I am a Mommy, so I have seen my fair share of Veggie Tales Videos. "Veggies" is actually one of my son's first words. And he wasn't talking about broccoli. We recently cleaned out our collection of videos. I would NOT let anyone get rid of the large collection of Veggie Tales Videos that we have acquired. Because I LIKE them.
Phil Vischer, creator of Veggie Tales, wrote a book called Me Myself and Bob, about his rise and fall in the animation industry. I read his book from cover to cover, NOT because I am interested in corporate America, but because I love Bob the Tomato and Larry the Cucumber. I watched first hand as they taught my kids about God.
And I wanted to share these videos, not because I am a Mommy Blogger, but because I think that what God did in Phil Vischer's life is relevant to all of us, regardless of our age, parental status, or interest in cartoons. I have included three Veggie Tales videos FIRST. Watch if you like, or not. But the last three videos are of an interview with Phil Vischer and I highly recommend watching them. I think you'll be blessed.
And my prayer is simply that... I pray that you are blessed today, through Christ Jesus. That you will see something as you watch these videos that will speak to your inner child and that will speak to the adult as well!
Father God,
I pray that something in this will minister to someone, led here by You, to read and 'watch' today. Father, thank You for working in my life. Though I may not be able to see how it can all work together for the good, help me to Trust YOU. To know that things in my life will INDEED work together for good, because I love You, and have been called by You according to Your purpose.
In Jesus Name I pray.
Amen
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Thursday, June 26, 2008
~Thankful Thursdays with JC~
GET YOUR PRAISE ON!!!
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”
These are the words to the Doxology, a song I heard every Sunday when I was growing up in the United Methodist Church. I found myself singing/praying these words today. I sing it a lot in fact. It is a little tune that just comes naturally.
I have a question for you... Is it difficult for you to praise Him? I so hope your answer is a big, NO. I hope praising God for who He is and thanking Him for what He does come naturally to you. But, if praise doesn’t come naturally, it is O.K. Because, if you ask him, he will even help you to praise him. Look at the Psalms and the Prophets, sometimes the author will start out so low and then a few verses later he is in praise.
Even in our distress over whatever is going on in our lives, He is faithful. Don’t let the enemy distract you. If he can get you distracted, he can blind side you with doubt, fear, disappointment, hurt, illness, etc. Sure, negative thoughts, events and circumstances come to us all but we have an Advocate, who pleads our case before the Father, His name is Jesus. His burden is light. Scripture tells us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us. Let Him carry it and you GET YOUR PRAISE ON.
Read Psalm 40 where David gives praise for answered prayer. It is awesome. Now that is a Psalm that will make you happy, I don’t care who you are.
Father,
I praise You. If the created can bless the Creator then, Father I bless You. You are my all in all. There is nothing man can do to me because I am safe in You. Father, thank You for sending Your son. Oh, how You love me!!!! That You considered me and lifted me up to be called one of your very own; I am so very honored and humbled. Thank You for the safety of my family as they were traveling this week. Thank You for the neighborhood I live in and the safety I feel here. Thank You for causing me to see new things every day in the same places. A new feast for my eyes in the same places but ever changing. Thank You for every person that will read the postings on the site. Father bless each of us with a hunger to know You more, show us Your grace/favor in every aspect of our every day life. Thank You for Your mercy in that You give us what we need and not what were deserve.
In Jesus’ precious, powerful and holy name I pray.
Amen.
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.”
These are the words to the Doxology, a song I heard every Sunday when I was growing up in the United Methodist Church. I found myself singing/praying these words today. I sing it a lot in fact. It is a little tune that just comes naturally.
I have a question for you... Is it difficult for you to praise Him? I so hope your answer is a big, NO. I hope praising God for who He is and thanking Him for what He does come naturally to you. But, if praise doesn’t come naturally, it is O.K. Because, if you ask him, he will even help you to praise him. Look at the Psalms and the Prophets, sometimes the author will start out so low and then a few verses later he is in praise.
Even in our distress over whatever is going on in our lives, He is faithful. Don’t let the enemy distract you. If he can get you distracted, he can blind side you with doubt, fear, disappointment, hurt, illness, etc. Sure, negative thoughts, events and circumstances come to us all but we have an Advocate, who pleads our case before the Father, His name is Jesus. His burden is light. Scripture tells us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us. Let Him carry it and you GET YOUR PRAISE ON.
Read Psalm 40 where David gives praise for answered prayer. It is awesome. Now that is a Psalm that will make you happy, I don’t care who you are.
Father,
I praise You. If the created can bless the Creator then, Father I bless You. You are my all in all. There is nothing man can do to me because I am safe in You. Father, thank You for sending Your son. Oh, how You love me!!!! That You considered me and lifted me up to be called one of your very own; I am so very honored and humbled. Thank You for the safety of my family as they were traveling this week. Thank You for the neighborhood I live in and the safety I feel here. Thank You for causing me to see new things every day in the same places. A new feast for my eyes in the same places but ever changing. Thank You for every person that will read the postings on the site. Father bless each of us with a hunger to know You more, show us Your grace/favor in every aspect of our every day life. Thank You for Your mercy in that You give us what we need and not what were deserve.
In Jesus’ precious, powerful and holy name I pray.
Amen.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
TUESDAYS WITH TIZ
Today I want to reveal to my blogging friends something unusual about myself.
I ENJOY IRONING - like in getting wrinkles out of fabric. Now, I have said it!!!
Please don't turn your computer off - hear me out!!!!
Ironing is one of the first chores I remember my Mama teaching me. Even today when I take my hands and press out the wrinkles before putting the hot iron to the fabric, I remember the way her little hands looked as she showed me how. Then I would turn on the radio and listen to country music - Farron Young was my favorite (did I date myself?) and iron away to my heart's content. (I have changed the way I entertain myself while I iron!!!) Now, why am I sharing this side of myself with you?
Listen with your spirit to one of my favorite scripture verses. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new." II Corinthians 5:17
Friends, I used to have the mind set that when I became a Christian, God sorta washed me, dried me, starched me and then ironed ME. No, No, No, Tiz, He created a NEW creature. He didn't just make YOU look better. He created a new creature in Christ Jesus.
Do I hear a PRAISE?!!!!!
