The Best Resolution Ever

It is that time of year again, the time in which many people make New Year's Resolutions. I have to be honest, half the time I don't even bother to make them. Why? Well because I usually have the same results that many other have.

Failure.

I saw a cute little funny on Facebook last week - wish I remembered who shared it cause I would go borrow it. But anyway two were talking and one asked the other, "what is a New Year's Resolution?" the other one said, " it's a 'To Do' list for January" How true is that? I mean how many times have I made a resolution to lose weight? Well never have I lost weight by those resolutions. And I have discovered that a better way for me to address this issue is to work toward making better choices everyday.

So today as I think of the year 2012 ending and seeing 2013 heading our way - I realize that the very best resolution that I can make is to choose to make a commitment to spending time everyday with Jesus Christ. This is something that I have gotten into the habit of this past year.  And the truth is - my days are always so much better when I spend time with Jesus first.

So this year - Jesus First will be my theme - and not just for my mornings - but for my whole day,  every day. For these is nothing better than to put Jesus First.

And I hope if you don't already spend time in God's word every day, that you will join me in this resolution. May Jesus be our Focus - today and everyday! 

A Long, Busy Day

Well today I am handling things much better about the store being sold. I actually spent about 6-7 hours over at the store helping get things packed up and out of there. We made a big dent in what needs to be done but there is still a lot to be done. My MIL still needs to clean out her office and then the attic. Today we focused on the Kitchen and then store room - and boy was there ALOT of stuff in them. Also all the decorations on the walls and on the stuff - all them are gone. She offered one of the customers the plants she had so he came by today to pick them all up and by the time I left - boy it just did not look like the same place. At least not the side by the bakery. All the apple decorations - many of them given to my MIL by our customers - are all taken over to my MIL's house. It will be a different store. I am curious to see what the new owners will do with the place. They really do not seem to be the type people that will have a country atmosphere at the store.
I will miss the store but God is in control of every detail of my life. This is something I have to remind myself of - or God has to remind me of ever so often. God is in control and I can trust Him.

Anyway I don't think I will have any problem at all sleeping tonight. I have worked hard today. And I have a long list of things I want to get done tomorrow before my husband gets home. He has been in Arkansas since Wednesday helping to restore phone service - all through Arkansas. Trust me he has been around the southwest parts of Arkansas and all around the northeast part - and of course Little Rock area - that is where they were staying. I am thankful that they have been safe. The first day driving up there - took them a LONG time.

Ya'll have a good night. See ya tomorrow! :o)

And Then There Were 13

 

This photo was taken a while back. But I wanted to show you my beautiful chickens. Last week we had a VERY windy night. Right before we were going to go to bed, I remembered something outside that I wanted to secure so I had went out in the back yard to take care of it. My husband came out to help me and then noticed that there was a chicken out of the coop. This is very unusual for them. Usually when the sun goes down they have all made their way to the coop.

 

 

Well we went and tried to get the chicken to take it to the coop and while we were chasing that chicken around the yard - we noticed several more huddled by a fence. Then we figured there must be something wrong. So my husband went to the coop to check it out. He discovered a opossum in the coop. Not only that but a dead chicken.

 

We have had opossums in the coop before but never have we had one to kill a chicken. That was a first.

 

So we had half of our chickens hiding out in the yard and the other half were up on their roost. The opossum went and hid in a corner. And we had no way to get him out since the only thing we could see was his tail and about 1 inch of his rear. My husband tried to scare him out of the corner to get him out of the coop- but if you know anything about opossums you probably realize that when they get scared - the pretend to be dead. And "dead" is what he did.

It was very hard, but we had to just leave him there and just hope that the rest of the chickens made it through the night.

 

The next morning - I went to check on my girls and Praise the Lord the rest of my chickens were all doing well. I did decide that from then on - I would go back to closing up the coop every night. I had stopped closing them up about 6-8 months ago and nothing had bothered them that entire time. It adds more work to me but it keeps my girls save so that is how it'll be.

 

So now you know how we are down to 13 chickens. 

When One Door Closes, Another One Opens...Hopefully

Well it looks like the perfect day to do some catch up. First of all, Well I have shared with you all that my MIL owned a small convenience store/bakery/grill. Well I have worked there many years. In fact, she has owned this store just shy of 20 years. My job was basically making the cookies - we had 10 different kinds of cookies. I also made the dough for her kolaches. I usually worked about 10 + hours a week.

