What Am I Learning Friday

Wow this week just seems to have dragged on and flew by all in the same moment. I have been so out of it. Been out of it with my Blog, just not even wanting to write, that is unusual for me. I have been drained- so tired not just physically but emotionally and spiritually too. I missed church being out of town his past weekend and boy can I tell. I love music worship time, it just energizes my soul. I have had so much to do- dishes, wash, normal kids stuff like homework. Even babysat my friends child for her on Thursday- that was an all day event and worked Mon and Wed mornings caring for Anne. I just did not find the strength to write. I wanted to just stay in bed and hibernate. I have tried praying and searching for this hole in my being to just be filled back up.

I am not quite sure what is bothering me, I think I have learned this week that I just need to be able to allow myself to grief. How funny does that sound? You would think being an adult I would realize that. What I realized was I am fighting it. I want to think I should be able to get back into the swing of things. I flew back into Texas on Sunday. Completely drained from all the events of my trip. Got to bed late that Sunday night, got up on time Monday to go to work and was so exhausted I came home and took a nap. I even slept in late, nearly until noon Tue, went to work Wed and came home and wanted to do nothing again. Then watched a little toddler all Thur and was down again today. Just amazing! I have gotten little things done so I don't want to say I am depressed just not my normal self just yet.

Partially stress over all the unsettled work- wash that is done and not put away, dishes that even though I clean seem to reappear to be washed again so quickly and kids that are learning division in school and are completely lost. Of course they started last week and I was not here so I missed their important week and now we are onto harder aspects. I learned that things take time. It reminded me of a very important scripture, also a book I have, that maybe I should re-read.

As for the bible part- you probably could guess what I will share since I mentioned the word Time, and it is one of the most famous chapters in the bible, songs even written after it, books written about it, sermons, debates, lectures in college...

Ecclesiastes 3

A Time for Everything

1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
9 What does the worker gain from his toil?

10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.

13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.

14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
15 Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.
16 And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there.
17 I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed."
18 I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals.

19 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath ; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless.

20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.

21 Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"
22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

So I thought that maybe it is my time to grief this week, maybe I shouldn't fret and be too hard on myself that I have four quilt orders that are not done, yet the deadline approaches. Maybe just maybe the heart is just as important as our physical self. I have a secret pal who just suggested that I do something for me, maybe a small project etc and maybe that will help me feel a little better, while I had the same thought, it seemed like Godly wisdom coming from this secret person I do not know yet. So as this weekend approaches I want to take Time to spend with my family. My son turned 11 this today and we are celebrating him all weekend. We have some odd traditions in my family, but I figure we will cook, play games and celebrate life and each other, letting my grief lay aside and turning the time for something new. All I know is it is wonderful that we all still have more Time. For that I give much Praise and Thanksgiving to God!

Praise and Thanksgiving

I typically see Thursdays as a day people post Thanksgiving blogs, however today I have one that just can't wait. I take care of a lady three mornings a week, her name is Anne. Yesterday was my day off and boy did I need it to sleep from my trip which left me overwhelmingly tired. When I got here to work this morning I Found out that my dear Anne had rolled off her hospital style bed. Her husband had turned her to change her as she is bedridden, and she just rolled off. I can't even imagine how he still feels. It was just one of those freak things. He has been caring for her like this for over a year now, so it is not that he doesn't know what he is doing, it just happened. It took him hours to try and get her back into the bed. He finally had to call the Sheriffs Department and seek help as all his ways of doing it himself were not working. He said he couldn't believe he didn't think to call me. I am only about 30 min away so compared to his three hour struggle that would have worked too.
I am just super thankful she is okay. A Home nurse came out and looked at her. She has a soft bruise on the base of her neck, a couple of bruises on her arm but for the most part she seems like her normal Happy Self. When I greeted her this morning, she was bubbly and just so happy to see me. God protected her for sure, and gave him peace to not freak out. I know just from bathing her and washing her hair, how hard it is to take on her weight. I can't imagine trying to take on her entire body weight by yourself. Nor the guilt that you could feel for the accident.
I will forgo washing her hair today, as it is a stressful time and I want to let her head sit a little bit, by Friday I think it will be better. I am praying for her as she is reacting to the Ensure now, she is throwing up and has had problems for a couple months with everything being to watery.
We all must go at some point. She is still so very happy and tries to talk when she can. Sometimes she amazes me at what she can still come up with sentence wise, esp when it is things like Thank you, that was great- her response to me bathing her Monday- I had not seen her in a week, she sure seemed extra cheerful to see me.
I think of the Lord when caring for her, being that vessel he can use to touch her while I am here, remind her He is there for her, that He loves her, that she is His Precious Daughter. See her husband does not believe in God so I think my being here grants her that Light and Comfort of God as it seems like Sunshine to her when i walk in the room. Her response to me is AMAZING. She has been such a faithful daughter to the Lord and it is wonderful to think that God chose me to be the one that will walk her through her ending days. What an honor, something so simple yet so important.
So I ask you today, is there anyone in your life that you can show a little Love to and be the clay for our Potters Hand? Sometimes I feel there are opportunities all around, it is just a matter of not being so busy so that we take notice. Like holding a door for someone, granting a smile to a stranger or just saying hello. We never know what someone else is facing in life, we could be that vessel the Lord wants to use for another one of his children.
The verses on my heart for today
Isaiah 64:8 Yet, O Lord, you are our Father, We are the Clay, You are the Potter, we are all the work of your Hand.
Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
1 Chronicles 16:34 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

