Worry

A very good friend of mine has had several things go wrong in her life. Many problems that she has taken on are really the problems of others but like most of us, she worries about things going on in the lives of others, such as her children.
She asked some of her friends to give her a list of bible verses that could help her deal with this worry.

The Bible is full of verses that deal with worry and how God can help us if we just lay it all at his feet.

Among the many verses I found, I suggested she read Psalms 31. Not just one verse but several in there help us when we are worried. Isiah 41:10 says..So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. How comforting it is to know that when I am worried and take my fears to him, he will hold me in his right hand and surround me with love. Just reading that now gives me a feeling of being loved by Him.

This is my favorite ....Matt.6:25-27 25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

In 1905, two white songwriters, Civilla Martin and Charles Gabriel wrote a song that is now a staple in African American gospel singing. It was first made popular by the great Ethel Waters. I remember my Mom watching Billy Graham many years ago when I was a child and he would have Ethel sing, 'His Eye is on the Sparrow'.

It was written because of several references that Jesus made about God watching over the sparrow in Matthew. This is just one of the verses...Matt.6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

His Eye is on The Sparrow
Why should I feel discouraged / Why should the shadows come / Why should my heart feel lonely / And long for heaven and home / When Jesus is my portion / A constant friend is He / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches over me / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches me /

I sing because I'm happy / I sing because I'm free / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches me (He watches me) / His eye is on the sparrow / And I know He watches / I know He watches / I know He watches

I know that if he is watching over that tiny bird and counting every feather on him, he surely is watching over me. And you!!!

Thanking God...

My friend Elizabeth told me she thought it would great if we all thought of one thing to be thankful for each day and posted it on our facebook pages or blogs. I think it is a great idea and have started posting the things I am thankful for. I loved the idea but I think it is something we should do every day not just start a few weeks before thanksgiving.

We should have a list of things to thank God every day. Not just one or two days a year. If you can't think of anything then thank you are able to get out of bed if nothing else.

Some of you say, well, I don't know what to say or my prayers sound dumb. Guess what? God does not care. He just wants you to pray and say what is in your heart.

Terry lynn Taylor says...Gratitude is our most direct line to God and the angels. If we take the time, no matter how crazy and troubled we feel, we can find something to be thankful for. The more we seek gratitude, the more reason the angels will give us for gratitude and joy to exist in our lives. ~ Terry Lynn Taylor is right.

Borrowed time.

Hebrews 9:27 says, ' And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

There is little we can do about this. All Christians should welcome that day but we still should be thankful for each day we are above ground. Often I think of all the times I should have died and didn't. I could have died when I was a teen and we were out joyriding and nearly went off a bridge on to a track many feet below onto a rail road track. But I didn't. The car was tettering on the edge when my friends and I crawled out, grateful that we were not killed.

While in Kansas City some men broke into my apt and ransacked it, looking for someone who wsa not there. It was frigtening and they could have killed me but they didn't. I was thankful they left me quivering in my bed, shaken, frightened but alive. In 1974 I nearly died from the result of an ectopic pregnancy. I thanked God for sparing me. In 1980 I could have been killed in a car accident but once again, He spared me. I was thankful. I noticed I was thanful for all of the times I had been spared and often forgot to thank Him on a daily basis for allowing me to live each day.

From the moment we are born we are living on borrowed time. Only God knows when the time of our existance is up and we should live each day like it is our last and get down and thank God each night for allowing us to live each day. Make it a habit to thank God for all the little things in your life as well as the right to live on this earth another day praising hem when you can. You may not get a chance to do it again.

Singing songs of praise

I love to sing. My family says I should not sing. I think some who stand beside me in church when I belt out one of my favorite feels like my family. They think I should shut up. But I say to them, "You may not like my voice but God gave it to me and I am going to sing." I sing His praises in church. I sing "Precious Lord" while I wash dishes and thank him I have enough food to feed my family and wash dishes.

I often have tears in my eyes when I sing 'Victory In Jesus' but I love it because there is victory in Jesus and I love Him for it.

God Leads Us Along comforts me when I am sad. He really does lead us. And that song reminds me that He is near me to comfort me.

