John 15:5- (NIV) I am the vine, you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Just a week ago, a terrible wind came through and broke out half of our Bradford Pear tree in our front yard. For a few days the leaves remained green, and it seemed to keep some of its blooms.
Yesterday I noticed all of the broken part of the tree, is BLACK, even the leaves. Such a strange sight.
It made me think of Jesus. As long as we are attached to Him, we thrive. We excel in our relationships with others, our joy is complete and in Him we are strengthened. In our daily walk with Him we are fed spiritually.
As soon as we get "broken off" away from Jesus, our whole life gets savaged by the wind(sin) of this world. Our relationships with others break apart, often those that are the closest to us, our husband/wife, our children ~ those we love the best. Our personal walk with Jesus suffers, our time with Him~ our Bible study time breaks away. Without God's Word we die. Our hope is in Him. We must stay close to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus. He is the true vine.
John 15:1-2 (NIV)
I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Welcome: Fear, Time & Dog Hair
Welcome: Fear, Time & Dog Hair: "Fear, Time & Dog Hair. Its what the Devil used to try and get me to miss church this morning. Fear of going into a new place, goi..."
Fear, Time & Dog Hair
Fear, Time & Dog Hair.
Its what the Devil used to try and get me to miss church this morning. Fear of going into a new place, going in by myself, and fear of being early and having to sit up front. My fear is Anxiety. Since going thru menopause, Anxiety follows close on my heels, never knowing when its going to attack, but, knowing its always close. It finds me when I least expect it. But, this time, it started yesterday (Sat), when Pastor calls to ask all the regulars to sit up front. I was terrified, it was a constant nagging fear, loss of good sleep and worry. I know my God is bigger than this fear and anxiety. But, its so real and comes so fast, sometimes I don't think straight.
Time- The Devil wanted me to believe that I didn't have time to get ready, and I admit, I was cutting it very close. But, I was determined God wanted me there this morning. So even though I was a few minutes late, I am glad I listened to God and went on in. Did I mention Anxiety was close by, when I pulled in the parking lot and it was so full, I almost turned around and went back home. Praise be to God, I parked and walked on in.
Dog Hair- Probably should have listed this second, but........ I was ready to go, cutting it close by only minutes now, got into truck, looked down and saw white hair all over my black pants. "Oh no, never going to make it now", I heard the Devil say. Never to miss an opportunity to prove someone wrong, I unlocked the door, slipped off my shoes, ran upstairs, hurriedly hunted for another pair of black pants, changed, got my shoes back on and ran out the door.
I did make it to church, the message was great. So glad I listened to God and not that other voice in the back of my head.
Its what the Devil used to try and get me to miss church this morning. Fear of going into a new place, going in by myself, and fear of being early and having to sit up front. My fear is Anxiety. Since going thru menopause, Anxiety follows close on my heels, never knowing when its going to attack, but, knowing its always close. It finds me when I least expect it. But, this time, it started yesterday (Sat), when Pastor calls to ask all the regulars to sit up front. I was terrified, it was a constant nagging fear, loss of good sleep and worry. I know my God is bigger than this fear and anxiety. But, its so real and comes so fast, sometimes I don't think straight.
Time- The Devil wanted me to believe that I didn't have time to get ready, and I admit, I was cutting it very close. But, I was determined God wanted me there this morning. So even though I was a few minutes late, I am glad I listened to God and went on in. Did I mention Anxiety was close by, when I pulled in the parking lot and it was so full, I almost turned around and went back home. Praise be to God, I parked and walked on in.
Dog Hair- Probably should have listed this second, but........ I was ready to go, cutting it close by only minutes now, got into truck, looked down and saw white hair all over my black pants. "Oh no, never going to make it now", I heard the Devil say. Never to miss an opportunity to prove someone wrong, I unlocked the door, slipped off my shoes, ran upstairs, hurriedly hunted for another pair of black pants, changed, got my shoes back on and ran out the door.
I did make it to church, the message was great. So glad I listened to God and not that other voice in the back of my head.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Unconditional Love
I was taking my son to ball practice this past week. Teenagers, they have a mouth, and their not afraid to use it! They can be very sarcastic, even to the point of hurtful barbs. We had the radio on tuned into K-love, my favorite, and God spoke to me thru a song. I don't know who sings it or even the title. But it goes something like this " God loves me for who I am, and not for who I will become". I am so thankful God loves me just like I am with all my faults.
God is the only one who loves me unconditionally. God never makes fun of me, God is never sarcastic, He never puts me down, He never makes me feel unworthy, never makes me feel useless, He never gives up on me, He never tells me I am unworthy of His love.
My God loves me unconditionally. He encourages me (Psalms 10:17), and He sends others to encourage me (Hebrews 3:13). He says in His Word I am the apple of his eye (Psalms 17:8, Zechariah 2:8 b), that He delights in me (Psalms 18:19). God made me and I am His (Psalms 100:3). He hears me when I cry out to Him (Psalms 34:4, Psalms 116:1), He rescues me (Romans 3:22-24), He bears my burdens (Psalms 68:19). He gave His Son for me (John 3:16), His love is better than life (Psalms 63:3).
