Maybe its just me but it is extremely dificult to get a picture to upload here on HS blogger so I am going to try and see how www.blogger.com goes for me. I'm just gonna give it a try for a month or so to see if I like it and if not then I'll come back here.
I just got back from a pretty nice local arts display. Lots of vendors around with BEAUTIFUL things to sell.
As I was walking around I began to notice all the other people's body types that were walking around past me. One lady's eyes were so swollen that they were almost shut! And she looked miserable as she was walking as if her poor 5' frame could barely hold the excess weight that she is carrying around her middle.
Another couple of women I saw were wide enough for 3 people. And a man looked like he was about to give birth to triplets! :shock:
Sigh...I used to think that people like that were just closet eaters and lacked exercise and if only they would exercise and stop eating fatty foods that they would be fine. I used to look down on them with a feeling of higher social status, but not now.
Not since having uncontrollable food cravings when I was pregnant with my daughter and craving salt so badly that if I didn't eat it I would physically get sick. I packed on so much weight during that pregnancy that my midwives were testing me for preeclampsi almost weekly because my health was declining so quickly and my dress size was increasing and I was puffy all over. I had SOOOO much water weight on my ankles that there was no definition from my calves to my feet.
After pregnancy I lost 80 lbs almost before I left the hospital. And when I got home I thought that all the symptoms I had had were normal since the midwives were telling me they couldn't figure out what was wrong. It wasn't until a dear friend kept mentioning that she thought I was hypothyroid and referred me to a website called www.stopthethyroidmadness.com that I really began to open my eyes to the possibility that what I was experiencing was NOT in fact, normal. I did have normal hypothyroid symptoms at least.
I have been recently diagnosed with hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, and chemical sensitivity since finding the website and finding out how one should go about being diagnosed and treated for such ailments. I already had other hypo-related symptoms dating back as far as 10 years ago when I was at least 15 years old. If only I had not brushed the now apparent symptoms aside, I could have been living a much better life all these years.
But none the less I can now see how prevalent hormonal imbalances are in our society and if I happened to be in the right mood today I might have started talking to people about it, or just jumped up on a table and start preaching medical jargon at people.
But seriously, for a few minutes I was sooo sad. I kept seeing person after person that looked like what I described above and thinking how sad it is that so many people are unaware even of what a thyroid gland is and put way too much trust in what their Doctors tell them and what they don't tell them. Then for a few minutes I was mad. Mad at those money grubbing Pharm companies that push, push, push, their pills so much that it has become a staple for Doctors and instead of listening to their patients or even really LOOKING at them they just hand out RXs like candy and tell you "there’s nothing wrong with you except that your fat" and to "go lose 80 lbs and come back to see me." (which btw was said to me best friend a few weeks ago).
But I didn't stay mad for long. I know that there is a higher reason for the state our world is in and how corrupted our governments and pharmaceutical companies are. Everything has a reason and purpose in this life. Even illnesses serve a purpose.
Mark 10:17-27 (KJV)
" And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
And Jesus said unto him, Why callesst thou me good? there is none good but one, that is God.
Thou knowest the commandments, DO not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasur in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches enter into the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?
And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. "
Everything has a reason and purpose in this life. Even illness serves a purpose. And just like Jesus said to the rich man to carry his cross and follow Him, I believe that is God's Will for all man. God created mankind for His Glory and for His Will. And I need to learn to trust Him-even with my life- and I believe that even hardships which can be very painful and burdensome can be our calling to HIM. So I think that while it is good to seek out cures for medical ailments, it is also even better to be living in the Spirit. As even bitterness and anger can make us sick. God is speaking to me thru my medical journey.
Throughout our lives we will have people who will hate us for who we are, and who will hate us because of the God we serve. They will test us and try to make us sin. But we must be on gard for this and prepared at all times. This example in Nehemiah is a wonderful example of a person living in the Spirit.
Its amazing the things that our Heavenly Father has planned for us and even more amazing when we can accomplish His will without sinning ourselves.
Enjoy :)
Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was not breech left therein; (though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates;)
That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief.
And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, wilst I leave it, and come down to you?
Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner.
Then sent Sanballat his servant unto me in the like manner the fifth time with an open letter in his hand;
Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.
And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us counsel together.
Then I sent unto him, saying, There are no such things done as thou sayest, but thou feignest them out of thine own heart.
For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened fron the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
Afterward I came unto the house of Shemaiah the sone of Delaiah the some of Mehetabeel, who was shut up; and he said, Let us meet together in the house of God, within the temple, and let us shut the doors of the temple: for they will come to slay thee; yea in the night they will come to slay thee.
