Encouragement

I received this from Tim Goad Ministries.   They took scripture truths and made it into statements that can encourage us when we need it.  

I seek God first and His righteousness and everything else is added to me. God meets all of my needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Since God is for me who can be against me? He graciously gives me all things.

I have been redeemed. I have been forgiven. I am a free person, through the power of the blood of Jesus Christ, I have authority over every situation or problem I face. I have been bought with a price. I will not be a slave to any man.

I delight myself in the Lord and He gives me the desires of my heart. I commit to the Lord whatever I do and He makes my plans succeed. I am blessed because I do not associate, listen to, or follow after the ungodly, but my delight is in meditating on and following God’s Word. I am like a tree planted by the river that brings forth fruit in season, I will not wither. Whatever I do will prosper.

God’s Word will not be void from my mouth. I meditate on it day and night. I am careful to do everything written in it so in all my ways I will be prosperous and successful.

I walk by faith not by sight. My hope and faith are in the Lord. I have now faith, which is being sure of what I hope for and certain of what I do not see. It is written: Eye has not seen, ear has not heard and heart has not felt the incredible things that God has prepared for me because I love Him.

No weapon formed against me shall prosper. Through Christ I am more than a conqueror. The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusts in Him and I am helped. The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? So I say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” For God did not give me a spirit of fear but of LOVE, POWER, and A SOUND MIND. Through Christ I am more than a conqueror!

All things work together for my good because I am called according to His purpose. I do not grow weary in doing good because I know at the proper time I will reap a harvest. I know nothing can separate me from the love of God. I love God and He knows me. He protects and provides for me because I trust Him. Everyday I am growing in the fruit of the Spirit: LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, and SELF- CONTROL. I am an heir to God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ.

I forget what is behind and I strain toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. I forget the former things; I do not dwell on the past.

I am not anxious in anything. I have the peace of God, which guards my heart and mind. I think on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, and anything that is excellent or praiseworthy. I daily ask God to fill me with knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Each day I am being strengthened with all power according to God’s glorious might so that I will have great endurance and patience. I set my mind on things above, not on earthly things. Whatever I do, I work at it with all my heart, as I am working for the Lord not for men. I know that I will receive my reward from the Lord. God is able to do immeasurable more than all I can ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within me.

I am fully persuaded that God has the power to do what he has promised. I rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but I rejoice in sufferings, because I know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint me, because God has poured out His love into my heart by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given me.

I do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but I am being transformed by the renewing of my mind. Through Christ I am a new creation. I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God has prepared in advance for me to do. I have been made new in the attitude of my mind, to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. I fix my eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary and what is unseen is eternal.

I am careful how I live not as the unwise, but as the wise making the most out of every opportunity. I never tire of doing what is right. God will give me whatever I ask in Jesus’ name. I have faith in God. I have no doubt in my heart, I believe what I say will happen, and I believe and receive what I pray for. I overcome evil with good. I give thanks in all things.

I praise God because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. All the days ordained for me were written in God’s book before one of them came to be. I do not forget God’s teaching, but I keep His commands in my heart. They prolong my life and bring me prosperity. I trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding, in all my ways I acknowledge Him, and He makes my paths straight.

I shout for joy to the Lord. I serve the Lord with gladness and come before Him with joyful songs. I know the Lord is God. He made me and I am His. I praise the Lord with all of my soul, and I do not forget His benefits. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. His strips healed me. He crowns me with love and compassion, He satisfies my desires with good things.

I look to the Lord and His strength, I remember all the wonders He has done. Everything that was written in the past was written to teach me, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures I might have hope. May the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace, as I trust in Him, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. I pray that God may count me worthy of this calling and that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of mine and every act prompted by my faith.

I do not judge, I do not condemn, I give and it is given to me, pressed down, shaken together and running over into my lap. I sow generously and I reap generously. I am a cheerful giver. I am more blessed to give than to receive. God is able to make all grace abound to me, so that in all things at all times, having all that I need, I will abound in every good work. I pray that God will make me rich in every way so that I can be generous on every occasion and my generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. Through faith I call things that are not as though they were.

For though I live in the world I do not wage war as the world does. The weapons I fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. I demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and I take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. I am strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. For my 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. Through Christ I am more than a conqueror.

I do not let any unwholesome talk come out of my mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. I humble myself under God’s mighty hand that He may lift me up in due time. I cast all my anxiety on Him because He cares for me. I know that the One that is in me is greater than the one who is in the world. I know the Truth and the Truth sets me free. God’s power is made perfect in my weakness.

