Just give me Jesus

I am a big fat sinner!

Two words.
Personal Responsibility.
I chose to take responsibility for my words and actions.

Romans 1:16-17
16    I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17   For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."

Romans 1:18-32
18    The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness,
19   
since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
20    For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.

21    For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22    Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools
23    and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

24    Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.

25    They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

26    Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones.

27    In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

28    Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.

29    They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,

30    slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;

31    they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.    

32    Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.


Wow. That description sounds a whole lot like the world we live in today?? Wait!! *I* am part of that list? I am? Yep, I am. I know His Righteous Decrees.....yet, I do not follow them (or I do not follow them His Way). So, that makes me guilty.

Romans 2: 1-16
1    You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.
2    Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.
3    So when you, a mere man, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God's judgment?
4    Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance?

5    But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.

6    God "will give to each person according to what he has done."

7    To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

8    But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

9    There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;

10    but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

11    For God does not show favoritism.

12    All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.

13    For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.

14    (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law,

15    since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)

16    This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.


God help me. I see your Words. I hear your Words. Help me to walk in Your Words.

08:48 - Thursday, July 24, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment


Adult whining

Adult whining.
Here's what it sounds like in my ears.

"I asked for that shift and he gave it to _____. That's not fair, I have worked here longer and I deserve that shift first. I am so mad he didn't give it to me. I asked first. I can't believe he gave it to ____."

"My husband is so selfish. He never thinks of my feelings, he's always out in the garage working on something while I am stuck in the house changing diapers and cooking dinner. He never helps me out. Where's the 50 / 50 everyone talks about? Not at my house, he's too busy"

(AFTER I have checked back at the table to make sure everything is ok AND the plate is EMPTY)
"Well the veal was a little tough, and the sauce was a little too lemony, and the potatoes were not very warm and my veggies were just a little over cooked.........but it was ok"


Adult whining makes my skin crawl. My kids were never allowed to whine. As soon as that horrid noise would come out of their mouths, it was like ripping the needle off the record...........then dead silence. I let them know as soon as they could speak, no whining allowed.

Our country is now training people to whine. God Help Me.
Starting with ALL DAY kindergarten.
Whine about this and whine about that. Whine whine whine.

Pass the tylenol.

08:35 - Thursday, July 24, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment


Tomatoes, Cucumbers and Squinni, Oh my

Posted in OH! THE GARDEN
I have tomatoes............thank you Jesus!
I have cucumbers...........Thank you Jesus!

Finally.........now that the temps are 'normal', my garden is beginning to grow!

My squash and zucchini have 'mated to become one' so I have what the kids call "squinni" growing. It's so bizzare!

My herbs are doing great!
Peppers........good.
Eggplant..........slow but steady.

We are in the process of weeding and staking, again!!

Picked 2 raspberries and ate them.......mmmmmmm. they were sweet.
Jap. Beetles ATE every leaf off my honeycrisp apple tree. I need to do something to get rid of them!!

All in all my food production is going ok. All things considered.
A very very very cold wet spring / early summer...........not good.
But it's gonna be ok!!


08:23 - Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment


The saddest conversations.........

I hear some of the saddest conversations.

Two gals are having dinner.
One gal is obviously angry with her dh.......to the point of filing for divorce. Her 'friend' was right there to support her divorce situation.
They start talking about her dh's upbringing.
Blaming his parents for the way he is.

As a mom..........I 'hear' that.

He is a self absorbed pig. He only thinks of himself. So she says.
Ok, I wonder? What attracts a person to a self absorbed pig enough to say "I do"???
Is it the thrill of thinking they are the ones who will "change him"?
OR
Are "birds of a feather flocking together"?

I don't know.

But it was so sad. It was so sad because the 'upset' woman wants to be 'heard' and her gf wants her to get divorced. So you can imagine how this conversation went..........
It was so so sad.

Then I have a guy come in for dinner and he's reading a very controversial 'christian' book. He was SO into this book.......

People are searching.
The fields are ripe.............
John 4:35-36
35   Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36   Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.
I wonder why I can see this more today, than I could 4 years ago???

Love    Love    Love.
The world, needs Love

08:08 - Wednesday, July 23, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment


My comment to a horrifying blog.............

Below is my comment on a blog that took my breath away..........

Your 'friend', if I recall correctly, was the same gal that started to blog (or shall I say, bash) here and once she found out that her 'type of blogging' was not well received, she packed up and headed out.

Guess who's going to hell?
Everyone (everyone means, everyone......all inclusive, even Jews......God's Chosen) who is not a Believer and Follower of Jesus Christ.
Guess who's going to heaven?
Believers and Followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. All Believers.
Not 'christians'.
Not _______ (pick a denomination......not one "denomination" is Biblical)
Not "good people".

Only Believers and Followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Heaven will be FULL of 'bad people' (Rahab, Thieves, Tax Collectors, Prostitutes, all sinners, repented of their sin, and Followed Christ_
And Hell will be full.....FULL of "good people", "religious people", "holy people".

