All Hallows Eve

I have thought long and hard before deciding to write tonight's blog. Please remember, this is my blog and my opinion. I don't judge anyone else for what they believe or celebrate. I have come to my standards because of the studying I have done in God's Word.

Today is Halloween or Beggar's night as I heard it called as I was growing up. If you look into the history of Halloween you find a long and varied history with many different countries involved.

Some say that it started as a "christian" holiday. November 1 is celebrated as All Saints' Day and that was a time where people could pray for the souls of departed saints until that day. They wandered the earth and could take revenge until that day. According to God's word, absent from the body means present with the Lord if you are a Christian. You don't wander the earth until you 'cross over'. You can read about how all of the 'traditions' now practiced started many years ago-including dressing up in costumes and trick-or-treating.

There are different aspects of Halloween. Some think it is harmless because they can dress up in fun or cute costumes and get candy. But there are others that enjoy the 'scary' aspects of Halloween-the ghosts and goblins along with the scarier the better attitude. Growing up my parents made the choice as a family that we would not celebrate any part of Halloween. I didn't dress up or get candy and we didn't pass out candy. We got to eat dinner and then peek behind the curtains from a darkened room. I never felt that I was missing out on anything and yet I knew that I could be different and stand apart from the world and be o.k. Halloween may be harmless on most levels but the evil can go much deeper. It is a holiday that is dedicated to Satan. I don't know of any Halloween movies that are happy and have good moral story lines where a family with young children could sit and watch together. (except maybe Charlie Brown-and then you have to explain that the Great Pumpkin isn't real-just like Santa Claus.) Why would I want my children to think Halloween is harmless and a fun holiday? Satan is powerful-he will use whatever means possible to get his foot in the door. He wore the first costume when he entered the garden as a snake to talk to Eve.

Genesis 3:1-5

"Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.

He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

I need to walk as far from evil as possible.

Proverbs 4:27

"Do not turn to the right or the left;

Remove your foot from evil."

Light and darkness are opposites. Christ is the true light and that is who we are to resemble as we live one day at a time. What we see through our eyes we put into our minds and that will come out in our lives. When we have the light it extinguishes the darkness. We can't be in both. We must make a choice. I choose to walk in the light. I don't want to dabble in anything that has to do with the darkness. If it means I won't trick or treat, or go to Halloween parties or dress in a witch costume on Halloween-so be it. A lot of the aspects of Halloween can seem oppressive-how depressing-I would much rather dwell on more uplifting events in life. If I want to wear a costume for fun on another day than so be it but to do so on Halloween is, as a friend wrote earlier today, would be to conform to the world's patterns and I want to conform to the image of Christ.

Romans 12:2

"And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed, by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and perfect and acceptable will of God."

1 John 1:5-7

" This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

Like I said-I won't judge you for what you celebrate but take the time to know why you are celebrating something and be willing to stand up for it. Be positive. 

Hard Work

The landscaping around our house was beginning to resemble a jungle so our son started the big job of cutting and trimming, and raking, and bagging. It took him 2 afternoons after school, but he did a thorough job with beautiful results. He even went beyond what we had asked and pulled all the weeds behind the shrubs and bagged up the old leaves too. When he wants to, he puts his mind to it, he does a fabulous job!

Of course, he still had fun snapping pictures along the way. When you take pride in your job and give 110 percent it shows to those around you and the results look good.

Isn't this how we should all live one day at a time? Christians that give 110 percent in every responsibility or job given. We should show pride in the jobs that we have been given-always striving to do the best. 

Colossians 3:23-24 esv

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Our goal is to please the Lord and all of our work should be done with Christ in mind.

Colossians 3:17

 "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

2 Timothy 2:15

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

We aren't perfect and won't ever be as long as we are on earth and we may struggle in some things, but we shouldn't give any less than our best-it's all He asks of us. But remember, we don't have to do it in our own strength or on our own-He is ALWAYS with us to help us.

Exodus 15:2

"The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him."

Isaiah 40:28-31

"Have you not known?

Have you not heard?

The everlasting God, the Lord,

The Creator of the ends of the earth,

Neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the weak,

And to those who have no might He increases strength.

Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

And the young men shall utterly fall,

But those who wait on the Lord

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint."

The Eternal Flame

A fire is a powerful thing. As you sit and look into a fire, you see how it laps at the wood as it burns it up. It can warm up area but it can also be dangerous as it destroys whatever gets into it's path. 