Precious Father,
Thank you for revealing to me who You are and who I am in You. When You drew me to Yourself, I had nothing to offer. This You knew and You gave me YOUR LIFE. Now I stand before You without spot or wrinkle - all because Jesus chose to take the hot iron for me!!!!
I thank You and praise You in His Name.
Tiz
I ENJOY IRONING - like in getting wrinkles out of fabric. Now, I have said it!!!
Please don't turn your computer off - hear me out!!!!
Ironing is one of the first chores I remember my Mama teaching me. Even today when I take my hands and press out the wrinkles before putting the hot iron to the fabric, I remember the way her little hands looked as she showed me how. Then I would turn on the radio and listen to country music - Farron Young was my favorite (did I date myself?) and iron away to my heart's content. (I have changed the way I entertain myself while I iron!!!) Now, why am I sharing this side of myself with you?
Listen with your spirit to one of my favorite scripture verses. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new." II Corinthians 5:17
Friends, I used to have the mind set that when I became a Christian, God sorta washed me, dried me, starched me and then ironed ME. No, No, No, Tiz, He created a NEW creature. He didn't just make YOU look better. He created a new creature in Christ Jesus.
Do I hear a PRAISE?!!!!!
Precious Father,
Thank you for revealing to me who You are and who I am in You. When You drew me to Yourself, I had nothing to offer. This You knew and You gave me YOUR LIFE. Now I stand before You without spot or wrinkle - all because Jesus chose to take the hot iron for me!!!!
I thank You and praise You in His Name.
Tiz
Monday, June 23, 2008
Send Me Lord
Watching this video, it appears to be a family project. It appealed to me. I like the message in the song and I like the family participation. It touched my heart.
Fellowship is much like this video. We are a group of believers through Christ, regardless of denomination, living in this world with a common goal...Jesus Christ, magnified. We can sing along together and say Send Me. Or even, Send Us.
And no matter what your situation in life, how alone you feel, if you are a believer, you are always 'Us'. He will never leave nor forsake you.
Father God,
Yet another simple prayer. For the person that needs this today, who feels alone or defeated, Father I ask you to surround them with your presence. Father God, if a friend is needed, to give a hug, or a smile, or a well wish, send me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Fellowship is much like this video. We are a group of believers through Christ, regardless of denomination, living in this world with a common goal...Jesus Christ, magnified. We can sing along together and say Send Me. Or even, Send Us.
And no matter what your situation in life, how alone you feel, if you are a believer, you are always 'Us'. He will never leave nor forsake you.
Father God,
Yet another simple prayer. For the person that needs this today, who feels alone or defeated, Father I ask you to surround them with your presence. Father God, if a friend is needed, to give a hug, or a smile, or a well wish, send me.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Simple Thanks
My father prays for us to have Traveling Grace when we are on the road. It is a prayer for the safety of his loved ones as they go from one place to the next.
Safety.
I believe next time that I will ask him to extend his prayers to our sanity as well.
We traveled through road construction today and it was a terrible, time-consuming mess. My Darling Husband is an all around great guy, but I would never accuse him of having patience. Take weekend vacationers traffic, add an interstate with only one lane open, and toss in an Alabama State Trooper, and you have added lighter fluid to his micro mini short fuse.
The effects lingered all day.
EXCEPT, for when he met and held his nephew for the first time. When the baby was placed in his arms this evening his countenance changed. The snarl relaxed into a smile. Those pinched lips, became a pucker as he kissed the newborn on the head. And his whole body seemed to relax and say Ahhh.
I loved my nephew with all of my heart the first time that I met him. But watching my husband hold him today, I think that my heart grew so that it could hold more love. I loved Joshua and my Husband more when I saw them together.
So I Praise God, for Traveling Grace in seeing us safely home, as well as the grace we needed to get over our travels.
Thank You Father God. With all of my heart, Thank You.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Safety.
I believe next time that I will ask him to extend his prayers to our sanity as well.
We traveled through road construction today and it was a terrible, time-consuming mess. My Darling Husband is an all around great guy, but I would never accuse him of having patience. Take weekend vacationers traffic, add an interstate with only one lane open, and toss in an Alabama State Trooper, and you have added lighter fluid to his micro mini short fuse.
The effects lingered all day.
EXCEPT, for when he met and held his nephew for the first time. When the baby was placed in his arms this evening his countenance changed. The snarl relaxed into a smile. Those pinched lips, became a pucker as he kissed the newborn on the head. And his whole body seemed to relax and say Ahhh.
I loved my nephew with all of my heart the first time that I met him. But watching my husband hold him today, I think that my heart grew so that it could hold more love. I loved Joshua and my Husband more when I saw them together.
So I Praise God, for Traveling Grace in seeing us safely home, as well as the grace we needed to get over our travels.
Thank You Father God. With all of my heart, Thank You.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Friday, June 20, 2008
Job and Fear
FEAR. I deal with a large amount of fear. I am afraid of the things that can come into my life, that can sidetrack me, that can derail the current flow of my life. Job is my least favorite book of the Bible. I have surprised teachers of the Word with just how strongly I dislike that book. It seems blasphemous to them I think, that I would not have joy in every word given to us through God's Holy Book.
But I don't like it.
I tend to put myself in a story or a book that I read. I read wondering what I would do if I were in the same situation as the characters. I tend to read things DEEPLY. Because of this, Job scares the willies out of me.
Here is a righteous man, and Satan asks to "TRY" him. To bring trials into his life to see if he will honor or curse God. And God, who is faithful, knows that Job will be faithful to Him (Satan is not all knowing but he derives pleasure from afflicting God's man). And the trials begin. His health, his livelihood, and my greatest fear, his family. He loses all of these things. See, I am just paralyzed at this point in the story. The LOSS. I understand that Satan wants to take all of these things from me and at any point God could allow it. See, it happened right here in Job.
When I presented my fear to the teachers of the Word, they pointed out that God restored all that was taken from Job, and then some. God gave back, and prospered him. But my response was, "Yes, but He didn't give those same children back. He received New children." See, if I lost my three, I would grieve forever. I cry right now while I write this just thinking about that. Job had health restored, had his livelihood restored, and had children restored to him. But my heart still grieves for the ones that he lost.
So what do I do with this? I have prayed repeatedly about it and God comforts me each time that fear rises in my heart. Fear that Satan wants me to have. And I have had to remind myself over and over that my kids are not MINE, they are the Lord's. I have to entrust them to Him because He is really the only one who can truly protect them.
