Friday, October 29, 2010

Hiding God's Word in Our Hearts week 2

Good morning sweet sisters. Each Friday we will be starting a new set of memory verses. It is vital that we put God’s word in our hearts and minds. If we are to meditate on His word when we rise up and when we walk on the way and when we lay down to go to bed, then we need to get serious about learning scripture so that we can meditate day and night.

This is week two and here are our new verses to memorize.
Friday – Sunday “Obedience to Christ Roman 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1” Please remember to tell the category first, then the reference number, then the scripture and finally the reference again. This is how we will hide God’s word.

Monday – Wednesday “Obedience to Christ John 14:21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to Him. John 14:21

I know you and I can do this. Don’t give up God will reward us and we will be able to live a victorious life! Now come join me as I start this new batch of scriptures.

In Christ Alone,



"Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning Satan says, "Oh crud, she's up"

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Keep in Step


Do you remember watching the old Andy Griffith shows when Gomer Pyle goes into the Marines? Gomer is hilarious as a goof ball soldier. He can’t keep up with the rest of the soldiers marching in formation. He is so oblivious to everything around him that he just marches down the road far behind the squad.

In my Bible study today I came across a verse that had just not caught my eye before.

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:25”
How in the world do we keep in step with the Spirit? Great question! When we become new creations in Christ we receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The very essence of God is my description of the H.S. He dwells inside of us and hopefully tap into his thoughts and become little by little more like Him.

In order to do that we have to be willing to grow beyond ourselves. To allow God’s Spirit to mold and shape us. Somehow sweet sister we think that process is a onetime good deal! May it never be so.

God wants us to grow and develop a mind that is compatible with Him. Keeping in step means that we allow God to stretch us. Now I don’t know about you but my pain doctor loves to wrap me up in weird designs and stretch me and it hurts! It is no picnic to be stretched.

Ah, but the rewards are SO worth it. When we allow God to challenge our very thinking and allow Him to stretch us then, and only then will we “keep in step with the Spirit.

Want to walk with me? Think about it.
Till tomorrow, strap on those hiking boots and get in step with the Spirit.



"Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning Satan says, "Oh crud, she's up"

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Let Your Little Light Shine

Have you ever laid down on the ground late at night and looked up on a beautifully clear night and watched the stars? If not you are missing out on a rare treat.

In our old house we had a hot tub outside right by a very old and unique tree called a London Plane Tree. During the winter when all the leaves would be gone we could sit in the hot tub and star gaze and it was a rare and wonderful treat. The view was breathtaking!

The stars are so brilliant you can hardly take your eyes off the beauty. For miles and miles you can see stars dotting the skyline.

14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Phil. 2:14

Shine Like lights in the world. Live our lives in such a way that we are bright stars in the midst of darkness. Remember when we were kids and we sang that little song about “This little light of mine?” Click on the link below and sing with me. Remember, lets live as lights of the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oNcmrhoZvI&feature=related

Till tomorrow.



"Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning Satan says, "Oh crud, she's up"

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Gratituesday Family Movie Night


It’s Gratituesday once again. Each week we stop and think about all God has done for us. So many things to be thankful for each and every day.

Now that we are starting to get settled into our “new apartment” in our sweet daughters home we have reinstituted a family tradition called Friday Family Movie Night. The difference is this time it is with the grandchildren.

We don’t watch a whole lot of TV and our children have watched even less so family movie night is a treat. We invited our grandchildren to come downstairs with us and watch a movie.

This past Friday night we popped up the popcorn and watched “Follow Me Boys” an excellent vintage movie with Fred McMurray who plays a scout leader. If you have not seen it then no matter your age, find a copy and get the popcorn going and enjoy.

I am thankful we get to keep our tradition and have family movie night. Now, to find a great movie for next Friday night…………….. Any suggestions?

What are you thankful for?



"Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning Satan says, "Oh crud, she's up"

Monday, October 25, 2010

A Face That Shines


One of my very favorite people in the Bible is hands down Moses. When you study his entire life you learn much about how God chisels us. Moses was truly transformed from a wealthy adopted son of the King of Egypt to a shepherd who guided sheep for close to 40 years to the one who God used to take His people out of slavery.


Moses spent a lot of “alone” time with God. Because of that alone time his face would shine brilliantly each visit with the Master of the Universe. How did the people know Moses had been with the LORD? His face shone.

The Shining Face of Moses
29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 30 Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. 32 Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the Lord had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. 33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. 34 Whenever Moses went in before the Lord to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, 35 the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
Ex 34:29-35 (ESV)

The people always knew when Moses had been with God. The obvious question is this, “Can people see when we have spent time alone with our Father?” Do our lives reflect the ONE we have been with? Or do we look like everyone else?
Tough question, think about it. Till tomorrow may God hold you in the palm of His hand as you spend “alone time” with Him.




"Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning Satan says, "Oh crud, she's up"

Friday, October 22, 2010

Hiding God's Word in Our Hearts

Good morning precious sister. We are starting a new series on Friday's called "Hiding God's Word in our Hearts. I am taking this from the Navigators Scripture Memory Course. This is an entire year of memory verses.



Here is the system. There are 5 areas we will be memorizing and inside each of these 5 areas we will be memorizing scriptures.





Series A- Live the New Life
Series B- Proclaim Christ
Series C- Rely on God's Resources
Series D- Be Christ's Disciple
Series E- Grow in Christ-likeness

Series A has 12 verses we will be memorizing under the topic of Live the New Life. We will do two a week. You will need to write out the two memory verses on a card of the size you chose.

The Sub-category for this week is Christ the Center. They want us to say the topic Christ the Center first, then say the reference of where it is found in the Bible, then the actual verse itself and then the reference a second time.

Week 1
Christ the Center 2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation . The old has passed away; behold the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17

We do this verse for two days meditating on the verse and its meaning and saying it over and over again till we have it planted.

Days 3 and 4 we have the next verse under the heading of Christ the Center so we would say this.

Christ the Center Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Days 5, 6 and 7 should be spent memorizing the two verses repeatedly making sure you understand the verse but what it means. Writing it out also helps. You are supposed to carry the 2 cards with you all week so you can whip them out standing in a line at the store and practice.

Does that make sense? Two verses this week. We will go Friday to Friday. I am memorizing in the English Standard Version so please feel free to substitute the version you are most comfortable with. Please hold me accountable and I will do the same for you. You eat an elephant one bite at a time so don't get discouraged.
With God's help we can do it!


In Christ Alone,
Jill

Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the ground each morning, Satan says, "Oh crud, look whose up."

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

The Thief


Imagine waking up tomorrow morning and walking into your kitchen only to find this surprise! I have been in the kitchen that you see pictured here and it was nothing but total chaos and total destruction. Where would you even begin to fix the problem?

Listen to what John 10:10 says,
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd. John 10:10-11 (ESV


Jesus is telling us that there is an enemy and his one and only purpose it to destroy us. Picture the kitchen representing our lives. Do we really want our lives to be in such chaos? We are in a battle ladies. Satan wants you and your family to be destroyed. We need to crave the peace and the calm even in the midst of a storm. Speaking of storms, do you remember that Jesus slept in the boat with the disciples like a baby when the storm rolled in? Want to be like Jesus? Rest in the storm.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Gratituesday Living in Community


Grammy, I made this picture for Grandpa so he feels better.
Grammy, did you know I can do somersaults, just watch me.
Grammy, can I please sew with you today?
Little feet going pitter patter on the wood floor, flowers being brought to Mommy, and enough energy to light up a city if anyone could figure out how to bottle it all up!
"Living in community" is what we are doing according to our new friend Molly who also "lives in community" with her family. Molly says to embrace this new lifestyle. What started out as a desperate plea for help is turning into a huge blessing. I love waking up to happy little faces ready to conquer another day.
Father, for today I am so thankful I am living in community with not only my family but with you LORD. I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity.
What are you grateful for today? I would love to hear.
In Christ Alone,
Jill

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Where to be in a Storm

Jumping into the boat one night the disciples were asked by Jesus to go to the other side. Funny, in order to get to the other side of the lake they had to pass through a storm. Life is kind of like that. In order to get onto the shore it usually involves a storm.

For the disciples it wasn't just any old storm. Nope, when God wants to teach a lesson he usually does it in a very big way. No matter to the Master of the Universe, he goes to sleep in the bottom of the boat.

I have to tell you when I am out in a boat the bottom is the last place I want to be. I would much rather be at the top where I can feel some sense of control no matter how futile! However, if I am to be like Jesus I must learn to go to him in the storm and not out on the deck as the wind and the waves batter the boat.

You see my precious sister, there is great rest and comfort when we CHOSE to go to the bottom of the boat with our Saviour and Redeemer. Jesus had no problem going to the bottom because he knew the storm would obey Hi, so he rested.

In order to get to the other side where Jesus wants us we have to go through, not around but through the storm to get where we need to go. So many lessons are wrapped up in that one storm. It reminds me of the scripture in Matthew 11:28

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Next time a storm comes up how about exercising your faith muscles and move to the bottom of the boat! I will meet you down there!

In Christ Alone
Jill

Monday, October 11, 2010

Gratituesday


Good morning everyone. Today is Gratituesday. The day where we all stop and think about the things God has blessed us with. It is just too easy to forget our blessings. We need a heart filled with gratitude so, I would LOVE to know what you are thankful for today.

Today I am thankful for unique family dinners. Now that we have three generations under one roof our dinners are a little on the noisy side. Of the 11 four of us are adults, 2 are man boys J ages 15, 17 and the other five are under 9. So Monday night while we were all around the table I asked everyone to share with us what they did today that made them happy. Baby Sarah who just turned 2 just smiled and said “happy gramme”. Each of us were grateful for something.