The Bible talks about fire in many different situations. In the Old Testament, fire was used to burn up the sacrifices brought to the temple for the Lord. 

Leviticus 2:16

"Then the priest shall burn the memorial portion: part of its beaten grain and part of its oil, with all the frankincense, as an offering made by fire to the LORD."

Fire is also talked about in the New Testament.

We are saved by faith. Repentance of our sins and acceptance of salvation will give us eternal life. While we live one day at a time, we need to be living our lives with eternity in view.

I Corinthians 3:11-13

 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is."

What we do here on earth will be considered. Matthew tells us that we should seek the kingdom of God first and then all of the other things will be added to us. If we are striving to please ourselves here on earth, that would be equal to wood, hay, and stubble-easily burned up when put into the fire for a trial. 

We all must come through the fire. Trials will continue to come and we must go through them as long as we are here on earth. God promises though to never leave us and when we do come through those trials, we can come through as gold-stronger.

There will be one fire to come that will be bigger than any other fire that has ever burned. 

2 Peter 3:9-12

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?"

You can avoid this fire and the eternal fire of Hell if you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior. 

If you haven't already, please take the time to read the God's Word,  John 3 or the book of Romans, and then pray to God, acknowledge you are a sinner, repent of your sins, and accept His salvation.

Fall Has Arrived

Last night I snapped this picture on our way to the store. The light blocked out the name of our neighborhood but I liked the dark blue night sky against the moon and the flag flying in the breeze. It had been a beautiful day-one day of a wonderful weekend relating to the weather. It can be quite warm in Florida. Please don't get me wrong. I do not complain about the heat. I have lived in the south for 13 years and I believe there is truth to the tale that your blood thins when you have been here awhile. So, when it is warm---step into the air conditioning or jump into the pool. But, when I get cold, I have a hard time warming up. But this weekend the weather has turned into beautiful fall weather-cooler and breezy. We opened our doors and windows and enjoyed the breezes blowing through the house.

We celebrate the changes in the seasons. There are different changes throughout the United States. Some enjoy the leaves changing colors and falling to the ground. Others enjoy the harvest of apples and pumpkins and gourds.

Autumn

by Charlotte L. Riser

When the trees their summer splendor

Change to raiment red and gold,

When the summer moon turns mellow,

And the nights are getting cold;

When the squirrels hide their acorns,

And the woodchucks disappear;

Then we know that it is autumn,

Loveliest season of the year.

Harvest time is a wonderful time of year. It is a time where you now reap what you sow. As we live one day at a time as Christians we can take part in another Harvest. We can those that share the gospel with those around us. We may be the one that can lead one to the Lord. Our goal is to point others to Christ. There are people out there searching, lost and lonely, with a void in their life that only Christ can fill. 

John 4:34-38

"Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”

The Great Pumpkin

Do you remember the Charlie Brown special about the Great Pumpkin? I loved Charlie Brown but I never really liked that episode-not really sure why. I guess it sounded a little silly and I never celebrated Halloween when I was growing up so it wasn't really relevant to me.

But, I love pumpkins! I love when the autumn season arrives and pumpkins are harvested. They are a unique gourd that have so many different shapes and sizes (kind of like people) :)

I think my favorite part of the pumpkin is when you open it up and get out the seeds, wash them, dry them, salt them, and roast them in the oven! Yum!!

One of the traditions that many people have is to carve pumpkins. There are so many different designs that can be applied to a pumpkin. After carving a design most people put a light inside so that the design is evident to everyone that sees it.

I remember reading this poem and seeing a neat object lesson between Christians and pumpkins.

As we live one day at a time are we able to be compared to this pumpkin-allowing ourselves to be carved into a "new person" to be more like Christ and let His light shine? Whatever we do in our lives we should point people to Christ.

Coming In Second Place

You hear the phrase, coming in second place, and you can apply it a couple of different ways. It can mean that you have taken "second fiddle" to something else. You may not have been as important. It also applies to the sports arena. When two teams play each other one will come out ahead of the other unless it ends in a tie. Tonight was one of those defining nights for our high school soccer team. They have played well all season and have advanced to the championship game which was to be played tonight. We ended up playing a rival team and lost the game 4-1. It was exciting to cheer for our team and encourage them throughout the game to keep on and guard and block and run the ball and score, but in the end it still wasn't enough to win the game. They came in second place-which is still a great accomplishment! They received a trophy and had the knowledge that they weren't in last place-and a hope that maybe next year they will be able to take first place. As I thought about how you feel as a parent or fan or team member when you finish something in second place, I thought about God and how He must feel when He sees us putting something else in front of Him in our lives. I think if we were honest, all of us at some time or another, have put something ahead of God in our lives. As we live one day at a time thought, our goal should be to not only finish this race, here on earth, that God has place us in, first, but we should strive to keep God first in our lives.

