Ma's Blog

Out of the Mouths of

2012-02-15T08:36:00.000-05:00

It is hard when God is working on you, but man is it hard when you see that something that happens doesn't just involve you, you see Him working on your kids and know that you have to let it happen. You have to see the Lord take things away from them, and break their hearts, and let them do stupid things.

I do not look forward to the adolescent years, when this will surely become much more intense.

There was some unpleasantness this week with a brother/sister fight and ruined laptop power cable. Finger pointing, tears, screaming,........ and then there's the kids' reactions...I kid,I kid.

But anyway, reenacting the whole deal, everyone had a share in the blame....including me.

The one who was taking it the hardest was quite angry with the other sibling. I figured here is a teachable moment, huh? I told the offended that the offender had made a mistake, and needed forgiveness. Wouldn't you want forgiveness if you had messed up big time?

To which the offended said yes.

You need to forgive I said.

Then the offended said "It's HARD!"

You said a mouthful baby.

The offended has had a rough week. I can see so much of both of us (parents) in this one. Oh boy.

Vanity, Vanity!

2012-02-13T07:45:00.000-05:00

I wanted to link to a good read on this subject that led me to another good one.

From Linda at Wake Up People!

If Solomon had and X-box (what a great title)

I think that if Solomon had had an X-box, he might not have had so many wives. He would have been able to distract himself from the fact that nothing in this world matters. That all is vanity and then you die. read on

AHA!

That's part of the angsty stuff that set me off on this whole God journey way back and I see that it keeps coming around. Even when we know the Lord, it comes back once and a while. So much of my interest in the rapture in years past I think plays into this. This world is passing, so what the heck are we doing here? Let's just get outta here already.

She also experienced God sending her in one direction only to bring her back to where she started:

So I was very confused on why the Lord would have me go on an amazing journey out into the wilderness just to have me seemingly go back to the life I left. The point is - the wilderness is not a destination. Just as Jesus did not stay on the cross. It is part of the process - but it not the end of the matter.

That brought to mind Moses and Jacob just off the top of my head. God called them out, sent them away, and then brought them back to where they began. That is something for another day perhaps.

Anyway, that is what my main problem with life was back before God found me. What is the point? I mean you live, you die, and that's it.

So I hated life, because the work that is worked under the sun was grievous to me; for all is vanity and a chasing after wind. Ecc 2:17

But why are we aware of this vanity? He made it so, so that we would look for Him, search for something more.

for the creature has been made subject to vanity, not of its will, but by reason of him who has subjected [the same], in hope Romans 8:20

Linda linked to another post by Jacob Israel at A Voice in the Dead Woods.

As vain as all this seems at times, There is HOPE in this knowledge that we have-those of us in Christ presently that

WE WILL OVERCOME

This is a lengthy, and meaty, not a quick read, but has a lot of good nuggets.

There is great comfort in knowing that whatever decision you make, or have made, that all of it was exactly what had to happen and had to be. That even your mistakes were necessary for you to learn better. There is great peace in knowing all will be well, regardless of how terrifying things seem to be. We MUST trust that the work that began in us will end in victory. We MUST stop thinking of how wrong everything seems to be and start seeing how great things are going to be. We MUST trust God and be able to live our lives without the fear of failure or ruin. We MUST know that whatever comes upon whether good or bad is a necessary part of the plan and we MUST learn how to praise God in it all. more here

And then it hit me in a new way. This whole thing is not about us. I know, that is what everyone says, but for a brief passing second, I GOT it. He does have a plan and everything EVERYTHING (the good, the bad, the ugly- you dig) is part of it. Even though this isn't about us, but Him, He will bring us into Himself and make us co-heirs to all that is His.... How great is that?

We are in Christ, Christ is being formed is us...

I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.Jhn 17:22

And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.1Cor 15:28

So as we trudge through the day to day knowing all is vain...in THIS state anyhow, we await a new day when all will be anything but.

What Taking a Break from Bible Study has Taught Me

2012-02-08T08:16:00.002-05:00

I mentioned before that during a family bible study of 1Corinthians, the Mr. and I discovered that we were a bit confused about what was being said there. Our literal verse by verse wasn't quite gelling with what we thought we had all figured out, so we took a break. Here are some of the things I have learned from the stepping back.

It has humbled me and shown me that I was haughty. I was. I found myself puffing up into thinking that everyone who wasn't reading and studying the bible at every opportunity were not as spiritual as me.