Vote

There is a lot at stake tomorrow as America heads to the polls.  Please take time to really dig in to where candidates stand, don't just believe all the propaganda or what you read from reporters.  Take time to find out where the candidates REALLY stand on the issues that are important to you.  In a day where info is readily available at our fingertips, we should all be informed, not just swayed by ads and the media.  One spot that lines out where a candidate stands on issues, is at Citizen Link voter guide.  Just click the link, go to your state, click your district and see where the candidates stand.  If they didn't answer, you will have to decide if they deserve your vote, and you will have to look elsewhere for more information.  Personally, if a candidate doesn't answer the questions, it makes me really question them and why they didn't answer...are they undecided, are they easily swayed, are they promoting one agenda but actually stand for another?  Please take time to educate yourself.  Think and pray about who to vote for, don't just let another person tell you who to vote for.  Vote not only for yourself, but for future generations.  The decisions we make tomorrow, will not only affect us, but our kids, our grandkids, and future generations.  Vote, but vote wisely.  

Broken and Beautiful

There's a businessman
There's a widowed wife
There's a smiling face with a shattered life
There's a teenage girl with a choice tomake
It's crowded here in church today

And the preacher says as the sermon ends
Please close your eyes and bow your heads
Is there anyone in need of prayer
Jesus wants to meet you here
'cause we all fall short
We all have sinned
But when you let
God's Grace break in

(Chorus)
It's beautiful
Beautiful
Come as you are
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful

Well he'd never been to church before
But he came today as a last resort
His world was crashing in
And he was suffocating in his sin

But tears ran down
As hope rushed in
He closed his eyes
Raised his hands
Worshiping the God who can
Bring him back to life again

(Chorus)

Cause there's nothing more beautiful to God
Than when his sons and daughters come
Broken
Alleluia
Alleluia
Come as you are
Alleluia
Alleluia
Come as you are

(Chorus)

Alleluia
Alleluia
Come as you are
(Come as you are)
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful

Alleluia
Alleluia
Come as you are
(Come as you are)
Surrender your heart
Broken and beautiful

Beauty Despite the Rain

Today was a gray, cold, dreary day.  The rain came down from the sky all day long.  The clouds hung low.  Puddles turned into small lakes by the end of the day.  At first, I was feeling kind of down because it was so dark and wet outside.  I had to go out to help out my mother-in-law with a few things.  I grabbed my camera on the way out of the door, habit I guess. God started to show me that despite the gray and pouring rain, there was beauty beyond that, if I looked.  

Sometimes it is difficult to see beyond the rain, the storms.  We can get stuck in the storms, the dark times in life.  We can get to a spot where we only see the gloom and darkness instead of making ourselves move beyond that to see the beauty all around us.  Today would have been easy to stay in, with the curtains drawn, and whine about the rain.  Instead, I found great beauty despite the rain.  Life is the same way.  We can get stuck, or we can move beyond our circumstances and live life to the fullest each day.  Don't waste your precious time, grab it, and live, even in the times of rain.  

(turkeys)

Linger often in worship. In the midst of your daily storms, make it a point to be still and set your sights on him. Let God be God. Let him bathe you in his glory so that both your breath and your troubles are sucked from your soul. Be still. Be quiet. Be open and willing. Then you will know that God is God.   ~~Max Lucado

Finally, A New Computer

It finally happened, we replaced our computer!  The question...PC or Mac?  We went back and forth on that question for weeks.  After much searching, comparing, shopping, and praying about it, we decided to head out on Saturday, determined to make a decision.  We were leaning one way, but ended up another.  We had five customers add to our decision, who guaranteed us that we would not be disappointed if made the choice to purchase a Mac.  One lady even gave us her business card and offered to buy it from us if we were dissatisfied.  With all the customers helping us and others looking at Macs, the sales staff didn't have to do much.  I have had many friends tell me to get a Mac, as well.  


I feel like it's a new adventure since I have to relearn a lot of things, at least I think I do.  I don't know yet. I am still looking around, trying to familiarize myself with the workings of a Mac.  I can tell I am going to have to watch some tutorials to move on much further than basic web surfing, and playing with iPhoto a little bit.  I have only had a couple hours to check things out, so will have to work on it more in this coming rainy week.  


I am looking forward to learning how to run this new machine.  I am sure I will have times when I sit and get very confused, but that's all part of learning!  I definitely look forward to getting to work with my photos again.  

