Today ONLY, you can download The Incredible Singing Christmas Tree by The VeggieTales FREE on Amazon, by clicking here.
This CD contains 16 songs including
* O Christmas Tree
* Silent Night
*What Child Is This / The First Noel
AND MORE
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Totally Talented Tuesday -- Crafty Kids!!
Every Wednesday we go to the Dayton Library, where they have story time. They usually read three books, sing a couple of songs, and then make a craft. Here are some of the kids' fall crafts that we have hanging up!
:)
If there is some crafty-ness going on in your house, please link up and share it with us, by clicking the button above!!! Thanks Two Of A Kind Working On A Full House for hosting Totally Talented Tuesday!!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Can you imagine what it will be like?
I normally don't even open the emails where the subject begins with FWD:FWD:.......
There really are not enough hours in the day as it is, imagine how much less time you'd have if you looked at everyone of those emails!!!
BUT every once in a while, a title will catch my attention - as this one did. It was titled
"Beautiful Drawings of Jesus"
The email spoke of an anonymous street artist who created these huge, beautiful pictures in less than an hour. Here are some of them:
Can you even begin to imagine the love and joy that you will feel when you see Jesus face-to-face? I cannot fathom how truly amazing it will be...maranatha Lord!!!
There really are not enough hours in the day as it is, imagine how much less time you'd have if you looked at everyone of those emails!!!
BUT every once in a while, a title will catch my attention - as this one did. It was titled
"Beautiful Drawings of Jesus"
The email spoke of an anonymous street artist who created these huge, beautiful pictures in less than an hour. Here are some of them:
Saturday, October 23, 2010
MMM...Tasty, Healthy, and Easy
Pot Roast with Vegetables and Pasta with Stewed Tomatoes
This was really good, it was incredibly simple, and is pretty healthy.
Pot Roast & Vegetables
2-5 lb roast (any cut)
4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1 to 2" pieces
4 stalks celery, cut into 1 to 2" pieces
1/2 med onion, cut into wedges
quart sized jar of stewed tomatoes (or 2-3 cans stewed tomatoes)
Place the roast in the crock pot, put the vegetables around and on top of the roast (depending on how much veggies you have and how big you roast is) -- just get it all in there!
Pour the stewed tomatoes on top of everything, put the lid on, and cook on low for 7-8 hours. If you are in a hurry, you can cook it on high for 4-5 hours.
Pasta with Stewed Tomatoes
2 Cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 Pint stewed tomatoes (or 1 can stewed tomatoes)
Cook pasta to el dente according to package directions. Drain.
Add stewed tomatoes and cook over medium-low heat until heated through.
The pasta is always a big hit in our house -- as you can see from the little hand going after it!!
This was the first time that I have used stewed tomatoes for cooking the pot roast, but it came out wonderful!!!!
Enjoy!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
10 Things You Might Not Know About Me
At church, we just started a women's Bible study and one of the things that has really been convicting me is that I have not read the whole Bible. I have red many books, but have not given the honor and respect that God deserves, desires, and demands to Him by reading His Word. That really made me think, and I am now working on reading with a prayerful and receptive heart. So hopefully with me being in God's Word more, next time I take an inventory of myself I will see more Chrsit-like qualities!!
Thanks for taking the time to stop by! Leave a comment and I will make sure to come see what you have to say as well! Hope you all have a Thankful and Blessed Thursday!!
~~Katrina~~
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Wordless Wednesday -- Baking with the Girls!!! Linky
This is how the baking went yesterday:
We finally got all of the ingredients out, measured, mixed and had the batter/dough in the pans and the pans put in the oven!
Olivia was a good little "helper" she sat on the counter in her papasan chair and watched what was going on!!
Emily and Natalie had a great time with the measuring, mixin, and pouring...but the best part of baking (if you ask them) is liking the spatula and bowl!!!
MMM...yummy!!
Banana-Zucchini bread!!!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Fun For The Whole Family Hour
Sail Into God’s Great Love With Fun-for-the-Whole-Family Hour
Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX – Group Publishing has set sail on a brand new expedition, where families will embark on an adventure to discover God’s love. In their very first Fun-for-the-Whole-Family Hour event, Group partners with Walden Media and 20th Century Fox, using scenes from the new Narnia movie, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Fun-for-the-Whole-Family Hour combines eye-opening discussions and upbeat music with the thrilling adventure of Narnia in an experience that connects all ages with each other and with God.
Fun-for-the-Whole-Family Hour is one action-packed hour where participants will discuss never-before-seen clips from the movie, listen to music, watch a skit, and grow in their faith. Participants will divide into family groups of no more than five. Each group is given their own expedition pack, which contains an interactive expedition map that uses water to reveal hidden messages, guiding each family to look at God’s transforming love in a whole new way. It also includes a CD with all the music so families can continue their adventure at home. Clips from the Narnia movie will help them explore how God’s love changes us. Fun-for-the-Whole-Family Hour makes reaching families easier than ever.
