I already wrote about this on my Facebook today, but just in case someone else stumbles upon my blog... thought I would share on here as well.
Today I was shopping at Parable Kregel Christian Bookstore, one of my favorite places to shop. While there I looked through the Bibles. I was looking for a different version or something new for next years Bible reading. Well, I picked up the NIV Archaeological Bible. I took it to the counter and asked how much it would be and they said $32.00 (approx). I said thanks and said I would think about it. The woman next to me in line asked me what type of book it was and I opened it and showed her that it had different historical facts and archaeological site findings throughout it. She asked why I would want to read such a large book. I told her that it makes Biblical times more real to me. I love reading about the culture and how they lived then.
This is the amazing part... She then tells me she wants to buy the Bible for me for Christmas. I was in shock. I told her I could not let her do that, but she insisted. She said I should not prevent her from having the joy and blessing of giving it to me and that she could afford to do it. I did not know what to say. I thanked her profusely and still said that she did not need to do such a thing. I was so overwhelmed with emotions I started to cry a bit. She hugged me and was so sweet.
Before she left, she hugged me again. I got her name and told her thanks yet again. After I got to work I wrote and mailed out a thank you card to her, but that does not express how much she effected me today.
Today I learned that some people are still worth trusting. They are full of the love of Christ and have somehow learned in this dark and evil world how to truly love and give of themselves for others. Christ loved like that, fully. Maybe the money part was not a big deal to this woman, I do not know, but the effort she gave to reach out to me and to show kindness was beyond putting a value of money on. Truth be told, I could have afforded to buy the Bible, but God knew I needed to experience this today. He knew that I needed to see HIS love demonstrated. He knew I needed the reminder that there are still trustworthy people. HE gave this to me, so that I could "Pay it Forward" as well.
I am forever changed by a woman who was generous. Generosity... it can mean a world of difference to someone. Try it and see.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Kids and their honesty
Conversation with my AWANA kids tonight. Innocence is so honest:
Guinevere: MISS? Adeana, I thought you were married?
Adeana: No I am not married
Madelyn: No kids either?
Adeana: No kids Madelyn: How old are you?
Adeana: Guess
Guninevere: 23, 26, 31, 19? Ben: 25, 27, 39, 44
Adeana: I am 36
Madelyn: My mom is only 31 or 32 and so is my dad, that's weird tha you are older than my parents and you are not married. If you are not married by 50, you know you don't have to get married anymore.
Adeana: Well, God blesses us all in different ways. Sometimes it is a blessing of marriage and sometimes it isn't.
20 minutes later... upstairs Guinevere says (very concerned): "Miss Adeana, you need to start looking for a husband (as she looks around at all the "married" people in the foyer) You are running out of time.
Adeana: Yes... I know Guinevere.
Guinevere: MISS? Adeana, I thought you were married?
Adeana: No I am not married
Madelyn: No kids either?
Adeana: No kids Madelyn: How old are you?
Adeana: Guess
Guninevere: 23, 26, 31, 19? Ben: 25, 27, 39, 44
Adeana: I am 36
Madelyn: My mom is only 31 or 32 and so is my dad, that's weird tha you are older than my parents and you are not married. If you are not married by 50, you know you don't have to get married anymore.
Adeana: Well, God blesses us all in different ways. Sometimes it is a blessing of marriage and sometimes it isn't.
20 minutes later... upstairs Guinevere says (very concerned): "Miss Adeana, you need to start looking for a husband (as she looks around at all the "married" people in the foyer) You are running out of time.
Adeana: Yes... I know Guinevere.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon Quote
Morning, October 20
“Grow up into him in all things.”
Ephesians 4:15
Many Christians remain stunted and dwarfed in spiritual things, so
as to present the same appearance year after year. No up-springing
of advanced and refined feeling is manifest in them. They exist but
do not “grow up into him in all things.”
But should we rest content with being in the “green blade,” when we
might advance to “the ear,” and eventually ripen into the “full corn in
the ear?” Should we be satisfied to believe in Christ, and to say, “I
am safe,” without wishing to know in our own experience more of the
fulness which is to be found in him. It should not be so; we should, as
good traders in heaven’s market, covet to be enriched in the knowledge
of Jesus. It is all very well to keep other men’s vineyards, but we
must not neglect our own spiritual growth and ripening. Why should it
always be winter time in our hearts? We must have our seed time, it is
true, but O for a spring time—yea, a summer season, which shall give
promise of an early harvest. If we would ripen in grace, we must live
near to Jesus—in his presence—ripened by the sunshine of his smiles. We
must hold sweet communion with him. We must leave the distant view of
his face and come near, as John did, and pillow our head on his breast;
then shall we find ourselves advancing in holiness, in love, in faith,
in hope—yea, in every precious gift. As the sun rises first on
mountain-tops and gilds them with his light, and presents one of the
most charming sights to the eye of the traveler; so is it one of the
most delightful contemplations in the world to mark the glow of the
Spirit’s light on the head of some saint, who has risen up in spiritual
stature, like Saul, above his fellows, till, like a mighty Alp,
snow-capped, he reflects first among the chosen, the beams of the Sun
of Righteousness, and bears the sheen of his effulgence high aloft for
all to see, and seeing it, to glorify his Father which is in heaven.
Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon
“Grow up into him in all things.”
Ephesians 4:15
Many Christians remain stunted and dwarfed in spiritual things, so
as to present the same appearance year after year. No up-springing
of advanced and refined feeling is manifest in them. They exist but
do not “grow up into him in all things.”
But should we rest content with being in the “green blade,” when we
might advance to “the ear,” and eventually ripen into the “full corn in
the ear?” Should we be satisfied to believe in Christ, and to say, “I
am safe,” without wishing to know in our own experience more of the
fulness which is to be found in him. It should not be so; we should, as
good traders in heaven’s market, covet to be enriched in the knowledge
of Jesus. It is all very well to keep other men’s vineyards, but we
must not neglect our own spiritual growth and ripening. Why should it
always be winter time in our hearts? We must have our seed time, it is
true, but O for a spring time—yea, a summer season, which shall give
promise of an early harvest. If we would ripen in grace, we must live
near to Jesus—in his presence—ripened by the sunshine of his smiles. We
must hold sweet communion with him. We must leave the distant view of
his face and come near, as John did, and pillow our head on his breast;
then shall we find ourselves advancing in holiness, in love, in faith,
in hope—yea, in every precious gift. As the sun rises first on
mountain-tops and gilds them with his light, and presents one of the
most charming sights to the eye of the traveler; so is it one of the
most delightful contemplations in the world to mark the glow of the
Spirit’s light on the head of some saint, who has risen up in spiritual
stature, like Saul, above his fellows, till, like a mighty Alp,
snow-capped, he reflects first among the chosen, the beams of the Sun
of Righteousness, and bears the sheen of his effulgence high aloft for
all to see, and seeing it, to glorify his Father which is in heaven.
Charles Haddon (C.H.) Spurgeon
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Welcome to the 90's
So... I finally have internet at home. Wireless to boot! I am excited and praying that I can be disciplined to not be on too much. But excited to stay connected to friends and family more.
With that said. Off to get ready for bed and do some reading before I go to sleep.
With that said. Off to get ready for bed and do some reading before I go to sleep.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Do I never eat toast again?
So, with the whole mouse in the toaster situation. I was on a shopping expedition to find of new toaster and a toaster cover. Then I had a wonderful discovery. A toaster oven. So I bought it. I love it. Thanks mouse for giving me the blessing of owning a new toaster over. I can toast the bread and so much more. :O)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
The hunt is over...
There once was a mouse who lived in my house.
He took a chance and ate without a second glance.
He took a chance and ate without a second glance.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Hunt
I have a mouse. Which I saw run across my kitchen counter from my stove to my fridge (on the counter ledge in back), while I was vacuuming. Crazy. You would think they would not like the sound of the vacuum. So, I was looking for droppings and did not find any in the drawers or counter, but found some in... that's right, the toaster. Gross. Now I know why people use toaster covers. Yuck. I cleaned it out and heated it up a few times, but I am not sure if I will be able to use the toaster again. Might have to buy a new one. Icky.
So, then I set two traps and while I was watching my movie one went off. I was waiting until my movie was done to check the trap, but about 5 minutes later the other one went off. I thought perhaps I had two mice, but no, the little bugger set off both traps and did not get caught. He did not get the cheese either, but he did not get caught in the traps. Smart mouse. I am going to use peanut butter in them tonight to see if I can get him. Little stinker. I am now on the hunt.
