Category Archives: Family

Feb26

Come with Me…To Lisa and Ariel’s House Blessing and Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony!

Posted on February 26, 2014 by sagescenery

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2 Samuel 7:27-29

“Lord Almighty, God of Israel,

You have revealed this to Your servant, saying,

‘I will build a house for you.’

So Your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to You.

Sovereign Lord, You are God!

Your covenant is trustworthy,

and You have promised these good things to Your servant.

Now be pleased to bless the house of Your servant,

that it may continue forever in Your sight;

for You, Sovereign Lord, have spoken,

and with Your blessing

the house of Your servant will be blessed forever.”

Lisa, Ariel, Marisa, and Andre…

Since you’ve moved into this new house…today we’re pronouncing blessings on your new home from the very beginning. It would also be wonderful for you to renew this blessing year after year for as long as you reside there. Blessing a house is simply taking the authority over it that belongs to you, and dedicating it to the Lord.

It’s inviting the Spirit of God to come, and everything else to leave. Where God’s presence is, there is blessing and hope. When we bless our homes we make room for God to take up residence in every room and over all our possessions.

Your house blessing will be on the basis of your rightful authority over your own dwelling. When you moved in, someone put keys to the house in your hand. Physically and Spiritually, you determine who, or what, has access to your home.

Joshua 24:15, says, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Blessing your home, says your heart is in agreement with that Scripture!! And, that you want your house to feel safe, peaceful, and be filled with God’s Spirit, so it will be godly place to live, and raise your family.

The authority you now take over your house, determines what the atmosphere will be like in this house from now on, and it is up to you to drive out any negative forces, in Jesus’ Name, in submission to the authority that is over you, the Lord Jesus Christ.

By blessing your house, property and possessions you are consecrating them as holy unto the Lord, and with His Light, you are dispelling any darkness. Always keep His Light burning brightly in your home!

Pray!!! Declare that this house belongs to God, and everything ungodly has to leave. Keep yourself holy and pure. Bringing light to your home means everything else must leave.

Therefore, it is worth your time to take inventory and to rid yourself of spiritual garbage. As you pray in each room, ask the Holy Spirit if there is anything in that room that grieves Him. Take a look at books, magazines, music, videos, DVDs etc., Look at everything. What internet sites are accessed through your home? What television programs are allowed in? What radio stations are listened to?

Is your house set in order? Are relationships healthy? Is sin being permitted in your home? What is the spiritual atmosphere that you’re allowing?

Today, we’ll be anointing your doors and windows with oil representing the Holy Spirit. We’ll walk the parameter of the property, consecrating it, and placing it under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We can use the oil to anoint anything you wish out on the property, and on cars, garages, equipment etc.

Lisa and Ariel…

As the owners, you may want to speak out blessings, for us to agree with as we pray over each room, asking God to use this house for His glory. Thanking the Lord for providing you with a place to live, asking for His angels to be posted at all the doors and windows, keeping anything evil from entering in, by the blood of Jesus, and in the authority of His Name!

We will speak peace here in this home, the Name of Jesus. We invite you to come, Holy Spirit, and fill this place…anything ungodly will need to leave!

As you live in your house, fill it with praise and constant thanksgiving. God will be honored, you will love the atmosphere in your home, and everyone who enters will love it too. Amen!

Based on: http://www.hannahscupboard.com/pray-walk-house-blessing.html

Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony

Matthew 19:4-6

“Haven’t you read,”

he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’

and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh’?

So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

The day was cold for Florida…

A high of 58 degrees…

The weather felt colder and breezier at the beach…

And since we’re all Floridians…

We were freezing!

Not your typical day-at-the-beach…

But still,

I was pleased and blessed…

To officiate at my friends’

25th Wedding Anniversary/Wedding Vows Renewal Ceremony!

Lisa and Ariel…

When you first joined hands and hearts in marriage 25 years ago, you did not know where life would take you.

You promised to love, honor, and cherish one another through all things.

Life has surely brought you both wonderful blessings, and difficult challenges over the years.

But here you are today, having fulfilled the vows to love, honor, and cherish… that you each made on your wedding day.

And God is smiling!

As you celebrate here today, and as you reflect back over all the years as husband and wife, do you now wish to reaffirm the vows you took 25 years ago?

Answer: “WE DO!”

Please join hands as I continue with the Vows.

Lisa, will you continue to have Ariel as your husband and continue to live in this marriage? Do you reaffirm your love for him, and will you love him, keep him, and honor him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, being faithful to him as long as you shall live?

Ariel, will you continue to have Lisa as your wife and continue to live in this marriage? Do you reaffirm your love for her, and will you love her, keep her, and honor her in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, being faithful to her as long as you shall live?

May I have the rings and roses? In the words of the prophet Isaiah, where relationships create love and compassion, even “the desert shall …bloom, like the rose.” The rose, born of the tiniest of seeds, is a symbol of the potential and beauty contained in love’s promises. In the merging of a spirit-filled vessel, and a fragrant rose…we proclaim a new relationship, a new future…one which love has unfolded, and is unfolding, before our very eyes. As your gifts bring beauty and purpose to each other, may your lives continue to enrich and strengthen one another.

Lord, I pray a prayer of re-blessing of these rings, and over the givers and receivers of each of the rings.

