Telling the world

"Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

St. Francis of Assisi 

                                                           

http://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=1CBMNNNU - BEFRIENDED - Today's Christian Videos
 
 
Matthew 28:16-20
Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them.  When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.



And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

 Emma and Oscar

I met Oscar and Emma a few years ago through a correspondence course our church offered.  Emma had signed up to take the World Bible Study course, and I was assigned to be her study helper.  After a few months, we lost contact when I stopped participating with World Bible School. 

A couple of years later, after a sermon on the Great Commission,  I realized how little I actually "evangelize".  My excuse was that I was surrounded by believers and didn't have much opportunity to "witness" to non-Christians. I guess this wasn't a very good excuse because God kept putting it on my heart that I needed to share the gospel with others. I wasn't reaching out to the lost like I should, but didn't feel comfortable "knocking on doors" like my Dad does. He goes to where the people are instead of waiting for them to come to his church!  I'm too chicken for that. But then I remembered my former students from World Bible School, how hungry they were for the Word. So I decided to reach out to them again. I wrote letters to a few of my former students and was able to re-establish contact with Emma from Kenya.

I was accepting the Great Commission of Christ.  I was "going into all the world".

Funny thing happened on my way to Africa.  God blessed me with Emma and Oscar!  Although my intention was to "evangelize" others, Oscar and Emma have become my teachers.  They have demonstrated real faith - faith that stands firm against all odds.  Believing when it makes no sense.  I sought to obey the great commission by "teaching the gospel to the lost souls in Africa", but instead Oscar and Emma taught me how to live the gospel, not just talk about it.

When I first begin talking to Emma about their ministry, Happy Choice, I asked her what all Happy Choice did.  She sent me a copy of their plan for Happy Choice. It was well written and the ideas they had for the future seemed very optimistic, at least to me.  Here were two people who didn't have material blessings to share but that didn't stop them from taking in several children who had been orphaned and left alone on the streets.  Oscar's church, which consists of mostly widows and the poor, was providing some food from time to time. And Oscar had a couple of friends who would donate food when they had it.  But other than that, it was Oscar and Emma trusting God to give them what they needed to take care of these children.  And HE has been faithful.

Emma told me that when she and Oscar got married, he told her that he had many children and that if they got married, she would have to love those children as her own.  She agreed, and together they have cared for several orphans over the years.  Right now, there are twelve children living in the hostel with several others in the village who need help, too.  The local children live in very poor situations, usually with a sick mother or grandmother who has no real way to provide for the children other than a roof over their heads. So Oscar helps these kids, too.

Living at the hostel,  Timoland is one of the oldest, and he has been with them for nine years.  He considers Oscar and Emma and all the children his family.  He is a very big help in caring for the younger children.  Timoland will be graduating from secondary school in the next few days and has hopes of attending a university.  He wants to be a doctor, and just like Oscar, he wants to help needy children.  I believe God will give Timoland everything he needs to accomplish this very optimistic dream.  Like Timoland, every child who lives at the Hostel has seen God move in powerful ways.  They know HE is able to do the impossible.

As I think about what all God has done for Happy Choice, I'm amazed.  So many of the plans that were on that original paper Emma sent to me, have come true.  They have a new latrine, new hostel, new kitchen, and they even have running water piped in from Kisumu!  That was a bonus from God.  It wasn't listed on their original plan, but the children kept getting sick with typhoid and malaria.  Their water source was a bateria ladened river that was used for everything from drinking/cooking to bathing to washing clothes, to watering their gardens... Animals used the same river, of course.  The kids were sick so often.  I asked about building a well or a water filtering system, but Oscar told me that the best way would be to have water piped in from the nearby city of Kisumu.  It was less expensive than having a well dug.  Oscar had the water faucet set up near the hostel - outside - so that others in the village can use it also. That's so like Oscar - sharing his blessings with others. Since God provided the piped water and also, mesquito nets, the kids are hardly ever sick.  God is faithful.