It has shown me how much the studying I did do was more theological (and by that I mean smarty pants stuff and wedging verses into my currently held beliefs) than I thought it was. I found that even verse-by-verse teachers who prided themselves in not skipping difficult passages were doing just that. The worst twisting and wresting I've seen and bought into were during many of these studies.I think that sometimes we do a real disservice to ourselves by insisting that everything must fit, everything must make sense right now and if it doesn't - we'll make it fit! Sometimes it is okay to just admit we don't understand something.

I can now see what is so important about being a doer and not just a hearer. People who are hurting need compassion, kindness, a listening ear- not someone reciting scripture.

All that being said, reading and studying the scriptures should be a very important part of our lives, but doesn't do us any good if we keep our light hidden. We can learn all the kings of Judah, but if we don't show love of Christ to those around us, we are just clanging gongs.

A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

Weekend Miscellaneousness

2012-02-03T08:43:00.001-05:00

Since I've been laying some heavy stuff out there lately, I thought I'd post something light and frothy.

The Monster Tree

I constantly tell the kids not to have drinks on the table when we are doing work...guess who spilled water on these papers?

Do as I say, not as I do come home to roost.

The fan was taking FOREVER to dry them, so's I got out the iron...that tip was free for nothing;)

Also, I came across this video for making a "messy bun". I usually use hair sticks when I bun mine up, but I tried this yesterday and got compliments from the Mr:

The weather has been wonderful, like spring, very eerie, but nice. This was what we had last year at this time.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Why

2012-01-31T08:00:00.000-05:00

Why do you lead us astray, LORD,

from your ways?

Why do you harden our heart

so we don’t fear you?

Return for the sake of your servants

the tribes that are your heritage!

Isaiah 63:17

Paul adds:

For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.

A proverb:

A man's steps are from Yahweh; how then can man understand his way? 20:24

From Jeremiah:

I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Jeremiah 10:23

Could things be any other way than they are? Are we really in charge of our own actions, or is He sovereign over all? If all our days (or at least David's-Psalms 139) were written down before one came to pass, what does that make us?

This can be a contentious subject, I know, but it is something I have always wondered about. It is as if we are becoming aware that there is nothing good in us, that is in the flesh, but in a strange way, that is part of the plan, and not (for lack of a better term) our fault.

For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. Romans 8:20-21

While listening recently to a testimony about how God saved someone from making a bad choice, I wonder, where was He in my bad choices? (that's what the flesh will wonder)...Doesn't He care about me? (of course I know He does, but we are only human after all). If it is so easy to stop us from sinning against Him, why doesn't He do it for everyone?

And what of the tragedies that are avoided and God gets the praise, but so many others get the tragedy instead of the miracle? Do we give God praise for the tragedy? What about our sins?

In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1Thes 5:18

It's hard to explain, and bitter, yet wonderful. We work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, yet it really IS all of Him.

I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men! Ecc 1:13

Out of the mouth of the most High proceedeth not evil and good?

Jehovah Jireh 4

2012-01-27T08:27:00.003-05:00

Sometimes you get an I'm here loud and clear.

This past week has been rough. I've been pretty sick and the whole schedule had gone out the window. The Mr. got some groceries last weekend, he really is pretty good at this, he's holding out on me:) but we were short of some things, so I had to take all of us to Kroger yesterday to get enough milk and fruit and such to get through till my next big trip.

My oldest son really wanted some green peppers. They were $1.59 EACH so I said nay and got some celery instead.

Last evening, I was at one of our neighbors picking up some things and she asked if we liked peppers. She had too many and was afraid they would go bad before they got to eating them. She had also gotten the kids some goodies, but that's another whole story. So here they are.

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:11

Thank you Father, for showing me that You are everywhere and in all our little wants and needs!

The Mundane

2012-01-19T08:14:00.000-05:00

The Sublime

And all points between.

God answers prayers, always.

Not in the way we expect most of the time from what I am experiencing, but how good He really is to us.

I am so thankful today, so grateful that Yahweh is MUCH MUCH BIGGER than we make Him out to be most of the time.

It's really going to be alright. And the peace lulls between the warfare are so sweet.

Warfare (the spiritual variety) or Where is that Sea of Forgetfulness?

2012-01-16T07:57:00.002-05:00

Because I have a few things I'd like to throw in.

