Purpose

For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible...everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. - Colossians 1:16 Here is a verse that shows a that God not only made all of us no matter the color of our skin but he also make everything else as well.  There are many different ways to say God and in many different languages.  If we all, and I do mean ALL had consideration for each other in everything we do there would be little for us to be angry about.  Because the Good Lord shall provide for us if we just ask and render unto him that is his.  Tithing is a good way to give back to the one who provides for us. the above verse was taken from the King James version of the Bible. until next time GodSpeed

Quote of the day.

This morning being Sunday when I read this verse and it fit so nicely I though it I would share it with you.  Nehemiah said, Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. - Nehemiah 8:10


God Speed to you all..
until next time.

A bit of daily wisdom

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. - Proverbs 24:3-4  This verse came to my google home page by way of an application for daily bible verses.  this app not only give me a verse to start the day with but every time my home page reloads it give a different one.  its a free service i suggest everyone take advantage of.  Bible verse app.

Until next time .. godspeed

The Power of Music

I was floating through the internet tonight looking for something and came across these videos.  I was feeling a little down and a lot overwhelmed.  After listening to a few of these inspirational songs it hit me like a brick.  God put this beautiful music here for us to sing his praises but in the process it helps to heal our weary heart.  I suggest we all take a good look and a close listen to the music I have chosen to include here.  I do enjoy the Celtic music but several years ago I ran into the music these ladies produce and it lifted my heart so high I couldn't help but think I was flying.  I do know I felt a lot closer to God.  I found these on YouTube.com\CelticWomen
The first step to receiving God's Amazing Grace  is in the The Prayer  once this happens we will cry unto him You Raise Me Up  to heights I have never imagined.

Life Partners

Ephesians 5:28-6:3

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for her, That he might sanctify and cleanse he with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.  For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.  For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.  "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall  become one flesh." This is the great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.  Nevertheless let each one of you in particular sow love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.  Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother, " which is the first commandment with promise: "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."   This passage was taken as written in the king James version of the Holy Bible.

It is my opinion that if a man and woman choose to be together then together they should stay.  This goes for those who choose to live together as well as get "legally married."  If you love someone enough to move in with them and start a family then you have committed yourself not only to her or him but the children that you created together.  It is therefore your responsibility to do whatever it takes to make it work.  Show love for each other and let your children see that love.  It helps the children grow up with a positive attitude.  Now I know that things and people change however, once you have decided to create your family that's where you are telling the other person. I am here with you for the rest of our lives.  I am not saying you need to try to buy your partners love.  But, if you do something that needs to get done without being asked it shows that your committed to making it work.  You know that it is not possible for one person to make it work alone. It takes both of you to make it work.  I went through some rough patches but, in the end I found out what needs to be.  The one main thing is, you each need to take a little time for your self, for each other, and for you and the children.  There are two very important things that are a must.  First, make sure God is a part of your personal life, second, make sure you take time to talk to your partner.  Listen to what your children say and watch what they do this can say a lot about how your family is growing.

Love , is never simple.  A Marriage or Partnership is a constant work in progress.

Godspeed.... until next time

Proclaimed to all "CHRIST IS RISEN"

If you don't honor or recognize any other event in the life of Jesus.  Easter is the one you must celebrate.  If it were not for Jesus dying on the cross and rising again from the grave.  We would all be in hell right now.  He paid for our sins so that if we believe in him we will have eternal life. Remember , Christ died on that cross for you and me and just to be sure he was dead the guards stuck a spear into his side and pierced his heart.  Then and Angel came down and rolled the stone away from the entrance to his tomb so he could rise again to sit upon the right hand of God the Father Almighty.  He also said, he was preparing a place for us, those who believe in him, for when he returns again there will be nothing left.  This world will cease to exist as we know it.  

There comes a time in everyone's life where they must stare their own mortality in the face and make some tough choices.  What will you do when that time comes.  Will you then be ready to believe in him and let him into your heart or will you tell him not now, or are you one of the smart ones that already believe in him and when that time comes you are ready to say to him, father, I'm ready to come home, your will be done.

