Once a month the women's ministry at our church goes out and visits with the ladies/couples who can't get out and come to church anymore. We do this the last Wednesday of every month instead of Bible study. These times are always so fun. I am not sure who enjoys it more, us, or the people we visit. We always get a good laugh about who the last one out of the house will be. We all cram into the same car and drive around the community. It is a site to see!
The past few weeks have been a little bit of a struggle for me. I think between stress, the end of the school year, and of course the TAKS test, it has all just really gotten to me. I was having a pretty rotten day. I came across as being rude to someone, and when she told me I did, I felt horrible about it. I am so stressed out and tired of stuff that I was rude to her. This breaks my heart. I do not like to disappoint anyone so I had to go back to her and apologize and explain that I wasn't meaning to be rude, I just sometimes (ok, most of the time) say exactly what I think. Sometimes this is a good thing but sometimes its a bad thing. I am working on this. But for people who don't know me very well, this comes across as being ugly, and that is what I am working on.
I say all this to get to my point (there is one, I promise!)
My point is that I am SO very thankful for the ladies at our church and for their friendship and fellowship. We always have such a good time together. Being a part of this group has brought more blessings to my life than I deserve. Tonight while we were visiting Mrs. Essie, who will be 100 in May, my heart was so full of joy that I forgot all about my stress and worries. I know that Mrs. Essie and the others love it when we come, but I get so much out of it as well. These elderly people have so many great stories to share with us. They can teach us so many things through their stories and experiences. Its great for me to just shut up (for once) and listen to all they have to tell and teach us. I was looking around the living room tonight and while we were talking, every woman in the room had a smile on their face! Of course Mrs. Essie was grinning from ear to ear as well. Tonight as I go to bed, my heart is filled with joy and I am encouraged for another day.
Thanks to all the ladies of the church for helping me today. You had no idea how much I needed that!
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Making Godly Decisions
I am sharing this tomorrow with a group of teenagers, but thought I would share with you also. Let me know what you think:
How to make godly decisions
16 questions
God’s word is the guide for making godly, successful choices in life.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Psalm 119:105
Before you make decisions, compare your desires to what the scriptures say, and ask yourself the following questions…
1. Would you be able to ask God to bless it?
Would your decision be something that you could take before God with a good conscience and ask him to bless it?
Or is something that you know the Lord would not be enthused about?
“The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it” Proverbs 10:22
2. Could you thank Him for it?
Would your decision be something you can openly express gratefulness and thankfulness to God?
Or would it be something which would seem inappropriate to thank Him for?
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him” Colossians 3:17
3. Would it be to God’s glory?
Would it be something that can bring glory and honor to the Lord?
Ask yourself how the Lord would be lifted up or blessed by your plans
“…whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all the glory of God”
(1 Cor. 10:31)
4. Would it be of the world?
Would your decision be an indulgence upon worldly, carnal appetites or lusts?
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15)
5. Would it be a stumbling block to others?
How would your decisions affect the lives of your brothers and sisters in Christ?
Even if you don’t feel its wrong, could it offend or harm the sensitive faith of those who don’t share your convictions?
“..beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak” (1 Cor. 8:9)
6. Would it be a weight or a hindrance?
Would your decision be something that would drag down your Christian life or influence you toward disobedience?
“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1)
7. Would it please God or man?
Whom do you hope to please by your decision?
Will it bring pleasure to God, or will appease self or man?
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Col. 3:23)
8. How would the devil react?
Would your decision or actions be considered a victory or a defeat by the Devil’s forces?
Would Hell celebrate your choice as a fulfillment of Satan’s desires, or would it the enemy be angry and disturbed:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
9. What would the consequences be?
What kind of long-term ramifications would you have to face for your decision?
God will forgive sin and poor judgment, but you may have to live with the results of your decision the rest of your life.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7)
10. Would it edify you?
Would your decision or actions bring you closer to God or pull you further away?
Will it edify (build you up) in the Lord, or will it weaken your confidence of the Lord’s strength in your life?
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify” (1 Cor.10:23)
11. Would it serve the right to master?
Will your decision require you to yield to the demands of someone or something other than Christ?
Will it cause you to compromise your submission and obedience to Jesus?
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and man” (Matthew 6:24)
12. Would His indwelling presence agree with it?
Would your decision bring peace to your inner man, or would it create discomfort or distress?
Is your choice directed by the promptings and leading of the Holy Spirit, or by the appetites of the flesh?
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13)
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16)
13. Would you want to be doing this when Jesus returns?
Would you want to be doing this when Christ comes again?
If Jesus would appear to inspect your decisions or actions, would you be embarrassed or delighted?
