Listen

Have never been good at listening

To really listen

I know He talks
He whispers
He cries out
LISTEN

And what happens when you aren't listening?
Does He stop talking?

I must stop talking first
I must stop getting my 2 cents in before
I must let Him have a turn
What kind of friend am I, never letting him talk?

Have you been listening to Him?  What's He saying to you?

My friend and I sang this at church today.

I come to the garden alone,

While the dew is still on the roses;

And the voice I hear,

Falling on my ear,

The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me

And He talks with me,

And He tells me I am his own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

          He speaks and the sound of His voice

          Is so sweet the birds hush their singing;

         And the melody that He gave to me

         Within my heart is ringing.

          I'd stay in the garden with Him,

      Tho' the night around me be falling,

     But He bids me go;

      Thro' the voice of woe

       His voice to me is calling.

And He talks with me,

And He tells me I am his own;

And the joy we share as we tarry there,

None other has ever known.

Linkys I Love:

Hear It on Sunday, Use It on Monday

on your heart tuesdays

jumping tandem

Spiritual Sunday

Heritage of Faith

         soli deo gloria

children

i needed rest today

i needed forgiveness

i find the sadness creeps in 

the guilt

the dread

the uglyiness

but then i see their faces

their redeeming graces

they hold no grudges

no prejudices

they love

they laugh

they truly are God's gift

no wonder Jesus said

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

lovely linky's 

Hear It on Sunday, Use It on Monday 

on your heart tuesdays 

 jumping tandem
Spiritual Sunday

soli deo gloria

put my Jesus on

Wow.  My first post of 2012.  As I sit and take in the sounds around me....baby girl playing, talking baby talk, laughing....Owen stops to play to kiss his sister....the dishwasher running....the radio on with the words "everything you do, do for the glory of the Lord".  And I fight back the tears of happiness, of blessings, of why are you so good to me Lord.  And yet I struggle, how am I living for him?  Do I put my Jesus on everyday, in every moment?  No, I let fleshly desires consume me with my eating habits, with my finances, with my worry.

2012 - I will fight with the word -

Our Sunday School lesson this week was on excessiveness.  Here in America, here in NC, here in Wilkes Co., here in my humble abode, we are consumed by excessiveness.  Too much is never enough.   But you see Jesus is enough, actually he's more than enough. 

Paul says these words in Romans 13, "The night is nearly over, and the daylight is near, so let us discard the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.  Let us walk with decency, as in the daylight: not in carousing and drunkenness; not in sexual impurity and promiscuity; not in quarreling and jealousy.  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no plans to satisfy the fleshly desires."

Put on your Jesus this morning, this week, this year.....that doesn't mean your going to wear your cross around your neck and your casting crowns shirt...it means in your actions, your thoughts, your attitude Jesus shines through you. 

Pray with me.

Dear Heavenly Father,
Forgive me of my fleshly desires of overconsumption in my eating habits, in my money, in my needless wory.  Help me to trust in You, in Your control, and to put MY Jesus at all times.
Amen

Shanda @ On your Heart Tuesday

Jen @ Soli Deo Gloria Party

wise men

do you know why the wise men came?

the first gentiles to worship the King

they traveled a long, long ways following a star

to find but a mere child 

but upon finding they fell on there knees 

and worshiped!

when was the last time you found Jesus

and fell on your knees 

and worshiped!

when was the last time you gave him the greatest gifts you have,

your gold and incense and myrrh?

they worshiped this infant King

unaware of his miracles, unaware of the price he was going to pay, unaware of His holy spirit....

be filled this week...

find Him, seek Him.....worship Him

he lead me to Him

it started with a feeling, an unknown sense i never knew

it was confirmed in an infirmary with the question "what are you going to do"

it was affirmed on the stairs with empty promises and "your going to to be a great mom"

it lead to three months silence and bigger clothes and endless tears 

it turned to a he that kicked me

he came on an icy, painful december night 

he came with a terrified mother who's heart was heartbroken but everything about him healed her

my mom drove us home from the hospital 

i cried all the way

i remember rocking him in the recliner late in the night wondering how we would make it

i remember sitting in the wic office embarrassed, ashamed

i remember saying "no there's just me, no husband"

i never had a companion to share my worries 

no one ever called to ask about him

but he smiled, he laughed, he grew

he never questioned

he was loved 

he taught me to pray and to pray without ceasing

he is my blessing

he brought me to me knees so that He could heal me

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17

words or actions

i have been experiencing a little mental argument lately ( no i'm crazy, yet ).  the saying goes "actions speak louder than words," which i'm famous for using in relationships ( especially with my husband )  it is a pretty good saying.....a kiss on the lips speaks to me much more than a text that says i love you.  time spent with family is better than a christmas card and lunch with your best friend is more fun than a five minute conversation on the phone.  then you have all these other ways our actions speak louder....some say i want to take care of the environment yet they don't recycle and they drive giant suvs. some say i'm spiritual, i don't need church.  our actions talk volumes to those around us...its true.  especially if you proclaim to be a Christian. 