I just wanted to share this story, again, to give people hope.  God continues to provide and care for these children through Oscar and Emma and through "well-wishers" as Oscar says.  To think that God would allow me to have this front row seat to witness His faithful provision towards this ministry touches my heart more than I can explain. I feel honored that God has shown me His goodness and compassion through Happy Choice.  I've seen HIM work in this ministry in amazing ways.  Someone asked me how I know God is real. My answer is that GOD is the only explanation for what I've seen happen with Happy Choice.  There's no other way to explain all that has been accomplished in this little ministry. Through it all, Oscar and Emma have remained steadfast in their faith - even during times when there seemed to be no hope, they both trusted God.  And He is always faithful.

Oscar has seen a need and has done everything he can to answer that need.  His heart's desire is that every homeless child would come to know his Friend, Jesus.  When Oscar was a young teen, he was left on his own after both his parents and older brother died. He told me that one day he met a new Friend. This Friend took care of him and provided for him and protected him.  This Friend never left him alone.  Oscar knows how it feels to be alone on the streets.  He knows how much those homeless children need hope.  He wants them to have the Hope that he has.  So one child at a time, he is spreading the gospel, telling others about his Friend, Jesus.

Oscar and Emma consistently renew my faith with their faithfulness.  I have a safe place to sleep each night.  I have food on the table for every meal.  I have clean water.  I have everything I need and most of what I want.
But sometimes I forget to thank God for my blessings.  Oscar never forgets to praise God in all circumstances.  There are days when the cupboard is bare - no food at all. Can you imagine?  He has twelve children plus three of his own - all hungry and looking to him to feed them.  But there is no food.
Then, I get an email from Oscar, asking for a little help with the food situation.  Breaks my heart that he has to ask. Emma told me once that it is very hard for Oscar to have to ask for help.  She says he tries so hard to take care of the children without burdening anyone else, but sometimes he just can't do it.  I wished he never had to ask.  And I have prayed for the day when Oscar would have consistent monthly support from "well-wishers" so that money for food would always be there - before he had the need.  I believe that's beginning to happen.

Happy Choice is now one of the ministries that is listed on the Lost Orphans Website.  Lost Orphans is an organization that works with several other ministries that provide assistance to orphans all over the world.  Through Lost Orphans' website, people can sign up to sponsor one of Oscar's children.  This can be done monthly, randomly throughout the year, or just a one time donation.  The sponsorships have already begun to make a difference.  The added blessing of being part of Lost Orphans is that donations are now tax deductable!  This was something I struggled with for a long time.  In the past, we have received some pretty large donations, and I hated that we couldn't provide a tax benefit.  But now we can through Lost Orphans!  Once again, God has provided in amazing ways.  http://www.lostorphans.com/ 

Oscar's latest goal is to provide bibles as Christmas gifts to as many people as he can.  After a breakin last month, Oscar also wants to build a fence around the Happy Choice compound in order to make it a little more secure from intruders. If the children need to use the latrine in the middle of the night, they must walk a little distance to the latrine.  With strangers lurking around, this is not safe any more.  Most homes do have fences for protection so this is not an uncommon practice.  As Oscar says, we're trusting God to protect and provide however He sees fit. 

I was going to send Oscar's email.  His words always encourage me and pump me up to do more for the Kingdom.  But as always, I've babbled on way too long.  If you'd like to read Oscar's email, just let me know.  I'd love to share it with you.

I have an  update on Felix, one of the young men who has been with Oscar and Emma for several years.  Felix didn't do as well in school as Timoland, but Felix is mechanically inclined. A few months ago, Oscar requested tuition for mechanic school for Felix and God provided.  Felix is now a certified mechanic! He is looking for a job and all he needs is his own tools.  We're trusting God for that, too. 

Thank you all for taking the time to read about my dear friends.  Thank you for praying for this little ministry that is touching the lives of not only the children who live at Happy Choice. It also has touched several of our hearts to witness such faithful believers as Oscar and Emma.  They are definitely making a difference in this world through their testimony to God's faithfulness. 