Fun-for-the-Whole-Family Hour is flexible, easy to implement, and a great value. Everything you need to get started is in the Leader Pack, which includes:
· Leader Guide
· DVD containing a promotional video and clips from The Voyage of the Dawn Treader· CD containing clip art, publicity helps, drama script, and PowerPoint song lyrics slides· Family Expedition Pack (sample)
· Publicity Poster (sample)
Fun-for-the-Whole-Family Hour came out of a desire to let families share in simple, life-changing experiences like the ones kids explore at Group’s vacation Bible school. “In Group’s many years of ministry experience, we’ve seen families connect in unique ways during VBS,” according to Group’s Shannon Velasquez. “Fun-for-the-Whole-Family Hour brings families together for laughter, drama, and music, creating a starting point for family faith-building conversations.”
Group has a reputation of being hands-on in growing children’s relationships with Christ, and this new product does not disappoint. Nothing fires you up like seeing kids “get it” as you teach…and seeing the children you serve grow closer to God. This practical, time-saving resource makes that happen.
Fun-for-the-Whole-Family Hour Leader Pack—ISBN 978-0-7644-4288-9/$19.99
Fun-for-the-Whole-Family Hour Family Expedition Pack—ISBN 978-0-7644-4289-6/$5.99
Fun-for-the-Whole-Family Hour Publicity Poster Pack—ISBN 978-0-7644-4287-2/$9.99Group Publishing, August 2010
For more product information, visit familyhour.group.com.
MY REVIEW
Fun for the Whole Family Hour is a great way to get families to spend time together learning or and discussing the love of God. I especially love that it is family focused. There are a lot of different activities to participate in at church - VBS, women's Bible study, men's Bible study, and stuff like that but this is unique in that it is for the whole family - I really like that!! The material is written in a way that is great and easy for children to understand but not too dulled down that it will lose the adults attention. We enjoyed it. This is definately something that we would participate in if our church ever decided to do.
Disclosure: I was sent a Leader's Pack for review purposes from The B&B Media Group. This review is my honest opinion.
Out of curiousity, would you be interested in attending a family even such as this at your church?
Friday, October 15, 2010
Completely Whole by Paulette Harper
It is time for a FIRST Wild Card Tour book review! If you wish to join the FIRST blog alliance, just click the button. We are a group of reviewers who tour Christian books. A Wild Card post includes a brief bio of the author and a full chapter from each book toured. The reason it is called a FIRST Wild Card Tour is that you never know if the book will be fiction, non~fiction, for young, or for old...or for somewhere in between! Enjoy your free peek into the book!You never know when I might play a wild card on you!
Today's Wild Card author is:
and the book:
Thy Word Publishing; 1st edition (August 3, 2010)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A sought after speaker, certified life coach, minister and author. As an inspirational and motivational speaker. Paulette has authored such books as That Was Then, This Is Now which achieved national recognition by being awarded a finalist in the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Award and her newest release Completely Whole was published under her own publishing company Thy Word Publishing. She is the co-author of Victorious Living for Women. Her next book For Such a Time as This will be released in 2011 in addition to Victorious Living for Moms.
Visit the author's website.
Product Details:
List Price: $15.95
Paperback: 145 pages
Publisher: Thy Word Publishing; 1st edition (August 3, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0615331017
ISBN-13: 978-0615331010
AND NOW...THE FIRST CHAPTER:
Lord, I Am Made Whole by My Experiences
Wouldn’t life be so much better if we could tell God how to do His job? Or maybe we could assist Him or give Him some advice on how to deal with our issues? Wouldn’t we simply make sure we avoided much of the pain, sorrow and disappointment life brought? The answer is a resounding yes! Avoiding hardship, pain and heartache would be our primary solution in dealing with everything that life brought our way. If we could just sit back and live in complete harmony and joy, wouldn’t that be wonderful? Who wouldn’t want this kind of life?
Unfortunately, the world in which we live doesn’t allow this type of ease. We call this kind of world imaginary—make believe—a fairy tale. Fairy tales are fables created for children with the illusion that the world is an ideal and wonderful place—a place where there are no caresa place which is free and exempt from outside influences. The truth of the matter is the world in which we live can be disappointing and cruel, with plenty of let downs. Yet, depending on our attitude, the world can also be a place of limitless successes, great achievements, abundant blessings and untold happiness. Each day that God blesses us to experience is a day in which some type of lesson is going to be taught. The question is: are we willing to learn?
