Pull, Push & Hold ~ Part 1

 

I see a mother in a hurry at the store with her three children; she has many thoughts going through her head.  She is trying to remember if she grabbed that extra gallon of milk or that art supply needed for one of the many school projects.  Her mind is also at the same time going in a totally different direction, maybe she is thinking about dinner, a loved one, her children’s school activities or maybe that one bill that just won’t seem to go away.  But as I observer her and her three children I see that in her hast she is pulling one, pushing another and holding the third.  Now this is just an example of how we may treat our children when we are in a hurry or have a million things on our mind, but we know when it comes down to it and the important decision that we have to make concerning the welfare of our children the phrase pull, push and hold take on a new meaning.

I would like to break this down into three parts and take each phrase and discuss how our heavenly Father Pulls, Pushes and Holds His children.

First of all you have to be a child of God to be pulled anywhere.   What is a child of God you may ask - well let me tell you.  First you have to be adopted, God has already chosen those who will be a part of His family, the bible tells us in Ephesians 1:4-5:

4 ~ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of    the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 ~ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

So what this means is God decided before He created this beautiful world in which we live who was going to be a part of His adopted family.  God pulls those He has chosen into His fold.  He is our good shepherd and we are like sheep; John 10:27-28

27 ~ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

28 ~ And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Only those who God has chosen will hear His voice and know Him.  Not everyone in this world can hear the voice of God and not everyone in this world is chosen of God to be saved and adopted into His family.  When God calls His children we are unable to ignore that calling and once we have received God and are accepted by Him, then and only then are we adopted into His family. 

For every direction we are pulled there is a divine purpose.  God will never pull us down a path of utter destruction.  We may have hardships and heartache from time to time, which we call Trials, and we are to learn from these.  But God places Trails in our lives for His purpose and for our good – Romans 8:28 & II Timothy 1:9

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

II Timothy 1:9

Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

 Sometimes God uses the Trials of others to reach out.  God will pull you into a circumstance and use you as the tool to do His work.  Let me tell you a true story ….  

There was once a woman who worked for a store at the mall as a sales clerk when a homely woman walked in to purchase some scented lotions and sprays.  The whole time the sales clerk was speaking with the customer she could feel God pulling her to speak to this woman.  So she started talking to the customer about the products, but God said no, that’s not what I mean.  The sales clerk kept telling God, but I can’t, and every time she said I can’t she felt sick to her stomach.  Finally the woman’s purchases were rung up and paid and she started to walk away.  The sales clerk at that point was so sick she needed to find a bathroom and she heard God pull her again to the woman as she was leaving the store.  The sales clerk ran to the woman in tears.  She said excuse me, I know you don’t know me and I am not sure what I am to say to you, but I just want you to know that God loves you and He cares.  The clerk then asked the woman if she went to church anywhere and the customer started to tell her that she did attend church, but she was going through an awful divorce, the woman cried and was touched.  The sales clerk hugged the woman and told her she would be praying for her.

The sales clerk never imagined that God would ever use her to reach out to someone else in this fashion.  Not only did the customer get a reminder that she was not alone in her circumstance, but the sales clerk received a blessing, knowing that she had minded God and reached out to someone in need.  The sales clerk was also reminded that she could not resist the Pulling of the Holy Spirit and that she serves a Sovereign Savior.

Know that God pulls us in many different directions for many different reasons.  He could put us on one path and then that path could change directions.  God pulls us because He wants us to do His bidding and be in the center of His will.  God has a plan for each and everyone one of us and He will pull us in the right direction so that we are on the path He has set before us. 

Answer to Prayer

How many times have we prayed asking God for something, never mind what it is.  We sometimes ask for a pretty outfit we saw at the local mall, the newest smart phone (because we have to keep up with the Jones’), or maybe it is something really expensive like a new car.  Now these requests are what I like to call desires.  What if our request was more of a need verses a want?  Sometimes we ask God to allow our grocery bill to be under a certain amount at the checkout counter because we know we won’t get paid for another week, or maybe we have a friend or a loved one that has been sick and needs a healing touch, or maybe it’s finding that new job. 

Well in my case it’s the new job, I have finally been offered a new position within the UnitedHealth Group Appeals Department, after many, many years of searching for something else.  I have had a very stressful job and many days have left so depressed all I wanted to do was lock myself away and cry.  The job I have is not hard, but it wears on you, when you listen to people yell and scream and call you all kinds of names day in and day out.  Now I know that my new position will come with its own set of problems, and I am sure at times it will be stressful. 

Now God answers prayer in His own time, not ours.  I have been with UnitedHealth Group for 10 years and have been applying for different position within the company for probably the last 7.  I would constantly get responses to my applications that the position had already been filled or no longer offering the position at this time, and sometimes I would get a response that I was not qualified.  A few times I got an interview, that would lead nowhere.  I also gave my resume to other companies, but also never heard anything.  It felt as if God was telling me NO.  I see now it’s not that God was telling me NO, but wait, I have something better for you.  I believe God has answered this prayer for me, because I wasn’t sure how much longer I would be able to keep my sanity with the customer service department and God pulled me out in the nick of time.  Because I have been with the customer service division for so long I have been able to learn so much about the ends and outs of the company and the many departments within UHC and have learned from them as well.  So during my interview the hiring manager was surprised when I told her I already had entry level knowledge of one of the systems that they use on a daily basis, I would not have been able to say that a few years ago.  God placed someone in my life who thought it would be beneficial for me and my current job to be able to access appeals and give our members info on the spot so they wouldn’t have to wait for a letter from the appeals department.  You know what they say, hind sight is 20/20, God was preparing me all along, it never ceases to amaze me how God is in control of every aspect of my life and it is He who is gently guiding me along this journey. 