Jesus address the "religious right".
Brood of Vipers. Sons of Hell. Whitewashed Tomb Stones.
Yes the 'holier than thou' types were addressed by the Lord Jesus Christ............and not in a way I would ever want Him to address me, or my family.

Reading what you have posted may be fact........but
Jesus said Love Conquers All.

There is no love for anyone but "self and self righteousness" in this article.

Laura


This "fruit of the spirit" person whom is the "friend" who provided you with this article needs to re-read Galatians 5 again. She has way missed the point, and is leading others to sin.............

Edited to say: Her blog has since erased all comments, and that's ok it's her blog.........But please, please, just know..........Jesus came for the lost. He loved each one of us so much, individually, that He laid down His Life willingly, for each one of us, individually. I have removed the link to her blog, as I do not want to lead others to this unloving message.


07:40 - Monday, July 21, 2008 - comments {3} - post comment


Why is it???

WHY IS IT:

1. When I am wronged, I feel the incredible urge to tell my side of the story?

2. When I am accused falsely, I feel this incredible urge to 'prove' my innocence?

3. When someone tells malicious lies about me, I feel this incredible urge to go right behind that person and tell THE truth or go out of my way to tell some 'ugly stuff on them'?

4. When I am deeply deeply hurt by someone, that I just don't want to be around them, at all.........period. Ever?

The big one is #1.
Why why why is it that I just cannot shut up, take it to the Lord, and know HE is handling it. Why do I feel like I need to "tell someone" or "talk to someone"...............

That is so irritating.

Why can't I just see it for what it is.......
See that my "RE action" was inappropriate.
See that I have apologized.
God has forgiven me.....
I am working on forgiveness.........

And just let it go.
Why does it haunt me?
Because it is a 'reoccurring' nightmare? Meaning it keeps happening over and over?
This madness stops, now.

Good Lord, give me Oxygen.

09:33 - Sunday, July 20, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment


FREE CYCLE!!

Posted in THE HOMESTEAD
www.freecycle.org

What an amazing concept.
I check my freecycle group every morning..........
I have 'freecycled' some board games.
I have picked up 2 different freecycle items.

What a great concept.
Everyone should join!!!

02:15 - Friday, July 18, 2008 - comments {3} - post comment


Isaiah 58........

Isaiah 58

True Fasting
 1 "Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
       Raise your voice like a trumpet.
       Declare to my people their rebellion
       and to the house of Jacob their sins.
I am His.

 2 For day after day they seek me out;
       they seem eager to know my ways,
       as if they were a nation that does what is right
       and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
       They ask me for just decisions
       and seem eager for God to come near them.

This is me. "Seems eager" to know His Ways. "Seems eager to come near". The "seems" needs to be turned into an action word.

 3 'Why have we fasted,' they say,
       'and you have not seen it?
       Why have we humbled ourselves,
       and you have not noticed?'
       "Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
       and exploit all your workers.

Oh yeah. Me. "Well Lord, I do xyz and didn't you see"? Like He doesn't SEE everything. Sometimes I am so dumb.

 4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
       and in striking each other with wicked fists.
       You cannot fast as you do today
       and expect your voice to be heard on high.

I don't know what "quarreling and strife or wicked fists" is but I will tell you my 'fasting' will get the same results. Because its not good.

 5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
       only a day for a man to humble himself?
       Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
       and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
       Is that what you call a fast,
       a day acceptable to the LORD ?

For me God is saying "stop putting on a show and get real, knock off all the drama, and LISTEN to me"

 6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
       to loose the chains of injustice
       and untie the cords of the yoke,
       to set the oppressed free
       and break every yoke?

This is a huge verse. I 'fast' for silly stuff (oh it may seem big to me, but compared to verse 6? SILLY STUFF) and He is showing me that He is SO much more...........

 7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
       and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
       when you see the naked, to clothe him,
       and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?

Hmmmmmm wow. No where do I see anything like what the 'world' tells me. No where in this verse does it say...."volunteer for this program, sign up to do this on Sunday, give X amount of money" It says........be ready, spot on. Be ready at any SECOND to give.

 8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
       and your healing will quickly appear;
       then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
       and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.

I love the word "then"..........

 9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
       you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
       "If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
       with the pointing finger and malicious talk,

 10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
       and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
       then your light will rise in the darkness,
       and your night will become like the noonday.

God says "ok, PAY ATTENTION........Verses 1-7, and now 8-12 He shows us our reward. It's all written down for me. How simple duh.

 11 The LORD will guide you always;
       he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
       and will strengthen your frame.
       You will be like a well-watered garden,
       like a spring whose waters never fail.

