Category Archives: God’s Presence Is Glorious!

“Christianity” by Reinhard Bonnke

Standard

10-31-14 Trunk Or Treat 046

By Reinhard Bonnke

“Christianity…

Has an unconditional…

‘WELCOME’

Above its doors…

For the storm tossed…

The broken in spirit…

And the inadequate….

It is the arm of God’s love…

Thrown around those…

 Who have given up on themselves…

Or been given up by the world…

And don’t have what it takes….

If you would believe…

You would see the glory of God…

 John 11:40

Christ causes us to make it…

We, who otherwise would never make it on our own…

In the Gospels…

We see Him coming open-faced and with open‑arms…

To Him…

There were no nobodies…

Nor riffraff…

No social rejects…

He came for lost sheep…

Plus, to women…

Who were treated as sub-species in some eastern countries…

Even as they are now…

Christ gave honor…

Jesus said,

‘I always do those things that please Him [the Father].’

John 8:29

What had He seen the Father do?

He had seen Him stoop over the wretched tribes in Egypt…

Those Israelite‑nobodies…

Expendables…

God picked them up…

And made them great!

Jesus did the same…

He chose fishermen…

Not princes…

To be His ambassadors…

The Gospels again and again…

Show Him meeting the unwanted…

And giving them a place…

His outreach to the discarded…

Is a moving part of the Gospel story!

Jesus is with the ‘lost’ and the ‘last’…

The lost He finds…

And to the last He says…

‘The last will be first.’

Matthew 20:16″

Amen!

10-26-14 Fall Festival-Amaiah's Shower 118

Something In The Water???

Standard

Our symbol of faith in Jesus…

And obedience to Christ our Lord!!!

He said, “I’ve been where you’ve been before.
Down every hallway’s a slamming door.”
No way out, no one to come and save me
Wasting a life that the Good Lord gave me

Then somebody said what I’m saying to you
Opened my eyes and told me the truth.”
They said, “Just a little faith, it’ll all get better.”
So I followed that preacher man down to the river and now I’m changed
And now I’m stronger

There must’ve been something in the water
Oh, there must’ve been something in the water

Well, I heard what he said and I went on my way
Didn’t think about it for a couple of days
Then it hit me like a lightning late one night
I was all out of hope and all out of fight

Couldn’t fight back the tears so I fell on my knees
Saying, “God, if you’re there come and rescue me.”
Felt love pouring down from above
Got washed in the water, washed in the blood and now I’m changed

And now I’m stronger

There must be something in the water
Oh, there must be something in the water

And now I’m singing along to amazing grace
Can’t nobody wipe this smile off my face
Got joy in my heart, angels on my side
Thank God almighty, I saw the light
Gonna look ahead, no turning back
Live everyday, give it all that I have
Trust in someone bigger than me
Ever since the day that I believed I am changed
And now I’m stronger

There must be something in the water
Oh, there must be something in the water
Oh, there must be something in the water
Oh, there must be something in the water
Oh, yeah

I am changed
Stronger

I’m free.

10-5-14 Prime Serious Steak 052

Matthew 3:11
“I baptize you with water for repentance,
but He who is coming after me is mightier than I,
whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”
Acts 22:16
“And now why do you wait?
Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins,
calling on His Name.”
Matthew 28:19
“Go therefore
and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Amen!!
I’m changed…
I’m stronger…
I’m free!
Thank you, Jesus!!
 

Every Praise Is To Our God!!! Oh, Yeah!

Standard

What else needs to be said???

Our God deserves it…

So…

Get to Praisin’

Amen!!!!!

1 Chronicles 16:8

“Give praise to the LORD,

proclaim His name;

make known among the  nations

what He has done.”

Revelation 7:12

“Amen!

Praise and glory

and 

wisdom and thanks

and

honor and power

and

strength

be to our God

for ever and ever.

Amen!”

Lord, In You Alone, I’m Satisfied!!

Standard

7-7-14 Walk 030

Isaiah 58:11

“The LORD will guide you always;

He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land

and will strengthen your frame.

You will be like a well-watered garden,

like a spring whose waters never fail.”

