Psalm 146

1 Praise the LORD. ^[a]
Praise the LORD, O my soul.

2 I will praise the LORD all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.

3 Do not put your trust in princes,
in mortal men, who cannot save.

4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.

5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the LORD his God,

6 the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them—
the LORD, who remains faithful forever.

7 He upholds the cause of the oppressed
and gives food to the hungry.
The LORD sets prisoners free,

8 the LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.

9 The LORD watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

10 The LORD reigns forever,
your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the LORD.

I love how it says,"Do not put you trust in princes." As a girl I cannot wait until my prince comes and just sweeps me off my feet. But here it says that I should not put my trust in that. To often I get my hopes and dreams wrapped up in the idea of being married to the most wonderful guy in the world, yet here it tells me that my prince will let me down. My prince cannot save me.

That is why I take comfort in the fact that there is one man who can and has saved me.

Thank you Father for saving me. May I put my all my hopes and dreams in you and not in mortal men. May I trust you for the future. Amen.

Isaiah 54:16-17

16 "See, it is I who created the blacksmith
who fans the coals into flame
and forges a weapon fit for its work.
And it is I who have created the destroyer to work havoc;

17 no weapon forged against you will prevail,
and you will refute every tongue that accuses you.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
and this is their vindication from me,"
declares the LORD.

I´ve been reading from Isaiah for the last few weeks. This realy popped out at me. Think about it. When a warrior is going out to battle he isn´t thinking,"Okay, I need to find out who made my opponites sword so that I know how good his weapon is. I need to find out who this guy trained with so that I know what fighting styles he is use to. I need to..." A warrior is not thinking of all the little things that made his enemy a warrior. Instead he is concentrating on the moment. He doesn´t have time to think big picture just then.

We have such a great God that he does that for us. When we are going through a spiritual battle, He knows exacatly what we need to keep up the good fight. He created everything and He can sure stop it if he needs to. He knew eacatly what we need to serve Him before we were even born. God is amazing. ¿Verdad?

To My Father

Dear Dad,

This is a letter thanking you for being such a great dad. As the f ather of five girls, you have undertaken what many men would dread. When I´m telling people I am one of five girls, no brothers, people will often say,¨Your poor dad.¨

When I was first started to hear this reaction, I would try and come up with a snappy come back to make people laugh. But lately I´ve come to a realization. You are probably the best man for the job of raising five girls.

You are kind and understanding, but you also push us to be tough and strong; therefore you have raised some very stong women as your daughters. You have taught us to lead and think for ourselves, but have also taught us to follow and help those in athority get their job done. You´ve taught us to think through things and us our minds, even when we don´t want to. Have have been an example of what we should look for in a husband. And most of all you have passed on your faith. Thank you for raising strong, smart, God-fearing daughter.

Now when people say,"Your poor dad," I say,"He is really the best man for the job."

Love,
--Rie

Deuteronomy 11:19

19 Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

Wow! so much to tell so little time to tell it. I´m now in Mexico. Lauren and I are have been working for the past few days in a preschool in Santa Anna from 8:30am to 1:30pm. Then we go back to the Trotters house for lunch.

Santa Anna is a very poor part of Guadalajara. Think lucky that some of them have indoor plumbing poor. I will be taking pictures, but I can´t find the USB cord that loads my pictures onto the computer. So you guys might have to wait a while on the pic front.

The kids at the preschool are so darling. I love them so much. One of the kids is retarded and I am having a hard time knowing how to deal with him. Pray that God will show me how to deal with him in a way that will help him to grow and understand.

I need to work on my Spanish. The kids at the preschool don´t speak my English, so I have a good warm up in the morning. But I´m still a little hesitant to speak to adult and teenagers.

This Sunday I¨m singing for worship in the English service and singing an offertory in the Spanish service. The offertory is Be Thou My Vision in Español.

Galatians 5:19-21

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Exodus 34:10-14

10 Then the LORD said: "I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you. 11 Obey what I command you today. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 12 Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. 13 Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles. ^[a] 14 Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

Here we have to examples of Jealousy. Though these words may appear at fist to be the same that is not the case. One of these jealousies is our own human jealousy. The second example is God's jealousy.

I struggle alot with jealousy and I'm not talking about the kind that God has for us. I struggle with being jealous of others. But I have been warned if I live in a constant state of jealousy I will not inherit the kingdom of God.

My jealousy causes a multitude of problems. It causes me to sin against others, myself, and God. It makes me bitter, hate the people I'm jealous of, angry, despair of being good enough, makes me guilty over being jealous, and causes strife between others and myself. When I am jealous of others, I'm not being content with what God has blessed me with.

My sin that seems just to be just inside my head where no one can see wreak havoc on almost every part of my life. I don't want that.

Father, I come before with a great load on my shoulders. I need You to change my heart. I need You to make me not jealous of others. I do not want to live my life in a jealous state of being. Make me more like You and Your Son, Father. Amen.

I hope to write more later about God's jealousy later.

Proverbs 31:30

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

A woman to be praised. What a wonderful thing. I have know many women who have been worthy of the kind of praise that this verse says we should give them. I would like to thank all the mothers and single ladies who have lived their lives devoted to God. It is such an awesome thing to see.

My sister wrote this. She's awesome!

The Trees
By:Noelle Pruitt

What do you think of when you see a tree?
I think of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Why?
Because we always have room to grow.

What are the larger trees?
They are those who are wise and strong in the faith.

What about the littler trees?
Those are the ones who are young and untested. Pray for those.

What about the trees that are bare and have no leaves?
Those are the ones that have bo fruit. Who believe but never flurish.

What about the ones that have flowers?
Those are the ones that have gone before us, and now light our way with their bright colors.

If we are trees, what are squirells?
They are poeple that test our paitence with their ceaseless chater!

What about the wind?
thos who would have us bend and never grow. Those who would try to uproot us us and knock us down.

What about the birds?
Birds are angels, sining out for God's glory and cheering us on sky ward.