 12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
       and will raise up the age-old foundations;
       you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
       Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

 13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
       and from doing as you please on my holy day,
       if you call the Sabbath a delight
       and the LORD's holy day honorable,
       and if you honor it by not going your own way
       and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,

 14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
       and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
       and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."
       The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

 

Ok........."IF you keep your feet from breaking Sabbath". That's huge. Understand this.........for 40+ years I have been conditioned, I have chosen, I have lived for Saturdays. I work on Saturdays (big money days) I do big projects on Saturdays. My kids play sports on Saturdays.................I do not honor "THE Sabbath". I do not honor it and the only "delight" in it is for myself. Not to honor or please God. I do what I want, go my own way.........I totally thumb my nose at God, and His Sabbath.......

It's no wonder I am in the condition, I am in.

Footnotes:

  1. Isaiah 58:8 Or your righteous One

07:35 - Friday, July 18, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment


Top 5 on my First Love list

Top 5 of 40 on my first Love list:

What can I do today to "have more than a passing thought of Him"?
What can I do today, to "really focus on Him"?

If I 'think' with my head, then that is all I am doing.......using my head. Hmmm, and my head is wrapped in flesh.
Ok, skip that.

If I just pick up the Word and read......then I am just reading with my eyes. Again, flesh.
Ok Skip that.

My heart.
See, that's the real problem.
My heart. Oh and the fact that I have my "running shoes" on.
Yep, remember when the kids were 2-3 years old and when they got a new pair of tennis shoes, they would say
"LOOK HOW FAST I CAN RUN NOW".
Yeah, I have a pair of those on.
Kids were right: You CAN run fast in them.

So I need to sit down, untie the strings to my running shoes then Let HIM take them off.
And while I am sitting still........hand Him my broken heart.
He has the Perfect Glue to fix it.
Why I won't sit still and give it to Him.......baffles me.

Ok. Today. Sit down, untie shoes, allow the Lord to take them off.
Hand the Lord my broken heart. Every piece.
Then:
Be still.
Be still and know.
Be still and know HE is God.
GOD.
He is God.
KNOW He is God.
Still know He is God.
Be

08:32 - Thursday, July 17, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment


10 Things I will never say to my kids

I am always amazed at people.........the stupid stupid things that come out of their mouths.......

10 things I will never say to my kids

1. I hate you
2. This is all your fault.
3. This would have never happened, if it weren't for you.
4. You are worthless.
5. You were a mistake.
6. I wish I would have never had you
7. You are stupid.
8. You act just like _____ (fill in a persons name you OBVIOUSLY hate)
9. Because I told you so
10. I love you because you are my child, but as a person, I hate you.


08:26 - Thursday, July 17, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment


Choices............Which would you chose?

Situation 1

Someone has verbally abused you, for years and years. Twisted your mind and your heart.........This someone is the parent figure in your life.

Choice A: Hurt them back as much as they hurt you
Choice B: Forgive, and let them continue to abuse you
Choice C: Forgive, and put distance between you and they

Situation 2

A "friend" is using you. You know it deep in your heart. They only call when they need something or it is conveinent for them.

Choice A: Tell them off
Choice B: Forgive, but keep trying to be friends.
Choice C: Forgive, but stop putting in the effort. Let this "friendship" run it's course.

Situation 3

A "friend", who is steeped in pornography, but wants to be critical about YOUR walk with Jesus........this friend not only talks out both sides of their head, but is underneath a very angry person, constantly critiquing your parenting abilities (when they themselves are not married, never have been and have no kids), constantly throwing your past up in your face, and in general just a real yucky person to be around.

Choice A: Tell this person to go jump in a lake
Choice B: Forgive them and continue your relationship with them hoping they will change
Choice C: Forgive them, but put distance between you and they.

Situation 4

You have a neighbor that you have invited to church. They say they don't want to go because it's full of 'people'. But this neighbor jabbers your ear off every time you come to the fence (indicating that they are longing for a relationship). But when you take the neighbor to church, they are quite, withdrawn.......but you know they want to be "part"........

Choice A: Tell the neighbor it's not worth their time to try, just stay home.
Choice B: Pray, and encourage the neighbor to go.
Choice C: Pray and keep inviting, keep encouraging, keep dragging them along......

What say you??? This curious mind wants to know???


07:53 - Thursday, July 17, 2008 - comments {2} - post comment


What gives??

1. When you send out an email to a group of 20 people, specifically  requesting (bold print, underlined, in a bright color) that they print off and mail their paperwork to your address yet they send you an email, with their form attached.

Does no one read their email?
Does everyone just skim?
Or is it that they just don't care, and do what they want?

2. When you have told someone multiple times that ____ has to happen before ______ happens................yet they continue to try to achieve the second blank before completing the first?
Example. You have to eat your dinner, before you get ice cream. They keep trying to get the ice cream, first.

Ok, with a child I can see repeating myself, but with an ADULT?
Do people just not listen?
Or is it that they just don't care what you have to say, they want it their way?

