Oct. 22, 2008 - Thought for the Day

This was an e-mail the I have recieved from my friend Laura at co-op. I asked her permission to use it. (yes, you have permission to use it.  Jim said that was the highest compliment for him and Grandpa. Thanks so much.)Laura's Grandfather went home to be with the Lord and this is what her father wrote.

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Jun. 8, 2008 - Basic Needs of A Husband

In many ways, the needs of a husband are the counterpart to the needs of his wife. God made the woman with a view to male needs (Genesis 2:18), and thus He equipped her with just the proper resources for meeting those needs. So just what are the needs of a husband?

1. A husband needs someone who depends on him. God has given to the man the responsibility of leadership in the home. There is something about the dependence of a wife which calls to the manliness of her husband. His very malehood wants to provide, to nurture, to care for, and to protect; and he finds satisfaction and fulfillment in meeting the needs of his wife. Even as the husband can misuse his strength to dominate, so the woman can misuse her weakness and dependence to manipulate. Many are the women who have used their tears, their headaches, and their whining to play upon the malehood of their husbands in order to get their own way. Such "weakness" gets old fast. A wise wife allows her husband to be her provider, but does not control him from beneath.

2. A husband needs someone who accepts him as he is. Everyone has a basic need for acceptance, and inasmuch as marriage is the deepest level of human friendship, it has the most potential for meeting that need. It likewise has the greatest potential for rejection. Nagging criticism and discussing a husband's failures with others are probably the two most common ways a wife signals rejection of her husband. Acceptance, as noted earlier, does not necessarily mean complete approval. It does mean recognizing a person for who he is, as opposed to fighting that reality, and supporting him in becoming all that God intends him to be.

3. A husband needs someone who encourages and supports him. In describing His intentions in making a wife for Adam, God said, "I will make him an help meet for him" (Genesis 2:18). The woman is a "help." This does not mean she is a tagalong, someone who comes in handy at times, but that she was designed to fill a necessary role as man's mainstay. Her mind, her will, her energies are hers to use, not in competition with him, but in union with him to complement his mind, his will, and his energies. Certainly, much of the wife's potential to encourage and support depends upon the husband's willingness to talk and work together. But a wise wife will recognize that every husband has weaknesses, and she will not allow her support and encouragement to mope continually at the foot of his failures. She will instead clearly ally herself with him so that both his strengths and his weaknesses are improved by her presence in his life. A very practical way in which a wife can encourage her husband is by her gratitude. Her smile, her expressions of thanks, her willingness to find joy even in difficult circumstances will fill one of the most basic needs in his life.

4. A husband needs his wife's womanhood in the home atmosphere. "Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands" (Proverbs 14:1). "The aged women likewise . . that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home..." (Titus 2:3-5). While the husband is responsible for leadership in the home, he is inadequate by himself to build the home. He needs the womanhood of his wife to establish an atmosphere of order, beauty, cleanliness, and care. Contrary to modern thought, homemaking is not a dull, servile work for lower-intelligence women; it is a full-time, lifetime responsibility which demands creativity, intelligence, and management skills of the highest caliber. The womanhood of a wife is in many ways the heart of the home and, as such, is the fulfillment of her husband; and the career-minded wife leaves a void both in her home and in her husband which nothing can replace.

5. A husband needs someone who is faithful. "Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her" (Proverbs 31:10,11). Fidelity is imperative on both sides of the marriage relationship. Even as faithful love stirs the sweetest emotions in human relationships, so unfaithfulness stirs the bitterest emotions. There is probably nothing so devastating to a marriage as the realization that a third party has invaded the sacrosanct realm of intimacy. Wives need faithful husbands; husbands need faithful wives. A godly wife will guard her manners, her speech, and her appearance, reserving her womanly charm and beauty for her husband alone. "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; but (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works" (1 Timothy 2:9,10).

Understanding one another's needs in marriage is the first step love takes toward meeting those needs. If we focus on our needs rather than on those of our partner, we may easily stumble in self-pity rather than move ahead in love. Much of the success in marriage depends upon the willingness to give ourselves to meeting the deepest needs of one another. This is the exercise of love, and love is the cement of marriage.

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Jun. 6, 2008 - In Hebrews.....

2:9 JESUS ~ The Captain of Our Salvation

4:14 JESUS ~ The Great High Priest

6:20 JESUS ~ The Forerunner

In Hebrews... Jesus is

7:22 JESUS ~ The Surety of a Better Testament

10:19 JESUS ~ The Veil

12:2 JESUS ~ The Author and Finisher of Faith

12:24 JESUS ~ The Mediator of the New Covenant

13:12 JESUS ~ The Sanctifier of His People

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Apr. 11, 2008 - Thought for the day..........................

If God is for us, who could be against us????

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Apr. 1, 2008 - Placing it at the Masters feet

Proverbs 3:5
Lean not on your own understanding, but in ALL your ways acknowledge HIM and HE shall direct your path.