Ariel, repeat after me: Lisa, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, and with this ring I thee wed.

Lisa, repeat after me: Ariel, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, with all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, and with this ring I thee wed.

Lisa and Ariel, On your wedding day you exchanged rings as a symbol of the never-ending circle that symbolizes the eternal quality of God’s unending strength, and unending love!

Rings serve as a reminder of your wedding vows to each other, and your commitment to live in unity, love, and happiness. At this time, it is appropriate to reconfirm the meaning of the rings you wear.

Please join your left hands together so that Ariel’s hand is on top. Ariel, please repeat after me:

Lisa, I wear this ring you placed on my hand 25 years ago, as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

Now, with Lisa’s hand on top, Lisa, please repeat after me:

Ariel, I wear this ring you placed on my hand 25 years ago, as a symbol of my love and commitment to you.

God bless these rings and the two who exchanged them in love on their wedding day. Lord, keep Lisa and Ariel safe in the circle of Your protection and love. Bless their marriage, which is a commitment to learning to care for one another… a life-long relationship always in the making.

Marriage deepens and enriches every facet of life.

Happiness is fuller, memories are fresher, commitment is stronger,

even anger is felt more strongly, and passes away more quickly.

Marriage understands…

and forgives the mistakes, life is unable to avoid.

It encourages and nurtures new life, new experiences,

and new ways of expressing a love that is deeper than life.

When two people pledge their love and care for each other in marriage,

they create a spirit unique unto themselves

which binds them closer than any spoken or written words.

Marriage is a promise made in the hearts of two people who love each other

and the promise requires a lifetime to fulfill.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

“Love is patient,

Love is kind.

It does not envy,

It does not boast,

It is not proud.

It does not dishonor others,

It is not self-seeking,

It is not easily angered,

It keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil,

But rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,

Always trusts,

Always hopes,

Always perseveres.

Love never fails…”

Lisa & Ariel, as the two of you both now reaffirm you love for each other and the vows you made to each other many years ago, I ask that you each remember to continue to cherish each other as special and unique individuals, and that you each respect the thoughts and ideas of one another. And most of all, be able to forgive each other, and not hold grudges against one another. Live each day in love with each other, always being there to give love, comfort, and support to each other, in good times, and bad. Amen!

Lisa and Ariel, today you have renewed the promises and vows you made to each other on your wedding day. You have symbolized the renewal of the marriage union by the joining of hands, the taking of vows, and by the wearing of your wedding rings.

It is with pleasure that I conclude the ceremony of renewing the vows of marriage that joined you, and binds you as husband and wife. Please celebrate this renewal of vows with a kiss!

Since Lisa & Ariel have now exchanged vows and rings, and pledged their love and faithfulness to each other, it is my pleasure and honor to repronounce you Man & Wife. You may kiss the bride!

Based on: http://www.themarriageman.com/renewal.htm

1 John 3:16

“We know what love is

because Jesus gave His life for us.

That’s why we must give our lives for each other.”

John 17:23

“I in them and You in Me—

so that they may be brought to complete unity.

Then the world will know that You sent Me

and have loved them even as You have loved Me.”

1 John 3:18

“Dear children,

let us not love with words or speech

but with actions and in truth.”

Ephesians 4:32

“Be kind and compassionate to one another,

forgiving each other,

just as in Christ,

God forgave you.”

Ephesians 5:25-33

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her

to make her holy, cleansingher by the washing with water through the Word,

and to present her to Himself as a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish,

but holy and blameless.

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.

He who loves his wife loves himself.

After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body,

just as Christ does the Church—

for we are members of His Body.

‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,

and the two will become one flesh.’

This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the Church.

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself,

and the wife must respect her husband.”

Love & Laughter!!!

Thank you, Jesus, for all Your blessings!!

Feb11

Bread And Water…That’s Just What We Need!!

Posted on February 11, 2014 by sagescenery

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inspired by various people who have touched the country superstar’s life in one way or another.

‘Bread and Water’ is a poignant track about a seemingly homeless man who wanders into a mission looking for food but finding a whole lot more. The Country Music Hall of Famer sat down with The Boot to tell us how his brother Bob, who passed away in 1993, inspired the song.

“‘Bread and Water’ was a song I wrote with Leslie Satcher,” Vince explains. “I threw out this line: ‘One night, he wandered into that old mission.’ The first lines of songs are the most important part of the songs. If you really want to tell a story, that first line has to capture you. I said that line and then got a big lump in my throat and almost teared up. It reminded me of my brother.

“My brother had a rough stretch of life,” continues the country legend. “He had a car wreck at age 21 and was almost killed. He was in a coma for many months and wasn’t expected to live, and he never really fully recovered. He did pretty great considering the depth of the injuries and as a result of it, he would spend some time kinda hobo-ing around and not checking in with us. We didn’t know where he was for periods of time and found out he’s been down in the mission, or working at the Salvation Army or out picking fruit somewhere. So the song is loosely based on my brother.”

– See more at: http://www.vincegill.com/wired/?p=838#sthash.aBVMQ3ZM.dpuf

inspired by various people who have touched the country superstar’s life in one way or another.

– See more at: http://www.vincegill.com/wired/?p=838#sthash.aBVMQ3ZM.dpuf

inspired by various people who have touched the country superstar’s life in one way or another.

