A Christmas Gift

I have tried different ways to tell the Christmas story but nothing has worked until I received a Christmas gift from my boss. This picture tells it all.

It may be hard to see but it is Joseph and Mary holding baby Jesus. These figures are crafted on a porcine cross. This is what Christmas is all about. Jesus born to be crucified.

John 3:16 (NLT)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. "

Merry Christmas

Thinking Back

For many days now I was trying to think what to write. I want to do the Christmas story but haven't been sure how I want to do it. Yes, there are many ways to do the Christmas story. I could just type out all the verses the way they are written in the Bible. That is always a good plan. I could just review the Christmas story and that is alright too. A lot of times there is a certain theme that I hear from different speakers that spark an idea. So far I haven't heard one.

I have two ideas and I am going to do one for today and if the other ones works out I will start the other one in the next post.

Idea One

Old Self

I did not grow up in a Christian home so the things that took place when I was small and up to about twelve happened this way:

I was an only child and I was born in 1946 so I am a baby-boomer child. My mother especially loved Christmas time and she enjoyed buying me a lot of things-especially dolls of all kinds and sizes. One Christmas I even got a crib to go with the doll that year. I remember the crib but don't remember the doll.

You see I never liked playing with dolls except for one. That one had a baby bottle with it and also you could feed it. So what I would do is feed it a flower and water mixture. It worked good until the doll began to smell and had to throw it away. I was very sad.

Another year I got a beautiful sled for Christmas, but I cried and cried and my mother asked me what was the matter. I told her that I didn't want it because it didn't fly like Santa did. 

Most of the time I enjoyed playing with the boxes that the gifts came in. 

New Self

When I turned nineteen I met a very fine young man and he went to a church which preached the Gospel and I learned about what the real meaning of Christmas was and other truths in the Bible. I learned it was the birth of Jesus. His Father sent Him down to earth so that when He became older (around 33) He would die on a cross for my sins and that I could be united with God and be adopted into His family.  So on February 18, 1966 I accepted I was a sinner and I needed to accept Christ as my Savior. I did so that day.

I must say 50 years later still learning and hopefully growing in my Christian life. When I hear some of the older songs like Silver Bells, White Christmas, etc. it brings back some of the memories of Christmas's past but the best part of Christmas now is thinking about what gift I am going to give to Jesus for His birthday and all year round. It is a word from the Bible and I look up all the verses with that word and then think on those verses the whole year. 

Question?

Do you give a gift to Jesus each year for His birthday? If not think about choosing a word for the theme of the year.                                                     

Two Dogs In A Car

It seems like this week I have seen some unusual things pertaining to dogs. The other day I posted about a dog barking from a half open window of an eighteen wheeler truck.

Today, as my husband and I were headed to my clinic so I could get some blood work done, we had to stop at a traffic light. The car next to us had two dogs in it. One dog was laying very content in it's owner's lap just looking us. The other dog, however, would first bark at us from the back seat of the car, then it would jump into the front seat. Next thing we saw was it jumping back into the back seat and just barking as loud as he could. He did this about three times before the light changed. I was sure glad that I was safe in my car as the dog didn't seem to be to friendly.

I was thinking how much we, who have pets, enjoy them so much and I am so glad that God made animals that can be pets and how much enjoyment they give to us.

How about you? Do you have a pet?

Being A Grandparent

My husband and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day and into the weekend. What made our time so good is that we got to see our oldest son Jeremy and his year-and-half daughter Chaise, which is our youngest grandchild. Our ten grandchildren go from the age one-and-half up to age of twenty-two. Three of our precious one are in heaven. Three live with there mother and step-father, and our daughter has three who still live at home. One is going to college one is thirthteen and soon to be fourteen and one just turned twelve years old.

I can enjoy my grandchildren more than I could my own children as I can sit and play with them and just have fun with them. Spoil them and then send them home. If you are a parent yourself and a grandparent you know what I mean. With our children we are busy doing parent things: getting up in the middle of the night, disciplining, ,training, teaching and other things. We don't have time to sit down to enjoy.

One of the things I would change is to have half the energy as my grandchildren have. How about you?

Prayer

Father, thank You for letting us be grandparents and help us to be good examples so that one day our grandchild will grow up and know You and Your Son in a personal way. In Jesus Name I pray this. 

A Strange Event

Happy Thanksgiving Day

The other day I was looking for a new pair of boots. So my husband and I stopped at our local shoe store. Before we went in I heared barking. There was no way that I should have heared a dog barking as there were no houses nearby, just business.

I looked toward the road and coming toward us was a eighteen wheeler truck with the passenger's window part-way down and this small terrier dog was half-way out the window just barking as loud as he/she could. It was such a strange sight and sound and funny looking. Huge truck, small dog.

I enjoy little things like this as it is something different and my day is never the same. God makes life very interesting and very different.

