IN THE COMPANY OF ANGELS

THERE IS A PLACE HIDDEN IN OUR LIVES WHERE NO SIN IS ALLOWED TO LIVE ....... IT IS THE PLACE WHERE WE ARE FORGIVEN ONCE AND FOR ALL ......A PLACE WHERE NOTHING EVIL RESIDES AND WHERE WE STAND BLAMELESS BEFORE THE HOLINESS OF THE MOST HIGH.....IT IS A PLACE SO PURE THAT ANGELS ARE SENT FORTH SO AS TO MINISTER AND PROTECT US SO THAT NO EVIL WILL COME TO PASS UPON US........WHEN WE MAKE THE CHOICE TO WORSHIP AND SERVE THE LORD THROUGH OBEDIENCE AND PRAYERFUL LIVING OUR FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM STRENGTHENS .......THE ANGELS GO TO WORK FOR US KEEPING UNSEEN DANGERS AWAY FROM US .......WE READ THIS IN PSALM 91:9-13 " If you make the MOST HIGH your dwelling - even the LORD , who is my refuge- then no harm will befall you , no disaster will come near your tent . For HE will command HIS angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways ; they will lift you in their hands , so that you will not strike your foot against a stone . You will tread upon the lion and the cobra ; you will trample the great lion and the serpent . " CAN WE MAKE THE CLAIM TO BEING THE KIND OF CHRISTIAN WHOSE FELLOWSHIP WITH OUR LORD IS SUCH THAT WE ARE IN THE COMPANY OF ANGELS ? .................SUMMER

A CHILD IS BORN

COME AND READ THE GOOD NEWS......... "Therefore the LORD HIMSELF will give you a sign : Behold , a virgin will be with child and bear a son , and she will call him IMMANUEL ." ISAIAH 7:14 ......... "For a child will be born to us , a son will be given to us ; And the government will rest upon HIS shoulders , HIS name will be called WONDERFUL COUNSELOR , MIGHTY GOD , ETERNAL FATHER , PRINCE of PEACE . " ISAIAH 9:6......."And the WORD became flesh , and dwelt among us ,and we behold HIS glory , glory as the
only begotten SON from the FATHER , full of GRACE and TRUTH . " JOHN 1:14..... "And she will bear a SON; and you shall call HIM JESUS , for it is HE who will save HIS people ." MATTHEW 1:21........ "And you will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at HIS birth ." LUKE 1:14 ......MY PRAYER FOR YOU THIS CHRISTMAS IS THAT YOU MAY TAKE THE LORD JESUS INTO YOUR HEART AND EXPERIENCE THE WONDERFUL JOY AND PEACE THAT HE OFFERS ALONG WITH PROMISE OF ETERNAL SALVATION ......... MAY YOU HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS ................................................SUMMER

SALT AND LIGHT

TO SAY THAT WE KNOW THE TRUE LOVE OF CHRIST AND HIS MAJESTIC BEAUTY WE WOULD HAVE TO CONSIDER JUST HOW SINCERE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR LORD IS ......WE MAY CALL OURSELVES A CHRISTIAN BUT DO WE SEND CONFLICTING MESSAGES TO THOSE AROUND US BY THE WAY WE LIVE OR DO WE SET AN EXAMPLE BY LIVING LIFE IN A WAY THAT EXEMPLIFIES THE SCRIPTURE THAT STATES , "You are the salt of the earth . But if salt loses its saltiness , how can it be made salty again ? It is no longer good for anything , except to be thrown out and trampled by men . You are the light of the world . A city on a hill cannot be hidden . Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl . Instead they put it on its stand , and it gives light to everyone in the house . In the same way , let your light shine before men , that they may see your good deeds and praise your good deeds and praise your FATHER in heaven . " MATTHEW 5:13-16 ......GOOD DEEDS TO BE DONE ONLY TO GIVE GOD THE FATHER THE GLORY ......REFLECTING ON OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD TAKES ON A WHOLE NEW FORM WHEN WE COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT KNOWING GOD IS DIFFERENT FROM KNOWING ABOUT HIM .....JUST AS WE COME TO KNOW THOSE AROUND US IN OUR EVERYDAY LIVES JUST IMAGINE IF WE WERE LOOKING FOR A DEEP AND ABIDING RELATIONSHIP WITH SOMEONE AND WE READ ABOUT THEM AT FIRST ......ALTHOUGH WE MAY LEARN A LOT ABOUT THEM BY READING AND HEARING DIFFERENT THINGS WE WOULD NOT GET TO TRULY KNOW WHO THEY WERE UNTIL WE ACTUALLY FORMED A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM ......IT'S THAT WAY WITH GOD AS WELL .....GOD CREATED US FOR A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM ......THAT IS VERY TRUE , HOWEVER , SIN ENTERED THE WORLD ( YOU UNDERSTAND IT AS WELL BY SAYING WRONG MORAL CHOICES ) ...... ADAM AND EVES DISOBEDIENCE SEVERED THE ONCE PERFECT RELATIONSHIP THAT WE HAD WITH GOD ....... YES , SINCE OUR GOD IS SINLESS AND PERFECT , SPOTLESS AND EVER SO HOLY , THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HIM AND ALL HIS PEOPLE HAS BEEN MARRED EVER SINCE THAT DAY IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN.....IN THE BIBLE IT STATES , " All have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD " ROMANS 3:23 ...... THE BIBLE ALSO STATES , " the wages of sin is death , but the gift of GOD is eternal life through CHRIST JESUS our LORD . " ROMANS 6: 23 .....THE SERIOUS CHRISTIAN KNOWS THE IRONY OF THE SCRIPTURE ABOVE IS BOTH THE BLEAK OUTCOME FOR ALL PEOPLE AND GODS ANSWER FOR ALL PEOPLE.....JESUS CHRIST .......THE NEWBORN KING......GOD IN FLESH ......THE GREAT I AM ......THE BRIGHT MORNING STAR ......THE KING OF KINGS ......THE LAMB OF GOD......WHEN HE CAME TO EARTH JESUS LIVED A PERFECT LIFE SO THAT HE COULD PAY THE PRICE FOR OUR SINS.......WHEN HE DIED ON THE CROSS AT CALVARY HIS BLOOD WAS SHED ONCE AND FOR ALL ......WHEN ON THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE SO AS TO NEVER DIE AGAIN ...... JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE AND SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF OUR FATHER GOD IN HEAVEN ..... AND SO WE NEED TO EXAMINE THE AUTHENTICITY OF OUR BELIEFS ABOUT WHO JESUS IS....... UNLESS WE STUDY GODS WORD ( THE HOLY BIBLE )IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO KNOW EXACTLY WHO JESUS CHRIST IS AND WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US OR WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CHRISTIAN..... IT IS JUST NOT ENOUGH FOR US TO "BELIEVE " ...... IN THE BOOK OF JAMES CHAPTER 2 VERSES 14-26 JESUS TEACHES THAT TRUE FAITH WITHOUT DEEDS (WORKS , ACTIONS ) IS DEAD FAITH ...... JESUS KNOWS HIS OWN ......CAN WE TRULY MAKE THE CLAIM TO BE ONE OF HIS ....... IF WE SAY YES PRAISE OUR LORD BUT IF WE SAY NO OR NOT SURE IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO SUBMIT OURSELVES BEFORE OUR LORD AND BEGIN ANEW AND WHAT BETTER A TIME TO START THAN THIS BLESSED CHRISTMAS SEASON.............................SUMMER

HE IS NEAR

SURELY WE HAVE HAD A MOMENT OR TIME IN OUR LIVES WHEN IT WAS SO BAD THAT THINGS SEEMED AS THOUGH THEY WOULD NEVER GET BETTER ...... OR STILL YET WE HAVE ALL EXPERIENCED THE HEARTFELT PAIN OF LOSING SOMEONE THAT WE LOVE ...... AND THEN THERE WERE THOSE NIGHTS WE COULD NOT SLEEP BECAUSE OF GUILT, WORRY OR LONELINESS ...... WE MAY EVEN BE SUFFERING THROUGH ONE OF THESE SITUATIONS RIGHT NOW ...... WE MAY BEGIN TO WONDER WHAT IS SO GOOD ABOUT GOD BEING GOOD ?...... IN THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES , PSALM 73 : 28 STATES , "But as for me , the nearness of GOD is my good ; I have made the LORD GOD my refuge , That I may tell of all YOUR works. " WHEN WE EXAMINE THIS LINE OF SCRIPTURE IT TELLS US THAT GOD ALONE IS GOOD ...... HE IS THE SOURCE OF ALL GOOD ...... HIS NEARNESS IS ENOUGH FOR US ....... HE IS ALWAYS THERE , NEAR TO US , IN GOOD TIMES AND IN IN BAD ...... HIS PRESENCE IS ALL WE NEED WHETHER WE KNOW IT OR NOT ......AS CHRISTIANS WE MUST UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE NEVER TRULY ALONE ......THE LORD GOD SAYS , "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them , for the LORD your GOD goes with you ; HE will never leave you nor forsake you . " DEUTERONOMY 31:6 ......WE ARE CALLED TO PERSEVERE WHEN WE ARE GOING THROUGH TIMES IN OUR LIVES THAT TEST OUR FAITH ...... " Let us draw near to GOD with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith , having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water . " HEBREWS 10:22...... WE CAN REST IN THE SECURITY OF OUR SALVATION BECAUSE JESUS SACRIFICED HIS LIFE SO THAT WE MAY HAVE ETERNAL FREEDOM IN HEAVEN WITH HIM , OUR FATHER GOD AND HIS HOLY SPIRIT ..... THE REALITY OF IT IS THAT ALTHOUGH WE LIVE HERE FOR NOW OUR FOREVER HOME IS IN HEAVEN ...... "Therefore , since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens , JESUS the SON of GOD , let us hold firmly to the faith we profess . For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses , but we have one who has been tempted in every way , just as we are - yet was without sin . Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence , so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need . " HEBREWS 4:14-16 ...... THE WORD OF GOD SHEDS LIGHT ON WHAT WE NEED TO DO WHILE WE ARE HERE IN THIS WORLD ...... THE SCRIPTURES ALSO REVEAL HOW WE NEED TO LIVE , WHETHER THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN OUR LIVES ARE GOING GOOD OR BAD ....... KNOWING THAT OUR LORD NEVER LEAVES US NOR FORSAKES US SETS A PRECEDENCE FOR US TO BE COMPLETELY HONEST WITH OURSELVES AND ASK A VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION ..... ARE WE NEAR TO HIM ?............. SUMMER

