Easter Song - GLAD

Another favorite Easter song. Don't miss the other song I just posted. :O)
Just click on the name of the songs in the title will take  you to the song and video.

Don Francisco - He's Alive

Happy Easter!

I love this song and wanted to share it with you all - just in case you have never had the chance to hear it. Have a great day! :O)

Bible Marking Example

Ok - I wanted to share with you a photo of the back of one of my Bibles that I have been working on. Also I want to say - I have not decided for sure if I want to go in the order that my teacher had used way back when I was in the 10th grade or if I might want to move them around some. I need to think about that some more. But I did want to give you a visual of what I had been talking about. I use my ruler to try to keep my writing straight across, if not sometimes I have the tendency to start slanting up or down. I hope ya'll are having a good day! :o)

 

If you have not seen the Bible Marking on "Inspiration of the Bible" be sure and scroll down and check it out.

Bible Marking..series..."Inspiration of the Bible"

Things you will need for Bible Marking:

*Bible
*colored pencils
*pencil- I recommend a good #2 pencil- these are getting harder and harder to find.
*pen- optional - I like to use a pen to write information on a paper in the back of my Bible.
*ruler or bookmark- you will use this to be able to underline the verses.

Now you are ready to go!

Our first Bible Marking Lesson will be "Inspiration of the Bible"

So first of all - find a blank page in the back of your Bible. If you have to you could always do this part on a piece of paper and then glue it to a back page. Which ever works best for you.

At the very top of that blank page - I write "Inspiration of the Bible" and then "IB" and then John 14:6 and then once I have picked out the color I want to use - I color a oval or circle - what ever you want to use of that color. This is just so that you will know what color you will be using with this Bible Marking.

So this is what is written at the top of my blank page:
Inspiration of the Bible- IB- John 14:7 - Blue


So next you would go to the above verse in your Bible. Once you get there - Underline the verse/verses with your colored pencil.

"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."   

 At the end of the verse - you will use your pencil to write "IB-John 17:17"

"17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."
 
"IB- II Timothy 3:15-16"at the end of the verse above.

"and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, "
IB- II Peter 2:21

 "For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them." 
IB- Romans 15:4
   
"For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope."
IB-Luke 24:27

"And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself."   
IB-John 6:63

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life."
IB-Psalms 119:105  

"Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path."
IB-End

At the end of each Bible Marking theme - you will write the code letters for that theme and then "End"

I hope I was able to write this out in a way that it is understandable. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask and I will do my best to answer.

I hope you are blessed as you study the Word of God. May God bless you! :o)



   

Drawing Nigh To God...series

 

Drawing Nigh to God

by

Minnie E. Dauphinee

 

The Connecting Link....The Marvel of Prayer

Some years ago this unusual invitation appeared in a certain magazine: "Believing that some men and women need help with perplexing problems, a physician, retired from general practice, offers, not medical advice, but friendly counsel. No fees. By appointment only. Box 770." Thousands responded to this invitation and sought counsel about many things.

Today this pressing invitation appears in God's Word: "Call unto me and I will answer these. and shew thee great and mighty things, which though knowest not." (Jeremiah 33:3). "Come...without money." (Isaiah 55:1). Thousands, yes, millions have accepted this invitation. Not one who has sincerely asked for help has gone away disappointed, for "there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel."

One of the greatest marvels of the universe is that above the din of this world and the music of the heavenly choir our Father in heaven hears the voice of the weakest human being on earth. Yet this is so. The psalmist David said, "In my distress I called upon the Lord....:he heard my voice out of his temple." While Daniel was yet speaking, Gabriel, sent all the way from heaven, stood beside him to answer his prayer. (Daniel 9:3-23)

Non can tell how distant is the heaven where God dwells. We do know, however, that distance is no barrier to Him, for He can and does hear every sincere prayer.

 

"Tis wonderful to know

That God hears prayer,

Your prayer and mind.

I pray for you, you pray for me,

Where'er on earth we chance to be,

And lo, the very blessing comes
We need the most."