Time just flies and I don’t want to miss a moment in this season of my life so today I am grateful anytime I get to sit at a table and eat with my children and grandchildren. Thank you God for such a blessing.

Please tell me what YOU are thankful for today.
In Christ Alone
Jill

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Hannah's reward



Yesterday we talked about Hannah and the faith she displayed in sending little Samuel to the temple to be raised by Eli the priest.


I can only imagine how hard it had to have been to let him go. That first good-bye had to be gut wrenching. Yet, she was faithful. She kept her word when she promised God she would "lend" her son to God.


Faith is a tough thing to put into practice, especially when everything around you screams hold on tight. Hannah is a great example to me. She trusted God to provide. He had proven to her that He would be faithful. He granted her a son and instead of holding on tight she let him go. What a paradox!
For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.”
1 Sam 1:27-28 (ESV). What was her reward for being faithful?
Indeed the Lord visited Hannah, and she conceived and bore three sons and two daughters. And the young man Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord.
1 Sam 2:21 (ESV)
She was given 3 more sons and two daughters. The best part, Samuel grew in the presence of the Lord. I can't think of anything more powerful then that. Samuel became a great man for God. IT all started with Hannah's prayer.
What areas is God asking you to be faithful today? Remember Hannah and follow her example of great faith. God will reward you and that is a promise straight from the LORD.
Tomorrow is Gratituesday, start thinking about what you are thankful for.
In Christ Alone,
Jill

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Hannah's Great Faith


This morning I was reading in Joshua about Hannah, a great woman of faith. Imagine begging the LORD for a child year after year. She had prayed for so long and for so long God had said “not yet Hannah”. She was scorned among the women.

In God’s own time he grants her request. The precious son is born, baby Samuel. What mother would not jump for joy and hold him tight. She probably never wanted to let him go. Though the beginning of the story is amazing there is something else far harder to contemplate.

When she is done weaning the child she gives him over to Eli the priest. She honored her commitment to God Almighty. She was in a covenant relationship with the Father. She was dead serious when she told God she would give back the child. How tough it had to be for her. Word was out that Eli’s sons were rotten to the core. Yet she sent Samuel anyway. How many of us have to send our children places that we KNOW are not good for them? She was so faithful in her commitment. Why?

Why indeed. We can learn a lot about life through Hannah. Below is her prayer. Spend some time slowly reading it. More tomorrow.

1 And Hannah prayed and said, “My heart exults in the Lord; my strength is exalted in the Lord. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation. 2 “There is none holy like the Lord; there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so very proudly, let not arrogance come from your mouth; for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty are broken, but the feeble bind on strength. 5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread, but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger. The barren has borne seven, but she who has many children is forlorn. 6 The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. 8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world. 9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. 10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed.”
1 Sam 2:1-10 (ESV)
Tomorrow we will explore more of Hannah's faith. Till then, search your heart and ask God to show you how YOU can be more faithful!
Blessings
Jill


Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Gratituesday

That old song, Count Your Blessings keeps running through my mind as I sit in my new home. So many months of planning went into this move. So many gifts of money and resources went into this move. Many prayers were lifted up on our behalf. So many, so many!

It took a small army of helpers and One BIG GOD to make it all happen. Here we are, getting settled in our new home with 11 of us under one roof.

I am so grateful for God's provisions on this day. Thank you Father for bringing us to family where we can serve and be served during this new season.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

The Changing of Seasons


I remember arriving in the Azores and admiring the gorgeous green pastures. It was so beautiful. A hand made stone wall was built around each persons property. From a distance they all looked like a patchwork quilt. It never occurred to me that I could tire of green but guess what? I discovered that I really crave variety.
We have lived in several states where there are only 2 seasons. To get all 4 seasons was a treat. Each season offers something special. Summer offers warmth, growth and the sun! Fall brings change, change of weather, change of the trees and change in the animals. Winter offers sparkling white snow, cold and barren lands that rest. Spring offers new birth, a hope for the future.
I love all four seasons and can find something to be thankful for in each of them. Our lives can be likened to the seasons. There are seasons of new birth. New mamas with babies. That season can seem like it will last forever. I thought I would never sleep again when I had our babies! The lesson I learned, it wont last forever.
When hubby was in the military we moved 14 times. I learned how to pack and unpack with efficiency. I learned how to navigate a new town and even learned to get busy in every congregation we served without waiting for someone to ask us. But the one really important lesson I learned is this, embrace each and every season.
Not all seasons are created equal. Winter provides us with chestnuts roasting on an open fire but can also give us snow storms that can wreak havoc on life and limb. Spring brings us crocuses and daffodils but can also bring torrential rains and flooding. I tend to embrace new seasons of my life because there IS so much to learn from each one.
What season are you in? Are there lessons that you can learn from where you are right now? God's word is powerful. The Master of the Universe understands that there are many seasons.
Time for Everything
1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3. a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.
Eccl 3:1-8 (ESV)
Tomorrow is Gratituesday. Start thinking about what you are thankful for.
In Christ ALone
Jill