It is hard to believe another year has come and gone. Time seems to fly by these days. Time for reflection and renewal. Resolutions and Promises?
At Women's Round Pen our leader, Tracy Banks challenged us as to what our Vision and Purpose was for the coming New Year. God has given her the vision of "Closer to Heaven in 2011".
We are all of one accord in believing that our sweet Father is coming soon. But we must abide till then.
As I was praying this morning about my vision and purpose God's Spirit spoke to my heart ; This coming year I want to be a better servant, to serve God in whatever area He needs me in. All for His Glory!
I want to praise and worship and love Him with all my being. I want to dance and sing before Him. I want to study His Word and apply it to my life. I want those who do not know Him to come to know Him. I want to share the joy and the goodness of loving and serving and living for Jesus Christ with my family and friends. I want to be a Prayer Warrior on the Prayer Team, not just a member of the Team.
I want to go to bed each night and think, "God would have been proud of my actions today".
He is so easy to love and the total joy and happiness you will find in Him is forever!
Gal. 5:13-14
For, Brethren, you have been called unto liberty;only use not your liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Christmas Time
I love this time of year , autumn leaves have fallen. Trees are bare and beautiful.
Frost covers the ground each morning like a handmade, homespun quilt.
Squirrels and birds scamper to do last minute "winter" shopping before the cold sets in.
Cardinals stand sentry in their finest red winter coats.
The air smells of cookies, spice and snow.
Brightly lit windows allow glimpses of decorated trees and wreaths, where families gather and love abounds.
The winter night sky glows with anticipation as it must have those many years ago as the world and heaven awaited our dear Saviour's birth.
Christmas time is magical, with memories just waiting to be made. A time to reflect upon the real reason for the season.
I never want to forget the sacrifice and the Gift God gave the world in order for me to have all that I have, to be all that I am.
Let my life be my gift to Him. Let me sing of His glory and goodness, His mercy and kindness.
He fills my life with peace and joy and those are exclusive gifts found only thru Him.
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Merry Christmas Everyone.
Frost covers the ground each morning like a handmade, homespun quilt.
Squirrels and birds scamper to do last minute "winter" shopping before the cold sets in.
Cardinals stand sentry in their finest red winter coats.
The air smells of cookies, spice and snow.
Brightly lit windows allow glimpses of decorated trees and wreaths, where families gather and love abounds.
The winter night sky glows with anticipation as it must have those many years ago as the world and heaven awaited our dear Saviour's birth.
Christmas time is magical, with memories just waiting to be made. A time to reflect upon the real reason for the season.
I never want to forget the sacrifice and the Gift God gave the world in order for me to have all that I have, to be all that I am.
Let my life be my gift to Him. Let me sing of His glory and goodness, His mercy and kindness.
He fills my life with peace and joy and those are exclusive gifts found only thru Him.
Luke 2:14 Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Merry Christmas Everyone.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
The Greatest Gift
When asked what is the greatest gift that I am Thankful for
I knew the answer instantly; He was born beneath a Star.
God sent Him here to save me, to atone for my sins
He bought my life with His own blood, then God took Him home again.
My life would have been different had He not chosen me
He saw that I would struggle and need for Him to be
a source of light and direction, guidance, truth and love
He knew before He formed me in a secret place above.
He saw my hurt; He felt my pain and held me while I wept
Then told me daughter you are healed, now live with no regret
Storms may rage against me, life's trials, and tests to bear
Thankful is my heart that God is always there!
He delights in me, He makes me smile, I am the apple of His eye
John 15: 16 You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain that whatsoever you shall ask of the father in My Name, he may give it to you.
I knew the answer instantly; He was born beneath a Star.
God sent Him here to save me, to atone for my sins
He bought my life with His own blood, then God took Him home again.
My life would have been different had He not chosen me
He saw that I would struggle and need for Him to be
a source of light and direction, guidance, truth and love
He knew before He formed me in a secret place above.
He saw my hurt; He felt my pain and held me while I wept
Then told me daughter you are healed, now live with no regret
Storms may rage against me, life's trials, and tests to bear
Thankful is my heart that God is always there!