And I said, should such a man as I flee? and who is there, that being as I am , would go into the temple to save his life? I will not go in.
And, lo, I percieved that God had not sent him; but he pronounced this prophesy against me: for Tobiah and Sanballat had hired him.
Therefore he was hired, that I should be afraid, and do so, and sin, and that they might have matter for an evil report, that they might reproach me.
My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.
So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month of Elul, in fifty and two days.
And it came to pass, that when all our enemies heard thereof, and all the heathen that were about saw these things, they were much cast down in theor own eyes: for they percieved that this was wrought of our God.
Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters into Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them.
For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan has taken the daughter f Meshullam the son of Berechiah.
Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered my words to him. And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.
A funny thing happened to me the other day when my wife and I had, thank God, another baby (a boy). Many of my friends didn’t seem all that happy for me.
Sure, they went through the motions of smiles and congratulations. But it was evident that many thought me insane. Why would a young man and his wife ruin their lives with eight children? Who could afford the day school bills? Didn’t we want to live a little and not just be burdened with kids?
It got downright surreal when a European film company pressed me — while my wife was in labor — to finish shooting a segment that had an urgent deadline. I told them they were insane. And the next day I was mildly criticized by a Jewish organization for having to cancel a lecture because the timing clashed with the baby’s brit.
I don’t mind that the world doesn’t really love babies, just that it pretends to. It’s time we got honest about our priorities.
Most people get a new car every two or three years, but one or two babies through the life of their marriage is plenty. You can get drunk on an airplane, laugh hysterically with your mates, and still not really anger people. But if you dare bring a crying baby on board you will be given malicious looks as if the little thing was a package that ticks.
The contempt shown to parents of large families is the last acceptable prejudice in our society. As such a parent I find myself apologizing wherever I go, as if I had committed a crime. The frequent and loaded stares from scornful onlookers seem to imply that the famine in Africa was caused by my selfish insistence on overpopulating the earth.
Long ago my wife and I discovered that few hotels were prepared to accommodate so many children, even if we took three or four rooms, which is why we bought an RV for travel.
How strange to live in a world where loving children casts one in infamy. Having a large family implies a backwardness and primitivism deemed unbecoming in the West. Large families, it is thought, exist only among religious weirdos or Third World hovels. Rich countries, by contrast, prefer to increase their standard of living rather than the number of the living.
Looking at Western birthrates for 2001, the United States averaged only 14.2 births for every 1,000 Americans. One can go for days in a wealthy city like Manhattan without encountering a single pregnant woman.
Riches and children have become inversely proportional — the more of the former, the less of the latter. The high birthrates of poor African nations like Uganda (47.52 births per 1,000) or Niger (50.68 births per 1,000) are deemed to be prime causes and indicators of their penury. Contraception has become a synonym for civilization.
A Christian mother of six once wrote to me: “I find it troubling to worry about getting pregnant again because I don’t want to face the criticism of friends and family. Why do people not see children as a blessing?”
It’s a fair question, which deserves a fair response.
Why is it that even many synagogues today are not children-friendly? Why are people impressed that Jay Leno owns 20 motorcycles, but disgusted that some religious families choose to have 10 children?
Let’s not finesse the response. We all know why. A world that has lost its innocence has trouble appreciating beings that are innocent. A world that has become selfish has soured to the idea of leading a life of selflessness. A world that has become grossly materialistic is turned off from the idea of more dependents who consume resources.
I work hard to support my family, but I give up no pleasures in doing so, because my children are my foremost pleasure.
By just looking at my children I become more innocent. By loving them I become more noble. By spending my money on them rather than on myself I find transcendence. And by being a father, my spirit soars.
I am often asked by women how to tell whether the men they are dating are marriage material. I say, “See if he enjoys children. A man who loves children is playful. He will spend his life joking with his wife because he loves to see her laugh, and will flirt with her because he loves to see her smile.”
Once husbands and wives worked hard to ensure they could afford the blessings of a large family. Today the higher your earning bracket, the fewer children you have. Many turn money from a blessing to a curse.
Before he died, the Lubavitcher rebbe launched a campaign asking parents to have one more child than they had originally planned. It is a campaign that a dwindling Jewish community should revive as it continues to disappear.
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach is the host of TLC’s family dynamics TV show, “Shalom in the Home,” and author of the upcoming “Ten Conversations You Need to Have With Your Children. “ Information: www.shmuley.com.
This article was written for http://www.jewishsf.com/index.php It is sad but true. As Christians we ought to re-think where our prioities are. Mine are not on how fat my pocket book is or on trying to keep up with the Jones' but on my family and building a godly foundation for my children to live by so that they may give glorify God's name. I would be perfectly happy to live in a duplex with 10 children if that is where God gave me to live. I am building treasures for heaven, not earth.
