My First Steps With Jesus

Sometimes You Gotta Ask

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:46:00 +0000

I've been gone for a while and I'm not going to make any excuses. I've been lost for a bit. I mean The Lord's never far from me and I do think about Him but for a while that's all I've been doing. Something will happen that reminds me that He's there, then I get involved in little world and I forget for a while.

I feel so lost when I don't think of Him all the time and include Him in my daily life. I know He enjoys being there and I enjoy the company but again, in my little world there's not much room for someone else.

Don't get me wrong, The Lord's there when I need Him and He's never let me down. I know I can count on Him but I'm finding I'm back to only going to Him with my problems and not my praise. He does like a some praise once in a while and I can tell you when I praise Him I can feel the glow radiating off of Him, I can feel His smile and I can almost feel a tear because he's so touched that I remembered.

Something happened this week that made me realize just how much He wants us or desires us to come to Him with our problems. How much He wants to take away our hurt and suffering but sometimes He wants to be asked.

We have two of the most adorable puppies, Stretch & Ellie. For a few months we've noticed Ellie scratching a lot but didn't notice any fleas on her. As a matter of fact when she went to the vet for her shots they said she was fine. So, her scratching became the norm and we'd make jokes about it.

A couple of weeks ago we were watching TV and Ellie was on Don's lap when he said a flea jumped on him. Being the dutiful parents of 2 puppies I immediately gave her a bath with flea shampoo. Actually we gave both dogs a bath. Then we ignored it but gave them second baths the following week and Don got flea collars for both of them. We were handling the situation and doing what we were suppose to do.

A few days ago I was combing Ellie and literally picked 5 fleas off of her. Don went out and got a spray for them for fleas, a flea dip (in case the spray didn't work), powder for the carpet and another spray for the furniture. We treated both dogs, washed their bedding and treated our bedroom which is where they spend a lot of time sleeping. Later that evening we went through Ellie's fur and picked out 5 more fleas. That's when we noticed she had a terrible rash on her belly and all around her tail and back legs with a little on her chest. The fur on her sides was very thin and short. She'd been scratching and chewing so much she was thinning out her own fur. We felt so bad and that night I prayed for her and asked God to bring her some relief.

The next day my sister-in-law called. Her dog has fleas and the vet gave her a pill. The pill is suppose to kill fleas and you'll notice them dropping off of them within 30 minutes. We called our vet and went in that afternoon and picked up 2 pills, one for each dog. Later that evening we noticed dead fleas where Ellie was laying. We also started putting cortisone on her rash.
Yesterday morning we checked Ellie's fur and found no fleas. I thanked God for the flea treatment working but asked him again to bring her relief from her suffering. Imagine our surprise when we this morning her rash is so much clearer and she's not as red.

I know the bible says in Matthew 6:8 "Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him". It also says in John 14:13 "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." So, I was thinking about this when it hit me. Yes, God does know what you need and most times He will provide before you even realize you need it or before you ask. But He doesn't want to be taken for granted and once in a while He'd like to be asked. He wants that two way conversation with you rather than Him doing all the talking and He wants to receive the glory. I mean, think about it. If we got everything we needed or wanted without thinking about it we'd be expecting it all the time and not even thinking about where it came from. BUT by asking once in a while through prayer and having that prayer answered we're seeing God at work. It's at those times we glorify His name and we want to run out in the streets yelling about our awesome God. That's what He wants from us.

So, consider this me glorifying His name and shouting to the world I serve an awesome God.

Psalm 32: 2-4
My soul will boast in the LORD;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me;
let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.

Deuteronomy 32:2-4
Let my teaching fall like rain
and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
like abundant rain on tender plants.
I will proclaim the name of the LORD.
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he.

Pride

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 06:32:00 +0000

We all have arguments and I'm no exception. As a matter of fact I can argue with the best of them and keep going back for more. It was after a recent argument that the Lord had a stern talk with me and put me in my place. I feel His message is too important not to share it with you.

Think about your most recent argument with somebody. You know the one where there was yelling, name calling and someone walked off in a huff. Yeah, that's the one. Now think about why it happened. Someone said something to hurt you and in response you said things to make them feel just as bad, they said something that made you mad or they were insensitive to your feelings and again you tried to hurt them the same way. Now think about WHY you reacted as you did. I'm pretty sure it was pride.

The dictionary defines Pride as:
1 : the quality or state of being proud: as a : inordinate self-esteem : conceit b : a reasonable or justifiable self-respect c : delight or elation arising from some act, possession, or relationship
2 : proud or disdainful behavior or treatment : disdain
3 a : ostentatious display b : highest pitch : prime
4 : a source of pride : the best in a group or class
5 : a company of lions
6 : a showy or impressive group

When you say your feelings got hurt so they deserved what they got what you're really saying is, my pride got hurt. When you say they made you mad and they got what was coming to them what you're really saying is, someone said or did something that went against what I felt or thought and that hurt my pride. When you say they were insensitive and I had a right to say what I did what you're really saying is, they didn't care about my feelings, again it's that pride thing. I mean look at the pattern here, it's all about YOU.

Now lets look at it biblicaly. There are many places where we're told that we are not to be proud, that pride will be our destruction. Was Jesus proud or easy to anger? Did Jesus get His feelings hurt and stomp off in a huff when someone didn't agree with Him? Why then are we so full of pride and self worth that we have a right to get upset and angry just because we FELT we were wronged. At those times aren't we putting ourselves a little above the Lord?

The next time your in the middle of an argument stop and think why you're feeling the way you do. I'm sure if you look at the example Jesus left us you'll realize you're making a choice whether it's conscious or not to put yourself up on that pedestal, you know the one. It's the one front and center, the one that make you just a little or a lot better than everyone else and also above God. Is that really where you want to be?

Proverbs 8:13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Proverbs 16:5 The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 16:18-19 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed then to share plunder with the proud.

Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing go associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Don't Give Satan Too Much Credit

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:58:00 +0000

Someone once told me to be careful not to give Satan too much credit. At the time I didn't understand what that meant but today I do. Don't be too quick to blame Satan for the bad things that happen in our lives.

You may think that doesn't sound right because Satan loves to taunt us, torture us and essentially mess with us as much as he can. The problem with that thinking is Satan not only causes us harm by doing bad things but also by good things. Yes, even some things you might think are great can be from Satan. He uses those times to take our focus away from where it should be which is on God. There's also someone else that can cause bad things to happen or bad times in our lives, Us.

Yes, our free will and free thinking can be the cause of some of our misfortunes. God gave us free will so we'll WANT to love Him and come to Him willingly. He didn't want us to be puppets who love Him because we have no choice. Well, that free will can sometimes be our downfall and cause us more unhappiness than we've ever imagined. It's happened to me and I'm fairly certain it's happened to you also.

Your out with some friends and have a few too many drinks. Your judgment is altered but you decide you're OK to drive. After all you're a careful driver and have never been in an accident. Your friends caution you but you ignore their warnings and as soon as you pull out in the street you hit a car. You get a ticket for DUI. Did Satan cause that ticket or was it you exercising your free will to make the choice to have too much to drink and get behind the wheel of a car? That doesn't mean Satan doesn't use those times to his advantage. It's at those times that doubts about God will creep in and can cause you to turn from Him.

You've smoked 3 packs of cigarettes a day for 30 years. You start having trouble breathing and difficulty doing the thingsyou use to. A doctors visit and testing shows you have emphysema and need to be put on oxygen. Did Satan cause you to get sick or was it you using your free will and ignore all the warnings out there by choosing to smoke? Again Satan may use this to his advantage and you get angry with God. You may even turn from God and blame Him for your illness.

In both situations God wasn't to blame but He is there to comfort you in your time of need. He will use this for His purposes if you let allow Him. In the case of the DUI God may use this to turn your life around and make you more aware of your actions. He may use you to talk to others about drinking and driving and maybe prevent someone else from making a big mistake. He may even have been there that night and prevented anyone from suffering any injuries or worse. In the case of the smoker. God could use this to finally get you to stop smoking. This won't reverse the lung disease but it may slow it down and others may see what smoking has done and quit or never start.

The next time something bad happens in your life or the life of someone you care about don't be too quick to blame God or give Satan credit. Instead keep your focus on the Lord. Look toward God and see how He can use this to glorify Him and allow Him to use you for His purpose.

Deuteronomy 30: 19-20 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

John 5:30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is jus, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

Revelations 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" Whoever is thirsty let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

Mark 4:15 Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

Faith or Religion

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 05:57:00 +0000

I've been very lax in writing here because I can't think of anything to write. Today it hit me, I'm not the one who's writing this. I'm trying to do it myself and it's not working. I need to go back to asking God to use me for His will and then follow that will wherever it leads without asking how, when or where. Just step out on faith and follow. So, I've asked God to tell me what he wants to say and I guess we're both going to find out together since I actually have no idea what it is right now.

Have you ever thought about the difference between faith and religion? Do you even think there's a difference? If you look at what faith is, the belief in something unseen then look at religion which has a face, name and bunch of rules there is a difference.

Religion comes in many different sizes and you can go shopping to find the one that fits you but is that really faith. Religion is man made, it has a lot of rules, regulations, obligations and it changes with people's whims and what's popular at the time. Look at any religion and the requirements for their salvation changes. The requirements for membership, yes you have to be a member of a certain religion, you have to take classes or pass tests or be voted in, change with the times.

Christianity isn't a religion, it's a faith and that faith in Christ hasn't changed in over 2000 years. The bible is the same today as the day it was written. Christ is the same today as He was 2000 years ago as a matter of fact Christ will still be the same tomorrow and next week and next year. To be a Christian you only have to meet one requirement, accept Christ as your Lord and Savior. The only test you have to take is the test of faith. Do you believe? The only rule is to love God with all your heart, soul and mind and to follow His teachings.

If you believe in Christ, believe He is the Son of God, died on the cross for your sins and rose on the third day. If you believe that He will come again then you have faith and you are a Christian. The next step is to acknowledge that faith and ask Him into your heart, ask Him to forgive you of your sins. You don't have to wait for a committee to decide if you're worthy of being a Christian, you don't have to wait until there's a ceremony welcoming you into the church. His response is an instantaneous YES.

Luke 15:20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."

Romans 1:16-17 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. 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 3:21-22But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.

Sims for Christians

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:33:00 +0000

Yesterday I talked about the "fullness of Christ" and making time for Him. While I was listening to Pastor talk about this in church my mind went to the Sims3 I've been playing on my computer.

If you're not familiar with the Sims you create a Sim or person to your specifications of gender, skin/hair/eye color, body build and voice as well as other facial features. You give this person certain characteristics and interact with their day. You can see a meter of their level of energy, hunger, hygiene, fun and socialization as well as when they have to go to the bathroom. You help your Sim get a job and they work towards promotions and meeting friends. When your Sim doesn't have enough fun which can be playing video games or watching TV they get stressed and then they can't work to their full potential and they become depressed. You don't want a depressed Sim.

Anyway, while in church I thought they should come out with a Christian version. Watching TV and playing on the computer can release some of that stress but it shouldn't completely relieve it. The only way to relieve all the stress is to spend time with Christ. Since you have to allow time in their day for all the other stuff I'd like to see them NEED to make time for Christ or they stay stressed. Maybe they can't sleep well and that would also affect their job performance and socialization skills. This game would teach us how important it is to have that relationship.

If anybody has connections or knows who I would send this idea to please let me know. I promise I'll give you 10% of my royalties if the idea catches on.

No Room at the Inn

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:55:00 +0000

I know, it's been a while since I've been here and I really do need to get back into this. Not being here doesn't mean I've turned my back on God but I'm sure it has something to do with me not making the time I should for Him and letting life get in the way.

