“You shall generously give to him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in all your undertakings."
Deuteronomy 15:10 NAS




Ahhhh....winter. the earth is sleeping. Waiting on the warm sunshine to quicken the soil and bring forth the new life awaiting below and inside. A time to gather together with our families for the holidays. All of us planning out the events to come during the spring and summer. Love it, I do.

Last night I, as a new officer in our CMA Chapter, attended the Officer's meeting to plan and present the upcoming few months schedule for our chapter. As a member of our chapter, I didn't give much thought to the planning process, the work behind the activities that we enjoy so much. Wow, I realize now just how much we take for granted as members! There are so many decisions to be made, rides to be considered and requests for assistance to be accepted or alas, denied. Being humans we just can't do it all. Although, I see now that the attempt is often made to do just that! It is a delicate dance to dance the officer's waltz. This I've learned and I haven't even taken office yet, I'm still in training so to speak.

I realize the honor that my fellow members have given me by even nominating me for the office of Treasurer, and I will give it my all. Not just for my brothers and sisters in the Blessed Riders, or the CMA, but for GOD.

This message is as much for me you beloved reader. The works I do for God can never even come close to the works He did, and does, for me and you. The humble gift of my time, can never eclipse the gift of His Son for me. It inspires me, urges me to give my best, my most. To give it willingly and cheerfully.

In His Service by His Grace~
Kat

Christmas.......

Webster defines it like this:

Christmas noun 1. the annual festival of the Christian church commemorating the birth of Jesus: celebrated on December 25 and now generally observed as a legal holiday and an occasion for exchanging gifts.

Well, pardon me Mr. Webster, but you left out quite a bit in your definition.

Christmas is only the beginning of the celebration of Christ. It is the kick off, so to speak, for the real celebration that is "The Ascension" of Christ Jesus to the Father. That is why we (Christians) celebrate the birth of Christ. Without His birth, the wondrous miracle that it is, we would still be laboring under the Mosaic law.

A party, included in the count down to the New Year celebration that everyone loves so much. That is what most of the world sees as Christmas. Oh, sure the network TV stations still play the Charlie Brown Christmas cartoon. The old movies abound, White Christmas, Miracle on 34Th St, and my personal favorite, It's A Wonderful Life. Doing this they seek to appease the Christians and say, "Look! We know what Christmas is all about!" Wrong. They haven't a clue.

Christ's birth is the first part of the original perfect gift to us. The real gift came later, his sacrifice of his life, the shedding of His blood for the remission of our sins. The culmination of the gift is when Jesus ascended to the Father and sent the Holy Spirit to be with us.

Now, that beloved is a GIFT! I guarantee you are not going to find that under a pre-lit Christmas tree.

In His Service by His Grace,
Kat

A rock, a ripple and.......

David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child who is born to you shall die." 15 Then Nathan went to his house. ESV 2 Samuel 12: 13-15

While speaking with someone recently I was told about a situation within a study group they had once attended. There was an individual that dominated the group setting, bringing the study itself to a halt and terminally damaging the group so that it finally fizzled out. No one wanted to attend and listen to the ranting and ill will expressed by the individual. Even after the individual left the group, the damage was done, the typical human desire to avoid bad memories meant that the group decreased in size until there was only the group leader left. The sin of that one person, affected many lives.

It is like throwing a rock into a still pool and watching as the ripples move outward. Those ripples will continue until they meet the immovable force of the shore.

Look at the story of King David and Bathsheba. David, a "man after God's own heart", known to be a good king and protector, saw the beautiful Bathsheba and was immediately guilty of the sin of covetousness. That one sin led to many others and finally resulted in the death of an innocent man and child. How many soldiers died so that David could execute his scheme to get rid of Uriah so that David could have his wife for his own? We'll never know. Rock....ripple....tsunami.

I've heard, and yes in my own ignorance said, "It's my body, life, whatever, it's not hurting anyone but me". What a foolish statement that. There is no action that does not have a reaction. Forgive me if I combine science and theology here, but seems as if I've heard somewhere that, "for every action there is an equal opposite reaction". Some guy named Newton I think it was.


So my question for you Beloved is: How are you affecting others in the pool called life? Is a good introspective meditation called for? Rethinking, remembering, and righting wrongs? Suggested reading here would be Psalm 51. Read it, claim it, allow God to forgive and heal you.

I did and I thank God everyday for it.

God Speed ~
Kat

Be Ready to Roll.......Ephesians 6:10-11

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.



I keep Ms. Minnie ready to ride at a moments notice. Why, you ask? Well, last night, just like every Tuesday night, we have Bible Study at our home. There is a new Biker Church starting up, one of our former chapter members began it, and we had all talked about trying to be there. Doug and I wanted to go but well, the Bible Study and all. So, at 4:00 we get a call, 2 of the members of the study are not going to be able to come and the balance of our group is in our chapter, so when they got here, Doug said, Hey, let's do a rode trip and go to the new Biker Church! Well, since they were already on their bikes, they were all for it.

Down the stairs I ran, helmet, night glasses and gloves on, fired Ms. Minnie up and away! In 5 minutes! Gotta love it!

Doug always, and I mean always, wipes down his bike, unloads and resets everything for the next ride, the minute he gets home. I thought that was sort of OCD, but hey, seemed to work for him, I'll give it a go. Well, had I not done that, I'd have been no less than 45 minutes getting ready to roll and would have missed a wonderful blessing!