WORDS FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING

HOLY WORDS LONG PRESERVED ...... FOR OUR WALK IN THIS WORLD ......THEY RESOUND WITH GOD'S OWN HEART...... OH , LET THE ANCIENT WORDS IMPART . WORDS OF LIFE , WORDS OF HOPE , GIVE US STRENGTH , HELP US GROW IN THIS WORLD , WHERE E'ER WE ROAM , THE ANCIENT WORDS WILL GUIDE US HOME . ANCIENT WORDS EVER TRUE ...... CHANGING ME AND CHANGING YOU ......WE HAVE COME WITH OPEN HEARTS .......O LET THE ANCIENT WORDS IMPART......ANCIENT WORDS , PIERCING THROUGH .......LET OUR MINDS BE RENEWED ......TEACH US FAITH LIKE THE YOUNG .......AND LINGER LONG UPON OUR TONGUE. HOLY WORDS , GREAT DELIGHT ! BREAD BY DAY , SWORD BY NIGHT ...... GUARDIAN ON THE PATHS WE'VE TROD ...... NOW UPWARD LIFT OUR THOUGHTS TOWARD GOD . ANCIENT WORDS EVER TRUE ......CHANGING ME AND CHANGING YOU...... WE HAVE COME WITH OPEN HEARTS ...... O LET THE ANCIENT WORDS IMPART ...... ANCIENT WORD CAME IN FLESH...... SECOND ADAM'S VITAL BREATH ...... SON OF GOD AND SON OF MAN ...... AS A MORTAL DRESSED , THE GREAT I AM. JESUS CHRIST WORD OF GOD ......MARY'S LAMB ,JESSE'S ROD ......LONG FORETOLD BY PROPHESY , STILL WE FIND OUR JOY IN GOD'S DECREES . ANCIENT WORDS EVER TRUE ......CHANGING ME AND CHANGING YOU ...... WE HAVE COME WITH OPEN HEARTS ......O LET THE ANCIENT WORDS IMPART ....... These poetic phrases are not only true but they sink deep into the heart of every person who calls themselves a christian ....... Thank You Lynn Deshazo for bringing us such beautiful words to this painfully afflicted and sinful world ...................................................Summer

LOVE

THE WORD LOVE IS USED OVER AND OVER IN OUR SOCIETY TO EXPLAIN , DESCRIBE OR DENOTE OUR " FEELINGS " ABOUT THE PEOPLE IN OUR LIFE , AN EXPERIENCE WE HAVE HAD OR THE RELATIONSHIP WE ACQUIRE WITH ALL OF OUR " STUFF " ...................... OUR LORD GOD HAS A DIFFERENT TAKE ON THIS SUBJECT ..................... IN CHAPTER 13 OF 1st CORINTHIANS GOD CLEARLY EXPLAINS , DESCRIBES AND DENOTES WHAT LOVE IS , READ ON TO DISCOVER HIS MAJESTY'S INFINITE WISDOM ON A VERY VERY OLD SUBJECT : "And now I will show you the most excellent way . If I speak in tongues of men and of angels , but have not love , I am like a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal . If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all the mysteries and all knowledge , and if I have faith that can move mountains , but have not love , I am nothing . If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames , but have not love , I gain nothing . Love is patient , love is kind . It does not envy , it does not boast , it is not proud . It is not rude , it is not self- seeking , it is not easily angered , it keeps no record of wrongs . Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth . It always protects , always trusts , always hopes , always perseveres . Love never fails . But where there are prophesies , they will cease ; where there are tongues , they will be stilled ; where there is knowledge , it will pass away . For we know in part and we prophesy in part , but when perfection comes , the imperfect disappears . When I was a child , I talked like a child , I thought like a child , I reasoned like a child . When I became a man , I put childish ways behind me . Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror ; then we shall see face to face . Now I know in part ; then I shall know fully , even as I am fully known . And now these three things remain : faith , hope and love . But the greatest of these is love . "..................... OUR HUMAN INTERPRETATION OF LOVE IS MARRED BY OUR SINFUL NATURE AND INABILITY TO EMULATE THESE BEAUTIFUL SCRIPTURES ABOVE .......... WE CAN TRY , BUT SOONER OR LATER WE FAIL TO MEET THESE STANDARDS .......... WITHOUT HAVING A RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR LORD GOD IT IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT REAL LOVE IS .............. STILL YET WE CONTINUE TO MISS THE " MARK " .......KNOWING JESUS SETS US FREE FROM THE CONDEMNATION AND GUILT AND PAIN WE EXPERIENCE WHEN WE CANNOT BE PERFECT ........HAVING A DEEP AND ABIDING RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR SAVIOUR ALSO TEACHES US HOW TO LOVE WITH A PURE HEART ............ IF WE ARE NOT SURE WHETHER WE KNOW WHAT TRUE GODLY IS THEN WE NEED TO START BY ASKING THE LORD FOR FORGIVENESS THAT WE HAVE GONE AGAINST HIS TEACHINGS AND THEN ASK HIM TO OPEN OUR HEARTS TO THE TRUE MEANING OF WHAT HIS LOVE IS AND HOW WE CAN EMULATE THIS KIND OF LOVE ............................. HAVE A GOOD DAY AND REMEMBER THAT JESUS LOVES US VERY VERY MUCH...........................SUMMER

SOME OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES WITH 2 TIMOTHY 3 : 16-17 IN MIND

" In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth . " GENESIS 1:1

" So GOD created man in HIS own image , in the image of GOD HE created him ;
male and female he created them . " GENESIS 1:27

" The LORD GOD said , " It is not good for man to be alone . I will make a helper
suitable for him. " GENESIS 2:18

" Then the LORD GOD made a woman from the rib HE had taken out of the man ,
and HE brought her to the man . The man said , " This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh ; she shall be called woman , for she was taken out of man .
For this reason a man shall will leave his father and mother and be united to
his wife , and they will become one flesh . " GENESIS 2:22-24

" There the LORD made a decree and a law for them (the Israelites ) , and there
HE tested them . HE said , "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your
GOD and do what is right in HIS eyes , if you pay attention to HIS commands
and keep all HIS decrees , I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought
on the Egyptians , for I AM the LORD who heals you . " EXODUS 16 :26

" Hear , O Israel: The LORD our GOD , the LORD is one. Love the LORD your GOD
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength . These
commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts . Impress
them upon your children . " DEUTERONOMY 6:4-7a

" But the LORD said to Samuel , " Do not consider his appearance or his height
for I have rejected him . The LORD does not look at the things man looks at .
Man looks at the outward appearance , but the LORD looks at the heart .
1 SAMUEL 16:7

" If MY people , who are called by MY name, will humble themselves and pray
and seek MY face and turn from their wicked ways , then I will hear from
heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land . "
2 CHRONICLES 7:14

" Can a mortal be more righteous than GOD ? Can a man be more pure than his
MAKER ? " JOB 4:17

" And HE said to man , ' The fear of the LORD -that is wisdom , and to shun evil
is understanding . " JOB 28:28

" The LORD is my Shepherd , I shall not be in want . " PSALM 23 :1

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of all wisdom. PSALM 111:10a

"How can young man keep his way pure? By living according to YOUR WORD.
PSALM 119:9

" 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 straight your path ."
PROVERBS 3:5-6

"There is a way that seems right to a man , but in the end it leads to death ."
PROVERBS 14:12

" A friend loves at all times , and a brother is born for adversity."
PROVERBS 17:17

" Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler ; whoever is led astray by them is not
wise." PROVERBS 20:1

" There is no wisdom , no insight , no plan that can succeed against the LORD.
PROVERBS 21:30

" Train a child in the way he should , and when he is old he will not depart from
it. " PROVERBS 22:6

" If you lack the means to pay , your very bed will be snatched under from you ."
PROVERBS 22:27

" Do not answer a fool according to his folly , or you will be like him yourself."
PROVERBS 26:4