As of now anyway, I only have one child, and if that is the only child I get I am fine with that too. So long as my husband and I stay focused on the Lord and teach our child what it means to be godly.
"Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obiedient in everything. If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven-- I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." 2 Cor. 2:7-11
I was reading this morning in 1 John, and in chapter 2:15-17 it says:
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the father, but is of this world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."
I just want to start today off by telling you all a little bit about my KJV Bible. It is a Rainbow study Bible. Every verse is color coded:
PURPLE God--the Father; the Son, Jesus Christ; the Holy Spirit
ORANGE Discipleship--Obedience; praise
GREEN Love-- joy; kindness
PEACH Faith--prayer; miracles
GREY Sin--evil; judgment of the ungodly
BLACK Satan--false teachers; idolatry
BLUE Salvation--blessings; deliverance
YELLOW Family--genealogies; marriage
PINK Witnessing--teaching; counseling
LIGHT GREEN Commandment--offerings; law
TAN Prophesy--promises; covenants
My Bible also has an introduction at the beginning of every book. And a small introduction at the beginning of every chapter. Part of the introduction of 1 Corinthians says:
"AUTHOR: Paul the Apostle.
TITLE: From Paul's first recorded letter the the church at Corinth.
BACKGROUND: The Roman general Mummius destroys the Greek city of Corinth in the second century BC but Julius Caesar restores the city in about 46 BC. Corinth, located on the Mediterranean, becomes the commercial and economic hub of Greece. This wealthy cosmopolitan center of about 700,000 people soon sets the standard for immorality and licentiousness. It is in this perverse environment that Paul establishes the church at Corinth while there for over a year-and-a-half on his second missionary journey...but soon after Paul's departure severe evils and factions threaten the stability and very existence of the church.
TO WHOM: The church at Corinth
CONTENT: The household of Chloe has reported to Paul strife in the church at Corinth. The church sends a delegation of 3 men with a letter to Paul that seeks his wisdom on several concerns and questions the church has...."
And the introduction for Chapter 13 says:
"Faith, hope, and love (charity), but the greatest of these is love."
A friend of mine was so kind as to have given me some Greek and Hebrew words for "love" to work with. Those words are:
STORGE (storgae) which is a natural affection for that which belongs to me
Eros (arrows) which is a physical attraction generated by particular appearance
Phileo (phil-a-O) which is an affection/warm feeling that comes from what is shared together
Agape (agapae) which is unconditional love
1 Cor 13: 1-8 are colored green in my bible and say:
"Though I speak with tongues of men and angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophesy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth..."
The word charity is mentioned here as a form of love. Charity is mentioned 28 times in the Bible. They are all in the New Testiment:
1 Cor 8:1, 1 Cor 13: 1-8,13, 1 Cor 14:1, 16:14; Col 3:14 1 Thes 3:6; 2 Thes 1:3; 1 Tim 1:5, 1 Tim 2:15; 1 Tim 4:12; 2 Tim 2:22, 2 Tim 3:10; Titus 2:2; 1 Pet 4:8; 1 Pet 5:14; 2 Pet 1:7; 3 Jn 6; Jude 12; Rev 2:19
Charitably is mentioned once in Romans 14:15.
Using the Greek dictionary (New Testament) Charity is AGAPE (unconditional love) which is from AGAPAO which means to love in a social or moral sense. It also comes from PLILEO which is to be a friend to (fond of), to have affection for (denoting personal attachment) whicle AGAPAO is wider embraced. The two stand very closely related to THELO or ETHELO which is to choose or prefer (literally or figuratively) be inclined to (something adv. gladly) for the future tense, to be about to; by Hebrew to delight in.
There were also 5 other words mentioned that were linked to the five already mentioned. They are THELESIS (thel-ee-sis) which is from THELO meaning determination. THUMOS which is from the word THOU (thoo-o) meaning: to sacrifice. NOUS which is the intelect, the mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling or will; understanding which also comes from the word PSUCHE which is the rational or immortal soul which comes from the Hebrew word NEPHESH (neh-fesh) which means: a breathing creature (heart, life, mind, soul, +us, +you).
From all this information we have here I think that what Paul was saying in 1 Cor 13 was that charity (love) is a brotherly (Christian) love and that it is in our minds and hearts. Just like Debi said in the Help Meet book: That our thoughts towards our husbands can determine how we feel towards them. We must "thinketh not evil" about anyone or anything. I think that he was also saying that with out this love (charity) he was nothing.
