Transparent Tulip (2 Corinthians 13:5)

THANKFUL THURSDAY-I am sweetly broken

2011-03-31T14:29:00.001-04:00

What God Can't Do

2011-02-22T12:03:00.002-05:00

Things God Can't Do
1.God can't sleep or get tired.Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary.
—Isaiah 40:28 Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep Psalm 121:4

2.God can't take on a job he can't handle.Ah, Lord God! Behold, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for you.
—Jeremiah 32:17

3.God can’t sin because He is holyAnd one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!"
—Isaiah 6:3
http://carm.org/god-cannot-be-tempted-jesus-was-tempted

4.God can’t lie. so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.- Hebrews 6:18, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began. Titus 1:2

5.God can't break a promise.
My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of my lips.
—Psalm 89:34, For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.-2 Corinthians 1:20, Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,-Deuteronomy 7:9

6.God can’t abandon His obedient childrenKeep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”-Hebrews 13:5, Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, he is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.
—Deuteronomy 31:6

7.God can’t failThe LORD within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.-Zephaniah 3:5, No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.Romans 8:37

Do you desire God?

2011-01-13T13:52:00.001-05:00

John Piper - Is it OK to drink alcohol?

2011-01-05T12:21:00.001-05:00

Oh Crimson Flow

2010-12-30T08:45:00.000-05:00

Delight yourself in the Lord

2010-12-28T11:37:00.001-05:00

OMNIPRESENCE

2010-12-24T14:29:00.000-05:00

Omnipresence: This theological term means “always present.” Since God is infinite, His being knows no boundaries. So, clearly He is everywhere. This truth is taught throughout the Bible as the phrase “I am with you always” is repeated 22 times in both the Old and New Testaments. These were even Jesus’ words of assurance just after giving the challenge to His disciples to take His message to the entire world. This is certainly a comforting truth for all who follow Jesus.

GRACIOUS

2010-12-19T22:08:00.001-05:00

Gracious: God is constantly giving me what I don't deserve. The most important thing He gave me that I don't deserve is faith in Him, salvation through His Son.

GOODNESS

2010-12-14T23:34:00.000-05:00

Goodness: “The goodness of God is that which disposes Him to be kind, cordial, benevolent, and full of good will toward men.” Luke 18:19 says "No one is good except God alone." and Romans 9:15 says "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

The 12 Doctrines of Christmas

2010-12-14T17:32:00.000-05:00

ETERNAL

2010-12-12T21:23:00.000-05:00

Eternal: In some ways, this fact about God is similar to His self-existence. God always has been and will forever be, because God dwells in eternity. Time is His creation. It is why God can see the end from the beginning, and why He is never surprised by anything. If He were not eternal, God’s promise of eternal life for those who follow Jesus would have little value.

MERCY

2010-12-09T12:18:00.002-05:00

For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”Romans 9:15 . Mercy is compassionate forbearance. MERCY is the act of God by which He withholds what we do deserve.

IMMUTABILITY

2010-12-02T12:15:00.002-05:00

Immutability: This simply means that God never changes. It is why the Bible says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” I think this may be my favorite attribute, because with all the changes in life that take you on a rollercoaster ride, God doesn't change and He can be counted on.

JUSTICE

2010-11-30T15:13:00.000-05:00

Justice: The Bible says that God is just, but it is His character that defines what being just really is. He does not conform to some outside criteria. Being just brings moral equity to everyone. When there are evil acts, justice demands there be a penalty. Since God is perfect and has never done evil, no penalty would ever be necessary; however, because of His love, God paid the penalty for our evil deeds by going to the cross Himself. His justice needed to be satisfied, but He took care of it for all who will believe in Jesus.

WHY?

2010-11-30T15:12:00.000-05:00

The reason I am posting the Attributes of God, is not just to encourage others, but it is good for me to hear them too. :) Sometimes I forget who the real God is. :)

ATTRIBUTES OF GOD

2010-11-28T13:11:00.001-05:00

I am getting these Attributes of God from this website. http://www.allaboutgod.com/attributes-of-god.htm I have changed some of them slightly.

SELF-SUFFICIENT

2010-11-28T13:10:00.000-05:00

Self-sufficiency: The Bible says that God has life in Himself (see John 5:26). All other life in the universe is a gift from God. He has no needs and there is no way He can improve. To God, nothing else is necessary. He does not need our help with anything, but because of His grace and love, He allows us to be a part of advancing His plan on earth and being a blessing to others. We are the ones who change, but never God. He is self-sufficient.

SELF-EXISTENCE

2010-11-27T23:29:00.000-05:00

Self-existence: God has no beginning or end. He just exists and always has. Nothing else in all the universe is self-caused. Only God. This is a difficult concept for our minds since everything else we will ever encounter comes from something other than itself. The Bible says, “In the beginning, God.” He was already there.

OMNIPOTENCE

2010-11-23T12:18:00.000-05:00

Omnipotence: Literally this word means all-powerful. Since God is infinite and since He possesses power, He possesses infinite power. “He expends no energy that must be replenished.” When the Bible says God rested on the seventh day, it was to set an example for us and our need for rest, not because He was tired.

