forgives me!!!
It is a little known fact, though well established, that if you move to an area and have allergies ingesting locally produced honey on a daily basis, will build an immunity in you to many of the plants causing your allergies.
The Bible, Jesus and a woman I refer to as Honey are all like this, if we ingest a little of each into our life's each day we will build immunity, we will still have problems, but we will be better for taking this step to help us through our day, along the path of our faith walk.
The testimony: I first heard Mac Gober's Testimony on KCM (Kenneth Copeland Ministry) This is just a very small part, but huge, of that testimony. I refer to the woman as Honey because her identity is unknown here on earth, and I think without his even realizing he did so Brother Mac referred to her as Honey.
Mac was a biker, a gang member, someone if you met on the street day or night would have most likely filled you with fear for your safety. He visited a friend one day (I am only giving a small portion of the whole here) to do drugs, hang out. He did not think his friend was home, he let himself into this friends apartment. As he entered he saw a piece of paper on the floor and picked it up. It said that Jesus loved him, that he was worthy of this love and forgiveness, his friend came out of his bedroom and he asked him what this #$@# was, his friend laughed and told him that the old lady he punched in the face the night before must have dropped it, that she knocked on his door trying to spread this $@#$# and he punched her.
This story that should not have bothered a man who had himself done far worse, stayed with him haunted him, created in him a desire that he did not have the knowledge or words to understand but nonetheless felt, a desire to know why this woman would show up in a neighborhood like that one, in an apartment complex where she knew she could be killed or hurt, what kind of woman was this, what kind of love, what kind of God would lead her there.
This woman through one act, one moment in time, with no thought or knowledge of where this would lead, through her action led this man to Christ and through his faith in God, he has changed the lives of thousands.
Brother Mac went on to tell of a dream he had one night, that he was visiting Heaven and was in a hallway of pure white, he saw Jesus leading this old woman down this hall and Jesus said to her, Honey there is something I want to show you. Jesus opened a door and behind that door were thousands of people, none that Honey knew or had ever met, Jesus told her that through her these people were led to Him.
*********************************************************************
It would be nice to only write and publish the good, I would much rather that people think well of me, that you believe God always only works good and does not allow any bad into me or my life. But that is only partially true, I allow bad in my life, like you I get angry, I get hurt, I lash out at people! I would prefer you not see that, but how do I know what may touch your heart, what may lead you to want to know the God that I love so much, that I allow you to see all of me....Even the parts for which God forgives me!!!
RUTH
RUTH 1:16-17
And Ruth said,
Intreat me not
to leave thee,
or to return from
following after thee:
for whither thou goest,
I will go;
and
where thou lodgest,
I will lodge:
thy people
shall be my people,
and
thy God my God:
Where thou diest,
will I die,
and
there will I
be buried:
the LORD do so
to me,
and
more also,
if ought
but death
part
thee and me.
I laid these verses out in the format of poetry. To me Ruth's address to Naomi is just that, sheer, beautiful, poetry.
Ruth is seldom mentioned in the Church, I am not sure why this is since she is listed in Jesus' lineage. Her loyalty and love for her mother-in-law is inspirational. I think she deserves far more attention than she receives and would recommend that women of faith, read the book of Ruth. That they study this great woman.
She is a such a great example to women of faith. Her story is to long to go into here and now, but she has been on my heart and mind a lot lately. This will be the first I write of her but, I will write more.
Still musing!
11/07/2010
KUDOS! TO BROTHER MAC
THE REST
ARE
STILL SITTING
IN THEIR PEWS
ASSURED OF
THEIR
FIREPROOF!
BECAUSE, EVERY
SUNDAY
AND WEDNESDAY'S
TOO!
THEY ARE RIGHT
WHERE GOD
WANTS THEM
SITTING IN
THEIR PEWS
NOT A HONEY
IN THE
BUNCH!
THERE WILL BE NO
ROOMS
FILLED WITH
PEOPLE
NEVER MET
BUT ONE OF
YOURS
REACHED OUT
IN FRIENDSHIP
TO ME
AN UNKNOWN
PERSON
A STRANGER
IN NEED.
SO
MY KUDOS
TO YOU
BROTHER
MAC!
I'M SURE
THEY
WILL PROCLAIM!
I WAS THERE,
SITTING IN
MY
PEW!
11/03/2010
MENDING
Broken Toys
As children bring their broken toys,
With tears, for us to mend;
I brought my broken dreams to God
because he was my friend.
But then instead of leaving him in peace to work alone,
I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own.
At last, I snatched them back and cried,
"How could you be so slow?"
"My child," He said, "What could I do?
You never did let go...."
Author unknown
********************************************************************
I thought of Jesus and his saying that He must leave so that the Comforter could come. I thought of the different people whose lives I touch and who touch mine and the various kinds of comfort we give to each other either in our love for each other or through our love of Jesus.
I thought of the poem I opened this post with, how often we hand our problems to God but never really let go.. For me letting go is the hardest part, I still and most likely will always, struggle with not snatching them back. It is who I am!
But I am so grateful that when I am broken, when I feel that I just can't take any more worries, troubles or cares that the Comforter wraps me in His arms and says "Let go!"
********************************************************************
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in My Name, I will do it. If ye love Me, keep My Commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." (John 14:12-17 KJV)"But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of Truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of He: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with Me from the beginning." (John 15:26-27 KJV) "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:7-8 KJV)
11/01/2010
AMAZED!!!!!
I have had the greatest journey with God today and never left my backyard. You just cannot out give Him.
I decided early this morning that I would work on some boy caps for NICU so I packed up some blue yarn to work on that today. My neighbor came over with her two boys and since it was cold out she had her husband run in to get caps for them. The youngest ones cap barely fit and for a brief moment I saw a flash of worry on her face. Like many of us today they struggle, they would never ask me for anything but from that one flash of consternation I could see (having been there myself) that yes they could afford the small cost of a cap, but with that money they could put food on the table, put it towards a bill. So I am halfway through the blue yarn I brought out with me, making nice warm caps for the boys.