God wants us all to be Oscars and Emmas.  Maybe not in Africa, but somewhere.  Where is God drawing you to minister?  Don't think just because you don't have great financial resources to share that God doesn't want to use you.  All of us are certainly asked to give according to how we have been prospered but not everyone has the "Gift" of giving.  What are your gifts? We all should be ministering to others, one way or another.  God put this little ministry on my heart.  There's no doubt about it.  I know God is working in your lives, too. If you don't know where He's leading you, ask Him to give you opportunities to serve Him.  He'll do it, if you just pay attention.  But when He puts a ministry on your heart, allow Him to use you however He sees fit.  It's not always about money.
But it's always about your heart.  Love them like Jesus.  Carry them to Him.  That's our most important mission.  The Great Commission of Jesus.

James 1:27
 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

http://youtu.be/_NqtgE22w58 - What Can I Do - Paul Baloche

Father, I give You all praise and honor, for You alone are worthy. I am in awe of Your goodness and Your faithfulness in my life and in the lives of others, like Oscar and Emma.  I feel extremely blessed to have these two very special people in my life.   Father, thank You for teaching me about true faith through Oscar and Emma.  Thank You for teaching me about sacrificial service through their unselfish lives.  I thought I was going to teach them, but instead, LORD, You used these sweet godly people to teach me.  Thank You for the wonderful blessing of our friendship and love.  Father, forgive me for all the times I fail to go where You want me to go.  Forgive me for making excuses of why I can't do this or that.  Forgive me for ignoring Your direction.  Help me to hear when You speak to me.  Help me to honor You with my obedience to Your calling in my life.  I may not have much to offer others but I want to give what I can give.  I want to serve however You want me to serve.  Use me, Lord, however You see fit.  Let my life be for Your glory.  That is my prayer in Jesus' Holy Name.  Amen.



I'm beautiful like me! = )

 Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. - Ecclesiastes 3:11a

"I'm not beautiful like you.  I"m beautiful like me."

I like this quote.  It comes from a song by a group called Joydrop.  It speaks to the struggle with body image issues that is so prevalent in our country.  Our self-esteem gets shot down everyday by expectations placed on us by the movie and modeling industries. We begin to believe the lie that if we don't look just like the stars or the models, we're some how less beautiful than they are.  That's not what God says.

Psalm 139 is one of my favorite passages in the Bible.  It always reminds me of how very intentional God was as He created each of us.  The amazing process of our growth and development while we're still in the womb has been overlooked, discounted by science and even by some of us believers. How can we not be in awe of the incredible process that happens before birth?  Science has tried to eliminate Divine design by saying we simply evolved from some freakish act of nature.  How in the world do bright, seemingly intelligent people think that's a logical explanation? 

Am I the only one who wants to know how our scientific community thinks that this could happen, not once but twice? Supposedly, the first evolution became a male and then it had to "accidentally" do the same evolution process again with just exactly the right changes (ovaries, uterus, womb) to evolve into a female?  These two "evolutionary" creatures just happened to be perfectly matched to procreate?  They just happened to evolve at the same place on the earth, at the same time?  They would have to, right?  Otherwise how could they procreate if they weren't together?  So far, this amazing bit of "evolution" only happened one time in all history.  ????   How can anyone believe that?

Are we so determined to keep God out of Creation that we can convince ourselves that this ridiculous concept is science?

I was created in God's own image; knit together in the womb by my Creator. And He doesn't make mistakes. He designed me just the way I am so that I could fulfill His very special purpose for me. I'm beautiful just the way I am, fully equipped by God with everything I need to accomplish what He has planned for me to do.

I'm beautiful like me - great message.  Isn't it interesting how may of the really insightful thoughts and quotes we hear are really just an interpretation of what God said a long time ago?  Look again at the verse from Ecclesiastes - "God has made everything beautiful for its own time."  I have a purpose that God prepared for me before I was even born.  I am uniquely qualified to accomplish what God has purposed for me.  He's given me everything I need to accomplish that purpose.