We always need to remember that God has a divine plan for all of our lives and He has mapped it all out before we were even born. 

Ephesians 1: 4 ~ According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

We complain from time to time and we fail to see God’s hand in our lives, when what we should be doing is praising God for his Sovereign Grace. 

Psalms 143:1 ~ Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, [and] in thy righteousness.

The River

I can’t believe it has been three months since I took the time to sit and think about what I was going to blog about.  We have had such a busy summer, we have been camping, hiking, kayaking, VBS, revival and just being plain lazy. We have enjoyed our time together as a family and are thankful we have all made it safely thru the summer.  I was talking to a friend last night who was involved in a really bad car accident a few years ago and while he was telling me about the accident and all that he had been thru, I kept thinking oh my goodness you poor thing.  He then told me even though it sounds really bad it could have been worse and I thank God that I am alive and able to walk around today.  That got me thinking about my little accident that I had over the summer while kayaking with Jason and Jeremy on the New River.

 

It started out as a normal trip on the New River, the mountains have had a lot of rain this year, and the river was up.  We got about half way through our trip when we came upon a low water bridge.  Normally we have to lie down in our boats and just float right underneath the bridge, but not this time.  It had rained so much there was very little of the bridge above water; most of the bridge was either under water or just level with the water.  Jason went first, thinking he could just skim right over the top, and he got stuck.  I was in the middle and Jeremy was bringing up the rear.  When I saw Jason was stuck on the bridge, I started to back paddle to allow myself to come in at a different angle so I would not plow into my husband.  While I was back paddling I got caught in the current and it pushed me into the bridge and some debris.  Jason at this point was walking on the bridge and came over to help me push the kayak away from the bridge, but then my boat got tipped and started taking on water and then I flipped.  Now I have flipped my boat before, this was not the first time I have been dumped in the river, but never before have I been caught underneath my boat before.  I was scared and kicking and clawing for my life, the next thing I knew I was under the bridge.  I grabbed for the bridge and was trying to pull myself up for air, but I was panicking and I kept hitting my head on the underside of the bridge.  I kept thinking I am going to drown, but God.  As I have said in the past I love this phrase, but GOD.  At what I thought was the end, I felt a sense of peace as I remember all of my white water rapid training from the past.  If you have ever been white water rafting the one important thing they tell you is this … If you fall out of your boat, don’t try to swim back to the boat or stand up, and just allow your body to be carried with the current.  At that moment I relaxed and allowed the current to carry me out from under the bridge.  As I surfaced Jason jumped in and grabbed me, I have never been so thankful to take a breath of air, to feel the air fill my lungs and be able to breathe was such a blessing. 

 

Now just like my friend Andrew, it sounds bad, but it could have been worse.  God could have allowed me to drown and take me home, He could have said Constance I don’t need you down there anymore, your journey is over you have run your race and it’s time to come home.  But GOD has other plans for me.  I don’t know what those plans are, but I have not finished my journey.  There is still a great work that God needs to have accomplished.  As the bible says in Hebrew 9:27 ~ And as it is appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment.  I am so thankful that God had not set my appointed time to be July 16,  2013, not that I am not looking forward to spending eternity with my Savior, but I am human and this old flesh is selfish and I would like to be around a little longer for my husband and children.  As I said before, God spared me for a reason and I don’t know what that reason is and I may never know.  There still might be that one that God will reach through me.  I may never talk with this person or it could be someone that I am close to.  Whatever the reason, I pray that I will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and when He speaks I pray that I will listen and be obedient.   I am so thankful to be one of His children and that He spared me and has allowed me to continue on my journey.

Prayer Garden II

Well it is official, she has died.  Who, you ask, my sweet Weeping Cherry tree.  I had such high hopes for her; she was going to be the center piece of my Prayer Garden.  Oh well, I guess it is back to Lowes to replace her with another.  I have not given up the idea of a prayer garden, just having to put it on hold for the time being. 

We went to the mountains this weekend and I had to make a gas run for the lawnmower.  While I was there I saw a man selling beautiful plants out of the back of his truck and I thought to myself, they will be so expensive.  I went over to the man and asked him how much his plants were and he told me $5.00 and I said $5.00 and he said yes, these are just left overs and I was not able to sell them.  I went back to the truck, pumped my gas and asked Aaron if he would like to go and pick out a nice plant for Nana.  So we pumped our gas and pulled the truck over take a look.  We picked out two one for me and one for Nana to plant at the mountain house.  Aaron was so excited, when we got back to the house he was telling Nana we got her a flower and when she asked where I got it from I told her at the gas station and then she asked if he had any more and how much they were.  I said you’re not going to believe this, but only $5.00.  She then tells me to get back in the truck, she wants more.  So we get back in the truck and head back to the gas station and she picked up four more plants and I got three more.  Now I have already told you that my poor Weeping Cherry has passed on, but I do plan on replacing her with another.  But I also could not pass up the opportunity to add to my prayer garden.  I don’t know where I could get such beautiful plants at such an inexpensive price.  So here is a picture of the plants that I picked up in the mountains and hopefully will be able to add to my garden. 

I am still trying to think of a name for my little “Prayer Garden”, but I believe I have a verse … Isaiah 51:3 ~ For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

I am taking name suggestions; please place any suggestions in the comments box.   

