Saturday, June 14, 2014

Don't Quit

Poems from “The Best Love Poems of the American People”

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, 
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
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 you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up, though the pace seems slow - 
You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

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 afar;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit - 
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.


Unknown

*  *  *

Philippians 4:4-9

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!  
Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. 
The Lord is near.  
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer 
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests 
be made known to God.  
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, 
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, 
whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, 
whatever is of good repute, 
if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise,
dwell on these things.  
The things you have learned and received and heard 
and seen in me, practice these things, 
and the God of peace will be with you.


Why cats don't like technology:


Sunday, June 8, 2014

Be the Best of Whatever You Are

from “The Best Love Poems of the American People”

If you can’t be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley - but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you can’t be a tree.

If you can’t be a bush be a bit of the grass,
And some highway happier make;
If you can’t be a muskie then just be a bass - 
But the liveliest bass in the lake!

We can’t all be captains, we’ve got to be crew,
There’s something for all of us here,
There’s big work to do, and there’s lesser to do,
And the task you must do is the near.

If you can’t be a highway then just be a trail,
If you can’t be the sun be a star;
It isn’t by size that you win or you fail - 
Be the best of whatever you are!


Douglas Malloch


*
Psalm 90:16-17

Let Your work appear to Your servants
And Your majesty to their children.
Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us;
And confirm for us the work of our hands;
Yes, confirm the work of our hands.


Praise the LORD!


Saturday, May 10, 2014

Honoring mothers: ornaments about your neck

*
Proverbs 1:8-9

"Hear, my child, your father's instruction, 
and do not forsake your mother's teaching;  
indeed, they are a graceful wreath 
to your head and ornaments about your neck."
*

I have missed my precious mother so much lately.   I muse about her.  She was the glue of my family.  I wonder  ~"if only"~  she was here now, what would life be like.  

And yet she has been with the LORD for over 18 years.  

When I was 18 I had begun to mature and come alongside my mother in an understanding way.  A different relationship blossomed; even though she was still my mom, she was also my friend.  In my early 20's I was married, lived far away, and had little ones.  Our weekly letters and monthly phone calls deepened our closeness.

I was 40 when she died ~  so young.  I think of her every day; mostly with great happiness, joy, and thankfulness.  The LORD surely blessed me with such a precious mother.

I still wear her graceful wreath about my head, and her ornaments are about my neck.

I share these gifts with others, and all I see is her legacy in me being shared.

Praise the LORD!

I am so thankful....

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

Mother's Day Week


Sunday, April 27, 2014

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Train up a child

"Little children, headache; big children heartache"

An Italian Proverb


We raise our children:

"Train up a child in the way he should go,
Even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6

This is a principle from God, but it is not a promise.

Many a parent has lovingly raised up their children in God's truth only to see these same beloved children turn from His truth into some kind of deception.  The world is evil and it pulls and pushes at all of us.

I have heard many mothers complaining about their troubles with their little ones.  For them---they are struggling---not realizing the hardest part is coming, and even more difficult is when their children are adults.  This is when we can only watch when they choose poorly.

Prayer. 

"I waited patiently for the LORD;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry."
Psalm 40:1

As a parent, how do we wait patiently?  How can we wait calm and patient when our treasured child has chosen a path of destruction?  How can we wait calmly when we can't do anything to help them/stop them?

In Psalm 40:1 the word, "cry" [here] in Hebrew means "scream" (I was told this).  

How appropriate!  When we are waiting patiently for some agony to turn around, we are usually in great anxiety and, at least in our heads, we are screaming, shouting for the LORD to hear and save!

Waiting.

Sisters in the LORD... are you waiting?   Is there a wayward child in your life?  Is there a wayward loved one?  Are you anxious and frustrated and then confused because your "waiting" doesn't seem to be patient?

"Waiting and patient" don't seem to go together.   I encourage you to continue.  Continue to draw near to the LORD who is our comfort.  As your time of waiting ebbs and flows you will learn from Him to wait more calmly.

Waiting is VERY active.  I do not mean "worrying", but waiting.  We wait in the LORD with great expectations because we KNOW He hears our cries.  

Waiting is always full and busy in our heads.  We think and pray and anticipate---no matter how long we wait.  As we learn to wait on Him our waiting becomes more patient. Somehow He works in us, frail and broken us.  We begin to rely on Him more and more. We begin to "see" that our waiting on our "waywards"  is more as He views waiting patiently.  We become more like Christ.

Precious sisters...continue to pray, waiting patiently for the LORD our God is surely hearing our cries, our screams!

*
Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,saying, 

“In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 

For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, 

‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man,yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’” 

And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says; 

now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? 

I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. 

However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?”
Luke 18:1-8



Friday, April 25, 2014

Seasons of Life




























"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, 
who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: 

Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."...
2 Timothy 4


Thursday, April 24, 2014

You're Always a Role Model to Somebody #10


*
"Unless the LORD builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the LORD guards the city,
The watchman keeps awakes in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early,
To retire late,
To eat the bread of painful labors;
For He gives His beloved even in his sleep."

