A few days ago I was in the dollar store. Since school will be starting in a couple more short weeks or so, I thought it would be fun to pick up some things for a young friend. I saw something that amused me and I bought it for myself. It's a gi-normous pink eraser that says, "for BIG mistakes." I don't plan on using it for it's intended purpose, but rather, I intend to use it to remind me not to dwell on negative thoughts. I immediately thought of God when I saw this thing. Can you even imagine how big God's eraser must be?
God willingly erases all the boogered-up things we do just for our asking His forgiveness. I'll admit that it took me many years to learn to accept God's grace. Intellectually, I knew it and believed what the Scriptures said about it; but I had been fed a steady diet of "fire and brimstone" sermons growing up, and had to realign my thinking in order to receive the message of God's grace. I'm not condemning fire and brimstone sermons. I'm just saying that we've got to get the concept out of our heads that God hates us and wants us to fail. He doesn't want anyone to perish. You can stake your soul on the following verses because He says:
"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." (Heb. 8:12)
Because Christ died for our sins, they are "once and for all...put away...." (Heb. 9:24-26)
Those of us who have been obedient in putting on Christ are justified (just-as-if-I'd-never) from our sins (Rom 3: 25-26). That doesn't mean we completely quit sinning. It just means that when we do, we ask His forgiveness, and He's quick to cleanse us of the same.
Lots of godly people have and do sin, but they choose not to remain in that condition. Read chapter 11 of Hebrews--the faith honor roll of God. All the men mentioned there sinned because it's recorded for us in the Scriptures, but here God is recounting only their tremendous faith in Him. Christ's blood flowed both forward and backward and cleansed people both under the old covenant and those who would live under the new convenant.
No one on this earth who professes their love for you can love you more than God--not your parents, not your spouse, not your children. When you show your love for Him through your obedience, your sins are forgiven and God uses His gi-normous eraser (Rom 6: 16-18; Acts 2:38; and 1 Jno. 1: 7-9). Keep the faith and live in such a way that on that Day He will remember only your good deeds (Mt. 10:42).
Love ya,
God Bless!
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Problem Solved--I Think
I went back and looked at the comment allowances. I think it shuts many of you out because it wanted you to be Google members. I didn't originally set it that way and I have reset it to where anyone can comment. There is a feature where you have to enter an alpha/numeric prompt which it gives you to get your comment to post. That's just so I can keep spam out. I hope this helps, but if you see me at church or out somewhere, please let me know how it's working for you. I aim to please.
Love Ya,
God Bless!
Love Ya,
God Bless!
I Hear You
I know some of you have tried to leave me comments and have told me so, but I haven't gotten them. I am so sorry. I do not understand why it's not being commenter friendly. I've checked all the settings and I'm wide open for comments. Please keep checking in and please keep trying. I'm always grateful for your interest and input.
Love ya,
God Bless!
Love ya,
God Bless!
Slow Day Blogging
Yes, this is slow day blogging--more like the calm before the storm. We've had vacation Bible school, which started Sunday and ended last night. The guest speaker was particularly good, I thought. I was greatly encouraged and I needed my batteries recharged with what he had to say. You can listen to sermons and lessons 24/7, but unless you internalize them, digest them and apply them, they do you no service whatsoever.
I called a girlfriend who had asked me to prepare a speech for a dinner to be held at her place this coming Monday night. I was a little intimidated, but I agreed to because it would be a growth experience for me. I'm more about accepting challenges these days than I used to be. It couldn't have come at a more inopportune time though, largely due to my being in a state of flux with new business preparations. I would have done it, but I was happy to learn that someone had gotten a speaker after asking her to do so. She was not at all pleased about it. I told her I was totally cool with it. I'm still on for another month, but I'm relieved for now that I'm off the hook. I'm still invited to be her guest and see what their organization's all about. I do look forward to attending.
I've been through a lot of self-reflection about my opinions on things and how I feel about events going on in the lives of people around me in the community at large that I live in. I'm grateful for all the blessings I've been given and even some of the material accoutrements that have been withheld from me. I say that because it has allowed me to focus on important things like our marriage and my personal character growth. I prayed for about 10 years that our marriage would be everything He intended it to be, and that prayer was answered. Sometimes it appears to folks that all the other people they see have their act together when many times that's far from the truth. I take it that God has given me what He thought I could handle when He thought I could handle it. He's pushed me but not overwhelmed me. I know that He wants me to do well, but not at the cost of my personal integrity or purpose. I have comfort in knowing that no matter what happens in the coming months that I will have two things: my Lord and Savior and my husband. At the end of any given day, that's really all I want anyway.
