I hate those alarm clocks that have that buzzing noise. You know the one that is so LOUD that it can bust your ear drum? When I wake up to that alarm, my day is horrible. I'm ready to bite someone's head off, grit my teeth, and nothing begins to go right but wrong. I can't find the right outfit, eat the right foods, my stomach is in knots, and I'm about to explode.
This might be the opposite for you. Maybe when you hear this LOUD annoying buzzer, you can open your eyes and stretch, feel good about the day and drink a cup of coffee and say good morning to the bird chirping outside the window (the one I would want to throw a shoe at).
This morning though, I didn't have an alarm to wake up to, my body automatically woke up and I just want to sing and dance. I would, but my floor is covered with an air mattress at the moment.
I have this peace inside that is unexplainable. I'm grateful for having it. I want to share it, give it away like a gift.
SO if you are having a rotten day, I'm sorry. If you don't have joy in your heart, I'm sorry. Please hold out your hand and close your eyes. Now, imagine a field with tall grass and wild flowers. Your standing there feeling the breeze pass by you. Now hear the soft music playing in the air; dance. Sway back and forth, turn around, raise your hands to the clouds, and enjoy your dance.
Hear the words to the music? Sing along with it. It's okay, no one needs to hear you.
Whether you can greet the morning with a noisey buzzer or not doesn't matter, but waking up with peace and joy in your heart does. I encourage you to watch your attitude as you wake up and how you wake up. what is on your mind when you open your eyes?
~ Be in peace and grace,
Marjorie
Everyone needs encouragement and I want to encourage you today. I hope you will enjoy today's write up.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
A Stranger is a Friend in Waiting
How many times have you walked up to someon and said "Hello my name is ________________" to a stranger. After you introduced yourself, they probably introduced themselves and then a conversation started. Before you knew it, the time flew by, you found you and your new friend had a lot in common and you might have made a date to meet again for coffee and conversation.
This person before long becomes one of your greatest friends, a friend you trust, rely on, call on when you need a ride because your car broke down, or a friend that may have helped you during the loss of a loved one. Do you know someone in your life that you call "friend?"
There was a woman that I wanted to honestly get to know. I wanted to be her friend. One day, I walked up to her and said "excuse me, my name is Marjorie and I would like to get to know you." I would ask to meet for coffee or a coke acola and go from there. By the end of our conversation, we had so much in common, it was scary. We became friends from the beginning and still are today.
I have lots of friends on Facebook and some have this application called cafe world where they build a cafe from the floor up ( I think). Wouldn't it be nice if the cafe was 3D and were able to sit down and actually talk? Today, it might be called texting, but I'm looking at one on one contact.
I encourage you today to meet someone new, walk up to this stranger and make a friend. You never know what WONDERFUL things may come from it.
~ Be in peace and grace
Marjorie
This person before long becomes one of your greatest friends, a friend you trust, rely on, call on when you need a ride because your car broke down, or a friend that may have helped you during the loss of a loved one. Do you know someone in your life that you call "friend?"
There was a woman that I wanted to honestly get to know. I wanted to be her friend. One day, I walked up to her and said "excuse me, my name is Marjorie and I would like to get to know you." I would ask to meet for coffee or a coke acola and go from there. By the end of our conversation, we had so much in common, it was scary. We became friends from the beginning and still are today.
I have lots of friends on Facebook and some have this application called cafe world where they build a cafe from the floor up ( I think). Wouldn't it be nice if the cafe was 3D and were able to sit down and actually talk? Today, it might be called texting, but I'm looking at one on one contact.
I encourage you today to meet someone new, walk up to this stranger and make a friend. You never know what WONDERFUL things may come from it.
~ Be in peace and grace
Marjorie
Young vs Old; Change Can Happen
This weekend I have enjoyed my grandson, Seth, more than words can express. We laughed so much together our bellies were sure to pop. We ran and played, we wheeled down a roller skate rink (so to speak it was at a church) and we ate like noone needs to know.
At mid-day Saturday, I was so worn out, as he was, that I needed a nap. I could feel it in my back and bones. It has been an eye opener, I'm not young as I once was. I had it in my mind that my body could look 30 again (good and in shape), my heart was good and can take anything, and I can multi-task with a child again. My eyes have been OPENED!
Okay, so getting old gracefully is my choice today. Here I am again, back to making choices. Can't I just sit on the beach and let the world roll away without choices? Oh, that's a choice.
Well, I want to be around longer and I know what I must do in order to see Seth grow up more, laugh, and play more. I'm choosing to take care of myself. I'm gonna work out again (oh, yes I had to stop for a while), eat healthier, and stay active like always.