While doing this another neighbor was working on a car, something he does for extra money. He let his puppy run loose while doing this so I hollered over at him that I would watch her while he worked. It gave him a couple of hours, where she could play and be safe in my fenced area.
All of my neighbors know of my faith, I share with them, my belief, my faith in Jesus I do not preach to them, that is not my calling, I just share my walk, let them know perfection is not required, but love is...
It is not up to me to lead them to God, it is up to me to let God live so brightly in me that others want what I have. That is my calling and God blesses me daily with opportunities to share with others, either through my words here or sitting in my backyard, waiting to see how God plans on blessing me today!
I decided early this morning that I would work on some boy caps for NICU so I packed up some blue yarn to work on that today. My neighbor came over with her two boys and since it was cold out she had her husband run in to get caps for them. The youngest ones cap barely fit and for a brief moment I saw a flash of worry on her face. Like many of us today they struggle, they would never ask me for anything but from that one flash of consternation I could see (having been there myself) that yes they could afford the small cost of a cap, but with that money they could put food on the table, put it towards a bill. So I am halfway through the blue yarn I brought out with me, making nice warm caps for the boys.
While doing this another neighbor was working on a car, something he does for extra money. He let his puppy run loose while doing this so I hollered over at him that I would watch her while he worked. It gave him a couple of hours, where she could play and be safe in my fenced area.
All of my neighbors know of my faith, I share with them, my belief, my faith in Jesus I do not preach to them, that is not my calling, I just share my walk, let them know perfection is not required, but love is...
It is not up to me to lead them to God, it is up to me to let God live so brightly in me that others want what I have. That is my calling and God blesses me daily with opportunities to share with others, either through my words here or sitting in my backyard, waiting to see how God plans on blessing me today!
10/31/2010
THE HAT
This is going to be what I refer to as a "Moses Post". I have no idea what I am going to say, it is just one of those times where God points me in a direction and promises to lead me.
Since He has been so faithful in His leading me, I just follow along, knowing some think maybe I am in serious need of counseling, but all I can do is follow. So know that as you read this we are taking this journey together, neither of us knowing where we are going or where we will end up...
Since I have no idea where I am going let me share with you my story of the hat. You might think it is a special story since I feel compelled to write about the hat, but it's not. I was looking for books to sell at the flea market (jockey lot for the people in SC) and a ran across an add on Craigslist where there were free books in Williamston.
I went to the address and a couple of women were there and told me to take whatever I wanted in the living room area, they told me it was their fathers home and he had reached a point in his life where he could no longer live alone. I thought it was great that they cared so much about him that they were taking him into their own home to live out his days not trusting his care to others.
I was saddened that all the things he cherished were being given away (ah, that's where we are going) I ran across the hat. It is not much to look at, you can tell though that at some point someone spent alot of money on a hat of good quality. The hat is well worn, it had been cared for with love, on the front is a pin of an American flag.
I asked the ladies there if they were sure about giving the hat away, you could just tell that it was well loved. They assured me that their father had give them a list of all that was important to him and the hat did not make that list.
I just could not let this hat go to anyone who walked through the door, strange but the truth, so I took it home with me and hung it on a nail inside my doorway and have really not given it a thought in all the months since. The other things I got that day are gone, sold or given to someone in need. The hat someday will have a home also, I don't know where or who it will go to but I am keeping it, holding on to it for that day.
God has talked to me a lot in the last year about holding on to "things" that nothing I have is mine, I can be a bit stingy about my things sometimes and have on more than one occasion been reluctant to give something away that I love.
I once heard a preacher say that she wished everyone could go stand in a trash dump and see all the junk there that was important to the people who bought it once, and now was taking up space, junk thrown away.
I have written this before but it seems that I am destined to write it often, the hardest thing for me to give has been my words on these pages. I who am considered fearless by many who know me am terrified of how people will judge my words. Which is why I post them to my Facebook page, I don't deal well with being afraid, so I confront it head on, I refuse to allow fear to lead me. Sadly, I have learned I have nothing to fear since very few people read them...
But mostly I hold onto my words because they are the heart of who I am, the part of me that I don't want to share with you "It's mine and you can't have it". I don't know what you cherish, what you hold onto but true freedom comes when you share with others.
Since He has been so faithful in His leading me, I just follow along, knowing some think maybe I am in serious need of counseling, but all I can do is follow. So know that as you read this we are taking this journey together, neither of us knowing where we are going or where we will end up...
Since I have no idea where I am going let me share with you my story of the hat. You might think it is a special story since I feel compelled to write about the hat, but it's not. I was looking for books to sell at the flea market (jockey lot for the people in SC) and a ran across an add on Craigslist where there were free books in Williamston.
I went to the address and a couple of women were there and told me to take whatever I wanted in the living room area, they told me it was their fathers home and he had reached a point in his life where he could no longer live alone. I thought it was great that they cared so much about him that they were taking him into their own home to live out his days not trusting his care to others.
I was saddened that all the things he cherished were being given away (ah, that's where we are going) I ran across the hat. It is not much to look at, you can tell though that at some point someone spent alot of money on a hat of good quality. The hat is well worn, it had been cared for with love, on the front is a pin of an American flag.
I asked the ladies there if they were sure about giving the hat away, you could just tell that it was well loved. They assured me that their father had give them a list of all that was important to him and the hat did not make that list.
I just could not let this hat go to anyone who walked through the door, strange but the truth, so I took it home with me and hung it on a nail inside my doorway and have really not given it a thought in all the months since. The other things I got that day are gone, sold or given to someone in need. The hat someday will have a home also, I don't know where or who it will go to but I am keeping it, holding on to it for that day.