Changing the World

Why did God make me? To love, serve, and obey Him. Very simple, yet extremely profound. If we all woke up every morning asking, "How can I love, serve, and obey God today?" it might change everything-it might even change the world.  -Richard Stearns, World Vision


What are you doing to change the world, whether it's across the seas, or right outside your door?  Maybe it's even in the four walls of your home.  We are all called to make a difference, to love and serve.  If you aren't doing that somewhere, look around.  There are plenty of people who need someone to listen, to help them out in some way, to care about them.  It's time to start changing the world.

mikeschair - Keep Changing the WorldFrom the album Mikeschair


Something here is wrong
There are children without homes
But we just move along
To take care of our own

There's so much suffering
Just outside our door
A cry so deafening
We just can't ignore

To all the people who are fighting for the broken
All the people who keep holding on to love
All the people who are reaching for the lonely
Keep changing the world

Take a look around
Before the sun goes out
What's lost can still be found
It's not too late now
It only takes one spark to make the fire burn
So reach inside your heart and let this be the start

I know see the suffering,
Heartache or recovery
People just look over
like they don't even notice
Everyone is focusing
on ending all this hopelessness
You can change the world by
changing who the world is hoping in

I see the sun coming up
It's a brighter day
Let's show the world that love is a better way
So lend a hand, join the fight
'Cause time is ticking away
Keep changing the world

I see the sun coming up
It's a brighter day
Let's show the world that love is a better way
So lend a hand, join the fight
'Cause time is ticking away
Keep changing the world

I see you changing the world
Step up

Prairie Sunset

Beautiful prairie sunset from Saturday night.  This time of year, we are blessed with amazing sunsets in this area.

Happy Birthday to My Mom

Happy birthday, mom!  We wish for you a day filled with love and laughter, from us, your family.  We are thankful and blessed to have you for our mom. We are grateful that you have been by our side to guide us, lead us, and support us through our lives.  Thank you for always being available to have talks with, whether long or short, and for listening even when it might have been something you didn't want to hear.  Thanks for being a great mom when we were kids, and now a great friend and mom as we are adults.  Thank you for your unconditional love.  We thank God for giving us you for a mom.  Happy Birthday, mom!  We love you!

Love

John Eldredge wrote about churches in his devotion the other day. 
"You can pull into any church or ministry and be offered something called "the Gospel." And there's just enough Jesus words to make it sound like the Gospel...kind of. It looks like Christianity...kind of. It smells like Christianity...kind of. But it isn't even close to the real thing.  And yet, it is packaged and marketed as Christianity.


So here's a simple test: Does it do what the Scriptures say the Gospel will do? Does it heal the brokenhearted? Set captives free? Does it draw people into a genuine intimacy with God, where experiencing his presence is normal? Really?"


Which got me to thinking:


Does the church you attend offer grace and mercy, not judgement and condemnation?  Is God's word a part of the service, or just the preachers words?  Are people drawn to that body for the love they show?   I think too many churches get caught up in judging everyone rather than showing love.  The whole Gospel is about love.  God is love.  Love is patient, kind, not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  If the church you attend has more people going out and staying out, than it does people coming in and staying, there is a problem.  We are told in Matthew to go into all the world and make disciples...make, not offend and condemn.  Love does not demand it's own way, it is not irritable, and it keeps no record of wrong.  Love rejoices in the truth, not in evil.  Love protects.  Love trusts.  Love is full of hope.  Love keeps going on through the tough times.  If the church you attend isn't oozing love out of it's pores as defined by 1 Corinthians 13, something is wrong. God IS love, and wants us to be like Him.  We are to be imitators of Him. God didn't send Jesus to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him, all we have to do is believe and ask Him to be our Savior.  We need to love God with all that we are, and love others.  Does your church look like that?  Do you?  If you are part of HIS body, a follower of Christ, does your life look like that?  If not, spend some time with God in prayer, and just talk to Him about it.  He listens, and He answers.  There are a lot of churches out there.  There are a lot who claim Christ, but when you walk in and listen, you find out Christ wasn't actually invited.  Find a place where He is invited, where He is the center, where love and grace and solid biblical teaching are present.  Find a place where people love each other and help each other, and reach out to help and love the world, because of Christ.


God is love, and anyone who doesn't love others has never known him. God showed his love for us when he sent his only Son into the world to give us life. Real love isn't our love for God, but his love for us. God sent his Son to be the sacrifice by which our sins are forgiven. 1 John 4:8-10

God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn its people. He sent him to save them! No one who has faith in God's Son will be condemned. But everyone who doesn't have faith in him has already been condemned for not having faith in God's only Son. John 3:16-18

A Day at Greenbluff

Although I have lived in the area all but eight years of my life, I have never been to the locally famous Greenbluff to visit all the farms and orchards, until yesterday.  After being up there with my nieces, I wondered why I have never journeyed up the hill before, as it is a nice place to spend a day.  We wandered through a very large pumpkin patch for over an hour, finding all shapes and sizes of pumpkins.  The girls decided to call it the pumpkin maze because they started to weave in and out of the vines, making it a game as they went.  We had fun in a corn maze,  and found a castle and a mirror that made us look really funny.  We rode a train with wheels around a farm, checked out bins full of gourds and various varieties of pumpkins, apples, and veggies, and we even brought home a few pumpkins.

I had a great day spending time with these two.  We laughed a lot, and built a lot of memories.  I am thankful for the time I had to hang out with them and hope they had as much fun as I did.  I think they did, since they are already planning the next time we can go back up to Greenbluff.