Why It Rained

(Another great devotional from my Deserts in the Streams- Devotional)

Nevertheless afterward (Heb. 12:11).

There is a legend that tells of a German baron who, at his castle on the Rhine, stretched wires from tower to tower, that the winds might convert them into an Aeolian harp. And the soft breezes played about the castle, but no music was born.

But one night there arose a great tempest, and hill and castle were smitten by the fury of the mighty winds. The baron went to the threshold to look out upon the terror of the storm, and the Aeolian harp was filling the air with strains that rang out even above the clamor of the tempest. It needed the tempest to bring out the music!

And have we not known men whose lives have not given out any entrancing music in the day of a calm prosperity, but who, when the tempest drove against them have astonished their fellows by the power and strength of their music?  "Rain, rain
Beating against the pane!

How endlessly it pours
Out of doors

From the blackened sky
I wonder why!

Flowers, flowers, 
Upspringing after showers, 

Blossoming fresh and fair,
Everywhere! 

Ah, God has explained 
Why it rained!"
You can always count on God to make the "afterward" of difficulties, if rightly overcome, a thousand times richer and fairer than the forward. "No chastening... seemeth joyous, nevertheless afterward..." What a yield!

Happy Thanksgiving Day to You All

Just checking in to let you all know that I am doing pretty good. My biggest problem has been sleeping. I've had a few rough nights. Several people told me about using melatonin and so I ordered some. Since I don't have it yet - last night - I took 1 Tylenol pm. And I slept pretty good. It is not the perfect fix but at least I am getting sleep and that is really good.

Last night my husband and I went and picked up our granddaughter - SweetPea. I was happy that my Mom watched her until about 11:30am today since my son has to work today. I have SweetPea now and it looks like it is going to be a good day. I am so glad she is the age she is because she is able to do a lot for herself and so I don't feel too tempted to do stuff I should not be doing.

My bruises on my arms are slowly healing. My steri-strips are still on my incisions. They are half off but I am trying to be careful not to mess with them very much. I am very thankful for the fluffy pink pajama pants that have hearts all over them - that have a drawstring waist. They sure are comfortable. Since a lot of my incisions are at my waist - sometimes the waistband on sweat pants and such puts a bit too much pressure on my incisions.

Tomorrow we are going to my Mother in laws house for Thanksgiving. And then on Sunday we will have our families Thanksgiving Dinner.

I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for. And it does us a lot of good to focus on those blessings. Love you all. May God bless you all during this holiday season.

Checking In

Just checking in to let you all know that I am doing alright. The first photo is my 3rd IV site on the first day home from the hospital. I am thankful that this one was put in while I was out. The first site did not work. And they needed an IV on each arm so this was the third one. The second IV did not leave a bruise at all.





Here is the same bruise photo taken today. It is healing.


My incisions had plastic coverings - and the Dr said that they would probably come off after shower- well they stayed on through 5 showers. And so today I had my husband peel the plastic coverings off. There are still steri - strips over each of the 4 incisions. I have 2 incisions above the belly button - the very top one is the biggest incision and is also the sorest one as well. They I have one incision on each side of the belly - about 4 inches or so on each side.

I am healing nicely. I am still sore. Today I have noticed that when I am up for a bit that I am feeling a little dizzy and a bit of a head ache. I am sure hoping that I feel better tomorrow.

I am also noticing that I am a bit more emotional. When you no longer have hormones - there will be changes and that is what scares me. I had just gotten to the point of understanding who I was and was doing better at making choices and all. And now - this surgery might just put a big kink in everything. This is also a tough time of hear to deal with this - a total hysterectomy. You know the family get togethers. But I am trying to continue to trust God to guide me and direct me.

Well I just wanted to check in and let you all know that I am doing alright. I am just allowing myself to heal. I hope you all are doing well. I'll be checking in again soon. :O)

Total Dependence part 3

On Monday, I had to be at the hospital by 6am. By 7:00am - they were rolling me back to the surgery area. This is where my husband had to go to the waiting room. This is the part that usually is very hard on me. When I am alone in this situation- which scares me.

