Psalm 92:1 "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy name, O Most High:"
Praise, a word mentioned 248 times in scripture. A pretty important concept that God wants us to learn. What do you think of when you hear the word praise? Do you think of uplifted hands, shouting, crying, praying, being down on bended knee? There are certainly varied ways to praise Him. All of those things I just mentioned can be forms of praise but so can the simple things in life such as seeing a beautiful sunset and recognizing the fact that your God created that. Giving of your time to help someone in need and being joyful in the midst of that. Loving someone when it is hard to do so because you know God loved you while you were still a sinner (Romans 5:8). Oh there are so many ways to praise Him. I also think that having an attitude of gratitude is a way to praise Him. Our desire to serve Him because of who He is shows that we think he is worthy of praise. Worthy of our life service.
This life makes it hard to praise Him sometimes. Maybe your jobs aren't going well, your kids seem ungrateful, the economy is scary, the time of year is hectic, your health is bad, you may hear the word "cancer" at you next doctor visit, You feel unappreciated, the family doesn't get together or get along anymore. Yes, there are lots of obstacles that try their best to keep us from praising but we have to keep going back to the basics. We don't have to go to hell. We do not have to slaves to sin anymore. We have been redeemed! We have a home in heaven with the King of kings and Lord of lords!! Now that is worthy of praise! I feel like one of the most rewarding results of praise is that it gives us a rewarding feeling knowing that satan hasn't won the battle in that area and that our father DOES feel appreciated. I don't ever want Jesus to feel like I am not happy with all that he has blessed me with, however, sadly I'm sure He has. But I want to start each day with a joyful, appreciative attitude. I want to say "Good Morning Jesus. Thank you for saving an old sinner like me and no matter what today holds I'll praise you and I'll rest in knowing you hold today!"
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Food for thought......
We are in revival this week and last night the preacher's message was on discouragement. He preached out of 1 Kings 19 where Elijah runs from Jezebel into the wilderness and sits down under a juniper tree where he asked God to let him die. Now that is someone who is definitely discouraged!! We've all heard this story multiple times and probably each one had a different take on why Elijah ran. I'm sure all of us ladies have heard the joke made about how brave he was with 450 prophets of Baal and yet ran from one woman. There are many lessons for us to learn. The preacher last night talked about his fear and his fatigue. But I also saw something new in the story that really made me have a compassion for Elijah.
Think about this with me. Elijah has just been in this huge display of God's power when he had the contest on Mt. Carmel with the prophets of Baal. And God had moved in such a miraculous, powerful way that not only was the offering drenched in water consumed but the prophets of Baal were killed, 450 of them. That is about the # of the entire high school in GA where the girls attended. Just let that soak in. God had most certainly proved himself to be the true God of Israel! And yet, we read of no great revival. The leadership of the nation Ahab and his wife Jezebel were not moved at all. She was STILL trusting in her gods. Can you imagine how discouraging that would be?
Our pastors study, pray and prepare every week to stand in hopes that someone in the congregation will be helped, touched, or a lost soul saved; yet we all know there are many services where it seems no one moves and no difference is made. How great is the need for us to lift the man of God up in prayer so that he does not fall prey to discouragement.
Elijah was human just like us and I'm sure he had hopes of a great revival and that his obedience would be blessed. Instead, he only saw a hardening of hearts and threats on his life. Ladies, I'd have been under that Juniper tree with him I'm sure. Would you?
I don't want to ever judge Elijah for his time spent under the juniper tree....God sure didn't...he sent an angel to feed him and gave him rest. He knows our humanity. Let's be angels here on earth to those who minister in our local churches and pray, pray, pray for them.
Think about this with me. Elijah has just been in this huge display of God's power when he had the contest on Mt. Carmel with the prophets of Baal. And God had moved in such a miraculous, powerful way that not only was the offering drenched in water consumed but the prophets of Baal were killed, 450 of them. That is about the # of the entire high school in GA where the girls attended. Just let that soak in. God had most certainly proved himself to be the true God of Israel! And yet, we read of no great revival. The leadership of the nation Ahab and his wife Jezebel were not moved at all. She was STILL trusting in her gods. Can you imagine how discouraging that would be?