LOVE

2010-11-22T21:39:00.001-05:00

Love is such an important part of God’s character that the apostle John wrote, “God is love.”God love is not one of emotion but of demonstration. God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

FAITHFULNESS

2010-11-15T14:18:00.000-05:00

Everything that God has promised will come to pass. His faithfulness guarantees this fact. He does not lie. What He has said in the Bible about Himself is true. Jesus even said that He is the Truth. This is extremely important for the followers of Jesus because it is on His faithfulness that our hope of eternal life rests. He will honor His promise that our sins will be forgiven and that we will live forever with Him.

OMNISCIENCE

2010-11-14T11:33:00.000-05:00

Omniscience: God possesses perfect knowledge and therefore has no need to learn. God has never learned and cannot learn. Omniscience means all-knowing. God knows everything, and His knowledge is infinite. It is impossible to hide anything from God.

HOLINESS

2010-11-13T19:40:00.002-05:00

Holiness: This is the attribute that sets God apart from all created beings. It refers to His majesty and His perfect moral purity. There is absolutely no sin or evil thought in God at all. His holiness is the definition of that which is pure and righteous in all the universe. His holiness is the standard by which we are judged.

SOVEREIGNTY

2010-11-11T08:52:00.002-05:00

I am thankful for God's Sovereignty. Not as people see His sovereignty but as it is described and expressed in His word. This is “the attribute by which He rules His entire creation.” It is the application of His other attributes of being all-knowing and all-powerful. It makes Him absolutely free to do what He knows to be best and thankfully not what we know to be best. God is in control of everything that happens.

INFINITUDE

2010-11-10T11:55:00.002-05:00

I am thankful for God's infinitude. God knows/has no boundaries. He is without measure. Infinitude by definition impacts all of the others. Since God is infinite, everything else about Him must also be infinite.

WISDOM

2010-11-09T13:54:00.001-05:00

I am thankful for God's wisdom. He is the all wise God.
“Wisdom is the ability to devise perfect ends and to achieve these ends by the most perfect means.” In other words, God makes no mistakes. He is the Father who truly knows best. Romans 11:33: “Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways!”

Thanksgiving

2010-11-09T13:51:00.001-05:00

I am going to be mini-blogging for the month of November and possibly into December. By mini-blogging I mean, each day I blog, it will be no more than a paragraph long. I want to share the attributes of God with you. Something to truly to be thankful for in the month of thanksgiving.

Til death do us part

2010-10-29T13:46:00.003-04:00

T.G.I.F & M.H.R. (My Husband Rocks!)

What came to my mind today as I thought about what I'd write about for M.H.R. Friday, is our wedding vows. We had the traditional ones, from what I can remember. Honestly, I was so nervous, I hardly remember our wedding day. However, I do remember, "til death do us part." Even though I didn't take my vows seriously for years, because of lack of maturity & my sinfulness, years later I made an important commitment to God (privately), that I would stay no matter what. There is nothing that was not able to be reconciled. Unless of course the other person does not want reconciliation. As I thought about how I fell short and missed the mark in our marriage, even after making that commitment 10 years ago, and even though I failed and didn't keep the commitment consistently, all of my failures made me think of the 10 commandments. The 10 commandments are not able to be kept on our own power (considering total depravity), but they are still what God commands. By God's grace, He gives us the strength to obey God and His Son who died for believers, cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Again my husband is a picture of God's grace to me, everytime I decided our marriage vows meant nothing, or gave up on my commitment, my husband was there. And by God's grace I am able to keep obeying God and keep my vows. Very thankful today for my husband because he rocks! The cool thing is, our vows with God don't end at death. There is NO end to our marriage with Christ. Praise be to God!

Our vows were similiar to these: (from what I can remember) ;)

"Will you, _______, have _____ to be your wife/husband? Will you love her/him, comfort and keep her/him, and forsaking all other remain true to him/her as long as you both shall live?" ("I will")

(Repeat) "I, ________, take thee ______, to be my wife/husband, and before God and these witnesses I promise to be a faithful and true wife/husband."

(Rings) "With this ring I thee wed, and all my worldly goods I thee endow. In sickness and in health, in poverty or in wealth, 'til death do us part."

Want to tell the world, your husband rocks? http://www.union28.net/women

All praise to the name of the Savior who reigns!

2010-10-25T10:58:00.001-04:00

Shai Linne - Preaching the Gospel

October-Fire Prevention Month

2010-10-14T11:37:00.003-04:00

Joseph Cook @ On the Cookie Counter & Greg (our son). October is Fire Prevention Month. Mr. Cook, Joseph's dad spoke to our AWANA children last night about fire safety. The boys got to dress in full gear and demonstrate what firefghters will look like when they are coming to rescue the children in their homes. Joseph & Greg are local Fire Explorers, training to one day possibly be firefighters. Mr. Cook talked about the importance of training to be a firefighter, and that you can't just throw them into a room with other firefighters and say ok, you can go rescue people. Just as in our Christian walk, we have people to train us. We must seek after those godly people to train us, as Paul trained those around him in the Bible.

They started in the crawling position as they entered the room, but I wasn't quick enough to get that picture. They even got to wear the air tanks. Which are very heavy. I know it's not oxygen, beause that is flammable, but I can't remember the name of what they are breathing in. :) They sound like darth vader.

The AWANA children learning about what is means to train.