God has talked to me a lot in the last year about holding on to "things" that nothing I have is mine, I can be a bit stingy about my things sometimes and have on more than one occasion been reluctant to give something away that I love.
I once heard a preacher say that she wished everyone could go stand in a trash dump and see all the junk there that was important to the people who bought it once, and now was taking up space, junk thrown away.
I have written this before but it seems that I am destined to write it often, the hardest thing for me to give has been my words on these pages. I who am considered fearless by many who know me am terrified of how people will judge my words. Which is why I post them to my Facebook page, I don't deal well with being afraid, so I confront it head on, I refuse to allow fear to lead me. Sadly, I have learned I have nothing to fear since very few people read them...
But mostly I hold onto my words because they are the heart of who I am, the part of me that I don't want to share with you "It's mine and you can't have it". I don't know what you cherish, what you hold onto but true freedom comes when you share with others.
10/29/2010
MOVING ON UP
PROMOTION TIME
I DON'T KNOW
YET
WHERE MY
PROMOTION
WILL LEAD
BUT
I DO KNOW
GOD
WILL BE
THERE TO
LEAD ME
THOUGH I
KNOW HE
WILL CONTINUE
TEACHING ME
THROUGH THE
TROUBLES
THAT HAVE
ABOUNDED ME,
RAINED UPON
AND ALL
BUT
DROWNED ME
I KNOW
THE DECEIVER
IS FEARFUL
SO A PROMOTION
MUST BE
BEFORE ME!
1 Corinthians 3
King James Version
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4. For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5. Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
10. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13. Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17. If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
18. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
21. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
22. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
23. And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For all the dreamers, and believers take the few minutes needed and listen to this great message. I truly enjoyed it!
http://mjharvell.com/2010/10/29/audio-post-4/
10/28/2010
THE LOST CHILD
http://www.mcjackie.com/galcrisis.html
I have written this post at least a hundred times over the years. I have never posted it, never wanted to post it and still do not want to post it.
But like a sore tooth or an itch it keeps coming back to me and only through writing it do I have any hope of maybe healing this driving need in me to preach this the only sermon I have ever had in me.
If after reading my words you think, how could she write that, who does she think she is, what a hypocrite, whatever you think I promise you I have thought also. But God has let me get away with not following His will in this for years. Dr Phil likes to say "this is not my first rodeo" well I have been in the belly of a whale and I have seen the hand, writing on the wall. Don't plan on spending anymore time in those places, so God's will, not mine.
I have written this post at least a hundred times over the years. I have never posted it, never wanted to post it and still do not want to post it.
But like a sore tooth or an itch it keeps coming back to me and only through writing it do I have any hope of maybe healing this driving need in me to preach this the only sermon I have ever had in me.
If after reading my words you think, how could she write that, who does she think she is, what a hypocrite, whatever you think I promise you I have thought also. But God has let me get away with not following His will in this for years. Dr Phil likes to say "this is not my first rodeo" well I have been in the belly of a whale and I have seen the hand, writing on the wall. Don't plan on spending anymore time in those places, so God's will, not mine.
MY ONLY SERMON
MY ONLY TESTIMONY
It was Thanksgiving Day, I have forgotten the year, but it has been many years since.
My brother was having dinner at his house that year, I was looking forward to a great meal and a hard earned 4 day weekend. I had plans of relaxing, eating lots of good food and going back for more.
.
My brother was then and still is a Deputy in Lake County, Florida and just before dinner was ready he received a call requesting volunteers. A little girl was lost, missing from her home nearby, they needed help scouring the woods, it was going to be cold that night. I looked at my own child, my daughter and knew there was no choice to be made, I had to help, I had to look for this lost child.
I had never done a search before, and have not since, but would do one again if called or asked to search for a lost child.
We searched that day until past dark, scouring subdivisions that I would not have gone into day or night on my own. The people were kind, concerned, offering prayer for this lost child.
We were asked to come back the next day, there were hundreds of searchers, the buses overflowing with people, we searched the woods that day and the next. By Saturday we knew where this search would end. We were told to look for freshly turned earth, to flag any found, notify a deputy who would check it out, to search for this lost child.
Sunday morning dawned a bright and beautiful day. I was a mess, every muscle in my body screamed at me to stay home, not move, pamper myself. I had more than earned it, I knew where this search would end. I did not want to search for this lost child.
I slept/drove to the search base that day, wearily climbed the steps onto the bus and fell asleep. I woke when the Deputy in charge of us that day climbed onto the bus and said good morning. When I looked up there was such a look of disgust and contempt on his face that I glanced around to see what the problem was. There were maybe 10 people on the bus that morning and they all looked as bad as me, we were truly a sorry looking lot.
The Deputy told us that we would only be searching a few hours that day, someone had reported seeing the father of the child in this huge pasture but since there were so few of us it would take hours to search.
He then looked at this pitiful lot of humanity and said something that haunted me all that day and all the years since. He said "I guess we know where all the good Christians are today, in church!"
I know all the arguments, all the excuses, all the reasons why. You don't need to try to justify to me, I have heard it all before. What I don't understand and never will is WHY ARE YOU STILL SITTING IN YOUR PEW?????????????
PROMISE
Psalm 89:34 (King James Version)
34) My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
I wonder how many of you when reading the title of this post, how many of your first thoughts were "She must be having troubles" or that I was referring to the words spoken by Jesus. We all have troubles, but mine are safely in God' Hands and are His troubles not mine for I stand on His promises to me. The title is from Psalm 22.
I was asked once why do we need to read the Old Testament? I have to say I was flabbergasted, I could not imagine why someone would not want to read it! I am not a preacher or a great Bible scholar, I am just a simple woman whose faith walk needs to be watered daily with God's Word. I am as far from perfect as you can get, I am under construction, on my way to perfection, but most of all I am loved...