" As a dog returns to its vomit , so a fool repeats his folly." PROVERBS 26:11

" A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day."
PROVERBS27:15

"A wife of noble character who can find ? She is worth far more than rubies."
PROVERBS 31:10

" Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting ; but a woman who fears the LORD
is to be praised . " PROVERBS 31:30

"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven."
ECCLESIASTES 3:1

"For to us a Child is born , to us a Son is given, and the government will be on HIS
shoulders. And HE will be called WONDERFUL COUNSELOR, MIGHTY GOD,
EVERLASTING FATHER, PRINCE of PEACE. Of the increase of HIS government
and peace there will be no end . HE will reign on David's throne and over HIS
KINGDOM, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from
that time on and forever." ISAIAH 9:6-7

" For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the SOVEREIGN LORD.
Repent and live !" EZEKIEL 18:32

" Even now," declares the LORD ," return to me with all your heart, with fasting
and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments. Return
to the LORD your GOD , for HE is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger
and abounding in love, and HE relents from sending calamity." JOEL 2:12-13

May CHRIST be with you.................................................Summer

WHO IS YOUR GOD

ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS TO DO AS A FOLLOWER OF THE LORD JESUS IS TO COME AWAY FROM FALSE WORSHIP .................... WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING THAT DRAWS OUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE TRUTH OF GODS WORD ,WHICH IS SPOKEN IN THE BIBLE................IN THE OLD TESTAMENT WE READ , " But the LORD is the true GOD ; HE is the living GOD , the eternal KING . When HE is angry , the earth trembles ; the nations cannot endure HIS wrath . Tell them this : ' These gods , who did not make the heavens and earth , will perish from the earth and from under the heavens . " JEREMIAH 10 : 10-11....................SUCH RIVETING WORDS FOR ANY ONE WHO HAS A CONSCIENCE YET IT IS SO DIFFICULT FOR US TO FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS AND COME TO GRIPS WITH WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US ...............OH YES WE READ IT AND WE LEARN IT AND WE MAY EVEN TAKE IT IN LIKE A COLD DRINK ON A WARM DAY ..................... STILL YET WE FOLLOW IT , THE WORD THAT IS , UNTIL SOMETHING BETTER OR MORE INTERESTING OR TRENDY COMES ALONG AND THEN WE ARE LURED , JUST AS A FISH SWIMS TO THE BAIT .....................THAT'S HOW SATAN IS, HE BAITS US UNTIL WE'RE HOOKED .....................SOME OF US WILL FEEL THE DEEP WOUND FROM THE HOOK AND DIE ..............................SOME WILL PULL AWAY FROM THE HOOK ITSELF LEAVING A DEEP SCAR ..................... FEW WILL ACTUALLY SWIM THE OTHER WAY TO FIND THE REAL BREAD OF LIFE .................... IN MATTHEW 6:19-24 WE READ , "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth , where moth and rust destroy , and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven , where moth and rust do not destroy , and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is , there your heart will also . The eye is lamp of the body . If your eyes are good , your whole body will be full of light . But if your eyes are bad , your whole body will be full of darkness, how great is that darkness . No one can serve two masters . Either he will hate the one and love the other , or he will be devoted to one and despise the other . You cannot serve both GOD and MONEY . " LIFE IS VERY HARD ........... WE WILL ALWAYS MISS THE MARK ..................... IT IS GOOD TO KNOW THAT JESUS IS ALL LOVING , ALL FORGIVING AND ALWAYS THERE FOR US TO TURN TO .......................... IT IS NEVER TOO LATE FOR US TO ASK HIM TO SOFTEN OUR HEARTS SO WE MAY ENJOY THE ABUNDANCE OF A FULL LIFE ........................ NOT A PERFECT LIFE BUT A FULL LIFE .....................SO I ASK , " WHO IS YOUR GOD ..................................................SUMMER

A LITTLE BIT OF HEAVEN

" No eye has seen , no ear has heard , and no mind has imagined what GOD has prepared for those who love HIM . But it was to us that GOD revealed these things by HIS SPIRIT . For HIS SPIRIT searches out everything and shows us GOD'S deep secrets. " 1CORINTHIANS 2:9-10 ........ THIS SCRIPTURE IS WONDERFUL AND HAS A PROMISE WITHIN IT FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND LOVE THE LORD . AND ALTHOUGH ITS CONTEXT ISN'T SPECIFICALLY TALKING ABOUT HEAVEN , IT DOES REVEAL TO BELIEVERS THAT GOD DOES SPEAK OF THINGS IN HIS WORD THAT HE WANTS US TO KNOW ABOUT ........... WHEN HE SPEAKS OF HEAVEN HE WANTS US TO ANTICIPATE WHAT LIES AHEAD ........ ONE WOULD ASK IF HEAVEN IS BEYOND OUR IMAGINATION ? 2 TIMOTHY 2:7 TELLS US "Consider what I say, and may the LORD give you understanding in all things . " WE CANNOT ANTICIPATE WHAT WE CAN'T IMAGINE ................GOD GIVES US A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN ; A GARDEN , A CITY , AND A KINGDOM ARE ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF GODS PLACE WHERE HE CALLS HOME ..........SOME WOULD SAY THAT THESE DESCRIPTIONS ARE ANALOGIES BUT THE SCRIPTURES MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR THAT OUR LORD JESUS IS PREPARING A PLACE FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIM WHEN HE SPEAKS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 14: 1-12 " Let not your heart be troubled ; you believe in GOD , believe also in ME. In MY FATHERS house are many mansions ; if it were not so , I would have told you . I go to prepare a place for you . And if I go and prepare a place for you , I will come again and receive you to MYSELF ; that where I am , there you may be also . And where I go you know , and the way you know . Thomas said to HIM, '' LORD we do not know where YOU are going , and how can we know the way ? '' JESUS said to him , ''I am the the way , the truth , and the life . No one comes to the FATHER except through ME . If you had known ME , you would have known MY FATHER also ; and from now on you know HIM and have seen HIM . " Phillip said to HIM , '' LORD show us the FATHER , and it is sufficient for us . '' JESUS said to him ,'' Have I been with you so long , and yet you have not known ME Phillip ? He who has seen ME , has seen the FATHER ; so how can you say , ' Show us the FATHER ?' Do you not believe that I am in the FATHER , and the FATHER in ME ? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on MY own authority ; but the FATHER who dwells in ME does the works . Believe ME that I am in the FATHER and the FATHER in ME , or else believe ME for the sake of the works themselves . " WE NEED TO ASK FOR GOD'S HELP TO REMOVE THE WAX PAPER FROM OVER OUR EYES SO THAT ANY FALSE INTERPRETATIONS ABOUT HEAVEN ARE REPLACED WITH SCRIPTURAL TRUTHS ..........IT IS TRUE THAT OUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL IS ALWAYS TRYING TO DISTORT GODS WORD AND DEVOUR US 1PETER 5 :8 '' Be sober , be vigilant ; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion , seeking whom he may devour . " NOW IF THAT ISN'T A LINE OF SCRIPTURE TO KEEP US SOBER !! ...........SOME OF SATAN'S FAVORITE LIES ARE THAT HE NOR GOD NOR HEAVEN NOR HELL EVEN EXIST ........ A VERY CLEVER WAY TO ROB US OF OUR JOY ............ROMANS 8 :38-39 IS VERY CLEAR TO SAY , " For I am persuaded that neither death nor life , nor angels nor principalities nor powers , nor things present nor things to come , nor height nor depth , nor any other created thing , shall be able to separate us from the love of GOD which is in CHRIST JESUS our LORD . '' TODAY MAY BE A GOOD DAY TO PONDER ON WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL SPEND ETERNITY IN HEAVEN ......... JOHN 3 : 16 SAYS, " GOD so loved the world that he gave HIS one and only SON , so that everyone who believes in HIM will not perish but have eternal life . " JUST AS ROMANS 10 :9 STATES , " If you confess with your mouth that JESUS is LORD and believe in your heart that GOD raised HIM from the dead , you will be saved . " WHETHER WE AGREE WITH GOD OR NOT IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER BECAUSE HE HAS THE FINAL SAY BUT WHAT DOES MATTER TO HIM IS WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL ACCEPT HIS FREE GIFT OF SALVATION HENCE REMOVING FROM US OUR FEAR OF DYING JUST AS IN HEBREWS 2:14-15 SAYS, " Because GOD'S children are human beings - made of flesh and blood - the SON also became flesh and blood . For only as a human being could HE die , and only by dying could HE break the power of death . Only in this way could HE set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. " IS TODAY THE DAY ?? .........................................SUMMER

