Mountaintop Experience

Today our pastor spoke about Mountaintop Christianity and my topic for today came to me. I hear the sayings about how we will experience mountain tops and valleys in our lives and that is true. A lot times we wallow in pity when we are in the valleys. What we need to do is be willing to turn it over to Christ and let Him lead us through the valley and up to the mountain top so that you can see that your own problems are as big as they might seem. Remember, Nothing is too great for God. Growing up our school's theme song was "Nothing is Impossible" and we would sing it every week. Repetition of a biblical truth can help it reinforce it for you in your mind and help implement it in your life.

Luke 1:37

" For with God nothing will be impossible.”

"Nothing is impossible when you put your trust in God;
Nothing is impossible when you’re trusting in His Word.
Hearken to the voice of God to thee:
‘Is there anything to hard for Me?’
Then put your trust in God alone and rest upon His Word;
For ev’rything, O ev’rything,
Yes, ev’rything is possible with God."
I will repeat a couple of phrase that our pastor used this morning that really stuck with me. He said the phrase that we have all heard...all good things must come to an end...I believe that this is true with mountain top experiences as well. We can't realistically live a mountain top experience our entire life (that will only happen once we reach heaven). Christian life is a life with peaks and valleys. Truth learned on the mountain top will be challenged by doubt and the devil in the valley. But the question is, how will we respond to having the challenge placed on us? Keep your focus...don't focus on the vision but on the Voice (of God) and not on the wonder but on the Word. The other statement he said was that we should "never doubt in the dark what God showed you in the light".  Sometimes we get discouraged but we must remember that as long as we are here on earth, we have not reached perfection yet and so genuine faith must be tested.
James 1:2-5
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
Enjoy the mountaintop experiences but also grow and learn from them so that when you are in the valley you will know how to walk through it one day at a time and come out stronger.
My picture is from when I traveled through Europe and was able to take a trip 'up the mountain'.

History...It's What's Already Happened!

A cool time line of the history that took place in the last 175 years and how the church and school fit into those years.

A year ago I made a trip home to celebrate the history of the church I grew up in and the school I attended and graduated from 25 years ago. The church, First Baptist Church of Elyria, was celebrating 175 years and a 35 year anniversary of First Baptist Christian School. I am so thankful for the part that this church and school played in my life. I have been blessed to have a great godly heritage and a school and church that supported what my parents taught us. My parents sacrificed so that I could have christian education my entire school life and I can't begin to thank them enough. My dad was part of the school board that started F.B.C.S. in 1976. Godly people have had a part in the school since then and have kept it a shining beacon to the surrounding area. I grew up under the ministry of Pastor Hull and then Pastor Quick and am so thankful for their testimonies and many years of service to God, their love of the scripture and for God's flock, and  their part in the history of the school and church. 

History...it's what has already happened...it cannot be changed but it can be continued. There is a lot of history that has taken place over the many years since God created the earth and placed us here. A lot of history has been recorded for us...in the Bible. I am so thankful that God loved us enough to leave us 66 books full of history for us to read-both good and bad-so that we can learn from it. I think of the Israelites and how many times they repeated history, with the same results and yet God still loved them and forgave them. (You can read a lot of their history in the book of Exodus)

It gives me the encouragement to know that although I am not perfect and will make mistakes again, I can ask for forgiveness and God will hear me and forgive me!

It also helps me remember that there are those that will come after me and I need to leave a legacy of faith for them. I want my testimony for Christ to shine and continue shining to future generations even after I am gone.

Matthew 5:16

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

It reminds me of a poem-The Dash-what will be your history? As we live one day at a time may we strive to live our lives so that those that follow behind us will be pointed to Christ and his saving grace.

  The Dash by Linda Ellis
 I read of a man who stood to speak
  at the funeral of a friend
  He referred to the dates on her tombstone
  from the beginning to the end  He noted that first came her date of her birth
  and spoke the following date with tears,
  But he said what mattered most of all
  was the dash between those years  For that dash represents all the time
  that she spent alive on earth.
  And now only those who loved her
  Know what that little line is worth.  For it matters not how much we own;
  the cars, the house, the cash,
  what matters is how we live and love
  and how we spend our dash.  So think about this long and hard.
  Are there things you’d like to change?
  For you never know how much time is left,
  that can still be rearranged.  If we could just slow down enough
  to consider what’s true and real
  and always try to understand
  the way other people feel.  And be less quick to anger,
  and show appreciation more
  and love the people in our lives
  like we’ve never loved before.  If we treat each other with respect,
  and more often wear a smile
  Remembering that this special dash
  Might only last a little while.  So, when your eulogy is being read
  with your life’s actions to rehash
  would you be proud of the things they say
  about how you spent your dash?

