Do you remember that little clapping/singsong game we used to play as a child? It goes like this:
"Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? Number 8 stole the cookie from the cookie jar! Who ME? Yes, YOU! Not ME...couldn't be! Then WHO stole the cookie from the cookie jar? Number 3 stole the cookie from the cookie jar!" and the game goes on and on until we get tired of it.
I was reminded of that little game this morning as I thought about a sermon that Rex preached recently from 2 Timothy 3:1-5. Let me preface this by reminding you that the "rapture" of believers was predicted to occur on May 21. What does God's Word say about that? Jesus told his followers that no one would know the day or the hour. Timothy, a follower of Christ, said this:
"But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power..."
Rex cautioned us against pointing the finger at others and being judgmental. As I looked at this list, it hit me...but for the grace of God, there go I!! I could look at this list and see myself in every single one of those words and phrases that describe what men will be like in the last days...and it all boils down to this...I am a sinner, and I am selfish! I love myself more than I love others... I want to blame others when things go wrong!! Which brings me back to that little game...who stole the cookie...and I want to say, "Not ME!! Number 3 did it!!"
Honestly, I am tired of that little game! Not that I won't pick it up and start playing it again, but I long to get to the place in my life when I no longer see the specks in other people's eyes, because the log in mine is so big! I long to get to the place in my life when I think that the little, insignificant, wrong things I do are no big deal, when I know they are huge to God. I know that I will never be perfect this side of heaven...there was only one perfect man who walked this earth...but Rex continually reminds us that, "It's not perfection, it's direction!"
Are you headed in the right direction? For in the last days, men will be lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God...holding to a form of godliness, but denying its power...
Friday, June 10, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
All the Way
I woke up this morning with the words of an old hymn running through my head:
"All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, who thro' life has been my guide? Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know whate're befall me, Jesus doeth all things well!
All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread; gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the Living Bread; Tho' my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be; Gushing from the Rock before me, lo a spring of joy I see!"
The Lord knew I needed to remember this and sing it and preach to myself today that He is always directing my steps, and He will provide for every need that I have!
It's a little scary to know that our church has found a new pastor, and we will be leaving this place after 22 years. I followed my husband once before...like Sarah following Abraham, not knowing where they were going...but it was a little easier at 28 years instead of 58 years! I am grateful today, however, for God and His Word! It daily gives me encouragement and teaches me that I am to walk by faith in Him and not by what I can see! It assures me that He will take care of me and that everything He does is working for my good!
On a lighter side, I read this verse today, "The Lord is gracious and compassionate; He has given food to those who fear Him!" Psalm 111:4-5 I know, once again, that I will not have to eat beans or spaghetti everyday for the rest of my life! Even if I do, He will be with me...He will never leave me or forsake me!
"All the way my Savior leads me, what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, who thro' life has been my guide? Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know whate're befall me, Jesus doeth all things well!
All the way my Savior leads me, cheers each winding path I tread; gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the Living Bread; Tho' my weary steps may falter, and my soul athirst may be; Gushing from the Rock before me, lo a spring of joy I see!"
The Lord knew I needed to remember this and sing it and preach to myself today that He is always directing my steps, and He will provide for every need that I have!
It's a little scary to know that our church has found a new pastor, and we will be leaving this place after 22 years. I followed my husband once before...like Sarah following Abraham, not knowing where they were going...but it was a little easier at 28 years instead of 58 years! I am grateful today, however, for God and His Word! It daily gives me encouragement and teaches me that I am to walk by faith in Him and not by what I can see! It assures me that He will take care of me and that everything He does is working for my good!
On a lighter side, I read this verse today, "The Lord is gracious and compassionate; He has given food to those who fear Him!" Psalm 111:4-5 I know, once again, that I will not have to eat beans or spaghetti everyday for the rest of my life! Even if I do, He will be with me...He will never leave me or forsake me!
Friday, May 6, 2011
All My Children
Several years ago, I found myself facing the "empty nest" and I didn't like it very much! Gone were the days of teaching, cooking, and doing laundry for my children...not to mention attending all of their piano recitals and ballgames. Whatever was I going to do with all of my spare time, since I am a stay-at-home mother?
My husband, Rex, gave our church a challenge of change in January, 2010, and he asked a few questions of us:
1) What most needs to be changed in your life this year...and what will you do about it?
2) What is the most important decision you need to make this year?
3) What is the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?
4) What one thing can you do this year to become more like Christ?
I began to pray about the spare time I had on my hands, and ask the Lord how He wanted to use me...and I gave Him several ideas...but His plans for me were different. Scripture teaches that His ways and His thoughts are higher than mine, and that He will direct my steps...if I will only get out of the way and let Him!
"Make me know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths," (Psalm 25:4) became my prayer.
A couple in our church, who heads up our neighborhood ministry, went to our neighborhood school last summer to see if they would allow us to help them in any way. The principal responded with great enthusiasm, and we have been allowed to go into the classrooms as homeroom mothers, tutors, and mentors. It has been a tremendous blessing and responsibiltiy to help these students, to love them, and to pray for them. After all of my own ideas and suggestions to the Lord of what path I should take, I knew in my heart that this was the direction He was leading me in.
This Mother's Day, I am not only thankful for my three wonderful gifts from God...Kala, Kyle, and Derek...but, I am also thankful for my 22 wonderful students at Sunset Acres Elementary. Nothing blesses me or fills up my empty days more than spending time with them, tutoring them, and loving on them.
When I am tempted to have a "pity-party" because all of my birth children are grown, I only have to spend a few hours at the school, and my heart is filled with great joy! They are special gifts from God to be treasured...all my children!!
My husband, Rex, gave our church a challenge of change in January, 2010, and he asked a few questions of us:
1) What most needs to be changed in your life this year...and what will you do about it?