While I was back in the pre surgery area - the anesthesia nurse found out that my iv was not working. So that would mean putting another iv in. I really do not like needles but God gave me the peace to be brave. Then it came time to be wheeled down to the operating room. Remember last time - this was such a scary time for me? Well this time God gave me peace and courage. Those unwanted panic attacks were kept at bay. I was actually in the room for a few minutes before falling asleep. In which time I was calm. This experience was so different than last time. And there are some major reasons for this.

This time I knew the importance of totally depending on Jesus Christ. Surrendering your life and your will to God- puts Him in charge. And when He is in charge - you don't have to have the fear. Because you know that God will not allow anything to happen that is not suppose to happen. And He will give you the strength to get through whatever He brings you too.

God has brought some amazing people into my life. People who uplift me in prayer and I am so thankful for this. Especially when going through tough experiences.

And after the peace that I have felt over the last couple off weeks(not saying I only experienced peace) but I felt peace that could only be explained by coming from God.

After my surgery, I ended up having a bad reaction to pain meds and ended up throwing up about 30 minutes after each dose. After 2 doses and putting the two together - they changed meds and also got me some Phenergan to help with the nauseousness, this made me very sleepy. So I slept most of the day Monday. My body needed it so it's all good.

Tuesday morning at 6am - they removed the catheter and I was able to get up and go to the bathroom.
And I was released by about 10:00 Tuesday. I have been sore but that is expected.

I want to again say Thank you for all the prayers. They truly made a difference. This experience has reassured me in the power of prayer. And that being a prayer warrior is an important job.

Beyond Relationship part 2

I have already mentioned the fact that I had to have my left ovary removed way back in 1995. I had gone in for a well woman appointment on Oct. 31 - and ended up having my surgery one week later.

I was scared- when I was in the waiting area with my husband. Then they wheeled me into the surgery room. It was bright, white and cold. And I remember the panic inside of me well up. Not a good experience. This fear has had me afraid of my surgery this time. But there was something different this time.

Last time I thought that I had a deep relationship with Jesus Christ, but I had yet to learn to depend on Him and to surrender my life to him. This is a very important step for every Christian. We need to learn to depend on Him for our needs.

  And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.    Philippians 4:19

 

Many people get caught up in the belief that this verse is only speaking about our material needs, but if that is the case you are missing out on the very important things that God can and wills supply when we take the time to ask.

 

Strength, courage, and peace are some of the things that I have experienced over the last few weeks and months. That I would have had no other way- other than through Jesus Christ.

 

Please stay tuned cause there is one more part to this series...at least.

Religion to Relationship Part 1

This will be part one of this new series. I hope you are all blessed by my testimony and that you too will see the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
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I grew up in a nice Christian family. We went to church every week, prayer meetings and we went to nursing homes to sing to the elderly. We read the Bible and we learned all the neat stories in the Bible. As a young adult, I thought I had it altogether when it came to religion.

In 1988 my husband and I got married. We had our first son in 1990. Then in Jan of 1991, because my husband was having a very hard time finding a job that would support us (so that I could be a stay at home mom,) he joined the military. Six weeks of boot camp - and I was not able to hardly talk to him at all. Then on to the training school for the next several month. Then he got his first orders. He had asked for a base in Texas - that way we could be close to family. But he got Germany. He left for Germany in June of 1991. My son and I were not able to go till October of 1991. It was a lot time of not getting to see my husband. It was hard being a "single parent." But I understood that my husband was trying to do the best thing for our family.
The only housing that my husband was able to get for us we out on the economy- meaning not military housing. This made us very isolated. I had been told by a few people that the people in Germany have English classes in their schools so they know how to speak at least some English. Well we did not find this to be the case. We had one TV station that had about 6 hours of English speaking shows during the day. And we had one radio station - one that played a lot of music I did not want to listen to. The days were long. During this time I decided I was going to read my Bible through. So during my son's nap times I would read my Bible and pray. As I type this I can remember sitting in a chair by the big windows with the sunlight shining through. And feeling the warmth. It was like God's love melting my heart and helping me to understand that what he wanted was a relationship with me, and for me not to be stuck in just a religion with do's and don'ts. He wanted not only to be my Creator, my Saviour but, also my Friend. Even though this time in Germany was very hard for me, the blessing that I received from it was so very worth it- a relationship with God. I am still on a journey to getting to know Him more and more.

