Category Archives: God Bless Our Home

The Fields Are White…

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What a breathtaking view from where I’m sitting!

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Matthew 13:38

The field is the world,

and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom.

The weeds are the people of the evil one,”

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Let me get a closer look!!

John 4:35

“Say not ye,

There are yet four months,

and then cometh harvest?

behold, I say unto you,

Lift up your eyes,

and look on the fields;

for they are white already to harvest.”

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Luke 10:2

“He told them,

The harvest is plentiful,

but the workers are few.

Ask the Lord of the harvest,

therefore,

to send out workers into His harvest field.'”

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The fields are white!!!

John 4:36-38

“Even now the one who reaps

draws a wage

and harvests a crop for eternal life,

so that the sower and the reaper

may be glad together.

Thus the saying

‘One sows and another reaps’

is true. 

I sent you to reap what you have not worked for.

Others have done the hard work,

and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.”

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Lord, let me see what You see in the fields of the world!

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Let me be as hungry as birds after a rainfall!

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To see Your Kingdom come!

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Exodus 23:16

 Celebrate the Festival of Harvest

with the first fruits of the crops

you sow in your field.

Celebrate the Festival of Ingathering

at the end of the year,

when you gather in your crops from the field.”

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Psalm 126:6

“Those who go out weeping,   

carrying seed to sow,

will return with songs of joy,   

carrying sheaves with them.”

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 John 12:32

“And I,

when I am lifted up

from the earth,

will draw all people to myself.”

Amen!

“Oh, By The Way…Do We Have Any Gauze?!?”

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That’s how our son greeted us on Tuesday evening…

After walking through the door…

Dropping down his bag…

And saying to our “Crazy Siberian…”

“Oh, please don’t jump on me!!”

Hey!

What’s going on???

He knows our “Precious Little Girl”

Jumps up on everybody who walks through our door…

Especially up on him…

Since he’s been away for five days!!

Also…

What’s with the “gauze” question???

Well…

Crazy story here…

Seems that he and his three friends…

While at the Dragon Conference in Atlanta, Georgia…

–Comic Book/Gaming, etc.–

Saw William Shatner (Captain Kirk) from Star Trek,

Billy Dee Williams (Lando) from Star Wars,

And John Glover from Smallville…

And purchased several fine prop swords…

For a great discount (I learned later…)

Two remarkable swords for only $50.00!

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The third young man went ahead…

And purchased his own REAL fighting sword…

So now three young men…

Out of the four…

Have beautiful, long, shiny swords…

Two quite sharp and real-looking…

And the third sword the real thing!

In one hotel room!

To what???

Play with???

To swing and pretend..

You’re a Ninja Warrior!!

Well, let’s just say…

Because I’m sure we don’t know all the details…

Ha!

The sword of the Friendly Ninja Warrior…

With the prop sword…

Punctured the buttocks of our equally friendly Warrior-Son!!

As I hear it…

And again, I’m sure that in the telling…

We don’t know…

And will never know…

All the gory details…

But…

(Pun intended!  Ha!)

Blood was gushing…

Pain was felt…

Apologies were accepted…

Bandages and Neosporin were purchased…

And friends rallied to…

Help take care of their wounded Warrior friend!

Bleeding stopped…

Pain subsided…

No reason to stop a perfectly good trip…

Or tell the parents…

Who would have insisted…

On a trip to the ER…

For the gaping hole…

Where the sword went in!!

No!

The wound was kept clean…

Bandages were changed…

And the fun continued…

At the Conference…

And the next day at Six Flags!

Mom and Dad called…

To wish their 23 year-old Boy

Man

Now Warrior!

A Happy, Happy Birthday!!

And by then the Warriors had conquered this slight glitch…

And reported that all was well!!

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It brought back memories of my parents never knowing EVERYTHING either!

PLUS: 

Did I tell you in any other posts…

That this kid is blessed???

I was at home praying:

“Dear Lord,

Please put a hedge of protection

Around him…

Wherever he is…

Whoever he’s with…

Whatever he’s doing!”

