365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 245

We are well aware of how there are many sides to an issue especially when it comes to politics but I was reminded of how we are also divided when it comes to God. There always seems to be someone with another perspective that does not mesh with your own. I am sure that how we are made as unique individuals is the reason for this but I am also sure that God is the one and only way that we can be unified in spirit. Unfortunately, this takes every person on Earth opening their hearts to Christ. We won’t see this unity of spirit this side of Heaven but we have the hope of being a part of this unity in Heaven. Perhaps, with lots of prayer and working on our own spirit we can see a glimpse of this kind of unity within our own circle of family and friends.

Acts 23:6  Then Paul, knowing that some of t hem were Sadducees and the others Pharises, called out in the Sanhedrin, “My brothers, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 184

I have been reading about a boy named Alex Malarkey who was in a car accident and went to Heaven. This boy has had angels visit him and heal parts of his body and he has been attacked by the devil. My daughter asked me what I was thinking about last night as we relaxed in the spa. So, I told her about the boy and how the devil was attacking him. The boy couldn’t say the name of Jesus and was terrified. But with lots of prayer coming from prayer warriors and his family he was able to fight off the devil and say “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus”. Of course, my daughter asked how the devil was attacking him. So, we talked about how the devil is the liar of all liars and will say anything to us that might change our focus from Jesus to him. We talked about how even though the perceptions of this boy were acute and he literally saw angels and the devil that the more we open our hearts to the Lord the more we will be able to discern when the devil is attacking us. We talked about the armor of God and specifically about the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God. I told her that we will be attacked by the devil throughout our lives especially in those circumstances when we find ourselves weaker but if we are in the Word of God everyday and his truth is sinking into our hearts, we will be able to fight off the devil and his attacks. This part of our faith is tough for people. It is hard to imagine a war is being fought all around us everyday. It goes against what we see but things are never as they seem. We, as Christians, are soldiers of Christ so like any soldier we must prepare for battle. Put on your armor and fight the good fight.

Here is a good article on the armor of God:

http://www.battlefocused.org/articles/armor-of-god/

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 173

I caught a glimpse of a news story yesterday about Michael Jackson and the unbelievable amount of stuff he collected. It is sadly pathetic to think of all those things he bought just collecting dust. Not one thing went wherever he went to upon his death. I know there are people with a hoarding issue. It is almost like an obsessive hobby but where do you put all the stuff. I got up this morning with this all still on my mind and decided to really get moving on my spring cleaning project. I am clearing out stuff from my basement studio and am feeling good today about letting it all go. I am moving on to the next season of my life with my career as a Christian counselor and don’t need all the stuff I have had for the past 7 years for my scrapbooking and card making businesses. It feels good to be able to let it go. Mind you, I am not letting it all go. I won’t give up making cards or scrapbooks but it will no longer be a business venture but just a fun hobby. So, I am downsizing my space I take up in our basement so we can actually get a pool table or something fun for the whole family.

1Timothy 6:17-19 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 119

A conversation I had with the girls over the morning breakfast of rainbow pancakes was very interesting. Somehow we got to the topic of Heaven. So, the girls were sharing their thoughts about Heaven. One of them said it is kind of weird that we have 3 Gods in one, another mentioned going to purgatory first. My daughter’s image of Heaven was seeing 3 thrones with God who is big in the middle and Jesus on the one side and the Holy Spirit on the other side. We all see and perceive things in our own way but we do have to be careful to always shine the light of the truth of God’s word onto everything so that we can wisely discern what the truth is. There are differing denominations within the Christian church for this very reason. We read and interpret things in different ways. The truth can be found with prayer and study. You don’t solely follow the words of someone who sounds knowledgeable about the bible. Get in the Word yourself. Seek and you will find.

Hebrews 7:27 Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself.