If we are trees, then what is God?
God is the Sky, big and beautiful. Giving us water to drink and sun so we can grow. God is the sky because we could never reach him ain a million years without Jesus.

One last question, what are the trees with all the little pods on them?
Those are the ones planting God's word into the hearts of others.

1 Peter 4:11
11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

As Christians we are called to be "little Christs." Are we doing that? I looked up faith on biblegateway and one of the things that came up was "GLORIFYING GOD » Accomplished by » Faithfulness." We were made to praise and glorify God. We are told in this verse to do everything to glorify Him. How amazing would it be to have God so on your mind that you think about glorifying Him in everything.

Father, my heart does not glorify you, yet that is what you created me to do. Pleasese turn my heart. Make it into something that longs to please and serve You with everything in it. Amen.

A friend recently asked why I am so stressed. It got me thinking. Why do I get myself in a stressed out state? It's unbiblicle. It isn't good for my health. People don't like to be around me when I get like that. I'm not fixing or helping in anyway the thing that I'm stressed about. And last, but certainly not least I'm not trusting God with my life.

So the next time you see me stressing over something and not trusting God for the outcome. Please tell me to take a deep breathe and pray with me.

A guy sat down to write a story. He though as he sharpened his pencil,' Who will be my main character? Should it be a boy or a girl? A girl. What family should I put her in? What special gifts and abilities should I give her?'

He starts writing. He puts her in a large family and gives her many blessings in her life. 'What kind of story should this be? Action, romance, mystery, or inspirational?'

He thinks for a moment and decides all of them. He wants to make this story really special. He already loves his heroine so much.

He gives her puzzles to work out. He watches her as guides her through obstacles. He is filled with happiness as she finds some one to love for the rest of her life. He smiles when she's happy and joyful. He nearly cries when she is facing tuff times and needs someone to cry with.

After writing for what seems a couple of decades, he sets down his pencil and takes time to reflect on what he has just written. "It is good," he whispers softly.

Our heavenly Father writes our story. Can we wait patiently for the end of the story to be revealed?

I went to a conference last weekend and over that weekend God really reached out and touched me. The speaker spoke just what I needed to hear and the worship band was one of the best I have ever seen. They truly knew how to worship God. I came back so blessed from the trip; however, ever since I got back I feel like the Satan has been attacking my friends and me. But God is in control.

Matthew 8:23-26

Jesus Calms the Storm

23Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"

26He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

God right know is saying to me,"Why are you afraid? I'm here and I am in control. I will take care of you."

Our God is a loving God. Some day it will be completely calm.

James 1:2-4

Trials and Temptations

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Okay this is a girls only post. Sorry guys, but this really won't be something that you want to hear.

Isaiah 30:19-22
19 O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you. 20 Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. 21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it." 22 Then you will defile your idols overlaid with silver and your images covered with gold; you will throw them away like a menstrual cloth and say to them, "Away with you!"

Look at what these verse s are saying. It's saying that we will turn from our idols. We will love the Lord so much that we will throw it away and see just how gross and dispicalbe our idols really are. As soon as we ask our Father for help He will not only hear us, but He will open our eyes and ears so that we can have understanding. He will give us guidence and show us just how much we really need Him. That is too cool for me.

Older and wiser
This is not always so
I don't know

Growing older means
Relying more on me
Is that what I want to be

As I walk through trials
And worlds unknown
May I cling to You
And not let go
My Heavenly Father
I cry
Give me faith as a child

Simpler and easier
The way it was long ago
I didn't know

Cleaner, purer
My heart now is torn
Between mine and Yours

As I walk through trials

And worlds unknown

May I cling to You

And not let go

My Heavenly Father

I cry

Give me faith as a child

Not an emotion that will soon pass away

Not thinking about it real hard

Not something I just say

To have something to say

It is being sure and certain

Of what I may not see

And trusting You through the mundane and insane

Lord, I don't understand
Why I'm suffering in Your Plan
Why I struggle through trials day by day
Though I may not see how this will end
How You'll bring out Your perfect plan
Yet still I'll sing glory to Your name

Great is my Lord
Merciful to me
Holy is my God
Ever loving me
Pure is my King
Cleansing and washing me
Thank You Father for saving me

Isaiah 30:18
18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you;
he rises to show you compassion.
For the LORD is a God of justice.
Blessed are all who wait for him!

I have been much in need of this verse lately. I have needed the Lords active compassion and He has given it just as this verse promises.

Currently ReadingCommon Grounds: Conversations About the Things That Matter Most
By Ben Young, Glenn Luckesee related

I'm over due for a book review.
I was given this book from the author himself. It is a very different sort of book and I learned alot from reading it.
The story line is three friends who have know eachother from college go out for coffee about once a week. They all have different religous beliefs. Two of them are christians, but belong to very different denominations. The third is an atheist. One of them hears a pastor who comes and preaches at his church. He is captivated by what the pastor says and it gives him a whole new insite to his faith. He invites the pastor to the coffee meetings with his friends. They discuss a lot of thoelogical matters that the three friends have questions about. The questions are not easy ones and I love the way that the story uses so much scripture. It is an awsome book that has deepened my faith and understanding of God.

"We are called to do good works and to do good work."

My friend Mike said this one day and it really stuck with me. We were discussing music and whether it was okay to listen to secular music. I said that it was and that I do. I'm just careful with what I listen to. He said that he was really disappointed with some Christian artist because they didn't seem to do good work.
He gave the example of Marlene Manson. Marlene Manson may not do good works, but he does good work. He is a very effective artist in that he is able to make you feel the emotions he wants you to through his music.
Now I don't listen and hopefully never will listen to Marlene Manson, but my friend Mike does have a point and it applies to my life. I may do good works, but am I doing them well? Am I doing everything in a way that would please, serve, and worship my Savior? Am I doing everything to the fullest? No, I'm not.