What I Learned This Week - Friday

This week has come with such a flood of emotions for me. As you may know I lost a very important man in my life this past weekend. My grandfather Kale Veloy Smith. I am ever so THANKFUL to my Dad in Utah for paying to fly me here to Utah. It has been wonderful to spend time my grandmother. Simple things that I know are so important like holding her hand, sitting next to her in a rocker- cuddling, kisses and words like "I Love You." This week I have learned a true feeling of love. I am not saying I have never known it before, or that I have never experienced it. That would be foolish. What I am saying is that there is a Love that I had never imagined personally feeling, that I felt this whole week.

I met family I have never met before, they just graciously accepted me, which I knew in my heart would be the case. I think the most amazing experience was being invited to sing with my two sisters- who are from my biological dad and his wife. We sang Amazing Grace at the funeral today. Thankfully we were up first after the Bishops opening. So emotionally we all three made it through the song without crying. Try singing at a funeral sometime and you will understand that comment to the fullest. Listening to everyone speak between the viewing, the funeral, the luncheon after at the church and then back at my grandma's house- wow just unbelievable.

The thing I was taught today was that God intended us to LOVE everyone no matter what we go through in life with them. Most importantly outside of family- like your children, grandchildren, siblings is the relationship with your spouse. My grandparents loved each other more than I have ever seen any other couple love one another. A love that was just unconditional. They may have had a few arguments, the normal couple stuff but you always saw them hugging and kissing, holding hands, sitting close, saying I love you. They never went to bed angry at one another and were married 67 years. I would love to have the closeness like that in my own marriage, something that one really does have to work at. We look at Love as this easy thing- which it is so easy to give away but super hard to keep if we don't try. If there was anything anyone would say about me upon my ending days I would hope it would be how much I love just like was said about my Grandfather Kale. I can completely see so many of his qualities and lessons in myself and I am ever so lucky to have had him in my life. What is so wonderful is that one day I will see him again- how could you ever ask for more than that.

So I ask you, when is the last time you TRULY told/showed someone important in your life that you loved them? As my Grandma said tonight- make sure you live today as it was your last, because you just never know...

Thankful Thursday- Clean Slate

I am so thankful for God's Grace

You know often we forget about God's Grace and what it truly means for our lives. He says "I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." (Heb 8:12) Also he says, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." (Rom 8:1).

God not only forgives you He forgets. He wants us to stop reliving and let go, accepting his forgiveness for yourself. He paid the price for us when Christ came to earth as a child and then died on the cross for us. Barriers sometimes cause us from accepting Gods Amazing Grace. Barriers can be some of the following: lies, anger, selfishness, greed and lust. These merely are just sin. We feel bad thus we have regret, which if we live with regrets it keeps us from moving forward. He grants forgiveness which is FREE. It is a matter of understanding Grace. Something we don't deserve yet he gives forgiveness, peace, a clean slate, a chance and opportunity for ETERNAL LIFE for all those that believe.

Christ was condemned for us, thus God does not condemn us. If you are a believer confess those sins that are weighing you down, so that he can wipe your slate clean. There is nothing you can do that will be unforgiven. There is no sin that is worse than another, and also there is nothing that someone could do to you in which you will ever have to forgive more for than what Christ has already forgiven you for. He took on all your sins at one time, the sins of your whole life in one moment and when HE died it was WIPED CLEAN.

So here are some thoughts to consider, maybe write down the answers to these two questions. Then pray and give it to God. Then tear it up and throw it away. Thank God for his forgiveness and really let go. You don't ever need to say, " God remember when.... as he FORGETS when we confess whatever it is that is on your heart.

What Past failure are you having a hard time forgetting?

What is your greatest fear about the future?

Here are some verses to pray/think about

Psalm 34:4I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

Isaiah 41:10So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:13For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

Romans 5:2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Matthew 26:28This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Acts 13:38"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.

Ephesians 1:7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace

Colossians 1:14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Wednesday Song

I have an entire weeks worth of writing to do. I will work on it later tonight I imagine, then I can begin posting. Since I only have a few moments- because I am in Utah with family awaiting tonight's viewing service of my Grandfather Kale. I wanted to share the lyrics to the song he loved. One that I know my two sisters will sing, they have requested I join them and I have not quite made up my mind yet. Of course I need to today as the funeral itself is Thursday.

It is a song that has stood the test of time, it does not involve race or religion, it is just simply sung by just about everyone. Nearly everyone almost always knows the lyrics to the first stanza. Nearly every popular recording artist at some point sings it, esp those in country or christian- like Michael W Smith, Twila Paris, Lee Greenwood, Willie Nelson and even THE KING- Elvis did his own version. The song is

Amazing Grace- perfect title as it truly is just AMAZING the GRACE that GOD has for us.

That we get to join Him in his Perfect Kingdom after he leave this earthly body of ours.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me....