I read Job and wonder why it had to be so. Maybe I am the reason it had to be that way for him. Maybe the lesson written there was for me. Maybe Job endured those trials so that I could read about his trust and apply it to my own life.
Father God,
I believe, Help thou my unbelief. I Trust, help thou my mistrust. I love You Lord and I trust you to work your perfect will in my life. I am sorry for my fleshly reaction to the story of Job, the suffering servant. God, the suffering that your Son endured on my behalf should be enough to ensure that I NEVER question Your Word. But I am fleshly. Forgive me Lord, and help me to fully rely on You. But I beg You, not to teach me the lesson of relying on You through the pain of my children. Allow them to be healthy and safe. Help them to be a witness for You in this world. Father, I ask You to be patient with this Mother's heart, and I thank You for the love that I have for my children, for I know that it is of You.
In Jesus Holy and Precious Name I pray.
Amen
But I don't like it.
I tend to put myself in a story or a book that I read. I read wondering what I would do if I were in the same situation as the characters. I tend to read things DEEPLY. Because of this, Job scares the willies out of me.
Here is a righteous man, and Satan asks to "TRY" him. To bring trials into his life to see if he will honor or curse God. And God, who is faithful, knows that Job will be faithful to Him (Satan is not all knowing but he derives pleasure from afflicting God's man). And the trials begin. His health, his livelihood, and my greatest fear, his family. He loses all of these things. See, I am just paralyzed at this point in the story. The LOSS. I understand that Satan wants to take all of these things from me and at any point God could allow it. See, it happened right here in Job.
When I presented my fear to the teachers of the Word, they pointed out that God restored all that was taken from Job, and then some. God gave back, and prospered him. But my response was, "Yes, but He didn't give those same children back. He received New children." See, if I lost my three, I would grieve forever. I cry right now while I write this just thinking about that. Job had health restored, had his livelihood restored, and had children restored to him. But my heart still grieves for the ones that he lost.
So what do I do with this? I have prayed repeatedly about it and God comforts me each time that fear rises in my heart. Fear that Satan wants me to have. And I have had to remind myself over and over that my kids are not MINE, they are the Lord's. I have to entrust them to Him because He is really the only one who can truly protect them.
I read Job and wonder why it had to be so. Maybe I am the reason it had to be that way for him. Maybe the lesson written there was for me. Maybe Job endured those trials so that I could read about his trust and apply it to my own life.
Father God,
I believe, Help thou my unbelief. I Trust, help thou my mistrust. I love You Lord and I trust you to work your perfect will in my life. I am sorry for my fleshly reaction to the story of Job, the suffering servant. God, the suffering that your Son endured on my behalf should be enough to ensure that I NEVER question Your Word. But I am fleshly. Forgive me Lord, and help me to fully rely on You. But I beg You, not to teach me the lesson of relying on You through the pain of my children. Allow them to be healthy and safe. Help them to be a witness for You in this world. Father, I ask You to be patient with this Mother's heart, and I thank You for the love that I have for my children, for I know that it is of You.
In Jesus Holy and Precious Name I pray.
Amen
Thursday, June 19, 2008
~ THANKFUL THURSDAY WITH JC ~
It is Thankful Thursday with JC once again.
This is part of the email she sent to me when she forwarded this video for her post:
"I love it. I soar every time I hear it but this is the first time I have heard it all the way to "amen". Love ya, JC"
Her enthusiasm blesses my heart and her words carry JOY! I hope that you are blessed by the video!!
This is part of the email she sent to me when she forwarded this video for her post:
"I love it. I soar every time I hear it but this is the first time I have heard it all the way to "amen". Love ya, JC"
Her enthusiasm blesses my heart and her words carry JOY! I hope that you are blessed by the video!!
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
In a Moment, in a Twinkling of an Eye........
1 Corinthians 15:52
1 Thesssalonians 4:14-17
Does any of this look familiar?
The clock is stopped.....
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
TUESDAYS WITH TIZ
I have a tee shirt with the message "I am a Princess. My Father is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords"
I want to tell my new Blogging Friends about my Sunday School Class. We call ourselves The Princess Hangout - just hanging out with the King.I am blessed to be the teacher. We come from all walks of life. I have 15 to 20 Princesses in the age group of twenty something and up ( I won't say how far up). This class is truly a teacher's dream class. They are hungry to hear the Word taught and they dearly love our King. A lot of what I share on "Tuesdays with Tiz" comes from material I have studied in preparation for our Sunday School lesson.
Listen, with your spirit, what the Word of God says about a Princess:
~ "the Kings daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold" Psalm 45:13 - (ALL GLORIOUS WITHIN - doesn't that warm your heart?)
~ "crowned with loving kindness and tender mercies" Psalm 103:4
Abba Father,
I thank You for blessing me with the Princess Hangout at New Life Fellowship and with my new blogging friends. Sharing Jesus with these precious ones is truly a blessing. Thank You for working Your Righteousness in us by the Power of the Holy Spirit - no wonder you say we are
"all glorious within"!!!!!! Show me more about what it is like to be a "Grace Walking Princess".
In the Name of Jesus, I pray.
Tiz
*this, as follows, was not part of her post but I had to share it. Tiz has such a love for the Lord!
Jen, I just typed myself into The Glory Zone!!!!! Love you, Tiz
I want to tell my new Blogging Friends about my Sunday School Class. We call ourselves The Princess Hangout - just hanging out with the King.I am blessed to be the teacher. We come from all walks of life. I have 15 to 20 Princesses in the age group of twenty something and up ( I won't say how far up). This class is truly a teacher's dream class. They are hungry to hear the Word taught and they dearly love our King. A lot of what I share on "Tuesdays with Tiz" comes from material I have studied in preparation for our Sunday School lesson.
Listen, with your spirit, what the Word of God says about a Princess:
~ "the Kings daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold" Psalm 45:13 - (ALL GLORIOUS WITHIN - doesn't that warm your heart?)
~ "crowned with loving kindness and tender mercies" Psalm 103:4
Abba Father,
I thank You for blessing me with the Princess Hangout at New Life Fellowship and with my new blogging friends. Sharing Jesus with these precious ones is truly a blessing. Thank You for working Your Righteousness in us by the Power of the Holy Spirit - no wonder you say we are
"all glorious within"!!!!!! Show me more about what it is like to be a "Grace Walking Princess".