'Leaning On the Everlasting Arms' is what I often sing while sweeping the floor. Look at how many times those arms were there to hold me when I needed it. It reminds me of my precious foster mother who sang that and Standing On the Promises. She could notcarry a tune either but that did not stop her from singing.

If you never heard Lynda Randel sing, you are missing so much. I feel she might frown on me for 'murdering' God of The Mountain, or 'I'm Free' while I walk but I am sure God smiles when I sing it. *s*

Those are just a few of my favorite songs for praising God while I go about my daily chores.

Sometimes, as a mother, I wonder if I did the right thing with my children. I see some of the things they are doing now as adults and I think I might have gone wrong somewhere and worry about it. One daughter has decided she is not a christian but she is spiritual. "What exactly does that mean?" I asked her. Well, it means she believes in a higher being but she is not sure exactly what. That bothers me. Here is a bright young woman with a lovely husband and a lovely baby that God has given her and she "is not sure" about His existence. She knows there is something.

She also tells me she is lonely where she lives since she is the new one there and it is hard to get to know people. She tells me of other problems too and I keep telling her that if she found a good church and had a pastor and a church family to rely on, her life would be so much simpler.

My other daughter has a problem with drugs and alcohol. She is trying to change and I am grateful for that but she too needs to find a church to get involved in.

We were not perfect as parents. I think we could have done differently but we did pray with them and for them. We took them to church so they could hear of God's unending love but they did not like the restrictions put upon them by the christian faith so chose to stray away from it.

I am often reminded of how David loved Solomon. He wanted Solomon to know about God's ways.He wanted his son to succeed and the only way he could do that was by following God. (1Kings 2:3) 3And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:

We tried hard to instill that in our children's lives but now that they are adults, all we can do is pray they will remember what we taught them and turn to God before it is too late. I worry but I still feel God is in charge and I just lay it at his feet.

Often we judge ourselves and others by the amount of money we have or the materialstic things we own. We are very much like Gideon. This was a man that was full of doubts. (judges 6:15) And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.

With nothing to back him but Gods help and love, he became one of the greatest prophets of all time. We need to be more like Gideon and go to God when we feel we are worthless and cannot achieve what we must in life.

Christins often worry about not have a nice home and good china to serve those who come into their homes for bible worship. They don't have the right type of food or drink to serve them or the nicest furniture to sit on. Well, if they are there to worship God and read his word with you, that kind of stuff will not matter. I have had people in my home discussing the bible and all I had to offer was coffee and a few cookies to go with it. They did not mind. (Peter1:49)Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

You have God. He is all you need. I am often happy just looking up the verses and discussing them with others who care about His word.

I am a kept woman

I am a Kept Woman


You see there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,
But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)
There were times when I thought I could go no longer,
But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen 28:15)
At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong,
But the LORD kept my mouth shut.. (Psa. 13)
Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough,
But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)
When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up.
When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)
I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me!
I'm blessed to be 'kept '
'

I'm "Kept" by the Love and Grace of God

Does God answer all our prayers?

So many times we ask God why things happen and we often feel that God is not answering our prayers. Well He does answer them but He often chooses not to answer why because it makes it seems like he is accompice to all the bad things that happen in our lives when He isn't. He is there for us to lean on when bad things happen.
We just have to trust that God is there for us, no matter what happens in our lives.

Last week I read about a twenty something year old that died of a heart attack and I wondered why God would allow that to happen when I should have just prayed that God would be with his loved ones and help them cope with such a thing.

In the book or John Christ says...If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (john 15:7)

There may be some prayers that God does not answer. If you were someone who did not really believe in God but chose to pretend to pray to Him and ask Him to reveal himself, He probably would not answer it. He would turn away from you as you turned away from him. Only if you were to fall on your knees and repent would he listen to your prayers.

God is In control of all things

A handicapped woman once asked if she and her handicapped husband should have children. She was afraid that if she did get pregnant, she would bring a handicapped child into the world and would not be able to cope with it or the stress of having a child would be too much for her and her husband even though they both wanted a child desperately.

Exodus 4:11....11But the LORD answered, " Who makes people able to speak or makes them deaf or unable to speak? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Don't you know that I am the one who does these things? 12Now go! When you speak, I will be with you and give you the words to say."