Today the sun is shining and it is a beautiful day. And I am reminded of that day many years ago when I really gave my heart to God. I just thought that I would share my testimony today. May you also grow in your relationship with God.

I am home

Hello everyone. I have a little series that I would like to do about my surgery and will work on that tomorrow. But I wanted to stop by today and let you all know that the surgery went well and that I am home now. I have been hoping since about noonish. We laid down and took a nap cause I was very tired. Anyway - I wanted to say a BIG Thank You to you sweet ladies who have been praying for me. I could certainly feel the prayers.
I will try to post part one of series today because it is already written and I have shared it before but it will go right along with my message.

Hope you all are doing well. :O)

Prayer Request

Just a reminder that I have surgery this morning at 7:30am, I have to be at the hospital at 6am though.  I would appreciate prayers. Thanks so very much. I will check in as soon as I can. I have to stay at least one night in the hospital- more the plan changes. I have so appreciated the prayers to this point. God has been faithful. I am so grateful for you all. :O)

An Encouraging Devotional

	"Pressed out of measure" 2 Corinthians 1:8 "That the power of Christ may rest upon me" 2 Corinthians 12:9 God allowed the crisis to close around Jacob on the night when he bowed at Peniel in supplication, to bring him to the place where he could take hold of God as he never would have done; and from that narrow pass of peril, Jacob became enlarged in his faith and knowledge of God, and in the power of a new and victorious life. God had to compel David, by a long and painful discipline of years, to learn the almighty power and faithfulness of his God, and grow up into the established principles of faith and godliness, which were indispensable for his glorious career as the king of Israel. Nothing but the extremities in which Paul was constantly placed could ever have taught him, and taught the Church through him, the full meaning of the great promise he so learned to claim, "My grace is sufficient for thee." And nothing but our trials and perils would ever have led some of us to know Him as we do, to trust Him as we have, and to draw from Him the measures of grace which our very extremities made indispensable. Difficulties and obstacles are God's challenges to faith. When hindrances confront us in the path of duty, we are to recognize them as vessels for faith to fill with the fullness and all-sufficiency of Jesus; and as we go forward, simply and fully trusting Him, we may be tested, we may have to wait and let patience have her perfect work; but we shall surely find at last the stone rolled away, and the Lord waiting to render unto us double for our time of testing. --A. B. Simpson ***************************************** This was one of my "Streams in the Desert" devotionals. It was so good - I could not help but share it. I hope it blesses each of you - the way it has blessed me. :o)

Leading By Example

We will get back to the Bible marking series soon. But till then I had something I wanted to share with you all:


Go back to thy garden plot, sweetheart,
Go back till the evening falls;
And bind thy lilies, and train thy vines,
Till for thee the Master calls.

Go make thy garden fair as thou canst-
Thou workest never alone;
Perchance he whose plot is next to thine
Will see it, and mend his own.
- Elizabeth Rundle Charles

This is part of a larger poem- called THE CHILD ON THE JUDGEMENT SEAT if you would like to check it out - click on link.

There is so much meaning in just this small portion of the poem!

Sermon on the Mount...series.. Blessed are the Peacemakers

The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch   

    Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.   

Matthew 5:9

 

We will first look at what the 1828 dictionary says:

 

PE'ACEMAKER, n. One who makes peace by reconciling parties that are at variance.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Matt.5.

 

************

Because I come from a background of people pleasing and where I thought I was a peacemaker(but was really having some unhealthy habits) I felt that it was better if I let this wonderful book help us understand what a peacemaker really is and what they will do. I hope you enjoy!

 

 

Christ is "the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6), and it is His mission to restore to earth and heaven the peace that sin has broken. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 5:1. Whoever consents to renounce sin and open his heart to the love of Christ, becomes a partaker of this heavenly peace.

