Live by Faith - not by sight...

This past Sunday May 26, 2013 we had a guest speaker in our church. Name is Allen Kehler. He spoke on 2 Corinthians 4:18 - 5:10.


Here is a summary of his sermon.


 Pastor Kehler started his sermon by showing a picture of a Coffee Crisp bar on the large screen. Then he proceeded to show us a real Coffee Crisp bar, he unwrapped it and took a bite. Coffee Crisp bars are really delicious and at this point everyone in the congregation is wishing he or she were eating one too! This all played perfectly into his sermon.



We Live By Faith - Not By Sight

Why go for the picture when you can have the real!!

The Coffee Crisp bar was real, why would anyone go for the picture when you can have the real thing?
We become blinded by what we see, when we can have the real.

What are we living for?
Often we are blinded by what we see and fail to get the real! We need to live for the real - the eternal
Verse 18 from our text -  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

We see that the unseen is actually the real - while what we see is actually temporary.

In your daily life you choose to travel from point A to point B.
You need to follow directions and may use your GPS.
*GPS uses satellite
*the satellite sees me
* and knows where I am going

In our lives we also need direction as we live by faith.
Sin makes us directionally challenged.
*God is our Guide
* He gives us a new starting point through the cross and providing the Holy Spirit to reside in us
* Our destination is Heaven - God guides us to our new destination!

You can be sure that with the Lord - YOU WILL ARRIVE!

Too often we allow things around us to block us from seeing our eternal destination!
Verse 16 from chapter 4 -  For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

We are moving from the temporary to the permanent - to the Eternal place.
In dying we leave our temporary bodies.
Death is not pleasant, but we must view it as a doorway to our eternal destination.
It changes our attitude - where we are going.
Our goal in life is not dying but we must remember that in dying we get our upgrade.
Verse 2 from our text -  For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven

Getting older and dying is not pleasant but we see death as a doorway to heaven.
We are focused on our destination - not so much on the journey.

The Holy Spirit has been given to us.
To live is Christ - to die is gain!

Many preachers today preach the health and wealth gospel. It is a false message. It is not based on faith.
In this life we are burdened and we are groaning - we look forward to the permanent. We have the Holy Spirit living within us. We walk by faith not by sight.

God has not abandoned us!
Verse 5 from our text -  Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 

This is eternal. The Holy Spirit is deposited in out hearts.
We walk by faith.
We want the real - not just a picture.
We live by faith - not by sight!

Verses 8-9   We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

We long for Jesus to come and get us!

Verse 10 -  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

We have an appointment with our Savior. Keep focused to live for Him and He will reward you!

We know the most meaningful words will be " WELL DONE, GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!"

Stand up and be counted as a Christian in your school.

Forgive people who hurt you.

Pray and read your Bible.


No matter how it looks on the outside - We live by faith!

2 Corinthians 4:18-5:10

King James Version (KJV)

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

5 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord:
7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Thou Art Worthy O LORD....

Revelation 4:11

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Listen to this beautiful song here:

Thou Art Worthy O Lord!

Thou Art Worthy ( by Pauline M. Mills )

Thou art worthy, Thou art worthy,
Thou art worthy, O Lord,
To receive glory, glory and honor,
Glory and honor and pow'r;
For Thou has created, hast all things created,
Thou hast created all things,
And for Thy pleasure they are created:
Thou art worthy, O Lord!

How Will We Stand?

Some thoughts that stick in my mind.....

In today's Christian circles we find that there is much confusion. People say they are followers of Christ but yet do not want the Bible to have authority in their life or in the their decision making processes.. Here is what I have noticed:
The Bible clearly teaches in Revelation about the coming antichrist and mark of the beast etc. We read that whoever participates and accepts the number 666 will not be allowed into heaven.

 Read Revelation 14:8-10

 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

But just as clearly as the Bible teaches this about the 666 mark, the Bible also teaches us to abstain from fornication, fleshly lusts, and that no person who continues to live this kind of lifestyle will inherit the kingdom of heaven.
Read 1 Corinthians 6: 8-10
No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!  Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,nor sodomites,  nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.