"I'm not beautiful like you.  I'm beautiful like me."  Joydrop
photo by Chrysalides



http://youtu.be/IgsfESBDFcg - You Make Everything Beautiful - Rebecca St. James










Holy Father, Creator of Heaven and Earth and everything that is, was or is to come, I bow down before You in awe and amazement!  Your Creation is incredible and perfect in design. Every tiny creature is unique and designed with great detail and purpose.  I'm just baffled that anyone could think even one little iota of Your Creation just happened by some freakish act of nature.  Please forgive us for failing to give You praise and worship for Your beautiful Universe.  Father, forgive me, too, for all the times I've complained about the body You designed for me.  Thank You, Lord, that I am wonderfully made.  Thank You that I can see, hear, talk, smell, taste, move, think, laugh, cry, love...  These are just a few of the amazing gifts You have given me and I fail to appreciate what a treasure I have been given in this human body.  Thank You, Father, for making me beautiful for my very unique purpose that You have for me.  Lord, mold me and make me however You see fit.  I'm trusting in Your wonderful plan for me.  I know it's for good and not evil, a plan that gives me hope and a future.  I'm Your Creation, God, do with me as You please.  May You be glorified in my life, in every thought, word or action.  All glory, honor and praise I give to You, Creator and Almighty God, my Holy Father!  In the Name of Jesus, my Redeemer, I pray all these things.  Amen.

http://youtu.be/eBdG2hUgrRI - Love Letter from God

Psalm 139
1 O Lord, you have examined my heart
and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up.
You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel
and when I rest at home.
You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say
even before I say it, Lord.
5 You go before me and follow me.
You place your hand of blessing on my head.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too great for me to understand!
7 I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from your presence!
8 If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there.
9 If I ride the wings of the morning,
if I dwell by the farthest oceans,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
and your strength will support me.
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night—
12 but even in darkness I cannot hide from you.
To you the night shines as bright as day.
Darkness and light are the same to you.
13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
15 You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
16 You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.
17 How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!
18 I can’t even count them;
they outnumber the grains of sand!
And when I wake up,
you are still with me!

What's really important?

Napoli!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C72KanzniYk&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL47AE142600DFF3D8 - Baseball makes me religious -

For the last several weeks, most of us have been focused on the Rangers.  We rearrange our schedules so that we won't miss a single swing of a bat.  Napoli, Beltre, Kensler, Hamilton, and I can't forget Michael Young, my grandson's favorite... Everywhere I go I hear their names being dropped as if they are our close friends. In reality,they are just the "flavor of the day".  These players are experiencing their 5 minutes of fame. Yet we spend more time talking about these guys than we do talking about our Savior.  And He deserves so much more of our attention than any sports star.  

It's exciting to watch the Rangers do so well.  It's fun to rally around a winner. The Rangers' victories becomes our victories.  We celebrate each win as if we actually played on the field with the team.  And there's nothing wrong with that.  It's all in good fun. The Rangers winning season has given us something to get excited about.  But what if I got as excited about what Jesus did for me?

This life is so short.  In a couple years most of us won't remember who had the most home runs or which pitcher had the best series.  We will have moved on to the next "flavor of the week".  Dare I say it?  Whether the Rangers win or lose won't matter in Eternity.  What will matter is how each player used his fame to speak the name of Jesus. 

Thank you, Josh Hamilton!  Although his stats are good, they won't count for anything when he stands before God. After all, his athletic abilities were given to him by God. What will count is that he proclaims that Jesus is his Lord. He has pointed suffering people to the One who can save them. Every person who has been encouraged in their faith, every young kid who looks at Jesus in a little different way because Josh Hamilton is a believer, those are the things that will go with Mr. Hamilton into Eternity.

Josh Hamilton has not lived a perfect life.  He's made many mistakes and will be the first one to admit that. But because he has put his trust in Jesus, his sins are forgiven.  Because Josh turned to Christ, God has used his failures and struggles to accomplish good things.  Because of his struggles, Josh Hamilton knows that he needs the Savior.  He has learned the hard way. Now, he wants others to know what he knows.  Jesus is what matters, even more than baseball. = )

http://youtu.be/0vdLi8h-xdI - Dependence - Jamie Slocum

This life is short; we need to make every moment count for eternity.

Max Lucado tells the story of a woman who was unhappy in her marriage.

