Monday, December 28, 2009

Joy

My family celebrated our 1st Christmas without my earthly father. My friend Lisa (we met in 5th grade and got into a lot of trouble together in high school!) and her mother were celebrating their 1st holiday without her father. I invited them to join us for the day.

The Lord poured out His comfort, peace and joy...no tears, lots of laughter and lively conversation. We enjoyed the meal, the music, and fellowship.

It was odd not setting a place for dad, but it was not as emotional as I thought it would be. (Again the Lord's comfort.)

The Lord told me that joy would be my word as well as another friend's word in 2010. I will not name her because I have not seen her to tell her yet.

It can be easy to focus on the here and now and the intensity of a situation and totally lose sight of the big picture and the light of a new day.

Seasons come and go, they change, our situations change, but through it all the Lord remains the same. He never falls off His throne though we may try to share it with Him and give Him a little advice.

No matter what - Joy is coming...feast on a few verses from the Bible:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.


You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.

I pray 2010 is a year in which we all grow in the Lord and live out His word!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Monday, December 21, 2009

The Faith of Mary

In Luke Chapter 1, we find these verses:

29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." 34"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" 35The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[c] the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. 37For nothing is impossible with God." 38"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. 39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!"

Mary was a young girl who had just experienced the extraordinary, supernatural power of God. If she were alive today, she would be in junior high school. Amazing isn't it! She had faith in God. She trusted Him completely. She could have said no way, I might be stoned to death.

Unlike some of the mighty men of God, she did not try to run away and hide. Jonah and Elijah come to mind, even David. Mary pondered the things of God in her heart.

I pray 2010 is the year we really ponder the things of God in our hearts and live them out.

Merry Christmas to you all....

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Monday, December 14, 2009

Woodville

Saturday morning I drove to Woodville, Texas for a day of ministry. 143 miles in fog that would rival any fog London has to offer. Jack and Anna Marie Sheffield delivered anointed messages from the Lord with such fire and love. (I'll save the joys of the trip back in the fog for another day.)

The highlight of my trip was sitting next to Bob during the morning session and at lunch. He is the man I told ya'll about a couple months ago. The doctors diagnosed him with Downs Syndrome, I say it's more like Ups Syndrome.

He gently placed his hand on my forehead and said be baptized in the Holy Ghost. It was so sweet I almost cried. He attends church with his sister frequently and also attends an African American church with some of the employees who work at his group home. During worship, Bob is so free...he says Hallelujah and Praise the Lord. He cannot sing the songs, but his statements of praise are so pure. I hope to worship in spirit and truth like that some day. At lunch he told me the things he knows:

God put His Son on the Cross.

God does not lie.

Jesus rose from the grave.

My prayer is some day we have the pure heart of a child like Bob as we pray, praise and worship our Savior - Jesus Christ - the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Monday, December 7, 2009

A Little Bleach Causes a Lot of Commotion

Saturday night while I watched White Christmas, my husband decided to launder the dogs' beds and add a little bleach. (He is now grounded from the laundry room for life!)

The next morning I got up and threw almost every black item of clothing I own which does not require dry cleaning into the washing machine and began to get ready for church. I transferred said wash into the dryer, ate breakfast, listened to music and got the clothes out of the dryer. I dressed, putting on a pair of my favorite cuffed suit pants, a black turtle neck and a blazer. As I backed out the drive way, I noticed odd, blue spots on my legs. Upon further inspection, I discovered them on my turtle neck as well. I raced back in the house and inspected the entire load of clothes...all spotted.

Turns out, the man used a lot of bleach in the wrong compartment and it did not fully dispense when he washed the dogs' beds. Thankfully this was not a Monday morning and I did not need to be somewhere at 8:00am in business attire. I wore jeans to church, traded the blazer for a Christmas sweater which I could zip and cover the spots on the turtleneck.

The event was a big measuring stick in my walk with the Lord. Years ago, I would have yelled and said some very cruel things. By maturing in the Lord, I freely said you did not mean to do it. I will go shopping later. (I hate to shop for clothes!) I now own some new clothes a size smaller than the ruined clothes. I also picked up a cute bracelet and earrings which were on sale. And ministered to a woman at the store - if it were not for the bleach, our paths would not have crossed at that moment.

I am so thankful to the Lord for transforming me, I am so thankful for the transforming still to come. I am so thankful for a husband who loves me dearly - but he is still grounded from the laundry room!

From James: When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

Proverbs: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Monday, November 30, 2009

Wounded Soldiers

When sending your Christmas cards, send at least one to this address:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20307.

If we pass this on, think of how many cards these wonderful brave soldiers will receive....

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Saturday, November 28, 2009

The New Year

According to the church calendar, tomorrow is the new year - Advent. (Would love to find my Advent Wreath - stored it somewhere special, since I put it out before the Christmas decorations.)The Advent Season is a time to prepare our hearts for the coming of our Lord.

The wonderful thing about God is not only do we have a new year, He gives us a new heart, a new mind, we are new creations, the old unsaved person who wallowed in sin is gone.

Remember it's never too late to start over, He gives us a clean slate. We are washed clean by the Blood of Jesus.

The Bible tells us:

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:

to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

The busy holiday season is upon us...take some time over the next 4 weeks and celebrate New Year with the Lord...

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I hope you spend time with family, friends and the Lord.

Feast on Psalm 100:

1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his [a] ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Friday, November 20, 2009

2012

I must say I am more than a little amazed by people's reaction to the movie 2012. I have seen the commercial for it a couple of times, heard people discussing it in line at the post office, in restaurants and even on Facebook. Some people really believe the message of the movie and are fearful which caused me to think...which we all know is considered dangerous by many...

Many people have been frightened since 9/11, people feed their spirit fear driven material daily such as It Could Happen Tomorrow (or something like that) on The Weather Channel, I caught part of an episode 1 day at lunch while trying to catch the weather forecast on The Weather Channel, the episode described what could happen in the Austin area if a brush fire were to sweep through the area...you know what, a lot could happen...but we are to fear not and trust in the Lord.

How do we trust in Him? By knowing Him. How do we know Him? We know Him by spending time in prayer, the Word, and worship. We know Him by spending time at His feet - listening like Mary did.

