Love

Our interim pastor has been doing a series on love.
I Corinthians 13:4 says, "Love suffers long ... love is not easily angered ... love is patient."
The Lord patiently waits ... wanting all to repent of their sins.
If we learned to be better forgivers, we'd learn more patience.
Love is kind ... God is kind.
Love could bring unity. You'd think unity would exist in the church. You'd think love would prevail. Sometimes I think hatred, strong dislike, is more prevalent.
It's truly a shame. I need to not settle on what I hear others say. Only on what the Lord has to say ... to me. Follow and obey. Whatever the cost. I want to be His child, His beloved child, with whom He is well pleased.

Republican Christians?

In The Sunday, Feb. 26 edition of The Gazette there was a Letter to the Editor:
Republican Christians? Only if they help the poor
If you have access to it, please read it. Here is my response:

The letter writer infers that because Jesus said in Matthew 19:24 “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” Jesus is saying rich people can not enter heaven.

That’s not true. A rich young Jewish man asked Jesus what he had to do to do to have eternal life. And Jesus tells him. He must be willing to give his all and follow the Lord.

Being willing to do what the Lord commands and following through, obeying is the key.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say what you own or how rich or poor you are determines whether you will enter heaven.

There is only one way to enter heaven and that is through faith in Jesus Christ.

• Admit you are a sinner
• Believe in Jesus Christ as God’s son. He was born of God and the virgin Mary, He suffered and died on a cross for your sins and mine, He was buried and after 3 days He rose again. He became our redeemer
• Confess your faith in Jesus as your personal Savior

In Matthew 19:26, Jesus says, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Salvation is an act of God. It is not an accomplishment of human beings. Our works do not get us into heaven.

In addition, "Thou Shalt Not Kill" is not one of the Ten Commandments. "Thou Shalt Not Murder" is. There is a difference. There have been wars since time began. Read the Old Testament. Wars were prophesized and fulfilled.

Jesus is about peace. What do we know about peace?

Following Christ is not a political issue as some would make it appear. Salvation in Christ is open to all - no matter who you are, what you’ve done, where you’ve been, your financial status, sick or healthy, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Jehovah’s Witness, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Catholic, etc.

Discontent

Why is there always someone who has to rock the boat, find something wrong, always complain? Why can't Christians act like Christians? Follow Christ. Christ looked for the good, His purpose was to bring us to Him and to follow Him. We don't follow. Some of us do. But I think for the most part, we do not follow. We do not obey. We only complain. I'm getting really tired of it. It's no wonder people leave.

Prayer request for my husband

My husband Jimmy has a mass/tumor about the size of a silver dollar on his spine between C1 and C2, up high just below the skull. It was thought at first something was pressing on his spine, but what is actually going on is this mass is around his spine, from the back to the front, not completely, but almost. It is a relief to know what the cause of all his left-side weakness, extreme fatique and shortness of breath is. Its still scary, but I'd do well not to dwell on that too much. I do much better if I get into the word and stay there and pray for His guidance. Jimmy continues to work, not as many hours - he does patient care, provides aide to men in their final stages of life, but he can't stand, be on his feet too many hours a day. It really wears him out. The neurosurgeon we went to today has now referred us to University Hospitals in Iowa City. Tuesday morning we go down for an evaluation with a surgeon.

Continued prayer

Well, this morning my husband had a CT scan and MRI at the hospital. Results of the MRI show something pressing against his spine, which could be causing the leftside weakness and the breathing difficulties. Its good to know the cause. Still don't know the outcome, still scared. I know the Lord is in control. The Lord is always looking out for His children. I need to always be mindful of that. It's not easy. Still scared. Any who feel led to pray, please do. We meet with the neurosurgeon March 3.

Reading ... hearing ... listening

The day I walked and walked and walked (and thus caused pain in my left leg) I had gone to the public library. Only a week ago and so much has happened since. Anyway, I checked out two books and yesterday I finished the second one. Both were written by Jewish authors. The first one, "I will plant you a lilac tree" was written as a memoir by Laura Hillman, a Schindler's list survivor. I remember seeing the movie Schindler's List and now I'd like to see it again. I have read several books about Anne Franck, but it's interesting reading things from a slightly different perspective.
The second book was a novel based on fact. "The Chosen" was written by Chaim Potok. It was his first book, published in 1967. Its about two Jewish boys, similar but different. It talks about hearing silence. Hearing without speaking, without talking, using your eyes, looking into yourself, your soul. Potok had written several more before his death in 2002 and two that I would like to read are "The Promise" and "My Name is Asher Lev."
I haven't done a lot of reading lately and I don't know why. I enjoy reading, getting into the lives of the people in the story. I have several books here at home I want to read, mostly autobiographies. I think the cold weather prompts me to sit by the fire (mostly dream about that since we don't have a fireplace) , drink tea or hot chocolate and read. I like listening to Christian music or Enya playing in the background.
Hearing silence. What do you think. Is it like meditating on God's word, waiting for Him to speak. Often we don't wait, is that when the silence is broken and we stray?
An article I found written by Pamela Murray Winters of Churchton, Maryland said:
"I don't go to Quaker services for silence. I go because in that silence is the ever present possibility, a space for revelation."

Names

What is your name? Thomas Allen? Do you go by that name or do you have a nickname? Tommy maybe or Tom or T.A. or Allen or Al. So many choices. Maybe not even similar to your real name, but something like "Slugger" or "Big Al." Sometimes our parents, the very people to give us our full name, give us nicknames. Sometimes our peers or teachers at school or church, things we're interested in, that's how we get nicknames.
My full name is Catherine Mae, but I was rarely called that. Mostly Cathy. In school I was also called "Oreo" because I liked oreo cookies. My husband calls me Caffie. A former friend called me Kate. My sister and I used to call each other by our (maiden) last names and I still do on occasion.
Does it matter? Should nicknames not be used?
We have a bunny. He has many names. His full name is BeeJay, he was named after his parents, Brendan and Jewell. But he has other names that we call him, all in love and with much affection. Names like Beeber, Hot Rod Harry, Elephant Eddie, Sweet Pea, Sweetie Pie. Silly names, he doesn't look like an elephant or a hot rod. He's just a little bundle of fluff.
Even in the Bible people who were named one thing at birth had different names by the time they died. Jacob became Israel.
Names mean many things, sometimes nicknames can be cruel and remind us of bad times. But I think for the most part, nicknames are fun.

Prayer request

Prayer works. I've seen it, I've felt it. The Lord delivers. He makes promises. He keeps promises. He is always present, always desiring what is best for His children. We all have struggles, health issues, financial issues, social issues, whatever. This time I have a prayer request for my husband, Jim. He's in the hospital. He was admitted this afternoon with numbness in his left arm, a painful jaw and shortness of breath. So far test results show nothing wrong with his heart. But there was talk of possible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He doesn't smoke. He had asthma as a child. It's possible it has returned to wreak havoc on him now. I don't know. There is a reason the Lord allowed this to happen. Another test of our faith. Must stand and walk in His, not faltering. It's not easy, and we don't have any clue what happens next. Whatever it is, the Lord will be with us, helping us get through it, to rise above it.

Walking, visiting, reminiscing

You know, Jesus walked everywhere he went, except for the occasional ride on a donkey. But He walked. Today I walked. Since we've been down to just one car as of mid-November, I take the bus more frequently. I had to go to the eye doctor this morning, so I rode in to town with my husband, and then from there I walked. Walked downtown and uptown and around town and back home. So much for taking the bus. I take the bus Monday through Thursday to get to work. Fridays are my day off. Fridays and Saturdays. Today I got plenty of walking in and I was pretty well tired out long before I ever got home. Jesus must have had plenty of stamina. But I kept going. And then I stopped to visit Anna. I never stop there, I rarely spend more than a few minutes when I see her at church. We visited for 2-1/2 hours. It was such fun. I enjoyed it immensely. And I think she did too. Anna is 3 years younger than my mom would have been if she were still alive. My mom died 10 years ago in September. She would have been 96 this July. Jim's dad was 88 when he died just before Christmas. My friend Louise died in 2002 and she was 91. Since 2002 I have wished for an older friend. I grew up around older people and I've been comfortable with them. Anna's been there. It wasn't until today that I realized it. She has children and grandchildren and she has friends. Always room for one
more. I 'm glad I stopped to rest and to reminisce. I'll have to do it again... sometime soon. Thank you Jesus.