365 Days of Spirit-Filled Fruits Challenge-Day 53

This verse in Luke had me imagining all the angels and people that have gone to Heaven up there just cheering super loud and enthusiastically like the Broncos at a football game. The Broncos go nuts when a touchdown happens. Heaven is rejoicing in the biggest way possible every time a lost soul is redeemed. I just smile when I think that they were up there cheering mightily the day I sought forgiveness for my secret sins and accepted that I truly needed God. The truth is we all need God but like I was blind to the truth, others are having that same struggle with their need for God that they probably don’t even realize is there and their desire to do it themselves. I was this way last evening going through my mind what possible solution can I come up with to do my new task at work without it creating pain in my shoulder which is slowing the progress of healing. I finally sought refuge with my one and only who will help me. “Okay stop analyzing it to death and give it to the Lord”, I told myself. I asked the Lord to figure this out for me and than I went peacefully off to sleep. Just because I am a believer in Jesus Christ does not stop the evil one from using whatever he can to keep me from the Lord, including my own God-given temperament. I am an analyzer which has kept me awake on many nights. It can be a weakness in my temperament when I let it keep me from going to God. But the truth set me free again. I don’t know that the cheering in Heaven is as loud as when I first acknowledge Jesus as my savior but I am sure that God was smiling.

Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

I got this wonderful poem in my inbox and had to share it. May this remind you today that though our world is filled with darkness, the light and love of Jesus is still here.  May you be washed over in his light today and all your days to come.

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air

They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
They were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"Where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"This is heaven." declared a small boy. "We’re spending Christmas at God's house." when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
And as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"Come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
And i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 337

I watched the movie, The Five-Year Engagement last evening. Definitely some very funny moments in the movie! The theme of the movie was about how we are imperfect  and how life will happen.  This couple finally learns, after their five-year engagement, that they aren’t the perfect couple and life will throw things at them. Love is what brought them together and will keep them together if they keep their focus on their love. The movie has a happy ending. This movie reminds me of the story of Jacob in the bible. This guy must have really loved Rachel because not only does he wait 7 years to marry her but it ends up getting extended another 7 years because he marries the sister Leah by deception. Jabob has to 14 years before he can marry the woman he loves. They are finally married but does the perfect life start for them. No, God has his plans. Rachel can’t get pregnant and watches as her sister and each of their servants gets pregnant by Jacob. It is a long and I am certain heart-wrenching struggle for Rachel but she does finally get pregnant and has a son, Joseph. Rachel and Jacob’s life story ends tragically with Rachel dying in childbirth with her second son, Benjamin but they do indeed have a happy-ending forever together in Heaven. We have to make the most of our days here on Earth, love the best that we can, strive to follow God’s ways and path and in the end our treasure is togetherness forever with the God whose love for us is beyond our ability to comprehend how great it is. Praise to the God who gives us the choice to have a happy ending.

Matthew 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 335

There are days where your kids drive you crazy, exhaust you and frustrate the heck out-of-you but than there are the moments that are so precious, so cherished and I am so thankful to God for. One of those wonderful moments happened last evening. The weather had turned and when we left church it was raining but as we got closer to home, the rain turned to snow. Of course, it isn’t going to stick to the ground but the falling snowflakes got my daughter all in a tizzy. She was giggly with excitement about a hopeful snow day and when we got home and out of the car, she rushed out onto the driveway and put her face up to catch snowflakes on her tongue. So much joy surrounded that moment. It was awesome! In this world, life can take its toll on us and make us grumpy, moody, and negative but we have the hope of constant joy, love, peace and all the good things that the Lord will bring us in heaven. So, when I am feeling grumpy or frustrated with circumstances in life, I pray that I will be able to pause and remember this moment with my daughter and the hope that Jesus gives.

Proverbs 13:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 304

Our pastor continued his sermon series called Smash. He told a good story that gave me some creative inspiration. A boy and his grandma played Monopoly together all summer long and every time, grandma would win. The boy was tired of losing and wanted to figure out how to win so he went to the library and got a book about How to Win at Monopoly. The next game time came around and he bought up all the good properties like Boardwalk, he landed Grandma in jail several times and he collected a ton of hotels and money. He beat grandma and was so proud of himself. He asked her about leaving the game out as is so when his friends came over he could prove he won but grandma in her wisdom said, "oh no, you put the game away. At the end of the game it all goes back into the box." This was a great modern day example of the story of the rich man who ask Jesus what he can do to be saved. No matter what we collect in terms of success, achievements, money, possessions and no matter what we do to get a ticket to heaven, we will all fall short. We can't take anything with us and we can't do anything that will seal the deal and get us eternal life. At the end of our lives, it all goes back into the box. We can't win this game but we don't have to. The game has already been won by Jesus. His death on the cross and resurection from hell has given us the ticket and all we need to do is reach out and take the ticket. We fall short because we are human. We are not capable with our sinful nature to get into heaven but as Jesus said to the rich man, "all things are possible with God". Because of Jesus, we have already won the game. We fall short but Jesus fills in what is needed. This realization that we come up short is a necessary step on our journey of faith. Have you come to that realization that you cannot do this on your own? Jesus loves us and wants us to measure up. Ask Him and he will take care of the rest and give you your ticket. Here Lord, this is all I got; you make up the rest. Amen.