Why then do the so called Christians accept homosexuality, and other forms of immorality as acceptable for the Christians. We hear our Bible teachers saying that we must not judge others, that we all have things in our lives that displease God. I believe that if we are serious about God at all, then we will rid ourselves of all things that God has clearly opposed in the Bible. We are saved by grace, in faith we accept Jesus and His finished work on the cross - Jesus paid our sin in full.  But God clearly states in the Bible that as Christians we are to repent of sin and leave the life of sin behind. We live a new life in Christ. The old has gone - the new has come through Jesus Christ!

Happy 21st Birthday To My Twin Sons!

I wrote this post for my sons birthday last year. They turn 21 today! Happy Birthday to both of you!

Happy Birthday to my twin boys! You guys turned 20 today! Wow! Where did all the time go?

7 months

3 John 1:4 - I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

May 23rd 1992 in the afternoon, you guys came into this world and were refered to as Twin A and Twin B in the hospital. Twin A came into the world at 8 pounds and 11 ounces. Eight minutes later Twin B arrived weighing in at 5 pounds 13 ounces and suddenly life had turned very busy for these new parents.

Twin A - you've grown into a fine handsome young man. You are smart and determined, and the Lord has gifted you to be a leader. You are someone that a person can rely on to be true to your word. The Lord has great plans for you for your life. I pray you would always seek to live for Him according to His Word.  You've done great work at McDonald's learning to do every job there working your way into management. I pray the Lord will continue to guide and bless you as you go to college in the fall. God bless you son!

Twin B - you've grown up so fast, you're handsome and winsome. You are smart and kindhearted and God has gifted you with leadership skills and a love for people. The Lord has lead you into camp ministry and you have been able to develop your skills in leadership, in music and the mountain biking program there the last several years.  You have heard the call that the Lord has placed on your life to be a preacher of  the gospel and to work in His kingdom. I praise God that you have yielded to His call. Two years of Bible College done and two more years to go. I pray that you would always seek God to please Him and that all you do be done for Him. He will guide you in all your life. God bless you son!

I claim Philippians 1: 6  for both of you my twin sons and also for the other two in our family:
 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ
Love from Mom

Picture of the river here...

I took this picture this morning... Isn't it beautiful?

Our Heavenly Father is the Great Creator!

Sunday Sermon Review - Matthew 24

Sunday May 19, 2013

Our church is going through the book of Matthew and so in our sermon series we come to Matthew 24.
Pastor Ben was our speaker. Here is some of what he said:

People love stories and movies about the end of the world. These doomsday stories grab our attention. We are immensely curious about this topic.
In our passage today, Jesus is not trying to satisfy our curiosity. The purpose is for this discussion is stated in verse 4 - And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
He does not want us to be deceived.

Don't be deceived.
This world is broken. There are wars and rumours of wars. Jesus says the temple will be completely destroyed. The temple was the heart of their religion.

Verse 14 - And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
The gospel must be preached to all nations.

Many will claim to be Christ - Messiah is the anointed One of God, who will deliver us and set up His Kingdom.

What are you looking at to save you? What are you depending on?
- politics? or money? or exercise? or looks? or education? or your job?
Do we expect these things to fix our problems?
Jesus will save the world - He claims to be the Savior!
What this world needs is Jesus! We need Jesus! Our hope is in Jesus!!

God steps downs to rescue us.
He offers us forgiveness.
He empowers us to live a new life.
He will never leave us or forsake us.
He will fill us with the power to live with love.

Jesus will return.
He will put things right.
Justice will be done.

While we wait we invite people to follow Jesus!

The text from Matthew 24: 1-30

And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

² And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

³ And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

⁴ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

⁵ For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

⁶ And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

⁷ For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

⁸ All these are the beginning of sorrows.

⁹ Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

¹⁰ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

¹¹ And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

¹² And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

¹³ But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

¹⁵ When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

¹⁶ Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

¹⁷ Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

¹⁸ Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

¹⁹ And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

²⁰ But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

²¹ For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

²² And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

²³ Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

²⁴ For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

²⁵ Behold, I have told you before.

