Thursday, March 20, 2014

GOD'S NOT DEAD!!!

I decided to take a break from my posts on being "Fervent" and share some things that have been heavy on my heart lately.

Mostly, I've been struggling with how much the world (and especially the United States) has not only become greatly secularized, but is often working overtime to tear down and degrade those who are claiming and living out their Christian beliefs. Not only that, but I'm seeing how our own schools (funded by the state) and government (funded also by the citizens) are now trying to make it illegal for Christians to express/live out their Christian convictions. What we used to be able to do freely, without fear of being sued, reprimanded, and threatened has become a concern in many schools, businesses, and daily lives.

There is a new movie, recently made by "Pure Flix" that will be opening in many theaters around the nation on Friday, March 21st.

Here is a review by the Dove (award) Foundation:
"This is a powerful film. Kevin Sorbo(played Hercules years ago) turns in a brilliant performance as a Philosophy professor who starts his new class by insisting that his students sign a paper stating "God is dead". One student, named Josh, refuses to do so and Professor Jeffery (Sorbo) tells him he must debate the topic that God is dead and give convincing evidence that he is not. Josh accepts the challenge and the viewer later learns why Professor Jeffery has been bitter at God for a long time. It should be noted that the professor's girlfriend is a Christian but he just can't seem to outrun God.

Other plots involve a man named Mark (Dean Cain, who played in the T.V. series, Superman.) who is self absorbed and doesn't care when he learns his girlfriend has cancer. He ignores his elderly mother too who has dementia and is in a nursing home. This compelling movie features the Newsboys who minister to the woman with cancer and a providential moment when Pastor Dave (David A.R. White) has an opportunity to minister to a certain college professor. In addition, a woman lives for Jesus despite the fact her father belongs to another religion and will reject her if she doesn't reject Christ. We are happy to award this movie our Dove "Family-Approved" Seal for ages twelve plus. This movie is a powerful tool to remind every viewer: God is certainly not dead!"

I have a son who is currently in college and my husband and I plan on taking him to see this movie this coming weekend.


If you think this isn't truly a big problem in the schools our country, think again! Please watch the video below! It is very unnerving and frightening to think about what our future generations are being taught and by whom!!
This is why the movie "God's Not Dead" is SO important! If you have or know a college student/high school student, PLEASE watch/take them to the movie! Our freedoms as Christians are being taken away!!
I would highly recommend that all Christians, especially for teens to young adults, watch this movie! To see a list of possible theaters that are near you that are playing this movie, go HERE.   If you aren't able to go see it, please pray for those who will be. This can be such a powerful tool to bring others to Christ!
 "God's Not Dead is a powerful reminder of the importance of always being ready to give a defense of the hope that is in us, and how desperately hungry the hurting world around us is for that hope."
Bob Pritchett, CEO, Logos Bible Software
 Here is the official music video of the song "God's Not Dead" by the Newsboys. I think the movie was based on that song and will include the band in the movie itself. I have always like this song, so I really look forward to seeing the movie, also!
I'm also sharing, once again, some more blessings that the Lord has provided and gifted me with throughout my week. Linking up with  "Multitude on Mondays" blog hop over at "A Holy Experience".
Some of my favorite verses that remind me that the Lord is eternal:
  • 1,651 - Revelation 1:8
    I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
  • 1,652 - Psalm 90:1-4
    Lord, you have been our dwelling place
    throughout all generations.
    Before the mountains were born
    or you brought forth the earth and the world,
    from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
    You turn men back to dust,
    saying, “Return to dust, O sons of men.”
    For a thousand years in your sight
    are like a day that has just gone by,
    or like a watch in the night.
  • 1,653 - 1 Timothy 1:17
    Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
1,654 -  Even though it actually snowed here this morning, it's officially the first day of Spring! Beauty and new life is just around the corner!! :)
1,655 - My stepfather's healing...he's had poor health and was in the hospital for a few days, but is now home.
1,656 - A good annual review from my boss in the counseling center at work.
1,657 - Talented and conscientious Christians who are dedicated to making movies, like "God's Not Dead" (And "The Son of God" that is also in theaters.)
1,658 - Getting excited to see my son this coming weekend!! (Visiting from college)    

Linking over to these blog hops:

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Saturday, March 15, 2014

A Quiet Retreat

Welcome to
...where I share different verses from the Psalms every week!
 May you find truths about God, yourselves, and living life in the images and word pictures shared here!
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 I find hope in His Word!
 In Christ, through the Word, I find hope for acceptance and justification, for peace, pardon, and eternal salvation; all which are in Him. The promises contained in His Word are my only sure hope! 
 