If you keep your ride shiny, ready and waiting to roll, when the urge hits ya, your iron horse is ready too. It's like the speaker at the Biker Church last night said. Put on the full armor of God, be prepared. It isn't hard, it isn't time consuming. I promise you won't become enslaved to the "process" of armoring up. You just pray to the Father, ask for His protection, His love, His comfort, ask for His assistance and you are ready. Trust in Him to keep His word. Just like wearing leather for a biker, you trust that leather to protect you in a fall, to keep you warm and dry. With God's Armor,you're protected from the dangers of the fall that may or may not occur, and from the elements.

God doesn't promise His children an easy ride, to the contary, He promises that we won't have an easy ride. But know this Beloved, without that protection, you are like the bikers we've all seen riding with sleeveless t-shirts, shorts and flip flops on. You are wide open for the fall, so very vurnerable to the injuries that will happen, or elements from the road and weather.



God Speed!

Decisions decisions......Some are easy, some are not.

Mark Chapter 8:

34: And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35: “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37: “For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38: “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” NAS

Notice in verse 34, Jesus called His disciples AND the crowd. He wasn’t just instructing the 12 men that followed Him on what they must do, He was telling everyone, yes you and me too, what they would have to do to be a follower of Jesus.

You will have to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Him. Your Cross, interesting reference there. Jesus had only begun His work and not openly as yet, but here we see Him referring to the cross. The meaning cannot be lost on us, can it? He was warning us of the hard life that we would have as His follower. He isn’t promising any of His disciples a rose petal covered path with no stumbling stones. He isn’t saying they will receive accolades and hurrahs. He is promising His disciples a hard life, full of self sacrifice and hardship. In verse 35, Jesus explains that self sacrifice will be the norm, not the exception. That should you value your own life and/or lifestyle so much that you put it above Him, everlasting life will be what you actually sacrifice.

My very favorite verse is 36, how on point it is! Short and sweet I always say. “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul?” There can only be one answer to that question. Death. Oh sure, while here on this rock, you can have all the bells and whistles, new cars, fine clothes, but guess what happens to all that when you’re gone? Yard sale, donated to Good Will, or burned up as so much garbage. What then? Where will you be? I ask you,dwell on it, don’t answer to quickly, is it really worth it?

Verses 37 and 38 make me think of a sign I once saw on a church marquee. It said, “No Jesus = Death, Know Jesus = Life. Think about it.” I speak to many folks through the course of a week, and often in our conversations they will tell me that they know Jesus, but their fruit doesn’t show it. Sometimes I think they are telling me what they think I want to hear. It makes me very sad. My prayer is that they will come to know the saving Grace of the Lord in a mighty way, to be healed of the afflictions they suffer. I know they say they know Jesus, but my question is, when the time comes, will Jesus know them?

When we are filled with The Holy Spirit, we should not have to proclaim our lives. Our lives should erase all doubts. The trouble is that isn’t always the case. Our human nature pokes it’s head out on occasion. But the fruit should be there. It should be a testament to our Father. That is my goal, won’t you make it yours?

Blessings ~ Kat

In the Blink of an Eye

I was watching TV one morning after my quiet time when a commercial came on. For some reason I didn't put the TV on mute and go fix my second cup of coffee. I sat watching, my mouth hanging open, dumbfounded at the ridiculous advertisement playing out in front of me.

I know you are thinking of a commercial....well, it ain't that one! Although it is totally disgusting to me as well. So I won't get sued, I won't name the product, however it is a medication that women brush on their eyelids to make their eyelashes longer and fuller.

People Please! I can only hope that there are very few in this world that have no other concerns in life than the fact that their eyelashes are lacking in some way.

I wonder, just how many hundreds of thousands of dollars went into the study and manufacture of this totally useless product made only for people that are that self absorbed. That money could very well have been the make it or break it for the discovery of a cure for a form of cancer or any number of debilitating disease.

Wake Up People! Put your life in perspective! Those long eyelashes you covet so are just so much hair.

Revelation 3:14 "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

Are you lukewarm? When Jesus looks at the fruit of your life, what will He see? Will He see a man or woman that thought of nothing but their own comfort? A person that cared not for anything other than what ever made them happy? Someone that lived blind to the needs of their brothers and sisters and had no thought for anyone but themselves? Will Jesus want to spew your name from His lips as a bad tasting liquid?

I pray not beloved reader. I pray not.

The Bible

It is many things to most people but most of all, it is a playbook for the game of life. No, not the Milton Bradley version. The real life, the messy one that we live every day. The one with jobs that we go to day after day that we hate, the one with the dirty diapers and runny noses that never seem to stop. That life!

I don't care what your question might be, the answer is there. But, yep there is a "but", you must study, read and most importantly understand the Bible. To understand the Bible you must be on a first name, interactive basis with the author. Without that relationship and indwelling of The Holy Spirit understanding the Bible as you should is nearly impossible.

Understanding on man's level isn't going to get it. Understanding on God's level, His instructions, His guidance, purpose for our lives, that is the understanding you should be seeking. On man's level, understanding the Bible is no more than an in depth history lesson, interesting but useless, simply a text book with thin paper pages and bound sometimes in leather.