²⁶ Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

²⁷ For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

²⁸ For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

²⁹ Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

³⁰ And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

The End of the World ( from Matthew 24 )

In this blog post I want to look at Matthew 24 to see what we can expect as the end of the world draws closer. We need to watch and be prepared as Jesus instructs us to in Matthew 24 verse 42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

In Matthew 24 it is recorded that the disciples come to Jesus and ask him "what will be the sign of Thy coming and of the end of the world?" That is exactly our questions today.

I have posted Matthew 24:1-44 at the bottom of our study for your easy reference.

So first off as Jesus answers these questions He tells us to be careful to not be deceived. Jesus says many will come and pretend to be Jesus and thereby deceive many people by this deception. Notice that Jesus uses the word "many" - many will come pretending to be Christ and many will fall for it and be deceived. In order to not be deceived we need to be very familiar with the genuine. That is why it is so very important to stay ever so close to the Lord in prayer and in Bible reading and in our devotion to Him. He can and will keep us in the truth and prevent us being deceived as we put our full trust and weight upon Him.

Next Jesus tells us to be on the lookout for wars and rumours of wars. We are not to be troubled or afraid as we see the countries threatening each other - this only tells us that Jesus is coming soon!! Today there are many threats of war around us - Syria is threatening Israel, North Korea is threatening the US and others, Iran is threatening Israel and so on it goes. So today we do see wars and rumours of wars in reality. BUT Jesus says the end is not yet!!

Jesus tells us that we will see famines, pestilence and earthquakes in various places.  Famines are such as droughts and floods - things that cause the food supply to diminish. Pestilence are diseases and viruses that cause illnesses and disease often spread by birds and animals, but would also include cancer etc.  And then also earthquakes - the earth quaking and shaking. Jesus says these are the beginnings of sorrows -  sorrows that will increase in intensity and frequency just as the labor pains of a mother giving birth to a child. 

Next we learn that we must be ready to endure persecution due to our faith in the Lord Jesus. Jesus says that the love of many will grow cold and even family members will betray one another. This is very sad but we need to realize and accept the fact that some of us who are Christians will actually be imprisoned and put to death for our faith. This seems unreal to many of us in such a time as ours but we also know from history that this has happened before and so we need to set our hearts on Jesus now. We need to make the decision that no matter how tough things get, we will not deny our faith. If we must give our life for the Lord, we can rest assured that we will be safe in the arms of Jesus in life and in death. " absent from the body is present with the Lord".

Next we learn that the gospel must first be preached to the entire world before the end of the world is here. I believe I have heard that this has been fulfilled already. Through internet, TV and radio the gospel has gone out to the whole world. As Christians we have been sent out to spread the gospel to the entire world!

Next Jesus goes on to talk about the "abomination of desolation". A prelude phase of this was fulfilled when Antiochus IV desecrated the temple in Jerusalem and set up an idol in it and in 70 AD when Titus destroyed Jerusalem and set up an idol to mock the Jews.  A similar event will occur again as the end of the world draws near when the antichrist enters the temple and sets himself up as god there. 
Jesus tells us that these will be horrific times of tribulation. Verse 21 tells us that then shall be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no nor ever shall be. So we can see hard times will come upon this earth before the end of the world is finally here.

Again and again Jesus stresses the fact that there will be many false prophets and false christs as it also says again in verse  24 - For there shall arise false Christs and false prophets and shall shew great signs and wonders, insomuch that ifit were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. We should take these warnings to heart and be on the alert for false teachers and people in high places who claim to be able to fix every problem.

Jesus says " Behold I have told you before." Jesus tells us these things in advance so that we can be watchful!