Joseph & Greg. The gear is very heavy and hot. It is good protection in a fire, but Greg was sweating just standing still in it. The inside lining is the equivalent of a mover's blanket. But I am thankful for that protection.

Mr. Cook and the boys again. Greg is the one in the yellow hat. Most firefighters will wear yellow hats. They are easier for other firefighters to see in smoke. But now they also have double ended flashlights to make their jobs a little easier.

Thankful Thursday-sacrifices

2010-10-14T11:13:00.005-04:00

It's Thankful Thursday and I just can't help but make it a post to gush over my husband. I am so thankful for how he takes care the children and I. We can always count on him. Although the Lord is my security, I also feel safe with my husband. My husband is a reminder of God's care for us. He has made so many sacrifices for our family, one of which is a ton of sleep. If I could count all of the sleep he has lost going to work so that I could stay home with the kids, you wouldn't believe the hours he's lost. It makes me think of the ultimate sacrifice of Christ on the cross for His people. And just as my husband willingly sacrifices for us, Christ willingly sacrificed for His church, His bride. What great love is this! I can't helped but be overwelmed with the love and Christ and the love of my husband today. Praising God for who He is.

Praise Adonai

2010-10-12T16:48:00.001-04:00

Comparison of God-Centered and Man-Centered Worship

2010-10-10T20:06:00.000-04:00

Glorifying God by our worship must be our goal, our highest priority. (I Cor. 10:31)

Why I decided to remove my "follow this blog" option

2010-10-09T16:25:00.001-04:00

I was made aware of something that caused me to remove the "follow this blog" widget, over at the OLD GEEZER blog. I think it is better to be safe than sorry.

Fundraiser for American Heritage Girls

2010-10-08T12:20:00.003-04:00

We are having a fundraiser for our AHG Troop FL3130. We are promoting the sale of Lamplighter publishing books. With our code, LAMP61, you get 15% off regular price items and our troop gets 20% of the sale! Now through Nov. 30. Thanks for your support!

Want to learn more about AHG and how you can find a troop in your area. Click here.

My Husband Rocks! - Forever Mine Faithfully

2010-10-08T11:52:00.003-04:00

"Forever Yours, Faithfully"... This was (still is) our song when we were first married in 1992. My husband rocks because he truly means these words. I've put him through allot and made life hard for him at many times in our marriage, but through it all his heart remained mine, and he has proved to me that my heart can trust him. I came from a place where the only men in my life I trusted were my dad and brother. Going into our marriage I didn't trust my husband even though he gave me no reason not to trust him. I know that I can trust him until death do us part. He is often times, more than not, a picture of God's grace and mercy to me. I believe he is also a part of God's sanctification process for me. I don't always see how God is using my husband in my sanctification right away, but when I look back, I see God has truly blessed me with a husband that rocks and who will remain forever mine, faithfully.

Thankful Thursday- forgiveness from my children

2010-10-07T17:15:00.005-04:00

Thankful Thursday
Today I can't help but be thankful to God for my children's forgiveness. I, being a sinner saved by grace, often stumble in front of my children by losing my temper, letting my emotions run me, provoking my son to anger, letting the wrong words fly out of my mouth; I talk to my children like they're stupid (when they are far from it), and I never deserve their love and forgiveness. Yet what do they constantly give me? Their love and forgiveness. God has truly blessed me with two compassionate and merciful children.

Be My Everything

2010-10-05T12:34:00.000-04:00

My prayer

In case you didn't already know

2010-10-02T22:32:00.002-04:00

An attempt to clear up some of the misunderstandings about Calvinism. This is not meant to be a detailed doctrinal defense of Calvinism’s Doctrines Of Grace.

Thankful Thursday

2010-09-30T12:54:00.002-04:00

Thankful Thursday

Revelation 5:12 "saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”"

My Husband Rocks!

2010-09-24T14:35:00.002-04:00

I have to decided to jump back on the my husband rocks, bandwagon. For alot of reasons" to remind myself how blessed I am and hopefully to encourage others to jump on too. :)I have far too often take my husband for granted.

I lost my mom about 2 years ago. It was a rough time for me. Her death was unexpected. I became rebellious toward God. I wanted my mom back. Shortly after her death, I began to dwell on the hurt from her death, so then I turned to alcohol in order to become numb. It didn't work of course. During that time, I felt like my mind was blocked, I could not remember one single good memory with my husband. So in order to run from every single person in my life, including God, I filed for divorce. I had convinced myself that my husband was better off without me because I was so messed up. Through all of this my husband continued to love me, he tried being extra kind in order to soften my heart. It wasn't until he committed me and our marriage to God, that God began to work with tremendous results. God broke my heart over my new found life of heading down the wrong path and I filed to stop the divorce. We have been married for 17+ years and been together for 18+ years. I can honestly say he is my best friend. He knows eveything about me and still loves me. And even seems like he wants to learn more. Shortly after I stopped the divorce and began going to couseling for my grieving and my marriage, I came accross this verse. It reminds me so much of my husband and our 19 year relationship.

"I learned the real meaning of love. Love is absolute loyalty. People fade, looks fade, but loyalty never fades. You can depend so much on certain people, you can set your watch by them. And that's love, even if it doesn't seem very exciting." --Sylvester Stallone

Thankful Thursday

2010-09-23T15:51:00.001-04:00

Romans 5: 6 "You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Christ is....

