In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
I am so thankful for everything!!!! Here's my list:
I am thankful for............
Jesus Christ, my Saviour and Lord. He shed His blood for my sins. He wants to have a relationship with me. Thankful that I do have a relationship with Him. That He is in control and that I don't have to care for tomorrow, for tomorrow will take care of itself. That He has worked, is working and will continue to work in my life. That He loves me. That He saved me. That He forgave & continues to forgive me. That He is the lover of my soul. That He is my strength. That He is the Great Physician. That He is my friend. That He is my Redeemer. I am thankful for infinite qualities of my Lord to be thankful for.
I am thankful for...........
My wonderful family. My parents who raised me in a Christian home and introduced me to my wonderful Lord. Thankful that they love me regardless and even though I don't deserve it. That they put up with me through the teen years. Thankful that they are two of my closest and dearest friends. I am thankful for my brother. I am thankful for all the childhood memories, most of which include us doing something together. I am thankful that he likes me for who I am. I am thankful for what an incredible man he is. I am thankful for Rhonda, who is truly the sister of my heart. I am thankful that she accepts our crazy family. I am thankful that she is a part of that crazy family. I am thankful for my Mr. & Mrs. Crosson. Only the Lord knows what a special place those two people have in my heart. I am thankful for every single thing they took the time to teach me. I am thankful for their inspiring faith and devotion to our Lord. I am thankful that they were my grandparents. I am thankful for my Mamaw Ann, Papaw Clarence, Aunt Debbie, Aunt Marti, Uncle Randy, Uncle Keith and all of my Dad's side of the family. Yeah, all of 'em! I am thankful that I have grown closer to them in the last year or so. I am thankful for my in-laws. I really enjoy them. I am thankful that they like and accept me. I am thankful that they are fun to be around and not stressful.
I am thankful for............
My wonderful, incredible, honest, trustworthy, handsome, funny, clever, witty, interesting, intelligent, delightful, kind-hearted, giving, hard-working, crazy (in a good way), loving, silly, heart-warming, easy-going, good-natured, giving, helpful, providing, accepting, devoted, God-fearing, soul mate....George William Willis. I am thankful that God created him just for me (and even better than my specifications!) I am so thankful for all he does for me and for the good of our family. I am thankful that he loves me just the way I am and that he never tried to change me, but was actually proud to have me. (Amazing!) I am thankful for his desire to do God's will in his life and in our life. I am thankful for the wonderful husband & father that he is.
I am thankful for..........
My sweet boy. I am thankful for the son of my heart. My heart overflows with pride for what a good kid he is. He brings such joy and happiness to my life.
I am thankful for..............
My church family. My pastor. My brothers and sisters in Christ. I am thankful for my friends. I am thankful for my friend Alicia, and her constant encouragement, and her love for the Lord. I am thankful that we can be honest with one another. I am thankful that I can trust her. I am thankful that we have a similiar sense of humor.
I am thankful for ..................
My pets. Scotty & Scarlett. My cattle. Gertie, Trudy, Ironhide, Cicilee. My farm. Oh, how God has blessed me by letting me live in one of the most beautiful spots on the planet.
I am thankful for..................
All the "little" things. Having money to buy gas when I need it. Coffee flavored ice cream. My afgan. The quilts made by the hands of my wonderful mother and grandmothers. The ability to make things. The ability to cook. Toilette paper. Moist wipes. Lysol. Deodorant. Hand Sanitizer. Tooth paste. Dental Floss. Soap. Warm-from-the-dryer towels. Soft, clean sheets. The creek that runs around my house. My green cow boots. Fall. Winter. Air conditioning. Cruise control. Rocking chairs and porch swings. Dusk. Dawn. A good frost. A good hard rain on a hot Summer day. Chocolate. Paper and pencils, or pens. God's word. Caffeine-free Pepsi. Flip-flops. Fresh from the garden produce. Fresh cut hay. The smell of the woods. When I see my cat with a mouse in her mouth. Flannel shirts. Sweatshirts (minus the sweat). PJ pants. Old, ragged t-shirts. Many, many other things.......etc. etc. etc.