So, then I set two traps and while I was watching my movie one went off. I was waiting until my movie was done to check the trap, but about 5 minutes later the other one went off. I thought perhaps I had two mice, but no, the little bugger set off both traps and did not get caught. He did not get the cheese either, but he did not get caught in the traps. Smart mouse. I am going to use peanut butter in them tonight to see if I can get him. Little stinker. I am now on the hunt.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Dreams
The dreams I am referring to are the dreams we have when we are asleep. Not the fanciful daydreams we may have or the dreams for the future. But the dreams that occur while sleeping. I remember so many of my dreams. Probably because I am a light sleeper, or maybe because I snore and wake myself up once in awhile. ;0)
Regardless of the night, I always remember something about my dreams in the morning. The majority of the time, they are light hearted and wonderful dreams. Which may account to why I like sleeping so much. They are fun and full of surprises and full of houses I have made up in my head recently or in my youth. Houses with gigantic movie rooms and craft rooms, or even ones with pools and tennis courts in them. Sometimes I dream about having kids or being pregnant or visiting an exotic place. Very happy dreams. And I awake in a very pleasant mood.
However...once in a while I have a dream that is so disturbing, I vow when I awake that I never want to sleep again. Horrible dreams, full of sadness and grief. Many times the stress level in these dreams is unbearable, even in the dream I try and awake, only to discover that I "awoke", but am still, in reality, dreaming. Once fully awake and realizing I am truly not dreaming anymore, I try to figure out what could have made my thought process go so wacky? Why would I dream of such horrible and rotten things?
I think of the Old Testament and the dreams in the book of Daniel. Do mine foretell of future things? I doubt it. But it gets me thinking. What am I doing in real life that my mind would think on such horrible things? What am I filling my heart, mind and body with? These dreams are obviously created out of my thoughts. Are they past memories? Not usually. Sadly, I think they are a reflection of what I see on TV. The evil that fills much of our television and movie viewing, is, in itself, very disturbing. So... why am I surprised, when I watch CSI or Criminal Minds that I dream such awful things.
Again, I need to review the choices I make in my viewing and protect my eyes, mind and heart. My treasure is stored in my heart... what do I treasure?
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:34
Regardless of the night, I always remember something about my dreams in the morning. The majority of the time, they are light hearted and wonderful dreams. Which may account to why I like sleeping so much. They are fun and full of surprises and full of houses I have made up in my head recently or in my youth. Houses with gigantic movie rooms and craft rooms, or even ones with pools and tennis courts in them. Sometimes I dream about having kids or being pregnant or visiting an exotic place. Very happy dreams. And I awake in a very pleasant mood.
However...once in a while I have a dream that is so disturbing, I vow when I awake that I never want to sleep again. Horrible dreams, full of sadness and grief. Many times the stress level in these dreams is unbearable, even in the dream I try and awake, only to discover that I "awoke", but am still, in reality, dreaming. Once fully awake and realizing I am truly not dreaming anymore, I try to figure out what could have made my thought process go so wacky? Why would I dream of such horrible and rotten things?
I think of the Old Testament and the dreams in the book of Daniel. Do mine foretell of future things? I doubt it. But it gets me thinking. What am I doing in real life that my mind would think on such horrible things? What am I filling my heart, mind and body with? These dreams are obviously created out of my thoughts. Are they past memories? Not usually. Sadly, I think they are a reflection of what I see on TV. The evil that fills much of our television and movie viewing, is, in itself, very disturbing. So... why am I surprised, when I watch CSI or Criminal Minds that I dream such awful things.
Again, I need to review the choices I make in my viewing and protect my eyes, mind and heart. My treasure is stored in my heart... what do I treasure?
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:34
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Friends
Being a single person, it is easy to get into the mode of feeling lonely. Quiet evenings at home with no one but my little puppy Millie to talk to, do, sometimes become quite lonely. But as I think about my life and count my blessings, I am amazed at how God has blessed me, especially with such wonderful friends. I have realized, the lonely nights I spend at home are of my own doing. I can easily call up a friend for a chat or take a walk to say hello to a neighbor. The gift of gab was certainly bestowed to me in some form and I do not struggle with shyness for the most part. I can call up and ask if someone would mind me stopping by and I do have friends that don't care if I pop up on their doorstep any time of day. I think I have forgotten how to appreciate and give back to the terrific friends in my life. I have forgotten to be grateful and give praise and thanks to God for them. For my friends are a delight to me... all of them. They are encouragers, helpers, convictors, listeners, laughers, givers, and so much more to me.
Every once in awhile I am reminded how some people passing through this world do not have the blessing of close friends. They are truly the lonely ones. So when I dare to think I am lonely, just because I live alone... I will pray for them to find others to share their lives with. I can only hope that God will give them a blessing the size of mine in regards to true friends. I will then count my blessings and pick up the phone or send a card to one of my dearly beloved friends. For maybe, just maybe, even though they may not live alone... they may be having a lonely day. Perhaps I could be their reminder that they are loved and cherished.