We did find a church we've been going to. It's called Church of the Nations and we can feel the Spirit moving when we're there. My favorite part, the music is good. There's 4 women who do the singing and they harmonize extremely well and it usually brings me to tears.

Today the pastor was talking about Christ being born in a manger because there was no room at the inn. He went on to say that meant the inn was full and Christ couldn't enter. He then went on to explain how we are like that inn. We can be full of worldly things which sometimes means there's no room for Christ.

My question for you. Is your inn too full to allow Christ to enter? I hope the answer is no and if it is what can you do about it. Maybe bring less work home with you. Cut back on some of the extracurricular activities. As Pastor was saying, we get stressed and think an ice cream sundae will make us feel better. It might for the short time we're eating it but it's filling up the inn and not allowing Him in. The next time you're stressed and need to find a way to relax try taking a big dish of Jesus.

Luke 2:6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room
for them in the inn.

A Gift for Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:06:00 +0000

Last week was Don's birthday and my puppies wrote him a Happy Birthday post on their blog. Yes, my puppies have their own blog. That post got me to thinking about other birthdays which led to Christmas and how we give presents to the birthday boy or girl but on the day we celebrate Jesus' birthday we give presents to each other rather than giving Him the only present He wants which is us.

My puppies had the same discussion and I'd like to direct you to their blog so you can read their view on the subject. I hope you enjoy it. The Bestest Present Ever by Stretch & Ellie

Is Church Just a Building?

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 21:40:00 +0000

When I lived in Chicago I went to a church that I loved. I enjoyed the people, the fellowship and I felt I was spiritually fed there. When I moved to Alabama I couldn't find a church that gave me the same sense of belonging that I wanted in a church. It's been 5 1/2 years now and I still haven't found that place I long for.

When friends from Chicago ask if I've found a church yet I cringe because I don't know how to answer that. When friends in Alabama ask what church I go to I feel embarrassed because I don't go to a church. Not for lack of looking mid you.

After much discussion with someone I respect and talking to God about this I realized my idea of church is a building. A place I HAVE to go. A place where I NEED to go on Sunday's to be closer to God. What I discovered after that was WE are the church. All followers of Christ are the church because Christ is in us. God doesn't have a street address that we have to go to talk go Him. He doesn't have an appointment book or Palm Pilot with Sunday's 10:30am circled in red. He's where I am at all times.

That doesn't mean I don't have to have fellowship with other believers, that just means I don't have to go to a certain building at a certain address on Sunday mornings to have that. I can fellowship with the person in front of me in line at the grocery store. When I get together with friends who are believers we are having fellowship. When Don and I sit in the evening and read our bibles and discuss what we've read we are having fellowship.

Going to a brick and mortar church because I have to or saying a prayer because it's in the program for that Sunday is not bringing me to a closer relationship with God. It's getting to know Him and allowing Him to work within me that gives me that relationship and brings me closer to Him.

Now when someone asks, what church do you go to I don't feel embarrassed and think I'm less of a Christian. I can hold my head up high and tell them, I am the church and we have a closer relationship since I realized that.

That doesn't stop me from looking for a church building to go to on Sunday mornings. I enjoy the music and getting together with fellow believers but it's no longer an obligation I must meet, it's not a commitment I have to keep and it won't make my relationship with God any weaker if I don't find one. As a matter of fact, I'm more sensitive to God's voice than I've ever been and our relationship is growing every day.

Job 37:5 God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.

Colossians 1:24 Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

Jesus is Light

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:08:00 +0000

When I have a problem I usually throw myself a pity party and don’t think to go to God until I’m worn out and exhausted. I go to Him as a last resort instead of involving Him from the beginning. I’d save myself a lot of stress, headaches and tears if I’d only think of God first.

About a week ago I had something’s on my mind and was unable to go to sleep, unable to concentrate and all the while kept thinking about what was wrong. Finally when I couldn’t take it anymore I remembered God. Yes, my problems were all I was thinking about and God was no where in my thoughts. When I remembered that God would help me or at least ease some of my heaviness I started to talk to Him and tell him what I was feeling and asking Him to give me some peace so I could at least get some sleep. What happened next is something I’ll never forget.

It was 3am and I was in a dark room with my eyes closed and suddenly everything was bright white. Whiter than anything I’ve ever seen, as if I was looking at a white screen with the brightest light shining through it. My first thought was I’m having a stroke then I thought I was dead and seeing the light. I actually had to move my hand to make sure I was still alive and healthy. That bright light stayed there for a couple of minutes but to me it seemed to last forever. I felt so comforted and relaxed that I went to sleep.

When I woke in the morning all I could think about was that light and I knew this light was from Jesus. I knew in my heart what it was but I wanted someone to confirm it for me so I told my husband about it. His answer was immediate and it confirmed my thoughts. Don feels God sent and angel to me for comfort. I still needed a little more confirmation so I shared it with my sister-in-law who said the same thing. Whether the light was Christ or an angel sent by God it was confirmation that my prayers were heard.

God didn’t need me to tell Him my problems but He wanted me to talk to Him and let Him take care of it for me. He didn’t fix anything but I really didn’t ask Him to do that. I just asked for peace which is exactly what I received.

Matthew 17:2 There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light

John 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood

John 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Jesus, The Passover Lamb and Reason We Celebrate Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 04:54:00 +0000

Today as we celebrate Easter let’s not forget the true meaning of the day. It’s not about Chocolate Bunnies, Marshmallow Peeps and colored eggs. It’s about the fulfillment of God’s promise in the resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ.

Before Christ God required blood sacrifices as atonement for sin but Christ is the final sacrifice, the final atonement.

When I was saved I became very interested in the Jewish customs. After all, Christ was Jewish and he took part in the Jewish celebrations and traditions. The last celebration Jesus took part in was Passover. One year we had some representatives for Jews for Jesus visit our church and they gave a presentation on the Passover or Sedar Supper and how Christ is portrayed throughout the entire meal.