Sometimes the hardest thing for me to do when a stranger was rude or even if someone has disrespected me is to think nice thoughts about them ( feel brotherly love for them). I challenge us all to practice perfecting your charity.
1 Cor 13:4 " Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up."
A friend was telling me today about how her pastor was teaching on these same verses last weeks and he told the congregation to put their names in place of charity. Lets try it here as our "pre-practice"
"_______ suffereth long, and is kind; ______________ envieth not; ____________ vaunteth not themselves and is not puffed up."
I will most likely continue on the "love" path for many more weeks as there are so many different meanings for each of them. For example, just for the word love there are 19 different words used in Hebrew and Greek. Not to mention, loved, loveth, loving, lovingkindness, loveth, lovest, loves, love's, lovers.......and the list goes on.
I pray this has been as much an inspiration for you all as it has been for me.
Dear Lord, I come to you with praise today for allowing me to be here sharing this message with these loving and wonderful women. I pray that you will bring a renewing Spirit to each of us as we go about our daily lives. And help us Father to practice our loving charity towards our husbands, friends, and strangers alike. Bless us with your wisdom to be good helpmeets and to shine with your Glory! Thank you Father!! In Jesus' name we pray,
" He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love."
The introduction to 1 John says:
AUTHOR: John the Apostle
BACKGROUND: In addition to the three epistles bearing his name, John is also the author of the fourth gospel and the book of Revelation. This letter of John is written to Christian congregations founded in truth and faith, but receiving serious challenges from false teachers. The particular error being propagated is a philosophy of religion called Gnosticism. It is built on the premise that all matter is totally evil, spirit is totally good, and that all man will progress spiritually as he increases in this knowledge. This leads to further false teachings about Christ stating that he could not have been born in the flesh since all flesh is evil. The Gnostic theories are that Jesus Christ is either a ghost that only seems to have human body, or that He has a dual personality, sometimes divine and sometimes human. John's mission here is to combat these errors.
WRITTEN: Probably Ephesus
TO WHOM: To all Christians
CONTENT: This message of John is a warning to the believers not to be deceived by the false doctrines belong spread. He addresses them as his "little children" and " beloved" marking his closeness to them. The union between the Father and Son is boldly proclaimed, for only as one comes to know Jesus can he know the Father. John urges the believers to find full joy in God and in the knowledge of His forgiveness and grace. John's practical instructions include admonitions for the believer to walk in the light of righteousness, to live a spiritual life marked by a spiritual birth, and to show brotherly love for others. The Christians are encouraged to not love the things of this world, to beware of antichrists, and to test the spirits to see whether they are from God or Satan, John concludes his letter of Happiness and hope for the believers by protection in God from the evil one.
OUTLINE:
1. Introduction 1:1-4
2. Walking in the light 1:5-2:14
3. Hindrance in fellowship 2:15-27
4. Abiding in Christ's love 2:28-4:21
5. Victory and assurance thru faith 5:1-12
6. Conclusion remarks 5:13-21
Mmy bible is color coded and that all green verses denote "love" of some sort.
Here is a list of all the green verses in 1 John in case you would like to look them up:
The word joy is mentioned only once in this book. Loveth is mentioned five times. The word loved is mentioned twice. And the word love is mentioned seventeen times!! Just in this one book.
Agape and Agapao love are the only two words mentioned for most of the New Testament.
Agape love means unconditional love and Agapao love means brotherly love. So I think what John was saying in his letters to "all Christians" was that we need to love one another. And that without love (of any form) we can not really be true believers. It must truly be that important since love is talked about so much in the bible.
Dear Lord,
I pray this prayer to you today in hopes that we can all show our husbands that we love them unconditionally. Just as you are love, may we also be love thru what we have learned in the book we are studying and thru your word. I pray, Father, that you give us all the wisdom that we need to obtain "heavenly" marriages and to have peace in Jesus Christ. I pray that we may find strength and comfort in each other over the next few months as we continue to learn more about the importance of having our "heavenly" marriages. I pray that we may be content in the decisions our husbands make for our lives. I pray for discernment and discreetness as well. That we may remain in the Spirit and choose to do (and respond) what is right by You. All these things we pray in Jesus' name, amen!
In the past I have read a book called Created to Be His Helpmeet, and while I was doing so I journaled about what was being revealed to me. In Chapter 4 Debi talks about how thanksgiving produces joy. She also talks about her husband being her "jolly playmate" and I remember feeling overwhelmed with the thought of my husband and I acting the way they do. I also felt jealousy because I don't have that right now. Even though I continued to read the chapter I continued to let it "go in one ear and out the other." My flesh thought it too hard a task. Yesterday as I was reading the chapter it was like I was reading it again for the first time. This time instead of dismissing what was written I felt that I wanted (and still want today) to be this person Debi is to her husband.
