Sunday, September 25, 2011
Never Fear
The scripture reading is Acts 12: 1-19. This is a story about Peter when he was in jail and how an angel of God came and miraculously got him out of jail even though he was being guarded by 16 guards. There were a lot of people praying for him. At the same time, James was in jail and was put to death. So, why is James killed and Peter released with the help of an angel? We don't know all the answers. There is evil in this world and everyone has a free will. We need to trust that God is in control and that He will use everything that happens to accomplish His purpose.
Matthew 18:10 - "See that you do not look down on one of these little ones, for I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven." Jesus said this.
Hebrews 1:14 - "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?"
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The Right Place at the Right Time
The story in the book is about a couple who want to adopt a special needs child. The husband, Anthony, was born with a cleft palate. As a child, Anthony's iife was not easy. The kids teased him and his father was not very supportive. But his mother's love was his saving grace. Anthony and Amber began to pray for a child. Lucy was a single mom and made the decision to give her child up for adoption when it was born. The baby was born wth a cleft palate. Who better to raise this child than Anthony as he knew exactly what this child would go through and what this child would need.
Read Phiippians 4: 4-7.
Monday, July 25, 2011
On a Foreign Battlefield
The scripture reading, Exodus 17: 8-16, talks about how Moses lifted his hands up to the Lord during the battle the Israelites were having with the Amalekites. Every time that Moses dropped his hands, the Amalekites were winning and every time Moses lifted his hands, the Israelites were winning.
It doesn't say it in this reading, but I believe that Moses was raising his hands in prayer to God. I believe that our prayers give strength and power to God and the angels. I don't believe that God needs our prayers, but he does want us to have a relationship with Him and prayer is a means of communicating with God. It is a means for us to ask and for Him to give. I do believe that prayers gives the angels power to protect us and guide us. We need prayer, to be able to pray for ourselves and each other!!! I don't know if I have told any of you this, but there has been a few times when I have woken up during the night wide awake and have the urge to pray. I don't know who I am praying for or what for or why, but I pray. Maybe I'll get the answer someday in heaven.
1 Timothy 2:8 "I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing."
Psalm 134:2 "Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord."
Saturday, June 25, 2011
God is in Control
A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens:
2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
Above all - we need to know that we do not determine these times - God does. And we need to remember that he is in control.
In this story, Miranda, 67, is losing her elderly mother, who initially had a series of ministrokes and then a nurse gave her the wrong meds and put her in a coma. Miranda, in her grief, is visited by a man and reminded that God is in control. She finds peace in this and can put aside her blame of the nurse.
I really don't want to even imagine losing anyone close to me (us). I think the closest loss was Kelly - and that was hard. I truly hope and pray we all live to a healthy old age and die of natural causes. But I also hope and pray that no matter what happens, and when it happens, that we can all have peace in God to get through it.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Angel in the Police Car
Sunday, June 12, 2011
A Mother Who Sees
Saturday, June 4, 2011
The Miracle of Love
Then I got this strong urge to read the next reading in our book and it wouldn't go away, so I finally decided to sit down and read it.
I don't know who all is reading the book yet, but I would encourage everyone to read this story or if you talk to someone and they haven't read this story, encourage them to. It's a good true story that could happen in any family and I have read this story before. It's about unconditional acceptance and love. The scripture reading 1 Corinthians 13, we often hear at weddings, but don't take the time to read it very often. It's about love and it's a scripture reading that I know I should be reading often.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
A Gift of God
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
One Easter Sunday
Bonnie was a child who was just curious about the fish in the pond. While Jonah was summoned by God to go to Nineveh, he disobeyed and tried to travel to Tarshish. God caused the sea to go torrent and the sailors threw Jonah overboard. God chose to save Jonah by having a whale swallow him. While in the whale Jonah recognized that he should have just listened to God and followed his word. God forgave Jonah and had the whale carry him to land.
What did you all find from this passage and scripture? I'm curious about all of your insight and what correlation you pulled.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Humble Yourself
Sunday, April 24, 2011
The Gift of Dance
The bible reading for this week is about David. Even though Saul tried to kill David, David showed mercy to Saul's grandson, Mephibasheth and he ate at David's table like one of David's sons. If David can be generous and forgiving to someone who doesn't deserve it, how much more can and will God be generous to us.