When you have that precious relationship with The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, you will have a new perspective of God's Word. You will seek that fountain of knowledge constantly. You will seek the face of the author with such a fierce thirst that nothing but the Word of God can quench. You will drink to fullness, only to be thirsty and drawn again to that fountain very soon.

Dive in! As the song DIVE by DC Talk says:

"I took a dive
I took a love plunge into your arms
I took a dive
I took a love plunge into your arms
I took a dive
I jumped in with all my heart
I took a dive"


I can think of no better way to prepare myself for eternity with God. Can you?

Happy Holidays! Are they....really?

Holidays. Some I can totally do without. The Fourth of July isn't one of them. I love the fireworks, the patriotic music, the Twilight Zone Marathon on SciFi and the cookouts. I enjoy gathering together with my family, the fun that ensues.

I read and hear others talk about their relatives living several states even on other continents away and wonder how they do it. I would go stir crazy without my family near by. There are even those that I hear say that they can go without ever seeing their family members again. That I don't understand. But I'm sure they have their reasons. Thankfully, that isn't the situation in our family.

However, there is a "delicate" situation in our family. We have the "D.I.V.O.R.C.E."(listen, do you hear Tammy Wynette singing in the back ground?) Word going on. My middle brother and his wife decided a few years back to end their marriage.

Now holidays are a minefield. So and so wasn't asked or invited to Thanksgiving dinner, then they didn't invite what's his name to share any time on Christmas. It goes back and forth, over and over. Harsh words, hurt feelings and even worse, the children are dragged into it by both mom and dad. It is the typical tug of war. And it is nasty.

There is always someone that will say, "that is their life, it shouldn't affect you." Oh Brother! It does, and will for ever. Now at every gathering, there is someone missing, because the children aren't there. There are the usual comments and questions with no answers.

Divorce destroys not just the family at the center, it destroys the entire family make up. And it stinks.

Accepting The Grace

Wednesday night during Bible Study, Tim spoke about holiness. During the lesson he asked a question that has gotten me to thinking. That is one of the things I love about Wednesday night Bible Study. It stimulates my curiosity and sends me seeking answers.

The question that was asked was.........

Do you or have you ever wondered if you were really "saved".

Now, honestly, I can say, yes. I've asked that question of myself more than once. Who am I questioning? God? Am I asking Him about his ability to "save" me or doubting His love for me? No, I'm honestly not. I don't doubt for a second that God can and will do anything for me, nor do I doubt His ability to wipe away my unworthiness (using the supreme sacrifice of Jesus Christ) and make me His own.

My question in return is: Why would He? Why did He?

I can never be worthy of the forgiveness of God for my sins. I'm worthless, a vile sinner of the worst sort. Paul had nothing on me. I can't even say I'm going to try, because I know going in that I'll fail. It's that flesh thing. It just keeps on fighting me and won't give in.

I am living day by day under the Grace of the gift of Jesus Christ and I know that because of this gift, I'm forgiven. This in turn causes me to seek God's Word to learn more, use God's Word to make a change in my life and hopefully other people's lives.

This is where the fruit of the spirit comes in. Thing is, if you have to tell people about your fruit, is it really fruit or you tooting your own horn? If you have the Holy Spirit within you, the fruit is going to emerge, no doubt about it. If you are "producing" fruit for your own gain or gratification, the fruit will be useless as it won't bless others beyond a moment. It won't last. The real stuff won't have to be a big deal, a right word at the right time, a touch in times of sorrow, giving beyond the immediate need, these will last and go in to bless others.

You see how one question leads to another, one point makes another point. For all answers to all questions with regard to God's love of you and me, go to His Word. You'll find your answers, in His time.

Women: To speak or not to speak

"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth."
--2 Tim. 2:15.

Studying I Corinthians, Chapters 12-14.

This past week I've run into the subject of women's role in religion, the church, in history and today's society. It has been the bone of contention in some circles, a cause for earnest discussion in others. The debate seems to center on whether or not a woman is to "lead" or "teach".

Now, I'm not even going into the debate with regards to today's life, we know there are women leaders, teachers and women holding high office. This writing is purely regarding women in biblical history and their positions during those times and how I think it applies to women in the church today. Let us remember that the church refers not the the buildings or temples, but to God's Elect.

God created Eve (woman) to be Adam's (mans) "helper" or "helpmeet". The word helper is translated from the Hebrew word "ezer". That word means one who helps from a position of authority. The same word is used to describe God in scriptures that explain how God will help us. It is always used from a position of strength or one of authority.

That being said, women are not to have "authority" over men in spiritual matters, men are to lead and set the example in spiritual matters. Men are in the minority in the church as we know it today, the main membership appears to be women and children. Thus, women are often thrust into roles of teaching and preaching the word. Very often when there are men in the membership, they are heavy in the roles of deacon or elders and are over used in those duties.

There are many role models in the scripture of women leaders, Deborah the Judge of Israel, Miriam the sister of Moses, Phoebe the deaconess, and Pricilla. That is actually a few of the women that were very active during history. We won't even go into the women that followed Christ and ministered to Him and the disciples.

So, to say that women are to be servants of man, while accurate in one respect, is inaccurate in another. Women like men are to be servants and humble to all as Christ gave us the example, but women are not to be servant or subservient to men, they are to do as God intended, lift up, support and be equal in His eyes.

We, the elect, are all called to minister to others, spread the good news of Jesus Christ, it matters not if we wear pants or skirts. We are all called to exhibit the "Fruit of the Spirit" and the love of Christ.