Every once in awhile I am reminded how some people passing through this world do not have the blessing of close friends. They are truly the lonely ones. So when I dare to think I am lonely, just because I live alone... I will pray for them to find others to share their lives with. I can only hope that God will give them a blessing the size of mine in regards to true friends. I will then count my blessings and pick up the phone or send a card to one of my dearly beloved friends. For maybe, just maybe, even though they may not live alone... they may be having a lonely day. Perhaps I could be their reminder that they are loved and cherished.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
THE VOID
I was doing my Bible Study at lunch today and read a wonderful piece of Scripture, that I have read many times before... and yet today, the study gave me such a new insight, I thought I would share.
Genesis 1:1-2
The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.
The study pointed out that there were three things the earth was said to be in the beginning:
Formless, Void and In Darkness
The study compared this passage to how we are new creations in Christ. Just as God brought forth dry land, vegetation and fruit bearing plants from this "Formless, Void of Darkness". Christ enters our lives and through Salvation creates in us a new creation, one that dispenses the darkness and illuminates our life and path, one that fills the void of our hearts with Christ's love and complete fullness of Who HE is. A new creation that is no longer Formless and lost in darkness, but is a life of purpose. A life to serve and live for our GREAT and PERFECT God.
After salvation, we have the opportunity to feed on the Word of God... to be rebuilt and changed through God's Word. When we are turning to HIM for our nourishment, we are attached to HIM and just as the following verse states, we can be the branches and if we abide in Christ we can bear much fruit, but apart from Christ, we can do nothing.
John 15:5
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."
Thinking further, there is no way I can bear fruit, when I am not abiding in HIM. Well, not at least true and lasting fruit. I can "act kind and show love", but unless it is done with the Spirit of Christ, it is for nothing and will not last.
Just so much to think about and ponder. How thankful I am that I understand the gift of salvation. It is only by HIS grace that I am saved. Nothing special in me, no acts of righteousness or "good" behavior gave me my entrance into heaven (someday). It is God's gift through HIS son.
Now... just trying to combine bearing fruit and doing it for HIM (to glorify HIM) and not for a reward for me... something to work on, that's for sure.
Genesis 1:1-2
The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters.
The study pointed out that there were three things the earth was said to be in the beginning:
Formless, Void and In Darkness
The study compared this passage to how we are new creations in Christ. Just as God brought forth dry land, vegetation and fruit bearing plants from this "Formless, Void of Darkness". Christ enters our lives and through Salvation creates in us a new creation, one that dispenses the darkness and illuminates our life and path, one that fills the void of our hearts with Christ's love and complete fullness of Who HE is. A new creation that is no longer Formless and lost in darkness, but is a life of purpose. A life to serve and live for our GREAT and PERFECT God.
After salvation, we have the opportunity to feed on the Word of God... to be rebuilt and changed through God's Word. When we are turning to HIM for our nourishment, we are attached to HIM and just as the following verse states, we can be the branches and if we abide in Christ we can bear much fruit, but apart from Christ, we can do nothing.
John 15:5
"I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."
Thinking further, there is no way I can bear fruit, when I am not abiding in HIM. Well, not at least true and lasting fruit. I can "act kind and show love", but unless it is done with the Spirit of Christ, it is for nothing and will not last.
Just so much to think about and ponder. How thankful I am that I understand the gift of salvation. It is only by HIS grace that I am saved. Nothing special in me, no acts of righteousness or "good" behavior gave me my entrance into heaven (someday). It is God's gift through HIS son.
Now... just trying to combine bearing fruit and doing it for HIM (to glorify HIM) and not for a reward for me... something to work on, that's for sure.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
True Repentance
Lately, my personal Bible study that I have been doing through settingcaptivesfree.com has really been challenging me in regards to true repentance again. I may have even posted something to this awhile back as well. My heart and mind are trying to absorb and understand how I am suppose to have true repentance. A repentance that leads to freedom from sin, a repentance that turns 180 degrees from sin and never returns. I have never truly been free of the sin of gluttony. I may have a time period where I feel like I am self-controlled in regards to how much I eat, but that is not true freedom. Especially when I keep heading back into the sin full force.
What is the root problem? It is greed, pride, selfishness and idolatry.
Gluttony is definitely a greed issue for me. An issue of wanting to stay in control (ironically, it is a completely out of control action), but the root of it is selfishness and greed. Not to mention pride and idolatry. For I run to food for comfort, instead of into the loving arms of my Savior. For if I truly was repentive of my sin, I would not return to it. I would hate it, despise it, run from it, flee as far away as possible. I would never toy with it, or tempt it. I would not yeild to its deceptions, nor would I let the whole issue absorb me.