– See more at: http://www.vincegill.com/wired/?p=838#sthash.aBVMQ3ZM.dpuf

Vince Gill’s latest album, ‘Guitar Slinger,’ is an emotional rollercoaster ride, mixing fun uptempos with tearjerking ballads, along with a few songs that tap into his darker side. All of the project’s tracks, however, have one main thing in common: they’re inspired by various people who have touched the country superstar’s life in one way or another.

– See more at: http://www.vincegill.com/wired/?p=838#sthash.aBVMQ3ZM.dpuf

All of the tracks on Vince Gill’s album, “Guitar Slinger,”

have one main thing in common:

They’re inspired by various people

who have touched the country superstar’s life in one way or another.

“Bread and Water”

-is a poignant track about a seemingly homeless man

who wanders into a mission looking for food,

but finds a whole lot more.

Gill’s brother Bob, who passed away in 1993, inspired the song.

“‘Bread and Water’ was a song I wrote with Leslie Satcher,” Vince explains.

“I threw out this line:

‘One night, he wandered into that old mission.’

The first lines of songs are the most important part of the songs.

If you really want to tell a story, that first line has to capture you.

I said that line, and then got a big lump in my throat, and almost teared up.

It reminded me of my brother.

“My brother had a rough stretch of life,”

continued the country legend.

“He had a car wreck at age 21 and was almost killed.

He was in a coma for many months and wasn’t expected to live,

and he never really fully recovered.

He did pretty great considering the depth of the injuries

and as a result of it,

he would spend some time kinda hobo-ing around

and not checking in with us.

We didn’t know where he was for periods of time

and then found out he’s been down in the mission,

or working at the Salvation Army

or out picking fruit somewhere.

So the song is loosely based on my brother.”

Source:

http://www.vincegill.com/wired/?p=838

Lyrics:

One night he wandered into that old mission

The one out on the poor side of town

He really had no interest in salvation

Just a place to lay his drunk, ole body down

He said, Ma’am I sure am hungry

And I don’t have a penny to my name

Lord knows I hadn’t worked in a month of Sundays

I’m dirty, dead broke, and so ashamed

I need bread and water, ma’am, that’s all I need

Bread and water, and a place to rest my feet

I ain’t too proud to get down on my knees

For bread and water’s free

She said, “You’re always welcome at this table.”

Said, “Brother, you look like you could use a friend

And there’s no need to pay, if you’re not able

‘Cause even Jesus was a homeless man.”

Well, she opened up the Word, and started reading

About the Savior, and the woman at the well

Said, “It ain’t for me to judge this life you’re leading

There’s only two things can save your soul from hell.”

It’s bread and water, man, that’s all you need

Bread and water, and a place to rest your feet

If you ain’t too proud to get down on your knees

The bread and water’s free

When he bowed his head he kinda choked up

They spoke every word of our Lord’s Prayer

He closed his eyes, and never woke up

He’ll find bread and water waiting there

Bread and water, man, that’s all you need

Bread and water, and a place to rest your feet

Bread and water, man, that’s all you need

Bread and water, brother, just believe

If you ain’t too proud to get down on your knees

The bread and water’s free

Bread and water’s free

John 6:35

Then Jesus declared,

“I am the Bread of Life.

Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry,

and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.”

John 7:37-38

On the last and greatest day of the festival,

Jesus stood and said in a loud voice,

“Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink.

Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said,

rivers of Living Water will flow from within them.”

Amen!

Feb6

Lukewarm Is Not Enough!!! Yuk! We Need Crazy Love!

Posted on February 6, 2014 by sagescenery

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To serve the Lord!!!

Amen!

Revelation 3:15-17

“I know your deeds,

that you are neither cold nor hot.

I wish you were either one or the other!

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

You say,

‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’

But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”

Revelation 3:22

“Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

Well…

The downfall of our 12-year old Sears Kenmore side-by-side refrigerator/freezer…

Started with the melting ice cream in the freezer…

As with my dryer story…

With its faulty heating element…

The lifespan of my major appliances is limited…

Several years ago the microwave went…

No fast meals for us, ’til we bought a new one!

The washer has been repaired…

We remember lugging dirty clothes to the Laundromat to wash…

And lugging them back home to dry…

But I feel good about the length of time they’ve all lasted…

Nothing’s built forever now-a-days…

And in Florida, if it makes it through a hurricane…

We consider ourselves blessed!!

So, the ice cream was melting…

And I say, to my perfectly intelligent husband…

“The ice cream is melting in our freezer!”

And he says…

“No, it’s just that I bought Breyers Creamier Butter Pecan Ice Cream!”

What?!?!

“It’s Creamier Butter Pecan Ice Cream Soup!!” I say…

As I pour it into his ice cream bowl…

“It’s fine,” he says…

That’s just husband talk for…

“I don’t want to have to call Sears and deal with this!”

Well, I didn’t want to deal with it either…

Since, we just had Sears here to fix our dyer right after Christmas!!!

So, I said, “Okay!”

When I knew perfectly well that the old freezer was biting-the-dust…

Especially when I saw the delicious chocolate fudgesicles melting and dripping…

All over the thawed fish sticks…

But, when I, as the wife, could no longer agree that a lukewarm freezer was ok!!