In my studies, I've concluded that Paul was speaking to the masses, both the "saved" and "unsaved", attending his teachings. There were women/wives that may have engaged in "prophecies" or had questions who were not part of the "ekkleesia", translated "the church or body of believers", these I believe, were the women to which Paul referred and demanded that they wait upon their husbands (who were called) to explain the answers or to keep silent with their babbling, false prophecies. Among all things, Paul desired that the teaching of the Word be "done decently and in order"

I continue to study daily to approve my learning, and pray to my Father that I am not misinterpreting the Word. I thank God daily for my husband, who is a Man of God and for the other men that teach me guided by The Word.


Father,

Guide and guard my eyes, ears and heart in my thirst for knowledge and understanding of Your Word. Keep me from heresy and ignorance allowing my learning to grow in Your time.

Thank You for sending Doug and me to do your work among the homeless and forgotten, we long to be Your feet, Your hands and to show the lost Your Heart and love for them.

All this I ask in the Name of the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit~
Amen

Trial or Treasure ?

I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth-Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the Lord.
Psalm 40: 1- 3

Have you ever been in that pit the psalmist describes? I have. It was rough, frightening and cold. Yes, cold. My heart had no warmth in it, the Holy Spirit was being stopped by my fear, doubt and unbelief. I wouldn't allow Him to work.

I can identify with the psalmist heart soaring with thankfulness and delight at the return of the warmth of the presence of God in his life. He was alone in his despair so he thought, but not really. He, like me, was never truly alone. God was there, He never left, never stepped back, we pushed Him back. That is hard to admit for many of us, but it is true.

God will establish our feet upon the rock of comfort, calm and assurance if we but let Him. Have you ever actually uttered the words, "It's okay, God, I've got this one"? I have, actually out loud! How foolish that must sound to the Father, but in His wisdom and love He let's us do it, only to be there to catch us when we fall. Over and over again. How often can we do that? Forgive, over, over and over again? Our patience is not God's patience. Our feeble minds are not God's great mind, so we can not begin to imagine His endless love for us.

My question to myself as much as to you Beloved reader is this.......

Are you a trial or treasure to God?

I desire more than anything in this world to be a treasure, but not to man or his lost world. I desire to be a Treasure to God. To hear Him utter, "Well done my child, welcome home." That is my goal.

In His Service;
By His Grace.
Kathy <><

In The Books......

Peace be unto you~


Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2

That scripture sure covers alot of ground doesn't it? It wishes you and me prosperity, in all things, not just financially. Health is also prayed for here, freedom from illness of all sorts, physical and mentally. Then comes the greatest wish for us all, that our souls should prosper. Oh, how I wish that for you and me as well.

There is a phrase that came into much use recently, "food for the soul", remember all the "Chicken Soup" books? Those books had many wonderful testimonies and praise stories in them. Some were hard to read as they would coincide with so many of our own life stories. Some were so sweet as to make your teeth ache. But the moral or telling of the story was to lift up and edify the soul of the reader. A wonderful goal to be sure. I loved them and when I finished reading mine I would pass them on to friends.

There is food for the soul, the heart and the body in God's Word. So much that we would never lack for sustenance if we would but avail ourselves of it. So often, when we hurt or are lacking for something, we turn away from the scriptures and seek answers in all the wrong places. There are well meaning friends, much learned doctors and professional people that can help to a degree to be sure. But our real help is so often left sitting on the book shelf or the coffee table, covered with dust. If we would but open it and get into His Word, our answers would soon be apparent to us.

I am too often quick to seek advice from friends and sometimes I get good advice but without fail, when I seek my Father's council, my problems are solved. Sometimes the answer isn't one that I would like, sometimes the answer is "No", sometimes it is "Wait" and often it is "Yes". But what ever the answer, it is always the best for me and I see it very quickly.

I pray that you will turn to the Father when you need Him, but even more so, I pray that you will stay in the Word with The Father, always.

May God's Peace be upon you ~

Tale of the Turtle and the Hare

The story goes like this. There was once a hare that was convinced that he was the fastest critter in the world. Hare was so full of himself that he bragged to anyone that would stop long enough to hear the tale, how he was the fastest in the world. Hare claimed that he could out run anyone, anytime.
One day the turtle was passing by on his way to the river for a drink of water. Hare cornered the poor turtle and bragged about himself for quite a while. Turtle had heard enough and as the Hare bragged on, he challenged the Hare to a race. The Hare was so suprised that he stopped talking about himself for a minute and stared at Turtle with his mouth hanging open. The very idea, the hare laughed, at the thought of a turtle thinking that he could out run him, the fasted animal in the world! So, Hare took the Turtle's challenge and they agreed to meet the next morning bright and early.
The next morning, the Hare was at the agreed meeting place, bright eyed, bushy tailed and ready to run. Turtle was there as well, standing quietly at the starting line.
Mr. Crow agreed to call the start of the race. Standing between the two, Mr. Crow held out his wings, instructed the racers to begin when he dropped his wings to his side and began to count.Three, two, one....GO! Mr. Crow cawed as his wings dropped to his side. Everyone watched as Hare sprinted away, leaving a small cloud of dust in his wake. They watched and laughed at Mr. Turtle as he plodded along, slowly behind Hare. The atmosphere had taken on a holiday feel as the crowd gathered at the finish line to await the two racers.
Meanwhile, Hare had gotten to about the half way point and looking back saw no sign of the Turtle. So, he lay down in some soft grass beside the path to rest a minute. He was so sure of himself that he actually fell asleep. A short time later, along came Turtle, plodding along at a steady even pace. His gaze never leaving the pathway, he continued past the sleeping, boastful Hare.
Some time had passed when the Hare awoke from his nap, rested and ready to run, he glanced down the pathway.
Laughing he turned to continue the race so sure was he that Turtle was far behind. As the Hare ran toward the finish line, he imagined everyone cheering him on and how he would boast of his speed as he danced across the finish line.
As Hare rounded the final curve in the pathway, he saw Turtle! How in the world could Turtle have gotten ahead of him, it was just impossible! No one in the world could beat him! He was the fastest, speediest animal in the world! Hare poured on the speed as he desperately tried to reach the finish line before Turtle but it was too late. Turtle trundled across the finish line before Hare could reach it. Hare fell over his own big feet in his haste and shock. Looking up, Hare saw the crowd gathering around the Turtle, slapping him on the shell, shaking his hand. He watched as Mr. Crow held up Turtle's hand and proclaimed him the winner!

