My I have not been good at updating this. I have been so busy. I have been working alot of extra hours. Plus other things keep me busy. We have many changes happening in our family right now. 1).Kendra (our oldest) is due Oct. 20th with our first grandchild. I don't think she will make this due date. 2). My middle child Kayla is being courted by a young man. 3). My youngest child Caleb is getting ready to court a young lady. So I think our family is getting ready to grow! Also, along with excitement we have had news of great concern about church family, and our own personnal family. But we know that God is in control! Right now it is early morning and it is 46 outside. We were out driving yesterday and the leaves were falling off the trees. Fall is such a pretty season. Well, I need to stop and get ready for work. It is almost time for me to stop working where I do. To much running in a short span of time. So for now Bye.

“Read through the Bible 2010”
October
1. Hab 1-3 Habakkuk tells us that “the just shall live by his” what? _____________

2. Zeph 1-3 God said he would bring distress upon men that they should walk like who? __ _______________________________________________________________________

3. Hag 1-2 & Zech 1 & 2 What did God tell His people to consider? _________________

4. Zech 3-5 Write out Zech 4:6. ______________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

5. Zech 6-10 In Zech 8:17 what does God say He hates? __________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

6. Zech 11-14 The question is asked, What are these wounds in thine hands? And what is the response? __________________________________________________________

7. Mal 1-4 In what way did God’s people rob Him of? ____________________________

8. Mat 1-3 Preaching in the Wilderness of Judea saying “Repent Ye” was who? _______ ______________________________________________________________________

9. Mat 4-6 Man should not live by bread alone but by what else? ____________________

10. Mat 7-9 Who is it that is told to first cast out the beam out of their own eye? ________________________________________________________________________

11. Mat 10-12 Write Out Matthew 10:36. ________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

12. Mat 13-15 In the parable of the tares of the field who is the good seed and who is the tares? __________________________________________________________________

13. Mat 16-18 How many times did Jesus say we should forgive our brother? ________________________________________________________________________

14. Mat 19-21 Jesus stated that his house was not to be a den of thieves which it was made, but a house of what? ______________________________________

15. Mat 22-24 Write Out Matthew 23:9. _______________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

16. Mat 25-28 What did the 5 foolish not take with them for their lamps? ____________

17. Mk 1-3 According to Mark Jesus was preaching the gospel of the Kingdom of God and saying? ________________________________________________________________

18. Mk 4-6 How old was the girl that Jesus raised from the dead (this girl was Jairus daughter)? ______________________________

19. Mk 7-9 Write Out verse 23 of chapter 9. _____________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

20. Mk 10-13 Who was the blind man that sat by the highway side begging that Jesus gave sight too? _______________________________

21. Mk 14-16 After Jesus bodily resurrection who did He first appear too? _____________

22. Lk 1-3 What was the name of Zacharias and Elizabeth’s son? _____________________

23. Lk 4-6 Jesus ask why call Him Lord do not what? ______________________________

24. Lk 7-9 In chapter 8 Jesus stated that His mother and brethren are those who do what? ___________________________________________________________________

25. Lk 10-12 In Luke 11:42 was Jesus saying that tithing should stop? _____________

26. Lk 13-17 According to Chapter 17 verses 3 & 4 when a brother trespasses against us, after what action by the offending party should be heard or seen as to our forgiving him? ________________________________

27. Lk 18-20 When it comes to a person being “good”, how many good persons are there according to Jesus? _____________________________

28. Lk 21-24 What was the three languages of the superscription written over Jesus that said, “This is the King of the Jews”. ______________________________________________

29. Jn 1-3 The scripture states that, “he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the…”, what is it of God that abideth on him? ____________________________

30. Jn 4-6 “God is a Spirit” and we are to worship Him in what? ______________________

31. Jn 7-9 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you” what? ____________

Read through the Bible 2010”
September

1. Eze 4-6 God told Ezekiel in 6:11 to do something that would get the people’s attention, what was it he did? ____________________________________________________

2. Eze 7-9 How many men came from the way of the higher gate? ________________

3. Eze 10-12 The Lord told Ezekiel, Son of Man thou dwellest in the midst of what type of house? _____________________

4. Eze 13-15 Name the 3 men that could deliver only their own souls by their righteousness? ________________________________________________________