So what will it look like when the end is here and Jesus returns? Verse 27 has our answer - 
For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

We have all seen lightening flash across the sky... so also will the appearing of Jesus be.
Verses 29 and 30 describe the scene : The sun will be darkened, the moon will not give light and the stars will fall - no one will miss seeing this happen!! Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Jesus brings a word of warning to each of us in verses 42 and 44. We are to be alert and watching for his return - verse 42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. and verse 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

We do not know the day or hour when Jesus Christ will return and when the end of the world will be here but we can see that day is getting ever closer. What we need to do is to make sure we are walking with the Lord daily, and that we not allow the world and its pleasures to be a distraction to our faith. Be faithful to the Lord in your own personal life and in witnessing to the lost whenever you can. Keep looking up - The King is coming!!

Matthew 24:1-44  
And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple.

² And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.

³ And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?

⁴ And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

⁵ For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

⁶ And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

⁷ For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

⁸ All these are the beginning of sorrows.

⁹ Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

¹⁰ And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

¹¹ And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

¹² And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

¹³ But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

¹⁴ And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

¹⁵ When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:)

¹⁶ Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains:

¹⁷ Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house:

¹⁸ Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes.

¹⁹ And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days!

²⁰ But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:

²¹ For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

²² And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

²³ Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

²⁴ For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

²⁵ Behold, I have told you before.

²⁶ Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

²⁷ For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

²⁸ For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

²⁹ Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

³⁰ And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

³¹ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

³² Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

³³ So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.

³⁴ Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

³⁵ Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

³⁶ But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

³⁷ But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

³⁸ For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,

³⁹ And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

⁴⁰ Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

⁴¹ Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.

⁴² Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

⁴³ But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

⁴⁴ Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.

Pentecost

The Coming of the Holy Spirit


Acts 2:1-4  When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.  Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

from backyardbard.com

Live in the Present...

Psalm 77:11-12 I will remember the works of the Lord; surely I will remember Thy wonders of old.  I will meditate also on all of Thy work, and talk of Thy doings.

Here is a simple thought... "live in the present" -  So since it is a fact that we cannot take back the past and re-live it ( so to speak ) and we cannot live in the future ( it's just not possible ). The past is but memories and the future is a dream .....so living in the present seems to be the only option available really.
What I am saying is that it is important to live life to the full at the stage of life you and I are at right now. If you are a child going to school, don't wish or pretend that you are older - be a kid while you can! If you are dating...enjoy it and save sex for marriage. If you are married, be thankful for your spouse and do your part to make your marriage a happy one! If your kids are grown and it seems your friends are grandparents already, but not you.... that is just fine, don't rush your married kids to give you grandbabies. If you are getting close to retirement age, enjoy your job while you can... the golden years will be here soon enough!
Be contented and enjoy to the full every day that the Lord has given you!

One thing we should all long and wait for though is to be with Jesus in our eternal home. Keep looking up for the soon return of the Lord Jesus. Keep your heart fixed on Jesus and live every day for Him till He calls us home!!
 Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ

Garden 2013 - Blog Diary

I decided that I want to document how my garden grows throughout the summer. So I will try to post regularly under the title Garden 2013 - Blog Diary

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June 21, 2013

Today is Friday June 21, 2013. I took another picture of my garden today. It is growing really nicely as we patiently wait for a nice rain.

my garden

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JUNE 8, 2013
Today is Saturday June 8,2013. I took some pictures of my garden and my flowers today! Enjoy!

FLOWERS




My iris is blooming



This is my another of my iris plants.

My peony plant

MY GARDEN

My garden today June 8, 2013

My garden today June 8 2013

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MAY 13, 2013




So yesterday May 13, 2013 I tilled my gardens and I planted  potatoes. It was sunny and very windy all day yesterday with the temperature reaching 30C. During the night we got a small rain shower and today it is very windy again! I planted one more row of potatoes today so potatoes are in the soil now for this year.




May 13,2013 - I tilled and planted potatoes

I finished planting my garden on May 17, now just waiting to get a few transplants yet.
We got 1.8 inches of rain weekend of May 18-19. Looks like it will be a good year!

Parenting Tips from Church - Mother's Day

Sunday Sermon Review - May 12, 2013

( from my home church I attend regularly )

This Sunday was Mother's Day. As part of our Mother's Day celebration, our church had two couples share some of their parenting experiences - what works in their home. So I cannot do a "sermon review" this week but I will share a little bit of what was said.