Exodus 20:3

“You shall have no other gods before Me."

Luke 10:27

"And he answering said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."

We SHOULD come in second place when it comes to God-He should come before anything else in our lives-deny ourselves. This means we need to humble ourselves. We shouldn't try to be 'numero uno' and the big honcho. It's actually good to be in second place. Let God have control and be number one.

Luke 9:23-24

"Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it."

We are proud of our team and thankful for their dedication throughout the season, their commitment to each other on the team, and their testimonies on and off the field. You did a great job! Hats off to you for coming in second place!

Bad News...Good News!

Today we heard the results of my son's MRI. The bad news...he tore his ACL. The good news...the doctor doesn't believe that surgery is necessary.  It is kind of how my week has been. There is something that happens that could be looked at as bad news and then as you process it you realize that there can be good news that comes out of it if you are willing to look at the 'half-full' outlook instead of 'half empty'. Through it all, God is in control and He is always good. A missionary told us recently that God is always good even if your circumstances don't turn out positively. His goodness is not based on our circumstances. I am thankful for His grace though. Even though I don't deserve it, He offered me salvation.

The ultimate bad news...we are all sinners and headed for hell.

Romans 3:23

" for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

Romans 6:23a

" For the wages of sin is death,"

If we are living one day at a time on our own, in our own power, then we won't be living life to our fullest potential.

The Good News...if we accept God's gift of salvation then we receive eternal life.

Romans 6:23b

"but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

You may have never heard of this before or if you have you may not have accepted that gift yet. You still have the opportunity. It's a gift-free and clear-all you must do is accept it. How?

Romans 10:9-10

"that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Isn't that the best good news you have ever heard? If you are lonely, sad, depressed, hurting, angry, or confused there is One who will always be there for you and help you through any circumstance possible.

Isaiah 41:10

"Fear not, for I am with you;

Be not dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you,

Yes, I will help you,

I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

If you haven't already got the Good News...it's there and waiting for YOU!

The Luck of the Irish...NOT!

Tonight we were able to have one of our missionaries at church to share about their ministry over in Ireland-Matt & Michelle Parrow.

Michelle and I first became friends through Facebook and I have been able to keep in touch and up-to-date on what has been happening in their lives. They have gone through a lot of trials over the past six years and yet have continued to serve the Lord. Michelle was diagnosed with an acute form of leukemia a couple of years and had to go through a lot treatments. Matt had to change their ministry for a period of time. Michelle is now well and they have moved to the southern part of Ireland to work with another church. As I listened to a little of Matt's testimony tonight, in between squeals and yells, (I was in the nursery) he talked about Job. Job was a godly man and Satan was given permission to test Job.

Job 1:13-20

"Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped."

This was a little of what their life was like for a couple of years. Every time they turned around it seemed that something else was happening. There were times they wondered if they had done something wrong. But, once they knew that they were following the Lord's will and rested in Him, He led them through the deep waters. As they lived one day at a time, some of those days were dark and difficult. But then there were days interspersed in between where the sun shone through just a little. They are now doing well, Michelle told me that she feels good (she looks great) and they are working in a ministry where they are reaching souls for Christ in Ireland. It wasn't good or bad luck, we don't believe in it. God is in control and even as Christians we go through trials and valleys in our lives. How we react may affect not only the choices we make in our lives but also our testimony to those around us. Strive to let our testimony be like Job-

Job 23:10

"But He knows the way that I take;

When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold."

There's a Theme Here...

We threw a party tonight. There was food, games, and fellowship. We had hersHEy bars, small cakes made out of diapers, a bottle filled with ? gummies (125 was the answer), jungle coloring sheets, and other fun items. Do you see the theme? It was a baby shower given for one of the ladies in our church. She is having a little boy-Lucas will be his name. We carried the theme through the whole party-the decorations, games, and devotional.

The definition for the word theme used as a verb is to give a particular setting or ambiance to an activity.

I love to plan parties or teas or gifts with a theme. If you carry it out correctly then people will be able to easily see what the theme is from the components that you use.

