Later

Why is it that I say, ‘I’ll do this later, I’ll read that later’ and then never do it?  The worst is that I complain that I never have time to spend alone with my Father but I do.  I just stupidly put dirty dishes and the house before Him.  Really!?! 

That is so hard to say but it is true.  I want to spend time alone with my Lord and I have that time while my daughter is in school but what do I do?  I get on the computer and head over to Facebook. 

¹⁵ Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. ¹⁶ For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. ¹⁷ The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. ~ 1 John 2:15-17

Why do I put FB above my Father?  There are some good things about FB, the best thing is The Imperfect Wives and the groups they have but can I really justify that over my Father?  After all that is what they are teaching us.. to put God first!! 

"No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." ~Luke 16:13

I know He wants us to love each other, to pray for each other, to share each others burdens but when I start to put them, or my own life above God that is not a good thing. 

Later.. later… later… and that later never comes… I think now needs to be later!
Praying for everyone that has ever said later to God.  Praying that we will all find a way to put Him first again!

Trust the Lord completely; don't ever trust yourself. In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success. ~Proverbs 3:5-6

He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord! Trust in the Lord always, for in the Lord, Jehovah, is your everlasting strength. ~Isaiah 26:3-4

 

*image found on google search

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I am His

*image found through Pinterest. 

 

We are all God’s children.  He is our Daddy.  I just love when He says to me, “My Child”  I am HIS!!!  He chose me.  I am His child and He loves me unconditionally!!  I love that!!  It fills me with such joy.  and sometimes such sadness.  The joy because He loves me, the sadness because I am a child and I will always mess up and fail Him.  But in being His child, He will always be there for me, to take me into His arms, listen to me complain and mumble about how I failed Him again.  He will always tell me, “My Child, you are forgiven. Your brother took care of that”   There is nothing better than to be in His arms and to hear Him whisper that to you.  It’s amazing!!  Can’t wait until that day I can truly be in His arms!!!

Galatians 3:26
For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

So remember, when things are going so bad, you feel lost, alone, like a failure.  God loves you!  You are HIS children and He will always be there for you!  You just have to let Him!  It’s just like any other child/parent relationship.  All He wants is our love!

¹¹ He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him. ¹² But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. ¹³ They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. ~ John 1:11-13

 

1 John 2:28
[ Living as Children of God ] And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when He returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from Him in shame.

 

 

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God doesn’t have favorites

*Image from Free Digital Photos

I was praying for some friends the other day, praying hard, kind of begging for them.. then God told me, “I don’t show favoritism” 
I started kind of laughing.. I knew that, but still went ahead and asked anyways… but afterwards I understood. 

For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe~ Deuteronomy 10:17 NKJV

We all want the ones we love to be healed, whether it be physically, spiritually or mentally.  We always want the best for our loved ones.  It is kind of frustrating sometimes that He doesn’t show favoritism, but then again it is a good thing, because otherwise He’d probably just pass me over!  lol

Our God is an amazing God!  He loves ALL of us, no matter what!  He wants the best for us and sometimes the circumstances are just that… circumstances.  We grow because of our trials, we have to be the ones that chose to grow stronger because of them.  This is how He teaches us.. disciplines us as children.  Instead of pulling away from God, we must chose to grow closer to Him!

How great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.  Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  All who have this hope in Him purify themselves, just as He is pure.

~ 1 John 3:1-3 NIV

He will give us the rest we need, the peace we seek, once we finally decide to let go and leave it all at His feet.  Then we will have peace.  Trusting is so hard sometimes, us being human, we want to control everything.  God is the One that needs to be in control in our lives.  When we fully rely on God then that is when things go the best!

Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. ~Matthew 11:28 NLT

So my prayer for today is this…

Father I want to thank You for not having favorites, that You love each and everyone of us the same!  That in doing this, no one is left getting less from You or more from You.  I pray that I will continue to have the strength to fully lay it down, lay it down before You.  Please Lord, help me to continue to trust in You so that I can grow stronger and closer to You!  Thank You Lord for loving us all so much, none of us deserve such love but You lavish us with it anyways!  Thank You Lord for making everything new every morning!  For giving us so many chances, and thank You that You never stop loving us!
In Your loving name, Amen!

Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. ~James 4:8 NLT

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My Grandpa

My Grandpa was an amazing man!  He was a carpenter and a farmer.  He loved living out on the farm and working the land.  Sadly, last Friday he passed away.  We had the funeral for him yesterday.  It was a nice funeral.  He was loved by so many and will be missed by many as well.  The only good thing is now he is in Heaven and all the answers we have asked for many years have been revealed to him! 
Pleas continue to keep our family in your thoughts and prayers.  Thanks!

