It's a mystery

James 4: 15

For that ye ought to say, If the lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

I love a good mystery, but have to admit to jumping to the end chapters on occasion just to find out if I'm headed in the right direction with my thinking. For many of us, God's will for our lives is a mystery. We want to jump to the end chapters so we can better understand why some things happen to us the way they do and just how God will work our problems out for our good. I have to be honest when I say sometimes I doubt some of the things that have happened to me are for my good, but then I realize it's all part of the mystery. We will not be able to read the final chapter until we reach heaven and I'm counting on being there!



I think Anna Claire is worried about the bugs, but as usual, Carley Ann doesn't care. :) They are both little mustard seeds ready to soak in all God has to offer, grow and learn and enjoy life.

Your will be done

Luke 11: 1

1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”
2 So He said to them, “When you pray, say:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.”

It's been said that a man will suffer in this life if he doesn't pray, but I think they have this confused with the material and physical aspects of life. What will suffer is the life of Jesus in him, which is norished not by food, but by prayer.

It's not so much that "prayer changes things" as it is that prayer changes us. Our conversations with God bring us closer to Him and we find that His ways are so much better than anything we could choose for ourselves.

The power of prayer

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

God knows you. He knew you before you were even born. He knows your strengths, weaknesses, needs and wants. God is all knowing and his wisdom is beyond anything we can even imagine. He would not honor any request that would injure or harm you or disgrace His name. He wants the best for you and everyone else. What a comfort!

Remember that Jesus has left promises for all of us. He has ascended into Heaven and is now at the right hand of God making intercession for us. We have power in prayer because prayer can do anything that God can do!

God is able to do all things that are true to His nature and character. For that reason we shouldn’t expect God to help us do something wrong because He cannot sin. Sometimes we feel that our prayers aren’t being heard because we don’t get the answer we think we should. We have to remember that our wisdom is not the wisdom of God. Be strong knowing there is power in prayer and God will work out all things for the good of all who love Him.

Creamy Hash brown Casserole

1 package (30 ounces) frozen shredded hash brown potatoes, thawed
2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 can (10.75 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Transfer to ungreased 2 quart baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 250 degrees for 1 hour or until heated through. Yield; 8-10 servings. This dish is definitely not low cal or low fat, but is definitely wonderful.

Seeking

1 Chronicles 16:11

Seek the Lord and his strength seek his face continually.

Call home

Psalm 8:1

1 O LORD, our Lord,
How excellent is Your name in all the earth,
Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

Psalm 9:10

And those who know thy name will put their trust in Thee; for Thou, O Lord, has not forsaken those who seek Thee.

Master

Luke 5:5

5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

The question today, for me, is do I call him Master? That word makes me think deep about what it means to have a master. Simon called Jesus Master. I don't think I've ever actaully called Him master, but from now on I will.

Glory

John 17: 1-5

1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,

2 as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.

3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

4 I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.

5 And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

What an awesome picture of Jesus fully man yet fully God.

John 10:28-30

28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.

30 I and My Father are one.”

I looked up the word glorify in the dictionary because I caught myself wondering exactly what that word meant to me. Take a look... Glorify. To be honest with you, I can't think of this word without thinking of Jesus. I know we use the word to describe other events or people like when we say, " Well, that's just a glorified version ...", but still when I think of being glorified, I think of Jesus.

I can hear my Grandmother say the word "glory". She used it in her best southern drawl to exclaim something so unbelievably beautiful or astounding as not had been seen or thought of before. This is what I believe we will be wrapped in when we die and become present with the Lord. Glory.

Love again

Romans 5:5

1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;

4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Where does love come from? The answer is found in verse 5 of Romans 5. Love can't be forced; love isn't premeditated. Love is spontaneous and comes upon us when we least expect it. I'm not sure I even have adequate words to say what love is, but am reminded that in human terms, even Forrest Gump knew what love is and said so. "I'm not a smart man, but I know what love is." We can list the attributes of love like it says in 1 Corinthians 13.

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

That passage always brings tears to my eyes and speaks to me on so many levels that most of the time I have to just put my Bible down and pray without going further. Maybe it's a woman thing, I'm not sure. So I pray and then feel the love of God through His closeness by faith with hope.

