Drawing Nigh to God .....series

Drawing Nigh to God

by

Minnie E. Dauphinee

 

After This Manner Pray~ "Forgive Us..., As We Forgive"

our first spiritual need is for forgiveness of sin. Jesus spoke of it as a debt against God. The difference between our debts to God and those of others to us is illustrated in the parable of the unjust servant. Because the king's servant was unable to pay his debt of ten thousand talents, approximately $6,221.880. the king forgave him. This same servant refused to forgive a debt of a hundred pence, about $11.30, which a fellow servant owed him.

 

The offenses of our fellow men against us are trifling in comparison with our sins against God. All our lives we have sinned in thought and word and deed. Yet God is still willing to forgive. If we fully sensed the enormity of our offenses against Him, we would be ashamed to even think of the offenses of others towards us.

 

As though the sin of an unforgiving spirit was one that we need to guard against above all others, as soon as Jesus finished giving to the disciples the Lord's Prayer, He talked to them about forgiveness. "If ye forgive men their trespasses," He said, "your heavenly Father will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:14,15).

 

How contrary to our desire must be God's answers to our prayer for forgiveness if we have in our hearts an unforgiving spirit towards anyone, for our prayers have no other meaning than "forgive not my sins."

 

It seems that at least some of the disciples thought there should be a limit to human forgiveness, for at another time Peter asked, " 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?' " He immediately suggested an answer to his own question. " ' As many as seven times?' " "Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.' " "And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him" (Matthew 18:21,22 R.S.V.; Luke 17:4). "Seventy times seven"-four hundred and ninety times. In other words, our forgiveness to others is to be unlimited. This is reasonable, for we are dependent upon God's forgiveness and mercy every hour of every day. His forgiveness is to be the measure of our own. "Be ye kind one to another," say the apostle Paul, "forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you"(Ephesians 4:32)

 

Have we longed for more power in prayer and at the same time cherished a spirit of unforgiveness or dislike toward any? Is this the secret of our lack of power in prayer?

(pages 85-87)

 

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What a Promise!

11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.

Psalms 91:11

 

What a blessing this is! :O)

My Best Marriage Advice

A couple of weeks ago, a local radio station asked a question on Facebook. I did not get a chance to write my answer or really to read what others answered.

The question: What is the best marriage advice?

Well like I said I did not get a chance to answer their question to them, but I did think of a couple of answers and I thought I would share them here for you guys.

Number 1~ Don't stop dating - Each other that is! Many times we get married and we get busy with life and we forget to take time out just to be together. This advice does not have to cost a lot of money. It could be as simple as a picnic or maybe even a date night of watching a movie together after the kiddos have gone to sleep. Even after we have children - we still need time together as a couple.

Number 2~ After having children or even if there are no children- be sure to implement a special couple time every day after hubby gets home from work(or you both get home from work- what ever the case may be). Many times once we get home we get busy taking care of everything and everyone around the house and there end up being no time for the couple to talk. Set aside at least 15 minutes (longer if you can) for time just for your spouse and you to discuss the day, plans, what ever. When the children are young this could be just sitting on the couch talking without the children interrupting - I would make it clear "this is Mommy and Daddy time and unless it is an emergency, please do not bother us". As you do this the children will get used to you doing this and will not interrupt as much. How ever you want to work this - just make sure there is time for you and your spouse every day - or as often as possible.

Remember you children will grow up and move away but you and your spouse will be together. You want to continue to develop a relationship with your spouse throughout the years so that once your children are gone that you will still have common ground.

I have to be honest - my husband and I were very young when we got married - each of us at 18 1/2 years of age. We had our first child by 20 and 22 yrs old for the second one. We did not have a lot of money or experience with small children and these were not things that we did intentionally. And we did not always do these things. We have been so much better about these things over the past 5-10 years. But these are things that I wish we had have done throughout the growing of our family. That is why I am sharing these things today. I hope that this information will help someone out there.

Creativity Opens Up Opportunities

Here are a few more things that I have been working on in my sewing room.

The bright Block of the Month was one that I needed to sew from last month. The blue and brown one is the BOM that I had to put together for BOM for this coming Friday.

 

The project in the middle is a new project.

The was my attempt at making a Clothes Pin holder. I am a visual learner and the way the directions were set up for making this bag confused me. When I thought it was finished and I was complaining out how the sides were looking kind of rough and my husband suggested I turn it inside out = and sure enough ~ that is exactly what it needed! I was thrilled. There is improvements needed by the next time that I make it but I am proud of myself for trying.

