And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold I make all things new. And He said to me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. Revelation 21:5
Lately I have been taking afternoon naps. A sure sign that my age is catching up with me because in the past, if I slept during the day, I would feel awful when I woke up. But as the scripture above promises, one day our bodies will be new and revived. No afternoon naps will be needed in Heaven.
We live in a very old house built very well in the 1930’s by my grandfather. Despite the fact that he built this house so strongly, there are still things that come up that need to be fixed: light fixtures, painting, unclogging pipes and so forth. My husband taught himself to do just about any kind of repair work necessary. Plus he has this wonderful creative side to him. He also likes to make new things.
However God is our Master Creator. Despite what some evolutionists believe, not only did He create the earth and all that is in it, but He is not finished with it yet. In fact, eternity holds new things He has planned for us.
When we arrive in Heaven, God has many new plans for us. For example: a new eternal home, new jobs in His kingdom, completely new bodies (not refurbished ones), and He will allow us to have a new understanding of Him and everything that has happened before.
Now we can experience wonderful thoughts and hope for our future. He makes everything new. If we have sick, diseased or painful bodies, they will be made brand new. And He paid for all this on the cross at Calvary. He brings us mercies every day while we are still here on earth.
Is there something broken, tired or worn out in your life? We cannot fix ourselves no matter how many self-improvement books we read, no matter how many pills the doctor gives us to make us feel better. But God can make things new for you today. All you have to do is ask. He has been waiting just like a life guard has to wait for the drowning person to quit thrashing before he can save him, God is waiting for you to realize only He can make things new today.
I want to admit today that You are the Creator and acknowledge that You are able to make everything new. You deserve all praise and honor and glory!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Family Traits
Mark 3:35 Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and my sister, and my mother.
The special church event had ended, and the men were helping to move tables in the fellowship hall. “Matt should be here any minute,” his mom said to me.
Soon she said, “There he comes now.” She pointed to a man crossing the parking lot in the semi-darkness. “How can you tell?” I asked, perplexed. “By the way he walks. He walks just like his Uncle Ed walked.” It was then I noticed the family trait.
Jesus said that those who do the will of God are His family and doing the will of God simply means living the way He instructs us to live. It requires time spent alone with God. We need to spend time seeking His will, just as Jesus did during His time here on earth.
Jesus walked in total communion with God. He also walked in total submission to God, living out God's Word. If we do the same, we share a family trait with Christ, which lets us act as His brothers and sisters.
Do I share the family trait of seeking God's will? If so, I will walk like my “brother, Jesus”. So I ask Father that you would show me today how to walk in Your ways. Please guide me to do Your will which will show Christ to others.
This author lives deep in the Bible Belt so much of her blogging will head in the direction of her religious convictions. But she is also a savvy internet marketing strategist and social media enthusiast. She can be found at her website: http://cattleon1000hills.com and she is on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace under her name. Thanks for reading this post.
The special church event had ended, and the men were helping to move tables in the fellowship hall. “Matt should be here any minute,” his mom said to me.
Soon she said, “There he comes now.” She pointed to a man crossing the parking lot in the semi-darkness. “How can you tell?” I asked, perplexed. “By the way he walks. He walks just like his Uncle Ed walked.” It was then I noticed the family trait.
Jesus said that those who do the will of God are His family and doing the will of God simply means living the way He instructs us to live. It requires time spent alone with God. We need to spend time seeking His will, just as Jesus did during His time here on earth.
Jesus walked in total communion with God. He also walked in total submission to God, living out God's Word. If we do the same, we share a family trait with Christ, which lets us act as His brothers and sisters.
Do I share the family trait of seeking God's will? If so, I will walk like my “brother, Jesus”. So I ask Father that you would show me today how to walk in Your ways. Please guide me to do Your will which will show Christ to others.
This author lives deep in the Bible Belt so much of her blogging will head in the direction of her religious convictions. But she is also a savvy internet marketing strategist and social media enthusiast. She can be found at her website: http://cattleon1000hills.com and she is on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace under her name. Thanks for reading this post.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Beware Southern Drivers During Snowstorms
First of all, there are no snowstorms as far south as I live even though the slightest flurry causes everyone to rush to the store and clean the shelves of bread, milk and batteries. It is not safe to be on the road with these fanatics or in the stores, where you may get trampled by the hoards running to stock up on food stuffs they will not be able to cook or keep cold. Never ceases to amaze me that the scenario is always the same. Mr./Mrs. Weatherman swears up and down that snow is coming so children are sent home from school and classes are canceled for the next day only to find the sun shining and kids disappointed there is no snow. These 'snow days' are allowed by the school board which decides if they have to be made up or not.