5. Eze 16-18 Write Out Ezekiel 18:23 ________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

6. Eze 19-21 God said unto Israel, “What is the high place whereunto ye go?” The name thereof is called what? __________________

7. Eze 22-26 Write Out Eze 22:30. ____________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

8. Eze 27-29 God said he would give the Land of Egypt to what king of Babylon? ______ _______________________________________________________________________

9. Eze 30-32 How many times do you find the phrase “land of the living” in Ezekiel 32? __________

10. Eze 33-35 God has no pleasure in the death of the who? ______________________

11. Eze 36-38 The Lord set Ezekiel down in a valley which was full of what? ___________

12. Eze 39-41 How many months will Israel be burying Gog that they may cleanse the Land? __________________

13. Eze 42-44 What direction does the Gate face that God commanded to be shut? _______

14. Eze 45-48 Give the three names of the gates of the city northward? ________________ _______________________________________________________________________

15. Dan 1-3 King Nebuchadnezzar looked into the furnace and saw a fourth man that was like who? _________________________________

16. Dan 4-6 What king ordered Daniel to be thrown into the lions den? ________________

17. Dan 7-9 Who was it that flew swiftly to Daniel to give him understanding of his vision? _______________________________________________________

18. Dan 10-12 Write out Daniel 12:2. __________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

19. Hos 1-3 What was the name of Hosea’s wife? _____________________

20. Hos 4-6 God said since his people had forgotten the law of thy God, He would forget who? __________________________________________

21. Hos 7-11 They have sown the wind and they shall reap what? __________________

22. Hos 12-14 For the ways of the Lord is right and who shall walk in them? ___________

23. Joel 1-3 For the Day of the Lord is near in what valley? ________________________

24. Amos 1-3 What is the answer to the question found in 3:3? ____________________

25. Amos 4-6 Write out Amos 4:12. ___________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

26. Amos 7-9 God states He is going to send a famine not of bread and water but of what? ______________________________________________________________________

27. Obadiah & Jonah How long was Jonah in the belly of the fish (whale)? ____________ ______________________________________________________________________

28. Micah 1-4 How did the heads of Jacob and the princes of Israel regard good and evil as found in 3:2? __________________________________________________________

29. Mic 5-7 What 3 things does the Lord require of thee? __________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

30. Nahum 1-3 Write Out Nahum 1:7. ___________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

The Storm
Author Unknown
After a few of the usual Sunday evening hymns, the church's Pastor slowly stood up, walked over to the pulpit and, before he gave his sermon for the evening, briefly introduced a guest Minister who was in the service that evening. In the introduction, the Pastor told the congregation that the guest Minister was one of his dearest childhood friends and that he wanted him to have a few moments to greet the church and share whatever he felt would be appropriate for the service. With that, the elderly gentleman stepped up to the pulpit and began to speak.
"A father, and his son, and a friend of his son were sailing off the Pacific coast," he began... "when a fast storm blocked any attempt to get back to the shore. The waves were so high, even though the father was an experienced sailor, he could not keep the boat upright and the three were swept into the ocean as the boat capsized."
The old man hesitated for a moment, making eye contact with two teenagers who were, for the first time since the service began, looking somewhat interested in his story. The aged minister continued with his story...
"Grabbing a rescue line, the father had to make the most excruciating decision of his life: to which boy would he throw the end of the life line? He had only seconds to make the decision. The father knew that his son was a Christian and he also knew that his son's friend was not. The agony of his decision could not be matched by the torrent of waves.
As the father yelled out 'I Love You, Son!' he threw out the life line to his son's friend. By the time the father had pulled the friend back to the capsized boat his son had disappeared beneath the raging swells into the black night. His body was never recovered," the old man said sadly.
By this time, the two teenagers were sitting up straight in the pew, anxiously waiting for the next words to come out of the old Minister's mouth.
"The father," he continued, "knew his son would step into eternity with Jesus and he could not bear the thought of his son's friend stepping into an eternity without Jesus. Therefore, he sacrificed his son to save the son's friend. How great is the love of God that he should do the same for us? Our Heavenly Father sacrificed His only begotten Son so that we could be saved. I urge you to accept His offer to rescue you and take hold of the life line He is throwing out to you in this service."
With that, the old man turned and sat back down in his chair as silence filled the room. The Pastor again walked slowly to the pulpit and delivered a brief sermon with an invitation at the end. However, no one responded to the appeal. But, within moments after the service ended, the two boys were at the old man's side.
"That was a nice story," politely stated one of the boys, "but I don't think it was very realistic for a father to give up his only son's life in hopes that the other would become a Christian."
"Well, you've got a point there," the old man replied, glancing down at his worn Bible. As a big smile broadened his narrow face, he looked up again at the boys and said, "It sure isn't very realistic, is it? But I'm here today to tell you this story gives me a glimpse of what it must have been like for God to give up His only Son for me. You see...I was that father, and your Pastor is my son's friend."

