The words of my last posting have meant so much more to me this week than I would have imagined. On Tuesday my Dad's cousin's wife Dorothy passed away (her husband died in 2002). On Thursday I found out the father of my best friend when I was growing up passed away the previous Friday. Then I received an email that an older friend that I haven't seen in about 20 years passed away on Thursday.
While attempting to let my aunt know about Dorothy, she told me that my uncle who just celebrated his 80th birthday has kidney failure and has refused dialysis. The doctor doesn't recommend dialysis because he said he is not sure my uncle's body is strong enough. We visited Uncle Del today. He knew who we are, but he was very tired. Please keep him and the family in your prayers.
I have been trying to be diligent to read first thing in the morning for about 5 months now. Before that, sometimes days would go by before I remembered to read. Then in May I went to a Christian Women's Day in Indianapolis. I got so blessed by the teachings - it was incredible!
One reason I read the Bible every morning is so that the Word is fresh in my mind every day. Recently I failed to read my bible the first thing in the morning. Later in the day things started bothering me. Then I remembered that I hadn't read. I stopped what I was doing, went to my room, and read. What a difference it made!
Tomorrow is a new day wherein we can praise God for His loving-kindness and tender mercies. Let's endeavor to keep God first in our hearts and in our minds and live the kind of life that God desires for us.
Remember to be thankful for God's goodness and God's love! God Bless You :)
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
On a More Serious Note
I received an email on August 25 that a dear friend from Bluffton had fallen asleep. Dee Dee was a vivacious woman of 58 years who was the picture of health, slim attractive and full of life. We don't know for sure what happened, only that when her husband Steve came downstairs on the previous day, she was slumped over and was not breathing.
Daniel and I attended he viewing as did several of our friends from the Fort Wayne area. All told, I heart there were over a thousand friends and relatives who went to give their condolences to Steve and their four children and families.
Thursday morning, Denise and Deborah and I attended the funeral. It looked as though close to 200 folks were there. The minister shared from the Bible. Both daughters and a daughter-in-law shared some heartfelt memories of Dee Dee as did a member of the Bluffton TEA Party, of which Steve and Dee Dee were organizers. The minister read memories of one son and then Steve shared his memories of Dee Dee and their lives together. Steve's love for Dee Dee flooded the room as he spoke. He finished by reading Proverbs 31:10-31, the scriptures which speak of a virtuous woman.
When Daniel and I spoke with Steve the night before, he said, "I know that this is not from our loving heavenly Father. This is from the devil," the one who has the power of death as recorded in Hebrews 2:14.:
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;"
Could the Bible be any more plain? GOD doesn't kill people, the devil does. We need to come to the realization in our minds that death is not from GOD. Why would GOD make, form, and create us only to kill us a few years down the road. And don't tell me that GOD needs another rose petal in heaven! If GOD wanted another rose petal in heaven, don't you think HE could make one???
Steve said that morning he had read what the Bible says in Psalm 116:15:
"Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints."
This doesn't mean that it is precious as we use the term. The Hebrew word is "yaqar" which should be translated costly. It costs GOD something when one of His children dies. That person can no longer hold forth the word of life to others, he can no longer minister that which is good, he can no longer share with others how GOD can deliver them from the tricks and wiles of the devil.
Praise GOD that we have the hope of Christ's return for us as stated in
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18"
1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
I love you all and thank GOD for your lives.
Daniel and I attended he viewing as did several of our friends from the Fort Wayne area. All told, I heart there were over a thousand friends and relatives who went to give their condolences to Steve and their four children and families.
Thursday morning, Denise and Deborah and I attended the funeral. It looked as though close to 200 folks were there. The minister shared from the Bible. Both daughters and a daughter-in-law shared some heartfelt memories of Dee Dee as did a member of the Bluffton TEA Party, of which Steve and Dee Dee were organizers. The minister read memories of one son and then Steve shared his memories of Dee Dee and their lives together. Steve's love for Dee Dee flooded the room as he spoke. He finished by reading Proverbs 31:10-31, the scriptures which speak of a virtuous woman.