At the bottom of page 47 it says:
" The message to you is simple. From this day forth, starting right now--today--be the woman who honors, obeys, and loves Jesus, by honoring your husband. "
On page 39, at the bottom, it says:
" The book of Philippians is full of instruction to help us learn to become a woman of God."
This morning I read Philippians and got SO many things from it. I will share some of them with you from the NIV.
Phil 2: 1-4 " If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also the interests of others."
Phil 1: 3-4 " I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy."
Phil 4: 11-13 " ... for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living through him who gives me strength."
Phil 4:6-7 " Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Phil 1:29 " For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him."
Paul sounds like a very good man. He talks of praying with joy and thanksgiving. He also says that he knows what it is like to want. To be persecuted. Being a Christian is rarely easy. But I am learning what it means to be content. And I am trying to practice my contentedness as much as I can. I think the overwhelmed feelings I was talking about earlier was me being overwhelmed at the idea of humbling myself to my husband enough to be his "jolly playmate."
These verses from Philippians have been an encouragement to me today. It reminds me that my journey with Jesus has been and is going to be a rough one and that I need to learn to roll with the punches and be content. And the same goes for my marriage. It has been a very bumpy ride and it has been hard for me to be content. Because before I am content about something I must first let go of my bitterness. I really needed to read Phil 4: 11-13 because it helped me remember that I am not the only person who has needs or wants and I shouldn't feel bitter towards my husband when I don't get what I want.
Dear Lord,
Please help me and my fellow Help Meeters today to be content with whatever is happening. Help us to be content, if for nothing else, that we have You! I pray that we can remain content with our children and husbands and let them see how much we love them. And I pray Lord that you will see how much we love you by doing what you put us here for. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen!
I have some 4x6 cards that I have places around my home with different scriptures on them. It is just about time for me to change them out with new ones, and here they are for you. ;)
Mark 11:24,25
Whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that when you recieve them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your tresspasses.
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Galatians 6:9
Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Matthew 7:7,8
Ask, and it will be given to you, seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks recieves, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Luke 12: 29-31
Do not seek what you eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things should be added to you.
Proverbs 23:11
Drowsiness will clothe a man with rags.
Ecclesiastes 5:19
As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat if it, to recieve his heritage and rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God.
Phillipians4:19
My God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 26:14
As a door turns on its hinges, so does the lazy man on his bed.
These jokes were forwarded to me today. I thought I would share them with you!
STORY OF ELIJAH
The Sunday school teacher was carefully explaining the story of Elijah the Prophet and the false prophets of Baal. She explained how Elijah built the altar, put wood upon it, cut the steer in pieces, and laid it upon the altar. And then, Elijah commanded the people of God to fill four barrels of water and pour it over the altar. He had them do this four times "Now, said the teacher, "can anyone in the class tell me why the Lord would have Elijah pour water over the steer on the altar?" A little girl in the back of the room started waving her hand, "I know! I know!" she said, "To make the gravy!"
LOT'S WIFE
The Sunday School teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, when little Jason interrupted, "My Mummy looked back once, while she was driving," he announced triumphantly, "and she turned into a telephone pole!"
GOOD SAMARITAN
A Sunday school teacher was telling her class the story of the Good Samaritan, in which a man was beaten, robbed and left for dead. She described the situation in vivid detail so her students would catch the drama. Then, she asked the class, "If you saw a person lying on the roadside, all wounded and bleeding, what would you do?" A thoughtful little girl broke the hushed silence, "I think I'd throw up."
DID NOAH FISH?
A Sunday school teacher asked, "Johnny, do you think Noah did a lot of fishing when he was on the Ark?" "No," replied David. "How could he, with just two worms?"
HIGHER POWER
A Sunday school teacher said to her children, " We have been learning how powerful kings and queens were in Bible times. But, there is a higher power. Can anybody tell me what it is?" One child blurted out, "Aces!"
MOSES &THE RED SEA
Nine-year-old Joey, was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday school. "Well, Mom, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. When he got to the Red Sea, he had his army build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then, he radioed headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and all the Israelites were saved." "Now, Joey, is that really what your teacher taught you?" his mother asked. "Well, no, Mom. But, if I told it the way the teacher did, you'd never
believe it!"
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
A Sunday School teacher decided to have her young class memorize one of the most quoted passages in the Bible; Psalm 23. She gave the youngsters a month to learn the verse. Little Rick was excited about the task -- but, he just couldn't remember the Psalm. After much practice, he could barely get past the first line. On the day that the kids were scheduled to recite Psalm 23 in front of the congregation, Ricky was so nervous.
