Monday, August 20, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Be a Dreamer Video - Session 1
Well....I really like the Adobe Premiere Elements 10 software but I think it is making my new laptop freeze up. Unfortunately I blamed my Lenovo with the Windows 7 system as the culprit. I had to take it back to Best Buy for the Geek Squad to take it down and then re-install everything. Not once but twice and I am holding my breath as I type this blog. I did not display a good attitude when I took the laptop in to be worked on considering it was less than 30 days old and for that I should apologize to the young man that waited on me. But I was so frustrated if you know what I mean.
After reading information regarding Adobe Premiere Elements 10 it says on their website that they have had problems such as freezing up computers with the Windows 7 system. Hopefully they can get that fixed because I really enjoyed editing my videos with that software. It was easy and I was just getting the hang of incorporating music and text.
For the last video I used Windows Movie Maker and I found that it does a very good job too so...I may have to install Adobe Premiere Elements 10 on my Dell desktop and use Windows Movie Maker on my laptop. This may be fun to compare the two and see which is better for me.
It is my dream to create videos for my blog and website as I share a bible study I wrote about the Samaritan woman. Until then Donna and I will discuss various topics.
Hope you enjoy the video....be a dreamer! Be a living interpretation of what you believe! Click here to watch the video Be a Dreamer Session1
After reading information regarding Adobe Premiere Elements 10 it says on their website that they have had problems such as freezing up computers with the Windows 7 system. Hopefully they can get that fixed because I really enjoyed editing my videos with that software. It was easy and I was just getting the hang of incorporating music and text.
For the last video I used Windows Movie Maker and I found that it does a very good job too so...I may have to install Adobe Premiere Elements 10 on my Dell desktop and use Windows Movie Maker on my laptop. This may be fun to compare the two and see which is better for me.
It is my dream to create videos for my blog and website as I share a bible study I wrote about the Samaritan woman. Until then Donna and I will discuss various topics.
Hope you enjoy the video....be a dreamer! Be a living interpretation of what you believe! Click here to watch the video Be a Dreamer Session1
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Video Taping with a Canon EOS 60D
I am always looking into new ways to spread the Word that Jesus saves and to encourage women to live out their God-given dreams so they can use their talents to bring HIM praise. It sounds so simple, doesn't it? Well we all know it takes courage to dream the dream.
One of my dreams is to have a video blog along with the written word and so I have invited my friend Donna Clements, an author and public speaker to join me every week to put together short videos for my blog and hers. Our friend, Caroline Long, who is a professional organizer and motivator joined us last week and you can click on this link to view it. Well, that also is easier said than done. First of all you must start with a really good quality camera like the Canon EOS 60D and shoot in the best setting for HD. Then you have to upload it into your editing software. I use Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 and Adobe Premiere Elements 10. So far I can produce ok videos like the one I posted a couple of days ago. But I want to become an expert at so that readers/ watchers will want to stay tuned.
As I shared my latest venture with the BAG Ladies (Business Accountability Group) a lady asked me to film her for her website about her Bed & Breakfast. She wants to wait until the spring flowers bloom and her garden is i top shape. So I have a few months to experiment and hopefully this will become a side business that can provide an income for my real business....and that is to be about my heavenly Father's business.
One of my dreams is to have a video blog along with the written word and so I have invited my friend Donna Clements, an author and public speaker to join me every week to put together short videos for my blog and hers. Our friend, Caroline Long, who is a professional organizer and motivator joined us last week and you can click on this link to view it. Well, that also is easier said than done. First of all you must start with a really good quality camera like the Canon EOS 60D and shoot in the best setting for HD. Then you have to upload it into your editing software. I use Adobe Photoshop Elements 10 and Adobe Premiere Elements 10. So far I can produce ok videos like the one I posted a couple of days ago. But I want to become an expert at so that readers/ watchers will want to stay tuned.
As I shared my latest venture with the BAG Ladies (Business Accountability Group) a lady asked me to film her for her website about her Bed & Breakfast. She wants to wait until the spring flowers bloom and her garden is i top shape. So I have a few months to experiment and hopefully this will become a side business that can provide an income for my real business....and that is to be about my heavenly Father's business.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
BE a DREAMER!
God is really making it clear to
me that I am a dreamer…I am to dream…and I am to fulfill that dream. The Holy Spirit will guide me throughout this
process but I must put forth an effort and listen to the inner voice of wisdom. Proverbs 4: 6 Do not forsake
wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will
watch over you. This past Sunday,
February 12, 2012, was missionary Sunday and Saji John from India gave a
message that aroused and confirmed the dreamer within me. It truly seems as if God is telling me that
the time has come for me to soar with Him on wings like an eagle. It is time for me to get over myself and out of my comfort zone and walk in my purpose without hesitation. I have been performing dramas of biblical women ...I call that ministry Living Interpretations! ...and I love this calling. I am also to continue focusing on advancing Spiritual Spa so other churches can pamper women too. Of course in both ministries I am to share the Good News that Jesus saves!!
