THE UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER

THE UGLY CHRISTMAS SWEATER

There was a time when the most dreaded gift a person could open was, the ugly Christmas sweater.  The sweater would bring inside laughter to some who were watching the scenario play out, but to the receiver of the gift a fake smile and a forced thank you would be uttered from their lips.  If the receiver was a crude brave soul this sweater would be wrapped up, regifted and the sweater would make its way on a circuit of being the never ending gift.   Amazingly this once dreaded gift has become a sought after treasure.  In fact Christmas parties are planned around, the ugly Christmas sweater. 

Several years ago before my Father passed away my parents had sent a box of gifts to our house for us, our daughters, their spouses and the grandchildren.  My Father had purchased these gifts himself.  Oh boy, it sure was a good thing my parents were not present when we open these gifts because with each gift that was opened a new roar of laughter would begin.  After the gifts were all opened a trading session took place.  One of those gifts was a ceramic wolf head, which ended up being the object of regifting.  Believe it or not eventually the wolf head found its home with a receiver who really loved the wolf head and proudly put it on display.

A few years after my Father passed away Dan and I shared this story about that Christmas with my Mother and we all had a good laugh.  Every now and again someone will bring up that Christmas day and I must say it was one of the best days we spent together as a family.  A “memory” that will not be lost.  There has been much discussion about where my Father had purchased these gifts.  We think it must have been at one of those truck stops that has an oasis, a discount warehouse or maybe a thrift shop.  Who knows……….we got an incredible laugh and a lasting memory of my Father.

Proverbs 15:13(NKJV)
A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Proverbs 17:22(NKJV)
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.

One day there will be laughter beyond our comprehension and I can hardly wait.

Jeremiah 33:11(NLT)
the sounds of joy and laughter. The joyful voices of bridegrooms and brides will be heard again, along with the joyous songs of people bringing thanksgiving offerings to the LORD. They will sing, ‘Give thanks to the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, for the LORD is good. His faithful love endures forever!’ For I will restore the prosperity of this land to what it was in the past, says the LORD.

Jeremiah 33:11 is God’s great gift to us and this is one gift that should make the circuit of every person in the world.  A gift great enough to bring unspeakable joy to all who want to partake of this precious gift!!

Luke 1:46-55(NKJV)
And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.
And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy,
As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.”

SONG ~ MY SOUL MAGNIFIES

THE REMNANT

THE REMNANT

Years ago when I raising our daughters, I would have considered myself a skilled seamstress.  I spent countless hours making clothes, doll clothes, crafts, and curtains.  One thing any seamstress will tell you is; you never throw away any remnant.  That remnant (scrap of fabric, lace, elastic or thread) may be just exactly what you need to create a fabulous treasure that could far outweigh what the supplies were purchased for originally.  Even though I rarely sew now I still have a very large supply of remnants, just waiting for me to have a creative unction.  To most people they would consider keeping these remnants, a true waste of storage space. They would think of a remnant as a useless, small insignificant, disposable item.

The fireplace in our house is adorned with “14” stockings.  One of those stockings is my granddaughter Reese’s.  I made her stocking from left over fabric that originally was used to make flower girls dresses for her parents wedding.  Each Christmas this stocking hanging on the fireplace is another reminder of the day Kurt and Leah said; I do.  Another stocking was also made from a remnant and this year it holds a valuable treasure – bunny hoppers #2.  Now that means absolutely nothing to you but to the owner of that stocking it will be a heart warmer. 

When I was a young girl I thought I was insignificant and of no value.  I did not have any special talents; I was very small for my age and the object of teasing.  School was not my forte and I was a “C” student at best.  Certainly if I dropped off the face of the earth no one would notice because I always felt like I was on the outside looking in, hoping for someone to invite me in.  Chances are most of us have felt like this at one time or another despite of how others might perceive us.  We feel like a remnant.

The following quote is taken from an article written by John Wilson called, The Believing Remnant. Preserved and Secure.

