Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ,
keep seeking the things above, where Christ is,
seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on the things above,
not on the things that are on earth.
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ
in God.
When Christ, who is our life, is revealed,
then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
So, as those who have been chosen of God,
holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion,
kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other,
whoever has a complaint against anyone;
just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect
bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your
hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body;
and be thankful.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you,
with all wisdom teaching and admonishing
one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name
of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him
to God the Father.
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord
rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will
receive the reward of the inheritance.
It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.
For he who does wrong will receive
the consequences of the wrong which he has done,
and that without partiality.
Colossians 3:1-4, 12-17, 23-5
Friday, August 31, 2012
One last gem from the phone book
A Good Life Recipe
* Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And, while you walk, smile.
* Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
* Try to make at least three people smile each day.
* You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
* Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
* What other people think of you is none of your business. Spend no time on it.
* However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
* Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
* Look at a child and appreciate life.
* Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And, while you walk, smile.
* Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
* Try to make at least three people smile each day.
* You are not so important that you have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
* Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
* What other people think of you is none of your business. Spend no time on it.
* However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
* Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
* Look at a child and appreciate life.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Our strength comes from the LORD our God
Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the Lord,
the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired.
Does not become weary or tired.
His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
Yet those who wait for the Lord
Will gain new strength;
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
* * *
Another gem from the local phone book
Don't Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When you might have won had you stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow,
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when your're hardest hit,
It's when things seems worse, that you not quit.
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Kindness and Truth Around Your Neck
Psalm 3
My son, do not forget my teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
But let your heart keep my commandments;
For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good repute
In the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your body
And refreshment to your bones.
Honor the Lord from your wealth
And from the first of all your produce;
So your barns will be filled with plenty
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His reproof,
For whom the Lord loves He reproves,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.
For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.
She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast.
And the man who gains understanding.
For her profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.
She is more precious than jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast.
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth,
By understanding He established the heavens.
By His knowledge the deeps were broken up
And the skies drip with dew.
My son, let them not vanish from your sight;
Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
So they will be life to your soul
And adornment to your neck.
Then you will walk in your way securely
And your foot will not stumble.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Do not be afraid of sudden fear
Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
For the Lord will be your confidence
And will keep your foot from being caught.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.
When it is in your power to do it.
Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.
Do not contend with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
Do not envy a man of violence
And do not choose any of his ways.
For the devious are an abomination to the Lord;
But He is intimate with the upright.
The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
Though He scoffs at the scoffers,
Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.
The wise will inherit honor,
But fools display dishonor.
* * *
Friday, August 24, 2012
Little gems from the local phone book
Ten Lessons My Father Taught Me
1. Pay your bills on time and the bank will make you another loan when you need it.
2. If you get an education, no one will ever be able to take that away from you.
3. If you've done your best, then I'm satisfied with what you have done.
4. If you tear up my car I let you drive, I don't have any money to buy you another one.
5. Don't throw away the old folks.
6. The harder you work, the "luckier" you get.
7. Don't gamble the grocery money.
8. Don't be impressed by folks who have a lot of "things."
9. We have plenty of time if we just use the time we have.
10. It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
1. Pay your bills on time and the bank will make you another loan when you need it.
2. If you get an education, no one will ever be able to take that away from you.
3. If you've done your best, then I'm satisfied with what you have done.
4. If you tear up my car I let you drive, I don't have any money to buy you another one.
5. Don't throw away the old folks.
6. The harder you work, the "luckier" you get.
7. Don't gamble the grocery money.
8. Don't be impressed by folks who have a lot of "things."
9. We have plenty of time if we just use the time we have.
10. It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Valued and Treasured Child
We were eating with friends at a local restaurant this past week when a couple in a booth across the way caught my attention as I heard a newborn's cry.
The baby was in its car seat carrier next to the wall and then the father. Besides not allowing the baby to just cry, this young family mesmerized me.
The father of this precious child was a big, burly, football-player-type so, when he picked up to comfort his tiny newborn, she seemed extremely miniature in his huge hands. As he capably handled her, it was as if she was made of whipped cream; he was so gentle. As he shifted her to his cradling arm and shoulder, I watched as the mother lovingly took in this whole scene. Her husband was so delicate in how he held and loved this precious baby, and then he reached his lips to her tiny, sleepy head and kissed her as a valued and treasured child.
We can be sure that our God loves us even more than this earthly father loves his precious newborn little girl.
1 John 3:1a
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
God lavishes His love on us even more so than an earthly father tenderly kissing his child on its head. God loves us so much greater than we can ever imagine.
Praise His name! No matter what is going on in your life right now --- praise His name!
The baby was in its car seat carrier next to the wall and then the father. Besides not allowing the baby to just cry, this young family mesmerized me.
The father of this precious child was a big, burly, football-player-type so, when he picked up to comfort his tiny newborn, she seemed extremely miniature in his huge hands. As he capably handled her, it was as if she was made of whipped cream; he was so gentle. As he shifted her to his cradling arm and shoulder, I watched as the mother lovingly took in this whole scene. Her husband was so delicate in how he held and loved this precious baby, and then he reached his lips to her tiny, sleepy head and kissed her as a valued and treasured child.