Another last...Night of Good Music

The last two days have been ones filled with lots of practice and many hours of blowing air into an instrument  to produce notes for J.W. This was his final Band Festival at Community Christian School and the last one we will attend with one of our children participating. This festival is where a group of schools get together and bring in a visiting conductor. The kids get to practice together under a different conductor than they have each week and at the end of the two days where kids have met new friends and learned new songs, they put on a concert for the parents and visitors. 

They did a great job. There are two groups-Jr. High and then High School. They each played four selections  in a varied theme and it was a great concert.

This event showed that:  trying something new, cooperation, practice, commitment, and talent combined produced a great ending result.

This is how it is in your christian walk. It is a combination. It takes commitment, practice, cooperation, and using the talents that God gave us to produce a Christian who walks close to the Lord, shares the love of Christ with all those around us, and learns to be more like Christ.

Ephesians 4:1-3

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,  with all lowliness and gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love,  endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

 Galatians 3:20

 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life that I now live I live be the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

As we live one day at a time, we will move through different stages of life. Circumstances will change and as we grow we also will change. Our change should be for the good. Turn the negative into positive. Turn people toward Christ and His saving grace. 

One of the songs that the Jr. High band played was

  Be Thou My Vision

"Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all."
Words: Dallan Forgail (8th Century)
Let this be our prayer, our focus, our life.

A Great Night for A Great Cause

Tonight over 364 people gathered at a local banquet hall and enjoyed a delicious dinner, a silent as well as live auction, heard four wonderful success life stories, and were able to donate to a wonderful cause. If I sound a little prejudice that is because I am. Tonight a wonderful ministry had their annual fall fundraiser at our local Polo Grill. North River Care Pregnancy Center has been mentioned in my blog before but it bears mentioning again. It is a ministry that is able to work in the lives of young girls and the baby daddies and not only help saves the lives of unborn babies but be able to share the gospel and literally save lives. Four different stories were shared where three of those young girls have kept their babies and are learning a different life with a baby at their young age, including finishing school, going to college, getting a job and learning to raise a child. The fourth girl gave her child to a family in the wonderful gift of adoption. Most of these girls have no self-esteem and have never heard that there is someone out there that really loves them. Teri and Monica minister to them-their physical needs as well as the spiritual needs. We have others that volunteer their services and gifts and also have a part in many girls' lives. It is amazing to hear that another girl has had a sonogram, heard the beat of her child, and has chosen life.

Those that came tonight either already have a burden for the ministry, or a passion for the work that is taking place, or knew nothing about it at all and came because they were asked. My prayer is that everyone that came tonight or hears about our pregnancy center will not only see the opportunity to be a part of a great ministry-whether with their time or finances-and move forward helping to spread the word about LIFE. As we live one day at a time we all have choices to make and sometimes poor decisions are made. We must each face the consequences for the decisions that we make.  Do you go to God's Word to help you make decisions-asking God to help you and then wait to hear where He will lead you? A statement was made and I have to agree-this is an election year and as you look at the leaders wanting our vote there is a distinct difference in what they support. We must, as Christians, vote our values. Life is sacred and must be protected. There are options out there and I don't believe that abortion is one of them. God created life and He believes that each of us is unique and special and worth more to Him than anything.

Psalm 139:13-16

"For You formed my inward parts;

You covered me in my mother’s womb.

 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works,

And that my soul knows very well.

 My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.

And in Your book they all were written,

The days fashioned for me,

When as yet there were none of them."

Psalm 127:3
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward."
If you are looking for a ministry to be a part of then ask me about North River. We have opportunities open and needs that can be met and you may be just the person to help with a certain need. So many lives and so many stories and so many ways to be a blessing to someone else.

Are You Safe?

As you look at this picture what can you pick out? Do you see the Exit sign with lights attached along with the emergency strobe light and the fire extinguisher outside the window? Why do buildings have these installed-you may say because the law says it is necessary and that is true but they are there to protect everyone that comes in their building. I would not feel as safe in a building that "looked" dangerous-most of you know what I mean, you can see and feel it when you are there. A well-lit and clean building with proper exits and safety equipment installed are the ones where you will not worry about where you are.

Christ has "safety mechanisms" installed for us and if we follow them you can feel safe. The first and most important statement is the safety of eternal security.  Once you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior you are saved forever.