This weekend helped me to recognize something else. I can come, go and do as I please. It's time to live and not sit in my place and watch the world pass me by. Now I'm going to get up and go do. I want to explore things, see things, and experience new things. I know I cannot do this if I'm sitting around or doing the same thing I've always done.
I'm excited. I've decided to pack a bag full of some things like a magnifine glass, a notebook, a reading book, some clothes, and maybe a bathing suit to sit at the beach in. I'm going to explore God's world. There are things I've always wanted to do and I'm going to go do them. I look at what I don't have to what God does have.
Yay, that's it. I"m packing my pup up and going exploring, like Dora the Explorer. Oh, we didn't watch cartoons this weekend, but we did cuddle and watch a movie. Thanks to this time with Seth, I've grown up little bit with him. I'm learned something about myself in the process and I've enjoyed every minute of it.
I can't wait to see the butterflies, magnify an ant, watch the foam roll up from the waves on the beach, and watch children laughing in the parks. I'm off to plan and plot my new adventures.
Wow, the world didn't end and I'm making a new beginning. This feels good.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
I feel like a butterfly that has been in a cacoon and ready to spread it's wings. I'm ready to tell the world what Jesus has done for me today. It's a simple thing, but it's in the simple that huge things happen.
~ Be in peace and grace
Marjorie
At mid-day Saturday, I was so worn out, as he was, that I needed a nap. I could feel it in my back and bones. It has been an eye opener, I'm not young as I once was. I had it in my mind that my body could look 30 again (good and in shape), my heart was good and can take anything, and I can multi-task with a child again. My eyes have been OPENED!
Okay, so getting old gracefully is my choice today. Here I am again, back to making choices. Can't I just sit on the beach and let the world roll away without choices? Oh, that's a choice.
Well, I want to be around longer and I know what I must do in order to see Seth grow up more, laugh, and play more. I'm choosing to take care of myself. I'm gonna work out again (oh, yes I had to stop for a while), eat healthier, and stay active like always.
This weekend helped me to recognize something else. I can come, go and do as I please. It's time to live and not sit in my place and watch the world pass me by. Now I'm going to get up and go do. I want to explore things, see things, and experience new things. I know I cannot do this if I'm sitting around or doing the same thing I've always done.
I'm excited. I've decided to pack a bag full of some things like a magnifine glass, a notebook, a reading book, some clothes, and maybe a bathing suit to sit at the beach in. I'm going to explore God's world. There are things I've always wanted to do and I'm going to go do them. I look at what I don't have to what God does have.
Yay, that's it. I"m packing my pup up and going exploring, like Dora the Explorer. Oh, we didn't watch cartoons this weekend, but we did cuddle and watch a movie. Thanks to this time with Seth, I've grown up little bit with him. I'm learned something about myself in the process and I've enjoyed every minute of it.
I can't wait to see the butterflies, magnify an ant, watch the foam roll up from the waves on the beach, and watch children laughing in the parks. I'm off to plan and plot my new adventures.
Wow, the world didn't end and I'm making a new beginning. This feels good.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
I feel like a butterfly that has been in a cacoon and ready to spread it's wings. I'm ready to tell the world what Jesus has done for me today. It's a simple thing, but it's in the simple that huge things happen.
~ Be in peace and grace
Marjorie
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Masquerade
I tried to be strong and courageous days before and the day of waiting for the test results from my doctor. I wanted to give the appearance that I was all right and nothing was wrong. I wanted to give my peers the lie that I was not worried about the results. Then, I broke the morning of. As I was praying with a friend, my fears came to surface. I felt the fear and anxiety from the unknown.
I almost cancelled my appointment. I told those close to me that I would go and promised that I would follow up with the results.
I realized that all I was doing was masquerading my emotions. I was not being transformed and transparent in my situation. Isn't that what the world tells us to do? Do what feels good, it's all right.
So was I wrong for worrying about the unknown? I kept repeating to myself "be strong and courageous." I also kept praying "Lord, it's no surprise to you, please don't let it be a surprise to me either, help me to be strong and courageous."
I think the Lord used this to show me that we can get lost in the world and pretend to be something we're not. We loose ourselves in the process of pleasing others. We are to be more concerned with pleasing our creator because when this life is over, we will answer to Him for our responses to this life.
Here I am again, in need of calling a doctor and making another appointment. I'm procrastinating because I don't want the results. Why not? If it's a minor problem then all this worry is for nothing and if it's a major problem then it has to be dealt with anyways. I think I am weighting the scales.