My youngest son has been helping her with the grill for a while now. He also would run the store -the closing shift most days. My oldest son has been working the store - the morning- the end of burger time.

Well on about Wednesday we found out that Saturday December 29th would be the last day the store would be open. My MIL had said something about a week and a half ago about how poorly the store was doing and that she might have to shut it down- but this is not something we have not heard before. In fact, it is at least once or twice a year that she had would talk about how poorly the store was doing so because she had "yelled wolf" so often we did not take her seriously. And the next day she mentioned to my son that she did not feel peace from God to close the store. So we went the next few days thinking that it would stay open. And then suddenly she tells us on Wednesday. And then by Friday she put signs out telling the customers. So it was true. It is so shocking to all of us.

What is funny is that my oldest son truly needs a better job that will pay all of his bills and he has been looking. So I had thought that soon - I would end up with more hours. If oldest got another job - I would have to take over helping with the grill which would have added 20 hours to my work week. Well working the grill and making French fries and such is not my favorite thing to do but she would need help and it would be more money - and who does not need more money the way the economy is at the moment(and has been for a while.) So Here I am thinking I am going to get more hours and then in just one week - I will get NO hours.

What is the most concerning for me though is that my oldest son has a house, bills and a car payment. He has been looking for a better job for a while and has had a hard time finding one. What might be a blessing is that since he has NO job now - he will be able to really get out and look and maybe go to temp agencies and look for a job. We have heard that a lot of times places hire people temporarily and then if they like them as workers - they hire them. So we are praying that God will open a good door for him and that he can get a job asap- so he can keep paying his bills. He was barely making it as it was.

We are really having to learn to trust God. And in a way it is getting easier but there are still moments that are hard and I have to pray that God will help me with my faith. That's a really cool thing about God is that He is always there just waiting to answer prayers like that!

Not the best photos - but since the store sold today. I had to get what photos I could.
I am struggling a bit today. I have worked in this bakery for 18 years. There was a year or so that I took off once and then a 6 month time period that I had to take off but this place has been such a part of my life that I am grieving a bit about it.

What Seventh-day Adventists Believe...#17

Fundamental Belief #17

Spiritual Gifts and Ministries:

God bestows upon all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts which each member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functions. According to the Scriptures, these gifts include such ministries as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation, teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion, and self-sacrificing service and charity for the help and encouragement of people. Some members are called of God and endowed by the Spirit for functions recognized by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, apostolic, and teaching ministries particularly needed to equip the members for service, to build up the church to spiritual maturity, and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of God. When members employ these spiritual gifts as faithful stewards of God's varied grace, the church is protected from the destructive influence of false doctrine, grows with a growth that is from God, and is built up in faith and love.

"For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness."    

Romans 12:4-8

 

 "to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. "

1 Corinthians 12:9-11

  "Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. "

1 Corinthians 12:27-28

     8 Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive,

And gave gifts to men."

Ephesians 4:8

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."   

Ephesians 4:11-16

"Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith."

Acts 6:1-7

 

"This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. 8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus."
    1 Timothy 3:1-13

"As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen."

1 Peter 4:10, 11

DRAWING NIGH to GOD....series..."Transforming Power In_Sincere Prayer"

 

"Drawing Nigh to God"

by Minnie E. Dauphinee

 

"This is the confidence that we have

 in him, that if we ask any thing

according to his will, he hearth us."

 -1 John 5:14

 

A few years ago a Christian woman picked up a card on which were these words_

"PRAYER CHANGES THINGS
PRAYER CHANGES YOU"

 

The thought expressed upon her mind that she felt she must share it with as many others as possible. Therefore, she paid to have the words appear for one month on five hundred billboards in New York subways, where millions of people saw them.

"Prayer changes you." Dr. Alexis Carrel says: "If you make a habit of sincere prayer, your life will be very noticeably and profoundly altered. Prayer stamps with its indelible mark our actions and demeanor. A tranquility of bearing, a facial and bodily repose, are observed in those whose inner lives are thus enriched. Within the depths of consciousness a flame kindles. And man sees himself. He discovers his selfishness, his silly pride, his fears, his greeds, his blunders. He develops a sense of moral obligations, intellectual humility....