This was on his obituary, I loved the poem and thought I would share

My Farm

My farm to me is not just land where painted buildings stand… to me my farm is nothing less than all created loveliness… My farm is not where I must soil my hands in endless dreary toil, but where through seed and swelling pod, I’ve learned to walk and talk with God… My farm to me is not a place outmoded by a modern race… I like to think I just see less of evil, greed and selfishness…

My farm is not lonely for all day I hear my children shout and play… And here, when age comes free from fears, I’ll live again long, joyous years… My farm’s a haven—here dwells rest, security, and happiness… Whate’er befalls the world outside—here faith and hope and love abide… And so my farm is not just land where painted buildings stand… To me, my farm is nothing less than all of God’s hoarded loveliness…

Author Unknown

 

And a song that was sang at the service

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Cash… my hero

My cousin’s little boy was only 9 months old when he was diagnosed with cancer.  As I watched him fight so strongly and watched his parents be so strong, so strong in their faith. I wanted that!

They could have so easily gotten mad at God but instead they clung to Him, trusted in Him that everything would turn out alright. 

I wanted to have faith like that.. to trust in the Lord like they did and still do.  They do so much for Children’s Cancer Foundation and so many other foundations.  Something good did come from something so tragic.

So, even though I was saved when I was in high school, I didn’t ever understand the kind of relationship you could really have with the Lord.  This time after rededicating it was so different.  Learning that He has a plan for everything, and trusting in Him that it is the right plan.  That something good will come from whatever is going on at the time, we just have to wait to see His glory.
There are still so many times that I try to take control instead of letting God have control.  It is a hard thing to do sometimes.  Once you do get there though, things are so much better!!  And the times that you don’t He does understand.. He knows your heart and what you truly want. 

I love how now when I have a problem… I go to the Lord.  I cry out to Him and pour my heart out to Him.  Sometimes it isn’t pretty but He’s still alright with that… as long as I continue to come to Him!  (there are still times I tend to whine and moan before I go to Him but it is just something I have to pray about and continue to work on)

So… from one little boy’s fight to save his life, he in turned saved mine.  And now he, with the help of his family, continue to do what they can to save the lives of others!  Whether it be through all the fundraisers they are doing or just by others watching them, and seeing God shine through them!

If you would like to read more about my story than you can click here… This is My Story

~Romans 1:8-12~

⁸ First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. ⁹ For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers, ¹⁰making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you. ¹¹ For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established— ¹² that is, that I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 

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Until He Came

Until He Came
I did not live
Until He came to me,
The Lord of life,
The Man of Galilee.
He found me
Full of pride
and self and sin;
He cleansed my heart
and came and entered in.
And now I live
abundantly and free,
and yet not I;
It is the Christ
who lives in me.
Oh, help me, Lord;
Help thou my will to be
each hour surrendered
To the will of thee.
For this is life
for all eternity!
~Columbus, Georgia
*in our bulletin on Sunday, I loved it and wanted to share!  Pin It

What are your stakes?

Today during our Bible Study from “The Power of a Whisper” by Bill Hybels, there was a lady he had on his DVD, that we watched before our we went and discussed it, that was talking about whispers from God being like stakes.  Something that you can go back to as your ‘stake’ in your walk with our Father.  I thought it was pretty neat and I loved the idea of putting it like that!

The whispers you hear from God are our stakes, the ones that you can go back to time and again when you need that extra boost, when you don’t think He is talking to you as much anymore, you can go back to those ‘stakes’ and remember and relish in those times to give you that reassurance you need!  Our ‘stakes’ are our ties to our Father!!

What are your stakes?  What can you go back to that is that stake in your faith, that constant that you can always go back to?

Make sure you come back tomorrow for a nice surprise!! Pin It

The Full Armor of God!

  This is one of the greatest passages ever!  I have always liked it but until I rededicated my life it really didn’t have the same meaning it does now.  Here lately I have been reading this more and more and more and more…

Oh how we need to do this each and everyday so we can be prepared for the devil’s schemes!  Unfortunately he is too good at that and way too often we forget to strap on the Armor of God. (because I don’t want him anywhere near this family or in this house!)  This is something we should do the moment we wake up!!  I have to admit that there are many days this isn’t the first thing that I put on… life gets in the way and I know it shouldn’t but as long as we remember to strap it on sometime throughout the day then that is better than never putting it on at all. 