"Seventeen years of his mistakes, her mistakes, his drinking, her impatience. And now, she wanted out. After all, her life was blitzing past. If she is going to live, she'd best get busy! Besides, who can assure her that the marriage will work? How does she know that she's not in for two more decade of tough times? She doesn't.

'All about me' counsel says: "Life is short - get out."

God's wisdom, however, says: "Life is short - stay in."

2 Corinthians 4:17
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,The brevity of life grants power to abide, not an excuse to bail. Fleeting days don't justify fleeing problems. Fleeting days strengthen us to endure problems. Will your problems pass? No guarantee they will. Will your pain cease? Perhaps. Perhaps not. But heaven gives this promise: "our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory".

 ETERNITY

I can't wrap my brain around that concept. I'm ashamed to say I am definitely a "live for the moment" kinda girl. Instant gratification, right? I have trouble thinking about tomorrow when I all I can see is today, right now!

But God has planted eternity in my heart. Ecclesiastes 3:11

What if we could understand Eternity? What would really matter in this earthly life if we understood that our lives here are but a vapor?

James 4:13-15
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

Paul got it. He understood that this life is here today and gone tomorrow. He had everything from an earthly perspective. Prestige, power, influence, money...

Philippians 3:7-11

2 Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. 3For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, 4 though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!


5I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.


7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

He walked away from it all for Christ. Paul suffered unbelievable attacks, both physical and mental. He didn't always have a warm bed to crawl into at night. He didn't always have food for the day or shelter from the storms. He didn't have a wife. Friends sometimes let him down.

2 Corinthians 11:23-27
"I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm."

I haven't suffered like Paul. Yet with all that he endured, he was able to rejoice in his sufferings. He considered it an honor to be counted worthy to suffer for Christ. For him, saving one more person by proclaiming the Gospel was worth the risk and pain.

2 Corinthians 4:17
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

I'm not going to live forever. My life is so short, even if I live to be 100. When my earthly body dies, what will I be able to take with me into Eternity?


Matthew 6:19-21
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."

What can I do today that will matter in Eternity?

Eternity is a really long, long time. I can't even begin to imagine time without end. If I could fully grasp "eternity", these few years on earth, no matter the struggle or pain I may face, wouldn't even be equal to a tiny speck in the Universe of time. What am I doing with the little time I have here on earth that will matter in Eternity? Am I laying up treasures in Heaven, or are my treasures things
I won't even be able to take with me to heaven?


Prayer


Holy God, You must grow so weary of my shallow, empty earthly desires, my fascination with meaningless things. Material things that seem so important right now, will mean nothing when I die. Please help me keep my eyes focused on Eternity, not the here and now. Help me to use my time wisely so that others may come to know Your Son because of my life. Help me to share with those who have less. Help me to come along side and bear the burdens of my friends and family, and even those people who may be strangers to me now. Father, help me to take the attention off myself and look to see what I can do to spread Your love to the people I meet. Help me see the opportunities You put before me to store up treasures for Heaven. Please forgive me for all the times I fail to be the person You would have me be. LORD Jesus, be gloried in my life as I look forward to the day when I'll spend all of Eternity with You. I ask these things in Your precious Name. Amen.



http://youtu.be/lW0QJfcmqYQ - You Be Lifted High - Michael W Smith

Remembering Jesus

As I get ready to my day, I'm thinking of all the things I absolutely must get done. I have this plan to hit the day running, jump out of bed and attack my list of things to do.

Unfortunately, too many times, I forget the One who makes everything I do possible. But He never forgets me. He's never too busy to take time for me when I need to talk. And when I'm in trouble, He's always there, on my side. I'm the most important thing in the world to HIM. Boy, does HE love me.

I think I want to start my morning remembering HIM.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSo7M4e0jZk - Remember Me - Mark Schultz

Isaiah 30:18
So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.

Too often, I forget what Jesus has done for me.  I forget all the times He's answered my desperate prayers.  I beg and plead with Him to do this or to do that, and as soon as He answers, I move quickly on to my next request with barely a quick "thank you".