Is this a cult?

I've been reading a bit about Dahn Yoga. Some say it is just an exercise program, others a brainwashing scheme. I don't partake in yoga primarily because I'm not interested in it. But I am a pretty regular user of massage and have on occasion used acupuncture. Are they cults? I don't know. Massage makes me feel good, makes the aches and pains less painful and sometimes go away. I believe in massage. But its not my God. I would think if you are looking at something different that you've never done before and you have the least bit of anxiety about it, you should earnestly seek guidance from the Lord. Of course if you're not a believer in Christianity, then you have another set of problems. I would pray. I don't know what you would do. Anyone have any thoughts?

Cost

Serving God faithfully is costly. Jeremiah learned that, serving 40 years, speaking the words God instructed him to say, even though there was always the chance he would be killed for those words. Doing what the Lord tells us to do can bring great rewards or untold trouble. It depends what you're seeking and where ... are you looking to God for all - or, are you looking elsewhere ...... My husband finished his application for clinical pastoral education. Just getting the application ready has taken considerable time. But it is done now. And tomorrow it will be put out in the mail. He is following and serving God.

Faithfulness

"You cannot be faithful to God

if you allow any unbelief to take root in your heart"

God's faithfulness endures to all generations. Our faithfulness does not always. Only we, ourselves, individually, can answer that truthfully. I was thinking about being faithful ... to a friend ... to God and the same with being unfaithful. It's a lot to think about. I searched my Bible concordance, then I went online. There's lots to be said about being faithful. Lots of view points... from a Christian standpoint and from non-Christian.
It's interesting. As a Christian, a fruit of the Spirit is "faith." We are saved by grace through faith. God offers us this gift, this wonderful gift of His son, who was born, who died for us, all of mankind, the entire human race, who took all of our sins, past present and future on Himself, that we might have eternal life with Him and the Father. When we accept this priceless gift, we become a child of the King, of Jesus, who opens wide His arms to receive us. That's definitely faith. Believing without a doubt that God will keep His word. He said so.
Another interesting thought. Sometimes it seems to be easier to be a "just recently saved" or "new" Christian than it does one who has been walking with the Lord many years. But then again, maybe not. You have to walk ... run ... skip ... dance ... crawl ... with the Lord day-to-day, minute by minute. It's not here today, gone tomorrow. For some people perhaps it is. Guess it depends what it is you're being faithful to and why.
To be faithful to God, you've got to have the right motive. Love - Trust - Believe.
God always has our very best interests at heart. After all He created us. Why can't we just accept it and not worry about anything? I don't know why we can't. Human nature perhaps?

• Have you accepted Jesus as your personal savior?
• How to be faithful to God
• On Being Faithful

And God is .......

G O D . . . IS

* Creator of the heavens and earth ...the universe and all within; *Good; *Ruler over all; * My Father; *All Knowing; *Loving; *Judge; *Never taken by surprise; *Faithful; *Constant; *Risen One; *Always in control; *Holy; *Kind; *Sinless; *Leader; *Restorer; *Protector; *Annointed One; *Provider; *My Comfort; *Concerned; *Praise Worthy; *Considerate; *The Trinity; *Maker of all we have; *King of Glory; *Strong and MIghty; *Disciplinarian; *Teacher of Life; *Mighty King; *Consistent; *Peace; *Joy; *Everywhere; *My Shepherd; *With Us; *Light of the World; * Creative; * Emmanuel; *The Word; * My Savior; *Redeemer; *Merciful; *Faithful; *Truth; *Compassionate; *Awesome; *Amazing; *Gracious; *Righteous; *Jesus; *Higher than any mountain; *Wider than any sea; *Available; *My Rock; *My Refuge; *My Defense; *Not pleased with charges of wickedness; *Owner of the whole earth and all that it contains; *He who turned the sea into dry land; *Angry, saddened, remorseful when sin takes control of our lives; *Willing and able to reach out to the lost, the hurting, the defeated

H I S * N a m e s

*I AM That I AM *Elohim * El - The Strong One *Elah, Eloah, Allah - The Adorable One *El Elyon - God Most High * El-Roi - The Lord That Seeth * Heleyon, Eleyon - Highest * El Elohe Israel - God of Israel * EL Olam - God of Eternity * El Shaddai - The Almighty, All-Sufficient God * El Shaddai - The one who nourishes, supplies and satisfies. The Breasted One * Adon-Adonai -Jehovah Our Ruler * Adonai Elohim, Adonai-Jehovah * Jehovah (JHVH, JAH) - The Independent One, The Eternal, Ever-Loving One * Jehovah-Elohim - The Majestic Omnipotent God * Jehovah-Hoseenu - The Lord Our Maker * Jehovah-Jireh - The Lord will provide (what He foresees, He can furnish) * Jehovah-Rophi (Ropheka) - The Lord The Physician * Jehovah-Nissi - The Lord Our Banner * Jehovah M'Kaddesh - The Lord Doth Sanctify * Jehovah-Eloheenu - Lord Our God * Jehovah-Eloheka - Lord Thy God * Jehovah-Elohay - The Lord My God * Jehovah-Shalom - The Lord Our Peace * Jehovah-Tsebaoth (Sabaoth) - The Lord of Hosts * Jehovah-Rohi - The Lord My Shepherd * Jehovah-Tsidkenu - The Lord Our Righteousness * Jehovah-Shammal - The Lord Is With Me * Jehovah-Makkeh - The Lord Shall Smite Thee * Jehovah-Gmolah - The God of Recompenses * Jehovah-Shammah - The Lord Is There

Visions of Jesus vary with each faith

Consequences of Sin

• Steals Joy .... Psalm 51:12
• Removes Confidence ... 1 John 3:19-21
• Brings Guilt ... Psalm 51:3
• Gives Satan the upper hand ... 2 Corinthians 2:9-11
• Quenches God's spirit ... 1 Thessalonians 5:19
• Brings physical damage ... Psalm 38:1-11 and 31:10
• Causes an ache in the soul ... Psalm 32:3-4
• Breaks God's heart .... Ephesians 4:30
• Opens the door to other sins ... Isaiah 30:1
• Breaks fellowship with God ... Isaiah 59:1-2
• Produces fear ... Proverbs 28:1
• Makes me its slave ... John 8:34 and Romans 6:16

God's call

Is it right ... What is God's will? or is it What is God's will for my life?
In Henry Blackaby's book "Experiencing God," Blackaby says the correct question is what is God's will. It makes sense once you think about it. As God's children, IF we focus on Him, obey His commandments, study and meditate on His word, follow His lead and direction, we will come to know what is right for each of us. It's the following and obeying that stumps us. As humans, we generally think we know it all or at least a good share of it all. As we get into His word and hear what God is saying to us and then apply it to our lives, we learn we really don't know very much at all.

Blessing our Husbands

Blessing Our Husbands

by Rachel Weaver

I pray that you will read through this in its entirety and that it will be a blessing to you.

It would be a great way to start the new year off! Credits are listed at the bottom.

Ways that a wife can bless her husband taken from ideas given by a group of husbands.