Would his presence make you comfortable of insecure?
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44)
14. Would it promote love?
Would your decision or actions express love and harmony, or would it reflect retribution, jealousy, or injury to your neighbor?
“Owe no one anything except to love one another….Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:8, 10)
15. Have you sought the Lord about it?
The Lord promise to give leadership and direction to our life, consult him in prayer.
Remember, God will never speak something to our heart that contradicts his written word.
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:6)
“There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel; that will stand” (Prov. 19:21)
16. Have you sought Godly counsel or advice?
Ask the advice of those who live Godly lives and have a track record of experience and wise decision making.
Avoid the counsel of those whose Christian life is questionable or who have experience in failure in making sound decisions.
“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Prov. 11:14
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly….” (Psalm 1:1)
Always remember…..
We will be influenced by who we spend time with
“If you stay close to God, He will guide you” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
“God has a plan for our lives…” (Jer. 29:11)
“When you honor God then God will honor you” (Matthew 1:5)
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GODLY FRIENDS!
How to make godly decisions
16 questions
God’s word is the guide for making godly, successful choices in life.
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” Psalm 119:105
Before you make decisions, compare your desires to what the scriptures say, and ask yourself the following questions…
1. Would you be able to ask God to bless it?
Would your decision be something that you could take before God with a good conscience and ask him to bless it?
Or is something that you know the Lord would not be enthused about?
“The blessing of the Lord makes one rich, and He adds no sorrow with it” Proverbs 10:22
2. Could you thank Him for it?
Would your decision be something you can openly express gratefulness and thankfulness to God?
Or would it be something which would seem inappropriate to thank Him for?
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father through him” Colossians 3:17
3. Would it be to God’s glory?
Would it be something that can bring glory and honor to the Lord?
Ask yourself how the Lord would be lifted up or blessed by your plans
“…whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all the glory of God”
(1 Cor. 10:31)
4. Would it be of the world?
Would your decision be an indulgence upon worldly, carnal appetites or lusts?
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15)
5. Would it be a stumbling block to others?
How would your decisions affect the lives of your brothers and sisters in Christ?
Even if you don’t feel its wrong, could it offend or harm the sensitive faith of those who don’t share your convictions?
“..beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak” (1 Cor. 8:9)
6. Would it be a weight or a hindrance?
Would your decision be something that would drag down your Christian life or influence you toward disobedience?
“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1)
7. Would it please God or man?
Whom do you hope to please by your decision?
Will it bring pleasure to God, or will appease self or man?
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Col. 3:23)
8. How would the devil react?
Would your decision or actions be considered a victory or a defeat by the Devil’s forces?
Would Hell celebrate your choice as a fulfillment of Satan’s desires, or would it the enemy be angry and disturbed:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
9. What would the consequences be?
What kind of long-term ramifications would you have to face for your decision?
God will forgive sin and poor judgment, but you may have to live with the results of your decision the rest of your life.
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal. 6:7)
10. Would it edify you?
Would your decision or actions bring you closer to God or pull you further away?
Will it edify (build you up) in the Lord, or will it weaken your confidence of the Lord’s strength in your life?
“All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify” (1 Cor.10:23)
11. Would it serve the right to master?
Will your decision require you to yield to the demands of someone or something other than Christ?
Will it cause you to compromise your submission and obedience to Jesus?
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and man” (Matthew 6:24)
12. Would His indwelling presence agree with it?
Would your decision bring peace to your inner man, or would it create discomfort or distress?
Is your choice directed by the promptings and leading of the Holy Spirit, or by the appetites of the flesh?
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13)
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16)
13. Would you want to be doing this when Jesus returns?
Would you want to be doing this when Christ comes again?
If Jesus would appear to inspect your decisions or actions, would you be embarrassed or delighted?
Would his presence make you comfortable of insecure?
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Matthew 24:44)
14. Would it promote love?
Would your decision or actions express love and harmony, or would it reflect retribution, jealousy, or injury to your neighbor?
“Owe no one anything except to love one another….Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:8, 10)
15. Have you sought the Lord about it?
The Lord promise to give leadership and direction to our life, consult him in prayer.
Remember, God will never speak something to our heart that contradicts his written word.
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:6)
“There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the Lord’s counsel; that will stand” (Prov. 19:21)
16. Have you sought Godly counsel or advice?
Ask the advice of those who live Godly lives and have a track record of experience and wise decision making.
Avoid the counsel of those whose Christian life is questionable or who have experience in failure in making sound decisions.
“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety” (Prov. 11:14
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly….” (Psalm 1:1)
Always remember…..