3. Why is it that when you are hired to do a job, and paid to do that job, that doesn't automatically make you 'indispensable", it just makes your a paid employee??

Is it that people get an ounce of power and they think they are rulers?
Is it that they think they are so smart?
Or is it that they just don't care for anyone but themselves??

4. You're driving down the road, and someone roars up on your rear end, tailgating dangerously close? You have no room to get over, but they stay RIGHT ON YOUR BUTT anyway?

Is it that this person is having an emergency?
Is it because your are in the fast lane, doing the speed limit playing "keeper of the speed" to drive people crazy??
OR is it that they are just stupid and think they own the road??

The longer I live, the more people act like baboons.
If I were not Saved by Grace..........I would believe we evolved from apes, and we are turning back into them!!! No kidding.
It's amazing how many people just act like those red butted baboons you see in the zoo..........


What gives???



07:23 - Wednesday, July 16, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment


ONE REASON WHY I HOME EDUCATE!!!!

Why Christian Manhood MUST Prevail


There is an alarming rise in effeminacy amongst young men in our nation. And the increase has nothing to do with genetics. The issue is moral, cultural, and, most importantly, theological. The collective social conscience of the meaning of Christian manhood is quickly becoming the stuff of story books. The abandonment of teaching on family orthopraxy from the pulpit, and the exchange of fundamental moral issues for short term political victories by too many Christians who are engaged in culture wars, has created an environment where there is precious little practical difference between the way the church and the world view manhood and womanhood.

The fact is that our boys are confused because their fathers are confused. The gender-blending of the last twenty-five years is reaping an alarming toll on men, and the worst is yet to come.

The answer to the problem of effeminacy in boys and leaderless men is not going into the forest and beating a drum. Nor is the answer found in psychologically driven behavior modification theory.

Christian manhood must prevail. But for it to prevail we need a generation of men and women more concerned with the biblical vision of manhood than the prevailing view presented in the government schools, on MTV, and in too many pulpits across America. And we need men and women willing to stand — sometimes alone — against the wave of androgyny and social confusion.

The good news is that feminism in women and male effeminacy are self-defeating. They cannot be sustained. They are ultimately doomed to destruction. But along the way to their own self-annihilation, they can leave a devastating toll in the lives of our sons and daughters. They can wreak havoc on an entire culture. And this is where things stand now.

History is behind Christian manhood, which is why it must be studied both theologically and historically. In this important message, Why Christian Manhood Must Prevail, I explain the issue and seek to encourage fathers and mothers who aspire to raise their sons to stand against the tide of effeminacy and embrace a vision of noble manhood.

May we about the business of recovering biblical manhood in our time.

www.visionforum.com

12:28 - Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment


40 evidences that we may have left our first love......

I received this email this morning.........

40 Evidences That You May Have

Left Your First Love

1. You can go hours or days without having more than a passing thought of Him.

2. You don’t have a strong desire to spend time with Him.

3. You don’t have a strong hunger for the Word; Bible reading is a “chore” – something to

mark off your “to do” list.

4. Spending time in prayer is a burden/duty rather than a delight.

5. Your worship is formal, dry, lifeless, merely going through the motions.

6. Private prayer and worship are almost non-existent . . . cold and dry.

7. You are more concerned about physical health, well-being, and comfort than about the wellbeing

and condition of your soul.

8. You crave physical food, while having little appetite for spiritual food.

9. You crave human companionship more than a relationship with Christ.

10. You spend more time and effort on your physical appearance than on cultivating inner

spiritual beauty to please Christ.

11. Your heart toward Christ is cold and indifferent; not tender as it once was, not easily moved

by the Word, talk of spiritual things, etc.

12. Christianity is more of a checklist than a relationship with Christ.

13. You measure spirituality (yours/others’) by performance rather than the condition of the

heart.

14. Christianity is defined more what by what you “do” than who you “are” (“doing” vs.

“being”).

15. Your obedience and service are motivated and fueled by expectations of others or a desire to

impress others, more than by passion for Christ.

16. You are more concerned about what others think and pleasing them, than about what God

knows and pleasing Christ.

17. Your service for Christ and others is motivated by a sense of duty or obligation.

18. You find yourself becoming resentful over the hardships and demands of serving Christ and

others.

19. You can talk with others about kids, marriage, weather, and the news, but struggle to talk

about the Lord and spiritual matters.

20. You have a hard time coming up with something fresh to share in a testimony service at

church or when someone asks, “What’s God been doing in your life?”

21. You are formal, rigid, and up-tight about spiritual things, rather than joyful and winsome.

22. You are critical or harsh toward those who are doctrinally off-base or living in sin.

23. You enjoy secular songs, movies, and books more than songs or reading material that point

you to Christ.

© Revive Our Hearts. Used with permission. www.ReviveOurHearts.com

Info@ReviveOurHearts.com

24. You prefer the company of people who don’t love Christ, to the company and fellowship of

those who do.