Yesterday was a bad day. I did a lot of sulking and a lot of thinking and a lot of praying (O, I see You're trying to get my attention). A lot of regrets, a lot of doubt and raw hurt. And some questions.

Before I was "saved" I always used to believe that there was a reason for everything that happened. That was kind of the way I got through the rough things. I never thought that free will was a particularity desirable thing and that someone or something somewhere was ultimately in charge or responsible for the way things unfolded.

THEN, I met Jesus and I really felt that that WAS the case. He was my friend, my savior, and the best thing that ever happened to me was Him finding me. He bound up my wounds, told me He loved me, it was alright, it will all be alright. And then....

I got religion (read condemnation).

That 'first love' relationship was being hacked away at by rites and rituals and rules and a big ol' list of sins (The Catechism of the Catholic Church)* to be exact. I couldn't just go right to my Friend anymore. I wasn't doing this whole thing right - I was told- and how presumptuous of me to believe that I really was okay with God.

That set me back years. It's still setting me back.

I'd like to try to develop some thoughts about this: free will-responsibility-sovereignty-pride-shame-peace. But this is getting pretty long, so I'll try to make more sense later.

for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good

A man's steps are from Yahweh; how then can man understand his way? Proverbs 20:24

And I have given my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom concerning all that hath been done under the heavens. It [is] a sad travail God hath given to the sons of man to be humbled by it. Ecc 1:13

By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively. 2Cor 2:7

*I'm not trying to bash the Catholic Church, all religious Christianity can produce the same despair that Jesus came to save us from.

White

2012-01-14T08:02:00.000-05:00

Isa 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

I tried to find this verse and that to summarize the things I was thinking today. It seemed to me that I was "prooftexting" , BUT

Being a missing the forest for the trees kind of scripture reader the last few years, I am seeing the big picture.

God is love, God is light, God forgives, God wounds and God heals, God is All.

Kettle Corn!

2012-01-12T07:38:00.001-05:00

I've wanted to try this since Trisha posted it a few weeks ago. Yesterday my sweet tooth told me it was time.

I just glanced at the directions, thinking "I got this" and so here is batch number one:


There was smoke coming out of the pan before I finally gave up

By this time, the kids had smelled burnt sugar and wanted to know what I was making. After a quick trip back to the computer to check the directions again (I didn't preheat the oil..DUH). I'm not a popcorn newbie, I don't know what was wrong with me. I tried again.


Cheers of "Please don't burn!" rang through the kitchen as this batch popped- It didn't but...

I still am not completely happy with the results. Yummy- yes! But you see my poor, poor kernels. This is our homegrown popcorn and it is a real pain in the thumbs getting it off the cob.

This is a bit of work

To have so many unpopped is disappointing, I don't have this much of a failure rate when popping it normally.

Lazy kernels!

I need to keep working on it, but I can see this is the beginning of a beautiful snack relationship.

Outside my Laundry Room Door

2012-01-09T07:36:00.001-05:00

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, [I say], whether [they be] things in earth, or things in heaven. Col 1:20

I've been looking at Colossians a bit, a small and mostly looked over book by me. Lots of good stuff in there.

It's great timing that one of the pastors at our church just started preaching through this book yesterday. I missed the first installment being home with a sick little one, but thankfully they have put it in the archives, so I'll catch up.

I am willing to listen, to wait for answers and wisdom.

Our family bible study hasn't been what it was, partly due to just plain life getting in the way and partly because we found on one go 'round in 1 Corinthians that we couldn't put everything in the neat little packages we thought were there.

So a season of stepping back commenced.

I look forward to this series having put away my theological labels this past summer. The Mr. never labeled himself, but I did. I was proud to be this ist or follow that ism, but not now. Off in the wilderness I have been, but it's been a peaceful time for the most part. My faith in God has remained strong...stronger even. Some sickening moments when realizing some things weren't what they are presented as being and some beautiful moments seeing that God is really God.

I look forward, cautiously but excitedly, with full confidence in my Savior to what lies ahead.

This Picture

2012-01-05T08:10:00.000-05:00

Didn't turn out the way I wanted it to, but I like it anyway.

I'm still getting used to the settings and such on the new camera.

We're back to school, have had some little ones under the weather, and trying to clean up and organize after the holiday madness.

So it's 2012! Wow, that was fast. A few years ago I would've been counting down the days until the supposed end of the world, but for some reason my end of the world counting was interrupted last year by some wonderful things that I have been seeing from the scriptures and from (not saying this presumably, I just don't know what else to say) the spirit of God. And for some reason my rapture end-of-the-world watching is just not important to me at this time.