 

 "Prayer is a force as real as terrestrial gravity... It is the only power in the world that seems to overcome the so-called 'law of nature'; the occasions on which prayer has dramatically done this have been termed 'miracles.' But a constant, quieter miracle takes place hourly in the hearts of men and women who have discovered that prayer supplies them with a steady flow of sustaining power in their daily lives."

Ellen G. White writes, "Communion with God[prayer, Bible study, and meditation] imparts to the soul an intimate knowledge of His will." When our lives are in harmony with God's will, our prayers also will be in harmony with His will, and more and more our characters will reflect Christ's character.

What a Promise!

Just a little something floating around Facebook! Have a great day! And remember - Nothing is to Big or Small for God to Handle! :O)

Merry Christmas

 

Merry Christmas to you all!

May the Love that came that night

light all your days with hope and joy!


It's Christmas Eve

 

 

You +1'd this publicly. Undo

Immanuel meaning "God is with us"

I like that. :o)

 

(just something floating around Facebook)

Sunday's Catch Up

Hello everyone~ I know I have not been around lately but I am guessing that in a week - I will have more time to actually sit down and write some of the blog posts that I have had going around my head lately. I have had ideas but just no time to sit down and write them out.

Well as you can see from the above photo - that we actually have a chance of a white Christmas. From what I have heard so far is that rain starting out and then may go into sleet and snow. Who knows? You never can tell what it's gonna do around here. Just a couple of days ago we broke a record of the highest temperature for the daytime high. I think it go up to about 80.

Well I have spent some time today wrapping up a few of the last gifts. It feels good to have that done.

I have been sick for the last 3 weeks. On Monday I finally went to the Dr. She gave me antibiotics and also sent me to have xrays done - she thought here was a chance that I had pneumonia. I was not able to get the xrays done for a few days but did not end up having pneumonia. I did end up having to take a second round of antibiotics though. I am still coughing up stuff but am feeling a bit better.

The problems that we have been having that have kept me so very quiet have not been cleared up yet. There has been talk of it but who knows. It is still threatening to take away some of our Christmas joy. But we are holding onto hope. Trusting that God is in control and that if He is allowing this to happen - that there is a reason for it and that ultimately He will use it for His glory.

Remember we lost one of my favorite trees to the drought that we have summer before last? Well we were able to get it cut down finally. Today we spent some time organizing the wood and getting a pile of kindling and then piling up the good fire wood. We have some close to the back door - since it looks like Christmas will be a cold one and perfect weather for a fire in the fire place. I really enjoy having a fire place. We don't get to use it as often as I'd like but it is very enjoyable when we do get t use it. I still hate that we lost my favorite tree. The view our my kitchen window is very different now. And will be even more so once we get all of the tree out of that area.

I hope you all have a great week and a Very Merry Christmas. Don't forget the reason for the Season!

What Seventh-day Adventists Believe...#16

Fundamental Belief #16

The Lord's Supper:

The Lord's Supper is a participation in the emblems of the body and blood of Jesus as an expression of faith in Him, our Lord and Saviour. In this experience of communion Christ is present to meet and strengthen His people. As we partake, we joyfully proclaim the Lord's death until He comes again. Preparation for the Supper includes self-examination, repentance, and confession. The Master ordained the service of foot washing to signify renewed cleansing, to express a willingness to serve one another in Christlike humility, and to unite our hearts in love. The communion service is open to all believing Christians.

"The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread."   

1 Cor. 10:16, 17

 "For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, "Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me." 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep."   

1 Corinthians 11:23-30

"Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, "Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?" 18 And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at your house with My disciples." ' " 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover. 20 When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. 21 Now as they were eating, He said, "Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me." 22 And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, "Lord, is it I?" 23 He answered and said, "He who dipped his hand with Me in the dish will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born." 25 Then Judas, who was betraying Him, answered and said, "Rabbi, is it I?" He said to him, "You have said it." 26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is My body." 27 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." 30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives."

Matthew 26:17-30

 

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."   

Revelation 3:20

 

"I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and are dead. 50 This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that one may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world." 52 The Jews therefore quarreled among themselves, saying, "How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?" 53 Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. 56 He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. 57 As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. 58 This is the bread which came down from heaven--not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever." 59 These things He said in the synagogue as He taught in Capernaum. 60 Therefore many of His disciples, when they heard this, said, "This is a hard saying; who can understand it?" 61 When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples complained about this, He said to them, "Does this offend you? 62 What then if you should see the Son of Man ascend where He was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."