GLORY TO FOLLOW

"If you are insulted because of the name of CHRIST , you are blessed , for the SPIRIT of glory and of GOD rests on you. " 1 PETER 4: 14 .......... HAVE YOU EVER BEEN MOCKED , INSULTED , CHALLENGED , HARASSED, PERSECUTED, IGNORED , CAST ASIDE , RIDICULED OR MAYBE EVEN HATED BECAUSE YOU LOVE CHRIST ?......... IF SO WE NEED TO SERIOUSLY TAKE COMFORT IN THE SCRIPTURE ABOVE ........... IT CAN BE VERY DIFFICULT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT BECAUSE WE FEEL MORE ALONE THAN EVER, HOWEVER JESUS WANTS US KNOW THAT BECAUSE WE SUFFER FOR HIS NAME SAKE NOW , THERE WILL BE GLORY TO FOLLOW ............. WHEN WE STAND FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS AND FIND OURSELVES THE TARGET OF SUFFERING, WE SHARE IN LORD'S SUFFERINGS AS WELL ....... JESUS CHRIST WAS THE LAST BLOOD SACRIFICE ......... HE DID NOT DIE IN VAIN .......... AFTER HIS DEATH , THERE WAS GLORY IN HIS RESURRECTION AND THE ETERNITY OF LIFE IN HEAVEN FOR ALL WHO CALL UPON THE HIS NAME AND REPENT OF THEIR SINFUL WAYS .......... ONE DAY OUR PAIN AND SUFFERINGS WILL BE NO MORE AS IT GIVES WAY TO THE GLORY THAT CAN ONLY BE HAD FROM A LOVING AND RIGHTEOUS GOD .......... THE GOD WHO SENT HIS SON JESUS TO DIE FOR ALL MEN AND WOMEN , YET IRONICALLY ,NOT ALL MEN AND WOMEN WILL COME TO BELIEVE THIS.......... SO HENCE, THERE WILL BE SUFFERING FOR THOSE WHO DO BELIEVE ...........PETER CALLS US TO A LIFE OF HOLINESS THAT IS A REFLECTION OF OUR JEHOVAH GOD ......... PETER ALSO ASKS US TO BE HUMBLE , JUST AS OUR LORD JESUS WAS HUMBLE , WHEN WE ARE DEALING WITH ALL PEOPLE .........LISTEN TO WHAT CHRIST HAS TO SAY ABOUT RETALIATION : " You have heard that it was said , ' Eye for eye , and tooth for tooth . But I tell you , Do not resist an evil person . If someone strikes you on the right cheek , turn to him the other also . And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic , let him have your cloak as well . If someone forces you to go one mile , go with him two miles . Give to the one who asks you , and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you . You have heard that it was said , ' Love your neighbor and hate your enemy .' But I tell you : Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you , that you may be sons of your FATHER in heaven . He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good , and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous . If you love those who love you , what reward will you get ? Are not even the tax collectors doing that ? And if you greet only your brothers , what are you doing more than others ? Do not even pagans do that ? Be perfect , therefore , as your heavenly FATHER is perfect . " MATTHEW 5 : 38-48....WE NEED TO BE MORE LIKE JESUS AND LESS LIKE OURSELVES ........PETER TELLS US OF THE PROPHETS WHO WROTE ABOUT CHRIST'S SUFFERINGS , " Concerning this salvation , the prophets,who spoke of the grace that was to come to you , searched intently and with the greatest care , trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the SPIRIT of CHRIST in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of CHRIST and the glories that would follow . " 1 PETER 1: 10 - 11 .......... TO BE AS CHRIST WOULD HAVE US TO BE REQUIRES US TO HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM ............ BY STUDYING HIS WORD WE COME TO UNDERSTAND WHO OUR SAVIOUR IS .........HIS WORD ALSO TEACHES US WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR US SO THAT IN RETURN WE ARE ABLE LOOK FORWARD TO THE GLORY THAT WILL FOLLOW ......................................................................SUMMER

THE TEST OF OBEDIENCE

IT'S HARD TO BE OBEDIENT TO OUR LORD WHEN WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON , OR WHEN WE ARE TOO ANXIOUS ABOUT THE POSSIBLE OUTCOME ISN'T IT ?.................... BUT THE TRUE TEST OF OUR FAITH COMES AROUND JUST AT THESE PRECISE MOMENTS ............ FOLLOWING THE LORDS COMMANDS REVEALS TO US THAT WE TRUST IN HIS DECISIONS FOR OUR LIVES NOT ONLY IN THE BIG AREAS OF CONCERN BUT IN THE LITTLE AREAS AS WELL ..............HIS WORD REMINDS US THAT OBEDIENCE DOES NOT COME EASY BUT WILL CREATE EASE IN OUR SOUL ............ WHEN WE EXAMINE THE SCRIPTURES GOD REVEALS THAT OUR SAVIOUR WAS 100 % MAN AND 100 % GOD ......... JESUS WAS NOT HALF MAN AND HALF GOD HE WAS 100% OF BOTH ...... CONFUSING AS IT MAY BE IT ALSO UNRAVELS ANOTHER MYSTERY ABOUT US AS HUMANS : WE CANNOT BE OBEDIENT WITHOUT DEPENDENCY ON CHRIST ...... THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES TELL US , "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 straight your paths . " PROVERBS 3:5-6 .........WHEN WE LOOK AT THE NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES , THE TOPIC OF BEING OBEDIENT TO GOD IS REVEALED TO US AS WE LOOK AT HOW JESUS WAS OBEDIENT TO HIS FATHER IN HEAVEN , "If you obey MY commands , you will remain in MY love ,just as I have obeyed MY FATHER'S commands and remain in HIS love . I have told you this so that MY joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete . " JOHN 15 :10-11........... WE MAY NOT UNDERSTAND OR EVEN BE AWARE THAT WHEN WE ARE OBEDIENT TO GOD IT WILL CREATE A JOY THAT IS COMPLETE !! ...............IT'S REVELING TO SEE THAT JESUS WAS OBEDIENT TO THE POINT OF HIS OWN DEATH , BECAUSE OF THE RELATIONSHIP HE HAD WITH HIS FATHER ........... JESUS NOT ONLY DID HIS FATHERS WILL WHEN IT WAS EASY TO DO , BUT ALSO WHEN IT WAS VERY UNPOPULAR , DIFFICULT AND EVEN UNBEARABLE ......THIS WILLING SUBMISSION BECAME A GIFT OF LOVE GIVEN TO GOD THE FATHER............JESUS KNEW THAT THE TIME WOULD COME WHEN HIS OBEDIENCE WOULD AFFORD HIM THE TIME HE WOULD SPEND WITH HIS FATHER ONCE HE COMPLETED HIS WORK ON EARTH ,"Later , knowing that all was now completed , and so the SCRIPTURE would be fulfilled , JESUS said , ''I am thirsty . '' A jar of wine vinegar was there , so they soaked a sponge in it , put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant , and lifted it to JESUS' lips. When HE had received the drink , JESUS said , "It is finished . " With that , HE bowed HIS head and gave up HIS spirit . " JOHN 19: 28-30.............. GOD WANTS US KNOW THAT WE TOO CAN AND SHOULD BE OBEDIENT TO HIM EVEN WHEN DOING WHAT HE SAYS IS DIFFICULT OR STRANGE , " This is love for GOD : to obey HIS commands . And HIS commands are not burdensome , for everyone born of GOD overcomes the world . This is victory that has overcome the world , even our faith . Who is it that overcomes the world ? Only he who believes that JESUS is the SON of GOD . " 1JOHN 5:3- 5.........THE TRUE TEST OF OUR OBEDIENCE TO GOD IS : WILL WE LISTEN ?.......................................................................SUMMER

ARE YOU ALIEN ENOUGH ?

HAVE YOU EVER KNOWN THE FEELING OF BEING ALL ALONE ? SOMETIMES WE CAN BE IN A ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE AND FEEL THIS WAY ........................... AT TIMES THIS FEELING COMES OVER US WHEN WE REALLY THINK OF HOW TRUTHFUL JESUS' WORDS ARE . "Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves , you are slaves to the one whom you obey -whether you are slaves to sin , which leads to death , or to obedience , which leads to righteousness ? " ROMANS 6:16......................STILL YET AT OTHER TIMES WE CAN FEEL QUITE LONELY IF THE ONE WE LOVE DOESN'T LOVE US BACK OR IF WE HAPPEN TO HAVE A NON BELIEVING SPOUSE ................... TO THE CONTRARY , HAVING EXPERIENCED THIS FEELING AT DIFFERENT TIMES DURING OUR LIVES, STILL DOESN'T GUARANTEE THAT WE WILL BE EMPATHETIC AND COMPASSIONATE TO THOSE AROUND US WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THIS...............THE FEELING OF BEING ALONE HAS TWO CONTRASTS .........................THE FIRST BEING THAT INNER SPIRITUAL & EMOTIONAL EMPTINESS THAT CAN ACCOMPANY US WHEN WE DO NOT HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD JESUS .......... THIS TYPE OF LONELINESS OCCURS WHEN THE DRAW OF THE SECULAR WORLD PULLS US DEEPER AND DEEPER INTO THE ABYSS OF MATERIALISM ............IT'S AN ALL CONSUMING OBSESSION THAT CONTINUES TO EAT AWAY AT US , WHILE WE TRY TO SATISFY OUR SPIRIT WITH BOUTS OF TEMPORARY HAPPINESS , YET NOTHING IS EVER ENOUGH. " Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth , where moth and rust destroy , and where thieves break in and steal . But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven , where moth and rust do not destroy , and where thieves do not break in and steal . For where your treasure is , there your heart will be also. " MATTHEW 6:19-20 " No one can serve two masters . Either he will hate the one and love the other , or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both GOD and Money ." MATTHEW 6: 24 ............. PREOCCUPATION WITH SUCCESS WILL ALSO CAUSE US TO FEEL QUITE CONFIDANT AND SURE AT FIRST ONLY TO LEAVE US DROWNING IN OUR SORROWS AS WE LOSE TOUCH WITH GOOD INTENTIONS AND OUR LOVED ONES . " But many who are first will be last , and the last first . " MARK 10:31...................THE SECOND CONTRAST OF BEING ALONE COMES ALONG ONCE WE HAVE REPENTED OF OUR SIN AND ACCEPTED JESUS CHRIST INTO OUR HEARTS............. BELIEVING IN CHRIST AND BEING OBEDIENT TO HIM MEANS THAT WE WILL HAVE DIFFERENT MOTIVES AND GOALS THAN THE PEOPLE AROUND US .............. WE WILL LOOK AND ACT DIFFERENT THAN THE WORLD WHICH CAN OFTEN LEAD TO LONELINESS ( which may in turn lead us to sinful behaviors ) ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DO NOT PARTAKE IN GENUINE FELLOWSHIP WITH BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN THE LORD ...........WHEN WE SEE SOMEONE IN NEED OF A " LIFTING UP '' IT IS OUR DUTY TO ENCOURAGE THEM . "See to it brothers , that none of you has a sinful , unbelieving heart that turns away from the living GOD. But encourage one another daily , as long as it is called Today , so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in CHRIST if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first . "HEBREWS 3:12-14...........BEING CHRISTIANS PUTS US AT ODDS WITH THE WORLD , WE ARE ALIENS ." Dear friends , I urge you , as aliens and strangers in the world , to abstain from sinful desires , which wage war against your soul . Live such good lives among the pagans that , though they may accuse you of doing wrong , they may see your good deeds and glorify GOD on the day HE visits us . " 1PETER 2:11-12 ...................AS A CHRISTIAN WE ARE CALLED TO A HIGHER STANDARD ...................THE QUESTION IS ARE WE ALIEN ENOUGH TO GLORIFY THE GOD WHO HAS CALLED US ?.............................................................SUMMER

