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

"A Renewed Mind" 

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

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

"Instead of being moulded to this

 world, have your mind renewed, and so 

be transformed in nature, able to make

 out what the will of God is." 

Romans 12:2, Moffatt. 

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

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

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

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

What a Promise- With a Twist

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

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

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

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



In the Sewing Room

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

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

 

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

These are the ones that I have sold so far.

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

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

 

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

 

He Leads Us On

He leads us on by paths we did not know;

Upward He leads us, though our steps be slow,

Though oft we faint and falter on the way,

Though storms and darkness oft obscure the day;

Yet when the clouds are gone,

We know He leads us on.

He leads us on through all the unquiet years;

Past all our dreamland hopes, and doubts and fears,

He guides our steps, through all the tangled maze

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

We know His will is done;

And still He leads us on.

~Nicholaus Ludwig Zinzendorf

Expensive or Not?

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

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

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

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

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

Anyway just something to think about. 

It's Been a Warm One

December that is. 

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

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

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

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

Fundamental Beliefs #13

 Remnant and Its Mission:

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

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

Revelations 12:17

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

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

Revelations  18:1-4

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

2 Corinthians 5:10

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

Jude 3

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

Jude 14

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

1 Peter 1:16-19

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

2 Peter 3:10-14

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

Revelations 21:1-14