"If I do this then that will happen and if this should happen then that will happen."
God is the only who knows what was, is, and is to come. So why worry? I've been taught it is a sin to worry because the Lord tells us 365 times in the Word "not to be anxious, fret, or fear." I'm human though, that is an emotion, isn't it? So now there is something else to consider.
"Iy, Yiy, Yiy," as Ricky Ricardo would say.
I surrender all. I'm going to make this really easy for myself and ask simple questions, Lord what do you want me to do? Lord would you place the right doctor in my path? Lord, would you encourage me and strengthen me to make that call?
I've also been taught that with God all things are possible and apart from him I can do nothing. He, Jesus Christ, taught me that.
So, today is a new day. God has given us all things new under the heavens today. How will you use it?
How am I going to use it? I think I will begin by saying thank you, press forward and persevere through this trial of my own.
How about you?
~ Be in peace and grace
Marjorie
I almost cancelled my appointment. I told those close to me that I would go and promised that I would follow up with the results.
I realized that all I was doing was masquerading my emotions. I was not being transformed and transparent in my situation. Isn't that what the world tells us to do? Do what feels good, it's all right.
So was I wrong for worrying about the unknown? I kept repeating to myself "be strong and courageous." I also kept praying "Lord, it's no surprise to you, please don't let it be a surprise to me either, help me to be strong and courageous."
I think the Lord used this to show me that we can get lost in the world and pretend to be something we're not. We loose ourselves in the process of pleasing others. We are to be more concerned with pleasing our creator because when this life is over, we will answer to Him for our responses to this life.
Here I am again, in need of calling a doctor and making another appointment. I'm procrastinating because I don't want the results. Why not? If it's a minor problem then all this worry is for nothing and if it's a major problem then it has to be dealt with anyways. I think I am weighting the scales.
"If I do this then that will happen and if this should happen then that will happen."
God is the only who knows what was, is, and is to come. So why worry? I've been taught it is a sin to worry because the Lord tells us 365 times in the Word "not to be anxious, fret, or fear." I'm human though, that is an emotion, isn't it? So now there is something else to consider.
"Iy, Yiy, Yiy," as Ricky Ricardo would say.
I surrender all. I'm going to make this really easy for myself and ask simple questions, Lord what do you want me to do? Lord would you place the right doctor in my path? Lord, would you encourage me and strengthen me to make that call?
I've also been taught that with God all things are possible and apart from him I can do nothing. He, Jesus Christ, taught me that.
So, today is a new day. God has given us all things new under the heavens today. How will you use it?
How am I going to use it? I think I will begin by saying thank you, press forward and persevere through this trial of my own.
How about you?
~ Be in peace and grace
Marjorie
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Heaven and Hell...are real my friend.
Where is heaven? Some say that heaven is above the sky and that would be true. God says Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters. Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. And God called the firmament Heaven. Then God spoke "Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear."
You can read this in Genesis 1:6-10 in the Bible.
You personally may say that this is not the Heaven in which we go to when we die. The expanse of the sky and space in which the stars and planets are set. God made the firmament on the second day of creation to divide the waters that covered the earth from those which surrounded it. But the firmament includes more than the atomspheric region between the seas of eaarth and the rain clouds of the sky; it is far more vast. In fact, on the fourth day of creation God placed the stars, the sun, and the moon in the "firmament of the heavens."
Later in the book of James it says "And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit."
This tells us once again that Heaven is above us for we know that rain falls from above.
Further in Thessalonians it says "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, With the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first."
Now we can plainly see that we have to be in the first earth and heaven still that the New Heaven and Earth is not here yet. Because if it was we would have no more sea. So any teaching that heaven is here can not be true. There is a second and third heaven, but I will touch these Heavens on another day.
God had angels that wanted to be like him and be him. The ring leader filled with jealousy was Lucifer aka Satan, the devil, the enemy, the adversary, and the known more as master. Peter tells us that God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement. Isaiah tells us Hell is from beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming; it stirs up the dead for you, all the chief ones of the earth; it has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. Ezekiel shares "they also went down to hell with it, those slain by the sword; and those who were its strong arm dwelt in its shadows among the nations."
We can see by all three of these writings that Hell is down or below us. They also tell us that is does exist and it is a place where changes of darkness dwell, death is being stirred up for you.
Hmmm, Christ died so that we may live and live free. Satan was thrown out of heaven because of his sin and lives in a place of darkness.