            There has always been a remnant since the nation began with Abraham in Genesis 12. We refer to these people as the believing remnant because Romans 9:6-7 says, "...for they are not all Israel, which are of Israel, neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but in Isaac shall Thy seed be called." Throughout Israel's history we see that the majority of this nation was unbelieving, or as God said of them in Romans 10:21, "...a disobedient and gainsaying people." However, there was always the believing few, as Paul states in Romans 11:5: "Even so at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."

Elijah thought he was the only faithful one left in Israel, yet God said to him, "I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal." In Isaiah's day the number may have been smaller, because Isaiah 1:9 says, "Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and...Gomorrah." Isaiah also prophesied the return of the future remnant during the seven-year tribulation (Isaiah 10:20-22). There are many references to the believing remnant throughout Isaiah and Jeremiah, as there are in the other prophetical books. In the four Gospels we see the believing remnant in those who "...looked for redemption in Jerusalem" (Luke 2:36-38). These would be those like Simeon, Anna, Zacharias and Elizabeth, Mary, John the Baptist and all those who believed God's promises. The Lord referred to them as the little flock, for in Luke 12:32 He said, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom."

Here are few more scriptures to check out of people written about in the Word of God who were used as a remnant, few in number in their day, but mighty in the hands of God.  These are a people of “light”, an unshakeable foe, unyielding to what circumstances said or say and faithful to the Lord, set apart to radiate the promise of God and His Kingdom.

Jochebed (mother of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam):  Exodus 2:1-10, Exodus 6:20, Numbers 26:59

Elijah:  1 Kings 18, 1 Kings 19:18

Gideon:  Judges 6-8, Heb.11:32

David:  1 Samuel 16:7-13

There was approximately 400 years of silence between the Old Testament and the New Testament………yet the Lord reserved a remnant of faithful believers such as; Simeon, Anna, Zacharias and Elizabeth, Mary and Joseph.

Throughout scripture the Lord has chosen to use people and unlikely things to bring forth His message of good news and that has not changed, even in our day.

Christmas is quickly approaching and it makes me think of what the Lord chose to use as His (the birth of Jesus) story unfolds (a manger – all that was left, swaddling cloth –which is strips of cloth, a remnant) and a handful of willing servants.

1 Corinthians 1:27(NKJV) says:
But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 

Last week I went to my grandchildren’s Christmas program.  My grandchildren attend the same school where their Mom (Leah) is a second grade teacher.  The second graders were up on stage to sing their Christmas songs and one of the boys in Leah’s class became fearful and ran off the stage into the secure arms of his teacher (my daughter, Leah).  As I watched this unfold I could not help but think; Leah must have gained the confidence of her students by pouring into their young lives and when fear swept in, that little boy knew just where to go.  This may seem very small or insignificant but who knows what seeds are being planted and what this young boy could grow up to accomplish.  I wonder what Billy Graham’s mother thought as she watched him become the greatest evangelist of our time.  How about the mother who gave birth to James Robison (Life Today show)?  She was a victim of rape who decided to have the baby (James) and give him up for adoption.  Countless stories could be told of remnant believers used in the hands of a mighty God…..

I truly believe God always preserves a remnant in every home, family, neighborhood, city, church, workplace and generation who is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  They are the lifeline connection for others whereby not only can they hear the good news they can see the good news.

2 Corinthians 2:14-17(NKJV) says:
Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 
For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 
To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things? 
For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God; but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

A.W.Tozer said:  What is God trying to do with His believing people?-the Bible calls us a remnant according to grace, believers taken out of the great, teeming swarm of so-called religious people in today's world. I am inclined to join others in wondering if the Lord is postponing His coming because He is trying to get His Bride ready? For years it has been the popular idea in evangelical Christianity that the whole body of believers in Christ would rise like a flock of frightened birds when the Lord comes. But A.B. Simpson and William MacArthur and others in the past generation said, "Oh no! The Lord will take with Him those who are prepared and ready for His coming!" I do not presume to give an answer satisfying to everyone in our churches. But I know that many Christians are too smug about this, saying in effect: "I am converted to Christ through grace, so I can live as I please!" Of some things we cannot be dogmatic; but we know this for sure-God has no halfway house between heaven and hell where He takes us to fumigate us!

"Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom."

MUNK UP!! I suppose you have a better idea Smart Guy!!

MUNK UP!!

I suppose you have a better idea Smart Guy!!

Alvin, Theodore, Simon…once again will make their debut on the big screen.  I talked Dan into going to the first two movies with me; Alvin & The Chipmunks ~ Get Your Squeak On, and The Squeakquel.   How could I resist, I just had to see the adorable talking chippies?  Childhood memories of the munks flooded my mind because I loved watching them every Saturday morning.  The first movie he thought was cute; however, after he watched The Squeakquel, Dan reassured me he was truly declaring war on the chipsters. 

The cute little furry friends have gnawed their way through parts of our deck and no longer does cute describe them according to Dan.  I will spare you the details as to how he has waged war on the chipsters, as for me I guarantee you I will be sure to watch Chip Wrecked opening week at the local movie theater, even if I have to go by myself.

How can something so stinkin’ cute cause so much destruction?  Well they certainly get themselves into plenty of trouble on the movie screen, but you can walk out the door realizing…it was only a movie.   Real life sets in ~ with the deck dilemma and no matter what I say Dan wants a munk free environment!

Sometimes life is like that, we get sucked in by the cute seemly innocent outside package and before you know it; I Had A Bad Day.   The bad day can come in many different forms, from simple distractions that get us side tracked to full blown sin.  It may also come from the kind of nuts we may have been storing.  Several years ago after watching, Get Your Squeak On the following occurred:

Last night I woke up from a deep sleep around 12:30am with Alvin & The Chipmunk’s rendition of the song I Had A Bad Day running though my brain.  The harder I tried the less successful I was at getting the lyrics and tune out of my brain.  I remember the first time I heard the song, I Had A Bad Day, my then three year old granddaughter was singing it in the back seat of my car.  Since I do not listen to the radio stations which air that particular song, I was unaware of it.  My response to my granddaughter was; Oh, Princess Angel Baby (that is what I call my granddaughter) you should be singing, I had a good day.  At which time I endeavored to assist her to change the words.  Of course my granddaughter being the scholar that she is, informed me; oh no, Nana it’s “I Had A Bad Day” and she was quite adamant about that fact.  Little did I know but this had become my granddaughter’s favorite song.  As I lay awake in bed I began to wonder how such a catchy tune could have such disheartening lyrics. I realized it was the tune my granddaughter was attracted to, not the words.

 Now my brain is wide awake, I roll over look at the clock and it is 1:30am!  The creative brain that I have (not) began to think about how the Chipmunks were stuffing “nuts” down the tree trunk as they sang “I Had A Bad Day”.  This made me think about how we as people store “nuts” in our trunks.  Many of us have trunks full of junkie nuts!  Instead of storing “nuts” we would be much better off storing the golden nuggets of the promises of the Word of the Lord and His plans, purposes and guidelines for our lives.  How do these “nuts” get stored in us?  It is the same way the song was lodged in my mind, through repetition.  In the Word of God we are encouraged to think on: (Phil 4:8 NKJV)  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things.  We must take our thoughts captive according to (2 Cor .10:5). It is also revealed in the Word that we will reap what we sow (Gal.6:7).  So, if we sow “nuts”, that is exactly what we will reap.  I think it may be time for us to shake our trunks and get the “nuts” out of us.  Then begin to fill and replace those “nuts” with golden nuggets.  The Bible says in Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”.  It also says “…out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Mt. 12:34).  I certainly want an abundance of good days!

My brain is now at this time burning the midnight oil and much to my dismay it is 4:00am.  However I did manage to accomplish how I was going to rewrite the song, “I Had A Bad Day”.  I decided the tune is happy and deserves happy words to go with it.  I am personally boycotting “bad days” and replacing them with “I Had Glad Day”!

