Let it shine

And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was anything kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

~Mark 4:21-23

I often hear the girls singing one of my favorite Sunday school songs, 'Go tell it on the mountain.'
You may know it : Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere. Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

He is born and He is risen! His gift of eternity should not be kept a secret.

God is challenging us to tell more people about Jesus. We want to tell it at the grocery store, at the car wash, at the restaurant. Everyday we have numerous opportunities to tell someone about Jesus. My prayers are to slow down and tell someone everyday.

No resolutions here. Just striving to be a better daughter of The King. Just trying to be a brighter light.

{2009}

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today and forever.
~Hebrews 13:8

Merry Christmas

We have been very busy enjoying all the activities that come with preparing for Christmas. Last weekend was the town parade that included an entry from our church. The girls both rode on the float and waved their arms off. Friday night was our church Christmas party and Saturday evening we enjoyed a wonderful visit with family that came in from out of town. The girls decorated their annual gingerbread house and gifts are being wrapped. I have a ladies brunch on Thursday and the school party is on Friday.

The tree is trimmed and the lights are all on...................

This is all wonderful and fun. If we aren't careful we can forget the meaning of Christmas.

Last week, while I was waiting to tell the judge why I can't serve jury duty, I pulled a little book out of my purse that I always carry with me. You have probably read through one yourself, Our Daily Bread. I will share the entry for that day:

As we approach Christmas, it's good to remember why Jesus was born. The Son of God did not come to establish a nostalgic, family-oriented, commercially successful holiday. The angel told Joseph: "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus : for he shall save his people from their sins"(Matt. 1:21).

Christmas began with a present from God to his sin-damaged world: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

The masterpiece of God's human creation, marred by turning away from Him, can be restored when we give our hearts to Christ. ---David McCasland

I think it is wonderful to have family-oriented memories that include traditions and activities as long as we give God the praise and glory for everything and put Him above all else!

I will be taking a blog break until after Christmas. The girls will be on Christmas break after Friday and I am really looking forward to having them home. God Bless everyone and again have a Merry Christmas.

Church was so wonderful last night. It is always wonderful. We are working through the book of Judges. We started chapter 17 last night. Samson died in the previous chapter and we are now introduced to Micah. Micah stole from his mother. He later returned her silver for fear of her curse, not for fear of the Lord. They used a portion of the silver to make a graven image as the mother said she had wholly dedicated the silver to the Lord. Verse six then says, "In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes." The mother did what she thought to be acceptable. We know that God abhors false idols and would not want her to make one.


We have to be very careful not to use the world's standards to live by. Our hearts and eyes are deceptive. The rejection of God's authority is the main problem in the world. We often look to man's authority and measure our behavior and beliefs. We should use God's standard to choose music, activites, clothes and behavior. Colossians 3:23 says, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."

Just a little picture of our sparkly living room all ready for Christmas. I added a few more things to the mantel after I took this picture.

Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.




This is a picture I took while visiting the butterfly habitat at 6 flags. So many beautiful colors!

In it not of it

James 4:4-10

Ye adulterers and aduteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy
of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain,the spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Clense your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

God bless America

If My people, which are called by My name, shall
humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and
turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven,
and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
-2 Chronicles 7:14

Our country was founded on the belief of God and his commandments. Just a little reminder that because of Him we are blessed in our great nation.

Happy Independence Day!!

*The pictures are from neighborhood homes, flowers in my garden and the kids from the fourth last year. Madison is just on the left of the fire truck :)

God's way is the only way

And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him. Genesis 2:18

And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;
And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2: 21-24

Lamentations 3:22-23

His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.


The Lord is so faithful and so good to us. I am so thankful for the days that God will carry me when I ask him. I know he carries me even when I neglect to call on Him. I have been lovingly surrounded by His love and care. NO trial is too big or too small. I recently heard this phrase, "A trial is an appointment with God." So what happens when you don't keep your appointment? I think we all have a few stories we could share about missed appointments.

Mothers Day

I love these little hands. I love the perfection of the dirt under the nails and the forgotten nail polish. The little scrapes and peeling skin. I love how these little hands fold together and pray. How they hug and help. How they create and learn. I pray for these little hands everyday to follow the ways of the Lord, always.

3 John 1:4

I have no greater joy than to hear my childern walk in the truth.

Joy

It is in the everyday. A kind word or a passing smile. Some of my most joyful moments happen on ordinary days. A tiny note left on my pillow, looking at pictures, watching the girls play. Those same ordinary days have the potential to rob my joy. The world could take over if I let it. In ten seconds I could make a list that begins with gas prices, unkind people and politics. God says our joy is to remain , not go up and down with our circumstances.
Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. I Thessalonians 5:16-18

At church we just finished the book of Philippians. It was written by Paul while in prison and it is about joy. What a faithful example Paul is. He did not complain but instead upheld his belief in furthering the gospel. He was more focused on God and others than himself. When we put God and others before our own needs we aren't so focused on our little worries. In Phill. 2:3 the Bible says, Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Verse 14 says, Do all things without murmurings and disputings.

Chapter 4:8, Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Worry is wrong thinking and feeling. Worry is a joy robber, worry is sinful. It means that I don't place enough trust in God. God promises that when we live right we have peace and joy. Phill. 4:9, Those things, which ye have both learned and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

My joy is found in Phill. 3:14, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. My joy is not found in a self-help book, the lottery or this world. My joy is my salvation.

Stand still

How amazing is it that the same God who made this vast universe, the same God who told the waters where to stop and the stars when to shine, is the same powerful God who works on my behalf everyday. He has promised that when I walk in the Spirit that I will not succumb to the ways of my flesh (Galatians 5:16). Everyday I remind myself that it is not about me!
It is ALL about GOD! We were not saved so we could live to meet our own desires, but to Glorify God daily. All I need to do is be still. Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10. God asks for my obedience and he will bless me and he will teach me to trust him. In my weakness, I am strong in Christ.


This past weekend was filled with God's glory. Friday night was our annual banquet. Dr. Trieber was our guest and the entire room was blessed I guarantee. After the offering was calculated, the amount was within a few hundred dollars of what was needed to do the projects at the church. Glory be to God.


Easter Sunday was beautiful. Our church service had record attendance in both the main service and Spanish service, we had a baptism and our city's largest egg hunt. The goal is not to be the largest church but to reach lost souls and the egg hunt was just plain fun.


Evangelist, John Goetsch Jr. and his family were our guests. He is an amazing man of God and I am thankful for the message he was given. Mrs. Goetsch could have sang all day and no one would have moved!


The Resurrection should be celebrated everyday.

1st John 4:7-8

I wish I could share these wonderful, from scratch, cupcakes with everyone! We could celebrate -Happy Birthday to Leah! I hope everyone has a wonderful day because our greatest gift is God's love...................

Today's Verse: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2

This was the verse for today and I just wanted to preserve it on my blog.