God has a theme. He gave us His Word to be able to read and live one day at a time. The common thread throughout the Bible is Love. God created man and woman and loved them enough to place them in a garden that had everything they could possibly want or need. 

Genesis 2:8-9

"The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. And out of the ground the Lord God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food."

When the world became so evil that He decided to destroy it He loved man enough to allow them the chance to be saved with Noah on the ark.

Genesis 7:1

" Then the Lord said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation." 

He loved us enough to send Christ to earth to live as a man, minister, and ultimately died on the cross-covering all of our sins and conquering death. 

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Love that is available to everyone. Love that accept you no matter who you are or what you have done. Love that will change you. Have you chosen His love? Acknowledge you sin, repent and ask for forgiveness. His love can change your life-do you see the theme?

Is There an Idol Standing in Your Way?

Day after day we have choices to make.  Those choices then lead to different "roads taken" and there are different results based on those choices.  When we make our choices then we live our lives and put our priorities in line with those choices in mind. If you are saved then your top choice or priority in life should be God. We then believe the ladder goes: Family, Church, Friends, etc. When you mess up your priorities they can become "idols" in your life. Some are so consumed with their careers or jobs that they sacrifice their families to advance. When people put their families in front of God and they may forgo spending time in church, having family devotions, and teaching them godly principles-fun and time together may be more important than God. There are many "things" that can become important to us and may become more important than God and our relationship with Him-money, television, cars, family, jobs, friends, etc. As we live one day at a time we need to keep those "idols" from our ruling our lives. 

2 Samuel 7:28

"O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant."

Psalm 9:10

"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you."

If we seek the Lord then we WILL find Him and He won't ever leave us or forsake us.

2 Chronicles 7:14

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Hebrews 13:5

 "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Sometimes idols come about because we don't "have" something that we think we are owed or something we want. We aren't promised anything. But God does give us many blessings. Everything that we have is a gift from God and we need to learn to be content with what we have or where we are as the verse in Hebrews talks about. We currently live in a world that is an instant society-and the focus is on "me". We need to be different. Our focus should be on God and then others-putting ourselves in last place. Knock down the idols that are standing between you and God. Establish your relationship and set your priorities the way they should be.

Food For Thought

Yesterday I went to lunch with one of my "sisters". What do you look for when you pick a restaurant? I look at the menu options-are there items on the menu that you would really like to eat? I look at the location-is it conducive for why you are going-if you are going to talk with someone you want the atmosphere to be appropriate so that you don't have to yell at each other across the table. Price comes into the equation as well-you don't want anyone to be uncomfortable if they can't afford to eat at the place you have picked.

There are times that we put a lot of time and effort into where or what we are going to eat. Do we put as much time and effort into what we put in our minds?

Proverbs 23:7

"As a man thinketh; so is he."

The world bombards us from all angles-we are constantly having images and sounds put in front of us. How much do we let it influence us? It will influence us one way or another. What we put into our minds will come out in our lives-in our words and thoughts and actions.

As we live one day at a time, we have leverage on our side-God left us the Holy Spirit to be with us at all times. He also gave us His Word. Everything that we need to know on how to live the Christian life is in God's Word. In order for it to have any impact on your life you have to use it-you must take the time to read it and meditate on it and then live it in your life. God's Words will lead and direct us if we allow them.

John 6:35

Christ told us that He is the bread of life and all who come to Him will not hunger or thirst.

We also learn that we have to be diligent and consistent in order to grow spiritually. Read it and allow God to use it to be food for thought in your life.

Hebrews 5:13-14

"For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

"Weeding" out the Unnecessary

Tonight I spent time weeding the flower beds that are in front of our house. Why is it that when I plant actual flowers or plants it can be difficult to make them flourish and grow but the weeds seem to multiply overnight? Most plants don't grow naturally but the weeds do and don't need any encouragement.

That is the way that it has always been since sin entered our world. In order to keep the weeds at bay you must be diligent-always watching and pulling and keeping the dirt overturned. This is how it is in our lives as well. If we were to be complacent, the "weeds" would easily take over. We must be diligent as we live one day at a time to be in God's Word and having a personal relationship with Him so that we can keep the "weeds" from choking us. What do I mean by weeds? It would be anything that we would allow to take precedent in our life over Christ-selfishness, greed, worry, or anything that would be opposite from the fruit of the Spirit that is given to us in 

Galatians 5:22-23

" But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

We need to be sure that the "soil" of our life is fertile and ready for what Christ has for us so that we can allow all of the principles that He has for us can take root in our lives and grow. He tells the parable of the sower in Mark 4 and explains about the different types of ground that the "seed" falls on and the results that take place. 