There is no other ground of peace than this. The grace of Christ received into the heart, subdues enmity; it allays strife and fills the soul with love.pg. 27

 

 The heart that is in harmony with God is a partaker of the peace of heaven and will diffuse its blessed influence on all around. The spirit of peace will rest like dew upon hearts weary and troubled with worldly strife. pg 27

 

Christ's followers are sent to the world with the message of peace. Whoever, by the quiet, unconscious influence of a holy life, shall reveal the love of Christ; whoever, by word or deed, shall lead another to renounce sin and yield his heart to God, is a peacemaker. pg. 28

 

If you would like to read the rest of the section about peacemakers you can click on THIS link.



 

The Special Project

 

Just wanted to check in and show you all the progress I have made on the quilt that I am making for my granddaughter. I was going to do a more intensive post about it and show you more of a step by step format, but I just don't seem to have the motivation to do so.

 

The colors are off a tiny bit - but at least you get an idea of what it looks like. I have another border to add- pink. And then I will be the point of quilting it! And then binding it. I am sure hoping I can get it done soon. But if I don't get it done before surgery - then there will be time in my recovery time that I can get it done. Since my son will have SweetPea this week end - I will not get much of a chance to work on it then. So I am hoping to at least get the other border added before my surgery.

 

I was able to stop by the quilt shop today and buy the backing for it. Tomorrow I will need to pick up the batting. Then I will have everything that I need. You probably can't tell from this photo but the ears are not sewn down so they can flop. One of the things that drew me to this quilt pattern.

This is the first big applique project that I have done and it went pretty good. I machine appliqued. It was a bit intimidating at first but as I just kept going - it got easier.

 

So glad that I decided to get this quilt done. It has been great therapy for me. It has helped keep me busy. And that is always good when anticipating something stressful.

 

Well I have my pre op appointments tomorrow, so I might not be back on till Friday.

See ya soon.

 

 

 

No Regrets

I have learned another lesson over the past couple of weeks. And I am so thankful for this realization.

 

In facing my hysterectomy- it seems like I had a choice to make. It was if I wanted to keep my remaining ovary or not. The reason I say it seems like I had a choice is because I am not convinced that it is even in good enough shape to keep - if I made that choice. I have only had one ovary for the last 18 years and it has had to do the work of two ovaries, which I was told by my Dr that I would end up going into menopause sooner than I would have - because of this.

 

 

 So after discussing things with my Dr., then with my husband, family, and asking a couple of nurse friends that I have - I made up my mind as to what I thought would be the best choice for me. And I had peace.

 

Then I had the conversation with my husband's friend and in the conversation he said several times that his wife regrets the decision that she made. And then he was trying to get me to make the choice she wishes she had have made. Well this took my peace. Well that and the fact that he said she basically doubled in size.

 

So I asked friends and family to pray that God would guide me to the right decision.

 

Then as I said earlier - that a friend reminded me - that I would face menopause with this surgery or without it. This perspective really helped me out.

 

Then as I was finishing up my devotional time - I felt that God was leading me to make the choice - of No Regrets. That if I believed that He was with me and that He would get me through this situation, that I could make the choice that I felt that He was leading me to make- with No Regrets.

 

As I was thinking about this whole situation - the idea of coming to a crossroads in my life came to me. I was at a crossroads of sorts. I had a choice to make.

 

 I could only go one way or the other- I could not do both.

 

 As I thought about it I realized that when I made a choice - I would never truly know what things would have been like had I took the other road. We can romanticize that other choice all we want, but there is no guarantee that it would be all that rosy - even if the choice we make takes us through a rough road. So this is when I realized that I needed to make my decision and then I needed to have No Regrets.

 

When you turn your will and your life over to God- you can trust Him. He is in control and He will never let us down. I am thankful for this.

 

Quick Question

(second post of the day - don't miss the other post)

Ok - I have a question- You know I have been having major problems with not being able to leave comments and I still have not figured out the problem. Well there is something else I have noticed. I am not able to see the "follower" on my blog or anyone else's blog. Are any of you having that problem? I have not been able to see any followers for about a week now. Probably about as long as I have not been able to leave comments. This is so weird. Don't know if it is a Blogger problem or user (me) problem..?... lol :O)

Learning to Go a Step Further

In 1991, my husband joined the Army. After all of his training - his first assignment sent him to Germany. Boy that was a doozy for this young couple. We had been married only about 3 years at the time and had a little toddler. My husband was sent over to Germany in July and several months later - it was finally time for my son and I to join him. Two flights on airplanes would be our mode of transportation. Before this I had only been in a little twin engine airplane - and even then it was just a quick - going up in the air(not very far) circling our little town of Pecos Texas - and then down again. So to say that I was afraid of this adventure would be an understatement. I would be going on a BIG airplane for the first time - with an 16 month old boy.

