Grabbed My Attention

Words from "Thy Mercy My God" I listened to here.

Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last, hath won my affections and bound my soul fast.

Quote included in our Sunday School lesson prepared by our SS leader:

Peter was identified as a follower of Christ on the night he denied the Lord three times because "thy speech betrayeth thee" (Matthew 26:73).  I was raised in East Tennessee, and my "speech betrayeth me" as well.  But let me use a little East Tennessee hillbilly twang to make a point about being aggressive in pursuing the call to "Go":  Ain't hardly nobody been saved what ain't been went after!

-Allan Taylor, Six Core Values of Sunday School

The Times They Are a Changing!

I am tired, very tired, but it has been a good day. My youngest son and I spent the day visiting by parents and sisters. Times they are a changing. I guess they always are. The years have flown by and not only do my parents know that there are fewer years ahead of them than behind them but I know that, more that likely, there are for me also. Just to equal the time already behind me I will have to live to the ripe old age of 94. Not typical for most folks these days. My dad talks of wanting to be here as long as he is useful to God, but when he's not how he would prefer to move on and be with God. I understand. My teenage son is uncomfortable with all the talk of death. There is discussion of what we do and don't want to happen at our funerals. There is no point in burying our heads in the sand and pretending that life is different. As my dad said, we all have an appointed time to die. My heart pulls in two directions as we talk. I know my parents have walked with the Lord, they belong to Him and will one day go to be with Him, but my heart ~ well it sighs with the heaviness of the truth that we will likely have to part company for a time this side of eternity. Knowing that the same God who has walked with us this far will walk us through the coming days and years consoles me. My dad ~ well he's looking for the rapture. Maybe we won't part company ~ our redemption is closer than when we first believed!

Our middle son moved out earlier this month. He is engaged and plans to marry in May of this year after he and his fiancee finish college. As I said, the times they are a changing. Our oldest married this past June. I pray often that I will be a good mother-in-law. I am reminded of the scripture that a man is to leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. Letting go isn't always easy but it is necessary. Sometimes our home is quieter and sometimes it is noisier (when everyone comes over as our family has expanded). I feel very blessed. I pray for God's will, I pray for my heart to accept His will. I continue to pray for our youngest son, that God would prepare a mate for him.

The times they are a changing! I don't know what tomorrow holds, but thankfully I know the One who holds tomorrow. I am reminded of the words to a song that says ~ hold to His hand, to God's unchanging hand, build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God's unchanging hand. I think I'll cling!


p.s. I didn't get this posted until Friday ~ so this actually took place Thursday ~ have a great weekend all!

~Giving the Benefit of the Doubt~

I have been in a few situations recently where I hoped someone else would give me the benefit of the doubt. I must admit I struggle many times with doing this for others. It is a sad truth, but I think most of the time we as people take a negative approach to something that happens without considering that the situation may be completely different than what we are thinking. Let me give an example. If you have read my post from the past you know that we have a Chocolate Factory where we live. We frequent it just about weekly. As a reward to their customers they give a card that is punched when you buy some of their products and earns you a freebie when fully punched. We purchase an apple or apples just about every time we are there. Not too long ago we went in and spent a good bit of time talking with one of the employees. You know what happens when there is too much distraction ~ someone forgets to do something. Well, that is what happened to us that day. I didn't realize it until the next time we went in. I had one more purchase to make to get a free apple. So, I pulled out my card and explained that I would like to purchase an apple and use the filled card to redeem a free apple. It was then that the lady at the register, whom we talk to on a regular basis, turned the card over to initial the last purchase and paused slightly, which made me look. I noticed what she obviously noticed ~ the last two punches had not been initialed. She continued with the order. I realized that the worker from the last visit who had failed to initial the punched card, had without intention, just put both the lady waiting on me and myself in an awkward situation. I knew who had forgotten to initial the punched card and realized what had happened, but I couldn't help but wonder if the lady waiting on me at the time now questioned my honesty. Yes, it bothered me. I have prayed repeatedly that any time she thought the wrong thing that God would bring the thought to her mind that someone had forgotten to initial the card after punching it. It makes me sad to realize that you can choose repeatedly to do the right thing and live before others in a manner that would honor God and then something so innocent could actually cause someone to believe something bad about you. Yes, it bothers me ~ but it has also been an opportunity to see how often I fail to think the best of someone instead of assuming something negative. I am so guilty of this. I am working on this. In Corinthians 13:7 the scriptures says in talking about love that it "believes all things". A few other translations say "always trust" and "believes the best in all". I have also heard it said that it means that love "gives the benefit of the doubt".  It's kind of like our legal system ~ innocent until proven guilty. I can't say that I am happy that someone might question my honesty, but I am thankful that God is showing me where I am lacking in love and how wrong I could be toward others by not giving the benefit of the doubt. My husband is so much better in seeing the "other possibilities" and often points them out to me. So ~ maybe the next time something happens and you don't absolutely, without doubt, know the whole truth ~ you could give the benefit of the doubt.
 