Many times we ask God, “Why why must we endure the things we do?” By nature, we do not embrace new experiences because most experiences require us to give something of ourselves. The truth is, we don’t want to give anything without a guarantee of a return. We are not willing to surrender, submit and give God what He asks for in the midst of our circumstances.
We must remember that when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we placed ourselves under His authority, His care and His direction. Laying down our will and yielding to God must come from a heart that has complete trust and confidence in His ability to sustain every situation, and resolve every conflict
When we face a trying dilemma, our question should be, “What is God trying to say to me and teach me?” In life’s experiences, if we learn the lessons that God is trying to teach and convey to us, we will gain valuable understanding, which in turn makes us comprehend more clearly what is happening and why.
Oftentimes, we do not like how God picks those experiences for us. There are some experiences in life that I can’t go through, because God knows my makeup, temperament and personality—same with you. Some experiences are more difficult to handle than others, yet God in His infinite wisdom knows exactly what experiences each of us can bear.
No Easy Way Out
As children of God, we want an easy life, without interruptions and difficulties, yet we live in a world where our homes, jobs, families, government, and churches are engulfed in turmoil. We often seek the easy road to circumvent the hurdles; hurdles hinder our progress; we cannot simple go around them. Whatever you are trying to evade, whatever you are plagued with remember, you are not the only person that has petitioned the Lord for deliverance.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
“And to keep me from being puffed up and too much elated by the exceeding greatness (preeminence) of these revelations, there was given me a thorn (a splinter) in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to rack and buffet, and harass me, to keep me from being excessively exalted. Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me; but He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and complete) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.”
II Cor. 12:7-9 (AMP)
In this passage of scripture, we learn that Paul suffered with a nagging, tormenting aliment that he called a “thorn.” Webster’s Dictionary describes a thorn as: “something that causes pain, irritation and discomfort.” It’s that annoying, frustrating, and bothersome irritant that always seems to raise its ugly head at the worst possible moment. It is a constant, painful reminder that we still reside in the flesh. Still, we attempt to live, behave and conduct our lives by the Spirit. It’s that issue that is relentlessly warring against our soul. Is the Apostle Paul telling us that we will live with and carry some type of thorn or nuisance all the days of our lives? It certainly gives reason to ponder.
According to the scriptures, Paul’s thorn was given to him to keep him from becoming arrogant, conceited and prideful because of all the awesome things God was doing in and through him. It would have been easy for him to develop an egotistical attitude since he was chosen to write most of the New Testament. God used Paul more than any other individual during his time; he heralds this testimony:
“Though for myself I have [at least grounds] to rely on the flesh. If any other man considers that he has or seems to have reason to rely on the flesh and his physical and outward advantages, I have still more! Circumcised when I was eight days old, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew [and the son] of Hebrews; as to the observance of the Law I was of [the party of] the Pharisees, As to my zeal, I was a persecutor of the church, and by the Law's standard of righteousness (supposed justice, uprightness, and right standing with God) I was proven to be blameless and no fault was found with me.”
(Phil 3:4-6 AMP)
Paul petitioned the Lord three times to remove the agonizing thorn, but God refused to honor his request. Could it be what Paul saw as a weakness was in reality the strength of God being made perfect through infirmity? God’s response to Paul’s plea is the same response God conveys to us: His grace is sufficient. Almighty God demonstrates His strength and power in what men describe as weaknesses, flaws, or disadvantages. Our weaknesses and inabilities are canvases which God uses to show His might, power, and strength. You must understand that what God is doing in and through you has nothing to do with you, but it is for others. We are only empty vessels that He fills with His Spirit to accomplish supernatural acts, perform miracles and change the world.
Both Paul and the Prophet Jeremiah realized that in spite of the miracles God worked through them, the focus of the praise and glory belonged to God and God alone.
As it is written, “Let him who boasts and proudly rejoices and glories, boast and proudly rejoice and glory in the Lord.”
(I Corinthians 1:31 AMP)
“Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches; But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.”
(Jeremiah 9:23-24 AMP)
All the tributes they received belonged only to the One who had called them, appointed them and ordained them to carry out their assignments. It doesn’t matter how skillful, wise or influential one may be; accolades mean absolutely nothing compared to the knowledge of Christ.
We must continually deal with recurring events in spite of our praying, fasting, and Bible study. There are reasons, some beyond our comprehension, which God allows thorns to remain. The Apostle Paul revealed the purpose of his thorn; it was to keep him humble. Some thorns come to bring awareness of how much we must rely on and trust God. Other thorns have been placed in us as corrective methods to disciplines usto keep us tethered to His will. David proclaimed, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Your statues.” (Psalms 119:71 AMP)
Psalms 119:67 (AMP) states, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, Your word do I keep [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it].”