As the days approached - God orchestrated me being able to hear a great sermon in which the phrase:

Trust in God Prevents Panic

 

This would be my motto for my up coming adventure. And it was used many times. As I would get anxious or feel anxiety- I would say this phrase.

 

Trust in God Prevents Panic

 

And although this was one of the toughest things that I had done- to that point in my life. God was there for me and I was able to make it safely to my destination.

 

I was reminded of this experience while I have dreaded my up coming surgery.

God reminded me of this phrase.
It's amazing that God loves us so much and takes the time to help us through life's trials.

 

So when I start to panic or get anxious- I just say this phrase:

 

Trust in God Prevents Panic

 

But I don't stop there. In my experiences over the last 5 years - I have learned to go a step further.

Saying this phrase reminds me that God is in control. And not only that but that I need to redirect my focus - from myself - to Him.

 

 And I am choosing to use this reminder to remind me to praise God. Praise Him for all the blessing that He has given. All the things that many times I take for granted. And also praise Him that He is able to get me through what ever He brings in my path. He is able.

 

Bible Markind 2nd series...Education

Bible Marking Guide

 by:

John Earnhardt

 

Education - Ed

"Dedicated Christians will continue to learn throughout their lives on earth."

 

1. The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. 12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.    Ecclesiastes 12:11-12

 

2.      Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.    1 Corinthians 2:12-13

 

3.     Even though I am untrained in speech, yet I am not in knowledge. But we have been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.    2 Corinthians 11:6

 

4. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.  1 Peter 4:11

 

5. Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead),    Galatians 1:1

 

6.     casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,    2 Corinthians 10:5

 

Comments - Yours and Mine

Ok - I have tried to respond to comments left here on my blog and for some reason they are disappearing. And then I have also tried to comment on some of your blogs and the same thing is happening. So anyway - I wanted to put a post here to let you all know that I really appreciate your comments and your encouragement. They are very helpful.
I also wanted you guys to know that I am reading your blogs and they have been great and that I really hope that the comments I tried to leave - were left and you got them. Hopefully what ever glitch this is will be fixed soon. Hope you all have a wonderful day! :O)

Sermon on the Mount...series...Blessed are the Pure in Heart

The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch   


Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
Matthew 5:8

Let's start this study with what the 1828 Webster's dictionary has to say about the word pure:

PURE, a. [L. purus.]

1. Separate from all heterogeneous or extraneous matter; clear; free from mixture; as pure water; pure clay; pure sand; pure air; pure silver of gold. Pure wine is very scare.

2. Free from moral defilement; without spot; not sullied or tarnished; incorrupt; undebased by moral turpitude; holy.

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil. Hab.1. Prov.20.

3. Genuine; real; true; incorrupt; unadulterated; as pure religion. James 1.

4. Unmixed; separate from any other subject or from every thing foreign; as pure mathematics.

5. Free from guilt; guiltless; innocent.

No hand of strife is pure, but that which wins.

6. Not vitiated with improper or corrupt words or phrases; as a pure style of discourse or composition

7. Disinterested; as pure benevolence.

8. Chaste; as a pure virgin.

9. Free from vice or moral turpitude. Tit.1.

 

10. Ceremonially clean; unpolluted. Ezra 6.

  11. Free from any thing improper; as, his motives are pure.

  12. Mere; absolute; that and that only; unconnected with any thing else; as a pure villain. He did that from pure compassion, or pure good nature.

 PURE, v.t. To purify; to cleanse. [Not in use.]

 

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Now that is a tall order for sure.

On our own we can not have a pure heart, it is just not within our power. But there is Good New - we have help.