7-7-14 Walk 060

“About  A Mile

 is a trio band of three brothers

Adam, Luke and Levi Klutinoty,

the band’s name originates from the belief

that Jesus carried his cross “about a mile.”

Birthed out of adversity that saw frontman Adam nearly dying,

and coupled with the chemistry and accomplished artistry

 that comes from the bond of brotherhood,

About A Mile

hopes to reach everyone with the message of suffering,

then triumph, of a crucified and risen Christ.”

http://micernest.com/introducing-about-a-mile-band-videos/

7-7-14 Walk 071

Proverbs 19:23

“The fear of the Lord 

leads to life,

and whoever has it

rests satisfied;

he will not be visited by harm.”

7-7-14 Walk 082

7-7-14 Walk 144

Psalm 145:16

“You open Your hand

and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

7-7-14 Walk 169

Psalm 107:9

“For He satisfies the longing soul,

And fills the hungry soul with goodness.”

Amen!

Safe Passage….

Standard

100_1238

100_1240

Photos by Cheryl Madasz Butler

“The message relates to many and never gets old.

It speaks out to those that are hurting, those that are going through tough things.

It’s a reminder that the God who brought sight to the blind and brought the lame to their feet

is the same God who holds you in His arms today.

It’s my sincere prayer that the simple message of this song

would resonate in people’s hearts.

I wrote it after a moving conversation I had with a man who told me his story.

It was a story of God’s faithfulness during a struggling time.

How God can turn things that seem so grim into things that give Him glory.

Think of all those that Jesus healed and saved

while He was on earth

from great tragedy and sickness and even death.

It gave people all the more reason to praise Him!”

—Phil Wickham
Kevin Davis, from Christian Music Review writes, 
Safe 
“serves to encourage, strengthen and remind listeners
that they are not alone,
‘You will be safe in His arms,
You will be safe in His arms,
The hands that hold the world
Are holding your heart,
This is the promise He made
He will be with you always,
When everything is falling apart
You will be safe in His arms.'”

Your dreams have fallen all apart?

Left you with a tired and broken heart?

You think you’re on your own?

No, you’re not alone!

Heard of the One who can calm the raging sea?

Gives sight to the blind, pulls the lame up to their feet?

Love so strong, He never lets you go?

No, you’re not alone!

His Voice brings the dead back to life…

The very same Voice that calls you now to rise…

Hear Him now, He’s calling you home…

You’ll never be alone!

You will be safe in His arms…

These are the hands that built the mountains…

The hands that calmed the sea…

These are the arms that hold the heavens…

They are holding you & me…

These are the hands that healed the leper…

Pulled the lame up to their feet…

These are the arms that were nailed to a cross…

To break our chains and set us free!

You will be safe in His arms…

Proverbs 18:10

The Name of the Lord is a strong tower;

The righteous run to it and are safe.”

Amen!

Is 65 The New 45??? Gee, I Hope So!!

Standard

4-4-14 Walk-Gift 070

Happy Birthday To Me!!

I recently celebrated a BIG Birthday!

4-4-14 Walk-Gift 056

                                            (Me with Sandy and Elle!)

And I now get to show my golden Medicare “ticket” everywhere..

But, now that I’m “mature,”  I forget to do it!!

Hubby’s already on it, so I know it’s fine…

I’ll get used to it!

We already had good insurance…

Thanks to the NJ Public Schools…

My plan after college was to get married,

Teach for two years,

Have 4 kids…

Done!

But, since my son took 14 years to arrive! 

I just kept on teaching…

And, as my sister-in-law advised,

“Stay in teaching long enough to get all the benefits you deserve!!”

So, I stayed!

After 26 years, I retired…

One kid, a pension, and my health insurance…

God is good!

Because of so many years…

Of being blessed with God’s wisdom…

My years of experience…

And my mistakes…

(Thank you for “redos,” Lord!)

I’m such a wealth of information! 

Ha!

So, what do you want to know about???

Growing up in a constantly fast-talking Italian family…

With lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins???

So much fun going to church together…

Everyone talking at the same time…

Very loudly!!

With lots and lots of food!!!