If God does not allow afflictions or thorns to bother us at times, we might fail to seek Him. In order for us to remain humble and not become arrogant, God knows exactly what He needs to do to keep us from experiencing the repercussions of a haughty spirit. I’m sure David believed that the affliction was a great annoyance and brought much suffering. Later, he realized why God afflicted him. Eventually, David humbly admitted that he brought the affliction on himself by his own selfish behavior.
Here David attempts to offer insight on the cause of his affliction. First, David admits he went astray. His affliction was divinely designed to get him back on track and on course with God’s will and purpose. God will permit painful experiences to get us to align with His will, especially when we clearly lack a sense of focus. This is the primary reason the enemy places distractions in our path. Distractions are designed to derail us, to sidetrack us, and to redirect our attention—ultimately causing us to miss our mark. Distractions can create the illusion of being important issues, but in reality they aren’t— they’re merely illusions.
A distraction can be anything from a previous issue resurfacing to perhaps an old boyfriend, girlfriend or business acquaintance fighting to recapture your focus. Have you ever experienced a former acquaintance calling you from out of nowhere? These kinds of distractions can trigger an emotional imbalance, causing you to entertain thoughts that are far from the truth. Distractions will take your focus from what God is doing, causing confusion. The enemy knows if he can divert your attention away from the Father, he can draw you away—causing you to meditate and ponder things that only have the appearance of reality.
Have you ever been driving, minding your own business, when all of a sudden an animal dashes out in front of your vehicle? Immediately, your first response is to avoid hitting the animal by sharply veering away from it—steering away from your original course. Unfortunately, we are sometimes unsuccessful in our attempts and we hit the very thing we tried so desperately to avoid. We kill “something” that didn’t belong in our path. This is the same way God expects us to deal with our distractions; we must “kill” them quickly, without hesitation. Recognize the distractions for what they are and eliminate them immediately! As long as you continue pondering the distractions, giving them your attention, they will remain.
David’s affliction drew his attention back to Gods’ statues. He later spoke of his affliction as a good thing. What a transformation of his attitude! Most of us would not view our afflictions as good. Prior to David’s troubles, it appeared that learning about Gods’ statutes was not on his list of priorities. Afflictions, heartaches, and difficulties have an amazing way of highlighting what things matter most in life. When we begin to examine why God allows us to experience those things we consider difficult, we find that when we seek the presence of the Lord, He will begin to show us reasons why things happen the way they do.
God knows what is best for us, and He will use different methods to speak to us— methods we don’t understandto draw our attention from what we are doing and redirect it on Him. Because we can be so consumed with our own accomplishments and pursuing our own desires, we often shut God out. Was this David’s mindset? Was he completely lost by planning the direction of his life and not inviting God into his decision making? When we have gone this far, God must do something very drastic to get us to “come to our senses.”
What is your thorn or affliction in life? What causes you the greatest irritation? Is it your ex who has nothing better to do than harass you? Is it someone at work who continues to nag and pester you? Is it constantly picking the wrong mate time and time again? What experiences in your life keep recurring? The very same issues reappear, over and over, day after day, week after week …even year after year. In some cases, the same issues appear in generation after generation—uncomfortably familiar patterns and cycles.
“Can I get a reprieve—a little relief, somehow—some way?” You cry out to God. Could it be that this thorn, this nagging, annoying, persistent thorn is what God is using to draw you into His presence…closer to His heart? Maybe this thorn is really what you need to strengthen your faith; maybe, just maybe, this is what it will take to bring out the best, the Christ-likeness in you.
You may or may not like the situation you are currently in. God understands exactly how you feel and He knows you want out. However, He will not abort His ultimate purpose and deliver you prematurely.
God’s ways of dealing with us individually are unique; the final results are yet unseen as He guides us on these journeys. He’s promised that the outcomes will definitely be greater than the beginnings, if we continue allowing Him to carry us to our appointed place. Ecclesiastes 7:8 (KJV) reads, “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.”
There are avenues and detours we might take (or make!) as we try to maneuver ourselves out of circumstances; however, trying to find ways out of difficult situations only stifles our growth. We want to get from A to Z without the bumpy roads, flat tires, set backs, and accidents. But in order for God to get us where we need to be, getting to Z may require pain, hurt, and disappointments. At times, our journey can bring us joy and happiness.
You ask again, “Lord, does it have to be this way?” Again the answer is yes. God is telling you to learn from every experience, embrace every challenge, conquer every test and move every mountain by faith. Here is how you must face every challenge: know that you are already victorious. According to the book of John, victory is won through our faith…”For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.”
(I John 5:4 AMP)
Can you recall the worst times in your life? Can you reflect on how God handled your situation? Would you agree that you would have handled it in an easier and faster way? The answers are probably yes. For reasons beyond our own comprehension, God chooses to deal with us and our problems through long-suffering. Here is how Moses describes God:
“The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.”