Thank you Lord for your blessings on me.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
FAITH Presentation
Here is the FAITH presentation that we use to lead someone to Christ.
In your personal opinion, what do you understand it takes for a person to go to Heaven and have eternal life?
(Can I share with you what the Bible says?)
F-A-I-T-H
F is for Forgiveness.
Everyone has sinned and needs Gods forgiveness.
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
God’s forgiveness is in Jesus only.
In whom we have redemption, through his blood, the forgiveness of sin, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7
A is for Available.
God’s forgiveness is available for all.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
God’s forgiveness is available, but not automatic.
Not everyone who says unto me, “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 7:21
I is for Impossible.
According to the Bible it is impossible for us to get to Heaven on our own.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2: 8-9
So how can a sinful person have eternal life and enter Heaven?
T is for Turn.
If you were driving down the road and someone said to you “turn here,” what would they be asking you to do?
(Change direction)
Turn means repent. Turn away from sin and self.
Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3
Turn to Jesus alone as your Saviour and Lord.
I am the way, the truth and the life: No man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6
Here is the greatest news of all…………
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10
What happens if a person is willing to repent of their sins and confess Christ?
H is for Heaven.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3
Eternal life begins now with Jesus.
I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10
H can also stand for How.
How can a person have God’s forgiveness, eternal life and Heaven?
By trusting Jesus as your Saviour and Lord.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Endless Chatter
I am in a mood where I would like to write something, but there really isn't much to say. I missed church this morning because I have been dealing with sinus drainage all weekend. I don't like to miss, but this morning I was "drained." Ha!
This has been a crazy week. We were in the greatest revival I have ever been to. I felt, still feel, the Lord moving. I was reminded of what my life should be about, and how blessed I am to have the church family that I do. Most, if not all of its members, are seeking a deep relationship with the Lord, and they try so very hard to stay focused on HIM. I am thankful for that.
Then, we find out Monday that Ray has passed away unexpectedly. I never met Ray, but I know that my Uncle Randy is hurting deeply, and therefore, I hurt. It was such a shock to all of us. We were all expecting to hear that David Haley, Denise's husband, was the one that had passed. Well, unfortunately, that is the news we got the following night. I had never met David either, but I love Denise, and once again, I was hurting for her.
I was gone from home every evening last week, except Friday, which is very rare for me. It was a week of extreme highs and extreme lows. Which if you know me, the last year or two, I have been on complete middle ground. It isn't that I don't feel compassion or empathy anymore, but things have been put in perspective for me. I have realized, truly and deeply that God is in control of everything.
One of my favorite scriptures says it all:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8 & 9
Basically what that says to me is, we can never begin to understand or comprehend what God is doing in His infinite wisdom. We can only think on our human level, which usually revolves around us and our plans. God can see it all, has it all planned out perfectly, and HE KNOWS WHAT'S BEST. How many times have you heard that? How many times has that really sunk in? How many times have you really believed it?
If you open a puzzle box and just take out any random piece, that piece looks weird, or possibly unfitting. It may have a little of this object and a little of that. There may be one solid color or a variety. The ends may all be curved with ins and outs, or you may have a straight edge or two. That piece of the puzzle by itself, really doesn't seem to make much sense, does it? Well, when all the pieces are put together, doesn't it resemble a beautiful picture designed by the artist?
Our lives are the same, and we can only focus on one piece of the puzzle at a time, but God sees the whole picture. This is where trust comes in, and self disappears. Sometimes we can see a little section, and it starts making more sense. We think we know then! We think, "I got this one!" Why? Why do we have to know? What does it matter? HE alreadys knows.....and at least we know there's a happy ending.