Mark 10:25-27 But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God."

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 257

I am a sucker for a happy ending. I just don't like much the bizarre or negative endings that movies and books can come to. As I was finishing up my book yesterday, I wasn't sure what the ending was going to bring. It ended up being a happy ending or maybe I should say the ending that I wanted it to be. Our life is like that with God. We will go through lots of struggles, illness, grief throughout our life but in the end our story has the happy ending. We will go to be with Jesus and no longer live with pain, fear or stress. Our life will be the fairytale ending we always want for ourselves in heaven with our Lord. Are you like a book with a bizarre ending or a negative ending? Don't know what the next life will bring you or do you even believe in the next life? You can change the way your story is written and change the ending simply by looking to and believing that Jesus came to earth to save us from our sins and is the son of God. Living your life knowing you have that happy ending won't take away the fear, pains and stress of our lives but it becomes that much easier knowing you have a God who loved you so much he sent his only son to save you so you could have eternal life in the happy-ending place.  It's your choice how you want the ending to be and like all choices it should be done thoughtfully and with all the information you need to make an informed decision. Go to the Word of God in the bible and find what you need to make your decision if you haven't already.

Revelation 21: 6 He said to me: "It is done." I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give the drink without cost from the spring of the water of life.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 210

Nobody ever talks about the emotional side of getting old. I think when your body starts not cooperating and is not like it use to be, it can be a bitter pill to take. There is a grieving process that you end up in. Greiving for the body and capablities you once had. In the midst of the grieving, I grabbed onto words from a song by Jeremy Camp, "there will be a day with no more pain, no more tears, no more fears". The hope of what's to come pulled me through another bout of old-age grief. I am forever thankful to God for the gift of Jesus and the hope of what's to come in heaven. He is a light at the end of our journey in the latter part of our lives that can take away the darkness. I will keep looking to my hope.

John 16:20 I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices.  You will grieve but your grief will turn to joy.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 197

We picked up our kids from camp yesterday. Our daughter was very happy to see us. She apparently only had the fever Wednesday night and Thursday morning and than it was gone and did not return. The nurse and head counselor both said that perhaps it was a case of home sickness. Anything is possible. What we think can definitely have an effect on our bodies. Her one comment that stuck with me as we drove home was, "I can't wait to be home." Our ultimate "home" is heaven. Like my daughter, we can also get home sick. Are you feeling disconnected from God? Has life gotten in the way of your focus on the Lord? Have your trials and tribulations taken you further from God rather than closer? Do you know the Lord? Perhaps, like I was at one time, still searching for a "home"? We have a home but while we are here on Earth we have to cure our home sickness with a dose of the truth in the Word of God or a dose of fellowship with other believers or a spoonful of medicine called "worship".  Take your daily dose of vitiamins called Jesus and prevent the home sickness from infecting you again. Let the Lord make his home in you.
John 14:23 Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.  My father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 144

At the end of the sermon on Sunday our pastor radomly got a lady up from her seat and asked her to make her way down the aisle heading out, than he asked the congregation to cheer wildly. We all broke out into applause with some whistling and shout-outs. I wish I could see the congregations faces. I bet we were all smiling. Our pastor created a demonstration of what it will be like when we enter God's Kingdom, everyone will be cheering wildly with overwhelming amounts of joy because you have come home.
As we watched the movie Titanic that evening, I immediately picked up on the applause of the long dead Titanic victims as the main character made her way in and up to Jack at the top of the steps. They were all applauding because she had come home and they were together again. It's like the story of the prodigal son who humbly returns whom full of repentance and is created by his father who is full of joy that his long lost son has come home. Imagine all the Kingdom of God, all the angels, all your loved ones who have gone before you, cheering you on as you walk into the Kingdom of Heaven. Each of us do matter. There is great joy in heaven when another person choose to accept Jesus as his or her savior and even more joy when you finally come home. Praise God for this awesome gift of eternal life in His Kingdom.
Luke 15:32 "But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 118