(Numbers 14:18 KJV)
The American Heritage Dictionary describes long suffering as “patiently enduring pain or difficulties;” it is the ability to suffer long. Moses is describing the nature and character of God, who is longsuffering and patient. God is tolerant and accommodating with us, even though He knows how long it will take us to choose and live in right standing with Him. He will sit and wait until we get tired of the way we have chosen to live. God will not override our will, rather, He will allow us do what we desire, even though He knows it might kill or destroy us! Selah! Pause, think on that…
Let’s look at some characteristics of God’s children: lethargic, indecisive, faithless, timid, rude, procrastinating, judgmental, critical, and the list goes on. Despite God knowing how long it will take us to change, He endures our rebellion and disobedience because of His great love for us.
For many of us, God waited patiently while we were intent on destroying ourselves with drugs, alcohol, or other destructive lifestyles. Some of us have been incarcerated because we’ve violated the laws of the land. We’ve lived our lives totally contrary to the will and order of God. We have deliberately polluted our bodies by engaging in homosexuality, adultery, fornication and other forms of sexual perversion. We have completely abandoned ourselves to the filthy, lustful desires of our carnal, fleshly nature. Yet our gentle, loving Father God watches—patiently waiting for us to come to ourselves and run into the safety of His outstretched arms.
David said this:
“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and good.”
(Proverbs 15:3 KJV)
When we were out partying and enjoying our sin, God was patiently beholding every lewd, disgusting act, listening to every curse word and watching every foul thing we did. Yet, He waited until we had enough of what this world had to offer and adopted us into His wonderful family, granting us rights and privileges as sons and daughters of God. If God is willing to put up with us, surely we must be willing to accept the way God chooses to purify us and bring wholeness to our lives.
You might think you are the only one in a state of anticipation, but you are not alone. God, your Father, is waiting on you…waiting on you to come to Him, waiting on you to realize your need of His guidance, waiting on you to come back home, waiting on you to come to the end of yourself…and the beginning of His healing, loving arms.
Friend, are you there? He is waiting for you to acknowledge that it’s not your good deeds that are acceptable; it’s your heart He requires. Are you at the end of yourself? Are you still on the throne of your own heart? Is it still all about you? Have you gotten all of your degrees and made all of the money and still find yourself feeling empty? Have you considered God?
Prayer
Father, I come to you in the name of your only Son Jesus Christ. I understand now the lessons you were trying to teach me. I admit I did not trust you in my situations and circumstances. I accept your will for my life. I submit my will to your plan and purpose for my life. When I didn’t see you carrying me, you were. I choose to walk in holiness and purity. I want to be made whole through the experiences you have allowed me to go through. Although things might get painful and I might not understand what you are doing, I choose to trust, rely and hope in you. I can’t do anything apart from you.
I thank you that through my experiences I am a better person. Lord, please help me overcome areas in my life that continue to be a problem for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today’s confession: I confess today that I choose to walk and live in your plan for my life. Purify my heart, cleanse my mind and make me complete in you. I am completely made whole by my experiences.
Wouldn’t life be so much better if we could tell God how to do His job? Or maybe we could assist Him or give Him some advice on how to deal with our issues? Wouldn’t we simply make sure we avoided much of the pain, sorrow and disappointment life brought? The answer is a resounding yes! Avoiding hardship, pain and heartache would be our primary solution in dealing with everything that life brought our way. If we could just sit back and live in complete harmony and joy, wouldn’t that be wonderful? Who wouldn’t want this kind of life?
Unfortunately, the world in which we live doesn’t allow this type of ease. We call this kind of world imaginary—make believe—a fairy tale. Fairy tales are fables created for children with the illusion that the world is an ideal and wonderful place—a place where there are no caresa place which is free and exempt from outside influences. The truth of the matter is the world in which we live can be disappointing and cruel, with plenty of let downs. Yet, depending on our attitude, the world can also be a place of limitless successes, great achievements, abundant blessings and untold happiness. Each day that God blesses us to experience is a day in which some type of lesson is going to be taught. The question is: are we willing to learn?
Many times we ask God, “Why why must we endure the things we do?” By nature, we do not embrace new experiences because most experiences require us to give something of ourselves. The truth is, we don’t want to give anything without a guarantee of a return. We are not willing to surrender, submit and give God what He asks for in the midst of our circumstances.
We must remember that when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we placed ourselves under His authority, His care and His direction. Laying down our will and yielding to God must come from a heart that has complete trust and confidence in His ability to sustain every situation, and resolve every conflict
When we face a trying dilemma, our question should be, “What is God trying to say to me and teach me?” In life’s experiences, if we learn the lessons that God is trying to teach and convey to us, we will gain valuable understanding, which in turn makes us comprehend more clearly what is happening and why.