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

T'was Grace that taught...

my heart to fear.

And Grace, my fears relieved.

How precious did that Grace appear...

the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares...

we have already come.

T'was Grace that brought us safe thus far...

and Grace will lead us home.

The Lord has promised good to me...

His word my hope secures.

He will my shield and portion be...

as long as life endures.

When we've been here ten thousand years...

bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise...

then when we've first begun.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me....

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now, I see.

This new Act could hurt millions of Americans in an economy that already is in trouble. It can affect which items can be sold in Thrift/Consignment stores. It can also hurt the mother who tries to sell a few items from home to supplement income, the small time business owner, etc....Please go to http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vY29vbG1vbXBpY2tzLmNvbS9zYXZlaGFuZG1hZGUv for more information, vote to change the new Consumer Products Safety Improvement Act that will pass on Feb 10th.I personally feel this is too much government in our daily lives. They should not be able to dictate what a person sells like this, or what a person buys. We should be able to use our own common sense- esp on items handmade with love.
According to the new law I would not be able to sell my Tag A Longs anymore. So this does personally affect me. I just sold two online at Etsy yesterday. This is just one of the stupidest things I have ever heard of! While it may have some great intentions like helping to avoid lead in products, it hinders our lives in way to many other ways.
Government going overboard!
Why should a consumer not be able to buy one of these items from me, if they wanted to. If this is something that you would like to take a moment of time on, please check out the link.
Thank you,
Jenn- Sunshine of Autumn Quilts

Thank You

I want to say thank you to everyone that has posted, to everyone that has lifted my family and I in prayer. This is the first loss parent wise for this side of my family. I am thankful that nearly all believe we will see him again, soon.
I appreciate all the comments that have been left by email. I apologize if there are any I have not gotten back to.
I will be back and running tomorrow. I took today to process, and remember Your Grace is Enough... a song that we sung tonight that filled my heart and allowed me to cry quietly inside while at church, and then feel much comfort once the song ended.
Words that are so true, even in times like now where even though I am happy I am terribly sad at the same time.
Love To All
Jenn

My Grandpa Kale

I tried to upload photos tonight, but I only have them in PDF format and Blogger doesn't accept that so....here is all I can do- write Life can be unexpected even when we know a possibility exists. I was at the school tonight for Movie Night, preparing everything for the guests to arrive when my cell phone rings. I immediately said, "those kids better not already be fighting." That was my thought. Then I looked at the phone it had my dad in Utah's name on it, my stomach dropped. You know when you know you need to take a call but you feel like if you don't then you can avoid what will happen. Well that is how I felt. He said hello then started pretty quick in that Grandpa Kale was slipping away, he was resting quietly and that he could put me on speakerphone if I would like to say anything before he died. I was not given the opportunity with two other grandfathers that have passed in the last couple of years, but even with the opportunity in hand all I could say was that I knew he knew he loved me, and I loved him. I could not do it. Maybe I knew I didn't have to. Oddly enough I have not seen him since my other grandfather in Utah passed away in 2007. We had just moved into this house- had not finished yet when I got that call. Then last year I lost my grandfather in California, a huge shock as he was fine, went for a walk and fell and then my family got the call, who then called me. At first we talked about flight arrangements. I knew we didn't have the money for it. My dad immediately assured me if I wanted to go that he would take care of it. I declined because I felt guilty for having him pay for that. After thinking a couple of hours I decided that I really did want to be there, and that is what family is for, to help in time of need. I also thought of what he was going through to, and how I would like to be there for him and his loss. What made me think even more is the only time I see family lately is at funerals. How is it that life comes to that. It made me appreciate that I still have my kids at home, I still get to love on them and spend time with them. I thought I would feel great loss, yet I feel great comfort. It makes me so thankful to know that I just started my new Blog this week. I think of all the verses I have read, the verses I have Blogged about, I had no idea God was preparing me for today all week long. The tears do come, the pain is there, it is natural and I know that. Yet I could not help but think of scripture after scripture in my mind. How wonderful to have that. To know that Kale is with God, that he is no longer in pain. He was so ready to go last time I saw him. He felt he had lived a good life. He felt that he had the best woman on earth that he fell in love with and got to spend his whole life with. He was thankful to have such good kids, grand kids and great grand kids. He felt that his life could not be any better. He had no regrets. I would say that the only thing left was to see our Heavenly Father and start his life there. He of course did not want to leave his beloved June, the woman that is everything in his world. Their love just astounds me. I have never ever seen love like theirs, never. They are like dove, there is no doubt in my mind. I would have loved to have seen them just both go in their sleep together, so that they did not have to spend any time apart. IF that makes any sense at all. Anyway I wanted to pay tribute to my grandfather tonight, wanted to share my story and hope that you remember to tell the person you love that you love them, how much they mean to you, all that jazz. You never know what tomorrow brings. Also that you should live life to your fullest, so that you like my Grandpa Kale, have no regrets. This is my Favorite Verse of all verses- one not often told Romans 14:8 If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Jude 1:21Keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. My husbands favorite verse
Psalm 23:4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live" (John 11:25).
Psalm 23:1 A psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die,. . .
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

We are Chosen to Be in Christ

Starting with this weeks verse again
Isaiah 43:18-19 " Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."