~Eda A. Reid

Our Private Antique Car Show..lol

(If you are late at making your rounds on viewing blogs - don't miss out on my post this morning on the "What a Promise!" post)

Ok - I am going to go ahead with a little post that I can actually do since these photos are already in a folder on my computer for me to use.
Anyway on our way down to Fredericksburg, as we were driving through one of the little towns something caught my husbands attention!!
Right next to a court house were two lines of antique cars. Well right across the street was a little place to eat and since it was lunch time we decided to just stop there. That way my husband could take photos. So this post will be a couple of those awesome photos taken of these cars.

 This blue one I think was my favorite one of the cars.

 This black one below was my husbands favorite car.

 And of course he go a photo of the other angle of the car. I think he said it had a rumble seat and that was one of the reasons why he liked it so much.

 This one was also cool! I loved the green rims and I don't know if you will be able to tell or not but there are etchings in the small windows.

I love things like this - when you get to experience something that is cool and unexpected. Just a little extra sunshine added to the day.

 

What a Promise!

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy. "

1 Peter 2:9-10 

Reach - Peter Furler - Lyrics [HD]

Today I heard this song on the way home from running a bunch of errands. I love this song!! Be sure and listen to the message of this song. You will know how much you are loved by God by the time this song is done! Praising God for ALL the blessings that He bestows on me and for not letting me slip through His hands. :O)

Prayer Warriors Battle Skills...#3

 

 

Prayer Warriors

by

Ron Halvorsen

 

Battle Skill 3 - Preparing for Prayer

"One national poll, sampling from all Christian denominations, records that the average Christian prays one minute per day, and the average minister prayer five minutes. It is little wonder there are so many problems in modern Christianity- so much spiritual coldness." (pg 64)

 

"Obviously, the first step in preparing for prayer battle is to remove any barriers that have arisen from life stresses or stumbling into sin since your last prayer time. Let's clear up one thing right now: You don't have to wait until your private, quiet prayer time to get straight with God. It only takes a moment to shoot a prayer arrow toward heaven- to face your sin, ask for forgiveness, and receive it. Keep your accounts short and up-to-date with God. You will be amazed at the added strength this brings."

"I have found the most effective preparation for prayer to be one I use regularly. I ask myself five questions.

 

1. Is there a Sin for me to confess? If so, look it square in the face. Take it to God. Confess it. Receive forgiveness.

 

2. Is there a Promise for me to claim? Let God lead you to it. Take hold of it and draw it to your heart. Joyfully receive it for yourself, reading your own name into the promise. Write it on a small card to carry with you through the day. Repeat it over and over. Its power is released each time you repeat it. When thoughts of fear, doubt, discouragement, and stress attack you, thrust them back by repeating the promise.  

 

3. Is there an Attitude for me to change?  Is there a negative emotion or feeling about yourself, others or God that keeps getting in the way of your spiritual growth? Identify and face it firmly. If you can, identify where it came from- then take it to God, releasing it to Him. Choose before Him to have it taken from your life. Identify the positive trait that is its opposite. Ask God to give you that positive attitude or emotion as a gift of grace.

Then do all you can to practice that positive trait. Particularly be aware of such negative attitudes as fear, doubt, unforgiveness, hate, bitterness, pride, and self- righteousness."

 

4. Is there a Command for me to obey? If we listen closely, the Spirit of God is reminding us of the commandments of Jesus- not only the Ten Commandments, but also the positive commands Jesus laid down in the Gospels ("But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you." John 14:26) Choose to follow then in your life. Make that choice known to God and work in partnership with Him in obeying them. Don't get hung up on your failures. Confess them and accept forgiveness and cleansing. Focus with thanksgiving and praise on your successes and victories.

 

5. Is there an Example for me to follow? Spend time in your Bible, either by reading it or meditation on it through the day. Set the return spring of your mind to swing back to God and His word during any moment you are not occupied. Especially spend time in the gospel story, saturating yourself in Jesus' life. During your private prayer time review what you've studied and open your heart to God's leading. When strong examples in Bible events come to your mind, summarize the attitude or action you wish to possess in your life and present it to God. Thank Him for help to build it into your spiritual life."pg 65-66 

A Gem We Found On Our Trip

I am doing this a little out of order but these were the photos that I had access to when I first started working on this post.  There will be at least 2 more posts on this trip.