Psalm 127:1-2
*

Do not be deceived:

“Bad company corrupts good morals.”
1 Corinthians 15:33


"Associate yourself with people of good quality, 
for it is better to be alone than in bad company."
Booker T. Washington


Choices

Beloved sisters in the LORD...we all have had choices in our every day lives, from our young childhood until it is our time to go to be with the LORD.  

We are on our walk with the LORD every day as we draw closer to Him.

"Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
James 4:8a

Our desire and joy should be to obey Him in all ways.

If I had time I would write out all the choices I could think of and never find an end to it. But I do not have time for this, so I will only begin our contemplating on this subject:

How do we treat people no matter how good or bad they have been to us?

--our mother, our father...family, friends, co-workers, our enemies...

"Children, obey your parents in the LORD, for this is right.  Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth."...
Ephesians 6

...."But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."....
Romans 12

How do we spend our free time?

--are we obsessed in our hobbies,  do we accomplish what is necessary to keep our homes in working order, do we spend quality time with our families, have we allowed our workouts to be our life,  do we glorify God for the joy He weaves into our lives....

"...therefore, be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil...."
Ephesians 5

"...sees good in [our labor] --it is the gift of God..."
Ecclesiastes 3

How do we use the electronics and media in our lives?

--Do we limit our times on phones, emails, texts, games, internet, TV... as we surely limit our children's time on them, are we careful what we read-see-hear,  are our number of "friends" only on Facebook, when our real friends never hear or see us...

"Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life."
Proverbs 4:23

Are we careful with whom we spend time? 

--are our friends bringing us deeper into sins, do our friends encourage us to treat others badly, do our friends point us to the One who has the real answers...

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."
1 Corinthians 15:33

Do we seek to spend quality, quiet, calm time with the LORD?

--is our heart's desire to find a time to sit with him, do we contemplate His word, do we search for scriptures on subjects which come up every day, do we allow Him to carry our burdens, do we pray more than "rocket prayers" throughout our day....

"How blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the LORD.  How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, who seek Him with all their heart."......
Psalm 119

Choices...every day we have choices to make.  

Every day we can turn around and make right choices for ourselves, for the LORD.


Monday, April 7, 2014

How to Handle Your Sin

With two different messages, Kevin DeYoung, April 4, 2014, teaches us how to handle our sins in the Biblical way.  An excellent post!

You may have already learned this lesson, or maybe you need a refresher course, or you will certainly be able to come alongside someone you know with this advice.

You will be blessed by:

What do you do with your sin? 

Do you want true, lasting comfort for your body and your soul? 

Do you need what you can’t supply? 

Are too lost to find yourself? 

Do you want to cope or do you want to be saved? 

Included are important Biblical thoughts:

“I am not my own.
 
I was bought with a price.
 
I am not in charge.
 
I am not the purpose of my life.
 
I will not find the “true” me. 

I cannot create a better me. 

I need a new me.” 

Kevin DeYoung's post is short and to the point. I will definitely be carrying a reference copy of it with me for any future encounters with people.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Psalm 51:17




Sunday, April 6, 2014

The Lord God is my Deliverer!


“ Blessed be the Lord, 
who daily bears our burden, 
the God who is our salvation.  
God is to us a God of deliverances;  
And to YHWH the Lord
belong escapes from death."
Psalm 68:19-20

Monday, March 31, 2014

You're Always a role model to somebody #9


Psalm 34:1-7
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul will make its boast in the Lord;
The humble will hear it and rejoice.

O magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord, and He answered me,
And delivered me from all my fears.

They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.


Thursday, March 27, 2014

You need that Christian mind-filling mediation!

Got Grumpiness?

Here is a sure fire way to begin to deal with this sin.  

Head over to How to Beat That Bad Mood, by Tim Challies and get ready to be inspired by the word of God and control your grumpiness like never before.

Here is a taste:

Go to the Gospel

If there is ever a time to preach the gospel to yourself, this is it. Reminding yourself of the gospel is the ultimate reality check. Reminding yourself of the gospel, and allowing those truths to cross your mind and heart, is reminding yourself of the deepest realities of the universe. You will remind yourself that you are a sinful person who deserves God’s wrath, that God himself entered this world as a man, that he bore all your sin and condemnation, that he suffered the wrath of God on your account, that he died the death you deserve, that he rose in triumph, and that all of his righteousness has been given to you. Some people say that when you’re grumpy you ought to meditate. They’re exactly right, except that instead of that Eastern mind-emptying meditation, you need that Christian mind-filling meditation, where you deliberately fill your mind with the truth of the gospel.....

Sunday, March 23, 2014

I'm alone, yet not alone

I'm alone, yet not alone. 
God's the light that will guide me home. 
With His love and tenderness, 
Leading through the wilderness, 
And wherever I may roam, 
I'm alone, yet not alone. 

I will not be bent in fear. 
He's the refuge I know is near. 
In His strength I find my own. 
By His faithful mercies shown. 
That so mighty is His shield 
All His love is now revealed. 