2010-09-09T21:28:00.000-04:00

Christ is . . .

(J. C. Ryle)
"Christ is all." Colossians 3:11

True Christians have trustful thoughts of Christ.
They daily lean the weight of their souls upon
Him by faith—for pardon and peace.

They daily commit the care of their souls to Him
—as a man commits a treasure to a safe keeper.

They daily cling to Him by faith—as a child in
a crowd clings to its mother's hand.

They look to Him daily for . . .
mercy,
grace,
comfort,
help,
strength,
guidance.

Christ is . . .
the rock under their feet,
the staff in their hands,
their ark and their city of refuge,
their sun and their shield,
their bread and their medicine,
their health and their light,
their fountain and their shelter,
their portion and their home,
their advocate and their physician,
their captain and their elder brother,
their life,
their hope,
their all.

God's Providence

2010-09-09T21:19:00.003-04:00

How sweet it is to trace the Lord's hand in providence . . .
to look back on the chequered path that He has led us by;
to see how His hand has been with us for good;
what difficulties He has brought us through;
in what straits He has appeared;
how in things most trying He has wrought deliverance;
and how He has sustained us to the present hour.

--J. C. Philpot, "The Secret of the Lord" 1844

We need grace

2010-09-07T18:36:00.002-04:00

Saw this on the 'theology for girls' blog and wanted to repost on my blog.

We Need Grace

"May grace and peace be multiplied unto you."--2 Peter 1:2

When we see and feel how we need grace every
moment in our lives, we at once perceive the beauty in
asking for an abundant, overflowing measure of grace.

We cannot walk the length of the street without sin.

Our carnal minds, our vain imaginations, are all on the lookout for evil. Sin presents itself at every avenue, and lurks like the prowling night-thief for every opportunity of secret plunder. In fact, in ourselves, in our fallen nature,
except as restrained and influenced by grace, we sin with well near every breath that we draw. We need, therefore, grace upon grace, or, in the words of the text, grace to be "multiplied" in proportion to our sins. Shall I say in
proportion? No! If sin abounds, as to our shame and sorrow we know it does, we need grace to much more abound!

When the 'tide of sin' flows in with its muck and mire, we need the 'tide of grace' to flow higher still, to carry out the slime and filth into the depths of the ocean, so that when sought for, they may be found no more.

We need grace, free grace . . .
grace today,
grace tomorrow,
grace this moment,
grace the next,
grace all the day long.

We need grace, free grace . . .
healing grace,
reviving grace,
restoring grace,
saving grace,
sanctifying grace.

And all this multiplied by all our . . .
wants and woes,
sins,
slips,
falls, and
unceasing and aggravated backslidings.

We need grace, free grace . . .
grace to believe,
grace to hope,
grace to love,
grace to fight,
grace to conquer,
grace to stand,
grace to live,
grace to die.

Every moment of our lives we need . . .
keeping grace,
supporting grace,
upholding grace,
withholding grace.

J.C. Philpot Collections: Grace Gems

Jesus, all my hope

2010-09-04T10:37:00.004-04:00

"For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ,and Him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:2

Beloved,

if we would save souls from death,
if we would rescue sinners from eternal misery,
if we would make believers happy,
if we would cover Satan with shame,
if we would deprive death of its sting, and
if we would make the road to glory plain--
we must preach Christ crucified;
we must exercise faith in Christ crucified;
and we must daily meditate on Christ crucified!

May Christ and His cross be all my theme!
May Christ and His cross be all my hope!
May Christ and His cross be all my joy!

Cross of Jesus! Jesus crucified!
To you would I look in life--and all its troubles!
To you would I look in death--and all its pangs!
To you would I look in glory--when filled with all its joys!
"God forbid, that I should glory, except in the cross of my Lord Jesus Christ!"

James Smith, from "Rills from the Rock of Ages", 1860, Grace Gems

I will not be silent

2010-09-02T17:13:00.007-04:00

Do you believe that God played a neccessary part in creation? What do you believe God's word says? If we claim to believe what the Bible says and then also agree with some of what Science says, are we not contradicting God's word? Should a Christian believe in evolution or in a god that is hands off because scientist have "proven" there are scientific laws? I do believe there are laws of nature, but I also believe God established those laws and is not subject to them, nor is He bound by them.

British theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking says, in 'The Grand Design,' co-authored with U.S. physicist Leonard Mlodinow, "a new series of theories made a creator of the universe redundant, according to the Times newspaper which published extracts on Thursday."
"Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing..." Hawking writes.

As much as this saddens me, it doesn't surprise me. We as a people, have always worshipped the creation rather than the Creator and even made claims, God only interevenes at special times. I will not be silent, if I am, even the rocks will cry out. God will not be mocked. He is in "continual sovereign control" of everyone and everything. Call me insane but I believe what it says in Job and that it is not speaking figuratively.

Job 37:6 For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’
likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.
Job 37:9 From its chamber comes the whirlwind,
and cold from the scattering winds.
10 By the breath of God ice is given,
and the broad waters are frozen fast.
11 He loads the thick cloud with moisture;
the clouds scatter his lightning.
12 They turn around and around by his guidance,
to accomplish all that he commands them
on the face of the habitable world.
13 Whether for correction or for his land
or for love, he causes it to happen.