The moral of this story is: Speed, while a good thing for a short while, rarely wins the race. Steady moving toward the goal, keeping an even pace will get you to the finish line.

The reason for this retelling of the Turtle and the Hare story is because of my realizing how we all are rushing around, trying to win the race. Never thinking about how simply keeping our speed steady, our eyes fixed on the goal, will get us there in much better time and with alot less pain.

I realized this while walking with my daughter Kacie, early this morning. She is a person that doesn't get in a hurry but she always accomplishes what she sets out to do. And she does it well. Me, I rush around trying to get things done, completely messing things up in the process. Kacie starts out walking with me, but by the time we've gone 1/4th of a mile, she's pulling away. Me, I am getting exausted! I began trying to "keep up" and realized it wasn't gonna happen very quickly. So, I generally finish my walk about 1/2 a mile behind, but I get there, winded and tired. Kacie, she's already there, resting and enjoying a good ole' stretch. Who says our children can't teach us?

Good morning all~

It is a beautiful day! I awoke this morning and my first thought was not "Oh, I just don't want to get up, I just want to lay here."~! My first thought was, "Good Morning Lord, Thank you for this day, I dedicate it to you!" Now, that may not sound like much, but let me tell you, it is remarkable considering less than a week ago I just felt like life wasn't much worth living.

I've had an "AHA" moment and I give some of the credit to a dear, dear friend and brother in Christ. He has no idea that his devotional email had such an impact, God truly used him to save a life by reminding me how much I am a valued one to the Father.

He sent out this email:

"Don't you realize that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" 1 Cor. 3:16

"Alas! how little is this truth contemplated and acted upon!

Were we more deeply and powerfully impressed with the solemn truth that God Himself dwells in us through the Spirit, how much more careful we would be to maintain . . . truth and reality, life and power in experience, godliness and holiness in life!

What a reverential fear would possess our minds, that we might not defile the Lord's temple, or sin against and before, so holy and all-seeing a Guest!

If we realized this, and lived under its solemn weight and influence, how careful we would be not to defile that body which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. How desirous and anxious we would be not to pollute . . . our eyes by wandering lusts; our ears by listening to worldly and carnal conversation; our lips by speaking deceit, or light and frothy talk; our hands by putting them to anything that is evil; our feet by running on errands of vanity and folly.

We are to view our body as God's temple, and therefore sanctified to His service and to His glory!"- J C Philpot "

Now, being a Christian, I "knew" all that, but for some reason I wasn't living it. I now know the reason and I'm dealing with that with God's help. THAT is why things are happening for me that haven't worked until now.

My prayer for today:

Father,

Thank you so much for sending your message through your servant so that this child can finally hear and remember your temple. Thank you for giving me this chance to change. Father, I dedicate this day to you to live like the living sacrifice that I should be, I pray that you will give me those reminders and nudges when I step away from the path.

Thank you Father for sending me to my new friends and sisters on the Christian Weight Loss & Health Support Forum, they are precious to me. Father I ask your blessings and healing hands upon my new friends, help them as you have helped me. Give them the gentle reminders that they are precious and have your love.

All this I humbly ask in the name of the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit~

Amen

* The photo was taken by my youngest beautiful, talented daughter, Kacie. It is part of a statue at the Georgia Baptist Children's Home, Palmetto, GA.

Spring Cleaning: It isn't for wimps!

Decluttering, spring-cleaning, deep cleaning, no matter what you call it I'ma doin' it! I'm tired of a cluttered, disorganized house. I'm tired of stuff piled here and there. So, I've made a vow to do something about it.

Are ya with me? Okay! Here are some links that I'm using to help me. My Goal for today it to catch up with the Spring Cleaning Party! I'm a day behind so I can't stay on this computer typing all day!

http://www.organizingyourway.net/featured-posts/decluttering-101

http://simplemom.net/

I'll keep ya posted! And I'll bring pictures!

I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling. 1 Timothy 5:14 NAV

Goin' Green! It ain't just recycling!

Yep, I’m finally gonna catch up on the bandwagon. I’m going to take this family into the realm of the recycling, power saving, money saving and conserving diva.