Father, I pray that You would work through me and not only do good works, but good work as well. May I be a testimony of Your greatness. Make me more and more like You. Amen.

We went to Frostburg to go see my sister for her birthday this weekend.... or so I thought. I was not happy about this trip. I had made plans for this weekend I couldn't believe that my parents made a last minute to go see Annalee for her birthday. I had made sure to tell them I had plans, but they decided to go anyway.

We met my sister and her boyfriend, Eric, at Burger King for dinner on Friday. We sat down to eat and I noticed my mom was doing something funny with her hands. Shaking them in a weird way. I looked at her and she nodded towards my older sister. I looked at my older sister and then I looked at her a hands. I saw that she had gotten a nice pretty new ring. A NICE PRETTY NEW RING!

She saw my glance and then she told us that Eric had proposed to her! She told us how her proposed and we all agreed that we will send our boyfriends to him for lessons on how to propose.

He had a project for his astronomy class and he did a presentation on the stars. At the end he asked my sister how it went. He then said he had some questions for her and asked her several questions about stars and such. He then said," I have one final question." Then he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. She said yes. They called my parents and told them, but asked them to not tell us girls because Annalee wanted to tell us in person.

Isn't that totally AWESOME! I have done a lot of shouting in this post, but the I am just so happy. Hugs and kisses to you all and great is our God who has the perfect plan.

How blessed our we to have a Father who shows us such favor when we are in need of it.

3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

There is so much I want to do for the ministry of Christ, but only so little I can do. I am really struggling with which ministry do I want to be a part of. I would love to quite school and just spend all my time working on the different ministry I'm interested in, but I need some schooling before I can do that. So for know some of that work is put on hold. My heart cries to do it now, but God is saying wait. So I'll wait.

Psalm 27:14
14 Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

I think I posted a few weeks ago that I would be volunteering at an assisted living faculty for some extra credit. I am "teaching" a bible study there with about ten ladies. It's wonderful. I love putting together a little bible study and I live the women there. They are so sweet. I haven't talked about it with my parents, but I'm thinking about volunteering there after I am done with my ten hours. Pray that the Lord would show me what I have time for and what I want to do.

I was recently reading Psalm 119. Two words that pops up a lot are teach and law. The author pleads with God continuly to teach him His laws. I don't like having rules pushed on me all the time. But this man could not seem to get enough of God's laws. That just speaks of how freeing God's laws are compared to man's laws. Isn't that awe inspiring.

To be given to all children running around after Church... but in reality our kids our pretty good.

Psalm 27:1-3

Of David.

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh, ^[a]
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.

3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.

Drama, tears, late at night. Pain, rage, yet healing. Effects of what I thought was hidden sin brought to light. Thank You for being my strength, because it is to much to bear alone.

"The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body."

1 Corinthians 6:13b

The worlds definition of love is so different than God's. God's definition is way more awesome than whatever feeble explination of love we can come up with.

1 Corinthians 13

Love

1If I speak in the tongues^[a] of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2If 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 have not love, I am nothing. 3If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames,^[b] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8Love 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. 9For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11When 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 childish ways behind me. 12Now we see but a poor 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.

13And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Not everything is beneficial

Part two of the series.

1 Corinthians 6:12

12"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything.

This verse can cause much confusion. I have often heard it misquoted; however, I recently had it explained to me in a way that made so much sense.

The background of this verse is that the Corinthians were saying that they had the freedom in Christ to do anything they wanted. If you look later in the passage it implies that this might have meant to be as sexually immoral as they wanted. If you look at my previous post you can see why this was so bad. They said that "Everything is permissible" for them, but Paul was telling tthathaat is not what freedom in Christ means. We do have a grace where God forgives us, but that doesn't mean we go out and sin on purpose. Yet that is just what the Corinthians were doing. This raises the question what is exactly freedom in Christ then? Freedom in Christ means we know have the freedom to do good. Let me explain. Before Christ we were depraved and unable to do be holy. We had to live by the law yet were unable to keep that law. When Christ came, he broke the law and gave us the freedom to do good.He gave us freedom to depend on Him for our stregth and goodness and not our selves. Pretty amazing.

Yes we do have a certain freedom where if we sin God will forgive us, but our true freedom is now in our relationship with Christ. Why taint this freedom with sin?

Lord, I thank You for the freedom that You give. I thank You for the price You paid so I could have that freedom. Give me strength to do Your will. Amen

It's time for another series. If you never read my fist series they are called: Walk in Love, Walk in Light, and Walk in Wisdom.

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (New International Version)

Sexual Immorality

12"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13"Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh."^[a] 17But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.

18Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. 19Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

For a long the verse,"Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body" has puzzled me. It would see that we know enough abomedicineine now that we know that there are many things we do to our bodies that harm us. We smoke, we drink, we starve ourselves, and we over eat. On the whole we can do a lot to harm ourselves. But why should sexual immortality be the only sin against the body?

First look at the text. It says above in verse 17 is says,"But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit." Pretty cool, right. It is a beautiful and wonderful thing that we can have communion and unity with God. We have a personal union with the Holy Spirit. Sex anotherher, different kind of union. One that God has set apart for only a man and his wife. When we give ourselves so freely over to fornication, it is abominationion. You are defiling God's temple and your relationship with God. We have been made alive by Christ's death on the cross. We have been created to be made on with God, to worship God. Why taint that beauty with our immortality?

Father, please make me pure and holy, fit to have communion with You. Thank You for communion and the blessing of Your relationship. May I never turn away from it. Amen.

I read this article in World Magazine that really made me think. It showed me a whole new way of looking at our faith. It also explained why God has us use faith.