And, after procrastinating way too long, we finally went to Sears…

Ordered a nice Kenmore Elite in the bisque color that’s apparently hard to find…

After 12 years…

But, of course that’s what we needed to match the other appliances…

Or, we’d have to get all new ones…

Are you crazy?!?!

And Sears rushed right out to deliver our much needed appliance…

Right??? Wrong!

We have to wait two weeks more!!!

So, now with no freezer, we’re either cooking everything we can save…

Or, throwing things out…

Just like after the hurricane!

Then, just like that…

The refrigerator side is not staying cold at all…

And when the milk tasted lukewarm…

I had enough of that ‘frig…

Yuk!!!!!

So we packed up all our salvageable items…

Vacuumed all the dog hair from behind that piece of junk….mopped…

And left that useless piece of lukewarm metal sitting there, lifeless!!

My husband scrubbed the fish-smelling little ‘frig in the garage…

Filled it up…

Since it was COLD!!!

And out came all the coolers we own…

Bags of ice…filling and refilling…we felt like we were camping…

And we’re not really camping people!

Then, 2 days before Sears…

Ahhhhh…

Was going to deliver our long-awaited new ‘frig…

Our highly intelligent, college graduate, teacher/tutor, and getting his Masters, son says…

“Oh, did you guys remember I have that small refrig from my dorm room???”

No, we didn’t…

Do you think we would have chosen to play with ice for two weeks???

This is how we roll in this house…

Everyone’s too busy to think anything all the way through!!

Ha!

So the moral of this story is that…

Lukewarm is not pleasing…

It doesn’t please the Lord!

He’ll spew you out of His mouth!!

My Mom used to call it, “So-So”

“How ya doing, Mom???”

“Oh, so-so!”

She’d reply…

Not good or bad…not hot or cold…lukewarm!!

Cold:

Refreshing, quenching, invigorating, level-headed, crisp…

Intense, keen, sharp, piercing, breath of fresh air…

Hot:

Passionate, alive, compassionate, contagious, blazing, fiery…

On fire, excited, masterful, impassioned, intense, significant…

Compelling, exhilarating, dedicated, fascinated, exuberant…

Glowing, fervent, healing…

Lukewarm:

Tepid; foul; disgusting; lacking enthusiasm, excitement, or conviction…

Indifferent; little ardor, energy, or zeal; half-hearted, unconcerned…

Apathetic, unresponsive, uninterested, useless, self-deceived…

Shallow, bland, mundane, neither hot nor cold, nauseating, wretched…

Miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, naked…

Jesus:

Cleanses, refreshes, cools, washes, renews…

Comes in a cloud….

In a pillar of fire…

He’s the breath of the Holy Spirit…

He’s the Living Waters…

An All-Consuming Fire…

He heals…

Revelation 3:15-17 The Message

“I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking.

You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot!

You’re stale.

You’re stagnant.

You make me want to vomit.

You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’

oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.”

God wants complete commitment…

Not half-hearted service…

Are we totally in love with Jesus?

Or, are we lukewarm, half-hearted,

or partially committed?

Frances Chan says,

in his book Crazy Love

“There is no such thing as a lukewarm Christian.

Jesus calls for total commitment.”

View online videos at:

www.crazylovebook.com

Frances Chan says:

We should be willing…

To say to God that He can have whatever He wants.

To believe that wholehearted commitment to Him is more important than any other thing or person in our life.

To know that nothing we do in life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people He has made.

True faith means holding nothing back; it bets everything on the hope of eternity.

This whole swimming-upstream, pursuing-Christ, taking-up-your cross, counting-the-cost thing isn’t easy.

The road is narrow and few will actually find it!

We can’t afford to just assume we’re one of the few on the narrow way.

Be totally in love with Christ.

Even Heaven would be a desolate place without Christ.

Don’t just let life happen.

Love and desire Christ, for when we love, we are free!

Let God change us.

We need to let Him in our life.

We need God to help us love God, and if we need His help to love Him, a perfect being, we definitely need His help to love other fault-filled humans.

Don’t hold back, be consumed with Christ.

We need to show a “Love” that is crazy to the world.

True love, a kind found nowhere else, but through Christ.

Don’t be lukewarm, be obsessed with Christ.

People obsessed with Christ…

Love people and are friends to all…

They’re crazy risk takers for Christ…

They’re humble…

They serve…

They give…

They think about eternity…

They’re engrossed and delighted with God’s Word…

They’re passionately in love with God…

They’re unguarded and open with Him…

They meditate, are nourished by, and are rooted in the Word…

They’re dedicated and faithful to Christ.

They know they’re a child and a friend of God.

Let’s evaluate our lives…

Is what we’re doing, what we want to be doing, when Christ returns????

Taken from: Crazy Love by Frances Chan

Lukewarm is completely useless…

Neither like hot water (as in a comfortable bath)…

Nor like cold water (as in a refreshing drink)…

Interpret “hot” and “cold” in light of the historical context of Laodicea…

It had no permanent supply of good water…

Efforts to pipe water to the city from nearby springs were successful…

But, it would arrive lukewarm…

Located close to both natural hot springs by Hierapolis…

Often used for medicinal purposes…

And a cold, pure stream by Colossae…

Both hot and cold water are desirable…

Both are useful for distinct purposes…

All believers can be used of God…

The spiritual state of this church…

More closely resembled the tepid, lukewarm water…

That eventually flowed into Laodicean pipes…

Neither hot nor cold…

It was putrid!