25. You are more interested in recreation, entertainment, and having “fun” than in cultivating

intimacy with Christ through worship, prayer, the Word, and Christian fellowship.

26. You display attitudes or are involved in activities that you know are contrary to Scripture, but

you continue in them anyway.

27. You justify “small” areas of disobedience or compromise.

28. You have been drawn back into sin habits that you put off when you were a young believer.

29. “Little” things that used to disturb your conscience, no longer do.

30. You are slow to respond to conviction over sin – or you ignore it altogether.

31. You enjoy certain sins and want to hang onto them. You are unwilling to give them up for

Christ.

32. You are not grieved by sin – it’s no big deal to you.

33. You are consistently allured by certain sins.

34. You are self-righteous--more concerned about sin in others’ lives than in your own.

35. You are more concerned about having the right position than the right disposition.

36. You tend to hold tightly to money and things, rather than being quick to give to meet the

needs of others.

37. You rarely give sacrificially to the Lord’s work.

38. You rarely have a desire or burden to give, when you hear of legitimate financial needs

within the Body, your church, or a ministry.

39. Accumulating and maintaining material “things” consumes more time and effort on your part

than seeking after and cultivating spiritual riches.

40. You have broken relationships with other believers that you are unwilling or have not

attempted to reconcile.

1"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 'The words of him who holds the

seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.

2"'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot

bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles

and are not, and found them to be false. 3I know you are enduring patiently and

bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.

4But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.

5Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you

did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place,

unless you repent. . . .

7He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one

who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of

God.'

Revelation 2:1-7

CHILLING!


08:23 - Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment


The "Curse"

The Curse

When you were a kid, and misbehaving, someone would say:

"When you have kids, I hope you have one, JUST LIKE YOU".
"Pay backs are a _____"
"You act just like your _____" (fill in the blank, but it is the parent who is perceived in the family to be the "bad one")
"Why can't you be like ____" (fill in the blank with the name of the "good" sibling)
"_______ never acted like this" (again see above)
"People who act like you end up homeless and jobless".
"No one likes a person like you / No one wants to be around a person like you".

Then when you become and adult and a parent, when YOUR children misbehave you hear:

"HA HA YOU DID have one just like you, see....paybacks are a ___"
"See you are becoming just like your _____ (fill in the name of the disliked parent"
"See how it feels".
"Well now you know how I felt".

The old saying goes:
Sticks and stones may break my bones...
but
Words will never harm me.

Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies Lies

What the heck. Do people just not think?
I am KEENLY aware of generational curses. You know, the ones that you got from your parents, you pass to your kids and they will pass to theirs? Yeah those.

When I was a kid, I swore that I would never say to my kids:

"Because I said so"
"Because I am in charge and that's the way it is".
"I can't wait till you turn 18"

And I never have.

I did A LOT of things different......I was mindful of the hurtful things said and done to me, and was careful not to repeat them. There were things that my folks did that I just didn't want to be done to, or done with my kids..........and I have been mindful of that.

But I hear people say the above junk ALL THE TIME!! To their kids AND to other people's kids. I don't know if they think it is "normal" to be so hateful and negative? Or if they are just ignorant?

I guess people really just don't know the power of words........



12:47 - Monday, July 14, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment


How to.......How do you do it?

How do you do it?

I asked a question, and got a great answer!!


My question?
What needs to be done to obtain this mindset of "daily Saved by Grace Gratitude"?

My answer?
About the attitude thing.........I think when one is focused on self and self wants more than the wants of others, especially what God wants us to do, we tend to have that attitude.

Being a silly human, wrapped tightly in flesh, I love a list. I love the 12 step program. I love a good book "to show me the way".
But, is this 'His Way'?
Hmmm
Am I still relying on my flesh? You know, if *I* make a list and *I* strike this off and that off when *I* do it, then *I* am accomplishing things..........
How do I "be still and KNOW He is God"?
And how do I "Love" His Way?
There HAS to be a starting point. Where is it? What is it?


08:58 - Sunday, July 13, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment


Bitterness

At Dictionary.com, this is the English explanation


Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
- Cite This Source - Share This bit·ter    Audio Help   [bit-er] Pronunciation Key adjective, -er, -est, noun, verb, adverb –adjective
1. having a harsh, disagreeably acrid taste, like that of aspirin, quinine, wormwood, or aloes.
2. producing one of the four basic taste sensations; not sour, sweet, or salt.
3. hard to bear; grievous; distressful: a bitter sorrow.
4. causing pain; piercing; stinging: a bitter chill.
5. characterized by intense antagonism or hostility: bitter hatred.
6. hard to admit or accept: a bitter lesson.
7. resentful or cynical: bitter words.
–noun
8. that which is bitter; bitterness: Learn to take the bitter with the sweet.
9. British. a very dry ale having a strong taste of hops.
–verb (used with object)
10. to make bitter: herbs employed to bitter vermouth.
–adverb
11. extremely; very; exceedingly: a bitter cold night.