When it was his turn, he stepped up to the microphone and said proudly, "The Lord is my Shepherd, and that's all I need to know."
Church Smiles
There was a very gracious lady who was mailing an old family Bible to her brother in another part of the country. "Is there anything breakable in here?" asked the postal clerk. "Only the Ten Commandments," answered the lady.
AMISH BUMPER STICKER
While driving in Pennsylvania , a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humour, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign... "Energy efficient vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust.''
SUNDAY SCHOOL MESSAGE
Sunday after church, a Mom asked her very young daughter what the lesson was about. The daughter answered, "Don't be scared, you'll get your quilt." Needless to say, the Mom was perplexed. Later in the day, the pastor stopped by for tea and the Mom asked him what that morning's Sunday school lesson was about. He said "Be not afraid, thy comforter is coming."
Someone I know from a message board I am a member of started the topic of us living in the "end times" and someone else posted a link to an article called "Who is ANTICHRIST?" I thought it was a pretty good article and bookmarked it. So I thought I would share that with you all. :)
I have a KJV Prophesy Study Bible that was published by Tim LaHaye. In there there are several articles about various topics: Satan, The Future Roman Empire, Heaven, etc.. And from time to time I read the various articles just because I can! :) Well today I read the article titled "How We Got Our Bible" by James M. Kinnebrew and thought it was worthy enough to share with you all ;)
"The Bible relates many instances where God revealed His Word and His Will to man in an instant. As glorious and efficient as these revelations were in their situations, the Bible you hold in your hands came about through a slow, purposeful, and complex work of God Almighty.
As finite creatures in a perplexing world, we have an inherent need for a word from heaven. As a loving Father with infinite wisdom, God has met that need. He has done this, in part, through "general revelation." We can know all the broad thruths of God's existance, power, benevolence, and wisdom when we take note of the universe around us (Ps. 19:1-6; Rom. 1:18-32). Likewise, we can discern His presence, holiness, and justice, as well as our own sinfulness, by our own conscience (Eccl. 3:11; Prov. 20:27; Rom. 2:14-16).
Unfortunately, our reasoning powers are not always sufficient to interpret what we see in the world (ps. 14:1; Isa. 55:8-9), and our consciences can be either too scrupulous (1 Cor. 8:7; Rom. 14:14-23) or too numb (Titus 1:15). In addition, neither creation nor conscience conveys the truth that we need for our eternal salvation. That revelation is found in the inspired Scripture text of the Bible.
The early Christians recognised the sixty-six books of the Bible as inspired Scripture. They recognised these books as scripture; however, they did not make them such. The Bible is the only collection of writings universally discerned to bear the marks of God's Word. We call the entire collection of books the "canon" (Gr. kanon, "measuring rod"). They alone are the rule, the unreserved sanction to the divine authority of the Scriptures of His day (Matt. 4:4; 5:17-18; Luke 24:25-27, 44; John 10:35). Those scriptures included only the thirty-nine books of our Old Testament(see the article entitled "The Apocryphal Literature" by Mal Couch).
The New Testament canon likewise rests on the authority of Christ Himself. In John 14:24-26; 16:12-13, Jesus appointed the apostles as His duly authenticated messengers and promised that the Holy Spirit would remind them of His teachings (the Gospels), lead them into all truth (Acts and the Epistles), and teach them things to come (Revelation). They, in a unique sense, were Christ's ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:20). Of them He said, "he that hears you hears me" (Luke 10:16). Only those books that are authentically apostolic (not forgeries as referred to in 2 Thess. 2:2) or have apostolic sanction (like Mark and Luke) can stand up under scrutiny as the very Word of God. So these sixty-six books (38 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament) comprise the written Word of God.
When we think of how we got our Bible, we recognise the protecting hand of God in preserving His Word through the ages. The Bible has endured the oposition of pagan emperors, godless critics, and even misguided relinionists. It has been banned, burned, slandered, and ridiculed_all to no avail. Its survival through unparalleled persecution has been the source of universal amazement. The copy you hold in your hands right now is a testimony to what God will do to get His Word to mankind, to draw them into a saving, eternal relationship with Himself."
Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, ebcause there was no shepard.
Mine anger was kindled against the shepards, and I punished the goats: for the Lord of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle.
Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
And they shall be as mighty men, which tread down their enemies in the mire of the streets in the battle: and they shall fight, because the Lord is with them, and the riders on horses shall be confounded.
And I will strengthen the house of Judah, and I will save the house of Joseph, and I will bring them again to place them; for I have mercy upon them: and they shall be as though I had not cast them off: for I am as the Lord their God, and will hear them.
