 |
 |
| Create a picture slideshow |
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Strong Tower
What to do when the weather has ruined your plans?? Recently our area in Northeast Pennsylvania was hit with several sudden tornadoes. We do not usually have that sort of weather. In fact, I've been known to say to my husband before, things along the lines of: "That's why we live up north! There are NO such things as tornadoes up here!" Boy was I in for a rude awakening. In our town and the two closest towns south of us, just little dots on the local map, don't even think they all make on the Rands map...surely on the good ol' internet... we were all hit by tornadoes. The storms just started. Right in the middle of the Bloss Coal Festival. I had so wanted to take my kids there this year, but I completely forgot about the dates, and did not read the paper. I am thankful that I didn't. HUGE trees are complately torn up out of the ground. Roots exposed, trees like fallen heros. Some cracked in half, halfway up. Tress on houses and cards. Electrical wires hit too. Power out for 3 to 5 days. People lost everything in their fridges. I'm very thankful to my brother, who works for a company in the gas field. He was able to borrow 3 generators. He saved my fridge and freezer, my parents, and the local coffee shops fridges. Don't know what we'd do without coffee!!!!
As I reflect on that storm, and the very small one today, that ruined plans then, and now, I realize that I am so thankful to be safe, my family and I. So thankful to a Creator who holds us in the palm of His hand and will cover us with His protection. That makes me think of His promise in His Word:
"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." ~ Proverbs 18:10
When we call on His name, we are safe. He will protect us. Thank you Jesus. For your salvation, and for your ever present help in times of trouble.
I shall attempt to stain my deck over the next 3 days, when the chance of precipitation is 10% or less! For now, I will go spend some cuddle time with my kiddos.
As I reflect on that storm, and the very small one today, that ruined plans then, and now, I realize that I am so thankful to be safe, my family and I. So thankful to a Creator who holds us in the palm of His hand and will cover us with His protection. That makes me think of His promise in His Word:
"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." ~ Proverbs 18:10
When we call on His name, we are safe. He will protect us. Thank you Jesus. For your salvation, and for your ever present help in times of trouble.
I shall attempt to stain my deck over the next 3 days, when the chance of precipitation is 10% or less! For now, I will go spend some cuddle time with my kiddos.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Worship
It's been a while since I last blogged. So much has happened, and then not so much at all. Oh the life of a mommy! So much fills our days! And yet, for me, sometimes I feel like I haven't completed one single thing. I know that loving and caring for my kids is pretty much right on top of my list of things to do. And I love it! However, the taking care of the home part is what I struggle with. And finding the balance. Ahhh. Balance. I need to balance what God has called me to do, with LIFE.
I recently went to an AMAZING Night of Worship with one of my favorite worship leaders. It was truly an amazing time in God's presence. We stayed the next day for a training about Worship. ...Worship is the connection that we have with the Father, all the time.... what we do about it, singing, dancing, flags, work, life, etc, is the EXPRESSION of that relationship. The love relationship that we have with Him. When you truly experience that ENCOUNTER with HIM, you will NEVER be the same again! Christ's love is AMAZING! What He's done for you, for me, is truly the highest example of love. The Father gave up His Son as the Sacrifice. The Son willingly gave up His life to be the ULTIMATE sacrifice for MY SIN. It no longer has a hold on me. Thank you Jesus.
Reading my Bible in the Message version this morning, about something Kim said at the conference.
"I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. Phil. 3: 7-9 NLT
It's the most important thing. Once we get this, everything else will follow. I continued reading further and saw this:
Phil. 3: 12-21:
"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.
Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him."
I want to press on to the goal of Christ's return. To teach my children why we are here and to share HIS LOVE with others. Won't you press on with me?
I recently went to an AMAZING Night of Worship with one of my favorite worship leaders. It was truly an amazing time in God's presence. We stayed the next day for a training about Worship. ...Worship is the connection that we have with the Father, all the time.... what we do about it, singing, dancing, flags, work, life, etc, is the EXPRESSION of that relationship. The love relationship that we have with Him. When you truly experience that ENCOUNTER with HIM, you will NEVER be the same again! Christ's love is AMAZING! What He's done for you, for me, is truly the highest example of love. The Father gave up His Son as the Sacrifice. The Son willingly gave up His life to be the ULTIMATE sacrifice for MY SIN. It no longer has a hold on me. Thank you Jesus.
Reading my Bible in the Message version this morning, about something Kim said at the conference.
"I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. Phil. 3: 7-9 NLT
It's the most important thing. Once we get this, everything else will follow. I continued reading further and saw this:
Phil. 3: 12-21:
"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.
So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.
Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I've warned you of them many times; sadly, I'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
But there's far more to life for us. We're citizens of high heaven! We're waiting the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He'll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him."