Oftentimes, we do not like how God picks those experiences for us. There are some experiences in life that I can’t go through, because God knows my makeup, temperament and personality—same with you. Some experiences are more difficult to handle than others, yet God in His infinite wisdom knows exactly what experiences each of us can bear.
No Easy Way Out
As children of God, we want an easy life, without interruptions and difficulties, yet we live in a world where our homes, jobs, families, government, and churches are engulfed in turmoil. We often seek the easy road to circumvent the hurdles; hurdles hinder our progress; we cannot simple go around them. Whatever you are trying to evade, whatever you are plagued with remember, you are not the only person that has petitioned the Lord for deliverance.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
“And to keep me from being puffed up and too much elated by the exceeding greatness (preeminence) of these revelations, there was given me a thorn (a splinter) in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to rack and buffet, and harass me, to keep me from being excessively exalted. Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me; but He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and complete) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness.”
II Cor. 12:7-9 (AMP)
In this passage of scripture, we learn that Paul suffered with a nagging, tormenting aliment that he called a “thorn.” Webster’s Dictionary describes a thorn as: “something that causes pain, irritation and discomfort.” It’s that annoying, frustrating, and bothersome irritant that always seems to raise its ugly head at the worst possible moment. It is a constant, painful reminder that we still reside in the flesh. Still, we attempt to live, behave and conduct our lives by the Spirit. It’s that issue that is relentlessly warring against our soul. Is the Apostle Paul telling us that we will live with and carry some type of thorn or nuisance all the days of our lives? It certainly gives reason to ponder.
According to the scriptures, Paul’s thorn was given to him to keep him from becoming arrogant, conceited and prideful because of all the awesome things God was doing in and through him. It would have been easy for him to develop an egotistical attitude since he was chosen to write most of the New Testament. God used Paul more than any other individual during his time; he heralds this testimony:
“Though for myself I have [at least grounds] to rely on the flesh. If any other man considers that he has or seems to have reason to rely on the flesh and his physical and outward advantages, I have still more! Circumcised when I was eight days old, of the race of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew [and the son] of Hebrews; as to the observance of the Law I was of [the party of] the Pharisees, As to my zeal, I was a persecutor of the church, and by the Law's standard of righteousness (supposed justice, uprightness, and right standing with God) I was proven to be blameless and no fault was found with me.”
(Phil 3:4-6 AMP)
Paul petitioned the Lord three times to remove the agonizing thorn, but God refused to honor his request. Could it be what Paul saw as a weakness was in reality the strength of God being made perfect through infirmity? God’s response to Paul’s plea is the same response God conveys to us: His grace is sufficient. Almighty God demonstrates His strength and power in what men describe as weaknesses, flaws, or disadvantages. Our weaknesses and inabilities are canvases which God uses to show His might, power, and strength. You must understand that what God is doing in and through you has nothing to do with you, but it is for others. We are only empty vessels that He fills with His Spirit to accomplish supernatural acts, perform miracles and change the world.
Both Paul and the Prophet Jeremiah realized that in spite of the miracles God worked through them, the focus of the praise and glory belonged to God and God alone.
As it is written, “Let him who boasts and proudly rejoices and glories, boast and proudly rejoice and glory in the Lord.”
(I Corinthians 1:31 AMP)
“Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise and skillful person glory and boast in his wisdom and skill; let not the mighty and powerful person glory and boast in his strength and power; let not the person who is rich [in physical gratification and earthly wealth] glory and boast in his [temporal satisfactions and earthly] riches; But let him who glories glory in this: that he understands and knows Me [personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing My character], that I am the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.”
(Jeremiah 9:23-24 AMP)
All the tributes they received belonged only to the One who had called them, appointed them and ordained them to carry out their assignments. It doesn’t matter how skillful, wise or influential one may be; accolades mean absolutely nothing compared to the knowledge of Christ.
We must continually deal with recurring events in spite of our praying, fasting, and Bible study. There are reasons, some beyond our comprehension, which God allows thorns to remain. The Apostle Paul revealed the purpose of his thorn; it was to keep him humble. Some thorns come to bring awareness of how much we must rely on and trust God. Other thorns have been placed in us as corrective methods to disciplines usto keep us tethered to His will. David proclaimed, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Your statues.” (Psalms 119:71 AMP)
Psalms 119:67 (AMP) states, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray, Your word do I keep [hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it].”
If God does not allow afflictions or thorns to bother us at times, we might fail to seek Him. In order for us to remain humble and not become arrogant, God knows exactly what He needs to do to keep us from experiencing the repercussions of a haughty spirit. I’m sure David believed that the affliction was a great annoyance and brought much suffering. Later, he realized why God afflicted him. Eventually, David humbly admitted that he brought the affliction on himself by his own selfish behavior.