MAR is the root in Hebrew that means "bitter".
Exodus 15:22-24
22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah. [a] ) 24 So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "What are we to drink?"

Footnotes:

Exodus 15:23 Marah means bitter



Now for the Greek!!

Pikros:
it is the word that defines 'taste'

Pikraino: in an active voice, "to be bitter" "to embitter, irritate, or to make bitter. In a passive voice: to be made bitter.

Pikria: Metaphorically: condition of extreme wickedness, "gal of bitterness' or 'bitter gal'. evil speaking. hatred. root of bitterness produces bitter fruit.

Pikros: (long o) bitterly is used of the poignant grief of Peter's weeping for his denial of Christ, Matthew 26:75


07:58 - Saturday, July 12, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment


What is it about pregnant women??

I have been pregnant three times.
Three times in four years!!

Is that why I am compelled to put my hands all over a pregnant woman!!??

The little girl at work (thank you SO MUCH for the prayers a few months ago.........I get to see the "fruit" of your prayers to God every time I go to work!!) is about 4 months......

I just can't keep my hands off her.
SHE is totally ok with it, and I asked permission first..............
But I just love to rub her belly.
I will put my face up to her belly and talk to the baby.
I rub her back.
I rub her belly.
I smile at her ALL THE TIME.
I told her if I get 'obnoxious' that she can tell me to knock it off.
She said she loves it and I am more than welcome to "love on her all I want".

When I see pregnant women in public, I just smile. Ear to Ear.
It is hard to keep my hands to myself......but I do.

Pregnant women are the most beautiful women, on the earth!!!

07:46 - Saturday, July 12, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment


Judge?

GLEANINGS FROM THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT

by Dr. Philip Bryan

Wordplay: Judgment and Condemnation

A Common Literary Device

"Wordplay" or "punning" is a favorite literary device utilized in the Old and New Testaments, especially in Paul's letters. English often cannot communicate the force of a passage by means of wordplay in corresponding English words. Sometimes the most familiar English version even gives a false impression of the meaning. For example, because of wordplay and changes in English usage since the 17th Century, the English words "judgment" and "condemnation" (or "damnation") often are interpreted in certain passages to mean something other than what the author intended, and at the same time something of the subtle "flavor" is lost. A typical example appears in 1 Cor. 11:29, which some have interpreted to teach that "eating unworthily" at the Lord's Supper will send a person to Hell: "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body." To the contrary, Paul in this passage states that God judges a believer for eating and drinking unworthily so that he will not be condemned! Paul is very careful in his usage of the words translated "judgment" and "condemnation."

Basic Meanings

Three variations for judgment (and their cognates) are regularly employed by Paul in the New Testament: (1) krino, (2) diakrino, and (3) katakrino. The basic word krino includes primarily the ideas of "separating," "judging," and "reaching a decision." Sometimes this "judgment" may be a form of "condemnation," but that is not the basic meaning. Clearly related to krino is the word diakrino, with the ideas of "separating," "differentiating," "judging correctly," "discerning," etc. This word emphasizes proper judgment. The third pertinent form, katakrino, carries the related ideas of "condemning," "punishing," "damning," etc. Clearly, all of the ideas are closely related, both in Greek and English. Detailed analyses of these words are contained in the standard Greek lexicons.

Comparison and Contrast

In a number of New Testament passages, Paul uses two or more of these words (or their cognates) to compare and contrast different ideas and shades of meaning. See Rom. 2:1, 5:16, 18 for usage of krino and katakrino. Rom. 14:23 includes diakrino and katakrino. Analysis of 1 Cor. 11:27-34 gives some of the most fruitful benefits when distinction is maintained between all three words.

Analysis of 1 Cor. 11:27-34

These controversial verses in Paul's discussion of the Lord's Supper may be translated and interpreted as follows:

"(27) The result is: whoever should eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord."

Unworthy behavior at the Lord's Table is a serious matter because of what the elements represent -- the Lord's body and blood.

"(28) But let a man prove himself [or, show himself approved?], and so let him eat of the bread [or loaf] and let him drink of the cup; (29) for the one who eats and drinks eats and drinks judgment [krima, a cognate of krino] to [or for] himself, when he does not discern [diakrino] the body."

Failure to "discern the body" (i.e., the church; see v. 31) brings God's judgment (not damnation on that person (a believer, see v. 31).

"(30) Therefore, many among you are weak and feeble, and a number are sleeping."

God's judgment ("therefore") is illustrated by the fact that many of the Corinthians are "weak and feeble" (physically sick?) And not a few are "sleeping" (i.e., they are physically dead?).

"(31) But if we had discerned [diakrino] ourselves, we would not have been judged [krino]; (32) but when are judged [krino] by the Lord, we are chastened lest we should be condemned [katakrino] with the world."

