We get him four days early. We are so excited.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Friday, April 18, 2014
CELEBRATING SACRIFICE!
As I wrote on our personal blog, this is called Good Friday. What in the world would have been good about a man who was mortal at that moment, being called forward to be whipped and hung on a cross?
What a true sacrifice is that. Many of us would not be willing to have to do that. I know of parents who do anything for their kids, and go down for them if they had to. But not in that manner nor would there be any glory in that. Only God's Son would have the right to be glorified in this manner.
As you reflect this weekend, and even help kids or grand-kids hunt for Easter eggs, think about what we are really to get out of this. Last weekend Pastor Stu relayed a story about his daughter from China who is now 6 or 7 and they are teaching her about Easter. So in the car one day, he asked her if she knew the story of Easter and why we celebrate it. She hemmed hawed around and said slowly. . .
"Ah. . . its about Jesus and . . . ahm. . .what to do with Easter eggs!" Naturally he was mortified.
Let's really take in the impact of our freedom that was given fully this entire weekend. Its breath taking. He is breath taking. He is the Shepherd of our Hearts.
"SOMETIMES WHEN I SIT QUIETLY, CONSIDERING WHAT JESUS DID FOR ME, I GET A LITTLE OVERWHELMED."
What a true sacrifice is that. Many of us would not be willing to have to do that. I know of parents who do anything for their kids, and go down for them if they had to. But not in that manner nor would there be any glory in that. Only God's Son would have the right to be glorified in this manner.
As you reflect this weekend, and even help kids or grand-kids hunt for Easter eggs, think about what we are really to get out of this. Last weekend Pastor Stu relayed a story about his daughter from China who is now 6 or 7 and they are teaching her about Easter. So in the car one day, he asked her if she knew the story of Easter and why we celebrate it. She hemmed hawed around and said slowly. . .
"Ah. . . its about Jesus and . . . ahm. . .what to do with Easter eggs!" Naturally he was mortified.
Let's really take in the impact of our freedom that was given fully this entire weekend. Its breath taking. He is breath taking. He is the Shepherd of our Hearts.
"SOMETIMES WHEN I SIT QUIETLY, CONSIDERING WHAT JESUS DID FOR ME, I GET A LITTLE OVERWHELMED."
Sunday, April 13, 2014
PATHWAYS TO WORSHIP!
It is that wonderful time of year when we celebrate and Worship God's sacrifice for us. His Son died on the cross for us so we could get free of sin and live forever with Him.
I had another subject I was going to write about, but I got very engrossed in Pastor Stuart's sermon on Worship. And, especially the 7 Pathways to Worship God.
It has such Psychological connection for me:
1. THE INTELLECTUAL - The one who loves to learn, by listening to Sermons, or reading books about God. They love to study eveything available. They are not so much into music, just get on with the Sermon or presentation of learning.
2. RELATIONAL - They are the ones who love to be with people when they worship. Small groups that study the Word. Conferences, one on ones.
3. SERVING - Helping others - greeters, ushers, pray with others, serve in the kitchen, anything that helps others at church or in the community.
4. WORSHIP - ARTS PART OF WORSHIP: Choir, or singing, dancing, drama's anything with a flair for presentation. Listening to praise music all week.
5. ACTIVIST - THEY LOVE PROBLEM SOLVING- anything that needs leading, or done, they will see to it - it gets done.
6. CONTEMPLATIVE - They love to mediate on everything - but always alone. Read, sing, pray, meditate.
7. CREATION - These are your nature lovers. Long prayer walks in the woods, fishers, hunters, anything that requires being outside and worshiping God.
Which one, or two, or three are you? He emphasized that even if we are a one, two or three type of worshipers, think on being balanced in all of them. You will like one more than all the rest, but be open to them all. He noted and I have seen it myself, that some will come after the corporate worship music has ended to hear the Sermon, and or if there isn't enough worship music, they will hunt for a church that has all music. Balance is good, because:
"I must prioritize my daily worship of God instead of a daily worship of myself!"