I don't want to forget the answered prayers, but I do.  Now days, when I know God has answered a prayer, I write it down so that I won't forget.  Someday, I hope my children and grandchildren will be encouraged to see all the times God interceded in my life; all the times He heard my cry for help.  I want them to know where I turn in times of distress.  He is my Rock.  He is always ready to listen to my concerns.  And unlike some friends, Jesus doesn't always tell me what I want to hear.  He speaks truth to me - even when it's hard.  He answers my prayers by giving me what's best - and that's not always what I think is best.

I've taken excerpts from "Today's Quiet Walk" from Walk Thru the Bible

Prayer:


Holy Father, because Your loving kindness is better than life,


my lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live;
I will lift up my hands in Your name. . . .
When I remember You on my bed,
I meditate on You in the night watches.
Because You have been my help,
Therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.
My soul follows close behind You;
Your right hand upholds me (Psalm 63:3-4, 6-8).


Lord, I confess the sins I have in my life.
You know those things I've brought before You.
You know those secret sins in my mind that
no one else can see. Please forgive me of those,
and also those sins that I do unaware.


You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
The sacrifice You want from me is a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart-
This, O God, You will not despise (Psalm 51:16-17).



Father, please give me a greater commitment to Christ, a greater love for Your people. Help me to hear Your voice and to be able to quickly discern the lies of the enemy.


Holy Spirit, please take control, guiding me in all that's good and perfect so that my life will be a pleasing and acceptable sacrifice to You.


May You, the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after we have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle us.

To You be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen
(based on 1 Peter 5:10-11).

http://youtu.be/33aGaYAZvL4 - Through it All - Hillsong

The Word was GOD



Akiane Kramarik painted  Prince of Peace, her first portrait of Jesus
when she was only eight years old.

 http://youtu.be/xi0yLRX4d2M - How Great is our God - Chris Tomlin


The Painting to the right was done by Akiane Kramarik when she was only eight years old.  Her mother was an atheist and her father had left the Catholic Church.  But Akiane felt God drawing her to Himself.  This "Prince of Peace" is how Akiane envisioned Christ to look. 

In the book, Heaven is for Real, 4 year old Colton has had a near-death experience during surgery.  Little Colton calmly and randomly begins sharing stories with his parents about seeing Jesus and talking to him when he was with Jesus in heaven.  During the writing of the book, his family would ask him what Jesus looked like.  Every time they showed a photo to Colton, he'd say "no, Jesus doesn't look like that."  One day, his dad was showing him some more photos online when suddenly Colton pointed. "Dad, that one’s right,” he exclaims. It was the Akiane portrait of Jesus. 

 
 http://youtu.be/ZTRLf3N84tY - Above All - Michael W Smith
 

John 1:1-11 NLT

In the beginning the Word already existed.
The Word was with God,  and the Word was God.
He existed in the beginning with God.


God created everything through Him, and nothing was created except through Him.


The Word gave life to everything that was created, and His life brought light to everyone.


The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.

He came into the very world He created, but the world didn’t recognize Him. 
He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him.

This passage is so powerful to me.  Imagine, Almighty God who reigns in Heaven, that very God came to earth, setting aside His rights as GOD, He lowered Himself and took on flesh.  Jesus became fully man.  Do we get that? Our great Creator became man so that He could be our Savior - the perfect lamb that would lay down His life for us.  What amazing love He has shown towards us.

Sometimes, I think we forget that Jesus has always existed, right along side God the Father and the Holy Spirit. Don't we sometimes relegate Jesus to a lesser position?  But God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are ONE God.  Although they have different roles, they are equal because they are all GOD. The Trinity is a relationship of Perfect Love and Perfect Unity. Our God is the original One for All and All for ONE.

God the Son existed in the beginning. Everything was created through Him.  There is not one single thing that was not created by Jesus, the God who became man on our behalf.  Imagine that for just a moment!  Think of every word we've ever used to describe our Great God.  Majestic, All Powerful, Holy One, Magnificent, All Knowing, Omnipresent, Eternal, Limitless, Light of the world, Mighty One, Life, Most Wise,  Indescribable, Uncontainable, Just, Everlasting, Alpha and Omega, Master, Faithful and True, King of kings,  Lord of lords ... and that's only just the beginning of words that inadequately describe the greatness of our Savior.  The sad part...