The World

Question
A very simple question for today and that is what is the world?

Answer

A place in which God does not live.

Darkness Then Light

Around 2:00 a.m. I needed to use the bathroom. When the light is on it shines into our bedroom as bathroom is near the bedroom. So,  I didn't turn on the light in the bathroom. Most of the time no trouble when I do this. This morning ,however, I went to reach for the toilet paper, which has its place when it is to big for the toilet holder. It wasn't there! I felt all around put could not find it. I finally had to turn on the light and there it was almost right in front of me.

Now you might be saying to yourself, "What an odd subject to be posting about." But this reminded me about another object that sometimes is not in the right place and that is my Bible. Then I need to look for it so I can use it.

When I don't read or use my Bible daily it is like I am in the dark. When I do find my Bible the Light is there and then I can see where I am walking spiritually and in the house.

I find it strange and wonderful at the same time when the Lord gives us object lessons to help us along in our walk with Him.

Things I Didn't Know About Wheelchairs And Walkers

Through out my life I have had many kinds of illness and surgeries. A few have been cancer surgery (thyroid), sinuous, gall bladder etc. Actually when they print out the information about medicines and illnesses it takes up about three pages.

What I wanted to talk about today is the things I am learning about having to use a walker or wheelchair. I just  received the diagnosis of arthritis in my right hip. I also have had it in my spine for many years. It is a little less in my left hip but there is a great deal of discomfort when I stand for periods of time, when I sit to long, and when I lay down, and especially when going up and down stairs. I am going to physical therapy to help loosen the knots in my back, hips and right leg.

I have been taking my walker to work with me as the walker helps me to walk the best. This is what I have discovered-chairs. I am working along and there is a chair right in the isle. I have to stop and get the chair out of the way so can go through. We have heavy wooden chairs so not an easy thing to do. So this has made me aware that from now on I push all chairs in. Also have to move other furniture around so can get through isles.

I get upset when people park in an handicap place and don't have a sticker and now I see how important it is to make sure all areas are clear of things that can make it hard for those in wheelchairs and using other equipment to get around.

I am so glad that God gave me such a wonderful husband as he has to drag out of the trunk of the car and put together my walker. It is one with a seat on it. It is heavy and awkward but he is so good about not complaining getting it out. He helps me around the house when I am not able to do something. God knew just the person I would need to be my husband. Praise His Holy Name!!!

Changing Times

Our nice days are turning into cool, dark and dreary days. The leaves have now changed to the dark brown color or have already fallen off the trees. This Saturday we turn the clocks back an hour and we had our first snow. The time of this writing it is October 31, 2016-Halloween day.

This year is slipping by so fast. Even though it is dreary outside it is well with my soul.

Is it well with your soul?

My Life Is Not All Boring

It has been a few days since I have written anything and that is because my life seems boring.

Yesterday, I was working at the library and all of a sudden a horrible scream rang throughout the library. Then another one and one more. It was the most terrifing scream I have every heard. As the person came closer I could see that a caregiver was trying to carry out the person that was screaming. The screaming person was kicking at him and eventually bit him on the hand an...d right through his shirt and on his arm.

This does not happen often, but we do have groups of people that do come in and look for books and use the library that are in need of assistance.

This person who was screaming seemed to have a problem at another library, but does like the gym. So my co-worker told the caregiver to try the gym again instead of the library as it seems this person doesn't like books.

It was by the grace of God that I didn't have a panic attack as I am prone to them, but the Lord was with me.

Once Upon A Time(Growing Older)

Once upon a time I was able to play on the floor with my grandkids, now it is not so easy to get up.

Once upon a time I was able to take long walks, now it is difficult to walk from one room to another.

Once upon a time I was able to do crafts, now I think of a lot I would like to do.

I really don't mind getting older, I can rest a lot and not feel bad about it. I do get a lot of books read. I do exercise every day when I am therapy. So not bad at all.

The Lord knows how much He wants us to do and He will give us the strength to do it. It just may not be as much as when we were younger or if you are retired you may be twice as busy.

Great Things God Has Done!

I was just praying asking my Heavenly Father what I should write about. A chorus of a song came into my mind and it was about praising God for the things He has done. So I decided to list just a few things in my life He has done.

1. Chose me.

2. Gave me His Son who died on the cross not just for me but for the whole world.

3. Gave me the Holy Spirit.

4. Gave to me a great husband, children, and great grandchildren.

5. Gave to me a wonderful church to go to and 3 wonderful, dedicated, loving Pastors to preach the Bible and the truth found in it.

These are only a few, but just wanted to praise Him and thank Him for all that He has given to me.

Question

How about you. Can you make a list of things that God has given you? Share if you care to. Would love to hear from you.

Seasons

My computer was not working so was not able to do this blog until today. My son, Jeremy helped me to get it back to working.

