He Giveth More Grace

I don't do resolutions, but I do want to make a plan for the next year that is about reaching vertically, and  give and accept more Grace. I fully appreciate and and trust God to care for me and my family through all things. But I realize I only expect, and even only ask for what I have carefully calculated and know is the bare minimum I need for the soon to be five of us to survive. But what if Gods minimum is bigger than my minimum? I feel God telling me I have put Him in a box, that I only deserve for myself the amount of Grace I think I deserve.  So I am asking God to forgive me for limiting Him, and accept ALL that He wants to provide for us, and not judge myself into believing anything is too much.

My Love

You talk about Amazing Grace
And in your life God has some place.
Singing “Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus”
Wearing a smile upon your face.

You do your part, teach Sunday School.
My precious young learn the “Golden Rule”.
You read about the glorious day -
My greatest triumph! the third day raised!

And though that all is very true.
(I did that for everyone of you.)
Love cost more than that for me,
I let man nail my limbs onto a tree.

You need to know that as I knelt
With sweats of blood, the fear I felt.
You need to know the pain endured -
Each flesh tearing blow, each iron filled belt.

You need to know the shame I felt
When in nakedness I was paraded out.
So that when you stop to look at your worst self
You KNOW that I’ve been in that same place too.

You need to know that through my pain
Forgiveness was still handed out.
To the thief who hung beside of me,
To the ones who mocked, and the ones who flee.

It’s not just the sweet you should talk about.
I defeated mans worst, I threw death out.
In my names sake, let me see you through.
That’s really what my love is all about.

CEJTM 09/2010

Matthew 25: in American Thought

10 women were waiting for a plane. 5 had read in their brochure specific details about the flight and ticket purchases and came early to check in and brought just the right amount of cash and purchased their ticket. 5 had not yet bothered to purchased their tickets, and had not read the details in the travel brochures, but ooed and awww’ed over the beautiful pictures of their intended destination. 

The ten women stood chatting, excited about their trip when the 5 who needed their ticket noticed the late hour and ran to the counter. Much to their surprise the ticket counter only excepted cash, and they ran to the other 5 women with tickets, begging them to lend them any spare cash on hand so they could purchase their tickets. But the 5 with tickets had only brought enough cash to purchase their tickets they now held in their hands. The five with no tickets ran madly through the airport, looking for an ATM, but when they had finally found one and returned to the counter, the plane had been boarded and the door was shut.

The story is about Christs return to earth, it is not a story about compassion, it is a story about company policy. We have the travel guide, the bible. If we don’t bother reading it (and reading it in context) and we are unaware of Gods expectation of us and he comes and you’re not ready…he’s leaving you behind. And I know that seems harsh and mean, but if you’re not willing to give him the time of day down here, why do you think he’s going to want you up there? He’s laid out the consequences of ignoring him in the word, and just like the airline pilot, it’s not his problem that you didn’t purchase your ticket, especially when Christ purchased it free of charge for us already. He’s going to take those who are ready, and leave the rest regretfully behind. God shows us compassion here on earth, and Christians are to show compassion to the world. But when your last day comes, “company policy” will be what dictates where you end up.

 

Clean under the Son

All laundry starts out dirty, that's why it's in the laundry. Everyone knows the clothes out on a family's laundry line were once dirty, most-likely  smelly and there were probably stains. But once it's been cleaned,we aren't embarrassed  to hang it in the sun (SON). Hiding our laundry just makes it stink more and the stains increasingly  difficult to remove.
It's not helpful when Christians hide other Christians problems, mistakes, sins...... neither is it our right to air out others laundry publicly, dirty or clean.  But we shouldn't encourage them to hide it, even if it might make us uncomfortable somehow. We should encourage them to do their laundry. Encourage them to make right with God, so that when other people discover someones laundry, they will also see the forgiving grace of God in their life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn  the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 
John 3:17

Rainy Days

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me

John 15:26

  

We have had quite a bit of spring rain this last week. The days have been dark and cold again, making the day feel drudgy and the children and I felt cooped up. All around us there are stacks of boxes, bags for the thrift store and piles of possessions to sort through as we prepare to move. It's hard to convince yourself to get working on these rainy, wet dreary days. 

 I was standing at the front door, sighing and avoiding work for a moment to watch the rain, when I spotted a pair of starlings. The sun had just begun an attempt to show itself and a beautiful chorus of birds could be heard singing from the trees and the riverside close by, despite the rain. The starlings were down on the lawn, and they were picking up worms and grubs and having an absolute feast on the creepy crawlies that had come up from the flooded ground  for fresh air. And it hit me that God looks after us this way too.