Love Ya,
God Bless!
I called a girlfriend who had asked me to prepare a speech for a dinner to be held at her place this coming Monday night. I was a little intimidated, but I agreed to because it would be a growth experience for me. I'm more about accepting challenges these days than I used to be. It couldn't have come at a more inopportune time though, largely due to my being in a state of flux with new business preparations. I would have done it, but I was happy to learn that someone had gotten a speaker after asking her to do so. She was not at all pleased about it. I told her I was totally cool with it. I'm still on for another month, but I'm relieved for now that I'm off the hook. I'm still invited to be her guest and see what their organization's all about. I do look forward to attending.
I've been through a lot of self-reflection about my opinions on things and how I feel about events going on in the lives of people around me in the community at large that I live in. I'm grateful for all the blessings I've been given and even some of the material accoutrements that have been withheld from me. I say that because it has allowed me to focus on important things like our marriage and my personal character growth. I prayed for about 10 years that our marriage would be everything He intended it to be, and that prayer was answered. Sometimes it appears to folks that all the other people they see have their act together when many times that's far from the truth. I take it that God has given me what He thought I could handle when He thought I could handle it. He's pushed me but not overwhelmed me. I know that He wants me to do well, but not at the cost of my personal integrity or purpose. I have comfort in knowing that no matter what happens in the coming months that I will have two things: my Lord and Savior and my husband. At the end of any given day, that's really all I want anyway.
Love Ya,
God Bless!
Monday, July 14, 2008
Funny Verses in the Bible - Part 1: Re: Women
Over the years I've studied the Bible, I've run across the same funny verses at least once a year, sometimes more. Truthfully, there are more than these, but I chose the ones for this article based on the fact that they're about us, ladies!
Another idea for this article came over the weekend. My husband, bless him, was not wanting to get out and mow the lawn in the 100+ degree heat late Saturday. I don't blame him. However, it had gotten pretty wooly over the week prior and we were getting into the early evening with a threat of rain approaching. At 5 p.m. he said, "I'll flip the TV over to The Weather Channel and see what they're showing." I said, "It's getting late in the day." A few short moments later he said, "There's a storm cell crossing the river coming through Dyer County. I said, "Kevin, I'm looking at a black sky in the direction of Bradford. If you're going to mow you need to shut off the TV and do it." He said, "Stop nagging me!!" I said, "I'm not nagging you. I stating to you what I'm seeing out the window while you're in there playing armchair meteorologist." I, of course, felt justified in my back and forth with him because I hadn't sat down all afternoon. There were things to be put up in the freezer, cooking, laundry and ironing to do, housecleaning, and a dog in need of a bath. Okay, I admit that once he got outside and mowed in the rain I laughed just a little bit. That was when I thought of all the funny verses regarding us nagging women that I've read. For your information, all of these verses are from the New International Version. Take a look:
"The contentions of a wife are a continual dropping." ~ Prov. 19:13 An old Arab proverb also states, "Three things make a house intolerable; the leaking through of rain, the nagging of a wife, and bugs." (ha-ha-ha-ha-ha)
Truly, I would rather be called a whole host of uncharitable names rather than a "nag." I think I'm more offended at being referred to as one because I hate to listen to nagging myself. Also, it suggests that I'm difficult to live with. In reality I'm not, but I can only overlook things that irritate me for so long before I have to make it known. I ignore a whole lot more than I choose to pick on. I try to choose my battles wisely.
Other related verses are as follows:
"Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife." ~ Prov. 21: 9;
"Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife." ~ Prov. 21: 19; (Translation: Peace with privacy is better than dealing with a grouchy woman);
"A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand." ~ Prov. 27:15; (Translation: It's an aggravation that you're powerless to stop);
Now, I'd like to preface this next one by saying that it's not so funny after I really got to reading and understanding it better:
"Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: . . . an unloved (KJV says "odious") woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces here mistress." ~ Prov. 30: 21-23. Notice how I skipped the other stuff and got right to the part about the women?