Today's Readings come from Genesis 5, Proverbs 24, and Ephesians 1
To start I will say that Genesis is primarily Genealogy today. You may click here to read the whole passage. http://tinyurl.com/88y8on
The main aspect I took from reading Genesis today is
"When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female and blessed them. And when they were created, he called them "man. "
I cannot imagine a greater honor that we have then to be made in God's image. I mean what can be greater then that. Of course being saved is, but you know what I mean. Just an honor to know that we meant so much to Him that He would want us to be Like Him. The bible talks of many ways in which we can be "Like Him" other than by our image. We can be like him in our hearts by doing unto others as we would want done unto us. We can be humble in spirit, we can serve others, we can love others as he loved the church.... the list continues. What is the best part of the promise is that He blesses us, and it says male and female- not one or the other. It is all of us that He blesses.
Many are listed in the Line of Adam from his son Seth, through Noah, talking about them, how long they lived, those that continued their line, how long they lived etc...
An important notation of Genesis 5 is an act of Lamech in verse 28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he had a son. 29 He named him Noah and said, "He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed."
We know that Noah would do great things for God who would bless us through him.

Reading of Proverbs 24
http://tinyurl.com/8vn7r8
Proverbs is a book of great ADVICE. It tells a lot of the things we should not do, such as envying people, esp those who do not Follow God's Ways, although we should not envy anyone or anything either.

I thought the following verses of Proverbs 24 were interesting
3 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.
5 A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength;
We all know that we cannot gain wisdom of God and His Ways without daily reading, meditation and application of His Word. I know I want my house to be built upon the Word of God and that we would Follow Him First, Put Him First in Our Lives. Marriage, Children, Finances etc.

The Lord Speaks of Wisdom again in this chapter
14 Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
To me this speaks again of being in God's Word, how else can we gain wisdom. I suppose we could gain that of the world, or maybe going to church and listening to the lesson preached, or buying a bible study in which we read, or fill out certain things. However, I feel that what He is speaking of Directly is being in His word. Reading the Words He spoke etc to others so that we may have them to lean on, to learn from, to give us comfort and guidance.

the Lord even says We WILL FALL but He PROMISES we WILL RISE AGAIN.
16 for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.

Other important verses

26 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

27 Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.
28 Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive.
29 Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did."

32 I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw:
33 A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-
34 and poverty will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.

Ephesians 1

http://tinyurl.com/7ctlu5

I could bold entire sections of this passage/chapter of Ephesians. Instead I will post in its entirety. It has so many promises for us, so many Blessings most of all that we were CHOSEN by God....

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Spiritual Blessings in Christ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace 8that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.
Thanksgiving and Prayer For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

In closing I want to say a prayer for all the families and loved ones involved in the New York Hudson airplane crash. What a miracle that truly was. Just amazing and something in which you can see God worked to make a way where the pilot probably saw none. I am sure this even though having positive results can be very traumatic for those who personally experienced it, and also for families of those involved. Even those who just fear to fly etc. I ask that we all pray for them and their families that God grant peace, security and comfort. That he move in all our lives so that we remember that HE IS IN CONTROL. We are merely the clay in the Potters Hands. I pray for you as you approach the weekend. I pray that you find time to spend with your loved ones. Have a family meal together, play a game, watch a movie, whatever it is that you do to have quality time. Live today as it were your last, live this weekend as it were your last and remember to share your love with those around you. Also do not forget to pray for President Bush and His family as they leave office and say a prayer for Wisdom and Peace for the Upcoming President and His family, as they enter waters that seem very hopeless to many.

Many Blessings

Sunshine.

What Are You Learning Friday?

I read a Blog from Chats with an Old Lady. Since I have just started this Blog this week I wanted to start this Friday with something she does called What Are You Learning Friday? Here is the link to her site, if you would like to see where this oriented from. I have a feeling you may see this on many Blogger sites soon, as it will spread and people will want to participate for themselves. http://chatswithanoldlady.blogspot.com/

This week my goal has been to share how important it is to remember to live in today. Not yesterday where we can have regrets over what has not been finished, what we did, what, what...., or the future where we can live in fear over whatever, or anxiety etc... But today. Today is the day that God wants us to be with Him. To read His Word, To Pray to Him, to walk with Him daily in order for Him to speak to us, teach us, love us and strengthen us. He also wants to bestow many Blessings on us. To help us through our daily troubles and continue to guide us so that we are walking in His ways. I also tried to point out a few of the 7000 promises God gives us in his Word, the Bible. I also started writing to remind us of a few things.
That the Light we receive from God, his Inspiration is gained through these acts by us
Daily Reading in His Word- not just a bible study but even a single chapter of the bible, or study on something from the bible- digging deeper into a verse etc.
Daily Writing- journaling. For example from what spoke to you while you read about His Word, or a promise of God that you want to claim for yourself. Even writing about things you are grateful for, that you want to Pray Thanksgiving for, or things you want to and need to lay at His Feet.
Daily Meditation - example memorizing something of God's Word. This week I chose a verse that I had personally heard in church. It was from Isaiah 43: 18-19
"Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See,I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wastelands."
Lastly Daily Application- how you will apply His word and your learning to your life.
So this Friday I have learned much as I continue to read personally and share with you each day. I will continue our reading and writing together in the next post with today's Reading and Message. I appreciate you giving me a few minutes of your time and I pray that God blesses your life and you find your time with Him speaking to your heart.