All your mind by Andree Seu
It's for a good reason that the Christian life is not a to-do list Andree Seu
Joseph found his betrothed to be with child—and not by him. "Being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, [he] resolved to divorce her quietly" rather than throw the book at her (Matthew 1:19). Small footnote in Scripture; big leap in this reader's understanding. Here was a thinker, a grappler, who wrestled within the parameters of righteousness and found one way more excellent than another.
Father Abraham, there was another thinker. He "considered his own body, which was as good as dead." Then he thought about the promise of God "that he should become the father of many nations." Then he thought about God's track record for keeping His word, and Abraham emerged from that mental exercise deciding to trust in God (Romans 4).
Mary "pondered" (Luke 2:19), and Daniel "sought to understand" (Daniel 8:15), and the Psalmist cried, "Search me" (Psalm 139:23). None of them thought it unscriptural to be analytical, or a usurpation of the Holy Spirit's role to engage their faculty of reason. The Lord was in the process.
If the Pharisees had known what it meant to love the Lord with "all your mind" (Mark 12:30) and not to reduce righteousness to rote rules, they might have understood why mercy is better than sacrifice (Matthew 12:7), and why money donated to the Temple does not absolve you of obligation to your parents (Matthew 15:1-9), and why people hanging around Jesus don't feel like fasting (Mark 2:18-22).
I have often wished the Christian life were a to-do list dispensed daily from on high, eliminating guesswork:
Today, call your mother
Increase your tithe by $20
Send Calvin to Philmont Christian Academy
Read this book, not that one
Move to Winnsboro, Texas
Plastics!
I would gladly comply with that kind of piety. But I think the Christian life is by faith in order that it be by engagement of "all your mind" (Romans 14:5b).
How would you like it if your husband gave you his body and paycheck but showed no interest in getting to know you? God wants your mind more than your tithe. Likewise, the second great commandment is a mental workout, too, say Allender and Longman in Bold Love. Who is my neighbor? How does a mile in his shoes feel? How can I love him for his own good?
They say we use just a fraction of our minds. I do. Something is bugging me—dull, like a pebble in the shoe—and I just live with it, carrying free-floating angst all day. Why not set my mind to name it, and locate the "root" of that bothersome "fruit" (Luke 6:43-45)? The unjust steward in Luke 16:1-8 didn't blubber but brainstormed. "Crying is all right in its way while it lasts. But you have to stop sooner or later, and then you still have to decide what to do" (C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair).
Self-diagnostic questions: Why am I miserable? What desire of mine is being frustrated? What is it I fear? (Here you will face some ugly truths.) Follow the process through and you are brought to a decision point. What was amorphous before is now a fully conscious raft of options.
I don't know what the inside of your head looks like, but mine looks like Guernica. You don't realize how out of control your thought life is until the day you try to rein it in. Redeemer, redeem every part of me, "take every thought captive" (2 Corinthians 10:5)!
Some things I've decided in my mind you would probably call legalistic. There are foods I don't do because they lead me to weight gain, and weight gain to depression. Depression, in turn, hinders my race. Ergo, donuts are sin for me, but not for you. (It's just between me and God.)
My friend Barbara's hip starts aching and she knows it's time for a visit to the chiropractor, and he does this thing with her ankle and it puts her whole body back in alignment. What's good for hips and cars is good for minds. I take regular inventory: "OK," I say to myself: "What is it I said I believed about Jesus?" "Do I have good cause to believe it?" "Shall I continue to follow Christ or not?"
Jesus once put a demoniac "in his right mind" (Mark 5:15). I thought about that and figured He can do it again.

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing. ”- 2 Thessalonians 1:3

Isn't it amazing that we grow in Christ? Isn't it exciting that we grow in love for one another? Thanks be to God and may we always seek Him with all our hearts. Amen

Okay! This is really exciting. I have to do ten hours of community service for extra credit for Human Bio. My teacher gave us a list of a few places on that list was Sunrise Assisted Living. I have worked with them before caroling with my youth group and choir. I called them and they said that the people who normally lead the bible study there are away in Florida and they need someone to do something to replace that. I said I would love to do that. Isn't that cool I get to lead a small bible study and worship. Two great passions in my life.

Pray that I will be able to do this. It may not work out because my dad's car just died and I have to work with my mother's schedule sharing a car. So if any of you guys know a good car for sale for three thousand dollars, let me know immediately. For the rest of you pray that we get a car soon.

The Lord is good. Amen.

This is a song I wrote a few years ago and I recently found it while cleaning my room. I'm not sure what to call it, but that's okay. If you want me to sing it for you, you will have to capture me and kidnap me. Bah, ha, ha, ha.

Please stop the noise cause I seem to be missing,
The Joy in my life I had found,
I lost you trying to be someone else,
Your whisper got lost in the crowd,

Can anyone hear,
Can anyone see,
Can anyone breathe,
Can anyone feel,
I am looking for life,
And I just seem to find it in You,

Lord, You are the joy in my life I have found,
One can feel so alone in the darkness,
You have set my feet on solid ground,
In You I found my rest,

Can anyone hear,
Can anyone see,
Can anyone breathe,
Can anyone feel,
I am looking for love,
And I just seem to find it in You,
(And I only can find it in You)

Apart from You I am nothing
Apart from You I can't survive
I'm striving to be more like You
Cause You are the one who makes me alive

Can anyone hear,
Can anyone see,
Can anyone breathe,
Can anyone feel,
I am looking for life,
I am looking for love,
I am looking for life,
I am looking for love,
And I just seem to find it in You,

I know the Superintendent of all the schools in Anne Arundel County. She goes to my church. She is a wonderful sweet lady and I just adore her. She recently told this story.

When George Bush came to North Glen Elementary School in Glen Burnie, she got a chance to speak with him. She told him," Mr. President, I want you to know that me and my husband are on the Presidential prayer team at our church. We are praying for you."

As she said that his eyes filled with tears and he was so glad that someone was praying for him.

I think it is important that we pray for those leading our country. And I know that our President appreciates it.

1 Timothy 2:1-2

1I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

My friend Erica wrote this on her blog:

Some years ago, a survey asked thousands of Americans what they would most like to hear said to them. the top three responses were listed. I guessed the top one, but I was flabbergasted at numbers two and three.