Notice the verse says ALL YOUR WAYS... Do we have ways that we are trying to handle on our own? Place them at the foot of the cross. No matter what they might be.

AS I go through trial after trial, I realize how close the Lord really is. I see Him in all things. He is with me when I am upset, angry, frustrated, SCARED. That is a biggie for me lately. Knowing that you have a heart in your body that is not functioning properly and being put on Meds for it at age 40 is really scary to my. I have to go to the endocrinologist first then to the cardiologist. They want to find out why my blood pressure is so high. It could be hormonal, that is why they are checking the pituatary, then I have to deal with the heart issue. The plan is to control the blood pressure, then take care of the heart. There is regurgitation in the left ventricle, as well as somewhere else in the heart. I am tired right now and do not feel like looking at another doctor report. That is my medical trial. Then I have a spiritual battle going on in my home with past issues. It seems like satan is having a field day in my home. But he is already beaten at the game. MY GOD REIGNS!!!!!! MY GOD REIGNS!!!!!! MY GOD REIGNS!!!!! Good night and place it at the cross. HE already took it before you had it and HE is just waiting for you to hand it over to HIM, so you can have the JOY of the Lord!!!!!

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Mar. 28, 2008 - Thought for the day.....

"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee." (Proverbs 23:7)

"For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart." (Matthew 12:34–35)

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Mar. 25, 2008 - What does the Bible say about anger???

Just Bible verses on anger again. If they are repeated, sorry about that.

First of all, anger is not always sin. God is angry (Psalm 7:11; Mark 3:5), and believers are commanded to be angry (Ephesians 4:26). Two Greek words are used in the New Testament for our English word “anger.” One (orge) means “passion, energy;” the other (thumos) means “agitated, boiling.” Webster defines anger as “excessive emotion, passion aroused by a sense of injury or wrong;” this injury may be to us or to someone else. Biblically, anger is God-given energy intended to help us solve problems. Examples of biblical uses of anger include Paul confronting Peter because of his wrong example in Galatians 2:11-14, David being upset over hearing Nathan the prophet sharing an injustice (2 Samuel 12), and Jesus getting angry over how some of the Jews had defiled the Gentiles’ place of worship at God’s temple in Jerusalem (John 2:13-18). But anger turns to sin when it is selfishly motivated (James 1:20), when God’s goal is distorted (1 Corinthians 10:31), or when anger is allowed to linger (Ephesians 4:26-27). Instead of using the energy generated by anger to attack the problem at hand, one attacks the person instead. Ephesians 4:15, 19 say we are to speak the truth in love and to use our words to build up others, and not to allow rotten or destructive words to pour from our lips. Unfortunately, this poisonous speech is a common characteristic of fallen man (Romans 3:13-14). Anger becomes sin when it is allowed to boil over without restraint, resulting in a “shotgun” consequence in which everyone in earshot is hurt (Proverbs 29:11), leaving devastation in its wake...often with irreparable consequences. Anger also becomes sin when one clams up (Ephesians 4:26-27), doing the “slow burn.” This causes one to become depressed and irritable and fly off the handle over any little thing, often things unrelated to the underlying problem. One can properly handle anger by: 1) recognizing and admitting one’s selfish anger and wrong handling of anger as sin (Proverbs 28:13; John 1:9). This confession should be both to God and to those who have been hurt by our anger. Nor should one minimize that sin by calling it “getting a little upset ” or by blame-shifting: “well if you didn't say this, it would not have happened"....2) Seeing God in the trial. This is especially important when people have done something to offend YOU specifically. James 1:2-4; Romans 8:28-29; and Genesis 50:20 all point to the fact that God is sovereign and in complete control over EVERY circumstance and person that enters your path. NOTHING happens to you that He does not cause or allow. And as all of these verses share, God is a GOOD God (Psalm 145:8,9,17) and does and allows all things in your life for your good and the good of others! Reflecting on this truth to the point of where it moves from our heads to our hearts will alter how we react to those who hurt us deeply. 3) Make room for God’s wrath. This is especially important in cases of injustices, especially when done by “evil” men to “innocent” people. Genesis 50:19 and Romans 12:19 both share that we should not play God. God is righteous and just, and we can trust Him who knows all and sees all to do justly (Genesis 18:25). 4) Do not return evil for good (Genesis 50:21; Romans 12:21). This is key to altering our anger into love. As one’s actions flow from one’s heart, so also one’s heart can be altered by one’s actions (Matthew 5:43-48)...that is, one can change one‘s feelings toward another by changing how one chooses to act toward that person.5) communicate to solve the problem. There are four basic rules of communication shared in Ephesians 4:15,25-32:
a) Be honest and speak (Ephesians 4:15,25). People can’t read our minds, but speak the truth IN LOVE.
b) Stay current (Ephesians 4:26-27). Don’t let a  list of what is bothering you build up until the you lose your temper. Dealing with and sharing what is bothering you before it gets to that point is important.
c) Attack the problem, not the person (Ephesians 4:29,31). Along this line, one must keep in mind the importance of keeping the volume of one’s voice low (Proverbs 15:1). Yelling is usually a form of attack toward the person.

d) Act, don’t react (Ephesians 4:31-32). Because of our fallen nature, our “knee-jerk” reflex, our first impulse is usually a sinful one (verse 31). The time spent in counting to ten should be used to reflect upon the godly way to respond (verse 32) and to remind yourself how anger is to be used to solve problems not create bigger ones.

