To every thing there is a season.....

The phrase “It is what it is.” is a popular saying today.  The more I think about this the more I begin to see it as a cop out.  A way of just accepting the way things are whether right or wrong.  A way of just shrugging our shoulders and just not giving a care.

Ecclesiastes 3King James Version (KJV)

3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A season is a measure of time.  A purpose is a reason something is done.

There are times that whatever “It” is, it should not be acceptable.  There is a time to have purpose ~ a reason to do something.

Life not treating you fairly and it makes you grouchy?  Well it is what it is-NO.  Start looking at what you can do to change your life.  If you can’t change your life-change your attitude and the way you deal with it.

I hate my job-change it.

I’m unhappy because of ???.  No copping out and saying “it is what it is.”  Do something to change it.

Well I can’t do anything about it-“it is what it is”.  How do you know you can’t do anything about it?  Have you tried?

Oh well, I didn’t do my best so “it just is what it is”.  Do it over and do your best.

Oh well I just have to accept my situation and not be happy-“it is what it is”.  Maybe you can’t change the situation but you can change how you deal with it and just decide you are going to be happy in spite of the situation.  Paul said-“I am content”(-even in chains)  Philippians 4 ¹¹ Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

fearfully and wonderfully made

"By the the 6th month, when the average fetus is a whopping twelve inches long, its fingerprints are formed and fixed for life.,,,,Whatever the process (of how the fingerprint is made), the end result is a mind-boggling amount of variation".  Speaking in Bones by Kathy Reichs.

I was just reading this novel.  There was more on the subject of fingerprints that really got my mind going.  Every person ever conceived or that ever will be has a different set of fingerprints.  It was blew me away to think this.  Why did God do this?  How did He do this?  Scientists don't even know how the prints are formed.  They have theories, but aren't really sure.  A way to I.D. every person, ever.  It is just beyond what my little mind can wrap itself around. 

He knows the hairs on our heads.  He has given each one of us our own set of prints.  He knew us BEFORE the world was made.  He loves us and sent His Son to die for us!  How wonderful is all of that?  Think about it and really let it sink in.  Believe He died to save you and you will be saved!


Psalm 139
¹³ For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.
¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

The Truth About Angels

THE TRUTH ABOUT ANGELS

Angels have become very popular in our culture.  The common picture of an angel is usually a beautiful female, dressed in lovely robes and of course having wings.  People rely on their “Guardian Angel” for protection.  Some even worship them and pray to them.  But what does the bible say about angels?  Some people may be disappointed when they learn the truth about angels.  Here are a few myths busted by using a KJV bible – God’s holy word.  And since He created them, I guess He knows the truth about them.

Myth 1

 All angels are “good”.  Not so.  Evil angels exist and are at work in the world today.  Satan was the most beautiful of the angles and took 1/3 of them from heaven.   

 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

King James Version (KJV)

¹³ For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.

¹⁴ And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

¹⁵ Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.

Psalm 78:48-50

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

Matthew 25:40-42

Myth 2

  Angels are female.  Not so.  Every reference to an angel in the Bible refers to angels as a man.  They appear as men to most people and have male names. (angels can also appear as other items too)

Luke 1:10-12

King James Version (KJV)

¹⁰ And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense.

¹¹ And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

¹² And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.

Luke 1:27-29

King James Version (KJV)

²⁷ To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.

²⁸ And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.

²⁹ And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

Acts 12:6-8

King James Version (KJV)

⁶ And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.

⁷ And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

⁸ And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me.

 Genesis 16

⁷ And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur.

⁸ And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.

Genesis 22:10-12 (King James Version)

Genesis

¹¹ And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

¹² And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

And the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.

Numbers 22:22-24

 Myth 3

Angels have wings.  No mention of this at all.  They just suddenly appear.  Seraphim and Cherubs have wings-not angels.

Seraphim

mentioned in Isa. 6:2, 3, 6, 7. This word means fiery ones, in allusion, as is supposed, to their burning love. They are represented as "standing" above the King as he sat upon his throne, ready at once to minister unto him. Their form appears to have been human, with the addition of wings.

Angel

a word signifying, both in the Hebrew and Greek, a "messenger," and hence employed to denote any agent God sends forth to execute his purposes.

But its distinctive application is to certain heavenly intelligences whom God employs in carrying on his government of the world. The name does not denote their nature but their office as messenger  These superior beings are very numerous.  As to their nature, they are spirits (Heb. 1:14), like the soul of man, but not incorporeal.  As finite creatures they may fall under temptation; and accordingly we read of "fallen angels." Of the cause and manner of their "fall" we are wholly ignorant. We know only that "they left their first estate"  They are possessed of superhuman intelligence and power  They are not to be worshipped

Cherub

plural cherubim, the name of certain symbolical figures frequently mentioned in Scripture.

And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.

Exodus 25:19-21 (in Context) Exodus 25 (Whole Chapter) Other

And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.