13Moses begged, " LORD, please send someone else to do it."

14The LORD became irritated with Moses and said:

What about your brother Aaron, the Levite? I know he is a good speaker. He is already on his way here to visit you, and he will be happy to see you again. 15-16Aaron will speak to the people for you, and you will be like me, telling Aaron what to say. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will tell each of you what to do. 17Now take this walking stick and use it to perform miracles.

That is what Moses needed to hear. God would find a way for him to speak to the people through his brother Aaron.

God Knew that Moses might feel he had a problem with the job He put before him so found a way to do it thru his brother Aaron. Just as God will find a way for any parents who has a handicapped child to work through things.

We all must look upon the chilren God gives us as a blessing. Not something that will further handicap us. God controls all things, even what some of us might consdier genetic mistakes.

God values a persons inner beauty and their relationship with Him more than he does physical beauty and intellgence.

Trial After death

A friend sent me this and I wanted to share it........

The Trial after death.





After living what I felt was a ' decent ' life, my time on earth came to the end.

The first thing I remember is sitting on a bench in the waiting room of what I thought to be a court house.

The doors opened and I was instructed to come in and have a seat by the defense table.

As I looked around I saw the ' prosecutor. '

He was a villainous looking gent who snarled as he stared at me. He definitely was the most evil person I have ever seen.

I sat down and looked to my left and there sat My Attorney, kind an d gentle looking man whose appearance seemed so familiar to me, I felt I knew Him.

The corner door flew open and there appeared the Judge in full flowing robes.

He commanded an awesome presence as He moved across the room I couldn't ' t take my eyes off of Him.

As He took His seat behind the bench, He said, ' Let us begin '

The prosecutor rose and said,

' My name is Satan and I am here to show you why this man belongs in hell. '

He proceeded to tell of lies that I told, things that I stole, and In the past when I cheated others. Satan told of other horrible Perversions that were once in my life and the more he spoke, the further down in my seat I sank.

I was so embarrassed that I couldn't ' t look at anyone, even my own Attorney, as the Devil told of sins that even I had completely forgotten about.

As upset as I was at Satan for telling all these things about me, I was equally upset at My Attorney who sat there silently not offering any form of defense at all.

I know I had been guilty of those things, but I had done some good in my life - could ' t that at least equal out part of the harm I ' d done?

Satan finished with a fury and said, ' This man belongs in hell, he is guilty of all that I have charged and there is not a person who can prove otherwise. '

When it was His turn, My Attorney first asked if He might approach the bench. The Judge allowed this over the strong objection of Satan, and beckoned Him to come forward.

As He got up and started walking, I was able to see Him in His full splendor and majesty.

I realized why He seemed so familiar; this was Jesus representing me, my Lord and my Savior.
He stopped at the bench and softly said to the Judge, ' Hi, Dad, ' and then He turned to address the court.

' Satan was correct in saying that this man had sinned, I won ' t deny any of these allegations. And, yes, the wages of sin is death, and this man deserves to be punished. '

Jesus took a deep breath and turned to His Father with out stretched arms and proclaimed, ' However, I died on the cross so that this person might have eternal life and he has accepted Me as his
Savior, so he is Mine. '

My Lord continued with, ' His name is written in the Book of Life, and no one can snatch him from Me.

Satan still does not understand yet. This man is not to be given justice, but rather mercy. '

As Jesus sat down, He quietly paused, looked at His Father and said, ' There is nothing else that needs to be done. '

' I ' I've done it all. '

The Judge lifted His mighty hand and slammed the gavel down. The following words bellowed from His lips PS..

' This man is free. The penalty for him has already been paid in full. ' Case dismissed. '

As my Lord led me away, I could hear Satan ranting and raving, ' I won ' t give up, I will win the next one. '

I asked Jesus as He gave me my instructions where to go next, ' Have you ever lost a case? '

Christ lovingly smiled and said, 'Everyone that has come to Me and asked Me to represent them has received the same verdict as you, ~Paid In Full~ '

If you do not pass this along to 10 people immediately, absolutely nothing will happen.

Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend,
(As I have done here), will bless you both.