He delights in me, He makes me smile, I am the apple of His eye
John 15: 16 You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain that whatsoever you shall ask of the father in My Name, he may give it to you.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
The Lamp
I grew up in the country and as kids we all had our share of chores to do. From the youngest to the oldest, we all did our share.
My brother and cousins helped milk cows for a farmer up the road from us. They milked every morning before school and every day after school. Nothing stopped the cows from being milked, not weather, or sickness or weekends, or holidays.
The road that led to that barn seemed at least a mile away and on nights when it was so dark you could not see your hand in front of your face it seemed even farther.
Each evening we younger children loved to run and meet our brothers coming down that road and they loved to tease and scare us senseless all the way home.
Our Uncle always kept an old kerosene lamp burning and hanging on his porch to light our way. He told us it was there to keep the "boogers" away.
Walking to and from that old barn each night , we hoped he was telling the truth, as our imaginations created many a scary thought. Wind and shadows and sounds played tricks on our minds.
However, we could see that light and it kept us focused on our destination.
Our steps were true and full of confidence as that old lantern swayed on its hook spreading it's light in front of us.
Guiding our footsteps, lighting the way. It assured us we were okay, headed in the right direction, on the right path and close to the safety of home.
Now, as when I was a child God's Word and love are still doing for me what that old lamp did for me so long ago. Guiding, directing, encouraging and keeping me on the way that is the straight path, lighting the path that always leads to the safety of home.
Psalms 119: 105
Your Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path
My brother and cousins helped milk cows for a farmer up the road from us. They milked every morning before school and every day after school. Nothing stopped the cows from being milked, not weather, or sickness or weekends, or holidays.
The road that led to that barn seemed at least a mile away and on nights when it was so dark you could not see your hand in front of your face it seemed even farther.
Each evening we younger children loved to run and meet our brothers coming down that road and they loved to tease and scare us senseless all the way home.
Our Uncle always kept an old kerosene lamp burning and hanging on his porch to light our way. He told us it was there to keep the "boogers" away.
Walking to and from that old barn each night , we hoped he was telling the truth, as our imaginations created many a scary thought. Wind and shadows and sounds played tricks on our minds.
However, we could see that light and it kept us focused on our destination.
Our steps were true and full of confidence as that old lantern swayed on its hook spreading it's light in front of us.
Guiding our footsteps, lighting the way. It assured us we were okay, headed in the right direction, on the right path and close to the safety of home.
Now, as when I was a child God's Word and love are still doing for me what that old lamp did for me so long ago. Guiding, directing, encouraging and keeping me on the way that is the straight path, lighting the path that always leads to the safety of home.
Psalms 119: 105
Your Word is a Lamp unto my feet, and a Light unto my path
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Kaleidoscope
As I look around, I see a kaleidoscope of colors.
Pale gold flakes spun intricately into bright red leaves.
Crisscross patterns of yellow and orange swirl through the air and spin to the ground.
Rust colored flags blow in the breeze then slowly cascade to the autumn carpet below.
Snug nests built and designed to prepare for the coming months ahead are under construction.
Bare branches with almond colored bark now show through the leafless trees.
Grandmothers’ quilt of colors covers the landscape as autumns beauty slips into place.
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1(NKJV)
“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22 (NKJV)
Pale gold flakes spun intricately into bright red leaves.
Crisscross patterns of yellow and orange swirl through the air and spin to the ground.
Rust colored flags blow in the breeze then slowly cascade to the autumn carpet below.
Snug nests built and designed to prepare for the coming months ahead are under construction.
Bare branches with almond colored bark now show through the leafless trees.
Grandmothers’ quilt of colors covers the landscape as autumns beauty slips into place.
To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: Ecclesiastes 3:1(NKJV)
“While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22 (NKJV)
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Strong Winds
There are three huge pecan trees in my yard;
they are so beautiful.
I wish I knew how old they are and how long
they have stood sentry over my yard.
I am thankful for the cool canopy they
provide for our house in the summer, and
I love the bare beauty of them in winter.
They supply a bounty of nuts for me and all
the birds and animals in my yard. We all collect
our share and squirrel them away for future use.
I worry all season about those trees,
are they getting enough water?