Number one was fairly predictable, "I love you."

Number two was "I forgive you."

Number three was the shocker. I laughed to discover that the third most popular phrase of America was "Supper's ready."

Then it dawned on me. That's the whole gospel! Jesus stands behind the communion table with his nail-scarred hands outstretched and the light of sacrificial mercy in his eyes. His voice, his words meet us with healing warmth as we drag our waterlogged burdens up the rocky shoreline of life's most chilling seas.

"I love you," he whispers. "I forgive you. Come and dine."

- Streams of Mercy by Mark Rutland

Psalm 62:5-8

5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from him.

6 He alone is my rock and my salvation;
he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God ^[a] ;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah

I love when it says in the last verse "pour out your hearts to Him." That is amazing that God is that close and loving. He will listen to our every word, our every sorrow, our every pain.

Worship the Lord, my soul. Because I am in great need of it. Despite circumstances and pain, worship the Creator and Healer. Amen.

I've been thinking alot about missions trips latly. I remember one missions trip I went on with my whole family. We went to JARRS and worked there for a week. While there I meet William Cameron Townsend. I said, "Hi, how are you?" and he smiled at me and then went back to playing with his blocks. His mom came later to pick him up from the daycare center. He was the great-grandson of the William Cameron Townsend the famous missionary, the man who founded Wycliffe Bible Translators. William Cameron Townsend the third's parents were missionarys and were back on ferlow. It is so neat to think that I babysat a third generation missionary.

That's a pretty cool story and all the pastor's I meet think it's pretty neat; however, we are all missionarys. We all have a mission from God that we were ment to carry out. We may not be third generation missionarys. But we are missionarys in the here and now. Right here we are missioarys.
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to be a missionary to those around me. May You make me a servant who follows whole heartly after You. Amen.

How deep the Father's love for us

I would like to know what scriptures have really shown you God's love. What passage really speak to you of the Savior's love? I would like a lot of feedback on this. It's for a poject.

With school I've been forced to become a weekend blogger. This was a funny e-mail that my mom sent me. Very funny. ;-) Hope you like.

Teen Poverty in America
> >
> >
> >
> >We just spent several hours observing teenagers
> hanging out at our local
> mall. We came to the conclusion that  many teenagers
> in America today are
> living in poverty. Most young men We observed didn't
> even own a belt; there
> was not one among the whole group.
> >
> >But that wasn't the sad part. Many were wearing
> their daddy's jeans. Some
> jeans were so big and baggy they hung low on their
> hips, exposing their
> underwear. I know some must have been ashamed their
> daddy was short, because
> his jeans hardly went below their knees. They
> weren't even their daddies'
> good jeans, for most had holes ripped in the knees
> and a dirty look to them.
> >
> >It grieved us, in a modern, affluent society like
> America, that there are
> those who can't afford a decent pair of jeans. I was
> thinking about asking
> my church to start a jeans drive for "poor kids at
> the mall." Then on
> Christmas Eve, we could go Christmas caroling and
> distribute jeans to these
> poor teenagers
> >
> >
> >But here is the saddest part...it was the girls
> that were hanging out there
> that disturbed us most. Never, in all of our lives,
> have we seen such
> poverty-stricken girls. These girls had the opposite
> problem of the guys.
> They all had to wear their little sister's clothes.
> Their jeans were about 5
> sizes too small! I don't know how they could get
> them on, let alone button
> them up. Their jeans barely went over their
> hipbones. Most also had on their
> little sister's top; it hardly covered their
> midsections. Oh, they were
> trying to hold their heads up with pride, but it was
> a sad sight to see
> these almost grown women wearing children's clothes.
> >
> >However, it was their underwear that bothered us
> most. They, like the boys,
> because of the improper fitting of their clothes, 
> had their underwear
> exposed. We had never seen anything like it. It
> looked like their underwear
> was only held together by a single piece of string.
> >
> >
> >We know it saddens your heart to receive this
> report on condition of our
> American teenagers. While we go to bed every night
> with a closets full of
> clothes nearby, there are millions of "mall girls"
> who barely have enough
> material to keep it together. We think their
> "poorness" is why these 2
> groups gather at the mall; boys with their short
> daddies' ripped jeans, and
> girls wearing their younger sisters' clothes. The
> mall is one place where
> they can find acceptance. So, next time you are at
> the mall, doing your
> shopping , and you pass by some of these poor
> teenagers, would you say a
> prayer for them?
> >
> >And one more thing .
> >
> >Will you pray the guys' pants won't fall down,
> >
> >and the girls' strings won't break?
> >
> >We thank you all,
> >
> >
> >Two Concerned Grandparents
> >

I read this awsome story. I think that C.S. Lewis would be proud.

Proverbs 8:36b

"all who hate me love death."

Happy Sanctitiy of Life Sunday.

This is the Sunday where we remember just how special life is. Today my pastor preached a sermon on the sanctity of life. We live in a time where life is not held in very high regard. There is abortion, euthenasia, video games filled with violence, movies about murder, and a thousand different other things in our society that scream DEATH. We lived in a sick twisted world. One of the things that my pastor said was that abortion or disrespect for life is nothing new. This can be seen in any culture where God was not prevelent. The Romans left there unwanted babys out side the city walls to die. The acient Japenese would tie ropes around their waist and pull until they would pass out or the baby would abort. In almost every culture there has been some way to ride the population of unwanted children. It is a sad thing that our culture now faces, but I'm glad to say that we are makeing great strides. I'm not saying that the battle is any where near being won, but God has blessed us. Let us not grow weary before the cause is won.

Luke 12:29-32 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. I've been thinking a lot about idols lately. More specifically I've been thinking about infatuation. We human become infatuated with many things: hobbies, games, internet, blogging , video games, our-selves, boys (or for you guys, girls.) The list just goes on and on. God knows what we need and He provides for us. Yet we in our "wisdom" seek satisfaction from worldly things. May we seek after our Heavenly Father and not worry or stress about these things that will all to quickly pass away. Father, bless me with a heart that seeks after You. May I not be distracted or infatuated with anything but You. May I fall completly in love with my Savior. In Jesus name, amen.