Job 38:1Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Dress for action a like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb,
9 when I made clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed limits for it
and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?
12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began,
and caused the dawn to know its place,
13 that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth,
and the wicked be shaken out of it?
14 It is changed like clay under the seal,
and its features stand out like a garment.
15 From the wicked their light is withheld,
and their uplifted arm is broken.
16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea,
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth?
Declare, if you know all this.
19 “Where is the way to the dwelling of light,
and where is the place of darkness,
20 that you may take it to its territory
and that you may discern the paths to its home?
21 You know, for you were born then,
and the number of your days is great!
22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow,
or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,
23 which I have reserved for the time of trouble,
for the day of battle and war?
24 What is the way to the place where the light is distributed,
or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth?
25 “Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain
and a way for the thunderbolt,
26 to bring rain on a land where no man is,
on the desert in which there is no man,
27 to satisfy the waste and desolate land,
and to make the ground sprout with grass?
28 “Has the rain a father,
or who has begotten the drops of dew?
29 From whose womb did the ice come forth,
and who has given birth to the frost of heaven?
30 The waters become hard like stone,
and the face of the deep is frozen.
31 “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades
or loose the cords of Orion?
32 Can you lead forth the Mazzarothb in their season,
or can you guide the Bear with its children?
33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
Can you establish their rule on the earth?
34 “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
that a flood of waters may cover you?
35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go
and say to you, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who has put wisdom in the inward partsc
or given understanding to the mind?d
37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom?
Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,
38 when the dust runs into a mass
and the clods stick fast together?
39 “Can you hunt the prey for the lion,
or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
40 when they crouch in their dens
or lie in wait in their thicket?
41 Who provides for the raven its prey,
when its young ones cry to God for help,
and wander about for lack of food?

If You want me to

2010-09-02T13:12:00.001-04:00

HIS blood is enough!

2010-09-02T08:50:00.001-04:00

Thankful Thursday

2010-09-02T08:24:00.003-04:00
2 Thessalonians 2:13 "But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth."

I am thankful for my sanctification. Although I do wish I no longer had to sin, sanctification by the Spirit is fulfilling God's purpose for me. Create in me a clean heart O Lord, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Let me not be passive in my sanctification.

Entrusting myself to God

2010-08-16T12:20:00.004-04:00
Lately, I have been battling with do my doctors know best. I am seeing several different kinds of doctors. Do they always think things through before they prescribe medications to me? Do they know what is best for me? Do they really listen? No, to all of them. But if I were to ask those questions about God, each answer would be yes. So I am going to take this specific medication, even though it puts me at a very high risk of getting a disease that my mother and grandmother had. Why because I trust God, He knows what's best for me. I don't have to fear, because the Creator of the universe, has my back, my heart, my lungs, and all the rest of me. I commit what could happen to God, knowing that the testing of my faith producing patience, that I may be complete and mature, lacking in nothing.

"Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." 1 Peter 4:19

Sanctified Affliction

2010-08-16T11:38:00.001-04:00
It was good that I was afflicted

God's marvelous grace

2010-08-16T11:35:00.001-04:00
When I was in the world, oh how I missed you so LORD

I surrender all

2010-08-16T11:08:00.001-04:00
The Lord knows what is best for each one of us,
and one effect of resting in this truth
will be the silencing of our petulant complainings.
God is greatly honored when,
under trial and chastening,
we have good thoughts of Him,
vindicate His wisdom and justice,
and recognize his love in His very rebukes.

Apprehension of this blessed truth
will beget increasing confidence in God.
"Wherefore let them that suffer according
to the will of God commit the keeping of
their souls to Him in well doing,
as unto a faithful Creator" (1 Peter 4:19).
When we trustfully resign ourselves,
and all our affairs into God's hands,
fully persuaded of His love and faithfulness,
the sooner shall we be satisfied
with His providences and realize that
"He doeth all things well."

The Attributes of God ~ A.W. Pink, Baker, page 56.

Talking to myself instead of listening

2010-08-13T13:02:00.002-04:00
Honestly, I am weary. I could focus on what my flesh wants; answers, relief from physical pain, relief from worry of the what ifs of life. But my spirit is being fed and I am starving my flesh. My spirit wants to draw closer to God. I am desiring to lean on Him, the worse my struggles get. I am scared at what the next few months hold, while I wait. Not scared of death, but scared of where this can take me emotionally or worse yet, where it can take my marriage. The more anxious I become, the more I hear God's voice saying, "have I ever let you down before", I look back and say, "not one time Lord. My flesh and people have let me down, but You are constant and medicine to my countenance."

I wrote this today, trying to talk to myself, instead of listening what my flesh will try to tell me, "Why are you anxious oh weary soul? Remember what God is able to do. Hope in the Lord, in all things. In your health & in your life. You must go through a valley in order to reach the mountain. You learn so much more in the valley. Do not cease to struggle, don't fight where God has put you, in order to refine your heart and incline it toward Him. Hope in the Lord, for He knows what you need."