I want to press on to the goal of Christ's return. To teach my children why we are here and to share HIS LOVE with others. Won't you press on with me?
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Friday, December 3, 2010
I can't believe it's December Already!!!
I can't believe it's December already!! Where did November GO!?!?!? I just made my firswt (of MANY to come) SmileBoxes! It's so easy to use! Now I want to download all my pictures on this new computer! A huge Feat for me! Since for some reason I'm scared to take pictures off my SD card. It's a real fear! look it up! cameraitis! Haha!
It's so amazing to see how much the children have grown and are changing! Right before my very eyes! The saying "Time flies when you're having fun" is no joke! It also flies when things aren't going so well... This morning I read Psalm 46. Very encouraging and I want to write it down. Maybe it will encourage me another time, when I reread my blog! lol!
"God is a refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not dear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God's voice thunders, and the earth melts! The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how He brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
'Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.' The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us, the God of Israel is our fortress."
I recognized the "Be Still and Know" part, because it's one of the ones were all taught to memorize at some point in our lives. However, this time I was struck by the fact that it's a command! The writer is emphasizing that God is commanding us to BE STILL! and KNOW that HE IS GOD! He WILL BE honored in EVERY nation! THROUGHOUT THE WORLD! how Awesome is our God!
I love the song by Rita Springer "I will rejoice." It's been in my head the past few weeks, as I recently heard Kim Walker sing it at an amazing women's conference I went to! I couldn't find it online for the longest time! Then I came acrost it called "There is a River" as a you tube video. I will try and post it.
It's so amazing to see how much the children have grown and are changing! Right before my very eyes! The saying "Time flies when you're having fun" is no joke! It also flies when things aren't going so well... This morning I read Psalm 46. Very encouraging and I want to write it down. Maybe it will encourage me another time, when I reread my blog! lol!
"God is a refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not dear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High. God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed. From the very break of day, God will protect it. The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God's voice thunders, and the earth melts! The LORD of Heaven's Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.
Come, see the glorious works of the LORD: See how He brings destruction upon the world. He causes wars to end throughout the earth. He breaks the bow and snaps the spear; he burns the shields with fire.
'Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world.' The Lord of Heaven's Armies is here among us, the God of Israel is our fortress."
I recognized the "Be Still and Know" part, because it's one of the ones were all taught to memorize at some point in our lives. However, this time I was struck by the fact that it's a command! The writer is emphasizing that God is commanding us to BE STILL! and KNOW that HE IS GOD! He WILL BE honored in EVERY nation! THROUGHOUT THE WORLD! how Awesome is our God!
I love the song by Rita Springer "I will rejoice." It's been in my head the past few weeks, as I recently heard Kim Walker sing it at an amazing women's conference I went to! I couldn't find it online for the longest time! Then I came acrost it called "There is a River" as a you tube video. I will try and post it.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Bad day turned good
So I was not having the best morning...it started out by oversleeping by an hour! (We've been doing A LOT of that lately) Then hubby having to leave soon after getting up.... Then kids getting started on school. Didn't go so smoothly, when my oldest is saying she doesn't feel well... I gave her the choice to go back to bed, or sit down and get started. She decided to start school. However, we're having a very hard time focusing and getting on task. I don't remember having these kinds of issues myself, so it must be inherited from my husband... who knows!? We did finish school. Now they are upstairs fighting naps... GR! There's a lot of little things that I won't even bother writing down in here, but to sum it up: It was a rough morning!
BUT THEN: I was checking my email and happened to look on the side, where it has the names of people who are "online" at the same time as me... I saw a friend on there that I had recently been looking for. I hadn't talked to her in over 5 years... tried to email her at that address before and it came back to me with an error message. So, imagine my delight when she chatted back to me and it WAS HER! YEA! So super excited was I that I'm sure I sounded a little freakish, but oh well! That's me! Talking to her, even if it was for only a few minutes, made my day! I wish I could talk longer, but I have to at least TRY to get SOMETHING done around here for the day! Hopefully we'll get together in the near future.... Thanks God, for my bad morning turned good. You make all things work together for the good of those who love You and are called by You!
BUT THEN: I was checking my email and happened to look on the side, where it has the names of people who are "online" at the same time as me... I saw a friend on there that I had recently been looking for. I hadn't talked to her in over 5 years... tried to email her at that address before and it came back to me with an error message. So, imagine my delight when she chatted back to me and it WAS HER! YEA! So super excited was I that I'm sure I sounded a little freakish, but oh well! That's me! Talking to her, even if it was for only a few minutes, made my day! I wish I could talk longer, but I have to at least TRY to get SOMETHING done around here for the day! Hopefully we'll get together in the near future.... Thanks God, for my bad morning turned good. You make all things work together for the good of those who love You and are called by You!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)