Tag Archives: Faith

EBBING AWAY

23 Wednesday Apr 2014

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Jonah 2:7 (NRSV) As my life was ebbing away, I remembered the Lord; and my prayer came to you, into your holy temple

“Ebbing away” means weakening, receding or retreating.

Think about it!

When you feel distanced from God feeling weak or withdrawn from His Love

Answer this question.

How far-away did you go to lose your hope, your faith, your peace?

God did not leave you – YOU left.

Jonah 2:7 (TLB)When I had lost all hope, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord. And my earnest prayer went to you in your holy Temple.

He prayed:

“In trouble, deep trouble, I prayed to God.
    He answered me.
From the belly of the grave I cried, ‘Help!’
    You heard my cry.
You threw me into ocean’s depths,
    into a watery grave,
With ocean waves, ocean breakers
    crashing over me.
I said, ‘I’ve been thrown away,
    thrown out, out of your sight.
I’ll never again lay eyes
    on your Holy Temple.’
Ocean gripped me by the throat.
    The ancient Abyss grabbed me and held tight.
My head was all tangled in seaweed
    at the bottom of the sea where the mountains take root.
I was as far down as a body can go,
    and the gates were slamming shut behind me forever—
Yet you pulled me up from that grave alive,
    O God, my God!
When my life was slipping away,
    I remembered God,
And my prayer got through to you,
    made it all the way to your Holy Temple.
Those who worship hollow gods, god-frauds,
    walk away from their only true love.
But I’m worshiping you, God,
    calling out in thanksgiving!
And I’ll do what I promised I’d do!
    Salvation belongs to God!”

And then

26 Tuesday Jun 2012

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This is the season for Thank You notes, right? We have all types of Graduation Day with kids/adults graduating from Kindergarten, Grade School, Middle School, High School and College. Add into this mix, the Graduation’s from the Higher Learning with Master Degree and Doctorates. We have Weddings and Anniversary’s, the Summer Birthday’s and Baby Showers and the birth of the Babies. Whew! Lots and Lots of thank you notes to write or send ECards or even Thank you Texts??

I’ve been reading 1Kings in the Bible which is all about Solomon taking over (Kingship) for his Father, David. Solomon was chosen by God, gifted by God and walked with God. Listen to the first part of King Solomon’s prayer when he dedicated the Temple.

1Kings 8: 23-28-30 (NLT) (23) O, Lord god of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven above or on earth below-you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue whole heartedly in your way. (28) O Lord my God Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is praying in your presence this day. (30) Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place.

Then in 1Kings 8: 59-61 (NLT) Solomon says: And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the Lord, be near to the Lord our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant and the cause of his people according to each day’s need, so that all the peoples of the Earth may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. Your hearts must be fully committed to the Lord our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands.

Solomon’s wisdom was given to him by God as a gift. 1Kings shows how Solomon followed in David’s footsteps. And then, In Chapter 11 the Bible says, as Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord, his God. Slowly Solomon turned but not all at once.

Solomon began a new life chapter called: AND THEN!

And then, Solomon listened to others and then, Solomon turned from His God, and then, Solomon worshipped the detestable other religions.

Solomon walked away from God. Solomon forgot to thank His God, praise His God and Worship His God.

Send a thank you note to God, today. Continue thanking Him the rest of your life. Open the Book of Thanks and Praise instead of starting the “And Then” chapter.

Faith-Full

18 Monday Jun 2012

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Yesterday we drove over to our local University Extension Office in Pahrump. The local office has a beautiful example of a native Garden. They have planted an acre with plants, trees and a garden. All of the plants are native to the High Desert and use little to minimal water. The 4H club and the Master Gardner Classes are based out of the extension office. There are many programs based at this location but with State Funding slowly disappearing some of the programs have been cancelled.

Many people volunteer their valuable time and most of the people are devoted gardeners who love being around a natural setting. The docent told us about the local Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings. Yeah!

Since we have a bare acre right now, we are trying to gather as much information as possible. We would like to start out “right” by planting a native environment on our ranch (that’s what I call it). We want to plant trees requiring minimum water requirements and encourage hummingbirds, song birds and butterflies.

Last night, hubby and I were sitting on the front porch, enjoying the mountains, the quiet and a glass of wine. We were talking about God’s bounty. We talked about how we felt God has led us to this point and we talked about His Blessings saying “God is Faithful when we are Faith-Filled”.

Hebrews 10: 23 (NIV) Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful

Lamentations 3:23 (NIV) They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

My husband and I are making our new home trusting in God’s Plan. We are planting our roots, deep into God’s Love and His promise to make us strong. We pray for God’s power to live in us and we pray for His understanding. As we complete this process, our reward will be the fullness of life and the power only God can give us.

Ephesians 3: 17-19 (NIV)
Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Father’s Day

17 Sunday Jun 2012

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Father’s Day is Sunday. In Corinthians 1, Paul encouraged the men to be Courageous and Strong.