Isaiah 40: 28-31 “ Do
you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the
everlasting God, the Creator of the
ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He
gives strength to the weary and
increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young
men stumble and fall; but those
who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not
grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Psalm 103:1-5 Praise the
LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being,
praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my
soul, and forget not all his benefits-- who
forgives all your sins and heals all your
diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns
you with love and compassion, who satisfies
your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like
the eagle's.”
Below are my notes
from Saji John - I hope you are encouraged to be a DREAMER!
Gen 37:18-20 …”So Joseph went after his brothers and found them
near Dothan. 18 But they saw him in the distance, and before he
reached them, they plotted to kill him. 19 "Here comes that dreamer!" they said to
each other. 20"Come now, let's kill him and throw him into
one of these cisterns and say that a
ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see what
comes of his dreams."
o
To be a dreamer for God takes courage.
o
A visionary is a rebel and goes against the world and how they think we
are supposed to be.
o
Visionary has a purpose to
live for
o
We need a purpose to live and people are happy when they have a purpose of
a higher power.
o
People today don’t know why they are here or where they are going.
o
We have a Gospel which the world needs to know…we are to pass the Gospel
to others.
o
Dreamers will have to go against tradition.
o
Visionary – Dreamer – Will be
a transformed person
o
We are to be a transmitter of Jesus to others.
o
We are to be a vessel to carry out the message.
o
Be committed to the dream God has given to you (i.e. Paul, Joseph, Mary,
Elizabeth).
o
Visionary- Dreamer –Will see
things in the Spirit that may not be seen in the natural.
o
Stand in the purpose and dream so that when things come against you, you
will dream the dream.
o
Dream about the vision of your purpose.
o
People will make fun of you and persecute you.
o
God can use incapable people.
o
You don’t need “qualifications” but you must have a heart for God.
o
You must have a willing heart that is obedient.
o
Your church will help you spiritually to commit to your purpose.
o
Visionary will have
persecution
o
People who cannot dream do not want you to dream.
o
Pray God will give others dreams.
o
You will receive opposition from your Sunday School class, your family…
o
Anything worth living for is worth dying for…CHRIST IS WORTHY!!
o
Look at attacks not as being persecuted but as being used by God.
o
Visionary will not let death
come to the vision!
o
God know the acts you do for Him – others don’t.
o
Sometimes you don’t feel like finishing but keep going.
o
Be faithful to the dream God has given you.
o
BE PERSISTENT IN WALKING OUT YOUR DREAM!
o
Visionary will give great
gifts to those around them.
o
We are to be a blessing to those around us.
Don’t focus on your
inadequacies, admit your failures and keep going. God uses broken vessels
and rubber bands. He will stretch us
until we are ready for His purpose. We
must have a dream for Christ! God gives
us the dream and will equip us to fulfill it.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Sometimes Getting Your Feet Washed Has Nothing to Do with Water
Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet
1 It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 2 The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7 Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
When Jesus washed the disciples feet it was as an act of a servant to show that we are to serve one another. We can serve others in a multitude of ways. I was served in a most precious and practical way on Wednesday. You see I have a difficult time asking for help unless I can pay the person and yet I know that when I help someone I am saddened when they offer to pay me. It takes the joy out of the service. So when I had a friend offer to help me make curtains I knew this was her way of ministering to others.She just made curtains for the nursery of our pastor's new baby and she has helped decorate and paint scenery for many events at our church. She is very talented and truly wants to be used of God.
So sometimes getting your feet washed has nothing to do with water or your feet.
Donna G. was a living interpretation of her beliefs and I was so blessed!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Courage
1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.
Verses we reference:
Exodus 31: 3.." and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts-- 4 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 5 to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship."
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
After you watch the video I invite you to leave a comment.
Be a living interpretation of what you believe!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Light from the Lamp Exposes Darkness
Our Wednesday night class is studying the book of Luke and in preparing for class I read the following passage.
Luke 11:33-36 "No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, a when the light of a lamp shines on you."
The most important part of this passage to me is that my eyes have to be good in order for me to see the Light correctly. Good is meant as "sound"; Greek: "single." That is focused, single-minded. I am to keep my eyes focused on Christ and the Word. When my eyes are not focused on HIM, looking around at the things of the world that I think are ok and putting more time into things that do not bring me closer to the Lord, I have opened my eyes and allowed things that are not of God to enter my mind.
