SEASONS MAY COME AND SEASONS MAY GO BUT.....

WITH THIS TIME OF YEAR COMES A CHILL IN THE AIR AND A COLOR ON THE LEAVES THAT IS BREATHTAKING ...... IT IS SOBERING TO SEE THAT TIME CHANGES EVERYTHING AND THAT NOTHING EVER REMAINS THE SAME ..... THIS GIVES MEANING TO THE NEWS THAT GOD IS ALWAYS IN CONTROL ..... DO WE SEE BEAUTY IN EVERYTHING AROUND US OR ARE WE DISGRUNTLED
WITH THE COMING OF WINTER ON THE HORIZON ..... IN THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES GOD GIVES US A REASON TO BE CONTENT WITH JUST OUR MERE EXISTENCE WHEN HE REVEALS THAT EVERYTHING HAS AN EXACT ORDER, PLACE & TIME ..... HE SAYS THIS: " There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven. A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted. A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance. A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing. A time to give up, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; 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. " ECCLESIASTES 3:1-8 ...... THESE ARE VERY DEEP & POWERFUL WORDS THAT APPLY TO EVERYONE FOR EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE WE ENCOUNTER ...... WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO WORRY HOWEVER GOD SHOWS US HOPE BY LETTING US KNOW HE IS IN CHARGE ...... IT MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR US TO GRASP THIS BECAUSE OF THE DAILY TRAGEDIES WE SEE UNFOLDING BEFORE OUR EYES ...... IT IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND HOW A LOVING GOD COULD ALLOW SO MUCH TO HAPPEN .....HERE IS THE TRUTH : " For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways." ISAIAH 55:8 .....
AS GODLY PEOPLE WE COME TO KNOW AND ACCEPT THAT GOD HAS A PLAN THAT WE FIND HARD TO UNDERSTAND ..... " And we know that GOD causes all things to work together for good to those who love GOD, to those who are called according to HIS purpose. " ROMANS 8:28 ...... SO IT IS INEVITABLE THAT WINTER WILL TURN TO SPRING AND SPRING TO SUMMER AND THEN SUMMER TO FALL ..... GOD IS IN CONTROL AND CHANGE IS ALWAYS OCCURRING ...... DO NOT WORRY, GOD IS IN CONTROL ...... YOUNG WILL GROW OLD AND NEW WILL TURN TATTERED BUT THINK OF THIS, GOD IS CONTROL ...... LIVE EACH DAY TO THE FULLEST AND REMEMBER, GOD IS CONTROL AND HE LOVES US VERY VERY MUCH " For GOD demonstrates HIS own love for us in this :While we still sinners CHRIST died for us. " ROMANS 5:8 ......SO PRAY, SING PRAISE, REFLECT, BE KIND, LOVE, LOVE MORE, AND LOVE MORE STILL YET BECAUSE GOD IS IN CONTROL ....... SEASONS MAY COME AND SEASONS MAY GO BUT GOD IS IN CONTROL ..............................................SUMMER

A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

WE HAVE ALL BEEN STUCK BEFORE ..... STUCK FOR WORDS, STUCK IN THE MUD, STUCK BETWEEN TO WAYS TO GO, STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE .....IT IS A BEWILDERING PLACE TO BE ...... STUCK, THAT IS ..... SO NEXT TIME WE FIND OURSELVES NOT KNOWING WHAT TO SAY , IT WOULD NEVER HURT TO GO TO GODS WORD WHICH SAYS, " A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger . " PROVERBS 15:1 ..... AND WHEN WE ARE FORCED TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHICH WAY TO GO IN LIFE GODS WORD TEACHES US THIS , '' Enter by the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. " MATTHEW 7:13-14 ..... BUT WHEN WE ARE STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE THIS IS WHAT THE BIBLE REVEALS, " The LORD is my ROCK and my DELIVERER; my GOD is my ROCK , in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold . " PSALM 18:2 ..... NEED WE KNOW ANY MORE ? ..... HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY ..........................................SUMMER