The Bible tells us:

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (Not even Hollywood)

Luke 21: 5Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6"As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."
7"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"

8He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. 9When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."

10Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.

12"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17All men will hate you because of me. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By standing firm you will gain life.

20"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

25"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

29He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.

32"I tell you the truth, this generation[b] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

34"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

37Each day Jesus was teaching at the temple, and each evening he went out to spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives, 38and all the people came early in the morning to hear him at the temple.

Let us keep our eyes on Jesus and not this world. Stay in the Word and have a blessed weekend!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

November 15 - Siesta Verse

I chose this verse after thinking about Psalm 16 through out the morning, it is also the Psalm apointed for the day (Episcopalian terminology)...

Psalm 16:7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.

Literally in the night I want me heart to instruct me in the things of the Lord, I don't want my heart dwelling on the things of the world.

If I am spriritually in the dark, I really want the Lord's counsel, I want to hear Him and know it's Him. I want to know Him and His word so well, that I will not be led astray. I've been down the wrong path before whether in error or willful sinning on my part. In other words: been there, done that - prefer not to do it again, though as a human, I know I will sin.

I pray you have a blessed Sabbath.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Ginger Snap Recipe

Here is my ginger snap recipe:

Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
2 3/4 cups self-rising flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1 cup brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup margarine or butter, softened (I prefer butter.)
1 egg
1/4 cup light molasses (I've experienced failure using black strap molasses)

Preparation:

Combine flour, soda, and spices in a bowl and set aside. Cream sugar and margarine. Beat in egg and molasses until light and fluffy. Stir in flour mixture just until blended. Chill for 2 hours or more. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Shape dough into 3/4-inch balls, roll in granulated sugar, and place on lightly greased baking sheets about 2 inches apart. Flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Bake about 8 to 10 minutes, until set.

Makes 8 dozen cookies - so you can share with friends...

(If you need a quick fix buy Betty Crocker Gingerbread Mix, it's in the grocery stores now)

P.S. Ginger Snaps ship well...if you have loved ones far away or ship cookies to deployed military personnel.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Rejoice and Magnify the Lord

The last 2 mornings I have awakened myself praising the Lord. As I was contemplating the Lord and what He promises us in His Word, I cannot help but rejoice, as I rejoice I magnify the Lord.

When I was young I hated the word magnify in connection with worship because during Lent we droned on 1/2 way singing & 1/2 chanting a song which seemed to be 3 pages long with each stanza ending in praise ye and magnify the Lord. I so hated it, I quit looking at the words and their meaning. (In the old days, Lent was very austere in the Episcopal Church especially when we used the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.)

No matter what is going on in this life - and it can be very hard and painful, we have promises from the Lord and He is ever faithful.

Press into Him, get prayer support from friends and your blogging sisters. Feed yourself with praise music. Spend some time with the Lord. He is right there with us.

II Cor 4 tells us:

8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

God knows what we are feeling when we are in a trial or hard spot, it's ok to talk to him about it. Psalm 28 is very comforting when in the midst of trouble:

6 Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.

7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

8 The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one

Joy is coming...He promises....

Sunday, November 1, 2009

November 1st and another Siesta Verse

In all seriousness, this year has flown by quickly. The end of January to probably the end of May is still mostly a blur. As mentioned in my previous post, though filled with much joy and peace this year, my energy level has been low and I have not enjoyed gardening and other activities. This week I have been out weeding, cutting plants and flowers back, and planting fall flowers and veggies...enjoyed myself immensely. Went for a walk/run - did NOT enjoy myself immensely. When I walk - I think & pray, when I run - I simply try to breathe...maybe I should stick to walking.

My memory verse is Psalm 9:1, verse 2 will be my next Siesta verse.

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.

Sisters - let us praise Him at all times with all of our hearts. Let us tell everyone of His wonders - for He is God! It's not about what He does for us (though I am not going to turn down a blessing or Holy Spirit conviction) it's all about Who He is!

Stay in the Word, it brings life, healing, and wholeness!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

The Light of Christ

I know our Lord and Savior never leaves us or forsakes us. I've never felt abandoned by Him, never felt let down by Him...or as we say in Texas - He's never dropped me in the grease and He's not about to start...

This week is the 1st time in over 2 years I feel like my "old" self. My energy level is almost what it used to be. I am really enjoying activities again...except exercise...I have knocked off weight and continue to do so. I am still not quite ready for attending parties...but I will be.

I do not really care to use the word feel, but it works...I know there are more tears over dad to come, but I also know there is more life, joy, and love than there are sadness and tears. I feel good again.

I am so thankful Jesus has been there for me every step of the way. We do walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we do experience heart ache and loss while on earth - our temporary home. Without trials, we would never grow as Christians. Our relationship with our Lord would stagnate. Does God send the bad stuff - NO!!! But He allows it, and it helps us so much in the long run. Remember we don't see the big picture.

I want to share some of my favorite Bible verses with you from Psalm 9:

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.

From Hebrews 13:

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Prayer Request

My brother in law Hal went to MD Anderson in Houston today for tests. He needs to have another surgery as part of continuing treatment for cancer. A blood clot was discovered and he is now in the MD Anderson ER. Please pray for him to be filled with peace and comfort. Pray for the dr's to have wisdom and discernment. And of course, pray for healing.

Thank you,

Annette

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Beauty all Around Us

I've been outside working in the flower beds this morning. Thinning out summer flowers which are still blooming up a storm to make room for a few fall blooms.

As I took a break, I watched butterflies and then noticed the sun streaming through sap hanging from a tree, the sunbeams shooting out of the sap were golden then turned a deep amber. It blows this finite mind that before the foundation of the world, our Heavenly Father knew I would enjoy the display at the very moment I noticed it.

Take time to notice the beauty our Father has given us and take note the beauty of the following verses from Psalm 27:

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

4 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.

5 For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Seasons

I love fall, some years we almost have fall in southeast Texas. Ang posted beautiful pictures on Facebook the other day. I cannot wait to wear a sweater, drink hot chololate (sugar free of course) and have a blazing fire in the fireplace. I am looking forward to planting pansies and snapdragons. I have planted a few petunias and lobelia.