How much power can one save by turning off lights, unplugging power strips, cable boxes and recharging cords? A lot, apparently! Although, I’ve not yet gone completely overboard, I’m getting on with it. I’ve been turning off lights behind everyone in the house. I get so tired of doing that! I’m thinking of a quarter a light will make it easier to remember for this crew around here.

Another way I’m going to conserve is to keep the thermostat on 75 (I know they say 78, but “they” aren’t in the middle of menopause!). I have a programmable thermostat and as soon as I can find my booklet, I’m going to set it to higher temps during the evening and night, and lower during the times that we are home.

Then there is the recycling issue. Okay, I am fairly good about recycling things like clothing, shoes and household goods that we no longer use. But, the cans, newspapers, junk mail, plastics and things like that are not so “easy”. Let’s face it, there are very few that will rinse, store, package and transport items to recycle centers. We, and I’m most assuredly including myself in this “we”, are all to busy with our day to day lives. Now, if I were a stay at home mom…….oh who am I kidding, I didn’t do it when I was a stay at home mom!

But…that is changing. I am going to set up a recycle center on my car porch. A container for cans (bean, and such), aluminum, newspaper/junk mail, glass and cardboard. Next, I’m going to find places to take my recycled items. City of Palmetto has newpaper/mail recycle containers; the City of Chattahoochee Hills has some things I’ll have to check out. I’m thinking it’s time for some online searching to find locations to drop off items at as well.

The reasons for this new style of life are many, not the least of which are a desire to help keep this planet in good shape, but also to help the bottom line. Money is getting tight in this household as it is in most today. Being responsible and saving money as well as energy, well it is a win win situation!

So, how about it? Are you going to help with this or sit by and watch as we slowly pollute and destroy this beautiful creation God gave us? It’s time to be good stewards of this world as well as our money.
Join me………won’t you?

In a Word

Ephesians 5:4
4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.

Last night Doug and I took our daughter Kacie and her boyfriend to a local theater to watch a movie. I accompanied them to the ticket window. There were teenagers everywhere. It was tough to walk as they just milled around aimlessly it appeared. Finally we got to the window, purchased the tickets and they went in to watch the movie. I headed back to my van.

As I was walking back through the groups standing around me couldn’t help but notice this one young “lady”. I use quotes because there was absolutely nothing lady like about this girl. She was beautiful, with long dark hair and big brown eyes. She was dressed in the uniform of youth. Jeans, t-shirt, black hoodie and tennis shoes. As I approached she jumped to her feet and a string of filth came out of that tiny bowed mouth that would make a sailor blush! The child used the F-bomb up to 4 times in a 10 word sentence! I stopped, astounded and stared, I just couldn’t help it. Well, I shook myself to stop myself from grabbing her and pushing her face into a nearby water fountain to try and clean her mouth out. She isn’t after all, my problem. Thank goodness! But as I walked away, I began to think about it and I changed my mind. Yes, she is my problem, or will be soon in some form or another.

The one thing I notice when I’m around teenagers in any forum, even at church, is the complete lack of self control and self respect they have when it comes to their language. I have come to realize that they are desensitized to it. The names they call each other! Names that would have gotten you slapped silly when I was a teenager. I’ve heard girls call each other “Ho” and other vicious names that make me sick to my stomach to hear. When I have confronted them about it they simply are astounded that I don’t realize that it doesn’t “mean anything, it’s just a joke.”

One phrase that comes quickly to mind and apparently is the most common used is, “OH MY G&D!”. They say it about anything and everything. They completely miss the point when you tell them that they are using the Lord’s name in vain. They look at you and say, in most cases, “But I didn’t say the “G” word!”
I watch a lot of home improvement shows, you know the ones where at the end there is the great reveal of the project? The most common phrase? Yep, you guessed it, “OMG”. I actually counted on one show and the women on it used it 36 times in 5 minutes! It made me crazy! Now, I watch the reveal and mute the sound.
Sigh……..

“No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.” - Ephesians 4:29

The tongue is a weapon of tremendous power, it can heal or kill, and it can lift up or tear down. It can leave scars as wide as a roadway on a soul. Words that escape our mouth before being filtered through our brain cannot be stuffed back in. You can’t take it back once it is out there. And honestly, I’m sorry just doesn’t do any healing at all.

“Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” - 1 Timothy 4:12

Anger, in all honesty, was why the girl last night was using such horrific language, but I truly believe that she uses it in play, fun and common conversations as well as when angry. The comfortable way she spoke the words proved that she used them constantly. The fact that this girl was so pretty on the exterior, makes it all the more sad that she is so very ugly on the inside. Her mouth was twisted into a grimace that could rival a gargoyle, showing her teeth in an animal like manner. Her eyebrows came together like slashes of fur across her forehead and her tiny hands were clenched into fist, ready to pound on someone. The hate and angry, filthy words had transformed this lovely young girl into a monster in my eyes. It makes me so sad to see and hear this.

“But now you must put away anger, fury, malice, slander, and obscene language out of your mouths. - Colossians 3:8

Believe me when I say that I’m guilty of using bad language as much as anyone else. Yep, the occasional curse word or slang phrase does escape my mouth at times of duress. In all honesty it is a bad habit, one that I struggle with daily. This incident Saturday evening only points out to me how hard I must work to keep from allowing my words to hurt others.

Yes, curse words hurt others, however mild they might be. It tears down my witness and after all is said and done, I have progressed not one inch in the walk I hope to walk with Christ.

