So we do not lose heart...

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 31 I am so glad that you have joined us.

Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.

This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from II Corinthians 5-8; Psalms 110-114; and Proverbs 23.

For my post today - I am backing up into the end of last week's reading.

II Corinthians 4:16-18

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner
self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is
preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look
not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the
things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

I am currently studying Priscilla Shirer's book, One in a Million, with the ladies of our church. This passage made me think of some of the things that we are learning in this study. I want to share a quote with you from the end of week #3:

"We've got to know that sickness, financial debacles, martial disasters, heartbreaks, and the greatest needs of our lives don't have to derail our relationship with God. In the midst of our pain, God makes a way for us to see and experience His greatness." (pg 77)

We have to remember that whatever we are dealing with right now is the "temporary - the transient." What is going on in the unseen world right now - for us- is the eternal. Therefore, we do not lose heart.

I am still chewing on this thought. So, tonight - I leave it with you.

By the way, I recommend the Bible Study to you. You would enjoy it too. I know you would.



Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us. Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

A Tribute to My Dad...

On this day eight years ago, my earthly father left this old world and met his Savior face to face.

At the end of this post, I have a video that was produced for the December 2007 Billy Graham Television Special in honor of Ruth Bell Graham. But it speaks to my heart for dad too.

No, he did not know the Lord as his Savior in my early years. As a matter of fact, I was 16 years old when he was saved. So, he did not serve the Lord all of his years... but what a difference Christ makes in a life.

Now, do not get me wrong. He was a good daddy. He loved his family. He was good to us. But he did not take us to church. Mom had to do that alone in those early years. He did not serve the Lord, because he did not KNOW Him.

But when he met the Savior... what a transformation that took place. I remember hearing him pray. I remember seeing him reading his bible. I remember hearing the sermon tapes that he listened to on a regular basis. I watched him grow from a baby in Christ to a mature vibrant Christian in a remarkable amount of time. It convicted me. He memorized scripture. And what a blessing to hear him pray using many scriptures to claim.

I can still see him sitting near the front of the church - lifting his hands - saying "Glory". I can still see his smile. I can still feel his rugged hands - as he would lift them to me for me to kiss :) instead of kissing him on his head.

There are days that I want to call him and talk to him. We often mention things that we know he would be saying if he were here with us. We have a storehouse full of precious memories.

But then I hear this song... and I am reminded once again of where he is and what he is experiencing. Many times he would tell us that he looked forward to leaving this old world and meeting his Lord. He would ask us, "Why would I want to stay here?" He did tell us on his 60th birthday - that if he had known that he was going to live this long - he would have taken better care of himself. :) (I will have to share about that birthday party at another time)

Truly, he would be one who would say..."You can have this old world... give me JESUS".

And how precious to know - He has Him. He is in the presence of His King. He is experiencing the real JOY of his salvation. And I will see him again one day, when I leave this old world... What a glad reunion day...

All I can say is, "GLORY!"

Fernando Ortega - "Give Me Jesus" from Adamson.TV on Vimeo.

Disciplines

I am on a journey. To re-establish certain disciplines in my life.

It is somewhat surprising to me how easy "lack of discipline" can creep into my life. In a lot of areas. One leads to two, two leads to three...and on and on and on.

So, in my journey, I am taking on one at a time. I decided to start with my weight. That is a good example of the "creeping" that can take place. Five pounds quickly turns into ten, and ten can become twenty - and on and on and on. Suddenly - or not so suddenly - I find myself 25 pounds more than I should be. I decided that I did not want it to be 30 next year and 35 the next. So... discipline # 1. I am almost at my goal. I have actually reached my first goal, but am still working on the "ultimate" goal. And I can tell you - I feel much better. It is amazing how much better your body functions when it is not having to carry around the excess weight.

I have several more items that I intend to get back in order:
Consistent Bible Study time.
Consistent Exercise.
Order in my home.
Reading. (I have a ton of books just waiting on me to read them)
Writing. (I have several dreams/goals that I want to address here)
Even more consistency in my blogging.

I decided that I would be so overwhelmed if I tackled all of these at the same time. So, with the first one almost completely under my belt (a much smaller belt I might add :)... I continue the journey as I pick up another discipline.

I will share more as I accomplish a goal or two.

Do you want to join me on this journey. If so, tell me which area you are working on. I will pray for/with you and I covet your prayers too.

A disciplined life is a productive life. And knowing that I only have this one life - I want to spend it to the best of my ability for the Glory of God. Disciplines help me accomplish such.

Ministry and Fatigue and lack of Blogging...

After taking a break for the summer - we are trying to get back into the routine of sharing a bit of what we have received from the Word this week. So....welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 30 I am so glad that you have joined us.

Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.

I usually post this blog on Monday nights so that it will be published on Tuesday Mornings for any who want to link with us. Sometimes ministry opportunities change my plans. It is nearly 11:00 p.m. and I have not been home long. I will try to get my blog updated with my thoughts to share later during the day on Tuesday - because when I reach this level of fatigue - everything shuts down and there is no way that I can blog right now.

But as I type this, I am reminded of the day tomorrow - and it may be this time tomorrow night before I am home again.... so, I will look forward to reading what you all have to share with me.

Seriously...

Love my blogging buddies and look forward to seeing what you have to say on Tuesdays Together...





Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us. Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

Yellow Ribbons and Sentimental Stuff...

We were so excited when we moved into our new house 14 1/2 years ago. It was the first one for us to buy. The first one to be OURS. Really - we were MORE than excited.

We had just been through one of the toughest years of our ministry. Probably THE toughest year. This was such a dream come true - and such a witness to the faithfulness of our God - through the storm.