so my dilemma is this i walk this walk with the idea that i'm the only bible some people will every read.  people are judging JESUS based on my behavior....but what if i never tell them?  what if i never say it His grace that makes me difference, its His forgiveness that gives me hope, its my faith in Him that makes life worth living...what if they never hear the truth in my actions.....

I can never show his sacrifice as much as...He can 

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed

Isaiah 53:4

I can never love enough...He can

May have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  

Ephesians 3:18-19

I can never care enough...He can

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Romans 10:13 

How will they know if we don't tell them?

what's wrong

my husband has asked me twice today "what's wrong"

my reply, "i don't know" (which comes out as idonnano (with the shoulder shrug))

you ever feel that way....something could be wrong, a lot could be wrong, a lot is wrong.....but nothing big, nothing really worth complaining about

we studied one of Jesus' miracles today in Sunday school
the one where a group of friends take a paralytic man to Jesus
its one of my favorite stories
as i studied it the last time i taught the story, i learned they probably didn't even know the man they just met him on the side of the road on their way
and yet they took him, carried him all the way.....
they didn't stop when they got there and saw the crowds
they kept going...all the way
they carried him to the top of the building and lowered him down to Jesus.
and yet the miracle is not that he was healed, but that they were forgiven


what's wrong with me?  i need to carry someone to Jesus so that I can be forgiven
so that my faith can be restored


isn't it funny how we set out to help others and see them saved and we are the ones who receive the help, the forgiveness

God called us to GO...TELL....carry them if you have too.

evanglism

what have you been evangelistic about lately? a great book you had to tell everyone about?  your team that won or in my case lost this week? the best dessert in the world? JESUS?

we studied these verses today in Sunday School, John 1:29-46.....John sees Jesus and tells his friends...who tell there family....Jesus tells Philip who tells his friend Nathanael....and they followed all because someone TOLD

(side note: this verse made me laugh out loud...John 1:46  “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.  “Come and see,” said Philip.)

today i taught about telling about Jesus......
today i listened to a Godly man talk about his journey to tell others about Jesus.....

tomorrow God will put someone in my path that I need to tell....I hope I will.  Will you?

fear not

not once, not twice, but three hundred sixty five times the bible says fear not

(i can hear God now.....and how many times do I have to tell you (in a big booming fatherly voice).....i'm not telling you again....because I say that frequently to my own children)

but he says it again and again, giving me chance after chance

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” Phillipians 4:6-7

did he know i was going to need this daily reminder.....(one for every day of the year).....yes

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” 1 Peter 5:6 -7

i think i need it every minute after all i was the kid whose grandma bought the worry wart at age 7

and this one it gets me every time 

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not 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 shun evil. ” Proverbs 3:5-8

wise in my own ways.....i'm sure it must be a funny site for God....to watch me worry away at the things (all things) He is already controlling

but i dwell, i roll them around in my pea brain, i make them big when they are small.....mostly about my children and their well being, but other things too...money, natural disasters, death, life....

but He says......FEAR NOT

"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." Isaiah 41:10

"I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears." Psalm 34:4

what are you fearing this week? where do you find comfort?

on your heart tuesday

perfect

As I sat with Owen tonight and colored, I see his character traits becoming more evident.  He refused to color because "I keep messing up, I keep getting out of the lines, I can't do it right, --- you do it."  He expects perfection from his 5 year old hands.  And I say -- I think its beautiful, I think your doing great -- it's perfect!  But to him it is less than perfect.  And if mommy can do it better, I will let her do it.

my mind turns - how can i fix this, what can i say, what if he's like this forever, how will he ever get through school........

perfect only comes from God

then I feel that turn in the back of my mind that makes me shiver

I do this too.  I do not always work for God's kingdom, I don't always witness when I should, I don't always give my testimony when I need to, I don't pray like I should -- I am less than perfect.  And so and so from down the road is so much better at witnessing,  I should tell them to talk to this person.  I should let other people who are better at God's work do the work because "I keep messing up, I keep getting out of the lines, I can't do it right, --- you do it."


"Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to." Luke 13:24

"As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work."  John 9:4

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.  