What comfort it is that we can strap on that belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, strap on our boots or sandals for the gospel of peace, grab that shield of faith, strap on that helmet of Salvation and grab up our sword of the Spirit!   What better outfit to come out and face this world with? 
Like my wonderful friend Rebecca said Tuesday, Don’t be a Spiritual Streaker! 

Strap on that Armor of God!!

Here’s another wonderful picture I found while searching for a woman in armor…

The Armor of God

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,  and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Ephesians 6:10-20

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The Word was WITH God!

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ~John 1:1

We were going over this in Sunday school a few weeks back.  You know I have read this verse many times but for some reason I just never really got that ‘The Word’ was WITH God!  Jesus was with God from the beginning!!  I just loved that and it proves to me that Jesus has always been with God our Father!

Here is the paper they gave us that Sunday.  It was part of the “New Believers” class they had that I didn’t get a chance to go to.  Bro. Tom was nice enough to print them all up for me too! 

GOD

There is only one true and living God.  He is an intelligent, spiritual, and personal Being the Creator, Redeemer, Preserver, and Ruler of the universe.  God is infinite in holiness and all other perfections.  To Him we owe the highest love, reverence, and obedience.  The eternal God reveals Himself to us as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, with distinct personal attributes, but without division of nature, essence or being.

 

It is impossible to define God, but not impossible to describe Him!

Let’s take a look at God’s natural attributes, or different descriptions of God. 

He is:

Self-Existing & Eternal- He has always been here, and always will. 

Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God…” 

Genesis 21:33 “Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called upon the name of the LORD, the Eternal God.”

Jeremiah 10:10 “But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God, the eternal King.”

Immutable- meaning the God does not change.

James 1:17 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Malachi 3:6 “I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”

Psalm 110:4 “The LORD has sworn
   and will not change his mind:
You are a priest forever,
   in the order of Melchizedek.”

Omnipresent- God is present at all times in every part and time of His universe.  He is not limited by time or space, and is a free personal Spirit.

Psalm 139:7-12 Where can I go from your Spirit?
   Where can I flee from Your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, You are there;
   if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
   if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there Your hand will guide me,
   Your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
   and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to You;
   the night will shine like the day,
   for darkness is as light to You.

God’s Immensity- He is superior to space.  He is the God of the universe.  No human concept can contain Him.

Romans 11:33-36 “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
   How unsearchable his judgments,
   and his paths beyond tracing out!
“Who has known the mind of the Lord?
   Or who has been his counselor?”
“Who has ever given to God,
   that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things.
   To him be the glory forever! Amen.”

Omniscient- God has all knowledge.  He knows all things simultaneously.  His knowledge is immediate, without the process of thought reason or inference.  His knowledge of events does not necessarily mean He predetermined them.  God knows the workings of all laws, natural, moral, spiritual, and physical.  We have the right to choose and are responsible for these choices.  God knows these choices before hand, but does not predetermine them.

Colossians 2:3- “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”

Deutoronomy 30:19- “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live”

Omnipotent- God possess all power.  He can do anything in keeping with His nature and purpose.  The only limits to His power are self imposed.  He cannot lie or act contrary to His own laws, character, and purpose.  These limitations are evidence of God’s power, not of His weakness.

The Four moral attributes of God are:

Holy- God’s supreme moral excellence.  More than perfect.  A complete absence of evil.

Isaiah 6:3- “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory.”

Righteous- Because God is Holy, He cannot ignore or condone evil.  What is good in God, He demands in man.  He makes us right, or righteousness through Christ. 

Romans 10:1-13 “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.  For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.  Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.  Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down)  “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).  But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Truth- God is the source and ground for all truth.  He is the criteria through which all thoughts and acts shall be judged.  All truth is of God!
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.”

John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”

Love- “This is the attribute that permeates, or brings about, all other of God’s attributes.”

1 John 4:8 “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1 John 4:16 “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

1 Corinthians 13 tells us all about “Love” therefore tells us about God!

“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.  If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.  For we know in part and we prophesy in part,  but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears.  When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.  For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.  And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
 

So I know this was long but I really loved all the information it gives and how it clears up so much!  I just hope that this might help someone else.  Hope everyone has a blessed day!

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You’re the Messenger

The next time you feel like GOD can't use YOU, just remember...

