Tuesday, December 22, 2009

As I wipe away tears

This has truly been a year of struggle, trials and tribulation for us. I struggled most of the year with my faith, and my belief that God answers our prayers. I was angry at myself for the first 5 months of the year. Angry because I quit a job that was taking care of making ends meet, but would have killed me before the year was over. Angry because I felt like I had failed everyone. I even apologized to my husband for quitting my job. In May, my husband blacked out behind the wheel of his truck and by the grace of God, and his brother, pulled them to safety off the road. We still don't really know what caused it... I was angry at first, because after a cat scan, they found a little black dot at the base of his brain... And like most normal people I thought the worse, cancer, brain tumor, God was punishing me and going to take my husband away. A husband I had waited a long time for, that was a gift from God. I began to pray, and pray harder than I ever had, and now as I look back, I guess I was being tested. I'm not really sure if I failed or passed at this moment, but things have turned around, not without trials or struggle mind you.



As Christmas approached and our money became really stretched, I became angry and sad that I cannot buy gifts for anyone this year, not even my daughter, parents, inlaws, or my husband. I'm making some small things, but not enough to go around for everyone, and in my heart I fear that some will not appreciate or want what we have made. In the middle of the night, I awoke to a scene in my dream of the Christmas show, The Little Drummer Boy. I just sat and listened to that song sung by Josh Groban, and silently the tears rolled down my face. I have no gifts for my king, but my faith and belief that He will take care of us. I have no gifts but to pray and leave my burdens and the heaviness of my heart to Him. I have no gifts but my love for Him who died so that I might have eternal life. I have no gifts but to pray for health, wealth, and happiness for my family, friends and loved ones. Jesus is the reason for this season, not the gifts we give to each other, or the money that is spent. I thanks Jesus for the opportunity to be a live and to be with my family, both sides, and enjoy the fellowship with my new brothers and sisters at our church, and to feel loved by my family. I pray that you will take a moment and thank God for all that you have and to remember that He answers our prayers and sometimes, we may not understand, but God does and that is all that matters. God is in control, let Him take the wheel. God Bless you all, and May 2010 be a year of spiritually growth for us all. Merry Christmas and Have a Happy New Year. L

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Two Postings

I actually have two things to post to this blog, but I'm not sure I want to at this time. One is entitled, "I am a child of God," the other doesn't have a title, but it comes from a sermon from about two weeks ago and the pastor stated that Calvary pictures all mankind. It made me think, but I have his illustration for the posting. Today, I'm all confused inside and filled with questions. We can't seem to get on our feet and stay on them. We pray, study, worship, try to do what is right, but I feel we are being tested and I'm not sure for what, where, or why.

Brother Joe, my new pastor, stated that man's spirit is made alive when he responds to God in faith. God grants us the freedom to repent, and exercise faith. Man's freedom also makes him responsible for his choices. God's sovereignty doesn't cancel man's freedom, we still have free will. Man was created to have a relationship with God. Our souls are unique. As a child of God, we are saved, have a glorified body, soul and are spiritually alive. If we are not children of God, we are lost, have a resurrected body, a soul, but are spiritually dead. Man is made of three parts, Body, soul and spirit.

As Christians we still have free will, still sin and don't always do what God wants us to do. He still loves us. Still calls us to come to Him, and we long for Him to come for us. May God Bless you all today...

Post#2

Calvary pictures all of mankind. Christ hung between two men - each had the choice of asking for salvation. One chose to continue to live in his sin - One chose to respond to faith and was saved. We all have that choice. Whoever hears the gospel will either believe in Christ or Reject Him. Which one will you do?

Post #1 I am a Child of God

I am a child of God, but I still fall short
I am a child of God, but I have free will
I am a child of God, and I am responsible for my choices
I am a child of God, saved by His grace and cleansed by His blood
I am a child of God, but I fall short of His perfect will
I am a child of God, I strive to live by His word
I am a child of God, and I want the Father to be proud of me
I am a child of God, I await His return
I am a child of God, Are you?
I am a child of God, You can ask Him to live in your heart.
I am a child of God, It is not too late, you too, can be a child of God, Ask Him to live in your heart.

Merry Christmas, Jesus is the reason for the season... Remember!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Our New Home

We have been visiting Emory Baptist Church since the Saturday before Halloween. I've felt a lot of love in the church. Everyone is very nice and goes out of their way to make you feel a part of the congregation. No one has said you are sitting in my pew, been snobby or unfriendly. You can feel God when you walk through the doors. I wasn't sure this was where God wanted us, but today He made it clear this is where we are suppose to be. Invitation was almost over, my husband took me by the hand and said, "Are you ready?" We walked to the front and became a part of a new home, and a new church family. I'm very excited. Everyone shook our hand and welcomed us to the church and we were even personally invited to two different Sunday school classes! It is unbelievable how friendly everyone is, and they don't mind answering questions or telling us their names. I can't wait to have the opportunity to work with the church. Maybe it will be next Saturday. That is the Angel Food ministries day of handing out the food to those who have purchased. Anyway, I feel so relieved today, and at peace in my heart, which I haven't felt in a while. Maybe this is the first part of my Christmas wish being answered. If you haven't read, "My Christmas Wish", go to http://lsfarnsworths.blogspot.com. May God Bless everyone. Love L

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Striving for 31: Write His Name 2009 - Will You Help Me?

Striving for 31: Write His Name 2009 - Will You Help Me?

Everyone please click on the link above. Everyday, everywhere you go, write Jesus and spread His name and His word.

May God Bless you all..

L

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Matthew 7:7-8 - Ask and ye shall receive

This post is simple today. I know these verses but sometimes have a hard time focusing on this... I know that all I have to do is ask and God will provide, but having the faith that He will truly do this some times escape me. However, I've read two devotionals in the last two days... stating this exact thing... I'm sure it is a sign, so today with renewed strength and faith, I share these bible verses with you... May God Bless you all, Merry Christmas, and remember what the reason for the season really is...

7Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

The Benefits of Wisdom

This was my devotional reading today. My bible just kind of fell open to this one and so this is my prayer for the day. May God Bless you with this reading..

Proverbs 3
1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
19The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
32For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
33The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
34Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.