Today I wanted to talk about this beautiful time of year that we have in Upper New York State. I don't have any pictures to show you right now, but this is the weekend where the leaves are turning the red, orange, and yellow colors. The hillsides are just beautiful. Our backyard is beautiful also but my husband doesn't like the job ahead of him and that is raking the leaves. We get them from both neighbors.

Fall for me is the best time of the year. It is so beautiful. This year the changing colors of the leaves came sooner as we have had no rain for long periods time so things are very dry.

I am so glad that God made seasons. Each one has it good side and bad side but all of them brings me closer to my God. How about you? Does the seasons draw you closer to God?

Pray for those who were hit by the storm Matthew. My heart goes out for all the victims.

That's Good-That's Bad

My day started out very good. I got to do a lot of things on my list and it was a fine day until about 2:00. That's good.

My husband was mowing the lawn and he comes in with that look on his face like something was wrong, "The lawn mower broke."  Since the company we used to fix our lawn mower last time went out of business. I knew we couldn't fix it ourselves. That's bad. So my husband and I went to the Lowe's and they had just a very simple mower and so we were able to get it. That's good.

We came home and found out that the mower was one that each part had to be put on the mower. The wheels, the handle, the side piece where the grass come out. This is very very bad. My husband is not a handyman. I could do some of it, but don't have the strength.

We got the instruction book out, and yes we did follow them word for word. What should have taken maybe half hour took us about two hours. Not the right tools were available, my husband has arthritis in his hands so it was hard for him to hold on the screws. As he and I were working today I prayed very hard that we would be able to put the mowing machine together. He answered my pray and we did get it together. That's very very good.

I am so glad that the Lord answers our prayers.

My Heavenly Father and I

I was suppose to be at work at 9:00 am. this morning but when I got up I could hardly move and I just didn't feel well at all. So I called my boss and told her that I would not be into work. Then I ate a small breakfast, took my medicine, and went right back to bed.

As I lay there beginning to relax and fall asleep I heard a familiar voice (which was my own, (but it is the way that God speaks to me) saying, "I love you my child."

Then from there my Father went into a conversation about telling me to be myself. Love who He has made. Then He showed me by having me remember the fruit of the Spirit. Love, gentle, kind etc. He was telling me these are some of the qualities that I have and always did have since I became His child. He told me that I was to listen to Him and read His word and always go to Him first before I go to others. I was not to believe the lies that people have told me in the past. It was just a beautiful time.

As I said it was not an audible voice of God Himself, but I know when my spirit and His are working together and it is such a soothing time. I know that He hears me when I talk to Him.

Question

Have you had any time when you knew the Lord was speaking to you?  

WOW!

I was able to go to a wonderful two day conference in a town near where I live. It was a Friday evening and from 9-4 on Saturday. Good food, crafters, and great fellowship with other believers from all over state and outside of New York State.

There were three main speakers at the conference. The first speaker spoke about facing an uncertain future with faith. She shared with us that every problem, disappointment, catastrophic event is an opportunity to express faith in a Sovereign God and His perfect plan. This was such an encouraging message. She spoke of our Sovereign God who has chosen to give us His Word, reveal events He has planned for the future, and how He orchestrates world events to fulfill His Word. She also shared how God uses godless rulers to complete His plans. Cyrus, in Isaiah, was one of them. Also our Sovereign God  guarantee's His promises. (Jeannie Vogel)

The second speaker we had is the mother of eighteen children. Ten living and eight are in heaven. She is only 47 years old. She spoke on the imprint we leave on the future generations. She gave us each a small ball of clay in a small plastic bag to help us to remember that we are clay and each one of us leaves our own imprint in the world. While she was speaking I kept shaping my little ball of clay. At the end of the message it was no longer a ball shape but a square, flat, shape. The thought she left with us was to choose to live today as if someone's tomorrow depended on it. What a precious lady. (September McCarthy)

The final speaker presented herself in such a way you wanted to laugh and also cry. She shared impacting a hurting world with faith. She spoke about Rahab and how she became a believer and it was through Rahab came the line of David. She also shared God's attributes and brought out how faithful God is, how He loves us, and we need to obey Him. (Debbie Scott)

The last speaker left us stunned. Her words were so powerful that instead of doing what they usually do at the end they did different and the conference ended early. It is great when You can feel the Holy Spirit working and that God is where you are.

I am so thankful that I could attend this conference.

Praising The Lord For This Day

Today I want to praise the Lord for giving to me a very good day.

I had to go for a ultra-sound of my throat this morning. Just a routine check as I had thyroid cancer in 2008 and I had a ultra-sound last year and the doctor was making sure there were no problems. It was simple test, didn't take long, and got to eat out for lunch. Also had an opportunity to do some shopping in a store I don't get to go to often. Then I went to work.