What more can I say. I chose four I like the best, but I could say I have developed the rest out of a need to stay connected 24/7.
Col. 1: 16
Enjoy your Easter Weekend. Good Friday services at CLC from 7-8 PM. And Easter Sunday 9:30 and 11AM. Wherever you worship, do it in honor and celebration of our Lord and Savior.
I had another subject I was going to write about, but I got very engrossed in Pastor Stuart's sermon on Worship. And, especially the 7 Pathways to Worship God.
It has such Psychological connection for me:
1. THE INTELLECTUAL - The one who loves to learn, by listening to Sermons, or reading books about God. They love to study eveything available. They are not so much into music, just get on with the Sermon or presentation of learning.
2. RELATIONAL - They are the ones who love to be with people when they worship. Small groups that study the Word. Conferences, one on ones.
3. SERVING - Helping others - greeters, ushers, pray with others, serve in the kitchen, anything that helps others at church or in the community.
4. WORSHIP - ARTS PART OF WORSHIP: Choir, or singing, dancing, drama's anything with a flair for presentation. Listening to praise music all week.
5. ACTIVIST - THEY LOVE PROBLEM SOLVING- anything that needs leading, or done, they will see to it - it gets done.
6. CONTEMPLATIVE - They love to mediate on everything - but always alone. Read, sing, pray, meditate.
7. CREATION - These are your nature lovers. Long prayer walks in the woods, fishers, hunters, anything that requires being outside and worshiping God.
Which one, or two, or three are you? He emphasized that even if we are a one, two or three type of worshipers, think on being balanced in all of them. You will like one more than all the rest, but be open to them all. He noted and I have seen it myself, that some will come after the corporate worship music has ended to hear the Sermon, and or if there isn't enough worship music, they will hunt for a church that has all music. Balance is good, because:
"I must prioritize my daily worship of God instead of a daily worship of myself!"
What more can I say. I chose four I like the best, but I could say I have developed the rest out of a need to stay connected 24/7.
Col. 1: 16
Enjoy your Easter Weekend. Good Friday services at CLC from 7-8 PM. And Easter Sunday 9:30 and 11AM. Wherever you worship, do it in honor and celebration of our Lord and Savior.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
TRANSFORMATIONS!
Transforming is always fun, at least for me it is. How about you? I have used II Cor. 5: 17 more than once, but it is useful here again. Winter turns into Spring, Spring turns into Summer, Summer turns into fall etc. Most women love to get new hair cuts, a new Easter outfit, plant new flowers, change the furniture; Men love to get new golf clubs, new guns, new cars, new tools; kids love to get new computers, new phones, new friends; it is all part of the transformation we all see every day.
The old things pass - all things become new.
WHEW! And all is right with the world after 5 months of winter. I will never take that for granted again. I felt relieved. I felt grateful, I felt a great big sigh coming on. I really wondered even Thursday and Friday if we would ever see spring happening. Just had to share that. Transformation in our spiritual lives is a BIG DEAL as well. Letting God change you His way is a BIG DEAL!
I heard a friend tell me on the phone today that she just wasn't ready to "forgive" yet. "I am too devastated!" "This is horrible, I can't believe it!" I also heard another person say, "I just can't believe I spent my whole life working so hard to make it right for my kids, and they grow up and do this!" "I don't deserve this!" I could go on and on, one and on. it still boils down to the same thing, same station, same day, you need to let God transform their lives. Let Him write on their page. That is write you did do everything you could, but that is all you can do. We give our kids, or family members, or co-workers all the tools we can BUT. . .we can't make them use them. God gave us free will. I have seen that in counseling. I can give my clients all the tools and resources, cheer lead and motivate forever, but they still have to take it and use it. I can't go home with them and make them see it and do it. That is why Transformation takes in everything. A makeover in your attitude, a makeover in your grace and forgiveness chip. You can't do this by yourself. Praise Him and thank Him, Trust Him and make Him look good. TRANSFORM! Phil 4: 13 and 19.