In the Name of Jesus, I pray.
Tiz
*this, as follows, was not part of her post but I had to share it. Tiz has such a love for the Lord!
Jen, I just typed myself into The Glory Zone!!!!! Love you, Tiz
Monday, June 16, 2008
Sunday, June 15, 2008
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
Happy Father's Day.
Regardless of your situation, whether your Earthly Father is a part of your life or not.... Whether he is living or not.... Whether you yourself are a father or not....
We can all celebrate Father's Day. We can give thanks to our Father God for His blessings and His mercies toward us.
He will always be our Faithful Father.
Regardless of your situation, whether your Earthly Father is a part of your life or not.... Whether he is living or not.... Whether you yourself are a father or not....
We can all celebrate Father's Day. We can give thanks to our Father God for His blessings and His mercies toward us.
He will always be our Faithful Father.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
An Oldie but a Goodie (from the other site)
The World is just outside of your window.I hope that you can look at it and be unafraid
because you know the Lord is with you.
I hope that you can look at it and smile
because you know the Lord will bless you.
I hope that you can look at it and have hope
because you know that the Lord will use you
...to change the world...through Him.
Father God,
The simplest of prayers Lord, I lift up the children before You. I just simply hold them all before the throne. I pray a saving knowledge of you Lord, over each young life.
In Jesus Name I pray,
Amen
Thursday, June 12, 2008
~ Thankful Thursdays with JC ~
Father God thank you for:
~ lemonade at Toomer’s Drugstore in Auburn
~ bunnies enjoying their breakfast of dew drenched grass as I walked by
~ the zinnia blossom that is both yellow and pink... it is a feast for my eyes
~ my health
~ the ability to stand and walk for long periods of time in hot temperatures
~ safety in traveling by bus to and from Auburn
~ with many precious teenagers on board
~ the dad that took time away from his business to go with us on the field trip
~ FREEDOM that I enjoy in Christ Jesus
Amen.
When I agreed to contribute to this blog, I really though this would be easy because I have grown in God’s grace. I am not swayed by whatever may come my way because I don’t deal with issues on my own nor do I beat myself up or fret over my faults or my circumstances. I communicate with God just like I talk to anyone else; it is just natural. As I was thinking about what to post this week, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me about his children not letting Jesus live his life through them. He reminded me of several conversations I’ve had or been a part of regarding the economy, gas prices, elections, and general doom and glum stuff. Being alone I watch people and what I see is Christians that are not enjoying the journey. I didn’t know how to communicate this until church this morning. The part of 2 Corinthians 3:17 that we hear quoted is usually, “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” That is not the whole verse. The verse is “Now the Lord is the Spirit, & where the Lord’s Spirit is, there is freedom.” My pastor said the meaning of the verse is, “When the Spirit is in control there is freedom.” It was a WOW moment for me!!
You see when we do anything, even wonderful, Christian activities outside of the Spirit’s control there isn’t peace, joy, freedom. God isn’t obligated to anoint and bless that which He does not initiate. But, my dear reader, He will assume full responsibility for every aspect of the life fully yielded to Him. Anything outside of His prompting is done in the power of our flesh as directed by our emotions and usually is pride motivated. God wants us to be sometime instead of do. To be is to be in His presence, spend time with Him, and invite His son to live His life through us and nothing else. Regardless of what you hear about works there are no works that are going to make Him love you anymore than He already does. He sent His son, end of story, there is nothing left for Him to do!!! Now it is up to you.
Someone reading needs to know you can stop trying please Him, you can quit striving to live a Christian life, you can’t do it and you were not meant to.
AHHHH, but Jesus said, if I go away, I will send the comforter (the Spirit of Truth) to be with you and in you. He will make your body His dwelling place and that spirit part of you will come alive in a way that you can only experience because it cannot be written. It is impossible to describe. I encourage you to read the Gospel of John. All you have to do is be willing and say, YES. Say yes to being willing to rest in Jesus, abide in Jesus and let Him work out all the details that have you so bound and stressed out.
Father God in the power and precious name of Jesus, I call the spirit part of every reader to attention and I ask that you strengthen the spirit of each reader. Father I ask you to gently help them to become willing to walk in your grace and not according to their own abilities. Set them free from the bondage they may be experiencing in trying to live a life that is not within their own power to live. Thank you for hearing my request whether I speak it aloud or type it on a page. You always hear and you always respond. Thank you, thank you, thank you for loosening the bonds that are holding your children captive to the enemy’s lies. In the precious and powerful name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
~ lemonade at Toomer’s Drugstore in Auburn
~ bunnies enjoying their breakfast of dew drenched grass as I walked by
~ the zinnia blossom that is both yellow and pink... it is a feast for my eyes
~ my health
~ the ability to stand and walk for long periods of time in hot temperatures
~ safety in traveling by bus to and from Auburn
~ with many precious teenagers on board
~ the dad that took time away from his business to go with us on the field trip
~ FREEDOM that I enjoy in Christ Jesus
Amen.
When I agreed to contribute to this blog, I really though this would be easy because I have grown in God’s grace. I am not swayed by whatever may come my way because I don’t deal with issues on my own nor do I beat myself up or fret over my faults or my circumstances. I communicate with God just like I talk to anyone else; it is just natural. As I was thinking about what to post this week, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me about his children not letting Jesus live his life through them. He reminded me of several conversations I’ve had or been a part of regarding the economy, gas prices, elections, and general doom and glum stuff. Being alone I watch people and what I see is Christians that are not enjoying the journey. I didn’t know how to communicate this until church this morning. The part of 2 Corinthians 3:17 that we hear quoted is usually, “where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” That is not the whole verse. The verse is “Now the Lord is the Spirit, & where the Lord’s Spirit is, there is freedom.” My pastor said the meaning of the verse is, “When the Spirit is in control there is freedom.” It was a WOW moment for me!!
You see when we do anything, even wonderful, Christian activities outside of the Spirit’s control there isn’t peace, joy, freedom. God isn’t obligated to anoint and bless that which He does not initiate. But, my dear reader, He will assume full responsibility for every aspect of the life fully yielded to Him. Anything outside of His prompting is done in the power of our flesh as directed by our emotions and usually is pride motivated. God wants us to be sometime instead of do. To be is to be in His presence, spend time with Him, and invite His son to live His life through us and nothing else. Regardless of what you hear about works there are no works that are going to make Him love you anymore than He already does. He sent His son, end of story, there is nothing left for Him to do!!! Now it is up to you.