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

John 10:28 - "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand."

So, once saved, always saved. But even though you have the security it doesn't mean you can sit on your laurels and slide through life thinking that all is o.k. because you are safe. We are not saved so that we can sin. Our goal is to become more like Christ one day at a time. How do we do this? The equipment has been given to us-the Holy Spirit, prayer, and God's Word. We have to use what we have been given for it serve it's purpose. We won't know what the Bible says unless we are willing to read it and then apply it to our lives. By being in His Word we will strive to be more like Him, we will want the Holy Spirit to rule our lives and guide us. By talking to God we seek His face and will and then listen to what He has to tell us in His Word. I would rather be looked at as "different" to those around me if it means it will spark a conversation so that I can share the gospel. So, are you 'safe' and if so then are you using all of the equipment that God has given us to share eternal life with all those we come in contact.

The Right Prescription

These are the pills that I take each day. I'm thankful that I only have to take 3 and that they do their job pretty well. In order to have these prescriptions I had to visit a doctor and explain my symptoms. I then had to have tests run before a diagnosis was given and medicine was prescribed. If I don't take my medicine, I feel the effects pretty quickly. I tried to go without one of them to see if I could but it only caused me a lot of pain and I now faithfully take them. I'm thankful for doctors that have the knowledge to help us with our ailments. Christ came as a man to walk on earth and minister before He died on the cross for our sins. He was able to heal many who had physical illnesses and ailments.

Have you thought about Him as the "Great Physician" and the "prescription" that He has given to all of us that will take care of the biggest ailment that we all have.

The sickness-Sin-is fatal. If we are not 'treated' we will die and have eternal separation from God, in hell.

Psalm 103:1-3

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!

 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:

Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,"

The prescription?

1 Peter 2:24

"who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed."

As we live one day at a time, we can be thankful for a God who cared enough to send His Son to die on the cross-carrying all of our sins and then conquering death. It is a gift that all we have to do is accept.

If you take a wrong medicine you may experience side effects or possibly become even sicker. This is how it is with our life as well. We may look to our self or good works or baptism or confession or other 'things' we think we can do but it will not be the right prescription to heal your sickness. The world will try to fill your problems with their own concoctions (drugs) but they are only placebos. 

I'm thankful for God and for the one and only right prescription to ensure an eternity with Him in Heaven. This prescription is available to all who ask. Have you acknowledged the true Physician and accepted His prescription? My prayer is that you have. Then you will want to continue in His grace, learn more about Him by being in His Word, and talk to Him all the time-what a wonderful prescription!

Unbelievable!

Have you ever had a day when you have a list of things you need to do or a list of items you are planning on purchasing and then...your list doesn't get accomplished and when you went shopping you couldn't find one single item on your list!!  How can that be? It  can be so frustrating and unfulfilling. How do you handle it? I came home and told my husband all about it! He is a wonderful listener and most of the time he is very sympathetic. If you are one of my friends or know me at all you know that I am very organized and I like to have lists and be able to check things off my list and complete my projects...IMMEDIATELY! So, I have two different lines of thinking when this happens to me. One, I have to learn to be flexible. God wants to use me and there may be times that I am going along with "my" plans and I may have to realize that God has better plans for me. He can use me if I am willing to let Him. The other thing is that God is always there to hear me-He knows when I am disappointed and frustrated and I can talk to Him anytime and anywhere. This Bible passage is a long part of one of Paul's letter to the Corinthians but it is a great example of a change in plans. Paul was a wonderful servant of the Lord. He was traveling to many different cities to share the gospel and yet he ended up with a lot of detours and roadblocks. But they only strengthened his faith in the Lord and allowed him to share with even more people. I can use him as a godly example. Is my reaction like Paul's? 

O Corinthians 1:12-2:4

12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. 13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 14 (as also you have understood us in part), that we are your boast as you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.
15 And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit— 16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea. 17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? 18 But as God is faithful, our word to you was not Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, Silvanus, and Timothy—was not Yes and No, but in Him was Yes. 20 For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, 22 who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.
23 Moreover I call God as witness against my soul, that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24 Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand.
2 But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2 For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?
3 And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you."
As I live one day at a time, things will not always go my way. I won't always have the perfect picture! But I can still honor Christ in all that I do and be willing to let Him lead and follow Phil 4:11:
"for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content"

1 Timothy 6:6
"Now godliness with contentment is great gain."
(no picture tonight-because there wasn't anything to take a picture of-because I couldn't find any of them!)