It is like a great light bursting through the cold and bleakness, somehow making everything beautiful in its time.

Grumpy Religiousity and Fearful Disciples

2012-01-02T08:44:00.000-05:00

It seems that many of us are one or the other...

I've been and sometimes still am both.

I'm now trying to LISTEN to Jesus -however that is accomplished , I guess by reading and meditating on the scripture rather than what other people tell me He is saying. It does seem that just plain reading the text alone isn't the means.

`Ye search the Writings, because ye think in them to have life age-during, and these are they that are testifying concerning me; John 5:39

It's tough.

Yesterday during the Sunday school class that the Mr. and I teach our lesson was about Jesus miracles. I was on my own, the Mr. being under the weather and with a small class of four kids (one being my son) we looked through five of Jesus's miracles:

The healing of the paralytic
The raising of Jairus's daughter
The calming of the storm
The healing of a blind man
Turning the water into wine

What I noticed in these were grumpy religious people, fearful disciples, and just plain regular people who came to Jesus with the great faith to be healed and saved.

and ye do not will to come unto me, that ye may have life; John 5:40

Blue Skies

2011-12-30T07:57:00.000-05:00

Love has long patience, is kind; love is not emulous [of others]; love is not insolent and rash, is not puffed up, does not behave in an unseemly manner, does not seek what is its own, is not quickly provoked, does not impute evil, does not rejoice at iniquity but rejoices with the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails;

(from 1Corinthains 13)

I have mentioned on several occasions how much this passage has meant to me over the last year or so. Like a treasure hidden in plain sight, but somehow I was blinded to it.

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. - 1John1:5

This has been a great year...really a great year. I can't imagine what lies ahead, nor do I really want to know. We are told to take it one day at a time.

Matthew 6:34 You should not, then, be worrying about the morrow, for the morrow will be worrying of itself. Sufficient for the day is its own evil.

Happy End of 2011!

Cookie Madness

2011-12-27T09:59:00.001-05:00

OR

I remember why I don't do this every year.

I love to cook and bake bread, but as far as sweets and treats go I just don't dig it.

SOOOOO, I decided to make 7 dozen cut out sugar cookies anyway. We have four people who live nearby that I always try to give a little something at Christmas time. I mixed, I chilled, I rolled, I sugared.

My eldest dd was a big help with the cutting and decorating for the first hour or so, then she'd had enough. The others wafted in and out of the kitchen putting their special touches on the cookies.

I ran out of colored sugar and sprinkles and such about half-way through.

Here I added crushed up candy canes


I figured if that worked, I could do something with these


A roll of wild cherry went in the coffee grinder


And they turned a Pepto-Bismol pink....I was a little concerned.

But they turned out red after baking though, not bad, the candy cane was better.

Last but not least, the camel....how cute is he?

We ended up only giving about half away. Oh My! Next time I'll not make so many.

Christmas Party Tips

2011-12-22T08:08:00.002-05:00

I was thinking about some of the ways I have learned to make Christmas gatherings a smooth(er) thing.

Things I wish I would have been doing all along, but hey- live and learn.

We usually have three or four Christmas gatherings per December with our extended family. All of these are at places other than home, so all the goodies have to be packed up and taken with us. This seems like it would be pretty simple, but it is surprisingly not.

1.) Bring bags! I found the large shopping bags work well. I try not to bring trash bags in fear of getting them mixed up with trash in the clean up process. As the kids get older I have started to give them their own bag to carry their own stuff.

I haven't stepped foot in a Toys 'R Us in years, my MIL gave me this bag.

2.) Try to keep them from opening every single little plastic accessory until getting home.....if possible.

3.) Don't be too quick to toss the box and instructions to something. I found this out firsthand this past weekend. Hold onto the things needed to return an item at least until you are sure it works.

SHARPIES!!

Perhaps the greatest thing since sliced bread

Everyone must have a Sharpie at all times. I now have one that has made a home in my purse so I'll never be without one.

These are a great way to mark identical gifts or most importantly, plastic drinking cups.

Oh red plastic drinking cup, how you look exactly like the other 40 red plastic drinking cups half full of room temperature corn syrup based beverage. How I wish there were a way to know who you belong to!

When the kids get their first drink at these things, I mark their cup and that cuts way back on the get-a-new-cup-every-ten-minutes thing.