Last year we had a few snowflakes, I would love to see more of them this winter. I love spring too with all the new life and the migratory birds which pass through on their way up north.

I like summer for a week or 2.

I look over the seasons I have with the Lord, no matter the season, He is always there, never let's me go, though I may pull my hand out of His hand and run my own way for a while.

I prayed silently over a lady last weekend, I prayed she would sit next to our Lord with her head on His breast just as John did. I did not mention the prayer to anyone. The next day my friend prayed the same thing over her and it turns out the woman prayed the same prayer over herself the night before.

I pray we all recline with Him and lay our head on His breast, hear His heart beat and rest in Him.

Christmas will be here before we know it. Let us practice resting in the Lord and be much better at it by the time the holiday season arrives.

After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant. One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, (John) was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means." Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"


As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!" "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.[a] Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."


Let us be like Mary and sit at His feet, choosing what will not be taken away from us. Sure we are busy, but there is no point in stressing and fretting, letting the busyness of the holiday season keep us from sitting at His feet or reclining next to Him.

If any of you have a friend or family member who needs Salvation, please leave their 1st name in a comment and I will add their name to the list.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Longview, Texas

Had a wonderful time meeting new brothers and sisters in Longview, TX over the weekend. The praise and worship was awesome. I prayed mostly with women, many were set free from lies they believed about themselves as well as fear, perfectionism and related physical disorders. A young man's leg grew 2 inches and he walks without pain now. Backs were healed. God still heals today. He wants us whole in body, spirit, and mind. Jesus never turned anyone away.

Then there is Bob...he lives in a group home, I don't know how old he is, I believe he has Down's Syndrome. As we worshiped, he did too, he could not sing the songs, but he could say Praise the Lord and Alleluia...His worship was so pure and so filled with love. He attended the healing weekend with his sister and brother in law. Hopefully, I will see him later this year in Woodville, TX. Bob loves the Lord so much, he loves people so much, he stood in for prayer for 1 of his care takers. I tear up thinking about his love for God and people.

I would love to see the look on some of the healed people's coworkers faces as they walk into work today. What a witness to the love and glory of God.

Have a blessed week everyone and remember to praise the Lord and shout Alleluia...Bob reminded me, I need to come before the Lord with a child like heart...

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Oct 15th and Time for a Siesta Verse

If I could think of something more original to say, I would...but can you believe it's Oct 15th!!! OK - or the Ides of October...is that original?

I have chosen the following verse for my memory verse, Hebrews 12:2

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

As we hurtle toward the bustling holiday season, I want to really ingrain in my spirit for many reasons to keep my focus on Him; not the things of the world.

I finally decorated for fall and Thanksgiving. I thought about last Thanskgiving, so very thankful dad was at my house and enjoyed the day. It was the 1st time in a year he was well enough to make the 3 block trip to my house. I am filled with gratitude and joy by the memory.

I want to remain in a place of thanksgiving and praise for the Lord...I don't want to lose sight of him as the holiday preparations begin.

If you know anyone who needs Salvation prayer, leave their 1st name in a comment and I will add them to the list.

I will be ministering with Jack and Anna Marie in Longview, TX this weekend. Please pray for the people attending the conference to receive what God has for them and for Jack, Anna Marie, myself and other prayer ministers to be anointed and protected.

Stay in the Word, it brings wholeness!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Gentle Rain, Coffee and the Word

I am listening to a gentle rain fall as I sip coffee and spend time in the Word. Days come and go, seasons change, but the God never changes. He is the constant in our lives. Hebrews 13:8 tells us: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

I cannot imagine life without God, I am so thankful for His unending mercy, His unfailing love, the endless supply of grace, His Word. I am so thankful for His Son, the Holy Spirit, Covenant Promises on which we stand. I am so thankful for the Authority of His Mighty Name when I pray.

It's almost time for another Siesta Verse. I have no idea which verse He will show me.

I am so thankful we live in a country in which we can buy Bibles almost any where, we can read them, we can freely worship...

I am so thankful for my family, Siestas, and friends the Lord has chosen to cross my path in life. What are you thankful for?

I have a few names of people who need Salvation up on the right side of my blog. If you feel so called, please pray for them. If you have someone who needs Salvation, leave their 1st name in a comment and I will add them.

Let His Word wash over you today, like a gentle rain:

Psalm 19

1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever.
The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

11 By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.
Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Joel Rosenberg & Ezekiel 38-39

I wanted to share a little info compiled by author Joel Rosenberg concerning a few chapters from the book of Ezekiel. This has caused me to wonder since Iraq is in such a mess; if that's why it is not listed as a country which attacks Israel. Revelation 18 goes on to say: 2With a mighty voice he shouted: "Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit,a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird. 3For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries."


If Iraq becomes a land of such rich excesses, could it be 1 of the only major oil producers left? (This is food for thought on my part.)

In a moment, I will walk you through the prophecies step-by-step. But first, let me note that the predictions found in Ezekiel chapters 36 & 37 have already come true. These are the famous chapters that foretell:

· The rebirth of the State of Israel in the end times (both chapters)

· The return of the Jews to the Holy Land after centuries in exile (Ezekiel 36:10-11, 36:24, 36:37-38, 37:12, 37:21)

· The rebuilding of the ancient ruins in Israel (Ezekiel 36:36)

· The re-blossoming of desolate, desert lands to produce abundant food, fruit and foliage (Ezekiel 36:8-9 and 36:30-35)

· The creation of an "exceedingly great army" (Ezekiel 37:11)

Such prophecies began to be fulfilled in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, accelerated in 1948 and 1967, and continue to come to pass to this day. This, of course, raises an intriguing question: If Ezekiel 36 and 37 have largely come true in our lifetime, isn't it possible that Ezekiel 38 and 39 will soon come true as well?

WHO?

That said, let's examine Ezekiel 38 and 39 more carefully. In Ezekiel 38:1-6, the Hebrew prophet gives a list of obscure names that will form a united coalition. In my non-fiction book, Epicenter: Why The Current Rumblings In The Middle East Will Change Your Future, I carefully walk readers through these prophecies and document the historical detective work necessary to determine what modern nations are referred to by the ancient text. But here's an executive summary of the major points.