~ The Benefit of the Doubt ~ 

believing something good about someone,

instead of something bad,

 when you have the possibility to do either.

 

Have a Blessed Easter ~ Remember

A Dungeon or Freedom ~ A Choice

This song was shared during our revival. It certainly gives an accurate portrayal of how bitterness affects us and of Christ forgiveness and grace toward us. Letting go of the bitterness, forgiving, and receiving God's forgiveness, healing, and grace is certainly the answer. Life is way to short to live in a dungeon of bitterness! Our health, our relationships ~ really life in its entirety is negatively effected. May God help us to forgive quickly before any walls can be put up!

Keeping in Mind

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.

Mark 12:30

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honest, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which you have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down arguments, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 

1 Corinthians 10:3-5

For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

1 Timothy 1:7

The mind is a terrible thing to waste ~ let's put it to use loving God!

May God bless and keep you today.

Simple Obedience

That was my prayer this morning. That I would have simple obedience. I am doing a Bible Study with our church group on Acts. Today I read Acts 8. There is a lot in this chapter, but my favorite is the part about Philip. It is an example of the Holy Spirit's leading and simple obedience from Philip. In both instances when the Spirit speaks to Philip he simply does what he's told to do. That's what I want in my heart ~ simple obedience ~ no excuses, no tug of war between the spirit and the flesh, no doubts ~ just simple obedience.

(I heard this song for the first time over at Pausing to Consider. I thought I would post it here also. I decided this morning to pick up Selah's CD ~ Hope of the Broken World ~ this is the last song on the CD. I have already listened to the whole CD ~ this is my favorite song.)

Preparation for Education

Goodness, there is such a multitude of information available to us today. I was browsing over the sites that I have under Teaching Our Children and thought of how vast the opportunity for knowledge is. My thoughts wondered in a different direction and the verse "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul," came to my mind. Though my soul is safe in Jesus, I know the daily relationship can be forfeited for lesser things if I am not careful. Just a gentle reminder from the Spirit of what is of utmost importance. Not just for us, but for our children also. Later when I popped over to the Heart of Wisdom blog I read the article ~ To Be Educated. It is a great article to read and ponder before you prepare for the new school year. I will say no more, the article speaks for itself.

Can I Share With You?

Are you looking for a devotion to listen to daily? Down to earth, practical, and makes you think ~ check out the daily podcast that is available from Insight For Living by Charles Swindoll. My husband listens to these often. I usually read the devotions, which are also good. You can find the podcast here and the devotions here.  If you are reading this and find that you do not have that beginning relationship with Christ Jesus, available to us through His shed blood, please take the time and visit the link on the side bar ~ Steps to Peace With God . It is the most important thing you can do in life!

Peace in His Presence

Do you remember those times that you are somewhere and can absolutely feel the peace of God and His shared presence?  Does it seem a bit strange that one can feel this while visiting a blog? This is the way I felt as I visited Holy Experience today.  Actually, I think I feel this way often when I drop by to read what Ann has shared. This week especially, because it seems we have similar thoughts and ponderings. I don't think I have visited once this week in which I have not had tears fall before I moved on. Today was no different and I smile and remember God's goodness and His words to me. I find myself watching to see what He will do, because He keeps His word! Blessings.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?"  Isaiah 43:18-19

Bearing Fruit

The peach trees that we planted several years ago are loaded with small peaches. It has rained a lot here lately and if we do not get out and spray the trees again soon the peach crop will probably be lost.