Our pastors study, pray and prepare every week to stand in hopes that someone in the congregation will be helped, touched, or a lost soul saved; yet we all know there are many services where it seems no one moves and no difference is made. How great is the need for us to lift the man of God up in prayer so that he does not fall prey to discouragement.
Elijah was human just like us and I'm sure he had hopes of a great revival and that his obedience would be blessed. Instead, he only saw a hardening of hearts and threats on his life. Ladies, I'd have been under that Juniper tree with him I'm sure. Would you?
I don't want to ever judge Elijah for his time spent under the juniper tree....God sure didn't...he sent an angel to feed him and gave him rest. He knows our humanity. Let's be angels here on earth to those who minister in our local churches and pray, pray, pray for them.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Traditions
Our family is steeped in traditions. Doug and I have many of our own since we started building a home together 21 years ago and his sister Karen and her family have many that we have adopted. One of the most unusual but fun ones is the "hatchet throwing" contest on Thanksgiving. lol! There is a big tree in their backyard and we all see who can throw the hatchet and get it to "stick" in the tree...it is really comical. Doug and I have the tradition of the family Christmas picture (cookie included) and new pajamas for our girls on Christmas, etc. Well, last year Hope and Ben carved their first pumpkin together and decided that was an activity they wanted to make a tradition in their lives. They don't carve the typical pumpkin however....last years had a small cut out cross with the letters underneath "WWJD" and it was beautiful. This years was another cross but very different and I have pictures of the event to share.
Ben made Hope pull out some of the "icky" stuff....that explains the face..lol. They do a great job and it is definitely "making a memory" as Miss Nola would say. (my former pastor's wife)
Ben made Hope pull out some of the "icky" stuff....that explains the face..lol. They do a great job and it is definitely "making a memory" as Miss Nola would say. (my former pastor's wife)
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Just Fall
I give up I surrender
I throw in the towel
Exposing my weakness to infinite power
With all of my weight I lean heavy on you
With bags on my back and in both my hands too
I fall
I fall on you
I fall
I fall on you
See my world keeps a spinning out of control
And I'm dizzy from trying to stand on my own
But you promised you'd catch me if I tumble down
Cause' the way to the sky starts low to the ground
I fall
I fall on you
I fall
I fall on you
So please don't move
please don't move
from here
from here
I need you, every hour
I'm falling
You said you'd catch me
So I'll fall
These are lyrics from Nicole C. Mullen's song "Fall" and it was so beautifully demonstrated visually for me tonight. Ben and Hope were standing in the living room and she was giving him a goodbye hug and after embracing she just flung her head back, arms let go and legs turned to noodles and she was limp.....ALL of her weight fell on him and his arms were the only thing holding her up. The only thing keeping her from hitting the hardwood. And teasingly he said "What if I couldn't hold you" and her response was "I KNOW you can....and you will".........Wow....that should be us ladies!! When we are weary from the battle, wounded, dirty, depressed and frustrated.....just fall into the arms of the Savior. He is able to catch you, and He will!! Hope didn't have one hesitation, not one worry, she TRUSTED Ben and his ability to hold her. Oh dear sisters, God is holding us!!
John 10:23 says "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand."
Psalm 91:12 says "They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Hebrews 13:5 "[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Psa 3:3 But thou, O LORD, [art] a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Psa 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. (almost being the key word....read the rest of the chapter)
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light
I could go on and on! Another thing I noticed about Hope and Ben was that Hope didn't trust Ben on their first date over a year ago like she does now. It has been the day by day building of their relationship and the growth of the "faith" she has in him that has allowed her privilege of trusting him to catch her. It is the knowledge that he loves her and has her best interest at heart and does not want to see her fall....if she can't stand on her on then he counts it a joy to hold her up. Don't you know God counts it a joy to help his children. I want to put the "I can do it" and the "grit my teeth and dig into it" determination to the side and just fall into the arms of my Savior who is more than able to catch me. Hope had her eyes closed, a huge smile on her face because not only did she trust Ben to catch her and hold her up.....she enjoyed it. Lord, I want to enjoy resting in your arms!