 

()()()()()()()()()()

 

On our way home from Fredericksburg, we stopped at a really cool place~ Dutchman's Hidden Valley

You can click on the link above and check it out for yourselves.

 

This place was awesome! I forgot to take a photo when we first walked in the door. It is a room with all sorts of chocolates, Salt water taffy- all different flavors, jelly belly jelly beans - all sorts of flavors, rock candy and all sorts of other goodies.

As you went room to room - you were meant with all sorts of charm and eye candy as I like to say.

 

I know not all the photos turned out well but I was just using my cell phone and so not all the photos turned out that great. But you will still get an idea of what the place was like.

Now this next case is when I almost squealed with joy!!!

 

 

I love tea sets - especially the small ones!! So when I saw a shelf with about 5 or 6 small sets, I was so excited!!

 

Now here is the reason why we stopped at this place in the first place. A friend had told me that this place had some amazing doll furniture. And boy was she right!!!

 This first kitchen set is so very expensive because it comes with the little tiny tea set and lots of china.

Sorry it is much harder to see this set because it was towards the back of the cabinet. We like this set the best. Much more simply and a little closer to our price range.

 

This living room set was beautiful- it is vintage furniture- we loved it. It was like a deep red color - same as other photo - it was towards the back of the cabinet.

 

 And of course, you would need a bedroom set.

 

And wouldn't you know it! They had a salt and pepper collection, just like me. I like my collection better though. I tend to like the smaller sets the best. But I have a few of the larger ones interspersed in my collection.

 

Sure wish I could have gotten a closer better photo of this windmill and old house. It was so cold and there was a sharp wind outside. I was taking the photos with my phone and it is very hard to tell what your photos look like when the sun is so very bright.

I love windmills. We saw ALOT of them on our trip. 

 



I wanted to get a better photo of the front of this place but like I said it was cold. The way I got this photo - is when we were leaving I pulled where we could open our car window and take the photo from the warmth of the car! You gotta do what you gotta do - when it's cold like that. LOL :O)

And wouldn't you know it- I came home with one of those adorable tiny tea sets!! Isn't this adorable?  It's hard to tell but there is a gold ring around the tops and around the edge of the plate. I love the bows and I loved the little tiny red hearts too!

 

So if you are ever in the Hamilton, Texas area - you will want to look this place up and stop by for a visit. It's just one of the special type places. We sure enjoyed it.

Oh my husband got some of the salt water taffy and let me tell you - that cotton candy taffy is DELICIOUS!!! Yum Yum! :O)

Heading to Fredericksburg

Ok - I have set up my old computer and thankgoodness found an old monitor - its a small one but hey it did not cost me a penny to set this up. And I can now edit some of my photos and maybe have a better chance at posting my pictures.

 

 

I wanted to post these next couple of photos to show you some of the beautiful country side here in Texas. This first one I took special or my sister - to show her that "Yes" there are mountains here in Texas...lol.

 

Notice the road - this about the kind of road that we had for most of our 4 hour trip. Well the back country roads were more narrow than this but I did not get a photo of them cause I was driving that section of the drive home.

 

 

 

 

 Ok - I have no idea of why there is a large gap between these photos and the ones below. Ok - maybe it won't be a big gap now.
Anyway We stayed at a Days Inn while we were in Fredericksburg. It is about a mile off of the main street where all the shop are. I loved a few little things that they had so I took some photos of them. I hope you enjoy them as well.

 

And I can not forget to share with you what I had for breakfast both mornings. When you stay at Days Inn (and some others) you get a free continental breakfast. I love this waffle machine that they have. They also have a couple of kinds of cereal, biscuits and gravy, some danishes, and some fruit. Oh and orange juice and apple juice. I love having the "free" breakfast. It helps with the cost of the trip, by eating at the hotel before leaving for the day.

Well I think I will stop with this. I will have at least another couple of posts about this trip.