Luke 12:29-32

²⁹And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. ³⁰For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. ³¹But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. ³²"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.


I've been thinking a lot about idols lately. More specifically I've been thinking about infatuation. We human become infatuated with many things: hobbies, games, internet, blogging ;-), video games, our-selves, boys (or for you guys, girls.) The list just goes on and on.

God knows what we need and He provides for us. Yet we in our "wisdom" seek satisfaction from worldly things. May we seek after our Heavenly Father and not worry or stress about these things that will all to quickly pass away.

Father, bless me with a heart that seeks after You. May I not be distracted or infatuated with anything but You. May I fall completly in love with my Savior. In Jesus name, amen.

My sister Noelle posted this and it was so deep I had to post it on mine as well.

I know that I am not stupid, but that's what I feel like when I miss problems on my math.
That's is why in this next year I am going to push myself harder than I ever have.

I know that my friends will stick with me through thick and thin, but sometimes I don't know.
That's why this next year I am going to be there for them.

I know that lots of people don't believe that I will ever be able to work with horses.
that's why this year I am going to believe in myself.

I know I can't do these things with out God's help.
That's why I am going to leave all of these things in His hands. .

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeramiah 29:11

"You are God’s unique steward, and the gift He has given you to give away is more than simply your money or your time. It is your deepest self – your love, your passion, your unique expression of His gospel in the world. And if you do not find a way to unleash that gift and release it to the world, no one will." --Michael D. Warden

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play.
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of Peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought as now the day had come
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rung so long the unbroken song
Of Peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair, I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song,
Of Peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep;
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With Peace on earth, good will to men."

I found another blogger who has just blown me away with the depth and blessing in his message. He is talking to guy about women, but women should read this too. He has put into words what I have attempted many time, but have never succeded.

The Roof Guys wrote this:

Imperishable Beauty

"Do not let your adorning be external-- the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing-- but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious." 1 Peter 3:3-4

After a string of 5 sons, my parents had a little girl. Abigail Joy is 8 now, and she is the delight of the Wold family.

Abigail is all girl. She has always delighted in putting on dresses, necklaces, and having her hair done. She loves it. At age 5 and 6, she was eager to run up to me, with a smile all over her face and say "look at my dress!" or "Momma did my hair!" However, now at a very mature 8, she simply will walk by me in that special way that communicates to me that I need to behold something amazing. I think the Lord made her this way, and I want to communicate to her that her big bro thinks that she is gorgeous.

Thankfully, Mom has been faithful to teach Abigail this verse from Peter through application. She often reminds her that what is important is to be beautiful "on the inside." For an 8 year old, one of the most practical ways to carry this out is to serve! She loves to serve our whole family! She delights to be Mom's helper. And she delights to serve me! Every time Mom makes pizza, I can expect to have a separate small pizza that was made for me by Abigail. Often when I get home tired from work, Abigail will pull up a chair behind me and massage my shoulders.

The joy that Abigail has in serving is a response to Mom showing her that to be beautiful on the inside is to be TRULY beautiful! As a man in my sister's life, I have the responsibility to affirm this. I want to communicate to Abigail that when she serves, I see her to be truly lovely. Yes, I get excited about the dress, but I ought to be twice as excited about her servants spirit.

As a brother, my job is to confirm to Abigail that to be adorned by a "gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious" is to be truly beautiful. Why? Because I am agreeing with God!

Imagine what Abigail would think if Mom told her that being a servant of others is what it means to be truly beautiful. Now imagine that Abigail pursued acts of service, but my brothers and I never showed any gratefulness, or honor to her for her labors of love. However, every time that she gets dressed up, we get excited and treat her like a princess. What is she going to think?! There well be a great contradiction between what she has been told is true, and what she has experienced to be true.

Guys, we live in a world that does not agree with God on what is precious and beautiful. What is precious in the world's sight is the outward cup! But that outward cup is going to perish with this world! Our eternal father has told us to value imperishable beauty.

Christian women hear this message a lot. They are exhorted in the church to this end. Today, I am concerned about us guys. Please listen and hear me out on this.

We have a responsibility to have our minds conformed to the mind of God. If God tells us that something is actually beautiful, than it is actually beautiful. God doesn't care about your subjective opinion of what is precious. He cares that you value what He values.

We as men must value true feminine beauty. We must! This is one of the greatest ways we can serve our sisters in Christ! In the Church, today, single women are asking this question "I know what scripture says about beauty. However, what I see single men value is quiet different." How sad is this! God is looking down from heaven and seeing imperishable beauty in the church today, and it delights Him! He sees the joyful mother at home with the sick children, and He behold beauty. He sees the single women in the soup kitchen, and He beholds beauty. He sees an elderly women at the end of her life teaching and instructing younger wives to love their husbands, and He sees true beauty.

God is not blind to their outward appearance, He is consumed with imperishable beauty. Men, we have the temptation to be consumed with the outward appearance and blind to imperishable beauty! This is an affront against God. It causes discouragement and tempts Godly women to despair.

The body of Christ is a place where women need to feel truly precious because they are ransomed by the blood of Christ, and because they have laid down the world's value system and are serving their Savior and loving their church with a gentle and quiet spirit.

We ought to be quick to notice this. Men, we need to have heavenly vision. Women in the church ought to turn our heads when they are obeying God. They ought to win our honor, gratitude and respect when they are following Peter's admonition.

Tomorrow we'll talk about some practical ways that we can cultivate this mindset.

Dear Djanator,

Happy Birthday. You are now sixteen. You have grown so much since I first met you. Not only have you grown taller, you have grown spiritualy as well.

DJ there are a few things that seprate the men from the boys. They are not to be taken lightly, but to be considered and strive to be like them.