Hell is a place and in the New Testament it is mentioned 13 times
Old Testament 19 times
Sheol is in the Old Testament 18 times
Hades is in the New Testament 11 times
Fire being used in the Bible to describe Hell: 23 times
I pray you search with your heart, question with your mind and come to the findings that God exist, Heaven and Hell are real places, and you have a choice to live joyous and free through the Son of God, Jesus Christ who died so that you may live.
As long as I live, I will testify to the Love I'll be a witness in the silence when words are not enough of Jesus Christ. He died so that you would not have to live a life of darkness bound in your chains and tormented in your mind.
Won't you ask God to help change your unbeilef to belief? If he spoke the heavens and earth into existance, I am CERTAIN, he will help you today too.
~ God Loves YOU period.
You can read this in Genesis 1:6-10 in the Bible.
You personally may say that this is not the Heaven in which we go to when we die. The expanse of the sky and space in which the stars and planets are set. God made the firmament on the second day of creation to divide the waters that covered the earth from those which surrounded it. But the firmament includes more than the atomspheric region between the seas of eaarth and the rain clouds of the sky; it is far more vast. In fact, on the fourth day of creation God placed the stars, the sun, and the moon in the "firmament of the heavens."
Later in the book of James it says "And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit."
This tells us once again that Heaven is above us for we know that rain falls from above.
Further in Thessalonians it says "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, With the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first."
Now we can plainly see that we have to be in the first earth and heaven still that the New Heaven and Earth is not here yet. Because if it was we would have no more sea. So any teaching that heaven is here can not be true. There is a second and third heaven, but I will touch these Heavens on another day.
God had angels that wanted to be like him and be him. The ring leader filled with jealousy was Lucifer aka Satan, the devil, the enemy, the adversary, and the known more as master. Peter tells us that God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgement. Isaiah tells us Hell is from beneath is excited about you, to meet you at your coming; it stirs up the dead for you, all the chief ones of the earth; it has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations. Ezekiel shares "they also went down to hell with it, those slain by the sword; and those who were its strong arm dwelt in its shadows among the nations."
We can see by all three of these writings that Hell is down or below us. They also tell us that is does exist and it is a place where changes of darkness dwell, death is being stirred up for you.
Hmmm, Christ died so that we may live and live free. Satan was thrown out of heaven because of his sin and lives in a place of darkness.
Hell is a place and in the New Testament it is mentioned 13 times
Old Testament 19 times
Sheol is in the Old Testament 18 times
Hades is in the New Testament 11 times
Fire being used in the Bible to describe Hell: 23 times
I pray you search with your heart, question with your mind and come to the findings that God exist, Heaven and Hell are real places, and you have a choice to live joyous and free through the Son of God, Jesus Christ who died so that you may live.
As long as I live, I will testify to the Love I'll be a witness in the silence when words are not enough of Jesus Christ. He died so that you would not have to live a life of darkness bound in your chains and tormented in your mind.
Won't you ask God to help change your unbeilef to belief? If he spoke the heavens and earth into existance, I am CERTAIN, he will help you today too.
~ God Loves YOU period.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Encouraged: Mother’s Day…what does it mean for others?
Encouraged: Mother’s Day…what does it mean for others?: "I can’t help but think of the broken mother who no longer has their child with them due to a life choice or death. I can’t help but think of..."
Mother’s Day…what does it mean for others?
I can’t help but think of the broken mother who no longer has their child with them due to a life choice or death. I can’t help but think of the child that is missing their mother due to that life choice or death. Then there is one more, the child that has a mother, but is not the kindest, gentlest, or a good role model.
I wonder if these two groups wishes the world would skip over the festivities of celebrating a mother’s love because of the lack of love received.
I am sure there are responses of “Nah, it doesn’t matter anymore,” or “It was so long ago, it doesn’t affect me.” I am sad to think that a mother’s love is lowered to such a degree that people’s broken hearts are swept under the carpet.
I know I wasn’t the best mother in the world and I don’t expect an award. I did and do love my children. We all have 20/20 hind sight, but to miss a mother’s love is missing a piece of oneself. It leaves a huge dark hole inside. I know I’ve heard that God can fill that empty hole. I’ve heard that God has filled that empty hole. I am sad. I know that for someone to not know what it is like for a mother to pick them up, wrap their arms around them and say “I love you so much” breaks my heart. For the person that missed knowing their mother’s hurt and only know their mother’s anger through that hurt, breaks my heart.
Some of those children went to different places and people looking for that love to be fulfilled and still do it as an adult. I’m sad.
As each one of us see an advertisement for Mother’s Day, I hope each one of us would say a prayer for that one person who may need to have a smile today instead of a tear or memory of a hurt.