Hoping you enjoy and that I don't bore you guys. LOL :O)

Technical Difficulties

Goodness Gracious...in December we bought a new computer. And wouldn't you know it - it works so much differently. I had figured out how to do all sorts of things with my photos - and never had one bit of problems with accessing my photos and using them. Well this new computer - I just have had problems. I thought I had figured it out and then now that I have photos on my phone that I used to be able to e-mail to my account and then I would be able to move them where ever I wanted to- now I can still do the e-mailing but now _ I can not figure out how to move them to where I want them. I am hoping to figure this out so I can get going on getting some posts of our trip.
If I can not - I really am thinking about us setting up my other desktop computer somewhere so that I can use it too. If not for anything but to work with photos- it would be well worth it to me to make room for it. We were going to donate it to someone but they ended up not needing a computer after all.
Hopefully I will be posting something more a little later this afternoon. Hope you all are doing great!

Home Sweet Home

Hello everyone! I hope you all have had a great week-end. I sure did. Last year my husband and I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary. Well he had enough points to get us a free hotel stay for the week end but he ended up having to have hernia surgery so we had to cancel our trip and we paid hospital bills instead. We were disappointed but we knew we would plan a week end get away later. Well this week end was ..later. And we had a very nice time.

Friday morning we woke up to an overcast, 60 degree morning - which actually the temperatures began to fall- not get any warmer for the day. As we left our house and drove south - it actually got warmer and sunny. When we arrived in Fredericksburg, Texas - it was actually about 80 degrees. Sabbath was a beautiful day with the highs in the mid 70's.

Before I trip - I did my homework. I had printed out the directions. Well when we got ready to leave, my husband pulled out the trusty gps. He got it all set up and he went through the first couple of steps and it looked like the exact directions that I had printed off. As we traveled along - about an hour or so into our trip we got to a town and all of a sudden gps told us to take a right and then take a left. After I was very concerned - we were off of the path that I thought we would take. As we drove along we found ourselves driving along little 2 lane country road. Hardly any traffic at all. And we smoothly went along our trip. We ended up having an awesome trip and decided to take the exact way home. It's not the route I would have chosen but it ended up being a great way to go. This is just another reason why it is good to hold your plans loosely. Sometimes there is a better way.

When we woke up Sunday morning - it was bright and sunshiny outside but goodness - we had a brisk wind and the temperatures were only 37 degrees. We had a very nice trip home today.

 I will be posting about our trip the next day or two.

What Seventh Day Adventists Believe....series #28 (last)

Fundamental Belief #28

(be sure and check out the message from me at the end)

 New Earth:
On the new earth, in which righteousness dwells, God will provide an eternal home for the redeemed and a perfect environment for everlasting life, love, joy, and learning in His presence. For here God Himself will dwell with His people, and suffering and death will have passed away. The great controversy will be ended, and sin will be no more. All things, animate and inanimate, will declare that God is love; and He shall reign forever. Amen.

    Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.   

2 Peter 3:13

 

 

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, The excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, The excellency of our God. 3 Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted, "Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you." 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, And the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. 7 The parched ground shall become a pool, And the thirsty land springs of water; In the habitation of jackals, where each lay, There shall be grass with reeds and rushes. 8 A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray. 9 No lion shall be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there, 10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, And come to Zion with singing, With everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, And sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Isaiah 35

  

 

  "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; And the former shall not be remembered or come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, And her people a joy. 19 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, And joy in My people; The voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, Nor the voice of crying. 20 "No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, Nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; For the child shall die one hundred years old, But the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 They shall build houses and inhabit them; They shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They shall not labor in vain, Nor bring forth children for trouble; For they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord, And their offspring with them. 24 "It shall come to pass That before they call, I will answer; And while they are still speaking, I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, The lion shall eat straw like the ox, And dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain," Says the Lord.   

Isaiah 65:17-25

 

Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.   

Matthew 5:5

 

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.   

Revelation 21:1-7

 

    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.   

Revelation 22:1-5

 

    Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!"