Someone reading needs to know you can stop trying please Him, you can quit striving to live a Christian life, you can’t do it and you were not meant to.
AHHHH, but Jesus said, if I go away, I will send the comforter (the Spirit of Truth) to be with you and in you. He will make your body His dwelling place and that spirit part of you will come alive in a way that you can only experience because it cannot be written. It is impossible to describe. I encourage you to read the Gospel of John. All you have to do is be willing and say, YES. Say yes to being willing to rest in Jesus, abide in Jesus and let Him work out all the details that have you so bound and stressed out.
Father God in the power and precious name of Jesus, I call the spirit part of every reader to attention and I ask that you strengthen the spirit of each reader. Father I ask you to gently help them to become willing to walk in your grace and not according to their own abilities. Set them free from the bondage they may be experiencing in trying to live a life that is not within their own power to live. Thank you for hearing my request whether I speak it aloud or type it on a page. You always hear and you always respond. Thank you, thank you, thank you for loosening the bonds that are holding your children captive to the enemy’s lies. In the precious and powerful name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Pray For Our Youth
Psalm 27 :13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord...
This breaks my heart. I am saddened that these girls lack all conscience. There is no obvious recognition of right and wrong for them. I pray that God would do a Work in each of their lives. I pray Jesus over both of these young ladies' hearts. And I pray for future generations. I choose to believe in the Goodness and willingness of the Lord to forgive these girls and I don't despair of their actions. It has brought them into the light, that we know who to pray for.
Be blessed Y'all.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Tuesdays With Tiz
"...and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace" Eph 6:15
"how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace" Romans 10:15
This week I want to tell you about my beautiful shoes that match the wardrobe I wrote about last week. I like to call them "my Gospel Shoes" or "my Sandals of Peace". They go perfect with my Garments of Praise, my Robe of Righteousness, and my Garment of Salvation.
My shoes, like my garments, will never wear out or become soiled because they are Jesus and He never wears out or becomes soiled. Praise, Righteousness, Salvation and Peace ARE Jesus and Jesus only!!!
No more fig leaf aprons and bare feet for me!!!!!
Father,
I thank You for covering my feet with Yourself. I walk into my world with the
Peace of Jesus. My, my, Father, how my little part of Your world needs Your Peace!!!
Empower me to show them Your Peace through Your Word. I am humbled to wear these
costly shoes purchased for me by Your Son when He died on the Cross.
It is in His Name and for His sake that I pray.
Amen
"how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of Peace" Romans 10:15
This week I want to tell you about my beautiful shoes that match the wardrobe I wrote about last week. I like to call them "my Gospel Shoes" or "my Sandals of Peace". They go perfect with my Garments of Praise, my Robe of Righteousness, and my Garment of Salvation.
My shoes, like my garments, will never wear out or become soiled because they are Jesus and He never wears out or becomes soiled. Praise, Righteousness, Salvation and Peace ARE Jesus and Jesus only!!!
No more fig leaf aprons and bare feet for me!!!!!
Father,
I thank You for covering my feet with Yourself. I walk into my world with the
Peace of Jesus. My, my, Father, how my little part of Your world needs Your Peace!!!
Empower me to show them Your Peace through Your Word. I am humbled to wear these
costly shoes purchased for me by Your Son when He died on the Cross.
It is in His Name and for His sake that I pray.
Amen
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Guest Blogging on my Own Site!
I am going to be out of pocket for a couple of days. I haven't lined anyone up, as I would have liked, to do a guest post on this site. SO, I am going to share something that I published a while back on my other site. Hope that you enjoy!
First thing this morning, I got on the scale. The numbers glared at me stubbornly. No movement in two days. And thus I began my day.
Sunday mornings tend to be stressful for me. It takes an act of Congress to get myself and the kids ready, basically because I am the most UNorganized human being in this world. Yet another thing that I desperately need to turn over to God.
We make it to the car and as I have stated, I always put my makeup on, on the way, as Hubby drives. Today I find that my powder compact has broken in my bag and I have a fine layer of ivory powder all over my other cosmetics. I chose to wear black pants today. I now have ivory powder all over my black pants too.
My family walks into church without me as I beat the powder out of my britches. I make it into the building and am greeted immediately by my husband's Aunt (whom I dearly love). She hugs me and tells me "I love your Blog." High praise from a lady that I respect so much. That is the boost that I needed to make my way around to hug and smile at other people.
We stand. We sing. We sit. We stand. We pray. We sit. We stand. We sing. We pray. We sit and place money in the plate. We pray again, as the pastor begins. Whew. I have to say that the Spirit had to pray and sing through me. I couldn't grasp it all yet. My mind was still tied up in the frenetic morning.
Stillness. Being preached to. No movement. Nothing to DO. Stillness....and I begin to relax. The tension of the morning flows from my body and the reason, no, the PERSON that I am here for, sheds His presence over me. Or more accurately, He was here all along, and my trip, my journey to GET to HIM is done, and I am able to FEEL HIM.
Be still and know that I am God.
Aaaahhh. And the blessings that He has provided for me are here, too. My husband's arm across the back of me on the pew, claiming me. My twelve year old daughter slips her hand into mine. She's not too big to hold hands with Mom. Diva Daughter, sitting between Nana And Grandaddy, soaking up their comfort, leans forward and smiles at me. Son is in Children's Church, a room FULL of kids, learning about Jesus.
And the preacher says at that moment "You can't out give God." And how right he is. The Lord has given me first HIMSELF and then these people whom I love and am loved by. I didn't give Him my full attention this morning. I was caught up in the "getting there." But when I sat still, I found Him immediately.
I think my Sunday mornings need to start differently for now on. Seek HIM first, not the numbers on a scale. JESUS, Who loves every ounce of me.
First thing this morning, I got on the scale. The numbers glared at me stubbornly. No movement in two days. And thus I began my day.
Sunday mornings tend to be stressful for me. It takes an act of Congress to get myself and the kids ready, basically because I am the most UNorganized human being in this world. Yet another thing that I desperately need to turn over to God.