You can do ALL things through Him who strengthens you and He will give you all you need to do it.
PERIOD.
The old things pass - all things become new.
WHEW! And all is right with the world after 5 months of winter. I will never take that for granted again. I felt relieved. I felt grateful, I felt a great big sigh coming on. I really wondered even Thursday and Friday if we would ever see spring happening. Just had to share that. Transformation in our spiritual lives is a BIG DEAL as well. Letting God change you His way is a BIG DEAL!
I heard a friend tell me on the phone today that she just wasn't ready to "forgive" yet. "I am too devastated!" "This is horrible, I can't believe it!" I also heard another person say, "I just can't believe I spent my whole life working so hard to make it right for my kids, and they grow up and do this!" "I don't deserve this!" I could go on and on, one and on. it still boils down to the same thing, same station, same day, you need to let God transform their lives. Let Him write on their page. That is write you did do everything you could, but that is all you can do. We give our kids, or family members, or co-workers all the tools we can BUT. . .we can't make them use them. God gave us free will. I have seen that in counseling. I can give my clients all the tools and resources, cheer lead and motivate forever, but they still have to take it and use it. I can't go home with them and make them see it and do it. That is why Transformation takes in everything. A makeover in your attitude, a makeover in your grace and forgiveness chip. You can't do this by yourself. Praise Him and thank Him, Trust Him and make Him look good. TRANSFORM! Phil 4: 13 and 19.
You can do ALL things through Him who strengthens you and He will give you all you need to do it.
PERIOD.
Sunday, March 30, 2014
BEING STEADFAST!
Good Afternoon!
And, it sure is! Sun Shine and 55 degrees. How much better can it get, especially since it hasn't been anything like that since last October.
It is my hope by this weekend to make my opening remarks about a new path for me under the umbrella of Faith Enterprises. Very excited. It has been a long time since I actually got this enthusiastic. In looking back, I have been in care taking modes for ten years. And, now having been steadfast, Jesus has shed some light on a new path. TBA
Which leads us to a verse I learned back in college. I was the oldest student at both Ft. Wayne Bible College and University of St. Francis. The reason I share that is because I had to certainly learn about steadfastness. Many times I wanted to give up. In the last ten years I was sure I probably should just lay back and retire. And, yet, I kept going. What is steadfastness. The dictionary says - Firmly fixed or established. Constant; unswerving. No wavering or being fickle.
God's Word says in Isaiah 26: 3
"You will keep in perfect peace him (her) whose mind is steadfast, because he (she) trusts in you."
I remember memorizing that verse and over these 3 decades plus, I have had to refer to that verse several times. If I felt wishy-washy or all over the place, I new somewhere my fixed position had washed away. We all have different lifestyles and things we are responsible for. We all worry at times and wonder if God is going to answer that prayer about so and so. Staying steadfast and fixed, unswerving takes prayer each and every day. As we have learned God doesn't always answer a prayer immediately, but I do believe He answers them in His time. Steadfastness means - stay fixed in your trust by praying like it is as critical as oxygen to breath.
"In order to reach your greatest potential view your prayer life as critical as it is for the need of oxygen!" (Pastor Stuart Kruse)
So the bottom line is if you want perfect peace, then stay fixed (steadfast) and unnerved in your prayer life. Trust God will grant you peace because you trust in Him.
And, it sure is! Sun Shine and 55 degrees. How much better can it get, especially since it hasn't been anything like that since last October.
It is my hope by this weekend to make my opening remarks about a new path for me under the umbrella of Faith Enterprises. Very excited. It has been a long time since I actually got this enthusiastic. In looking back, I have been in care taking modes for ten years. And, now having been steadfast, Jesus has shed some light on a new path. TBA
Which leads us to a verse I learned back in college. I was the oldest student at both Ft. Wayne Bible College and University of St. Francis. The reason I share that is because I had to certainly learn about steadfastness. Many times I wanted to give up. In the last ten years I was sure I probably should just lay back and retire. And, yet, I kept going. What is steadfastness. The dictionary says - Firmly fixed or established. Constant; unswerving. No wavering or being fickle.