Revelation 11:15

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Seventh-day Adventists accept the Bible as their only creed and hold certain fundamental beliefs to be the teaching of the Holy Scriptures. These beliefs, as set forth here, constitute the church's understanding and expression of the teaching of Scripture. Revision of these statements may be expected at a General Conference session when the church is led by the Holy Spirit to a fuller understanding of Bible truth or finds better language in which to express the teachings of God's Holy Word.
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Don't forget that Next Sabbath starts my new series on Bible Marking. I have had a fun time working on this project this week. I have two brand new Bibles and I have been working on doing a bit of Bible Marking studies in one of them so far. See ya'll later - have a great Sabbath! :O)

Drawing Nigh to God...series

Drawing Nigh to God

by

Minnie Dauphinee

 

The Secret of Victory...The Cleansing Blood

In vision John the revelator saw a great multitude before the throne of God. In answer to the questions, "Who are these, clad in white robes?" "Where have they come from?" came the reply:  "These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14)

"In the blood of the Lamb" - again and again this expression is used in the Bible to impress upon our hearts that it is through Christ's death that we have salvation.

It is said that Satan once categorically placed Luther's sins before him. Luther read them one by one and acknowledged that he had committed all. At fist he was almost overwhelmed with remorse because of their enormity, question whether the plan of salvation could include him. Finally he noticed that Satan had held his hand over the bottom of the page. Luther commanded him to remove his hand, and in its place he read-

"The blood of the Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

 

Six times Jesus had shed his blood on earth. First, when he was circumcised His blood was spilled. Then in His agony in the garden, where He sweat drops of blood. Again, in His scourging HIs tormentors drew blood from His back and sides. Blood trickled down His exhausted face when they crowned Him with thorns. His lifeblood gushed forth when they drove the nails into His hands and feet. And at last after He had expired, the Roman soldier thrust in the spear that drew forth blood and water from His side. All His members bled, to show that He bled for all His members. Not one drop of blood was shed for Himself. It was all for His enemies, His tormentors, His persecutors, and for us.

 

Lesson Learned...I hope

Time for a bit of honesty and transparency. The last couple of days I have wondered if God really loves me(and my family)...what would bring on such a question? A question that deep in my heart is not true but circumstances have a way of pulling you down and then the roaring lion that walks around seeking who he can destroy then gets in the middle of everything and tries to convince you that God does not love you.
As you all know that it has been months since we have seen our granddaughter. November 11th was our last visitation with her. November 28th we got to see her for 15 minutes while she was in the hospital and since then - we have not gotten to see her. We might get a picture ever so often but the pictures are fuzzy and you can't hardly see her. She is three now. We have missed Thanksgiving, Christmas, her birthday, Valentines day, and now it looks like we will miss Easter as well.

So here is the update - The judge ordered mediation. So we have waited patiently for a date. We found out the date this week. The latter part of April. Which means that not only will we miss getting to see our granddaughter for Easter but my son will not get to see her for his birthday. This is all SO hard on us. We are all trying to be patient. We are trying to trust that God is in control. But like I said - I have been feeling like God doesn't really love me.
Today out of the blue as I was getting a load of clothes started - I remembered in the "Facing the Giants" movie where the wife had been trying to get pregnant and she had just found out that she was not pregnant. She was very upset. She had said to God that she would love him even if she could not have children. In the same movies the husband says they will praise God whether they win or lose. Well it finally struck me at the heart - *I* needed to come to the place of Loving God no matter what happened in this situation. I needed to stop feeling like God did not love me if things went bad. We can't depend on our feelings because they can let us down - especially when we are in the midst of a trial. God's love for us never fails.
I was raised where if I was good I would be accepted and loved but if no - then I certainly did not feel loved. And to be truthful maybe that is not really what happened but for some reason this is how I felt. So I have always tried to please - and then it has caused problems like with this situation that we are in - where I think that if I am being good then God will answer my prayers when I want them answered. But you can not put God in a box and expect Him to perform at your whim. So I decided right then - I love God no matter what the outcome is. I will continue to trust His love for me and my family. And I will continue to trust that He is in control. I will pray and ask Him for the strength to get through these "set backs" and Thanks Him for his mercy and grace. Many tears have been shed today. I have tired so hard to be strong for my husband and my son -it has been very hard on them and the last thing they need is for me to be all weepy and sad about it all. That does not help the situation at all.
Please continue to pray for our family. And also for my soon to be ex daughter in law - she has to have a lot of hurt to be striking out so much at my family. She and her family need our prayers as well.