1. Pray for your husband daily, not just casually ("God Bless Hubby") but for specific areas of need and blessing.
2. Thank God for your husband's strengths, for the growth you see, and for the kindnesses that he shows you and the needs he meets in your life.
3. Meditate often (at least once a week) on the Scriptures that teach your responsibilities and position in the home.
4. Listen to him. Try to really hear what he is saying when he communicates with you.
5. When he seems perplexed and troubled, do not pressure him. Support him by prayer, your presence, and words of encouragement.
6. Be ready to share your observations and insights in a meek spirit, but openly and honestly, when he asks you. You can be his best counselor. You can anchor him when he needs it most.
7. Encourage him. Do not nag him, or boss him. Do not argue with him even if you are sure he is wrong. He may have something in mind that you are not aware of or do not understand. Ask his counsel and advice.
8. Only say up building and affirming things about your husband to others. Do not criticize him even in a joking manner. Very rarely should you find yourself sharing anything about his faults or failings, and then only with someone who is truly in a position to help.
9. Bless your husband in public. Do not apologize for his background, weaknesses or failures. This will build up your reverence for him and help establish the trust that you should both have for each other.
10. If your husband has failed, entreat him in meekness, don't exaggerate the issue or berate him.
11. Let him know that you want him to be your leader not only by what you say but by what you do. You get that message across by the way you respond to the leadership he does give you.
12. Seek to please your husband even when he does not spell out what he wants you to do. Try to determine what his heart's desire is and do it as fully as possible.
13. Teach your children to honor him, respect him, and bless him. You do this best by your own example.
14. Depend on him. Be very sensitive to areas in which he wants you to act independently. Do not run away with this responsibility. Handle it carefully. If in question, choose dependence not independence.
15. Seek opportunities to serve your husband in love. Find ways to show him that he is your "lord."
16. Be ready to make changes in your day or schedule to accommodate his needs or desires, especially if you run a home business and he needs you or the children to serve in some capacity.
17. When you need to make an appeal, prepare carefully. Choose your words wisely. Choose the time well so that you can have his attention and time to explain yourself. That way you can be sure that he understands you. When he is weary, at the end of a long day is not a good time to communicate weighty matters.
18. Always let your husband have the last word, the deciding vote, the majority rule.
19. Don't say "I told you so."
20. Show appreciation for the way he provides for you.
21. Let your husband know that you love his attention to you and his singleness of heart for you. Bask in this attention and help him relate discreetly to other women especially by letting him know what makes women respond.
22. Reserve yourself, your beauty, and your charm for him. Maintain true modesty and reserve while relating to other men.

There are many, many ways to bless your husband that were not even touched here. These are just a few of the ways some husbands discussed that would make them feel honored.

Women tend to think of kisses, hugs, notes in lunch boxes and a meal spent together alone. I am sure that our men appreciate all of those things. But as I typed this list that husbands had made, I was extremely impressed with their need for support and encouragement.

They need and want a visible show of this. It is born out in our everyday life in the way we walk and talk, and in the way we respond to their leadership, plans, and desires.

I think that many times we ladies are blind to how much contriving and planning we do to get our own way. Perhaps not consciously, but non-the-less we often tend to get what we really desire. We think we just make good valid appeals. These appeals are in order sometimes, but where is your heart? Is it where your husband can safely rest or are you always pushing the limit?

Are you always going to bat for your young people and helping your husband to see why this or that is such a good idea? No doubt you do have good ideas that need to be shared, sometimes.

But I am fully persuaded that I, all too often, am really blind to my husband's true desires. Let us pray for each other and meditate on how we can be women whose husbands can safely trust in. Let us be supporters, encouragers and blessers.

Let us affirm our husbands and be there for them. I think it is especially important as our families grow up and husbands need to make boundaries and guidelines for our young people. Often these guidelines are hard to make and even harder to implement. Let us back our husbands up and help them in their sincere desire to guide our families right.

We can make their job infinitely easier and thus build a relationship of trust that deepens through the years, rather than ones that erodes as our young people grow in maturity. What a valuable legacy to pass on to posterity! Can he trust you to stand by him?

The Remnant Vol 1 No 7 September/October 1995

This tribute was forwarded to me three years ago. Someone else had found it years earlier with the note of a link that was no longer valid: mosquitonet.com/~kcalla).

A little Bible humor

Q. What do they call pastors in Germany?
A. German Shepherds.

Q. Who was the greatest financier in the Bible?
A. Noah. He was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.

Q. Who was the greatest female financier in the Bible?
A. Pharaoh's daughter. She went down to the bank of the Nile and drew out a little prophet.

Q. What kind of motor vehicles are in the Bible?
A. God drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury. David's Triumph was heard throughout the land. Also, probably a Honda, because the apostles were all in one Accord.

Q. Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?
A. Samson. He brought the house down.

Q. What excuse did Adam give to his children as to why he no longer lived in Eden?
A. Your mother ate us out of house and home.

Q. Which servant of God was the most flagrant lawbreaker in the Bible?
A. Moses. He broke all 10 commandments at once.

Q. Which area of Palestine was especially wealthy?
A. The area around Jordan. The banks were always overflowing.

Q. Who is the greatest baby sitter mentioned in the Bible?
A. David. He rocked Goliath to a very deep sleep.

Q. Which Bible character had no parents?
A. Joshua, son of Nun.

Q. Why didn't they play cards on the Ark?
A. Because Noah was standing on the deck.

P.S. Did you know it's wrong for the woman to make coffee? Yup, it's in the Bible:
"Hebrews."

Darkness ... don't get caught up in it

This week's Sunday school lesson, Sexual Purity Matters, uses Scripture verses from Genesis 2: 18-25, Proverbs 5: 1-23 and Romans 13: 11-14, of which Romans was especially intriguing to me. It says: (11) "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. (12) The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light. (13) Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not in strife and envy. (14) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."
Verse 11 says to me to not wait. Don't get caught up in the world, doing worldly things. Be about your Father's business, always pay attention to your spiritual life.
The second half of verse 12 has to do with ridding yourself of deeds/works of darkness and putting on the armor of light. The devil/Satan is darkness, Jesus is light.
Ephesians 5: 11 says "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."
I know what many of the deeds of darkness are, and after spending most of Friday updating the cult section on the Window To Christian Ministries Web site: windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/cults.html , I am more informed.
Unfruitful works/deeds include, but are not limited to:
revelry, drunkenness, licentiousness, lewedness, strife, envy, fornication, foolish talking, coarse jesting, satanic/occult worship, witchcraft, human sacrifice, psychics, fortune tellers, ouiji boards, crystal ball, tarot cards, tea leaf and palm reading, astrology, horoscopes, numerology.

If ... what would you do?

Romans 13:11 says "And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed."

Questions to consider:

• If you truly believed that Christ would return tomorrow, what would you do differently in your life today?
• Why aren't you doing that now?
• What is preventing you from following through?

What would I do differently? Share Christ more openly, more frequently.

Why aren't I? Fear of rejection, fear of failure.

What is preventing me from following through? That same fear.

It seems strange doesn't it. If God be with me who can be against me? God is with me. He is always with me. Ask and the door will be opened. Jesus will enter in. He will abide with you. He does abide with me. Since I have Jesus, what have I to fear? Why do we allow our fears to get the best of us. Why is it so hard to just go and do?

It's "QUOTE"able

Do you have a favorite saying, thought, inspiration? Send them my way and I'll add them to "It's A Quote" on the Window to Christian Ministries Web site. If its attributable to someone please indicate their name.

Purse strings

Proverbs 13:7 ..... "There is one who makes himself (pretends to be) rich, yet has nothing; and one who makes himself (pretends to be) poor, yet has great riches." Sometimes you can be rich and have money and untold treasures, but not be blessed. Sometimes you can be without money and all it holds, and be blessed beyond measure. Who is holding your purse strings? You or God?

Winter

Winter is back. We had it all during December, long before the official first day on Dec. 21. Then January came along and for the most part, temperatures were closer to normal and the snow had disappeared. But this week there were reports of snow coming this weekend, and what do you know, the TV guys had it right this time! First it was just a light coating, but by early evening, it looked like yuck! Well it didn't really look like that, I don't know what yuck looks like. It was kind of pretty. Its just that the mere thought of having to drag my boots out again made me think "yuck" -- the yards, the sidewalks, the streets were covered and I bet it was slippery too. I didn't venture out though to chance a quick encounter with the ground. Tomorrow will be soon enough, what with grocery shopping and other errands to do. The joys of winter are about as bad as the joys of changing health insurance providers. Oh if only January wasn't such a long month. How we look forward to February. In February we have Valentine's Day. Now that's a nice thought. My husband and I met the week before Valentine's Day a few years ago. That's even a nicer thought. Have a nice rest of January. ...