If you read the whole text, the frightening aspect of the four things mentioned is their potential for harm. The reason being is that in each circumstance someone is elevated to a level they are not yet prepared for. These verses describe people who were once in oppressed states and then gain position only to take out their past frustrations over their own abuse on others. I was having fun with this writing project until I got there and so I tired of my search. There will be others later though. Stay tuned.
Love ya,
God Bless!
Another idea for this article came over the weekend. My husband, bless him, was not wanting to get out and mow the lawn in the 100+ degree heat late Saturday. I don't blame him. However, it had gotten pretty wooly over the week prior and we were getting into the early evening with a threat of rain approaching. At 5 p.m. he said, "I'll flip the TV over to The Weather Channel and see what they're showing." I said, "It's getting late in the day." A few short moments later he said, "There's a storm cell crossing the river coming through Dyer County. I said, "Kevin, I'm looking at a black sky in the direction of Bradford. If you're going to mow you need to shut off the TV and do it." He said, "Stop nagging me!!" I said, "I'm not nagging you. I stating to you what I'm seeing out the window while you're in there playing armchair meteorologist." I, of course, felt justified in my back and forth with him because I hadn't sat down all afternoon. There were things to be put up in the freezer, cooking, laundry and ironing to do, housecleaning, and a dog in need of a bath. Okay, I admit that once he got outside and mowed in the rain I laughed just a little bit. That was when I thought of all the funny verses regarding us nagging women that I've read. For your information, all of these verses are from the New International Version. Take a look:
"The contentions of a wife are a continual dropping." ~ Prov. 19:13 An old Arab proverb also states, "Three things make a house intolerable; the leaking through of rain, the nagging of a wife, and bugs." (ha-ha-ha-ha-ha)
Truly, I would rather be called a whole host of uncharitable names rather than a "nag." I think I'm more offended at being referred to as one because I hate to listen to nagging myself. Also, it suggests that I'm difficult to live with. In reality I'm not, but I can only overlook things that irritate me for so long before I have to make it known. I ignore a whole lot more than I choose to pick on. I try to choose my battles wisely.
Other related verses are as follows:
"Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife." ~ Prov. 21: 9;
"Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and ill-tempered wife." ~ Prov. 21: 19; (Translation: Peace with privacy is better than dealing with a grouchy woman);
"A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day; restraining her is like restraining the wind or grasping oil with the hand." ~ Prov. 27:15; (Translation: It's an aggravation that you're powerless to stop);
Now, I'd like to preface this next one by saying that it's not so funny after I really got to reading and understanding it better:
"Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up: . . . an unloved (KJV says "odious") woman who is married, and a maidservant who displaces here mistress." ~ Prov. 30: 21-23. Notice how I skipped the other stuff and got right to the part about the women?
If you read the whole text, the frightening aspect of the four things mentioned is their potential for harm. The reason being is that in each circumstance someone is elevated to a level they are not yet prepared for. These verses describe people who were once in oppressed states and then gain position only to take out their past frustrations over their own abuse on others. I was having fun with this writing project until I got there and so I tired of my search. There will be others later though. Stay tuned.
Love ya,
God Bless!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Today's Sermon Was About Repentance
Brother Lambert has been covering the basics steps in accepting Christ's salvation. So far he's covered hearing, believing, and today he preached about repentance.
We all sin, Christian or not (Rom. 3:23). Repentance simply means an change of direction brought about by a change of heart (1 Thess. 1:9-10). It really is that simple. Christians slip up and sin too, like I said, but they choose not to remain in a sinful condition, but acknowledge their sins to God, sometimes publicly and sometimes privately, and repent. They get back on track and gain control over whatever is tempting them. They choose to live by the Spirit instead (Gal. 5: 16-17).
There was one lengthy passage of scripture that Brother Lambert mentioned, but in the interest of time he did not expound upon it, but told us to read it for ourselves. It's Hebrews 3: 7 through 4: 11. It pertinent part it can be summarized as such:
No other human can stand in someone's way if they choose to be saved. Repentance is a voluntary action as God allows us to be free, moral agents. However, individuals can have battles going on within themselves that act as roadblocks to repentance. Their hearts can become hardened, leading them further into rebellion (3:8). They can have a sinful, unbelieving heart brought about by hard-heartedness (3:12). Some are unable to accept the truth of the gospel in faith and choose to mentally discard it (4:1-2).