Are they getting too much water?
Will the storms and winds break their delicate branches?
I have seen them bent almost to the ground from fierce winter winds and violent summer storms.
Battered by wind, hail, lightning, and rain, yet they stand!
They have persevered and become grounded, their roots have become soundly planted and with each passing year they dig deeper, mature, and grow stronger.
I think about our lives compared to those trees.
Throughout the storms of our life do we grow our roots stronger, do we become soundly planted or do we allow ourselves to be battered and beaten to the ground.
Unlike those trees, we have a Savior, who faced the ultimate trials and storms to save us all.
He catches the wind in his fists, and calms the waters and waves and rebukes the storms that come to destroy His children..
When we face wind and rain and hail, all we need do is look to the Cross and Stand!
Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith; that you , being rooted and grounded in love
they are so beautiful.
I wish I knew how old they are and how long
they have stood sentry over my yard.
I am thankful for the cool canopy they
provide for our house in the summer, and
I love the bare beauty of them in winter.
They supply a bounty of nuts for me and all
the birds and animals in my yard. We all collect
our share and squirrel them away for future use.
I worry all season about those trees,
are they getting enough water?
Are they getting too much water?
Will the storms and winds break their delicate branches?
I have seen them bent almost to the ground from fierce winter winds and violent summer storms.
Battered by wind, hail, lightning, and rain, yet they stand!
They have persevered and become grounded, their roots have become soundly planted and with each passing year they dig deeper, mature, and grow stronger.
I think about our lives compared to those trees.
Throughout the storms of our life do we grow our roots stronger, do we become soundly planted or do we allow ourselves to be battered and beaten to the ground.
Unlike those trees, we have a Savior, who faced the ultimate trials and storms to save us all.
He catches the wind in his fists, and calms the waters and waves and rebukes the storms that come to destroy His children..
When we face wind and rain and hail, all we need do is look to the Cross and Stand!
Ephesians 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by Faith; that you , being rooted and grounded in love
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Stocking My Pantry
My childhood years were riddled at times with hardships...there were many nights when my brother, sister and I had just a few pecans or a pancake for supper.
We would ask our Mother "where's yours Mama" and she would always reply "Go ahead I've already ate". I still sting from the realization that she had not eaten at all.
Even now my insecurity of having enough food in the house still haunts me. I tend to over buy and over stock my pantry. Fortunately I have a great husband who understands and usually indulges me but sometimes he gently reminds me it's okay.
Yesterday, as I stood looking into that pantry God spoke to my heart and helped me realize that I had plenty, more than enough and I always would because of Him.
I needed to concentrate on stocking my spiritual pantry, every prayer I pray, every scripture I read, every act of kindness, every bible study I attend, every time I raise my hands and voice to glorify His name I am stocking my pantry.
I am lining my shelves with "all the good stuff" the stuff that is going to sustain me until that great day when we will all dine at His table forever.
No more insecurities to haunt us from yesterday, no more
fear of failure, no more lack and worry.
We will be cradled safely in the arms of a Father who will never let His children need for anything again....
Deuteronomy 28: 5
Blessed shall be your basket and your store
We would ask our Mother "where's yours Mama" and she would always reply "Go ahead I've already ate". I still sting from the realization that she had not eaten at all.
Even now my insecurity of having enough food in the house still haunts me. I tend to over buy and over stock my pantry. Fortunately I have a great husband who understands and usually indulges me but sometimes he gently reminds me it's okay.
Yesterday, as I stood looking into that pantry God spoke to my heart and helped me realize that I had plenty, more than enough and I always would because of Him.
I needed to concentrate on stocking my spiritual pantry, every prayer I pray, every scripture I read, every act of kindness, every bible study I attend, every time I raise my hands and voice to glorify His name I am stocking my pantry.
I am lining my shelves with "all the good stuff" the stuff that is going to sustain me until that great day when we will all dine at His table forever.
No more insecurities to haunt us from yesterday, no more
fear of failure, no more lack and worry.
We will be cradled safely in the arms of a Father who will never let His children need for anything again....
Deuteronomy 28: 5
Blessed shall be your basket and your store
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