I process books for the children's department for a local library. Today I am very thankful that I was able to work in the back office. I have a small counter space where I can work on getting the books ready to be put into the computer and be put on the shelf when I am done processing them. I haven't been able to work out back to much as we are short of people. Today it was not to busy so my co-worker worked out front with the public and I worked out back. Worked out good.

Now I am enjoying working on my computer and writing this post. It is just nice to have a sorta of quiet day and evening and relaxing.

How About You?

Do you like quiet days? Do you praise the Lord for a quiet day?

He Heals The Brokenhearted

Psalm 147:1-6
Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant,
and a song of praise is fitting.

The LORD builds up Jerusalem:

he gathers the outcasts of Israel.

He heals the brokenhearted

and binds up their wounds.

He determines the number of the stars;

he gives to all of them their names.

Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;

his understanding is beyond measure.

The LORD lifts up the humble;

he casts the wicked to the ground.

Questions

Do you have a favorite song that you sing to praise God?

Has God every healed your broken heart?

In The Moment

Usually by the time I get up in the morning my husband is sitting and eating his breakfast and he has music playing. This morning he put on a cd that had my favorite person singing---Andy Williams. I sat drinking my coffee and a flood of memories came to me.

I am a teenager and it is in the 1960's. Most of the kids are listening to the Beatles and rock-and-roll music. Not me. I am sitting on my bed with my records and listening to the music of Andy Williams dreaming of thoughts when the day would come when I would have a boyfriend and eventually get married and have children.

I am now seventy years old and still get enjoy the music of this man. You may be asking did I find my soul mate? Yes, I did. We just celebrated our 50th anniversary in August of this year(2016). We have three grown children and ten grandchildren one just starting college down to a 15 month old.

God has been so good over the years and I am so thankful for the great memories I have of my life and very thankful for being a child of God and all the great times and sometimes hard times the Lord has seen me through.

May you have good memories of your life. If you don't...start now and enjoy the moment you are in. If you have the Lord as your Savior He will help you through all things.

Chipmunk Disappears

The other day I was sitting on my back steps enjoying a cup of coffee. I saw something move and turned to the direction of where the movement was coming from. It was a very small chipmunk. It was at the top of the small hill in my neighbors yard and it was running down the hill toward me. This happens often as we have a lot of chipmunks in our area.

Wait! Where did it go? I was watching it closely and it was no where in sight. Then I realized that it went down one of the holes it had dug earlier. It must have been storing its food that it had in its mouth.

This reminded that God knew just what chipmunk would need for all seasons. You know God knows what we need also. I am so thankful for this.

Question

Are you thankful also for what God supplies for you?

Hello,
It has been a long time since I posted on this site and I missed doing so. To be honest I had a period of time when I was at the very bottom of my spiritual life. I was depressed, wanting to take my own life, I mean at the real bottom. However, the Lord and my Father God and the Holy Spirit didn't give up on me. Slowly, with lots of help from Scriptures, messages, and songs I began to see the areas I needed to change and also recover from not getting my medicine correctly when I was in the hospital.

I am sharing this because some times the best and the strongest believers at times have difficult times. In my case it was so bad I couldn't even pray. But I have found out since through studying about the Holy Spirit, that He was praying for me all through this down side.

I believe that we need to share these times even though it is hard to do. We feel weak, ashamed, and unworthy. There is a saying that when we are at our lowest the only way to go is up. I believe this and God is helping me every step of the way.

One of the things I was struggle with is what am I to be doing with my life. The answer I was getting each time I asked God was to write.

So the best way for me to write is short articles or in this case blogging is the best way to get across and sharing what the Lord is doing in my life and I pray that you may receive a blessing from them and help you to grow in the Lord.

I like to write things that happen to me day by day and show how the Lord has worked in what has happen. So I will continue to do so. Being a disciples means to follow our Teacher, which is the Lord and what better way then to share what He is doing in our lives and others.

I pray that those who were following me will come back and many more. I do so enjoy sharing the Lord with you.

In Christian Love
Bonnie

Going Nowhere Fast

Have you been in a place in your life when you have so many ideas and plans and when you think about them they get you excited? I have and I do.

I have one problem though and maybe you have it too. My mind is thinking one age and one mode and my body is telling me something else. I still am working a part-time job, I enjoy doing all kinds of crafts, and I am active in my church as much as I can be. Right now I am receiving a great blessing from teaching the two-four years old during Church time. They are so precious. Right now I have five girls in my class. We are just getting to know each other. This last week I was down on the floor pretending I was laying in my tent. We did the story of Abraham and Sarah when the Lord told them they had to leave home. The girls loved it but I must say it was a lot easier getting up off the floor when I was in my thirties instead of almost being seventy.

I guess the old saying, "You are as old as you feel," is very true. The 'Golden Years' is not how I would describe getting older. There is coming a day in which I can look forward to when I am with my Jesus. When I finally get to heaven and see Him and God my Father and the Bible tells me there will be not more tears or pain. And then I can talk to my Lord and praise my Father all the time.