God does say that disobedience will keep us from entering His rest (eternal life)(4:3-11). He also states that time is of the essence (4:7, 11). None of us are promised another day of life. I don't mean to be macabre, but beautiful, young people die every day in just as many numbers as the old and infirm. I don't know if God will allow me to live through the night or to make it to and from work tomorrow before I'm called to my eternal home. The best policy is just to stay on top of your spiritual house. None of us will ever be perfect, but we can be redeemed and ready to meet Him whenever that time comes.
Love Ya,
God Bless!
We all sin, Christian or not (Rom. 3:23). Repentance simply means an change of direction brought about by a change of heart (1 Thess. 1:9-10). It really is that simple. Christians slip up and sin too, like I said, but they choose not to remain in a sinful condition, but acknowledge their sins to God, sometimes publicly and sometimes privately, and repent. They get back on track and gain control over whatever is tempting them. They choose to live by the Spirit instead (Gal. 5: 16-17).
There was one lengthy passage of scripture that Brother Lambert mentioned, but in the interest of time he did not expound upon it, but told us to read it for ourselves. It's Hebrews 3: 7 through 4: 11. It pertinent part it can be summarized as such:
No other human can stand in someone's way if they choose to be saved. Repentance is a voluntary action as God allows us to be free, moral agents. However, individuals can have battles going on within themselves that act as roadblocks to repentance. Their hearts can become hardened, leading them further into rebellion (3:8). They can have a sinful, unbelieving heart brought about by hard-heartedness (3:12). Some are unable to accept the truth of the gospel in faith and choose to mentally discard it (4:1-2).
God does say that disobedience will keep us from entering His rest (eternal life)(4:3-11). He also states that time is of the essence (4:7, 11). None of us are promised another day of life. I don't mean to be macabre, but beautiful, young people die every day in just as many numbers as the old and infirm. I don't know if God will allow me to live through the night or to make it to and from work tomorrow before I'm called to my eternal home. The best policy is just to stay on top of your spiritual house. None of us will ever be perfect, but we can be redeemed and ready to meet Him whenever that time comes.
Love Ya,
God Bless!
Belated Happy 4th of July!
I became a year older this past Friday, but this is a good decade for me so far. I spent the day with my husband out sightseeing. We hit some antique shops, some barbeque shacks, went through Shiloh battlefield and cemetery and then saw antebellum mansions in Savannah, Tennessee. I had a great time, but I was far too tired to blog about it. The following day my dad and stepmother took us to dinner.
I think it was appropriate that I was born on this particular holiday. I'm a free-spirit and fiercely independent minded when it comes to how I want to spend my time and live my life. I'm touched that people have fought and died so that I get to maintain this freedom. I do fear that those days will someday come to an end for us as a nation. I don't often air political views on here, but I feel that our national sovereignty is riding on this election. Americans remind me of the Israelites when they wanted a king so they could be like other nations. The very reason we're not like other nations is why people are breaking the law to get here in the first place. I could care less what the other nations think of us. I just want to stay free. That means freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom from being taxed within an inch of my life (translated smaller government).
Get out and vote this year even if you don't like the choices. I'm not too enthused about them either, but abstaining is like a yes vote for the winner whether you meant for that person to win or not.
Love ya,
God Bless!
I think it was appropriate that I was born on this particular holiday. I'm a free-spirit and fiercely independent minded when it comes to how I want to spend my time and live my life. I'm touched that people have fought and died so that I get to maintain this freedom. I do fear that those days will someday come to an end for us as a nation. I don't often air political views on here, but I feel that our national sovereignty is riding on this election. Americans remind me of the Israelites when they wanted a king so they could be like other nations. The very reason we're not like other nations is why people are breaking the law to get here in the first place. I could care less what the other nations think of us. I just want to stay free. That means freedom of religion, freedom of speech, and freedom from being taxed within an inch of my life (translated smaller government).
Get out and vote this year even if you don't like the choices. I'm not too enthused about them either, but abstaining is like a yes vote for the winner whether you meant for that person to win or not.
Love ya,
God Bless!
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