Noah was a drunk
Abraham was too old
Isaac was a daydreamer
Jacob was a liar
Leah was ugly
Joseph was abused
Moses had a stuttering problem
Gideon was afraid
Sampson had long hair and was a womanizer
Rahab was a prostitute
Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
David had an affair and was a murderer
Elijah was suicidal
Isaiah preached naked
Jonah ran from God
Naomi was a widow
Job went bankrupt
John the Baptist ate bugs
Peter denied Christ
The Disciples fell asleep while praying
Martha worried about everything
The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
Zaccheus was too small
Paul was too religious
Timothy had an ulcer...
AND Lazarus was dead!

No more excuses now!! God can use you to your full potential. Besides you aren't the message, you are just the messenger.

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Faith, Love & Peace

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple.

~Psalm 27:4

Faith, now this is hard to explain to some that don’t have it.  Sometimes there are no words to describe it, all I can say is that I do have it and that I pray that I will never lose it.  That I will always have faith and always seek my Father, always love Him, trust Him and never leave Him again!  Because He NEVER left me! 

 

 

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

~Romans 8:38-39

and then there is Love.  Now that is something that is easy to explain.  If you are talking about your husband, kids or family, but again, to some they don’t understand the love for Christ or His love for us!  To me sometimes it is a very intimate thing.  Not like a lot of people think.  He is the one that I can go to when I need anything, He helps me through so much and gives me such peace.  I have never really known this kind of love before.  A love where is it totally unconditional, nothing like with my husband but a  love that so holy!  When things are going bad at home, just not getting the love from family that I need I can always turn to my Father for that.  I know it sounds weird, but when I feel like I am not being heard, accepted, supported, I can just dive into His words and I get such comfort from that!  Just by reading His words and His promises to me! 

That is Love!

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 ~ Philippians 4:7

Peace… that is what comes from having the things I listed above.  There is no describing it to nonbelievers or someone, like I used to be, that says they are a Christian, but still doesn’t have that relationship.  I never knew this peace really existed before!  Whenever my husband and I get into arguments, which are coming fewer and fewer I used to just go and cry.  Don’t get me wrong I still do cry but now I cry out to our Lord.  It seems like as soon as I do, as soon as I ask, “What am I doing that is so wrong?  How can I be better for him and for You?”  There is this calm that comes over me.  Even when I don’t hear Him answer back, like this warmth, like a powerful arm around me telling me I am doing right by Him.  That I am at least understanding now that it isn’t always about my husband, that I know that I have to change things as well.  That He knows I am trying so very hard to hold my tongue and just sit and think and pray about it before I reply.  He knows that I am trying because He knows everything about me!  and He still loves me!  Now that is such a peaceful place to be!!  No better feeling than to know that He loves you and that you are beautiful to Him and are doing just fine!

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Your Love

 

The other night Maddie kept waking up because she was having bad dreams and was scared.  I was asking her what they were about and she said she didn’t know but she was just scared.  I pulled her into my lap and just rocked her and told her, “I’m here, everything is alright.  I love you and won’t let anything happen to you.” 

That is what our Father does for us.  When I am scared or I’m thinking I’m not good enough, worried that He will get so tired of hearing me asking Him for forgiveness over and over again, scared that He will just get fed up and give up on me, He is there rocking and holding me.  Telling me that I am His precious daughter, He’s here, everything will be alright.  He loves me and will always forgive me and Never Ever leave me!  ME!  How amazing is that?  That is what makes me smile, what makes me cry with tears of joy, what makes me keep on this path and never giving up, because They will never give up on me!

I am loving this new relationship I am starting to have with My Father or my Daddy, as some of my other friends call Him, and when you think about it He is our Daddy!  and Jesus is our amazing Brother that is there to protect us too!  Their love, there is nothing like it!

 

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Joseph’s Letter Home- A Christmas Story

Joseph's Letter Home -- a Christmas Story

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson 

Dear Mom,

We're still in Bethlehem – Mary and I and little Jesus.

There were lots of things I couldn't talk to you about last summer.   You wouldn't have believed me then, but maybe I can tell you now.   I hope you can understand.

You know, Mom, I've always loved Mary.   You and Dad used to tease me about her when she was still a girl.   She and her brothers used to play on our street.   Our families got together for supper.   But the hardest day of my life came scarcely a year ago when I was twenty and she only fifteen.   You remember that day, don't you?

The trouble started after we were betrothed and signed the marriage agreement at our engagement.   That same spring Mary had left abruptly to visit her old cousin Elizabeth in Judea.   She was gone three whole months.   After she got back, people started wondering out loud if she were pregnant.