If you are one of those children or even a mother, who is hurting this weekend, I want you to know, you are being prayed for. Those may appear to be empty words, but I send them with love. Love filled with gentleness, kindness, peace, and goodness. If I could tell my kids one thing, and know they are listening to me, it would be “I love you more than words can express and I am sorry for any and all hurt I put you through. It was not my intention to hurt you through my own pain.”
God does care even though the world may tell you he doesn’t. God does love you and loves you just as you are even if the world tells you he can’t. God can fill that void in your life where no one else can.
I’m just a comment away if you need to unload a butt load.
We also have a group in town called Celebrate Recovery. It is a safe place to unload your hurt without being judged or looked at like you have two heads. I encourage you to look into it. If you need some guidance, I’m here to help.
~Marjorie
Friday, May 6, 2011
Why Mothers are Worth Celebrating by Stephen Douglas Wilson
Mother's Day has a beginning....
Certainly Anna Jarvis thought her mother was worth celebrating. Anna's mother, Ann Jarvis, had founded the Mother's Day Work Club during the Civil War. Ann Jarvis organized West Virginia mothers to care for both wounded and sick Confederate and Union soldiers. After the war, Anna's mother continued to minister to the needs of both war veterans and the mothers who cared for them. When Ann Jarvis died in 1905, Anna led a nine-year effort to have Congress recognize a federal holiday for her mother and all mothers in general. In 1914 this became a reality with the institution of a federally sanctioned Mother's Day holiday.
For those of us in the Christian community, we see little need for even discussing why mothers are worth celebrating on Mother's Day. We already know that to a very great extent our mothers possessed a very great influence on our lives.
Why are mothers, especially Christian mothers, worth celebrating?
First of all, our mothers provided us with most of the essential nurturing that we received -- especially early in life. While fathers can and do nurture, for most of us, this was a role reserved largely for our mothers. For baby boomers like me, most of our mothers stayed home with us throughout our childhood and adolescence years. They tended to our needs and a good portion of our wants.
While mothers of later generations stayed at home for a lesser duration, they still provided a good portion of the nurturing of their children. Mothers of children with health care needs of all generations function as the first line of primary care providers for their own sick or injured children. Their roles are especially critical for the lives of their children.
Second, mothers play a critical role in acclimating us to our own culture and society. Long before kindergarten and first grade, mothers launch us toward our first learning experiences. Simple songs, memorizing our numbers and alphabet, and being exposed to the most elementary aspects of science, history and mathematics were under the purview of mothers. The education system simply built on the foundation that they started.
Who can forget those "gems" of socialization that mothers have advanced? Can you remember some of these sayings: "If you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything;" "Say you're sorry;" "Put things back where you found them;" "Don't take things that don't belong to you;" and "The kindness you show to others will come back to you." While these directives became a little harsher during our teenage years, the effect remained the same -- our mothers exposed us to the greater society beyond our family units. Between our individual autonomy and the needs of our society, our mothers bridged the chasm.
Finally, our mothers, whether at home or in the workforce for part of the day, were often the first or most important introduction we had to the Christian faith. For many Christian mothers, their personal mission fields rarely extended beyond their own households. Christian mothers for generations have read the Bible to their children, sung hymns and carols, had prayer with them, taken them to Sunday School and church, and taught their faith to their young charges. Our collective Christian and biblical worldview was first articulated to us by our mothers. Certainly both mothers and fathers influence our early Christian walk, but those crucial first steps are orchestrated by our mothers.
On May 8, 2011, we will once again honor our mothers on Mother's Day. My dear Christian mother, Garnetta Hardin Wilson, has gone to be with the Lord. For those of you who still have your mother with you, make sure you take the time to honor her not only for this one day of the year but on every day.
I wish ALL mother's a happy day and a happy year!
Certainly Anna Jarvis thought her mother was worth celebrating. Anna's mother, Ann Jarvis, had founded the Mother's Day Work Club during the Civil War. Ann Jarvis organized West Virginia mothers to care for both wounded and sick Confederate and Union soldiers. After the war, Anna's mother continued to minister to the needs of both war veterans and the mothers who cared for them. When Ann Jarvis died in 1905, Anna led a nine-year effort to have Congress recognize a federal holiday for her mother and all mothers in general. In 1914 this became a reality with the institution of a federally sanctioned Mother's Day holiday.
For those of us in the Christian community, we see little need for even discussing why mothers are worth celebrating on Mother's Day. We already know that to a very great extent our mothers possessed a very great influence on our lives.