What a Promise!

I know that these verses were in Tuesday's post but they are too good not to highlight for

"What a Promise"

 

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;   

Philippians 1:6

 

And before you begin to feel discouraged and feeling like living your life for God is too difficult - remember God is the one who will do it for you - you only have to be willing to turn your will and your life over to him.

 

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13

Freezers Fixed and Humming Birds

I am a happy girl today! For the last month or so we have been having problems with our freezer. It was having a hard time cycling on and off and sometimes it would not cycle on. Thankfully we kept catching it before the things inside were ruined. It is a good thing that there is someone here most of the time. Each time we would have to pull the freezer out and unplug it and wait a minute or two and then it seemed to correct itself. Well about a week or so ago - it would not correct itself and in fact the motor just continued to run and run and run. I am AFRAID to see the next electric bill. My husband was able to pull the computerized thing off the front of the freezer and get a part number. We ordered it last week and it arrived today. That motor has run constantly since at least last Wed maybe longer than that- that is why I am afraid to see the electric bill.
Anyway the new part got here today and we were able to get the part replaced and it is SO quiet here in the dining room now. That motor is finally getting a break. I am praising the Lord that this part fixed it. The part was $80.00 but if we would have had to have someone come out - it would have cost much, much more. I am so thankful!

Yesterday as I was talking to a friend of mine on the phone- she suddenly got all excited!! She had been sitting in her kitchen looking out the window and had noticed the first Hummingbird of the season land at her feeder!! Well you know what I did today then, don't you? Yep- I got my 4 cups of water boiling and added the 1 cup of sugar. I stirred it around as the sugar dissolved and then let it cool. I have since poured the cooled mixture into my hummingbird feeders and have placed the front feeder. I will wait till my husband gets home to place the other one. We end up having to use a hanger to make the feeder a little lower and that way I can see it at my kitchen window. I look forward to seeing my little hummingbirds. They are one of my favorites for sure!

Well I have some errands to run. I hope ya'll have a great day! If ya'll did not catch the "Prayer Warrior" post this morning - be sure and scroll down so you don't miss it. :o)

Prayer Warrior Battle Skills #2...series

 

Prayer Warriors

by

Ron Halvorsen

 

Battle Skill 2- Choosing the Time and Place

 

"Our deep devotional prayer time, apart and alone with God, stands as the real source of power throughout the day."(pg. 63)

 

Having a special time and place for our quiet time is very important. My favorite place for my devotion time in at my desk that sits in front of our double window that looks out into our back yard. From this location I can watch my chickens and the birds that come and go. This is a very relaxing place to be. 

It is good to have a special place for your devotional time - but if you are like me sometimes your don't have access to your favorite place of worship.  For me that would when my husband is sleeping late on his days off, than I move my place to the living room. It is ok - you can still have your special time with the Lord. It is just nice if you can have a place that you normally spend with God. In that place I have access to a lot of helpful tools.

 

I will now share with you the list from the book of important things to remember for your time and place for quiet time:

 

"1. It should be private and apart from others. Deep communion with God is difficult when others are present and busy at other activities.

 

2. It should be free from distractions. This is often difficult, but necessary. Let others know that you must not be disturbed. Let others answer the phone or ignore it. Control the tape player, radio, or television....

3. It should be scheduled and regular. Our enemy has a way of interrupting our prayer time with emergencies or other life demands. If we do not schedule a particular time and discipline ourselves to meet with God at that time each day, it is easy to neglect vital prayer time and find ourselves without armor, without strength, without guidance.... "

 

For me - it works best for me to do my quiet time first thing in the morning. This is a very quiet time and there are very few interruptions, if any. My mind seems to work the best at this time.
We can look to Jesus as an example - He spent time with His Father early in the mornings.