When Daniel and I spoke with Steve the night before, he said, "I know that this is not from our loving heavenly Father. This is from the devil," the one who has the power of death as recorded in Hebrews 2:14.:
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;"
Could the Bible be any more plain? GOD doesn't kill people, the devil does. We need to come to the realization in our minds that death is not from GOD. Why would GOD make, form, and create us only to kill us a few years down the road. And don't tell me that GOD needs another rose petal in heaven! If GOD wanted another rose petal in heaven, don't you think HE could make one???
Steve said that morning he had read what the Bible says in Psalm 116:15:
"Precious in the sight of the LORD [is] the death of his saints."
This doesn't mean that it is precious as we use the term. The Hebrew word is "yaqar" which should be translated costly. It costs GOD something when one of His children dies. That person can no longer hold forth the word of life to others, he can no longer minister that which is good, he can no longer share with others how GOD can deliver them from the tricks and wiles of the devil.
Praise GOD that we have the hope of Christ's return for us as stated in
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18"
1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive [and] remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
1Th 4:18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
I love you all and thank GOD for your lives.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Lots of Fun!
It has been too long since I have shared anything. My heart was joyful last weekend as we had a guest for a few days. Dannae's boyfriend Zach visited from the Chicago area and we all enjoyed the visit immensely.
Friday night found us at a volleyball game in Wabash. Denise and Deborah played very well. This is only their second year of playing on an organized team and they have improved very much.
Saturday night we attended the wedding of Josh and Amy. They have been Danny's and David's friends for about 13 years. The wedding was held at the Rooftop Lounge of the Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. The sky was somewhat cloudy as it sprinkled lightly on the outdoor location prior to the wedding. By the time the bride came down the aisle, the drops of water had stopped and the wedding proceeded as planned.
After the ceremony, the reception was held in the adjoining lounge. We partook of a tasty buffet and enjoyed karaoke sung by numerous friends, including Josh. Daniel and I danced to several slower songs, as did Danny and Heather and Zach and Dannae. It was a wonderful time to share in the lives of Josh and Amy and to be together as a family.
Sunday we attended the 80th birthday celebration for my Uncle Del in Fort Wayne. He was my Dad's only brother. Those attending were my Aunt Norma; cousin Karen and her husband Dave from Plymouth, Indiana; cousin Kay Ann and her husband Mike from Virginia; cousin Kathy from Fort Wayne; and several of Aunt Norma's family. It was a wonderful time to be together and celebrate a momentous occasion.
Afterward we came home and celebrated David's graduation from IPFW. Numerous parties, work, and various schedules made it difficult to have a party earlier in the summer. Nick and Ashley joined our family as Daniel cooked-out on the grill and we enjoyed some home-cooked food.
A very busy weekend was enjoyed by all.
Friday night found us at a volleyball game in Wabash. Denise and Deborah played very well. This is only their second year of playing on an organized team and they have improved very much.
Saturday night we attended the wedding of Josh and Amy. They have been Danny's and David's friends for about 13 years. The wedding was held at the Rooftop Lounge of the Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. The sky was somewhat cloudy as it sprinkled lightly on the outdoor location prior to the wedding. By the time the bride came down the aisle, the drops of water had stopped and the wedding proceeded as planned.
After the ceremony, the reception was held in the adjoining lounge. We partook of a tasty buffet and enjoyed karaoke sung by numerous friends, including Josh. Daniel and I danced to several slower songs, as did Danny and Heather and Zach and Dannae. It was a wonderful time to share in the lives of Josh and Amy and to be together as a family.
Sunday we attended the 80th birthday celebration for my Uncle Del in Fort Wayne. He was my Dad's only brother. Those attending were my Aunt Norma; cousin Karen and her husband Dave from Plymouth, Indiana; cousin Kay Ann and her husband Mike from Virginia; cousin Kathy from Fort Wayne; and several of Aunt Norma's family. It was a wonderful time to be together and celebrate a momentous occasion.