"“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”

What is your life and heart "soil" like? Is it ready and waiting to flourish with what God wants to plant there? You must be diligent and consistent "because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Diving Deeper

When you read this title what comes to your mind? This elementary school has a theme every year and they post it and decorate around the school to match the theme. From the school aspect, they are hoping the students will think of school and learning as an adventure and want to learn as much as they can-becoming better in their school work and advancing in their subjects,all the while thinking of it as a great adventure. 

Isn't this what life is all about as well? It should be one big adventure for us to dive deeper and deeper into as we live one day at a time and learn more and more about our Lord. 

Wake up each morning saying,

Psalm 118:24

"This is the day the Lord has made;

We will rejoice and be glad in it."

This week has been a challenging, and at times draining, but I can't imagine being anywhere else then where God wants me and helping those God has placed in my life.

Life is messy. We live in a world that is marred by sin and complications happen all the time.

What is life teaching you? Have you allowed it to jade you and help you become bitter and sad or do you ask the Lord to help you learn what He is teaching you in every situation and come out on the other side rejoicing in His name?

What you dwell on and put into your mind will come out in your words and actions.

Philippians 4:4-8

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice.

 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things."

Don't just endure life but live life with joy! Joy is internal and is not based on circumstances or situations like happiness.

You may need an attitude adjustment.

 Spend some extra time meditating in God's Word and learning more about His joy-dive deeper-don't just skim along the surface-there's so much more to discover!

In a Fog

This isn't the best picture but it shows that I was driving in quite a fog this morning. When you are in a fog, you can't see very far in front or behind you-you rely on what you know and if you are familiar with where you are you remember what is there and work around it. Sometimes, you continue on, carefully, having faith that you can get through it and arrive at your destination safely.

As we are living one day at a time we sometimes live like we are in a fog. We wander around not being able to see very far in front or behind us-feeling all alone. Do you know that although you may feel you are in a fog you don't have to live that way. We have access to the one true Light. The Bible shows that God was always with the Israelites as they wandered in the wilderness-literally as a pillar and a light.

Exodus 13:21

" And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night."

He has promised that He will always be with us as well. And if we follow Him we can walk in the light as well.

John 8:12

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

Satan wants us to feel powerless, to wallow in self pity, and continue self-destructive behaviors. We don't have live our lives that way. God is the God of second chances. He loves us and wants only the best for us. If we allow Him to be the Lord of our life and we accept His gift of salvation then we have eternal life and we should be joyful-like a fountain "springing up" or bubbling over.

John 4:14

"but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Come out of the fog---Follow after Christ-He is the true Light.

Know it All!!

When you are young, you think you are invincible and know it all! As you mature, hopefully you have come to the correct conclusion that you don't know it all. I don't like the saying, "you can't teach a old dog new tricks", because I hope that even as I grow older I am open to constructive criticism and helpful, loving hints on how to improve and grow wiser as I grow older. I don't want to be considered so bent and unwilling to listen that I may lose a blessing that God had prepared for me. God allows certain people to come into our lives to mentor us or walk along side and encourage us and we can learn a lot if we are willing.

Titus 2:3-5

" the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."

 I am always reading a few books at a time. I love fiction and am always reading at least one of those, but they are fiction-although they may have great story lines and they allow me to "live in their world" and they may even have some great truths in them. I enjoy reading other good books as well, devotional books, good Christian non-fiction topical books, but the best one to be reading is God's Word-the Bible. It is the most relevant to my life and is all true-no fiction involved at all within it's covers. It's got everything covered-science, history, love stories, murders, happy endings, and so much more. There are guidelines that you can live by and work ethics that will help you prosper. It is so amazing to know that God is The One who definitely knows it all! He always has and He always will and yet He loved me enough to send His Son so that I can receive salvation and one day be with Him.

As we live one day at a time, we should be willing to listen and open for what God has for us to learn. 

One day I will be able to say 'I know it all', but until then I am going to enjoy learning as much as I can and serving the Lord joyfully with all of my being-sharing with all of those around me-will you join me?

National Boss Day

I think that if we took the time to research a little bit we would find that there is probably something being celebrated every single day of the year. Today according to the calendar is National Boss Day. (Only I wasn't paying attention until AFTER work) so my honoring of my boss will be one day late.

