I AM KNOCKING ON YOUR DOOR

Welcome to Spiritual Sunday! Please stop by the link here on my sidebar and thank Charlotte and Ginger for hosting this awesome Sunday post.

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock, If anyone hears My voice and opens the door I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Revelations 3:29 NASB

My hubby has carried this exact picture with him his entire adult life. It currently hangs at the side of our front door. It always has and always will. He is where our open lies. He is all there is to accept and insure your own salvation into His Heavenly kingdom. When he knocks on your door please invite Him in.

Today I wish all father's a Happy Father's Day! Enjoy these moments with your phamily!

I ask for much prayer today. My hubby's mom is hospitalized in our hometown 120 miles from us. We are heading out the door. She suffers from Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's. The second disease has progressed and the prognosis is very glum. She can never remember my hubby and it breaks his heart. He is the middle son of three boys and one older sister. But yesterday she asked my SIL where he was. So off we go!

The day will be nice as I will be able to visit with my sis and her daughter and her phamily! It is always good to be with those you love.

Thank you for all the prayers and I ask for specific prayer for my MIL Rita and all the Robi phamily. I also ask for pray today for the phamily of Randy. He is a school teacher in Kiowa County Colorado that was suspiciously found dead. Pray for their strength in this difficult time along with the entire community. Then remember MizMollye and her phamily today. She lost her youngest son tragically this past week. I was touched that sweet MizMollye sent me an e mail thanking me for my prayers for her phamily. They need our love and support. Thank you and enjoy your Father's Day and Spiritual Sunday with all those that you love.

Running for the Prize

Good morning and welcome to Spiritual Sundays. Please thank our gracious hostesses Charlotte and Ginger.

My youngest son Nick is a runner. He is very good at running. He also has what they like to label "ADHD. I always ask for prayers and encouragement for my son. He will be 17 this summer and he often has a hard time concentrating. Unless, of course, he is running. He has a passion for the sport and this week alone he logged 28 miles as his unofficial Cross Country Summer Training program began. The official program kicks off tomorrow.

This is a verse I often share with Nick. "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 1 Corinthians 9:24

Nick is a competitor. He likes to win, no, he LOVES to win! So in order to remind him that winning in this life really isn't everything I give him that verse. He was raised up to know that only One shed His innocent blood for us. While we seem to be declining in this world, people caught up with "religion" fever and all sorts of cures and causes for acquiring that ultimate gift of eternity with Christ in Heaven, we teach our children that Christ is the ultimate prize. There is no other way into heaven other then through Him who saved us.

So today I ask prayer for my son. In fact I ask prayer for the phamily during many struggles. I also keep my prayer list nearby and ask prayer today for Steve and Kat and family, Lisa, Diane, Sharon, Cindy and countless others who need our prayer. Please join me and lift up these souls in prayer. I appreciate your kindness here and your thoughtful ways and prayers make me smile.

Random Phamily Postings

I have posted some random pics of the phamily. I love my phamily. I wanted to tie them into my Spiritual Sunday post.

This what the bible says about phamily:
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Colossians 3:20 New International Version Bible

Proverbs - Chapter 14:1

14. The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. 

Titus - Chapter 2:3-5

3. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.
4. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,
5. to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 

First Timothy - Chapter 5:8

8. If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 

Proverbs Chapter 31:10-31

10. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
16. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29. “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

I thought some appropriate bible verses would encourage you today to put your own phamily first as the bible tells us. If you can care for your own phamily just think what you can do for others!

My pics are:

1. Rebekah and Nick (June 13 birthday girl)

2. Hannah and Nick

3. Avery,Anne,Noelle,Jeremy,Rebekah,Hannah, Nick

4  Noelle and Trek (please pray for Trek)

5. The birthday grandson Colton Edward (June 7),entering his "Man Cave"

6 .Roger,Noelle and the "grands", Jaslin,Alexis and Devin

7. The J Man with Andrew

Now please click on my Spiritual Sunday button on the right sidebar and visit Charlotte and Ginger and thank them for hosting this beautiful post.

My prayer list is incredibly long, here are some of the many I ask you to please raise up in prayer. Tom F., Gabe and Family, Debbie,Shauna,Teresa,Rita,Renee,Eddie,Ron,Yanea.

Military Men: Toby,Nick,Dan,Ben,Manny

Each week I am going to add to this list and I ask you to continue to pray for all these people. We know prayer works and God listens because again the bible tells us so.

Therefore, I desire that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. 1Ti 2:8

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philipp 4.6-7

The Touch of the Master's Hand By Myra Brooks Welch

 

 

"Touch of the Master’s Hand," by Myra Welsh

T’was battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile.

"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who’ll start the bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar," then, two! Only two?
"Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?

"Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three . . . "But no,
From the room, far back, a grey haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: "What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.