And they of Ephriam shall be like a mighty man, and their heart shall rejoice as through wine: yea, their children shall see it, and be glad; their heart shall rejoice in the Lord.
I will hiss for them, and gather them; for I have redeemed them: and they shall increase as they have increased.
And I will sow them among the people and they shall remember me in far countries; and they shall live with their children, and turn again.
I will bring them again also out of the land of Egypt, and gather them out of Assyria; and I will bring them into the land of Gilead and Lebanon; and place shall not be found for them.
And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dryup: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the sceptre of Egypt shall depart away.
And I will strengthen them in the Lord; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the Lord.
Yesterday I was going thru some misc handouts from church and somehow one of the handouts that someone else had written on ended up comming home with us. :) And I like their notes. Its always nice to get someone else's perspective every now and then.
This handout was titled "Christ and His Church"
Mark 4:35-41
"And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, LET US PASS OVER UNTO THE OTHER SIDE.
And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
And he arose, and rebuked the wind and said unto the sea, PEACE, BE STILL. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
And he said unto them, WHY ARE YE SO FEARFUL? HOW IS IT THAT YE HAVE NO FAITH?
And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and sea obey him?"
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1. His Ship: was full of His people, water
2. His Work: was to preach the word of God
3. Your Need: faith and understanding
4. Your Health: Is dependant upon the Lord
5. Your Ship: Is under Christ's command
6. Other Ships: (vessels) who were following him
7. Does He Slumber: only to bring us deeper into our faith.
8. Your Prayers: He wants us to go to Him with our prayers and concerns to strengthen our faith
9. Be Silent, be dumb: "Let not the wind any longer roar, or the sea rage." Tune out all the other noises and listen (turn) to Christ.
10. Your Fears: Should be given over to Christ. Our faith should be great enough that our fears pail in comparison. In Matthew it says the disciples marveled Jesus when He calmed the seas; in Mark it says they feared Him. He is much bigger than any storm.
Challenge: Look into your life. Find whatever trouble that is in it (your life) and compare it to a big wave, a roaring storm. Then look at how small those waves are compared to God.
The following read was forwarded to me from a friend. It is a powerful prayer and it is true! I looked it up Please feel free to read it and pass it along.
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It seems prayer still upsets some people. Please read....
When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what
they heard;
"Heavenly Father,
We come before you today
To ask your forgiveness and
To seek your direction and guidance.
We know Your Word says,
"Woe to those who call evil good"
But that is exactly what we have done.
We have lost our spiritual equilibrium
And reversed our values.
We have exploited the poor and
Called it the lottery.
We have rewarded laziness
And called it welfare.
We have killed our unborn
and called it choice.
We have shot abortionists
And called it justifiable.
We have neglected to discipline
Our children and called it
Building self esteem.
We have abused power
And called it politics.
We have coveted our neighbor's
Possessions and called it ambition.
We have polluted the air
With profanity and
Pornography and called it
Freedom of Speech and expression
We have ridiculed the time honored
Values of our forefathers
And called it enlightenment
Search us, oh God,
and know our hearts today;
Cleanse us from every sin and set us free.
Guide and bless these men and women
who have been sent here by the people of
this state and who have been ordained by You,
to govern this great state of Kansas.
Grant them your wisdom to rule and
may their decisions direct us to the center of Your Will.
I ask in in the name of your Son, The Living Savior, Jesus Christ Amen!
The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest.
In six short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor,
logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of these calls being
negative. The church is now receiving international requests for copies
of this prayer from India, Africa and Korea.
Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio Program, "The Rest
of the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any
other he has ever aired.
With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our Nation and
wholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called "one
nation under God."
If possible, please pass this prayer on to your friends "If you
don't stand for something, you will fall for anything."
I was on vacation with my dh (dear husband) this past January when we saw a show about a family. Not just any family~a LARGE and very special one. The Arndt family. They live in MO and even have their own ball team. They have 14 children, one of them being a girl and all the rest boys! how fun.
After vacation I began thinking about that show I watched and decided to look up their website, boy am I glad that I did. If you would like to see the website for yourself you may do so at http://www.famteam.com/
One of their eldest boys, Mark, wrote some very sweet articles about "Waiting for God's Best." Mark's approach is more about waiting on the Lord to bring him a wife--about being content to be single. But for me to read those articles it went so much deeper than that.
Below are quotes from those articles and a few notes from me:
"Roughly a year ago, I was in shambles inwardly. Outwardly, I would say that I trusted God in everything and to a degree I did, but I refused to completely hand over the reins of my life."
The underlined above has been so true for me, unfortunately, on several occasions.