The house was a new construction - and someone left a circular saw blade in our yard. Our Jonathan was 13 1/2 years old. He and Hal had a lot of fun throwing it at the little pine tree at the side of our yard. And that is where they left it. After several years - I decided that was not a good idea and removed the saw blade from the trunk of the tree. I thought it was not smart to have a saw blade sticking out from a tree in the yard. However, I was rebuked severely by the two men in my life - and they promptly took a hammer and placed it back "where it belonged."

That is where it has remained. So there is a circular saw blade seriously embedded into the trunk now. I have gotten used to it. I have used it to hang things on when I needed to spray paint them (i.e. the baskets for weddings). It has just become part of the "landscape".

How fitting that I now have once again, hung the yellow ribbon at the top of the saw blade. The tree is in the back yard - at the end of the driveway. Every time I come down the drive - I see it. Oh I have one on the front porch right under the flag also. But I think the one on the tree - with the saw blade under it - would have to be my favorite. Jonathan would like it too. I know he would.

The tree has really grown. The saw blade is secure. The yellow ribbon (yet again) is a reminder that our God has His Hand on our Soldier and we are awaiting his return home from this war. We know that God will be with us all through this storm.

Regardless, I am now sentimental about the tree, the silly saw blade, and the yellow ribbon.

Just thought you would want to know.

Listen to this...

This was shared on Facebook today...
and it blessed my heart - so I wanted to share it with you.

Enjoy :)

Oh Death, Where is your Victory?...

Welcome to TUESDAYS TOGETHER (in the WORD). # 29 I am so glad that you have joined us.

Our goal/purpose is that we are reading God's Word and we are sharing with each other a "nugget" of what we are learning. Join with us - at any time. We welcome your comments and/or your thoughts of what you have read and/or your link to your blog post. You do not have to be a "blogger" to join in on the encouragement and sharing together.



This week our reading (as posted on the sidebar under the button) was from I Corinthians 10-16.

These passages are so full of blog posts... it was going to be really hard to narrow down which passage or passages I wanted to share. However, with the events of early Monday Morning... I am compelled to share this.

I Corinthians 15:54- 57

When the perishable puts on the imperishable,

and the mortal puts on immortality,

then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

"Death is swallowed up in victory."

"O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?"
The sting of death is sin,

and the power of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God,

who gives us the victory

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

This morning we received news that a dear friend had passed away. She had been sick. She had been in the hospital. We had visited her several times - even just Saturday. She was released to go home on Sunday. She entered her eternal home sometime during the night.

I think I have been in a numb shock all day. Once again I have had to go about the "normal" stuff - because I have my precious grandbabies on Monday's. But I have had such a heavy heart.

Certainly not for her. She died the way that I have always said that I want. Go to sleep in your bed one night - and wake up in the presence of our King. The one who gives us the Victory - Our Lord Jesus Christ! That is glory! I can get so excited just thinking about what she is seeing and what she is doing today.

But this particular family is ALMOST family to us. Our roots go deep and long with them in multiple directions. We know and love her husband, her children, her grandchildren. As a matter of fact, her grandson and my son are best friends and are together serving our country in Afghanistan. (Which means - be praying for him too - because I do not think he will be able to come home)

But that is not all - we know and love the extended family too. We know her brothers and sisters. Her brother was our pastor when we were called into ministry. He married us - licensed and ordained Hal into the Gospel Ministry. He baptized my father. He ordained both of our dads as deacons. You get the picture here.

We are really close to her nephew and his family.... I mean really close. Some of our best friends on this earth...

I could go on and on... trying to explain... but really can just say - they are ALMOST family to us. And we love them all like family.

And no, we do not grieve as they do - but almost.

But I love these scriptures. Because we do not grieve as those who have no hope - no we do not.

Because - oh Death where is your victory - oh death - where is your sting....

We have victory through Jesus Christ Our Lord.

Oh.. she knew our Jesus as her Savior - and today she is with Him. VICTORY!

And because we know Jesus as our Savior - one day... we will be with Him. And that will be Victory!

(And we will be re-united with this precious one and the many others in our lives who have gone before us). That is good stuff!

Now, your turn.

Remember... leave a comment... share your thoughts... and if you blog - link with us. Also, please post a link back here so that others can come and read the other Tuesdays Together posts. You can use the button on the side bar if you would like.

Snacks and Strokes #2

Our Women's Ministry held the second "Snacks and Strokes" at our church on Thursday night. What a wonderful time we had together. I just had to share some of the pictures with you. Now when I got home - I see that some of the pics are blurred - and some people are not on any of these pictures. They must have been hiding from the camera :)... I won't name them tonight...

But I will say that we just might have some "artists in hiding" here.

So wonderful to have sweet fellowship, good fun, and wonderful food together with Sisters in Christ...

Enjoy...

Morning Devotion...

Psalm 84:1

How lovely is your dwelling place,

O LORD Almighty!

The following is a portion from the Proverbs 31 Devotion today by Lysa Terkerst.

It is my prayer for today...and I wanted to share it with you...

Psalm 84:1 reminds me that God's dwelling place is lovely.

So, I ask God to dwell in me richly.

I want Him to be what radiates about me.

I want Him to be my pretty today.

Not my hair.

Not my outfit.
Not my efforts.

But simply Him

and His spirit dancing invisibly about me...
shifting a wrong attitude,

guarding my words,

and whispering constant truths into my heart.

.

Amen and Amen...

You can read the entire devotion here. Enjoy...

Thank you Lysa for these words this morning.

WFW # 19 Beach and Babies...

Psalm 78:4 (b)

"...we will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,

His power, and the wonders He has done.