God’s good, huh?!?!

The kid could have been punctured by the other sword…

The real one…

Or, he could have punctured something other than the backside, fleshy area!!

So I took him to the ER…

On Tuesday night…

So he could get those…

Sterile tape things…

To hold the edges of the wound together…

An antibiotic…

A tetanus shot…

And have a nice conversation with him…

About how blessed he is…

Ha!

To have a God-trusting Mom like me!!

About how MY mother would have freaked out about this…

Since she was shocked at everything…

And how my grandma would have been screaming in Italian…

“O, Mio Dio!”

So he’s getting off easy! 

Ha!

Since, I thought of it as a good blog post!

He thought of it as a good story to tell his kids someday!

And it reminded me that my younger brother…

Was a hazard to my health, too…

As we were growing up!

Once when we were playing with a pretty good-sized wire spring…

It somehow landed in my eyelid…

Grandma was watching us that day…

Hence, the “O Mio Dio” screams!

And once when we had about 6′ of  snow fall in NJ…

With snow drifts up to the windows!

Or, so it seemed to me…

And everything was at a stand-still!

Schools were closed…

No vehicles could get through…

We all went out to shovel snow…

And that same little brother took that shovel to pick up some snow…

And it landed right in the left side of my lip!!!

Emergency police in a jeep had to come get me…

To bring me to the hospital for stitches!

With four kids…

These are only two reasons why my Mom just stayed shocked…

All the time…

While we were growing up!

Thank God…

We all made it to adulthood!!

Who says, it’s dull around here?!?!

Sometimes…

Our prayers are needed just to protect ourselves…

from ourselves!!

Don’t ever apologize…

for being highly blessed by God!

Since that means that…

We Believe…

  Jesus is watching over us at all times!!

He is!!

Thank you, Jesus!!!

Mark 9:22

“Everything is possible

for one who believes.”

(photo of Casey’s sword)

I have to believe

He sees my darkness

He knows my pain

I have to lift up

My hands to worship

Worship His Name

I have to declare

He is my refuge

I have to deny… 

I am alone

I have to lift up…

My eyes to the mountains

Where my help comes from

He said…

He’s forever faithful

He’s forever true

He can move mountains

If He can move mountains

He can move my mountain

He can move your mountain, too

Oh, I have to stand tall

When the wind blows me over

I have to stand strong

When I’m weak and afraid

I have to grab hold

Of the garments of praise

I know, that I know, that I know

Because He said…

He’s forever faithful

He’s forever true

He can move mountains

If He can move mountains…

He can move my mountain

He can move your mountain, too

I have to sing praise

When the hour is midnight

He unlocks these chains

That bind up my soul

My sin and my shame

He has forgiven and made me whole

Because He said…

He’s forever faithful

He’s forever true

He can move mountains

If He can move mountains

He can move my mountain

He can move your mountain, too

I have to believe

He’s got everything under control

I have to believe

Lord, I believe

Help my unbelief

I have to believe in You

I have to believe!

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Mark 11:23-24

“Truly I tell you,

if anyone says to this mountain,

‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’

and does not doubt in their heart

but believes that what they say will happen,

it will be done for them.

Therefore I tell you,

whatever you ask for in prayer,

believe that you have received it,

and it will be yours.”

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John 11:40

“Then Jesus said,

Did I not tell you that if you believe,

you will see the glory of God?’”

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Mark 9:24

 “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed,

‘I do believe;

help me overcome my unbelief!'” 

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Mark 5:36

“…Jesus told him,

Don’t be afraid;

just believe.’”

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Yes, Lord…

I do believe You’re in control of our lives!

Amen!!

One-Stop Shopping!

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Don’t you love that???

That one place…

Can and does…

Have everything we need!!

For instance…

Yesterday…

I needed to pick-up a prescription…

Get tissue paper to donate to our county homeless shelter…

Get chips for our Fall Kick-Off  BBQ at church on Sunday…

Purchase a pair of cargo shorts for my son…

Get cookies and snacks for drama practice…

Hunt for that new Windex Pump thing…

So I can wipe my counters and go!!