If you’d like to see the connection between Christ and the Passover Supper I suggest you view this video. Suddenly things start to make sense and you’ll see God’s promise being foretold in the ceremonies and understand how they were fulfilled through Jesus Christ. You’ll see how the Matzah is a representation of Jesus. When Jesus raised the cup and said this is my blood it was after the meal, you’ll understand the significance of the timing.

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"

1 Corinthians 5:7 Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast - as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

, Se

The Holy Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:06:00 +0000

I remember before I was saved I enjoyed the bible stories like Noah’s ark and Jonah and the whale but didn’t really understand the rest of it. The bible was boring and I couldn’t get past who begat who.

The same thing happened with Jesus’ disciples. He told them over and over again that He was going to die yet they didn’t understand it or couldn’t grasp it.

Luke 18:31-34 Jesus took the twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.” The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them and they did not know what he was talking about.

In reading the gospels we’re confronted many times with the disciples not understanding what Christ had told them or was showing them. They constantly questioned him even when he laid things out in front of them.

Matthew 26:23-25 Jesus replied, "The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born." Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?" Jesus answered, "Yes, it is you

Even after hearing Jesus say that Judas was going to betray him and He told Judas to go and do what he needed to do the disciples thought he was going to get what they needed for the feast.

How could seemingly intelligent men not understand what was being told to them or what they were seeing with their own eyes? The answer is the same as why the bible doesn’t make much sense to us until after we accept Christ. They didn’t have the Holy Spirit. It’s the Holy Spirit that God sent in Jesus’ place after His death, resurrection and ascension into heaven that opens our eyes and ears and makes everything clear. He’s the interpreter of God’s Word.

This is further explained in Luke.

Luke 9:43-45 While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.” But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Luke 24:45-46 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written, The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

John goes on to explain that the Holy Spirit hadn’t been sent yet. He tells us that the Holy Spirit won’t come until Jesus has been glorified. He further explains who the Holy Spirit will be sent to and what the role of the Holy Spirit is.

John 7:37-39 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

As Don and I were reading this last night we started discussing why the disciples were being blocked from understanding what Jesus was telling and showing them. It was the God’s plan all along. If they’d have understood that Jesus was going to die, when and how would they have tried to stop it? They loved Jesus and didn’t want to loose Him. By being shown this and later having their eyes opened they were living witnesses and could give testimony about Jesus, who he is and what He does.

If you’re like me, when I accepted Christ I felt a fullness in me like I’ve never felt before. I was walking on air and wanted to tell everyone about Christ and what He did for me. I wanted everyone to know what I now knew and feel the way I felt. That was the Holy Spirit. My eyes and ears were opened to the Word of God I am now a disciple of Jesus, a witness able to give testimony about who Jesus is and what He does.

The Patience of Jesus

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 22:53:00 +0000

I’m going to be honest. My bible reading has been very lax but I’m in the process of changing that. A couple of years ago Don and I decided we’d read the bible every night starting with Genesis 1:1. We did OK for a while but soon daily life took over. A few weeks ago we were talking and realized there was something missing in our lives. We have a relationship with Christ, we look to Him for answers and we go to Him when we’re happy, sad and need help but we still feel that there’s something missing. We didn’t have time set aside just for Him. I’ve written about this in earlier posts and said that we needed to adjust our schedule around Christ not try to fit Him into our schedule and here I am doing just the opposite of what I said. Well, that’s changing and we started reading our bibles after starting with the New Testament.

We’re still in the Matthew but I’m finding out that Jesus had more patience than I ever realized and the disciples, even after witnessing the miracles of Christ first hand had a hard time believing. In Matthew 14 Jesus fed the 5000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. After everyone ate the disciples picked up twelve baskets and there was food left over. Later in Matthew 15 they’re faced with the same situation. This time there are 4000 not counting women and children. Jesus told the disciples he did not want to send the people away hungry and the disciples had to ask where they were going to get enough food to feed the crowd as they only had 7 loaves of bread and a few small fish. They’d already forgotten that Jesus has just fed a larger crowd with less. Again they fed the crowd and when they were satisfied there were seven basketfuls of food left over. Later in Matthew 16 they went across the lake but forgot to take bread with them and were talking about it among themselves. Jesus told them they were of little faith talking about having no bread. He asked them if they remembered the 5 loaves for 5,000 or the 7 loaves for 4,000. Could you imagine that scene with someone less patient than Jesus. The conversation would be more on the lines of “you idiots didn’t you learn anything the last 2 times you didn’t think we had enough food.”

Another example of His patience happened after Jesus had given his disciples authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness in Matthew 10. Later in Matthew 17 a man approached Jesus saying his son has seizures and suffers greatly. He told Jesus he took his son to the disciples but they could not heal him. Jesus had the boy brought to him and he rebuked the demon and it left the boy and he was healed. When the disciples asked why they couldn’t drive it out Jesus told them it’s because they had little faith. Someone less patient might have gotten angry and asked if why they didn’t believe anything he told them.

I find I’m more like the disciples than I’d like to admit and I’m glad my Savior has the patience He does with me because I can be forgetful and hard headed. I’ve witnessed miracles of Christ and even knowing what He can do I still question it. I want to have the faith of that mustard seed and be able to move mountains.

Matthew 17:20-21 He Replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Religious and Cultural Holidays

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:47:00 +0000

About ten years ago I asked a co-worker who happened to be Jewish if Hanukah and Passover were religious or cultural holidays. His response was “both, you can’t separate the two.” I started thinking about the Christian holidays. Religion and culture have been taken out of them and they’ve become marketing holidays.

Thanksgiving was originally a day of thanks to God for a successful bounty of crops. It has evolved into what it is now, a day to pig out on food, watch football on TV and the beginning of the Christmas season. Everyone looks forward to the day after Thanksgiving to be able to catch a good bargain for Christmas and the retailers plan all year for Black Friday to bring in the most profits.