CHERISH YOUR FREEDOM

FROM THE LOOKS OF THINGS GOING ON ALL AROUND US WE MUST LEARN TO LIVE SIMPLE AND SIMPLY LIVE FOR EACH MOMENT THAT OUR DEAR LORD GIVES US ..... TODAY IS A DAY THAT HAS NOT COME EASY ..... MANY MANY AND STILL YET MANY MEN & WOMEN HAVE FOUGHT THE FIGHT TO KEEP OL' GLORY WAVING HIGH OVER 200 YEARS SINCE HER BIRTH ..... BEING AN AMERICAN IS A BLESSED GIFT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN BY OUR CREATOR ..... IT IS BY NO ACCIDENT OR COINCIDENCE THAT EVERYONE OF US HAS BEEN BORN HERE ..... WE ALL HAVE BEEN CALLED TO A MUCH LARGER PURPOSE WITH THE FREEDOMS AND LIBERTIES WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN ..... JESUS WANTS US TO BE A TESTIMONY OF OUR FAITH AND AN EXAMPLE OF WHO HE IS AND HOW HE LOVES US..... HE WANTS US TO GIVE HIM THE GLORY AND HONOR HE SO DESERVES ..... IN THE NEW TESTAMENT PAUL SPEAKS TO THE ROMANS AND SAYS, " And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love HIM, who have been called according to HIS purpose. " ROMANS 8:28 ..... AS PEOPLE WHO LOVE THE LORD AND CHERISH THIS GREAT NATION, LET US REMEMBER TO THANK THOSE WHO DEFEND THE PRECIOUS FREEDOM WE ENJOY HERE ON THIS SOIL ..... AND FOR AS MUCH AS WE ARE GRATEFUL TO BE AN AMERICAN, WE ARE EVEN MORE GRATEFUL TO BE A CHRISTIAN CLOTHED IN THE RIGHTEOUS BLOOD OF THE LAMB WHERE WE CAN ENJOY AN ETERNAL FREEDOM ..... A FREEDOM THAT WAS PAID WITH THE SHED BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, OUR TRUE SOLDIER AND FRIEND .....HAVE A HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY AND REMEMBER TO CHERISH YOUR FREEDOM TODAY AND FOREVER............................................. SUMMER

MOTIVATION TO LIVE BY

WHEN LIFE BECOMES A BURDEN WE OFTEN RETREAT TO ISOLATION OR SINFUL WAYS OF COPING ..... IT IS NOT OUR HUMANLY DESIRE TO SEEK AFTER GOD ..... WE SEE IT IN THE NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE WHICH REMINDS US OF HOW INCAPABLE WE ARE AT REAL LOVE , " We love because HE loved us first. " 1JOHN 4:19 ..... IT IS EASIER FOR US TO THROW IN THE TOWEL AND SUCCUMB TO THE EVIL ONES TEMPTATIONS ..... THEY DANGLE BEFORE OUR EYES LIKE SHIMMERING JEWELS ..... THE APOSTLE PAUL REMINDS US WHEN HE SAYS, " I know that nothing good lives in me, that is,
in my sinful nature . For I have the desire to do what is good, but cannot carry it out . For what I do is not the good I want to do ; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing . Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it , but it is sin living in me that does it . " ROMANS 7:18-20 ..... SO WE FIND OURSELVES STRUGGLING AND IN A QUANDARY OVER THE CHOICES IN LIFE THAT WE SEE ARE BEFITTING FOR US AND DECISIONS THAT COULD PRODUCE GOOD FRUIT..... THEN SUDDENLY WE BECOME FEARFUL AND CONFUSED WONDERING IF OUR LIVES WILL EVER AMOUNT TO ANYTHING GOOD FOR GOD ..... AND THEN WE MAY OR MAY NOT SEE HOPE ..... BECAUSE TRUE HOPE CAN ONLY BE FOUND IN GODS WORD ..... PARTICULARLY THE SCRIPTURE THAT TELLS US , " For GOD did not give us a spirit of fear ; but of power, and of love and a of sound mind. " 2TIMOTHY1:7 ..... SUCH MOTIVATION FOR US TO LIVE BY ................................................................SUMMER