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer Garden I

I believe everyone needs their own special place where they can go to spend time with God, for example a prayer closet or garden.  Sometime in March I approached Jason about starting a prayer garden and I told him I wanted a place that I could go and work in the yard and spend time with God.  I have been playing with the idea for a few months, I love to work in the yard, but it takes time and money and I don’t have a lot of either.  He really didn’t have much to say and so in April I purchased a pink Weeping Cherry tree as the focal point for my prayer garden.  I went to Lowes and walked among all the pretty flowers and made my way back to the trees.  I looked at everything from a Bradford Pear to fruit bearing trees, and then I saw them, the tree I was looking for the Weeping Cherry.  The trees were beautiful, small, but beautiful.  The tiny white and pink flowers looked so delicate on the long wispy limbs.  I had one of the Lowes guys take several down so I could inspect and study each one and choose the perfect tree.  After going over several trees I picked one with the straightest trunk and one with no visible distressed marks or blemishes.  I had my tree and I could not wait to get her home (yes it’s a she, why wouldn’t she be, she’s pink) and plant her in the ground.  As soon as I got home I planted my little tree in the general area that I would like my little prayer garden.  I have been trying to figure out a name for my little garden, maybe some of my friends/family can shoot some ideas my way.  I have so many ideas about how I want my garden to look and flow, but it is going to take time and money, so for right now I have my little tree and it is the start of my “Prayer Garden”.

A Mother's Love

A woman can never understand the extent of the term "A Mother's Love" until she has experienced motherhood and all it entails.  A mother loves at all times regardless of what her child has said or done and a mother's love is like no other.  I have chosen three women to blog about for my special Mother's Day tribute.  I would like to dedicate this post to every mother past, present and future. 

The first mother I would like to tell you about was barren and she longed for a child and she prayed and begged God for a son of her very own and she promised God that if He ever gave her the desire of her heart she would give that little boy back to Him.  So if you have not already guessed our first mother is Hannah, in I Samuel 1:10 ~ And she (Hannah) was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.  And the LORD remembered Hannah, vs. 20 ~ Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.  Now Hannah loved her child very much, but she loved God more and she wanted to honor her word to the Lord and wanted to honor God most of all, so she gave her only child back to God, vs. 27 & 28 ~ For this child I prayed, and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of Him.  Therefore also I have lent Him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD.  And he worshipped the LORD there.  Now Hannah sent to her son to live in the temple and she only saw him about once or twice a year, I can't imagine how hard that might have been, I go crazy if I have to go any length of time without seeing my two little angels.

The second mother is nameless, but she loved her child as much as any mother could.  She was willing for her child to be raised by another woman to save his life.  In I Kings 3:16 - 28 we read about the wisdom of Solomon.  There were two women that lived in the same house and each delivered a child.  After three days one child died and the other lived.  The woman with the dead child swapped the babies while the other woman slept.  When the sleeping mother awoke to her surprise the child beside her was not her precious bundle of joy and the child lying beside her was dead.  So the two women took the issue before the King.  King Solomon heard the testimony of each woman and he requested a sword, vs. 25 & 26 ~ And the king said, divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.  Then spake the woman whose the living child was unto the king, for her bowels yearned upon her son, and she said, O my Lord, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it.  But the other said, let it be neither mine nor thine, but divide it.  We as mothers will do anything to keep our children from harm if we can.  When Ashleigh broke her arm at the age of two, I was devastated, not because she broke her arm, but because I was not able to prevent it from happening or to take away her pain.  If I could have taken her place I would have.  We try to shield our children as much as we can because we love them so much.

The last mother I would like to talk about is Mary, the mother of our LORD and Saviour.  I don't think I could give up Aaron for this sinful world, but it was all part of God's sovereign plan and I know God gave Mary the grace she needed to get thru this awful time in her life.  Mary, being the loving mother that she was, also attended His crucifixion, John 19:25 ~ Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.  I can't imagine what she was going thru, but I am sure if she could have taken His pain or even His place she would have.  We as mothers make sacrifices for our children and families, Mary gave up the most, as a mother, when her own Son was beaten and crucified on the cross.  I don't think I could stand by and witness such cruelty or injustice to either one of my children - Mama Bear would have to make an appearance. 

In closing I am thankful that I serve a sovereign God who chose to send His Son to die for me.  I am thankful that God has allowed me to experience motherhood and most of all "A Mother's Love", like so many before me.  God placed these three woman on my heart to blog about, there were many in the bible to choose from, but He gave me these three ... Hannah gave her child to God, The Harlot was willing to give her child to another and Mary who gave her child to the world.

"A Mother's Love"

By:  Helen Steiner Rice

A Mother's Love is something that no one can explain; it is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain.  It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may for nothing can destroy it or take that love away.

It is patient and forgiving when all others are forsaking, and it never fails or falters even though the heart is breaking.

It believes beyond believing when the world around condemns, and it glows with all the beauty of the rarest brightest gem.

It is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation, and it still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation.

A many splendored miracle man cannot understand and another wondrous evidence of God's tender guiding hand. 