"Oh Lord, that my heart would constantly incline to You. I can honestly say, as a deer pants for water, so my soul pants for You. May your purposes prevail over what my plans may be. Do not let me forget all Your ways, benefits and deeds. Give me thankfulness in the worse of my physical and emotional pain. Remind me of all I owe, and what I deserve. Oh that You would withhold from me, what I deserve."
Amen

A Debtor to Mercy Alone

2010-08-12T06:21:00.001-04:00
A Debtor to Mercy Alone

Author: Augustus M. Toplady, 1740-1778
Musician: Early American Melody

A debtor to mercy alone,
Of covenant mercy I sing;
Nor fear, with Thy righteousness on,
My person and off'ring to bring.
The terrors of law and of God
With me can have nothing to do;
My Saviour's obedience and blood
Hide all my transgressions from view.

The work which His goodness began
The arm of His strength will complete;
His promise is yea and amen,
And never was forfeited yet.
Things future, nor things that are now,
Not all things below or above,
Can make Him His purpose forgo,
Or sever my soul from His love.

My name from the palms of His hands
Eternity will not erase;
Impressed on His heart it remains,
In marks of indelible grace;
Yes, I to the end shall endure,
As sure as the earnest is giv'n;
More happy, but not more secure,
The glorified spirits in heav'n.

The Supremacy of Christ and why I'm here

2010-08-12T06:09:00.002-04:00

God's "other" purpose for marriage, Brian Borgman

2010-08-11T16:59:00.002-04:00

part 1
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=720102013449
part 2
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=720102021473
part 3
http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=720102030506

Can Christians become depressed?

2010-08-10T14:29:00.001-04:00

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/24/2530_Can_Christians_be_depressed/

How can a man be born when he is old?

2010-08-10T11:25:00.001-04:00

He knows what's best for me

2010-08-04T01:53:00.000-04:00

"After much weakness and sickness when my spirits were worn out, and many times my faith weak likewise, the Lord was pleased to uphold my drooping heart, and to manifest His love to me, and this is that which stays my soul: that this condition that I am in is the best for me, for God does not afflict willingly, nor take delight in grieving the children of men; He has no benefit in my adversity nor is He the better for my prosperity, but He does it for my advantage, and that I may be the gainer by it. And if He knows that weakness and a frail body is the best to make me a vessel fit for his use, why should I not bear it not only willingly but joyfully?" Anne Bradstreet - (1612-1622)

spiritual depression in the Christian's life

2010-07-25T15:40:00.002-04:00
"but while I emphasize, with all my being, the fact that temperament does not make the slightest difference in the matter of our fundamental salvation, I am equally anxious to emphasize the fact that it does make a very great difference in actual experience in the Christian life."--Martyn Lloyd Jones, Spiritual Depression, the causes and cure.

D.A. Carson, on biblical prayer

2010-07-25T15:17:00.001-04:00

Jehovah-who rescues me from the pit

2010-07-25T15:10:00.000-04:00

God is

2010-07-25T15:03:00.000-04:00

human nature

2010-07-25T14:57:00.001-04:00
"You cannot slander human nature; it is worse than words can paint it."-Charles Haddon Spurgeon

examination

2010-07-25T08:20:00.003-04:00
"We are all such in a hurry, we want everything all at once. We believe that all truth can be stated in a few minutes. The answer to that is that it cannot, and the reason why so many today are living superficial Christian lives is because they will not take time to examine themselves." Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Spiritual Depression, It's Causes and Cure.

John Piper - What cautions do you have for the New Reformed movement?

2010-07-15T16:20:00.001-04:00

LORD, don't let my spirit sleep

2010-07-12T13:00:00.002-04:00
1 Corinthians 13:4-4 "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged."

Those words from 1 Corinthians rang out to me from the radio this morning. As one who thinks God is speaking directly to me in His word or from His word. It stuck with me. My mind raced to, "Why can't I seem to love my husband this way?" God's word was showing me once again how much I fall short of His holy standard. I miss the mark daily. God spoke to me again. (John 15:5) "You can't love Glen like this ever apart from Me." When I am living in the flesh, as I dwell on my failures, or give into my depression this kind of love doesn't seem possible. But it is possible supernaturally through God's power and strength. I need to live in the Spirit. It is my desire to live by the Spirit. I don't want to just pay lip sevice. I want to do it! (Galatians 5:1) Why do I keep letting myself be burdened again by the yoke of slavery? God answers, (Galatians 5:5&7)" Because you're not living by faith, eagerly awaiting through the Spirit the righteousness for which you hope. You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?" and again God says to me, (Galatians 5:16-25) "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since you live by the Spirit, keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

from twitter encouragement, via @iamfeeble

2010-07-10T20:04:00.000-04:00
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

—Ephesians 2:9-10

“Not What My Hands Have Done

Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers and sighs and tears can bear my awful load.

Your voice alone, O Lord, can speak to me of grace;
Your power alone, O Son of God, can all my sin erase.
No other work but Yours, no other blood will do;
No strength but that which is divine can bear me safely through.

Thy work alone, O Christ, can ease this weight of sin;
Thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.
Thy love to me, O God, not mine, O Lord, to Thee,
Can rid me of this dark unrest, And set my spirit free.

I bless the Christ of God; I rest on love divine;
And with unfaltering lip and heart I call this Savior mine.
His cross dispels each doubt; I bury in His tomb
Each thought of unbelief and fear, each lingering shade of gloom.

I praise the God of grace; I trust His truth and might;
He calls me His, I call Him mine, My God, my joy and light.
’Tis He Who saveth me, and freely pardon gives;
I love because He loveth me, I live because He lives.