· "Gog" is described as being "of the land of Magog" and as the "prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal." Most Bible scholars believe Gog is not a name but a title, like Pharoah or Czar. He is a dictator who will hatch an "evil plan" (Ezekiel 38:10).

 "Magog" - Leading Bible scholars say this is Russia and republics of the former Soviet Union. The first century Roman historian Josephus said the "Magogites" were the peoples whom the Greeks called "Scythians." Scythians were a fierce, blood-thirsty civilization that settled north of the Baltic Sea in what is now Russia and the European republics of the former USSR.

· "Rosh, Meshech and Tubal" - Many, though not all, Bible scholars believe "Rosh" refers directly to Russia. Meshech is believed by many scholars to be Moscow (though some believe it refers to an ancient people group in Turkey). Some Bible scholars believe Tubal refers to the city/region of Tobolsk in Russia along the Tobol River. Others say it refers to a section of modern-day Turkey. (Interestingly, in 1964, massive reserves of oil and gas were discovered in the Tobolsk region of Siberia and people now refer to the region as the "energy center of Russia.")

· "Persia" - This was the official name of Iran until 1935.

· "Cush" - Based in significant part on the writings of the Roman historian Flavius Josephus, Bible scholars today believe "Cush" refers to Sudan and Ethiopia.

· "Put" - Bible scholars are confident that this refers to the modern day country of Libya, though it may also refer to parts of Algeria and Tunisia, based on the writings of Josephus, among others.

· "Gomer" - This is modern day Turkey, though some scholars also believe it could refer to Germany and Austria.

· "Beth-togarmah" - This refers to Armenia and the Turkic-speaking peoples of Central Asia, including the Islamic former republics of the Soviet Union.

·"Many peoples with you" who will attack along "the mountains of Israel" - Other countries will be involved in the coalition as well, notably countries that border the mountains of Israel. This includes Lebanon, Syria and possibly Jordan.

It should be noted that conspicuously absent from the list is Egypt and Iraq (typically referred to in Scripture as Babylon or Mesapotamia). This is noteworthy since Ezekiel was writing the prophecy in the City of Babylon, in the heart of Iraq. We would have to expect, then, that neither Egypt nor Iraq will participate. Egypt, of course, signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979. Iraq is now so engrossed in its own internal struggles that it would be unlikely to join a coalition to destroy Israel in the next few years. We are, therefore, living in the first window in human history in which neither of these historic enemies of the Jewish people are likely to be involved in the next major Middle East war.

WHAT?

Ezekiel 38-39 explains that the Russian dictator known as "Gog" will develop an "evil plan" to attack and destroy Israel and seize her wealth. He will begin to build an enormous military coalition, comprised of the countries described above. He will make extensive preparations to strike. When the time is right, Ezekiel says Russia will then deploy this coalition against Israel in a show of overwhelming force, coming against the Jewish State "like a storm."

The Bible makes it clear that when this "War of Gog and Magog" begins, no country will come to Israel's defense. Not the United Nations. Not the European Union. Not even the United States. Israel will feel utterly alone, and her enemies will be convinced that they are on the verge of an historic victory in which the Jews will be wiped off the map once and for all. But Ezekiel then says some supernatural will occur. The God of Israel - the God of the Bible - will bring judgment upon the enemies of Israel, beginning with Gog, the dictator of Russia. The Lord will trigger a massive earthquake in which "all the men who are on the face of the earth will shake at My presence." Gog's forces will turn against one another, and then they will be subject to pestilence, torrential rains, hailstones, and even fire from heaven. Israel will then capture her enemies weapons and burn them for seven years and it will take seven full months to bury all the bodies of Israel's slain enemies, so great will be the devastation.


WHEN?

When will all this happen? We don't know for certain. But Ezekiel gives us several important clues. First, Israel will be a country again and Jews will be regathered to the Holy Land. Second, Israelis will be "living securely" before the "War of Gog and Magog," though the Scriptures do not go so far as to say that they will have comprehensive peace treaties with their neighbors. Third, Israel will have a measure of economic prosperity, according to the text. And fourth, Ezekiel 38:16 says explicitly that all these events "will come about in the last days" (that is, before the Battle of Armageddon).

In closing, let me be clear. Yes, Israel has been reborn as a country for the first time in 2,000 years. Yes, a dictator is rising to power in Russia that seems "Gog-esque." Yes, Russia and Iran are building an alliance today for the first time in 2,500 years. Yes, Russia and Libya are now building a new alliance. Yes, Iran is threatening to wipe Israel "off the map." Is all this conclusive proof that the "War of Gog and Magog" will happen soon, much less in our lifetime? No, I don't think we can make that assessment. Not yet, at least. Much more will have to happen to be sure. But can we rule out the possibility that this prophetic war could happen in the not-too-distant future? No, I don't think we can.

As for me, I don't want it to happen at all. But no man can stop what Bible prophecy says will come to pass. The most we can do is to be ready when it happens, and find ways to care for those in the Middle East and Russia who will be victims of this terrible war.



Joel C. Rosenberg

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Alone vs. Not Alone

I was sitting at the drive through window last Friday at Chick Fil A, waiting for my chargrilled chicken garden salad. (I highly recommend them, 1 order easily makes 2 meals.) A young woman working at the window was talking when a male employee who was filling a cup with Diet Coke spun around and said, "Why would you sleep with him, he hates you?" The woman said, "Because I don't want to be alone." The man said, "But you are alone, he hates you and you are even more alone after you have sex."

I almost started crying for 2 reasons, this young woman who appeared to be 18 or so was making foolish choices because she was so confused about love, she may not know the Lord, if she does know Him - she may not have a clue He has plans for her, plans to prosper her....the young man also appeared to be 18 or so - what wisdom for such a young person...he spoke to her in truth and love, no reproach, no self righteousness, no Pharisee...

I sat there and prayed as I waited for my order. When the young lady crosses my mind, I pray for her some more.

It is my hope she is saved, healed, and transformed by the love of Christ Jesus! I am also praying for someone else to accept Jesus as Lord, if you are so called - please pray Chris accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.

If there is anyone you need salvation prayer for, write the 1st name in comments. I can post of list of people we love and want to enter the Kingdom.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Jesus is Coming

Last night I saw a remark posted on Facebook which read: Jesus is coming, look busy...