2) What is the most important decision you need to make this year?
3) What is the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?
4) What one thing can you do this year to become more like Christ?
I began to pray about the spare time I had on my hands, and ask the Lord how He wanted to use me...and I gave Him several ideas...but His plans for me were different. Scripture teaches that His ways and His thoughts are higher than mine, and that He will direct my steps...if I will only get out of the way and let Him!
"Make me know Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths," (Psalm 25:4) became my prayer.
A couple in our church, who heads up our neighborhood ministry, went to our neighborhood school last summer to see if they would allow us to help them in any way. The principal responded with great enthusiasm, and we have been allowed to go into the classrooms as homeroom mothers, tutors, and mentors. It has been a tremendous blessing and responsibiltiy to help these students, to love them, and to pray for them. After all of my own ideas and suggestions to the Lord of what path I should take, I knew in my heart that this was the direction He was leading me in.
This Mother's Day, I am not only thankful for my three wonderful gifts from God...Kala, Kyle, and Derek...but, I am also thankful for my 22 wonderful students at Sunset Acres Elementary. Nothing blesses me or fills up my empty days more than spending time with them, tutoring them, and loving on them.
When I am tempted to have a "pity-party" because all of my birth children are grown, I only have to spend a few hours at the school, and my heart is filled with great joy! They are special gifts from God to be treasured...all my children!!
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Someday My Prince Will Come
I watched with millions yesterday as Prince William married commoner, Catherine Middleton. I've always loved fairy tales, and this is a true tale of how the prince fell in love with his Cinderella...an ordinary girl!
I'm thankful that no one is ordinary in the sight of God. He loves each one of us, just as if there was only one of us! We are all special in His sight...just as the song we sang in our childhood says, "...Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world."
The Bible teaches that one day Jesus will come back to get all of His children...all of those who love His appearing..."For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in this present age; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed..." Titus 2:11-14
If we have trusted in Him, we are called the bride of Christ, and He is our bridegroom...our prince, who will come back to get us one day!
"At midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet Him.'" Matthew 25:6
Are you ready?
I'm thankful that no one is ordinary in the sight of God. He loves each one of us, just as if there was only one of us! We are all special in His sight...just as the song we sang in our childhood says, "...Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight; Jesus loves the little children of the world."
The Bible teaches that one day Jesus will come back to get all of His children...all of those who love His appearing..."For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires, and to live sensibly, righteously, and godly in this present age; looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed..." Titus 2:11-14
If we have trusted in Him, we are called the bride of Christ, and He is our bridegroom...our prince, who will come back to get us one day!
"At midnight there was a shout, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet Him.'" Matthew 25:6
Are you ready?
Thursday, April 28, 2011
New Life
I love the sound of new life! I currently have baby birds chirping outside of my window, and it is a delightful sound to wake up to! I also have a new grandson, and his little "chirpings" are also delightful to my ears!!
I spent all of last week with Cooper and one day, when he was almost in "la-la land," he got the biggest grin on his face and laughed out loud. His GG, my mother, said, "Isn't that a little early?" to which I replied, "Probably... but he's brilliant! What can I say??" GG went on to say that maybe Cooper was seeing angels...isn't that the sweetest thought? Now when he smiles, I prefer not to think that it is gas, but I ask him if he is seeing angels!
Do you know that there are angels all around us? If you have trusted in Christ as your Savior, He has given you a new life and assures you that when you die, you will go to live forever with Him in heaven. Until that day, His Word says, "For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands..." Psalm 91:11-12
What do I have to fear or to dread? Nothing!! The Lord, Himself, has sent His angels to watch over me...and my little Cooper!
Awesome!!
I spent all of last week with Cooper and one day, when he was almost in "la-la land," he got the biggest grin on his face and laughed out loud. His GG, my mother, said, "Isn't that a little early?" to which I replied, "Probably... but he's brilliant! What can I say??" GG went on to say that maybe Cooper was seeing angels...isn't that the sweetest thought? Now when he smiles, I prefer not to think that it is gas, but I ask him if he is seeing angels!
Do you know that there are angels all around us? If you have trusted in Christ as your Savior, He has given you a new life and assures you that when you die, you will go to live forever with Him in heaven. Until that day, His Word says, "For He will give His angels charge concerning you, to guard you in all your ways. They will bear you up in their hands..." Psalm 91:11-12
What do I have to fear or to dread? Nothing!! The Lord, Himself, has sent His angels to watch over me...and my little Cooper!
Awesome!!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
A Good Day
"This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24
The Lord has commanded us to rejoice and be glad, no matter how difficult our circumstances may be. He says, "All things work together for good to those who love Him; to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Knowing this, why do we not rejoice and give Him thanks for all things instead of trying to 'fix' things ourselves? We want to be in control...we want to help God out...but, He does not need us! This earth is the Lord's and all it contains...even the people who dwell in this world belong to Him. He controls everything! I am thankful today and rejoice in the fact that I don't have to worry about anything...only trust Him, our Sovereign God, with all the details of my life; knowing He is in control of all things and working them out for my good and for His glory!
The Lord has commanded us to rejoice and be glad, no matter how difficult our circumstances may be. He says, "All things work together for good to those who love Him; to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Knowing this, why do we not rejoice and give Him thanks for all things instead of trying to 'fix' things ourselves? We want to be in control...we want to help God out...but, He does not need us! This earth is the Lord's and all it contains...even the people who dwell in this world belong to Him. He controls everything! I am thankful today and rejoice in the fact that I don't have to worry about anything...only trust Him, our Sovereign God, with all the details of my life; knowing He is in control of all things and working them out for my good and for His glory!
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