Also a routine for us is to decide about 1/2 hour out when we are going to be leaving. It's then time to gather, I make sure everyone goes to the bathroom and the Mr. starts loading the car.

Last but not least, in the hustle and bustle we should all try not to forget to say thank you. To thank the hosts, not only for the gifts, but all the planning and preparation that goes into hosting. They spend a great deal of thought and possibly expense, and we should show our gratitude!

I hope you all have a great Christmas weekend and that we can show the light that is within us to those who may not know that LIGHT yet!

I would love to hear your tips.

Our Great Big Weekend

2011-12-19T08:23:00.001-05:00

Two family Christmas gatherings

One completely trashed house (even though neither gathering was here)

One huge hand-me-down TV that the Mr. didn't want to bring home, but did, he is good to us:)

Two fridges stuffed with various leftovers (again, we didn't host...I'm not sure what happened)

And.....a new camera for me! I wasn't 'specting it at all, but it is sure appreciated. I'm so totally spoiled.

It's much different than my old camera...but I tried to get a shot of this superbly cloudy sky this morning.

I'll be using today to ~~play with my camera~~ get the house back to normal.

You're a Mean One... Mr. Grinch

2011-12-15T07:50:00.002-05:00

My shift in thinking started about this time last year.

There were little nudges along the way, of which I have or will get to telling about, but since it's Christmas time, I'll do this one.

I found out that someone in my little world was involved with sin. And this is one of the "biggies" in the evangelical Christian world...okay so it's biblically a sin, too, but that is really not what this is about.

What was I going to do?

Well, at first I kind of freaked out. And then I made it my personal mission to turn everyone around.

I'll save them all!

That didn't last long. I informed all involved parties that they were on the way to you-know-where and that God wasn't at all pleased with this...I may have been a bit nicer about it, I'm not sure. Of course, God is not pleased with sin, don't get me wrong, but isn't that what Jesus was all about?.....

But I digress.

Back to Christmas.

So this person (the sinner-you understand) was at our family Christmas party. When opening gifts, the gift from this person was so personal and thoughtful....not expensive or anything, but just downright thoughtful.

I felt like the Grinch whose heart grew three sizes.

Google images

What a butt I had been. Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

I still knew what was going on was wrong, but I had been handling it all wrong, too. I was afraid. Afraid I say!

How many times did Jesus say don't be afraid?

I got to thinking about 1Corinthains 13 again, a real turning point, how Love BEARS all things, it BELIEVES all things, it HOPES all things.

And some things started snapping internally (not in a bad way). GOD IS LOVE. I am not showing love, internally or externally. I'm being a big religious sourpuss and I don't want to be this person!!!

I'm asking the Lord to change me.

Lunchtime Reading - Humility

2011-12-12T12:22:00.000-05:00

I was doing a little blog reading on my "lunch break" over here and came across this article:

Go ahead and click over, it's short and to the point:)

How to be Humble

ht: http://doingmybestforhim.blogspot.com/

This is an area that is important for me to work on....the idea that I don't have the most interesting thing to say when meeting someone new or even talking to friends. AARGH! This is a hard one. I find so often that I just can't wait to blabber about whatever I'm thinking rather than actually l i s t e n i n g to another human being.

I have been really impressed by some good listeners lately. I want to be a good listener!

Anyone else have trouble with this?

Glass Jar Picture Frame

2011-12-07T15:32:00.001-05:00

I am a super glass jar hoarder. I just love them for everything.

So, when I saw this idea for using them for picture frames, I was determined that someone was getting one for Christmas.

Fortunately, I had the picture ready to give my grandma already, now I have a nice presentation.

This photo is fuzzy, not the actual one:)

I decorated the lid with a piece of cloth hot glued on and a ribbon.

The beauty of it is, that the picture comes right out, so if Grandma would rather put it in a traditional frame, she can do so very easily.

I had to contain myself from going crazy with this right now, but it will probably be used again.

I've linked my little project here:)

And it just kept Raining

2011-12-06T07:52:00.000-05:00

Thank you Father that it is not up to me.

Thank you that it is by the faith of Your Son that I am complete.

I was beaten down yesterday, weak, selfish, irritable, whiny, grumpy, unforgiving.

Loud youngsters, messes that just kept on coming,

And outside, it just kept raining.

The light of the sun has not been shining, and that makes me a bit sad.