God's Word says in Isaiah 26: 3
"You will keep in perfect peace him (her) whose mind is steadfast, because he (she) trusts in you."
I remember memorizing that verse and over these 3 decades plus, I have had to refer to that verse several times. If I felt wishy-washy or all over the place, I new somewhere my fixed position had washed away. We all have different lifestyles and things we are responsible for. We all worry at times and wonder if God is going to answer that prayer about so and so. Staying steadfast and fixed, unswerving takes prayer each and every day. As we have learned God doesn't always answer a prayer immediately, but I do believe He answers them in His time. Steadfastness means - stay fixed in your trust by praying like it is as critical as oxygen to breath.
"In order to reach your greatest potential view your prayer life as critical as it is for the need of oxygen!" (Pastor Stuart Kruse)
So the bottom line is if you want perfect peace, then stay fixed (steadfast) and unnerved in your prayer life. Trust God will grant you peace because you trust in Him.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
WHAT ARE YOU PURSUING?
When you think about it, we are pursuing something almost all day long. What I have to do to plan supper, get those things out and decide what time we eat etc. You need to call someone. You have housework, or a client to call back. Some like to think I know where every bathroom is between here and Florida. We are looking for employment, a new friends telephone number, getting a grandchild something for their birthday. Should I volunteer for church greeter, the kids department, parking attendant, sound technician, part time job. . .you get my drift.
We can probably say we make a lot of those decisions on our own. What would happen if I didn't put anything in front of Jesus on any given day. What if I said. . ."Lord Jesus, I am considering doing such and such, is this what you want me to do?" "Would it bring honor, glory, and truth to You and me to do this?"
I propose that if you seek a pursuit let Him shed the light on it if He wants it. If He does not, He'll change your heart's desire.
Psalm 37 4: 7. But in particular 4: Delight yourself also in the Lord and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.
I also like 5 because it talks about how do we do this. . .Commit your way to the Lord (roll and repose each care of your load on Him); trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.
Keeping in mind here, that if you have a pursuit and it seems really real to you, then process it with the Lord. That is what He wants every day fro us anyway. I have experienced Him changing my mind and desire about that pursuit. I am also convicted to tell you that I have gone on and done what I wanted to do. No big surprise to some of you. It turned out badly. Not doing that anymore.
In these very cautious and precarious days, it is time for us to Pursuit only Him, and anything in between.
PROCESS IT ALWAYS WITH YOUR ONE AND ONLY COUNSELOR! JESUS CHRIST!
We can probably say we make a lot of those decisions on our own. What would happen if I didn't put anything in front of Jesus on any given day. What if I said. . ."Lord Jesus, I am considering doing such and such, is this what you want me to do?" "Would it bring honor, glory, and truth to You and me to do this?"
I propose that if you seek a pursuit let Him shed the light on it if He wants it. If He does not, He'll change your heart's desire.
Psalm 37 4: 7. But in particular 4: Delight yourself also in the Lord and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.
I also like 5 because it talks about how do we do this. . .Commit your way to the Lord (roll and repose each care of your load on Him); trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass.
Keeping in mind here, that if you have a pursuit and it seems really real to you, then process it with the Lord. That is what He wants every day fro us anyway. I have experienced Him changing my mind and desire about that pursuit. I am also convicted to tell you that I have gone on and done what I wanted to do. No big surprise to some of you. It turned out badly. Not doing that anymore.
In these very cautious and precarious days, it is time for us to Pursuit only Him, and anything in between.
PROCESS IT ALWAYS WITH YOUR ONE AND ONLY COUNSELOR! JESUS CHRIST!
Saturday, March 15, 2014
HERE IS TO US ALL!
II CORINTHIANS 5: 17
Therefore if any person is (in-grafted) in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come.
Behold, the fresh and new is coming! Believing and Receiving is but a milometer apart!
Take it all in, and enjoy!
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