So, the conclusion... I am not truly repentive of it. I long to be, I want to be, yet I fail to submit to what God asks me to do. To repent and never turn back. I love the following quote... and I apologize that I do not know where I got it from. I think it was from the first time I started to do the settingcaptivesfree Bible study (free on-line, if anyone is interested, or you can order a manual to do at home)
True repentance has a distinct and constant reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. If you repent of sin without looking to Christ, away with your repentance. If you are so lamenting your sin as to forget the Savior, you have a need to begin all this work over again. Whenever we repent of sin, we must have one eye upon sin and another upon the cross; or, better still, let us have both eyes upon Christ, seeing our sin punished in him, and by no means let us look at sin except as we look at Jesus. A man may hate sin just as a murderer hates the gallows but this does not prove repentance. If I hate sin because of the punishment, I have not repented of sin; I merely regret that God is just.
But if I can see sin as an offense against Jesus Christ, and loathe myself because I have wounded him, then I have a true brokenness of heart. If I see the Savior and believe that those thorns upon his head were put there by my sinful words; if I believe that those wounds in his heart were made by my heart-sins; if I believe that those wounds in his feet were made by my wandering steps, and that the wounds in his hands were made by my sinful deeds, then I repent after a right fashion. Only under the cross can you repent. Repentance elsewhere is remorse, which clings to the sin and only dreads the punishment. Let us then seek, under God, to have a hatred of sin caused by a sight of Christ's love.
With that said. I am going to cling to Christ, HIS Word and HIS Spirit, for I believe that the only way to true freedom from sin, is through Christ. "I believe Lord, help my unbelief". I trust God will change me through HIS Word and my desire to truly repent. I cannot pretend that I know how or when this will happen, but I will continue to cling to Christ until it does and the rest of my life. My sin prevents my relationship with Christ to grow, it prevents me from truly giving honor and glory to God, it prevents me from truly worshiping God as HE intended.
The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.
Proverbs 5:22-23
"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs."
Jonah 2:8
What is the root problem? It is greed, pride, selfishness and idolatry.
Gluttony is definitely a greed issue for me. An issue of wanting to stay in control (ironically, it is a completely out of control action), but the root of it is selfishness and greed. Not to mention pride and idolatry. For I run to food for comfort, instead of into the loving arms of my Savior. For if I truly was repentive of my sin, I would not return to it. I would hate it, despise it, run from it, flee as far away as possible. I would never toy with it, or tempt it. I would not yeild to its deceptions, nor would I let the whole issue absorb me.
So, the conclusion... I am not truly repentive of it. I long to be, I want to be, yet I fail to submit to what God asks me to do. To repent and never turn back. I love the following quote... and I apologize that I do not know where I got it from. I think it was from the first time I started to do the settingcaptivesfree Bible study (free on-line, if anyone is interested, or you can order a manual to do at home)
True repentance has a distinct and constant reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. If you repent of sin without looking to Christ, away with your repentance. If you are so lamenting your sin as to forget the Savior, you have a need to begin all this work over again. Whenever we repent of sin, we must have one eye upon sin and another upon the cross; or, better still, let us have both eyes upon Christ, seeing our sin punished in him, and by no means let us look at sin except as we look at Jesus. A man may hate sin just as a murderer hates the gallows but this does not prove repentance. If I hate sin because of the punishment, I have not repented of sin; I merely regret that God is just.
But if I can see sin as an offense against Jesus Christ, and loathe myself because I have wounded him, then I have a true brokenness of heart. If I see the Savior and believe that those thorns upon his head were put there by my sinful words; if I believe that those wounds in his heart were made by my heart-sins; if I believe that those wounds in his feet were made by my wandering steps, and that the wounds in his hands were made by my sinful deeds, then I repent after a right fashion. Only under the cross can you repent. Repentance elsewhere is remorse, which clings to the sin and only dreads the punishment. Let us then seek, under God, to have a hatred of sin caused by a sight of Christ's love.
With that said. I am going to cling to Christ, HIS Word and HIS Spirit, for I believe that the only way to true freedom from sin, is through Christ. "I believe Lord, help my unbelief". I trust God will change me through HIS Word and my desire to truly repent. I cannot pretend that I know how or when this will happen, but I will continue to cling to Christ until it does and the rest of my life. My sin prevents my relationship with Christ to grow, it prevents me from truly giving honor and glory to God, it prevents me from truly worshiping God as HE intended.
The evil deeds of a wicked man ensnare him; the cords of his sin hold him fast. He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.
Proverbs 5:22-23
"Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs."
Jonah 2:8
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