I found it all!!

At my neighborhood Wal-Mart!!

You can, too!!

In this economy…

Why go anywhere else???

No Way!

The price is too high!

Our Jesus…

Is one-stop shopping!!

Everything you need is within…

His Name!

Why run all around???

Looking in all the wrong places…

When what you need is…

In Him???

In Him you have…

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!

Don’t go anywhere else…

The price you’ll pay is too high!!

Some of His Divine Names…

He is:

Jesus

YahwehSaves/Helps/Is Salvation

Healer

Emmanuel-God With Us

Christ-The Son of the Living God

The Anointed One

Lord-Master

Logos-The Word

Son of God-Divinity

Son of Man-His Earthly Life

Lamb of God-Savior of the World

New Adam/Second Adam/Last Adam-Redemption

Light of the World-Blind Will See

Bread of Life-We will Not Hunger

King of the Jews-As He’s Led to the Crucifixion

Rabbi-My Great Teacher

I Am-Being of All Things

Apostle-Representing God to Humanity

High PriestRepresenting Humanity to God

Prophet-Divine Revelation Through God

ParacleteComforter

AlmightyAlpha and Omega

First and Last

Beginning and End

Yeshua

Messiah-The Anointed One

God Is:

Yahweh-The God is Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

El-Mighty, Strong, Prominent

Elohim-God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit)

Adonai-Lord, Master

El-Shaddai-God All Sufficient

Jehovah-Jireh-The Lord Will Provide

Jehovah-Rophe-The Lord Who Heals

Jehovah-NissiThe Lord Our Banner

Jehovah-M’KaddeshThe Lord Who Sanctifies

Jehovah-ShalomThe Lord Our Peace

Jehovah-Rohi-The Lord Our Shepherd

Jehovah-Tsidkenu-The Lord Our Righteousness

Jehovah-Shammah-The Lord is There

Jehovah-Sabaoth-The Lord Of Hosts

Yeshua-Savior

Our Judge

Abba Father– Creator

King Of Kings

Lord Of Lords

Ancient of Days

Most High

One True God

I Am That I Am

Jehovah

Most High

YHWHThe Name

Call His Name!!

The list of needs…

He can meet for you is endless!!

Cry out to the…

Lord Most High!

We can rely on…

His Name…

Jesus Christ!

May you be completely filled with…

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord!!

Amen!

 *To see additional Names of Jesus/God, go to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_and_titles_of_Jesus_in_the_New_Testament

http://bibleresources.org/names-of-jesus/

http://www.abetterhope.com/whois/titles.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God

http://www.ldolphin.org/names.html

God, Can You Hear Our Cries to YOU???

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‘Cause We Need You NOW!!!

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Psalm 57:2

“I cry out to God Most High,   

to God

who will fulfill His purpose for me.”

Psalm 84:2

“My soul yearns, even faints,   

for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out   

for the Living God.”

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Psalm 88:1

“O Lord, God of my salvation;   

I cry out day and night before You.”

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What’s your story?

Wounded?

Need to be healed?

Yes!

Believe there’s beauty here…

Even when you’re tired of holding on…

Don’t let go…

Move on…

There’s meaning here!

God, how many times have You heard us cry out…

“God please take this?”

How many times have You given us strength…

To just keep breathing?

Oh, Lord, we need You…

God, we need You now!

On a road we didn’t plan

How did we get here?

Help us…

Hear Your still small voice…

Above all the noise…

In the shadows…

We’re so afraid

Please…

Stay right beside us…

With us…

Every single step we take!

We need You!

We need You NOW!!!

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Even Jesus cried out to YOU!

Hebrews 5:7

“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth,

He offered up prayers

and petitions

with fervent cries and tears

to the One who could save Him from death,

and He was heard because of His reverent submission.”

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Lord, hear our cries, also!

We can’t make it on our own!!

Lord, never tire of our cries to You!!!