I have also created dark places where I don't want the light to shine because if it does then the evil within me is exposed. The darkness of a critical spirit, selfishness, greed, the list could go on. But I want to be a women after God's own heart and full of His Light. Conviction from the Holy Spirit has already begun and it stirs within me a desire to read the Bible more to be single-minded.
Am I a living interpretation of His light? Forgive me Lord! Please fill me with spiritual understanding and insight.
Luke 11:33-36 "No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, a when the light of a lamp shines on you."
The most important part of this passage to me is that my eyes have to be good in order for me to see the Light correctly. Good is meant as "sound"; Greek: "single." That is focused, single-minded. I am to keep my eyes focused on Christ and the Word. When my eyes are not focused on HIM, looking around at the things of the world that I think are ok and putting more time into things that do not bring me closer to the Lord, I have opened my eyes and allowed things that are not of God to enter my mind.
I have also created dark places where I don't want the light to shine because if it does then the evil within me is exposed. The darkness of a critical spirit, selfishness, greed, the list could go on. But I want to be a women after God's own heart and full of His Light. Conviction from the Holy Spirit has already begun and it stirs within me a desire to read the Bible more to be single-minded.
Am I a living interpretation of His light? Forgive me Lord! Please fill me with spiritual understanding and insight.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
The Good News from Pedicure Chair
Recently a young lady who is struggling with life and her lifestyle, told me of her encounter with God at the most unlikely place. She was fired from her job for being tardy and even though she knew her employer was justified to take that action it still took her into deep depression. She spent one full day in the bed with the covers over her head and pain in her heart. But the next day, the single mother of four realized she had to get up and get going and so she got her hair cut, a manicure and a pedicure.
When she entered the nail salon she was met by a man with tattoos and piercings and she really didn't want him to touch her. But then again, he didn't know her and so when he asked how she was, she let it all out and told him her life was in shambles. Much to her surprise and delight this man told her God was there for her and that she needed to let go of the past and push forward into the future. She said it was if God Himself was talking to her and guiding her.
That encounter would have been a blessing enough but then the lady sitting in the next chair said she had overheard the conversation and while listening called in a favor...she had set up an interview for my friend with a new establishment in town.
"When?" she asked.
"As soon as your toes dry!"
And so my friend went to an interview and is waiting to be called for the second one. God works in such a crazy way sometimes when you least expect it. You just never know through whom He will talk to you.
When she entered the nail salon she was met by a man with tattoos and piercings and she really didn't want him to touch her. But then again, he didn't know her and so when he asked how she was, she let it all out and told him her life was in shambles. Much to her surprise and delight this man told her God was there for her and that she needed to let go of the past and push forward into the future. She said it was if God Himself was talking to her and guiding her.
That encounter would have been a blessing enough but then the lady sitting in the next chair said she had overheard the conversation and while listening called in a favor...she had set up an interview for my friend with a new establishment in town.
"When?" she asked.
"As soon as your toes dry!"
And so my friend went to an interview and is waiting to be called for the second one. God works in such a crazy way sometimes when you least expect it. You just never know through whom He will talk to you.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Being Content with Life
My hubby and I have a standing lunch date on Fridays. We have been doing this for 15 years and today my hubby asked me if I enjoy it as much as he does. Funny how after 28 years of marriage...soon to be 29...I still enjoy being pampered by him and treated like the most important entry on his calendar. There were times when both of us were in managerial positions and we had small children and little time to be together, but now the kids are out of the house and we have so much more free time. Sure we fill up our days and evenings with church events and community meetings but we also have the freedom to say "no can do!"
I enjoy sitting here blogging or reading interesting information on the web as he watches football and reads the newspaper. We just can't seem to do one thing at a time though, unless we are watching a movie in the theater, (although he sometimes falls asleep unless it is a really good movie like the one we saw last night). "Joyful Noise" had wonderful music and it was a cute movie. Not one that sent me home wanting to better my life but it wasn't one that left me feeling blah. It was a feel good movie with Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton. Just wish Dolly wouldn't have messed with her face so much.
Getting older isn't something that I am afraid of or feel I have to get a face lift to be accepted in society. I realize Dolly is in the public but what ever happened to just aging naturally? She was trying to play the part of a hot grandma and it just made the hubby and I both feel sorry for her in real life. I don't know much about her life but I hope she has a good man that loves her no matter how she looks.
Being content with life is a gift from God and a maturity in His ways. I remember the days when I worried about all kinds of things but now....I enjoy my life just the way it is!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Kingdom First then Food and Clothes
Jesus said to his disciples in Luke 12: 22-23, "Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes."