Then there is the problem of moms and dads in the work force that may get sent home, also. Some are not salaried so they lose pay. And there is the over night wait and see for the next day if work will continue as scheduled, be canceled for part of the day or the entire day. If schools are dismissed but moms and dads are not, then who takes care of the kids. If you do not have paid time off, you have to find someone to tend to kids if the workplace did not cancel. So everyone sits in front of the TV not watching their favorite program but the ticker tape running at the bottom of the screen announcing school closings.
At least 5 or 6 times during the 'winter' they make these snow-is-coming announcements. Someone should hold them responsible for the chaos that ensues with these afterwards. We are now the brunt of jokes by those living in parts of the country that really do have snowstorms to deal with.
Something even more strange about Southern drivers (and I do not remember seeing this in any of the many cities I have lived in) is the reckless driving when it rains. We see rain quite often here so why should that cause drivers to become even more dangerous to be around? You have to guard your rear by keeping one eye on your rear view mirror at all times because the driver behind you has not allowed enough time to stop on the wet street.
At this point, you close your eyes and cringe begging God to stop their car in time. It also means when the crazy driver in front of you slams on their brakes for some unknown reason, you chance rear ending them and causing a 14 car pileup because all the drivers behind you are either doing the same or may be on their cell phone instead of watching what is going on around them.
To lighten up for a minute, let me mention the use or misuse of blinkers which were intended to let other drivers know when you were going to make a turn which may or may not be a legal turn. No true Southerner uses their blinkers. If you get behind someone sporting a license plate from a Southern state with their blinker on, the blinker was on when they bought the car.
Here we have Drivers Ed 101: Skipping Red Lights. Everywhere else in the country, green is for go, yellow is caution to prepare to stop and red means you STOP—period. If your light turns green and you have not looked both ways more than once before you proceed, you may be slammed into by a driver running their red light at a very high rate of speed.
The rest of the country thinks we are kind of slow talking, slow walking, easy going and soft spoken. Visitors are in for a rude awakening if they intend to venture South of the Mason-Dixon Line in a motor vehicle. If you are going to attempt such a thing, make sure your emergency kits are up to date—flares, those orange reflectors you put on the road hoping drivers go around you while rubber necking whatever reason you are stopped. Have your id ready along with your insurance card.
Also God forbid you are in an accident, use that cell phone you are not supposed to be talking on while driving to take pictures of the damage to your car, the street locations, the other driver's car (especially the license plate) and the other driver, if possible. If the other driver produces any kind of id or insurance card, take pictures of those, also. More than likely the other driver is one of those you see on True TV that disappears before or when the police arrive because there are warrants out for them or at the least, they are illegally driving with a suspended license and no insurance even though they showed you both. Are you beginning to see a trend here? When you take the picture of the driver's license and insurance card, check the expiration dates on both.
Other than that “Y'all come back now!”
The author was born and raised in the South so she is an expert on Southern drivers. She is a social media enthusiast with blogs and on Facebook. She has a business entitled Cattle on 1000 Hills but she does not sell cattle or land. She would love to talk with you more about her internet marketing business at http://cattleon1000hills.com/?site=VSophiaR You will not see the author at this site as she has enlisted the help of a friend to tell you her amazing story which is not unique to this business.
cattleon1000hills.com/?site=VJeffL
Then there is the problem of moms and dads in the work force that may get sent home, also. Some are not salaried so they lose pay. And there is the over night wait and see for the next day if work will continue as scheduled, be canceled for part of the day or the entire day. If schools are dismissed but moms and dads are not, then who takes care of the kids. If you do not have paid time off, you have to find someone to tend to kids if the workplace did not cancel. So everyone sits in front of the TV not watching their favorite program but the ticker tape running at the bottom of the screen announcing school closings.
At least 5 or 6 times during the 'winter' they make these snow-is-coming announcements. Someone should hold them responsible for the chaos that ensues with these afterwards. We are now the brunt of jokes by those living in parts of the country that really do have snowstorms to deal with.