The metaphor condemns Laodicea for not providing…

Spiritual healing (being hot)…

Or, spiritual refreshment (being cold) to those around them…

Revelation 3:15 is a condemnation of their lack of works and lack of witness.

They spread spiritual disease…

What disease?

They believed they were spiritually rich…

When in fact they had gone bankrupt…

They thought they could see…

But they were blind…

They thought they were healthy…

But they were corrupt….

They thought they were fully clothed…

But they were naked…

The difference was in their opinion of themselves…

vs reality…

They thought they were well off…

But they were starving to death…

They were spiritually content and self-satisfied…

Although actually they were wretched and pitiful…

In Revelation 3:17, they had the audacity to say…

“I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.”

The problem with being lukewarm…

And the case against Laodicea…

Revolves around the idea of self-deception…

They were self-deluded…

The church at Laodicea was made up of Christians…

Who were trusting in themselves and their wealth…

Or, what they thought their wealth could buy them!

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, says,

Lukewarm…

Useless and self-deceived…

They thought they were of great value…

But were hypocritical…

Promoting themselves, as those who saw the truth…

When in fact they did not…

Actively covering their sins with a cloak of religious observance!

Lord…

Help us to be obsessed with You…

Show us where we’re lukewarm…

Give us the strength to deal with these areas…

Do whatever it takes…

For us to please You…

We need constant infilling of Your Presence…

A constant love relationship…

Constant prayer…

Constant worship…

Constant renewing of our minds…

With the Word of God…

We don’t want to be lukewarm:

A believer who isn’t a threat to satan’s kingdom,

A person who is unable to accomplish anything for the Lord,

Who no longer brings God glory,

Who no longer accomplishes His will,

Who no longer builds His kingdom.

Refresh!

Rekindle!

Our lukewarm hearts…

Restore!

Us to a heart perfect in its commitment to You!

Amen!!

Lukewarm is not enough…

Try Crazy Love!

Ahhh…

My new non-lukewarm refrigerator!!!!

Cold and Colder!!

To match my repaired non-lukewarm dryer…

Hot and Hotter!!

Forget lukewarm!

If a dryer’s not HOT…

Or, a refrigerator’s not COLD…

They’re useless…

And so are we!!

Amen!

Don’t sing these Top Ten Songs Of The Lukewarm Christian!!!

1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style
2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me
3. I Surrender Some
4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives
5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus
6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus
7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following
8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me
9. Oh, How I Like Jesus
10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do – See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.h1RhYzKB.dpuf

1. Blest Be The Tie That Doesn’t Cramp My Style

2. Pillow of Ages, Fluffed for Me

3. I Surrender Some

4. I’m Fairly Certain That My Redeemer Lives

5. Sit Up, Sit Up For Jesus

6. What An Acquaintance We Have In Jesus

7. Where He Leads Me, I Will Consider Following

8. He’s Quite a Bit To Me

9. Oh, How I Like Jesus

10. It Is My Secret What God Can Do

Taken from “Way of the Master”

Resources:

http://so4j.com/what-is-a-lukewarm-christian#hot_cold

http://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-lukewarm-faith.html

http://scripturenuggets.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/the-dangers-of-being-lukewarm/

http://www.learnthebible.org/lukewarm.html

http://konig.org/wc2.htm

http://maranathalife.com/teaching/lukewarm.htm

http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html

http://treymorgan.net/10-signs-you-might-be-a-lukewarm-christian/

http://biblestudywiki.com/articles/Answers/Where_Is_The_Scripture_About_Being_Lukewarm_And_How_It_Is_Like_Returning_To_A_Dog_S_Vomit?action=diff

(Keith Krell)

Top Ten Songs Of The Lukewarm Christian

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have in my hands a copy of today’s top ten list.”

“Today’s list is top ten songs of the lukewarm church.”

Let’s be fired up this Sunday when we sing. Our Savior was passionate for us and we need to be equally as passionate for him.

Taken from “Way of the Master”

– See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.dpufTop Ten Songs Of The Lukewarm Christian

“Ladies and gentlemen, I have in my hands a copy of today’s top ten list.”

“Today’s list is top ten songs of the lukewarm church.”

Let’s be fired up this Sunday when we sing. Our Savior was passionate for us and we need to be equally as passionate for him.

Taken from “Way of the Master”

– See more at: http://diggingtheword.blogspot.com/2010/03/top-ten-songs-of-lukewarm-christian.html#sthash.IJf1kito.dpuf

Jan5

This Is How It Is!!

Posted on January 5, 2014 by sagescenery

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E-mail from me: (to our Pastor’s wife, who heads up our Kids Church)

“Thanks, Pam, for the Christmas treats you left in Kids Church for Casey & me!!

We found them today!!

Chocolate for me…Yum! Yum!!

And I must say, you really do know what my son loves!!

PEZ!!!

We came to the church to organize the Drama Team Christmas stuff…

And he starts playing with, and eating, the PEZ…

Wondering how to get all of the candy into the dispenser without them all falling out!!

Really?

‘Mom, do you know how to fill the dispenser?’

Something about unwrap slightly…

Then hold the paper around it ’til it goes in the dispenser???