Is there anything else in the bible verse that relates to this week's reading?
Sunday, April 17, 2011
When Life Changed in an Instant
If you wonder if God answers prayers, I would suggest that you write down all your prayers along with the date and leave a space to write God's answer. Then review your list often to see how God has answered your prayers.
Michelle's faith and determination helped in her healing process.
Read Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8. We need to pray, do what we can do and leave the rest up to God.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Letting Go
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Buckle Up!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
A Voice in the Storm
Sunday, March 13, 2011
The Most Friends of All
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
A Time To Go Home
The passage in the Bible is about the lost son. The son who asks his father for his share of the inheritance and then travels to a distance land and spends it foolishly. After awhile he gets a job feeding hogs and is so hungry that he wants to eat what the hogs are eating. Then he remembers how much his father has and that the hired hands are never hungry and he decides to go home and ask his father to make him one of his hired hands. But the father has been waiting and watching for his son and while his son is still a long way off, he runs to great him and puts on a big celebration to welcome him back.
God is like that for us and for Brian. He is waiting and watching for us to come to Him and he will celebrate with us. We want to live how we want to live and do what we want to do and often times that life is not fulfilling. But if we have God in our life and live for Him, our life will be filled with joy. God never promises that life will be easy, but He does promise to be with us always. God's love is like that father's. It's constant, patient and welcoming. He searches for us and waits for us but does not force us.
God is a gentleman. He waits patiently for us. He gave us a free will. He wants us to love Him freely and willingly. He is always waiting with His arms wide open. He is our heavenly Father. Read Matthew 7:7. I don't necessarily believe that God wants us to ask for riches or worldly things, I believe he wants us to ask for wisdom, and knowledge and love and those kinds of things and to provide for our daily needs. He is waiting to give us those things.
Great Job!!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Miracle of the Heart
Kate who is in love with the man she believed was sent to her by God, has to go through a horrible accident to see his true colors in the moment she needed him the most. As she goes through the next year she turns to God asking him to help her learn how to love and bring someone who would accept her for her scars, and to "let her care for a child one day". Soon months turn to years and she still hasn't found love. Kate turns to God and says "God, if you don't want me to find love, if children aren't in my future, so be it. I give my whole life over to you." It is this same day that another horrible accident brings children and love into Kate's life.
I had to read a few passages before and after the one listed to understand more into the meaning. Leah is the older sister to Rachel, but also a wife to Jacob. She was taken on as a wife as a trick from her father, Jacob had never intended to marry Leah and had no desire for her. The scripture says "when the Lord saw that Leah was unloved he opened her womb; but Rachel was barren. After each son that she conceived she believed that this would make Jacob feel some connection to her, but was unsuccessful, after her fourth son she too was then unable to conceive. After some time Leah bears Jacob more children after she gives Jacob her maid as a wife and she finally proclaims that she is happy.
I believe that the section of reading and scripture are pointing out that you need to have faith in God because he has a bigger picture worked out for you. Stop trying to control everything because when He closes one door He will open another, or maybe even a window. Both Kate and Leah had less then ideal situations but God looked after them and found ways for both of them to find love and fulfillment.
Monday, February 21, 2011
God's Ways
Sunday, February 20, 2011
GOD is Awesome!!
R. C. Sproul wrote "Men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God".
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Week 4: A Series of Miracles
Ok, I'm being serious now. It is amazing that this couple who wanted children is now miraculously able to have them and were able to adopt two healthy girls from China who serendipitously are biological sisters. Oops, there I go again being sarcastic.
HELP! I'm feeling quite cynical tonight. Any guidance?
Monday, February 7, 2011
Heaven's Perfect Timing
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Littlest Angel
Friday, January 28, 2011
Note
I just wanted you to know in case you didn't notice that there is a place for comments under each post. So, if you want to reply to someone, you can just click on the comments link. For example, right now there are 5 responses to Mom's post. Denise, if you meant to create a new post, that is cool. I just wanted you to be aware of those comments in case you didn't know they were there. I just know that everyone isn't too familiar with blogging, so I thought I'd make sure.