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I thought the following story was cute. My husband is a Baptist Pastor. We also have two dogs. Able and Gabe. So I enjoyed this story.

A Baptist preacher and his wife decided to get a new dog. Ever mindful of the congregation, they knew the dog must also be a Baptist. They visited kennel after kennel and explained their needs. Finally, they found a kennel whose owner assured them he had just the dog they wanted. The owner brought the dog to meet the pastor and his wife.
"Fetch the Bible," he commanded. The dog bounded to the bookshelf, scrutinized the books, located the Bible, and brought it to the owner. "Now find Psalm 23," he commanded. The dog placed the Bible on the floor and showing marvelous dexterity with his paws, leafed through and finding the correct passage, pointed to it with his paw. The pastor and his wife were very impressed and purchased the dog.
That evening, a group of church members came to visit. The pastor and his wife began to show off the dog, having him locate several Bible verses. The visitors were very impressed. One man asked, "Can he do regular dog tricks, too?"
"I haven't tried yet," the pastor replied. He pointed his finger at the dog. "HEEL!" the pastor commanded.
The dog immediately jumped on a chair, placed one paw on the pastor's forehead and began to howl.
The pastor looked at his wife in shock and said, " He's Pentecostal!!!"

Sorry, I have not been so good about blogging. Things have kept me busy.
I am working on a baby afghan. It is a soft green color. But, I am having a time with it. It should have been done long before this. I can't believe it is taking me this long. I am doing 5 rows of a stitches Hsc and then a row of popcorn stitches. It looks pretty. But I have got to the middle and when I make the popcorn sitch they don't line up with the other popcorn stitches. So rip out and start back over. Then I get it right and then continue then I have to rip again. I have done this patterns so many times I can't believe I am having such a problem with it. One area I had to keep ripping out. I didn't think I was ever going to get it right. I thought maybe I just am going to throw this out and be done with it. But I didn't. I just kept at it. This gave me a couple of thoughts. 1) Sometimes in life we have to keep going thru trails because we havn't got it right yet. 2. We keep praying for someone or something. It doesn't seem to be answered. So we think about forgetting it. But that next prayer might be the time you see it answered. Remember it is God's timetable not ours! 3. God isn't done molding us. These are just a couple of thoughts. If you think about it you can probably think of thoughts also about this.

“Read through the Bible 2010”
August

1. Isa 28-30 God says Woe to Rebellious Children who take counsel but not of me; why do God’s children do that? ___________________________________________________

2. Isa 31-33 Woe to them that go down to Egypt for what? _________________________

3. Isa 34-38 Write out Isa 38:21 ______________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

4. Isa 39-41 The Word of our God shall stand for how long? _______________________

5. Isa 42-44 How does the Redeemer the Lord of hosts describe himself in 44:6? _______ _______________________________________________________________________

6. Isa 45-47 The Lord states four things that he does in 45:6, what are they? ___________ _______________________________________________________________________

7. Isa 48-50 Who does the Lord say there is no peace for? _________________________

8. Isa 51-53 Who is being spoken of in Isaiah 53? _______________________________

9. Isa 54-56 Write Out Isa 55:8. ______________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

10. Isa 57-60 What is it that will hide God’s face from you and He will not hear your prayer? _______________________________________________________________________