How many times have we as Christians women lived our lives as busyness is next to godliness? I am not suggesting we laze about on the couch eating bon bons all day, neglect our families, neglect time in the Word and prayer by any means.

I am suggesting we may be packing our lives with godly activities and we may be very busy with Kingdom work but as a result we are missing the mark because we are so busy - back to the are we are Mary or a Martha thing...do we choose the finer thing?

Let us pray for the Holy Spirit to convict us on what the Lord wants us doing in ministry and activities, the Lord may have a change of season for us...let us pray to be obedient to changes He may desire for us...and let us spend quality time in prayer, the Word and worshipping our Lord...

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives for ever and ever.

Let us be mindful - Holy Holy Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Love and Persedangvering

My Siesta Memory Verse is: I Cor 13:6-7

Love does not delight in evil bit rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

For some reason I never noticed the last word before - PERSEVERES
(and to add emphasis - Love always persedangveres) Persevere means: To persist in or remain constant to a purpose, idea, or task in the face of obstacles or discouragement.

It is easy not to delight in evil and rejoice with the truth. It is easy to protect those we love, sometimes it's hard to trust those we love due to hurts we have suffered, it can be hard to hope in the natural sense but easy to hope in the eternal sense, and it can be downright difficult to persevere...but obviously it's what the Lord wants us to do and He supplies us with the grace to do so.

Verse 8-10 tells us: 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 perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.

It may look to our mortal eyes as if love has failed when marriages end, when feuds are not resolved, but that is not true. If a relationship is broken, meditate and feast on love verses, pray them over your loved one. You may not have the answer you are looking for here on earth, but your loved one will spend eternity in heaven and that is what is important, spending eternity in our real home.

Endeavor to love...with Him all things are possible...

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Monday, September 28, 2009

ABC's

Sunday was my parents' anniversary. Tuesday is my mother Barbara's birthday and Wednesday is my father Charles' birthday. When I was young I was so worried about getting the days mixed until I realized it was Anniversary, Barbara, Charles...ABC...

Sunday was a bittersweet day for me. Joy mixed with grief, laughter and tears. I decided this week I was going to concentrate on the ABC's of Who God is...

Just to name a few:

A) Abba, Alpha, Anointed One
B) Beautiful One, my Banner
C) Christ, Creator
D) Deliverer, Daystar
E) Emmanuel, Eternal One
F) Father, Faithful


I am going to praise Him from A to Z...I will admit the only thing I have come up with for Z - is He is zealous for my soul...let me know if you have something for Z.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

50 Years

Last year on this day, my parents celebrated 50 years of marriage. Today is the 1st anniversary my mother will celebrate without dad. We are going to 1 of his favorite, local restaurants for dinner. The staff loved dad, so many prayed for him and with him.

I am glad today is Sunday and we will be worshipping as well. While we kneel at the Lord's table to receive Communion...my dad is really dining with our King.

I miss him, I grieve, but I am also filled with joy and thanksgiving...join me in praising the Lord, please click on the words Holy is the Lord God Almighty below.

HOLY IS THE LORD GOD ALMIGHTY

Friday, September 25, 2009

High Heels & Heaven

A few weeks ago, I blogged about my friend Carol...she had lung cancer which had spread to her brain. My last visiual of her will always be her smile, and the thought of her wearing PJ's, her coordinating costume jewelry and high heels as she sat in her wheelchair watching hummingbirds.

Carol went home to the Lord last night. I pray He pours out His comfort on her grieving family.

If there are shoes in heaven, I'm thinking she asked for heels...

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Anniversary & Birthdays

Sunday is my parents' 51st wedding anniversary...last year 1 of my father's main goals was to celebrate 50 years with my mother and thank the Lord, dad was able to do so.

My husband, mother, and I are going to eat dinner Sunday at a local restaurant. The staff loved dad, prayed with him and for him...always inquired about him on occasions I ate there without my parents.

Tuesday is my mother's birthday - I bought a card the other day and did very well, averted my eyes from the anniversary cards, I could feel emotions trying to rise. Then I turned around to exit the aisle and there were the birthday cards for fathers and dads. My eyes welled up with tears and I thought you better exit quickly before you look like Tammy Faye Bakker! Wednesday is my father's birthday.

As we progress through our 1st year without him, we experience the roller coaster of emotion. We have had much more joy than grief...many more laughs than tears...

I am so thankful for our Lord and Savior carrying me through the grief, I am so thankful for the mercy and grace He pours out on my minute by minute as needed. I am so thankful for the forgiveness He extends me. I am so thankful for the wonderful, earthly father He blessed me with, I am so thankful I will see my father again. My father is now whole, living in the presence of the Lord...

I hold dear our Covenant promises, I hope you do too...

Romans 10:8-10 tells us:

But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess 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 confess and are saved.

John 6:53-55

Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.

Monday, September 21, 2009

God Moment

I have neglected journaling much of this year. In May, I finally looked to see what I wrote the day dad died...I have not picked that journal up again.

Last night I was at Target and bought 2 small spiral notebooks, I began pouring my heart out about love today...trying to write very neatly, as if someone might read it. (HA!)

I poured out the type of love our Abba Father lavishes on us, the love Jesus has for us - as best as a finite mind can describe; the type of love my mom has for me, that dad had for me, how dad learned to love my husband and entrust me to him. I wrote about love I receive from other family members and friends. I wrote about my husband's love for me and my love for him - how much healthier it has become over the years. I wrote about the love I pour out and the times I betrayed people or was betrayed. I wrote about time I used to spend in unforgiveness and plotting revenge.

It was fairly random in 1 sense and very purposeful writing in another sense.

As I meditate on my Siesta verses: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong.

I am thankful I am no longer easily angered and have not spent time plotting revenge in a couple of decades. I know vindication when needed must come from the Lord.

At lunch I sat outside watching hummingbirds and began to pray for neglecting prayer lately...I asked for forgiveness and had an amazing God moment - a butterfly landed on me and fluttered it's wings. It stayed on me for at least 5 minutes and returned a couple more times. It was close enough but not too close for me to see the colourful details without my glasses. The perfect distance for my imperfect vision to operate in a wholly focused way.