Do not be Anxious for Anything, Take your Petitions to God

Today I find Philippians 4 much comfort, it is one of the readings for today. First though lets start again with this weeks bible verse

Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wastelands."

I want to start today by sharing some Thanksgiving. Often it is so easy to dwell or think on the things that are troubling us and we sometimes forget what to be thankful for, or what we are thankful for. Mine generally revolves around family. I think mainly because that is normal and we are so incredibly close. My middle son Zekaryah has made a placing in the Rodeo Art contest, they will judge this Friday and Saturday they will share at the High School what place went to who. They judge 1-3 place then the rest are just finalists. It is still exciting. My son Jakob won 3rd place for district for 6th grade last year in the general contest, not rodeo art. Speaking of Jakob he has good news of his own that he shared with me this afternoon. He is in a Food and Nutrition class, he will be the head chef on cooking day. The food they serve will feed the teachers and staff that day. They will be making a Noodle Stir Fry he says with beef or chicken and some veggies. He is not excited about making this dish. He would rather it be something like Spaghetti, but he is excited to be Head Chef. He loves to cook. And has done some crazy things lately on his own. I am also thankful that Paul might have overtime Saturday. We could really use it. Mekenzei also will be able to go to school tomorrow. YEAH GOD! She has missed all week.

So on that note lets get to today's reading

Genesis 4 , Proverbs 1 and Philippians 4

Genesis 4 begins with the births of Cain and Abel - a typical Sunday School lesson over any denomination. An example of sibling rivalry and sin at its core really. I think of how often my children think we might favor one over the other, or so and so got to do this why didn't I. I have myself felt that as a young child and even adult. All stems from sin- the idea that we compete with another person. I think what is sad in this case is that Cain felt God looked at Abel with greater love, respect etc. I know from reading the bible that God does not love anyone of us more than the other. He is pleased with each of us and the talents that we use that He has given us. He does want us to use our talents whatever they may be, to bring Him glory, to spread the Word about his Son to others so they too may believe. I know he does not want us to sit and not use what He has provided. God already knew the answers to his questions. He knew why Cains face was downcast, Knew why he was angry, he knew where his brother Abel was. What he did not know is what God's decision was going to be because of His actions. What a wonderful thing that we live in a time where Christ has already come and died for our sins. Can you imagine the punishment that each one of us might encounter for our sins. We are forgiven in Christ. I am not saying we should go and commit sin. We should try to keep our ways right, and we should ask for forgiveness for those things in which we fall short. It is interesting to me that in Genesis 4 it ends with many births and genealogy but the most important part is that Man begins to call on the name of the Lord. Something to think of is, when is the last time you cried out to God for any reason at all? The fact that we even have the ability to have someone care for us and someone to cry out to, should be all we need to remember to do so. If there is something that weighs on your heart today, I challenge you to make your petition and leave it at Christs feet.

You can read Genesis 4 for yourself at this link http://tinyurl.com/28xf2x

The next reading for today is Proverbs 1

I know I have read Proverbs before, just a couple years ago when I did the read the bible in 90 days challenge. What an experience. However I will admit that it took me 4 months instead. My sister and I had done a great deal together while she was visiting for a summer, then I finished the rest on my own. I do not recall reading this though. Even through all the reading I did, some things stand out more than others. God explains to us the purpose of the Proverbs. I find that very interesting.

Prologue: Purpose and Theme

1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-
5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-
6 for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.
7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

I think it is a way for God to warn us that while he gave us the Bible as a way to follow Him and what is right it is not for us to take apart each little bit and try to understand it in a way that would lead us to harm. I think rather it is to give us example so that we can learn from it and lead better lives. I have had times in my life where for example I have prayed for patience. I often find that to be a problem as he does sure spread out those problems in order for the sandpaper to edge away at me and shape and mold me to have more patience, but it sure doesn't feel like it at the time. In the same way I think we should read the bible, often I think, so that we might gain insight into His Word and how it affects us in that moment. I think a verse might speak to us differently from one time to another depending on what we are going through, thus the discerning, guidance, learning etc...

I also as a parent find the next verse of much importance. It is one in which tells us basically to be that example for our children. Be the one to lead prayer at meals, prayer before bed, read our bible and have quiet time with the Lord, teach our children how to obey God's ways by obeying them ourselves. For example something simple like teaching them not to steal or slander others. I think nothing bothers me more then when they talk about other people, especially when it is talk that is not good about another. That is one rule that I have that is pretty firm. But in order for them to follow this next verse, we need to set that example that is good for them to follow. It says, "8 Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching. "

There is much good news in Proverbs one, a promise that I see is this,

33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.

I think that is very easy to follow, if we are in Daily time with God, if we are seeking Him and trying to follow His ways, which would be much easier if we are praying to Him too.

Here is the link to Proverbs 1- since it is so long I did not list it here. http://tinyurl.com/47pzl6

The next reading is from Philippians 4. There are many verses within this chapter that I have clung to at different times of my life. I am sure you are no different. One that my mother in law quoted to me often, one that my mom also quoted to me often.