I've seen a lot of posters and notes made up to celebrate different occasions and I couldn't let this day go by without making one myself. I don't know about your job situation but I'm sure that a lot of you have a wonderful boss that you work for at your place of employment. As we live our lives one day at a time, some of us change job situations a few different time and may work under multiple bosses. But, although you may have changed bosses in your work life, you have the opportunity to have the same "boss" remain throughout your entire life. Before salvation, you may feel that "you" have control of your life and that you are your own boss-how did that work out for you? I have to say that I am so thankful that at a young age I accepted Christ as my Savior and that He is my Lord. When I choose to do something in my own power or maybe go in my own direction without seeking the Lord's will for my life I find that many times it is a major disappointment.  My desire is to let the Holy Spirit control my life and help me not only be the best testimony for Christ but display godly character qualities.

Galatians 5:22-23

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

We know that we can't have two masters or "bosses" at the same time. We are told in Matthew 6:24-

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other."

Are you willing to relinquish yourself in first place so that God can take the top priority? It is an ongoing process and means that we will need to learn how to be humble and how to deny ourselves. But the result will be so worthwhile when your life produces fruit that is Christlike and points other to Him.

What Will I Be When I Grow Up?

Remember when you were little and someone would ask you-"what do you want to be when you grow up"? I always wanted to be a wife and mommy. I enjoyed "teaching" too but I always knew exactly what I wanted to do and the Lord bless me by allowing me to marry and have two beautiful children. I was able to watch little ones in our home for many years as well as substitute teach for a lot of years. You can hear little girls say that they may want to be a ballerina, a teacher, a nurse or doctor, a missionary, an artist, and even a race care driver. I have seen little boys dress up as firemen and policemen, talk about being an architect, a writer, a pastor, or missionary.

There are so many different choices available and are only limited by your imagination and willingness to work toward that goal. As we grow up a little we may let go of certain dreams or work toward new ones. We learn our strengths and weaknesses and how to use them to get a job. 

No matter what vocation we may choose or how many times we may change our vocations there is one thing we must remember-we all have one responsibility and goal that is the same. We are all missionaries. We may not move to Africa or Tasmania to witness to an unknown tribe (although God may call you there-if so then Praise the Lord!) but He may place you next to a family with children the same age as yours. He may give you a job where you are working closely with a group of unsaved people. You may shop in a grocery store or cash your checks at a neighborhood bank where you get to know the people that handle your business. Start a conversation with them. Build a relationship so that you can invite them to church with you. Be a light to those around you so that they will see a difference in you and ask you about it, because they realize they are missing something.

Matthew 5:16

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, which is in Heaven."

Opportunities happen all around us-are you looking for them? Are you willing to take them when they are presented to you? 

So, as you live one day at a time, no matter what "vocation" you are now involved in, be the best you can be, live your life with Christ as your focus, loving Him with all your heart, mind, body, and soul, and your neighbor as yourself. Share the gospel with all of those you come in contact with-

John 3:16

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Acts 1:8

"...you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem (your family or town), and in all Judea (your state) and Samaria (your country), and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

Faithful to the End

If you have visited Savannah you may have seen this statue of the "Waving Girl." Her name was Florence Martus. Folklore says that she was in love with a sailor who went off to war. She would wave every ship that came in in hopes that her love was on board-faithfully she waved and waited for 40 years and he never came back. You know what? I did some research and it is only a legend with no evidence to back it up. The truth was that she took it upon herself to be the official greeter to all the ships that came in and out of the port. She faithfully waved at every ship-a handkerchief during the day and lantern by night, for over 40 years from her home on Elba Island where she lived with her brother, the light keeper.

Talk about faithfulness. History says that she never missed a ship in forty years.

A definition of faithfulness shows steady in allegiance or affection-true to one's words or promises.

When we accept the gift of salvation from God we must show our allegiance. 

Matthew 6:24

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

As you live one day at a time, what are you faithful to? Have you chosen to be faithful to your spouse-God's Word says that you should:

Mark 10:7-9

"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Are you faithful to your job, your family, your commitments, your church, your friends?

God spoke a parable about faithfulness:

Matthew 25:14-29

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

 ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away."

God was, is, and always will be faithful.

Lamentations 3:22-23

"Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not.

They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."

Strive to be faithful-in all aspects of your life-to God first and then to everyone & everything else that are in your life. I want to hear the words of Christ when I reach Heaven-"Well done my good and faithful servant."