The springs of love are in God, not us. God is love. Try as we might, we will never be able prove how much we love Him by our planned efforts. Of course there is nothing wrong with making plans to do good things but the real evidence of our love for God comes spontaneously by the out pouring of the Holy Spirit as we go about our daily lives. When God's love pours out of us without us even realizing it, we find love.

Matthew 25: 40

40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’

Asking

Jeremiah 45

1 The word that Jeremiah the prophet spoke to Baruch the son of Neriah, when he had written these words in a book at the instruction of Jeremiah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying,

2 “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, to you, O Baruch:

3 ‘You said, “Woe is me now! For the LORD has added grief to my sorrow. I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.”’

4 “Thus you shall say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, what I have built I will break down, and what I have planted I will pluck up, that is, this whole land.

5 And do you seek great things for yourself? Do not seek them; for behold, I will bring adversity on all flesh,” says the LORD. “But I will give your life to you as a prize in all places, wherever you go.”’”

I don't think anyone can say that they understand completely what each scripture in the Bible is trying to say. At least that's my opinion and my experience. Often times I read and I don't understand a word. Other times I read and completely understand. Often the words I read make me have questions within myself.

This morning’s passage stops me in my tracks making me think back to "Ask and it shall be given you." What am I actually asking for? Am I asking something for myself or am I asking in complete trust that He knows and will supply everything I need because He knows my needs before I even ask?

Still, God wants to hear us. He wants to give us everything but more important, He wants us to abandon ourselves completely to His care because He sees the big picture. Through our conversations with God he is working out His ultimate perfection, listening to us, giving us what we need each day, and working it out so we might become one with Him. He takes us where we are and brings us to where He is.

Blessed

Matthew 5: 1-12

1 And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.

2 Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.

12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

All night prayer

Luke 6:12

And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

I don't think I have ever prayed all night long except for maybe times that concerned sick children. Even then, I know I didn't pray all night because I was also taking care of them. What a image Jesus has left us to ponder. There have been a few times I have set aside special hours to pray for certain things and all of these times have been very deep and special times. It makes me wonder why I don't do this often. So many times I quickly say a prayer, study a bit and move on. Finding this verse today feels like a nudge from God to talk with Him and listen to what He says on a deeper level.

Memories of flannelgraph

Ephesians 6:13-17

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

I was so happy to learn I can still get flannelgraph sets for my granddaughters! My memories of sitting on the floor while my Sunday school teacher told all about the different characters in the Bible are still with me today and I want this experience for my granddaughters. Sure they have the videos and I'm sure their teacher today works with power point and all the new tools but there is something about being able to hold baby Moses in your hand and then put him in his basket that makes the story come alive. I can't wait to order! Here's the site I found! http://forevertoys.zoovy.com/category/8a_biblefelts/



Oh... don't know what flannelgraph is? What a pity. :) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flannelgraph

Armor

Ephesians 6:11-12

11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

I don't really know how many times I've studied this particular passage but visions of a flannel board with warriors being put up for us to learn from come to my mind so I know I've been reading and studying these verses since childhood. It's no wonder too because unless we do have the proper armor we will never be able to stand against the devil.

Hope you have a good day today.

God and His garden

John 14: 12-14

12I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. 13And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. 14You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.

Email below - Author- unknown

Why do I always have to be the one that starts to do laundry and there's no detergent? I guess it was time for me to do my 'Dollar Store'run, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags and Clorox. So off I go.

I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies, and headed for the checkout counter only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man that appeared to be about sixteen-years- old. I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and declared in a loud voice, 'Mommy, I'm over here.'

It was obvious now, he was mentally challenged, and also startled as he turned and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, 'Hey Buddy, what's your name?' 'My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother,' he responded proudly. 'Wow,' I said, 'that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Hal.' 'Hal like Halloween?' he asked. 'Yes,' I answered. 'How old are you Denny? 'How old am I now Mommy?' he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle. 'You're fifteen-years- old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by.' I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement because he was the center of someone's attention. He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.

Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even look at him, much less talk to him... I told her that it was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I told her that there are plenty of red, yellow and pink roses in God's garden, however, 'Blue Roses' are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a 'Blue Rose' and if someone doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God. She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, 'Who are you?' Without thinking I said, 'Oh, I'm probably just a 'daffodil or maybe even a dandelion,' but I sure love living in God's garden. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~

This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm

confidence in Him

1 John 5: 14-15

14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

15 And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.

NPR has a program called "This I Believe" where folks submit essays on what they believe. If I wrote an essay for the program, the verse quoted above would be at the heart of it.

Today's photograph is from the festival I went to over the weekend and had the opportunity to paint with a group of plein air painters. I painted but have to admit I enjoyed people watching as much as I did painting. Many of the people who came to the festival came dressed like folks did in the 1800's. A photographer had a booth behind the place I had chosen to paint and I turned and caught his photograph with my digital camera while he was busy working. I'm telling ya, I'm extremely glad I don't have to wear the clothes they ladies did in the 1800's.

Remain in His love

John 15: 7-10

7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

We had a wonderful time at the paint out. It was a fun filled day with lots of old and new friends.

What a Friend

John 16: 23-24

23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

Again Jesus bridges the gap between the Old Testament and the New Testament in that before Jesus people had to pray to the high priest and the high priest would pray to God for them. Now that we have Jesus, we can go to Him directly, presenting ourselves to Him and asking Him anything even down to the smallest request anyone can think of.

Listen: What a Friend we have in Jesus

Travel prayers

Colossians 3: 16-17

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Today I'm off to paint at the Tunnel Hill Battle field, in Tunnel Hill, Georgia close to the Tennessee-Georgia line. I'll be meeting some of my painter friends to paint outside in the open air... heat, bugs, wind, and all that. Pray with me for save travel and to be open for whatever God plan for my life today is.

Life Experience

Romans 8:28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.

Philippians 1:12

Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel.

2 Corinthians 1:4

...who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

Many times I have wondered why we have to go through troubling times and others have told me that we should count everything as a blessing. That's hard to do when you hurt, but turning to God for comfort makes dealing with the hurt so much easier. After the hurt is over we find that it's even easier to share our experience with those that are going through something similar.

I once read a story about a doctor who had to have a major surgery. Being a surgeon himself, he knew what the technical aspects of the surgery would be like. It wasn't until after the surgery he gained insight into what an actual patient experiences. That one surgery has made him a better surgeon. Our life experiences, good and bad, make us better equipped to share with others, offer them encouragement and fulfils God's purpose for our lives.

All about you

1 Corinthians 2:11

No one can really know what anyone else is thinking or what he is really like, except that person himself.

In the study guide for today it asked us to write our name and then write our name using the opposite hand, and note the difference. What they were trying to get across is when we are working in our natural state we do a better job easily.

More thoughts on this a bit later.... Anna is awake and we all know that means time is all about her. :)

---
Noon:

Anna Claire and Carley Ann are safely at day school and the house is quiet. I love having them spend the night with me and last night was a real treat since I don't usually keep them in the middle of the week. I have to admit I begged to keep them last night because I am going out of town this weekend and knew I'd miss my Friday night PJ party with them. Still, it's funny how my schedule gets all out of wack when I have more than me to take care of. :)

I suppose the same thing happens when we try to work in areas that don't suit our personality. We can get all out of wack when we are trying to do something that is against our natural nature.

God has made us all different and there is no "right" or "wrong" temperament to accomplish His work. He uses the extroverted as well as the introverted. He uses thinkers and feelers. He use those that like routine and those that like variety. He uses those that are self-controlled and those that are self-expressive. He uses those that are cooperative and those that are competitive.

Since we know ourselves better than anyone else does, it would be a good thing to examine ourselves and pray about the ministry area that God may have created us for before we choose a career or a ministry area. I know many times in my life I have said yes to someone who asked if I could help in areas that I knew I really didn't have the temperament or the talent for.

Please don't ask me to sing in the choir or make posters. I can't carry a tune and I can't letter like a sign painter does. :) I will, however, do my best so be forewarned if you set next to me when I have a song book in my hands.

Spirit-filled

Matthew 12:34

The mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Hebrews 4:12

The word of God ... examines the thoughts and motives of the heart.