Jesus told His disciples that it was to their advantage that He go away.  " ...for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you." John 16:7

Who is this helper?
The Holy Spirit which is also a divine member of the Trinity.

    Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 
Matthew 28:19

The Holy Spirit does many things.

When we have given our hearts to Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells in us.

 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?    
1 Corinthians 3:16

      the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 
John 14:17
 
The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth:

    However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
John 16:13

The Holy Spirit will transform us:

    But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.   
2 Corinthians 3:18

It is by this transformation that we can have purity of heart.


"But the words of Jesus, "Blessed are the pure in heart," have a deeper meaning--not merely pure in the sense in which the world understands purity, free from that which is sensual, pure from lust, but true in the hidden purposes and motives of the soul, free from pride and self-seeking, humble, unselfish, childlike."  MOB pg. 25

If you would like to check out what else my book "Thoughts from the Mount of Blessings" has to say click on link.

If God Has Brought it to Me

I hope you guys don't mind if I share a few of the fears that I have due to my upcoming surgery.

 

I have been doing research to help me be ready for my surgery. I am guessing that by knowing things to expect or things that can help me heal better and things like that help me to prepare and to feel more comfortable about having the surgery.

 

I have also been asking people I know about their experiences. And I want to thank those of you that have written to me personally and have share some very great perspective on the whole experience. It has truly helped me.

 

I was feeling pretty at peace (as much as can be expected when a person is facing surgery and having things taken out of them) until a friend of my husband's told us about after his wife had the surgery - that "she went from a size 8 to a size 16 practically over night."

Well for someone who has struggled with weight my whole entire life- that is scary.

 

I am the one to the left.

 

This is a photo of when I was 12 - probably fixing to be 13. As you can tell I am the same size as my Mom and my sister - who is 2 1/2 years older than I am. My parents had just gotten a divorce about a year before this photo was taken and my Mom lost a whole lot of weight.

 

Anyway so this whole idea of having problems with weight- and all scares me because I have struggled with it all my life. And it scares me.

 

Lately I have made some lifestyle changes and I have lost about 10 pounds over the last several months. And I would like to keep that up - or at least maintain.

So that is my fear right now.

 

Before I close, I wanted to share a little bit of perspective with you all- for those of you who may end up facing a hysterectomy. Changes are hard- especially the change. But - whether I had this surgery or not - I will face the change of life. So this is where - a motto that I am living by right now - and actually a really good motto to live by all the time.

"If God has brought it to me - He will get me through it."

 

Holding onto my trust in God

Today and forever!

 

What a Promise!

(just in case you can not see what is written on the photo above - I have typed it out. It is what the note under Psalms 46:1 says in the Andrews Study Bible)

God is our refuge and strength.  A glorious confession of God's power, care, help and love. This psalm led Martin Luther to compose the magnificent hymn "A Might Fortress is Our God."  The threefold statement of God as a refuge or a fortress (vv.1,7,11) depicts him as the one who takes care of our needs in times of trouble; He is our help. God is majestic but also present. God's mountain cannot fall as long as God is there.

When Disappointments are Blessings in Disguise

 When our ex daughter in law moved - we went by the city that she lived in as to which school district to go by for when looking at the divorce papers and finding out when the visitations were. Well we were wrong - she is actually in another school district - and these two have very different schedules.

The disappointment for us all really is that we will not be getting SweetPea as long as we thought we were. We thought we would get her on the 22nd of November. It would give a nice long visit, as we would have her till the first. Well last night we found out that we will not be getting her till the 26th at 6pm.

 

But the blessing- well that is because I had been worried about taking care of SweetPea - pretty long hours on Mon- Wed. Of course, I had just prayed that God would give me the strength and ability to take care of her. I kept thinking, "If God brought me to it- He will get me through it." This is also something I am claiming for my up coming surgery. Anyway so now I will just have her one day by myself - because my husband will be off on Friday to help me out. So although we are disappointed for a shorter visit with her - I am thankful that God is taking care of even the little details and I am choosing to look at the positive side of this disappointment.

God is in control.

 

And I am glad. :o)

'Cause my cup has overflowed

Drinking From My Saucer

 

   I've never made a fortune
     And it's probably too late now.
     But I don't worry about that much,
     I'm happy anyhow.