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Psalm 50:15

“…and call on Me in the day of trouble;   

I will deliver you,

and you will honor Me.”

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Psalm 34:17

“The righteous cry out,

and the Lord hears them;   

He delivers them from all their troubles.”

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Ahhhh…

God’s Peace…

Amen!

There’s A 23 Year-Old Man Living In Our House!!

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Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,”

declares the Lord,

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.”

1 Timothy 4:12

“Don’t let anyone look down on you

because you are young,

but set an example for the believers in speech,

in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

My son will be 23 years-old on Labor Day!

We celebrated his Birthday today…

Because he’ll be away for his Birthday weekend…

That’s what happens when they grow up…

They do things independently of their parents!!

Happy Birthday, Casey!

We love you!

All God’s Blessings!

How did those years go by soooo fast?!?!

You’re an amazing gift from God to us!!

Here’s my prayer for you!!

That you will build your life…

And future home of your own…

On the strong foundation of Jesus Christ!

So you can lead!

Isaiah 54:13

“All your children will be taught by the Lord,   

and great will be their peace.” 

2 Timothy 3:14-15

“But as for you,

continue in what you have learned

and have become convinced of,

because you know those from whom you learned it, 

and how from infancy

you have known the Holy Scriptures,

which are able to make you wise for salvation

through faith in Christ Jesus.”

Here’s a link to Holley Gerth’s blog post today:

http://holleygerth.com/when-god-changes-your-plans-an-infertility-update/

Please read it…

Be prepared to cry and rejoice!!

Here’s my comment to her:

Holley, I read this post this morning…

As we were getting ready to celebrate my son’s 23rd Birthday…

We did the 10-year “infertility roller-coaster” years ago to have him…

I had him when I was 41…

He’s the light of our lives…

And our gift from God!

There was a point where we came to the same moment you and your husband came to…

We were only going to be able to afford one more round of in-vitro…

and my very blunt Mom said to me,

“Maybe it’s not God’s will for you to have a child!”

That shocked me…

I stopped in my tracks thinking about it!!

Then, I knew I believed that it WAS God’s will for me to have a child!

We had a miscarriage before my son,

Lost the other two embryos that were transferred with him,

And had a miscarriage after him!!

Though I wanted all those babies we lost,

I know I’ll see them in Heaven!

Now I direct a Drama Team at church,

And I’m “Drama Mama” to so many kids, teens, and young adults!!

God is so good!!

We each need to ask God the hard questions as you did…

And His answers are the BEST for our lives!

May God richly bless you always!!”

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The Birthday Boy  Man!!!

That face always makes me smile!!!!

Proverbs 1:8

“Listen, my son,

to your father’s instruction   

and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.

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Father and Son!

Proverbs 29:17

“Correct thy son,

and he shall give thee rest;

yea,

he shall give delight unto thy soul.”

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My son makes “Mothering” so easy and lots of fun!!

Psalm 127:3

“Children are a heritage from the Lord,   

offspring a reward from Him.

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Yeah!!

Birthday money to buy stuff!!!

John 16:21

“A woman giving birth to a child

has pain because her time has come;

but when her baby is born

she forgets the anguish

because of her joy

that a child is born into the world.”

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We brought our Precious Little Girl…

  A chewy treat from Petco on our way home from Outback…

Obviously, she cares more about that treat…

Than taking a Birthday photo with Casey!!

Proverbs 3:1-6

“My son, do not forget My teaching,
    but keep My commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
    and He will make your paths straight.”

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It’s so hard to get a good photo of our Crazy Siberian…

‘Cause she’s constantly moving…

That’s why I love landscape photography…

Most things stand still!!

Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test

and approve what God’s will is—

His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

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My two “Babies!”

He always smiles…

She’s smiling…

But she still has the chewy  treat in her mouth!

She always thinks we’re going to take it from her!!

What would we want with that yucky chewy???

James 1:17

“Every good and perfect gift

is from above,

coming down from the Father of the Heavenly Lights,

who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Psalm 115:14

“May the Lord cause you to flourish,   

both you and your children.”