STARTING THE DAY OUT RIGHT

HERE ARE A FEW PSALMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT SO THAT WE MAY START THE DAY OUT WITH OUR LORD IN MIND : " Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers . But his delight is in the LAW of the LORD , and on HIS LAW he meditates day and night . " PSALM 1:1-2 ...... " Answer me when I call to YOU , O my righteous GOD . Give me relief from my distress ; be merciful to me and hear my prayer . " PSALM 4:1 ...... " O LORD , our LORD , how majestic is YOUR name in all the earth ! YOU have set YOUR glory above the heavens. " PSALM 8:1 ...... " LORD , who may dwell in YOUR sanctuary ? Who may live on YOUR holy hill ? " PSALM
15:1 ...... " The LORD is my SHEPHERD , I shall not be in want ..... " PSALM 23:1 ......
"The LORD is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear ? The LORD is the
stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid of ? " PSALM 27:1 ...... " Love the LORD , all HIS saints ! The LORD preserves the faithful , but the proud HE pays back in full . Be strong and take heart , all you who hope in the LORD . " PSALM 31: 23-24 ...... " Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong ; for like the grass they will soon wither , like green plants they will die away . " PSALM 37:1-2 ...... " Blessed is he who has regard for the weak ; the LORD will deliver him in times of trouble . " PSALM 41:1 ...... " GOD is our refuge and strength , an ever-present help in trouble . Therefore we will not fear , though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea ." PSALM 46:1-2
...... " Create in me a pure heart , O GOD , and renew a steadfast spirit within me . "
PSALM 51:10 ...... " My soul finds rest in GOD alone ; my salvation comes from HIM . " PSALM 62:1 ...... " May GOD be gracious to us and bless us and make HIS face shine upon us , that YOUR ways be known on earth , and YOUR salvation among all nations . " PSALM 67:1-2 ...... '' Save me , O GOD , for the waters have come up to my neck . " PSALM 69:1 ...... " Whom have I in heaven but YOU ? And earth has nothing I desire besides YOU . " PSALM 73:25 ...... "Teach me YOUR way , O LORD , and I will walk in YOUR truth ; give me an undivided heart , that I may fear YOUR name . " PSALM 86:11 ...... " Give thanks to the LORD , for HE is good ; HIS love endures forever . " PSALM 107:1 ...... " The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom ; all who follow HIS precepts have good understanding . To
HIM belongs eternal praise . " PSALM 111:10 ...... " How can a young man keep his way pure ? By living according to YOUR WORD . " PSALM 119:9 ...... ''YOUR WORD is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path . " PSALM 119:105 ...... " My help comes from the LORD , the MAKER of heaven and earth . " PSALM 121:2 ...... " Search me , O GOD , and know my heart ; test me and know my anxious thoughts . See if there is any offensive way in me , and lead me in the way everlasting . " PSALM 139:23-24 ......" Let everything that has breath praise the LORD . "......PSALM 150:6
...... LET US NOT END HERE , LET US CONTINUE TO SEARCH THE WORD OF GOD SO THAT WE MAY COME TO KNOW HIM IN A DEEP AN ABIDING WAY
...... AS WE DO THIS WE WILL TRULY BEGIN TO ENJOY OUR DAY AND BE AT PEACE WITH OURSELVES AND OTHERS .......................................Summer

THE CHILDREN TRULY DO BELONG TO GOD

THE MOST IMPORTANT LEGACY WE WILL EVER LEAVE BEHIND IS THE LEGACY OF A CHILD WITH A FIRM FOUNDATION IN THE LORD JESUS ..... TO UNDERSTAND THIS WE MUST BE ABLE TO LET THE CHILDREN GO AND ENTRUST THEM TO GOD ..... THIS IS ONE OF HARDEST TASKS A MOTHER HAS BEFORE HER BECAUSE IT IS OUR HUMAN NATURE TO KEEP THE CHILDREN CLOSE BY AND CAUDLE THEM ..... RIGHTFULLY SO WE WANT TO PREVENT THEM FROM BEING HARMED ..... GOD TEACHES US TO LET GO WHEN HE REVEALS TO US A TRIED AND TRUE SCRIPTURE ..... " Trust in the LORD with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding ; in all your ways acknowledge HIM , and HE will make your paths straight. " PROVERBS 3:5-6 .....IF WE ARE TO TAKE OUR ROLE AS A MOTHER SERIOUS , WE WILL SEEK TO INSTILL THE MORALS AND VALUES THAT CHRIST TEACHES INTO OUR CHILDREN FROM A YOUNG AGE .....WE SEE THAT JESUS TAUGHT US BEST TO LOVE GOD WHEN HE SAID , " One of the taechers of the law came and heard them debating . Noticing that JESUS had given them a good answer , asked HIM , " Of all the commandments , which is the most important ? " " The most important one , " answered JESUS , " is this : 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 mind and with all your strength . The second is this : ' Love your neighbor as yourself .' There is no commandment greater than these ." MARK 12:28-31 ..... IN ORDER TO CREATE A CHILD THAT WILL BE DEPENDANT ON THE LORD AND SEEK AFTER JESUS WITH ENTHUSIAM WE WILL FIRST NEED TO HAVE OUR OWN FOUNDATION ROOTED IN THE LORD .....THE FOLLOWING 2 NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES CLARIFY JUST THIS " Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on rock . The rain came down , the streams rose , and the winds blew and beat against that house ; yet it did not fall , because it had its foundation on the rock . " MATTHEW 7 : 24-25 & " By the grace GOD has given me , I laid a foundation as an expert builder , and someone else is building on it . But each one should be careful how he builds . For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid , which is in JESUS CHRIST . " 1 CORINTHIANS 3:10-11 ..... LET THEIR BE NO QUESTION ABOUT IT , IF WE DO NOT WANT TO DIVIDE OUR FAMILIES THEN OUR FOUNDATION NEED TO BE ONLY IN THE LORD JESUS ..... WE AS MOTHERS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY ALONG WITH OUR HUSBANDS IN LAYING A FIRM FOUNDATION FOR THEIR FUTURE HENCE AFFECTING HOW THEY WILL REACT TO THE LORD ..... WHEN THERE IS ABSCENCE OF A FATHER THIS ROLE MAY BE DOUBLED ..... THEIR TENDER HEARTS AND OPEN MINDS WILL REAP THE SEEDS WE SOW INTO THEIR YOUNG AND IMPRESSIONABLE MINDS ..... AS MOTHERS WE NEED ALSO TO PRAY FOR OUR CHILDREN BECAUSE SATAN MAY USE THEM AS A TOOL TO PLACE A STRAIN ON OUR FAITH SOMEDAY ..... THE GOSPEL TELLS TO PRAY ALWAYS ..... " Pray without ceasing . " 1 THESSELONIANS 5:17 .....AS WOMEN , WE CAN PRAY FOR OURSELVES AND FOR EACH OTHER ..... WE CAN PRAY FOR THE LORD TO PROTECT OUR LITTLE ONES ESPECIALLY AS THEY GROW INTO BIGGER ONES ..... WE CAN ALSO PRAY THAT GOD SOFTEN THEIR HEARTS AND REVEAL HIMSELF TO THEM WHETHER THEY ARE SAVED OR NOT ..... AND FINALLY WE CAN PRAY FOR OUR CHILDREN WHETHER THEY ARE 5 OR 50 YEARS OLD
..... PRAYER IS A VERY POWERFUL AND NECESSARY TOOL AGAINST THE EVIL ONES DESIRE TO ATTACK OUR PARENTING SKILLS AND DEVOUR OUR CHILDREN ..... GOD ENTRUSTS OUR CHILDREN TO US FOR A SHORT TIME HERE ON EARTH ..... IF WE ARE BEING GODLY MOTHERS THEN IT IS OUR DUTY TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN ABOUT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST ..... ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS OF TEACHING WILL COME IN THE FORM OF A GOD FEARING AND GOD LOVING PARENT WHO GIVES GLORY AND HONOR TO THE LORD ..... WE CANNOT DEPEND ON OUTSIDE INSTITUTIONS OR PEOPLE TO DO THE JOB THAT GOD HAS GIVEN TO US ..... THIS IS EVIDENT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE THAT READS : " Train a child in the way he should go , and when he is old he will not turn from it . " PROVERBS 22:6 ..... MOTHERS AS WELL AS FATHERS WILL BE LOVED , APPRECIATED AND RESPECTED IF WE FOLLOW THIS GODLY ADVICE ..... WE WILL ALSO BE ABLE TO GAIN THE WISDOM IT TAKES TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE CHILDREN TRULY DO BELONG TO GOD ..... THE SAME GOD WHO HAS ALSO BEEN TAKING CARE OF US ..... HAPPY MOTHERS DAY ............................................SUMMER