Here David attempts to offer insight on the cause of his affliction. First, David admits he went astray. His affliction was divinely designed to get him back on track and on course with God’s will and purpose. God will permit painful experiences to get us to align with His will, especially when we clearly lack a sense of focus. This is the primary reason the enemy places distractions in our path. Distractions are designed to derail us, to sidetrack us, and to redirect our attention—ultimately causing us to miss our mark. Distractions can create the illusion of being important issues, but in reality they aren’t— they’re merely illusions.
A distraction can be anything from a previous issue resurfacing to perhaps an old boyfriend, girlfriend or business acquaintance fighting to recapture your focus. Have you ever experienced a former acquaintance calling you from out of nowhere? These kinds of distractions can trigger an emotional imbalance, causing you to entertain thoughts that are far from the truth. Distractions will take your focus from what God is doing, causing confusion. The enemy knows if he can divert your attention away from the Father, he can draw you away—causing you to meditate and ponder things that only have the appearance of reality.
Have you ever been driving, minding your own business, when all of a sudden an animal dashes out in front of your vehicle? Immediately, your first response is to avoid hitting the animal by sharply veering away from it—steering away from your original course. Unfortunately, we are sometimes unsuccessful in our attempts and we hit the very thing we tried so desperately to avoid. We kill “something” that didn’t belong in our path. This is the same way God expects us to deal with our distractions; we must “kill” them quickly, without hesitation. Recognize the distractions for what they are and eliminate them immediately! As long as you continue pondering the distractions, giving them your attention, they will remain.
David’s affliction drew his attention back to Gods’ statues. He later spoke of his affliction as a good thing. What a transformation of his attitude! Most of us would not view our afflictions as good. Prior to David’s troubles, it appeared that learning about Gods’ statutes was not on his list of priorities. Afflictions, heartaches, and difficulties have an amazing way of highlighting what things matter most in life. When we begin to examine why God allows us to experience those things we consider difficult, we find that when we seek the presence of the Lord, He will begin to show us reasons why things happen the way they do.
God knows what is best for us, and He will use different methods to speak to us— methods we don’t understandto draw our attention from what we are doing and redirect it on Him. Because we can be so consumed with our own accomplishments and pursuing our own desires, we often shut God out. Was this David’s mindset? Was he completely lost by planning the direction of his life and not inviting God into his decision making? When we have gone this far, God must do something very drastic to get us to “come to our senses.”
What is your thorn or affliction in life? What causes you the greatest irritation? Is it your ex who has nothing better to do than harass you? Is it someone at work who continues to nag and pester you? Is it constantly picking the wrong mate time and time again? What experiences in your life keep recurring? The very same issues reappear, over and over, day after day, week after week …even year after year. In some cases, the same issues appear in generation after generation—uncomfortably familiar patterns and cycles.
“Can I get a reprieve—a little relief, somehow—some way?” You cry out to God. Could it be that this thorn, this nagging, annoying, persistent thorn is what God is using to draw you into His presence…closer to His heart? Maybe this thorn is really what you need to strengthen your faith; maybe, just maybe, this is what it will take to bring out the best, the Christ-likeness in you.
You may or may not like the situation you are currently in. God understands exactly how you feel and He knows you want out. However, He will not abort His ultimate purpose and deliver you prematurely.
God’s ways of dealing with us individually are unique; the final results are yet unseen as He guides us on these journeys. He’s promised that the outcomes will definitely be greater than the beginnings, if we continue allowing Him to carry us to our appointed place. Ecclesiastes 7:8 (KJV) reads, “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.”
There are avenues and detours we might take (or make!) as we try to maneuver ourselves out of circumstances; however, trying to find ways out of difficult situations only stifles our growth. We want to get from A to Z without the bumpy roads, flat tires, set backs, and accidents. But in order for God to get us where we need to be, getting to Z may require pain, hurt, and disappointments. At times, our journey can bring us joy and happiness.
You ask again, “Lord, does it have to be this way?” Again the answer is yes. God is telling you to learn from every experience, embrace every challenge, conquer every test and move every mountain by faith. Here is how you must face every challenge: know that you are already victorious. According to the book of John, victory is won through our faith…”For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.”
(I John 5:4 AMP)
Can you recall the worst times in your life? Can you reflect on how God handled your situation? Would you agree that you would have handled it in an easier and faster way? The answers are probably yes. For reasons beyond our own comprehension, God chooses to deal with us and our problems through long-suffering. Here is how Moses describes God:
“The Lord is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.”