 

     And as I go along life's way,
     I'm reaping better than I sow.
     I'm drinking from my saucer,
     'Cause my cup has overflowed.

 

     Haven't got a lot of riches,
     And sometimes the going's tough.
     But I've got loving ones around me,
     And that makes me rich enough.

 

     I thank God for his blessings,
     And the mercies He's bestowed.
     I'm drinking from my saucer,
     'Cause my cup has overflowed.

 

     O, Remember times when things went wrong,
     My faith wore somewhat thin.
     But all at once the dark clouds broke,
     And sun peeped through again.

 

 

     So Lord, help me not to gripe
     About the tough rows that I've hoed.
     I'm drinking from my saucer,
     'Cause my cup has overflowed.

 

 

     If God gives me strength and courage,
     When the way grows steep and rough.
     I'll not ask for other blessings,
     I'm already blessed enough.

 

And may I never be too busy,
To help others bear their loads.
 Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer,
  'Cause my cup has overflowed.

Author Unknown

Bible Markind 2nd series...Walking in the Light

Bible Marking Guide

 by:

John Earnhardt

Walking in the Light : WL

"Those who have accepted Jesus as their Saviour will live according to His teachings."

 

1.     But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.    1 John 1:7-9

 

2. Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.    John 12:35-36

 

3. Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." John 8:12

 

4.     As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, Colossians 2:6

 

5. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalms 119:105

 

6.     The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Psalms 119:130

 

7. But the path of the just is like the shining sun, That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.  Proverbs 4:18

 

8. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19

 

9. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."    John 3:21

 

10.  Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."   

 John 8:31-32

 

11. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness.    John 12:46

 

12. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.    John 10:16

 

13. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.    John 10:27

 

14.     For the commandment is a lamp, And the law a light; Reproofs of instruction are the way of life,    Proverbs 6:23

 

 

Sermon on the Mount...series...Blessed are the merciful

The Sermon on the Mount by Carl Heinrich Bloch

 

The Beatitudes

    Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
Matthew 5:7

Again I would like to look at what the 1828 Webster Dictionary has to say about the meaning of the word Mercy:

MER'CY, n. [L. misericordia.]

1. That benevolence, mildness or tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries, or to treat an offender better than he deserves; the disposition that tempers justice, and induces an injured person to forgive trespasses and injuries, and to forbear punishment, or inflict less than law or justice will warrant. In this sense, there is perhaps no word in our language precisely synonymous with mercy. That which comes nearest to it is grace. It implies benevolence, tenderness, mildness, pity or compassion, and clemency, but exercised only towards offenders. Mercy is a distinguishing attribute of the Supreme Being.

The Lord is long-suffering and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty. Num.14.

2. An act or exercise of mercy or favor. It is a mercy that they escaped.

I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies. Gen.32.

3. Pity; compassion manifested towards a person in distress.

 

 

This beatitude, just like the prior beatitudes and for that matter all the beatitudes, involve the very important role of the Holy Spirit.
In our own strength and power we do not tend to be very merciful. In fact, in our flesh we tend to be very self - centered. In which case every slight or injustice that comes our way makes us self seeking and many times revengeful. But this is not mercy.

When we allow Jesus Christ to be Lord and Saviour in our lives He provides all that  we need.

    And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.    
Philippians 4:19 

He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?   
Micah 6:8

    Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.   
James 1:27

And if you will read Matthew 25:31-45 it basically explains that - "deeds of mercy are presented as being the test of admission to the kingdom of glory." SDA Commentary

"Kind words, looks of sympathy, expressions of appreciation, would be to many a struggling and lonely one as the cup of cold water to a thirsty soul. A word of sympathy, an act of kindness, would lift burdens that rest heavily upon weary shoulders. And every word or deed of unselfish kindness is an expression of the love of Christ for lost humanity."
MOB pg. 23

When I was doing a study on Mercy - I ran across this phrase many, many time:
 "Praise the Lord, For His mercy endures forever."
I don't know about you - but I am very thankful to God's mercy endures forever. Praise be to God!