The Great Physician

It’s one o’clock in the morning and I hear the pitter-pater of little feet across the floor and then I hear Mommy!!!  I get up and climb the stairs hoping that all they need is some water or to be re-tucked into bed.  But as I get to the top of the stairs I hear “I don’t feel good”.  My heart sinks and I think this could be a long night.  I hate it when one of my kids are sick I feel so helpless and I wish I could take away the tummy ache, the sore throat or whatever little ache or pain they are experiencing.  So I do all the normal mommy things, I check for a temperature and if they feel warm I get out the thermometer and if there is a temperature, then I give them a dose of Tylenol and tell them to lay on the couch.  I go into their room and get a pillow and a blanket and we camp out together on the couch.  I hope by morning they are feeling better.  Morning comes and they are not better, still running a fever and aches and pains are all still present, so I let them stay home from school.  By the end of the day they appear to be much better and I worry about what will happen during the night.  So bed time comes and I check them again, give a dose of Tylenol just for safe measures and go to bed, the next morning, they are still not feeling any better so I call the doctor and make an appointment.  How many of us go thru that same ritual, how many of us call on God, our great physician when our children are sick and need a healing touch from Him?  I know I do!

We know how important our children are to us and their return to a healthy norm, how more important is the sickness of sin.  I know God can heal all manners of physical sickness, we run to God whenever our children are sick or we have a friend or family member who is sick or has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.  But how often are we praying for those that are lost, our loved ones, an acquaintance or even that person we have never met in passing or the ones we shall never meet.  God is our great physician and not only can he heal our physical illness but more important he heals our spiritual illness.  Yes I said it spiritual illness, those that are unsaved, those God has not called to be a part of His chosen few are spiritual sick. 

In Mark 2:17 ~ When Jesus heard (it), he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick.  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Jesus said the healthy or saved do not require a doctor, only those that are sick.  They need a touch from the Great Physician, those that are lost and going to hell.  We as Christians should act as God’s nurses; we need to do all the things that nurses do before the Doctor sees the patient.  We start by praying for them, we then tell them about the Doctor and what the Doctor can do for them and we then allow the Doctor to do His part. 

We sometimes forget about this spiritual sickness, but it was foremost in our Savior’s mind.  Just like Jesus, we should be most concerned with the sickness of sin and introducing the lost to the Great Physician.  So let us be God’s nurses while there is still time and tell the sick about the One who can heal them.

The Blog

I am always amazed when I hear of some new gadget that has been developed to make my life easier or some new technology that is better than the last.  I have never been one to keep a diary or journal.  I am not good at putting my thoughts to paper or putting to words what I am thinking, also not a great speller, thank goodness for spell check!  So the whole blogging thing really intrigues me, not only can I write anything I want, but I can post it for the entire world to see.  I remember when I was in the third or fourth grade my mom bought me a little diary, my first.  I remember writing something about the day I had and I wanted to share it with everyone.  It just so happened that night my parents were holding a dinner party at our apartment, and I felt the need to share my thoughts with this crowd of people, now being the kind adults they were they listened and applauded my bravery and creativity (not that what I had written was anything profound, not much going on when your 8) and never again did I allow people to see what I had written in private, until January.  When I realized what blogging was and had read a few, some from people I knew and some from complete strangers, I thought to myself, “Hey, I can do that”.  So I did.  Not sure if anyone cares what I think, say or experience, but it is really a nice outlet, I can’t believe how it makes me feel.  Some of the times I am frustrated or excited about things that have happened and when I put it down on paper or should I say when I type it out on this neat little thing we call a computer, I feel better or a since of calm.  It is almost like prayer, because a lot of the time when I am typing away I am praying, asking God to give me the right words to say or help me to word something just right.  When I started this blog I wanted to be a witness, not just to put down my thoughts to paper, but a real outreach.  A lot of my family and friends are unsaved, so I thought, “why can’t I write about things that are important to me”, so I did.  For my first blog I started small and the more I do it the easier it becomes and I believe that God will do the rest, He will prick and speak to that one heart, that one could be a lost soul or someone that is in need of encouragement.  It is important to me to see my friends and family saved and going to heaven, will God save every person that I come in contact with, probably not, but it is my responsibility to still try to plant the seed and it will be up to God wither he allows that seed to grow.   God commanded us to go out and compel them to come in.

Luke 14:23 ~ And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways, and hedges, and compel (them) to come in, that my house may be filled.

So I believe the Lord has placed this desire to blog on my heart, I can tell my loved ones as well as complete strangers about my God and His grace, mercy and love.  I can share with them my testimony and how God has blessed me in the good and bad.  God has allowed me put my thoughts and desires to paper for His glory.  I pray for those who are lost that you may find peace and comfort in the loving arms of God.  And I pray that God will bless those that read and follow my blog and I pray that it can lift you when your are down.  Help me to pray for the lost and please pray for the families that were injured and or who lost loved ones in yesterday’s bombing in Boston.

Please drop me a line when you can and please continue to pray for our little family that we will always seek God's will for our lives and we glorify God in all we say and do.