The asiatic lilies and daylilies that I have in my pots are budding. They have produced some new bulbs and multiplied the number of lilies that I have. Unfortunately, some creature, maybe a rabbit, has decided to get into some of my flower pots and destroyed almost all of my lilies in one of my pots. I'm disappointed that some of my lilies have been destroyed.

Our strawberry plant we planted several years ago is continuing to put out new runners. I think we will actually get more than a few strawberries this year.

 Several years ago my sister gave me a hosta of which I divided into several small hostas. After a few years I divided the hostas that came from that one hosta. This year we divided the hostas again. There are over thirty hostas in the front of our house now. All of them came from that one original plant and I have given away quite a few. There are actually several small hostas waiting for a place to go in addition to these.

I have noticed that the ferns on my front porch do not look as nice as they did when I purchased them. I have neglected to water them as I should. The garden still awaits because of all the rain and the plants for the garden are probably getting root bound in their pots. There is much growth and production going on in our yard but there is still much to do.

My thoughts swirl in my head as I think of how it all works. The planting, care, fertilizing, weeding, protection, and harvesting that is needed to actually succeed. 

I am reminded of how these same things are important in our Christian life ~ passing along our faith (sowing and reaping), discipleship (care and fertilizing), and weeding (getting rid of those thoughts and sins that oppose Christ). Understanding that we do have an enemy but God is our refuge and protector. Just makes me stop and think.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

 John 10:10

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

Then saith he unto His disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Matthew 9:37-38

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

John 15:4

 

FRET NOT

 I have a note card tucked inside one of my Bibles. On the front of the card there are several words written, a scripture reference, and a few verses written on the bottom. I put this in my Bible, when I was going through a situation in my life, as a reminder of what I am suppose to do and not do. Here is the list:

 FRET NOT, Trust, Delight, Commit, Rest, Wait, FRET NOT

Fret not ~ thyself because of evil doers.

Trust ~ in the Lord, and do good.

Delight ~ thyself also in the Lord.

Commit ~ thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him.

Rest ~ in the Lord.

Wait ~ patiently for Him.

What great options we have to replace all that fretting. How much better it is when we trust, delight, commit, rest and wait. Just read Psalm 37 to see what great blessings we have from the Lord when we do this.

We are reminded in Matthew 6:27 that worry cannot change things: Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature?

Remember ~ our confidence is in the Lord. Worry cannot change things ~ except for the worse; it can give you an ulcer ~ but with God all things are possible. Oh, that we would give it all to Him and then do what He leads. The result can be inward peace in the midst of the storm.

Cease from anger, forsake wrath, depart from evil and do good!

FRET NOT

On the back side of the card? ~ Well, I'll save that for another day.

Pass It On!

Last night we went to hear our middle child perform in a college jazz band. Of course, we enjoyed it. Who doesn't enjoy hearing their children perform? Anyway, while waiting for the concert to begin I noticed one of the young men in the group go over and hug and speak to a couple of adults. I don't know how to explain it but my immediate thoughts were ~ There's something different about that young man. Later an older Christian lady that I have known for years walked by. A few minutes later she came back and spoke to us sharing with us about her grandson being in the program. I was not surprised to find out that the young man that I had seen earlier was her grandson. My thoughts were ~ it's a heritage thing. I have known his grandmother, and knew his grandfather before his death, for many years. His grandfather was the Mission Director here for many years and was interim at the church we attended for a time. They both are wonderful, godly people. I count my life blessed to have known him and to know her.

I have been reading Charles Stanley's book Living the Extraordinary Life during my devotion time. This morning I began the conclusion of the book entitled Living A Legacy. The chapter pretty much focuses on the way we choose to live our life now and the influence it will have on those to follow. I cannot even express how many times God has impressed upon me over the last several years the importance of leaving a legacy, of Him, to the generations of my family that will come. Though we did not have many material things growing up, my parents gave us the greatest possible thing they could have given us ~ an understanding of who God is and of His great love, shown to us by the gift of salvation through His Son ~ Jesus. It is my responsibility and privilege to pass it on.