The following is my rendition of, “I Had A Glad Day”.  :

There is a moment we’re looking to seize.
We step out in faith and we choose to believe. 
They say my blue skies fade to grey
They say my passion could go away
And I don’t need no discouragement
You stand firm in line and you won’t hit a low
You put on your smile and get a coffee to go
You tell me your life has stayed on line
No need to fall to pieces at anytime
And I don’t need no discouragement
Cause you had a glad day
You’re stepping one up
You sing a glad song as you travel along
You can look to your right
You can look to your left
You put on a smile and you go for a ride
You had a glad day
The camera don’t lie
You’re stepping one up and your staying in line
You had a glad day
You had a glad day

Have a Glad Day!!!    Penny

I suppose you have a better idea smart guy!!

Had A Bad Day

THE ROADRUNNER and Black Friday

THE ROADRUNNER and Black Friday

A few days ago the image of the Roadrunner and the Coyote popped into my head.  My mind began to contemplate this old cartoon that Dan and I grew up with.  Soon reruns of the Coyote trying to sabotage the Roadrunner dominated my mind. 

Today day is Black Friday and I couldn’t help but think if you were just observing and not taking part in this shopping race, the potential fiasco would be like watching the Roadrunner and Wile E Coyote.  Those involved in this maddening race are hoping they will be like the Roadrunner and not be duped by the Coyote (other shoppers, the enemy).

Our daughter’s look forward to this day with great anticipation of obtaining fabulous treasured jewels.  They have been planning out their strategy as soon as the deals started appearing online and finished preparation once the newspaper ads came out.  Their planning is very intense.  They have mapped out to the finest detail where they will start at what time, and what department in the store they will go to first.  There is a priority to all of this down to their very last stop.  They even planned what type of clothing to wear and running shoes is a must, this is very serious business for them.  I am certain by the time I post this blog they will have finished their shopping race and be back in bed sleeping off the exhausting warfare of shopping (like most of you).

The Lord impressed upon me some spiritual truths from this old cartoon and Black Friday.

The enemy the devil (that old coyote) is relentlesss in his endeavors of trying to trap and deceive us. He will stop at nothing to sabotage (don’t turn your back on those carts, what’s in them is a free for all) our efforts as we run this race of life.  In fact the Bible says;  1 Peter 5:8(NKJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  More revelation is brought forth in these two scriptures:

Psalms 22:13(NKJV)
    They gape at Me with their mouths,     Like a raging and roaring lion.

Ezekiel 22:25(NKJV)
The conspiracy of her prophets in her midst is like a roaring lion tearing the prey; they have devoured people; they have taken treasure and precious things; they have made many widows in her midst. 

You see the devil doesn’t just want to mess us up; he wants to shred us to pieces and kill us.
The one thing that will entrap us faster than anything else is sin.  Cain was caught in that trap as revealed in; Genesis 4:6-7(NKJV) So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?  If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

We are not left helpless.

·         Have faith in Christ blood.  Revelation 12:11(NKJV)
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 

·         Be prepared in spiritual warfare.  Ephesians 6:11-18(NKJV)
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

·         Prayer, there is no substitute.  Matthew 6:13(NKJV)  And do not lead us into temptation,     But deliver us from the evil one.      For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

We have a promise;  1 John 4:4(NKJV) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 

You are in a race that will one day have its finish line within sight…do not stop short or grow weary.  Be well prepared (many people will put more time and effort into their plans for shopping on Black Friday then they will in studying the Word of God and running the race He has asked us to run).

Acts 20:24(NKJV)
But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

1 Corinthians 9:24(NKJV)
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 

Galatians 2:1-2(NKJV)
Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 
And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 

Galatians 5:7(NKJV)
You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 

2 Timothy 4:7(NKJV)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 

Hebrews 12:1(NKJV)
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

Lets be overcomers!!