(Numbers 14:18 KJV)
The American Heritage Dictionary describes long suffering as “patiently enduring pain or difficulties;” it is the ability to suffer long. Moses is describing the nature and character of God, who is longsuffering and patient. God is tolerant and accommodating with us, even though He knows how long it will take us to choose and live in right standing with Him. He will sit and wait until we get tired of the way we have chosen to live. God will not override our will, rather, He will allow us do what we desire, even though He knows it might kill or destroy us! Selah! Pause, think on that…
Let’s look at some characteristics of God’s children: lethargic, indecisive, faithless, timid, rude, procrastinating, judgmental, critical, and the list goes on. Despite God knowing how long it will take us to change, He endures our rebellion and disobedience because of His great love for us.
For many of us, God waited patiently while we were intent on destroying ourselves with drugs, alcohol, or other destructive lifestyles. Some of us have been incarcerated because we’ve violated the laws of the land. We’ve lived our lives totally contrary to the will and order of God. We have deliberately polluted our bodies by engaging in homosexuality, adultery, fornication and other forms of sexual perversion. We have completely abandoned ourselves to the filthy, lustful desires of our carnal, fleshly nature. Yet our gentle, loving Father God watches—patiently waiting for us to come to ourselves and run into the safety of His outstretched arms.
David said this:
“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and good.”
(Proverbs 15:3 KJV)
When we were out partying and enjoying our sin, God was patiently beholding every lewd, disgusting act, listening to every curse word and watching every foul thing we did. Yet, He waited until we had enough of what this world had to offer and adopted us into His wonderful family, granting us rights and privileges as sons and daughters of God. If God is willing to put up with us, surely we must be willing to accept the way God chooses to purify us and bring wholeness to our lives.
You might think you are the only one in a state of anticipation, but you are not alone. God, your Father, is waiting on you…waiting on you to come to Him, waiting on you to realize your need of His guidance, waiting on you to come back home, waiting on you to come to the end of yourself…and the beginning of His healing, loving arms.
Friend, are you there? He is waiting for you to acknowledge that it’s not your good deeds that are acceptable; it’s your heart He requires. Are you at the end of yourself? Are you still on the throne of your own heart? Is it still all about you? Have you gotten all of your degrees and made all of the money and still find yourself feeling empty? Have you considered God?
Prayer
Father, I come to you in the name of your only Son Jesus Christ. I understand now the lessons you were trying to teach me. I admit I did not trust you in my situations and circumstances. I accept your will for my life. I submit my will to your plan and purpose for my life. When I didn’t see you carrying me, you were. I choose to walk in holiness and purity. I want to be made whole through the experiences you have allowed me to go through. Although things might get painful and I might not understand what you are doing, I choose to trust, rely and hope in you. I can’t do anything apart from you.
I thank you that through my experiences I am a better person. Lord, please help me overcome areas in my life that continue to be a problem for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today’s confession: I confess today that I choose to walk and live in your plan for my life. Purify my heart, cleanse my mind and make me complete in you. I am completely made whole by my experiences.
I enjoyed reading Completely Whole. It spoke to me in more areas than I had anticipated. I enjoy that each of the chapters encorporates a lot of scripture and is all based on Biblical principles. Each chapter ends with a prayer that reflects upon what was discussed, I find these prayers to be an excelent start in applying the changes that reading this book brings about.
I think that Completely Whole can speak to and bless anyone who reads it. Whatever issues you are currently facing or have recently gone through, Paulette Harper has encouragement in her book for you to heal and become completely whole in your walk with Christ! I reccomend this book!!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Wordless Wednesday -- Monterey Bay Aquarium
We had a blast!!! If you ever get a chance to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, you should - it is amazing!!!
If you have a Wordless Wednesday or a Wordful Wednesday you want to share, leave a link!!!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
God Knows My Name by Beth Redman -- Review --
God has called each one of us by name. There is never a minute that God forgets us - no matter what. This book, God Knows My Name, was a refreshing reminder of how much God loves me. Every woman (or man) who reads this book will be reminded of the truth that they are special to God, that He has a purpose for every life that He created. It is also a great reminder that we have to first seek Him - with all of our heart. Beth Redman shows readers the promise that we have in God, that He has plans for our future and that whatever evil my be in our past can and will be used for good to glorify God.
There is a lot of scripture in this book and enough personal experiences of Beth Redman that I felt like I could relate to, like the book was written for me. I think that any body who reads this book will feel the same way. It is most certainly worth reading.
This book is available on Amazon.com and can most likely be found at your local Christian book stores!
Disclosure: I was sent a review copy of God Knows My Name so that I could write this review, it is my own and honest opinion.
Disclosure: I was sent a review copy of God Knows My Name so that I could write this review, it is my own and honest opinion.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Picture Collage
This is a copy of the collage picture that will soon be on it's way to Iraq:
Please pray for Blake's safety while he is in Iraq.
Thank you!!
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