Let me share a few sentences from the beginning of the chapter Living A Legacy:

"When your life here on earth is over, how do you want to be remembered? What do you want people to say about you? What difference will it have made that you ever lived? What will you leave behind that has any lasting value?" 

Now let me share a bit from the end of this chapter:

"You are leaving a legacy - whether you want to or not. The question is, what will it be?"

Our choices today can make a difference in the present, but they also can impact the future ~ a future beyond the physical ~ the eternal.

 Pass It On!

 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

2 Timothy 1:5

CARPE DIEM!

I was watching a movie several years ago in which an older man was sharing some wisdom with a young boy. He pointed out to him that there is in fact good and evil in the world, but it is up to the individual to choose whether he would add good to the world or evil. So, as a Christian our responsibility, of course, is to add good ~ not evil.

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

Matthew 5:16

 

"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 5:15-17

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 

Galatians 5:22-24

Seize the Day ~ for Him!

Imperfect but Being Perfected by A Perfect God While Passing Through

I visited over at (in)courage today and found some very wonderful posts: Has this world been so kind? and Perfect People. Such wonderful truths in both post. I hope you have time to drop by and spend a few minutes reading them and listening to Natalie Grant's song "Perfect People" ~ (you can find the link to her song at the bottom of the Perfect People post).

Have a great day.

Hearty and Better or Hearty and Bitter

In her book, Legacy of a Pack Rat, Ruth Graham tells the story of fishermen who would bring in their catch. The fish were often flabby having been caught several days before. There was one man whose fish were still fresh and firm, not flabby. He wouldn't share how he achieved this but after he passed away his daughter shared his secret for success. He would put catfish in the well of the ship where he kept the fish he caught. The catfish were a constant source of irritation to the other fish ~ thus no flabby fish. She also shared the following quotes.

"Many seem patient when they are not pricked."

Richard Rolle

Ouch! That one hurts.

"Men strive for peace, but it is their enemies that give them strength, and I think if man no longer had enemies, he would have to invent them, for his strength only grows from struggle." 

Zachary Verne ~ in The Lonesome Gods by Louis L'Amour

I had to think a bit harder about this one. Surely peace is preferred but strength does grow from struggle. I think maybe strength is gained because of our enemies, but it does not come from our enemies. One does have to learn to fight and I have found that great strength comes from God, and affords much peace. There is in fact another strength that can be found ~ but one must be careful ~ because with it one usually becomes more like his enemy.   

"Hearty through hardship"

George MacDonald

Hearty and better ~ or ~ hearty and bitter? I think that also comes down to how we choose to view our hardships and what we do with them. Hearty is good ~ but what is paired with it makes a huge difference.

His Mercy Humbles Me

I am humbled by the mercy of His hand.

Time and time again He's diminished the span.

Reaching out to me in my frailty and my need,

I am humbled by the mercy of His hand.

                                                     by Patty, Simply His

Blessings to you and yours.

Freedom of Speech ~ CENSORED

 Yes, I NEED to be CENSORED!

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. ~ Colossians 4:6

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace to the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. ~ Ephesians 4:29

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

~ Ephesians 5:3-4

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. ~ Proverbs 15:4

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak not guile: ~ 1 Peter 3:10

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. ~ James 1:26

*A little something more to consider if you have time ~ James 3.

You?

A Pass Along

I thought I would pass along a devotion to you that I read this morning. I hope you will have opportunity to read it also.  May God bless you.

Providence 

by Charles R. Swindoll

Have A Wonderful Day!

On Money and Life

Things to think and act on:

 
"And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;  That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye many have lack of nothing." ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

"Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship." ~ Benjamin Franklin

"A penny saved is a penny earned." ~ Benjamin Franklin

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest." ~ Proverbs 6:6-8

"Don't put all your eggs in one basket."

"Cast thy bread upon the waters, for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight, for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth." ~ Ecclesiastes 11:1-2

"Be you diligent to know the state of thy flocks, And look well to thy herds: for riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation? ~ Proverbs 27:23-24

"But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?  My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." ~ 1 John 3:17-18

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." ~ 1 Timothy 6:6-8

"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness." ~ 1 Timothy 6:10-11

"But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God." ~ Luke 12:20-21

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." ~  James 1:17

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 4:19