Why are mothers, especially Christian mothers, worth celebrating?
First of all, our mothers provided us with most of the essential nurturing that we received -- especially early in life. While fathers can and do nurture, for most of us, this was a role reserved largely for our mothers. For baby boomers like me, most of our mothers stayed home with us throughout our childhood and adolescence years. They tended to our needs and a good portion of our wants.
While mothers of later generations stayed at home for a lesser duration, they still provided a good portion of the nurturing of their children. Mothers of children with health care needs of all generations function as the first line of primary care providers for their own sick or injured children. Their roles are especially critical for the lives of their children.
Second, mothers play a critical role in acclimating us to our own culture and society. Long before kindergarten and first grade, mothers launch us toward our first learning experiences. Simple songs, memorizing our numbers and alphabet, and being exposed to the most elementary aspects of science, history and mathematics were under the purview of mothers. The education system simply built on the foundation that they started.
Who can forget those "gems" of socialization that mothers have advanced? Can you remember some of these sayings: "If you can't say something nice about someone, don't say anything;" "Say you're sorry;" "Put things back where you found them;" "Don't take things that don't belong to you;" and "The kindness you show to others will come back to you." While these directives became a little harsher during our teenage years, the effect remained the same -- our mothers exposed us to the greater society beyond our family units. Between our individual autonomy and the needs of our society, our mothers bridged the chasm.
Finally, our mothers, whether at home or in the workforce for part of the day, were often the first or most important introduction we had to the Christian faith. For many Christian mothers, their personal mission fields rarely extended beyond their own households. Christian mothers for generations have read the Bible to their children, sung hymns and carols, had prayer with them, taken them to Sunday School and church, and taught their faith to their young charges. Our collective Christian and biblical worldview was first articulated to us by our mothers. Certainly both mothers and fathers influence our early Christian walk, but those crucial first steps are orchestrated by our mothers.
On May 8, 2011, we will once again honor our mothers on Mother's Day. My dear Christian mother, Garnetta Hardin Wilson, has gone to be with the Lord. For those of you who still have your mother with you, make sure you take the time to honor her not only for this one day of the year but on every day.
I wish ALL mother's a happy day and a happy year!
Is Heaven Real and Where Is It?
I was given this information and I thought I would share it with you..just in case you have ever wondered.
I know I have in the past.
Heaven is mentioned in the Bible:
In the Old Testament it is written 279 times
Heavens is written: 151 times
In the New Testament it is written 252 times
Heavens is written 21 times
Kingdom of God is written 70 times
Paradise is written 3 times
I don't know about you, but I sure am excited about the thought of a mansion being built just for me.
The streets made of gold and there is no more pain, tears, or sorrow.
My kind of vacation from this life.
God Bless,
~ Marjorie
I know I have in the past.
Heaven is mentioned in the Bible:
In the Old Testament it is written 279 times
Heavens is written: 151 times
In the New Testament it is written 252 times
Heavens is written 21 times
Kingdom of God is written 70 times
Paradise is written 3 times
I don't know about you, but I sure am excited about the thought of a mansion being built just for me.
The streets made of gold and there is no more pain, tears, or sorrow.
My kind of vacation from this life.
God Bless,
~ Marjorie
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
How should Christians react to bin Laden's death? Worth sharing...
FIRST-PERSON: How should Christians react to bin Laden's death?
By Denny Burk
May 2, 2011
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--On Sunday, we all learned that U.S. special forces killed Osama bin Laden as he was hiding out in a mansion in Pakistan. The reaction to the news across the U.S. has been remarkable. I cannot remember another instance in my lifetime when throngs of people gathered spontaneously in the streets of our major cities to celebrate, but that is indeed what happened.
How should we as Christians react to the news? Here are a few thoughts:
1. Romans 13:4, " does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil." If ever there were a just use of force, this was it. The U.S. government carried out its God-ordained task and has acted as God's minister, bringing His wrath upon one who practiced evil. The U.S. government isn't God's only minister of the sword. But Sunday night was our night, and I am grateful that justice was served.
2. Hebrews 10:31, "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Isaiah 33:14, "Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with continual burning?" I shudder to think of what bin Laden is facing right now. I do not question the justice of it, but I can hardly bear to contemplate the horror of it. If my thinking is defective now, it won't always be. The day will come when God will command me to rejoice in His justice in the damnation of the wicked (Revelation 18:20). Until then, the horror should serve as a motivation to warn people to flee the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
3. I think Christians are right to contemplate how jubilation (like we saw on TV) is consistent with Ezekiel 33:11, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live." It is no surprise that many Christians are asking, "If God is not delighting in the death of the wicked, then how can we?" But does this verse really teach that God never delights in the death of the wicked? If so, what are we to do with the myriad of biblical texts that say things like:
-- "So the LORD will delight over you to make you perish and destroy you; and you will be torn from the land where you are entering to possess it" (Deuteronomy 28:63).