Thank You God for the time I spent in the heavenly realm with You. Thank You for Your love, Your grace, Your mercy and the shed Blood of Christ Jesus! I love You Father. I want to serve You with all my heart.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

How He Loves You

For some reason I cannot get a Youtube video to post in the traditional manner, so I am going to post the link - Annette G posted the same song this morning...Please click on He Loves US below..

It is vital we know this - He LOVES US!!!

Friday, September 18, 2009

Camouflage Hunting Gear

Last night, I accompanied my husband to Bass Pro Shop. He needed to pick up a pistol he won in a charity raffle and wanted to buy a rifle...apparently we do not have enough rifles already.

I wondered around the store and decided a pink T shirt was in order as well as a nice, Texas A&M fleece jacket. I looked at all the different types of camouflage outfits. Some were just the basic camouflage, some look like grass - I think they are called Gillie suits. One outfit looked like oak leaves were attached individually all over the jacket and pants- I think you wear it as you prowl around bow hunting.

All this to say, we know how satan prowls around looking to devour people at every opportunity, sometimes he is right out in the open, other times he is camouflaged. Be careful. Remain alert. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Arm yourself with the armor the Lord provides us in Ephesians 6 and call for back up prayer when you need it. Be quick to forgive, fast to love...and stay in the Word!

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 saints.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

How can it be time for another Siesta Verse???

I am stunned it's time for another Siesta verse, I chose one Sunday, chose another 1 on Monday, and let God choose 1 for me today. The verse kept showing up on things I was reading; including a young Christian man posting it on Facebook. I got the point, so here it is:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

I frequently blog about love...I think God really wants me to meditate on this for a while...I could feel myself wanting to do the I can't believe so and so did not even say anything to me when dad died, did not attend the funeral because she does not like them and did not so much as bring an chicken leg at the time. It's September and suddenly I am angry over what she did not do in January...that is the evil one talking. It does not matter I prepared food when her in laws died, when her husband died, when her mother died. It does not matter I sent cards for weeks when her husband was ill. I did those things because I love her, I loved her husband, her mother and her in laws (well 1 of the in laws)...I could feel myself making a list of what I perceived was wrong. She loves me, she suffered a lot of loss in a 5 year period and has not spiritually or emotionally recovered from it all.

The next time I feel anger trying to grab hold of me...these verses will be in my arsenal. In the Name of Jesus, I will not keep a record of wrongs because the greatest thing is love...

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Who Do You Say That I Am?

Mark 8:27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 29"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ.[b]"

I so identify with Peter in many passages in the Bible mainly because of his big mouth. He tended to blurt things out, so do I though not as often as I did when I was younger. This time, Peter got it right, he knew Jesus is the Messiah, the Promised One, the One the Jews had been waiting for for thousands of years. Sadly many of them were looking for an earthly messiah and were not interested in eternal life.

Who is Jesus to you? Is He you Saviour, Redeemer, your Lord, your King? Or is his name the name you utter when angry? It pains me to hear His name used as a curse word in real life as well as in movies.

Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."

He is our everything...is it easy to live out Jesus being our everything? No it is not! Our humanity gets in the way; but as our Saviour - He understands. Let us endeavor to live for Him and to serve Him...He alone is worthy of our praise, our worship, our adoration.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

A Pair of Heels and a Little Jewelry

I have a friend Carol who loves to dress up, wear high heels and always has beautiful costume jewelry to accessorize each outfit...I mean the woman wears hose for heaven's sake!

She was diagnosed some time back with lung cancer which had spread to her brain. Her sister in law went to visit yesterday, Carol was sitting in her wheelchair on the back porch enjoying the hummingbirds...wearing you guessed it:

PJ's
Heels
Earrings, Necklace, and Bracelet

In the midst of the sadness, what a great spark of joy...a visual which will stay with me for years, because in this visual I can see Carol's smile as well.

I pray for the peace of God to fill her and her family and friends. I pray for the Lord to pour out His comfort and mercy on us all. Most epecially, I pray for Him to touch her with His healing hand of grace on her and I pray for her spiritual, physical, and mental comfort.

I hold dear His Covenant promises, I know where she will be, I know He has not dropped her in the grease and He will never do so...

His Word says:

Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all[a]; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Refresh Your Modem

This morning I woke up earlier than normal due to a scared dog, we were experiencing an intense thunder storm and Penny was a wreck. At 4:15am I realized it was time to give it up and get out of bed. Around 5:00am I decided to check the news, read blogs, etc….the Internet was out. I tried all the usual remedies, rebooting etc before calling Comcast. Instead of talking to a human being; I decided to try the Refresh Your Modem option from the menu.

Wouldn’t it be nice if we could refresh our internal modems on demand...We can, we find refreshing in praise music and hymns, we find refreshing in verbally praising our God and King. We find refreshing in His Word. We find refreshment in Sabbath rest.

So if your modem needs refreshing, seek Him…His Word tells us:

Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." "Sir," the woman said, "you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?" Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.On hearing his words, some of the people said, "Surely this man is the Prophet." Others said, "He is the Christ."

I would ask for prayers today and tomorrow as I will be a prayer minister at a healing weekend. Please pray for Jack and Anna Marie as well.

Monday, August 24, 2009

24 Years

Today is our 24th wedding anniversary. In some ways it seems more like 50, in other ways it seems like 3 or 4 years since we said I do.

As any married person knows, it's not always easy no matter how much you love one another. There are seasons to marriage, sometimes it's spring and sometimes it seems like a rainy, cold winter.

I know without grace from God, marriage is not possible. I remember how shocked I was with some very small things the 1st days of our marriage:

my husband squeezed the toothpaste tube in the middle, everyone knows you begin at the end of the tube!

he is cheerful in the morning...I mean - he is CHEERFUL and there are days I wanted to strangle the life out of him because he smiled at 5:00am...I mean how dare he! If we had curtains instead of blinds in our 1st house, I think he would have thrown them open at sunrise and said something really cheery.

There are the not so little things, problems with relatives and children, illness, money issues, and pride! (Did you ever think I shaved me legs for this?)

God's grace allows us to forgive one another. His love enables us to keep loving each other and for our love for one another to grow. His ways allow us to die to self.