11. Isa 61-63 The “garment of praise” is for what? ________________________________

12. Isa 64-66 Heaven is God’s throne and the earth is His what? _____________________

13. Jer 1-3 God told Jeremiah whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak and be not afraid of their what? __________________

14. Jer 4-6 How did the people respond to God’s directions in 6:16 & 17? ______________ _______________________________________________________________________

15. Jer 7-9 What type of words are we not to trust in? ______________________________

16. Jer 10-12 There is a custom found in 10:3 & 4 where God declares that the customs of the people are what? ___________________________________

17. Jer 13-16 What was unto Jeremiah the joy and rejoicing of his heart? _______________

18. Jer 17-19 Write out Jer 17:17. ______________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________
19. Jer 20-22 God says Woe unto him that buildeth his house by what? ________________

20. Jer 23-25 The Lord say His Word is like a fire and like a hammer that breaketh what into pieces? _________________

21. Jer 26-28 Who did Jeremiah tell would die within the year because he had taught rebellion against the Lord? ____________________

22. Jer 29-31 After how many years be accomplished at Babylon will God visit and perform His Word for Israel? ________________________

23. Jer 32-34 How many years was Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon before his army besieged Jerusalem? _______________________

24. Jer 35-38 Name the 3 men who made intercession to the king that he not burn the roll? ______________________________________________________________________

25. Jer 39-41 Who was it that killed Gedaliah? ______________________________

26. Jer 42-44 What country did God tell His people not to run to because of the trouble coming from Babylon? _________________

27. Jer 45-47 Fill in the blank, “yet will I not leave thee wholly ______________.”

28. Jer 48-50 Hazor shall be a dwelling for what type of animal? __________________

29. Jer 51-52 How old was Zedekiah when he became king in Jerusalem? ___________

30. Lam 1-5 Jeremiah the writer of Lamentations said that his “eye affecteth” what part of his body? ______________________

31. Eze 1-3 Write Out Ezekiel 3:18. ___________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

Well, I can say that I can't claim the tv, internet and cable are a time waster! I can say that I am a time waster! We had a tornado go thru last week. It ripped the lines off the house. We got electric that same day restored. But the rest didn't get back on till Mon.. So I should have so much stuff caught up since I didn't have any time wasters right?? Wrong! I just replaced it with other things. I can say though that I have been working extra hours. So that doesn't help. I should have a clean house, all my paper work caught up and a afghan done. Instead I can say I read a couple of books, took naps and watched some dvd. I really need a class on time management. But not really because I don't seem to be motivated enough to not waste my time! You need to really want to do it. So tommorrow will be another day and maybe I will start then!

First off let me say we haven’t got the new internet yet. Now not till the end of the month.
This year we have seen a lot of death. This week we seen other. It got me to think about what legacy are we leaving behind. I seen a apartment get packed within a hour. A persons life boxed up in that short of time. But it isn’t about the stuff you leave behind it is about your life. What will be remembered about you?
Do you remember the song we sing in churches “It is Well With My Soul” by Horation G. Spafford. If you haven’t heard that song or don’t know the history of it I would encourage you to read about it. This past week I heard about the legacy that he has left behind. His ministries lasted long after his death.
That is how you want your legacy to be. Money and stuff don’t last it is what you do with Jesus Christ that does.

I know I haven't been faithful on posting. But I will get better. I love posting. Right now though we are having phone problems. Then we have no internet. But the next couple of days we are changing to a completely different service. I pray that solves some problems. Nothing really knew around here. We have a busy August at church. I also am working alot. So for now I will close but I will be back. I will then start posting alot. I want to blog more about Fibro. and also do some craft blogs. But I also want to blog about Jesus! Because that is what it is all about!

Well, we are finally getting new internet and phone service. Even going with direct tv. We have such problems with who we have now. It didn't use to be that way. But the service guy has been out more times then I can count. So it is hard to post when your internet is down. I can do without internet but we need the phone line. I have a friend that we are her lifeline. Can't call if we have no phone. Our cell phone minutes sure goes fast also when you have to use it like your land line. This month we used every minute. Thankfully, today starts a new month. If we went over I think the phone company should pay it! Like that would happen. I also am working extra hours at work. So, lately I am staying busy. I am trying to crochet a baby blanket but I am having such problems with it. I don't understand why it is a easy pattern. So, thats about it around here. August is going to be even busier for me. Well, have a great day!