When my steps are lost. 
And desperate for a guide, 
I can feel his touch, 
A soothing presence by my side. 

Alone, yet not alone. 
Not forsaken when on my own. 
I can lean upon His arm, 
And be lifted up from harm. 
If I stumble, or if I'm thrown, 
I'm alone, yet not alone. 

When my steps are lost. 
And desperate for a guide, 
I can feel his touch, 
A soothing presence by my side. 

By my side! 

He has bound me with His love, 
Watchful angels look from above. 
Every evil can be braved, 
For I know I will be saved. 
Never frightened on my own, 
I'm alone, yet not alone. 

I'm alone, yet not alone.


Joni

Sunday, March 16, 2014

If you only tell him


Tell Him So

If you hear a kind word spoken
Of some worthy soul you know,
It may fill his heart with sunshine
If you only tell him so.

If a deed, however humble,
Helps you on your way to go,
Seek the one whose hand has helped you,
Seek him out and tell him so!

If your heart is touched and tender
Toward a sinner, lost and low,
It might help him to do better
If you’d only tell him so!

Oh, my sisters, oh, my brothers,
As o’er life’s rough path you go,
If God’s love has saved and kept you,
Do not fail to tell men so!


Unknown.

Thursday, March 6, 2014

As Christians are we not to think?











Calvin and Hobbs by
Watterson

Isaiah 1:18-20
“Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the Lord,


“Though your sins are as scarlet,
They will be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They will be like wool.
“If you consent and obey,
You will eat the best of the land;
“But if you refuse and rebel,
You will be devoured by the sword.”
Truly, the mouth of the Lord has spoken.


As we read the Bible we can ascertain that the LORD desires us to logically use our minds, to discern what is right and what is wrong; we are to think on things even if they are time-consuming or disturbing so that we will be able to make right choices and to encourage others towards God's truth.

Sadly, many Christians tend to not know what is really happening.  It bothers them to have to think on hard issues. They seem to only want to think happy things.  This can only lead them and others down wrong paths and untruths which are slippery slopes into deceptions.  

Is it wrong to want to think happy things? 

I would love to just think happy things! Hmmmm...what would those days be like??!!   

But real life is full of tough issues, and the unsaved world, and non-descerning Christians continually put out falsehoods.  Although my life is full of happiness, it is surrounded by discernment issues.  If we live in a pretend world of our own making to only be "happy", how can we truly be happy if we are following after Biblical falsehoods?

See: Two "Son of God" movie reviews.

So as I choose to live in the LORD's joy, where I am happy, I must keep my "Biblical Glasses" on 24/7 to continue on His narrow path of truth.  Hope to see you there!

Monday, February 3, 2014

Do not lose heart!

The Loom of Time

Man’s life is laid in the loom of time
To a pattern he does not see,
While the weaves work and the shuttles fly
Till the dawn of eternity.

Some shuttles are filled with silver threads
And some with threads of gold,
While often but the darker hues
Are all that they may hold.

But the weaver watches with skillful eye
Each shuttle fly to and fro,
And sees the pattern so deftly wrought
As the loom moves sure and slow.

God surely planned the pattern:
Each thread, the dark and fair,
Is chosen by His master skill
And placed in the web with care.

He only knows its beauty,
And guides the shuttles which hold
The threads so unattractive,
As well as the threads of gold.

Not till each loom is silent,
And the shuttles cease to fly,
Shall God reveal the pattern
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads were as needful
In the weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
For the pattern which He planned.

Unknown

Page 79, The Best Loved Poems of the American People

*

Gentle ladies...do not lose heart.  The LORD is working.  He is working in other people's lives, and if you allow it, He is working in your life.  

You are only in charge of your job which is obeying the LORD. If you walk rightly in Him and do next things for Him, even in your heart aches, then you are doing your job.  He requires you to obey and live for Him in this moment.  Keep your eyes on Him now and do not fret about tomorrow, but live today for Him.  When tomorrow comes it will be "today" again for you to live in the moment for Him.

You may think that there is no way your situation can be changed to the good.  God is an expert at changing things around.  He works in individuals every moment of every day.  Rarely do we see our own scenarios played out...but our true desire should be for the LORD's plan.  His plans are the best.

Let us all continue to pray for His plans to play out in our lives and those people we love, while we live in the moment, day by day, for Him.

*
Therefore, 
we do not lose heart,
but though our outer man 
is decaying,
yet our inner man 
is being renewed day by day.
For our momentary, light affliction 
is producing for us
and eternal weight of glory
far beyond all comparison,
while we look 
not at the things which are seen,
but at the things which are unseen;
for the things 
which are seen are temporal,
but the things 
which are not seen 
are eternal.

*
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
*



You're Always a role model to somebody #8

*
Beloved, 
I pray that in all respects 
you may prosper and be in good health, 
just as your soul prospers. 
For I was very glad 
when brethren came 
and testified to your truth, 
that is, how you are walking in truth.  
I have no greater joy than this, 
to hear of my children walking in the truth.
*
3 John 1:2-4
*