I will leave it up to the preachers to give you the religious reasons to read the Old Testament, I read it for the sheer beauty, I read it for the promises given, I read it because that is where our covenant, our promises are found. I read it because I love it...
But mostly I read it because.......Jesus Lived It
1) My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
2) O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
3) But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
4) Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
5) They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
6) But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
7) All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8) He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
9) But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.
10) I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.
11) Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
12) Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
13) They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
14) I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
15) My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
16) For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
17) I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
18) They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
19) But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
20) Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
21) Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
22) I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
23) Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
24) For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
25) My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
26) The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
27) All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28) For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations.
29) All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
30) A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
31) They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
I was asked once why do we need to read the Old Testament? I have to say I was flabbergasted, I could not imagine why someone would not want to read it! I am not a preacher or a great Bible scholar, I am just a simple woman whose faith walk needs to be watered daily with God's Word. I am as far from perfect as you can get, I am under construction, on my way to perfection, but most of all I am loved...
I will leave it up to the preachers to give you the religious reasons to read the Old Testament, I read it for the sheer beauty, I read it for the promises given, I read it because that is where our covenant, our promises are found. I read it because I love it...
But mostly I read it because.......Jesus Lived It
Psalm 22
1) My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
2) O my God, I cry in the day time, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent.
3) But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
4) Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.
5) They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
6) But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
7) All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
8) He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.
9) But thou art he that took me out of the womb: thou didst make me hope when I was upon my mother's breasts.
10) I was cast upon thee from the womb: thou art my God from my mother's belly.
11) Be not far from me; for trouble is near; for there is none to help.
12) Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
13) They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.
14) I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
15) My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
16) For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
17) I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me.
18) They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
19) But be not thou far from me, O LORD: O my strength, haste thee to help me.
20) Deliver my soul from the sword; my darling from the power of the dog.
21) Save me from the lion's mouth: for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns.
22) I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee.
23) Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
24) For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
25) My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
26) The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
27) All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28) For the kingdom is the LORD's: and he is the governor among the nations.
29) All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.
30) A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
31) They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
10/27/2010
TO DREAM
I am a dreamer both in my sleeping hours and while awake. I love being a dreamer, even though often my dreams are, just dreams. God never promised he would make all my dreams come true, he promised to look out for me, to lead me in the path He has planned for my life.
I have had moments where I ranted, raved, and just generally pitched a tantrum when God did not see fit to grant one of my dreams-life... But like any good parent God has shown me that sometimes the dream was not in my best interest, was not the direction my path was going.
It is only in following God's path, His will, His way, that dreams I thought were to big to dream, dreams I did not even dream, have been given to me.
So follow your dreams, but listen to God, He will never lead you astray!
The following link inspired my thoughts of dreams. His words of encouragement are great and well worth your time to read. I dream someday of being able to inspire others through my words as he does through his.............
http://mjharvell.com/2010/10/27/are-you-a-dreamer/
I have had moments where I ranted, raved, and just generally pitched a tantrum when God did not see fit to grant one of my dreams-life... But like any good parent God has shown me that sometimes the dream was not in my best interest, was not the direction my path was going.
It is only in following God's path, His will, His way, that dreams I thought were to big to dream, dreams I did not even dream, have been given to me.
So follow your dreams, but listen to God, He will never lead you astray!
The following link inspired my thoughts of dreams. His words of encouragement are great and well worth your time to read. I dream someday of being able to inspire others through my words as he does through his.............
http://mjharvell.com/2010/10/27/are-you-a-dreamer/
10/25/2010
SEEDS
SEEDS
I AM A GARDENER
OF NO GREAT
NOTE
SEEDS I PLANT
OFTEN
WITH NO
THOUGHT
THEN IN SURPRISE
ONE DAY
I SEE
A
LOVELY PLANT
GROWN
FROM
A SEED
GOD
WATERED FOR
ME
10/22/2010
TODAYS JOURNEY
I TOOK
A TRIP TODAY
DOWN
MEMORY LANE
IT WAS A
WINDING JOURNEY
WITH STOPS
HERE
AND
THERE
WHAT SWEET
JOY CAN BE
FOUND IN
THE
PAST
BUT,
I
WOULD
NOT WANT
TO
LIVE THERE
IT SEEMS THAT TODAY IS ONE OF THOSE CONTEMPLATIVE DAYS FOR ME. IT IS ONE OF THOSE DAY'S WHERE I FEEL SO CALM, PEACEFUL AND HAVE SUCH A QUIET JOY WITHIN.
IT IS HARD TO DESCRIBE THESE DAY'S TO NON-BELIEVERS AS WELL AS SOME BELIEVERS. I DON'T KNOW IF SOME PEOPLE WHO PROFESS TO HAVE FAITH IN GOD, IF THEY JUST WERE NOT GIVEN THE GIFT OF PEACE OR IF SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY THEY GOT LOST.
*
I WAS THINKING OF WHEN MY DAUGHTER WAS YOUNG AND WE WOULD TAKE WHAT I CALLED LEFT OR RIGHT TURN ONLY TRIPS. WE WOULD USUALLY BE HEADING HOME FROM SOMEWHERE SINCE WE ALWAYS RAN LATE GOING PLACES.
THE ONLY RULE TO THESE TRIPS IS THAT YOU HAVE TO PICK EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT TURNS ONLY AND STICK TO THAT TO REACH YOUR DESTINATION.
ON ONE OF THESE TRIPS WE WERE COMING HOME FROM UNIVERSAL STUDIOS DOING ONLY RIGHT TURNS. I HAD TO PULL INTO A MALL PARKING LOT TO TRY AND WORK MY WAY AROUND TO THE RIGHT TURN I NEEDED.