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God's Hands.Author Unknown

Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a Paderewski concert. After they were seated, the mother spotted a friend in the audience and walked down the aisle to greet her. Seizing the opportunity to explore the wonders of the concert hall, the little boy rose and eventually explored his way through a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE."

When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing.

Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy was sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."

Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child and he added a running obligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

That's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't exactly graceful flowing music. But with the hand of the Master, our life's work truly can be beautiful. Next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You can hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit. Keep playing."

I wanted to post something to go along with my last blog. But I have been so busy that I won't at this time do it justice. So for now I will post this.



It's the struggle that makes us strong
Author Unknown
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole.
Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further.
So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.
The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.
The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.
Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.
What the man, in his kindness and haste, did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
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Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our lives.
If God allowed us to go through our lives without any obstacles, it would cripple us.
We would not be as strong as what we could have been. We could never fly!
I asked for Strength... and God gave me Difficulties to make me strong.
I asked for Wisdom... and God gave me Problems to solve.
I asked for Prosperity... and God gave me Brain and Brawn to work.
I asked for Courage... and God gave me Danger to overcome.
I asked for Love... and God gave me Troubled people to help.
I asked for Favors... and God gave me Opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted ... I received everything I needed!

Read through the Bible 2010”
July

1. Ps 130-134 It is good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in what? ________

2. Ps 135-137 How many times in Psalm 136 do we find the statement “bless the Lord”? ________

3. Ps 138-140 Write out Psalm 139:17 ______________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________

4. Ps 141-143 If the righteous smite you, it shall be what characteristic? _____________

5. Ps 144-146 Happy is that people whose God is who? _________________

6. Ps 147-150 In Psalm 150:4 there are 4 types of instruments listed, name all four? _____ _______________________________________________________________________

7. Pro 1-3 Whose understanding should we not lean unto? _________________________

8. Pro 4-6 The “Principal” thing that a person should get is what? ___________________

9. Pro 7-9 The fear of the Lord is to hate what? ________________________

10. Pro 10-12 “A righteous man regardeth the life of his” what? _____________________

11. Pro 13-15 “The heart of the righteous studieth to answer, but the mouth of the wicked poureth out” what? ____________________________

12. Pro 16-18 A fool hath no delight in what? ___________________________________

13. Pro 19-21 Write out Proverbs 21:23. ________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

14. Pro 22-24 Who should we not make friendship with? ____________________________

15. Pro 25-27 Faithful are the wounds of who? _________________________

16. Pro 28-31 What is it that a faithful man shall abound with? _______________________

17. Eccle 1-3 For in much wisdom is much what? _________________________________

18. Ec 4-6 Keep thy foot when thou goest where? _________________________________

19. Ec 7-9 Why is it that the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil? ______ _______________________________________________________________________
20. Ec 10-12 According to Solomon what is the conclusion to the whole matter of life? ___ _______________________________________________________________________

21. SS 1-4 What is it that spoils the vines? ______________________________________

22. SS 5-8 Write out SS 5:12. _______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________

23. Isa 1-3 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the what? ____________

24. Isa 4-6 How many wings do the seraphims have? _______________________

25. Isa 7-9 Unto us a child is born, list the 5 names he shall be called? ________________ ______________________________________________________________________