Why?

In today's newspaper, The Gazette, was an article about the Olivet Neighborhood Mission in northwest Cedar Rapids being burglarized. This is a wonderful ministry and I have frequently participated in its charity work by providing clothing and other items to give to those more needy than I. In this article however, it was noted $2,500 in damage was caused to the mission. Two dollars ($2.00) , a bag of handmade mittens and hats and a computer were taken. Why? I do not understand the reasoning of someone who would do this. Everything in the mission is given away. Who would do such a thing ... someone who has no sense of compassion? Why do some people think the only way to get something is to BREAK IN -- BREAK UP -- BREAK OPEN ... and TAKE? Ah ha, compassion. That's a character word. This person of one or more must have no character, no integrity. No, that's no true. They do have character. But not integrity. Not honest, not kind, no self-control, no courtesy, no self-discipline. But who am I to judge? I shouldn't. Sometimes I do anyway. But I shouldn't. That's God's beat. I hope whoever did this will hear their conscience saying "this was not good. you need to make amends." Maybe they'll hear. But will they listen? I can only hope they do.

More on character

There's always something to be gleaned from the Book of Proverbs, something new everytime we delve into it. Today its Proverbs 4, verses 23-27. Yesterday it was Proverbs 6, verses 17-19. Both deal with what the Lord doesn't like -- disunity, discord among our brethren -- and how to guard yourself against it.

Who are you? I mean who are you really? Not what do you do as in occupation or hobbies, not what you look like as in color of skin or size or shape.

The Lord knows who we are. He knows what's going on in our innermost being. He knows all. We should know who we are as well. We should know better than anyone else outside of God.

I decided to check out character / integrity on the internet and found lots of links relating to it. Some are:

• Integrity Matters - Character Education Videos for Children http://www.integrity-matters.com/home.html
• Character That Counts http://characterthatcounts.gospelcom.net/
• Short Bible Study on Character Integrity http://www.swapmeetdave.com/Bible/Integrity.htm

Our character has to do with:

• respect
• trustworthiness
• responsibility
• honesty
• loyalty
• reliability
• generosity
• kindness
• self-control
• perseverance
• accountability
• compassion
• courtesy
• conduct
• confidence
• dependability
• determination
• endurance
• ethics
• friendliness
• manners
• morals
• patience
• self-discipline
• self-respect
• sportsmanship
• temper
• temptation
• tolerance
• truthfulness
• values
• virtue

Character

What kind of character are you anyway? I've often heard that terminology used of another when we're not sure what one is up to, what they're saying about themselves. According to God's word our character reflects what is inside our hearts ... it is revealed through our behavior ... what we say, how we say it, what we do, how we act, what we think, how we portray it. Boy, sometimes you'd think you'd have to walk on eggshells. Sometimes I feel that way with other people. What I think and mean and how it comes out of my mouth isn't always the same. Others hear a different tone of voice. But God always knows what is going on. He knows us from the inside out, whereas our fellow humans only know us from outside appearances. Its those appearances that get us into trouble. We need to be more in tune to God's desires and will for us so our character is readily apparent no matter where we are and/or with whom.

These Scripture verses (paraphrased) show the importance of our heart and character. Read them yourself.

Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is more deceitful than all else and wicked.
1 Samuel 16:7 - Others look at outward appearance; God looks at the heart.
Matthew 5:8 - Blessed are the pure in heart, because they will see God.
Philippians 4:7 - The peace of God will guard your heart ... through Christ.
Hebrews 4:12 - The word of God judges ... the thoughts and the heart.

Cults

I found this very informational and intriguing site, called the New Zealand Cult Site, founded in 1999 by Ian Mander. Information I have on Cults is pale in comparison. If you are interested in what not to "cultivate," click on Cults.co.nz

Looking for something different

Are you looking for something different? A new job, a new career, a new relationship, a new house, a new car, a new attitude, a new church home? An article published this past summer in Today's Christian Woman talks about A New Church Home . It presents five questions to consider when looking for a place to belong. Check it out.

Interruptions

People come into our lives and leave. Everywhere, anytime. It's just the way it is. We can all learn something from these interruptions in our lives. And the friendships we forge can remain as well. Sometimes friendships whither like a weeping willow, but often times, if we work at it, the friendships of many seasons (or even short duration) remain and are strengthened.
Moving away, moving on, doesn't mean our friendships have to do the same. We just have to work at staying in touch, by phone, email, letter, a visit.

Life

All life is important. Sometimes you'd think animal life was more important than human life, but it isn't. It shouldn't be. Human life .... it begins with conception, it ends with death. And there again, sometimes there are those who believe its okay to end life right after conception. None of us have the right or the authority to end a life. We didn't create that life. You may think differently, afterall X and Y got together and Z was the result. But God created all life and therefore, only God has the authority to end life. I have no more authority than you do to determine when another human being's life should end. Whatever state of affairs we are in ... as a babe in the womb, a newborn, a child, a teen-ager, college-age, midddle-age, retired, old, sick, well, weak, strong, rich, poor ... no matter what, we are of value to Jesus/God. All life is important. God said so. Who are we to argue with our creator?

There is a season

I read from the New King James version of the Bible. Sometimes if I want to get a different slant on something, I go to Heartlight's SearchGodsWord Web site.

Today I read Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. Verse 1 says "To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:" In the easy-to-read version, that same verse says "There is a right time for everything. And everything on earth will happen at the right time."

God determines the time, but the time is not all the same for each individual. If you're married, then often you have to wait for God's timing to come to both of you and then act on it. Sometimes these actions upset others, but you can't let that interfere with what the Lord has instructed you to do or not do.

The phrase 'wait on the Lord' brought me to Isaiah 40:31: "But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."

Pursue, persevere

Pursue God's Kingdom and our needs will be met. Where is God's kingdom? You're in it, right here on earth. We should not be afraid, yet we are. Big time fear strikes me practically every pay day. Sometimes the bigger the pay check the bigger the fear. Always, I pay God first. Always, without fail, without questioning whether I should or shouldn't. There is no reason to think about it. That is one of the Lord's commands and that is one area my husband and I never fail to obey. Yet the fear factor remains. I remain diligent. I study the Bible, I think about what it says to me personally. I strive to do the Lord's will. I, of course, do not always succeed. Events have a way of making me feel depressed and despondent. This is not good. Events come and go, but we shouldn't give up or give in. Satan does not need to have the upper hand. I will only become more depressed and despondent, giving in to eating excessive sweets, giving in to Satan's power. No! Satan will not become my master. Pursue God's Kingdom above all else and the Lord will take care of you.

Scripture verse for today: Luke 12:34 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Trust God to meet your needs

That's easier to say than actually do. We want to believe God will meet our every need, yet our human nature often gets the best of us and we tend to believe He can only do it with help from us. Thinking about that now that it's in print, it looks ridiculous. God needing our help? Come on. God created the world, He created us. Why would He need our help?! He doesn't. Yet we do not yet believe that. If we did, then there would be no worry, no fear, no anxiety.

Doesn't it say somewhere in the Bible that God helps those who help themselves? Maybe not. It doesn't. Look for yourself, don't take my word for it. I think this is where we get the idea that we need to help God help us. What we need to do, I believe, is look to God for everything, not to our fellow beings, not to ourselves, to fulfill our needs. We need to read His word daily, study on His word daily, pray daily. Seek out the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Follow the Lord's instructions always and in all ways and it will come to pass.

Jehovah-Jireh The Lord will provide.

New year, new beginnings

It's Jan. 2, 2006. A new year, new beginnings, new memories, new sadnesses. It's been a couple of weeks since I last wrote, partly because of the Christmas season and all that it involves, but also because of deaths in the family.

Death always comes. It's a given. With life, there is death. God said it would be so. God never said it would be easy, and of course, it isn't.