 

You see, as I have shared with you all before -I have a tendency to be a perfectionist. Well because of this- I tend to shy away from doing things that I don't think I can do a really good job on. So I am proud of myself for attempting to make this bag even though I was concerned about how it would turn out.

 

We need to give ourselves permission to be creative. We really do!

 

I am sure glad that I have become more creative. Not only am I figuring out how to make pretty things(BOM), useful things(clothes bin bag/holder, quilted hammock's for the kitties) but we also begin to have the confidence to make basic adjustments to our clothes and this can come in very handy. Just last week -I made two adjustments that made some clothing much more useful for me.

First, I had a nice red and white floweredy skirt. This skirt goes down several inches below the knees(just like I like) however, it had a slit on the side that went up about 8 inches or so. Well I really do not like slits. So I took the seams out around the slit and was able to sew the seam and close the slit. And now the skirt is how I like it!

Then my sister had giving me a pair of this navy blue pants with little white stripes. Well they are not really something I would use - but I cut off 8-10 inches off of each leg and then I hemmed them up. Now I have a nice pair of capri's. Something I am more likely to use.

These are just a few examples of how being open to being creative - you can do things to improve your life.

I am so glad that I am becoming a more creative person.

Salt In My Kitchen....series - AND..

Before we get to our devotional for today - I wanted to say a BIG thank you for all the service men and women who have died while defending the USA. Thank you to all those servicing in the Armed Services now. What you do is very much appreciated! May God bless you and your family in a very special way.

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Salt In My Kitchen

by Jeanette Lockerbie

 

"The Early Bird"

Bible Reading: Mark 1:35-39

 

35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 37 When they found Him, they said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." 38 But He said to them, "Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth." 39 And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.

Mark 1:35-39

 

 

There was a time when the words "early bird" had an earthy, catch-the-worm connotation. Today the reference to an early bird will more likely pertain to the Early Bird satellite.

 

Regardless of that generation or season, one "early bird" can be depended on to break the morning stillness: the year-or-so-old baby, herald of the dawn.

This eagerness to start the new day may not be echoed by the average mother, tired by her yesterday. Nevertheless, the one who will surmount the weariness and "rise up a great while before dawn" (or a reasonable equivalent according to the family schedule) will be rewarded for her effort.

In the quiet morning hour comes strength for the day. In the recognition that we are more than flesh and blood that we are spirit and soul, in the deliberate feeding of our inner self, comes power to overcome the turmoil and conflicts of the day. The minutes spent in reading God's Word, in prayer and communion with our heavenly Father, will be reflected throughout long hours.

Admittedly it takes grim determination to roll out when the alarm sounds reveille. But remember the words of Harriet Beecher Stowe:
Still, still with Thee

When purple morning breaketh.

This is the hour when clear- channel communication between the busy homemaker and her God will prove infinitely more worthwhile than any "early bird" system ever dreamed of.

 

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This devotion really speaks to me. On the mornings that I stay up when my husband leaves for work - I have a much better quiet time than if I do my quiet time later. There is just something about quiet time - first thing in the morning.
What are your thoughts?



Allowing God to Work

Growing up, both of my parents were teachers. I learned from an early age that I needed to do the best I could do. This produced several characteristics in me - some good and some not so good. Perfectionism was one of the bad things. Somehow I thought I had to be perfect. This has caused me some problems in my life. It made it hard for me to try new things or be creative because I was afraid I would not do a good enough job. Another thing that it taught me was to have those same high expectations of others. And that is not good either. God has been teaching me, through other people, to be more accepting of others and to love them just the way they are. What is funny is that I tend to have higher expectations of those people in my life that expected so much from me. Learning to accept them for who they are and even when they let me down has been a hard lesson for me. Because I remember all the pressure that was put on me and sometimes I still feel that pressure. As a girl, I worked hard for their acceptance and approval and love. Which brings up another area in my life that I have had to work on - not work to please other people but to live my life in such a way that it pleases God. That is what is important. God accepts me and values me just the way I am. He has enough love to not only love me but to love others through me and I need to be willing to be used as an instrument in order to allow that love to flow through me.
When we work on taking bad habits away - we should always be willing to allow God to work to instill in us the good characteristic that will take the place of the bad habits. Then we can have the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Only by allowing God to live through us are we able to let those bad habits go and develop healthy habits. I am so thankful that I don't have to do it by myself because I am so weak. But God is strong and is more than able to do a good work in me.