"A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?
Two thousand! And who’ll make it three?
Three thousand, once; three thousand, twice;
And going and gone," said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand
What changed its worth?" Swift came the reply:
"The touch of a master’s hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.

A "mess of potage," a glass of wine;
A game, and he travels on.
He is "going" once, and "going" twice,
He’s "going" and almost "gone."

But the Master comes and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought
By the touch of the Master’s hand.

 

Welcome to Spiritual Sundays. Please click on the button on my sidebar (right) and visit Charlotte and Ginger and thank them for hosting this uplifting Sunday post.

I think the poem says it all.

The Tongue

 Welcome to Spiritual Sunday. Please stop by bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/  and thank Charlotte and Ginger for hosting this delightful,  soul nourishing, fun and serious weekly post

1. What you don't see with your eyes, don't  witness with your mouth. Jewish Proverb

2. Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you. Spanish Proverb

3. A cruel  story runs on wheels and every hand oils the wheels as they run. Ouida

4. Who brings a tale takes two away. Irish Proverb

5. The best way to keep ones word is to not give it . Napoleon I , Maxims

6. Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead. Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richards Almanack July, 1735

7. The biggest liar in the world is They say. Douglas Malloch

8. Trying to squash a rumor is like trying to un-ring a bell. Shana Alexander

9. Gossip needn't  be false to be evil - there's a lot of truth that shouldn't be passed around. Frank A. Clark

10. A real Christian is the person who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip. Billy Graham

11. Fire and swords are slow engines of destruction compared to the tongue of a Gossip. Richard Steele

12. So live that you would not be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip. Will Rogers

13. Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Proverbs  21:23

14. Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceit. Psalm: 34:13

15. The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark, a world of evil  among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person,. sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:5-6

16. Before the tongue can speak it must have lost the power to wound. Peace Pilgrim

17. A sharp tongue can cut your own throat. Unknown

Life Is

I am posting a poem by Mother Teresa  (1910-1997).

Life is …


Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.

Life is beauty, admire it.

Life is a dream, realize it.

Life is a challenge, meet it.

Life is a duty, complete it.

Life is a game, play it.

Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Life is sorrow, overcome it.

Life is a song, sing it.

Life is a struggle, accept it.

Life is a tragedy, confront it.

Life is an adventure, dare it.

Life is luck, make it.

Life is too precious, do not destroy it.

Life is life, fight for it.

Now please stop by  http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/and thank Charlotte and Ginger for their gracious hosting of Spiritual Sundays. Have a blessed week!


Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, Colossians 3:23

The House That Built Me

I know they say you can’t go home again
I just had to come back one last time
Ma’am I know you don’t know me from Adam
But these hand prints on the front steps are mine

Up those stairs in that little back bedroom
Is where I did my homework and I learned to play guitar
I bet you didn’t know under that live oak
My favorite dog is buried in the yard

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

Mama cut out pictures of houses for years
From Better Homes and Gardens magazine
Plans were drawn and concrete poured
Nail by nail and board by board
Daddy gave life to mama’s dream

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I could just come in I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

You leave home and you move on and you do the best you can
I got lost in this old world and forgot who I am

I thought if I could touch this place or feel it
This brokenness inside me might start healing
Out here it’s like I’m someone else
I thought that maybe I could find myself
If I walk around I swear I’ll leave
Won’t take nothing but a memory
From the house that built me

Welcome to Spiritual Sunday. Please stop by and thank Charlotte and Ginger for hosting this blessed Sunday favorite of mine. They are so gracious to host this weekly post.Go to bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/ and join us here and thank them for hosting.

I chose this lovely song performed by American country artist Miranda Lambert and written by Tom Douglas and Alan Shamblin. I was hoping today I could post a few snapshots I have of my childhood home but they are tucked away at my daughters house. My father built our home with his own two hands for my mother in 1946, the year my older brother Ed was born. We lived in that home and there are so many wonderful memories there that this song reflects that for me. My mother lived in that house for many years after my father passed away. When she moved in with my sister Mary the house stayed empty for awhile. When she passed away it was sold to someone outside of our family and that is a very bittersweet memory for me. My maternal grandmother died in that house as well as my dad. My childhood pets lived and died there too. The memories are incredible and I am so very blessed because I have no horrible memories of my childhood home. My childhood was ideal. I can close my eyes and see those memories clearly in my mind. Miranda Lambert said when she was recording this song she had her mother send her snapshots of that house and did not tell her mom why. She said she had them in the recording studio while she was recording the song.

Memories are such a part of our lives and  family is the center of our core living on this earth and in the bodies we were given as loaners by God. One day we will join our loved ones who have left before us and join them in God's eternal world. Until then we should be good stewards of the Word of God and read our scriptures daily and live our lives in the best manner we can and follow in Christ's footsteps until we join Him in Heaven someday.