Revelation 2:7(NKJV)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’

Revelation 2:11(NKJV)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

Revelation 2:17(NKJV)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’

Revelation 2:26(NKJV)
And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

Revelation 3:5(NKJV)
He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Revelation 3:12(NKJV)
He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

Revelation 3:21(NKJV)
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Revelation 21:7(NKJV)
He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 

RUNNERS TAKE YOUR MARK

Roadrunner & Coyote

GOBBLE GOBBLE

GOBBLE GOBBLE

This time next week we will be partaking of that wonderful turkey dinner with all the fixings’.  I love the traditional Thanksgiving celebration with all the family gathering together; the food, smells, crisp air and the atmosphere of thankful hearts celebrating another year of blessings.  The family sharing with each other, what has been happening in their lives, fulfilling that much needed one on one interaction with the ones you love. The Thanksgiving Day parades serenade us as we put the final touches on the meal that took two days to prepare and 15 minutes devour.  Just before we partake of the succulent meal we bow in prayer and each person remains in respectful silence as one by one a prayer of thanksgiving is said. After we have eaten to our fill, it is time for football. The excitement of the Lions winning has created just enough hunger to shovel the down the pumpkin pie smothered in whip cream.  We love it!

Now I just painted you a Rockwell picture and if truth be told you will say; I don’t know whose house you have been going to each year!  Yes this is true.  All of us long for that perfect family gathering with totally peace, joy and love.  Chances are all of us have experienced a less than desirable Thanksgiving setting.  But why is that?

A few days ago I was watching TV and a Thanksgiving commercial came on.  The commercial shows the whole family gathered, and table is set to perfection with all the food in place.  The family then goes outside and locks themselves out of the house.  Now they are looking through the window trying to figure out how to get back into the house.  To their horror their dog is advancing on their Thanksgiving feast.  We have those fire exit doorknobs on our house.  Dan and I both have locked ourselves out.  The problem with those doors is; you can open them from the inside regardless of whether or not the door is locked.  Exit your home, try to re-enter and next thing you know, you’re locked out!

I can certainly identify with Thanksgiving blunders.  One year as always I spent two days preparing our feast.  I had baked 4 pumpkin pies the day before as usual.  Well Thanksgiving Day we ate our meal.  I served the desert.  The pumpkin pie looked and smelled absolutely delicious.  Just as I was chowing down on my first bite I discovered I had forgotten to add sugar to the pumpkin mix.  Fortunately this transpired when we lived in Hudsonville and I was only 5 minutes from Family Fare.  I quickly drove to the store to pay through the nose for whatever desert was leftover.  The good news was the overpriced cheese cake was very good but when you are longing for pumpkin pie……………..

Isn’t that just like life, you think every detail has been taken care of then, surprise, surprise, surprise (as Gomer Pyle / Jim Nabors) would say.

How can it be that something that looks so good on the outside, absolutely picture perfect, can be so nasty in the inside or fall apart in an instant? And without notice the dog eats your dinner.  That is okay because you forgot to put the sugar in the pie.

The answer to that question is because we live in a world where sin affects everything.  All of us have faced disappointments, setbacks, trials, failures and etc. How we react to those issues of life may determine how that issue affects our future.  Many of us “let the little foxes still our grapes”.  Sometimes we can even get through the big issues or disasters only to succumb to a series of “little issues”. 

This Thanksgiving I pray we truly all will reflect on the blessings the Lord has given us this past year.  I pray we will be flexible and at peace as we interact with family, friends and all the little quirks that come with them.  Chances are those “quirks” come out of hurts, stresses and disappoints.  There will be some blunders, go ahead and laugh at yourself, just shake it off.

And I will leave you with the most important ingredients for the best Thanksgiving recipe:

Leviticus 22:29(NKJV)
And when you offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord, offer it of your own free will. 

Psalms 26:7(NKJV)
    That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,     And tell of all Your wondrous works.

Psalms 50:14(NKJV)
    Offer to God thanksgiving,     And pay your vows to the Most High.

