Category Archives: We Belong To God

Jul7

Come On, Lord, Write Your Story On My Heart!

Posted on July 7, 2014 by sagescenery

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The world asks…

Is your story still unwritten???

Yes…

But, it’s not my story…

It’s Your story, Lord…

I want written on my heart!

Don’t write your own story…

Let Him write His story on your heart…

His story is better!!

Photo by Kenneth Swett

“Write Your Story”

is a song about being a blank slate

and letting your life be open to whatever story God wants to write.

I think for so many of us

it’s easy to feel like we have to come up with this great plan

for how we’re going to use the gifts God gives us for Him,

but I really feel like He just wants our willingness to be used however He sees fit.

I’ve always tried to live my life with an open hand,

trusting God to take me where He wants to go.

Hopefully this song encourages others to hand God the pen of their lives.”

-Francesca Battistelli-

http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/lyrics/new/track.asp?track_id=17302

Photo by Kenneth Swett

They say You’re the King of everything The One who taught the wind to sing The Source of the rhythm my heart keeps beating

They say You can give the blind their sight And You can bring the dead to life You can be the hope my soul’s been seekin’

I wanna tell You now that I believe it I wanna tell You now that I believe it I do, that You can make me new, oh

I’m an empty page I’m an open book Write Your story on my heart Come on and make Your mark

Author of my hope Maker of the stars Let me be Your work of art Won’t You write Your story on my heart

Write Your story, write Your story Come on and write Your story, write Your story Won’t You write Your story on my heart

My Life I know it’s never really been mine So do with it whatever You like I don’t know what Your plan is But I know it’s good, yeah

I want my history To be Your legacy Go ahead and show this world What You’ve done in me And when the music fades I want my life to say

I let You write your story, write Your story Write Your story, write Your story

Amen!

God speaks clearly…

He’s always speaking to us…

Through everything we see, hear, and touch…

Everywhere we go…

He’s given us His book…

The Bible…

The story of who we are…

And the enormous lengths He’s been willing to go through…

To bring us back home!

Slow down and look around you…

God is calling your name!

He’s ready to write your story!!

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.”

Jul6

Safe Passage….

Posted on July 6, 2014 by sagescenery

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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

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_(Phil_Wickham_song)

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!

Jun10

What Do We Believe???

Posted on June 10, 2014 by sagescenery

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The Newsboys are spreading the Good News!!

Believe in the One Foundation…

Believe in the One Salvation…

Believe in God the Father…

Believe in Jesus Christ…

Believe in the Holy Spirit…

Believe He’s given us New Life…

Believe in the Crucifixion…

Believe that He conquered Death…

Believe in the Resurrection…

Believe He’s coming back again…

Believe the lost are found, the dead are raised!

When Love invades!

Believe the gates of hell will not prevail!

Believe the Power of God, has torn the veil!

Believe His Love will never fail!

Believe!

Mark 1:15

“The time has come,” he said.

“The kingdom of God has come near.

Repent and believe the good news!”

May8

Lessons From Noah’s Ark!

Posted on May 8, 2014 by sagescenery

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“Everything I Need To Know…I Learned From Noah’s Ark!”

(I saw this on e-mail today, author unknown, I added the Scriptures)

Genesis 5:32-10:1

1. Don’t miss the boat! Find favor with the Lord!

“But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”

2. Remember that we’re all in the same boat! We need to walk faithfully with our Lord!

“Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time,

and he walked faithfully with God.”

3. Plan ahead! Pay attention to God! It wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark.

“So God said to Noah,

‘I am going to put an end to all people,

for the earth is filled with violence because of them.

I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth….

Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights,

and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.’”

4. Stay fit and healthy! When you’re 60+ years old, God may ask you to do something really big, too!

“So make yourself an ark of cypress wood...

I am going to bring flood waters on the earth

to destroy all life under the heavens,

every creature that has the breath of life in it.

Everything on earth will perish.“

5. Don’t listen to critics! Obey God! Just get on with the job that He says needs to be done.

“Noah did everything just as God commanded him.”

6. Build your future on the higher ground of the Lord!

“But I will establish My covenant with you,

and you will enter the ark—

you and your sons and your wife and your sons’ wives with you…”

The Lord then said to Noah,

“Go into the ark,

you and your whole family,

because I have found you righteous in this generation.”

7. For safety’s sake, travel in pairs.

“You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures,

male and female,

to keep them alive with you.

Two of every kind of bird,

of every kind of animal

and of every kind of creature

that moves along the ground

will come to you to be kept alive.”

8. Speed isn’t always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.

“Pairs of clean and unclean animals,

of birds and of all creatures

that move along the ground,

male and female,

came to Noah and entered the ark,

as God had commanded Noah.”