That also reminds me of another one of my favorite passages, which is also appropriate guven the past week.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Ecclesiates 3:1-8
Dedicated to the memory of Ray Reynolds and David Haley
This has been a crazy week. We were in the greatest revival I have ever been to. I felt, still feel, the Lord moving. I was reminded of what my life should be about, and how blessed I am to have the church family that I do. Most, if not all of its members, are seeking a deep relationship with the Lord, and they try so very hard to stay focused on HIM. I am thankful for that.
Then, we find out Monday that Ray has passed away unexpectedly. I never met Ray, but I know that my Uncle Randy is hurting deeply, and therefore, I hurt. It was such a shock to all of us. We were all expecting to hear that David Haley, Denise's husband, was the one that had passed. Well, unfortunately, that is the news we got the following night. I had never met David either, but I love Denise, and once again, I was hurting for her.
I was gone from home every evening last week, except Friday, which is very rare for me. It was a week of extreme highs and extreme lows. Which if you know me, the last year or two, I have been on complete middle ground. It isn't that I don't feel compassion or empathy anymore, but things have been put in perspective for me. I have realized, truly and deeply that God is in control of everything.
One of my favorite scriptures says it all:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 55:8 & 9
Basically what that says to me is, we can never begin to understand or comprehend what God is doing in His infinite wisdom. We can only think on our human level, which usually revolves around us and our plans. God can see it all, has it all planned out perfectly, and HE KNOWS WHAT'S BEST. How many times have you heard that? How many times has that really sunk in? How many times have you really believed it?
If you open a puzzle box and just take out any random piece, that piece looks weird, or possibly unfitting. It may have a little of this object and a little of that. There may be one solid color or a variety. The ends may all be curved with ins and outs, or you may have a straight edge or two. That piece of the puzzle by itself, really doesn't seem to make much sense, does it? Well, when all the pieces are put together, doesn't it resemble a beautiful picture designed by the artist?
Our lives are the same, and we can only focus on one piece of the puzzle at a time, but God sees the whole picture. This is where trust comes in, and self disappears. Sometimes we can see a little section, and it starts making more sense. We think we know then! We think, "I got this one!" Why? Why do we have to know? What does it matter? HE alreadys knows.....and at least we know there's a happy ending.
That also reminds me of another one of my favorite passages, which is also appropriate guven the past week.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
Ecclesiates 3:1-8
Dedicated to the memory of Ray Reynolds and David Haley
Monday, November 2, 2009
Somebody Outta Testify
I would love to be able to describe to you how I feel about my Lord. I just can't even begin. Maybe I can explain it a little better with a story or two......
I have always been someone who liked to have control. I am not a psy
cho (no matter what my brother says!) that has to have control of other people. I really don't have to even have "control" of what is going on around me. However, I do like to plan my day, answer to myself ONLY, not have any curve balls thrown at me, no kinks in my plan. Well, in the last year or two, I had a wake up call.
My close friends and family know that I struggle with IBS. A couple years ago, it was out of "control." Actually, I felt it controlled me. But, you know what I learned from that.......nothing controls me, not even me. God is in control of everything, and nothing in the world can hold me.
Really, that was one of the worst times of my life. I can laugh now, but even when I was facing surgery, I told George that if the Lord decided to take me, for him to know that I was better off in Heaven than living that hell on earth caused by my flare-ups. It was seriously that damaging to my mental health. Not that we shouldn't long for Heaven and rescue from this world.
If I had to do it all over again, would I?
YES.
Did you expect that answer. When I was going through it, I wouldn't have! In all seriousness, I learned so much through that, so, so much. God showed me that I do need people, and that I can depend on others. He showed me that people really love me and that I need to give them an opportunity to do for me. That was hard. I like to be needed and do for others, but the reverse is.....hard. He showed me how valuable my husband was to me, and how I could need him, depend on him, submit to him, be obedient to him. All of this, I certainly mean in compliance with God's word. My marriage has been strengthened through this. My relationship with my parents has been strengthened through this. Me.....I have changed, and I hope that I have not been strengthened, but weakened.