John 6:48-63

 

"Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. 2 And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, 4 rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. 5 After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, "Lord, are You washing my feet?" 7 Jesus answered and said to him, "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." 8 Peter said to Him, "You shall never wash my feet!" Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." 9 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!" 10 Jesus said to him, "He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you." 11 For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, "You are not all clean." 12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them."   

John 13:1-17

DRAWING NIGH to GOD....series..."Transforming Power in - God's Word"

Devotion from Minnie E. Dauphinee's book - "DRAWING NIGH to GOD"

Transforming Power In- God's Word 

"I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil." 

Psalms 119:162 

A prince sent a gift to his betrothed. When she opened the package she was disappointed to find an egg of iron. She put it aside. Later she picked it up and began to examine it. Accidentally she touched a hidden spring, which opened the case and revealed an egg of brass. With growing curiosity she touched another secret spring, and found an egg of silver. When this was opened, there was an egg of gold. With eagerness she opened it, and to her great delight she saw a beautiful diamond. 

So it is with the Word of God. Those who read it superficially and put it aside can never know the beauties it contains. It is inlaid with gold and precious gems. A well-known religious writer has said, "The earth itself is not so interlaced with golden veins and filled with precious things as is the word of God."

 

One cannot expect to find the precious things in the Word of God by surface reading any more than the miner expects to find the valuable things in the earth through surface methods. God hides His gems just beneath the surface to test our earnestness in finding them. The efforts of the prospector for the gold that perishes may be fruitless. However, the poorest of us who search diligently for the precious things of God's Word will not be disappointed, for we have the sure promise, "He that seeketh findeth."

As the prospector prizes most highly the valuable things in the earth that he himself discovers, so we prize most the things we ourselves find in the mine of precious truth. Those gems received from sermons or from the reading of religious magazines or books do not equal those received from our own quiet searching of God's Word.

The best time to explore God's Word is the early morning. The thoughts that glisten like diamonds on its sacred pages in the early morning hours cannot be seen so clearly after one has glanced at the morning paper or entered into ordinary conversation at the breakfast table.

God's Word will exert its miracle-working power in our lives when we, like the psalmist, esteem its treasures more than "piles of gold and silver" (Psalms 119:72, Moffatt). We will grow more and more like Christ until our very nature is transformed. Here is God's personal word assuring us that this is so:
"He has granted us His exceeding great and precious promises, in order that through them you may become sharers in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption which is now in the world by reason of earthly cravings." _2 Peter 1:4, Weymouth.

"The revelation of Christ in your own character will have transforming power upon all with whom you come in contact. Let Christ be daily made manifest in you, and He will reveal through you the creative energy of His word- a gentle, persuasive, yet mighty influence to re-create other souls in the beauty of the Lord our God."

An Interesting List of Some That Have Passed Away This Year

I just found something interesting on a local news site on the Internet. It is a list of some of the people who died in 2012. You know - the ones that were famous or who had made the news or what ever. I thought it was interesting to skim through and thought some of ya'll might find some of it interesting as well.
I think for me the most shocking on the list - and I had heard about it when he died - but it was the death of Thomas Kinkade. What an amazingly talented artist he was!! It is still sad that he passed away.

You can check out the list here.

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Checking In...

Just checking in. The problem that I have shared with you all has not been settled yet. And just like Scrooge, it has kept threatening to steal the spirit of Christmas from our home. But we have fought through those feelings and we finally got our tree up and then this past week-end my husband and I finally got out and got a lot of our Christmas shopping done. That night - I got them all wrapped. It feels good to get all that done. I still have a few things to get but at least I have most of them.

I am going on being sick for 2 weeks. I tried really hard to fight it,but I finally gave in today and went to see my Dr. She put me on antibiotics and told me to go have an xray of my chest - she wants to make sure I don't have pneumonia. I'll let you know once I find out.

Speaking of being sick- on Friday my husband bought me some OJ from HEB. It was delicious. It is freshly squeezed. Oh my goodness - it is the best orange juice ....ever!! Can't wait till I can get more. Oh ...only problem is that it is kind of pricey. But worth it ever so often. :O)

Well I am sorry I have not been doing much posting, but I have been in a very quiet mood lately. I am hoping that once things calm down around my place - that I will find that I have more to say and share.