' Stop telling God how big your storm is.
Instead, tell the storm how big your God is! '

How do you pray when you are deperessed?

It is so easy to pray and thank God for all the good things in your life when you are not deperessed. As long as things are going fine and we have money in the bank to pay for the things we need, I can sing praises all day long and into the night.

But it is during those times when life is the darkest that I I find it hard to pray. Oh, but I still pray. I pray as I wash dishes or lay on the courch watching tv. or while I am on the computer. I have my little chats with God no matter what. I won't let anything stop me from doing that. I had to tell Satan to get behind me a few times the other day but I did manage to do it.

First of all, jesus does not like repetitive prayers. Saying the same thing over and over just does not do it for him. It does not seem to come from the heart when you do that. Each prayer should be unique and not rushed. We need to remember who we are praying to and how to pray to God the father. He is our father and we must always praise him in our prayers and thank he for what he has done for us. He espects us to do it in private and not ramble on the way some religions do.
The Lords Prayer is the prefect model to be used but not one to be used over and over. We need to honor God, ask Forgiveness and forgive those who have offended us in any way.

You can ask God for wisdom, health or whatever but remember that His will is what will be done. You may not like the answer but He will always answer. There is no such ting as an unanswered prayer. His answer is yes, later, or no. You must accept the answer He gives and know it is beause His will, will be done.

If he brings you to it....

Often we think those who are in misery would not be the right ones to talk to if we are suffering from the same thing. When I found out I could never have children, I was a lonely miserable woman. I chose to be that way. I did not want to be around those who had kids, even the women who I thought were my best friends. I wallowed in self pity.

How did I bring myself out of it? I decided to look for women who could not have children and talk to them about their problems and how they dealt with it. I wanted to minister to them, I guess. I know it seems crazy. I mean how could I minister to them when I felt so miserable? I found that the more I talked to them, the better I started to feel about the situation and myself. I started to think, God brought me to this for a reason and maybe that was the reason. To talk to others about it. As the saying goes, "If he brings you to it, He can bring yo through it.."

Psa. 126:5-6

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

If you are hurting, the best thing to do is find someone else who is, and talk to him or her about what is going on and how you solved your problems. Give them hope and let them know someone else cares.

Promises kept

Ever have someone promise you something then not follow through? Like the boy who said he would call but never did? Or the secret someone said they would keep and they didn't.

I was raised in a foster home. I had a great foster mom and good life with her but like most kids in that situation, I wanted to be with my 'real' mom at times. My real mom was not able to take care of me for various reasons. She would visit me a few times a year. When she came she would always promise me that she would send me various things. I would wait patiently for the bike that never came. Or the camera that never came. Or, the dress I wanted...........They never came. So I know all about promises NOT kept.

I was an adult before I realized that my mom could not get me those things. But she only saw me a few times a year and she wanted me to be happy those few times so she made those promises to make me happy while she was there. I forgave her for the pain those promises caused me.

I learned never to make promises to my kids that I could not keep.

God makes promises too.

Hebrew 6: 18-20
16For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife.

17Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:

18That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

19Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

20Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

God does not lie. Any promise he makes, you can bank on. He sent His son to die for our sins and promiesed life everlasting if we accept him as our savior. If we are skeptical about that, god knows it. He knows we are human and as humans, we make such mistakes.

Whan I get that way, I find a place of solitude and think about it and pray on it. Hee understands.

How many of us know that the bible talked about taking care of our environment along time ago. God Created this earth and he left it in our care. What He created was beautiful and expected it to stay that way.

For a long time we have remained quiet about the environment but I think things are slowly changing. I believe more and more Christians are starting to take note of what is going on and realizing they have to do their share in taking care of this planet he created for us. For many years the church leaders and scientists seemed far apart on this issue but lately they are coming closer to an agreement that something has to be done and many Christians are getting involved in doing what we feel God has always wanted us to do.

We are in stewardship over this planet. Several versus pertain to that thought.

Genesis 1:28


28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

We are to care for the earth and take care of the animals in it.
Ps. 8:6-8


6 You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
7 All sheep and oxen—
Even the beasts of the field,
8 The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea
That pass through the paths of the seas.