Psalms 69:30(NKJV)
    I will praise the name of God with a song,     And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.

Psalms 95:2(NKJV)
    Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;     Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

Psalms 100:4(NKJV)
    Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,      And into His courts with praise.     Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.

Psalms 107:22(NKJV)
    Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,     And declare His works with rejoicing.

2 Corinthians 4:15(NKJV)
For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Colossians 3:15(NKJV)
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 

Colossians 4:2(NKJV)
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 

Revelation 7:12(NKJV)
saying:      “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom,     Thanksgiving and honor and power and might,     Be to our God forever and ever.     Amen.”

Blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving!!





THE PRICE IS RIGHT

THE PRICE IS RIGHT

I have a customer who has several locations throughout Michigan.  One amazing common thread these employees have regardless of their location is; they are adamant to take their lunch break at 11:30 am so they can enjoy their lunch as they watch - THE PRICE IS RIGHT.  I am certain if you own a TV you have watched this show at least a dozen times and Bob Barker’s name is an icon.  Bob hosted this show for 35 years and Drew is the new host - just seems odd to me. However, what seems so comical to me is, as I observe my classes, as they watch THE PRICE IS RIGHT, - is the fact of how interactive they become for this 30 minutes.  I feel like I am in the live audience.

The last several days my mailbox as well as my email has been deluged with pre-Black Friday sale ads.  The lure is to convince you to buy now while – The Price Is Right.  Fortunately I absolutely hate shopping!  Yes I am a woman and to top that we raised three daughters who love to shop.  They already are making plans on how their Black Friday shopping adventure will transpire.  When the girls were teenagers I had to institute a rule; no looking at the Sunday paper until after church.  This was to cut down on the fighting over the ads that would take place every Sunday morning before church.  Eventually I also had to say, “no shopping on Sundays” because I began to dread Sundays.

I started thinking about the price of salvation.  Salvation cost us absolutely nothing but it cost the Son of God His life.  Praise the Lord the story did not stay in the grave.  The resurrection power bust forth paving a way for us to experience eternal life and escape hell’s flames.  Not only do we receive freedom from hell but the word salvation comes from Sozo, meaning nothing lacking, nothing missing.  This means that healing, deliverance, and provision have been included in our salvation gift.  In fact a day will come when we receive “rewards” for what we have done on this earth.  Now that sounds great, however that will cost us something, our willingness to serve the King.  I have often thought about my life wondering if what I have done as I serve my King will gain any type of reward.  In one respect that sounds boastful but not when you look at the flip side……………….. 

1 Corinthians 3:12-17(NKJV)
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,  each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.  If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.  If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire. (to me, entering Heaven with hell’s flames trying to lick my feet sounds horrifying!)Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

I have been a Christian since I was a young girl.  When I face judgment day I want to know that I have somehow served my King.  Hopefully there will be a reward for me, but I am the only person that can make sure the life I live here on earth is advancing the kingdom of Heaven.  Now I am not saying this for merely gaining a reward, but to know the One I love and serve, I have not failed.

I encourage you to read the following verses that give us insights into the rewards that can await us in Heaven.

1 Corinthians 3:8(NKJV)
Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

1 Corinthians 9:25(NKJV)
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 

Revelation 2:23(NKJV)
I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.

Revelation 22:12(NKJV)
“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 

The Bible talks about five crowns.

The Crown of Righteousness:

2 Timothy 4:7-8(NKJV)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

The Incorruptible Crown:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27(NKJV)
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 
And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 
Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

The Crown of Life:

Revelation 2:10(NKJV)
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

The Crown of Rejoicing:

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20(NKJV)
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 
For you are our glory and joy.

The Crown of Glory:

1 Peter 5:1-4(NKJV)
The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 
Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; 
nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; 
and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.

How shall we serve our King?  What price are we willing to pay?



STEP OUT OF THE BOAT? or Step Into the Boat!

STEP OUT OF THE BOAT?

Or

STEP INTO THE BOAT!