What do you think about when you wake up? Still in the dreamy stage I whisper, "This is the day the Lord has made...I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT." Sometimes I have to say this as a command to myself so that I will not focus on the problems that need to be taken care of but that I will be thankful that I have the ability to take care of them. For instance...my business laptop crashed yesterday which means that my cash flow reports from the last 3 months are now gone and the end of the year reports for 2 businesses are now gone and all the emails I have sent cannot be retrieved. A techie friend told me to go to our local Computer Guy and he should be able to help me. So this morning saying my morning breath prayer was to remind me that I am to rejoice and be glad in every day that the Lord allows me to spend here on earth.
The very next thing I think about though is what will I eat and wear. I must eat to have energy for the day and clothes are kinda important if you know what I mean. I must confess though the older I get the more my life seems to be centered around food. What should I eat ...what shouldn't I eat. Only a few seasons of my life did I really get into cooking and though I did enjoy making gourmet meals for my mom and dad as their monthly Christmas gift, it took a lot of time and money. And for what? one hour of pleasure.
But there is something about sitting down with family and friends over a good meal. And it does seem like fellowship in the Bible and at church is centered around food. But I do understand how I stress and worry over what to fix when we have company. Sometimes the anxiety level dampens my desire to entertain more and maybe that is the point. First I am not fixing a meal to entertain but a meal to serve along with conversation and friendship. The food is not the important element of the gathering.
Now to clothes. Well I really don't like to shop and in 2007 after my mission trip to Haiti I didn't buy clothes for a year, but I can't honestly say that I don't think about clothes and how some items make me look fat (surely it isn't that I have gained weight!). I don't think I am overly concerned with my looks but then on a Sunday morning after trying on 3 outfits, I get so disgusted with myself and how I look that I just want to stay home. That shows me just how much attention I put on my clothes and appearance. When in fact very few people even notice me.
Jesus said. "For the pagan world runs after all such things, and you Father in heaven knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom first and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Well....it's time to eat my breakfast, get dressed and exercise....then take a shower, get dressed, work at home with Quick Books Online and go to lunch with a dear friend. Ok so twice I am eating and putting on clothes .....but I won't worry about it and praise God that He has provided and I will try to seek His ways all day in everything.
What do you think about when you wake up? Still in the dreamy stage I whisper, "This is the day the Lord has made...I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT." Sometimes I have to say this as a command to myself so that I will not focus on the problems that need to be taken care of but that I will be thankful that I have the ability to take care of them. For instance...my business laptop crashed yesterday which means that my cash flow reports from the last 3 months are now gone and the end of the year reports for 2 businesses are now gone and all the emails I have sent cannot be retrieved. A techie friend told me to go to our local Computer Guy and he should be able to help me. So this morning saying my morning breath prayer was to remind me that I am to rejoice and be glad in every day that the Lord allows me to spend here on earth.
The very next thing I think about though is what will I eat and wear. I must eat to have energy for the day and clothes are kinda important if you know what I mean. I must confess though the older I get the more my life seems to be centered around food. What should I eat ...what shouldn't I eat. Only a few seasons of my life did I really get into cooking and though I did enjoy making gourmet meals for my mom and dad as their monthly Christmas gift, it took a lot of time and money. And for what? one hour of pleasure.
But there is something about sitting down with family and friends over a good meal. And it does seem like fellowship in the Bible and at church is centered around food. But I do understand how I stress and worry over what to fix when we have company. Sometimes the anxiety level dampens my desire to entertain more and maybe that is the point. First I am not fixing a meal to entertain but a meal to serve along with conversation and friendship. The food is not the important element of the gathering.
Now to clothes. Well I really don't like to shop and in 2007 after my mission trip to Haiti I didn't buy clothes for a year, but I can't honestly say that I don't think about clothes and how some items make me look fat (surely it isn't that I have gained weight!). I don't think I am overly concerned with my looks but then on a Sunday morning after trying on 3 outfits, I get so disgusted with myself and how I look that I just want to stay home. That shows me just how much attention I put on my clothes and appearance. When in fact very few people even notice me.
Jesus said. "For the pagan world runs after all such things, and you Father in heaven knows that you need them. But seek His kingdom first and these things will be given to you as well. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where you treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Well....it's time to eat my breakfast, get dressed and exercise....then take a shower, get dressed, work at home with Quick Books Online and go to lunch with a dear friend. Ok so twice I am eating and putting on clothes .....but I won't worry about it and praise God that He has provided and I will try to seek His ways all day in everything.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Don't Worry About the End Times
When Jesus talks to the disciples about the end times in Luke 12, He sure doesn't sugar coat it.
"8 He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." 10 Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. 12 "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 This will result in your being witnesses to them.
This will result in your being witnesses to them! We will go through all of the horrible events above to be a witness to them? How will we do that?