What an honor God bestows upon us when he wants us to take care of the things he has created for us. We should be grateful to God for giving us this honor.

2 Samuel

While in church this morning, the pastor mentioned Hannah and how she prayed for a child. Her husband had one to his other wife Peniannah but Hannah was barren. She wanted a child so bad she went to church and asked God to give her a male child..11 Then she made a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.”
12 And it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth. 13 Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard.

Think about it. She wanted that child so bad she was willing to do most anything to have him, even give him over to God once he was old enough, which means he may have been a very young child when she gave him to Eli to raise.

How many of us could do that? Could you just hand one of your children over to someeone else and tell them to raise it? Especially one that you wanted as much as Hannah wanted her son, Samuel. It did not even occur to me to make such a vow when I found out I would not have a child unless I adopted. But she made a vow to God that is what she would do if he blessed her with a child of her own so She knew that this is what God wanted her do do. The child would be loved and grow into a godly man.

When her child was born and he was old enough to be given to Eli, I know Hannah's heart must have been heavy. But was she angry at God? this is her Prayer

And Hannah prayed and said:

“My heart rejoices in the LORD;
My horn[a] is exalted in the LORD.
I smile at my enemies,
Because I rejoice in Your salvation.

2 “No one is holy like the LORD,
For there is none besides You,
Nor is there any rock like our God.

3 “Talk no more so very proudly;
Let no arrogance come from your mouth,
For the LORD is the God of knowledge;
And by Him actions are weighed.

4 “The bows of the mighty men are broken,
And those who stumbled are girded with strength.

5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
And the hungry have ceased to hunger.
Even the barren has borne seven,
And she who has many children has become feeble.

6 “The LORD kills and makes alive;
He brings down to the grave and brings up.

7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich;
He brings low and lifts up.

8 He raises the poor from the dust
And lifts the beggar from the ash heap,
To set them among princes
And make them inherit the throne of glory.

“For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s,
And He has set the world upon them.

9 He will guard the feet of His saints,
But the wicked shall be silent in darkness.

“For by strength no man shall prevail.

10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken in pieces;
From heaven He will thunder against them.
The LORD will judge the ends of the earth.

“He will give strength to His king,
And exalt the horn of His anointed.”

Hannah calls the Lord, Holy, Stong, Faithful and uplifting. He asked alot of her but she loved him and continued to worship him no matter what. No matter what, she knows God will take care of her and her son. He will help them overcome whatever happens in their lives.

How many times when we pray to we forget to thank god for the things he has given us. Even the small things. We ask, and ask and ask but so often we do not give thanks to the God we expect so much from. Would that all of us be more like Hannah.

Which one is best

Not long ago I got into a discussion with some people about which version of the bible is best. I prefer the kj version while some prefer the Niv or other version. My daughter reads the NIV because it is hard for her to understand the kj version. I told on man this and he spoke up and said if she really wanted to she could understand that version of the bible and read it, not the watered down version. I knew then that he never dealt with someone who was learning disabled. I tried hard to make him understand that she could not know what some of the verses were saying to her. She tried to read the kj version and just could not and gave up on trying til I got her the new one.

I love the King James version. I love the language and how it just seems to flow for me. But even the King James version is watered down from the bibles that were used before that.

I can handle the NIV but other versions seem like fairy tales to me. I have several versions in my home but most I have only glanced thru once or twic. I like to go to yard sales and buy the bibles here. I have quite a few. I do it mainly cause people write in them and give their thoughts on various verses. I like reading their notes and wondering what kind of women they were. Most of them are women. I could have a thousand bibles in my home of all different verses but if I do not pick up one and read it and follow the ten commandments and what jesus says, and give my soul to him, they won't do me a bit of good.

Funny how thing work out..........

My daughter is in the hospital and I am not sad about it. I am happy cause she was taken out of a terrible situation that we have been trying to get her out of for months. She called us crying and we called the police. The police took her by ambulance to the hospital and I am at ease for the first time in months.

She left here and was involved with a couple she met on the net. We knew they were taking her money and abusing her but we could not do a thing. She wanted to be independent.

I have been praying for God to watch over and and get her out of that situation. This is not what I asked for but it is how He worked. I know. He really does work in mysterious ways.