Afterward we came home and celebrated David's graduation from IPFW. Numerous parties, work, and various schedules made it difficult to have a party earlier in the summer. Nick and Ashley joined our family as Daniel cooked-out on the grill and we enjoyed some home-cooked food.
A very busy weekend was enjoyed by all.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Job - Perfect & Upright
Today I began reading the book of Job. I have heard of Job for years, ever since I was a little girl. I was taught he was a wealthy man and God "gave" him lots of possessions and then God "took" them away. Let’s see what the Bible has to say about Job.
Job Chapter 1 begins...
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
Job thought (doubted, worried, and feared) that maybe, perhaps, just quite possibly, his sons had sinned and cursed God in their hearts. And so because of this doubt, worry and fear, Job offered burnt offerings for them all.
Skipping ahead to verse 13 we read,
13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of god is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
19 And behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
What would you have done in this situation? All of your oxen and asses have been taken away. Your sheep have been burned and consumed. Your camels have been taken away. All the servants that take care of the animals, except for the messengers of the calamity, have been slain. And now your children have been killed by the roof falling in on top of them.
Let’s see what Job did.
20 Then Job arose, rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
The Bible says that Job worshipped! Job sinned not! And he did not charge God foolishly! This man who lost all he had did something that not many of us would think to do. He worshipped God and sinned not.
What an amazing example he set for us!
I will write more about Job in the next post. Until then, remember to be thankful for God’s goodness and God’s love.
Job Chapter 1 begins...
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
2 And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
3 His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.
4 And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them.
5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.
Job thought (doubted, worried, and feared) that maybe, perhaps, just quite possibly, his sons had sinned and cursed God in their hearts. And so because of this doubt, worry and fear, Job offered burnt offerings for them all.
Skipping ahead to verse 13 we read,
13 And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
14 And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of god is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house:
19 And behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
What would you have done in this situation? All of your oxen and asses have been taken away. Your sheep have been burned and consumed. Your camels have been taken away. All the servants that take care of the animals, except for the messengers of the calamity, have been slain. And now your children have been killed by the roof falling in on top of them.
Let’s see what Job did.
20 Then Job arose, rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
The Bible says that Job worshipped! Job sinned not! And he did not charge God foolishly! This man who lost all he had did something that not many of us would think to do. He worshipped God and sinned not.
What an amazing example he set for us!
I will write more about Job in the next post. Until then, remember to be thankful for God’s goodness and God’s love.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Husbands & Wives
Today is Danny & Heather's 1st Anniversary and in light of that fact, I have been thinking about what God says in His Word.
The Bible says in 1Thessalonians 5:18, "In everything gives thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Being thankful is one of the greatest keys to remember.
The Bible says in 1Thessalonians 5:18, "In everything gives thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Being thankful is one of the greatest keys to remember.
In Ephesians 5:20, God tells us through the Apostle Paul,
5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
5:21
Submitting yourselves (1) to arrange under, to subordinate; 2) to subject, put in subjection; 3) to subject one's self, obey; 4) to submit to one's control; 5) to yield to one's admonition or advice; and 6) to obey, be subject) one to another (one another, reciprocally, mutually) in the fear of God.
5:22
Wives, submit (same as above) yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
5:23
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
5:24
Therefore as the church is subject (same as "submit" above) unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
5:25
Husbands, love (to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly) your wives, even as Christ also loved (to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly) the church, and gave himself for it;
5:26
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,
5:27
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
5:28
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. (love-loveth - to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly)
5:29
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth (1) to nourish up to maturity, to nourish; and 2) to nurture, bring up) and cherisheth (1) to warm, keep warm; and 2) to cherish with tender love, to foster with tender care) it, even as the Lord the church:
5:30
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
5:31
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
5:32
This is a great mystery (a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding): but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
5:33
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love (to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly) his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence (to reverence, venerate, to treat with deference or reverential obedience) her husband.
I think it is interesting to note that it should not be a difficult thing for the wife to submit to her own husband. In Ephesians 5:21, if we are obeying God, then we are already "submitting ourselves one to another in the fear of God." And it should not be a difficult thing for the husband to love the wife because in Ephesians 5:25 it says, "even as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it." And we know how much Christ loved and how much he gave up when he laid down his llife for each of us.