Mark goes on to say that all this was over the Lord not bringing him the right woman yet. He was becomming very lonely and longing the female companionship that a man can find in a wife.
"These were all great motives, but I let posative longings interfere with my trust in God"
O, how many times I have not been on guard when my flesh rose up and tried to take over with posative and negative things alike! Reflecting back on my own life I can certainly see how many times in the last 10 or so years I have not trusted in God. And now I have brought all types of "baggage" into my dh's life that otherwise would have never even been there.
Mark goes on, saying he would give God deadlines for this wife, and how he later realized how arrogant that was, "I was willing to surrender almost all of it (trust)...but not all of it. Its almost as if I was holding onto part of it just in case God turned my future into something I didn't want."
"Finally I gave up. God got through to me. At long last, I told God--and I meant it from the heart--that--"whenever, or if never, you lead me to her, I will happily accept it...it really boils down to a change in priorities. As long as I remain in God's will until I die, I will have a successful life."
Previously I would essentially say, "God, I'll only follow you if it means getting married.: But after that day I said, "God I'll only get married if it means following you."
How wonderful to be able to say that. To have that right place in our hearts. It is worth repeating, "God, I'll only get married if it means following you."
Just that one sentance can bring forth all kinds of good. Now lets all say it outloud, but this time insert your own struggles,
"GOD, I'LL ONLY______________________IF IT MEANS FOLLOWING YOU."
As an example of some of the things that I have been "holding the reins" about are:
1. Not submitting to my husband ot trusting in him and his abilaties to lead our home. I try to take matters into my own hands at innapropriate times when I ought to be trusting the Lord that my dh is making family decisions that he believes are best.
2. I have been getting impatient about having more children. Our daughter just turned 3 this past week and as each year *(and sometimes month) goes by I get more and more antsy. And sometimes when I fully allow myself to wallow in the flesh I think about how we could have had at least 3 children by now if not more had there been twins! I really desire to be quiverful and its hard for me to just have one child to take care of.
More on Mark's articles:
"Patience is never exciting. Especially patience with no end in sight. Sometimes it can feel like riding in a car with no windows. You're told that your moving, but you don't feel any different. You don't see the scenery moving, you don't see your progress. You see nothing to reassure you that you're not just holding still and wasting your time."
"If God were to tell me, for example that I would meet the right girl in exactly 714 days, I think it would be a lot easier to wait for it. That way I could plan for it and keep my eyes on the days, watching then tick downward. But I don't think thats the kind of trust and obedience God wants from us. He wants is to be willing to do as he says even if it looks like we'll get nothing in return. He wants us to follow him anyway...If God said wait, we should wait even without a reason. But--God loves us so much that he gives us good reasons and great results. Waiting will be so worth it."
AMEN!
"You are not missing one single good thing by waiting. In fact, the longer you wait, the more it will be worth it one day."
I think this is a good point, but its not good for me to dwell on the rewards of something I am waiting for, but I do agree and look forward to recieving those rewards for my good acts. For example, if I am content to wait for my husband to buy me the tulip bulbs that I asked him for and then not get bitter because fall has come and gone, then when he DOES get around to giving them to me, I could truely apperciate them and him for blessing me with something as small as that. And really appreciate it!
" ...finding the right girl is no longer my duty. Its not up to me. It never was up to me. That's not in my job description. Like salvation, she is not something I can earn...She will be a gift from God--and what a gift!"
This was such a great read for me because I have a hard time being content in most situations. Lately, the more I look at myself, my life, I can see where I went wrong. Where I wasn't content, and where I should have....whatever.
But instead of dwelling on the past I am trying to look to the here and now, and the future. IO am looking to learn to be content to give God those "reins" and not get worked up over silly little things--and even the big things and to just be content looking to God and my husband for guidance.
If you would like to read the full articles that I have mentioned from Mark and other members of the Arndt family, go to http://www.famteam.com/ I highly recommend you do.
Are you content with the lot the Lord has given you? Are you content with your surroundings?
I am a helpmeet. From a biblical standpoint that means that I am a wife. I am my husband's "helper." That is what I was created for. I cook for him. I clean for him. I raise his children for him. I am a keeper of my home and I am to submit to him and serve him in any way I can. In this modern day and age some people may not understand where I am comming from.
Genesis 2:18,21-22 " And the Lord God said, It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him an helpmeet for him...And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam...and he took one of his ribs...And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man" So if God said it, then its good enough for me. I will be my husband's help meet!
Godly Womanhood is dedicated to the promotion and instruction of the word of God. Here there will be scriptures, word studies and a journal of where I am with my struggles with sin and what it takes to be a godly woman.