THE EMPTY TOMB

TODAY IS A JOYOUS DAY . WE SEE BEAUTY AROUND US AND EVERYTHING COMING UP NEW AS SPRING UNFOLDS BUT MORE THAN THAT WE CELEBRATE A VICTORY OVER THE FACE OF DEATH ......... '' The angel said to the woman , ' Do not be afraid , for I know that you are looking for JESUS , who was crucified . HE is not here ; HE has risen , just as HE said. Come and see the place where HE lay . Then go quickly and tell all HIS disciples : ' HE has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you in Galilee . There you will see HIM .' Now I have told you ." MATTHEW 28:5-7 ............. WE DO NOT HAVE TO GRIEVE ANY MORE ............ THE TOMB IS EMPTY !! .......... JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE ..........WE SERVE A LIVING GOD .............JESUS CHRIST HAS SUPREME AUTHORITY AS WE READ IN THE SCRIPTURES........... " Then JESUS came to them and said , ' All authority has been given to me . Therefore go and make disciples of all nations , baptizing them in the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT , and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you . And surely I am with you always , to the very end of the age.' " MATTHEW 28: 18- 20 .........................HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY !!..........................................SUMMER

BREAKING BREAD .....

AS WE APPROACH THE HOUR WHEN OUR LORD GAVE HIS LIFE SO THAT WE MAY LIVE ETERNALLY WITH HIM IN HEAVEN , I REFLECT ON WHAT IT REALLY MEANS TO HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST....... JOHN 13:1-9 STATES, " It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for HIM to leave the world and go to the FATHER. Having loved HIS own who were in the world , HE now showed them the full extent of HIS love. The evening meal was being served , and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot , son of Simon , to betray JESUS. JESUS knew that the FATHER had put all things under HIS power , and that HE had come from GOD and was returning to GOD ; so HE got up from the meal , took off HIS outer clothing , and wrapped a towel around HIS waist. After that , HE poured water into a basin and began to wash HIS disciples' feet , drying them with a towel that was wrapped around HIM. HE came to Simon Peter , who said to HIM , '' LORD , are you going to wash my feet ? " JESUS replied , " You do not realize now what I am doing , but later you will understand . " '' No" , said Peter , " YOU shall never wash my feet ." JESUS answered , " Unless I wash you , you have no part with me . " WHEN WE LOOK CLOSELY AT WHAT OUR LORD DID FOR US , IT IS CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT JESUS CAME TO SERVE AND NOT BE SERVED . THIS VERY MATTER STRIKES AT OUR HEARTS . ARE WE WILLING TO SERVE THOSE AROUND US AS JESUS DID , OR ARE WE QUITE THE OPPOSITE , MAKING DEMANDS ON THOSE AROUND US AS IF WE ARE ENTITLED TO SOMETHING ? .......THEN , WHEN WE DO SERVE OTHERS, DOES OUR ATTITUDE REFLECT OUR KING OR IS IT A MOCKERY OF HIM ? IN 2 CORINTHIANS 9 :6-8 THE LORD SAYS , " Remember this : Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly , and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give , not reluctantly or under compulsion , for GOD loves a cheerful giver .And GOD is able to make all grace abound to you , so that in all things at all times , having all you need , you will abound in every good good work . " YOU SEE WHEN IT COMES TO GOD ITS ALWAYS A MATTER OF OUR HEART !! .......... AND NO ONE KNOWS OUR HEART BETTER THAN GOD .......... WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN WE SERVE, IT NOT ONLY SUPPLIES THE NEEDS OF GODS PEOPLE BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY IT GIVES MANY EXPRESSIONS OF THANKS TO GOD AND GIVES HIM THE GLORY HE IS SO RIGHTLY DESERVES .......... SOME 2000 YEARS AGO OUR LORD JESUS BROKE BREAD WITH HIS DISCIPLES NOT ONLY AS A SAVIOUR BUT AS A SERVANT TOO........ ARE WE WILLING TO DO THE SAME ? ..............................SUMMER

THE SEEDS HAVE SPROUTED !!!!!!!!

ONE THING IS FOR SURE , TRUSTING IN THE LORD IS DEFINITELY NECESSARY WHEN YOU TAKE A SEED , PLACE IT UNDER AN 1/8 " OF ORGANIC SOIL IN AN EMPTY EGG CRATE , WATER IT JUST TO KEEP IT MOIST ( YOU KNOW THAT ABSOLUTE BALANCE OF SOMEWHERE BETWEEN NOT TOO DRY & NOT TOO SOGGY ) , GIVE IT AT LEAST 16 HOURS OF COMBINATION SUN & ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT , AND WAIT FOR THE TIME BETWEEN 5-10 DAYS TO SEE GODS "BEHIND THE SCENES " WORK IN ACTION................. IN THE BOOK OF GENESIS CHAPTER 1:11-12 , " Then GOD said,"Let the land produce vegetation : seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so . The land produced vegetation : plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds . And GOD saw that it was good ." ...............LOOKING AT THESE TINY SHOOTS IN THE CRATES MAKES ME FEEL SO DARN SMALL ................ LIKE A GRAIN OF SAND ON A BEACH ....... LOOKING AT THESE SPROUTING PLANTS ALSO MAKES ME THINK EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF SEEDS I AM SOWING FOR GODS KINGDOM ......... THE KIND OF SEEDS I SOW WILL REVEAL TO OTHERS WHO MY SAVIOUR REALLY IS ............WILL I SOW SEEDS OF DECEPTION OR WILL THE SEEDS I SOW REVEAL THE TRUE WORD OF GOD ?........... LIVING FOR JESUS IS NOT ALWAYS EASY.....IT MEANS I NEED TO HUMBLE MYSELF AND DO WHAT HIS WORD TELLS ME TO DO ............. AM I PERFECT ? BY NO MEANS .......BUT DO I HAVE THE ABILITY TO LIVE BY HIS WORD ? ONLY WHEN I WALK IN HIS WILL.......... REMINDING ME ONCE AGAIN , JUST HOW GRATEFUL I AM FOR THE LOVE OF MY SAVIOUR ...................HOW ABOUT YOU ......................WHAT KIND OF SEEDS HAVE YOU SOWED TODAY ? .............................................................SUMMER

" WAKE - UP OH SLEEPER "