I HAD NOTICED A SUV FOLLOWING US AND IT FOLLOWED US INTO THE PARKING LOT. I AM GLAD IT WAS DARK AND THEY COULD NOT SEE MY DAUGHTER AND I LAUGHING OUR FOOL HEADS OFF AT THESE POOR PEOPLE WHO AFTER ABOUT THE THIRD TIME AROUND THE PARKING LOT FIGURED OUT THAT US HAVING A FLORIDA TAG DID NOT MEAN THEY COULD FOLLOW US TO THE INTERSTATE.
I USED TO SIT IN CHURCH AND WONDER WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. YOU KNOW THE ONE'S WHOSE FAMILY HAS ALWAYS GONE THERE, ALWAYS GONE TOGETHER. THE ONES WHO KNOW EVERYONE AND SEEM SO MUCH BETTER AT THIS WHOLE BEING A GOOD CHRISTIAN THAN I...
MY UPBRINGING IN CHURCH CONSISTED OF WHEN IT WAS CONVENIENT MY MOTHER WOULD GET US UP AND DRESSED, FLAG DOWN THE CHURCH BUS AND SEND US OFF SO SHE COULD HAVE A FEW CHILDLESS HOURS ALONE. THERE WERE NEVER ANY OF THOSE MOMENTS WHERE YOU SIT WITH YOUR CHILD NEXT TO YOU, ABSORBING THE SERMON, WHILE STROKING YOUR CHILD'S HAIR. NOT A PITY PARTY JUST THE TRUTH.
I ENVIED THESE PEOPLE FOR A LONG TIME, ASKING GOD WHAT WAS SO SPECIAL ABOUT THEM. WHY WAS I NOT DESERVING OF THIS, WHY DID MY FAITH WALK ALWAYS HAVE TO BE THE HARD WAY.
NOW, I WONDER WHY GOD HAS BLESSED ME WITH SO MUCH. WITH A FAITH WALK THAT HAS GIVEN SUCH STRENGTH, SO MUCH PEACE AND JOY. I WONDER NOW IF THESE PEOPLE STEEPED IN TRADITION OF GENERATIONS, IF THEY KNOW THE PEACE AND JOY I HAVE. IF WITHOUT THE STRUGGLES THEY SEE THE BLESSINGS.
ONLY GOD KNOWS AND THAT IS BETWEEN THEM, NOT FOR ME TO JUDGE. WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT LIKE THE TRIPS WITH MY DAUGHTER OUR JOURNEYS, OUR FAITH WALKS, ARE UNIQUE.
GOD HAS A PLAN MADE ESPECIALLY FOR EACH OF US, TRYING TO FOLLOW SOMEONE WHO SEEMS TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GOING IS A LOT LIKE THE SUV THAT FOLLOWED US THAT NIGHT.
THEY HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT
WE WERE ON A RIGHT
TURN ONLY JOURNEY.
WE WERE FOLLOWING
OUR PATH, SET JUST FOR US.
OUR JOURNEYS MAY BE DIFFERENT
SOME EASY, SOME HARD
BUT THEY ARE ALL
PRICELESS
TO US.
AND
THEY ALL
LEAD US
HOME
1 Corinthians 13
12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
1) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8) Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
I love these verses esp the 12th verse. We shall all be known someday for who we really are not as the worlds sees us but as God knows us.... I can only speak for myself, but I want the heart that is me to be judged as loving and kind, sometimes it may not seem that way to others. But I fear not for God knows where my heart is and what is my truth. His judgement is the only judgement I seek.
1 Corinthians 13
1) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4) Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8) Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
10/18/2010
GOD'S SONG
PSALMS 23 (KJV)
The LORD Is My Shepherd
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down
in green pastures:
he leadeth me
beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me
in the paths of
righteousness
for His name's
sake.
Yea, though I walk
through
the valley of
the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff
they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table
before me in the
presence of mine
enemies:
Thou anointest my
head with oil;
my cup
runneth over.
Surely goodness
and mercy
shall follow me
all the days of
my life:
and
I will
dwell in the
house of the
Lord
for ever.
10/06/2010
GOD PICKS ON ME
I was reading "Why is it so hard to sit still" by Marcus Buckley this morning and was reminded of a recent time when as often happens my mind was flooded with this lovely vision of steps leading up to the Cross in my Memory Garden (sounds better than it looks)
So even though I just had a slope to work with, a shovel and no money, I started to dig. I figured that if I just took away everything that did not look like a step, I would have steps left, yeah! So when that did not work a couple of days and blisters later, I went to the internet. No help there.
I have got to tell you I was doing some powerful fussing at God asking Him why he would give me this beautiful idea and no ability to create it, I pointed out to him all the people in the Bible He had given visions to HE GAVE THEM DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS! Why was He picking on me.
Well, by the end of the week all I had was a mess, my grandson was over and I was tattling to him about how God picked on me all week, fussing about how when God told Noah to build an Ark he gave him such clear instructions that you could go to the Bible to this day and by those instructions build an Ark.
I don't think my grandson will go build an Ark, but he did not know the directions were there in the Bible and maybe someday he will go look them up and fall in love with Gods word as I have.
So, I gave thanks and praise to God for the week I had spent reviewing His words and the opportunity to share His wisdom. (Still think He picks on me)
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwp.me%2FpOOo7-2p&h=9fc72
So even though I just had a slope to work with, a shovel and no money, I started to dig. I figured that if I just took away everything that did not look like a step, I would have steps left, yeah! So when that did not work a couple of days and blisters later, I went to the internet. No help there.
I have got to tell you I was doing some powerful fussing at God asking Him why he would give me this beautiful idea and no ability to create it, I pointed out to him all the people in the Bible He had given visions to HE GAVE THEM DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS! Why was He picking on me.
Well, by the end of the week all I had was a mess, my grandson was over and I was tattling to him about how God picked on me all week, fussing about how when God told Noah to build an Ark he gave him such clear instructions that you could go to the Bible to this day and by those instructions build an Ark.