Next we have Easter. Easter was a day to recognize Christ’s resurrection and was originally scheduled around Passover. It has since evolved into a day for hiding colored eggs, the Easter Bunny, Easter baskets and getting a new spring outfit and new shoes.

This brings me to Christmas, the day to celebrate Christ’s birth. Do we honor his birth when we go into debt to give gifts to everybody we know? Are we honoring His birth with decorations and Santa Claus? I’m not saying kids should not believe in Santa but they should be taught the true meaning of Christmas. Is this the only time of the year we should be nice to one another with love and peace in our hearts?

We have groups all over trying to take the religious meaning out of these celebrations. We have people celebrating Christmas and Easter for the sheer enjoyment of the season and partying, the extra wrappings that come with these holidays such as presents, decorations, food and gatherings and these same people don’t believe in Christ or God for that matter but you don’t see these same people celebrating Hanukah or Passover. Why? Because those holidays are not only religious but also cultural. If you’re Jewish you live your beliefs. If you’re Muslim you live your beliefs. If you’re Christian you’re expected to wrap it up in a nice package that everyone will embrace, God and Christ aren’t a mandatory element in these holidays. These holidays have been offered up as sacrificial lambs ready to be slaughtered by anyone who wants the celebration without the meaning behind it.

I for one am proud to say I’m a Christian and I celebrate Christmas as the day of Christ’s birth. I don’t go overboard anymore on gifts and I don’t decorate my house to keep up with the neighbors. I still like to look at the decorations but the meaning of Christmas is much clearer to me. I'm going to merge my beliefs into my life and not view them as separate entities anymore.

1 Samuel 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at, Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

Colossians 1:10-12 And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

1 Timothy 3:12-15 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and imposters will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Special Order From God

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:06:00 +0000

If anybody ever says God doesn’t listen they’re wrong. I’ve had a couple of experiences in my life where it seemed like I put in a special order and God delivered EXACTLY what I wanted.

In March 2004 we got an adorable 6 week old miniature dachshund puppy. Buddy was the runt of the litter and black. He became the ruling member of our household in no time. Buddy had personality plus and always kept us laughing. In December 2006 2 year old Buddy went into kidney failure and died. We were heartbroken and I was sick for days. After Buddy died I wanted a new puppy but didn’t want to get attached to anything again. Don felt we needed to get another puppy when the time was right. I told him I wanted another mini dachshund but this time I wanted a red female. I loved the breed but I didn’t want it to look like Buddy. Four days after Buddy died our vet called she had a 2 year old, red female miniature dachshund available for adoption, did we want her. I at first said no but Don convinced me otherwise. The next morning we brought Ellie home. Ellie has some of the same quirky characteristics that Buddy had but she is different enough that we love her as Ellie, not Buddy’s replacement. God knew what we needed and what we wanted and he delivered.

Fast forward 2 years. We’re ready to buy a house. We had slight differences in what we wanted. Don wanted something small, like the first apartment we lived in. I felt that was too small and wanted something a little bigger with 3 bedrooms. We both knew we didn’t want to put a lot of work into the house and we knew where we wanted our payments to be. We also knew we didn’t want to live in the city. We wanted something more rural. I would have been happy with acres of land but Don wanted something that he didn’t’ have to do a lot of yard work. We also knew we needed a fenced yard for the dogs (yes, Ellie has a sister named Stretch). We looked for a couple of days and as we were heading back to the realtors Don mentioned a house on the list that we hadn’t seen yet. We looked at one 2 blocks down on the same street but this one we overlooked. The realtor turned around and went back. This house had only been on the market for 15 days, actually was listed on my birthday. When we walked in the house was perfect. Small, between 1000-1100 square feet, 3 bedrooms, eat in kitchen, attached garage, fenced in yard on ¼ acre it was move in ready with fresh paint, carpeting and tile throughout. As a bonus all appliances were included with a washer/dryer and freezer in the garage. It’s in a rural area surrounded by farms and open fields. In fact we have cotton fields across the street from us. But we’re about 6 miles from the city and shopping. To top it off the asking price was about $20,000 less than the other’s we’d looked at. We made an offer on the spot and it was accepted. The inspection went well and the inspector said it was one of the best houses he’d seen. There were some problems getting the paperwork in order but God came through and everytime there was a glitch He worked it out so smoothly. Now everything is in place for us to close next week. Now that I think about it, God listened to our wish list and gave us exactly what we wanted. He even found a balance in the points where we differed. This house was a special order and tailor made for us just as Ellie was.

God is good, All the time.

Mark 11:22-25 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Where Will You Spend Eternity?

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:12:00 +0000

This is going to be a little different than what I normally write. This is about an experience I had last night that was one of the most powerful thing’s I’d seen. I saw God move in a room of over 700 people.

Don and I went to see “Heaven’s Gate & Hell’s Flames” at a local church. Don had seen it before and told me to bring a lot of Kleenex because he knew I’d be crying. He told me when it was over I’d feel like my emotions had been on a roller coaster ride. He was right. I was crying but not as much because of what I saw during the play but what happened after.

I’ll tell you a little about “Heaven’s Gate & Hell’s Flame” to set the mood. It’s a play produced by Reality Outreach Ministries. This is a group out of Canada but they have 9 groups in the US and many other groups in other countries. They go to the churches all across the U.S. and teach them how to do the play using members from that church as the actors. It intermingles video with live action and it’s great how the 2 fit together. The stage is filled with silver and gold with a stairway to heaven being flanked by angels and The Book of Life. On the other side of the stage is hell, complete with a dark hole and flames. There are many scenes of people in different places in their life from denouncing the existence of Christ and God to those who feel they know what they need to do but will accept Christ at a later time after they live life the way they want to those who are believers and have accepted Christ either earlier in their life or at that moment. Each person is met with an untimely death and are at the gates to heaven. Those who have accepted Christ find their name in the book and are welcomed by Christ into heaven. The other’s are blocked from entering heaven and Satan and his minions come out and take them kicking and screaming into the flames. There are a number of relationships that meet that untimely death. A family who are all believers are met not only by Christ but by a young child they’d lost earlier who had accepted Christ before she died. There are a mother and daughter where the daughter is a believer and the mother isn’t. Their separation is heart wrenching. I was tearing up during these scenes but as I’d mentioned it was the scene after that really got to me. It was seeing God at work in people’s lives.