So, if we discern (diakrino; judge correctly) ourselves (the body) we will not be judged (krino) by the Lord. He will judge (krino) His people when they need it (e.g., when they do not "discern the body"), but He does not condemn or damn (katakrino) them. It is "the world" that will be condemned (katakrino)!

"(33) The result is: my brethren, when you come together [or, assemble] in order to eat [the Lord's Supper], wait for one another. (34) If anyone should be hungry, let him eat at home, lest you should come together [or, assemble] for judgment [krima]. And the remaining things I will arrange whenever I come."

Proper discernment (judgment) of the Lord's body (the church) is evidenced by waiting for one another at the Table. Since the purpose of assembling is not because of hunger, observance of the ordinance will bring God's judgment (krima) if the participants eat and drink in an unworthy manner by not regarding one another. These verses probably explain why the Corinthian supper was not the Lord's Supper (v. 20). It was their own supper!

09:10 - Friday, July 11, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment


What a great article........and MHO of it.

I saw this article at Hidden Creek Homstead....and baby, it hit a nerve with me!!


Are Rising Prices Scaring You?
by Jill Cooper
Living on a Dime

We are getting e-mails and it has been all over the news - "What do we do? They are rationing rice!!" Um, they did that because Chinese restaurants were coming in and buying bags and bags at a time because it was cheap. Duh.

I haven't decided if I should just laugh or start tearing my hair out. First everyone panicked over the price of gas... then it was the price of apples, then milk and now rice. What I find so amusing about the whole thing is a lot of those same people who are in a panic are still using their gas to go to the movies, to go on vacations, to travel for sports activities, to go shopping and to go most any place they want to go.They panic because they were brainwashed to panic. HELLO anyone who reads the newspaper daily, watches tv daily, or listens to the radio has been brainwashed with the message of 'recession' FOR MONTHS. If you tell a person a lie every day for months on end, eventually, they believe it. People are in a tizzy because they listened to lies...........

So many people complain about the price of gas when it costs $4.00 a gallon but don't bat an eye when going to Starbucks to pay $4.00 for one cup (8 oz. or 1/8 of a gallon) of coffee that they could have made at home for pennies. Despite all the fuss, most Americans have not substantially changed their lives because of gas prices. NOT only have they NOT changed their lifestyles.......but they STILL would rather hug a tree than to dig for our own oil. Stuuuuuupid. They whine about gas, but are more than willing to let the Middle East dictate how much we pay. Poor blind souls.

Then there is another whole group who complain about how they "aren't like other people". They don't spend a penny on anything and they still have nothing and, because their lot in life is so miserable, they have a right to be afraid of what is happening in the world and in their lives. They have a "What about me?" attitude all of the time.WELL GUESS WHERE THEY LEARNED THAT??? Hmmmmmmmm schools teach "what about me"......TV programs are all about ME. Magazines, ME, self help books (even christian ones) ME. The media in general ME ME ME ME ME. Walk into any place where people congregate. School, work, church.........everyone is too worried about what everyone ELSE is doing, dressing like, driving, living in.........Um, Scripture says: Mind your own business!!

The Bible says that God does not give us the spirit of fear but of power and love and a sound mind. Even if you aren't a Christian, I want you to really think about those words because they apply to human nature in general.FEAR is from satan. Fear is a tool of the devil. Fear is a destroyer...........it is a tool of manipulators. Women who are beaten by their dh......fear is his greatest weapon against her. Children who are molested........fear is the greatest weapon used against them. Jesus said:John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; My Peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. He told us in advance what to expect.........if we would pick up the Bible instead of the newspaper, People magazine, or turn on the tube, we'd know this!!

We are living in a world that is crazed with fear and because of that we have lost power over ourselves, our lives and our circumstances. Because of that fear we have very little love for anyone. When you love someone or something your main thoughts are focused on that person or thing that you love. What do you think about all the time? --Your spouse, your children, joyful things and happy things or do you focus on yourself and on how these terrible prices are going to affect you?It is the love of money that has driven us mad. We fear if we lack it, we can not buy. So many equate 'buying things' and "showing love". We think "oh my kid has to have an amazing b-day party, or an amazing b-day gift, or I have to take them on a vacation, or they have to have these clothes" Or ________ you fill in the blank.

Do you know how powerless you become when you give way to fear? When you're constantly afraid, you can't function properly at work which leads to not getting a pay raise or worse yet, getting fired. You can't get your mind off of that which you fear and it filters into every area of your life.AMEN AMEN AMEN. Have your child take your photo at different times of the day (when you don't expect it) or photograph your spouse. A face, doesn't lie. Fear drains you of life. It sucks you dry........and your face shows it. Your voice shows it. Your actions reveal it........

