Welcome to my blog! I post my thoughts on the Lord and anything else that may cross my mind.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
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.
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.
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 22, 2009
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
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."
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."
Sunday, August 9, 2009
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.
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.
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
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