We can be sure that our God loves us even more than this earthly father loves his precious newborn little girl.
1 John 3:1a
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
God lavishes His love on us even more so than an earthly father tenderly kissing his child on its head. God loves us so much greater than we can ever imagine.
Praise His name! No matter what is going on in your life right now --- praise His name!
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
How Firm a Foundation
How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said—
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
“Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and will still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.
“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy trouble to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.
“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply;
The flame shall not harm thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.
“The soul that on Jesus doth lean for repose,
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake.”
by John Keith
Monday, August 20, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
God's grace does not on me depend
Unbounded grace - it reached to me
when hope was gone from view
in my despair Christ came to me
as He alone could do
Grace was for me the only way
my guilt could find relief
my destiny was changed that day
I reached out in belief
God's grace does not on me depend
it's God who is my stay
His love is offered without end
He walks with me each day
The universe with joy will ring
when grace has won the day,
as all creation joins to sing
Praise God, who paid the Way!
unknown
Thursday, August 16, 2012
I'm being followed by a Moonshadow
*
Soft kitty,
Warm kitty,
Little ball of fur.
Happy kitty,
Sleepy kitty,
Purr, purr, purr.
*
Thankful
for how God allows His creation
into our lives to enjoy.
We praise Him for His mercies!
* Our little Moonshadow *
1998-2012
He reconciles
The Love of God
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
by Frederick M. Lehman
Verse 3 was penciled on the wall of a narrow room in an insane asylum by a man said to have been demented. The profound lines were discovered when they laid him in his coffin.
The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.
by Frederick M. Lehman
Verse 3 was penciled on the wall of a narrow room in an insane asylum by a man said to have been demented. The profound lines were discovered when they laid him in his coffin.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
We are weak and frail
Our Great God
Eternal God, unchanging
Mysterious, and unknown
Your boundless love, unfailing
In grace and mercy shown
Bright seraphim in endless flight
Around Your glorious throne
They raise their voices day and night
In praise to You alone
Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God!
Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God!
Lord, we are weak and frail
Helpless in the storm
Surround us with Your angels
Hold us in Your arms
Our cold and ruthless enemy
His pleasure is our harm
Rise up, O Lord, and he will flee
Before our sovereign God
Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God!
Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God!
Let every creature in the sea
And every flying bird
Let every mountain, every field
And valley of the earth
Let all the moons and all the stars
In all the universe
Sing praises to the living God
Who rules them by His Word
Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God!
Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God!
Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God!
Hallelujah!
Glory be to our great God!
by Fernando Ortega & Mac Powell
Saturday, August 4, 2012
How far is that?
Excited!
We can be excited as His daughters and handmaidens for our beautiful salvation!
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
With this wonderful word picture of the East and the West in our minds, we can somewhat fathom how far that is. We can truly rest in Him and trust Him. He is intimately involved in our inner most being. We are His beloved children!
Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
If God cares so much for a tiny bird, how much more for us? If He knows how many hairs are on us, how much more does He care about our inner agonies? We are always in His thoughts. Because of this we can trust Him with our children concerns, our husbands, our selves. We can trust Him even when things do not go like we think they should go.
2 Chronicles 16:9a
He strongly supports us.
Romans 8:26
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
The issue is how we think. This world is too real around us. We begin to think in worldly ways. We need to focus on Jesus, the Author and perfecter of our faith. Jesus is our example to follow, not the world in its falsehoods, lusts, and fears. We need to follow Him in His attributes and we will begin to change, transformed to be like Him.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
2 Corinthians 3:18
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 from the Lord, the Spirit.
He has removed our sins so far there is no way to measure it. How far is that?! We are redeemed from the pit and crowned! We can trust Him and humbly praise Him for His Mercies.
Glory to God in the Highest!
Psalm 103:1-6
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. The Lord performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed.
We can be excited as His daughters and handmaidens for our beautiful salvation!
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
With this wonderful word picture of the East and the West in our minds, we can somewhat fathom how far that is. We can truly rest in Him and trust Him. He is intimately involved in our inner most being. We are His beloved children!
Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
If God cares so much for a tiny bird, how much more for us? If He knows how many hairs are on us, how much more does He care about our inner agonies? We are always in His thoughts. Because of this we can trust Him with our children concerns, our husbands, our selves. We can trust Him even when things do not go like we think they should go.
2 Chronicles 16:9a
He strongly supports us.
Romans 8:26
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
The issue is how we think. This world is too real around us. We begin to think in worldly ways. We need to focus on Jesus, the Author and perfecter of our faith. Jesus is our example to follow, not the world in its falsehoods, lusts, and fears. We need to follow Him in His attributes and we will begin to change, transformed to be like Him.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
2 Corinthians 3:18
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 from the Lord, the Spirit.
He has removed our sins so far there is no way to measure it. How far is that?! We are redeemed from the pit and crowned! We can trust Him and humbly praise Him for His Mercies.
Glory to God in the Highest!
Psalm 103:1-6
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases; Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion; Who satisfies your years with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle. The Lord performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed.
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