1. One of the most atractive things in the world is a Godly young man. A man who seeks after the Lord with all his heart is someone to be admired. I pray that you will continue to grow in your relationship with our Lord.

2. A servant is something the world thinks very little of, but that Jesus calls us to be. DJ you have great oppritunity to serve your family, friends, and everyone you come in contact with. Don't miss use this gift.

3.One of the great boundarys between manhood and boys is how they treat others. I know many men who never grew up, but this does not mean they aren't men. Showing respect for others is key to maturity. This does not mean that you have to give up being funny and having a good time with your friends. Some of the most attractive guys I know have the ability to keep their boyish funfilled ways while showing me they are men with the way they treat others.

4. Never compromise your standerds. Hold fast to the word of God and uphold what it says. Lead others in following God. Everything in this life will let you down except what God gives you in His word. Hold to it.

5.Be a leader in the faith. Like I said before, there are one of the most attractive things is a man who loves the Lord and leads others with his faith. It is also one of the most inspiring and hopeful things in the world. Strive to be a leader in our faith. This doesn't mean you have to always be in the spotlight. There are many men whom I know may not at first look like a leader of our faith, but if you take a closer look they bring others closer to Christ on a daily basis. Be that kind of man.

These are though things to do Djanator, but all things are possible with God. I see Him doing great things with you. Happy Birthday.

In Christ,
--Rie

Is it right to laugh at sin?

Is it right to laugh at sin?

How often do laugh at sin? How often when watching a movie or tv do we laugh at someone who is gay or person who has hemmed themselves into a corner because they lied? Are these suppose to be funny?

"These six things the LORD hates,
Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
A proud look,
A lying tongue,
Hands that shed innocent blood,
A heart that devises wicked plans,
Feet that are swift in running to evil,
A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren."
Proverbs 6:16-19
Sing_a_Song_of_Sixpence said this:
"the Bible says that the LORD hates these sins, and that they are an abomination to Him. He is perfect, and I think that it's safe to say a perfect God hates all sin... So my question is this: since the perfect God hates all sin, is it biblical for us to laugh at any sin? "

I ask you the same question. Is it wrong for us laugh at sin? It defiantly gives us something to think about.

Come in and know me better man!

Matthew 2:1-2

¹After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem ²and asked, "Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him."


I was listening to A Christmas Carol a radio play. One of the lines really spoke to me:

"Mortal, we spirits of Christmas don't live on only the one day of the year. We live the entire three-hundred and sixty-five...so is it true of the babe born in Bethlahem. He doesn't not live in the hearts of men just one day of the years, but in all the days of the year. You have chosen not to seek him in your heart."

How narrow is our is our understanding of our Savior. We should not celabrate Him just once a year or once a week. We must continualy seek Him in our hearts and always bring His cheer and goodwill to all men.

Mystery

I'm sorry I havn't posted in a while, but it was finals week at college.

Proverbs 30:18-19

¹⁸ "There are three things that are too amazing for me,
four that I do not understand:

¹⁹ the way of an eagle in the sky,
the way of a snake on a rock,
the way of a ship on the high seas,
and the way of a man with a maiden.

This is an amazing passage. One of my friends at college and I were talking about science. ( I was heading toward studing for my Bio final and he was coming from taking his Chem final.) He said the he found it fascinating that we could break down substances into molecules and atom, but still not know what makes the atoms keep moving. That we don't know everything about something as simple as water. He said he half joking and half not that he thought it was magic. I thought about it for a while. (I need to do that with really big concepts.) It kind of is magic the way God has made the world. There are things on this earth that we will never understand, that we don't have the ability to understand.

This may frustrate some people, but think about it. What if we lived in a world like Myst, the computer game. (Sorry if you havn't played it, but bear with me.) We would soon conquor all the puzzles and pieces on the earth. Having something always out of our grasp just beyond our reach is kind of cool. It adds to the mystery and the spice of life.

So my parting words to you are keep the magic, explore, and enjoy the mystery God has given us.

Common Sense

My sisters and I were recently listening to a history tape on the Revelutionary War. Near the beggining of the Revelutionary War Thomas Paine wrote a phamplate called "Common Sense." It woke up the American people to the war. One of my favorite parts was a quote from it.

"Government by kings was first introduced into the world by the Heathens, from whom the children of Israel copied the custom. It was the most prosperous invention the Devil ever set on foot for the promotion of idolatry. The Heathens paid divine honors to their deceased kings, and the Christian world hath improved on the plan by doing the same to their living ones. How impious is the title of sacred majesty applied to a worm, who in the midst of his splendor is crumbling into dust!"

America's founding fathers helped found this country using the principles of Christianity.(and they did it on purpose) They saw that man is fickle and fallen. They knew that they could not have a system of gonverment that relied to much on one man. A system that did that would soon become corrupt. Our founding fathers put so many checks and balances in our system that it would be nearly impossible to get anything done. They hoped that this would only allow only good laws to get passed, but I think they also realized that a group of men can become just as corrupt as one man. Sometimes even more corrupt than one man can.

Heavenly Father, please bless our country with men who's hearts are following after You. May be become a truly godly nation in Your eyes. Amen.

http://www.promiseofgod.com/teach/
This is how it happened...I just finished the household chores for the
night and was preparing to go to bed, when I heard a noise in the front
of the house. I opened the door to the front room and to my surprise,
Santa himself stepped out from behind the Christmas treee placed his finger over his mouth so I would not cry out. "What are
you doing?" I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat, and I
saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was
the eager, boisterous soul we all know.

He then answered me with a simple statement.

"TEACH THE CHILDREN!"

I was puzzled; what did he mean? He anticipated my question, and with
one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the
tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said,

"Teach the children! Teach them
the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has
forgotten."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a
FIR TREE and placed it
before the mantle.

"Teach the children that the pure green color of the
stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting
hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of
man's thoughts turning toward heaven."