One morning as I was endeavoring to wake up I was staring at our fireplace mantel.  Our fireplace mantle is adorned with several SNOW BABIES (Snow Babies are collectible figurines).  Three of these figurines are boats with three babies in them.  We have heard the phrase; “Step Out of the Boat.” This phrase is in regards to us exercising our faith and is referring to the scripture in Matthew 14:28-29(NKJV) And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 

I was curious about how many hits Google would reveal if I put this phrase in the search engine; Step Out of the Boat.  Google produced 52,500,000 results for this phrase.  Thousands of sermons have been preached and several books have been written on this subject of exercising your faith.  Here are a few titles of books on the subject (I am not endorsing these books because I have not read them):

Step Out of the Boat by Joel Osteen

If You Want To Walk On Water, You’ve Got To Get Out of The Boat by John Ortberg

Step Out Of The Boat God Is Waiting To Do Miracles by Levi Land

What began to stir in my heart was:  Before you can step out of the boat, you must get into the boat! 

I believe the reason why so many of us fail in exercising our faith and begin to sink, is the fact; we have not prepared ourselves spiritually.  Instead of becoming mature believers many of us have remained infant Christians.

I think a great question to ask ourselves is:  What does the boat represent?

When Matthew 14:22-36 is read much focus is given to verses 28-31 and that is great; however, I think we need to take a serious look at the verses prior to and after verses 28-31.  In Matthew 14:15-21 is the story of Jesus feeding the 5000+.  The people are hungry and it was a deserted place without the availability for a food source.  Jesus tells the disciples to give them something to eat.  The disciples tell Jesus what they have and we know the story of how 5 loaves and 2 fish feed over 5000+ with leftovers.  The disciples again witness more miracles.

In Matthew 14:22 (NKJV) it says: Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 

Jesus made (strongly urged) his disciples to get into the boat and go to the other side, ahead of Him.  Jesus gave the disciples an assignment; He told them what His next plan was for them.  Great miracles were to take place on the other side in Gennesaret (Matthew 14:34-36).

Ask yourself, what does this boat represent? 

• They had to be skilled (learned, taught) in order to navigate through elements
• A way the reach a destination
• Unity – working together to arrive at destination
• Safety through rough waters
• A means of life support, financially (a trade) and physically
• What needs to be done to the boat to make it sea worthy?
• What skills need to be honed?
• What supplies need to be on board?
• Is this all about being prepared to complete an assignment ahead of us?

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you other things this boat could represent.

Now let’s read these passages as a whole.

Matthew 14:22-36(NKJV)
Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 
And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.  (Jesus spends time in pray preparing for what is to occur in Gennesaret.)But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. (The disciples were skilled boaters many fishermen by trade, they were use to rough waters)Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.  (3am-6am)And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. (In the dark it would have been difficult to see, chances are they had very minimal lighting.)But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” (Peter is the one who asked to come to Jesus, Jesus only said come after Peter asked.  I think the original assignment was for them to go to the other side.)So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 
But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. (And now great miracles are about to take place.) And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, 
and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

I do not want to minimize the scripture where Peter gets out of the boat and walks on water until his faith fails…please do not get me wrong…however…

When we study the scriptures of what took place prior to Matthew 14:28-31, it is very clear Jesus was preparing the disciples to serve others as He was doing.  Let’s read:

 
Matthew 9:35-38(NKJV)
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 
But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. 
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Matthew 10:1-8(NKJV)
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. 
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 
Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.
These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. 
But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 
And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 

You can also look up and read Mark 6:7-12, Luke 9:1-6.

Here again Jesus teaches the disciples how to serve the people.

Mark 9:18-19(NKJV)
And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”
He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” 

Mark 9:28-29(NKJV)
And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

John 14:12-14(NKJV)
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 
If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.