My husband's dad died Dec. 21, 2005. Services were held Christmas Eve morning. It was beautiful and he is now in heaven, without pain or suffering, with his beloved wife and other family and friends, and without a doubt, with Jesus. He is definitely in a better place.

We had our annual Christmas Open House on Dec. 17. We knew it would be different because my father-in-law would not be able to come. It was the first time in probably 10 years. I missed him ... I will miss him more as this year of 2006 evolves.

Many others have lost loved ones and many are dealing with other traumatic events as I write. Some of us will deal with it by not dealing with it ... won't think about it, or will eat or drink to excess. Some will move on, move away. Some will decide to end their lives.

God wants us to deal with our pain. God / Jesus wants us to look to Him, pray our needs to Him. That's hard to do sometimes. Sometimes our pain causes us to be angry, to become withdrawn, to argue with our spouses.

We are de-decorating our house. It's not near as much fun as decorating. It's more depressing. It's necessary though.

Today's Scripture from Luke 12:15: And He (Jesus) said to them, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses."

December ....

It's Dec. 12. I have this entire week off from my paying job. Today I cleaned up the basement and in the process I found a New Testament that had belonged to my mother. She received it when she was 10 years old and a student at Lone Willow School in rural southwest Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The date was Dec. 13, 1920. How interesting ... 85 years ago tomorrow.

Dec. 13, 2005, the Ladies Class from church is coming to our house for its Christmas meeting. We exchange cookies and ornaments, reminisce, pray, share prayer requests and praises. We are a close knit group of ladies. Many of us have been together for 20 years or more.

Dec. 14, my husband and I and a friend will see "Polar Express" at the IMAXX/Science Station. I was able to purchase 2 tickets at a reduced price through my employment and got an extra one free.

Dec. 15, we are heading over to Prairie Middle School, where my nephew will be performing as part of the Seventh and Eighth grade band concert. He's in 8th grade and plays the piano and alto sax.

Dec. 17, we will host our annual Christmas Open House. We decorate our home, mostly indoors, and have a wooden creche outside near the lamp post. We have enjoyed opening our home to family and friends for 15 years.

Dec. 18, the Immanuel Baptist Church choir will present "Heaven & Earth Rejoice, A Christmas Worship Experience," at its evening performance ... that's 6:30.

Have you seen "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe?" We saw it Friday, Dec. 9. It was exciting and is full of symbolism. I have not read the book by C.S. Lewis but I sure would like to.

I am not ashamed

Romans 1:16 says: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of
God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."

I am not ashamed to share my faith. Unfortunately, sometimes I am not sensitive to another's desire to hear the Gospel ... or not hear it. My mouth got the best of me recently and I didn't realize it until I heard about it ... at work of all places. It didn't happen at work, but that didn't matter. I felt horrid. We are to have the attitude of Christ, which means being gentle and kind at all times, not just occasionally, when it pleases us. We are not to be judgmental, that is up to the Lord. Boy, I imagine God is very disappointed in me. But, thankfully, the Lord will forgive me.

If it comes to mind, please pray for those people who do not practice their faith, whatever it is, yet do not want to hear the Truth of Jesus either. They feel uncomfortable.

Let's pray for the best way to reach these people, without appearing holier than thou.

God hates the sin, but loves the sinner

God hates the sin, but loves the sinner. Human beings, it seems, hate the sin and the sinner. Christian or not, we do not follow the principles laid down by Jesus. I've seen it, and horrible as it is, I am sure I have been guilty of this. If we say we are not guilty, that we are sinless, then we are definitely not being honest or sincere. We're lying ... to ourselves and to God.

Psalm 140: 4-5 says: "Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; Preserve me from violent men, Who have purposed to make my steps stumble. The proud have hidden a snare for me, and cords; They have spread a net by the wayside; They have set traps for me."

Sometimes the wicked, the violent, the stumbler-makers, the net holders, the trappers are within the church. God sees all. We should not become so legalistic and proud that we miss what God is saying to us.

A vapor

James 4:14 - "whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."

A friend died suddenly this morning. I know, I know. All death is sudden. Perhaps a better word would be unexpectedly. I don't know. She was bleeding internally. The doctors couldn't help her. It caught me off-guard as it did a few others. My husband, as he was going off to work, said "we are but a vapor."

We are here and we are sad and remorseful. But Judy is in heaven with Jesus. She had accepted the Lord as her saviour and she is now with Him. Even amidst the sadness there is joy! For we know where she is and we know we will see her again and many of our loved ones who have gone on before her.

Every day, every hour, every minute could be too late for you. Don't shrug it off. Don't say another time. Do it now. Seek out the Lord, accept His promises for yourself. Believe in Jesus and be His child. Be saved now!

Saving links: http://windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/ReflectionsOnJesus.html
http://www.thekristo.com/

Games

I like to play online games, particularly Hardwood spades. Occasionally I meet really interesting people. Today I met Jordan. She goes by the name BohemianJ and lives in North Carolina. I go by the name JOYously. She commented she liked my Web site and when I perused hers, decided likewise. Many of the people who I meet online are obnoxious and out to get whatever they can with little care for others. Thank goodness for those others who make a difference.

God knows me

Psalm 139: 1-3 says: "O Lord, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are aquainted with all my ways."

God knows me. All of me. My every thought, my dreams, my desires, my hangups, my failings. He is there beside me all along the way I travel. If I fall away from Him, He is still there. It is only me or you who has moved. God remains. God is ever faithful. We often are not. Doing our own thing in our own time. Not always smart. Not always wise.

It is only through God, through His son Jesus Christ, that we gain wisdom and knowledge.

Blessings

It is interesting ... we are studying Job in Sunday School and Thursday is Thanksgiving. They sort of go hand in hand. Its about blessings ... its about honoring God in the midst of suffering and pain and loss ... its about doing the Lord's will for you.

Here's something more to think about ...

If God would grant you one blessing on earth that you desired, what would it be and why?

The thought that came to me had nothing to do with me.

Searching

We're always searching ... for food ... for drink ... for friends ... for a career ... a job ... for love ... happiness ... for knowledge ... for wisdom ... for GOD.
Psalm 136 was what I read today: "Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." The Lord is forever. Always present. We however are not always present with Him. We may be off searching for some unknown that we think will bring us fulfillment.
Fulfillment ... just what is that?! I'm not sure I have found it. But I think as long as I remain in God's word, and listen to His still small voice, fulfillment will be found. Not just listen though. Obey. Listen and obey. Hear, take it to heart. Be all the Lord has for you. Not less.

On the bandwagon

Results of a student survey by the Iowa Pride Network show "violence and harassment continues to be the rule, not the exception."

While I believe that statement bears a lot of truth, it is not true just for one targeted group -- gays/lesbians.

Christians in India, in Africa, in Russia, in Indonesia, and yes, in the United States, all across the world, are being bullied, harrassed, i.e., persecuted for their beliefs, for their witness of Jesus Christ.

A safe learning environment ... yes that would be ideal. For just one group? No! For all? You bet! In the United States, in Iowa, you would think it would be possible.

If there is going to be an anti-bullying law in the schools, then it needs to be for all students. No one group should be more protected than another.

We should learn to show respect for all peoples ... respect, love the person ... but not the action, not the lifestyle. Walk as Jesus walked.

Music, film, and ...

I love music. Thursday night my husband and I went to a jazz band concert to hear my nephew Jonathan perform. He plays the alto saxophone and the piano. He is almost 14 years old; has been playing piano since age 5 and this is his second year on the sax. He loves music and particularly jazz.
I like theater (movies/film inclusive) too and sometimes on televison I'll watch the International Film Festival. There are film festivals in Iowa (Tipton and Iowa City), but somehow I don't seem to get to them. Friday night our church (Immanuel Baptist) was hosting its first movie night ... and it was the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. We saw 6 films, varying in length from 8 minutes to 55 minutes. They were excellent, some silly or ridiculous, but mostly great and a lesson to be learned in each. One of them, Bluestate - Tolerance for All, was a semi-finalist and featured music by church member and pianist Matt W., who is a homeschooled senior. If you haven't yet seen Bluestate, I urge you to check out the Web site, buy the DVD and show it in your home churches. We hear much lately about Christian prosecution everywhere. This movie shows how it could be here in the United States.