14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 All men will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By standing firm you will gain life.
Well that makes me feel better, how about you? I hear people almost daily talk about how the times are getting so bad and the time is near for Jesus to return and we need to be ready. But they are usually talking about having cans of food ready in the pantry and items stored away that can be bartered for things needed. And especially needed is a gun to protect your family and belongings. Those preparations should be made but Jesus tells us not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. It will be with words and wisdom not from what is within our heads but what comes from our spirits as He gives us His words and wisdom.
Lord, help me to listen to YOU and stand firm!
"8 He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away." 10 Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven. 12 "But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 This will result in your being witnesses to them.
This will result in your being witnesses to them! We will go through all of the horrible events above to be a witness to them? How will we do that?
14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 All men will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By standing firm you will gain life.
Well that makes me feel better, how about you? I hear people almost daily talk about how the times are getting so bad and the time is near for Jesus to return and we need to be ready. But they are usually talking about having cans of food ready in the pantry and items stored away that can be bartered for things needed. And especially needed is a gun to protect your family and belongings. Those preparations should be made but Jesus tells us not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. It will be with words and wisdom not from what is within our heads but what comes from our spirits as He gives us His words and wisdom.
Lord, help me to listen to YOU and stand firm!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Widow's Lesson
I have been randomly opening my Bible and reading in the morning and lately it seems everything has something to do with end times. Today my Bible opened to Luke 21 where Jesus talks to the disciples about the future, about his return and about us remaining faithful. It starts out though with the story about the widow...
1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. 3 And He said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; 4 for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on."
I wish I could be more like this widow (not the widow part) but that I could truly offer out of my poverty and not my surplus. What would that really feel like to know that you are giving unto the Lord all that you had to live on. There are days in my past that I as a single mom had very little resources to use to provide for my 2 sons but during that time I didn't go to church on a regular basis and if I did I never tithed because I thought I had to have every penny in order to live. After my husband and I married and became a part of a church, he decided that we should tithe and not that I didn't think we should ( I grew with a father that strongly believed in tithing) I was just so afraid of not having enough to pay bills and feed my children. I had to really trust God and my husband. God blessed me with contentment and security and after 28 years of marriage, He has proved over and over that if I surrender my money to Him, He will continue to provide what I need! Not only money but everything!
Why do I worry about the future when this women wildly gave all she had? I want to give more...more money to help people like those in Haiti, more time to help people that are all alone, more use of skills and talents to help the church....more glory to HIM and not to me.
1 And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 And He saw a poor widow putting in two small copper coins. 3 And He said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them; 4 for they all out of their surplus put into the offering; but she out of her poverty put in all that she had to live on."
I wish I could be more like this widow (not the widow part) but that I could truly offer out of my poverty and not my surplus. What would that really feel like to know that you are giving unto the Lord all that you had to live on. There are days in my past that I as a single mom had very little resources to use to provide for my 2 sons but during that time I didn't go to church on a regular basis and if I did I never tithed because I thought I had to have every penny in order to live. After my husband and I married and became a part of a church, he decided that we should tithe and not that I didn't think we should ( I grew with a father that strongly believed in tithing) I was just so afraid of not having enough to pay bills and feed my children. I had to really trust God and my husband. God blessed me with contentment and security and after 28 years of marriage, He has proved over and over that if I surrender my money to Him, He will continue to provide what I need! Not only money but everything!
Why do I worry about the future when this women wildly gave all she had? I want to give more...more money to help people like those in Haiti, more time to help people that are all alone, more use of skills and talents to help the church....more glory to HIM and not to me.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Many or Few Blows?
"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for the servants whose master find them watching when he comes." Luke 12:35-36
"You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Luke 12:40
"That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:47-48
In my Study Bible it reads:
People who are ready for their Lord's return are:
"You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Luke 12:40
"That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:47-48
In my Study Bible it reads:
People who are ready for their Lord's return are:
- not hypocritical, but sincere
- not fearful, but ready to witness
- not worried, but trusting
- not greedy, but generous
- not lazy, but diligent
May your life be more like Christ's so that when he comes, you will be ready to greet him joyfully.
I am not ready....I have a lot of changes to make so that I will be better prepared for HIS return!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Twenty Twelve - Anticipating the New Year!
WOW! 2012 is here and all the hoopla regarding the end times has hit even the secular news. Interesting times we live in but for me right at this moment I want to concentrate on what God wants me to be DOING to promote HIS KINGDOM here on earth. I also realize that I am nothing without HIM and can do nothing without HIM. He is the vine and I am but one small branch. Even so, I don't want to be unproductive but fruitful and it is in that context that I want to start the year out with some alone time with the Lord.