May you find a quiet retreat, wherever you are, and may you find renewed hope in His Word.
 
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Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Blazing Hearts On Fire (Pt.1)

Jeremiah 20:9
"His word is in my heart like a fire!"
In Luke 3:16 we hear John the Baptist proclaiming  
“I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."  

John shares with us that this fire is a good fire, a fire of the Love of God, a fire of the Holy Spirit, a fire of doing God's will, waiting to burn in each of us. This fire, is the fire that Jesus gives us-the blazing in our hearts that must continually burn.

On Pentecost we see the Church, Christ's believers, set on fire by the Holy Spirit. He creates faith. He sustains faith. He sets our hearts on fire. He builds us up, kindles our faith, through the message of Christ crucified and risen again.

It is His desire that the world would be filled with the fire of belief and Faith in the one true God.
Luke 24:32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
If we are on fire and consumed with God, we are going to have that intimate relationship He desires with us.

This inspiration that fills a life with fire and fervor for the Lord, comes from the HOLY SPIRIT of God! The Bible says, 
"Our God IS a consuming FIRE" (Hebrews 12:29), and repeatedly compares His Spirit to a fire, or flames of fire. (See Acts 2:3,4; Revelation 4:5; Matthew 3:11.)

--So if we want to have a blazing heart for the Lord, full of His fiery anointing and inspiration, all we need to do is just PRAY and ask Him to EMPOWER and FILL us with the power of His Holy Spirit!--And He WILL! Even if you're not always exactly sure what to do or even how to do it, you can PRAY, acknowledge the Lord, and then do your best to obey what you DO know is His will.

Let's get our hearts BLAZING ON FIRE for God by earnestly praying and faithfully and hungrily reading His Word and letting His Truth and His Spirit inspire us, filling us with the vision of the great things He wants to do with us and through us!--And then let's do OUR part by putting our WHOLE heart into WHATEVER tasks we can do for JESUS and OTHERS!!

source

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I'm continuing to give thanks, listing the many gifts from the Lord! Linking over at  "Multitude on Mondays".
1,639 - Thankful that my mom, who fell on the ice last weekend, didn't seriously injure herself! 
1,640 - Thankful for extra time with my hubby, who is taking the next several Fridays off because he has to use up his vacation time- making extended weekends!! 
1,641 - Enjoying a few much warmer days (in the 50's, instead of the teens and 20's)
1,642 - Thankful that the ice is holding out for those crazy people who continue to drive their cars out on the lake!! Ahhh!
1,643 - All this snow, trying to melt just a little in the warmer temps.
1,644 - Eating my favorite meal (Fetuchini Alfredo) at our favorite restaurant!(A small hometown diner near our house). 
1,645- My doggies finally getting to walk on grass again!!!(This was the first time our little Cheyenne has walked in our yard since we got her in December)

1,646 - Taking in deep breaths of fresh air on such a gorgeous day!! 
1,647 - Hearing someone calling me from above...no it's not the Lord...
 It's my hubby, who opened a window to let in some fresh air!!

1,648 - The beautiful white birch trees that our neighbors have in their yard look so white in the sunlight!!
1,649 - The warm sun, piercing throught the trees; a jetstream, forming a line across the sky!(It seems like I haven't seen these things in months!)

Linking over to these blog hops:

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Saturday, March 8, 2014

God's Mercy and Healing Power!

Welcome to
...where I share different verses from the Psalms every week!
 May you find truths about God, yourselves, and living life in the images and word pictures shared here!
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 It's been a very stressful week! Family members have been sick and injuries from falls on the ice have caused pain and suffering to some.

It is such a comfort to know that God is full of mercy and heals us when we are weak and helpless.
 Most of Psalm 6 talks about our pain and suffering, but in verse 9 we are reminded that...

"The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;
    the Lord accepts my prayer."
  
Thank You, Lord for showing so much mercy towards me and hearing my prayers that go up to You every day!! Amen.
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Thursday, March 6, 2014

Strive to be an "Eager Beaver"

(I'm not sure why, but this post has been in my drafts for over a week! I have really struggled either to be motivated to write or just don't have the time/energy to get it completed. So, please bear with me. I am very late getting it published, but I felt I really needed to post it before the end of the week. I'm not sure if someone is supposed to read it this week, or what, but I wanted to post it in obedience to what I sense the Lord is wanting me to do. God bless you all!)