The Ring

Ring:  a circular band for holding, connecting, hanging, pulling, packing, or sealing. 
A ring has no beginning and it has no end, when these words were spoken by the preacher on March 23 during the vow renewal of my Aunt Harriet and her husband Michael of 11 years, I was brought to tears when the circle was completed by their daughter Brittney.  For those of us who have made the commitment of marriage before God we started a circle, small as it might be.  I started my own life long journey with Jason on August 21, 1999 and our circle grew to add Aaron on February 06, 2006 and our little circle was completed on May 01, 2008 when Ashleigh was born.  It is amazing how God works in our lives and how He chooses our life mates.  As many know I dated a guy for years before I met Jason, I thought we would marry and that would be it, but GOD.  I love that statement, BUT GOD!!!  Well me and what’s his name never made it down the aisle and called it quits.  Jason and I met not to long after that.  I was asked out by a guy who I met in a very unusual way, ask me about it and I will tell you the whole story.  We went out and he invited me to church and I went.  That is where I met Jason thru this mutual friend Jeremy Varner.  God used Jeremy to introduce Jason and me, and the rest is history, we were married two years later.  Now here we are Jason and I with two children and God in the center.  God holds our Ring together, He connects us all to each other and He is holding us within His arms.  He is pulling us back when we stray too far and He is pushing us when He needs to.  God has sealed our little family within the confinements of this Ring that He has created.  As the bible says in Matthew 19:9 ~ What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.  God creates a Ring when a man and woman are joined in marriage, at times God chooses to grow that Ring as He sees fit.  I am so glad that God has given me Jason as my husband and that he has blessed us with Aaron and Ashleigh and I am so grateful that He is in the center of our Ring!

The Bible

 

I wonder how many people were able to make it home Sunday night (03/03/2013) to watch the premier of The Bible on the History channel.  What did you think?  Well I can tell you that Jason and I were very excited about the program, we watched the previews for weeks and got pulled in.  So at 8 pm we were sitting around the table eating and glued to the T.V.  The program started with Noah and the ark and Noah telling his family about creation, the ark was full of holes and they were soaking wet.  Jason and I both looked at each other and then at the kids and said that didn’t happen.  Now it is possible that Noah knew about Adam and Eve, but it was not told by Noah because Moses wrote the book of Genesis, the second thing in Genesis 6:14 the bible tells us that God told Noah to “Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch, what does that mean – it means the boat didn’t leak, they were warm and dry.  Also Noah was not free to walk around on the outside of the ark, in Genesis 7:16 the bible tells us “And they that went in, went in male and female of all flesh, as God had commanded him:  and the Lord shut him in, so what does that mean – it means that God closed the door and only God could open the door – Genesis 8:16 “Go forth of the ark, thou, and they wife, and they sons, and they sons’ wives with thee.”

 

The story then jumps to Abraham and how God told him to “Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee”, Genesis 12:1.  Now Lot, his wife and their family went the Abraham, Sarah and their family and they hit on Lot being captured and then his family going to Sodom and Gomorrah.  The program depicts the Angles as warriors with great swords and mowing down people so that Lot and his family could get out as God is destroying the cities.  At this point we are telling Aaron and Ashleigh, that a lot of what they are seeing is not biblical and that Hollywood has put a spin on almost everything we had watched.  We explained that God didn’t destroy the cities until after Lot and his family had left and were well away, now we know they were close enough to see the destruction because in Genesis 19:26 the bible says “But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt” –  so they did get that part right. 

 

Next on the History Channels time line are Abraham and Hagar and the birth of Ishmael and them being sent out into the wilderness.  Sarah then gives birth to Isaac and the story picks up in Genesis 22:2, “And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.”  Now in the story by History channel states Abraham told Sarah he was taking Isaac and they were going to make a sacrifice to God and they leave – now like I said they got some stuff accurate.  They go up the mountain and Abraham puts him on the alter and while this is going on it goes back and forth from them to Sarah and Sarah is frantic she has figured out that Abraham plans on using Isaac as a sacrifice, because he didn’t take an animal with him – Sarah was never the wiser about the sacrifice, Abraham never told her and she never questioned if an animal was taken with them.  Sarah then runs after them also didn’t happen because the place where they went was three days journey, in Genesis 22:4 the bible tells us “Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.”  Right before Abraham sacrifices Isaac and the Angel of the Lord told him to stop and he turns and there is a lamb, now in Genesis 22:13 the bible says “And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns:  and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.  I guess Hollywood couldn’t find a ram with horns so they used the next best thing? 

 

The timeline then jumps to Moses and the book of Exodus, not sure why they decided to leave out so much important history.  They could have talked about Isaac and Rebekah and the birth of Esau and Jacob and how Jacob received Isaac’s blessing.  They could have talked about Jacob and Leah and Rachel.  They could have talked about Joseph and his coat of many colors and the famine that was in Egypt, but they skipped all of that.  So we are now at Moses and how he was rescued from the Nile River and brought up as a prince of Egypt and how he killed an Egyptian and left the body for someone else to discard of – when in fact he took care of it himself.  Then is shows Moses in the dead of night in a tent and then he hears the voice of God and he is standing before the burning bush, now I know most people have seen the Ten Commandments,  with Charlton Hesston, well we think the Ten Commandments did a better job of portraying Moses than the History channel did.  Anyways he then leaves and goes back to Egypt and confronts Pharaoh.  This will be the last discrepancy, because I stopped watching it after this, they are standing at the Nile River and Moses asks Aaron to put his staff in the river while Pharaoh is bathing and the river turns to blood.  This didn’t happen this way, Moses was face to face with Pharaoh when he turned the river into blood the bible tells us in Exodus 7:19 – 20 “And the Lord spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and stretch out thine hand upon the waters of Egypt, upon their streams, upon their rivers and upon their ponds, and upon all their pools of water, that they may become blood;  and that they may be blood throughout all the land of Egypt, both in vessels of wood, and vessels of stone.  And Moses and Aaron did so, as the Lord commanded; and the lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood.”