We make it to the car and as I have stated, I always put my makeup on, on the way, as Hubby drives. Today I find that my powder compact has broken in my bag and I have a fine layer of ivory powder all over my other cosmetics. I chose to wear black pants today. I now have ivory powder all over my black pants too.
My family walks into church without me as I beat the powder out of my britches. I make it into the building and am greeted immediately by my husband's Aunt (whom I dearly love). She hugs me and tells me "I love your Blog." High praise from a lady that I respect so much. That is the boost that I needed to make my way around to hug and smile at other people.
We stand. We sing. We sit. We stand. We pray. We sit. We stand. We sing. We pray. We sit and place money in the plate. We pray again, as the pastor begins. Whew. I have to say that the Spirit had to pray and sing through me. I couldn't grasp it all yet. My mind was still tied up in the frenetic morning.
Stillness. Being preached to. No movement. Nothing to DO. Stillness....and I begin to relax. The tension of the morning flows from my body and the reason, no, the PERSON that I am here for, sheds His presence over me. Or more accurately, He was here all along, and my trip, my journey to GET to HIM is done, and I am able to FEEL HIM.
Be still and know that I am God.
Aaaahhh. And the blessings that He has provided for me are here, too. My husband's arm across the back of me on the pew, claiming me. My twelve year old daughter slips her hand into mine. She's not too big to hold hands with Mom. Diva Daughter, sitting between Nana And Grandaddy, soaking up their comfort, leans forward and smiles at me. Son is in Children's Church, a room FULL of kids, learning about Jesus.
And the preacher says at that moment "You can't out give God." And how right he is. The Lord has given me first HIMSELF and then these people whom I love and am loved by. I didn't give Him my full attention this morning. I was caught up in the "getting there." But when I sat still, I found Him immediately.
I think my Sunday mornings need to start differently for now on. Seek HIM first, not the numbers on a scale. JESUS, Who loves every ounce of me.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Friday, June 6, 2008
Trials
I am breathing.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
That means that I am alive. And if I live, that means that there will be trials in my life.
FACT.
Now granted, what I see as a trial might be a giggle fest for someone else. They may be going through something so HUGE, that what plagues my heart and spirit just doesn't compare. In fact, the problems that I have right now?
I would choose them...
~In the face of a mother that dealing with cancer in her child's body...
~In the face of losing a loved one...
~In the face of living in a battle zone...
~In the face of betrayal and despair...
I will take the minor annoyances that cause my heart to hurt. The trials that I experience are no less painful than those of others, but when I stop and think what I could be facing? I give thanks.
Father God,
As I go through the trials in my life, I thank You that I will be able to one day minister to others, going through the same thing. I know that all things change. Good can become bad, but the Bad can become Good. I will take all of these changes, and trials that result, in stride as long as my stride is with You. Walk with me Lord and guide me, if in the midst of my sorrow and pain, I forget to walk with You.
I Thank You Lord, that my trials are what they are and that You are here, present in my life, to guide me through.
In Jesus Precious Name I Pray,
Amen
I have a prayer request HERE. Thanks.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
That means that I am alive. And if I live, that means that there will be trials in my life.
FACT.
Now granted, what I see as a trial might be a giggle fest for someone else. They may be going through something so HUGE, that what plagues my heart and spirit just doesn't compare. In fact, the problems that I have right now?
I would choose them...
~In the face of a mother that dealing with cancer in her child's body...
~In the face of losing a loved one...
~In the face of living in a battle zone...
~In the face of betrayal and despair...
I will take the minor annoyances that cause my heart to hurt. The trials that I experience are no less painful than those of others, but when I stop and think what I could be facing? I give thanks.
Father God,
As I go through the trials in my life, I thank You that I will be able to one day minister to others, going through the same thing. I know that all things change. Good can become bad, but the Bad can become Good. I will take all of these changes, and trials that result, in stride as long as my stride is with You. Walk with me Lord and guide me, if in the midst of my sorrow and pain, I forget to walk with You.
I Thank You Lord, that my trials are what they are and that You are here, present in my life, to guide me through.
In Jesus Precious Name I Pray,
Amen
I have a prayer request HERE. Thanks.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
~*~ Thankful Thursday with JC ~*~
“I will offer to You the sacrifice of Thanksgiving and will call on the name of the Lord.” Psalm 116:17 (AMP)
In the Everyday Live Bible, Joyce Meyer makes this Life Point, “Notice that in Psalm 116:17, the psalmist says that he will call on the name of the Lord, but only after he has offered the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Many times I have attempted to call on the power of the name of Jesus to help me, while at the same time my life was filled with complaining--not thankfulness. I have discovered that there is no positive power in complaining. Complaining is filled with power, but it is negative (evil) power. If we want God’s power to be released in our lives, we will have to stop complaining and be thankful.”
Now I don’t know why I felt lead to share that but maybe someone needs it. I know I spent years keeping myself from enjoying all God has for me by the negative words I was speaking about my circumstances and about myself.
Father,
God, I praise you for you and you alone are worthy of my praise and my adoration. Thank You for contentment for You have lifted me out of the pile of crap (Psalm 113:7 KJV says dunghill) and set me in a wonderful place in Christ Jesus.
Thank You for Internet radio just like David soothed King Saul with his harp so the solo piano Internet station I listen to makes me happy.
Thank You for the beauty of nature in the wild flowers I pass by every day. As I think about the fact that no one tends them but they are a treat for me every day with different ones in different seasons, You remind me to “Consider the Lilies of the field…” Matthew 6:28.
Thank You for bargains, Your word tells me that you will provide all my needs because you know what they are (Matthew 6:30) and You know how giddy I get when I find what I need on sale. YEA GOD!!
Thank You for blueberries; You really out did Yourself on those.
Thank you for friends; the ones that You put in my path just at the right time and for the right purpose. I am truly blessed.
Thank You for my pastor, Kent Mattox (WAIO.org) because he is sincere in his desire to see people not only know and accept Jesus through salvation but for them to be equipped for service. I appreciate his candor, his wit, his silliness, his willingness to be transparent but mostly his encouragement. He encourages even urges us to seek out Your truths for ourselves through Your word, through prayer, and spending time in Your presence.
Father open my spiritual eyes and ears to Your truths. Grant to me boldness and the gift to communicate in a powerful and meaningful way.