After the play ended they asked everyone to stay in their seats. The producer from Reality Outreach Ministries gave a little talk about what we’d just seen then he asked everyone to bow their heads. He prayed than asked for anyone who was ready to accept Christ to raise their hands. He then told them to lower their hands and asked everyone who had accepted Christ but have backslidden and felt led to get right with God to raise their hands. He then asked all those that had raised their hands to stand and invited them to step into the aisles and move forward. Then came the invite to everyone there to ask the people sitting near them if they were ready to accept Christ and to bring them to the front. Then it was time for those still in our seats to stand in support. When I opened my eyes I was amazed. Out of the 700 people in attendance at least half were in the front accepting Christ either for the first time or rededicating their lives to Him. That is when I lost it and really started crying.

The producer prayed the Sinner’s Prayer and asked everyone to repeat it with him. After he was done speaking he told those who were standing in front and in the aisles that they would be led to a room where they were going to meet with people that will answer any of their questions and help them in their decision. If they had bibles they were encouraged to start reading them and if they needed a bible the church would try to get them one for free.

My heart was full and I could feel the love of Jesus in that church. He was there and He was working a miracle. They were to have the play for three nights. The first night they had 400 people in attendance, the second night there were 600 and the third night when we attended there were over 700 and were bringing out folding chairs so more could get in. The first 2 nights they’d had over 350 people accept Christ. Because of the work that was being done they were extending it for another night.

If you’re a member of a church I suggest you try to get Reality Outreach Ministries to come to you for this production. If you don’t want to put on a production they have a video available that the members of Reality Outreach Ministries acted in that’s available at the site’s store along with T-shirts designed by them. There was no charge to attend this production and the sale of their merchandise helps fund their work. Please check out their website for further information.

Hebrews 9:27 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

John 3:3 In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.”

Prayer Requests & Answers

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 15:41:00 +0000

I believe in the power of prayer and I’ve been seen prayers answered both in my own life and the lives of those around me. I’d like to start a list of prayer requests and a list of answered prayers.

If you have a prayer request please enter it in the comments. If you’d prefer to have the request made anonymously you can use the contact form and I’ll post the request for you without giving your name. If you have a request that is answered please share that information the same way and it will be a witness to others of God’s awesome love.

James 5:13-16 “Is any of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective.”

Thou Shalt Not Kill

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 02:38:00 +0000

There was a disagreement today on a message board I frequent and some feelings got hurt over some misplaced or misguided words. This got me to thinking of the 6th commandment: Thou shalt not commit murder or Thou shalt not kill, depending on the version of the bible you’re reading. Does this only mean physical murder or killing as in put an end to a life? After all, is there any other type of killing?

You can kill someone’s spirit without actually taking or ending their life. Every time you put someone down or make a cutting remark to someone you kill a little bit of their spirit. Maybe you do it intentionally and maybe you don’t but the effects are still the same. Something within them dies a little. Could this also be against God’s commandments? I think it is. God loves us and doesn’t like to see his children hurt or suffering but what He hates more is to have one of His children be the cause of that hurt. It breaks His heart.

This thought brought something else to mind that I’d learned when I was still an infant in my walk. It was an object lesson for kids but it made a huge impact on me and I think a lot of adults could learn a lot from it. The leader had a paper plate and a tube of toothpaste. He had the kids sit in a circle and gave one of them the plate and tube. He instructed them to squeeze some toothpaste out of the tube onto the plate and pass them to the next person and they were to do the same all the way around the circle. When they were done he then instructed them to put the toothpaste back into the tube. The kids all looked at him like he had 2 heads. He explained to them that our words are like that toothpaste. Once they are let out of our mouths they can’t be put back so we need to think about what we say before we say it.

I think God wanted me to remember this lesson for a reason. I’ve been very quick to say what pops in my head lately and I know I’ve hurt some people with my words and have most likely killed some of their spirit in the process.

Matthew 5:21-22 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.” But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, “Raca,” is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, “You fool” will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

1 Pater 3:9-12 “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another, be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.””

The Little Blessings

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:06:00 +0000

We know God provides all our needs but did you ever stop and think about all the little blessings God gives us. The blessings are all around us but sometimes we don’t recognize them because they get lost in our busy lives or our human emotions. The next time your car doesn’t start don’t get upset, grumble and complain that you’re going to be late for work, that appointment or meeting. Instead think about why God didn’t want you to drive right then. Was there a crazy driver out there you were meant to avoid? The next time you don’t get that job you really wanted don’t get depressed and beat yourself up. Instead ask God what His will is for your career path and wait for His answer. He has the perfect opportunity for you and if you got the job you’d stop looking and would miss out on a what God wants you to have.

I had received a little blessing today. It was an answer to a want of mine and I can see God’s hand all over this.

I joined Entrecard which is a community of bloggers. You can search for blogs by category, name or randomness. When you join you put a widget or as they call it a card on your sidebar and it has a bar at the bottom that says DROP. When someone clicks on this you get points with Entrecard and you can use these points to advertise your blog on other blogs. When you do this and the other person accepts you as an advertiser your card replaces theirs for 24 hours. Now when someone clicks on that card it takes them to your blog. OK, back to my story. You can use one of their generic cards or use one of your own. I always thought I was a mechanically, technologically adept person and if you tell me what you want I could figure out how to make it. I’ve been trying and trying to make one of those cards. I know the basics of what I need to do but to actually apply it was a different story. It just wouldn’t come out right. Add to that that I’m not the creative type. Oh, I can do what you want IF you tell me what it is you want but I can’t come up with the idea or design on my own. I was really getting frustrated that I couldn’t figure out how to make this little 125X125 card and make it look good.