May these verses you read give you comfort, bless you and inspire you in your time with God.

4-7 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8-9 whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

11-13 I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

20To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

23The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

There are many promises within Philippians 4, I pray that my time with you today has been something that you have enjoyed. I pray for your circumstance. God knows where you are in life, he knows your need. I pray together with you, as he says where two or more come together, to petition with one another to the Lord. He hears your need, whether it be money for bills, job uncertainty, something with a family member, or for yourself maybe needing healing from pain. I pray that God will bless you and heal you, I pray that He will provide your need. I thank Him for the opportunity to be a vessel for you and to speak his word with you today.

Remember you can do all things through Christ that gives you strength.

The Weekly Bible verse is "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs , do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wastelands."

Today's Readings are Genesis 3, Psalm 23 ad Philippians 3

We all know Genesis 3 very well. We hear of it often. The temptation of the serpent upon Eve, her falling for it, giving in, then tempting Adam, who in turn gave in and the disappointment God had to fell at their actions. Isn't it hard to avoid temptation. We are tempted in so many ways. Through advertisement in magazines, the television, boards on the side of the road, the radio- to spend money we may not have, or to desire maybe with a slight envy the newest item out there, maybe a new phone or Ipod/MP3 player. The list is great, we all have our own areas. For me at times it could be the latest fabric. Boy is the temptation there. I am though ever so thankful to God that we are forgiven, that even though he made our life full of painful toil as He stated, He also is merciful and still wants to grant our desires, our needs. He still has a plan for us, we are not Lost, we are His Children Forever. Even when life here on earth may seem to much to bear, we can go before our Heavenly Father on our needs and let him hear our petitions, our cry for help. He will be our strength and comfort.

Here is Genesis 3 for you to read for yourself.

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"
2 The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, 3 but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.' "
4 "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. 5 "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. 7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.
8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the LORD God called to the man, "Where are you?"
10 He answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid."
11 And he said, "Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?"
12 The man said, "The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it."
13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."
14 So the LORD God said to the serpent, "Because you have done this, "Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life.
15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel."
16 To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you."
17 To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.
18 It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.
19 By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."
20 Adam named his wife Eve, because she would become the mother of all the living.
21 The LORD God made garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them. 22 And the LORD God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever." 23 So the LORD God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. 24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Psalm's 23 is another one that most of us should know. It seems to be a verse/passage on so many gift items. One we tend to learn by heart pretty early on through bible/sunday school etc.

God talks about Restoring our Soul, We should fear no evil, He is with us, He will comfort us. That love and goodness will follow us and we will Dwell in the House of the Lord Forever. This is for sure another of the 7000 promises that we should claim for ourselves. I know I want a restored soul so often. Being a mother of young kids is rough, mine are getting on into almost teenage years now and it seems even more difficult to just keep up with their normal school work. I can't imagine the trials of the moms and dads that have their kids in sports and other hobby/activities. We are a family that loves to be together though. I am happy that my children are content watching movies at home- if they get their homework done, on a school night. Having a dinner where we all do manage to sit at the table and eat together, and every once in a while- used to be more frequent- we play games on a weekend night, or stay up for a movie marathon, the last being Shrek 1-3. I value this time, the quiet moments with my family, even if they are surrounded by the busyness of the world. I know that in these moments there will be few as they continue to get older, soon they will be on their own. So I often pray for God to Restore my Soul so that I can face the challenges of the day. Two today were my daughter being sick and me having to still go to work this morning and leave her home alone, then my oldest sons bus broke down and he was not sure where he was on the route and they felt it could be 2 hours before they could get another bus to get him home. WOW did I pray. God was good, as I never did find the bus. In my moments of frustration and desperation the Transportation department called to let me know that the bus had broken down- nearly an hour later, and that they had sent another bus and he should be getting home any minute. Then i felt the comfort of God surround me as I knew he was safe and would be home by the time I got there. What a great God we have, one to protect our children, one that helps them not have much fear, even when we do.

Here is the whole passage for Psalm's 23

Psalm 23 A psalm of David.

1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Philippians 3

This is a rather long passage, long more because it is a letter and most of it I think we tend to skip over. Some of the parts that I tend to lean to out of this chapter in the bible for example verses 7-10.

7But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

This passage may seem a little confusing, as it talks so different then we do now a days. Mainly I feel the point is that we do not have righteousness from ourselves but rather through Christ who died for us in order for us to have it. Also what a blessed thing it is for us to have knowledge of Christs Death because if we accept Him and what He has done for us then we are to be with Him in his kingdom- we are saved.

Our verse for the week from Isaiah 43:18 and 19 is just about re quoted in Philippians 3

in verse 13 it says ....Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

A promise to claim from Philippians for ourselves is this

20..our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

For Philippians if you would like to read the full context of this chapter please either read from your bible or you can find it online through this link. http://tinyurl.com/7jxuwg

I pray that you find your soul restored, that God provide you will comfort in the areas you are in need, that you lean not to your own understanding but put your faith in Him, who died for us to grant us forgiveness of all things. I pray that you are able to get past yesterdays failures and successes, that you do not worry about tomorrow and what is to come, but that you take time to enjoy today and what God has to offer you in His Blessings.