"Great is Thy faithfulness," O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

"Great is Thy faithfulness!" "Great is Thy faithfulness!"

  Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—

    "Great is Thy faithfulness," Lord, unto me!

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/19#ixzz29KDysLYg

Trash to Treasure

Today was our semi-annual neighborhood garage sale. This picture is of our items that were not bought.

We had a great sale-beautiful weather and lots of shoppers. A friend's daughter brought over her stuff as well and set up at the end of the driveway-she was raising money for camp and items for her Kindle. I have been cleaning and 'decluttering' for a few months and gathering items that we do not use anymore. It is amazing to me on how much we accumulate and can do without. If it was in a cupboard or drawer or box and had not been used in a year, then we must be getting along without it and can sell it. We were able to make some money that we ear tagged for a specific purpose. It is funny to watch what people pick up and look at and then buy. A lot of people are friendly and talk and some told us that they were buying things for themselves, others had an agreement with a family member that Christmas presents had to come from thrift shops or garage sales and they bought all my wax to make her candles. There were things that were going to be refurbished and happily used by someone else-the items were given a new owner and purpose.

I can't help but compare this analogy to a person's life. There are things that we allow as we live one day at a time to clutter up our life. They may hinder us in our Christian walk with the Lord. If we are willing to "clean out" then we will be able to serve the Lord better-unhindered.  Sometimes, not everything is bad but there may be better choices that should be made. As we move things out and make way for better things then we can transform our lives and save up our treasures in Heaven to be given to Christ.

Matthew 6:19-21

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

The Forecast

Some people wake up each morning to the radio broadcasting the weather forecast. Others get up and turn on the weather channel so that they can look what the week will look like in regards to the weather. Schedules and plans are made based on weather. If it is going to rain then outdoor activities may have to be rescheduled. Bad weather may affect travel plans. What people wear may be based on the temperature-coat or sweater, shorts, pants, sandals or boots?

We live in the south and the weather is normally warm. It's kind of humorous sometimes. You get up and look at the weather forecast and may say...well, more of the same.

People also look at other events and happenings to look at other "forecasts." We are approaching an election and many people are watching speeches and debates and then analyzing and "forecasting" who will soon be our country's leadership. Men also have looked at the events that are taking place around us and attempt to "forecast" the future.

As a Christian, I believe that Christ has come to the earth, lived and ministered and then died on the cross to save us from our sins. He then conquered death and went back to Heaven to prepare a place for us.

John 14:1-3

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. 

Christ left His Word behind-the Bible-and as we read it we are told many things. One thing, I believe, is that we are in the "last days". I believe Christ is coming again and it will be soon. We can predict it but we don't know exactly when-Christ didn't give us an exact date. 

Matthew 24:35-36

" Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only."

Some may say why? If we knew then how would we live our lives-some might just sit back and wait for Him to come-others may work as diligently as possible sharing the gospel with others so that many would come to know Him. We should live our lives as if He were coming at any moment.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

"But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night.  But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.  For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,  who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."

What is your attitude? Are you always looking for rain as you are living one day at a time or do you have a positive attitude toward life and the blessings that God has given you? Share God's love with all of those that cross your path so that many can come to a saving knowledge of Christ and be involved in the 'happy ending' of the forecast. Christ IS coming back to take all those that are saved to live with Him in Heaven for eternity-aren't you glad that you know the result of the forecast?!

An Apple a Day

Tonight at our ladies' night out we had an apple dessert contest and my apple toffee dip tied for first!

It was fun and we had some great desserts to eat.

We all know and I'm sure have repeated the saying...'an apple a day keeps the doctor away'!

We know that the meaning behind that phrase means that eating healthy ie. an apple would help us stay healthy so that we wouldn't have to visit a doctor. A lot of times, as I go through my life just living one day at at time, I don't take the time to think about those type of things. I'm busy and I may not always eat healthy and exercise. There are other things that I do each day that sort of get done on autopilot-like taking out and cleaning my contacts, brushing my teeth, and taking off my makeup. My spiritual walk could also go on autopilot and just ride along without any effort if I didn't put the time into it that is needed so that I can grow. Read God's Word each day and spend some time and pray. If we fill our physical body with "junk food" we become sluggish and sick and gain weight. It is the same with our spiritual walk. If we live in the world and fill our mind with "the junk" on television and in worldly books only then we won't have our focus on Christ and our relationship with Him.

