If I Belittle.....

If , in any way, I belittle those who I am called to serve...if I talk of their weak points in contrast, perhaps, with what I think of as my stronger points...if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting to consider the wisdom of the voice that asks me, inwardly, "Who made you different from the one you are criticizing - and what do you have that you have not been given?"... if I can easily discuss the short comings or the sins of any man or woman...if I can speak in an off-handed way, even of a child's wrong doing...

than I know nothing of Calvary love.
                                                        
This came from the devotional (see below for infor. on devotional) that I was reading today.   It took my spiritual breath away.   After reading that one paragraph...I shut my book, Bible and notebook and went before my Heavenly Father in repentance....seeking forgiveness for any wrong thinking....any wrong attitude or behavior towards those I have the honor to share Christ with, at our Open Gym Ministry.

Pride is the tool that the enemy uses to wedge open the door to our heart, mind and soul...so he can get his foot in the door.  We must be daily guarded against our motives and attitudes when doing what God has called us to do....go and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through serving and loving.

We can not do this on our own...in our own flesh.  We must press in to the Lord...filling our minds and hearts with His Word and seeking His presence daily.   In doing this...we go out prepared and strengthened against the enemy's advances and attacks.  

Whether we are serving our family, friends or strangers...lets be the example we are called to be.

With Valentines Day coming up....I can't think of a better way to celebrate then with the true understanding of the greatest LOVE there is....GOD'S LOVE!  John 3:16


 Amy Carmichael
 "I Come Quietly To Meet You"
 David Hazard
 IF: PP:13-14

                                                                                                  

Hebrew 10:24-25 What Does Fellowship Mean To You?

   

      
                                  Hebrews 10:24-25


"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Today I had a wonderful visit with my dear friend Alex.   I knew the moment she walked thru my front door that this was going to be a specia   l visit.   We had gotten together a couple of weeks ago and talked at that time of making more of an effort to get together more frequently to share and encourage one another.....so asking the Lord to keep that in the fore front of my mind....I asked her to come over and the Lord opened the door for that to happen.

My friend is walking through a lot of trials and hardships right now and even tho I am not walking thru the same things....the desires of our hearts are the same.....to see God work through us in these areas of struggle....to draw closer to God in the midst of them....and to feel His peace as we move through the ups and downs.

My heart was comforted as we talked through the areas that the enemy was trying to steal and the areas that we saw God move.    We read the Bible together gaining strength with each verse that was read and talked about our commitment to read God's Word every day; recognizing the power that is in obedience and in learning more and more about our Heavenly Father.   

So....why am I sharing this with you?    I feel an urgency in encouraging all of us to take this type of fellowship seriously!    We are called NOT to neglect getting together for support and encouragement and yes....even accountability!!   

What are the gatherings with your friends looking like?   What do you talk about.....shopping,  latest fashions or the latest work out program?    We have to talk advantage of the time we have with one another.....for truly....the time is drawing close for when our Lord will return.    

We can laugh and cry together....we can do things/activities together....but lets bring in the "real" stuff too.    Lets be honest and share the struggles along with the joys.   Let's let each other see our true faces, masks off,  so that we know how to be praying for each other.  

Fellowship.....YES!!   

What Crowds Are In Your Life?

                                  

                   Mark 9:30-31
" They left that place and passed through Galilee.  Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were because he was teaching his disciples."

A very dear friend of mine sent me a devotional through my email.
The devotional used this scripture and spoke on the need that Jesus had to draw away from people and be just with his disciples, so he could teach them and tell them about his coming death.

I love the way this devotional then led me into my own need to "draw away" so that I too.....may be taught by Jesus.   Mike MacIntosh with Horizon Online used the key word "crowds" referring to what crowds are in our own lives that are keeping our attention away from God's Word and the teaching that we need to receive from Jesus.   

The "crowds" that came into my mind almost immediately were: T.V....cell phone games....texting and internet searches.   Ouch...did I really just put that out there for all to see??!!  I can easily rationalize each one of these "crowds" in my life and I'm asking God to show me any more that may be trying to hide.   But rationalizing doesn't get me any closer to the desired walk and intimacy I crave with my Heavenly Father.   