—Horatius Bonar, Hymns of Faith and Hope, second series, 1861

The Bible is God's Bible

2010-07-10T16:30:00.000-04:00
"The Bible is God’s Bible; and when I see it, I seem to hear a voice springing up from it, saying, “I am the book of God; man, read me. I am God’s writing; open my leaf, for I was penned by God; read it, for he is my author, and you will see him visible and manifest everywhere."
-Charles Spurgeon

How to Safely Draw from a Holster

2010-07-01T15:29:00.001-04:00

How to Clear Most Pistol Stoppages

2010-07-01T15:29:00.000-04:00

Our Times Are In His Hands

2010-07-01T14:04:00.001-04:00

"You are absolutely immortal until God decides it's time for you to go home. Not all the armies in the world, their combined strength, can take out the life of one believer until God decrees it is time."
-Paul Washer

Wakened up from wrath to flee

2010-07-01T13:57:00.001-04:00
"Chosen not for good in me,
Wakened up from wrath to flee,
Hidden in the Savior’s side,
By the Spirit sanctified,
Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe."

-Robert Murray M'Cheyne

Song of Solomon - Paul Washer

2010-07-01T13:54:00.001-04:00

Praying for myself

2010-06-25T20:43:00.002-04:00
My prayer – taken from Pslams 141-144

O, LORD, I am calling to You. Please hurry and please listen when I cry to You for help.
Accept my prayer as incense offered to You.
Take control of what I say, and guard my lips, when my emotions try to overrun me.
Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness. Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse.
Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my plea. Answer me because You are faithful and righteous. Don’t put me on trial, for no one is innocent before You.
Don’t let me lose hope or be paralyzed with fear. I ponder all your great works and think about what You have done.
I thirst for You as parched land thirts for rain.
When my depression deepens, please come quickly LORD, please answer me. Please don’t turn away from me. Let me hear of Your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting You. Show me where to walk, for I give myself and all of my struggles to You.
Protect me from my enemies, LORD, I run to You to hide. Cause me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. For the glory of Your name, O LORD, and because of Your faithfulness.
When I am overwhelmed, You alone know the way I should turn. When I am weak and pour out my complaints before You and tell you all my troubles, grant Your mercy to me. Please hear my cries when I am very low.
Praise the LORD, who is my Rock, my Fortress, my Tower of Safety, my Shield and my Rescuer.
Amen.

Family,Friends, & Fun

2010-06-24T21:00:00.002-04:00
all the pics of fam and friends i had on my computer :)

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The David Clan

2010-06-24T20:16:00.001-04:00

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Right to carry

2010-06-24T12:00:00.002-04:00
my first time shooting with my little buddy. my hubby was present too. :P

my little buddy, i take him everyhere i go

THANKFUL THURSDAY

2010-06-24T11:55:00.003-04:00
Colossians 3:15 ESV
"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful."

This life is a vapor

2010-06-23T22:44:00.002-04:00

Junior Bride

2010-06-23T22:17:00.002-04:00
Our Boogie, as the junior bride in my husband's cousin's wedding. She was much younger then. But still just as adorable. I love her. Her purity reminds me of what God wants in us, and is only possible through Christ's righteousness.

STOP IT! --- I wish it was this easy

2010-06-23T22:03:00.000-04:00

Lonely, but never alone

2010-06-23T21:45:00.001-04:00
Lately, I had been struggling with lonliness. I mean, I have a ton of family and friends, am married with two children. So how in the world could I be lonely? I even have the Holy Spirit living inside of me, and He is with me 24/7. I decided to do some research, to see if I was alone in feeling lonliness. I am a Christian who has struggled and stumbled in my Christian walk, because of depression and has recently got back up again. I am drawing close to God again as He draws close to me. The reality is my lonliness is not anyone's fault. Through my reading I found women tend to feel they need the companionship. While men tend to want the companionship.

I found this quote online. It was an encouragement to me, hope it will be to you too.
"Loneliness has no standards or fundamental rules. When one is lonely, he/she longs for companionship. Sometimes I think I need a person to talk to, to email, to call, to have lunch with. Other times I need more. Whenever I feel this great loneliness seep into my heart, I am certain of one thing–I need Jesus. Only He can fill my empty spaces. Sometimes He brings me a friend to talk to. Sometimes He gives me extra attention from my husband or a family member. But I know it is Jesus who fills this void completely."

I completely agree. I want to fill all my empty spaces with Christ. It's just the doing it that's hard. My husband goes out of his way to spend time with me. Yet sometimes I feel like it's never enough. I have come to the conclusion, "lonliness" is a feeling. As someone who struggles with her feelings trying to control her life, make her decisions and out right lie to her. I don't want to give lonliness the upper hand. I may "feel" lonely, but I am NEVER alone.

Happy Birthday to me!

2010-05-01T22:59:00.002-04:00

My husband had a surprise birthday party for me on my birthday. He also built me this rifle. :)

Recent photo of the kids

2010-05-01T22:54:00.002-04:00

Dangers Facing the Young and Reformed - Paul Washer

2010-05-01T22:35:00.000-04:00

Matthew Smith - Sweet Are The Seasons

2010-04-29T13:00:00.000-04:00

2010-03-10T19:31:00.001-05:00

OBSTACLES

2010-03-10T15:56:00.001-05:00
What can keep me from freedom
1)Unbelief
2)Idols
3)Pride
4)Prayerlessness
5)Legalism

TRUTH = FREEDOM

2010-03-10T15:43:00.002-05:00
I am breaking FREE!!!
my truth + satan's lies = captivity
AND my truth + God's truth = FREEDOM !!!