Persecution

Psalm 129, verse 2 says "Many a time they have afflicted (persecuted) me from my youth; Yet they have not prevailed against me."

We all have periods when we think we are being persecuted, Christian and non-Christian alike. But as Christians, IF we continue to abide in and with the Lord, praising and worshipping Him, those who strike against us will not prevail. It will wash off like rain drops, because the Lord is with thee. This reminds me of Job (who I am currently studying in Sunday School) and his "friends." It also brings to mind all those missionaries in foreign lands who are boldly reaching out to the lost in Jesus' name; those who are persecuted because of their beliefs, who face death daily. We Christians who live in America think we have it tough, but I think those many others have it far tougher. There is much we could learn from them.

Comfort

In our Sunday School lesson on Job, the question is asked, "How would you want people to respond to you when you experience suffering?" -- (a) explain it to me (b) pray for me (c) comfort me (d) try to understand my circumstances (e) other

Job's friends came to give him comfort in the midst of his misery ... but NOT! They scrutinized him instead, they determined Job had sinned against God, why else would all these bad things have befallen him. Friend No. 1 Eliphaz says in Job 5:27 "Behold, this we have searched out; It is true. Hear it, and know for yourself."

But Job was righteous. God said so. God doesn't lie. He is all about Truth.

We have no right to sit in judgement of another. To come to another to give aid, comfort in times of distress is all fine and good, but to contemplate and determine why this other is in misery and then proceed to inform them how they got that way and how to get out of it, is just plain Wrong!

Bad things happen to good people. Often it is God's way of testing us, to help us grow in Him.
But even when it is not a test, we are still growing. We either learn to lean on God for our strength, or we lean on ourselves and other people. I prefer to lean on God ... I have tried leaning on myself and others ... but its overly stressful. God helps me rid myself of stress, He gives me rest.

Slow to speak

James 1:19-27: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man (person) observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

Do you ever speak or act first without thinking? I do, I have and I bet you have too. Afterall, we're human. That we are, but that doesn't mean we're to use that as an excuse all the time. If we profess to be Christians ... i.e., followers of Jesus Christ, then we should act and speak like Christians. And that means all the time, not just when it appeals to us. It's not easy. I have said things and done things that I have regretted. But, fortunately, if (when) the Lord convicts me, I follow through and apologize. Saying you're sorry is another very hard thing to do.

Sometimes when I see another acting contrary to God's laws, it reminds me of where I should be if I want my walk with Jesus to be without blemish.

Trust

Trust = have faith in = Believe
God does not waiver. If you believe in God, believe also in His son, Jesus, who came to be among us. Jesus is not just another prophet, like some religions prefer to believe. He is the son of God and of the virgin Mary. It is not Mary to whom one should worship. Mary did the bidding of her Holy Father, something all of us should do. But she is not the one who came to save us from our sins. God did not send Mary. God sent Jesus. Jesus is the one who was persecuted (and continues to be) and condemned to die for us, for our sins (He had no sin of his own) so that we would live and have eternal life. Without Jesus, we have no REAL Life, no purpose, no reason for being. We search for what is truth, for what will give us meaning. We think we've found it, only to discover we haven't. Not until we find Jesus ... then we must repent, admit that we are indeed sinners, ask God for forgiveness and accept Jesus's ultimate gift of sacrifice for us. Only then will our search for true purpose and meaning begin.

Why so many gods? ... so many denominations ... so many religions.
There is only one God - "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) There is none other.

Walk With Jesus

The pastor of First Baptist Church in LaGrange, Mo., writes a weekly column titled Walk With Jesus. I have been receiving it for as long as he's been writing it. Jim Reynolds has interesting insights. If you're interested in seeing what he writes about and possibly subscribing to it, please use this link: http://associate.com/groups/walkwithjesus/

Safety For ALL

I find it interesting that school boards across the country (including Iowa) are being forced to address the issue of safety for students of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persuasion, when the issue should concern safety for all, not just a select few.

Bullying / harassment is not a lifestyle happening. It goes on everywhere to all people: whether you are overweight, very thin, spend your days in a wheelchair, wear glasses, are lonely and/or depressed, have one parent or are adopted, are born-again Christian, or Muslim, or Hindu, by how you dress, the color of your skin, or whatever ... someone somewhere will give you a hard time and harass you by what they perceive as "not right."

If we're going to be concerned about the safety of our students, which I believe we should be, it should be a global concern. For all. Why should one type of people be given preferential treatment?

God loves you. But there are things He hates (Proverbs 6:17-19):

• A proud look
• A lying tongue
• Hands that kill innocent people
• A heart that plans bad/wicked things to do
• Feet that run to do evil things
• A person who tells lies in court and says things that are not true
• One who starts arguments and causes fights between other people

God's Time Table

EVERYTHING is according to God's time table, not our own. I read Psalm 124 this morning and it starts out with: "'If it had not been the Lord who was on our side,' ..." That's the key I believe. Fellow Christians, IF the Lord had/has not been with you, where would you be or where are you now? He is with us in the midst of all our struggles and triumphs, that is, IF we allow Him to be. He is with us in pain and sorrow, disappointments; and He is with us in exciting, joyous times.

This brought to mind Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 --

"To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born, And a time to die;

A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;

A time to kill, And a time to heal;

A time to break down, And a time to build up;

A time to weep, And a time to laugh;

A time to mourn, And a time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, And a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace, And a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to gain, And a time to lose;

A time to keep, And a time to throw away;

A time to tear, And a time to sew;

A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;

A time to love, And a time to hate;

A time of war, And a time of peace."

Knowing Jesus

Knowing Jesus is a lifelong process for His followers. It is not a simple thing. Attending church or "walking down the aisle" will not get you there. "There" is a walk with Him through life, talking with Him, reaching out to Him always, everywhere, praising Him, worshipping Him.

Knowing Jesus is a very personal thing. It's not head knowledge, because having information about something doesn't mean you are doing anything with it. It's a heart knowledge based on faith. It's an overwhelming sensation of love for Jesus, who died for me. Jesus Loves Me! I spent a long time arguing with myself over that. I couldn't understand how Jesus could love me. I am very undeserving, yet He loves me. He always loves me. He doesn't always love what I do, which I fear shows I do not always love Him. If I did, I do not think He would be unhappy with any of my actions. I am striving to live in His truth and not make up lies or falsehoods along the way. Like I said its a lifelong process.

Knowing Jesus is satisfying and exciting. The Bible, His word, is filled with exciting morsels of truth. The more you read, the more you want to know and the more you want to share with others. I do that through my Web site, Windows To Christian Ministries ... in Iowa and through this blog.

Knowing Jesus is having a song in your heart and a smile on your face ... no matter what. Sometimes that's hard. We think our tough times are the worst. But they're not. Afterall, Jesus went to the cross for us. He died for us. He died to give us life. Through thick and thin, Jesus is there for us. Where are we?

Ministries

I'm working on a new business idea ... one that might bring in some of that GREEN stuff, and no, I don't mean the grass on the ground or the leaves on some trees that haven't even turned red yet!

This project is connected with Window To Christian Ministries ... in Iowa in a broad sense. I'm putting together a Web site (its not up yet!) to sell laminated memorial keepsakes/tribute cards and bookmarks.

I've talked to lots of people who would like laminated copies of a loved ones' obituary, and they don't know where to turn. I've decided to fill a void here, although there are some funeral homes who provide this service and a lot of copy shops can laminate all sorts of things for you.

Today I even applied for a sales tax license, although unfortunately that will take 4 to 6 weeks before it arrives in my mailbox.

I've been toying with this idea for some time, but today I went forth and got a little bit conquered.