26. Isa 10-12 Who is it that is believed to be a rod out of the stem of Jesse? ___________

27. Isa 13-15 Who is Isaiah’s father? ______________________

28. Isa 16-18 “We have heard of the pride of” who? ________________________

29. Isa 19-21 The Lord rideth upon a swift cloud and shall come into where? __________

30. Isa 22-24 The Lord maketh the earth empty and waste and turneth it how? __________ _____________________________

31. Isa 25-27 Write Out Isaiah 25:8 ____________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

This blog I want to write about Laziness (slothfulness). First, I want to define these words.
Lazy:adj. la•zi•er, la•zi•est
1. Resistant to work or exertion; disposed to idleness
2. Slow-moving; sluggish:
3. Conducive to idleness or indolence:
Slothful – Disinclined to work or exertion: lazy
These two words basically mean the same thing. So I am going to use the word slothful. The Bible uses this word a lot, especially in the book of Proverbs. You can see slothfulness in a lot of places you go. People do just what they have to get by and not a bit more. You can especially see this in the work place. I can tell you an example that I had happen this past week. We went to a pizza buffet and it was to have the buffet at 5:00. We got there a little after. They had the salad bar up. 1 pizza done, mash potatoes, and carrots. I go for the chicken. Anyway, we sat there for a bit. Do you know what the workers were doing, standing by the cash register talking about their day. It was almost 5:30 before the buffet had stuff on it. What was bad is one of the people chatting was the manager. People learn from example.

Pr.6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
Pr 6:7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
Pr 6:8 Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
Sluggard is define as slothful or lazy.
Another way that I think people get lazy in is planning for the future. I know that Christ can come at any moment. But I don’t think he meant for us to just sit around and not provide for your future. Otherwise I don’t think He would have given us scriptures on providing for our future. Look at the verse Pro. 6:8.
People tend to want things handed to them. I think why my children have a good work ethic is because they had to work for the things they want. Nowadays it seems like children want the parents to hand them the stuff.
Pr 13:4 ¶ The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat
Oh, the excuses you hear from people as to why they don’t work.
Pro 20:4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.
Also, it is just irritating to others when they are working hard and the other is just standing around. People tend to only do enough to get by.
Pr 10:26 ¶ As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
Next blog I will take a look at the diligent person. Also, I am aware that there are a lot of people that can’t work or do things because of illness. To them I know that they are not lazy. I know that they are probably so wishing that they can do things. But to them I say you can. You can be an encourager, a prayer warrior. Lots of things you can do. So until next time!

Spilled Apples.-- Author Unknown

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their families that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner.

In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of baskets of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding. All but one. He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.

He told his buddies to go on without him, waved goodbye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did.

The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping, and no one to care for her plight. The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them into the baskets, and helped set the display up once more. As he did this, he
noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $20 for the damage we did. Are you okay?"

She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister..." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"

He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"

Do people mistake you for Jesus?

That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.

If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day. You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

Let us live like we are worth the price He paid. Think about it.

The other day my husband was reminiscing about things. So I thought that is what I will blog about. I have been married a number of years and all of our kids are out on their own now. Believe me when I say that is just bizarre! How did the time just go so fast! Seems like only yesterday that my oldest was a baby. Now my baby is having a baby! I remember when Kendra was little (Sorry Kendra I am telling on you) and I took her for swimming lessons. The first lesson the parents could not watch so we were in the lobby waiting. It wasn’t too much time and the instructor came out and said I need to speak to the parent whose child thinks if they get in the water they will turn blue! Everyone chuckled! I knew right away it was Kendra. She loves the cartoon smurfs. I said Kendra and she grinned. Or how about the time we moved into a new home I didn’t have furniture yet in the living room and had fresh white walls. Kendra took a black crayon and made circles on the walls because after all Big Bird told her to do it! I could go on and on with stories on her. Kayla my middle child loved Batman. We had batman cars, capes, figures. In preschool the bus would pick her up last and then she would be the first to get dropped off. One time I was waiting and waiting wondering where the bus is. Called the school no answer. Pat the driver takes the bus home, she lived in the country. Pulled in at her home looked and there is Kayla sitting just looking out the window. She was just enjoying the riding of the bus. Caleb always calls me buddy. When he was a toddler we lived in a house with no basement. We had a room that had the water heater in it. We were watching tv and Caleb comes out with a pair of boots in his hands. Sits down and says better put my boots on. That was it. At commercial I walked into my kitchen and I had water on the floor. The water heater had broke. So the room which Caleb had to get his boots from that housed the water heater and the kitchen were flooded. Here he thought enough about getting his boots on but not saying anything to us! Learned I need to make sure I ask questions! Children are so very special. Sometimes I wish we could keep them that size. I wish that I would have had a house full of children but that wasn’t in God’s plan for our family. Guess I just have to hope that God gives me lots and lots of grandchildren!