He came into the world that He created - HIS world - and His world, His own creation didn't even recognize Him.  He came to His own people, His very own brothers and even they rejected Him.

That breaks my heart.  How could this happen?  How could the world reject Jesus?  He was kind and good and compassionate.  He understood each person who ever came into contact with Him like no one else had every understood them. 

They knew the Savior was coming.  Jehovah God had promised that He would send the Savior who would take away the sins of the world.  HE even told them what to look for.  And as John the Baptist sat in that prison cell awaiting his beheading, even that great prophet began to question if Jesus was the Savior.

Matthew 11:4-6
Jesus told them, “Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen—5 the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. 6 And tell him, ‘God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.’”

Surely, John remembered the Scriptures -

Isaiah 35:4-6
Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies.
He is coming to save you.”
And when he comes, He will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf.
The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!

Isaiah 42:1-7
“Look at my servant, whom I strengthen. He is my chosen One, who pleases Me.
 I have put my Spirit upon Him.


He will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or raise His voice in public.
He will not crush the weakest reed nor put out a flickering candle.  He will bring justice
to all who have been wronged.  He will not falter or lose heart until justice prevails
throughout the earth.  Even distant lands beyond the sea will wait for His instruction.”


God, the Lord, created the heavens and stretched them out.
He created the earth and everything in it.
He gives breath to everyone, Life to everyone who walks the earth.
And it is He who says, “I, the Lord, have called you to demonstrate My righteousness.
I will take you by the hand and guard you, and I will give you to my people, Israel,
a symbol of my covenant with them.


And you will be a light to guide the nations.
You will open the eyes of the blind.
You will free the captives from prison, releasing those who sit in dark dungeons.

The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life,
and the Good News was preached to the poor.   I'm very sure that John the Baptist no longer
doubted that Jesus was the Messiah for whom he had been preparing the way.

I get so upset with all those people back in bible times who didn't believe, who didn't recognize Jesus as the Messiah.  How could they not know?  How could they not follow Him?   But then I remember
how often I falter; how often I fail to give Him my full allegiance.  How many times do I refuse to obey if what He's asks of me is not what I want to do? How can I be disobedient to the One who died for me?  How can I refuse to obey the One who loves me enough to become human in order to save me? 

God came to earth as man to be my Savior and even though I acknowledge Jesus as my Lord, do I really comprehend what an incredible thing He did for me?  I don't think I truly understand how great His sacrifice was.  How great His love for me is. 


As a mom, I can't imagine the agony You experienced watching Your precious Son endure such
suffering and pain.  I can't bear to think how HE felt when we all rejected Him.  And we all have, at one time or another.  Please forgive me for being so focused on myself that I couldn't see what Jesus did for me.
Thank You, Holy God, for sending Your Son to save me.  Thank You for sending Your Spirit to live in me, providing everything I need to face this life.  Thank You for Your great love and compassion toward us, Your children. Blessed be Your great and glorious Name.  Holy God, You are too wonderful for words.  Please hear my heart's cry of praise and adoration as I put my face to the ground in humility and thankfulness. I pray this all in the sweet, sweet Name of my Savior, Jesus the Christ.  Amen. 
 
 
http://youtu.be/7-zJHgaoVa4 - Indescribable - Chris TomlinHoly Father, I'm on my knees bowing before You with love and gratitude for all You've done for me.  There is no greater love than when a man lays down his life for another.  Father, Jesus did just that for me.  He laid down His life - He took my place - He suffered my punishment - He died so that I might live.  Oh, Father, what great love You have demonstrated - not only in this most gracious gift of Salvation through the sacrifice of Your Son, but in that You sent Him to be man, to fully experience life as a human with all it's problems and struggles. He knows what exactly how I feel when I suffer or struggle because He experienced the same things.  He is compassionate and kind and my ever present help in time of need.