What Seventh-day Adventists Believe...#15

Fundamental Beliefs....#15

Baptism:

By baptism we confess our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and testify of our death to sin and of our purpose to walk in newness of life. Thus we acknowledge Christ as Lord and Saviour, become His people, and are received as members by His church. Baptism is a symbol of our union with Christ, the forgiveness of our sins, and our reception of the Holy Spirit. It is by immersion in water and is contingent on an affirmation of faith in Jesus and evidence of repentance of sin. It follows instruction in the Holy Scriptures and acceptance of their teachings.

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin."

Romans 6:1-6

"buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses,"

Colossians 2:12, 13

"And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized."

Acts 16:30-33

"And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'"

Acts 22:16

"Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Acts 2:38

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen."

Matthew 28:19, 20

DRAWING NIGH TO GOD....series.."Praise God, the Lord!"

from- the book - "Drawing Nigh to God"

by Minnie E. Dauphinee 

"Praise God, the Lord!" 

The herdsmen in the Alps of Switzerland have a beautiful custom. It is said that as the last rays of the sun are disappearing, the herdsman who dwells highest up the mountain takes his herdsman's horn and trumpets forth, "Praise God, the Lord!" Immediately other herdsmen in the valleys below take their horns and repeat the words, "Praise God, the Lord!"

This continues for some minutes while on all sides the heights and depths echo and re-echo the Creator's praise. A solemn stillness follows while these trumpeting herdsmen offer a silent prayer on bended knee. 

It is good to have an annual Thanksgiving Day, when we pause to praise God in a special way for all the good things of life. Someone has suggested that instead of having one day set apart for thanksgiving, it would be better to set apart one day for murmuring, and crowd into it all our complaints, using every other day of the year for expressing gratitude. When we remember that all the good things we enjoy come from the Saviour, and that He died "to bring happiness and heaven within our reach," should we not be ashamed to ever utter a word of complaint? Ellen G. White writes: "If the loving-kindness of God called forth more thanksgiving and praise, we would have far more power in prayer. We would abound more and more in the love of God and have more bestowed to praise Him for." 

A poor woman went to a certain jewelry store to have a brooch repaired. She intended to give it to her daughter for a graduation present. But one gem was missing. After carefully examining it, the jeweler said, "These are genuine pearls. It will require a very large sum to replace the missing one. " Six years before, the woman had found the brooch, now valued at thirty thousand dollars, on the street. Not knowing its value, she had worn it commonly about her work. But after learning its worth she cherished it above all her other possessions. 

Jesus is the "pearl so precious that in comparison all things else may be accounted loss." In Him are "hid all the treasurers of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:3) Do you not feel like explaining in the words of the psalmist- 

"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together"

 Psalms 34:3

What a Promise!

    "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you."

Isaiah 43:2

Pennies Here and There

Today I went by a local HEB - I went inside and put money on a gift card. I have already shared how through the end of December - you get 12 cents off per gallon when you use one of their gift cards to buy gas.
Anyway once I got my gas and I looked at my recipe and I noticed that I had saved $1.24 - I realized something - to some people this would not seem like enough of an incentive to make them park their car and go inside and buy a gift card. But when you really think about it you realize that - between the amount I save on my gas and the amount that we save from my husbands truck - we can actually buy a loaf of bread, gallon of milk and a carton of eggs - at least. And to me that is well worth it! Just something to think about. A few cents here and a few cents there - add up and really make a difference.

This and That Catch Up

Can you believe it? We are actually having some more winter like weather. It really is nice. We are enjoying it. Am more tempted to pack away those sleeveless tops but for now - leaving the couple at the top of my closet.

Sorry I have been so quiet. The trial that I had told ya'll about that started about 5 weeks ago - the one that we thought was about to be over - ended up not being over quite yet. There is a chance for a resolution for it   in the next week or so. But to be honest - we really need some prayers. There have been false allegations made against someone in my family. I wish I could go into more details but I can tell you this - these are definitely false allegations - made by some people that are being very vengeful. We are holding onto promises- like Exodus 14:14 "The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace." Anyway please be praying for our family.

This week end we finally got our Fall decorations put away and got our Christmas tree put up and decorated. It's been a very tough year for our family and there are some reasons why we have not been in the normal Christmas spirit. But we moved on in faith that things will work out. It is nice to have this stuff taken care of.

This week end we also got our fish tank cleaned out. It had been in pretty bad shape. But now it is looking awesome. Sometime in the next week - we will be going to Petsmarts to buy some more fish.