THE 1ST BOOK OF JONAH IS FILLED WITH SCRIPTURES THAT DEPICT GODS CHILD , JONAH , ON THE RUN .ISN'T IT TRUE THAT EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW GODS LAWS AND COMMANDMENTS , WE TOO RUN AWAY FROM OUR LORD AT TIMES DURING OUR STRUGGLES WITH LIFE ; ONLY TO FIND OURSELVES IN AN EVEN BIGGER MESS THAN WHEN WE FIRST STARTED TO RUN . AS JONAH RAN , HIS ESCAPE ROUTE LANDED HIM ON A SHIP. SOON AFTER THE SHIP SET OFF TO SEA , A VIOLENT STORM WAS SENT DOWN BY GOD. AS THE VESSEL THRASHED ABOUT, THE MEN BEGAN TO FEAR THE WORST ,WHILE JONAH TOOK REFUGE BELOW DECK WHERE HE FELL ASLEEP !! ISN'T THIS HOW WE REACT TO OUR LORD AT TIMES ? WHEN WE ARE FACED WITH TOUGH DECISIONS TO MAKE , FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER , WE CHOOSE TO IGNORE THE GODLY CHOICE AND FALL INTO A SLUMP , SLEEP OR SLUMBER ( WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT ).....WE WONDER THEN WHY DO WE HAVE SO MUCH AGONY , PAIN OR TROUBLE ......WHEN THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT WE REFUSED TO OBEY THE LORD'S INSTRUCTIONS !! WHEN THE CAPTAIN WENT BELOW DECK HE SAID , " How can you sleep ? Get up and call on your GOD ! Maybe HE will take notice of us , and we will not perish . " ch.1 vs.6 AS THE OTHER MEN BEGAN TO QUESTION HIM JONAH KNEW WHAT HE HAD DONE (RUN FROM THE LORD HIS GOD ) AND WENT ON TO TELL THEM ,"I am a Hebrew and i worship the LORD , the GOD of heaven, who made the sea and the land. " ch.1vs.9 ...... ISN'T IT TRUE TO SAY, AT THE LEAST , THAT WE KNOW WHO THE LORD JESUS IS AND YET WE STILL REFUSE TO OBEY ?..... AS THE STORM CONTINUED JONAH ASKED THE MEN TO THROW HIM OVERBOARD RELYING ON GODS WILL TO CALM THE SEA........ THEY OBLIGED AND IMMEDIATELY THE SEA GREW CALM . WITH THIS THE LORD GAINED FAVOR WITH THESE MEN, BUT AS FOR JONAH ..... HE SPENT THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF OF A WHALE !! ......YOU MAY SAY WHY DID THE LORD HAVE A FISH SWALLOW HIM ?? JUST THE WAY YOU MAY SAY WHY DOES THE LORD ALLOW THIS OR THAT TO HAPPEN TO ME OR SOMEONE I KNOW ? WELL THE ANSWER IS FOUND IN CHAPTER 2 OF THIS PROFOUND BOOK .......JONAH'S PRAYER . ( I SUGGEST HIGHLY THAT YOU READ THIS CHAPTER FOR IT IS REVELLING !! ) JONAH WAS FINALLY WILLING TO LISTEN TO THE WORD OF THE LORD IN CHAPTER 3 AND OBEY THE INSTRUCTION TO GO TO NINEVEH. ...........NOW NINEVEH WAS A VERY VERY POWERFUL CITY ,BUT A MENACE TO THE ISRAELITES . WHEN JONAH ARRIVED ,HE PREACHED THE WORD FROM GOD AND THE NINEVITES CAME TO BELIEVE IN GOD !!!!! ISN'T THIS WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW GOD, WHEN WE ARE OBEDIENT AND PREACH THE WORD FROM THE LORD JESUS ? BUT YOU SEE SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENED HERE ," When GOD saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, HE had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. " ch.3vs.10..........GOD SHOWED THE NINEVITES HIS UNFAILING AND EVERLASTING MERCY........ DOES NOT THE LORD JESUS SHOW US HIS UNFAILING AND EVERLASTING MERCY WHEN WE REPENT OF OUR SINS , COME TO BELIEVE HE IS LORD AND TURN FROM OUR EVIL WAYS ?THE BOOK OF JONAH IS TRULY A BOOK OF THE OLD TESTAMENT THAT I CHERISH..........................SUMMER

GOD SPEAKS........................

HE SAID, " If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your GOD and do what is right in HIS eyes , if you pay attention to HIS commands and keep all HIS decrees , I will not bring upon you any of the diseases i brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD , who heals you." EXODUS 15:26...........................DO WE LISTEN ?..............................................................SUMMER

1:22 P.M.................

I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES AS I PULLED BACK THE CURTAIN EARLY THIS MORNING...... THERE HE WAS BRIGHTER THAN EVER , WITH NOT A CLOUD IN THE SKY , BEAMING DOWN INTO THE GARDEN , GLISTENING ATOP THE WATER , WARMING MY FACE , CAUSING A STIR IN MY MIND AND A DESIRE IN MY HEART...... MR. SUNSHINE WAS HERE FOR A VISIT !! FROM THE LOOKS OF THINGS I COULD TELL HE WAS BRINGING ALONG A GOOD FRIEND ...... SO I KNEW I NEEDED TO GO THROUGH MY DEVOTIONS , FINISH MY CHORES AND GET DRESSED AS QUICKLY AS I COULD ..........AS THE MORNING ROLLED ON I FOUND THE PRETTIEST SWEATER AND SKIRT, PUT ON A LITTLE ROUGE AND LIPSTICK ,TOSSED MY HAIR UP IN A BUN AND PUT ON MY STRAW HAT .......I WAS JUST ABOUT READY AS THE CLOCK TICKED AWAY TOWARDS THE TIME SHE WAS TO ARRIVE ........ SHE ARRIVED AT 1:22 P.M....... YEP !! MR. SUNSHINES' GOOD FRIEND WAS FINALLY HERE , RIGHT ON TIME , DECKED OUT IN HER FINEST ARRAY AND LOOKING HER BEST....... SHE TOLD ME SHE'D BE STAYING FOR 3 WHOLE MONTHS ......AS I ASKED HER HOW SHE HAD BEEN AND CHECKED HER INTO THE GUEST ROOM , I ASKED HER WHAT HER NAME WAS AND SHE SAID, "MY NAME IS SPRING ; I'VE BEEN WAITING SINCE LAST YEAR TO MEET YOU AND I AM VERY HAPPY TO BE HERE ! " "LIKEWISE ! ", I REPLIED.WITH THAT SHE WENT ON TO TELL ME THAT THE MASTER HAD A WORD FOR ME WHICH WAS , " And why do you worry about your clothes ? See how the lilies of the field grow. they do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how GOD clothes the grass of the field , which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire , will HE not much more clothe you , O you of little faith. So do not worry saying 'What shall we eat ? ' or What shall we drink ? ' or 'What shall we wear ?' For the pagans run after all these things , and your heavenly FATHER knows that you need them .But seek first HIS kingdom and HIS righteousness , and all these things will be given to you . " MATTHEW 6:28-33..... WITH THAT I WAS QUITE HUMBLED TO SAY THE LEAST BUT VERY GRATEFUL THAT SPRING HAD FINALLY ARRIVED !! HOW ABOUT YOU ? ....................SUMMER

IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE SPRING !!

TODAY WAS SIMPLY A GORGEOUS DAY FILLED WITH A CRISP MORNING BREEZE , BRILLIANT SUNSHINE , PLENTY OF EARLY MORNING MUSIC FROM THE BIRDS AND MOST OF ALL THE AROMA OF SPRING IN THE AIR . SIR JACK RABBIT WAS HAPPY TO FILL HIS TUMMY WITH SWEET SIGNS OF THE SEASON & OF COURSE OL'MR.SQUIRREL WAS NOT ABOUT TO CALL IT QUITS JUST BECAUSE THE FEEDER WAS OVER CROWDED WITH DOVES, CHICKADEE'S AND SPARROWS ! MORNING DEVOTIONS COME EASY ON DAYS LIKE THIS , MY THOUGHTS PROMPTING ME TO A BOOK OF THE OLD TESTAMENT ,SONG OF SOLOMON. IT IS HERE WHERE WE READ " SEE !THE WINTER IS PAST ; THE RAINS ARE OVER AND GONE. FLOWERS APPEAR ON THE EARTH ; THE SEASON OF SINGING HAS COME, THE COOING OF DOVES IS HEARD IN OUR LAND . THE FIG TREE FORMS ITS EARLY FRUIT ; THE BLOSSOMING VINES SPREAD THEIR FRAGRANCE . ARISE , COME , MY DARLING ; MY BEAUTIFUL ONE , COME WITH ME ." SONG OF SONGS 2:11-13 .WHAT A GLORIOUS DAY TO TURN TO THE SON AND GIVE GOD THE GLORY , WOULDN'T YOU AGREE ?...........................................SUMMER

"A ROAD LESS TRAVELED"

"I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL, BECAUSE IT IS THE POWER OF GOD FOR THE SALVATION OF EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES: FIRST FOR THE JEW,THEN FOR THE GENTILE ."( ROMANS 1:16 )..... THIS IS A SCRIPTURE WHICH BRINGS A PERSON TO A ROAD LESS TRAVELED ...... WE ARE GETTING ALONG JUST FINE IN IN LIFE , TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD ,WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IS A "FORK" IN THE ROAD....... WE ARE FACED WITH A DECISION TO MAKE .......DO WE TAKE THE ROAD WHICH IS TRAVELED BY OTHERS , MANY TO BE EXACT, OR DO WE TAKE "A ROAD LESS TRAVELED "? IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO WE ARE ..... MAN OR WOMAN, GENTILE OR JEW, MORAL DO-GOODER OR BLATANT SINNER....... WE ALL STAND GUILTY BEFORE GOD. WHETHER WE ARE BELIEVERS OR NON-BELIEVERS , RICH OR POOR, ATTRACTIVE OR NOT, SMART OR NOT SO SMART, ASSERTIVE OR SHY..... EVERY SINGLE PERSON STANDS CONDEMNED BEFORE GOD, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE OF ALL THE EARTH..... HOWEVER, THERE WILL BE "NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS ."( ROMANS 8:1 ) WHAT DOES THAT REALLY MEAN ? NO DEATH SENTENCE !!!...... SO YOU SAY YOU BELIEVE , YOU'VE REPENTED OF YOUR SIN AND HAVE TAKEN THE LORD INTO YOUR HEART ..... WHAT DO WE DO WITH THAT GIFT OF SALVATION ONCE ITS BEEN GIVEN TO US? ( JAMES 2:14-25 ) SO YOU SAY YOU DON'T BELIEVE , THAT THIS IS NOT FOR YOU AND IT REALLY DOESN'T MATTER ...... WELL, WHAT IF GOD TRULY DOES GET THE LAST SAY? WILL IT MATTER THEN ?( REVELATION 20: 15 ) .......BEFORE WE DIE IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO GO TO THE LORD JESUS AND ASK HIM FOR FORGIVENESS.... REMEMBER IT IS GOD WHO WILL HAVE THE LAST SAY NO MATTER WHAT WE THINK ...... SO I GUESS " A ROAD LESS TRAVELED " IS REALLY SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT ,ISN'T IT ? P.S. IF YOU DO TALK TO GOD & ASK FOR FORGIVENESS AND TAKE THE LORD INTO YOUR HEART , DON'T BE SHY, PLEASE DO LET ANOTHER CHRISTIAN KNOW .......AND REMEMBER , JESUS LOVES YOU !!.............................SUMMER

" BUT FOR ADAM ...........