Today I was surprised with an email from an Entrecard member. This person has a blog called It's OK to be WEIRD and she did something for other Christian Entrecarders and she thought I’d like one too. She had a gift for me. She created cards for not 1 but 2 of my blogs. They are perfect and nothing like what I had pictured in my head. They are actually better than what I could come up with.

This is just so great. It’s not something I needed but something I wanted and God knew that. He put it on her heart to create those and gift them to me. I don’t know how to thank her for her thoughtfulness except to give thanks to God for providing this to me and show her a little blogger love by adding her to my Christian Blog list on the sidebar.

Here’s a picture of the card she created for this site and for my other blog Weekly Beef.

Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you’re the desires of your heart.

Could You Pass The Test?

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 04:13:00 +0000

There was an article in the local paper today about a pastor who takes his message to the streets, literally. Bill Taylor lives in southeast Alabama and for nearly 29 years he’s been taking his message of salvation and redemption to the local streets on a semi-regular basis. His reason, he wants to offer folks the same hope he received more than three decades ago and he’s emulating the example of Jesus Christ.

After I read that story I felt a little embarrassed for him then ashamed of myself. Embarrassed because most people would laugh at him and think he was a nut. Ashamed because I don’t know if I would have the courage Bill Taylor does. It takes courage to stand up in this world and speak out for Christ. You mention God nobody blinks twice but mention Jesus Christ and you’re suddenly; one of them, a bible thumper or a fanatic. After that set in I was reminded of one of the students, Cassie Bernall, who was killed at Columbine. She was asked if she believed in God and when she said yes she was killed. Michael W. Smith wrote a song about her called “This Is Your Time”. The song starts:

It was a test we could all hope to pass
But none of us would want to take
Faced with the choice to deny God and live
For her there was one choice to make

Would I be able to pass that test? I love God and I love Jesus Christ but would I put my life on the line for my beliefs? The answer is, yes I would. Christ laid his life down for me and it’s because of His choice and His actions that I will have eternal life with Him. Christ did have a choice. He was human and He could have said, “Sorry Father, I don’t think I can do this” but He didn’t. He loved us so much that he was willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. Christ also had faith in God. He knew that His Father wouldn’t ask Him to do anything without a reason and He obeyed Him. If He could willingly die so I might live how can I do any less for Him. I have faith in God and Jesus Christ, if I’m asked to deny Them or die I’d have to choose death for without God and Christ I wouldn’t have life.

After a long talk with myself and God I no longer feel embarrassed for Bill Taylor. I’m proud of him and proud that he is speaking out for his beliefs and letting the world know about Jesus Christ so they might also be able to pass the test.

I now ask you the same question I asked myself. Would you be able to pass the test?

2Timothy 1:8-10 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life – not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

God is Everywhere for Everyone

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:24:00 +0000

I’m amazed at the hugeness of God. God is not confined to the little bit of space that I occupy or I’m familiar with. He doesn’t pick one church to attend on Sundays or one house to visit each day. He’s as much here in Alabama as He is in Tokyo or Australia. He’s in that little village in Africa and he’s on the mountain tops in Switzerland. God is everywhere at all times and He’s available to everyone no matter who they are or what language they speak.

Several posts ago I wrote about John. John had left a comment about the Sinner’s Prayer that I’d posted. John works for a church where people of many nationalities attend and they speak many languages. After a search for a Sinner’s Prayer in Czech for one of the members and coming up empty he decided to start a website with the Sinner’s Prayer in many different languages. He was going to use members of his own congregation for translation. When John asked for permission to use the prayer I’d posted I had to confess, I didn’t write it but found it on Wikepedia.

I’m happy to post that John left another comment today. He has his website up and the prayer has been translated to several languages. He asks if there are any non-English speaking Christians who’d like to add their language to contact him.

In addition to the The Sinner's Prayer site he has a book review site called The Christian Review that’s still a work in progress. Please visit John’s websites and let him know what you think.

Revelations 6:9-10 And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open it’s seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God and they will reign on the earth.”

My Relationship With God

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:49:00 +0000

I’ve been thinking a lot about the type of relationship I have with God. I want to acknowledge His presence in every aspect of my life.

Have you ever had a friend who suddenly discovered interests that didn’t include you? How did you feel? If this was someone you really loved and cared about you probably felt abandoned. How long will you try to keep the relationship or friendship going until you have to walk away? Didn’t you feel an emptiness and loss? Think about a relationship with someone who calls when they want to borrow $50 or needs you to help them out of a tight spot or help with a project they’re working on. They never say thank you or acknowledge your help in any way. When you call and ask them for something they’re never around. How would you feel then? Would you feel used and unappreciated? That’s the way it is with God. He wants a relationship with us and if we don’t accept our roll in making it happen we are essentially ignoring and hurting Him.

Everyday before I start work I pray and ask God to help me do what needs to be done to be able to continue working. I have found since I’ve been asking for God’s help I have very few days where the goal is not met. I get so caught up in the fact that I did it and I reached that goal I forget that I didn’t do it alone. I had help and I need to acknowledge His help and thank Him. I ‘m getting better at the thanks and I am trying to thank Him before the celebration in my own head begins. Recognizing that I didn’t do it alone, acknowledging that I had help and thanking Him is part of having a relationship with God and it’s what he desires most from us.

God loves us so much he made a way for us to be with him, taking an active part in that relationship is our way of showing our love to Him.

Matthew 22:35-38 “One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.””