She is not hurt physically but mentally she has all sorts of problems and she is just in the hospital for evaluation for a few days. All I know is that she is safe and that is what is important.

God really does answer prayer. He may not answer it in the way we like but he does. He sure answered the prayers my husband and I have been sending daily.

A more pleasant time??

I was looking through some blogs and came across some songs and other things that mention the summer of '69. I remember that year as a year filled with fun like so many other years of the sixties for. It was a time of learning and growing and falling in and out of love many times for this young girl who seemed to look at the world thru a glass that was half full.

You all remember LEAVE IT TO BEAVER and THE OZZIE AND HARRIET SHOW. Those in the early sixties and fifties who were teens then surely remember them. Weren't all families like that or was it all hidden? I remember a neighbor lady who constantly had blackened eyes and bruises. She fell alot they said. An awful lot. I remember girls in town getting married and having ten Pound preemies about six months after being married.

A young president slaughtered as he rode through Dallas on a cold November day. We all remember where were were on that fateful day. We all wept for his widowed bride and the children he left behind as well as our country.

Then there was the war that was going on. Young men who came home with their bodies and lives shattered, trying to pick up the pieces in a society that did not want them around it seemed. College students angry at a government who refused to listen to their pleas to end the war.

So they protested and the country was coming apart at the seams.

Were the times really that wonderful. No they were not but the music was. The music took us away from all of that. Music does not save one's mortal soul but it does save our sanity at a time when the rest of the world seems to be going mad.

May there always be music to take us to those special places in our minds that we can find happiness in.

How many times does God forgive us

A friend of mine asked me if God forgave those who committed the same sins over and over. I thought of myself and my children and of all the times I would forgive them for the things they did that angered me and made me sad. I would forgive them every time but that does not mean I would think they should not be punished unless they were truely repentant for the sins they committed.

I think God looks upon us as a father looks upon His children. He must weep at times. We are so disrespectful but if we go to him and repent he will forgive many times. Jesus says 7 times 70
(Mtt 18:21-22)This does not mean we should keep doing it over and over. It means that is we are truly trying to better ourselves and stop committing the sin, God will forgive us. But we have to be trying to stop lying, cheating or whatever we are doing wrong. God knows when we are truly repentant for the sins we commit. He will help us and forgive us over and over if we ask him.
We must keep on struggling and repenting for that sin.

Pray daily for that sin you are struggling with. Ask God daily for forgiveness and help.
Put on the armour of God and use it to fight Satan.

Eph 6:10-18
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil 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 firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

I was reading the previous post and I think the reason why it is so hard for some of us to be peacemakers is because of many things that are going wrong in our own lives. We are troubled by many things that seem out of our control and instead of depending on Christ and finding our answers thru him, we try to solve our problems ourselves. We cannot find the contentment we need to feel at peace if we don't just hand things over to him and let him take care of them so we can be contented.

Our glass is always half empty instead of half full. It will be that way until we learn to love God Completely.

When you love God totally, you have deeper relationships. People bond closer when they trust in the Lord.

You are more willing to forgive. I once heard of a man and woman who were good christians and they lost their son to a drunk driver. Their son was also a christian and they knew he would want them to forgive the drunk driver. They not only forgave him, they visited him in prison and he became a christian. they are close to him and his family. How many of us could do that?

I would like to quote Emily Barnes and say. 'Bury the hatchet that causes a war within yourself and others. Take your sins to the cross and leave them there. Never pick them up again.'

The peacemakers....

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. (Matt.5:9)


As I listen to what all is going on in the world I have to ask myself, where are the peacemakers in this world? Down through histroy there have been people who spoke out for peace but I don't hear those voices now. Where have they all gone? Why are there no marches for Peade like there once was. Have we just given up? Jeuse said The peacemakers would be blessed. Why aren't more of us out there trying to get the world to see that war is not the way and it is not what God wants of us.

To keep the peace, we have to make some sacrifices and perhaps many will lose friends they value because those friends do not believe in peace. But sacrifices have to be made if we want peace in this world.

Isa. 9:6 ⁶For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Jesus was born the Prince of Peace. He wanted us to be peacemakers. He is no whimp and when the time comes he will do battle but his battle will be with satan and those who follow him. I am sure he must weep when he looks down and see how we human beings treat each other and how little we think of settling things the peaceful way.