Through sickness and health, through better and worse, I would do it all over again. I cannot imagine life without my man. I thank God for him. (Though I may have prayed for him not to be so happy in the morning.)

The Bible tells us:

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church— for we are members of his body. "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (Though we keep records upon occasion.)Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

August 15th - It's August 15th!!!

How in the world is it already August 15th!!! I cannot believe it. Thanksgiving and Christmas will be here before you know it.

I chose my Siesta verses on Thurs, it was between these and a few verses from Psalm 103; which Karen chose.

My verses are:

Yours, O LORD, is the greatness,
The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,
And You are exalted as head over all.

Both riches and honor come from You,
And You reign over all.
In Your hand is power and might;
In Your hand it is to make great
And to give strength to all.

I ask you to join me in celebrating thanksgiving now and thank the Lord for Who He is...

Stay in the Word which brings life, attitude adjustment when you need it, confirmation, clarity and wisdom...and so much more.

Love, Annette

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Rain

Though much of the country has suffered floods, my neck of the woods has been in drought. I was thrilled to receive a couple of rain showers yesterday. The grass has already grown. It is already greener. The flowers look brighter.

When we do not spend time in the Word and with the Lord, we are in a spiritual drought. We all have days where we do not get prayer or Word time in, there are sick spouses, children, sick pets...etc, but when day after day and week after weeks passes we begin to look like grass in a drought...brown patches, thin blades and cracked ground.

Just a few verses water deep, if you need prayer remember to ask people...it's the Body of Christ not the Lone Ranger of Christ. Spend some time with our Lord today.

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: "Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times." Then Jesus said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, "The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, " 'they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding;
otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!'" Then Jesus said to them, "Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable? The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them. Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown."

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

Reduced Caffeine = Reduced Sense of Humour!

Nearly 2 weeks ago I decided to drastically cut my caffeine intake from 4-6 cups of coffee a day, 1 or 2 Diet Cokes a day, and the miscellaneous piece of chocolate during the week as well as the occasional glass of tea down to 2 cups of coffee a day.

In case you are wondering...I have not cheated...been sorely tempted, am tempted right this minute because I woke up at 3:30am, gave up at 4:00am and got out of bed.

I am considering a Red Bull...just kidding...I have noticed my patience is a little short this week. I have not said anything unkind, but I sure have thought it and I mostly repented of the vain thoughts and imaginations.

Thankfully I know the Prince of Peace, He is my Lord and Savior! He can fill me with His Patience, He is there with me as I grow used to living on real energy derived from fruits, vegetables, few carbs, exercise and rest.

His Word says:

(I can't talk about bread right now since I am not eating it, but He is the Bread of Life.)

A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense.

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

Monday, August 3, 2009

August 2009

It's the 1st Monday in August, hard to believe 2009 is almost over. 2009 has not been the best year for me; but it has been filled with numerous blessings and much joy mixed in with the grief of losing my earthly father.

So many of my friends have faced extreme trials from the death of their marriages to the death of their children, spouses, or jobs.

Please know, your Savior really does know how you feel. He experienced every trial and disappointment while here on earth.

Let us be like Jesus and abide and remain in our Father. The One Who loves us perfectly and wholly. As hard as it may be for you, ask trusted friends to pray with you and for you. Stay in the Word and get a little praise on.

Let God know you are angry, hurt, confused....it's no surprise to Him, confessing it will bring healing to you.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Thursday, July 30, 2009

All You Need is Love

If you are of a certain age, you most likely remember the Beetles song all you need is love, but earthly love does not quite cut it. So much of the love depicted in literature, books, on movies and in TV is A) not real and B) very unhealthy.

God loves us with a pure and healthy love. I think through His love, our love for our spouses, children and people in general becomes more healthy. Perfect - no, healthy - yes.

The Word tells us this:

And I (Paul) pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

We are to be rooted in love...grounded in love, love is to be a part of our everyday life. We are also to love ourself, Jesus said so:

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these."

We are not to be filled with self loathing and self hatred. Jesus set us free bondage and self loathing is definitely bondage. If you are filled with self hatred/loathing/reproach, ask the Lord when you began to believe this lie. He will reveal it to you. Put it at His feet and don't pick it back up - I know we are prone to pick things back up and carry them around with us.

Remember: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

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

Our Heavenly Father loves you so much...

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.

Sit with Him for a while and bask in the love He lavishes on you.

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Mood

Do any of you ever wake up and feel an impending bad mood? And then...your husband is happy, smiling, and talkative on top of the impending mood...

I felt that way this morning and still feel in a small way the desire to fall into the bad mood. I decided I would skip Wally World and shop at Target before work, Wally World might give me the excuse to jump into the mood with both feet. A couple of things can change my mood in an instant:

Praise Music - How Great is Our God, Shout to the Lord, Majesty, Amazing Love to name a few.

A few of my favorite Scriptures:

Ps 19: 1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.

Psalm 150
1 Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens.

2 Praise him for his acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.

3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,

4 praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and flute,

5 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.

6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.

I am going to play more praise music and drink a Diet Coke now as I write reports. Have a blessed day...and remember you are loved by God the Father Almighty so much, He gave His only Son Jesus Christ to save you.

Sunday, July 19, 2009

Weary & Abandoned

I don't know who this post is for, but you feel weary beyond words and wonder if God has abandoned you. He has not abandoned you. He knows you are weary and feel as if you are being crushed.

His word tell us:

We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope,
because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.

Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

You think I never hear the Lord anymore, when will He show up? He is there. He will never leave you or forsake you. Sit quietly, tell Him what is bothering you. Pour it all out. Ask Him to give you clarity and confirmation about your situation.

He loves you, He loves you, He loves you. If you need prayer, please ask trusted friends to pray for you or prayer ministers at your church. Ask your blogging sisters to pray...call or e-mail 1 of the large ministries who take prayer requests...ask me, I will pray for you.

Love, Annette

Donnie McClurkin - Days of Elijah (Psalms Hymns and Spiritual Hymns)

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

No Good Thing

My Siesta Memory verse is: Ps 16:2 - I said to the Lord,"You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing."

