Posts

Showing posts from November, 2016

Ephesians 2- Part 2

-
Image
Study and learn. Be changed.  Ephesians 2 Made Alive in Christ 1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not
Post a Comment
Read more

The Gift of You

-
Image
Why are we here? What's life about?  Is it to get as much money as we can before we die even though we take none of it with us?   We can all name millionaires who have committed suicide or accidentally died from drugs, trying to fill up their own hurts. Therefore, we know that money does NOT buy happiness or fulfillment.   Is it to live a life as self-centered as possible; would that bring happiness?   I think anyone that is over 40 can affirm that the most special and memorable times in their lives are when they put others first.   Why is this true? Because God gave us purpose, and told us what He wants us to do to in Matthew 22.     36  “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37  Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ [ c ] 38  This is the first and greatest commandment. 39  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [       God calls us to have love for one
Post a Comment
Read more

Droughts and Storms, Seek Him

-
Image
Our family has daily prayed together for rain.   The ground is  just dust and the outdoor animals are thirst.   This week, I saw a songbird desperately attempting to drink water from the cat’s bowl.   I moved a bowl of water up high, out of the reach of the cats, a safer watering bowl for the birds. You see, in my entire life, Georgia has never seen such a drought.   Last night a wildfire was put out less than 2 miles from our home.   We have had numerous fires near our state, due to the lack of rain, leaving a constant haze of smoke overhead. The smoke visible from space  A carelessly thrown cigarette suddenly is a true hazard. We have had over 43 days of no rain, for it hasn’t rained since October 7 th . Our last day of official rain was October 7th so today makes 43 straight days without measurable rain.    We haven’t seen a drought like this since 1963. Droughts in North GA: 2016 – 41 days (and counting) 1963 – 33 days ending 11/2 1952 – 30 days ending 11/10 1
Post a Comment
Read more

66 Ways God Loves You

-
Image
As many of you know, my 12 year old just had his 4th surgery for a tumor beside his spine.  It is entangled in three vertebrae so the surgeon can only debulk it, but couldn't remove all of it.  After removing more than his fist-full of tumor, the surgery was over...and now we wait.  Wait for the pain to subside, wait for the swelling to go down, wait to see if it comes back.  On top of this, there are other day to day struggles that can leave you wondering, "God, do you really love me?"   Thankfully, I just was given the book, 66 Ways God Loves You by Jennifer Rothschild.  Jennifer know a thing or two about struggle.  She lost her eyesight to a retinal disease when she was a teen and had to  adjust to this devastating  loss of sight while  going through the difficult teen years.  So how does Jennifer stay grounded in God's love when life is hard?  How do we stay planted in God's love when we feel He must not love us because He has allowed/caused  XY and Z.   W
Post a Comment
Read more