Todays Message January 13 2009

I want to start with a bible verse that caught my eye today. This blog is not only one of inspiration but of friendships that have begun so here is a special verse from me to you today.

Colossians 3:12-14 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Today's Readings are from the following sources, please feel free to read them for yourself out of your own bible, or you can read my sources here.

Genesis 2, Psalm 37 Philippians 2

Genesis 2
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.
2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. 3 And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.
4 This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens- 5 and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, 6 but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground- 7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
8 Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. 9 And the LORD God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10-14 not listed here on my blog- talks about rivers etc created..
15 The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. 16 And the LORD God commanded the man, "You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die."
18 The LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him."
19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. 21 So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man's ribs and closed up the place with flesh. 22 Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman," for she was taken out of man."
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.
25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

Psalm 2

1 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.
12 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.
14 The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
16 Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;
17 for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18 The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever.
19 In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
20 But the wicked will perish: The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish—vanish like smoke.
21 The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;
22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off.
23 If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;
24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
25 I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.
26 They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.
27 Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.
28 For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;
29 the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.
30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.
31 The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.
32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives;
33 but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
34 Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,
36 but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.
37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace.
38 But all sinners will be destroyed; the future of the wicked will be cut off.
39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.
40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Philippians 2
Imitating Christ's Humility

1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17 But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18 So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
This chapter has more verses 19-30 It talks about Timothy and Epaphroditus their service to God.

First I will repeat the verse of the week- you may choose to memorize it if you would like to.

"Forger the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-19

In Genesis we learn about Adam not having a suitable helper. This displeased the Lord and He decided to create a path for Adam one that would include someone Adam could be with. To bring Joy to Adam, be his helper. Probably the most important part is at the end of Genesis 2. It is a very important principal of all who are married and those who one day become married.

23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman," for she was taken out of man." 24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

It is a unity God did not intend to have broken. It is woman's purpose to be there for their husbands, to support them, to cherish them, to love them. Sometimes it feels like there is no time to spend together. Schedules collide, stresses divide us. In the current situations we find even more stresses. Uncertainty with our jobs, questions of how we will pay our bills, this is when we should turn to God, ask Him to provide our every need. Ask Him to strengthen our marriage and grant us the Blessings that will come out of the troubles and problems we are living with.

Psalms 37 encourages us, it tells us to commit our ways to the Lord, that He will grant the desires of our heart. He tells us to Be Still and WAIT for Him. He will hold our hand- like the famous poem of Footprints- he will help us not to fall. When we take refuge in Him he will deliver us from the wicked and will save us. What better Promise shall we Claim for ourselves.

I think the portion of Philippians 2 that spoke the most to me is this "5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." Then also 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure.

Isn't it easy to not complain. Complain about our days with the kids, how rough things are. Complain to others about our marriage and such. You know what I am talking about, I am very guilty of complaining. I don't mean to complain, it just seems to come out of my mind. I know the hardest part is when I complain to my husband. My stresses become his stresses and then more ways on his shoulders. God did not intend for our husbands to become our complete support system. He intended for us to have friends to lean on, and of course the most important one to turn to is Our Father in heaven. Remember his promises to be there for us and carry us when we do not have the strength to do so for ourselves.

My decision to be a Light of Hope to others

You know sometimes we have no idea what God has in store for our lives. My faith is not necessarily revolved upon any denomination. I am a Christian mother of 3 children. I try to be a Proverbs 31 wife. Often I fall short. I heard once that the Proverbs 31 woman is possibly one that evolved over her lifetime not necessarily a daily aspect in her life. I think that sounds more reasonable. I do know it is not our job to interpret every aspect of the Bible but rather let God lead us to understand the scripture as it applies to our lives at that moment in time, to take from it and try to let it lead us along his path.

That being said, it was impressed upon my heart today to take my quilting to a new level. My other Blog started out of wanting to keep family updated about the kids, to share my quilting with new friends I had met online and just be inspiration to others through God who works through me. Today I found the deep desire to continue the blog posting I started Saturday Night. To maybe give those who read my Blog a daily encouragement using God's word.
It seems that so many people I know are going through such hard times. It is easy - too easy to forget little things. That God loves us, that sometimes even though we don't understand He lets us go through the deep dark places, so that He can lead us to the light ahead- to the Blessings He has in store for us.
We constantly hear how women should keep a clean house, raise children who don't take things for granted, who are decent and kind, who follow the rules. That we should be this wife that cooks every day, who has time for her husband etc. In this busy life it seems so hard to manage everything and be that Godly example all the time.
I hope through my writings, you will be encouraged, that it will give you Hope, that God will work through me to speak words that will Bless you and Help you have positive Growth in God.
I have posted two of my previous posts to this new Blog, as they started my adventure into this new idea.
I also want to say that I owe so much of my outspokenness of God and deep desire to dig deep into his word, and lean on Him when things seem so impossible. To remember that He has a plan for my life, he wants to grant me Hope, light my path and grant me the true desires of my heart. That he will overflow my cup with blessings and give me strength, and that all things work to the good of those who love God and obey his commands. That He forgives me in all things and in the times I fall short of His magnificent Glory. All these lessons, lessons I learned as a child, were furthered into a relationship an adult understanding through my mother in law, Joyce. Someone I grew to feel was my mother, someone who I know was that Proverbs 31 woman, a Godly woman I aspire to also become. I had 10 years with a lady, the last couple of years I cared for her when no one else seemed to handle the situation. I knew that God had a plan, a plan for me to marry my husband Paul so that one day I could give back to Joyce, care for her until it was time for her to go home. I cannot explain to you how much she changed my life, encouraged me to Grow in Christ and Today I decide to be a Light of Hope to Others. To encourage New Growth for you to be closer to God. I pray for you to follow me on this journey He has planned, as even I have no idea where it will lead.
I love you my sisters in Christ,
Jenn