Well since I am standing typing this post my feet and legs are beginning to hurt so I best go for now and set down and see what kind of adventure I am in for this coming Sunday.

Until next time you think young.

The Lord Heals The Brokenhearted!

For many years I have had a broken heart. As I read Psalm 147:3 I realized that I no longer need to have this broken heart. As the verse reads, "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."  God has healed my broken heart curing it of its pain and sorrows. I don't know why it has taken me so long to realize this. I am so glad I have. 

Father,
Thank You for showing me in Your Word that I no longer need to have a broken heart because You have healed me from it. I am so thankful and rejoicing. I love You, Your Word, Your Son, and Your Spirit. How can one not be joyful with You on their team. 

Show others that You can also heal their broken heart and remove the sorrow and pain from their lives. You are no different now then You were when these Words were written. You are not going to change ever. You are the same for all time and everlasting. 

The End Of Me

the end of me/Jesus  by Kyle Idleman is a book about becoming a broken person and emptied out of  all of your sins and allowing the Holy Spirit to fill you with what God wants for their lives.

Maybe you do this at times and that is to put on a mask or fake a smile when actually you are crying inside. Maybe you say all the right words but your lives don't back up your words. This is easily done. Remember, however we can fool those around us but we can not fool God. He knows are heart. He even knows our thoughts even before we think them.

This book is based on Matthew 5 and the Sermon on the Mount. It is one way that the Lord taught his twelve chosen men. Others were around to hear but He was speaking and teaching to His disciples. If you are a believer you too are a learner of God's ways.

This is a great book on seeing how real life in the upside-down ways of Jesus begins. Title headings will show you what is meant by this statement. Broken to Be Whole, Mourn to Be Happy, Humbled to be Exalted, Authentic to Be Accepted. In the second half of the book it is talking about Empty to Be Filled, Helpless to Be Empowered, Disqualified to Be Chosen and Weak to Be Strong.

If you are looking for a good book to encourage you in your walk and relationship with God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit this is the book for you.

May you be blessed as you read.

From Panic To Power

In March I was put in the hospital for chest pains. That is nothing unusual as I have chest pains a lot. This time however the pains and symptoms were very different.

It started out by me sitting to long at my computer. Then I began to have a headache, sick to my stomach, and sweating along with the chest pain. I went to my walk-in clinic and of course they sent me to the ER. That was no surprise. What was a surprise was they gave me the choice of going in an ambulance or letting my husband take me. I said I wanted to have my husband take me as it would be about $1,000.00 cheaper. 

We arrived at the hospital and found out that not only was I still having chest pains, but had another kind of an infection. They put me in the observation part of the hospital. I had an stress test and echo gram and failed both. This was on Friday and now I had to wait til Monday to get a heart cath. 

As it turns out I got a virus which caused me to be sick on the day of the procedure. I was given medicine and that calm down my stomach.  

When the doctor went in to check my heart there was one section that was not right and they worked on that area and then I was able to go home about three hours later. 

What was worse than the chest pain and the virus was I did not receive my medicine that I should have been getting. It was listed as needed. They didn't realize that I have been on this medicine for at least twelve years taking it two or three times a day. It is a control substance medicine so most people would only take when needed, but my use for the medicine was a maintaining my illness. So I went into a anxiety attack. I thought panic attacks were bad but anxiety attacks are different and a lot worse.

Through all this I can honestly say that as I was going through my panic attack my Heavenly Father was holding onto me and saying in His still small voice, "It is the medicine not your faith." (I didn't hear God's voice, but His Spirit and my spirit were united and I felt my Father taking care of me.) 

I  know there are many people who don't know the Lord and I know it took me nineteen years before I knew about Him and accepted Him as my Savior. The night I had the attack it was like I could not reach my Heavenly Father. My mind was so jumbled. It was very scary to me.  I don't know what I would do without my Lord. 

I am recovering fine from my chest pain. I still have some reflux problems, and have a change of medicine for that. I am not fully back to being able to function as well as I did even on the medicine for my anxiety.  Each day is getting better and the Lord is not angry with me because I am on the medicine as being mental ill is no different than having a heart problem or cancer it is just an illness of the mind and needs attention also.

I feel so sorry for those who have mental illness and not getting the help they need. My prayers go out to them. 

Take mental illness seriously and help those in need when you can. Also take salvation seriously and talk to those who don't know the Lord when the Spirit leads you. 

It is good to be back. 

Words Have Different Meanings Today!

I receive messages daily from my friend and my former Pastor. It is called Daily Prescription and it is written my Michael Peck. 

Today's message had to do with words. How words have different meanings now. He used Psalm 103:13 as an example.  Lets look at the verse: "Like as a father piteth his children, so the LORD piteth them that fear Him."