I have been blessed with three days of no one at home but little 'ole me and the Lord. This may have been the first time since I have been married to my hubby of 28 years that I was alone on New Year's Eve. It was a quiet evening and I truly tried to keep the day covered in prayer and meditation but well...the laundry needed done and the Christmas decorations begged to be taken down and put away. This Christmas was one of the best as all my children and grandchildren were with us but that also makes for cleaning and that's alright...but it can wait until my alone time with God is over. I just have too push it out of my line of vision and keep my head down with my eyes on God's word.
So Saturday was wonderful and Sunday was filled with God's goodness; a time of musical worship, a great sermon from my pastor, a wedding feast for 2 friends, and a visit to the funeral home to show respects for the mother of a friend. Then as I settled down in the evening in my new comfortable chair I asked the Lord to reveal to me what I need to change...about me....about my daily activities....about my ministries. How can I change for the better to serve Him with my best. (There's so much to change...where will He start?)
This morning He gave me Hebrews 12:1a-3 ( I like to read it as if it is written to me personally so I will write it as such) "...let me throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let me run with perseverance the race marked out for me. Let me fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endures such opposition from sinful men, so that I will not grow weary and lose heart."
Today I will meditate on what is hindering me (it could be good things), what sin is entangling me (sin I don't recognize as sin), and what race I am running that is not mine to race (I have a tendency to do that). That should take me all day!! But I have all day and I know that if I ask Him He will deliver. As Hebrews 12:10a-11, "..but God disciplines us for our good that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." I want peace that comes from His righteousness therefore I am ready to take the discipline. Hebrews 12:12 says, "Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees."
Well it's time for me to get in my exercise today...my feeble, flabby arms and weak knees need to be strengthened so I can be strong enough to do His biding! Discipline! Just not that excited about it though! But praise God that I am able to do so!! I want to be a living interpretation of what I believe!
I have been blessed with three days of no one at home but little 'ole me and the Lord. This may have been the first time since I have been married to my hubby of 28 years that I was alone on New Year's Eve. It was a quiet evening and I truly tried to keep the day covered in prayer and meditation but well...the laundry needed done and the Christmas decorations begged to be taken down and put away. This Christmas was one of the best as all my children and grandchildren were with us but that also makes for cleaning and that's alright...but it can wait until my alone time with God is over. I just have too push it out of my line of vision and keep my head down with my eyes on God's word.
So Saturday was wonderful and Sunday was filled with God's goodness; a time of musical worship, a great sermon from my pastor, a wedding feast for 2 friends, and a visit to the funeral home to show respects for the mother of a friend. Then as I settled down in the evening in my new comfortable chair I asked the Lord to reveal to me what I need to change...about me....about my daily activities....about my ministries. How can I change for the better to serve Him with my best. (There's so much to change...where will He start?)
This morning He gave me Hebrews 12:1a-3 ( I like to read it as if it is written to me personally so I will write it as such) "...let me throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let me run with perseverance the race marked out for me. Let me fix my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endures such opposition from sinful men, so that I will not grow weary and lose heart."
Today I will meditate on what is hindering me (it could be good things), what sin is entangling me (sin I don't recognize as sin), and what race I am running that is not mine to race (I have a tendency to do that). That should take me all day!! But I have all day and I know that if I ask Him He will deliver. As Hebrews 12:10a-11, "..but God disciplines us for our good that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." I want peace that comes from His righteousness therefore I am ready to take the discipline. Hebrews 12:12 says, "Therefore strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees."
Well it's time for me to get in my exercise today...my feeble, flabby arms and weak knees need to be strengthened so I can be strong enough to do His biding! Discipline! Just not that excited about it though! But praise God that I am able to do so!! I want to be a living interpretation of what I believe!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Luke - Introduction
Luke, the doctor and Gentile Christian is writing to followers of Jesus, so they would hear the true details about the life of Christ. One verse to remember is from the 18th chapter, verse 27; "What is impossible with men is possible with God." A theme of the book to consider is that Jesus communicates the love of God through his relationships with people. Luke's emphasis on women and how Jesus included them in his ministry encourages women today to stay focused on Christ and know that you are part of His ministry team.
Luke was not an eyewitness but a very good investigator and spoke to those that were with Jesus and witnessed the miracles and signs that he performed. Luke wrote this orderly account for Theophilus which means "one who loves God". Well there are many of us, then and now, who loves God, so in essence Luke has written it for you and me. Oh, it is going to be so interesting! So go ahead and read it on your own and I will highlight the women Luke writes about.