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
 

Bible Marking series "Tithing"

As you can tell, I have decided to go in a different order than how my teacher presented these topics.

Before we begin, I would like to be sure and say up front- on all of these markings- I am not claiming that these are all of the verses for the topics. This is just a basic beginning point at studying a topic. I hope you all will enjoy them all. 

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 underline the verses.

Now you are ready to go!

Today's lesson is: Tithing- T- Ps. 24:1

  A Psalm of David. The earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. T- Deut. 8:18

 

And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

T- Lev 27:32-33

 

    And concerning the tithe of the herd or the flock, of whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord. 33 He shall not inquire whether it is good or bad, nor shall he exchange it; and if he exchanges it at all, then both it and the one exchanged for it shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.' "   T- Num. 18:21

 

"Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.  T- 1 Cor. 9:11-14

 

    If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.  T- Matt. 23:23

 

    Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.  T- Mal. 3:8-11

 

"Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, 'In what way have we robbed You?' In tithes and offerings. 9 You are cursed with a curse, For you have robbed Me, Even this whole nation. 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field," Says the Lord of hosts; 

 T- Ps. 96:8

 

Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts.

T- 2 Cor. 9:7

 

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. T-END

 

Drawing Nigh to God....series

Drawing Nigh to God

by

Minnie E. Dauphinee

 

After This Manner Pray..."Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread"

 

The arrangement of the prayer is taught by Jesus is not without a purpose. The first three petitions have to do with the name and kingdom and will of God. Then three petitions concern our own needs. Finally three aspects pertaining to our heavenly Father are mentioned- the kingdom, the power and the glory. When we come to God as our loving Father, with the desire that His name shall be honored; when we do all in our power to hasten His coming, delight to do His will, then with confidence we may ask Him to supply our own needs.

 

First we ask for bread, not for a great supply, but daily bread. Jesus teaches us to depend upon our heavenly Father's sustaining power every day, and not to be over- anxious about the future. When we are brought into strait places, we are to rely upon God's promises. He who sent ravens to feed Elijah, and manna from heaven for the Israelites, will not forget us.

 

We ask for bread- the necessities of life - not luxuries. A social worker told of many couple who asked her counsel in making out a family budget. Some few desired advice on how to live on a salary of a thousand dollars a month. These were not satisfied with the necessities; they demanded the luxuries of life.

 

The prayer for daily bread includes not only food to sustain the body but food for the hungry heart- spiritual bread to nourish the soul. We remember the words of Jesus: "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4)

 

To sustain our physical life it is not enough merely to have bread upon the table. If we do not eat of it we will soon die. Neither is it sufficient to own a copy of God's Word in order to maintain our spiritual life. "We are to pray day by day that as we read His Word, God will send His Spirit to reveal to us the truth that will strengthen our souls for the day's need."

 

Give us this day our daily bread." Jesus teaches us not to ask for ourselves along. Both the temporal and the spiritual food we receive we are to share with others. Those who love God love their fellow men. Whether we share with others the gifts we receive from God is a sure test of the sincerity of our prayers.

 

Let us pause to thank our heavenly Father for the wonderful provision He has made to supply our physical and spiritual needs.

 

 

 

 



Prayers Needed Again

Just wanted to touch base to ask for some prayers for my family. On April 29th my son's divorce was finalized. Well since they spent the morning going back and forth on the agreement of the divorce- they were not required to sign the papers that day. The next day when the divorce papers were written up - my son went and signed the papers. But his ex still has not signed. In fact, now she is wanting to add some things to the papers. Scott's lawyer is setting up a court date to have her before the judge to find out why she has not signed the papers yet.
So we were already a bit stressed about that - BUT......

When the divorce was finalized - Lauri had put in the papers that my Mother supervise the visits for the first month. Well my Mom is not feeling good. She is having pain in her lungs when she breaths - thinks it is plurasy. Anyway so she was not going to be able to supervise the 2 hour visit today. Well Scott had a friend of his go with him. Anyway so we were hoping that his would not be a problem. Well after she picked up Sweetpea - she started texting my son asking if my Mom had been at our house when Sweetpea was there, He said no - explained about her being sick and that was the reason why his friend had come along for the visit. Anyway she was not happy and is now talking about calling her lawyer first thing in the morning. So she is going to go after my son for being in contempt of court. We do not have money for going to court again. My son still needs a job- another thing to please be praying about. Goodness - it is stressful and I do not like all of this drama. I really do not like drama and I don't like that it is just plaguing our family so much lately.
Anyway I just wanted to ask you all -wonderful prayer warriors out there to please be praying about this for my family. I will update you whenever there is any conclusion to this.