What is the first thought that comes to your mind when you here pity? Today it means "a strong feeling of sadness or sympathy." However in the text it actually means "to love deeply, have mercy upon, to be compassionate and tender for another."

What a different meaning. I like the second meaning better. To think that "Like as a father loves deeply, has mercy upon his child(ren), compassion, and is tender for not only his child but others, that is how the Lord feels about those who have Him as their personal Savior. We are His children. 

If you would like to read Michael Peck's daily prescription you can go to his site. I believe you will be blessed by his writing. Here is the address: dailyprescriptions@michaelpeck.org and if it comes up as an email he wouldn't mind adding you to his mailing list. Just tell him that Bonnie House sent you his address. 

At Last !

I got my computer back. It is still not working just right, but at least I can get to everything but printing out something. Need to work more on this. I got everything else hooked up and working on printer, but somehow I don't have the printer hooked up to computer yet.

Other News
This morning as I was looking out my kitchen window I saw a chipmunk for the first time this year. They have holes all over our yards in the neighborhood, but I haven't yet seen any yet. This morning not only did I see one but I saw two. One went into our neighbor's water spout and the other went into one of its hole in the ground then it pop out again. So cute.

I am so glad that the weather is warming up where I live and the flowers, trees, and Spring animals are immerging. What a great time of year!

 

Verse Of The Day 

Genesis 1:1

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

 

 

 

 

Rejoicing In The Lord

I have not posted in awhile as things here on the home front have calm done some. I am over my strep throat and my diabetic condition is doing better and Satan is slowing somewhat down on his attacks. There are a few days that I know he is there, but I have the verse that reminds me that greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. I John 4:4.

There is still one problem I do have and that is my computer is not working well and my printer is not working at all. So I am sending back my computer to the repair shop to see if they can fix it see if I may need to get something different. If I didn't use my computer so much I would not get another one but I do use it for many things. 

Now for the thought that I wanted to give you this morning I found while reading my private devotions. It is in Hosea 5:14, 15. "For I will be like a lion to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear and go away; I will carry off, and no one shall rescue. I will return again to my place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face, and in their distress earnestly seek me. 

Thought
I became very sad when I read even God gets tears in His eyes. And He went back to His Home and was going to stay there until His people acknowledge their guilt and again seek His face and their distress earnestly seek Him. 

Israel is God chosen people, but atvthis time the Church is God's chosen people that He is working with along with Israel. We, as the church, sometimes turn our backs on God also. I wonder if God is crying now?

What's In A Name?

I know that when my husband and I found out I was having our first baby we wrote down a list of names for girls, boys, and even twins. It was fun. 

As I was reading my personal devotions the other day the Lord told Hosea what He wanted Hosea's children named. We find their names in Hosea 1:4-8. Here are the names: Jezreel was the first son. Then came a daughter and her name was to be No Mercy. Then a third child was born, a son, and his name was to be called Not My People. Pretty strange names for children.

The reason why these names were chosen is because the Lord wanted to put an end to the kingdom of the house of Israel. So Jezreel got that name. No Mercy was given for there was no more mercy on the house of Israel and no more forgiveness. And Not My People was named to show that that Israel were no longer His people or He their God. 

I am glad we just chose Kimberley, Jeremy David, and Jason Matthew.

How The Bible Tells Us To Live

I don't usually do this but I used the information that I put on my other blog. I thought the information would help here as I pray it helps those who read it on the other blog. 

Highlights of the Sermon On The Mount

Matthew 5-7 (ESV)

The Beatitudes 5:1-12

Salt and Light 5:13-19

Christ Came to Fulfill the Law 5:17-20

Anger 5:21-26

Lust 5:27-30

Divorce 5:31-32

Oaths 5:33-37

Retaliation 5:38-42

Love Your Enemies 5:43-48

Giving to the Needy 6:1-4

The Lord's Prayer 6:5-15

Fasting 6:16-18

Lay Up Treasures in Heaven 6:19-24

Do Not Be Anxious 6:25-34

Judging Others 7:1-6

Ask, and It Will Be Given 7:7-11

The Golden Rule 7:12-13

A Tree and Its Fruit 7:15-20

I Never Knew You 7:21-23

Build Your House on the Rock 7:24-27

The Authority of Jesus-7:28, 29

Thought

There are a lot of great lessons, truths, and it is exciting to see all that the Lord wants us to know. Almost all subjects are in just this section of Scripture. 

Question

Do you have any that pop out at you? Are there some favorites here that you like? I like the one about asking and it will be given to you (me). I need to ask in the right motive, but that's alright. Build my house on the rock is another good one. I could go on but you get the idea. There are many more I like. 

Prayer

Father, thank you for giving us your word and helping us know how You want us to live. It is so helpful to have a guideline to help us along the way along with Spirit who reminds us of these truths. We love You. In Jesus' Name I pray this prayer. 