I throw in the towel
Exposing my weakness to infinite power
With all of my weight I lean heavy on you
With bags on my back and in both my hands too
I fall
I fall on you
I fall
I fall on you
See my world keeps a spinning out of control
And I'm dizzy from trying to stand on my own
But you promised you'd catch me if I tumble down
Cause' the way to the sky starts low to the ground
I fall
I fall on you
I fall
I fall on you
So please don't move
please don't move
from here
from here
I need you, every hour
I'm falling
You said you'd catch me
So I'll fall
These are lyrics from Nicole C. Mullen's song "Fall" and it was so beautifully demonstrated visually for me tonight. Ben and Hope were standing in the living room and she was giving him a goodbye hug and after embracing she just flung her head back, arms let go and legs turned to noodles and she was limp.....ALL of her weight fell on him and his arms were the only thing holding her up. The only thing keeping her from hitting the hardwood. And teasingly he said "What if I couldn't hold you" and her response was "I KNOW you can....and you will".........Wow....that should be us ladies!! When we are weary from the battle, wounded, dirty, depressed and frustrated.....just fall into the arms of the Savior. He is able to catch you, and He will!! Hope didn't have one hesitation, not one worry, she TRUSTED Ben and his ability to hold her. Oh dear sisters, God is holding us!!
John 10:23 says "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any [man] pluck them out of my hand."
Psalm 91:12 says "They shall bear thee up in [their] hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Hebrews 13:5 "[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Psa 3:3 But thou, O LORD, [art] a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Psa 73:2 But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. (almost being the key word....read the rest of the chapter)
1Pe 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Mat 11:30 For my yoke [is] easy, and my burden is light
I could go on and on! Another thing I noticed about Hope and Ben was that Hope didn't trust Ben on their first date over a year ago like she does now. It has been the day by day building of their relationship and the growth of the "faith" she has in him that has allowed her privilege of trusting him to catch her. It is the knowledge that he loves her and has her best interest at heart and does not want to see her fall....if she can't stand on her on then he counts it a joy to hold her up. Don't you know God counts it a joy to help his children. I want to put the "I can do it" and the "grit my teeth and dig into it" determination to the side and just fall into the arms of my Savior who is more than able to catch me. Hope had her eyes closed, a huge smile on her face because not only did she trust Ben to catch her and hold her up.....she enjoyed it. Lord, I want to enjoy resting in your arms!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Ladies Conference
Tomorrow is the annual Ladies Conference at Gospel Baptist Church and it will be a fun-filled, encouraging, challenging, and blessed time with other sisters in Christ. We are having some wonderful speakers. The girls and I will be singing right before lunch so pray for us! "Only Grace" by Matthew West is the song. Pray that we will minister to others through music. What a joy to have my girls on each side to praise the Savior with me in song! Thank you Jesus for that privilege. Renea and I are doing a skit in the morning...and we haven't had a chance to practice together...so I hope it goes o.k.....lol....The things I agree to! lol!
I'm looking expectantly for food from above and nourishment for our souls!
I'm looking expectantly for food from above and nourishment for our souls!
Thursday, October 9, 2008
He wants us to forget..........
Satan is a deceiver. The Word of God tells us he is a liar and the father of it. That was true then, and is still true today. I can't help but wonder how we forget that. I was faced with a situation today that could have really gotten my "flesh" in a tizzy so to speak but the sweet Holy Spirit reminded me that is exactly what satan wanted. He wanted me to forget he is a liar and deceiver. Well, I refuse to fall to that trick today. I refuse to forget that my Savior wants my life to bear certain kinds of fruit. That fruit is listed in Galations 5:22-26,
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith Meekness, temperance against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."
I want to bear those fruits. I refuse to disect another sister or brother in Christ. I refuse to listen to gossip. I refuse to be critical. The deceiver needs to know that my Savior knows all. He will protect me, and take care of me. All I need to do is look to Him, follow Him and cultivate the fruits of the Spirit. I don't want to just talk about the Spirit....I want to LIVE in the Spirit! Lord, please prune me where I need it, let the rains come to nourish me, let the sun come to bring growth and fertilize me with your Word....I want to produce MUCH fruit! Let me never forget that satan is a master deceiver and he is more than willing to steal my joy! But I know my Jesus is the center of my joy.....Lord, help me remember that no matter the situation! No matter what anyone else says or does, let me magnify you and let you take care of everyone else.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith Meekness, temperance against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another."