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant
STAR.

"Teach the children
that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a
Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His
promise."


He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE.

"Teach the
children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the
world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who
displaces the darkness."



Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on
the tree.

"Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature
of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of
affection."


He then pulled from his bag an ornament of himself.

"Teach the children
that I, Santa Claus symbolize the generosity and good will we feel
during the month of December."


He then brought out a
HOLLY LEAF.

"Teach the children that the holly
plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by
our Savior. The red holly represents the blood shed by Him."


Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said,


"Teach the children that
God so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON..." "Thanks be to
God for his unspeakable gift.


"Teach the children that the wise men bowed before the Holy BABE and
presented HIM with gold, frankincense and myrrh. We should always give
gifts in the same spirit of the wise men."

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on
the tree.

"Teach the children
that the candy cane represents the shepherds' crook. The crook on the
staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is
the symbol that we are our brother's keeper."



He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL.


"Teach the children that it
was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior's birth.
The angels sang 'Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good
will toward men.

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out
a BELL.

"Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the
sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell
symbolizes guidance and return."


Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that
the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said,

"Remember, teach the children
the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am
but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship HIM,
our LORD, our GOD."

Merry Christmas Charlie Brown!

I love Charlie Brown Christmas. I don't know any other secular movie that presents the gospel. Every time I hear Linus repeat the Christmas story I get all choked up.

Charlie Brown: (shouting in desperation) Isn't there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?
Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you. Lights, please. (A spotlight shines on Linus.) "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'". That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie brown.

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Lucy Van Pelt: You know, Santa Claus, and ho-ho-ho, and mistletoe... and presents for pretty girls...

I saw Chronicles of Narnia!!! It was totally wicked! Go see it! Go see it tonight, right now!

Matthew 1:23
23"The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"—which means, "God with us."

The name Immanuel really didn't hit home for me until last Christmas. I had grown up all my life in church and I had managed to miss one of Christmases ascpects.

Think about it. God with us. We once had total and unhindered communion with God, but when mankind fell that communion was broken. We were left completly and totally sperated from God. But God in His love looked down and decided that He would not let us be alone in this broken and distorted world. He decided to open up a passage way between us and Him. He sent His son to build a bridge between God and the sinners like me. Now I can once again have communion with God through Jesus Christ, His son.

How awesome and inspiring is God's love. That He would send His son down to open up the pathway between Him and us.

"Next to the word of God, music has the most power to move the human soul" ~Martin Luther


I love using music to praise my Savior. Music has the power to make people cry, laugh, or become angery. Music has the power to evoke great emotion, but it effect different people in different ways. A song that may get me choked up and almost cry might make another person merly thoughtful. (a.k.a. How Beautiful by Twila Paris. That song gets to me so bad.)

Take time to praise our Heavenly Father and His Son. It's Christmas.

Psalm 150

Let All Things Praise the LORD

¹ Praise the LORD!

Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty firmament!

² Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!

³ Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
⁴ Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
⁵ Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

⁶ Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.

Praise the LORD!

Pray for me

This Sunday my boss' wife asked if she could come to church with me. She is a devout Hindu so I was kind of shocked. She came and I think she liked it. My Pastor preached a very different Christmas sermon. He preached on the "Promises of Christmas."

Revelation 12:1-5

¹A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. ²She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. ³Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. ⁴His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. ⁵She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne.

This was one of the portions of scriptures my pastor used during his sermon. I think my friend understood this a bit more than anything else that was said. So my point is...even though my pastor didn't preach a traditional, run of the mill Christmas sermon, it worked because this was something my friend could understand. Neat how God works those things out.

Heavenly Father, thank you that my friend is starting to show an interested in You. May she come to know you and may You bless me so that I may effectively witness to her. Amen

1. Seven things to do before I die:
Get married
Have kids
Write a book
Make a cd of songs I've written
Write a song that makes the top 100
Travel the world
Learn to Dance

2.Seven things I cannot do:
Touch my tounge to my nose
Stop humming when I'm board or have a song stuck in my head (Drives my family nuts)
Be perfect
Save my self from sin
Do anything with out God
Stop gringing my teeth in my sleep when I'm stressed (This also drives my family nuts)
Braid my own hair (I can't reach back that far for that long and I can't see what I'm doing)

3. Seven things that attract me to a guy:
Hot!!!!
On fire for the Lord
Likes kids
Likes protecting me
Thinks that I'm talented, beautiful, and gifted (Self-centered little beast, aren't I)
Has a servant's heart
Has gifts that compliment mine

4.Seven things I say most often:
I'm confused
What?!!
It is still not illagle to put your dishes into the dish washer
Get out of the kitchen!! I'm cook'in here!
Sucks to be you
Okay
I don't know

5.Seven books (or series) I love:
Bible
Lord of the Rings
The Seer and the Sword
The Chronicles of Narnia
Mere Christianity
The blog series (I like reading peoples blogs. Go figure.)
Anything by Brian Jaques

6.Seven movies I watch over and over again (or would watch over and over if I had the time):
Pride and Prejudice
Lord of the Rings (All three, baby)
The Bourne Identity
The Princesses Bride
Much Ado About Nothing
Bride and Prejudice (Not to be confused with Pride and Prejudice)
The Taming of the Shrew

7.Seven people I want to join in, too:
Jordan
Tally Times
Jollyblogger
a practice in belief
Big Red
Grandmother of many (I'm one of the grandchildren :D)
Haven't a clue ( Don't know who else to ask)

You are Eliza Bennett from Pride and
Prejudice! Yay, you! Perhaps the
brightest and best character in all of English
literature, you are intelligent, lively,
lovely-- in short, you are the best of company.
Your only foibles are that you stick with your
first impressions... and your family is quite
intolerable.


Which Jane Austen Character Are You?
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I uasualy don't post this kind of thing unless it has to do with the bible or is some how usefull in our daily walk with Christ, but I'M ELIZABETH BENNETT!!!! How cool is that!