I don't think my grandson will go build an Ark, but he did not know the directions were there in the Bible and maybe someday he will go look them up and fall in love with Gods word as I have.
So, I gave thanks and praise to God for the week I had spent reviewing His words and the opportunity to share His wisdom. (Still think He picks on me)
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwp.me%2FpOOo7-2p&h=9fc72
10/01/2010
THE KEYBOARD
I ASKED GOD
(okay, I whined)
WHY! CAN'T I
UNDERSTAND
THE
KEYBOARD
*
THE PIANO
I LONGED TO
PLAY
*
I PRAYED THAT
HE
ALLOW ME TO EXPRESS
MYSELF IN
THIS BEAUTIFUL WAY
*
TO POUR OUT
MY THOUGHTS
MY FEELINGS
THROUGH THE KEYS
MY HANDS
PLAYED
*
SADLY,
*
FOR YOU
MY READERS
HE ANSWERED
MY PRAYER
*
BUT
AS USUAL
FOR ME
ANYWAY
*
BY HIS WILL
IN HIS WAY
*
SO, HERE I SIT
AT MY
KEYBOARD
*
THE MUSIC OF
MY SOUL
MY LIFE STORY
*
POURING THROUGH
MY HANDS
ONTO THESE
PAGES
*
FOR ALL TO
HEAR
THROUGH THE
KEYBOARD
*
HE
*
GAVE
*
ME
9/30/2010
WORKING YOUR WAY TO HEAVEN?
I am really enjoying FB, I see a lot more negativity than I would like to and sadly much comes from the younger generation. I of course can vaguely recall my youth and remember that by the age of 16 my friends and I had solved all the problems in the world and did not quite get why so called adults struggled with this. So yeah, I recall the young's needs, longings and just sheer know it allness.(yes, I do know there is no such word, my blog-my rules)
Of course it could be that as I have gotten older I have come to realize that the things I once thought were earth shattering are just not worth the fight. I have loved and lost so many that the ones I have are all that more precious to me. But sadly for you my readers, which there really does not appear to be any, I have not lost my desire to share "my great wisdom" so bear/bare whichever with me while I climb my soapbox.
I recently read a post where someone who I am sure was well meaning said basically that only through good works would you enter into Heaven. This is something that was preached to me my whole life and I want to tell you right here and now THAT IS JUST WRONG!!!!
There is only one way and that is through the belief that Christ died at Calvary so that your sins would be forgiven...... Yes, once you are one with God you will want to do good works and be a better person, if not then you are not really one with Him. But that is the problem with Christians today they never find the true peace and joy because other Christians are giving them all these rules about what they have to do and when they fail to live up to these rules, because we are human, they feel that they have let God down and will now be doomed to hell.
If that were the case, then why would Christ have gone to the cross? I have to tell you I struggled for years trying to do the right thing and failing. Trying to follow all these rules. It was not until I understood the message of the Cross that I found peace beyond understanding and joy.
Please don't take my word for it or anyone else's, read Romans Chapters 6,7 & 8. I will climb off my soapbox for now and if you feel that I am wrong then please let me know, but I will refer to my owners manual so you better be able to back it up.
Of course it could be that as I have gotten older I have come to realize that the things I once thought were earth shattering are just not worth the fight. I have loved and lost so many that the ones I have are all that more precious to me. But sadly for you my readers, which there really does not appear to be any, I have not lost my desire to share "my great wisdom" so bear/bare whichever with me while I climb my soapbox.
I recently read a post where someone who I am sure was well meaning said basically that only through good works would you enter into Heaven. This is something that was preached to me my whole life and I want to tell you right here and now THAT IS JUST WRONG!!!!
There is only one way and that is through the belief that Christ died at Calvary so that your sins would be forgiven...... Yes, once you are one with God you will want to do good works and be a better person, if not then you are not really one with Him. But that is the problem with Christians today they never find the true peace and joy because other Christians are giving them all these rules about what they have to do and when they fail to live up to these rules, because we are human, they feel that they have let God down and will now be doomed to hell.
If that were the case, then why would Christ have gone to the cross? I have to tell you I struggled for years trying to do the right thing and failing. Trying to follow all these rules. It was not until I understood the message of the Cross that I found peace beyond understanding and joy.
Please don't take my word for it or anyone else's, read Romans Chapters 6,7 & 8. I will climb off my soapbox for now and if you feel that I am wrong then please let me know, but I will refer to my owners manual so you better be able to back it up.
9/25/2010
I joined Facebook a while back but was hesitant to use it for many reasons. But I kept getting invites to be friends on Facebook and it seemed no one was ever on MySpace anymore, so I reluctantly went there and as usually happens with something new I am having a great time with a new toy that has lots of gadgets and places to explore
It was during one of my explorations that I found a Pastor (whose local church broadcast in my area on Sundays) was on facebook. On the surface I was delighted since he holds most of the same views as me about what a Church and a faith walk should be.
I would like to apologize to him in case he ever reads this, because it took me 2 days to send him a friend request and there were moments that I was not sure I wanted him as a friend. All the while this poor man, who does not even know me, is going about his life without a clue. By the time my brain was through with him I had turned him into a cross between God and Santa Claus.
My first thought was, what will he think of my friends, I am happy with my friends, but would he see them through my eyes or judge them by the language they use or the number of tatoos or piercings they have. So I did a quick scan of my wall and was alarmed to find that not only was he going to be judging my friends, but there were comments from their friends as well and some of their friends used worse language, had more piercings, tatoos, strange hair colors, all things that don't really bother me, but he has no right to judge these people based on how they look and speak, he should get to know the people behind these mask, he would be surprised at the sheer goodness of many of these people.