Last Blog I talked about our giants. I want to continue with that.
Sa 17:40 ¶ And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
O.k. could you by reading this verse say Hey, David didn’t have faith that God would take care of Goliath? Do you think David thought he would miss the first time? No, I don’t believe you could say that. David knew that God was going to take care of Goliath with the first stone. The other stones were for Goliath’s four brothers. Just in case they came to seek revenge on David.
See sometimes when we face those giants in our lives they don’t just come one at a time. Sometimes they have brothers. I know in my own life it seems like when one problem comes they all seem to pile up. But, try and remember this God can take care of each problem. Look at David and how he defeated the giant. One stone and if the brothers came each one stone at a time. We just have to give them to God and leave it with God. What we tend to do is give it to God and then take it back. Leave it with God and He will defeat it!

This past week we as a family have had some challenges, or could I say some giants to deal with. I know we have all faced them from time to time. Sometimes these giants tend to make us do one of two things pull us closer to God or pull us away from God. If we don’t face our giants they tend to keep coming back . I think of the book of 1 Samuel 17.
1Sa 17:22 And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.
1Sa 17:23 And as he talked with them, behold, there came up the champion, the Philistine of Gath, Goliath by name, out of the armies of the Philistines, and spake according to the same words: and David heard them.
1Sa 17:24 And all the men of Israel, when they saw the man, fled from him, and were sore afraid.
1Sa 17:25 And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel.
1Sa 17:26 And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?
1Sa 17:27 And the people answered him after this manner, saying, So shall it be done to the man that killeth him.
1Sa 17:28 And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.
1Sa 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
1Sa 17:30 And he turned from him toward another, and spake after the same manner: and the people answered him again after the former manner.
1Sa 17:31 ¶ And when the words were heard which David spake, they rehearsed them before Saul: and he sent for him.
1Sa 17:32 And David said to Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine.
1Sa 17:33 And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.
1Sa 17:34 And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
1Sa 17:35 And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
1Sa 17:36 Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
1Sa 17:37 David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.
1Sa 17:38 And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail.
1Sa 17:39 And David girded his sword upon his armour, and he assayed to go; for he had not proved it. And David said unto Saul, I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them. And David put them off him.
1Sa 17:40 ¶ And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine.
1Sa 17:41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him.
1Sa 17:42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
1Sa 17:43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
1Sa 17:44 And the Philistine said to David, Come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.
1Sa 17:45 Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.
1Sa 17:46 This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
1Sa 17:47 And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the LORD'S, and he will give you into our hands.
1Sa 17:48 ¶ And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.
1Sa 17:49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth.
1Sa 17:50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David.
1Sa 17:51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.
David gave the Giant to the Lord. Re-read verse 47. I like that “the battle is the Lord’s”. That is what we need to do also. We see thru out our Bible statements from the Lord letting us know He is with us. So the next time a giant comes and they will, remember we are not facing them alone!
This blog is a little long but that’s o.k.. Next blog I am still going to talk about this also. Just because I have more to say on this passage and topic.

When I taught Sunday school this week. I was telling the kids about my vacation. I told them about the church services that I attended. Also, the messages I heard. I think it is good for them to hear that. Teaches them even though you go on vacation you don’t go on vacation from being in church. Isn’t it something when people plan vacation they don’t plan on going to church. I am thankful God doesn’t take a vacation from me.
Anyway, I talked about the mid-week service that we attended. He talked about How Much of you does God have? Then I did an object lesson with them. We drew a big circle then I had the kids tell me about one of their school days. We broke their day into percentages on the circle. (Hope I explained that o.k.) . Then we took a look at it and I asked them what was wrong or missing with this circle. They could see right away they did not have enough time with God. I think it really a great object lesson.
Then we talked a little more then got to our Sunday school lesson. Sometimes we get off track from the lesson (we are in Exodus). But that’s o.k. because sometimes you just know you are having an impact on talking about something that you did or came up in their week or yours. Use every opportunity to teach them a Bible truth!