You become short and angry with your family when they try to talk to you, ask you something or want to spend time with you because they are interrupting your focus on your fear. "How am I going to get some rice (or gas, or milk or apples)", "If there's a shortage of rice now, I'm sure that is going to lead to a shortage on ALL food", "If there is a shortage of food, that will mean I can't go on vacation this summer or buy that new car." As my daughter says "oh ye of little faith". That is what fear is. We are getting caught with our pants down. Spend Spend Spend debt debt debt. Now we are called to pay the piper, and our pockets are a little short............I am reaping what I have sown. Again, this is all in the Word.......

You say but that's silly and doesn't even make sense. No it doesn't and that is where the sound mind comes in. Where there is fear there is total loss of rational reasoning or what I call "common sense".

When someone isn't of sound mind (not using common sense), they think there is going to be a shortage on rice and they panic. They tell everyone they know. The word spreads and then everyone panics and runs out to hoard rice. All that fear has a snowball effect which then creates a shortage of rice where there wasn't one.Guess what? Satan played us like a fiddle. We are so.........sheep BAAAAAA BAAAAAAAAA. Because woman are not home, minding their own business (as Scripture COMMANDS) and out being busy bodies, this is how this kind of insanity starts! It's one thing to be informed. Its another to be hysterical. I guess if we pulled our spines out of the closet and came along side the "siren" and corrected them and tried to train them.......or call sin a sin.........but no, we must consider the "feeling" or the "diversity" of it all. Gag. Another one of satans tricks.

If people had not given over to fear and had been of sound mind (using common sense) they would have thought, "No big deal, we'll have pasta instead or just do without rice for now." They would go about their daily business without giving it another thought and focus on more important things like how to be a kinder more loving spouse or parent.OR (now here's a concept) INVESTIGATE what the REAL reason is. Was there something that happened that caused the rice production to be less? Are Chinese restaurant owners buying it all up? Was their a disease that ate up the crop? Floods? Typhoons? What? Actually take the time to investigate truth!!!! Learn for yourself. Don't rely on others to "tell you what truth is".........That's how Hitler deceived a nation!

When people aren't consumed with fear they can think more rationally, which helps them make wiser and more practical decisions. When fear is gone they have peace and joy and patience and most of all they are more loving.When fear is REPLACED with the Peace that only Jesus Christ can give, then AND ONLY THEN, we will have peace, joy, patience, and love.

Think about it. How much of your life is ruled by fear? If you filter back through most negative emotions, most of them begin with fear of something. Do you buy things you can't afford because you are afraid of what people will think of you? Do you spend more on gifts for your friends and your children's friends because you fear that people won't love you?AMEN again. It's sickening, and maddening that I allow satan to manipulate me. I was breathless yesterday when I paid bills and then had to fill up the tank. Then I remembered.......um, (A) the mess I am in, I caused (B) Trust in the Lord with ALL my heart....(C) I chose not to do the evil ones bidding. I chose to have Faith in Christ! (d) BUT their are consequences to sin.......and this discomfort? Guess what.....I should be thankful that is ALL I am feeling.

Take a serious look at the things you obsess about. Do you obsess about them because of some kind of fear? I don't know how to tactfully and gently say this but lately I have seen quiet (and sometimes loud) fear in a new thing called "becoming green and saving the environment". This is really just another form of fear. When people become obsessed and overcome, it is usually out of fear and not out of rational thinking.CASE AND POINT: She says "tactfully and gently" Um, no, the word I would use is Idolatry. Call it what it is!!! Stop namby pambying around!!!!! So many books tell us how bad WE ARE for 'hurting mother earth'.(Last time I checked, we were Created in HIS Image?)  Um, could someone point out in Scripture where the Lord commands us to LOVE the earth? I think it's Love the Lord, Your God,and Love your neighbor as your self............I see nothing about the earth.

Worship the CreatOR not the creatED.

I'm not saying you shouldn't try to save the environment if you think that it needs saving. I'm simply saying don't let things that stem from fear of something control your life in such a way that you lose all of your life's joy and your capacity for reasonable and rational thinking.We cannot save it.Those ridiculous programs at school and church on how "kids can save the earth" are just teaching the babies how to be Idolaters!!!!  THE EARTH is doomed to a fiery end. Read Matthew 23-25, and Revelation. Anyone who thinks that (a) man has ruined the earth AND (b) man can save the earth, worships a different god. God Created it, God will Judge it, God will destroy it. And there is NOTHING man can do to 'speed that up' or 'slow that down'.

AND anyone who thinks they can........is blinded by satan, an idolater and worships man and earth, not God almighty.

Jill Cooper and Tawra Kellam are frugal living experts and the editors of Living on a Dime.

As a single mother of two, Jill Cooper started her own home business without any capital and paid off $35,000 debt in 5 years on $1,000 a month income. Tawra and her husband paid off $20,000 debt in 5 years on $22,000 a year income. They have helped thousands of people all over the world to save money and get out of debt.

07:36 - Friday, July 11, 2008 - comments {4} - post comment


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1 Timothy 1:15-16 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
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