Reflections

Lately I've been pondering church and why we do things the way we do them. For instance church is so different these days. You can attend a traditional service where most people dress in their "Sunday best" and go to Sunday school followed by preaching. You can attend a more contemporary church where people don't dress up and they drink coffee and have refreshments. You can attend a church that offers contemporary and/or traditional worship depending on the time you come. You can attend church in a school gym, a remodeled mall, a metal building or a traditional church building complete with stained glass windows and a sanctuary. Once you get to the church you may see people in all types of clothing and shoes. Those same people will have their Bibles, but the versions will vary as much as the people. There's the King James version, the New King James Version, the New International Version ... and the list goes on. Most churches not only have an organ, but now have drums, trumpets, well ... a full orchestra. Some churches still have a choir and choir robes. The main thing the church needs is to invite the Holy Spirit to join in the midst of those attending. The church needs to have a man of god who preaches from the word of God. The church needs sinners who want to be saved by Jesus' blood. What does church mean to you?

When I was a little girl mom made sure me and my brothers put on our Sunday best and we went to Tucapau Baptist church. We sat on the 3rd pew from the back, left side of the church. I absolutely loved looking out of the beautiful stained glass windows. Each window had someones name of dedication. We sang hymns and actually held the hymnal ( sharing the hymnal with my mother was something precious). We knew everyone around us and made sure to greet any visitors. We read out of the King James Version of the Bible and I'm sure we all had the same version. It was where I prayed and asked Jesus into my heart and where I was baptized. I lived next to Startex Mill and on Sunday the mill was shut down. That meant peace and quiet; no noise of the looms running or people talking or traffic in the parking lot. Sunday was a special day, set apart. It was a day of worship, respect and reverence. I wonder if it will ever be that way again? Sadly, I believe that time in our history is gone ... I miss it. I wish my daughter could have experienced a Sunday like I did.

Reflecting ...

Mountains and Valley's

Have you ever been to the top of a mountain? Isn't it neat how clear and far you can see? Unfortunately though mountain tops are for picnics and hiking ventures. Once you've been there for a while you return to the valley. Life is a lot like mountain tops and valley's. Where ever you may find yourself as you read this, know this, God is with you where ever you are even when you don't "feel" Him. I posted a very personal blog a week or so back about my daughter's first days back to school and anxiety. I have sense deleted that blog, not for any reason other than the fact that is was personal and I feel like those who needed to read it, read it. I will move on from this point and just praise the Lord for His goodness in mountain times and valley times.

I am saved by the blood of the lamb, Jesus Christ. I know He loves me unconditionally. I am not perfect, just forgiven. I make mistakes and sometimes learn from them. Sometimes I make the same ones over and over and wonder if I'll ever learn. No matter, being a child of the one and only King is enough for me. If you find that life is difficult and your struggles seem to much to bear, remember Jesus gave His life for you. That is the ultimate gift... a FREE gift that you accept. You don't WORK for it, you just accept it. Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:20
New King James Version (NKJV)

20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." What ya waiting on?


If you need more information or if you are unsure about this message me and let's look at God's word and get it cleared up for you.

God Bless You.

My daughter, who I love so much, did great last week in school. I give God all praise for releasing her of the anxiety; she is like a new kid. Over the weekend she helped her dad collect food for "Food From the Heart", food drive our church held. She was in and out of a motorcycle trailer (pictured above) loading and unloading bags of food. When she got home she said her ear was hurting and from her voice I knew her sinuses were draining. Well, unfortunately we had to go to the doctor yet again on Monday. She was given a shot and an antibiotic for her sinus/upper respiratory infection. Again she had to miss school, thus more make-up work. I am praising the Lord today that she has been in class the past 3 days and seems to be much better. Today is her last day to take the Z-pak and hopefully after a long weekend she will be on track with all of her classmates next week. I don't expect any special treatment from her teachers, but if you'll pray for them to at least be understanding of the fact that we didn't choose these sicknesses ... they have come on her and we just have to deal with them. After homeschooling for the past two years and not having to be accountable to anyone (other than 2 yearly letters) I can say it is a little stressful for me. Continue to pray for our family and this adjustment. She may be their 7th grader, but she will always be my little girl :-)

From the heart of a momma.

2 Corinthians 12:9 "And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength I made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Lessons from flower pots.

In the few short weeks that we had "Libby" I was so busy chasing after that sweet bundle of energy, that I completely forgot to water the flowers on our front porch. After taking a walk yesterday morning I came up on the porch and cleaned out the dead plants from the two pots just above this post. I noticed a little life in one of the 3 plants on the middle of my porch so I watered it. Then I couldn't help but notice the plant closes to our front door and directly beside the word of God. You see it up there? Scroll up and look at it ... some of the leaves are yellow, but the flower still has a bloom and overall looks good. What does that tell you? It tells me that if you stay near to the word of God you will remain alive (yes, you will bare some yellow leaves that will need to be plucked and you may get droopy), but you will NEVER be alone. God will give you the strength to stand in the midst of trials and hardships. I am reminded of a song I sang as a child; The B-I-B-L-E yes that's the book for me, I stand alone on the word of God, the B-I-B-L-E. It's amazing how much you can learn from a few flower pots. :)

Go be a blessing . . .