Making Time for God

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 04:06:00 +0000

I was reading a new blog called Women of Faith. The most recent post talks about making time for God and it really got me thinking about the time I give to Him and it’s not nearly as much as it could be. I don’t ignore God, in fact I think about Him and talk to Him daily but it’s usually in passing. A little “Hi God, are you still there” sort of thing. Some days we’ll even sit and converse but it’s always hurried on my part. I want to set time aside every single day that’s just for us.

My husband and I were talking about our relationship with God and His part in our family and home a few months ago. Don said it’s like we invited Him in and then ignored Him. Since we had that talk we do make a conscious effort to include Him in family affairs and decisions. We consult with Him a lot more than we previously did but it’s not nearly as much as God would like.

As I’d said in earlier posts, God doesn’t barge into your life. He waits for you to invite Him in and he doesn’t stay where He’s not wanted. We do want Him in our life and our family. We want His guidance in our daily lives. God always has time for us why do we have to make time for Him and try to fit Him in?

Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me an that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

Revelations 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

Lamb of God

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 03:16:00 +0000

Having gone to the Catholic Church for many years I fell into the routine of following the rituals both in my actions within the church such as the sign of the cross with holy water when entering, genuflecting before entering the pew, standing, kneeling and sitting when required. I also followed the priest’s scripture and missalette readings with the appropriate response. I didn’t know what these responses meant and to tell you the truth I never thought much about them, I just did them because I was told I had to.

After I was saved I was talking to someone about the Catholic Church and I suddenly had a revelation about one of the required responses. “Lamb of God, You take away the sins of the world.” I finally understood what that meant and what I was saying. In the Old Testament God required animal sacrifices. These sacrifices had to be performed every year in the Most Holy Place by the high priest with blood that wasn’t his own. It hit me, Christ was the final sacrifice. His died for our sins and it’s His blood that makes us clean. Christ is the Lamb of God; He alone takes away the sins of the world.

Hebrews 9:11-14 “When Christ came as a high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”

Hebrews 9:24-28 “For Christ did not enter a man-made sanctuary that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence. Nor did he enter heaven to offer himself again and again, the way the high priest enters the Most Holy Place every year with blood that is not his own. Then Christ would have had to suffer many times since the creation of the world. But now he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to do away with sin by the sacrifice of himself. Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the since of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.”

1John 2:2-3 “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the attoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

It's Not About Me

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 05:01:00 +0000

After I wrote yesterday’s post I was gently put in my place. I’ve been surprised that there have been some comments posted and excited that people seemed to like what I wrote. Then on Friday John left a comment on Eternal Life and asked if he could use the Sinner’s Prayer I had posted. I have to honestly say, I didn’t write that prayer. I found it on Wikepedia. I’d forgotten to add the credit but that’s been corrected. After John’s comment and request I was walking on air. People are finding me. Someone read what I wrote. Someone liked what I wrote. Someone wanted to use something I posted. Do you notice a theme here?

Yesterday I sat down with an idea of what I wanted to write. I started as I always do; I prayed and asked for God’s help. As usual the end result did not resemble what I had in mind. As a matter of fact, the topic wasn’t even what I wanted to write about. As I was pondering this it suddenly hit me. For the past several months I’ve been asking God to use me and I feel He has. The words you are reading are not my words. They are not a product of my mind. These are God’s words and how dare I get such an inflated ego, make it all about me and take pride and credit for something I did not do.
God had once again put a pin in my inflated ego and knocked me back down to earth.
Proverbs 16:5 "The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this" They will not go unpunished."

Lessons Learned

noreply@blogger.com (Dee) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 18:35:00 +0000

Have you ever had God nag you? I have and when I realized it was God and what He was trying to teach me the nagging stopped.

I tend to have a patience problem. When I get an idea or want something I want it now and I will do anything to make it happen. My impatience always leads to problems and at often gets me in trouble. God found a way to get the message to me that Patience is a Virtue.

I was in a discount store one day buying some things for work and home. Since I could expense the items for work I decided to pay separately to have two receipts. I paid for the work items by debit card and the cashier rang up the home items. I gave her my card again but she accidently rang it up as cash. Now she didn’t know how to fix it. She called the manager who said he’d take care of it but not at that time. He was busy. I was told I had to fill out a refund form asking for my drive’s license number, address and phone number and wait for the manager. I got upset. Why? I didn’t pay for anything I didn’t need a refund. All this time people were lining up behind me and this guy started yelling “patience is a virtue.” I politely ignored him as I tried to get the cashier to ring up my items and deal with the error on her time not mine. Again this guy is yelling “patience is a virtue” and again I ignored him. That is until his daughter who looked to be about 8 came up with “he’s right you know.” At that point I saw red. I snapped back “this doesn’t concern you.” The man yelled at me that I had no right to get snotty with his daughter. My response; “I believe I was talking to both of you.” He started yelling and swearing at me before I finally left. I later related the story to my husband who laughed.

A few days later I was driving to work when I passed a church. The sign out front said “Have as much patience with others as God has with you”. About a week later I was watching something on TV and Maya Anjou was the host. She made the comment “Some say patience is a virtue”. OK God, I get the message. That was three separate instances within a two week period that I received the same message from three separate sources. I finally realized God was trying to tell me that I needed to take a chill pill and calm down.

After that realization the message stopped, until about a month later when I was driving to work. We’d been thinking of moving and had been looking for a place within our budget. I was having one of my conversations with God and told Him that he knew what I desired and wanted. Suddenly I heard “Don’t be so impatient. It will happen but in My time, not yours”. There it was again. I suddenly realized that my impatience and habit of making something happen was not the way to go. In the past I would have barged right ahead and made it happen getting in over my head financially then praying for a way out of my mess.

The lesson I learned: We need to ask God for His help in the beginning, not wait until we make a mess of things and have to ask Him to bail us out. I also learned something else. When God wants to get a message to you He’ll find a way and keep at it until you finally listen. He loves us enough to nag.

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 121:1 “I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? MY help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Romans 8:25 “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

Hebrews 13:6 “So we say with confidence, “ The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid what man can do to me?””