And I have to say - that I do much better with dealing with life when I not only spend quiet time in the early mornings, but also if I make time to spend in the evenings as well. Any time is a great time to spend with Jesus- so what ever time you can spend with Him is wonderful.

 



In God's Timing...

 

I know I have said this at least once, if not many more times, but it never ceases to amaze me the way that God orchestrates things. I mean really, when we are willing to allow Him to He is always at work in order to finish the work He has begun in me. Just like His promise in the Bible.

 

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;   

Philippians 1:6

 

And before you begin to feel discouraged and feeling like living your life for God is too difficult - remember God is the one who will do it for you - you only have to be willing to turn your will and your life over to him.

 

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Philippians 2:13

 

I don't know about you, but I like that! :O)

 

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A little over 2 years ago - I think it was, my husband and I were looking at one of our favorite Antique Malls in the area when I came across the two books above. I had heard a couple of my friends talk about the Max Lucado book and how good it was. Well I decided to buy both books.

 

I read "Traveling Light" and was truly blessed by it. Not too long after that I picked up the other book and just could not get into it so I put it back on the book shelf.

Well about a week or so ago I felt like it was time to read this book. I picked it up and opened up to the introduction page and began to read and I knew - that it WAS the book I was to be reading. This is not the first time that this has happened and I am certain it won't be the last. I just love it when that happens, because I am convinced that I am exactly where God wants me to be!

 

I will do a book review on it in a week or so. I am about half way through and it has been a real blessing.

What are you reading that has been a blessing to you?

 



He Speaks To Us Through Nature...If We Are Quiet..And Listen

Last week on my way home from some errands - I decided to drive the back way from where store/bakery that my Mother in law used to own. These are country roads with houses scattered along with fields with various animals in some of them. As I drove down these roads - the sadness that I no longer work at the bakery seeped into my mind. Then I noticed in a field a colt/foal. It was so adorable. I don't know what it is about baby animals but I love baby animals. As I continue to drive I passed by several more baby horses. Then came a field with cows and sure enough I could see several calves playing in the field. Those baby animals helped take my mind off of my sadness and helped me realize that this was a beginning of a new phase in my life. To everything there is a season. A time for this and a time for that. And the season for working at that bakery is past.

Later I told my husband about all the baby animals I had seen. So on our way home from getting E2 or "squared" - my husband took those same country roads so we could see the baby animals. As we approached a farm - the one that last year I had seen the momma hen - walking across the road with her baby chicks - I began to tell Jason about remember that - and I looked to my right and guess what???  Yep - there was a momma hen with her baby chicks!! What a blessing it was to see them- and especially when I was telling of the blessing of being able to see them the last time.

God is good. He helps remind us of important lessons - and many times he uses nature in order to do so. We just need to be still and allow him to speak to us. Allow the busyness of the world to be put on the back burner and just allow God to speak to us. What a blessing it is when he does!

What Seventh Day Adventists Believe....#27

Fundamental Belief #27

 Millennium and the End of Sin:

The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resurrected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the city; but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners forever.

    Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while. 4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. 7 Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. 9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. 11 Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works. 14 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.   

Rev. 20

    Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?   

1 Cor. 6:2, 3

    I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form, and void; And the heavens, they had no light. 24 I beheld the mountains, and indeed they trembled, And all the hills moved back and forth. 25 I beheld, and indeed there was no man, And all the birds of the heavens had fled. 26 I beheld, and indeed the fruitful land was a wilderness, And all its cities were broken down At the presence of the Lord, By His fierce anger.   

Jeremiah 4:23-26

    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."   

Rev. 21:1-5

    "For behold, the day is coming, Burning like an oven, And all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble. And the day which is coming shall burn them up," Says the Lord of hosts, "That will leave them neither root nor branch.   