Something even more strange about Southern drivers (and I do not remember seeing this in any of the many cities I have lived in) is the reckless driving when it rains. We see rain quite often here so why should that cause drivers to become even more dangerous to be around? You have to guard your rear by keeping one eye on your rear view mirror at all times because the driver behind you has not allowed enough time to stop on the wet street.
At this point, you close your eyes and cringe begging God to stop their car in time. It also means when the crazy driver in front of you slams on their brakes for some unknown reason, you chance rear ending them and causing a 14 car pileup because all the drivers behind you are either doing the same or may be on their cell phone instead of watching what is going on around them.
To lighten up for a minute, let me mention the use or misuse of blinkers which were intended to let other drivers know when you were going to make a turn which may or may not be a legal turn. No true Southerner uses their blinkers. If you get behind someone sporting a license plate from a Southern state with their blinker on, the blinker was on when they bought the car.
Here we have Drivers Ed 101: Skipping Red Lights. Everywhere else in the country, green is for go, yellow is caution to prepare to stop and red means you STOP—period. If your light turns green and you have not looked both ways more than once before you proceed, you may be slammed into by a driver running their red light at a very high rate of speed.
The rest of the country thinks we are kind of slow talking, slow walking, easy going and soft spoken. Visitors are in for a rude awakening if they intend to venture South of the Mason-Dixon Line in a motor vehicle. If you are going to attempt such a thing, make sure your emergency kits are up to date—flares, those orange reflectors you put on the road hoping drivers go around you while rubber necking whatever reason you are stopped. Have your id ready along with your insurance card.
Also God forbid you are in an accident, use that cell phone you are not supposed to be talking on while driving to take pictures of the damage to your car, the street locations, the other driver's car (especially the license plate) and the other driver, if possible. If the other driver produces any kind of id or insurance card, take pictures of those, also. More than likely the other driver is one of those you see on True TV that disappears before or when the police arrive because there are warrants out for them or at the least, they are illegally driving with a suspended license and no insurance even though they showed you both. Are you beginning to see a trend here? When you take the picture of the driver's license and insurance card, check the expiration dates on both.
Other than that “Y'all come back now!”
The author was born and raised in the South so she is an expert on Southern drivers. She is a social media enthusiast with blogs and on Facebook. She has a business entitled Cattle on 1000 Hills but she does not sell cattle or land. She would love to talk with you more about her internet marketing business at http://cattleon1000hills.com/?site=VSophiaR You will not see the author at this site as she has enlisted the help of a friend to tell you her amazing story which is not unique to this business.
cattleon1000hills.com/?site=VJeffL
The Best Investment You Can Make
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces. Proverbs 3:9
This mighty nation is going through some very difficult times. Oil, food, and almost everything else has seen its price increased. It is rare if a family has not been touched by unemployment or has not been faced with taking measures to avoid foreclosure.
In the meantime, our personal incomes have been affected by layoffs, downsizing, pay cuts, closing lifetime family businesses with most, in despair, not knowing where to turn for help. Banks have suffered losses as well and either cannot lend anymore or refuse to take chances because the market gains and then suffers losses causing investments and retirements to grow smaller. King Solomon, who had more treasure than anyone else ever imagined during his time and now, knew that the best investment you can make is in God's kingdom. Those investments will always grow and will never be in jeopardy.
Furthermore, King Solomon recognized that the Lord deserves our honor and respect. The commands God gave Moses were just as relevant to him (and to us). So Solomon encouraged his people to show respect to God with the first fruits (income) of their labors.
Yet why would God ask to be honored by receiving a portion of our income? He does not need our money. What He wants is our obedience. Because when we obey God, we are promised help, according to His will, through the hard times we may be having (like our nation is experiencing right now). Therefore, if things do not work out like we want, we can rest assured that He has something even better in store for us than we can imagine. And we should not second guess Him or put limitations on Him. We must trust God and His greater plan for us which can be hard to do.
So I ask now God, that even though I am going through very difficult financial times, help me to honor you with a portion of Your blessings which only you have provided, not me. I may think I have worked hard and built my business on my own, but you were there every step of the way. I am grateful that you are the best investment I can ever make and that if I invest in You, I will never suffer loss. Show me how to trust You by giving to you even when I am struggling to pay my bills.