 

I couldn’t stand to watch any more, I was so disappointed.  Why do they think that the spin they put on the story is so much better than the actual account of the events.  This is History, true History.  God gave us the written word so we know that it is accurate and that it is factual.  I am not sure why they are doing this program, I am not sure if we will watch anymore  of it, because if all they are going to do is put just enough bible in their story to call it fact then I am not interested.  If you know your bible and know the difference and know what really happened versus what Hollywood said happened, that is one thing, but there are so many people within the viewing audience that has no clue, they see it on T.V. and its fact.  It kind of reminds me of the State Farm commercial where the girls says, “they can’t put anything on the internet that isn’t true”, some people say the same thing about the History, Nation Geographic and The Learning Channel (TLC).  Just because it is on the educational/documentary type channels does not make it all fact.  Again I will say they did use some actually events from the bible, they just put their own spin on the story and it was very hard to follow, the frames at times were short and choppy and I will admit the fight seen with the angles and the people of Sodom was very entertaining.  But I think that is what it boils down to is entertainment, this program is for entertainment, and it does have some measure of truth mixed in with a lot of dramatization.  If you continue to watch the program, or if you missed it, tune in next Sunday at 8 pm on the History channel and you decide for yourself.  The jury is still out at my house whether we will continue to watch it or not.  Enjoy!

Frustration

How many of us feel like pulling our hair out in the mornings?

 

I have to say that at times I get very frustrated, but not nearly as much as my poor husband.  I have to be at work at 7:00 am, so that leaves Jason with getting the kids ready for school.  A typical day for us is get up at 6:20; I get my computer up and running to start my day at 7 – that generally takes 10 minutes to do.  I then go upstairs and pack lunches and have backpacks and lunch boxes in the truck by 7:40.  Great I have 20 minutes to get the kids up, dressed, fed and almost ready to go.  I go into Aaron’s room and turn on the light and start to sing Rise and Shine and Give God the Glory and then leave and go into Ashleigh’s room and sing it again – they hate this.  They get up and head to the couch, where they try to lay back down and get 5 more minutes, but I am right behind them fussing, you have 15 minutes to get ready and get something to eat before I have to go to work.  Aaron, bless his heart, usually gets right up and gets himself dressed – Ashleigh on the other hand, it’s a fight, I don’t want to wear that I want to wear this and then changes her mind.  It does not good to pick out her clothes the night before, done tried that.  Now the kids are ready, all but putting on shoes, eating breakfast (if they want any), taking medicine, and brushing teeth.  Once the kids are finished Jason sends them downstairs for me to help them put their shoes on and fix Ashleigh’s hair.  When I put it down on paper it doesn’t seem that bad – LOL.  But it’s the feeling you have of being late, of someone not listening to you and having to repeat something over and over again.  It is amazing, most mornings, they get out of the house on time and no one is late, how we do it I have no idea, but it gets done.  Have you ever stopped to think, maybe, this is how God might feel when He is dealing with us?  How many times has God had to tell you to do something?  I know from personal experience sometimes several.  Sometimes we question if we are truly hearing Gods call and sometimes we are running the other way and not wanting to listen.  I know how I feel when my children are not listening to me or they out right defy me – I know the since of exasperation I feel and then it slowly turns into anger.  Do I make God mad, does it start small with a since of frustration and then grow.  I shudder to think that I could displease my Lord – but I do it every day - but we are human and even if we are striving to be more like Christ we always fall short.  God knows we are imperfect and He knows that we will never be perfect.  I am sure He is very displeased or disappointed with me from time to time.  I know I don’t spend as much time reading my bible as I should and I don’t spend nearly enough time on my knees in prayer or in my prayer closet.  Does this displease God, yes it does.  God always wants to hear from us, even if it’s just a simple, Lord it’s me again, having a busy day, but wanted to stop and say Thanks or please help me through this report or call, keep my family safe or how about that special request or person that God has placed on our heart or mind to pray for.  God never said our prayers had to be long and lengthy and full of eloquent words.  When Jesus showed us how to pray in Matthew, this was a short prayer, but it came from the heart and He was sincere with his requests.

 

Matthew 6:9-13

After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come.  Thy will be done in earth, as [it is] in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.

 

More important, I try to instill in Aaron and Ashleigh the importance of prayer.  Jason and I have to remind them almost every time before they eat, pray!  And before we go to bed every night we pray.  Each one of the kids, along with mom and dad, has our own special request for prayer.  We make it a point to show how important it is to pray for those requests, no matter how insignificant we might think they are (praying for Ella – Nana’s dog) it is still important to them.  I also try to pray in the morning before they go to school, now I will admit it is more often forgotten, but I do try to pray with them.  I will admit I struggle daily, but God never promised an easy road.  I can only strive to be more diligent and pray that it is enough.  As always please keep us in your prayers as we seek to do God’s will, whatever that may be.

Thankful

Thankful ... Where do I begin, I am so thankful for so many things.  I am thankful most of all for a Sovereign God, that He stood in my place, that He bore my sins, that He saved me!  I am thankful for my loving husband and two beautiful children - I love you very much.  I am thankful for my job - even though I hate it at times.  I am thankful for a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food in my belly.  I am thankful for good friends and family - who are there for me in the good and bad times.  I am thankful for the life God has given me to live - I have been given this one life to glorify Him in every way.

I Chronicles 16:8
Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name, make known His deeds among the people. 

I am thankful that I can call on His name.  I am thankful that I can go directly to Him with all of my needs and desires.  I am thankful that He is always available to talk to, I don't have to wait until He has time, because He always has time.  I am thankful that He answers prayer - I will always be amazed that God would listen to me and answer my prayers.  I am not always obedient and I am not always so thankful, but thru my short comings God sees me worthy enough to listen.  I was no one until God made me someone and I am thankful that He loves me.

