We live in a day and age in which we have every technological advantage, but I think that could be more of a negative if we do not use it properly.
We also live in a time period when so many people are busy; always having way more to do than we have time for. I think that Satan loves to keep us busy. When we are always busy, we do not have time to hear from God. That is why I think it is important to make time every day to be quiet and still. When we are quiet and still - we are more able to hear God speak to us.
There have been many times in my life when I have been quiet and as I watch my chickens, the birds, or squirrels that God whispers lessons into my ear. But if I was always busy, always noisy - I would have missed those lessons. There are many important lessons for us to learn- if we will just be still.
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psalms 46:10
And if you are going through a hard time right now, you can know that you can count of God to quiet your soul:
"The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
Be sure and take some time every day - to be quiet and still. Study God's Word and be still - and listen for the things that He wants to share with you. :o)
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Being Prepared ~ a Different Angle
This past Sunday our power went out all of a sudden. I was so thankful that we had flashlights handy - and a lighter - so I lite candles throughout the house. Last week my husband and son had gotten a truck load of wood for our fire place. We had not have a chance to get it into the house, but my son went out to the truck and got a couple of loads for us. He started a fire and we spent the next hour and a half in the living room - where it was warm and cozy.
I was so thankful that we had the things we needed. I was also thankful for the sconces that I have on the wall in the main bathroom and in our bedroom. I lite those candles and we had just enough light in those rooms. The candles in those were burnt down and I was happy that they at least lasted through out power outage. I let the rest of them burn down and then I will be cleaning the scones out and putting a brand new candle in there. That way we are ready for the next time that they are needed.
Having flashlights with fresh batteries, candles and lighters are very important to have- especially this time of year. It makes situations that could be unpleasant - much more pleasant and enjoyable.
Of course, the power went out during the Cowboy game so my husband was not at all pleased, but he endured it.
I had made up a big pot of soup. The only problem was - I had not made up a pan of corn bread yet. It would have been fine to eat the soup without cornbread. But praise the Lord! the power came back on and I was able to get pan of cornbread going.
When you go without electricity for a period of time - you begin to be more thankful for things that you normally take for granted. Like your light bulb in the fridge. My son was wanting to make something - and I found him in the kitchen with a candle - looking around in the refrigerator.
This week I am going to try to make sure we have a good amount of fire wood in the house. And I also want to clean out the fire place so that it will be ready for the next usage. I will also be seeing what else needs to be done so that the next time something like this happens. We will have everything we need.
I hope you all are keeping warm and cozy. It is quite chilly here. There was a very good layer of ice on windshields this morning- I had bought one can of deIcer for my husband - but had not thought my son would have to leave for work so early - but he ended up having to go in at 5:50am. So a couple more cans of DeIcer are on my new list of things needed.
Have a wonderful day:o)
I was so thankful that we had the things we needed. I was also thankful for the sconces that I have on the wall in the main bathroom and in our bedroom. I lite those candles and we had just enough light in those rooms. The candles in those were burnt down and I was happy that they at least lasted through out power outage. I let the rest of them burn down and then I will be cleaning the scones out and putting a brand new candle in there. That way we are ready for the next time that they are needed.
Having flashlights with fresh batteries, candles and lighters are very important to have- especially this time of year. It makes situations that could be unpleasant - much more pleasant and enjoyable.
Of course, the power went out during the Cowboy game so my husband was not at all pleased, but he endured it.
I had made up a big pot of soup. The only problem was - I had not made up a pan of corn bread yet. It would have been fine to eat the soup without cornbread. But praise the Lord! the power came back on and I was able to get pan of cornbread going.
When you go without electricity for a period of time - you begin to be more thankful for things that you normally take for granted. Like your light bulb in the fridge. My son was wanting to make something - and I found him in the kitchen with a candle - looking around in the refrigerator.
This week I am going to try to make sure we have a good amount of fire wood in the house. And I also want to clean out the fire place so that it will be ready for the next usage. I will also be seeing what else needs to be done so that the next time something like this happens. We will have everything we need.
I hope you all are keeping warm and cozy. It is quite chilly here. There was a very good layer of ice on windshields this morning- I had bought one can of deIcer for my husband - but had not thought my son would have to leave for work so early - but he ended up having to go in at 5:50am. So a couple more cans of DeIcer are on my new list of things needed.