Good Rain or Bad Rain? I choose Good.

photo by Donna Dobbs

http://youtu.be/U5NzxpRu4gM - "You put the light in me" - Brandon Heath


Psalm 118:24
This the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.


Don't you just love Mondays?

I must admit I don't always have a positive attitude on Monday mornings. 

The fact of the matter is that Mondays are just as painful or as pleasant as I choose to make them.  It's all in my attitude!

Today I have a choice.  I can be positive and joyful, looking for the best in every situation,  OR I can be negative and critical.  It's up to me how this day will go.

My friend, Chad, posted this on Facebook today.



"Good Rain fighting Bad Rain"
by Emma


So Emma wrote a book today. This is a page out of it. She says it's "good rain fighting bad rain." She told me "I haven't decided who wins, but if the bad rain wins it's going to be bad for everybody. REALLY bad."


 
 
 
 
 
I hope Emma's "good rain" won the fight in Emma's art.  Emma may be young but she gets it.   We get to choose good rain or bad rain every single day.

Today I choose Emma's good rain.  I choose to be positive.  I want to leave each person I meet today feeling a little better than they did before our encounter.  This day I want to be salt and light everywhere I go.

What would this day look like if I gave my everything?
Proverbs 23:7a KJ 2000
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he...

Henry Ford is quoted as saying:

"If you think you can do a thing or if you think you can't do a thing,

you're right either way." 

So why not believe you can accomplish whatever is set before you? We Christians should be the most positive optimistic people around.  We have the Power of the Holy Spirit living within us, and HE provides everything we need to face any challenge.  How can we be negative or down-in-the-mouth?  Our future is with Christ.  That's something that should fill our hearts with joy and optimism.  With God on my side, what can this world do to me, right?

Colossians 3:23-24 NIV
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.  Christians should be the hardest working, most productive workers any employer can have. We should also be the best bosses and the best teachers.  Our work ethic should be outstanding.  We should be peacemakers among our  co-workers and classmates, and never be one who stirs up discontent or friction. Our bosses and teachers should be able to depend on us to do our jobs without supervision and with excellence - just as if we were working for the LORD.  We should always do our very best at work, at school and at home, because everything we do should glorify God.Deuteronomy 10:12 NLT “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases Him, and love Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul.
What does the LORD require of us?  That we respect Him and live in a way that pleases Him.  We are to love and serve Him with all our hearts and souls.  My attitude on the job or in the classroom, or with my family should be a reflection of my love and respect towards God.

Today I choose to work as if I'm working for the LORD.  No complaining.  No procrastinating.  Instead, today I will have a good attitude.  I will work diligently, giving my best to every job no matter what it is. I will work as if Jesus was standing over me, watching every move, because HE is.
He sees me when I don't give my best.  He knows if  I'm capable of more than I'm giving.  I don't want to
disappoint Him by giving less than I can.

What job does God have for me to do today?  How will He use me in His service?  How will my work ethic and attitude affect those around me?  Will others see Jesus living in me?  How I live today will affect others for good or bad.  It's my choice.

Happiness is an attitude. We either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. The amount of work is the same. ~Francesca Reigler


There are no menial jobs, only menial attitudes. ~William J. Bennett, The Book of Virtues


There are souls in this world which have the gift of finding joy everywhere and of leaving it behind them when they go.    ~Frederick Faber


Holy Father, it's so easy to let myself be negative on Mondays.  I think of facing a whole week without a break, and I get all doom and gloomy.  Today, LORD, please help me to remember that every day is a gift from You.  This day You will put before me opportunities to be Your Hands and Feet.   Help me to make the most of every moment.  Help me to be Salt and Light to everyone I meet.  Help me to make a  good difference - on the job, at school, at home, where ever I am.  I don't want to waste this day.  I don't want to just go through the motions, mumbling and complaining, feeling sorry for myself.  Help me to be positive and encouraging.  I want to show Your love to everyone around me this day so that You will be glorified in my life.  In Jesus' Wonderful Name I pray. Amen.

http://youtu.be/qaHmiFaX_pk - Motions - Matthew West