2 Samuel 22:10-12

And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

Revelation 4:7-9

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

Isaiah 6:1-3

 Myth 4

 Angels come to us today.  Evil angels may be but God’s angels do not.  They cannot be told apart.  We just have to use scripture to know God does not use angels today.  They are His messengers to the Jews.  We do not need them.  We can go boldly to the throne through Jesus to the Father.  Romans through Philemon are the books directly to believers today-the church the body of Christ.  Few references to angels at all in Paul’s epistles. Paul, who is the Apostle to us, gives a warning:

Galatians 1:8

But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

God is on His throne!

I know so many of my Christian Brother and Sisters-members of the Church, the Body of Christ, are disappointed in the election results this week. For so many reasons, they so wanted Barack Obama out of the White House. I did too and my husband and I were very let down. Mitt Romney was not our best choice, but felt he would be an improvement. On my way to work Wednesday morning, I prayed for our nation. Many thoughts and ideas came to me along with some scripture. God is still on His throne. Thinking of some bible stories, I remembered Joseph. His brothers threw him into a pit and sold him as a slave. He endured years in prison and eventually, became a ruler in Egypt. When his brothers came to him for food, they did not know him. But he did reveal himself to them and told them that what they meant for evil, God used for good. I began to ponder that idea. God used all kinds of people for His purpose. Drunks, loose wpmen, thieves, murders. And that is the whole point of everything-not what we want but what God wants –for HIS purpose. Do we think that God cannot use Mr. Obama for His purpose? Can’t God take this situation which we think is bad, and use it for good? Maybe God has a plan we may not like. Anyone who reads and studies the Bible knows what the future holds. Before the Tribulation begins there is only one event that has to happen-the Rapture of the church, the Body of Christ. I have heard many scholars of the Bible say in their studies of Gods’ Revelation to John, that the United States is not found. I believe the land would still be here, and people would still occupy it, but the Government of the US is not found. IF that is correct, at some time the Government as we know it today would have to be done away with. Who’s to say that this is the beginning of that situation? Just because we don’t like the way the country is headed, does not mean that this is not God’s plan? Just think, maybe we are getting closer to our salvation! How wonderful is that? And remember, as saved people, God has promised that we will NOT suffer His wrath! So pray for our nation! Pray people will be saved! Tell others how to be saved. And do not fear~God is on His throne! But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Genesis 50:20

Our Creator

Hubbie and I made a trip to Old Town Spring today and went into a garden store/nursery we like alot.
I noticed lots of bees busy on some of the plants and asked oneof the ladies that work there if they had been having lots of hummingbirds this year. We have had flocks of them at our feeders and so have other folks I know. The lady said they have had a few and proceeded to tell us of a TV show she had seen about hummingbirds and how their beaks are either long or short depending where in the world they are and what flowers are in the area. I made the comment "Well, yes. Their creator new exactly what He was doing when He created them and gave them just what they need." Well! She didn't seem to like that very much. She said it was because they had evolved over the centuries...kind of drifted off and went inside the store and had nothing else to say to us!
She seemed surprised that their beaks were just what they needed for the flowers in the area but it didn't surprise us at all. Of course God would equip them with what they need. He knew it before He created them. Facts like that just serve to prove He created everything from nothing and there were no accidents.

Be still

I have been stressed about a few situations lately. I have prayed about them and tried to give it all over to God. I keep telling myself "Be still and know that I am God", but I just can't seem to quit worrying. This morning, on my drive in, I spent some time praying and stressing. Then this verse came to me:
Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
If He can still the waters, can't he still my heart? Can't He calm me? Bring me peace? I guess only if I let Him. I don't know the outcome of these situations, but I want Jesus to calm them and get honor and glory in them. Lord, help me to be still!

10,000

My dear friend Theresa was telling me about a job interview she went on recently. "How many people are employed there?" I asked her. "10,000" she answered. For a moment I fell for and said "What?!?!" Until she started laughing and I realized she was just kidding. We got a good laugh. And then, any answer to any question was, of course 10,000. "How much does it pay an hour"--10,000! So you see how the rest of that conversaion went.
This morning I started thinking about it and thought of another time when 10,000 came in to play. Jesus told Peter he could call 10,000 angels to come and save Him from going to the cross. Thank God he didn't! His going to the cross is the only thing that has saved me from an eternity of damnation and hell. And His death is the only thing that will save anyone else, too. If He had called the angels, did not go to the cross there would be nothing I could do to save myself. His death is the only way to eternal life--you must believe it was for YOU he died and that nothing else will do! Thank you Jesus for not calling your 10,00o angels!
Matthew 26:52-54
52Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
53Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
54But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

God's Plans

A couple of years ago, Bill and I had taken over the children's ministry at a small church we attended at the time. It was an area that needed help in many ways and to be "churched" was one of them. Each week we had 20+ kids and fell in love with all of them. We so enjoyed Wednesday nights and always looked forward to them and we both spent much time in preparation.

Unfortunately, we had a disagreement with the Pastor and his wife--who had told us to "run the show" and "we will not interfere"--and the hard words and hurt feelings could not be smoothed over and we decided it would be better for us to move on. We had already been studying with a bible class and decided to start to attend all 3 meetings a week. Leaving our "kids" had been heart-breaking and so hard, but we really began to grow and have learned so much where we are now.