Blogs

http://housecreatio.blogspot.com

http://www.disciplesnook.blogspot.com

Don't Let Satan Win!

I belong to a small group in our church. We are studying about warfare. Warfare that doesn't come the world but from Satan. We are talking about putting on the full armor of God. We are doing our study from Chip Ingram's book The Invisible War.

I find when anyone is trying to become closer to God and talks about Satan and how we can resist him there is always going to be trials coming our way. Last evening was no different.

I would like to leave you with a few verses, and I must say that my computer has shut down on me three times already as I am typing this post. Here are the *verses:

Ephesians 6:10-12 (NASB)
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."

I John 4:4 (NASB)
"You are from God, little children, and have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world."

I John 5:4-5 (NASB)
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith. And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Revelation 12:11 (NASB)
And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even to death.

James 4:7 (NASB)
Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 

*NASB is the New American Standard Bible. If you have a Bible version that you like better or use yourself look up these verses in your own Bible.

These verses can be used to help you resist the devil when he attacks. The next verse I am going to share is one that I believe if we can use each day it will help us to fight better and become closer to God. 

Psalm 139:23, 24 (NASB)
"Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way."

Art Is In The Sight Of The Beholder

What Do You See In This Picture?

As I was setting at my desk and looking toward my window thinking about what I would be writing today I saw a shadow on my curtain that to me looks like it could be the face of Jesus. And He is watching me as I am typing this post. My husband just came up and I asked him what he saw. "Nothing," he said. I tend to see faces in art work or shadows or whatever it might me.  In this case I think because was just reading my daily devotions in the Old Testament and the verses were all about the Lord speaking to His people in Israel, that this was on my mind.

I like the idea of being reminded that wherever I am the Lord is watching over me. It is comforting and helps me to want to please Him in all I do. I want to be one that when I meet Him face to face He will be able to say, "Well done my faithful servant." How about you? Is that your desire also?

It Happened Again

The message for Sunday, January 31, 2016 at our church was "What About Good Works?" One of the verses that the Pastor used was found in Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

Does good works get us into heaven? No! But if you have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior then you become a member of God's family. Then by doing good works for the right reason, pleasing God, then this will show others that you are a child of God. 

On Sunday, January 31, 2016 I began reading a new book I received on Kindle entitled, A Different Kind of Wild by Debbie Alsdorf.  One of the first verses she uses in her book is Ephesians 2:10. Here she uses it referring to God who has plans for us and He desires to change us in order for us to fulfill those plans. Wild means Women In Lifelong Development. More on this book and author in another post.

I just get excited and sometimes a little nervous when I hear or see verses keep coming up more than once during a week. To me it is like the Lord is trying to tell me something. 

The verse in Ephesians was a big help this week for me.  

Parking Lot Rage

I have often heard my husband get angry with a driver who goes into a parking space that we were headed for, but I have never heard anyone else yell at a person. We had such a person do such a thing to us the other day.

I have the right to park in a handicap space. I have a sticker and as we came into Barnes and Noble we saw a handicap place open. My husband drove into it. I saw a car that was near the sidewalk but didn't see a blinker or any indication that the driver wanted to pull into the same space. Next thing we know this person found another space and when we both got out of our cars this guy was yelling and screaming at us and talking real loud with the people he was with saying that we knew he wanted to park in that space.  Even when we got into the store he was still yelling at us.

I was very shaken up because I know if we saw that he was going to turn into the space we would have found another one.

Between road rage and parking lot parking I don't know which is worse. I am glad that my husband does most of the driving so I don't have to deal with. It is scary time in both cases.

I am so glad that God knows all about what is going to take place. We as Christian need to have the right attitude, but sometimes other drivers gets the best of us. If we act upon our anger that is sin and we need to confess it to the Lord. Most of the time can not confess our anger to others and ask for their forgiveness.

Question
How about you? Do you get a feeling of road rage or anger when someone takes your parking spot?

Verse For The Day

Psalm 46:10

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

It's A Good Good Day!

When I went to visit my niece a few years back my nephew kept singing the lyrics to a song which I never heard, "It's Going To Be A Good Good Day" it might even be a good night. Every time I hear the song played I think of my nephew.

I also can say today so far it has been a very good good day.

 I had my quiet time with the Lord and He gave me instructions of what I was to do this morning. In my private devotions  I am reading the book of Micah. I would recommend  if you have an opportunity to read the Old Testament, especially the lasts books in the Old Testament,  it is amazing all the information, blessings, and closeness to God you can receive from reading these books. They give a very good picture of who God is and how He feels about His chosen people the Israelites. It also helps me see what I should or should not be doing in my own life as the Bible has the same principles for us today. God never changes and neither does His Word. (Note: we may have many versions of the Bible, but the original Words written were given to the writers by God.)

Now back to getting done the next thing on my list to do.

May you all have a very good good day also.