Proverbs 4:23

"Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

When I was little we use to play a word association game where we would say a series of words and ask what they all had in common. That's sort of what I'm doing with today's verses. I'm asking myself what they have in common.

The study guide I'm using for the next few weeks tells me that the verses have to do with why I say the things I do, why I feel the way I do and why I act the way I do which are all God-given motivations. To be honest I'm a little confused over this statement because sometimes I think I don't talk, feel or act Godly and I think if these are God-given motivations I would.

Still, the guide goes on to say that almost every one of our passions (motivations) can be identified in the ministry of one of the twelve Apostles. That was interesting to me and I'll have to think further on that.

Psalm 37:4 says

Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

I suppose if you are delighting yourself in the Lord, the things you say, feel and do will be from the Lord. Maybe the key for me is to understand that everything we do doesn't have to be "spiritual" to be God-given.

The Bible use words like "passion" to describe all kinds of motivations that we all have like our hopes, dreams, ambitions, affections, things we love to do and all of those don't necessarily have to be labeled with the word spiritual. They are just ordinary activities of our everyday life. Actually, I believe this is what God wants from us. He wants our everyday life, our everyday attention. If we give Him our everyday life, our everyday attention, our lives are spirit-filled which I think He wants from us more than being spiritual if that makes sense.

I suppose what makes me make this connection is looking at the list of synonyms for the word spiritual: religious, pious, holy, sacred, devout which are actions we can do, but the word spirit-filled makes me think more on the terms of God doing the action. Being spirit-filled is His gift to us as we give our lives to Him, I’m thinking.

Anyway the verses for today gave me a lot to think on as I go about my everyday life this day. It's already started out to be a great day and I hope yours will be too.

Spiritual gifts

1 Corinthians: 1-6

1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant.

2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

3 Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus be cursed," and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

Verse two caught my eye. I was supposed to be studying about spiritual gifts but somehow I just keep reading beyond what I was supposed to be concentrating on for this new study I've begun. I suppose that's what happens to me lots of time when I get caught up with a topic I really want to learn more about. I keep thinking the next verse will tell me the answer and I won't have to dig within myself. Still, with understanding spiritual gifts, I know I'm going to have to dig within myself and maybe that scares me a bit. I think I'd like to pick my own gift. In 1 Corinthians 12:11 it said that the Holy Spirit decides what gifts I get.

1 Corinthians 12: 11

11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

I suppose I need to be happy with the gifts that I have been given even if I don't fully understand some of them. The question of what, when, where and how I fit into God's plan confuses me most of the time. Looking over the list of gifts given in my study guide leaves me even more confused. Perhaps I'm a split personality. :)

1. Mercy
2. Serving/ministry
3. Giving
4. Administration/ruling
5. Evangelism
6. Prophecy/proclaiming
7. Teaching
8. Encouraging/Exhorting
9. Pastor/Shepherding

At any rate, today verse two from First Corinthians 1 commanded my attention knowing that those who are not Christians would ever understand or have the spiritual gifts of God. I'm remembering back to the day I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior and how much energy I felt wanting everyone to have the same acceptance. God knows everything about us. He knows the good and bad and chooses which gifts He wants and needs for us to have. That's what makes us different and that's what completes the puzzle when we all work together.

Mistakes

Colossians 3: 16-17

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Romans 8: 28

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God who are called according to His purpose.

This morning I spent time reading several verses about God's plan for my life within His ministry. As I jumped around from verse to verse given in a new study guide for a course I am taking, I typed a long journal entry and then realized my words didn't make any sense at all, so I erased them.

I know God's plan for our lives is always consistent with His will, not ours. He gives us all inborn talents, temperaments, spiritual gifts and all sorts of life experiences and wouldn't have given them to us unless he wanted us to use them. It's up to all of us to find out what where we fit and I suppose that's the hard part. I think one of the reasons it's so hard for us to understand where we fit is that we are always thinking of the things we can't do or perhaps remembering how many mistakes we have made in our lives. I know this is true with my life. I ask myself, "How can God use me when I've made such a mess with my life?" Then I remember that it's by making those mistakes I have learned my biggest lessons.