Growing up Pentecostal???

Lots of “You can’t do that!”

But, lots of faith, love, and strong trust in God, too!!

I learned to teach my son about all the things we can do in Christ!

And the joy we experience!

Growing up with an older brother???

“Stitches” in my side as he walked too fast on our way to school…

Joe always said my younger brother, John, and I had “piercing voices!”

Growing up with a younger brother???

Who, as I mentioned in another post…

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/oh-by-the-way-…have-any-gauze/

Slashed my lip with a snow shovel…

While  we were shoveling snow in NJ…

When I was in 6th grade!

But, we never wanted to be apart!

Praying for a sister???

My Mom was 38…

I had to have a sister…

Having two brothers was just too much…

I was eleven when Tina was born!

She went everywhere with me!

So special to me to this day!!

Amen!

God answers prayers!

Wanting to be a teacher since the first grade???

My cousin, Phyllis, who was three years older…

Lived next door…

And was always the teacher…

 I was the best student there ever was!

Dating????

Long term dating…

Too early, too intense…

I would not recommend it today!!

College and  Master’s  Education???

Let me just say…

The tassel is definitely worth the hassle…

Do your homework…

Get an education!!!

Then, ask God to give you a job you’re passionate about!

First Marriage???

Moved to Texas to live with my older brother and his wife…

Married two and a half years…

Divorced…

Came home to NJ!

Divorce???

Low, low point…

Feels like someone took a photo of the two of you…

Tore  it in two…

And ripped your heart out…

You’re deeply changed…

I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone!

Second Marriage

To my high school sweetheart…

Thirty-seven years…

Through the best of the best…

And the worst of the worst…

 The key is to go through it…

TOGETHER…

That’s what marriage is all about…

Even when “LOVE” is strong…

  But, “LIKE” is not!!

Amen!

Oh,Yes…

I am difficult to live with…

More than just sometimes!!

Good quote on Facebook:
“In every marriage more than a week old,
there are grounds for divorce…
the trick is to find, and continue to find,
the grounds for marriage!!” 
Thank you, Jesus!
Amen!!
3-15-14 Billy & Cheryl 205

Ten years of Infertility???

Why me?

All my cousins and friends had kids…

But, God turned my attitude to…

“Why not me?”

And I received a miracle gift from God!

It was totally worth the huge cost and effort…

Of in-vitro…

To have our son!!!

Thank God for insurance!

Coming back to God???

Spent twenty years doing “my own thing!”

But could not fathom…

Raising my son without faith…

He loved Jesus…

Going to church…

Lively worship music…

And Veggie Tales…

And he led me back to Jesus!

Raising a great kid???

What a ministry…

To pour Jesus into your child!!!

4-11-14 to 4-13-14 Game, Outreach, RL 635

Life???

Yes, they’ll be trials…

But, always accept the Lord’s…

Joy!

Death???

So sad to lose loved ones…

But, we can celebrate their life…

Because of our Hope of Heaven…

And say, “See you soon!”

Parents???

We do our best…

So remember…

Your parents did their best, too!!

Forgive…

Don’t hold onto grudges…

Love!

4-11-14 to 4-13-14 Game, Outreach, RL 630

Friends and family???

While you can’t pick your family…

You can love, encourage, and minister to the family that God gave you!

Friends…

Chose wisely and love deeply!

Siberian Huskies???

Only God could make such a beautiful face…

My Crazy, Precious Little Girl…

Is lots of work…

And brings, oh, so much joy!!

See her Birthday post!

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/guess-whos-turning-seven/

4-3-14 golf course 162

Seeing through God’s eyes???

Is beautiful…

And difficult…

Be prepared to listen…

Be prepared to obey!

Religion???

Faith is better than no faith…

Our relationship with Jesus  is everything!

Being retired???

Not HAVING to work is soooo good…

Retirement with a pension is the best!

Ministering to others???

Accountability…

Teaching others keeps you on your toes!

Keep on going for God!!

Eternal Life???

1 Timothy 4:8

“For physical training is of some value,

but godliness has value for all things,

holding promise for both the present life

and the life to come.”

Amen!