As I was searching verses on Monday, this one really spoke to me in conjunction with something I posted about a month ago - Call Me Marty..."Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

Am I choosing what is better and will not be taken away from me? What do I consider above God? Is He 1st place or 2nd or 3rd place? Most likely on many days He is number 1, then maybe 3 at some point, up to 2 later on and back to number 1 before bed time.

I want Him to always be Number One because I know that I know that I know apart from Him, I have no good thing.

Monday, July 13, 2009

Friday, July 10, 2009

Water for the Thirsty

Is anyone a little weary? Maybe because it's 103 outside, maybe because work is not going well, maybe you have a wedding to plan, maybe you are job hunting, maybe your husband left, maybe you just had major surgery, and we won't think about what teens may or may not be doing right!!!

There is 1 answer for us, no matter why we are weary...the solution is the same, His name is Jesus Christ, the Risen Son of God the Father. He came to save sinners, to redeem us, to reconcile us to God. He came to heal our minds, bodies, and spirits.

Soak up these precious words, they are fresh and alive, spoken for everyone who has ever lived and who will ever live:

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light

Thursday, July 9, 2009

Presiding Bishop

Episcopal Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori says it's "heresy" to believe that an individual can be saved through a sinner's prayer of repentance.


In her opening address to the church's General Conference in California, Jefferts Schori called that "the great Western heresy: that we can be saved as individuals, that any of us alone can be in right relationship with God."


The presiding bishop said that view is "caricatured in some quarters by insisting that salvation depends on reciting a specific verbal formula about Jesus."


According to Schori, it is heresy to believe that an individual's prayer can achieve a saving relationship with God. "That individualist focus is a form of idolatry, for it puts me and my words in the place that only God can occupy."

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Deification of People

This is not a commentary on Michael Jackson, his talent, music, or life. This is a comment on how the media has over reported the story since the man died. Serious riots in China were not reported in the US for a couple of days nor was the coup in Honduras.

Michael Jackson was an extraordinary talent, but he was a person - a human being like you and me. I have avoided TV since he died as much as possible, but have seen enough to know many people emptied their bank accounts to stand in front of the Staples Center today during the service.

It is very easy to cross over the line from being a fan to setting someone up as an idol.

Please keep his children in your prayers, I fear the vultures are circling to grab what they can from his estate.

Keep these words close to your heart:

We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true—even in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Saturday, July 4, 2009

John Philip Sousa "Stars and Stripes Forever"

Celebrate America's Freedom...it came with a price...

Friday, July 3, 2009

In Christ - We Have Freedom

We are so much in Christ and have so much in Him. I want to touch on the freedom we have in Christ. When we are transformed by the power of Christ we are free to love, to forgive, do the things that were not possible before, do the things we never wanted to do before. We are also set free from the law, sin, and the sting of death. Sure, we still die, but we go on to our real home, our eternal destiny - heaven.

The Bible tells us:

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,

Jesus sets us free from sin...through Him we are reconciled to our Father and our sins are forgiven. Through Jesus we find healing of our bodies, minds, and spirits.

Psalm 119:45 I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts. (When we seek the Lord and his will, sin is no longer attractive. We walk in freedom. The chains begin to fall or in some cases gone in an instance.)

We continue to grow in Christ, we continue to be transformed, we become more and more free.

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

But we can also go back into bondage, sometimes it looks good, the Hebrews wanted to return to Egypt...it looked better in hindsight than the future, we must be on our guard not to return to slavery.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

We are to approach God freely - In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

We are to live as a free person - Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

So enjoy the liberty we have in Christ and live in holy freedom.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

In Christ - We Have Peace

Peace is mentioned often in the Bible, I learned years ago, if God thought it was important enough to repeat, I better act on it. One of my favorite verses mentioning peace is the greatest birth announcement ever:

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace, He wants to give us peace in the midst of all the situations we endure. As tired as I was when dad was ill, I had peace. My dad had peace. My mother had peace. Even when I drove away from the hospital the night he died, I had peace. I was sad, I still tear up, I still want to call him and say turn the tv to channel so and so, I miss sharing meals and time with him, but I have peace.

Though we suffer - we have peace: Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance

I want joy and peace, I believe this verse with all my heart:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I think the following passage is one of the most quoted but underlived (is that a word?) passage in the Bible:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Let us live in peace no matter what our parents, children, or spouses are doing. Let us be filled with the peace of the Lord no matter what the government is doing or not doing. Let us seek the Prince of Peace...let us live as New Covenant Girls.

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father's Son, will be with us in truth and love.

Monday, June 29, 2009

In Christ - We have Grace

We have so much in Christ, I have briefly touched a few things we have in Him. I Peter 2:9 (my Siesta verse) tells us who we are in Him:

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

When I taught the 11-13 yr old Sunday school class at my church years ago (boy when that season was over, WAS it ever OVER!) many of the youth had trouble comprehending grace and why not, it's hard for our finite minds to grasp. I told them to remember this, GRACE - God's Riches At Christ's Expense. Grace is God's unmerited favor poured out on us. We cannot earn it, we do not deserve it. His grace never ends...He freely gives it to us daily...and sometimes by the minute...

The Bible tells us this about grace:

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Thank You Father, grace came in the form of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ.)

For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
(Through Jesus, we receive grace - we are New Covenant people - I am a New Covenant girl.)

For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (It's God's grace that enables us to minister to those who are most unlovable in the natural realm, but very much loved by God. Grace kept me from smacking the doctor who overdosed my dad and put him in a coma. Grace enables us to be His hand and feet on earth.)

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (Whose grace is sufficient - His grace...not our talent, not our deeds - His grace.)

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. (He's lavished it on us ladies...with all wisdom and understanding..lavished, live like you lavishly receive.)

So let us live as the forgiven children we are, let us receive and extend mercy, let us receive the grace God pours out to us each day and extend it to those we see and talk to everyday. And let us keep persedangvering as we endeavor to live the life He's called us to live...

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Emergency Prayer Request

Please pray for a FB friend's 2 1/2 yr old nephew Patrick. He became ill in church, starting trembling, then become unresponsive, now just stares. He's in the hospital. Seizures were ruled out, little guy is about to have a nasty test to check out his spinal fluid.

Hillsong - Mighty to Save - With Subtitles/Lyrics