We will be influenced by who we spend time with
“If you stay close to God, He will guide you” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
“God has a plan for our lives…” (Jer. 29:11)
“When you honor God then God will honor you” (Matthew 1:5)
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GODLY FRIENDS!
Thanks for Dinner
Since we moved into our house, we haven't had much time to fix up the yard (if that's what you call our dirt pit). My dad came Saturday and tilled up the dirt, but it still needs LOTS of work. Tonight he came down to start dragging it (the first of several that it needs!) Mom, came with him, and so did Stacy and Reese! We had a great night together. We missed Chris, who was coaching a baseball game, but we still had a good time.
While dad was working in the yard, Nathan and Reese decided they needed to ride with PawPaw. So Gammy got on to hold the boys, and off they went.....
While dad was working in the yard, Nathan and Reese decided they needed to ride with PawPaw. So Gammy got on to hold the boys, and off they went.....
They rode for about 20 minutes, then wanted to come in and get some juice and play inside. I think the two of them drug out just about every toy we had, but they were having fun!
Nathan was giving everyone a fist bump!
After all the playing, they finally got hungry, so we all sat down and ate together. Nathan was making his crazy man face, LOL!
PawPaw joined in!
We had fun tonight with family!
Thanks for coming to our house!
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Saturday
We had a great night tonight. Matthew is on the day shift, so we are all home at night (i love it when this happens). We played outside all night, Nathan absolutely loves it out there, and we now have a place where he can play.
We may have a future grill master on our hands!
Okay, this may look a little redneck, but Nathan likes to strip down to his diaper when we are at home!
(I think he learned this from his dad, lol)
I think he was saying "mom, I am busy, quit taking my picture!
Taking the steak off
Once he finished all his grilling, he moved on to his truck
He is so cute!
Dad then decided to take Nathan for a ride on the lawn mower, he loved it!
I love it when we are all home together!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Playing Outside
I LOVE the nice weather we have had lately. Nathan and I have a blast playing outside!
I can't wait until our yard finally gets fixed and we actually have a yard, not just a driveway! For now though, the driveway will work!
I can't wait until our yard finally gets fixed and we actually have a yard, not just a driveway! For now though, the driveway will work!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Such a time as this
Esther 4:14b "...And who know but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Ever since I was in high school, this verse stood out to me. First of all, if you have never read Esther, I encourage you to. It is a short easy read, but very powerful. I read the book again today. It encourages me every time. I will give you the "short" version.
During the time of Xerxes, King Xerxes displayed his wealth and splendor for a a full 180 days. He gave a banquet lasting seven day in the palace for the "greatest" people in the land. This was the party of all parties. There were couches made of gold and silver. Mosaics and Marble were everywhere, each guest had his own unique goblet made of gold to drink as much wine and whichever kind they wanted. (I can just picture what this party must have looked like.) On the last day, King Xerxes, wanted to show off his wife, Queen Vashti, to all the people. He wanted them to see her beauty. While King Xerxes was having his banquet, Queen Vashti decided to have one of her own for a few of the "noble" women. When word came to her that the king wanted her at his party to show her off, she refused to go.
Since she refused the king in front of all the people and in front of all the women, the men were worried that the other women would follow in this behavior, so King Xerxes sent out a royal decree that Vashti was never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes, that her position be given to someone else, who was better than her, and that all women will respect their husbands because he is the ruler of the household.
When Xerxes had calmed down, his personal attendents suggested that they bring in beautiful firls and let the king choose who would replace Vashti. All the women brought in went through a year's worth of beauty treatments before they were allowed to see the King.
One of the ladies brought in was Esther. Her parents had died when she was young and she was raised by Mordecai, a Jew. He instructed her not to tell anyone where she was from. Esther was VERY beautiful and she pleased the eye of King Xerxes, thus she became the new Queen.
To make a long story short, Mordecai sent word to Queen Esther that some guys were planning on killing Xerxes. Esther told the right people and King Xerxes was saved and the guys were killed that had planned to kill him. Mordecai recieved no credit, but it was all written in the book of annals. Haman, King Xerxes trusted friend, found out that Mordecai had refused to bow to the king and that he was a Jew. So Haman got the King to agree to kill off all of the Jews.
Mordecai was outside the palace wailing because he knew what was about to happen when Esther spotted him. She sent her servants to find out why he was in such agony. Mordecai told them everything and asked if Esther could help her people. She said that she would but was not allowed to talk to King Xerxes without permission and only within a certain time, that she had already passed. Mordecai sent word back to her "...and who knows that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Esther agreed to petition Xerxes, even if it meant she perished. To wrap up, Esther petitioned and her people, the Jews, were saved and Haman and his sons were all killed.