Deuteronomy 4:9

“Only be careful,

and watch yourselves closely

so that you do not forget

the things your eyes have seen

or let them fade from your heart

as long as you live.

Teach them to your children

and to their children after them.”

Jesus I pray…

-Your Word will prevail over our children…

-Your Peace will embrace them… 

-They seek Your Wisdom and Understanding …

-They’re quick to obey You…

-They’re Holy in all conduct…

-They hunger and thirst for more of You each day…

-They’re content with what they have… 

-They grow in the grace and knowledge of You, Lord…

-They’re clothed with humility…

-They cast their cares upon You, Father, for You care for them…

-They’re doers of the Word, and not hearers only…

-They learn to effectively share their faith…   

-They don’t have a spirit of fear…

-But of power, love, and a sound mind…

-You save them…

-You call them with a Holy Calling…

-You provide safety for them, day and night…

  -They walk in the Light as You are in the Light…

-You purify their hearts…

-They follow after righteousness, faith, love, and peace.

-They have favor and high esteem with God and man.

Amen!

2 Timothy 2:22-25

“Run from temptations that capture young people.

Always do the right thing.

Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with.

Worship with people whose hearts are pure. 

Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments.

These only lead to trouble, 

and God’s servants must not be troublemakers.

They must be kind to everyone,

and they must be good teachers and very patient.

Be humble when you correct people who oppose you.

Maybe God will lead them to turn to Him and learn the truth.”

Casey, you are all these things…

Praise the Lord!

God did a great job raising you!!

Thank you everyone who prayed with us…

All those long years of waiting…

For God to give us the desire of our hearts!

Happy Birthday, You are Loved!

God’s Not Dead…He’s Surely Alive!!

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Folks, let’s hear it!!

God’s not dead!

He’s surely alive!

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Let love explode, and bring the dead to life
A love so bold
To see a revolution, somehow

Now I’m lost in Your freedom
In this world I’ll overcome

My God’s not dead
He’s surely alive
He’s living on the inside
Roaring like a lion 

Roaring

He’s roaring

Roaring like a lion

Let hope arise, and make the darkness hide
My faith is dead, I need resurrection, somehow

Let heaven roar, and fire fall
Come shake the ground
With the sounds of revival

My God’s not dead
He’s surely alive
He’s living on the inside
Roaring like a lion

He’s roaring

He’s roaring

He’s roaring like a lion

Not like satan…

Mentioned in

1 Peter 5:8

Be alert and of sober mind.

Your enemy the devil

prowls around like a roaring lion

looking for someone to devour.”  

John 10:10

The thief comes only

to steal and kill and destroy;

I have come that they may have life,

and have it to the full.”

Jesus, Our Lamb, who was slain…

Comes so we can have abundant life!

Let the fire of the Holy Spirit fall!!

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God roars for our protection, our refuge, our stronghold!

He roars to an unrepentant nation…

To humbly come back!

And He roars on the inside of us…

For us to come back, too!

He’s compassionate, yet just!

The Lion and The Lamb!!

Joel 3:16

The Lord will roar from Zion   

and thunder from Jerusalem;   

the earth and the Heavens will tremble.

But the Lord will be a refuge for His people,   

a stronghold for the people of Israel.

Hosea 11:10

“They will follow the Lord;   

He will roar like a lion.

When He roars,   

His children will come trembling from the west.”

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Amos 3:8

The lion has roared   

who will not fear?

The Sovereign Lord has spoken   

who can but prophesy?”

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Revelation 10:1-3

“Then I saw another mighty angel

coming down from heaven.

He was robed in a cloud,

with a rainbow above his head;

his face was like the sun,

and his legs were like fiery pillars.

He was holding a little scroll,

which lay open in his hand.

He planted his right foot on the sea

and his left foot on the land,

and he gave a loud shout like the roar of a lion.

When he shouted, the voices of the seven thunders spoke.

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Revelation 5:5

“Then one of the elders said to me,

‘Do not weep!

See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah,

the Root of David,

has triumphed.