I want to bear those fruits. I refuse to disect another sister or brother in Christ. I refuse to listen to gossip. I refuse to be critical. The deceiver needs to know that my Savior knows all. He will protect me, and take care of me. All I need to do is look to Him, follow Him and cultivate the fruits of the Spirit. I don't want to just talk about the Spirit....I want to LIVE in the Spirit! Lord, please prune me where I need it, let the rains come to nourish me, let the sun come to bring growth and fertilize me with your Word....I want to produce MUCH fruit! Let me never forget that satan is a master deceiver and he is more than willing to steal my joy! But I know my Jesus is the center of my joy.....Lord, help me remember that no matter the situation! No matter what anyone else says or does, let me magnify you and let you take care of everyone else.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Bible Study
Hey ladies! Last night was the 2nd month in our Bible study this year entitled "Seeking Him" and I promised I would post a few highlights for those who were unable to come.
Each lesson has a section called "Going deeper into the Word" and this past month's passages were wonderful. One passage sent you to II Kings to read about Josiah. That is what the Lord led me to teach on. I actually used the passage in II Kings 22 and the passage in II Chronicles 34.
I first asked the ladies to think back to when they were 8 years old. Did they remember their 3rd grade teacher. Most of the women did remember. Then I asked them to try to remember specific details about events that happened when they were 8. For me it was my 3rd grade teacher who looked just like the Bionic Woman, taking me and my friends to the circus and paying for us to ride the elephants. It was a wonderful memory. I also remembered the Eskimo Spitz dog I had named "Skippy" who was the best playmate ever! But one thing I can't tell you is the responsibilities I had at 8. That's because there were none!! I mean, yes I had to go to school and obey my parents but responsibilities were not a worry of mine. Josiah was 8 years old when he was made king of Israel. The people in the Bible were just like us. They were real people. Josiah was a real little 8 year old boy with missing teeth and real fears and real tears like every 8 year old. Something to think about.
Here's the Division's I had for the lesson.
II Chronicles 34
Division I.
Josiah's steps to Standing, Seeking, and Serving
V2 - He stood for what was right - Even as a child he stood for what was right. He knew the Lord.
The Revival in Israel was youth Led.
When was the last time you stood against the crowd for what you believed in?
Do you use your age or qualifications as excuses to why you can't stand up for the Lord?
Verse 3 - He begins to Seek
How many years was it between the time you were saved and when you really started seeking the Lord?
Josiah's life demonstrates the process of growth after salvation.
Verses 3-7 - He begins to Serve
He brake down, cut down and ground up the idols in Israel
What is it in your life that needs to be cut down?
Are there remnants of distractions in your life that need to be ground up into dust?
What must God brake down in your life before you'll return to Him?
Division II.
Josiah Commands, Cleans Up, Confesses and Consecrates
Verse 8 - The Command & Clean up
Why did Josiah not repair and clean up the temple first? He knew that until the idols in the people's lives were cut down and removed there could be no worship. The same is true with us. You can go to church every service in a beautiful building but until you have cut down and removed the things that you are putting before the Lord there will be no worship.
Verse 19 - The confession/repentance
The Word still has power to convict today
When has the Word brought you to a place of confession of who you are when compared to a Holy God?
Consecration II Kings 23:2
The Revival was Word fed.
What importance do you place on the reading of God's Word?
That's just a quick outline of the lecture last night. I hope it encourages you as you read the passage.
The discussion was a blessing and the ladies insight was wonderful as always. If you weren't able to come ....we missed you and pray you'll be able to come next month. Remember it is the last class until January because we take December off due to all the Christmas activities. We are doing lesson 2 and 3 for this next month so work hard and dig in and see what God has for you!
God Bless you ladies!!
Each lesson has a section called "Going deeper into the Word" and this past month's passages were wonderful. One passage sent you to II Kings to read about Josiah. That is what the Lord led me to teach on. I actually used the passage in II Kings 22 and the passage in II Chronicles 34.