WHO'S DOING THE PLANTING AND THE WATERING

HAVE WE EVER SEEN A FLOWER IN A BAD MOOD OR FOR THAT MATTER, AN UGLY FLOWER ..... CONSIDER WHAT THE LORD HAS TO SAY AND MAYBE WE WILL LEARN WHY ..... " Listen , O heavens and I will speak ; hear , O earth , the words of MY mouth . Let MY teaching fall like rain and MY words descend like dew , like showers on new grass , like abundant rain on tender plants. " DEUTERONOMY 32:1-2 ..... SPRINGTIME IS A SEASON OF NEW GROWTH WITH BUDS SHOOTING UP EVERYWHERE .....THESE BUDS TURN INTO BEAUTIFUL PLANTS AND FLOWERS ..... THERE IS GREEN GRASS ALL AROUND US AND EVERYTHING WE SEE FROM GODS CREATION IS ALWAYS IN A GOOD MOOD ..... BEAUTY SPRINGS FORTH AS THE LILLIE'S AND TULIPS SING OUT ..... NOTHING WE ACQUIRE WHILE WE ARE HERE ON THE EARTH WILL EVER COMPARE TO THE BEAUTY AND CONTENTMENT THAT COMES WHEN THE LORD GOD DOES THE PLANTING AND THE WATERING ..... GOD CONFIRMS THIS IN THE NEW TESTAMENT WHEN HE SAYS ..... " Consider how the lillies grow . They do not labor or spin . Yet I tell you , not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these . '' LUKE 12:18 ..... LIFE IS HARD ..... IT POSES MANY CHALLENGES BEFORE US ..... WHEN WE COME TO KNOW THAT GOD IS IN CONTROL IT GIVES US A SENSE OF RELIEF , NOT BECAUSE WE GIVE UP BUT BECAUSE WE GIVE IN .....WE GIVE IN TO HIS PLAN FOR WHAT HE WANTS FOR US AND HOW HE WANTS US TO LIVE ..... THIS UNDERSTANDING GIVES US THE ASSURANCE THAT HE CAN AND WILL CHANGE OUR HEARTS AND LIVES ..... SO WE CAN ASK OURSELVES TODAY WHO'S DOING THE PLANTING AND THE WATERING IN OUR OWN LIVES ....................................SUMMER