He is able to open the scroll

and its seven seals.’”

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Take notice world!

There’s power in the roar of the Lion of Judah…

In His Name…

Jesus!!

When you know the Lion of Judah…

The roar of the lion, our adversary…

Will mean nothing to you…

And you have nothing to fear!

Shout out the Name of Jesus…

Because God’s not dead…

He’s Alive!!

“Some Fell On Rocky Places…”

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(All the photos on this post were taken by my sister, Tina!)

Matthew 13:5-6

Some (seed) fell on rocky places,

where it did not have much soil.

It sprang up quickly,

because the soil was shallow.

But when the sun came up,

the plants were scorched,

and they withered because they had no root.”

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 Matthew 13:13-17

Though seeing, they do not see;   

though hearing,

they do not hear or understand.

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;   

you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

For this people’s heart has become calloused;   

they hardly hear with their ears,   

and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,   

hear with their ears,   

understand with their hearts

and turn,

and I would heal them.’

But blessed are your eyes because they see,

and your ears because they hear.

For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people

longed to see what you see

but did not see it,

and to hear what you hear

but did not hear it.”

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Matthew 13:18-23

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:

When anyone hears the message about the Kingdom

and does not understand it,

the evil one comes and snatches away what

was sown in their heart.

This is the seed sown along the path.

The seed falling on rocky ground

refers to someone who hears the Word

and at once receives it with joy.

But since they have no root,

they last only a short time.

When trouble or persecution

comes because of the Word,

they quickly fall away.

The seed falling among the thorns

refers to someone who hears the Word,

but the worries of this life

and the deceitfulness of wealth

choke the Word,

making it unfruitful.

But the seed falling on good soil

refers to someone who hears the Word

and understands it.

This is the one who produces a crop,

yielding a hundred,

sixty 

or thirty times what was sown.”

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Don’t let your heart become calloused!

Open your eyes to

See...

Open your ears to…

Hear the Word

Open your heart to…

Understand the Word

Turn to the Lord…

He will Heal…

So you can be Fruitful

and…

Produce a Crop!!

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Amen!

Check With God!

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Many people say many things…

I’d like you to_____

I wish that you would_____

Why can’t you_____

You really should_____

Why don’t you_____

You need to_____

I can’t understand why you won’t_____

Don’t____

Oh, you must_____

When will you_____

Stop thinking about_____

Stay on track with_____

Take responsibility for_____

How can you_____

We need you to_____

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And expect you to do many things…

Stay calm

Get excited

Go to work

Stay Home

Have a baby

Make more money

Have another baby

Quit your job

Volunteer

Help out more

Be a great Mom/Dad

Step up

Be a team player

Care for your parents

Give some money

Give more time

Teach your kids

Be perfect

Focus on your job

Cook healthy meals

Keep in shape

Be organized

Be spontaneous

Clean the house

Go have fun

Work hard

Be studious

Mow the lawn

Be polite

Be assertive

Plant a garden

Handle a sick child

Create holiday traditions

Keep in touch with the in-laws

Understand your spouse

Be strong

Be ladylike

Be manly

Be sensitive

Be independent

Send cards

Buy gifts

Delegate

Pay the bills

Organize the carpool

Find anything in the house that’s lost

Read minds

Be confident

Have a sense of humor

Always have an alternate plan ready

Fix the toilet

Save for college

Sign up for classes

Look good

Read your Bible

Spend time with your family

Get everyone ready for back-to-school

Supervise homework

Help at church

Service the car

Throw a party

Buy groceries

Redeem coupons

Bake cookies for school

Watch the news

Run errands

Change your hairstyle

Lose some weight

Buy new clothes

Join a gym

Read more

Take care of pets

Do the laundry

Pick up the kids

Plan the vacation

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Etc.

Etc.

Etc.

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Whew!!

This is exhausting stuff…

Trying to please everyone!

STOP!

Check with God!!

Say, “I’ll pray about it!”

Be who He wants you to be!

That’s what pleases Him!!