Today we spent some time organizing my sewing room. It looks SO much better. More work needs to be done but it is much improved. I am thankful to have it taken care of.

Oh - I wanted to also share a real blessing with you all. Last week - I decided that I wanted to buy a office chair. I have a TV in my sewing room and I like to watch sermons back there - and I thought it would be great to have a nice comfortable chair in there. So I looked at Staples website - and I found a great chair. Well it is normally $129.99 but was on sale for $59.99 -only problem was - sale ended the very next day. So I looked to see if it was at any of the stores around here - it was not. Well I noticed that they had free shipping. So I ordered the chair on Friday and guess what? It was delivered this am - Monday morning. Isn't that awesome?! Not only did I get the chair for half price but had it delivered for free and got it SO quickly. That was a blessing from God.

What Seventh-day Adventists Believe....#14

Before we get started on the next Fundamental belief- Please be sure and go to my friends blog and check out this "The Christmas Scale" it is excellent. You will be blessed. And it will only take 3 minutes of your time. 

Fundamental Belief...............#14

Unity in the Body of Christ:

The church is one body with many members, called from every nation, kindred, tongue, and people. In Christ we are a new creation; distinctions of race, culture, learning, and nationality, and differences between high and low, rich and poor, male and female, must not be divisive among us. We are all equal in Christ, who by one Spirit has bonded us into one fellowship with Him and with one another; we are to serve and be served without partiality or reservation. Through the revelation of Jesus Christ in the Scriptures we share the same faith and hope, and reach out in one witness to all. This unity has its source in the oneness of the triune God, who has adopted us as His children.

"For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another."

Romans 12:4, 5

"For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free--and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many."

1 Corinthians 12:12-14

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. "

Matthew 28:19, 20

"A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!"

Psalms 133:1

"Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

2 Corinthians 5:16, 17

"And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;"

Acts 17:26, 27

"For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

Galatians 3:27

"And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

Galatians 3:29

"and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. 12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."

Colossians 3:10-15

"that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

Ephesians 4:14-16

"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

Ephesians 4:1-6

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me."

John 17:20-23

DRAWING NIGH to GOD..series..."A Renewed Mind"

"A Renewed Mind" 

"The world is a workshop in which, through the cooperation of human and divine agencies, Jesus is making experiments by His grace and divine mercy upon human hearts." 

Marvelous transformations in character are being wrought in God's workshop. His sole purpose is to transform sinners into saints. The only treasure that can be taken to the next world is character transformed into the likeness of Christ's character. How timely, then, is this admonition of the apostle Paul- 

"Instead of being moulded to this

 world, have your mind renewed, and so 

be transformed in nature, able to make

 out what the will of God is." 

Romans 12:2, Moffatt. 

When our minds are renewed, we will think as Christ thinks. (Philippians 2:5). A little girl who experienced conversion said to  her mother, "Now I'm gong to do whatever I want to." 

"No, dear," answered the mother. "Now you must do what Jesus wants you to do." 

"Yes," replied the child,"but from now on Jesus and i will be wanting the same things."
She was right. "If we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses."

"Be the home of my thoughts, O God,
When the enemy, same as now,
like a roaring lion stalks abroad,
When worries and fears and doubts
assail,
When friends thought true are found
to fail,
When storms are raging and strifes
abound,
When tares 'mid choicest wheat are
found,
When cares of life are pressing sore
And problems loom, unmet before-
BE then the home of my thoughts,
Oh Lord;
The home of my thoughts, be Thou!
"Be the home of my thoughts, O God,
Nor permit them again to roam!
For as long as the devil stalks
abroad-
In time of calm as in time of storm,
When blow the winds or cold or warm-
There's always danger apart from
Thee,
And perilous insecurity.
May ever my thoughts on Thee be
stayed
In peace, where nothing can make
afraid.
Till I reach Thy heavenly home,
O Lord,
Be here of my thoughts the home!"
_Pearl Waggoner Howard

What a Promise- With a Twist

This week I am not going to have a normal - What a Promise - post.

Our Family had felt as though we were in a frying pan. Well last Wednesday - we had found out some news that made us believe that this major trial was over but yesterday we found out that it is not, so here again we find ourselves in the hot frying pan.

Yesterday when I found out that a case that we thought was being closed - has not been closed yet - and it looks like several more weeks at least till we can see and end to this mess, my Mother-in-Law shared this beautiful song with me.