And I want to thank those that come to read my simple thoughts from time to time.  I thank you for allowing me to share with you what is on my heart and mind. 

The Vision

 

We had our 2013-2014 school enrollment meeting last night, and Mr. Jeffreys talked about the vision for our school.  We love FSCS (Fayetteville Street Christian School), we are like one big family.  I am glad that some men had a vision years ago to start a Christian school, I am sure like most it started small, but we have grown and now have over 200 students enrolled and are expecting more for the new school year.  I am thankful to those who answered the Call and started this school as an alternative to public school.  Before Jason and I had the kids, we were asked by a financial adviser what our short term goals were and the first thing we said was to be able to put our children (when ever we had any) in a Christian school, now at that time we didn't know what school or where we just knew that public school was not an option.  A few years ago my best friend, Terri, was looking into putting her son into public school because FSCS didn't have enough students and was looking at shutting its doors - But GOD, and that is all I have to say - But GOD!  God gave them a few rough years, but after that they stared to explode, per Mr. Jeffreys, we have seen a 100% increase in the last 4 1/2 years.  That is amazing and again I will say But GOD - He is so worthy of our praise!  He who is Sovereign and knows at all times what is best for us.  I will never cease to be amazed by my GOD.  Our little school is growing by leaps and bounds and last night we listened as we were told there would be a possibility of new construction - we are busting at the seams and have no place to put these dear little children, I say this is a good problem to have.  We also discussed updates to the facilities and  our last fund raiser, "Pancake Day", where we raised over $13,000, that's $3,000 more than last year.  How is it we can continue on this path with the bad economy and loss of jobs - But GOD!  God has been so good to our little Christian school and because we have dedicated men and woman who share a common vision and goal and who are sensitive to the Holy Spirit, this is how it is all possible.  Please pray for our little school - for the administrative staff, the teachers, the parents and most of all each and every student - they are our future.

This is the day that the Lord hath made!

This is the day that the LORD hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.  - Psalm 118:24

 

Yesterday was Aaron’s 7^th birthday; I can’t believe how big he has gotten.  My little boy is turning into a little man right before my eyes.  I thank God for my children and I love them soooo much!  As I studied yesterday I thought this was a perfect lesson and I thought I will use Aaron’s birthday as a way to illustrate how we shall rejoice in everyday He has given us.    Who would have thought that such a simple verse could be so profound?  I have heard this verse sung in a song and I have even read it hundreds of times, but never stopped to really think about the words and how they affect my everyday life.  Do we really stop and think about who has given us each day?  I don’t think most of us do.  We just get up because the alarm clock has gone off or one of our children is demanding our attention.   We don’t think about what we are doing, it’s the same every day, day in and day out, it is all routine.  We don’t think about what is going to happen or who we will speak with or who we might meet or how our actions may affect someone else.  We don’t even give God the praise, glory or honor He deserves.  God has given us each day.  Each day we are given we start it fresh, it is always different than the day before and we will never repeat it (no Groundhog Days!).  So what should we do with each day God has given us?  We should cherish each and every moment, good or bad.  We should praise God from whom all blessings flow!  We should make sure we are in constant prayer and feeding on the bread of life! We should make sure that everything we are doing, saying, seeing, hearing, etc. is glorifying our Heavenly Father!  No matter if it’s a rainy day, a sunny day a snowy day, a rainbow day, or your birthday we should always remember it is a day that God has given us and we will rejoice and be glad in it.  It is so easy to get caught up in everyday “life”, there is always some form of ball or cheerleading practice, piano or dance, work or school and everything is routine we get complacent and then when something bad happens and God throws in a BAD DAY and we want to ask God why.  Sometimes God gives us those BAD DAYS to remind us that He is Sovereign and that He has a perfect plan for us and that He will get Glory for all, good or bad.  God gives us BAD DAYS to teach and mold us, and we learn to rely on God for everything, we should be thankful for the BAD DAYS as well as the GOOD DAYS.  God wants us to have a thankful heart regardless of the day we have or don’t have and we learn to trust Him completely.  So let us always rejoice and be glad in the days to come, because each day whether it is a birthday, a sick day, a joyous day or even a grievous day, they are all a gift from God!

Resume

Well, I have done it.  I finally submitted my resume to Fayetteville Street Christian School - FSCS.  I have not taught in a public setting since 1997, yeah it’s been a while, but I have been teaching Sunday school and children’s church for over 10 years and our Wednesday night children’s class - Kids for Christ (KFC) for the last 3 years.  I have always loved teaching and now that my children are students at FSCS, it would be so nice to be able to be near them every day!  I know it would be a cut in pay, but if it is the Lords’ will then HE will make a way.  I have been praying for a new position at UnitedHealth Group - UHC, and have been applying for different positions within the company, but have never gotten any positive feedback - always "sorry the position has already been filled, or we are no longer offering the position as this time".  I just wonder if maybe the reason I have not been able to move out of my current position is because I am not supposed to stay, but move on.  I would love to go back to teaching, but it is scary, we have become used to a certain way of living and it would mean that we would have to give up some “play pretty’s” and go without. Not that going without is a bad thing, because it can be a good thing.  Going without teaches us to rely on God more.  We take many things for granted when we live comfortably and there is nothing wrong with living comfortable, but when we rely on ourselves and not God then that is a problem.  Last night the Preacher (revival w/ Tony Finney) used the song Trust and Obey all throughout his message (it was an awesome message) and his text came from Genesis Chapter 22:1-19.  I have heard this story a million times, how Abraham took Isaac to sacrifice him to God.  Abraham trusted God so much to provide Himself a sacrifice (Genesis 22:8); all Abraham had to do was obey.  How many times do we not obey God because of our lack of trust?  How many times do we question God’s judgment and ask ourselves does HE really want that of me?  Like Brother Finney said last night we want our children to look at us and see that we have such a close relationship with God that they desire that same relationship.  So here I am turning in a resume, which has been in the works for almost a year, because I want to trust that God knows what is best for me and obey the command, if He gives it, to leave my well paid job for one of Service to Him.  Please pray for our family and for me as I seek God’s will for our future.  I know God gives us the desire of our hearts if we “Trust and Obey”.