The author lives in the Bible Belt so some of her writings deal with religious matters. But she is also a savvy internet marketing strategist who manages a business with a scriptural name: Cattle on 1000 Hills. As a social media enthusiast, she can be found on Facebook, WordPress, My Space and at her website for Cattle on 1000 Hills But the author has requested that a friend tell you a success story which is not unique to this business. No cattle or land for sale. Just a fantastic opportunity.
cattleon1000hills.com/?site=VJeffL
This mighty nation is going through some very difficult times. Oil, food, and almost everything else has seen its price increased. It is rare if a family has not been touched by unemployment or has not been faced with taking measures to avoid foreclosure.
In the meantime, our personal incomes have been affected by layoffs, downsizing, pay cuts, closing lifetime family businesses with most, in despair, not knowing where to turn for help. Banks have suffered losses as well and either cannot lend anymore or refuse to take chances because the market gains and then suffers losses causing investments and retirements to grow smaller. King Solomon, who had more treasure than anyone else ever imagined during his time and now, knew that the best investment you can make is in God's kingdom. Those investments will always grow and will never be in jeopardy.
Furthermore, King Solomon recognized that the Lord deserves our honor and respect. The commands God gave Moses were just as relevant to him (and to us). So Solomon encouraged his people to show respect to God with the first fruits (income) of their labors.
Yet why would God ask to be honored by receiving a portion of our income? He does not need our money. What He wants is our obedience. Because when we obey God, we are promised help, according to His will, through the hard times we may be having (like our nation is experiencing right now). Therefore, if things do not work out like we want, we can rest assured that He has something even better in store for us than we can imagine. And we should not second guess Him or put limitations on Him. We must trust God and His greater plan for us which can be hard to do.
So I ask now God, that even though I am going through very difficult financial times, help me to honor you with a portion of Your blessings which only you have provided, not me. I may think I have worked hard and built my business on my own, but you were there every step of the way. I am grateful that you are the best investment I can ever make and that if I invest in You, I will never suffer loss. Show me how to trust You by giving to you even when I am struggling to pay my bills.
The author lives in the Bible Belt so some of her writings deal with religious matters. But she is also a savvy internet marketing strategist who manages a business with a scriptural name: Cattle on 1000 Hills. As a social media enthusiast, she can be found on Facebook, WordPress, My Space and at her website for Cattle on 1000 Hills But the author has requested that a friend tell you a success story which is not unique to this business. No cattle or land for sale. Just a fantastic opportunity.
cattleon1000hills.com/?site=VJeffL
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
God's Good Warehouse Never Closes
God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed: to you it shall be for meat. Genesis 1:29
A newborn baby is needy. It must be given everything it needs for survival. That baby needs the physical touch and emotional nourishment as much as it needs shelter and warmth. That babe depends on a loving provider since it is in a state of total reliance. It is no different for each of us. God created us to be totally dependent on Him for our physical and emotional well being. We need to express our gratitude to Him for the shelter and warmth He provides.
In the scripture above, the provision of God shown to Adam and Eve is being described. He provided all they needed to survive and went beyond that by giving His love, His care and His protection.
God has many names and one of my favorites and one I depend on heavily is Jehovah-Jireh, my Provider. He is a God that provides. Plus when He reaches into his warehouse on our behalf, He draws out more than we asked for and more than we expected. As we grow in our dependence on God and trust His ability to provide, the more abundantly He wants to bless us.
If you depend on your Father, the Good Provider, then thank Him today: Help me to trust Your provision for everything I need. Nothing I require is beyond Your ability to provide. Your provisions have no limitations. Thank You for Your abundant goodness to me. Remind me to be ever grateful for the way you provide for me.
If you do not know Him, if you do not know of His provision, you may still go to Him. Talk to Him just like we are talking. No fancy language is needed. No King James version of speech is necessary. Just talk to Him like He was in the chair next to you because He is and He wants to take care of you, if you will let Him.
A newborn baby is needy. It must be given everything it needs for survival. That baby needs the physical touch and emotional nourishment as much as it needs shelter and warmth. That babe depends on a loving provider since it is in a state of total reliance. It is no different for each of us. God created us to be totally dependent on Him for our physical and emotional well being. We need to express our gratitude to Him for the shelter and warmth He provides.
In the scripture above, the provision of God shown to Adam and Eve is being described. He provided all they needed to survive and went beyond that by giving His love, His care and His protection.