2010-03-10T15:30:00.000-05:00

Thankfulness

2009-06-23T16:39:00.002-04:00
LORD, forgive me for not having a thankful heart lately. I have been so ungrateful. And it is coming out in my words. Turn my heart toward You. Show me Yourself. Help me to get past this mourning. Give me Your joy as I fulfill Your will.

The Best Things to Buy in Bulk

2009-06-22T09:31:00.000-04:00
I found this and wanted to share it with my blogger friends. I found it at http://food.yahoo.com/blog/foxyfestivities/22748/the-best-things-to-buy-in-bulk/

The Best Things to Buy in Bulk

We admit that a five-pound can of tuna isn't appealing, but buying in bulk saves lots of money, trips to the store, and peace of mind -- last square of toilet paper, anyone?

* Soap Whether buying bars or liquid soap, bulk is the way to go. Invest in a 12-pack and store a few unopened bars in your lingerie drawer to give your unmentionables a fragrant touch. They work just as well in T-shirt drawers and closets, too.
* Pasta Pasta is affordable in just about any quantity, but you save even more by buying it in bulk, and you can never have too much on hand. It's got a long shelf-life. It's the perfect meal for last-minute guests or family dinners. And it easily becomes an art project to engage kids on rainy days. If you have toddlers, store dried pasta in fun containers and let them play with it or break out the glue and drum up some nifty craft projects.
* Pasta Sauce Jarred pasta sauce is a staple, good for making everything from mini-pizzas to hearty veggie-infused primavera mixes. It also jazzes up a baked potato and steamed veggies. You can never have too much of the stuff.
* Toilet Paper There's something really comforting about seeing a cabinet stocked to the brim with toilet paper, because there's nothing worse than running out. Besides, you know you'll eventually go through all of it, so why flush money down the toilet by buying much more expensive four- or six-packs?
* Diapers Blowing your hard-earned cash on diapers is always a bit painful (when all your little angel is going to do is pee or poop in them). But if you have to do it, here's the reality: the more you buy at once, the cheaper they are. Buying in bulk can save you between five and ten cents per diaper and it adds up quickly. So unless your baby is going to magically get potty-trained in the next month, go ahead and invest in the mega-stash of diapers.
* Nuts Buy a small cocktail-sized can of nuts and you'll pay the price -- as high as $10-plus per pound. Instead, think big and you'll save big! Roasted almonds, raw walnuts or unsalted cashews are ideal as healthy snacks, cocktail munchies, salad extras, or baking goodies.
* Wine Buy a case of wine at most beverage stores or supermarkets and you save an automatic 10%. That's worth toasting!
* Candy If you're a chocoholic like us, this is a good bet. It's always nice to have on hand when you entertain last-minute visitors -- everyone appreciates a little something sweet after dinner. And the next time you throw a kid's party, make your own goody bags with the tasty treats. A little silk bag filled with caramels or mints can even work as a last minute hostess gift.
* Coffee Skip the daily visit to your corner coffee shop and buy the five-pound bag to brew at home. Store it in the freezer to preserve freshness. Keep a pitcher of iced coffee in the fridge for afternoon pick-me-ups. Or truly indulge by pouring it hot over cold vanilla ice cream, and create your own irresistible Italian dessert called ‘affogato' -- delicioso!
* Bottled Water If you don't have a filter, you can get a case of bottled water for a fraction of the price per bottle that you'd pay for a fancy solo bottle of H2O. Keep some stored in the car, stash a few for emergencies, and of course remember to recycle the containers!

Word-Filled Wednesday

2009-06-17T11:33:00.002-04:00

Word-Filled Wednesday

Jude 1:24
"Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy,"

Bring the rain - MercyMe

2009-06-14T21:20:00.001-04:00

Thank you God for using sisters in Christ to encourage me to praise You in the rain. Bring me anything that bring You glory.

Psalm 51 - Repentance

2009-06-12T14:09:00.001-04:00

Thankful Thursday - the love of God

2009-06-11T10:22:00.004-04:00

I am thankful this Thursday, because over the past few months, I have not been right spiritually, emotionally, or physically. I can't put my finger on one thing, I think it is a combination of a bunch of things. But I do know, I doubted my salvation, and no matter how rebellious my heart became, I continued to hate my sin, and God continued to pull me back to Himself. God, not I , took my doubts away. But I am still not where I need to be. I know the way to get back there is to be in the Word, which I am doing, and I am praying allot. I know I don't deserve for Him to hold on to me so tightly, and have asked Him why several times over the last few months. But what keeps popping into my head is the word and definition of grace.
Romans 8:38 "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Word-Filled Wednesday

2009-06-10T13:06:00.001-04:00

Luke 1:38-48 (ESV)

³⁸And Mary said, "Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her. ³⁹ In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, ⁴⁰and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, ⁴²and she exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord."⁴⁶And Mary said,
"My soul magnifies the Lord, ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
⁴⁸for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;