It was cloudy the day when I finally confronted her with the gossip.   "Mary," I asked at last, "are you going to have a baby?"

Her clear brown eyes met mine.   She nodded.

I didn't know what to say.   "Who?" I finally stammered.

Mom, Mary and I had never acted improperly – even after we were betrothed.

Mary looked down.   "Joseph," she said, "There's no way I can explain.   You couldn't understand.   But I want you to know I've never cared for anyone but you."   She got up, gently took my hands in hers, kissed each of them as if it were the last time she would ever do that again, and then turned towards home.   She must have been dying inside.   I know I was.

The rest of the day I stumbled through my chores.   It's a wonder I didn't hurt myself in the woodshop.   At first I was angry and pounded out my frustrations on the doorframe I was making.   My thoughts whirled so fast I could hardly keep my mind on my work.   At last I decided just to end the marriage contract with a quiet divorce.   I loved her too much to make a public scene.

I couldn't talk to you – or anyone, for that matter.   I went to bed early and tried to sleep.   Her words came to me over and over.   "I've never cared for anyone but you.... I've never cared for anyone but you...."   How I wished I could believe her!

I don't know when I finally fell asleep.   Mom, I had a dream from God.   An angel of the Lord came to me.   His words pulsated through my mind so intensely I can remember them as if it were yesterday.

"Joseph, son of David," he thundered, "do not fear to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit."

I couldn't believe my ears, Mom.   This was the answer!   The angel continued, "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins."

The angel gripped my shoulders with his huge hands.   For a long moment his gaze pierced deep within me.   Just as he turned to go, I think I saw a smile on his shining face.

I sat bolt upright in bed.   No sleep after that!   I tossed about for a while, going over the words in my mind.   Then I got up and dressed quietly so I wouldn't wake you.

I must have walked for miles beneath the moonless sky.   Stars pricked the blackness like a thousand tiny pinpoints.   A warm breeze blew on my face.

I sang to the Lord, Mom.   Yes, me, singing, if you can imagine that.   I couldn't contain my joy.   I told Him that I would take Mary and care for her.   I told Him I would watch over her – and the child – no matter what anyone said.

I got back just as the sun kissed the hilltops.   I don't know if you still recall that morning, Mom.   I can see it in my mind's eye as if it were yesterday.   You were feeding the chickens, surprised to see me out.   Remember?

"Sit down," I said to you.   "I've got to tell you something."   I took your arm and helped you find a seat on the big rock out back.   "Mom," I said, "I'm going to bring Mary home as my wife.   Can you help make a place for her things?"

You were silent a long time.   "You do know what they're saying, don't you, son?" you said at last, your eyes glistening.

"Yes, Mom, I know."

Your voice started to rise.   "If your father were still alive, he'd have some words, I'll tell you.   Going about like that before you are married.   Disgracing the family and all.   You... you and Mary ought to be ashamed of yourselves!"

You'd never have believed me if I'd tried to explain, so I didn't.   Unless the angel had spoken to you, you'd have laughed me to scorn.

"Mom, this is the right thing to do," I said.

And then I started talking to you as if I were the head of the house.   "When she comes I don't want one word to her about it," I sputtered.   "She's your daughter-in-law, you'll respect her.   She'll need your help if she's to bear the neighbors' wagging tongues!"

I'm sorry, Mom.   You didn't deserve that.   You started to get up in a huff.

"Mom," I murmured, "I need you."   You took my hand and got to your feet, but the fire was gone from your eyes.

"You can count on me, Joseph," you told me with a long hug.   And you meant it.   I never heard another word.   No bride could hope for a better mother-in-law than you those next few months.

Mom, after I left you I went up the road to Mary's house and knocked.   Her mother glared at me as she opened the door.   Loudly, harshly she called into the house, "It's Joseph!" almost spitting out my name as she said it.

My little Mary came out cringing, as if she expected me to give her the back of my hand, I suppose.   Her eyes were red and puffy.   I can just imagine what her parents had said.

We walked a few steps from the house.   She looked so young and afraid.   "Pack your things, Mary," I told her gently.   "I'm taking you home to be my wife."

"Joseph!"   She hugged me as tight as she could.   Mom, I didn't realize she was so strong.

I told her what I'd been planning.   "We'll go to Rabbi Ben-Ezer's house this week and have him perform the ceremony."

I know it was awfully sudden, Mom, but I figured the sooner we got married the better it would be for her, and me, and the baby.