Couple A

- were parents of adult children, have two grandchildren

- family is important

- keep God at the center of your marriage, showing love and respect to each other

- God works in the lives of our children in the midst of our failures as parents

- keep the relationship with your children growing through the years

- suggested to do Sunday lunches together

- be open about sharing your faith with your children

- be diligent to tell your children they are significant to you and to God

- be discerning as to the time and place that you share your thoughts ( teachings ) with your children

- encourage them, being careful to not say too much at the wrong time

- make time for your children

- as a Mom, try hard to be there for your children, and pray for them

- Dads can teach values while doing work projects with the kids

- do fun things together

- parents need time away alone

- babysit your grandkids so your married kids can get away alone for a time

- be interested in your children's lives, their work and their home life

- PRAY - satan wants to destroy our families

- God is the One who brings healing and restoration where hurts have occured

1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

Couple B
( parents of married kids with grandchildren )

*prayer 

- important to not be a "control freak" , let go

- prayer intensifies in hard times and long periods of illness

* respect and trust

- when you catch yourself thinking " I wish my children would listen to me" then remember that God is thinking those very same thoughts about you

*gratitude 

- show gratitude even for small things

* be flexible

- your kids need you so change your schedule to meet their needs

* character

- develop good character in your children by including them in family responsibilities

* dates with spouse

- never stop dating your spouse and when you are on your dates make a point to not talk about the children or finances

* Allow your children to make decisions, make mistakes and face the consequences.

- this helps them to learn to think things through before making a decision in the future

* forgiveness

- ask your kids for forgiveness when you have messed up

James 1:4 

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Thoughts about my Mom on Mother's Day....

 Raising children is not an easy task - it takes very much love, and patience, and the giving up of one's own desires for the good of the family.
So with that I want to tell you about my own Mom ( a stay at home Mom)  who together with my Dad lovingly raised me and my 5 sisters.
Jeremiah 29:11 -

 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

The LORD has plans for each of us and now that my Mom is in her eighties we can look back and get a picture of some of what that was.
Before my Mom and Dad met, my Mom's parents decided to move from Manitoba to Paraguay along with many other Mennonite families. The Mennonites were seeking to find a place of peace where they would be able to raise their families.So in preparation for the journey to Paraguay( thinking never to return to Canada) my Mom, a young lady,  had to get rid of her possessions which included her "hope chest". A "hope chest" was dishes and things girls would start to collect as young teenagers which they would then hope to use once they would marry the man of their dreams. She recalls the agony of leaving it behind. Then my Mom, her parents and siblings along with a couple of thousand other Mennonites  boarded the ship to sail to Paraguay.  Sailing there took approximately a month and as she recalls she was sick most of the time sailing. As it turned out though, life was not as promising in Paraguay as they all had hoped and they headed back to Canada within six months and back in Canada my Mom met my Dad. God had it all planned.

                                        This is a picture of my parents as a very young couple.                                 

My Mom was a very hard working person not only keeping the house, cooking with a wood stove in the early days, doing laundry with the old washing machine and no dryer, she was always helping Dad on the farm however she could. She was always by his side in a supporting role whether it was with farmwork - fixing the combine, running the baler, milking cows, but even more importantly she supported Dad in his work as a preacher. Always with him at his side whenever or however she was needed. As I think about my Mom, I remember the loving care she gave to me as a little girl. She would come to help me say my prayers each night. I would kneel in bed to pray and she would kneel  beside the bed as I prayed. Then she would tuck me in so I would get a good sleep.  If at any time in the night I woke up, and couldn't sleep, I would call " MOM" and she would be right there. She would read a Bible story to me regardless of what time in the night it was, then she would tuck me in again and she would say -" I'll stay right here with you until you fall asleep" and she did too. It didn't matter if it took half an hour or an hour for her little girl to fall asleep, she stayed there by my bed to bring security and comfort.  She was selfless and loving through and through. This also showed up in her giving spirit to the neighbors. She is a truly generous and caring person.
My Mom's faith has grown strong over the years. She has been a great example to us to see her reading her Bible and other Scriptural literature. Being sure of  one's salvation and that we be ready to meet the LORD at any time is something that she stresses consistantly. Since Dad's passing, she has blossomed in showing her love for the LORD even more.
When my Dad became ill with cancer, she again stood strong with him going to appointment after appointment  with him and caring for him. The last six months of Dad's battle with cancer were spent in the hospital. Mom would go to the hospital in the morning and stay there with Dad the entire day, come home in the evening and the next day do it all over again. It seemed Dad had peace when he was so sick, just to know she was there with him and know she would be there with him the whole way through.