Once again, My God reminds me it is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man (Psalms 118:8). God will NEVER let me down, God CANNOT LIE!
1Corinthians 13:4-8a NIV Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
God is the only one who loves me unconditionally. God never makes fun of me, God is never sarcastic, He never puts me down, He never makes me feel unworthy, never makes me feel useless, He never gives up on me, He never tells me I am unworthy of His love.
My God loves me unconditionally. He encourages me (Psalms 10:17), and He sends others to encourage me (Hebrews 3:13). He says in His Word I am the apple of his eye (Psalms 17:8, Zechariah 2:8 b), that He delights in me (Psalms 18:19). God made me and I am His (Psalms 100:3). He hears me when I cry out to Him (Psalms 34:4, Psalms 116:1), He rescues me (Romans 3:22-24), He bears my burdens (Psalms 68:19). He gave His Son for me (John 3:16), His love is better than life (Psalms 63:3).
Once again, My God reminds me it is better to trust in the Lord than to trust in man (Psalms 118:8). God will NEVER let me down, God CANNOT LIE!
1Corinthians 13:4-8a NIV Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Hope~
Wow! Another beautiful November day. Going to be in the 70's~ Loving it!! Thank you God for warm days! Thats a gift.
Hope~ My new favorite word.
Without Hope, life is not all its cracked up to be. I am thankful that in HIS WORD, Hope is Jesus Christ. I can do nothing without my best friend Jesus. Jeremiah 29: 11 NIV "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." I am thankful that God has a plan for my life, they are for my good, for my future and to give me hope. He gives you this same promise if you are His child.
Hope~ My new favorite word.
Without Hope, life is not all its cracked up to be. I am thankful that in HIS WORD, Hope is Jesus Christ. I can do nothing without my best friend Jesus. Jeremiah 29: 11 NIV "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." I am thankful that God has a plan for my life, they are for my good, for my future and to give me hope. He gives you this same promise if you are His child.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
October Reflections~
Wow! Where did the month go? October came and went so fast, its all been a blur! Honestly if I didn't write everything in a datebook, I could not remember what I did this month. So thankful that I write it all down.
It has been a beautiful Autumn. God has blessed us with COLOR!! I do, so love this time of year. The many different smells, sights, the briskness of fall mornings( Brrr!!), the warm days and beautiful sunshine! I will definitely miss summer, and I am not looking forward to winter, but Fall is so pretty!
God has been so good to me~ I am so very blessed! With a wonderful family, special friends, and a loving church family. God is good all the time! All the time God is good!
Because you have these blessings, do your best to add these things to your lives: to your faith, add goodness; and to your goodness, add knowledge; and to your knowledge, add self control; and to your self control, add patience; and to your patience, add service to God... 2 Peter1:5-6
It has been a beautiful Autumn. God has blessed us with COLOR!! I do, so love this time of year. The many different smells, sights, the briskness of fall mornings( Brrr!!), the warm days and beautiful sunshine! I will definitely miss summer, and I am not looking forward to winter, but Fall is so pretty!
God has been so good to me~ I am so very blessed! With a wonderful family, special friends, and a loving church family. God is good all the time! All the time God is good!
Because you have these blessings, do your best to add these things to your lives: to your faith, add goodness; and to your goodness, add knowledge; and to your knowledge, add self control; and to your self control, add patience; and to your patience, add service to God... 2 Peter1:5-6
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Just Wondering??
Does anyone else have this problem :>
I get my house clean, never like to leave it in a mess~
I leave for 3 nights, I come back and immediately wish I hadn't.
How can a 15, almost 21, and an almost 48 year old :(men): make such a MESS?? My house looks like a pig sty! Not only that, I find several things BROKEN! YIKES!!!! Of course they all leave before I get home~ how convenient. Its not like you find it all at one time either. As I go thru and pick up, clean up, I find they've left the milk out, empty packages in the floor, on the counter, clothes scattered, broken chairs, etc. Its not like they didnt know better~ Hello! What is wrong with them????
The only joy I can find in this situation is, when they move out on their own, have their own homes, I can go over and make it up to them! LOL
Blessings to you~
I get my house clean, never like to leave it in a mess~
I leave for 3 nights, I come back and immediately wish I hadn't.
How can a 15, almost 21, and an almost 48 year old :(men): make such a MESS?? My house looks like a pig sty! Not only that, I find several things BROKEN! YIKES!!!! Of course they all leave before I get home~ how convenient. Its not like you find it all at one time either. As I go thru and pick up, clean up, I find they've left the milk out, empty packages in the floor, on the counter, clothes scattered, broken chairs, etc. Its not like they didnt know better~ Hello! What is wrong with them????
The only joy I can find in this situation is, when they move out on their own, have their own homes, I can go over and make it up to them! LOL
Blessings to you~
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