Joshua 24:15 (New American Standard Bible)

 ¹⁵"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or ^(A)the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

I Am A Kept Woman: I Feel The Need To Laugh Out Loud

I Am a 'Kept' Woman

You see, there were a few times when I thought I would lose my mind,

But GOD kept me sane. (Isa. 26:3)

There were times when I thought I could  no longer go on,

But the LORD kept me moving. (Gen  28:15)

At times, I've wanted to lash out at those whom I felt had done me wrong, 

But the LORD kept my mouth shut. (Ps. 13)

Sometimes, I think the money just isn't enough,
But GOD has helped me to keep the lights on, the water on, the car paid, the house paid, etc.., (Matt. 6:25 -34)

When I thought I would fall, HE kept me up. (Ps. 91:12)

When I thought I was weak, HE kept me strong! (I Pet. 5:7, Matt. 11:28-30)

I could go on and on and on, but I'm sure you hear me! I'm blessed to be 'kept.'

Are you...or do you know a 'kept' woman?
If so pass it on to her to let her know she is  'Kept'

I'm Kept by the Love and Grace of God!
 
I am indeed a 'kept' woman and praise God for it!

Hope you can share this with other kept women! 

Now please go over to Spiritual Sundays and thank Charlotte and Ginger for hosting.

I thought this sweet little reminder of being a "kept" woman would make you laugh out loud but also you would remember that the Lord is always in  control and we never need to worry. I admit it, I am one who tends too worry, so I need to practice what I preach! Amen!

---

NO SCAR?

"For to you it has been granted unto Christ,
Not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. Phllippians 1:29

Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot,or side or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land;
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star.
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers;spent,
Leaned me against a tree to die, and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed me, I swooned.
Thou hast no wound?

No wound, no scar?
Yet, as the Master  shall the  servant  be?
And pierced are the feet that follow me.
But thine are whole; Can he have followed far?
Who hast no wound or scar?

Back in the 1920s, Amy rescued hundreds of orphaned children.especially little girls  that would be dedicated to Hindu gods for use in sexual temple rituals. By Gods wonderful grace, some had miraculousy escaped  from such pagan slavery ad were led to the Irish "mother" who lovingly cared for each child God sent her.

In 1931 she prayed, "God, please do with me whatever you want. Do anything that will help me to serve you better."

That same day she fell,  suffering fractures  that would cripple her the rest of her life. Not one to be discouraged or bitter when faced with pain or persecution, now Amy had the opportunity to demonstrate God's faithfulness before a much larger "host" of witnesses. While her growing children had continual freedom to enter her bedroom and share their hearts with their beloved "mother", she now had the quiet times that allowed her to write books and poems and letters that were translated and shared around the world

I wanted to share something a little different for Spiritual Sunday and someone else already wrote about Corrie ten Boom another marvelous Christian woman. So I decided to write a small post about Amy Carmichael. I hope you enjoyed it and I hope you will stop by and thank Charlotte and Ginger at bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/ .

He Is Risen and He is My Savior

When my unborn daughter Rachel was delivered on Good Friday 1987 it was one of the saddest times I had experienced. But God is good. He is very good. One week later my husband rushed me back to the hospital as I started to hemorrhage.  Because we were caught off guard my husband spoke with my doctor and rushed off to drive my children to my mother's 100 miles away! I needed blood transfusions. I remember slipping in and out of consciousness and the doctor telling my husband the least of our worries was contracted HIV. He said I could die and if I caught hepatitis, that would be the last straw! Then God stepped in! As I lay in that hospital bed preparing for those transfusions I talked to God and He talked back to me! I remember the nurse was preparing the first bag to feed my veins intravenously and  I was coherent and I prayed so hard that I felt Him touch my shoulder. I felt a soft rustle near my right ear and He whispered "You will be alright!" I never looked back, I never wavered in my faith and today, 23 years later I can say God is good. He comes through when the world punches you in the gut! He comes through when your baby dies and He says "Leave this in My Hands". When I get angry because He does not answer my prayers quickly enough or when I think He should have sided with me, He says "Live and Let me." He says he will never leave me. He won't forsake me and I know He will do the very same for you. Just trust Him. Look up to Him and know, that He is ever present. He is all knowing and all loving and no matter what life throws at you He will catch it and help you work through it.

So today I celebrate the death, the Resurrection and the Eternal Life of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I know one day He and I will continue the many conversations I have started with Him. He gave the ultimate sacrifice for me. He gave His life for me. I wonder if I could be so brave and honorable at a time like that.

Please join me today and tomorrow to celebrate the greatest gift we were all given. Thank you and please stop by Spiritual Sundays and thank Charlotte and Ginger http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/ for hosting this great blog.