What a Promise!

    And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 

1 John 4:16

  

In the Sewing Room -Edited(photo added)

Yesterday, since there were storms in the forecast I decided to spend some time in my sewing room.

I decided to make a cat sized quilt.

 

 Actually a while back I had made this quilt top- and in the original size that I made it - it was 4X this size. I decided to cut it down in order to work on this project.

We had a cat climbing toy thing that came with material that just did not hold up very well. So I made a small quilt. And thanks to my husband was able to get it in place by the time we went to bed last night.

I was happy that I had more of this quilt left - because I noticed that there is another place on this toy that needs a new quilt attached.
Not only does this make it more attractive but it is more sturdy. And it can also be removed and washed!

Sorry to keep adding but wanted to add this just in case someone wanted to make this project- I made the little quilts and then I sewed some fabric tubing on the underside to slide the plastic posts of the cat toy through in order to keep the quilt in place.

 

Sorry for the poor quality of these photos - I lost the cord to upload photos from my camera so I had to use the photos from my phone. Don't know why it is so grainy. But at least you still get an idea of what it looks like.

 

I hope you all are doing well today. God bless :O)

 

EDITED TO ADD:

Look what I got done this morning! This one was much easier since I had all

the bugs worked out of my original plan.
Anyway I wanted to show you what they look like now. There is one more spot but for now I am going to leave it the way it is to give the cats options. 

A Deeper Look into The Armor of God

Today's post comes from the book that I am reading. This helped me understand a passage in the Bible that I have had a bit of a hard time putting into practical terms. And this page in my books does an excellent job doing just that. It is explaining what the Armor of God does for you.

 

 

    Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the

 Spirit, which is the word of God; 

   Ephesians 6:10-17

 

Below the photo of the book is what I am sharing from this book today. I hope are all blessed as

I have been.  

 

   

(this photo I got from the internet from an etsy site) 

I don't know whose site it is just want to make sure I give credit where credit is due.

 

 

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"Notice this armor carefully, for you, too, must wear it if you would live victoriously.

First there is the ferment of truth; next the breastplate of righteousness; then the shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and finally the sword of the Spirit, "which is the word of God."

Obviously this armor is not material but spiritual. It has to do with the mind and the heart rather than the body. But, once donned, it will preserve the whole being from "all the flaming darts of the evil one."

Truth will give us certainty and keep our thoughts balanced and reasonable.

Righteousness will give us confidence and free  us from fear of criticism.

Peace will give us gentleness and enable us to ignore all slights and slurs upon our character and way of life.

Faith will give us courage and buoyancy and place all disappointments and hardships in their true perspective.

The Word of God will supply every weapon we need in our warfare with the powers of darkness.

Like the flaming sword over the gate of Eden, it will turn "every way" in the battle with evil.
Notice particularly that last piece of equipment suggested by the apostle-"the word of God." That, of course, is the Bible. Your Bible!

This means that the very Book you have in your home can help you triumph over every difficulty, every sorrow, every setback, and to live victoriously here and hereafter."

Salt in my Kitchen....series

Salt in My Kitchen

by

Jeanette Lockerbie

 

Better than a Tranquilizer

Bible reading: Philippians 4:4-8

 

Here is a last piece of advice...fix your minds on the things which are holy and right and pure and beautiful and good...and you will find that the God of peace will be with you ( vv. 8-9. Phillips)

 

Surely there is no better psychological restorative than this verse in all of God's word. "Think on these things" the King James Bible says. "These" refers to balance-restoring, nerve-calming thoughts.

Undoubtedly the Apostle Paul wrestled often with his thoughts: thoughts of friends who had forsaken him, converts who had disappointed him, his own physical discomfort, the uncertain future, the very real possibility of a violent death. Far from dwelling on "these things," Paul left us a formula for triumphing over such thoughts.  