NO SUITABLE HELPER WAS FOUND.SO THE LORD GOD CAUSED THE MAN TO FALL INTO A DEEP SLEEP; AND WHILE HE WAS SLEEPING, HE TOOK ONE OF THE MANS RIBS AND CLOSED UP THE PLACE WITH FLESH.THEN THE LORD GOD MADE A WOMAN FROM THE RIB HE HAD TAKEN OUT OF THE MAN, AND HE BROUGHT HER TO THE MAN. THE MAN SAID, " THIS IS NOW BONE OF MY BONES AND FLESH OF MY FLESH; SHE SHALL BE CALLED WOMAN , FOR SHE WAS TAKEN OUT OF MAN." FOR THIS REASON A MAN WILL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE UNITED TO HIS WIFE, AND THEY SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. " GENESIS 2:20-24 I THINK I'LL SPEND SOME TIME TONIGHT WITH MY HUSBAND..................SUMMER

.....and she said, " JUST BE THERE ,THATS ALL."

WOW !!It has been a whole week since i have been here , but time spent away always makes my heart grow fonder of this site ....... I'll share with you a little bit about what happened when my stand at the farmers market closed up for the winter season. A friend of mine called one day ,early on this winter, to ask me if i'd like to help out with the care of her friends mom (95 years young ),who was living alone and in need of some daily care....... I decided to accept thinking that winter season wouldn't feel so cold and spring would arrive sooner than later !! Little did i know that i was about to receive a lesson from my LORD on christian obedience and the different seasons of our lives instead . So early each morning i would begin my day and ask the LORD to reveal to me what it was most that this woman needed besides her basic physical care . He would always bring to my attention that i was to be extra kind and very respectful to her because she was in the winter season of her life . This brought me to the scripture in the OLD TESTAMENT ,"Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your GOD . " LEVITICUS 19:32 I had not known if this woman knew of the LORD, but i did know what the LORD revealed to me as i prayed. And so it was, as i began the long winter season with a 95 year old woman in need of physical care ,kindness and respect . As time passed, there were days on which i was so excited i accepted this assignment that i found myself looking forward to getting up, despite the sub zero temperatures . And then there were those other days where i was so sorry i accepted the request,that i would bury my head under the pillow and wait until the very last minute to dress and go.Through it all however i held true to my obedience to the LORD to be extra kind and respectful. I wondered what it was the LORD was trying to teach me , until just the other day ,as i sat next to her it clicked . As we both sat quietly in the living room i was thinking of how my time spent there was not appreciated as it should be but still yet i asked , " V , can i do anything for you ? " and as she picked up her head and slowly turned to me she weakly stated , " Just be there thats all. " Sometimes the situations in our lives really don't require us to do anything at all but to " just be there ". ...................................................summer

TO MY SWEET PEA

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SWEET PEA GRANDAUGHTER............. SHE WAS 9 YEARS OLD TODAY !!!!!!!!!! : ) WHAT A JOY SHE IS TO BE AROUND !!

PAYBACK TIME .......IS IT FOR YOU ?

SO MUCH OF TODAYS TEACHINGS FOCUS ON BLAMING PEOPLE FOR THE THINGS THAT HAVE GONE WRONG IN OUR LIVES ...... ACCORDING TO SOCIETY,WE ARE ALL VICTIMS OF SOME SORT ........ WE USE EXUSES FOR THE BEHAVIORS WE DISPLAY , BEHAVIORS INVOLVING CONVERSATIONAL BLEEPS TO MURDEROUS ACTS OF VIOLENCE ..... WHAT IT REALLY COMES DOWN TO IS , AS A PEOPLE, WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH FORGIVENESS .YOU SEE, WITH FORGIVENESS COMES THE LETTING GO OF SUCH THINGS AS ANGER ,WRATH ,HATRED AND BITTERNESS ; HENCE REPLACING THEM WITH LOVE, KINDNESS ,COMPASSION AND TENDERNESS .SO HOW DO WE BECOME A FORGIVING PERSON ? WHY SHOULD WE BE A PERSON WHO FORGIVES ? CAN WE DO THIS OR LEARN TO BECOME THIS WAY ON OUR OWN ? THE LORD TELLS US IN MATTHEW 18:21-22 "Then Peter came to JESUS and asked ,"LORD how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me ?Up to seven times ?" JESUS answered , "I tell you , not seven times , but seventy times seven ." SO WE KNOW THAT JESUS WANTS US TO FORGIVE ! IN THIS CHAPTER FURTHER ON DOWN IN VS.35, AFTER JESUS FINISHES EXPLAINING THE STORY OF THE UNMERCIFUL SERVANT (I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ THIS CHAPTER ) He states ,"This is how my heavenly FATHER will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart . " AGAIN THIS TELLS US THAT WE ARE TO FORGIVE, BUT ONE CANNOT FORGIVE TRUELY FROM ONES HEART WITHOUT KNOWING THAT JESUS HAS FORGIVEN US FIRST...... DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE THIS ..... IT IS TRUE. THE LORD JESUS HAD PAID THE PRICE FOR THE SINS OF ALL MANKIND BY DYING ON THE CROSS AT CALVARY !! WHEN WE LOOK AT THE GOSPEL OF JOHN IN CHAPTER 19:28-30 , "Later, knowing that all was now completed , and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled , JESUS said, "Iam thirsty.'' A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it , put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to JESUS' lips. When he had received the drink , JESUS said , "It is finished ."With that , he bowed his head and gave up his spirit ." IT IS TRUE TO SAY JESUS WAS THE LAST BLOOD SACRIFICE . AS WE LOOK UPON HOW GOD FORGIVES US OF OUR SIN WHEN WE REPENT AND TAKE THE LORD JESUS INTO OUR HEARTS WE CANNOT IGNORE THE NEED TO FORGIVE OTHERS THAT HAVE WRONGED US. MATTHEW 5:38-39 STATES "You have heard it said ,'Eye for eye,and toothe for tooth. But i tell you different,do not resist an evil person . If someone strikes you on the right cheek , turn to him the other also." AND IN 1JOHN 1:8-9 , "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins , he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrightousness." IS THIS EASY FOR US ...... NO . IS THIS POSSIBLE FOR US ....... NO. NOT WITHOUT THE LORD JESUS . IN EPHESIANS THE SCRIPTURES TELL US TO, " Get rid of all bitterness,rage anger brawling and slander ,along with with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another , forgiving each other, just as in CHRIST JESUS GOD forgave you. " LET US THINK ABOUT THIS TODAY ....... IS PAYBACK TIME REALLY THE ANSWER ?.............................................SUMMER

ITS NOT LIKE ME TO FORGET BUT .........

I ACCIDENTALLY FORGOT TO SIGN MY NAME AT THE END OF MY LAST BLOG SO HERE IT IS....................................................SUMMER

SNOWFLAKES & WIND

WELL I KNEW WE COULD NOT ESCAPE THIS WINTER WITHOUT AT LEAST ONE BLIZZARD LIKE STORM ....... BUT THERE'S SOMETHING SERENE ABOUT THE ACTIVITY THAT A BLIZZARD BRINGS ABOUT THAT WARMS MY HEART AND MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A PIONEER FROM THE 1800'S ....... AS I GAZE OUT THE PICTURE WINDOW IN MY KITCHEN I CAN SEE NO FURTHER THAN THE BIG OL' SPRUCE TREE IN THE YARD ...... OUT EVEN FURTHER THERE'S A HALO AROUND THE STREET LAMP WHICH GIVES OFF A GLOW AS THE SNOW WHIPS THROUGH THE AIR AT NEAR 40 MILES PER HOUR ....... SO WHAT'S A GAL TO DO ON A COLD WINTERS NIGHT AS SUCH ?? WHAT ELSE OTHER THAN TO COOK UP A BIG POT OF BEEF BARLEY VEGETABLE SOUP & BAKE A REALLY DELICIOUS COCONUT CAKE WITH CREAMY COCONUT ICING !! SO AFTER MY BIG STRONG HUBBY FINISHED MOVING THE SNOW FROM OUR DRIVEWAY WE DELIGHTED IN THIS WONDERFUL WINTER FEAST ..... TONIGHT'S WINTER WEATHER REMINDS ME OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES OF ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8 .IT IS IN THIS BOOK OF THE BIBLE THAT STATES ,"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven : a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build , a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up,a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,a time to love and a time to hate,a time for war and a time for peace." GOD ALWAYS HAS A TIME FOR EVERYTHING BUT THE QUESTION IS DO WE HAVE A TIME FOR GOD ??