Read the first chapter and you will discover two women, Elizabeth and Mary, relatives whom the Lord will use to birth sons of importance. An old lady will give birth and a very young woman will give birth. One son will bear witness to the other. One son born to die as a ransom for all. One child was conceived by his earthly father and one was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
There is doubt and belief, little faith and much faith, prophecy and singing! Read Luke's account as if you know all the characters and have a relationship with them. Feel their pain and sorrows and rejoice with them in their blessings.
Luke was not an eyewitness but a very good investigator and spoke to those that were with Jesus and witnessed the miracles and signs that he performed. Luke wrote this orderly account for Theophilus which means "one who loves God". Well there are many of us, then and now, who loves God, so in essence Luke has written it for you and me. Oh, it is going to be so interesting! So go ahead and read it on your own and I will highlight the women Luke writes about.
Read the first chapter and you will discover two women, Elizabeth and Mary, relatives whom the Lord will use to birth sons of importance. An old lady will give birth and a very young woman will give birth. One son will bear witness to the other. One son born to die as a ransom for all. One child was conceived by his earthly father and one was conceived by the Holy Spirit.
There is doubt and belief, little faith and much faith, prophecy and singing! Read Luke's account as if you know all the characters and have a relationship with them. Feel their pain and sorrows and rejoice with them in their blessings.
Monday, August 29, 2011
God Used Women in Battle.
Women have always been worthwhile to God and their service fulfilled His purpose. We sometimes get caught up in the familiar of only men being able to serve the living God as it is played out in the traditional churches. We must not use that as an excuse to sit back and do nothing but allow the Lord to show us through studying the Bible that He did in fact employ women to be utilized in promoting the kingdom of God here on earth. First of all He has used a woman to bring forth His word according to His timing and to nurture the Christ in the ways of being fully human.
In the Old Testament we saw Sarah being used to begin the nation of Israelites and Esther saving the same nation later on. Deborah was not only a wife but a prophetess and a judge. She was a warrior leading a group of men to victory in the book of Judges “Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. She used to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim; and the sons of Israel came up to her for judgment. She said, "I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the honor shall not be yours on the journey that you are about to take, for the LORD will sell Sisera into the hands of a woman." [1] That woman would not be Deborah but another woman, Jael.
Now Sisera fled away on foot to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite, for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, "Turn aside, my master, turn aside to me! Do not be afraid." And he turned aside to her into the tent, and she covered him with a rug. He said to her, "Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty." So she opened a bottle of milk and gave him a drink; then she covered him. He said to her, "Stand in the doorway of the tent, and it shall be if anyone comes and inquires of you, and says, `Is there anyone here?' that you shall say, `No.' " But Jael, Heber's wife, took a tent peg and seized a hammer in her hand, and went secretly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went through into the ground; for he was sound asleep and exhausted. So he died. And behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him and said to him, "Come, and I will show you the man whom you are seeking." And he entered with her, and behold Sisera was lying dead with the tent peg in his temple. [2]
What about Tamar, Ruth and Naomi? And Abigail? God used all of them in a special way. Take the time to read about them in the Old Testament. As we look into the New Testament specifically the book written by Luke, we learn He was not a Jew but a Gentile, a doctor and a historian of sorts. He included more details than any other writer regarding the devotion the women of that day had to Jesus. Just as their male peers, the women had a purpose and a plan from the Father to further His kingdom. My goal today is not to downplay the role of the dedicated men or to exalt the role of the devoted women but to show the women of today, that we can look at the lives exemplified in the Bible and know without a doubt that the Lord Almighty does not want us to take a backseat and do nothing. We are to stand up, be accounted for, prepare for the battle and engage in the war against evil. The battle does belong to the Lord, and Jesus already has the victory but we must stir up the troops and be ready to be used in anyway the Lord sees fit. So let us walk together through the book of Luke and open our hearts to the lessons we can learn.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
We're getting ready for another Spiritual Spa
Here's a picture from one of the spas....the ladies are listening to the Spiritual Spa CD and spending time alone with God. That was a wonderful group of ladies and I'm sure the 11 guests that are attending the spa this Saturday will be just a beautiful.
Friday, August 12, 2011
My granddaughter watched me as I cleaned the skimmer in our swimming pool. She was delighted that there was a tiny frog frantically trying to get out before the humans came. Normally I just take the bucket out and toss any critters over the fence. Last week I found a small, bright green snake curled up into a ball and hiding off to the side ...it scared the living daylights out of me! 
I was going to do the same and give this little frog a chance to jump away but the little princess just had to touch the critter. She picked him up in her hand and off she went to show her little brother. They passed the frog back and forth and finally my grandson wanted to take a closer look. As you can see from his face he was thinking this small creature was going to do something wild and possibly give him the willies. They had so much fun touching and holding the baby frog and I totally enjoyed watching them do so.