I know that all of us have some sort of crowds....yours could be work...friends...church activities....children....shopping and the list can go on and on.   So...why not take a look inside your own life and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any "crowds" that may be lurking around robbing you of your time learning from Jesus.

Here is Mike MacIntosh's link:
http://www.horizonsd.org/index.php?p=14

Psalm 27:4 A Desire Of My Heart

         Psalm 27:4  
" One thing I have asked from the Lord,  that I shall seek:  that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,  to behold the beauty of the Lord , and to meditate in His temple."



    The picture that you see above is from my personal camera.   It was taken the day a hurricane was due to make its way into our area.   We had boarded every window...
removed loose yard articles and stocked up on water, food and batteries.   We were as ready as we could be....except for the fear that had invaded my body.   I was pacing back and forth in the living room and had decided to go outside one more time before the rain and wind started.   As I walked around the back of the house and onto our driveway...I looked up and saw the most amazing sky.   It was un-
believable....the colors were vibrant and yet so soothing to look at.   The clouds showed signs of a storm coming but at that moment they were soft, billowy and beautiful.   All I coud think of was...wow...how can I be so full of fear as I look at the beauty that God had created to show His glory?   His glory and beauty!
     David's desire was that he would live in the presence of the Lord all the days of his life.   He desired to be able to look upon the Lords beauty and glory while learning all he could about the Lord and His ways while in the temple.
     If I had one thing to wish for....to ask for....would it be the same desire that David had?   It is now!   My question to myself was "Why would God call David a "man after God's own heart"?  You can find this in Acts 13:22 and 1 Samuel 13:13-14.  Well,  if Davids one true desire was to live in the presence of his Lord all the days of his life....and to look upon God's beauty and glory....and to learn more of God's character and lovingkindness while in the temple....than it makes perfectly good sense....spiritual sense that is!
     God looks upon the heart of man....while man looks upon the appearance.   God knew Davids heart and He knows mine.   My choices, actions and reactions don't always align themselves up with God's purpose....but my heart is to draw nigh unto my Lord.   Rest in His presence and to choose to see His beauty and glory as I intentionally learn more of Him.   Time in God's Word....communicating through prayer and praise....and serving others in love and joy will help me to do experience God's presence.  As I too "dwell" in the presense of my Lord,  than I will see the Lord's beauty as David did and I will be drawn to learn more and more about the Lord's heart, character and purpose.  
     So in this coming year, I will keep this verse close to my heart and be spurred on to desire the same as King David.

     To God be the glory....great things He hath done!! 
     

My 2013 Resolutions

                 

               Happy New Year Everyone! 

    I have already started my list of goals, resolutions and changes for 2013!   I think I can become a little obsessive around this time of the year with my list making...but what can I say....it makes me happy.  Yep...I'm one of those people who love making lists and love crossing off each item as I accomplish each task or job.  I have been known to even make a list of the lists I want to make!!  Sad, I know...but true.   So here is my 2013 list....

**This are not in any particular order.
1.)  Re-establish my Weight Watchers diet.  (I have already loss 100 pounds this past year and since the holidays I have gotten off the beaten path with enjoying a few too many sweets and fats)
2.)  Be more consistent with my daily bible reading and prayer time.
(I miss my time in the Bible and seeking the Lord thru prayer and worship)
3.)  Try to make my time at home productive.  (Get back into a good housecleaning routine and finish projects that I have started)
4.)  Work on finishing up reading the books I already have before  buying any new ones.  ( This will be hard...since I love buying books)
5.)  I no longer want to use my FB to send out birthday and anniversary greetings to friends and family...I want to send person cards of love and encouragement.
6.)  Get back into writing posts on my blog again.   I have definitely let this slip to the wayside and I really want to get back into writing again.  I find such joy in it and I believe that it can be a great opportunity to share my love for God and His Truths with others.

    There are more that I could write down...but that's enough for now.   
       As with anything in our lives....everything we plan or think should begin with God and His plan for us.   So even tho I have made this list....I will seek God's desire and plan for me this new year and continue to seek Him throughout the year.   I want to be right where He wants me to be, doing what He wants me to do...when He wants me to do it.   

Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

I'm praying for each of us to be very intentional in our desire to walk closer with our Lord in 2013