TIME SENSITIVE INFORMATION

HAVE YOU EVER WONDERED WHAT THE WORLD WOULD BE LIKE IF JESUS WERE HERE WALKING IN THE FLESH RIGHT THIS VERY DAY ....... WOULD WE BELIEVE THAT IT WAS HIM ? HOW WOULD WE REACT TO HIS PRESENCE ? WOULD THERE BE MEDIA COVERAGE ON HIM OR WOULD HE JUST FADE INTO THE BACKGROUND OF OUR LIVES ? WOULD THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH IF HE WERE HERE RIGHT THIS VERY DAY ? I WONDER TOO IF PEOPLE WOULD BE EAGER TO MEET OR TALK TO HIM ? WOULD HE HAVE A LARGE FOLLOWING OR WOULD WE MOCK HIM ? WOULD OUR CHURCHES INVITE HIM IN TO PREACH HIS WORD ?WOULD WE BELIEVE HE WAS WHO HE SAID HE IS ? WOULD WE ARREST HIM FOR THE THINGS HE SAID ? WOULD THE ACLU DEFEND HIM ? WOULD WE DEFEND HIM ? THESE QUESTIONS POSE A MUCH LARGER CONCERN ..... PAUL TELLS US IN 1THESSALONIANS 4 & 5 "BROTHERS WE DO NOT WANT YOU TO BE IGNORANT ABOUT THOSE WHO FALL ASLEEP, OR TO GRIEVE LIKE THE REST OF MEN , WHO HAVE NO HOPE. " ch.4 vs.13 PAUL THEN GOES ON TO SAY , "NOW , BROTHERS ABOUT TIMES & DATES WE DO NOT NEED TO WRITE YOU , FOR YOU KNOW VERY WELL THAT THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME LIKE A THEIF IN THE NIGHT. WHILE PEOPLE ARE SAYING "PEACE AND SAFETY, " DESTRUCTION WILL COME ON THEM SUDDENLY , AS LABOR PAINS ON A PREGNANT WOMAN , AND THEY WILL NOT ESCAPE . " ch.5vs.1-3 AND STILL YET PAUL INSTRUCTS , " LIVE IN PEACE WITH EACH OTHER . AND WE URGE YOU, BROTHERS ,WARN THOSE WHO ARE IDLE , ENCOURAGE THE TIMID , HELP THE WEAK , BE PATIENT WITH EVERYONE.MAKE SURE NOBODY PAYS BACK WRONG FOR WRONG , BUT ALWAYS TRY TO BE KIND TO EACH OTHER AND TO EVERYONE ELSE. BE JOYFUL ALWAYS ; PRAY CONTINUALLY; GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES , FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IN CHRIST JESUS . " ch.5vs12-18........ AS I PONDER ON THESE SCRIPTURES, I COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE MUST BE READY FOR JESUS TO COME, JUST AS HE SAYS , "LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT" . ARE YOU READY ? IF SO , PRAISE THE LORD ..... IF NOT IT IS NOT TOO LATE FOR YOU TO MAKE YOUR HEART RIGHT WITH JESUS BY ADMITTING YOU ARE A SINNER ,REPENTING OF YOUR SIN TO CHRIST AND INVITING HIM INTO YOUR HEART ..... IN RETURN GOD GIVES YOU A NEW HEART, FORGETS THE PAST AND GIVES YOU HIS FREE GIFT OF SALVATION,SPENDING ETERNITY WITH HIM WHEN YOU DIE OR WHEN JESUS COMES BACK WHICH EVER HAPPENS FIRST ...... SOMETHING FOR YOU TO THINK ABOUT .....................................SUMMER

IT'S NOT TOO LATE !!!!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY BABY SISTER !!!!!!!!!!........................SUMMER

STERLING SILVER AND BABY SHOES

SOMETIMES ITS HARD TO BELIEVE HOW FAST TIME CAN JUST WHIRL BY AND WE CAN'T EVEN DETECT THAT IT'S HAPPENING ....... TONIGHT I WENT TO DINNER AT A FABULOUS RESTAURANT WITH MY BABY BROTHER (WHO BY THE WAY IS NOW 33 YEARS YOUNG ) AND HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE AS WELL AS MY WONDERFUL SISTER DO I HAVE TO SAY "IN -LAW "( SHE IS JUST LIKE A SISTER TO ME ) ...... AT FIRST I WAS GOING TO DECLINE BECAUSE I FIGURED IT WOULD BE A GREAT NIGHT TO MAKE GRANOLA FOR THE LOCAL CAFE I SELL TO ( AND TO SAY THE LEAST MY HUBBY WAS OUT COYOTE HUNTING SO I HAD THE HOUSE ALL TO MY LONESOME ) ...... I WAS SET !! ORGANIC OATS, LOCAL HONEY, A SNOWSTORM BREWING AND ITALIAN MUSIC ..... WHAT MORE COULD A GAL ASK FOR ....... AHHHHHHHHHHH SHE COULD ASK FOR AN ALL EXPENSE PAID FOR EXOTIC AND DELICIOUS DINNER AT A LOCAL FINE DINING ESTABLISHMENT ........... SO INTO THE SHOWER I WENT , PUT ON MY MAKE UP AND TOSS UP MY HAIR INTO A SCRUNCHIE AND PUT ON A REALLY NICE PAIR OF DENIMS , PRETTY WINTER SWEATER AND A RECENTLY PURCHASED BROWN WOOL CAPE....... DINNER WAS GREAT ...... WE ATE AND LAUGHED BUT AS WE WERE REMINISCING OVER THE PAST I HAD A VERY STRON G DESIRE TO VISIT WITH DAD ...... IT WAS GETTING LATE BUT MY BROTHER TOOK ME ANYWAY...... THE VISIT WAS WORTH EVERY MINUTE OF THE FEW WE ALL SPENT TOGETHER TONIGHT ....... WE CHATTED I SALVAGED THROUGH OLD JEWELRY AND CAME UPON MY MOMS ORIGINAL STERLING SILVERCHARM BRACELET.......THE CHARMS CONSISTED OF A SILVER HEART ENGRAVED WITH WEDDING BELLS AND THE DATE 11/14/59 (YES MY PARENTS WOULD HAVE BEEN MARRIED 50 YEARS JUST THIS PAST NOVEMBER ) ,THERE WERE SHOE CHARMS FOR EACH OF US KIDS ,A SILVER CIRCLE TO CELEBRATE MY PARENTS 20TH ANNIVERSARY AND A CHARM OF JESUS WITH HIS MOTHER........ AS I RUMMAGED FURTHER DOWN THROUGH THE DRAWERS OF MY MOMS OLD DRESSER I ALSO CAME UPON ONE MORE ANTIQUE ....... MY FIRST PAIR OF BABY SHOES .......SO TINY YET STRONG IN CHARACTER THESE SHOES LOOKED AND THEN IT HIT ME ..... THESE OLD TATTERED LITTLE WHITE SHOES HAD TAKEN ME ALL AROUND THIS BIG OL' HOUSE I WILL ALWAYS CALL HOME ........WHAT A WONDERFUL WAY TO END THE EVENING ..........WITH 2 BEAUTIFUL GIFTS FOR ME TO CHERISH ........ ITS NOT EVERY NIGHT YOU FIND STERLING SILVER AND OLD TATTERED LITTLE WHITE SHOES ....... IT REMINDS ME OF WHAT JESUS DOES WHEN HE FINDS US LOOKING AND FEELING LIKE AN OLD TATTERED SHOE AND WE ACCEPT HIM AS OUR SAVIOUR WE BECOME JUST LIKE STERLING SILVER..........SUMMER

A NEW YEAR .......2010 IS WELCOME

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!!!! WELCOME 2010........ HOPE TO HAVE YOU AROUND FOR SOME 362 DAYS AND HOPE AS WELL THAT YOU ARE FULL OF MANY DIFFERENT EVENTS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO DRAW ME CLOSER TO MY LORD ........ OVER THIS PAST CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEARS SEASON I HAVE TRUELY COME TO REALIZE JUST HOW BLESSED WE ARE ....... EVEN DURING THE DIFFICULT AND STRESSFUL TIMES IN 2009 MY FAITH CARRIED ME THROUGH THOSE TIMES AS NEVER BEFORE ....... LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE LIFE OF MY LORD HAS ALLOWED ME TO SEE HIM FOR WHO HE REALLY IS AND WHO I AM BECAUSE OF HIM ........ IT HAS ALSO REVEALED THE WILL OF GOD ( ROMANS 8:28 ) AND HIS SOVERIERNTY (ECCLESIASTES 9:1 )......... THANK YOU JESUS ........ SUMMER