"Mary, even if our friends don't come, at least you and I can pledge our love before God."   I paused.   "I think my Mom will be there.   And maybe your friend Rebecca would come if her dad will let her.   How about your parents?"

I could feel Mary's tiny frame shuddering as she sobbed quietly.

"Mary," I said.   I could feel myself speaking more boldly.   "No matter what anyone says about you, I'm proud you're going to be my wife.   I'm going to take good care of you.   I've promised God that."

She looked up.

I lowered my voice.   "I had a dream last night, Mary.   I saw an angel.   I know."

The anguish which had gripped her face vanished.   She was radiant as we turned away from the house and began to walk up the hill together.

Just then her mother ran out into the yard.   "Wait," she called.   She must have been listening from behind the door.   Tears were streaming down her cheeks.

"I'll get your father," she called, almost giddy with emotion.   "We," she cried as she gathered up her skirts.   "We," she shouted as she began to run to find her husband.   "We... are going to have a wedding!"

That's how it was, Mom.   Thanks for being there for us.   I'll write again soon.

Love, Joseph

---

“She will give birth to a son, and you

are to give Him the name Jesus, because

He will save His people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21

 

“For God so loved the world that He gave

His one and only Son, that whoever believes

in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

(John 3:16)

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I’ve always been a Christian….

Last week my pastor was kinda talking about this.  He said that if you ever ask someone how long they have been a Christian and they say, “I’ve always been a Christian” then they aren’t really a Christian.  That really hit me because I used to say that!  I understand now what he means by it.  True, I grew up in a house that always went to church and always talked about God and Jesus, but I definitely didn’t have the relationship I do have now.  Here’s a link to a little more about that… This is my Story
Even after I was saved as a teenager, I tried really hard to do right, to keep that relationship with our Father strong but I just didn’t do very well.  Once I graduated I kinda did my own little thing, partied a little too much, things like that even though I knew it was wrong and I still prayed, it was nothing like this now. 
I just can’t believe that it took me this long to get it right!  There are a lot of things that brought it about, some are explained in the link above and then there is a little something more I will be writing about later on.  Also reading the Yada Yada Prayer Group series helped me A LOT!  I wanted that kind of relationship with our Father, with my husband, my family and I also wanted to have those kind of friends in Christ too!  I have that with my church family now, but since they are so far away (an hour away) it’s kinda hard to keep in touch and really talk.  It is nice though that a lot are on FB so I do talk to them that way.  It is also nice that I have such great brothers and sisters in the blogging world too!  It’s amazing how much love and support you can get through blogging and emails!   
Anyways, I just thought it was kinda funny when he mentioned that last week and I just wanted to slide down and hide!  lol  I am glad that I finally got it right this time!  I am still a work in progress but in such a better place than I have ever been before!  Thank you Lord for that!! Pin It

God lives under the bed....

I think this is perhaps one of the BEST email 'forwards' I have ever read. I hope you will enjoy it half as much as I have!! 
 
Don't start reading this one until you've got more than 3 or 4 minutes to just 'scan' over it. It deserves some time for reflection. GOD LIVES UNDER THE BED 
 
 
I envy Kevin. My brother Kevin thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night. 
 
 
 
He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...' 
 
 
 
I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in. 
 
 
 
He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult. 
 
 
 
He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.
 
 
I remember wondering if Kevin realizes he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?
 
 
Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed. 
 
 
 
The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child. 
 
 
 
He does not seem dissatisfied. 
 
 
He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work. 
 
 
He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores. 
 
 
 
And Saturdays-oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go! ' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands. 
 
 
 
His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights. 
 
 
 
And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips. 
 
 
 
He doesn't know what it means to be discontent. 
 
 
 
His life is simple. 
 
 
 
He will never know the entanglements of wealth or power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be. 
 
 
 
His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it. 
 
 
He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax. 
 
 
He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure. 
 
 
 
He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.
 
 
Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.
 
 
Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion. 
 
 
In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith. 
 
 
It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions. 
 
 
It is then I realize that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care. 
 
 
 
Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God. 
 
 
And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed. 
 
 
Kevin won't be surprised at all! 
 
 
When you receive this, say a prayer. That's all you have to do. There is nothing attached. This is powerful. 
 
 
Just send this to four people and do not break this, please. Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of rewards. 
 
 
FRIENDS ARE ANGELS WHO LIFT US TO OUR FEET WHEN OUR WINGS HAVE TROUBLE REMEMBERING HOW TO FLY 

"Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 Pin It