SO, why does this story stand out to me?
Esther was placed as Queen to serve ONE purpose, to save the Jews. She did not know why she was where she was, or even how she got there. She didn't know why her parent's died, why she had live with Mordecai, why she had to live in a palace for a year and recieve beauty treatments, why she didn't get to choose her husband. The Bible never once said that she complained about any of her circumstances. She went through all that stuff for ONE moment. ONE meeting with King Xerxes is what she lived for.
This makes me think, what am I here for? I know I am supposed to spread the word of Jesus, but what if I lived my life, gone through hard times, all to prepare me for ONE thing. I hope I am ready and prepared to rise "at such a time as this." I want to please the Lord and not miss my time to rise. Is he calling you now to rise on something? If so, don't hesitate because,
"...And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Lord, I pray that I don't miss my time to rise, that I don't miss my purpose. Please help remind me that it doesn't matter why I go through certain things in my life. Help me remember that everything is preparing me for something bigger and better. Help me have the confidence to stand, just like Esther, when my time comes. Amen.
Ever since I was in high school, this verse stood out to me. First of all, if you have never read Esther, I encourage you to. It is a short easy read, but very powerful. I read the book again today. It encourages me every time. I will give you the "short" version.
During the time of Xerxes, King Xerxes displayed his wealth and splendor for a a full 180 days. He gave a banquet lasting seven day in the palace for the "greatest" people in the land. This was the party of all parties. There were couches made of gold and silver. Mosaics and Marble were everywhere, each guest had his own unique goblet made of gold to drink as much wine and whichever kind they wanted. (I can just picture what this party must have looked like.) On the last day, King Xerxes, wanted to show off his wife, Queen Vashti, to all the people. He wanted them to see her beauty. While King Xerxes was having his banquet, Queen Vashti decided to have one of her own for a few of the "noble" women. When word came to her that the king wanted her at his party to show her off, she refused to go.
Since she refused the king in front of all the people and in front of all the women, the men were worried that the other women would follow in this behavior, so King Xerxes sent out a royal decree that Vashti was never again to enter the presence of King Xerxes, that her position be given to someone else, who was better than her, and that all women will respect their husbands because he is the ruler of the household.
When Xerxes had calmed down, his personal attendents suggested that they bring in beautiful firls and let the king choose who would replace Vashti. All the women brought in went through a year's worth of beauty treatments before they were allowed to see the King.
One of the ladies brought in was Esther. Her parents had died when she was young and she was raised by Mordecai, a Jew. He instructed her not to tell anyone where she was from. Esther was VERY beautiful and she pleased the eye of King Xerxes, thus she became the new Queen.
To make a long story short, Mordecai sent word to Queen Esther that some guys were planning on killing Xerxes. Esther told the right people and King Xerxes was saved and the guys were killed that had planned to kill him. Mordecai recieved no credit, but it was all written in the book of annals. Haman, King Xerxes trusted friend, found out that Mordecai had refused to bow to the king and that he was a Jew. So Haman got the King to agree to kill off all of the Jews.
Mordecai was outside the palace wailing because he knew what was about to happen when Esther spotted him. She sent her servants to find out why he was in such agony. Mordecai told them everything and asked if Esther could help her people. She said that she would but was not allowed to talk to King Xerxes without permission and only within a certain time, that she had already passed. Mordecai sent word back to her "...and who knows that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Esther agreed to petition Xerxes, even if it meant she perished. To wrap up, Esther petitioned and her people, the Jews, were saved and Haman and his sons were all killed.
SO, why does this story stand out to me?
Esther was placed as Queen to serve ONE purpose, to save the Jews. She did not know why she was where she was, or even how she got there. She didn't know why her parent's died, why she had live with Mordecai, why she had to live in a palace for a year and recieve beauty treatments, why she didn't get to choose her husband. The Bible never once said that she complained about any of her circumstances. She went through all that stuff for ONE moment. ONE meeting with King Xerxes is what she lived for.
This makes me think, what am I here for? I know I am supposed to spread the word of Jesus, but what if I lived my life, gone through hard times, all to prepare me for ONE thing. I hope I am ready and prepared to rise "at such a time as this." I want to please the Lord and not miss my time to rise. Is he calling you now to rise on something? If so, don't hesitate because,
"...And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?"
Lord, I pray that I don't miss my time to rise, that I don't miss my purpose. Please help remind me that it doesn't matter why I go through certain things in my life. Help me remember that everything is preparing me for something bigger and better. Help me have the confidence to stand, just like Esther, when my time comes. Amen.
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