I first asked the ladies to think back to when they were 8 years old. Did they remember their 3rd grade teacher. Most of the women did remember. Then I asked them to try to remember specific details about events that happened when they were 8. For me it was my 3rd grade teacher who looked just like the Bionic Woman, taking me and my friends to the circus and paying for us to ride the elephants. It was a wonderful memory. I also remembered the Eskimo Spitz dog I had named "Skippy" who was the best playmate ever! But one thing I can't tell you is the responsibilities I had at 8. That's because there were none!! I mean, yes I had to go to school and obey my parents but responsibilities were not a worry of mine. Josiah was 8 years old when he was made king of Israel. The people in the Bible were just like us. They were real people. Josiah was a real little 8 year old boy with missing teeth and real fears and real tears like every 8 year old. Something to think about.
Here's the Division's I had for the lesson.
II Chronicles 34
Division I.
Josiah's steps to Standing, Seeking, and Serving
V2 - He stood for what was right - Even as a child he stood for what was right. He knew the Lord.
The Revival in Israel was youth Led.
When was the last time you stood against the crowd for what you believed in?
Do you use your age or qualifications as excuses to why you can't stand up for the Lord?
Verse 3 - He begins to Seek
How many years was it between the time you were saved and when you really started seeking the Lord?
Josiah's life demonstrates the process of growth after salvation.
Verses 3-7 - He begins to Serve
He brake down, cut down and ground up the idols in Israel
What is it in your life that needs to be cut down?
Are there remnants of distractions in your life that need to be ground up into dust?
What must God brake down in your life before you'll return to Him?
Division II.
Josiah Commands, Cleans Up, Confesses and Consecrates
Verse 8 - The Command & Clean up
Why did Josiah not repair and clean up the temple first? He knew that until the idols in the people's lives were cut down and removed there could be no worship. The same is true with us. You can go to church every service in a beautiful building but until you have cut down and removed the things that you are putting before the Lord there will be no worship.
Verse 19 - The confession/repentance
The Word still has power to convict today
When has the Word brought you to a place of confession of who you are when compared to a Holy God?
Consecration II Kings 23:2
The Revival was Word fed.
What importance do you place on the reading of God's Word?
That's just a quick outline of the lecture last night. I hope it encourages you as you read the passage.
The discussion was a blessing and the ladies insight was wonderful as always. If you weren't able to come ....we missed you and pray you'll be able to come next month. Remember it is the last class until January because we take December off due to all the Christmas activities. We are doing lesson 2 and 3 for this next month so work hard and dig in and see what God has for you!
God Bless you ladies!!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Ride for Awareness 2008
After many months of preparation the Ride for Awareness 2008 has come and gone. It was held this past Saturday in Greensboro. The weather was absolutely beautiful and their were 22 riders and a grand total, so far of $2580.00 to be given to the National Breast Cancer Research foundation! Hope had planned everything out really well and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves. Mark Butler finished first in just over an hour. Lori French spoke before the ride about her experience with the disease and it touched all our hearts. She did a fantastic job! I will post a few of the pictures below for you to enjoy. Another shout of THANKS!!!! for ALL the many volunteers!! Friends, Family, Church Family...you all are AWESOME!!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Ride for Awareness!!
I am so proud of Miss Hope! She is gearing up for the big ride on Saturday to benefit research for breast cancer and she finished this sign up tonight. She had painted the sign....no tracing! She has posters also. The registration for the ride begins at 1:30p.m. this Sat. 10-4-08 and the ride begins at 3:00p.m. She has a breast cancer survivor speaking, her dad giving safety tips, me praying for the safety of the riders before they leave and she is doing the welcome! She is serving pizza and "Pink" lemonade at the end of the ride. She will have a display table with brochures, bracelets, pins, etc. (donated by Regina Miller...GO REGINA!!) and much more. I know I'm her momma and I'm proud no matter what but she really has done a fantastic job putting this together for her senior project. I'll go ahead and say thank you to all those who are going to volunteer to help on Saturday!! And I want to praise the Lord for the beautiful weather!!
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