Then I realized he would be able to go to my blog and see the good, bad, and ugly the real me.... I have written nothing I am ashamed of but here he comes with his list and that frown I grew to hate, checking off all my sins, judging me without knowing me. Who on earth does this man think he is anyway. I was really not liking him.
I went to his notes to see what evil he was saying about others, he had not hidden it there for anyone to find, but worse he had another diabolical test a plot to see what kind of evil music I listened to....Who is he to judge, here comes that evil grin, and the check off list I want to snatch from his hands and slap him upside the head a couple of times with.
So I raced to my list of music to see what evil dwelled there. Thank goodness I had not gotten around to loading Strokin, by Clarence Carter yet, but how would I explain the rest of my song choices to this list maker with the evil grin.
Then I remembered an article I had read a few years ago about how a Pastors wife is often ostrasized in church, how people judge her as being holier than thou and will seldom sit next to her in church for fear of her judgement on them. How the only people who ever invite the preacher and his familly over are the ones who are sure their home and life will hold up to the scrutiny of these greatly judgmental people.
I thought about who really judges me, my actions and my friends. I asked myself if I really thought he was this kind of a person, would I even think of sending him a friend request.
Then I asked myself why when so many Pastor's are condemning facebook and other social sites, why did he join facebook? Did I truly believe that I would admire a man like that, did I not know myself better than that?
I have no intention of asking him these questions and yes I do know me better than that. I think that he joined facebook not to sit in judgement but to meet with people of all different walks of life, like my friends and theirs. I think he wants to get to know the real people behind the masks we all wear. Not to judge them but to love them as the truly unique people that I see through my eyes.
I love all my friends, including him. And the only person doing any judging here is sadly me! Oh I can try to fool myself into believeing I am trying to protect my friends but the truth is I did not want someone I admire to think badly of me. We have all been guilty of this and I plan on trying to strive to give people a chance and not assume that someone I like is that different than me because, they have a strange hair color, those huge holes in their ears, questionable language and friends or they preach in a church!
It was during one of my explorations that I found a Pastor (whose local church broadcast in my area on Sundays) was on facebook. On the surface I was delighted since he holds most of the same views as me about what a Church and a faith walk should be.
I would like to apologize to him in case he ever reads this, because it took me 2 days to send him a friend request and there were moments that I was not sure I wanted him as a friend. All the while this poor man, who does not even know me, is going about his life without a clue. By the time my brain was through with him I had turned him into a cross between God and Santa Claus.
My first thought was, what will he think of my friends, I am happy with my friends, but would he see them through my eyes or judge them by the language they use or the number of tatoos or piercings they have. So I did a quick scan of my wall and was alarmed to find that not only was he going to be judging my friends, but there were comments from their friends as well and some of their friends used worse language, had more piercings, tatoos, strange hair colors, all things that don't really bother me, but he has no right to judge these people based on how they look and speak, he should get to know the people behind these mask, he would be surprised at the sheer goodness of many of these people.
Then I realized he would be able to go to my blog and see the good, bad, and ugly the real me.... I have written nothing I am ashamed of but here he comes with his list and that frown I grew to hate, checking off all my sins, judging me without knowing me. Who on earth does this man think he is anyway. I was really not liking him.
I went to his notes to see what evil he was saying about others, he had not hidden it there for anyone to find, but worse he had another diabolical test a plot to see what kind of evil music I listened to....Who is he to judge, here comes that evil grin, and the check off list I want to snatch from his hands and slap him upside the head a couple of times with.
So I raced to my list of music to see what evil dwelled there. Thank goodness I had not gotten around to loading Strokin, by Clarence Carter yet, but how would I explain the rest of my song choices to this list maker with the evil grin.
Then I remembered an article I had read a few years ago about how a Pastors wife is often ostrasized in church, how people judge her as being holier than thou and will seldom sit next to her in church for fear of her judgement on them. How the only people who ever invite the preacher and his familly over are the ones who are sure their home and life will hold up to the scrutiny of these greatly judgmental people.
I thought about who really judges me, my actions and my friends. I asked myself if I really thought he was this kind of a person, would I even think of sending him a friend request.
Then I asked myself why when so many Pastor's are condemning facebook and other social sites, why did he join facebook? Did I truly believe that I would admire a man like that, did I not know myself better than that?
I have no intention of asking him these questions and yes I do know me better than that. I think that he joined facebook not to sit in judgement but to meet with people of all different walks of life, like my friends and theirs. I think he wants to get to know the real people behind the masks we all wear. Not to judge them but to love them as the truly unique people that I see through my eyes.
I love all my friends, including him. And the only person doing any judging here is sadly me! Oh I can try to fool myself into believeing I am trying to protect my friends but the truth is I did not want someone I admire to think badly of me. We have all been guilty of this and I plan on trying to strive to give people a chance and not assume that someone I like is that different than me because, they have a strange hair color, those huge holes in their ears, questionable language and friends or they preach in a church!
9/16/2010
MY BLESSING
AS I SAT IN MY GARDEN
CROCHETING A GIFT,
A GIFT OF LOVE
FOR ONE WHO HAS TURNED
HER BACK TO ME!
I GLANCED UP AT THE COCOON
I HAD BEEN WATCHING
OH SO DILIGENTLY
AND BEHELD A BLESSING
GOD SENT
JUST FOR ME!
BELIEVE OR NOT
AS YOU WILL.
BUT THIS MORNING
I WITNESSED
THE BIRTH
OF A
BUTTERFLY
AND
THE WONDER OF ITS
FIRST FLIGHT!
AND I SAID A
PRAYER FOR
THOSE
WHO
QUESTION
GOD'S HAND
AND ALL
THE SPLENDOR
OF
LIFE!
9/12/2010
MY ISSUE WITH A BUCKET LIST
http://www.squidoo.com/100things
First. Decide what you want.
Formula for Completing Your Bucket List
First. Decide what you want.
Second. Create specific, measurable, time-bound goals.