  Even in the rain storms of life, God is right by our side, providing for us the most. Because that is when we are most willing to let Him.

Today, I am official separated from my husband in the eyes of the government. The children see their dad once a week now. Our relationship has been a struggle for years now. But yes it was necessary. I am neither happy with it or depressed about it. I had to ask him to leave for a bit so I could catch my breath and sort through what was going on between us, and he chose to leave in a manner that made it permanent.

 I do not feel that it is Gods desire that any family should be separated.  But neither is it Gods desire  for the children to suffer for their parents actions and choices. A cloud of depression has been lifted from this home, and new life is beginning, as are we beginning to heal. The comforter has come. And Gods glory is radiating through this situation.  

God has provided us with social  assistance until I can work out employment, I have never missed a rent payment or bill. And there has always been food on the table. God also provided us with instant  housing, so my funds don't have to stretch so far. What should have taken months or even years, was handed to me in one meeting with the  housing rep.  God has also given me a feeling of grace about the situation. It is not my job to judge him beyond the scope of our own relationship, he needs to work out his relationship between God and his children.  But it is my job to keep the children safe, physically and emotionally. I don't resent him for leaving permanently, and we have quickly learned how to be "pleasant" about sorting out visiting arrangements for the childrens sake. I have the support of my family and friends and my church. And my children are happy again, and have an hungry desire  to know God more. The  grace and power of our Lord Jesus Christ is here with us.

God has promised to look after us, and His glory is evident to us, even in the midst of the rain. 
 

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

 7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

22 ¶ And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.

23 The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment.

24 Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

25 And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit?

26 If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?

27 Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

31 ¶ But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

 Luke 12: 6-7, 22- 32

Matthew 21- Are you ready for Christs Return?

I think Matthew 21 could refer to this subject as well. I am afraid there will be a great number of people who call themselves Christian who will be “surprised” on the day of judgment. I ask the question, how many Christians are now behaving towards God as the Jewish people did towards God , taking on the traditions of non believers and compromising Gods word to fit into society more comfortably. This story Jesus tells relates to His time because he is telling the Jewish people they will lose their blessing and it will be passed to another nation or group of nations. But I believe it applies to us today as well. When the Lord returns, God may chose to remove the blessing also from our nations and pass it onto another (perhaps even Muslims who convert?)
Notice in the parable that the husbandmen KNEW who the servants belonged to and that it was the Son they were casting out and killing (just as professing Christians KNOW Christ is the son of God). I don’t see how a Christian who willingly compromises Gods word (and puts down others who live with the bible as their absolute life guideline) to fit in easier with their community INCLUDING their church community, is any better than the husbandmen. And their hard labors (good works?) which produced a good yield were left for someone else to finish (end time witnesses?)

33 ¶ Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country:
34 And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
35 And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.
36 Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise.
37 But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son.
38 But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance.
39 And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him.
40 When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen?
41 They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons.
42 Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

Did you ever think to yourself....?

You know, those things where if your life was really together the way you wanted you’d never have to think such a thought … like for example:

“Hmm, smells like I left a pan in the oven.”

I love this! It was written by "dovian" in a forum on Ravelry and is SO TRUE! How many times have I (or you) let  chaos have control in our life, to the point that we waste time or loose out.

If you were to peak into the window of my life right now, an outsider might consider the rooms in my house of life to be in shambles. But praise God, it really isn't. Because I have a hope found in Him! I am not traveling on an easy road right now (someday I'll explain). I have lost a lot recently, there are days I am overwhelmed by the chaos of our circumstances. But I still have a peace and a comfort in my heart, even in the moments I feel sorrow.

I bought an inexpensive silver ring the other day, to replace one that has been missing from my hand for sometime now. And it is inscribed with Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

(I love verse 6:)

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

I have  known this verse since I was about 8 years old.  And no matter what path I am on, whatever chaos is seeking to control my life, this verse has always come to me.  Despite the clutter I allow into my life, the choices good or bad and the outcome, I know God is by my side. I need to be willing to surrender to him though, give him the clutter to deal with, listen for his direction and follow it, even if it's hard- like forgiving yourself, or harder still- forgiving someone else.

CTM

2010

PS.  I just went down to do dishes after I posted, and found I had left the crockpot on low with left over porridge in it ALL DAY. Yep, lots of chaos in my life! 

Hymn Books = Musical training= Worship

I made an interesting observation the other day in church...For every parent who has ever complained about the lack of funding in schools for the arts, including music,there are other places we have forgotten to look!