Jesus said, Behold I stand at the door and Knock, and he who abideth in me I shall abide in them.  As my son Jonathan would say, basically if you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior then he will be there to watch over you and take you with him in the last days of life on earth.

Again I ask, Will you believe in Jesus and let him into your heart and life or push him away.  The choice is ultimately yours.  I know for me, I do my best to let him guide my heart and footsteps every day.  I know he is there to watch over me and my family and that is a source of great comfort.

John 3.16

For God so Loves the WORLD that he gave his 

ONLY begotten son.  Need I say More.

until next time ... Pray

Rely On God

The other night I was watching Dr. Charles Stanley on In Touch.  His message was on trusting whole heartedly in God.  Not where you say to God heres my problem, I give it to you and trust in you to help me deal with it.  Then as it gets close to the end of the situation and there seems to be no resolution in site you take it back instead of leaving it with him and trusting him to bring you through. Feeling anxious about something you have turned over and trusted God with only means you don't fully trust him.  Your just going through the motions.

David in the Battle of David & Goliath had the truest form of trust in God.  He believed with all his heart to the point where he actually seen the situation resolved prior to even facing Goliath.  He had told him he would kill him and cut his head off and show it to everyone to prove there was one true God.  We need to make sure that we thank him for who he is.  The one true God full of grace and mercy that he willing spreads over us and asks us nothing for it in return.   He sent his son Jesus to pay for it for us all.  We need to start thanking him more and asking him less.  Unless of coarse we can ask with a clear heart and are truly willing to follow his guidance.  There are several things that are needed according to Dr, Stanley and the Bible.
 A Clean Heart, A Clear Mind, A Pure Motive, And True Listening.  If you truly believe in him and listen to him while your praying instead of rattling off a list of things for him to take care of like a grocery list.  A little more listening might just make your connection with him a little stronger.  You may also find out what real truth and trust are all about.  Let God build truth into your life as you thank him for his mercifulness and protection.

Let the following verse taken form the NKJV of the Bible be your guide.
Psalms 51:10 be your guide > Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Until next time... Godspeed to you

Wealthy or Poor the Lord is there for us All

Psalms 72  ¹¹Yes, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.  ¹²For he shall deliver the needy when he cries; the poor also, and him that has no helper.  ¹³He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.  ¹⁴He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.  ¹⁵And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.  ¹⁶There shall be an handful of corn in the earth on the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.  ¹⁷His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.  ¹⁸Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things.  ¹⁹And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.  ²⁰The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.   

Belief in Christ- Foolish or Powerful??

1 Corinthians 1:18
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. "King James Version"

Another way of saying the same thing is : To those who are in the process of being destroyed by Satan and his ways the story of the word of the cross is pure foolishness, but, to those who are in the process of being saved by their belief in God will find it Powerful and Dynamic.

Then there are those who in their final hours will face God and have to make a solemn choice wether to accept him or continue to reject him.  This poem might just help make it easier for you to decide, before that day comes. “Hiding Place” , by Major Henry Livingston Jr

The ability to send to earth  a flesh and blood man free of sin, to speak to all nations with clarity and perfection as he delivered predictions of things to come, while living a sinless and perfect life  could only have been done by God.  He also allowed this flesh and blood man,(his son, Jesus Christ), to be sacrificed on a cross like a common thief, so he could show that the words of his son were pure and truthful. For he had foretold of his own Death and subsequent Resurrection by the Grace of his Father,(The Almighty God). If the story ended there it would mean nothing. True faith comes when you believe in the power of God to provide.  Provide for us he did; when he raised up his sacrificed son from the dead to complete the atonement of our sins.    Foolish or Powerful, this belief in Christ.  You decide.  Until then

Godspeed

Mother Mary

Mary Lydia. How awesome it must have been given the opportunity to carry the names of two very prominent women in the Bible. Mary the mother of Jesus and Lydia, a seller of purple cloth, of the city of Thyatira.  This was one of her favorite songs Three Wooden Crosses by Randy Travis.