God will not lead you where His Grace cannot keep you.

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever." Philippians 4:19-20


There is a precious lady that we only know as Ms. Suzie. We call her Sock Suzie. She donates bags of socks to us. She sells socks at the Moreland Ave. Flea Market on Saturday and Sunday. This time, Ms. Suzie had given us a very large black lawn trash bag overflowing with socks. They needed to be matched up she said but they were good ones. She was so right! They were the warm fuzzy ones that hug your feet. The socks Ms. Suzie had donated and some that were donated through our church family at Providence Baptist Church would be the very thing for our next mission.

It was very rainy, gloomy Sunday morning on March 15th, 2009. It was a steady, slow soaking rain that makes for large puddles and small rivers running down the roads. Doug, Kacie and I had loaded up the truck with socks to take to the homeless. We also had food, enough for about 30 people. Our plan was to go to Sunday school and then head for Atlanta. We know from past experience that during these rainy times the homeless need dry socks nearly as much as food for their bellies.

As we ate our breakfast in the Fellowship Hall, we were asked what our plans for the day were. When we told our Pastor, Dr. Gene Tyre, our plans, he insisted we go as soon as we finished eating.

Kacie doesn’t usually go along with us. Most 16 year olds have other things on their minds, but we convinced her to come with us. She rode in the jump seat in the back, I was in my usual passenger seat and Doug was driving. We cruised the city, looking for the larger groups that we know will gather when there is a group serving food. During our cruise, we were able to hand out several pair of socks and some food. There were very few that turned us down, as most were soaking wet.

We were so surprised to find that the usual groups that would set up at Little Five Points and other known locations didn’t show up Sunday. Was the rain to much for them? Were there problems with getting enough to feed? This economy has had a very bad effect on the outreach programs. The ones that need help the most are not going to get it as people tighten their finances to protect their own families.

What is that we hear? A voice over a loud speaker, preaching the word? Alright! We found a group! So, we pull off of Peachtree Street onto a side street and see a large group gathered up under a MARTA bus stop. This was not ordinary bus stop area it was very large. There was a man on one side of the street, speaking into a microphone, addressing the group. There was a mobile kitchen set up, feeding the hungry. All this going on and the rain steadily falling. We rode through the area to get the lay of the land. As we did, I began to feel a heaviness come over me. I told Doug I felt we wouldn’t be welcomed there.

We rode around the block and came back. We stopped right at the beginning of the gathering area and I rolled down the window to speak to some men standing on the sidewalk. “Do you have wet feet brothers? Would you like some warm dry socks?” I asked. “OH! Yes Mam!” They replied. We began to hand out pairs of socks out both sides of the truck. Kacie was in the back matching them up and handing them to us as fast as her little hands could go.

As we were beginning to hand out the socks, the speaker began to shout, “Yes Brothers! There are good citizens here to give you clean dry socks! Allah provides!” YIKES! We’d landed right in the middle of a Muslim service! Doug heard the speaker say this and leaned out the window of the truck shouting, “Yes Brothers, we are here in the name of Jesus Christ! It’s all about Jesus!”

As Doug said this, a man was coming toward the truck to receive his socks. At Doug’s words, he waved his hand in a brush away motion and went back to lean against the wall again. next to the speaker. “Did you hear him? He said it’s about Jesus!” the man said to the speaker. To which the speaker replied, “That’s alright, we’ll take His socks too!” The speaker then began to speak against Jesus, telling the people that Jesus was just a man. Doug said the man that refused the socks facial expression went from smiling to looking as if he could hate him, all in the blink of an eye.

By this time we’d moved slowly down in front of the food line, the people were surrounding our truck and all wanted clean, dry socks. We put socks into the outstretched hands as quickly as Kacie could match them. All the while we were telling them that they must seek Jesus, know the truth about Jesus, that His path was the Only True Way to Heaven. Doug told them to fill their bellies as they could, but to remember that Jesus was the one True God. All the while the speaker was shouting that no man could save them, I was telling them that the speaker was correct, no man could; only Jesus Christ, Son of the Father, could save them.

When we were sure that all that needed socks had received them, we moved on. Our hearts were pounding, not from fear, but from pure elation! We’d braved the lion’s den and God had seen us through!

We had to stop for a red light and I saw a man standing on a street corner. He had no socks on, only tennis shoes. I rolled the window down and held out a couple of pair of socks and asked him if he’d like to have some clean dry socks. He came to the truck, took the socks into his hands and with the sweetest smile on his face, he asked me, “How did you know???” I looked right into his eyes and replied, “God told me.” He smiled even larger, if that was possible, and giving me a thumbs up he said that he and God were tight. Those are the blessing we receive. They are wonderful!

It was the loaves and fishes all over again as we feared not having enough, God provided plenty, so that we had a large Wal-Mart bag full to continue serving those we came in contact with. We came home with only four pair of socks left! God is so Good!

Be Prepared........

2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NIV)

1: In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:
2: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
3: For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
4: They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
5: But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Does this sound like a familiar setting? Sound like yesterday? Maybe today?

Every generation has seen evidence of this foretelling, but not all of it at the same time. Today, we see it all. We have seen the process of phasing God out. Man today is attempting to put Him into the same status as the stone relic god's of yesterday. God has warned us to watch for just this occurrence. Well my friends, it is happening and has been happening.