6) Lastly you must act to solve your part of the problem (Acts 12:18). You cannot control how others act or respond, but you can make changes that need to be made on your part. Overcoming one’s temper is not something that is usually accomplished overnight. But with reliance upon God through prayer for help, Bible study, and reliance upon God’s Holy Spirit, it can be overcome. As one has allowed anger to become entrenched in one’s life by habitual practice, one must also practice responding correctly until it too becomes a habit replacing the old ways. Here are some Proverbs that deal with the topic of anger:

6:34 - ...jealousy enrages a man, and he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
14:17 - A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of evil device is hated.
14:29 - He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is quick-tempered exalts folly.
15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
15:18 - A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but the slow to anger pacifies contention.
16:14 - The wrath of a king is as messengers of death, but a wise man will appease it.
16:32 - He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
19:11 - A man's discretion makes him slow to anger and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.
19:19 - A man of great anger shall bear the penalty, for if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.
21:14 - A gift in secret subdues anger, and a bribe in the bosom, strong wrath.
22:24,25 - Do not associate with a man given to anger, or go with a hot-tempered man, lest you learn his ways, and find a snare for yourself.
24:17,18 - Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles, lest the Lord see it and be displeased, and He turn away His anger from him.
27:4 - Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, but who can stand before jealousy?
29:8 - Scorners set a city aflame, but wise men turn away anger.
29:22 - An angry man stirs up strife, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
20:33 - For the churning of milk produces butter, and pressing the nose brings forth blood; so the churning of anger produces strife.

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Mar. 19, 2008 - 4H Clubs????

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Mar. 19, 2008 - Anger

As I watch someone that I love dearly deal with anger I did some Biblical research. It pains me to watch as the anger absorbs. I usually do not read the Living Bible, as a matter of fact, I never read it. The way the words are wriiten are blunt and to the point.  I used them here. I hope that this can also be a blessing to someone else. We all deal with anger in some form. To hold onto it and let it root is a sin and also very dangerous.

Releasing Anger and Bitterness

While God desires that we recognize our anger and bitterness toward others, harboring those feelings and refusing to work toward the restoration of broken relationships is contrary to His will.  We need to prayerfully confront and confess inner feelings of anger, and then surrender them to the loving healing of our Heavenly Father.

God calls us to first confront our own feelings openly and honestly…

“Stop being mean, bad-tempered, and angry.  Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives.  Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ.” Ephesians 4:31-32 TLB

“For, dear brothers, you have been given freedom:  not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other.  For the whole Law can be summed up in this one command:  “Love others as you love yourself.”  But if instead of showing love among yourselves you are always critical and catty, watch out!  Beware of ruining each other.” Galatians 5:13-15 TLB

“Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings.  Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.” Hebrews 12:15 TLB

“Anyone who says he is walking in the light of Christ but dislikes his fellow man is still in darkness.  But whoever loves his fellow man is “walking in the light” and can see his way without stumbling around in the darkness and sin.  For he who dislikes his brother is wandering in spiritual darkness and doesn’t know where he is going, for the darkness has made him blind so that he cannot see the way.” 1 John 2:9-11 TLB

“A man with hate in his heart may sound pleasant enough, but don’t believe him; for he is curing you in his heart.  Though he pretends to be so kind, his hatred will finally come to light for all to see.” Proverbs 26:24-26 TLB

Our Heavenly Father calls us to work actively toward forgiving others and restoring broken relationships…

“Your Heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who sin against you.” Matthew 6:14 TLB

“I am warning you!  “Rebuke your brother if he sins, and forgive him if he is sorry.  Even if he wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, forgive him.”” Luke 17:3-4

“Follow God’s example is everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father.  Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave Himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins.  And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to Him.” Ephesians 5:1-2 TLB

“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too.” Mark 11:25 TLB

“Dear brothers, if a Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help him back onto the right path, remembering that next time it might be one of you who is in the wrong.” Galatians 6:1 TLB

“When you forgive anyone, I do too.  And whatever I have forgiven (to the extent that this affected me too) has been by Christ’s authority, and for your good.  A further reason for forgiveness is to keep from being outsmarted by Satan, for we know what he is trying to do.” 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 TLB

May the word of the Living God Bless you.

 

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Jan. 14, 2008 - We honor the Lord Jesus

Brethern seek to assemble in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and to maintain the apostolic pattern and simplicity which marked the churches of the days of the apostles (Romans 12:4-8). We honor the Lord Jesus and worship God in spirit and in truth.

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