9. When you’re stressed, float awhile.

“For forty days

the flood kept coming on the earth,

and as the waters increased

they lifted the ark high above the earth.

The waters rose and increased greatly on the earth,

and the ark floated on the surface of the water.”

10. Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals. Build your life according to God’s Plan!

“This is how you are to build it:

The ark is to be three hundred cubits long,

fifty cubits wide and thirty cubits high.

Make a roof for it,

leaving below the roof an opening one cubit high all around.

Put a door in the side of the ark

and make lower, middle and upper decks.”

11. No matter the storm, when you’re with God, there’s always a rainbow waiting.

“And God said,

‘This is the sign of the covenant

I am making between Me and you

and every living creature with you,

a covenant for all generations to come:

I have set my rainbow in the clouds,

and it will be the sign of the covenant

between Me and the earth.

Whenever I bring clouds over the earth

and the rainbow appears in the clouds,

I will remember My covenant between Me and you

and all living creatures of every kind.

Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds,

I will see it

and remember the everlasting covenant

between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth…'”

“Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and,

taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds,

he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.

The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma

and said in His heart:

‘Never again will I curse the ground because of humans,

even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood.

And never again will I destroy all living creatures,

as I have done.

As long as the earth endures…'”
Amen!
Thank You, Lord!!

May5

Is 65 The New 45??? Gee, I Hope So!!

Posted on May 5, 2014 by sagescenery

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Happy Birthday To Me!!

I recently celebrated a BIG Birthday!

(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!!

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!!!

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!

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/

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!

May3

Grace Was Made For People Like Me!!

Posted on May 3, 2014 by sagescenery

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John 1:14

“The Word

became flesh and made His dwelling among us.

We have seen His Glory,

the Glory of the One and Only Son,

who came from the Father,

full of Grace and Truth.”

And you!!

Be honest with God…

He’ll never let you go…

Jesus, we need You…

Lord, help us to believe…

Show us Your arms are open…

Your blood redeems…

Show me You can love…

Even me…

Show me Grace was made for…

People like me…

Amen!

1 Corinthians 1:3

“Grace and Peace to you from

God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

May3

I Will Follow Him!!

Posted on May 3, 2014 by sagescenery

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Just make sure you know which “HIM” you’re following!!

1Peter 2:21

“To this you were called,

because Christ suffered for you,

leaving you an example,

that you should follow in HIS steps.”

Andre Rieu

conducts while playing the violin,

providing the beat with his bow and instrument

and by motions of the body,

virtually dancing the rhythm.

He actively attempts to involve the audience in the music.

Accordingly, audiences have responded with great enthusiasm!

May2

When The Golf Course Is Closed To People…The Critters Come Out To Play!!

Posted on May 2, 2014 by sagescenery

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Because God is watching over them!!

Psalm 91

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High    
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, 
“He is my refuge and my fortress,    
my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely He will save you    
from the fowler’s snare    
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with His feathers,    
and under His wings you will find refuge;    
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,    
nor the arrow that flies by day,
 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,    
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,   
ten thousand at your right hand,  
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes    
and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, 
“The Lord is my refuge,”   
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,    
no disaster will come near your tent.
For He will command His angels concerning you    
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands, 
   
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;    
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” 
says the Lord, 
“I will rescue him;   
I will protect him, 
for he acknowledges My Name.
He will call on Me, and I will answer him;    
I will be with him in trouble,    
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him    
and show him My Salvation.”
Amen!
See how well He watches over us, too!!

May2

My Soul Pants For You, My God!!

Posted on May 2, 2014 by sagescenery

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Psalm 42
As the deer pants for streams of water,    
so my soul pants for You, my God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God.    
When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food day and night,
while people say to me all day long,    
“Where is your God?”
These things I remember    
as I pour out my soul:
how I used to go to the house of God    
under the protection of the Mighty One
with shouts of joy and praise    
among the festive throng.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? 
   
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,    
for I will yet praise Him,    
my Savior and my God.

My soul is downcast within me;    
therefore I will remember You
from the land of the Jordan,    
the heights of Hermon—from Mount Mizar.
 Deep calls to deep    
in the roar of Your waterfalls;
all Your waves and breakers    
have swept over me.
By day the Lord directs His love,    
at night His song is with me—    
a prayer to the God of my life.

I say to God my Rock,    
“Why have You forgotten me?
Why must I go about mourning,    
oppressed by the enemy?”
My bones suffer mortal agony    
as my foes taunt me,
saying to me all day long,    
“Where is your God?”

Why, my soul, are you downcast?    
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,   
for I will yet praise Him,    
my Savior and my God.
Amen!
(P.S.  You’d think these photos might have been taken in NJ, but actually they were taken while we were visiting friends in the Keys.  Our friend, Billy Butler, grabbed my camera while we all quietly watched from the car, and took these beautiful photographs!!!) 