In Jesus precious, powerful and holy name I pray.
Amen.
In the Everyday Live Bible, Joyce Meyer makes this Life Point, “Notice that in Psalm 116:17, the psalmist says that he will call on the name of the Lord, but only after he has offered the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Many times I have attempted to call on the power of the name of Jesus to help me, while at the same time my life was filled with complaining--not thankfulness. I have discovered that there is no positive power in complaining. Complaining is filled with power, but it is negative (evil) power. If we want God’s power to be released in our lives, we will have to stop complaining and be thankful.”
Now I don’t know why I felt lead to share that but maybe someone needs it. I know I spent years keeping myself from enjoying all God has for me by the negative words I was speaking about my circumstances and about myself.
Father,
God, I praise you for you and you alone are worthy of my praise and my adoration. Thank You for contentment for You have lifted me out of the pile of crap (Psalm 113:7 KJV says dunghill) and set me in a wonderful place in Christ Jesus.
Thank You for Internet radio just like David soothed King Saul with his harp so the solo piano Internet station I listen to makes me happy.
Thank You for the beauty of nature in the wild flowers I pass by every day. As I think about the fact that no one tends them but they are a treat for me every day with different ones in different seasons, You remind me to “Consider the Lilies of the field…” Matthew 6:28.
Thank You for bargains, Your word tells me that you will provide all my needs because you know what they are (Matthew 6:30) and You know how giddy I get when I find what I need on sale. YEA GOD!!
Thank You for blueberries; You really out did Yourself on those.
Thank you for friends; the ones that You put in my path just at the right time and for the right purpose. I am truly blessed.
Thank You for my pastor, Kent Mattox (WAIO.org) because he is sincere in his desire to see people not only know and accept Jesus through salvation but for them to be equipped for service. I appreciate his candor, his wit, his silliness, his willingness to be transparent but mostly his encouragement. He encourages even urges us to seek out Your truths for ourselves through Your word, through prayer, and spending time in Your presence.
Father open my spiritual eyes and ears to Your truths. Grant to me boldness and the gift to communicate in a powerful and meaningful way.
In Jesus precious, powerful and holy name I pray.
Amen.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
PRAISE GOD!!
My nephew was born on Monday. As we were waiting for his birth, my kids, my mother, and I formed a circle of prayer. Standing in the waiting room, we each silently offered a prayer for Joshua Lee, while holding on to each other's hands. When my mother raised her eyes, she was crying. My children began hugging on her and loving her up. It was a moment of joy for me, to see my mother moved and to see my children reaching out to her in comfort. Tears are not always bad.
When my head was bowed, the only prayer that came into my heart and mind was this,, and I repeated it over and over.
Dear Lord,
I just pray JESUS over Joshua Lee's life. Just JESUS Lord. I pray Jesus into his heart. I pray Jesus in his home. I pray Jesus over his raising. Just Jesus Lord. Please Father, just Jesus. JESUS in Joshua's life.
I had nothing specific to ask in that moment, but the name of my Savior reverberated through my heart and mind. JESUS. So simple really, one word, one person. But that prayer answered is PROFOUND. If in all of Joshua's life, if all that he has is Jesus, then he will be so blessed.
Father God,
Thank you for the day we had Monday. Thank you that we were together as a family, waiting for Joshua, welcoming Joshua, celebrating Joshua. I thank you for the gift of a baby to our family. But most of all Lord, I thank you for Your presence with us. I thank You that Joshua has been born to a family of Believers. I thank you for the coming opportunity to teach him about Jesus. I welcome the day that he teaches me about Jesus. I pray Jesus over our family, that we will be Christ centered and thus able to love each other as we are meant to.
Father God, you are just SO good!
In JESUS name I pray,
Amen
Now as any proud Aunt would, I took lots of pictures of my new nephew. To see the photos go HERE, please! Humor a bragging and doting Aunt!
When my head was bowed, the only prayer that came into my heart and mind was this,, and I repeated it over and over.
Dear Lord,
I just pray JESUS over Joshua Lee's life. Just JESUS Lord. I pray Jesus into his heart. I pray Jesus in his home. I pray Jesus over his raising. Just Jesus Lord. Please Father, just Jesus. JESUS in Joshua's life.
I had nothing specific to ask in that moment, but the name of my Savior reverberated through my heart and mind. JESUS. So simple really, one word, one person. But that prayer answered is PROFOUND. If in all of Joshua's life, if all that he has is Jesus, then he will be so blessed.
Father God,
Thank you for the day we had Monday. Thank you that we were together as a family, waiting for Joshua, welcoming Joshua, celebrating Joshua. I thank you for the gift of a baby to our family. But most of all Lord, I thank you for Your presence with us. I thank You that Joshua has been born to a family of Believers. I thank you for the coming opportunity to teach him about Jesus. I welcome the day that he teaches me about Jesus. I pray Jesus over our family, that we will be Christ centered and thus able to love each other as we are meant to.
Father God, you are just SO good!
In JESUS name I pray,
Amen
Now as any proud Aunt would, I took lots of pictures of my new nephew. To see the photos go HERE, please! Humor a bragging and doting Aunt!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
TUESDAYS WITH TIZ
From Tiz to you......
I just must tell you about my fantastic wardrobe!!!! No Brag - just facts. Hey, I am talking about the wardrobe of a Princess - a daughter of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.
~*^*~ "the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness"
~*^*~ "a Robe of Righteousness"
~*^*~ "the Garment of Salvation"
Father,
Thank You for my beautiful clothes. Today I intentionally wrap myself in the Garment of Praise You provided for me and I expect the plots of the enemy to self destruct. Father, you know the enemy does not like it when Your Princess praises You. There will be no spirit of heaviness on me today. Father, I think of my Robe of Righteousness and my Garment of Salvation as Love gifts from you. I realize, Father, they cost You Your Son and I am humbled to think of how special I am to you. I will wear them with my head high and my Crown straight. Thank You.
In Jesus Name,
Tiz
~*^*~ "the Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness"
~*^*~ "a Robe of Righteousness"
~*^*~ "the Garment of Salvation"
Father,
Thank You for my beautiful clothes. Today I intentionally wrap myself in the Garment of Praise You provided for me and I expect the plots of the enemy to self destruct. Father, you know the enemy does not like it when Your Princess praises You. There will be no spirit of heaviness on me today. Father, I think of my Robe of Righteousness and my Garment of Salvation as Love gifts from you. I realize, Father, they cost You Your Son and I am humbled to think of how special I am to you. I will wear them with my head high and my Crown straight. Thank You.