Walking in the Light

The other day (Oct. 24: The Unrighteous) I talked about how God loves us for ourselves, but not always for what we do or how we act. Today, as I finished studying the first part of Ephesians 5, I was reminded that we are to walk not only in love, but in the light. And the light is Jesus. We are to be fragrant imitators of God, a pleasant aroma. We can not be if we continue to walk in the ways of our past. For when we become children of God, our old way is washed away and we become new.
Verses 8-12 say:
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth), proving what is acceptable to the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret."

If you do not believe this and persist in living in your old ways, then it is reasonable to question whether you really are a child of God. According to Ephesians 4:22-24: "that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness."

Implementing change

Galatians 5:16-17 says: "...walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish."

How true. My biggest downfall has to do with eating. Even though I have lost considerable weight and look better and feel better, I still have my cravings and, unfortunately, give in to them too often. And then I don't feel so good. And hindsight seems to work better than foresight. We see the results of our sin (that's what it really is) after the fact. Its only when we learn how to say no to our personal desires and no to Satan, will we have a finger-hold in walking with the Lord. Its day-to-day, minute-to-minute, as we strive to be obedient to what the Lord commands of us.

You may think you have it down pat one day, everything is going so smoothly, but unless you stay in the Word, study it and follow through with your actions, the next day you may find has gone sour. The Lord is always available to each of us, but we have to actively seek His leading and pursue.

What is a Christian?

What is a Christian and are you one? To me a Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ. It is not one who merely prays or attends church. Its a personal relationship with Jesus, the founder of our faith.

On my Web site, http://windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com I have a link about World Religions. Under Christianity, there is listed Protestant, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox. The primary belief of all three is that Jesus is the Messiah and Saviour and heaven can only be assessed through belief and faith in Him.

What I find sad is that is where it stops. I have received emails from some people who think Catholicism is a cult and others who thank me for listing it as part of Christianity. Its confusing to say the least.

Earlier this morning I started reading on this Web site:
Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry. I will be doing some more reading and studying before I come to definite conclusions.

The unrighteous

God loves you and God loves me. But God does not love what we do when it is against Him and His commandments. I recently came across a site called ChristianGays.com
and while I believe God loves the gay man or woman, I do not believe God loves how that person is living.

I Corinthians 6:9-10 says:

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God."

Jesus Loves Me!

and He loves you too. Every now and then I sing "Jesus Loves Me" around the house. But I never knew the second and third verses, or if I did, they weren't in my memory bank. Here are all three verses:

Jesus loves me! this I know; For the Bible tells me so; Little ones to Him belong; They are weak but He is strong

Jesus loves me! He who died; Heaven's gate to open wide; He will wasy away my Sin; Let his little child come in

Jesus loves me! He will stay; Close beside me all the way; He prepared a home for me; And some day His face I'll see.

Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.

About God ... the lies and the TRUTH

Maybe you think there are no lies you believe about God. Well think again. Here are some you may have thought about at one time or another.

• God is not really good
• God doesn't love me
• God is just like my father
• God's ways are too restrictive
• God should fix my problems

I have believed God doesn't love me from time to time. But He does. And He's not like my earthly father. My father left when I was young. The Lord is always there for me. We are the ones who leave.

Think about what lies you have believed. There's probably more than are listed here. And once you've AGREED with God about these lies, ACCEPT responsibility for them and AFFIRM the truth and then ACT on that truth.

Truths I found for myself are:

• God's love for me is infinite and unconditional
• I don't have to perform to earn God's love or favor
• God always has my best interests at heart
• God is exactly wht He has revealed Himself to be in His word
• God is infinitely more wise and loving than any earthly father could ever be
• No matter what problem I am facing, God's grace is sufficient for me

Get out your Bible and read these verses:

• Psalm 100:5
• Psalm 23
• Psalm 124
• Romans 8:28-39

Think about what these verses reveal to you about the character of God and His heart toward His children.

I realized that I knew the Lord is good; His mercy lasts forever; His truth endures to all generations; the Lord is all - guide, protector, constant companion; the Lord watches over me at all times. He is ever waiting and watching; All things work together for good to those who love God. God is in control at all times.

Knowing the truth about God and living the truth about HIM is the difference.

Old and new

Our Sunday School class is studying Ephesians. Today's reading is from Ephesians 4:22-24:
"that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness."

I read that and it reminded me of the the many ways Satan digs into our minds and makes us think things that aren't true. We hear something and instead of bringing to mind all that God has said through His word, we dwell on the untruths and then believe and act on them.

How stupid! I'm right up there. I was saved, I am saved, I am a child of God, therefore, what was my old former self has been renewed. But if we don't live in the new, if we don't renew our minds ... our way of thinking, we haven't really put off that former conduct and we are living in bondage to sin, to Satan.

The way we live reveals what we believe.

The Lord

The Lord IS

• righteous
• faithful ... trusthworthy
• pure
• everlasting
• truth

He is so much more. But that is what He is in Psalm 119 verses 137-144.

Dear Lord,

Help me to always believe in you, never let me become wayward and distant from you.

Bring to my mind all that you are. Remembering you are faithful, help me too to to be faithful and do all that you instruct.

Help me always to see your truths.

Help me stay afloat, not falter, not drown in sorrow, in debt to man (myself or others).

Amen.

It's all about Jesus ... in Iowa

I started a ministry site 4 years ago. It purpose is to provide listings of Christian churches and ministries in Iowa so visitors and residents of the state can find a Bible-believing church or activity to attend. That link is http://windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/Communities.html

The site is a continuing work in progress. If you live in Iowa and are reading this blog, please check out the numerous links on the site. And if there is something you would like to see that isn't there or if you have information about a particular Bible-believing church or ministry that is not listed, please submit your request. That link is http://windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/SubmitInfo.html

Other links that you may be interested in are:

• How to know you have eternal life: http://windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/GodsPromises.html

• Have you accepted Jesus as your personal saviour?http://windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/ReflectionsOnJesus.html

• Who or what do you perceive as God? http://windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/God_Is.html

• Christianity/Buddhism/Islam and more http://windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/WorldReligions.html

• Churches/Denominations that preach the word http://windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/namethem.html

• Organizations that DO NOT believe in or profess the word of God http://windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/cults.html

• Do you believe you can sin and get away with it?http://www.windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/Consequences.html

• Educating your child http://www.windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/ChildcareandSchools.html

• Evangelists and Missionaries with an Iowa connection http://windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/Ambassadors.html

• Links to Christian sites: http://windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/Connections.html

• Testimony and Faith Statement http://windowtochristianministriesiniowa.com/ChristianMinistries.html

For your garden

I received this from a friend. I've seen it before, but decided to share it this time with all of you. It's so true. If we did what it instructs we'd be far better off.

Come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses...






FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING, PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS:


1. Peace of mind 2. Peace of heart 3. Peace of soul


PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:




1. Squash gossip
2. Squash indifference
3. Squash grumbling
4. Squash selfishness


PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:




1. Lettuce be faithful
2. Lettuce be kind
3. Lettuce be patient
4. Lettuce really love another

NO GARDEN IS WITHOUT TURNIPS:



1. Turnip for meetings 2. Turnip for service 3. Turnip to help one another




TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN, WE MUST HAVE THYME:

1. Thyme for each other 2. Thyme for family

3. Thyme for friends

WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE

AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVE.

THERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN

BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

GOD BLESS YOU!

Poetic beauty

I have been reading Psalm 119 for weeks. It has many, many verses - 176 to be exact, and I read 129-136 today. I want to share it with you today from the New King James version of the Bible.
"Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul keeps them. The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. I opened my mouth and panted, For I longed for Your commandments. Look upon me and be merciful to me, As Your custom is toward those who love Your name. Direct my steps by Your word, And let no iniquity have dominion over me. Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts. Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes. Rivers of water run down from my eyes, Because men do not keep Your law."

My hope is in you

Psalm 119 (Samek) says, "I hate the double-minded, But I love Your law. You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word."