His advice to the Christians in Philippi was, "Think on what will uplift you, not on what will drag you into depression and despair." this was not winking at facts as they were. Neither was his exhortation to "make the best of a bad thing."

Paul knew the mental, emotional, physical and spiritual value of such "thinking"; such "fixing your mind." Real value. Not to be compared for a moment with the world's panacea: tranquilizers.
"Whatsoever things are lovely"

Will crowd out the unlovely.(pg.7)  

God's Law Equals God's Character

This was something that I saw floating around Facebook. This is a great chart! Have a great day! :O)

Bible Marking series...."Baptism"

As you can tell, I have decided to go in a different order than how my teacher presented these topics.

Before we begin, I would like to be sure and say up front- on all of these markings- I am not claiming that these are all of the verses for the topics. This is just a basic beginning point at studying a topic. I hope you all will enjoy them all. 

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 underline the verses.

Now you are ready to go!

Today's lesson is: Baptism- B- Mark 16:16

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved ; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

B-Mark 1:9-11

 

     And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. 10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened , and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: 11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.  B- 1 Peter 2:21

   

     For even hereunto were ye called : because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:    B-Acts 8:36-38

 

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said , See , here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized ? 37 And Philip said , If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest . And he answered and said , I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still : and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. B- Col. 2:12

 

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.    B-Matt. 28:18-20

 

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying , All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo , I am with you alway , even unto the end of the world. Amen.

    B-Acts 19:1-5

 

     And it came to pass , that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them , Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed ? And they said unto him , We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized ? And they said , Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is , on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.    B- Rom. 6:3-4

 

     Know ye not , that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. B- Gal. 3:27

 

27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. B- 1 John 2:6   

 

6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk , even as he walked.

 B- Rev. 22:14

 

     Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.    B-END

"Then they that have kept God's commandments shall breathe in immortal vigor beneath the tree of life; and through unending ages the inhabitants of sinless worlds shall behold, in that garden of delight, a sample of the perfect work of God's creation, untouched by the curse of sin--a sample of that the whole earth would have become, had man but fulfilled the Creator's glorious plan."

PP 62

  

Drawing Nigh to God....series

Drawing Nigh to God

 

by

Minnie E. Dauphinee

 

After This Manner Pray... "Thy Will Be Done"

What joy it must bring to our Father to hear us express a heartfelt desire to do His will as perfectly as it is done by the angels in heaven! Surely He delights to answer such a prayer.

 

When Jesus lived on earth He said of Himself, "I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me" (John 5:30). He was so absorbed in doing His Father's will that sometimes He seemed to forget His own physical needs. The day He stopped at Jacob's well to rest, He was hungry and thirsty. The disciples brought Him food, but He was so intent on giving the woman of Samaria the water of life that He did not stop to eat. Later when the disciples reminded Him of His need, He said, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me."

 

Do we sense fully what is involved when we pray that God's will be done in earth -in us- "as it is in heaven"? It involves the bearing of a cross, for Jesus says, "If any man will come after me, let him...take up his cross daily" (Luke 9:23). What is this cross? A well-known religious writer says: "It is never difficult to do what we love to do, but to take a course directly against our inclinations is lifting a cross." "The path of duty should be followed, not the path of inclination and choice." Our inclinations may often be directly opposed to God's will.

 

Jesus had to deny inclination. He was human. The thought of dying on the cross was disquieting to Him. But when He knew that the cross was His Father's will, in complete submission He prayed, "Not as I will, but as thou wilt." He was determined to do God's will at any cost to Himself.

 

Sometimes our cherished plans must fail before we are willing to do God's will. Difficulties, disappointments, sorrows, temptations_ these are included in the will of an all-wise, all-loving heavenly Father to prepare us for His kingdom. (pg. 80-81)

What's Going On Around Here..and such

Some of you were worried about my squirrels - since I posted the last post with a cute little squirrel hiding in a bird house.Well I wanted to share a cute little story so you would know that the little guy is ok, well either him or a sibling or Momma. This could be Momma since she seemed a bit bigger than the other little guys.
Anyway on with the story:  So yesterday morning I was working out in the yard. After I had done a fair amount of work- I went to my porch for a rest. As I sat there I looked up - and saw this:

The squirrel seemed to be talking to me - made a few noises and moved its tail around. I told her she was free to eat(the squirrel feeder is just on the side of that tree below where she was sitting). I told her I was tired and needed a break but she could eat.