Every night during the week, I come home and my daughter joyfully runs to greet me with a clinging I have missed you kind of hug. Sometimes I have been annoyed by it only because my hands are full of my stuff I am bringing in and I haven't had the chance to put it all down so I can properly hug her back. I think that when we enter the next life, Jesus will be there waiting for us with his arms open wide ready to give us a big welcoming hug but how ready will I be to give that hug back. Our hearts need to be constantly worked on in this. Because life throws at us all kinds of challenges and tribulations, we can let our hearts go sour or be hardened. We can choose to let life rule over us or be focused on the one true God of the universe who gave us his son so that we may be with him forever. Are you ready to greet Jesus with open arms?
Psalm 79:13 Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 82

My daughter asked me yesterday if I could have a million wishes or a million and nine wishes which would I choose. "The larger number", I said. What would you wish for if you had a million and nine wishes? Wow, where do I start? My first thoughts were health, peace on earth and Jesus. It was facinating to hear my daughter's top three wishes and it was wonderful to tap into a child's perspective. Her top three wishes were: Her Girl Scout friend to be the owner of Water World so they could go and play there whenever they wanted, Dad is President (LOL), a pet cheetha that could play in the backyard. The cheetha got changed to a baby saber tooth kitten. Now those are some wishes!! I can imagine that each of us as children had some grand detailed wishes like that. Somewhere along the line, life seeps in and puts a damper on those dreams but anything is possible with God. We went on to discuss heaven since a baby saber tooth kitten here on earth where they are extinct wouldn't be very likely but she said after giving Jesus a hug she would go look for the baby saber tooth kitten. Dream and dream big! No matter what may come for us on earth, our dreams in our hearts will be filled when we get to heaven.
Matthew 6:19-21 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 64

'Rick' and 'Change' are two words that a lot of people would like to avoid. Why do it? Why change? Why get out of our comfort zone? Why not just keep our mouths shut? Why not just sit in our homes and do nothing? Because...
Because as a child of God, we are called to be fishers of men. My husband and I and hundreds of others sat and watched a sermon from a pastor at a church out in California. This sermon wasn't to his congregation. It was to a group of other pastors who have been gathering together for some time now trying to discern what God wants the church to do. Our church is breaking away as are lots and lots of others from the Presbyterian USA. It's a long process but the church has been forthcoming in honesty and communication about all that is taking place and what will be happening in the future. We got our first glimpse from this pastor's sermon on what this new, not sure what you call it, 'entity' for lack of the correct term. It is called ECO for short, Evangelical Covenant Order and it's main purpose is the growth of the body of Christ. The pastor was very inspiring and asked over and over again are we going to just sit and do nothing or are we going to make the change, take the risk and become a body of believers that will fight for the souls of everyone else before they go to hell. This sermon just gave me a great boost that my ministry will mean something and hopefully can help believers in their growth so we can all be bearing an abundance of fruit. 'Risk' and 'Change' are tough but nobody every said life was easy. That will come in heaven but you have to have the ticket to get through that door. Are there things in your life that you have not had the courage or inspiration to change? Are you avoiding taking that risk or making the change for whatever reason? Pray, pray and pray more to the God of the Universe and ask him to give you the courage, inspiration and desire to do anything He is calling you to do.
Matthew 7:17-20 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

365 Days of Praise Challenge-Day 54

Today I am praising God for bringing new friends into my life. I met a lovely lady this last week through a meetup group when I emailed her about Faith to Life Connections. She was with me yesterday in the studio creating the ANEW layout based on Ephesians 2:10. It was so great to connect with another believer while scrapbooking through the afternoon. She is giving me the support I need in getting this ministry off the ground. She told me about an article she recently read about Dave Ramsey who is the very well known Christian speaker/teacher on finances. Dave Ramsey's first meeting was with only 6 people and today he is filling up large facilities with people. This reminds me of the story of the mustard seed that Jesus speaks about in Matthew 13:31-32 He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard see, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches. So, though my first official Faith to Life Connections crop was just with my new friend and myself, I am very hopeful that this seed will grow into something wonderful and hope it will be a blessing for my new friend and all the new friends to come.
Proverbs 17:17-18 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.