Also you can read Mark 16:15-18, John 20:21-23, Acts 1:4-7, Acts 2: 1-4,

Acts 2:38-39(NKJV)
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 
For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

Now I could have spent several more hours developing this study and the blog would have ended up being 50 pages long (hum, maybe a new book on the horizon).  I do not think you want to read 50 pages.  So I encourage you, look up these passages in your Bible pray and ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate and give you deep understanding.  Ask the Lord to show you how to apply His Word to your life.  To know how the serve the King we need to know how the King came to serve.  Learn what Jesus did in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  Learn how the disciples carried out the work of the Kingdom throughout the rest on the New Testament.

Conclusion:  You need to get into the boat, before you can step out of the boat!!  Have you gotten in to the boat?



TIME IS AT HAND ~ TICK TOCK ~ TICK TOCK

TIME IS AT HAND

TICK TOCK - TICK TOCK

We have an antique grandfathers’ clock that Dan’s mother gave us.  The clock stands in our living room next to the fireplace.  Every thirty minutes this clock chimes and of course on the hour it dongs the number of that hour.  If there is no other noise going on in the house you can distinctively hear the tick tock, tick tock.  Sixteen months ago, we moved out to the lake house full-time and soon after that began to realize the clock was not conducive for sleeping.  Due to the age of the clock, you can only turn off the sound by stopping the clock.  Therefore, for the last sixteen months, time has stood still for the grandfathers’ clock.  I often wish I could make time standstill, but time stands still for no man or woman.  Faded memories of days gone by, those very special moments you wish could last forever, become more distant with each tick tock, tick tock. 

When I was a young mother, the words of older women always irritated me when they would say; “the kids will grow up before you know, enjoy them while they are young”.  Now I find I am the older woman saying that ~ sigh. 

We have all been given the same 24 hours a day to do with as we please.  Some of us use those hours wisely, others waste their time on meaningless trivia.  All of us wish there were certain things in life we could redo.  However, we can only move forward and make the most out of today and tomorrows. 

I feel like many of us have grown very numb to what is happening around us because we are so wrapped up in our own world and yes, life is busy.  Time is at hand and all of creation is crying out begging for our attention pointing to the most amazing event history will ever portray.  Yes, the Lord is going to return just as He promised.  Urgency of this moment is begging us to pay attention, why are we numb?  Why are we not seeing what is surrounding us, screaming in our deaf ears.  I am just as guilty as the next person is.  Lord Jesus wake up your Bride, do not let us sleep!  Stir up our spirit to attention and enable us for the Kingdom work!

We are to keep watch:

(Mark 13:19 NKJV)  "For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.

(Rom 1:20 NKJV)  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

(Rom 8:19 NKJV)  For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God.

(Rom 8:21 NKJV)  because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

(Rom 8:22 NKJV)  For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

(Mat 24:42 NKJV)  "Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.

(Mat 25:13 NKJV)  "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

 (Mark 13:33 NKJV)  "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

(Mark 13:35 NKJV)  "Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming; in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning;

(Mark 13:37 NKJV)  "And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

Mark 24:  20 NKJV  "And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Sabbath.

21  "For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.

22  "And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened.

23  "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There!' do not believe it.

24  "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

25  "See, I have told you beforehand.

26  "Therefore if they say to you, 'Look, He is in the desert!' do not go out; or 'Look, He is in the inner rooms!' do not believe it.

27  "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.

28  "For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.

29  "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

30  "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

31  "And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

(Luke 21:36 NKJV)  "Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man."

(Rev 3:3 NKJV)  "Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

Not only are we to keep watch, we have been commissioned:

Mark 16:  17 (NKJV)  "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

18  "they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."

19  So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

20  And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

(Mat 10:7 -8 NKJV)  "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.'  "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.

Now I do realize we do not all have the temperament of an evangelist but the Bible does say: 

1 Cor. 12:1-11  Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:

2  You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led.

3  Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

4  There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

5  There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.

6  And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

7  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

8  for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,

9  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,

10  to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

11  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Tick Tock, Tick, Tock it is time to find your sweet spot.  How you can flourish in proclaiming the kingdom of God?  We have all been given gifts….time is at hand.