She continued to sit there and I got busy on my cell phone checking out e-mails and such. I looked up and there she was. What is so cool about this is that this feeder is like less than 10 feet away from the porch and where I was sitting.

 

 I really enjoyed watching her eat and the company, even though she was quiet. And boy did she eat. After a while I had to tell her - Ok - I have have a long enough break - I really need to get busy.

As I got up to walk away she ran up the tree a bit - but it wasn't long before she was back again. I love my squirrels!

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I have another cute story to share. So the day before I had been in my back yard weed eating when ALL of a SUDDEN I moved my weed eater over this little guy:

And he startled me! I would say he was about 7-8 inches long. Really a pretty lizard.

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And I also have a question for you all:

What kind of tree is this:

A couple of years ago we had a really rough summer - and we went through a really bad drought.In fact, we are still trying to recover from the drought- yesterday afternoon I noticed some 1/2 - 1 inch cracks in our yard in the back yard. Last night we got at least a couple of inches of rain (along with 10 tornadoes in the metroplex) And a couple of them were a little too close for comfort. With one of the tornadoes - many homes were destroyed and at least 6 people died. There was a tornado that at one point turned like it was going to come towards us - this tornado was a BIG one - even the news reporter guy was a bit overwhelmed with how big it was and kept saying it was huge  - couldn't even hardly get any other information out of him until he said Huge at least several different times. Yep- one mile wide is a HUGE tornado.

Anyway back to topic - we have lost several trees over the past 2 years from that drought and still being in a drought even though we have been getting rain - we were SO far behind it has been hard on the earth and all to get caught back up. Yesterday we had to cut down another dead tree - an know of 2 others in our yard that are going to have to be cut down. So in the middle of dead trees - it was refreshing to find this tree and its delicate feeling leaves. Just hoping someone will recognize the leaves and be able to tell me what kind of tree it is

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Ok- one more bit of new- this goes to show how mild this past month has been compared to years past. We got our electric bill today- it was the cheapest it has been since 2005. I probably have record of further back than that - I just went through two spirals worth of information. I was thrilled to see that the bill was lower. The closest month was still $13.00 more than this month. We continue to have the house opened up as much as possible and hope for our bill to be cheaper than the past again next year.

Ok so I think I have rambled on long enough. I need to get other things done. I hope you all have a great day! :O)  

 

 

What a Promise...

     For I am persuaded , that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present , nor things to come , 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.   

Romans 8:38-39

Goodness- we have had a rocky evening- writing this Wednesday evening. Tornados in the area - at one point one was headed in one direction and then it made a turn that would have taken it up to the area that we live- but praising God that this tornado lost its strength and dissipated. Lots of rain, strong winds and some marble sized hail. Things have calmed down now. Think we will be able to get some sleep. We really needed the rain. We still have pretty big cracks in our yard.
I am so glad that I spent a good amount of time this morning working in the yard. My son and I cut down a dead tree - not a huge one but a pretty decent sized one. Cut down branches in trees that were hanging down too far. And cut down small trees and such around our bigger trees to clean up that area. Lots of outside work done. I will check in again Thursday afternoon and up date you on the happenings around here. And a cute story about my squirrel :O)  

The Bible Tells Me So...

My husband and I are both the black sheep of our families, you know in the ~red headed step child kind of way. Where we have both lived in the shadows of the favored child.
Something happened this past week that really brought back the feelings of being the black sheep. And while I was talking to one of my sons about the situation, it was very obvious that he also realized the situation and what it was, I told him that since his father and I are both the black sheep of our families, that we do not believe in the idea of having black sheep in our family. And that neither he nor his brother were black sheep -now or ever. What a good feeling to be able to tell him that and to know that we were able to step out of that curse that could have been passed on to more generations had we made the choice to favor a child over the other.
Later as I was thinking this all out- it struck me that in God's kingdom there are no black sheep either! Now there are goats or lost sheep, but no "black sheep". And even then it is the choice of the "goat" or the "lost sheep" - God has not placed them in that spot. How do I know? The Bible tells me so:

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.   

 Galatians 3:28

 

             11 For there is no partiality with God.  

  Romans 2:11

 I am very thankful for this!
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Shepherd- we are then His sheep and he loves us so, and promises never to leave us nor forsake us.

    Be strong and of a good courage , fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.   