-- "For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You. The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit" (Psalm 5:4-6).
So is there a contradiction between these texts and Ezekiel 33:11? No, there is not. There is confusion on this point because Ezekiel 33:11 is easily misunderstood. The second part of the verse is key to understanding its meaning. The text is not trying to say that God never delights in the death of the wicked. Rather, the verse means that God prefers for sinners to repent rather than to perish. If they refuse to repent, however, God delights in His own justice enough to punish them appropriately (e.g., Psalm 1:5-6; 5:4-6; 68:2; Isaiah 13:1-22; Jeremiah 18:11). Sometimes that justice begins with the imperfect ministers that He has appointed to bear the sword (Romans 13:4). For this reason, we have to be willing to praise God for His justice one way or the other (Psalm 139:19-22; Proverbs 11:10; 28:28; Revelation 19:1-3).
So what do we make of the celebrations in the streets? Perhaps we could all learn a lesson or two about celebrating God's justice from Lincoln's second inaugural address. Lincoln at once recognized the justice of his cause but at the same time was humbled by his own side's shortcomings. And after contemplating all the misery of the war, he offered a kind of grim affirmation of Scripture saying, "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether" (Psalm 19:9).
Perhaps a recognition of this kind of justice would be less likely to result in patriotic celebrations in the streets and more likely to produce a kind of somber, humble gratitude for the common grace of God. I am not righteous, but God is. Even though I shudder to think of the Lord's righteous judgment, I am nevertheless grateful to Him for whatever measure of common grace justice He grants us on this side of glory. With last night's announcement, I think what He has given is a generous portion.
--30--
Denny Burk is associate professor of biblical studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. This column first appeared at his blog, DennyBurk.com.
Copyright (c) 2011 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press
901 Commerce Street
Nashville, TN 37203
Tel: 615.244.2355
Fax: 615.782.8736
email: bpress@sbc.net
I too am asking myself the same questions here. I just felt it was worth sharing with you.
By Denny Burk
May 2, 2011
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--On Sunday, we all learned that U.S. special forces killed Osama bin Laden as he was hiding out in a mansion in Pakistan. The reaction to the news across the U.S. has been remarkable. I cannot remember another instance in my lifetime when throngs of people gathered spontaneously in the streets of our major cities to celebrate, but that is indeed what happened.
How should we as Christians react to the news? Here are a few thoughts:
1. Romans 13:4, " does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil." If ever there were a just use of force, this was it. The U.S. government carried out its God-ordained task and has acted as God's minister, bringing His wrath upon one who practiced evil. The U.S. government isn't God's only minister of the sword. But Sunday night was our night, and I am grateful that justice was served.
2. Hebrews 10:31, "It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Isaiah 33:14, "Who among us can live with the consuming fire? Who among us can live with continual burning?" I shudder to think of what bin Laden is facing right now. I do not question the justice of it, but I can hardly bear to contemplate the horror of it. If my thinking is defective now, it won't always be. The day will come when God will command me to rejoice in His justice in the damnation of the wicked (Revelation 18:20). Until then, the horror should serve as a motivation to warn people to flee the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:8-10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21).
3. I think Christians are right to contemplate how jubilation (like we saw on TV) is consistent with Ezekiel 33:11, "I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live." It is no surprise that many Christians are asking, "If God is not delighting in the death of the wicked, then how can we?" But does this verse really teach that God never delights in the death of the wicked? If so, what are we to do with the myriad of biblical texts that say things like:
-- "So the LORD will delight over you to make you perish and destroy you; and you will be torn from the land where you are entering to possess it" (Deuteronomy 28:63).
-- "For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You. The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity. You destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit" (Psalm 5:4-6).
So is there a contradiction between these texts and Ezekiel 33:11? No, there is not. There is confusion on this point because Ezekiel 33:11 is easily misunderstood. The second part of the verse is key to understanding its meaning. The text is not trying to say that God never delights in the death of the wicked. Rather, the verse means that God prefers for sinners to repent rather than to perish. If they refuse to repent, however, God delights in His own justice enough to punish them appropriately (e.g., Psalm 1:5-6; 5:4-6; 68:2; Isaiah 13:1-22; Jeremiah 18:11). Sometimes that justice begins with the imperfect ministers that He has appointed to bear the sword (Romans 13:4). For this reason, we have to be willing to praise God for His justice one way or the other (Psalm 139:19-22; Proverbs 11:10; 28:28; Revelation 19:1-3).