It started with the relaxing of morals, prohibition of prayer in schools, removing prayer from sporting events, making being a Christian an unpopular group to belong to. We're being conditioned to accept all things as "just how it is". I'm here to tell you "just how it is" is a lie straight out of hell! It, and this tiny word covers so many topics, isn't just how it is. Immorality, perversions, lying, stealing, breaking down our fellow man is just plain WRONG, it was wrong yesterday, it is wrong today and it will be wrong tomorrow! God has told us in His Word, "love thy neighbor as thyself." (Lev.19:18) Brothers, sisters, this means loving them in spite of themselves. Telling them the Good News! Even when it seems that they don't want to hear. When they curse us, turn away from us, is when we should fall on our faces and lift them up in prayer to the Father.

How does this relate to the scripture above? It is very simple. We are being warned yet again by God the Father of the "tickling of the ear" speeches that we hear during every election. The promise of "a chicken in every pot and a car in every garage" of the candidate always turns out to be just that, ear tickling. In truth, it is a lie, told to make the sheep that he, or she, is courting to follow them. And, like the foolish sheep, follow they do. Right to the slaughter.

Then there are those that endeavor to stay on the path, the narrow path, and fail. They are the ones held up for ridicule and reproach. All forgetting that we are all but simple men and women, subject to the same desires as they. But the difference, and it is a big one, is that we are Children of God, thus are forgiven our sins. We tell them this, but they ear ticklers would have us to believe that Jesus was just a good ole' boy, nothing more than a prophet in His time. Again, with the lies they tell, there are those that will listen and die. For separation from God is the true death.

Keeping our God before us, enduring in all hardships, preaching the word and evangelizing are our charge, those of us that are children of the One true, Living God. Difficult, yes. Impossible, no. We can do it, we will do it. You see, we have the book, we know the ending, regardless of everything else, we will prevail. Because you see, we know, in the end..... He wins!

2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (New International Version)
4: The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
5: We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

For the past few weeks I've been getting hit with this scripture, over and over again. It comes from the oddest places. For example, last Saturday, Doug and I were at a car dealership in Union City. We are searching for a replacement car for Bethany. The LeBaron is on it's last leg, so to speak. We met the most exciting man, John Coleman. He is a lay pastor attending a non denominational church there in Union City.

John had Doug and I nearly dancing the dance of joyous believers as we all shared our love of the Lord. During our "talk", John began to speak of "holding your thoughts captive" in relation to some experiences he'd had in his life. Satan's using those experiences to try to keep John down and destroy his witness for God. The things John shared with us made me remember my own experiences (I honestly haven't forgotten them, Satan won't let me) and to relate to his suffering. Even though our experiences were as different as night and day.

I suddenly realized I was hearing the voice of God, telling me through John to throw out those former thoughts and memories, stop letting them rule my life and give it all to him! Those things are gone, they can't hurt me now. The people involved can't hurt me now. The revelation was astounding! The feeling of power was amazing! I was foolishly allowing Satan to have power over me, affectig my witness and keeping me down with his lies and threats.

So, this week I have been fighting for my life! Satan is a sore loser, let me tell you. He is attacking me in areas that I'd never thought of. But he won't win. God won't allow it, He is faithful to me in His promise and I am taking that to the bank!!!

Funerals, Family, Future.......

Today I attended yet another funeral. This one was for my Uncle Tommy, my mother's brother. As we all gathered at the funeral home this morning, I thought about the fact that I'd not seen my cousins, Tommy's children in over 35 years. Many of my other cousins I didn't even know! Our families today are so disjointed and scattered. I long to contact all my extended family and just say hello, but in all honesty, I don't know where many of them are. Most are in Georgia, as am I, but where?

How much richness are we missing by not gathering at least once a year to say hello, bring each other up to date on our lives and reminisce about those that have gone on home.

Why is it that we are willing to go to anything but a family reunion? Why do we shun each other? We are family, we are of the same bloodline, we should treasure that relationship. But....we don't.

This brings to mind how like our relationship with God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit is like our relationship with our extended earthly family. We shun God until we need something. We need help with money, health problems or job issues.

Our relationship with God cannot grow with out communication. We must go to the Father daily in prayer. Not as a ritual, but as a touching of home base, much like the toddler that needs to run back to touch mommy's hand in reasurance. God is not a good luck charm, a rabbit's foot to be brought out in times of trial to rub and then put back in your pocket when the trial is over. Why do we expect Him to be there when we need Him, when we are not there when He needs us.

God needs us? Yes! He needs our love, freely given, our time, freely given, our devotion, freely given. He needs us to study His word, to learn of Him and His ways. He needs us to desire Him and crave constant contact with Him.

Like our relationship with our families, our relationship with God requires work. Forgiveness, tolerence, patience and most of all our attention. How is your relationship with your extended family? Do you see them regularly? Do you call to say hello, send a card at Christmas, maybe even a birthday card? Is your relationship with your earthly family an example of your relationship with the Father? Would you like to change it?

Changing your relationship with your earthly family is more than likely going to be more difficult than changing your relationship with God. Your earthly family doesn't have the heart and mind of God. They have a long memory, they know you warts and all. God, on the other hand, has a short memory when asked to forgive. He knows you warts and all and can see past the warts to the beauty inside. He is waiting for you to call, there are no long distance charges, you won't use your cell minutes, just call His name and like the songs says, He'll be there.