When Peter drew a sword and cut off the ear of a high priest's servant, jesus healed the ear and said....⁵²Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Matt 26:51

When it comes time to do battle, jesus and his legions of angels will do battle. Until then, we are to be the peacemakers.

Upside down week

This past week has been like a roller coaster ride. Really did not know if I was coming or going. Thank God I have Him in my life is all I can say.....

Thanks To God.

Sometimes I wonder why I do this blog. I know there are people out there who read it as there are some brave souls who even admit to following it. But there are times when I think I could be doing other things.

Tonight, I realize that I am doing this one because I feel there is a purpose to what I am doing. I am finding a way to express to people how I feel about God and the important things in my life.
God gave me several gifts. One of those gifts is the ability to express myself in my writings and in the quilts I make for others.

When I am frustrated, I pick up a pen, my meditation books and head for the kitchen table and I read my book and bible then comment on what I have read. I also do that on the computer via this blog and it helps me get over whatever frustrations I have. Or, I pick up my fabric, needle and thread and go at my quilt while I watch t.v. or listen to music. God gave me those gifts to comfort me. I love him for that.

I do not get out to witness to him as I feel I should so I go to my computer and try and witness to him. I know it is like pounding my head against a wall at times but I do try.

Thank you God for giving me the abilities I do have!!!

Promises

When I was younger I would listen my mom make promises I think I knew as a child she could not keep. I knew she loved me and I knew she meant well when she said she would get me the bike I knew she could not afford. You see my mother did not raise me. She was not a well woman and was not able to take care of me but she wanted me to love her so she would often tell me she would do certain things I knew she was unable to do just because she wanted me to love her. Do you understand that? I don't think she knew how much it hurt me when I did not get that bike or that camera or the huge doll she wanted so desperately to give me.

I learned something from that. I learned never to make a promise I cannot keep. I never did it with my husband or my kids. Even now if I tell someone I am going to be somewhere at a certain time, I am there or I have a good reason for not being there like an illness or such. If say I am going to call someone at noon, I call them. I am a firm believer in keeping my word. Before making a promise, ask yourself if you can keep it. If you can't don't make it.

Proverbs 20:7 tells us that a righteous woman walks in her integrity.

Frist timer

These are some blocks I have been putting together for a quilt for my eldest. This is the first time for a log cabin. Wish me luck on it.

Things

This is one of those nights I cannot sleep and as I sat in my living room tonight, getting ready for my meditation, I saw many things I did not need. There are various knic nacs I have sitting around that I don't need. There are cameras here. Three to be exact and I only one. Hubby has 3 binoculars laying out on my dishwasher. Does he really need 3? There are endless Cds we never listen to any more piled on the desk. Clothes that I will never wear hang in my closets. Some shirts in his. We will never wear them but they hang there.

Purses. I must have ten of them and only use one, maybe two. The others are just hanging there and I keep thinking I will need them some day. For what?

I have decided that Good will can use these things better than I. Someone some where may want a purse and they cannot afford to buy one. Or one of the many pairs of shoes that I have here. I am not going to wear them so someone might put them to good use.

Some times our lives become cluttered like our homes. Too many things going on and too many things keeping us from our daily walk with God. I am working on getting rid of those things. Some of my online activties kept me from my walk but now I am useing the computer to try and Keep God in my activities on here for the most part. I have cut back on tv time and try to spend more reading books on meditation and prayer. My daughters have gotten me some wonderful prayer journals that I keep filling. I love them.

But if your life is filled with clutter, get rid of it. You will find it makes you happier.

Mona's quilt.

It took me over a year to do this memory quit for my mil who turned 80 two years ago. It took a long time but it was well worth it. She cried and my sils all cried when they saw it. They kept looking at all the pictures and when the tears stopped they had some good laughs too.

No one understands

Do you ever have one of those times in your life when you are in the pit of despair? You try to make others understand how hurt and angry you are without hurting them but they just say, get over it and move on with your life? I heard that many times from my earthly friends and loved ones who thought they were helping me by saying that.