We recently ran across an article written by the Pastor at the old church and were amazed at some of the things he seemed to believe and I guess he is now teaching at that church. Some of his points were shocking and he gave no scripture to back up his opinions.

The more we discussed it over the course of the weekend, the more we realized that God has put us right where we need to be. We have grown and learned so much and could have ended up in real trouble if we had stayed where we had been. God's plan was the right one--even if we couldn't see it at the time!

The Free Gift

I had decided to make something for the girls I work with. As I thought about what to make, I decided on butterfly suncatchers. I thought I would make a bunch of them all different colors, and let them choose. I made 15 butterflys. They all turned out pretty good. I rushed last Sunday night to get them finished. The closer I got to being done with them, the more excited I got. As I was waxing them and buffing them up, I started to pray over each one for whomever might get it. I didn't know but God did and I knew would honor each prayer. My excitement was at an all time high on Monday morning. I had each girl pull a number as to who would go first, second etc. in picking out their butterfly. I started taking them out of the box and spreading them out on the desk for everyone to see. They got excited too and there were many ohhs and ahhs. It made me feel good to know they liked them and were happy to be getting one. It was a nice surprise and I was honored they liked them so much. I don't know who was happier--them or me. The pleasure I got was great! I started thinking about it more as the day went on. The butterflies were a free gift. No one did anything for them. There was much pleasure in the giving and receiving. I began to think of someone else who gave a free gift. God gave His only Son to die for everyone in the world so they could receive His free gift of everlasting life. There is nothing you can do for it. All you have to do is believe it. 8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9Not of works, lest any man should boast.Ephesians 2:8,9

Yesterday was a stressful and sad day at work. For the first time our company had to let some folks go. We are a small company and like family. It was not easy for the owners to do this. I spoke one of the girls before she left. She was naturally upset and scared about the future, but she told me she had been praying about her life lately, and asking God to guide and direct her. She is hoping this was a start and decided to look at it that way.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

God's perfect timing

My best friend Theresa's grandson Tommy is has been living with her lately. He is 19 and has been blind from birth. Since living with her, she has been trying to get him enrolled in college, has found classes to teach him how to live on his own and has applied for him to get a guide-dog. He has done very well lately and is learning how to be independant.

Last week a gentleman came to their house to measure Tommy's stride, to know what size dog he needs and talk to them about the school down in Florida he will be going to for almost a month to learn how to handle the dog etc. During the visit, Tommy meantioned that he would be starting to college in August. The man asked if the guide dog folks knew that. Tommy repied that he thought so but wasn't sure. He said that they would really have to get the ball moving to get Tommy down to Florida for the training and back before school starts. He told them that he would make some phone calls and see what could be done to "fast-track" everything so the timing will work out. He told them be ready--things could move quickly.

When Theresa told me all of this on Monday, I asked her how was she going to get it to happen and Tommy be back in time for school. This could be a problem. Her answer to me was that they fully expected God to work it all out and that it WAS going to happen and Tommy get back in time for school--there will be no hitches! They were getting ready and would be ready to drive to Florida with very little warning. OK! we'll see!!

When I spoke to her this morning, she told me that Tommy will be going to the guide dog school in July and will finish WITH 3 WHOLE DAYS TO SPARE before staring college in August! It was all set up and the plan is made! I thought--talk about cutting it close!

After we hung up for some reason, I thought about the story of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. They were very good friend's of Jesus. Lazarus became ill. Mary and Martha sent for Jesus, having FAITH that he could heal their brother. But for some reason, Jesus didn't hurry to Lazarus' side even though he loved him very much. He waited a few days and then went to them. He was told that Lazarus had died-- that Jesus was too late. Or was he? Jesus went to the tomb and rose Lazarus from the dead. His timing was right on. Why? Because ALL things are to honor God. He proved who he was to the Jews by this sign of rasing Lazarus and God got the honor from it. Mary and Martha had faith that Jesus could HEAL him but not raise him. Thersa and Tommy never doubted that somehow God would work out the details and get Tommy to Florida and back in time for school. Their faith is real. May God get the honor!!!

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose

Matthew 8:26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

What's in your Wake?

Growing up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and raising 2 children there, many of our outdoor actititves involved water and boats. There are plentiful rivers, creeks and the gulf to swim and boat in. I know that all boats big and small leave wakes behind them. Depending on who's at the wheel it could be big or small. When boats pass each other they should ensure that their wake will not cause anyone harm. I have been in a small boat when a very big one passes and know what can happen if the captain just does not care what happens to you.

As we go through life we too leave wakes behind us. So the question is "What is in your Wake?" What do you leave behind you as you go about your day to day life?

Do you get up feeling a little bad or maybe things aren't going your way and you bark at the checkout girl? Ruining her day and making her ruin others' day? Or do you try to smile and get through the day the best you can and try not to bite any one's head off? If you try to be friendly, you may find your day will get better.

What about when you step off into eternity? How will you be remembered? With a smile and fond memerioes? Or with hurtful ones. Or that you were a grouch and a grummbler.



So as you go through your day and your life think about what you are leaving behind you in your wake. Joy or a path of descruction?