1 John 5:14-15

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God:

that if we ask anything according to His will,

He hears us.

And if we know that He hears us—

whatever we ask—

we know that we have what we asked of Him.”

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Romans 12:2

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,

but be transformed

by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test

and approve what God’s will is—

His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

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John 8:28-29

So Jesus said,

“When you have lifted up the Son of Man,

then you will know that I am He

and that I do nothing on My own

but speak just what the Father has taught Me.

The One who sent Me is with Me;

He has not left Me alone,

for I always do what pleases Him.”

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Proverbs 16:7

“When a man’s ways please the Lord,   

He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

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Trying to do it all???

Relax!

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Ask in prayer and obey!!

Jesus will give you joy for the things He wants you to do!

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Let Jesus take your burdens to lighten your load!

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Don’t be pressured by the world!

Psalm 118:8

“It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.”

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You’re confidence is in Christ!!

The opinion that matters is His!

1 Timothy 2:5

“For there is one God

and one mediator between God and mankind,

the man Christ Jesus…”

Simplify your life!

Listen to One Voice!

The world doesn’t dictate…

The culture doesn’t define…

God’s voice is the loudest…

At all times!!

Before you take a new job…

Take on a new volunteer position…

Do another chore…

Let go of things God says are not yours!!

Suggested reading: 

Kingdom Man by Tony Evans

Kingdom Woman-Embracing Your Purpose, Power, and Possibilities by Tony Evans and Chrystal Evans Hurst

“…your life flows through different seasons.  Each of these seasons carries with it different time constraints, blessings, and demands.  To try to do all things without being cognizant of the season you are in is the surest way to burnout and even bitterness…Yet God never said that you would receive praise for trying to please others….Place what God says and what God requires as the highest priority in your life.”  Chrystal Evans Hurst

Friendship Is A Beautiful Thing!!

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My dear friend, her family, and their dog traveled this summer to…

Door County, Wisconsin…

Let’s take a look at her beautiful photos!!

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Ahhhh…peace and quiet!!

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I see their dog feel’s right at home!!

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She snapped this photo for me…

The Italian!!

So I’d feel welcome, too!

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I love this beautiful 4th of July floral arrangement!!

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Vibrant colors in a background of lush green!!

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Deep purple…

The color of royalty!!

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Lilac-colored lollipop flowers???

Can we blow on these???

Or run with them in the wind???

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Cotton Candy, anyone???

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Pick me a big bouquet!!!

Genesis 1:31

“God saw all that He had made,

and it was very good…”

2 Corinthians 13:11

 “Finally, brothers and sisters,

rejoice!

Strive for full restoration,

encourage one another,

be of one mind,

live in peace.

And the God of love and peace will be with you.”

Amen!

What A Web We Weave…

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The other day…

My husband called me outside on the lanai…

“Come quick!

Bring your camera!

Here’s a shot of a lifetime!!”

At first, I just couldn’t see it!

What was he pointing at???

Then, I moved closer…

And the light shifted…

And suddenly…

I saw this beautiful spider’s web!!!!!!

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It was huge!

Oh, so perfect!

Nice to look at…

But, if I was a tiny, little, helpless fly…

I would be tempted to fly into that web…

Which is soooo attractive to me!

And get hopelessly caught!!

Don’t get caught in a web of the devil’s lies!!

Sin may look beautiful…

Even bring temporary pleasure…

But it’s a death trap!!

Just like this beautiful spider web is…

To the spider’s prey!

The enemy of our soul…

Seeks to steal from us…

Ensnare us…

Entangle us…

Kill us…

And destroy us!!

He uses beautiful counterfeit!

It’s hard to see his tricks!

Let Jesus shine His Light…

At just the right angle…

And you’ll be able to suddenly see…

The devious plans…

The enemy has for you!

John 10:10

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I have come that they may have life,

and have it to the full.”

Turn away…

And embrace God’s Plan for your life!!

Jeremiah 29:11

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’

declares the Lord,

‘plans to prosper you

and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.'”

Ahhh…

I love this promise of God!!!