I remember the first time I ever saw my Daddy cry. My mom was in the hospital having their fourth child, my brother Timothy John. During the delivery my mom had toxic complications and both she and my brother were in danger. My mom still talks about that moment she felt an out-of-body experience; she actually saw her body from above. She remembers praying “Please don’t let me leave my husband with 3 children and a newborn.” She didn’t know her newborn was struggling at that moment too.

We believe to this day the Lord heard her prayer and He saved my mom and my brother. When my Dad got home that night, he checked on his sleeping children. Being the excited busy-body I was, I woke up and asked Dad about the baby. (Remember, at that time there wasn’t an ultra-sound informing you about the sex of the baby.)

My Daddy sat on the edge of the bed with his hands covering his face and sobbed his heart out. I started crying because I did not know what was wrong.

The first time I saw my husband cry was at my Dad’s funeral. Previously, my husband’s father passed away, I know my husband cried because he said he broke down in tears when he saw a friend of ours at the funeral. I did not see him break down on that day but on the day my dad died; he cried with me.

I am blessed to spend time with my brothers and friends of our family who have proven (by living examples) that you can show emotions, lead your family and stand strong in your daily life. I’ve learned a valuable lesson from these strong and courageous men in my life. You can have strength and courage when you show your emotions. You can stand firm in faith and guard your families. You can hold tight to your convictions and gave it all you have!

You see, they loved us without stopping and did everything for us in Love.

Isn’t that the definition of a Father?

1 Corinthians 16: 13-14 (NIV 1984) Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love

1 Corinthians 16: 13-14 (The Message) Keep your eyes open, hold tight to your convictions, give it all you’ve got, be resolute, and love without stopping.

Door #1 – Door #2 or Door #3

04 Monday Jun 2012

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Today I was reading Romans 13 (NIV).

Verses 1-5 state: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
The United States Presidential Election is in full-swing. We all have different opinions on the next step our Country should head towards.

Listen to Verses 6-7: This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor

Since my NIV Bible is also a teaching Bible, the explanation of verses 1-7 stated there are three types of Christian interpretations of these verses. (**taken from NIV Life Application Bible – copyright 1988)

#1 – Some Christians believe that the state is so corrupt that Christians should have as little to do with government as possible. Although they should be good citizens as long as they can do so without compromising their beliefs, they should not work for the government, vote in elections or sever in the military.

#2 – Some Christians believe that God has given the state authority in certain areas and the church authority in other areas. Christians can be loyal to both and can work for either. They should not, however, confuse the two. In this view, church and state are concerned with two different spheres – the spiritual and the physical – and thus complement each other but do not work together.

#3 – Others believe that Christians have a responsibility to make the state better. They can do this politically by electing Christian or other high-principally leaders. They can do this morally by serving as influence for good in society. In this view, church and state ideally work together for the good of all.

Which door is your choice? 1 – 2 – 3

Empty Box

28 Monday May 2012

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My daughter has a new man in her life. Both have been in previous relationships and they are currently in the “getting to know you but I sure like you” stage. Our daughter lives in Vegas (an hour away) so we are receiving phone-updates every few days.

During one of the bringing-us-up-to-date conversations, our daughter said that she and her new “beau” were talking about the differences between men and women. You know, sort of the Mars/Venus concept. He brought up the fact that men have an “empty box”. This is a part of a man’s brain where they can “run to and/or hide” at any time – just to be!

My daughter and I started talking about such a concept. In my experience, a woman does not have the capacity for an empty box. Think about it – just for a moment. Most women want to run to a “Empty/Quiet Area of the Brain” but this is what will actually happen in her “Empty Box”.

1. I’ve arrived at my Empty Box
2. Ok, why is this box so quiet
3. Mmmm; I’m bored – Why can’t I relax?
4. Why isn’t there any color in my Empty Box
5. This box needs some sprucing up
6. I need to go shopping to “fix up” my Empty Box
7. I need to call a friend and talk about my Empty Box
8. I need some music
9. Oooh! Music! Let’s Clean
10. Why am I so tired in my Empty Box – I need some Chocolate

You see! Women just can’t and I mean CANNOT stop their minds from flitting to and from. We need to fix something or talk to someone or dance or clean or eat or shop. Now, I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing.

Men need women to pull them out and talk about their feelings. Boys have “no pain/no gain” and “Crying is for Girls” ingrained into their brains. Women help men and Men help women; it’s the teeter-totter of life.

That’s why I love my early morning Prayer-time! The Lord takes me for ME. He loves me for me. He lets me chatter away and flit from one worship prayer to the next. He knows how to bring me back into focus through His Word. Sometimes He spot-lights praise and AWE. Sometimes He places emphases on further training for me.

I’m not worried about my Empty Box – My Lord has me right where I should be.

Colossians 2:8 (NLT) Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.