Verse For The Day

Isaiah 30:18 (ESV)
Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

My Sister And My Devotions How Do They Go Together?

Today as I was reading my personal devotional from the book of Habakkuk, I thought of my sister. Not because of what I was reading, but how I am going about starting out the New Year.

My sister and I didn't grow up together. I was adopted when I was a baby and went right home from the hospital with my adoptive parents. So for ten years I thought she was my cousin. I stayed with her, my brother, and my Mom at their house during the summer. In 1956, I lost contact with them. It would not be til 1996 I would see her again and  finally meet her as my sister. I was so excited I Now I had a sister that I could share things with.

The reason I was reminded of her this morning is that even though we were separated all those years we have so many things in common. I won't go into all of them but the one thing that I want to mention is that we tend to start from the back of a magazine and other materials when we read them. So that is what I am doing with the Old Testament of the Bible. I started reading the last book in the Old Testament and reading the Bible this way.

So far I have read Malachi, Zechariah, Haggai, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, which by the way is my favorite one so far. What a prayer life Habakkuk had. My next book is Nahum. I found this is a good way to read some of the books of the Bible that are not read much and many may not know they exist.

I am so thankful that I found my sister and when we are able to talk to each other we share what we are doing. The only problem is she lives in another state so we don't see each other very often. But the Lord knows what we need and provides us with love, caring, phones,computer so we don't lose each other again.

Prayer
Father, I must end this post with thanksgiving to You for allowing  Doris, Doug, Mom and I to find each other and have a great relationship and love toward each other. It doesn't always work out this way with adoption but You have been so good to us.  It took many years for me to be ready for the reunion but You knew just the right time. 

I Have A Question

Question
The question I have for today is do you have a favorite verse(s) or maybe you have what we call a life verse(s) that you go to? I was reading about this the other day somewhere in my reading material. 

Mine is as follows:

2 Peter 1:3-11

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. 

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brother affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus  Christ for whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from the former sins. 

Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Count God's blessings today

Praising God

I am still recovering from my virus and sinus infection so I have been resting. As I lay on my bed and I begin my time with God I first stop and think of who my God is. Once I begin to really think about all He is to me and to the world it is mind bogging.

* He spoke and the world was created with the help of His Son Jesus. And yes the Holy Spirit was there with them. 

* He is a God of love, but He also disciplines us. We all need that from time to time.

* He is a jealous God. He wants all of us not just part of us. He wants us to love Him with all of our hearts, minds, souls, strength. He also wants us to love our neighbors which means anyone that comes into our lives. 

* He chose me to be His child.

* He has a plan for me. He will guide me in how to do that plan.

* He makes me feel special as He does for all His children. 

I could go on, but I think that is enough for now. I trust that when you meet with God you first recognize who He is, then confess your sins, then thank Him for what He has done for you, and finally you can ask for your supplications. You will find great peace and comfort in this. I know that I do. 

Mama Can Sing Bass

I trust that your New Year is starting out good. So far mine has not been the best start. I have a sore throat, I sound like Mama could sing bass, and my blood sugar is 207 this morning. It was 358 the other day. I am back to really watching my diet and drinking a lot of water, and resting a lot. 

I don't usually get sick very often but with the weather the way it has been here in Upstate New York we had 60% temperature for Christmas. It is now getting colder but it is suppose to warm up again later on. 

It amazes me that we never know what a day will bring. I tend to be a person with the personality that it is hard for me to have a schedule. I am a spur-of-the moment type of person anyway. But I have been reading about being more organized, and I am doing this and now I can't find anything. Has that ever happened to you? Someday I will have my office, computer room, craft room just the way I want it. In the mean time I know that the Holy Spirit will guide me in what to do and not worry when I can't do something I want. God has His own timetable. I am sure glad that I have the Holy Spirit to help me through a day. 

How About You?
Do you have times when you want to get things done and due to illness or something else that comes into your life that interferes with what you have planned that God is there with you and the Holy Spirit with guide you and you will get done what you need to.  

While I Was Dreaming

I happened to be one that remembers most of my dreams in detail after they happened. In fact just this morning I was dreaming and my husband woke me up when it was time for my medicine. I then went back to sleep and continued my dream.

I tend to have dreams that are all alike in some way. It is either the kind of dream that I am trying to help people to get out of danger or it may be that I am in danger and trying to escape, or when I was working on graphic novel at work I was dreaming I was Super Woman flying off the building I lived in when I was a child. When I first went on one of my new medicines I was dreaming of shooting people because I was mad at them. 

I see a theme in these dreams which I believe the Lord is showing me that I still have a lot of anger, loss of self-worth, and fear in my life. I had a very unhappy and abusive childhood and there are a lot of issues that I have not truly dealt with.

So this morning I asked my Heavenly Father to show me how to deal with the issues I am struggling with so that this new year will be a much better, healther, and a closer walk with Him.