My hope is in You. Do not let me be ashamed. You are my hiding place, my refuge. In times of strife, do not allow me to become separated from you, to become divided, to stray, to not know what is right and what is not. Hold me up, keep me ever mindful of your statutes, your judgements, your testimonies, your commandments. Help me be obedient to you Lord.

Coming of Age

How old are you? If you're past 21 or even if you're not there yet, what does that mean to you?

For lots of people turning 21 means you can be on your own, out from under your parents' wing, with opportunities to do or be whatever you want. Those opportunities can result in positive development or negative. It could mean drinking and bar-hopping, or getting stoned on marijuana or crack, or being promiscuous, having children out of wedlock. It could also mean following the Lord, learning how to be what He desires of you, listening to and learning from those more mature than you and becoming mature yourself.

Spiritual maturity is not something that comes with age. I'm in my 50s (shhhh! don't tell anyone) but I've witnessed people in their 20s or 30s who have more maturity than I. A person can be 50 or 70 and not be mature. Therefore a person in their teens can show more spiritual maturity than someone much older.

Spiritual maturity has to do with your walk with Christ. It involves prayer, Bible study, obedience. Its an ever learning process ...

Lies - an overview

Everyone at some time or another in their life tells a lie or believes a lie. When I read the book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, "Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets them Free," my eyes opened wide in amazement.

Firstly, DeMoss indicates we are in bondage ... frazzled, exhausted, burned-out, overwhelmed, confused, angry, frustrated, discouraged, defeated, depressed, ashamed, emotionally unstable, uptight, insecure, lonely, fearful, suicidal. I admit I've been all of those at least once. I bet you have too. And we don't like how that feels.

God wants us to be joyous, contented, loving, radiant, confident, gracious, peaceful, stable.

So, why aren't we? What has happened? DeMoss says Satan deceives us by causing us to make decisions based on what we can see and what our emotions and our reason tell us is right RATHER than what God has already told us. Nowhere does it say in the Bible that God desires us to be exhausted or overwhelmed or frustrated or insecure or fearful.

When we are not honest with each other we are doing Satan's work for him, we are acting as Satan's agents, deceiving and destroying each other.

Stop and think, meditate on what you are hearing.

• What is the message here?
• Is it really true?
• Am I being deceived by a way of thinking that is contrary to the truth?

Bondage begins when we first listen to a lie.

Listening to a view point that is contrary to God's word sends us down a road that leads to disobedience and ultimately, physical and spiritual death.

1. Listen to lie
2. Dwell on lie and sooner or later we
3. Believe the lie and then we
4. Act on the lie

In moving from bondage (lies) to freedom (truth), each of us need to

1. Identify areas of bondage or sinful behavior. Ask God to show you specific areas where you are not free.
2. Identify the lie(s) at the root of that bondage or behavior.
3. Replace the lie(s) with the Truth.

Its more than "Do I believe this lie?" Its "Do I live as though I believe this lie?"

Birthdays

Today is nearly over. But its still Sunday, Oct. 16. Today is Beanne's birthday. She'd be 90-something. She and my mom were friends, went to college together ... back in the 1930s. A lifetime ago. They went to Coe College ... how that campus has changed. They actually have a campus and it is really pretty. Beanne was always silly and I remember her telling me I was too and not to ever lose it. Having humor is important in life. Sometimes it helps you get through the painfully difficult times.

I was reading a blog (before I decided to write this) of someone who was reminiscing about his dad who died 14 years ago. My mom died nine years ago last month. I think of the day of her going home every year, about a month or a week before the actual date. There are so many times I wish she was here, to talk with and do stuff with. But she is in a better place (heaven) and although I still miss her, one day I'll be with her and we can talk to our hearts' content.

Understanding God's peace

Peace ... what do you consider that to be? According to the Scriptures, it is completeness based on God's presence rather than circumstances. If it were only based on circumstances, none of us would ever find peace. We would be in a constant state of turmoil.

Peace is what Jesus Christ represents to everyone. But of course, not everyone finds that peace, not everyone comes to know Christ as their personal saviour, not everyone becomes one of God's chosen.

God's chosen are not one distinct group of people, i.e., the Jews.

Read Ephesians 2:14-15. It says the same thing in many different versions of the Bible, but some are easier to understand. I compared the New King James to The Message and the Good News. This is what the Good News says:
"For Christ himself has brought us peace by making Jews and Gentiles one people. With his own body he broke down the wall that separated them and kept them enemies. He abolished the Jewish Law with its commandments and rules, in order to create out of the two races one new people in union with himself, in this way making peace."

Emphasizing differences and division thwarts one's abilities to understand and enjoy the meaning of true peace. Even when the walls are torn or broken down, without wholeness and unity, there is no peace.

God's chosen people are all those who come to Christ and are His followers.

Life with Christ

The Sunday school lesson this week is on "Experiencing God's Life-Changing Power" and is taken from Ephesians 1:18 - 2:10.

"The Purpose-Driven Life," written by Rick Warren asks What on Earth am I here for?
I struggled with that for a long time. I wondered what legacy I would leave anyone since I had no children and only one nephew and not a lot of influence there that I could see. I came to realize that I'm not really put on this earth for me and my selfish desires. I'm here to praise and worship God, my creator, your creator. To obey His commandments, not to listen to our inner thoughts telling us other things.

God tells us through the Scriptures (vs. 8-10):
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

It is by His grace we have been saved through faith in His son Jesus Christ. It is not anything we have done -- no way we can earn salvation. It is God's gift to us. No matter where you are in your life - no matter where you live. A person is not saved by being born in a particular country or by belonging to a particular ethnic group.

I will follow you ...

Some of you may remember the song "I will follow you." It was around probably during the late 1960s. I love that song.

But the meaning I'm thinking of here, has to do with following the Lord. Psalm 119 (He) says:
"Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end."

Instruct, help me understand, direct me in your ways;
Incline my heart toward you and not inwardly to my own selfish desires;
Shield my eyes from looking at worthless things;
Regenerate, rejuvenate me to follow you;
Bring to my mind your every word to keep me on your path to righteousness.

Is it the Truth ... or is it a lie?

The Truth -- Psalm 119 (Gimel) says "Open my eyes that I may see." This refers to spiritual insights, what we glean through reading the Word of God. I recently finished reading a book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss titled "Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free." In the next few weeks I will be commenting on those lies and God's truth.

Pure ... unblemished ... cleansed

Psalm 119 - Beth:

"How can a young man (i.e., person) cleanse his way?"

My take on this is that the only way to keep your life pure, unblemished, or to clean up your life is to obey the Lord's commandments, live according to His will, NOT your own. Bring to mind at all times God's word and apply it to your life. Memorization of the Scriptures is useful (and I'm not very good at that). Study His Holy word and meditate on how God is using the Scriptures to make your life completely whole. Think about what is pleasing to the Lord, not what you personally desire.

Blameless ... undefiled

Psalm 119 - Aleph says
"Blessed are the undefiled (i.e., blameless) in the way who walk in the law of the Lord."

Who is blameless? Is it possible to follow the Lord's commandments and be blameless? We are human, we are not God, how can we be blameless, how can we be pure? Is it talking about cleansed?

There is no one, but Jesus, who is without SIN. The rest of us may make every attempt to follow the Lord, seek Him, walk in His ways, keep His commandments, YET, it is only through Christ's shed blood, His death on the cross, His burial and His resurrection, that we can be cleansed, saved, born-again. And even then, that requires a personal acceptance, a heart knowledge, an individual application.

The Lord

I have been reading the psalms and today's reading was Psalm 118. The first thing I noticed was "His mercy endures forever." I remembered reading yesterday in Psalm 117 that "His truth endures forever." I remember because I wrote it down. I've been contemplating doing a word study on "truth" but today I thought I'd check out the phrase "endures forever."

I found

• 42 occurrences referring to His mercy
• 4 occurrences referring to His righteousness
• 1 occurrence referring to His praise
• 1 occurrence referring to His truth
• 1 occurrence referring to His righteous judgments
• 1 occurrence referring to His name
• 1 occurrence referring to His word

My God reigns.