Have a wonderful day:o)
Monday, December 5, 2011
Blessings
"Every ray of light that we shed upon others is reflected upon ourselves. Every kind and sympathizing word spoken to the sorrowful, every act to relieve the oppressed, and every gift to the needy, if prompted by a right motive, will result in blessings to the giver. PP 218
An interesting story to go along with this quote. The very day that I read this quote - I had a visitor stop by with these lovely flowers for me.
An interesting story to go along with this quote. The very day that I read this quote - I had a visitor stop by with these lovely flowers for me.
(yes - my Dewie was as excited about the flowers as was I!)
I had helped a friend out with something that they could not do - and these flowers were a "Thank you" gift. I thought it was so neat that the very day that I had been reading in my "Patriarchs and Prophets" book and found the above quote, and how the quote had stood out to me - that I would see it in action.
Truth be told - there are many times that I have done kind things and it seem as if there is no recognition but there are blessings all around us, if we will only take the time to recognize them.
Be kind to those around you. Allow God to bless those around you, through you. And maybe by your kindness you can draw people to Jesus Christ, the one who put the love in your heart to do for other. May we be a light shining in a dark and dreary world. :O)
Sunday, December 4, 2011
My Reading Challenge
Last year I read through the "Little House" books. It was fun, but not very edifying. It was entertaining and I was glad that I had done it. But I began to think that I wanted to be spending my extra reading time - reading things that were uplifting. That was about the time that I found the "special red box" with the "Steps to Christ" book. I began to read through it and was totally blessed. This will be a book that will be reread in the future. Well worth the time and very uplifting.
When I was reading "Steps to Christ" I was inspired to read through the "Conflict of the Ages" series. But before I began it - I had another book - "Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessings" and I thought since it was a little book - that I would read through it and so I did. It was another great book. Well worth the read!
Then it was time to start through the "Conflict of the Ages" books. This series basically starts in Genesis and works its way through the entire Bible - ending in Revelations -with the book "The Great Controversy."
I am so glad that I started with the smaller books, because these books have 600-700 pages in them. These books were written many years ago - from 1898 - 1917. It is a bit of a challenge to read them but as you read them - it becomes easier and easier.
I love to read books that draw me closer and closer into a relationship with Jesus Christ and that is exactly what these books do.
So this is my Reading Challenge - I will be reading through these books. I will be checking in ever so often to share gems that I have found or lessons learned. I will also share the progress that I am making as I move through these books. :O)
When I was reading "Steps to Christ" I was inspired to read through the "Conflict of the Ages" series. But before I began it - I had another book - "Thoughts From The Mount Of Blessings" and I thought since it was a little book - that I would read through it and so I did. It was another great book. Well worth the read!
Then it was time to start through the "Conflict of the Ages" books. This series basically starts in Genesis and works its way through the entire Bible - ending in Revelations -with the book "The Great Controversy."
I am so glad that I started with the smaller books, because these books have 600-700 pages in them. These books were written many years ago - from 1898 - 1917. It is a bit of a challenge to read them but as you read them - it becomes easier and easier.I love to read books that draw me closer and closer into a relationship with Jesus Christ and that is exactly what these books do.
So this is my Reading Challenge - I will be reading through these books. I will be checking in ever so often to share gems that I have found or lessons learned. I will also share the progress that I am making as I move through these books. :O)
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Why???...for your Testimony
(a repost,worth sharing again)
Why???...for your Testimony
I love my morning walks. It is so quiet and there is not much going on. I feel so much closer to God when I am out in nature. It isn't any wonder though - He created nature. As I was walking I was thinking about how there are many times in our lives that things happen and we ask Why? Sometimes that "Why?" comes from an angry heart or it comes from a hurt heart. I am sure that God has heard that question a gazillion times. And all of a sudden I thought ~ it is for our testimony.
If our lives were easy and nothing bad ever happened then we would never have the chance to experience God's loving care for us in a real way. God wants to reveal Himself to us, but many times we are too busy to even notice.
This morning in my quiet time, I read about something that just blew me away. We all have probably heard about the time when the children of Israel were trapped with mountains on either side and the Red Sea was in front of them and the Egyptians were coming after them. And how God parted the waters for them to walk through on DRY land. Wow!