Psalm 119:105

"Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path."

Micah 6:8

"He has shown you, O man, what is good;

And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly,

To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?"

Mark 12:30

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

Isaiah 40:29-31
"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;  but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be fain."
Do right even when you don't feel like doing it. Set aside time each day to read your Bible and spend time in prayer. It takes at least 3 weeks to establish a new habit. Good habits can be challenging to continue and bad habits are hard to break but you can do it in the power of Christ.
Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me."

"Our Defender"

This little owl sits regally outside of our front church doors. Why do you ask?  Our church location is east of a highway and the area is not "built up" yet. We have 10 acres of land with turf farms and nurseries surrounding our property. This means that there are a lot of wildlife that travel through our property. Primarily, we had a family of sand hill cranes that loved our property and preferred to leave messes right in front of our doors! :) No one knows exactly why except that it happened consistently every week. Not only was it not pleasing to the eye but it could be carried into the building on the church goer's shoes! So, our pastor's wife thought that if she bought an owl and placed him in the portico then the other birds might not linger by the doors and leave anything behind. A lot of us laughed at her, but we had to later admit that she was correct. As long as our defender stands guard at the doors the floor is "protected" and mess free. 

As a Christian, Christ is our Defender! 

Psalm 18:1-2

"I love you, O Lord, my strength.

 The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

He is always there for us. He never leaves us. He gave us the Holy Spirit who is always there to be our intercessor. As we live one day at a time in a world full of sin, Christ tells us that we need to live in the world but not be of the world. Follow after Christ. He came before us to be an example for us so that we can see how to live.

1 Peter 2:21

"For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:"

As I look at the owl certain word pictures come to mind when I think about how to defend my Christian faith and live my life so that it would be honoring and pleasing to God.

Psalm 141:3

"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips."

1 Peter 3:15

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;"

Don't let your guard down. The world looks for any small cracks in your defense so that it can sneak in and damage your testimony for Christ. Look to your Defender and follow after Christ, your example.

A Lick and a Promise

Here is another idiom in the English language that we use. I think it would be a humorous conversation between an American and one from another country where idioms were not frequently used. "So, we will give it a lick and a promise." "You will lick it and then promise what?" To us it is used when talking about doing a task. You will only give it a small amount of attention at that time and then come back to it later-make any sense? To us it does but to some it may be confusing. This phrase has nothing to do with postage stamps but that was my segue. I would take this phrase another way. I could see saying this when mailing off a letter-lick the stamp and the envelope and send it on its way-a promise to get the letter to the one I am sending it. My dad collected postage stamps and he passed that hobby down to me. I enjoyed getting first day covers and then getting stamps to complete a set in my book. 

"Stamp Collecting dispels boredom, enlarges our vision, broadens our knowledge, makes us better citizens and in innumerable ways, enriches our lives" - President Roosevelt

Even today, I always look at the stamp when I get mail.

"Consider the postage stamp, its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there" -  American humorist John Billings.

I love this statement made about the stamp. Are you like this? Do you have "stick-to-it-tiveness"? Or do you give up quite quickly?  As we live one day at a time we need to stick like glue to the truths that Christ left us in His Word-perseverance.

Romans 8:37-39

 "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Romans 12:12

 "Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

Colossians 1:11-12

 "May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light."

Galatians 6:9

 "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

Ephesians 6:16-19 

 "In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel."

What's In a Story?

If I showed you this picture and asked you what story in the Bible it made you think of what would you say? Would you go to Luke 15:8-10-

 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?  And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’  Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

God's Word is a wonderful book with so many truths printed in which we can use as we live our lives one day at a time. Jesus used parables during His ministry when he wanted to make a certain point.

In this parable and the one of the lost sheep Christ made it clear that everyone soul is important. Do you agree? You come in contact with a lot of people throughout your week-are they important? Do you look at them as just a number or are they an individual who's soul will one day be in heaven or hell?  I am guilty of being so busy that I don't take the time to be concerned. We should try to look at each situation as an opportunity from God to touch another life. God puts people in our paths for a reason. Are you reaching out  and investing in the story or just "skimming the pages".

Take some time to look into God's Word at the different parables and look at the truths that He was stating to his disciples and us. (Some examples: the Wise man and the Foolish man-Matthew 7:24-27; the Sower & the seeds-Matthew 13; the Talents-Luke 19:12-27; and the Prodigal Son-Luke 15:11-32 are just a few that are really good.)