Mother Mary, found herself a good man to be with. Together they raised up four strong children. I being the oldest sometimes carried the load, but thats what the eldest is supposed to do. For that extra load I am very appreciative today. It has helped me to be the strong adult I am today. It also helps me raise my own children. A few things I remember about growing up are how she taught me to cook and properly take care of a home. She made sure those of us that had the desire to learn about God were allowed to do so. When I was in school we had religion classes available to us for an hour a day. One year I went to a Methodist Church, the following year to a Presbyterian Church, the next I attended a Catholic Church. All these different churches gave me a different perspective on the Church, and how they worship God. I didn't realize it then but, later on when I started attending Church at the Mennonite Church in our area and stayed there for several years I was able to draw of those experiences which helped me from a direction for my life. This was something Mother Mary made sure I was able to do. During school, towards the end of my high school years we had a class available to us called "The Bible as Text." Unfortunately I was unable to take this class because someone made it against the law.

My mother and father together decided to allow me to take some Bible study time with the Church I was attending. This along with several trips to Summer Church Camp helped to form the foundation of strength I have today. If it had not been for them I don't think I would have turned out the way that I have. To my Mother Mary I say, it is time to Go with God. I know you have been baptized and have taken Jesus as your Savior so you will be with him in a better place. Free from all the pain and suffering this world has to offer. You will be missed by all of your family and friends. We can take solace in knowing that one day our walk with Jesus will one day bring us back together. I love you and miss you, your son Skeetts.

Mother

My sibling and I are facing the possible loss of our mother. While my dad is facing the loss of a life partner. We know the doctors under Gods guidance will do everything they can do. With the grace of God we may have her around awhile longer. We are all dealing with this in different ways. However there is one thing in common. There will be a void in our lives that we will have to find a way to cope with. No more calling Mom to talk over little things or finding that one Mother's Day card that says exactly how we feel. The simplest way is to just say "Mom I Love You & Thank You For Being There." My dad will have it harder than the rest of us. He will have to figure out how to deal with not having her there with him every day and night. I am sure we will all be there for him and each other. It is my prayer that God watch over him and my siblings in this hard time. For now Mom is holding her own. However, If indeed it is her time to be with God, we will hurt to see her go, but I can take comfort in knowing that he will bless her and keep her safe until we to are with her once again.

Passing of a Loved One

There comes a time in all our lives when we must face death. If it be our own or that of a loved one doesn't matter. Mortality is called to our attention. There are many schools of thought on the proper way to handle the death of someone close to you. Some say you must alway be with that person in the last days of their life no matter if they are confined to a hospital all hooked up to tubes, machines, and wires or if they are in a different type of care facility or even at home. I prefer to remember people as I have known them. God has prepared a plan for our lives and when we have done all he has asked of us we are called to be with him. We pray to him to watch over us and our loved ones and we close out prayers by saying, in the name of Jesus Christ your son, your will be done. Others say, its a natural thing that is going to happen and we have no control over how or when we will leave this earth. Most of us have no clue where we will go when we leave. Others are very sure of themselves.

As for me, I know my Faith in The Master will get me through whatever task, or trial he puts before me. There is one thing for sure. He will not give me more than I can handle and if I trust and depend on him. I know its an unpopular way to think but, Gods Will Be Done. He has already provided a place for us to be with him when we passover. None of us want to loose someone close to us including me. We would like to keep them with us forever if that were possible. Or even take their place.

In that time when we are facing the passing of a loved one our true selves tend to come out. Fear and anger at those around us for not complying to each individuals way of thinking and dealing with the situation at hand in the same manner. At times these emotions, which God gave us to use as a way to deal with this loss are very often voiced rather harshly. They are directed not only at those around them but at God for taking that special someone away from us.

A couple final thoughts. Remember, we will always have the memories of this person in our hearts and it is there they will live on with us. They are now in a better place, with the ones that have gone on before them and one day we will join them.

I leave you today with this thought, "Serenity Prayer" God, grant me The Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The Courage to change the things I can, and The Wisdom to know the difference.

Todays Thought

In these hard economic times it is good to remember. "He who gives to the poor will not lack, But he who hides his eyes will have many curses."

Proverbs 28:27