This song tells of so many ways in which God keeps His promise. I am so very thankful that I serve a God that has walked on water and SO much more.
I hope ya'll enjoy! :O)



In the Sewing Room

So I have been busy in my sewing room lately. Sewing is very good therapy.

A couple of years ago, I learned how to make these cool coasters. I made them for friends and family. Then recently I decided to make some to put at my MIL store to sell. So I have been working on them ever since.

 

They have been at my MIL store for about a week and a half and I have sold 2 sets already.

These are the ones that I have sold so far.

And I have one more set that has been put back, so that someone can come buy it when they get paid. I have about 17 more sets that are there for sale.

To be honest, this has been something that in the past I would have been to intimidated to do - I would have thought that I just could not do good enough. But I have grown a lot lately. And I am thrilled to have the opportunity to sell these great sets. I have several more sets ready to sew together. And some fabric matched up to get ready to get some more sets cut out and ready to sew.

 

Well I just wanted to let you know a little of what has kept me so busy lately. Lots of things - along with lots of sewing.

 

He Leads Us On

He leads us on by paths we did not know;

Upward He leads us, though our steps be slow,

Though oft we faint and falter on the way,

Though storms and darkness oft obscure the day;

Yet when the clouds are gone,

We know He leads us on.

He leads us on through all the unquiet years;

Past all our dreamland hopes, and doubts and fears,

He guides our steps, through all the tangled maze

Of losses, sorrows, and o’er clouded days;

We know His will is done;

And still He leads us on.

~Nicholaus Ludwig Zinzendorf

Expensive or Not?

I love Paul Mitchell's Extra-Body Sculpting Foam!
This stuff is great and helps me style my hair. I have tried other products and I just don't get the same results. I like that when I use it on my wet hair and then blow dry my hair, I can not really tell that product is in my hair. It is great stuff. But here's the deal - It cost a little over $11.00 for like 6.7 oz. And that seems expensive.

Well the last time I bought it - I decided to use a black magic marker and write the date that I began using this container. Well it has really surprised me - I started using it the middle of August and I still have at least a week or two left. My next appointment to get my hair cut is December 20th and I am hoping it holds out till then. It would sure be convenient for me. 

So it looks to me that this container will last me about 4 months - and when you look at it like that, it really does seem like it is a good deal and not expensive at all. 

I think this is a good way to look at things - especially those things that seem like they are expensive but you really like the product - figure it out and see how it really breaks down. 

Using a cheaper product - may cost less in the beginning but I am sure I would have to use a lot more product in order to have the same results. And then I don't think that I would like the results either. 

Anyway just something to think about. 

It's Been a Warm One

December that is. 

Good Morning!~ I hope you are all having a good week-end. Ours has been a nice relaxing one, which is really good because that is exactly what we needed.

Well on December 1st I experienced a first. Our temperatures were about 82 degrees and I wore capri's and a sleeveless top. Never before have I chosen to wear such attire for a December day. In fact, as I have probably already mentioned - usually I pack my summer stuff away by October, but not this year. And I am so glad that I have these choices available seeing that we have a few more of these 80 degree days in this week. 

Well I do hope you are all doing well. Have a great week! :O) 

What Seventh-day Adventists Believe.....#13

Fundamental Beliefs #13

 Remnant and Its Mission:

The universal church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ, but in the last days, a time of widespread apostasy, a remnant has been called out to keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. This remnant announces the arrival of the judgment hour, proclaims salvation through Christ, and heralds the approach of His second advent. This proclamation is symbolized by the three angels of Revelation 14; it coincides with the work of judgment in heaven and results in a work of repentance and reform on earth. Every believer is called to have a personal part in this worldwide witness.

"And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Revelations 12:17

   "Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth--to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people--7 saying with a loud voice, "Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." 8 And another angel followed, saying, "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." 9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, "If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name." 12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus."Revelations 14:6-12

"After these things I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! 3 For all the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury." 4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues." 

Revelations  18:1-4

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

2 Corinthians 5:10

"Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints."      

Jude 3

"Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men also, saying, "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints,"      

Jude 14

"because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 17 And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one's work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot."

1 Peter 1:16-19

"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. 14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;" 

2 Peter 3:10-14

"Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." 5 Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." 6 And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." 9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, "Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb's wife." 10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11 having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. 12 Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb."

Revelations 21:1-14