Remember when you think no one loves you. When you think no one cares, He is carrying you in those difficult moments.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU!

I am thankful today to be here at Spiritual Sunday. I always warmly welcome you to stop by and I also thank Ginger and Charlotte at http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/ for being so generous and sharing this with us. Please stop by to say hello to them. The encouragement I get over at Spiritual Sunday is unbelievable. With the world is the shape it is in it is always good to reflect on your faith (or even lack of it!) and rethink your life's journey.

Today I will share my personal conversation with the Lord on August 19, 1993. I was admitted to the hospital in order to "prepare" for the birth of my son Nicholas, our last child. Having had children before him I was an old pro. But the resident doctor who admitted me did not have a clue. In his conversation, trying to scare the life out of me, he weaved stories of birthing horrors to me and told me very matter-a-factly that my baby was growing too quickly and his head was going to be huge...blah...blah.blah..

Now I do have some respect for medical professionals but folks, basically they are no different then you and I. They live and eat and breathe like the rest of us. So I talked to God. I remember saying to HIM, "Listen, if you can't shut this doctor up I am going to punch him out and repeat a steady stream of curse words!" God was not impressed with me. HE waited, and HE waited very patiently. By 9 o'clock that night (I was admitted at 7:00 A.M.) the genius doctor told my husband to go home and get his rest because no matter what at 7:00 A.M. the next morning we were going to have a baby!

When my husband kissed me gently on my forehead and bid me goodbye I turned my full attention to the Lord. I remember being so upset and frustrated. I said "Listen Lord, you are making me mad! I don't deserve this and you know it!  Now give me a sign!" Oh boy! Me and my signs! The Lord has never once let me down but I have learned to pray more carefully adding" and please don't let  a building fall down on my head!"

Oh did the Lord give me sign! I had the urge to read my bible which was sitting at my beside. When I grabbed that bible and flipped it open this is what it said ""My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" 2 Corinthians 12:9.  I could not take my eyes off that verse and today it hangs on our bedroom wall.

God was good, but not until straight up 4 o'clock that afternoon on a beautiful summer day, August 20, 1993. At that moment HE produced the most utterly perfect pink baby boy with a set of lungs to raise the un-living! I have never looked back without knowing GOD is so incredibly good. HE is the reason I wake every day. HE is the reason life continues for whatever reasoning HE may have. I learned this lesson on my first day of kindergarten and I have never forgotten it and I hope you will never forget it too. "Everything good comes from God." Whatever HIS reasons are HE will never leave you as long as you ask HIM to walk beside you.

"TREES" BY JOYCE KILMER

Welcome to Spiritual Sundays! I am going to share one of my favorite poems with you today. It is titled "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer.He was  an American  journalist, poet,literary critic and editor. He wrote this lovely poem in 1913. I hope you like it.

I think that I shall never see
A poem as lovely as a tree.

A tree who's hungry mouth is prest
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast.

A tree that looks at God all day
And lifts her leafy arms to pray.

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair.

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me
But only God can make a tree.

I like to rise early in the morning and look out my window and see God's beauty surrounding me. It makes me feel so happy and so content. I learned as a small child that everything good comes from God but I know it is true because I see it everyday. The simple pleasures in life are truly the best.

Please stop by http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/ to see Charlotte and Ginger and all the other bloggers who share in this most delightful Sunday post.

It is Well With My Soul

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnLOBwRbg_M

1. When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
   When sorrows like sea billows roll;
   Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
   It is well, it is well, with my soul.
   
   
   • Refrain:
     It is well, with my soul,
     It is well, it is well, with my soul.
2. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
   Let this blest assurance control,
   That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
   And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
3. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
   My sin, not in part but the whole,
   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
4. For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
   If Jordan above me shall roll,
   No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
   Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.
5. But, Lord, ’tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
   The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
   Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
   Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul!
6. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
   The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
   The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
   Even so, it is well with my soul.

I wanted to share this beautiful song on http://bloggerspirit.blogspot.com/. I want to thank Charlotte  and Ginger for letting me share this day with them and many wonderful other friends.

I have posted a contemporary version of the song by Jars of Clay. Please listen in and follow the song lyrics which I have posted here also.

I was thinking about the writer of this beautiful song Horatio G. Spafford. He wrote this song while on a ship that was near the spot in the sea where his four daughters had perished. I nearly did not survive the loss of my unborn daughter Rachel. I saw, first hand the grief that overwhelmed and nearly destroyed my brother and his wife when they lost their teenage daughter Sarah to a rare form of blood poisoning. Yet, in my heart, I know God never makes a mistake. I know Jesus is unfailing in His Love for us. Somehow, in all tragedy He makes light from darkness. We must never think He will fail us because He has told us many,many times, "The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding , will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phillippians 4:7.

May all of you have a blessed and peaceful Sunday