Malachi 4:1

    "You defiled your sanctuaries By the multitude of your iniquities, By the iniquity of your trading; Therefore I brought fire from your midst; It devoured you, And I turned you to ashes upon the earth In the sight of all who saw you. 19 All who knew you among the peoples are astonished at you; You have become a horror, And shall be no more forever." ' "   

Ezekiel 28:18, 19

 

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Just one more week - and then we will start the Bible Marking series!! :O)

Drawing Nigh to God.....series

Drawing Nigh to God

by Minnie E. Dauphinee

 

The Secret of Victory ....Christ's Prayer

 

How often we are strengthened in the battle of life by the assurance that Father or Mother or someone else who knows God is praying or us! How much more, then, should we be strengthened and encouraged by the assurance that we were included in this prayer of Christ's:

"I pray not that though shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil" (John 17:15)

H did not pray that His followers be taken out of the world, for it is in this life that they must attain perfection of character. We remember that the tree which represented temptation in Eden was "in the midst of the garden" where, no doubt, Adam and Eve had to pass every day. This represents life. Jesus did not pray that we be kept from temptation, but that we be kept from falling.

As a beautiful lily at the entrance of a coal mine is said to remain perfectly white although everything else around it is blackened with coal dust; so the Christian living in this sin-darkened world diffuses the fragrance of Christ's love and remains unspotted by sin.

If we put our trust in Jesus moments by moment, we may be assured that the Father will answer His prayer in our behalf.

 

What a Promise!

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,

 as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.  

  Revelations 3:21

 

What an awesome promise this is~ To sit with Jesus on His throne! I look forward to that day.

How about you? :O)

Prayer Warrior Battle Skills #1....series

Prayer Warriors by Ron Halvorsen

(click the link above if you would like to get a copy of this book or just to check it out. )

 Battle Skill 1 Putting on God's Armor

    This is one of the lessons that I will let the book speak for itself. I will not be sharing the whole section(a lot of typing) but I will share the more important parts.

"The Holy Spirit instructs us about the Prayer Warrior's armor in Ephesians 6:11-18. This amazing armor is not human armor, but "the armor of God" Himself. So precious to God are His warriors' spiritual safety and battle preparations that He gives each of them a set of His own armor and commands them to put it on. Wise Prayer Warrior don this armor each morning to protect them during the day. Examining this passage, we find that it lists the armor piece by piece- armor that was familiar to New Testament Christians. They saw it on Roman soldiers everywhere. Paul then matches the armor with its spiritual counterpart:

1. Helmet- Salvation

2.Breastplate - Righteousness

3. Girdle (from navel to knees) - Truth

4. Sandals- Gospel which brings peace

5. Sword of the Spirit- The Word of God

6. Shield- Faith

Prayer Warriors earnest about their task will find it rewarding to study this armor closely. Especially keep in mind that each portion of the armor is found in Jesus Christ Himself. Putting on this armor is not recommended - it is commanded!

We wear this armor in two ways: defensively and offensively. We depend on the armor to protect us from the burning arrows Satan launches when attacking us."

".....Then in full armor, the command comes to "Stand braced for battle." How then do we fight?"

 

"Praying with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." 

Ephesians 6:18

 

Spiritual warfare is fought on the battlefield of prayer. That is where the victories are won." (pg. 61-62)

What I'm Doing...

This week I have been making gluten. If you would like to see the way I make gluten - click HERE.
I have had some problems with back spasms - well that is what I have been told it is anyway. I am not 100% convinced since the problem seems to be more in my right leg. But I thought that it might be a good idea to start working on making some gluten to put in the freezer. And I thought it might be good on my back to get a work out. I am trying to work it out but not over do it so, I make one batch completely and I got a second one half way done- and let it soak in water all night. I have already kneaded it in water and have it simmering away in some broth right now. I have also got a 3rd batch soaking in water. After a while I will get it kneaded and rinsed under water( takes about 10 minutes - give or take a bit.) I have been getting about 10 patties per batch.
We also had some gluten for lunch today. It looks like I will be able to put about 4-5 things of it in the freezer. Once you make up the broth it is a good idea to try to make up several batches.
I also have some other cleaning to do - plus I need to work on the post tomorrow about the Prayer Warrior.
I have started reading a new book and I would like to tell you about it. I shared a long time ago about it - but just this week became the right time to read the book. Last time I picked it up and tried to start reading it - it just did not work. This time - I can just tell that it will be a blessing to read.
I hope you all are having a good week. :O)