Deuteronomy 31:6

Here is a link to a great Bible Study website - It is called Crosswalk -(this is actually the Bible study tools section of this website. I have my link set up to go straight to this page since I use it so often).  I use this site quite a bit go get Bible verses. Another cool thing about this site is that you can type in a word on the search bar and t will bring up all the verses that have that world. Like for example - you can type Shepherd and see all the times that the Bible refers to Jesus as our good Shepherd. It's really cool. Hope you enjoy! :O)             

Salt in my Kitchen....series



 

Salt in My Kitchen

by: Jeanette Lockerbie 

Bible Reading:

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;"

1 Corinthians 13:1-5   

Over the threshold into a world as new as the going away outfit! New china and linens, shiny new pots and pans, new furniture- and new responsibilities.

Over the threshold into a world as old as Eden: one man, one woman. Two individuals "joined in holy matrimony," as the minister intoned in the ceremony.

Individualism is not submerged. You are the same you. Personality is not one whit changed.

God, who made us, knows the propensities in all of us for selfishness, for self-seeking that leads to many other happiness-destroying traits..

We would do well then to take to heart right from the 'carrying over the threshold' - the beginning of a new life - the far-reaching counsel of the love chapter of the Bible(1 Corinthians 13)

 

Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful (v. 5, Amplified).

 

Living by God's pattern you can assure a marriage that will be,

 as Evangelist John Linton entitled a popular sermon for young adults:

A heaven in which to go to heaven.

 

 

Happy Mother's Day

Something floating around Facebook.

 

I hope you all have a wonderful day! :O)

 

Bible Marking series..."How to Keep the Sabbath"

As you can tell, I have decided to go in a different order than how my teacher presented these topics.

Before we begin, I would like to be sure and say up front- on all of these markings- I am not claiming that these are all of the verses for the topics. This is just a basic beginning point at studying a topic. I hope you all will enjoy them all. 

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 underline the verses.

Now you are ready to go!

Today's lesson is: How to Keep the Sabbath- KS- Ex. 20:8

8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. KS- Gen. 1:23

 

23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day.  KS- v. 31

 

31 Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.    KS- Lev. 23:32

 

32 It shall be to you a sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict your souls; on the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall celebrate your sabbath."  KS- Mark 15:42

 

42 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,    KS- Neh. 13:15-22

 

15 In those days I saw people in Judah treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and loading donkeys with wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them about the day on which they were selling provisions. 16 Men of Tyre dwelt there also, who brought in fish and all kinds of goods, and sold them on the Sabbath to the children of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17 Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said to them, "What evil thing is this that you do, by which you profane the Sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers do thus, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring added wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath." 19 So it was, at the gates of Jerusalem, as it began to be dark before the Sabbath, that I commanded the gates to be shut, and charged that they must not be opened till after the Sabbath. Then I posted some of my servants at the gates, so that no burdens would be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Now the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21 Then I warned them, and said to them, "Why do you spend the night around the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you!" From that time on they came no more on the Sabbath. 22 And I commanded the Levites that they should cleanse themselves, and that they should go and guard the gates, to sanctify the Sabbath day. Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of Your mercy!  KS- Is. 58:13,14

 

13 "If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the Lord honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words, 14 Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord; And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father. The mouth of the Lord has spoken." KS- Luke 4:16

 

16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.  KS- Matt. 12:10-13

 

10 And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"--that they might accuse Him. 11 Then He said to them, "What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." 13 Then He said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other.  KS- Ez. 20:12

 

20 Moreover I also gave them My Sabbaths, to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them. KS- v. 20

 

hallow My Sabbaths, and they will be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God.'  KS- End

"God has given me six days wherein to labor, and He requires that their own work be done in the six working days. Acts of necessity and mercy are permitted on the Sabbath, the sick and suffering are at all times to be cared for; but unnecessary labor is to be strictly avoided. "Turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable; and . . . honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure." Isaiah 58:13. Nor does the prohibition end here. "Nor speaking thine own words," says the prophet. Those who discuss business matters or lay plans on the Sabbath are regarded by God as though engaged in the actual transaction of business. To keep the Sabbath holy, we should not even allow our minds to dwell upon things of a worldly character. And the commandment includes all within our gates. The inmates of the house are to lay aside their worldly business during the sacred hours. All should unite to honor God by willing service upon His holy day." PP 307-308

If you would like to check out this quote and/or the whole chapter

 in Patriarchs and Prophets click Here.