I remember as a child, hearing people use the phrase 
"eager beaver",
to describe someone who was enthusiastic and willing to jump right in with whatever they were doing!

 "Referring, of course, to the industrious beaver, this near-rhyming expression is a Canadian Army phrase that was penned around 1940. People observed beavers working and, well, beavering away at their work - they seemed to always be doing work of some sort of other which was admirable."
(From "Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins" by Robert Hendrickson (Facts on File, New York, 1997). Page 224.)

Now, I'm not a big fan of beavers. To me, they look like big rodents! But, from what I know about them, they are quite industrious and hard-working.
Metaphorically, an eager beaver is a person who possesses an unusual amount of energy and enthusiasm for working hard and completing far more than might generally be required of him or her.  A willingness, zeal or longing to accomplish a task or fulfil an ambition.

Believers should be eager to follow and serve their Lord in many ways! Here are just a few, followed by verses that share this:

Eager to do good works Tit 2:14 See also 2Co 8:7,22; Tit 3:1,8,14; 1Pe 3:13, 1 Cor. 2:10
Eager to serve Ro 12:11; 1Pe 5:2 See also Ps 110:3; Ro 12:8; 1Co 14:12; Eph 4:3; Tit 3:8, Gal 2:10
Eager to share the truth Ro 1:15; 2Pe 1:15 See also Acts 18:25; Ac 21:13; Ro 15:20; Php 1:20; Jude 3
Eager to receive or understand the truth Mk 12:37; Ac 10:33 See also Mk 10:17 pp Mt 19:16 pp Lk 18:18; Lk 2:15; Lk 21:38; Jn 4:40; Ac 13:42; Ac 17:11; 1Ti 4:15
Eager to give 2Co 8:7 See also Ex 35:21-22; 1Ch 29:9; 2Co 8:11,19; Gal 2:10; 1Ti 6:18
Eager to pray Col 4:2 See also Ro 15:30; Php 1:3-4; Col 4:12
Eager for God’s honour Nu 25:11 See also 1Ki 19:14; 2Ki 10:16; Jn 2:17
Eager to see Jesus Christ’s return and the end of the world 1Co 1:7 See also Mt 24:44 pp Lk 12:40; Ro 8:19 
Creation shares the same eager expectation; Ro 8:23; Gal 5:5; Php 3:20
source

Those eager to receive the message of salvation are thought to have noble character:
  • "Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." Acts 17:11
A wise person is eager, yet patient:
  • "But if we hope for what we do not yet observe, we eagerly wait for it with patience." Romans 8:25 ISV
We also need to be careful about what we are eager for. There are wrong kinds of eagerness:
  • "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10
  • “A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” Proverbs 28:20 (NIV)

We also have to be aware that our spiritual eagerness can be superficial and unreal

  • "Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them. It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always, not just when I am with you." Gal. 4:17-18
  • "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;" 1 Peter 5:2
There is also another saying (this one was actually one that I've never heard before):

"An Eager Beaver Could Be The Collapse Of A Dam"

Galatians 4:17-18
They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/eagerness#sthash.L7o9qBt6.dpuf
But, I think it can apply to how we live out our "eagerness". Here are some verses that might apply to this saying:
  • "Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools." Ecc. 7:9 NASB
  • "A stingy man is eager to get rich and is unaware that poverty awaits him." Prov. 28:22 NIV
Galatians 4:17-18
They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish to shut you out so that you will seek them. But it is good always to be eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with you.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/eagerness#sthash.L7o9qBt6.dpuf
Are you like the "eager beaver", ready to jump into serving the Lord, or do you struggle to "get things done" with enthusiasm and a willing heart? I know, for me, there are times I am more of an "apathetic aardvark". May we seek to show true eagerness for Him in our lives!!

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I'm continuing to give thanks, listing the many gifts from the Lord! Linking over at  "Multitude on Mondays".
1,630- Great ladies Bible study lesson, followed by some girl time with my friend!!
1,631 - A quiet week at work.
1,632 - Spending an afternoon with my mom!
me and my mom
1,633 - Getting to sing some great worship songs in our church service!
1,634 - The beginning of the week was difficult, but God got us through it.
  • My great-niece was hospitalized with RSV.
  • Lots of illness /injuries at work.
By today, things were MUCH better...
  • niece feeling better, released from hospital
  • most of the staff feeling better
  • 2 ladies that came into our church for help got saved!!!
1,635 - Watching a crazy driver speeding across the frozen lake and doing donuts.(Yes, this has become our entertainment during these dreary winter months!)