Thank you Lord for providing us with wonderful creatures great and small to enjoy!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Will You Be My Grandma Forever?
My granddaughter really surprised me the other day when my hubby and I were taking her back to her mom's house. Grandpa was telling her how much we loved her and asked her if she understood that. He has said that to our children and me for years and it is part of his everyday conversation...he just wants to make sure he tells his loved ones that he loves them. But when our granddaughter asked if we would alawys be her grandpa and grandma were we a little stunned. "Of course!" I told her and then explained how her daddy is our son and we will always love him and that she is his daughter which makes her our granddaughter and that we will always love her.
She thought about it for a moment than said that she had some grandparents for awhile but now they aren't. You see her mom remarried and then divorced so those step-grandparents are no longer in her life. Her older brothers have different grandparents and we were once considered their grandparents but now we aren't. Her mom has a new boyfriend and well....they may become her new grandparents. Whew! Life is complicated!
I wondered if her daddy thought the same thing for by the time I had married my my hubby, I had divorced my son's father and remarried only to divorce again. Life didn't turn out like I thought it would. But now I have been married for over 28 years and I think it is being committed through thick and thin and allowing each other to mature along the way, taking the good, the bad and the ugly with a grain of salt. For me the most important thing is having a relationship with Jesus that sustains you when you think you will fall apart.
But our granddaughter and grandson do have 2 sets of grandparents that have been married for a long time. Her maternal grandparents have been married close to 40 years and her great-grandparents have been married for over 65 years, so they do see that marriage can last if you persevere. She knows her mama and daddy will always be there for her and I want her to know that we will never leave her or forsake her. I want her to know that Jesus will never leave her or forsake her. She tells me she loves Jesus and that she wants to know more about him. What an opportunity to teach her about her Creator and Lord.
She thought about it for a moment than said that she had some grandparents for awhile but now they aren't. You see her mom remarried and then divorced so those step-grandparents are no longer in her life. Her older brothers have different grandparents and we were once considered their grandparents but now we aren't. Her mom has a new boyfriend and well....they may become her new grandparents. Whew! Life is complicated!
I wondered if her daddy thought the same thing for by the time I had married my my hubby, I had divorced my son's father and remarried only to divorce again. Life didn't turn out like I thought it would. But now I have been married for over 28 years and I think it is being committed through thick and thin and allowing each other to mature along the way, taking the good, the bad and the ugly with a grain of salt. For me the most important thing is having a relationship with Jesus that sustains you when you think you will fall apart.
But our granddaughter and grandson do have 2 sets of grandparents that have been married for a long time. Her maternal grandparents have been married close to 40 years and her great-grandparents have been married for over 65 years, so they do see that marriage can last if you persevere. She knows her mama and daddy will always be there for her and I want her to know that we will never leave her or forsake her. I want her to know that Jesus will never leave her or forsake her. She tells me she loves Jesus and that she wants to know more about him. What an opportunity to teach her about her Creator and Lord.
California Here We Come!
When I graduated from high school 40 years ago ( I remember as a youngster I would say that time frame as if it were forever!) my friend, Angie and I agreed we would buy an old van and drive to California. Well, that didn't happen! After graduation I decided to get married at the end of the summer and she went to college, so we just enjoyed some California dreamin' and grown up reality. But even though it may have taken me 36 years to get to California to drive the Pacific Coastal Highway I enjoyed it so much that my husband and I are going back to the sunny state to explore the northern area and see the amazing redwoods.
After my 20 year class reunion my husband accepted a transfer with his job to the wonderful state of North Carolina and so I have missed seeing my good friends in Ohio. That is until a couple of weeks ago when I visited Angie and found out that she has been traveling...ALOT! 59 countries. I have a lot of catching up to do. This year alone my hubby and I have been to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl...interesting place; Haiti...a wonderful mission trip; The Shenandoah Mountains on a road trip...beautiful drive; The Biltmore in Ashville...I never felt so pampered; Ohio with family....my favorite; and now on to Northern California and then in July, Lake Cumberland in KY with my family again. Still the best is seeing my mom and dad!
After my 20 year class reunion my husband accepted a transfer with his job to the wonderful state of North Carolina and so I have missed seeing my good friends in Ohio. That is until a couple of weeks ago when I visited Angie and found out that she has been traveling...ALOT! 59 countries. I have a lot of catching up to do. This year alone my hubby and I have been to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl...interesting place; Haiti...a wonderful mission trip; The Shenandoah Mountains on a road trip...beautiful drive; The Biltmore in Ashville...I never felt so pampered; Ohio with family....my favorite; and now on to Northern California and then in July, Lake Cumberland in KY with my family again. Still the best is seeing my mom and dad!
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