I don’t know…

If I did know…

I certainly don’t remember…

Does he know how long…

How really long…

It’s been since anyone has even remotely asked me to fill a PEZ dispenser???

He was so intense..

So focused on the dispenser…

On the candy…

And on how hard it was to get the candy in the dispenser…

So he could eat it!!

Why not cheat…

And just gobble it up sans dispenser???

No fun in that, huh?

We had one hour ’til he had to leave for rehearsal…

Needless to say…

We didn’t get done!!

Oh, he was helpful setting up tables…

And moving boxes for me…

But we could have gotten the whole job completed…

If he was focused on what I needed done…

Instead of that great gift of PEZ you got him!!!

Thanks Miss Pam!!

Ha!! Just teasing…

Thanks! We love you!!”

This kid of mine is 23…

Now you all know why he’s so good at Improv!!

http://stage2improv.net/

I love him!!!

Jan3

Guess Who’s Turning Seven?!?!

Posted on January 3, 2014 by sagescenery

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Yup, Our Precious Little Girl!!

(a.k.a. Our Crazy Siberian!)

This Is What They Look Like!!

(Photo received through e-mail-photographer unknown)

When they’re puppies!!

(Photo received through e-mail-photographer unknown)

When they have blue eyes!!

When they’re caged!!

When they’re giving love!!

When they’re trying to sneak some Thanksgiving dinner!!

When they’re definitely spoiled!!

When they want, “More, Please!”

When they’re part of the family now!!

Just like another child!!

When we can’t remember what life was like without her!!

Even though she knows she runs the show around here!

Hey, wait a minute…what’s that?!?!

That wasn’t here before!

Is it Christmas, already???

And when they turn seven…

And they’ve had a big day!!

Happy Birthday, Crazy Girl!!

We love you soooo much!

Thank you for all the joy and love you give us!

We pray for your health!

And thank you for taking such good care of us!!

Amen!

Dec18

Family Christmas Photos!!

Posted on December 18, 2013 by sagescenery

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Hey Everyone!

Merry Christmas!

Welcome to our home!!

We’ll be in Longboat Key at the beach for Christmas to relax…

It’s been a busy “work/school/drama team, etc.” year so far!!

Here are some photos of Casey as Santa in our Christmas drama on Sunday at our church!!

He’s not in the “Ho! Ho! Ho! Jolly Santa” character, yet!

Oh, that’s better!! Ha!

He had to learn the real meaning of Christmas…

Through the song…

“This Is Christmas”

By Kutless

What is Christmas?!?”

It’s all about a Savior wrapped in a manger!!

What is Christmas???

Without Christ??

Also, some photos of our Pre-Christmas Italian Dinner…

Hubby stirring the huge pot of sauce, meatballs, and boiled eggs I made!!

Yes, boiled eggs!

My Mom put everything in our sauce!!

Yum!!!

Dig in!!!

And…add lots of Parmesan/Romano Cheese!!!

Come on in and join us!!

Don’t forget the Crazy Siberian!!!!

Since we’ll be away on Christmas Day…

We opened presents early!!

When did sneakers become toys?!?!

Let’s read the Christmas story!!!

Luke 2

“…For unto you is born this day in the city of David

a Saviour,

which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you;

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,

and on earth Peace, Good Will toward men…

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds…

And the shepherds returned, glorifying

and praising God

for all the things that they had heard and seen,

as it was told unto them….”

The doggie wants to hear, too!!!

Praying you and your family have a…

Very Blessed and Merry Christmas

And a…

Healthy and Happy New Year!!

Love! Love! Love!!

God Bless!!

From All Of Us!!

From Our House to Yours!

Love, Mom, Dad, Son, Dog, and Snake!!!

Amen!

Dec14

The Night Before Christmas…The World Didn’t Know!

Posted on December 14, 2013 by sagescenery

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“Redemption so sweet and so strong…

Salvation was writing a song…”

Empty manger, perfect stranger, about to be born.

Into darkness, sadness, desperate madness, creation so torn.

We were so lost on earth, no peace, no worth, no way to escape.

In fear, no faith, no hope, no grace, and no light

But that was the night before Christmas.

Warm hay, cold sweat, a mother, not yet.

Praying godspeed the dawn.

She looks to her man, holding her hand. They wonder how long.

And the shepherds, wise men come to find them, and bow to a king.

One star above shining on love, so bright, it lit up the night before Christmas.

And the world didn’t know mercy was meek and so mild.

And the world didn’t know that truth was as pure as a child.

The night before Christmas.

And the world didn’t know, redemption was sweet and so strong.

And the world didn’t know salvation was writing a song.

The night before Christmas.

Empty manger, perfect stranger, about to be born.

I wonder if you’ve heard the story
Of little fame and lesser glory
The night the keeper of the inn
In the little town of Bethlehem
Encountered Joseph and his Mary
About to birth the Savior of the world.

His wife said, “Go and see who’s knocking.”
He ran down to the gate, unlocked it
The moment he heard Mary’s cry
He couldn’t look them in the eye
Denied them in, went back to bed
When his wife asked who was there, he said…
“I don’t know… Just a girl
Just a couple of gypsies begging at the door
Told them we don’t have room for anymore
And closed the door
It was just a girl” He tried to sleep, but wasn’t able
He snuck out to the dirty stable
Where two had found the covering
And later in her suffering
The keeper knelt outside the barn
And in the light of that great star, he prayed
“What have I done? He’s just a babe
Just minutes old there trembling in the hay
I could’ve found a room for them to stay
I’m so ashamed
He’s just a babe.”