Matthew 5:48

not defeated

 

Life is sometimes hard.  We do not always live on top of the mountain spiritual.  We don't always feel that God is at work around us.  But despite he is there.  He will not let us fall where he can't catch us.   Let us not give up on what God can do for us.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12 - ⁷ But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

 

 

 

 The spirit has been whispering to me for some time to speak at church, and this Sunday I am speaking for Women's Sunday.  I plan to give my testimony and share some verses.  Please pray this week that my words will be God's words and that others may find hope.

Sunshine Comes

do you ever just feel like the rug is coming unraveled?

the bottom is slowly falling out?

I'm not sure if it is the hormonal casserole (Callie Torres, Grey's Anatomy) that I am lately (due to pregnancy), but the last week or so I have felt the anxiety rise and when this happens I tend to see things towards the half empty glass instead of the optimist person I usually am.  I let things get to me that I shouldn't.  How should I take that comment from my friend?  I wonder why no one has texted me today?  I'm sure no one appreciates the things I do. Wonder what would happen if I stopped doing the laundry?  and the list goes on....  I can't go to sleep and I want to cry sometimes....yes I know the symptoms.   But then it comes....exactly what you need....maybe not to get you over the disappoint but at least to get you through the day.

"So we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

So, on a Sunday full of sunshine I see a little light that will last through Monday, maybe even longer. 

school of suffering

Have you ever suffered?  Been through a hard time?  I heard a minister say one time if you aren't going though a storm or just came out of a storm - you better hang on because one is on its way.  No one knew suffering like Jesus.

Isaiah 53:3-5

3 He was despised and rejected by men,

a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.

Like one from whom men hide their faces

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he took up our infirmities

and carried our sorrows,

yet we considered him stricken by God,

smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,

and by his wounds we are healed.

A lot of times it feels like we are going to the school of suffering.  We have acquired many degrees - loss, pain, sorrow, emptiness, anger, disappointment...and the list goes on.  Sometimes it seems that once we are finally ready to graduate from the school of suffering, we are sent back for another degree.  

We must remember, even through our suffering, that God is Always GOOD.  

Psalm 34:8

8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him

And everything he does, he does with you in mind.

James 1:2-4

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

linking up with lovely ladies @

come as you are

 

I have heard it said "I can't come to church my life is too messed up.  I'm not living the way I should.  I need to get my act together before I come."  You can't get yourself clean enough for God.  Only He can wash you clean.

PSALM 51

¹ Have mercy on me, O God,
   according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
   blot out my transgressions.
² Wash away all my iniquity
   and cleanse me from my sin.

 ³ For I know my transgressions,
   and my sin is always before me.
⁴ Against you, you only, have I sinned
   and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
   and justified when you judge.
⁵ Surely I was sinful at birth,
   sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
⁶ Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
   you taught me wisdom in that secret place.

 ⁷ Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
   wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness;
   let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
⁹ Hide your face from my sins
   and blot out all my iniquity.

 ¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God,
   and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence
   or take your Holy Spirit from me.
¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation
   and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.


 AMEN!

Lord send a revival...And let it begin in me.

There is nothing I love more than to hear a person speak about the Bible, Jesus, their faith, or a sermon God has laid upon their heart.

While listening to speakers I always take notes.  I was going through my notes in my Bible tonight.  This is what I found from the 3 sermons I heard this week.

Faith. 

Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen” 

How much do you trust Jesus?

He's not only everything - He's Enough

Hebrews 11:7 - Noah heard God's word and Did it

Hebrews 11:8 "he is our peace"

be fearless, proactive, steadfast

Reunion.

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. Luke 15:24

Forgiveness given..doesn't mean there is no consequences.

Revelation 22:20 -21

²⁰ He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”

   Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

 ²¹ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. 

There is going to be a great revival!

Get off the boat. 

Mark 5:1-20 

¹⁸ As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. ¹⁹ Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” ²⁰ So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

 PIGS?

We want people to be right with God before we send them out to tell of his gospel.

Jesus wants us to GO - TELL.

What's the Lord done for you?

How has he showed mercy on you?

Do you marvel at his works for you?

What is revival? Being made alive again

We are on the boat saying..."People around must have heard of Jesus because they live where I do".....but have they?

Get off the boat!

GOD SPEAKS.....LISTEN to HIM!

Linking up to what i said; what He says

@ a spacious place

 

your testimony matters

The institute for American church growth asked over 10,000 people this question: "What was responsible for your coming to this church?" This is how they replied.

I had a special need
2%
I just walked in
3%
I liked the Pastor
6%
I visited there
1%
I liked the Sunday School
1%
I liked the programs
3%
A friend or relative invited me
79%

You are the only Bible some people will ever read.