God showed me that He is in control by completely taking away any control I thought I had. I am so thankful for that! You know I can breath now! I don't have to worry about this or that. I don't have to obsess over the details and stress myself out. As my father-in-law says, "It'll be what it'll be." Profound! Sit back, relax, God is in the driver seat. You could probably even close your eyes...........
OK, that is sort of a past example....now.....one from today......as a matter of fact, this very day.
God is moving in me! As I type, I feel the tears well-up in my eyes. I don't know what all He has planned for me, I don't know what the future holds, I don't know when or how or why. I do know that I like it. I love you so much God! Why do you love me!?!
Our revival started today. Oh, Lord! I really want to live and breath You. As Charlie says I want to be "sold out" for You. I am not worthy, I am doubtful of whether or not I am able, I am scared, I am hopeful, I am cautious, I am not sure if I am ready........I am willing. Oh God! I don't know where you are going to take me. I don't know what it will take to break me. I am scared......Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief.
This may sound like a bunch of rambling.....I guess it is. I don't know how to say it. I don't know how to express what I feel. I just know that He is moving in me, and I want to be obedient, and I want to kick "self" to the curb. I am such a loyal person. Now I want to be loyal where and to Who it counts.
God is so good to me!
I have always been someone who liked to have control. I am not a psy
cho (no matter what my brother says!) that has to have control of other people. I really don't have to even have "control" of what is going on around me. However, I do like to plan my day, answer to myself ONLY, not have any curve balls thrown at me, no kinks in my plan. Well, in the last year or two, I had a wake up call.My close friends and family know that I struggle with IBS. A couple years ago, it was out of "control." Actually, I felt it controlled me. But, you know what I learned from that.......nothing controls me, not even me. God is in control of everything, and nothing in the world can hold me.
Really, that was one of the worst times of my life. I can laugh now, but even when I was facing surgery, I told George that if the Lord decided to take me, for him to know that I was better off in Heaven than living that hell on earth caused by my flare-ups. It was seriously that damaging to my mental health. Not that we shouldn't long for Heaven and rescue from this world.
If I had to do it all over again, would I?
YES.
Did you expect that answer. When I was going through it, I wouldn't have! In all seriousness, I learned so much through that, so, so much. God showed me that I do need people, and that I can depend on others. He showed me that people really love me and that I need to give them an opportunity to do for me. That was hard. I like to be needed and do for others, but the reverse is.....hard. He showed me how valuable my husband was to me, and how I could need him, depend on him, submit to him, be obedient to him. All of this, I certainly mean in compliance with God's word. My marriage has been strengthened through this. My relationship with my parents has been strengthened through this. Me.....I have changed, and I hope that I have not been strengthened, but weakened.
God showed me that He is in control by completely taking away any control I thought I had. I am so thankful for that! You know I can breath now! I don't have to worry about this or that. I don't have to obsess over the details and stress myself out. As my father-in-law says, "It'll be what it'll be." Profound! Sit back, relax, God is in the driver seat. You could probably even close your eyes...........
OK, that is sort of a past example....now.....one from today......as a matter of fact, this very day.
God is moving in me! As I type, I feel the tears well-up in my eyes. I don't know what all He has planned for me, I don't know what the future holds, I don't know when or how or why. I do know that I like it. I love you so much God! Why do you love me!?!
Our revival started today. Oh, Lord! I really want to live and breath You. As Charlie says I want to be "sold out" for You. I am not worthy, I am doubtful of whether or not I am able, I am scared, I am hopeful, I am cautious, I am not sure if I am ready........I am willing. Oh God! I don't know where you are going to take me. I don't know what it will take to break me. I am scared......Lord I believe, help thou mine unbelief.
This may sound like a bunch of rambling.....I guess it is. I don't know how to say it. I don't know how to express what I feel. I just know that He is moving in me, and I want to be obedient, and I want to kick "self" to the curb. I am such a loyal person. Now I want to be loyal where and to Who it counts.
God is so good to me!
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