There was no robe
There was no crown
The shepherds stood on Royal ground
The keeper wept, for what he’d done
He turned away, God’s own Son

Just a King
Just a million angels crowding in to see
Jesus there among humanity

Just a babe
Just minutes old there trembling in the hay
Staring at His mother in the face
She’s just a girl

Just a girl
Does she even know that she just changed the world?
Does she even know that He will save the world?
Does Mary know that He will save the world?
She’s just a girl
Just a girl
Just a girl

If you told me all about your sorrows

I’d tell you about a cure

If you told me you can’t fight the battle

There’s a Baby Boy who won the war

The war was won by a Baby Boy

Alleluia, we can sing it

Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing

Alleluia!

Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy

Oh, before that silent night

No Savior and no Jesus Christ

The world cried out so desperately

And the Baby Boy was the reply,

Yes, Heaven’s reply was a baby boy

Alleluia, we can sing it

Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing

Alleluia!

Endless hope and endless joy started with a Baby Boy

See, the King is coming down

And He’s here without a crown

The Baby Boy without a bed

Giving life back to the dead

And hear the angels shout it out

As the people are coming down

Unexpected majesty

Alleluia, what a King

Alleluia, we can sing it

Alleluia, Heaven’s ringing

Alleluia!

Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy

Alleluia, we can sing it!

Alleluia, yeah, Heaven’s ringing!

Alleluia!

Endless hope and relentless joy started with a Baby Boy!

He’s knocking…

Make room for Him, now…

In your heart…

Don’t turn away God’s own Son…

This Christmas!

Dec4

Here’s Looking At You, “Kidd!” – In Memory Of Justin Kidd…

Posted on December 4, 2013 by sagescenery

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I sat outside on my lanai…

With my cup of coffee on a bright sunny day last week…

Reading through some old Pentecostal Evangel magazines…

I have ready outside for just such an opportunity to sit and relax!

I came across an article about “Dave and Robin Kidd, who pastor True North Church (Assemblies of God) in Minerva, Ohio, and offer marriage seminars through their Binding Hearts Marriage and Family Ministries. The Kidd family suffered the destruction of their home to a fire on the night of April 27, 2013. Their son, Justin, 20, was unable to get out of his basement bedroom, and perished in the fire. The Kidds have continued in ministry during the months following Justin’s death, and reflect this Thanksgiving on the blessing of his life.”

To read the entire interview with

Scott Harrup, Pentecostal Evangel managing editor…

Go to:

http://www.pe.ag.org/archives/connections.cfm

Oh, my heart broke for them…

I have a 23 year-old son…

I can’t even begin to imagine such a thing…

I prayed, Lord, please comfort them…

Then, I noticed that his parents mentioned…

He had a blog on WordPress…

And that it was very popular with his youth group…

As I read his posts…

I, first of all, felt the love he had as a youth pastor…

And I was so amazed at the spiritual maturity of this 20 year-old!

(Please check out his entire blog and pray for his family)

http://justinkidder.wordpress.com/

For instance…

I reblogged an awesome post by Reality of Christ last June…

Debunking the lie that God won’t give us more than we can handle!

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/06/26/debunked-god-wont-give-us-more-than-we-can-handle/?preview=true&preview_id=7942&preview_nonce=2bf23c0624&post_format=standard

And Justin had posted the same topic to his youth group!

It caught my attention, because…

I had just counseled one of our young adults on the same subject!

God gives us more than we can handle…

God asks us to do difficult things…

But, we aren’t expected to do them alone…

We’re expected to depend on Him and not on our own understanding!!

Here’s

Justin’s Post of Apr. 18, 2013

Can You Handle?

One of the most common things you will hear people say is simply this: “God Will Not Give You More Than You Can Handle.” Seriously…I have lost count of how many times I have heard this said. Not only have I heard it numerous times, I am also guilty of saying this myself over the years…But here is the thing..It actually is another one of the lies that we buy..Before I started studying the word of god, and actually getting to know him better over the last year I have learned that this is actually in fact false.

This Statement, is actually misquoted scripture coming from 1 Corinthians 10:13 which says simply this:

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be TEMPTED beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

Saying that God will not give you more than you can handle, and saying he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, IS NOT THE SAME! Temptation is not circumstances..they are separate. You will be tempted and Tested in life, but as it says with the temptation will come a way out so you can endure the temptation, but he didn’t say he wouldn’t give us problems we couldn’t handle. This is why so many people misquote this scripture.

I in fact now believe the opposite. God does in fact give us more than we can handle. This is for the sole purpose of our need for his divine intervention. We alone can not handle..but with his help we can. That is why he allows test/trials.

Yes the saying God won’t give you more than you can handle sounds good..but here is the catch…just because something sounds good…doesn’t mean its true or biblical. There are plenty of things out there in the world that people will tell you that sounds great, but as I said, that doesn’t mean it is true.

So what is my challenge to my readers this week?

Before believing anything you hear, go to gods word first. As I already said, just because it sounds good, that doesn’t mean it is true. CHECK IT!