God has many names and one of my favorites and one I depend on heavily is Jehovah-Jireh, my Provider. He is a God that provides. Plus when He reaches into his warehouse on our behalf, He draws out more than we asked for and more than we expected. As we grow in our dependence on God and trust His ability to provide, the more abundantly He wants to bless us.
If you depend on your Father, the Good Provider, then thank Him today: Help me to trust Your provision for everything I need. Nothing I require is beyond Your ability to provide. Your provisions have no limitations. Thank You for Your abundant goodness to me. Remind me to be ever grateful for the way you provide for me.
If you do not know Him, if you do not know of His provision, you may still go to Him. Talk to Him just like we are talking. No fancy language is needed. No King James version of speech is necessary. Just talk to Him like He was in the chair next to you because He is and He wants to take care of you, if you will let Him.
Monday, January 25, 2010
His Door Is Always Open
I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a little strength, and have kept my word, and have not denied my name. Revelation 3:8
I frequently hear the saying (mostly when I am down and out) that when God closes one door, He opens another. A motel chain used as their advertising slogan that they would always leave the light on for you. That way you knew you would have an open door to a good night's sleep no matter the time of day or night. They used a smooth talking spokesperson in the ads which really drove the message home.
The ad campaign was a success. Those on long journeys knew it did not matter about the time of day or night it happened to be, if they could find the motel's lighted sign in that city, they would be able to take advantage of that open door message and get a good night's sleep before they continued their journey.
God always leaves the light on for His children. Just as the scripture above states, His door is always open. His strength is all sufficient if you are weak and weary. But we have to hold up our end of the bargain even though He will not demand it as payment. We must keep His Word and refuse to deny His name. That is all He asks so that no matter what time of the day or the night He is there. He invites us to come to Him if we are tired and heavy laden.
Oh God my Father, I am so happy that your door does not close. So many times when I was tired and heavy laden it was available to me. Help me not to be selfish with Your open door policy. There are so many living in darkness that don't even know it. Show me where to use the opportunity of that open door to offer Your light to someone who does not know about it.
I frequently hear the saying (mostly when I am down and out) that when God closes one door, He opens another. A motel chain used as their advertising slogan that they would always leave the light on for you. That way you knew you would have an open door to a good night's sleep no matter the time of day or night. They used a smooth talking spokesperson in the ads which really drove the message home.
The ad campaign was a success. Those on long journeys knew it did not matter about the time of day or night it happened to be, if they could find the motel's lighted sign in that city, they would be able to take advantage of that open door message and get a good night's sleep before they continued their journey.
God always leaves the light on for His children. Just as the scripture above states, His door is always open. His strength is all sufficient if you are weak and weary. But we have to hold up our end of the bargain even though He will not demand it as payment. We must keep His Word and refuse to deny His name. That is all He asks so that no matter what time of the day or the night He is there. He invites us to come to Him if we are tired and heavy laden.
Oh God my Father, I am so happy that your door does not close. So many times when I was tired and heavy laden it was available to me. Help me not to be selfish with Your open door policy. There are so many living in darkness that don't even know it. Show me where to use the opportunity of that open door to offer Your light to someone who does not know about it.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Being Last Does Not Make You a Loser
But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. Mark 10:31
Whenever the Olympics come around, inspiring stories always surface causing us to cheer, applaud, and maybe shed a few tears. We do not soon forget the story of Derek Redmond, even though he finished dead last at the finals of the 400 meter sprint at the 1992 summer Olympics in Barcelona.
Do you remember who finished first place in that race? More people remember Derek Redmond's last place finish than the actual winner of the race who was Quincy Watts from the USA, in 43.5 seconds. I doubt you readily remember any of the other medalists from Barcelona either. We remember Derek because he did not get to the finish line by himself. He pulled a hamstring while running but he did not want to quit the race. His father jumped out of the crowd and helped his son cross the finish line even though in last place.
We are soon to experience the Olympics in Vancouver so many years away from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. But we still applaud and cheer and cry when we think of the story of Derek and his father crossing the finish line. Derek finished in last place but we remember him first.
For Derek and all Christians, it is not a bad place to be in if you are last. Lots of followers of Jesus Christ can not get beyond last place. They always seem to be bringing up the rear while on earth. But they will be first when they reach Heaven. While in last place, we pray: Jesus, I have left all my worldly possessions to follow You; thank you for the promise that my sacrifices will result in Your blessings.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Friday, January 1, 2010
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