Scripture Readings For Monday January 12 2009

I am posting Todays Recommended Passages. I will simplify them. If you would like to read the whole things for yourself, here are the Scriptures:
Genesis 1, Psalm 1, Philippians 1.
Simplified-

Genesis One
1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness. 6 Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." 7 So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. 8 God called the expanse "sky."
9 "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear."
10 God called the dry ground "land," and the gathered waters he called "seas."
11 "Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." 14. "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15 and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth."
16. God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17 God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18 to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness.
20"Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." 21 So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. 22 "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." 24 "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind."26 "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." 29 Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food." And it was so. 31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.

Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. 4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

Philippians 1- starting with verse 9- simplified chapter
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, 10 so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. 15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 20 I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! 23 I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24 but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me. 27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
I hope this inspires you today to remember that out of our problems God works within us and through us in order to redirect our Path and to grant us the Blessing that He wants to pour out upon us and overflow our cups with.
The verse to continue to meditate on all week
" Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

New Growth Starts With God

Today's sermon in church was amazing. Our pastor is doing a sermon series called Etch a Sketch, today's series is called Clean Slate. Pretty self explanatory on the Clean Slate part if you have ever played with an Etch a Sketch. It was an interesting analogy though.

God does wipe our slate clean, and often. When you open your life to Christ he does wipe your slate clean. God's promise is a Genesis, meaning that he starts at the beginning. He wants to have a Genesis of change in our lives in order to grant us Growth in this New Year. He created the world out of nothing (ex nihilo).

God gives us direction, passion, provision, purpose, meaning etc. Pastor Kerry listed 6 points for the Divine Process for Creating Change

1. Light: The Promise of God And God said "Let there be light, and there was light" vs 3 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Ps 119:105

Daily Get into God's word for His Illumination, there are 7000 promises in the Bible, Claim them as your own as you are reading through your daily reading.

2. Land: The possibility on earth And God said, Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear, and it was so. God called the dry ground, Land. vs 9,10 Opportunities and possibilities -We have to have our eyes open to them, in order to see them to take advantage of them.

New possibilities can be disguised as problems- such as finances, job loss, relationships... God wants to Bless you Life he uses the problems to get you to that Blessing, in some ways redirect Your Path. God allows us to be shaken to turn us to Him to bring us to the bridge of Him to receive His blessings.

3. Life: The passion of your heart Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation: seed bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds. And it was so. The land produced vegetation and bearing seed according to their kinds and tree bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. Vs 11-12 Problems and pressures can cover up the passion of Life. Live from your Passion. God creates life and life grows.

4. Likeness: The pursuit of Christ's character. Then God said "Let us make man in Our image, in Our likeness... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created Him, male and female He created them. Vs 26-27

We are a Spiritual Creation, We should make Spiritual Growth our number one Resolution. God chips away at our rough edges of our character to be more like Him.

5. Leverage: The purpose of God's Blessings New opportunities God Blessed them and said to them "Be fruitful and increase in number, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground. Vs 28 Increase your Influence.

God Blesses you to be a blessing to others.

6. Limits" The power of God's care and control " By seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing, so on the seventh day He rested all His work.

" Gen 2:2 God has to make the change in your life. Tell God you need the power to see inspiration, opportunities etc.

We get the Light: Inspiration from God by Daily Reading Daily Writing- journaling ex promises Daily meditation (memorizing)

Daily Application- put it into your life.

Remember also that Last year is over Forget out the failures and also the successes.

It is time for new changes don't you see something new on the way- that is What God wants us to see and know.

The bible was not written to increase our knowledge but change our lives, If you are real bout who you are it Influences and impacts people.

Make a Resolution that takes a day but lasts a lifetime.

We vastly overestimate yesterday= regrets , the future=fear and today= we are missing the impact of God's Blessings for us. Bible Verse Isaiah 43:18-19
Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up, do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland" Here are some Daily Bible Readings for this week- I hope they inspire you and grant you God's Light Monday Gen 1, Psalm 1 Philippians 1

Tuesday Gen 2 Psalms 37 Philippians 2

Wednesdays Gen 3 Psalm 23 Phil 3

Thursday Gen 4 Proverbs 1 Phil 4

Friday Gen 5 Proverbs 24 Eph 1

Saturday Gen 6 Psalm 119 Eph 2

Sunday Gen 7 Proverbs 31 Eph 3