Heavenly Father, You have given me a wonderful Mother...Thank-you , Amen

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to every Mother who comes to my blog!!! God Bless everyone of you!

from www.zimbio.com

Psalm 113:9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.

from weddinganiversarygift.com

Pride and Hypocrisy ( Matthew Series )

Sunday Sermon Review - May 5,2013
( from my home church I attend regularly )

 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Our sermon today continued on in our Matthew Series. The text was the entire chapter of Matthew 23. See the text at bottom of page.
Pastor Ben was our speaker today.

Here is some of what Pastor Ben said.

Acting - a good actor has everyone believe that he is real and not merely acting.
In the passage today actors are called hypocrites. Jesus calls the scribes and Pharisees hypocrites.
They are pretending to be something that they are not on the inside. Jesus shows the hypocrisy.

This passage is a about pride and humility.
In verse 5 we find the definition of pride -  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,
Pride is exalting ourselves, doing what we do to impress people and to be noticed - asking  "What will people think of us??"

Jesus's language is shocking - He exposes the pride of the scribes and Pharisees with shocking language.
Jesus is a Prophet and here He speaks just like one of the prophets of the Old Testament.

We have gotten comfortable with our pride and world view. We downplay sin. This is wicked, evil, from the pit of hell. Jesus wants us to repent.
Pride is doing everything for people to see.

In verse 11 we find the definition of humility -  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.
Live the life of a servant. A servant will work without seeking recognition or wanting to be noticed. One's only concern is "What will Jesus my Master think?"

Jesus expresses these "woes" eight  times.

We must examine our own hearts.
Let God speak to us.
Let Jesus expose the sin lurking in your heart.

The scribes and Pharisees were trying to discredit Jesus and stop people from following Him.
Verse 13 -  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

How do you react when someone wants to follow you? Someone suggests you participate in some unholy activity - What do you do? Do you say "I can't do that" ? Do you go along or do you stand strong and risk being teased, people may suggest you think you are more "holy than others".
Our whole life should be filled with honesty and integrity. We need to follow Jesus, not become fixated on minor things without confronting the major issues such as mercy, justice and compassion.

Christians must be filled with God's mercy, and be passionate for justice.
Christians must be faithful.
Good fruit is the result of having become a Christian.
When the heart has been changed by Christ, then the external will be in the right place.

Become consumed with the great things of God.
He who is faithful in that which is least will also be faithful in much.

Become clean inside - in the heart, then the outside will happen.

Allow God to work in your heart and soul.

Jesus ends this passage in grief.
God would hold you close and free you from the sin of pride.
He loves us, and shocks us to repentance.
Jesus's heart is breaking for us.
Repent and renounce the pride in your life!

MATTHEW 23
Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

² Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

³ All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.

⁴ For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

⁵ But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

⁶ And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues,

⁷ And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

⁸ But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

⁹ And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

¹⁰ Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

¹¹ But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

¹² And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

¹³ But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

¹⁴ Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

¹⁵ Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

¹⁶ Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

¹⁷ Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?

¹⁸ And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.

¹⁹ Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?

²⁰ Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

²¹ And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

²² And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

²³ Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

²⁴ Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

²⁵ Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

²⁶ Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

²⁷ Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.

²⁸ Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.

²⁹ Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

³⁰ And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.

³¹ Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.

³² Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.

³³ Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

³⁴ Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:

³⁵ That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

³⁶ Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

³⁷ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

³⁸ Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

³⁹ For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.