For His Service

Do you see it?  Do you see the bird FEEDER that a bird thought would be a perfect spot for a nest?  A pair of house finches worked for a few days as they quickly assembled their nest.  We were delighted to watch, but if the birds caught sight of us, they quickly flew away.  My sweet husband taped a piece of paper on the window so the birds couldn't see us and  would stop being afraid.    We meant them no harm, but to the birds we had to look like big, scary predators.  The birds couldn't comprehend that we were nothing to be fearful of.  God spoke to my heart and said, "That lump in your breast, the one that is hard, doesn't move.. the lump that the doctor said you have to have more tests done, more scans, ultrasounds to determine if it is breast cancer... that lump.. it is nothing to be fearful of,,  Just like you look scary to the birds, this lump looks scary to your regular doctor and you, but it is nothing.".   ...

So love can fail if I don't feel that my spouse or friend isn't being easy to love?  So my love can fail if I feel someone else can love me better?    So my love can fail if being together isn't fun anymore?  So my love can fail  if I feel that God wants me to be happy ...even though Christ was a "man of many sorrows"?   (Isaiah 53:3).   We KNOW these things aren't true...but we often choose not to live this way. Read 1 Corinthians  13 1If I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such [ a ] as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers ( [ b ] the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in ...

It is easy to get caught up in someone else's problems .  My heart tends to be a "fixer".  What can I do to relieve their problem?  What can I do to make them see their sin?  What can I do to turn their heart?   What can I do to make them feel better?  (Not enough reliance on HIM to fix it...I have to do it... not smart).     Sometimes I am suppose to be a fixer...Sometimes God has called me to action, but other times I know God isn't calling me to do anything but pray.  That is when I have to make myself...just pray.    When you see someone you love ..doing things that you know aren't good for them.or .for their family.. you want them to see that, too.   But, they can't see the forest for all the trees.     That's when I try to do what God tells me to do (whatever action or inaction), pray for them, and love them as best as I am able.     1 Peter 1:13-35 13 So think clearly and exercise...

F ruit.. Yes, tomatoes are actually a fruit.  ..and this is just one days worth of tomatoes I just picked from my backyard garden.  Chili, soups, salads are going to taste so much better with these red beauties.  These tomatoes did cost time in the Georgia sun, a few bug bites, and a lot of work.    All of the bad that comes with gardening is worth it , when you get your crop...the fruit of your labor.  It is just like the Christian life.  Those who falsely sell the Christian life as an easy life..a life with no problems ... 1. Is lying (on purpose or not).   OR 2.  They don't really know God's word.  As He clearly says we will have troubles.   (1 Peter 5:9-  Romans 12:12, Romans 5, 1 Peter 1)  So, how do we get through the icky part of life ?    By looking at the fruit that comes from those trials.   I don't believe God wastes any of our struggles or tears.  He says that He use...

Did you know that sheep must be sheared for its own good? Why? They are easily cast down when they have MUCK all tangled in their fleece, weighing them down. Why is this a problem? If a sheep is cast down, a s heep can not get up on its own . If they fall down..become “cast down”, they must have a shepherd to lift them up or they will die. ' Cast down' sheep is an old English shepherd's term for a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get up again by itself. A 'cast' sheep is a very pathetic sight. Lying on its back, its feet in the air, it flays away frantically struggling to stand up, without success. And guess what? A sheep can not help another sheep get up. ..they must have a shepherd to help them up. (just like I can’t heal you or help you, but I can take you to Jesus, the good shepherd who can). So what is the remedy to keep from being cast down ? A good sheering... (We don’t like when “bad” things (our sheering) happen to us, ...

Here is a painting I just finished today.   Sheep?  Of all the animals, God choose to liken us ...he choose  sheep.  I for one think they are really cute, but you can read my post here  to see a study I did on "why sheep" http://inhonoroftheking.blogspot.com/2011/04/why-does-god-call-us-sheep.html Today, I really thought about 1 Peter 5: 2-3.   This week has been hard... things I can't blog openly about. .. It boils down to seeing "hurt people" hurt people and themselves.  What I feel has to be a very small taste of how God grieves for us. 1 Peter 5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over th...

Servant- does a job....slave ...is owned... Which statement seems more tolerable to you: “have it your way” or “ deny yourself ?”   What if your church stopped  giving sermons on “12 ways to improve   your ____ (marriage, parenting, etc)..and started teaching on denying yourself, become a slave for Christ ?” How do you think that would go over? We all know what Christ asked His followers to do: to serve others.....be servants to others…... But are you ready to hear what “serve” or “servant” actually means in the Bible?   The term “servant” as used by Paul in Romans 1:1 is more properly translated as “bond slave.” Other translations use the Greek origin “doulas” which also means slave. Yes,  slave ! The calling is not to be a servant...  but to be a slave. We are ½ way through the book, Not a Fan…. It says…. “You can’t call Jesus Lord without declaring yourself his slave.”            ...

Why do think we, as Christians, shouldn't suffer or   why are we SURPRISED that we  do  suffer?   I know I am put out..when God allows me to suffer.   In case any of you thought I am spiritually-mature...well, that just set you straight... LOL...  Seriously, I often times think..."I am serving you, I am seeking you, I want to please you,...so WHY?"   Why does John-Michael have tumors?   Why do people fight?  Why do my children not do what I have "trained" them to do?    Why do my children still need to be parented? LOL    Why do I have moments of deep grief?    Why has someone opened the gate and caused my mother-in law's westies to run away?   Why do YOU not protect us from these sorrows?  Is it a sin issue?  Maybe, but I do not know of any  of my unconfessed sin... God knows them all....  But, we know HE uses our sorrows to m...