As the years go on, the bad times are forgotten and only the good times remain in our memories - if we let them. Philippians 3:13 tells us a lot of interesting things about Paul.
3:13
Brethern, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul had done a lot of things that he was not proud of, i.e. persecuting the church and killing the Christians, and it was all because he was zealous of the traditions of the Jews' religion. (Sound like something we will be watching this next Saturday night? LOL [Denise and Deborah were in "Fiddler on the Roof" at HU on July 25, 2009]) Anyway, he forgot the things that were in his past and he believed God to forgive him and he pressed on and taught the accuracy of the word that he was taught after being born-again. He had to do the forgetting and the pressing on. We have to do the same. It is an everyday, every hour, minute by minute walk with God.
Remember to be thankful for God's goodness and for God's love.
Remember to be thankful for God's goodness and for God's love.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
July 12, 2009
Well, I finally finished the book I started a couple days ago. "Alaska Twilight" by Colleen Coble is a Women of Faith Fiction book. The beginning of the book was a little confusing, but it intrigued me. In the end, all the answers are in the book. I encourage you to read this book.
Reading has become a favorite past time for me. I usually read before I go to sleep at night, and sometimes it gets pretty late before my light goes out. A few authors that I enjoy reading are Janette Oke, Robin Jones Gunn, and Colleen Coble. I am anxious to read Denise Hunter's books, too.
I enjoy reading the Tales From Grace Chapel Inn series. I didn't realize it at first, but several people have written books for the series. The last one I read was written by Diann Hunt. It was a great addition to the series. I think it is interesting how each writer continues the series with continuity for each of the characters. It was a pleasurable book to read.
Have a great day!
Reading has become a favorite past time for me. I usually read before I go to sleep at night, and sometimes it gets pretty late before my light goes out. A few authors that I enjoy reading are Janette Oke, Robin Jones Gunn, and Colleen Coble. I am anxious to read Denise Hunter's books, too.
I enjoy reading the Tales From Grace Chapel Inn series. I didn't realize it at first, but several people have written books for the series. The last one I read was written by Diann Hunt. It was a great addition to the series. I think it is interesting how each writer continues the series with continuity for each of the characters. It was a pleasurable book to read.
Have a great day!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
July 11, 2009
Today has been a wonderful day. It started last evening around 7 pm. I was lying on our bed reading and Daniel was working on the computer. Our dog Belle started barking. Now if you know Belle, she usually just whines. I thought perhaps Dannae came home from work - but Belle doesn't bark at family members, so that didn't make sense.
Daniel went to the front door and our good friends from Canada - David, Sandy, and Chelsea - were standing there. We knew they had gone to Kentucky for a few days, and that there was possibility they would stop by, but we didn't know when. What a pleasant surprise!
The last time we saw them was a year ago at Danny's and Heather's wedding. That was a very hurried time, so we didn't get to visit a whole lot. Plus, David was the photographer for their wedding, so he was quite busy. We chatted for awhile and then Dannae ordered pizza - yummy!
We talked until almost 2 am and the our friends left to sleep at the local hotel.
This morning we enjoyed their company again for a few hours before they began their 8 hour drive home. We had a wonderful time visiting. Thank God for good friends :)
Have a great night and remember God's goodness and God's love!
Daniel went to the front door and our good friends from Canada - David, Sandy, and Chelsea - were standing there. We knew they had gone to Kentucky for a few days, and that there was possibility they would stop by, but we didn't know when. What a pleasant surprise!
The last time we saw them was a year ago at Danny's and Heather's wedding. That was a very hurried time, so we didn't get to visit a whole lot. Plus, David was the photographer for their wedding, so he was quite busy. We chatted for awhile and then Dannae ordered pizza - yummy!
We talked until almost 2 am and the our friends left to sleep at the local hotel.
This morning we enjoyed their company again for a few hours before they began their 8 hour drive home. We had a wonderful time visiting. Thank God for good friends :)
Have a great night and remember God's goodness and God's love!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