Knowing nothing is wrong, and I am so blessed, but just being discontent with the day laid out before me.

Inside, it was raining.

But I am thankful that You are God.

You are patient, You are longsuffering.

You didn't treat me the way I deserved.

You remember that I am only dust.

I can start again today, knowing that your mercies are new!

Thank you Father.

Frugal or Miserly?

2011-12-02T07:44:00.001-05:00

I have teetered on the edge at times.

The gift giving season is here and as much as I have protested in years past, it's just not going away.

Maybe instead of stamping my feet and protesting the commercialism and pagan-ish holiday roots, I could just try to get something thoughtful for my family.

Here are my guidelines this year:

I will not try to force my beliefs or lifestyle on someone with my gifts. No one in my family wants handmade soap or herbal teas...Oh I would LOVE such a thing, but I'm not buying for me.

Homemade gifts will be limited to something that the recipient would actually want or appreciate.

I will do my best to remember that I am trying to express my appreciation for my loved ones, not spend as little as possible. However...

Gifts don't have to be expensive, a thoughtful item is often much more appreciated than a pricey one.

I will try my best to buy local and non (you-know-what-giant-country-in-the-east) made things when at all possible.

In addition, I am trying to institute the practice of keeping my eyes peeled all year round for things that would make good gifts. I know people who do this and I am so jealous!

So now I need to hear from you all. What are some of the best given/received gifts you have given/received?

What do you most appreciate in a gift? Tell me your favorites!

Conviction City

2011-11-28T07:40:00.000-05:00

In our church service yesterday, one of our elders gave a message about the tongue and gossip. This is something that has been in my thoughts lately, too, as I have a difficult time with this.

I wonder why?

and the tongue no one of men is able to subdue, [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison, (James 3:8)

oh yeah...that's why.

Be that as it may, we are still told earlier in this letter that:

for we all make many stumbles; if any one in word doth not stumble, this one [is] a perfect man, able to bridle also the whole body;(James 3:2)

And this has been a wonderment to me. Jesus said that out of the mouth come what is in the heart. However, couldn't one have an evil heart and yet not speak? If one refrains from saying what one really thinks, that doesn't really change the heart.

Thinking on it further, I imagine that even if one does think something, but refrains from speaking, this is a good thing.

Words are powerful.

Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.(Proverbs 18:21)

We most remember words that powerfully build up and unfortunately words that tear down. I know I do.

Paul writes:

Let no corrupt word out of your mouth go forth, but what is good unto the needful building up, that it may give grace to the hearers; (Eph. 4:29)

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Romans 14:19)

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips (Col 3:8)

I've sure spent enough time tearing down, I would like to try to start building up! Why is it so much easier to complain or to criticize or to gossip than to say things that would build another up?

Eucharisteō

2011-11-24T05:55:00.002-05:00

eucharisteō:

1) to be grateful, feel thankful

2) give thanks

(I'm not a Greek scholar, but I do love this site!)

We have an awesome God and awesome hope and nothing to fear! From 1 Corinthians 15:

19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.

24Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

25For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

26The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

27For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

28And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Happy Thanksgiving!

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

God IS Good

2011-11-21T08:37:00.002-05:00

Psalm 100
¹A Psalm of Thanksgiving. Shout to Jehovah, all the earth.
²Serve Jehovah with joy, come before him with singing.
³Know that Jehovah He [is] God, He made us, and we are His, His people -- and the flock of His pasture.
⁴Enter ye His gates with thanksgiving, His courts with praise, Give ye thanks to Him, bless ye His Name.
⁵For good [is] Jehovah, to the age His kindness, And to generation and generation His faithfulness!

Our pastor in the sermon yesterday (sermon linked here for any interested) featured this psalm saying about verse 5 that there is no qualifier when the psalmist says God is good. I really liked that.

He talks about why we should give thanks and shares some of his journey in faith. One thing I have been learning is that everyone has a story. God is good like that. He does what He has to do to bring us to the end of ourselves.

If He hasn't done this for you, He will. If He wants you, He will get you.

There are so many great people I have met at our local fellowship.

I wanted to link to this very special family from our church. Take time to read their story.

There are also those who are fighting secret, private battles. Stories that are not told. We never know who might be in pain, pain that we cannot see on the surface.

Let us try to be gentle with everyone, since people we meet may be in the midst of a trial. We may never know what kind words will do or what unkind ones may do.

But HE is good! His Mercy endures forever.