But did you realize that He did it again? After the 40 years of wandering around in the wilderness and the generation that had not have faith in God had passed away - it was time to go into the promise land. God led them to the Jordan River and He did it again. He parted the waters for them to get across. I thought this was amazing because God was revealing himself to His children. He was letting them know that He would guide and direct them and He would also take care of their needs. How awesome is that? So the next time you come to a place in your life when you are asking why? Remember that God has a plan for your life and if you will hold onto your faith in Him - You will have a story to tell of His goodness and mercy. :O)
If you would like to read about the children of Israel going across the Jordan River - you can read it below:
"9 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.
10 And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.
12 Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.
14 And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;
15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan."
Joshua 3:9-17
Why???...for your Testimony
I love my morning walks. It is so quiet and there is not much going on. I feel so much closer to God when I am out in nature. It isn't any wonder though - He created nature. As I was walking I was thinking about how there are many times in our lives that things happen and we ask Why? Sometimes that "Why?" comes from an angry heart or it comes from a hurt heart. I am sure that God has heard that question a gazillion times. And all of a sudden I thought ~ it is for our testimony.
If our lives were easy and nothing bad ever happened then we would never have the chance to experience God's loving care for us in a real way. God wants to reveal Himself to us, but many times we are too busy to even notice.
This morning in my quiet time, I read about something that just blew me away. We all have probably heard about the time when the children of Israel were trapped with mountains on either side and the Red Sea was in front of them and the Egyptians were coming after them. And how God parted the waters for them to walk through on DRY land. Wow!
But did you realize that He did it again? After the 40 years of wandering around in the wilderness and the generation that had not have faith in God had passed away - it was time to go into the promise land. God led them to the Jordan River and He did it again. He parted the waters for them to get across. I thought this was amazing because God was revealing himself to His children. He was letting them know that He would guide and direct them and He would also take care of their needs. How awesome is that? So the next time you come to a place in your life when you are asking why? Remember that God has a plan for your life and if you will hold onto your faith in Him - You will have a story to tell of His goodness and mercy. :O)
If you would like to read about the children of Israel going across the Jordan River - you can read it below:
"9 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.
10 And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
11 Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.
12 Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
13 And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.
14 And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;
15 And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
17 And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan."
Joshua 3:9-17
Friday, December 2, 2011
One More Verse...
Thanks so much to Hilary for the comment and for sharing this important verse that goes so well with yesterdays post. I knew there were a couple more verses that I really wanted to add.
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! :O)
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:2-4
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! :O)
Thursday, December 1, 2011
It's NOT all Smooth Sailing
I think there is a lot of danger in the belief that once we become Christians, that it will be smooth sailing from then on. I also think that it is sad that there are some preachers out there preaching these lies. I mean - when Jesus came to the earth, was His life smooth sailing? Was everything hunky dory all the time? No... So why would we think that things would be for us?
"And there came a scribe, and said unto him, Teacher, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." Matthew 8:19-20
Does that sound like everything was roses and sunshine?
Several times in the Bible it warns of the suffering that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, will have:
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:18-19
"but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:13
But there is good news!
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," 2 Corinthians 4:17
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18
And one of my favorites:
"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." 1 Peter 5:10
Isn't that awesome? We may have to suffer but God is using that suffering to mold us into what He wants us to be.
So please do not fall for the lies. Do not expect everything to be wonderful and certainly do not get discouraged when trouble and trials come your way. Because you can count on those things. If you are not in the middle of a trial, or have not just gotten out of a trial - you can about be certain the one will be in you future. But do not be dismayed. For when we love and follow Jesus Christ -He will use these things to perfect us and make us more and more like Himself.
"And there came a scribe, and said unto him, Teacher, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven [have] nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." Matthew 8:19-20
Does that sound like everything was roses and sunshine?
Several times in the Bible it warns of the suffering that we, as followers of Jesus Christ, will have:
"If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." John 15:18-19
"but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:13
But there is good news!
"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory," 2 Corinthians 4:17
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." Romans 8:18
And one of my favorites:
"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." 1 Peter 5:10
Isn't that awesome? We may have to suffer but God is using that suffering to mold us into what He wants us to be.
So please do not fall for the lies. Do not expect everything to be wonderful and certainly do not get discouraged when trouble and trials come your way. Because you can count on those things. If you are not in the middle of a trial, or have not just gotten out of a trial - you can about be certain the one will be in you future. But do not be dismayed. For when we love and follow Jesus Christ -He will use these things to perfect us and make us more and more like Himself.
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