Third. Know why you want to achieve each goal.
Fourth. Set an empowering belief.
Fifth. Commit focus and attention to your goal.
Sixth. Take the most obvious actions to achieve your goal.
Seventh. Measure and monitor your progress, adjusting your actions to realign with your goal.
*
I couldn't find what I was looking for but in the search saw this and since a Bucket List was something I had recently been discussing with my grandson. I thought I'd check it out to see if they had any good suggestions. I would not recommend anyone following these seven steps, to me they seem to defeat the whole purpose of a Bucket List, just reading it bored me to tears.
*
My problem with creating a Bucket List is this, I have already done many of the things that I would have put on a Bucket List! Or maybe it's just that my life is so satisfying to me, though most viewing it would pity me thinking how could someone with so little be happy!
My life is filled with so much joy, material things have no meaning to me. I started giving away "things" a couple of years ago when God showed me that things are not the way to find joy. Something I have known for years and have preached to my daughter all her life, but, there was still a few things I could not give up, I wanted to hold on to them until the last breath instead of passing them to others who might enjoy them. I still find myself holding on to something not wanting to share with others my joy. But finding so much more joy when I give them to others. Strangely my thoughts are the hardest things to give up and to share.
*
I am not saying you should embrace this or that it is the right choice for everyone, this is about me!
*
But back to my Bucket List issues! The only thing I could think of I plan on doing within the next year and that is to return to the Grand Canyon to spend a little more time sitting on the rim enjoying one of God's most beautiful creations, a living work of art that just leaves me in breathless awe!
*
Since I decided to let God direct my life I've learned to wait, knowing that as He wills so my life will go and it has been an amazing journey. If God decides to send a man to share my life with then I know he will be someone who will bring me great joy and I will enjoy that relationship. NO SAM (my daughter who would love to see that happen) I am not searching for a man or a relationship.
*
If God chose to give me millions I would enjoy giving it away.
*
Whatever His will is for my life I have learned that even when at first it may break my heart it is always for my best. Who needs a Bucket List?
Erma Bombeck
I ran across this and reread it for about the hundredth time. It always brings tears to my eyes, not for Erma who has gone on to a better place, but for all those who will read it thinking what a great thought but never following through, never taking the time to STOP! http://www.squidoo.com/ermabomback
If I Had My Life to Live Over- by Erma Bombeck
Passing the Purple Hat to You IN honor of Women's History Month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer. Here is an 'angel' sent to watch over you. Pass this on to five women that you want watched over. If you don't know five women to pass this on to, one will do just fine.
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been done. I would have sat on the lawn with my kids and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.' But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute; look at it and really see it . I would live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
If you don't mind, send this link on to all the women you are grateful to have as friends. Maybe we should all grab that purple hat earlier. Please send this to five phenomenal women today in celebration of Beautiful Women's Month. If you do, something good will happen--you will boost another woman's self esteem.I hope you have a blessed day.
If I Had My Life to Live Over- by Erma Bombeck
Passing the Purple Hat to You IN honor of Women's History Month and in memory of Erma Bombeck who lost her fight with cancer. Here is an 'angel' sent to watch over you. Pass this on to five women that you want watched over. If you don't know five women to pass this on to, one will do just fine.
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been done. I would have sat on the lawn with my kids and not worried about grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.' But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute; look at it and really see it . I would live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
If you don't mind, send this link on to all the women you are grateful to have as friends. Maybe we should all grab that purple hat earlier. Please send this to five phenomenal women today in celebration of Beautiful Women's Month. If you do, something good will happen--you will boost another woman's self esteem.I hope you have a blessed day.
7/26/2010
I NEVER WALK ALONE
I watched my hand as the words poured out through my pen on to my paper,
then read what God had written.
*
I NEVER WALK ALONE
*
THOUGH LOVED ONES
TURN THEIR
BACKS TO ME
*
I NEVER WALK ALONE
*
THOUGH I CHOOSE
TO LIVE BY
GOD'S WORD
*
I NEVER WALK ALONE
*
THOUGH I REFUSE
TO BOW TO
OTHERS TRUTHS
*
I NEVER WALK ALONE
*
THOUGH I CRY
FOR CHILDREN
NEVER TO BE
BORN
*
*
*
*
TRUSTING IN GOD
Sometimes, though over and over and over God has been so good to me I am still beset with doubt. Paul talks in Romans about this and I take comfort that such a great man sometimes experienced the same emotions that I do.
Paul is such an inspiration to me in many ways. When I err and stray from the path God has set my life to I think of Paul being lowered in a basket over the city walls because the Christians were after him.
When I see sin in my life I look to the life that Paul led as Saul crucifying Christians, believing he was following the will of God. When Jesus blinded him on the road to Damascus where he was going to crucify Christians, he never hesitated, he knew who had blinded him.
I already feel better, I have been sitting here fretting about whether I will be among those who qualify for the extended unemployment benefits. I cannot get the same answer out of any two people, and so far no money added to my account.
But, God has blessed me so much I will hold on to my faith that as He promised if I followed Him, He would take care of all my needs. Often it is not the way I would expect it, but I wait for Him to lead me.
Paul is such an inspiration to me in many ways. When I err and stray from the path God has set my life to I think of Paul being lowered in a basket over the city walls because the Christians were after him.
When I see sin in my life I look to the life that Paul led as Saul crucifying Christians, believing he was following the will of God. When Jesus blinded him on the road to Damascus where he was going to crucify Christians, he never hesitated, he knew who had blinded him.
I already feel better, I have been sitting here fretting about whether I will be among those who qualify for the extended unemployment benefits. I cannot get the same answer out of any two people, and so far no money added to my account.
But, God has blessed me so much I will hold on to my faith that as He promised if I followed Him, He would take care of all my needs. Often it is not the way I would expect it, but I wait for Him to lead me.
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