In Jesus Name,
Tiz
Sunday, June 1, 2008
START YOUR WEEK WITH SUSAN!!!
Oh Blogfriends, I have a treat for YOU!! I have asked Susan of Penless Writer to do a guest post today. Her obedience to the Lord has always touched my heart. When I visit her site, I have a sense of Peace. I believe her words are annointed and she desires to be Christ-like!
Please grab a cup of coffee, a diet soda, or a glass of water. Settle in comfortably where you are reading right now. Still you heart and mind, and ask God to minister to you through her words, the very words that I believe He gave her to share with you! Be blessed!!
When Jennifer first contacted me on May 23rd to see if I would consider doing a guest post on her new prayer blog I was delighted. I was delighted because I know God is stirring His Body to pray and I was overjoyed to hear Jennifer was being obedient to the call God was placing on her life. Oh, that each of us would do that every time the Lord speaks to us! "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." 1 Samuel 15:22
She told me to pray about it and let her know........I did not have to pray about it because God's word says: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." 1 Peter 3:15 I e-mailed her back telling her I would be more than happy to participate. Just to let me know when....so here I am!
Because I have heeded the admonition of Psalms 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." I literally govern my life by His word. I cannot always give you Chapter & Verse to each and every truth of His WORD that is hidden in my heart, but the essence of it is there and if I need to know Chapter and Verse I can quickly find it.
My life verse is Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." I discovered this verse as a very new Christian after being Born Again at the age of 18 and claimed it as my own. 52 years later, at the age of 70, I can tell you without a doubt in my heart that this verse is true. He began that good work in my heart on September 24, 1956 and He is continuing that good work and has performed it through today and will perform it either until He takes me home or I hear that trump of God and am raptured!! How would anyone want to build their life on anything less?!!!
I would like to tell you these 52 years have been a steady progression upward, but that would not be truth. Many times it has been 2 steps forward and 1 step back.......But I can tell you THE WORD OF GOD has sustained me through it all and ALWAYS quickly gotten me back on track. I have had many trials during these years, as all of us have. The lowest time in my life was back in 1984 when I was fighting with all I had for my marriage of 25 years. At that time, when I was about to despair God spoke to me with John 6:66-69 "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."
Father God,
I come to You this very moment and ask that You use YOUR WORDS to touch all who You cause to read this post. Father God I acknowledge it is Your work and Your words and that all You require of us is obedience. I thank You that You are a God who is the same , yesterday, today and forever. I am thankful Your word is truth. I am thankful "THE WORD was made flesh and dwelt among us." and that I call You not only Savior but Lord.
It is in the precious, precious name of Jesus I pray.
Amen
Please grab a cup of coffee, a diet soda, or a glass of water. Settle in comfortably where you are reading right now. Still you heart and mind, and ask God to minister to you through her words, the very words that I believe He gave her to share with you! Be blessed!!
~~oOo~~
She told me to pray about it and let her know........I did not have to pray about it because God's word says: "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." 1 Peter 3:15 I e-mailed her back telling her I would be more than happy to participate. Just to let me know when....so here I am!
Because I have heeded the admonition of Psalms 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." I literally govern my life by His word. I cannot always give you Chapter & Verse to each and every truth of His WORD that is hidden in my heart, but the essence of it is there and if I need to know Chapter and Verse I can quickly find it.
My life verse is Philippians 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." I discovered this verse as a very new Christian after being Born Again at the age of 18 and claimed it as my own. 52 years later, at the age of 70, I can tell you without a doubt in my heart that this verse is true. He began that good work in my heart on September 24, 1956 and He is continuing that good work and has performed it through today and will perform it either until He takes me home or I hear that trump of God and am raptured!! How would anyone want to build their life on anything less?!!!
I would like to tell you these 52 years have been a steady progression upward, but that would not be truth. Many times it has been 2 steps forward and 1 step back.......But I can tell you THE WORD OF GOD has sustained me through it all and ALWAYS quickly gotten me back on track. I have had many trials during these years, as all of us have. The lowest time in my life was back in 1984 when I was fighting with all I had for my marriage of 25 years. At that time, when I was about to despair God spoke to me with John 6:66-69 "From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."
Father God,
I come to You this very moment and ask that You use YOUR WORDS to touch all who You cause to read this post. Father God I acknowledge it is Your work and Your words and that all You require of us is obedience. I thank You that You are a God who is the same , yesterday, today and forever. I am thankful Your word is truth. I am thankful "THE WORD was made flesh and dwelt among us." and that I call You not only Savior but Lord.
It is in the precious, precious name of Jesus I pray.
Amen
ALIVE IN CHRIST
I am quite taken with photography lately and I enjoy taking pictures of flowers. There are so many beautiful plants in bloom. I even enjoy the green of the leaves. It is 'early' green, and not the dark green of late summer. Very fresh looking.
This afternoon I was taking pictures of my Blue Hydrangeas, and I spotted a Ladybug on the flower. I snapped a picture quickly as it looked like it was about to fly away. After I took the shot, I looked at it closely. It never moved, only remained with it's wings spread about to fly.
I reached out and nudged it a bit. The Ladybug was dead, it's lifted wings forever frozen. As I tried to pick it up to study it closer, it fell into the flowerbed below. I didn't think much of it, until now. God has put that experience on my heart.
It had appeared alive to me, ready to take off. I even took a photo of it but I was deceived. There was no life there.
Father God,
Please don't let me be dead in my Faith. Allow there to be life, and growth ..... through You. I realize that there are times of growth and times of rest. Let me be filled with a living faith during both. Father, I don't want to come to a time in my life when I am not what I appear to be. I don't want to talk the talk without walking the walk.
But I guess Lord, this already happens at times. Please Father, help me to stay focused on You and forgive me for allowing 'things' to take my focus away from You. I want the light and love of Christ to shine through me always. I want to live like I am ALIVE in CHRIST! But it is only by Your grace that I can do this. Thank You for Your Faithfulness, and for hearing my prayers. Thank You for your Son who died for me, and thank You that I worship a Risen Savior.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
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