1,636 - Getting stuck in the snow and my hubby taking off work to come push me out! (The blessing wasn't as much, getting stuck as was seeing my hubby!) Such an awesome guy!
1,637 - Safe travels to and from work!
1,638 - After several days of yucky weather, we had sunshine and temps above freezing today!!! Thank You, Lord!!   

"I'm eager to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be encouraged by yours. In this way, each of us will be a blessing to the other." Romans 1:12
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Friday, February 28, 2014

My Soul Thirsts For You, Lord!

Welcome to
...where I share different verses from the Psalms every week!
 May you find truths about God, yourselves, and living life in the images and word pictures shared here!
♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡
Psalm 63:1-8 
Ardent Longing for God
A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, you are my God for you I long!
For you my body yearns; for you my soul thirsts, like a land parched, lifeless and without water.
 $18 - Psalm 63:1 by #AmenPrintables via #Society6 
So I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory.
For your love is better than life; my lips offer you worship!
I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands, calling on your name.
My soul shall savor the rich banquet of praise, with joyous lips my mouth shall honor you!
When I think of you upon my bed, through the night watches I will recall that you indeed are my help
   
and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.
My soul clings fast to you; your right hand upholds me.


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Monday, February 24, 2014

Ardent for the Lord!

I've never read the book, but the first time I watched the movie "Pride and Prejudice", I fell in love with it! There were many aspects of the movie that I loved, but the most outspoken theme throughout was the great emotional conflict and passion between the the characters.
I think of the part of the movie where Mr. Darcy finally can't hold it back any longer. After pursuing her throughout the movie, he tells Lizzy how he feels about her, no matter what his family or friends said, no matter what society told him, and even when she turned him down at first, ..but he didn't care. I like this brief summary of his ardent devotion. (I only ask for you to watch the first 50 seconds, especially if you've not seen it and don't want to spoil knowing the storyline..but if you're like me, you most likely will watch the whole scene.)

I think of my relationship with Jesus, my Lord and Savior! Oh, that I would hold nothing back, but passionately pursue Him without consideration of what others say or think. To desire to be devoted to Him and let nothing hold my heart and emotions back...
I long to know God. And God desires this connection as well.The longing in our souls can only be quenched by an intimate relationship with our Savior.

With enthusiasm, may we be ardent witnesses of the faith which we have received!  Make the loving face of the Saviour shine in every place, to show all who hear us proclaim our love for Him know truth, life, and hope in a difficult world!
 Just as Mr. Darcy proclaimed, so let's proclaim to our God...

Those who are ardent in faith-
  • seem to show a burning faith - in itself a true and evident token of God's divine Presence ! For they truly know their Lord in the Breaking of Bread, whose hearts burn so ardently when Jesus walks with them. (Luke 24:32)
  • display such devotion and affection, such unfeigned love and fervor, to have a heartfelt desire of His love in sacred Communion, that faith may be strengthened, that hope in His goodness may be fostered and that love once perfectly kindled, having tasted the Bread of Heaven, may never fail.(source)
We in our souls all long for a personal, deep relationship. Who better to have one with, than the person that knows us best because He created us?
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Continuing to give thanks, listing the many gifts from the Lord! Linking over at  "Multitude on Mondays".

1,621 - Bible verses that reminded me what it means to be ardent for the Lord...
  •  "For I wrote you out of great distress and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to grieve you but to let you know the depth of my love for you."  2 Corinthians 2:4
  •  "What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops." Matt. 10:27
1,623 - Sierra Mist soft drink 
1,624 - Celebrating my father-in-law's 86th birthday. 
1,625 - Electric heating pads - for those backaches that won't go away! 
1,626 - Beautiful sunrises on a cold winter day!

 1,627 - Youtube, where I can listen to music and watch some of my favorite Christian speakers. (Like Ravi Zacharias) 
1,628 - Attending my two granddaughters basketball games.(6th and 8th grades) 
1,629 - I know I share a lot of pictures of them, but I just adore my two canine companions!
Now, they are best friends
 
Taking a ride in the car.
My hubby, talking to Cheyenne
1,630 - Talking with my son tonight on the phone, even if it was just a brief conversation.      

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Everything is Blooming!!

Well, if it wasn't evident in my last post, it’s definitely very evident this time around!! Spring has sprung!!! We’ve been keeping so ...