 

New Year's Resolution

Children are a gift from God and mine are just exceptional.  Last night during KFC (Kids For Christ) - this is our Wednesday night children’s ministry - Crystal did a new year’s Party.  The kids got to eat sandwiches and chips, cupcakes and doughnuts and who knows what else (Thanks Aunt Crystal for filling them up with junk and then sending them home - LOL) and they made a door hanger.  The door hanger was a list of things the kids would do for the new year, for example the first one was I will help my family ______.  Ashleigh, bless her heart, only filled out the first one, which was "wash the dishes".  She loves to help mommy in the kitchen, from cooking to cleaning.  And she loves it even better when we can use her "Easy Baker" that she got for Christmas.  She does not mind the cleanup at the end.  Aaron on the other hand, filled his out completely and here is his list, word for word....

I will help my family with paiy the taxs



I will give some of my money to the preacher



I will learn all new ten Bible verses.   (Aaron added the ten part all by himself)



I will help others



They are so sweet; I could just eat them up.  God has blessed Jason and I with very sweet, thoughtful and loving children and I pray that God will use them.  We used to say that Aaron was going to be our little preacher boy, he has such a tender heart and who knows what God has in store for my little man.  Please keep them in your prayers.

Our First Glimpse

Today we saw
Our first glimpse of You.
A little piece of heaven
Our dream come true.
The day we will meet
Seems so far away.
But until you're ready
In my womb safely stay.
Our gift from Angels
Sent from above
For us to cherish
And forever to love.
Unknown

I was able to hear my new little niece/nephew's heart beat for the first time Sunday morning.  Crystal had made a video with her phone to record the heartbeat when she had her last check-up.  I am so excited and I can't wait to see the first ultrasound pictures of this new bundle of joy that will be joining our family in June.  God has been so good to our family and I can't wait for this new addition.  Please keep Jeremy, Crystal, and big sister Ellie in your prayers.

The Lord is my strength - Part 2

Oh Boy Oh Boy Oh Boy!!!!  I thought I was having a few rough weeks until Jason came home last night and gave me more bad news.  When I posted yesterday I was a little stressed, now I am a lot stressed.  But before I went to bed last night and I opened my bible, I had no idea what I was going to read, to be honest with you I was kind of in a fog.  I had already reviewed my most recent post with Jason and kept telling him and myself, its ok, God never gives us more than we can handle and we are going to be ok.  So I got my bible and before I opened it I just prayed for guidance, then I leafed thru the pages and read some notations here and there that I had wrote down over the years and reread a Sunday school lesson I had done when I was helping Crystal with her jr. girls class.  Then I thought I am going to read one of the minor prophets, I wanted something short, so I started in Hosea (too long, cause I wanted to read the whole book) and kept going, I ended up in Habakkuk.  It was an interesting read, at first I didn’t feel that it was helping, but when I got to the very end of the book, I wanted to cry.  God is so good and he knows what we need when we need it, because the very last verse in the very last chapter spoke to me.



Habakkuk 3:19

The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.  To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.



I went running upstairs to show Jason what I had just read; I was crying and thinking how wonderful it is to serve a God who loves us so completely.  I told Jason I was amazed how I had just typed what I was feeling that morning and wanted to share just a simple thought, not knowing what was going to happen later in the day and then to finish the day with a reminder from HIM that HE has it all under control and that HE is my strength.  We do serve a Mighty God and I thank Him for His provisions and the gentle reminders that He gives us.



And a special thanks to Nana for the verses and I will share them here as well.  I love you and thank you for being such a wonderful Mother-in-law.



Joshua 1:8 & 9

This book of the laws shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein:  for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous and then thou shalt have good success.

Have not I commanded thee?  Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:  for the LORD They God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

The Lord is my strength - Part 1

In Philipians chapter 4 verse 13 the bible says "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  I have had to remind my self of this here lately.  Between working 10 hour plus days and being a full time mom and wife it is hard to remember where I draw my true strength from.  It is so easy to put God on the back burner when we allow things (work, school, sickness, etc.) to take over.  Not only can I draw strength from Christ for my everyday needs and duties, but I can draw strength so I can perform the things that God has called me to do, for example, teaching,  singing and playing the piano, witnessing, or any other activity, deed or service that will bring Glory to the Lord.  God will never give us more than we can handle, even though it seems at the time we can take no more, He will always be there to give us strength to carry on with what ever task has been placed before us and all of this will be for our good and His Glory!  So if you feel over whelmed, just as I have in the last couple of weeks, remember who is in control and that when we go thru a valley we are never alone.



Please keep us in your prayers!