So what do we make of the celebrations in the streets? Perhaps we could all learn a lesson or two about celebrating God's justice from Lincoln's second inaugural address. Lincoln at once recognized the justice of his cause but at the same time was humbled by his own side's shortcomings. And after contemplating all the misery of the war, he offered a kind of grim affirmation of Scripture saying, "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether" (Psalm 19:9).
Perhaps a recognition of this kind of justice would be less likely to result in patriotic celebrations in the streets and more likely to produce a kind of somber, humble gratitude for the common grace of God. I am not righteous, but God is. Even though I shudder to think of the Lord's righteous judgment, I am nevertheless grateful to Him for whatever measure of common grace justice He grants us on this side of glory. With last night's announcement, I think what He has given is a generous portion.
--30--
Denny Burk is associate professor of biblical studies at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. This column first appeared at his blog, DennyBurk.com.
Copyright (c) 2011 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press
901 Commerce Street
Nashville, TN 37203
Tel: 615.244.2355
Fax: 615.782.8736
email: bpress@sbc.net
I too am asking myself the same questions here. I just felt it was worth sharing with you.
the Cross
I drove passed it the first time and as I went passed it, I was drawn to it. It was that of a pulling; a force if you will that was calling my name to come back. I turned around, pulled into the church’s drive way and stared at this scene. The song from Casting Crowns, Glorious Day, was playing in the back ground.
I thought about not only the center Cross, but the two on each side. Each representing the principalities and powerful forces that fight where and we cannot see. The sinner on Jesus’ right side did not recognize him. The teachings of the bible say that those who do not accept the Father are bound to an eternal damnation. The sinner on Jesus’ left side did in fact recognize him as Lord and Savior of the world and was told he would be with Jesus in Paradise.
The center cross, I was truly drawn too. As I write this, tears swell up in my eyes and joy fills my heart. For me, I was transformed back to an evening where I can see the sun descending in the background. Jesus’ body is still on the cross; his blood covering his body, the bruises and wounds visible in sight, the crown of thorns on his head with blood at the tips where it pierced his skin, his hair mangled and ratted from the sweat and blood from the pressure of the day. This man had no self reason to put himself under such a torment. He died because of my own sin. He loved me, AND YOU, enough to say, I am a sheep without any wrong behaviors will die for you so that you may live and live freely from death.
I walked over to the cross, knelt in front of it and prayed. I prayed for many things. I spoke to Jesus about many things. I could hear the traffic passing by and I didn’t care if they watched. It wasn’t about them. At that moment, it was about me and Jesus Christ. I accepted him and his truth from the words I read off the pages of the Bible. I believe in his word. So why if I believe his word, when I hear it, won’t I follow it? I do I fall short day after day and do what my heart desires instead of what Jesus’ heart desires? He desires us to be Christ like. He desires us to stop living in the grave and live as He lives. He desires us to be strong in him and to love each other as he loves us. Why do we fight with our brothers and sisters?
Recently, the news is that Osama Bin Laden is dead. People on the news are expressing their delight. I wonder, what it would be like if Jesus was to come and walk among us today. Would people be as delighted? Would they accept him with joy as the people accept Bin Laden’s death with joy? Or would they question his existence? What proof would they need? Would any proof be needed?
I heard on the news that it is officially announced, he, Bin Laden is dead. I wonder what the news media would say if Jesus’ death on a cross was to happen today? I can see the news caster in front of Calvary Hill and he has the microphone up to his mouth. His mouth is moving, but I can’t hear the words he’s saying. Again, it is the dusk of day and the crowds have gone home. I wonder what the news caster would say. What would be the response of the people? Perhaps they would be disappointed. They were expecting a Savior to physically save the Israelites, instead their Savior was dead. Was their hearts filled with anger? The Savior who was prophesied to come and save the world was now dead. He didn’t do what we expected him to do. No, he died just as it was written. We now have to wait three days and see that the scriptures are true that he will rise again. “We are still in bondage, oppressed, and nothing has really changed.” I wonder what the news caster would say.
What is your response to the calling of the cross? What have you done with Jesus today? Spending time in his word and allowing him to teach you and love on you is all he wants to do.
I hope you find something new at the old rugged cross today.
God Bless,
~Marjorie
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)