I had been married for two years when my husband and I found out I could never have children of my own. It devastated both of us but he seemed to move on. I could not because I always felt it was my fault. I had some sort of defect that made me different then other women. I did not like being around other women with children because I felt they were superior to me. When my sister in laws started having children I became so envious of them I could not go to family gatherings without feeling they were so much better and I did not belong there.

Then one day my one sister in law sent me a card that showed me she understood what was going on with me. She sent me a card with Jesus with his arms spread open on the front. I opened it and all she wrote was, He understands.

It reminded me of this song written by John Peterson

No one understands like Jesus

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No one understands like Jesus;
He's a Friend beyond com-pare.

Meet Him at the throne of mercy;
He is waiting for You there.

CHORUS:
No one under-stands like Jesus
When the days are dark and grim.
No one is so near, so dear as Jesus;
Cast Your every care on Him.

VERSE 2:
No understands like Jesus;
Every woe He sees and feels.
Tenderly He whispers comfort,
And the broken heart He heals.

(REPEAT CHORUS)

VERSE 3:
No one understands like Jesus
When the foes of life assail.
You should never be discouraged;
Jesus cares and will not fail.

(REPEAT CHORUS)

VERSE 4:
NO one understands like Jesus
When you falter on the way.
Though you fail Him, sadly fail Him,
He will pardon You today.

When it comes right down to it, no one really does understand your heart like he does.

My quilt

I know I should be working on my qult instead of doing this but I saw where one of the blocks is off center and I wanted to quit. But I am not a quitter. I will finish the quilt within the time limit I sat for it.

Never Quit

by Felipe Gomez Rating: 3.28 Votes: 18

When things go wrong and sometimes they will when the road you are struggling in Is a twisted hill When you need help and the debts are high, you want to smile But you have to sigh When care is pressing you down a bit rest if you must But never quit Life is hard during its twists and turns as everyone of us Sometimes learns And many a failure will turn about when we might have won Had we stuck it out Never give up though the pace seems slow you just may succeed With another blow You never can tell how close you are it may be near and still seem so far Stick to the fight when at your hardest hit its when things seem worse That you must never quit

I thought of that poem when I thought of tossing the quit aside but I had so much time and money investing. I would not quit or postpone finishing. I will go on.

Problems

I have had problems in my life that seemed insurmountable. Someone once told me that I should be glad I had them. I thought that was an odd thing to say. This person said it means that God has confidence in me. Well, there are days I wish God did not have so much confidence in me.

But Norman Vincent Pealle once wrote....Every problem has in it the seeds of its own solution. If you don't have any problems, you don't get any seeds.

And we need those seeds.

If we do not have problems, how can we appreciate the good things God gives us when life is good?

Romans 5:3 tells us how to deal with our problems...We also exhult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about presevance; and perseverance, proven character, and proven character, hope and hope; does not disappoint.

Obama's speech at prayer breakfast

Faith has always been a guiding force in our family’s life, so we feel very much at home and look forward to keeping this tradition alive during our time here.” Mr. Obama said that in history, faith has too often been wielded as a tool to divide, or as an excuse for prejudice or intolerance. “There is no doubt that the very nature of faith means that some of our beliefs will never be the same. We read from different texts. We follow different edicts. We subscribe to different accounts of how we came to be here and where we’re going next –- and some subscribe to no faith at all,'' he said, making a nod to atheism that was unusual for the setting. ''But no matter what we choose to believe, let us remember that there is no religion whose central tenet is hate,'' he said, perhaps a wishful notion more than a factual one, given religious fanaticism seen from Topeka to Riyadh. One of the best as far as I am concerned. I really like it.

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I am doing it again...

I am starting a blog again. I have done it before and somehow lost interest in it. I hope that I can keep it up this time.

I want to start this one as a way of keeping in touch with my daughter Kris and a few others in my life. Sometimes I will be sitting here feeling sorry for myself because she is not around to do the things I often dreamed of doing with her and my granddaughter and I throw myself a real pity party. I get to thinking she no longer needs me and that is probably true. It gives me a sad sinking feeling. I miss her and I miss my granddaughter.

I was tired when I started this and Now I am falling asleep. I will get back to this tomorrow.