This is a new thing that is new to my youth, since this is what I preached last night, but I have been doubting myself and this message since last night, and just now my Aunt turned on a movie, and it just had a scene that I caught and in the scene this message was just taught by the pastor in the movie, so to me this was a confirmation that this is what was to be shared. And for that I thank god for. I needed that myself.

I just loved his passion for God…

For God’s Word…

And for the youth he worked with!

Here’s another one of his posts…

Perfectly Broken

An excerpt from Justin’s post on March 28th, 2013:

1.) If we think we are perfect, we simply are not real and we are empty.

2.) We are perfect at one thing…..being broken!

3.) We are imperfect and broken people being brought back together by the Perfect God!

4.) The sooner we stop trying to achieve the perfect life, the sooner we can start focusing on things that matter more, and do greater and better things!

Rest in God’s Peace, Justin…

You truly left a legacy of trust in God’s Word!

Amen!

Oct18

We’re Italians!!! We Don’t Know Any Different…Or Any Better Way, To Live!

Posted on October 18, 2013 by sagescenery

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I received this e-mail recently, I love it!

(author unknown…)

Here’s The Difference Between Us…

AMERICAN KIDS: Move out when they’re 18 with the full support of their parents.

ITALIAN KIDS: Move out when they’re 28, having saved enough money for a house,and are two weeks away from getting married….. unless there’s room in the basement for the newlyweds.

AMERICAN KIDS: When their Mom visits them, she brings a Bundt cake, you have coffee, and chat.
ITALIAN KIDS: When their Mom visits them, she brings 3 days worth of food, begins to tidy up, dust, do the laundry, and rearrange the furniture.

AMERICAN KIDS: Their dads always call before they come over to visit them, and it’s usually only on special occasions.

ITALIAN KIDS: Are not at all fazed when their dads show up, unannounced, on a Saturday morning at 8:00 am, and start pruning the fruit trees. If there are no fruit trees, he’ll plant some.

AMERICAN KIDS: Always pay retail, and look in the Yellow Pages when they need to have something done.

ITALIAN KIDS: Call their dad or uncle, and ask for another dad’s, or uncle’s, phone number to get it done.

AMERICAN KIDS: Will come over for cake and coffee, and get only cake and coffee. No more.
ITALIAN KIDS: Will come over for cake and coffee, and get antipasto, a pasta dish, a choice of two meats, salad, bread, a cannoli, fruit, and espresso.

AMERICAN KIDS: Will greet you with “Hello” or “Hi.”
ITALIAN KIDS: Will give you a big hug, a kiss on your cheek, and a pat on your back.

AMERICAN KIDS: Have never seen you cry.
ITALIAN KIDS: Cry with you.

AMERICAN KIDS: Eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on soft mushy white bread.
ITALIAN KIDS: Eat Genoa Salami and Provolone sandwiches on crusty Italian bread (for breakfast).

Ya Gotta Love Us!!!

Don’t miss out…

Go visit an Italian today!!

Once we meet…

You’ll never be a stranger…

You’re part of our family now, and…

Forever!!

God Bless!

“A family is a place where principles are hammered and honed

on the anvil of everyday living.” ~ Chuck Swindoll

Ephesians 1:5

“God decided in advance

to adopt us into His own family

by bringing us to Himself

through Jesus Christ.

This is what He wanted to do,

and it gave Him great pleasure.”

Deuteronomy 6:6-7, 18

“These commandments that I give you today

are to be on your hearts.

Impress them on your children.

Talk about them when you sit at home

and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down

and when you get up.

Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight,

so that it may go well with you

and you may go in

and take over the good land

the Lord promised on oath to your ancestors,“

Oct12

Happy Birthday…Ya Little Rascal!

Posted on October 12, 2013 by sagescenery

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“Happy Birthday, Mr. Hood!

Happy Birthday to you!

To make your Birthday turn out good!

I give this present to you!!

-Little Rascals-

Hon,

I appreciate you because…

You pray to God for us!

You’re true-blue!

You gave me a beautiful son!

You love us!

You do all the yard work!

You take care of all the cars!

You call to complain to everyone who tries to rip us off!

You do all the grocery shopping!

You do all the cooking!

You take care of all the garbage/recycling!

You play golf with our son!

You take him to the shooting range!

You care about our safety!

You handle our cash outflow!

You lost weight for your health!

You love Siberian Huskies, even crazy ones like ours!

You’re independent enough to pack your own luggage!

You take charge in a crisis!

Hey, Yo!

What more can we ask for???

We’re blessed!!

We couldn’t live without you!!

All God’s Blessings for a Happy Birthday!!

And many, many more!!

Love, your Gang!!

Lets’ Eat!!!

Thank God, we finally found a good pizza place in Florida!!

And mussels with good sauce!!

Our prayer for you…

Numbers 6:24-26

“The Lord bless you

and keep you;

the Lord make His Face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

the Lord turn His Face toward you

and give you peace.”

3 John 1:2

“…I pray that you may enjoy good health

and that all may go well with you,

even as your soul is getting along well.”

Psalm 21:3

“You came to greet him with rich blessings

and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.”

(Hand to Hand training-US Army-Ft Dix, NJ! Ha!)

Psalm 21:6

“Surely You have granted him unending blessings

and made him glad with the joy of Your Presence.”

Amen!