Just to clarify my post…. in my area, the majority of churches no longer use hymn or song books, but read the words to songs off of a screen at the front, typed on a computer and projected. The music all comes out different, because a lot of the “worship leaders” also can’t read music, and write the guitar chords over top of the printed words that they figure out by listening to the song on a CD or Youtube. They play by chording on the piano or by ear or with guitars only. But with no Lead notes or time signatures to go by, the rhythm changes, and sometimes even what notes the words are placed with. Our church uses the screen mostly, but all the worship leaders read music, and so far they aren’t into modern choruses. But when we do use the books now, the congregation too often gets lost trying to follow the lines in the hymn book.
If people want to complain about no music class in school, they should be upset with churches that remove the use of hymn books as well!
When you take the hymn books out of church, you remove a sound teaching resource from your childrens grasp. I know, I know, we don't stand up at the front and give theory lessons with it, BUT you learned to read music as a graph, even if you didn't know the names of the notes, and you learned to look for D.S and FINE  and Coda and knew to go back to a place on the page and where to finish, even if you didn't know the Latin terms.

We sang a song on Sunday from our hymn book, and only those trained in music knew how to read the song, as it had all these symbols in it, yet when I was a youngster, most people knew how to follow that same music.
My God is a God of order and clear direction. Printed words with no musical direction can be chaotic. It hinders us from feeling unified, because a chorus sung in one church is sang differently in another, which makes people more self conscious when they sing at a church they are visiting. I've even heard different worship leaders within the SAME church sing the same song differently.

I was talking to a local church leader who was proud that they talked their church out of the hymn books. "Get their noses off the ground (out of the books) and looking up for worship.   Where does it say to look UP for worship? We are to look up for our help and strength.  We are to lift our hands, but I was always taught we should bow in worship, and Hymn books had us pointing in that general direction.

( KJV  references to bowing in worship- Gen 24:26,48,52  Ex 4:31, 12:27, 34:8  2 Kings 5:18  1Chor 29:20  2 Chor 7:3, 20:18, 29:28-30  Neh 8:6  Job 1:20 PS 22:29,  95:6  Dan 2:46  Matt 2:11, 28:9,  1 Cor 14:25,  Rev 4:10, 7:11)

 

Advent Wreath

Here is our own evangelical version of the Advent Wreath.  Enjoy!

Advent Wreath

Wreath

We use the wreath to remind us that God has no beginning and no end. He is eternal

Psalms 90:2

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Candles

We use Red candles instead of the tradition candle colors to remind us of the wounds on Jesus back, that Christ suffered for us that we would be able to receive eternal life.  And we use a white candle to represent Christ’s purity and our cleansing.

Isaiah 53:5

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Psalm 51:7b

…wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Week 1/Candle 1

Prophecy Candle

The Prophecy Candle reminds us of the Promise God made to the Israelite people that God would send a Savior for the world. There are over 300 prophecies in the old testament of the coming Savior, and each one was fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 7:14

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

Matthew 1:18-25

18 ¶ Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Memory Verse:

1 John 4:14

 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

Week2/Candle 2

Bethlehem Candle

God prepared a place for his Son to be born. The Bethlehem candle reminds us that we need to be prepared.  We need to prepare our hearts for Him so that we will be prepared when he comes back for us.

Micah 5:2

But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Matthew 2:1

1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Matthew 25:1-13

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Memory Verse

2 Timothy 2:15

15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Week3/Candle 3

The Shepherds Candle

The Shepherds candle reminds us that we are to worship God.  The scriptures say it best

Luke 2

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Memory Verse:

1 Timothy 1:17

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory, forever and ever, Amen

Week4/Candle 4

Angel Candle

The angel candle reminds us that we are to announce Jesus to the world.

Luke 1:30-38

30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

34 Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?

35 And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

36 And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.

37 For with God nothing shall be impossible.

38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Luke 2: 9-14

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Memory Verse:

Mark 16:15

And he (Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Christmas Eve

Center Candle

Christ Candle

The Christ Candle celebrates Christ’s birth and his resurrection. It also celebrates Faith,  Hope and Love and Joy.

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

12 ¶ Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

16a And not as it was by one that sinned, (by one) so is the gift:

John 3:16

16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Together Again

Grandma  is with Grandpa again today. And with tears I can rejoice that they are with our Father in Heaven. I am sure they are both sing robustly at the foot of Gods throne in worship.

 Mary Helen (Fisk) Tremain Dec 26th, 1924 - Dec 11th, 2009

Red Advent Candles and Candy Canes

I went to buy the advent candles for this years wreath, and COULD NOT find the right colors. We were at a dollar store looking again one day, and could only find 4 red tapers and a white pillar for the center. I sighed and announced to the children that the red would have to do for this year and went to the till.  We were walking back to the car and my oldest son, 5, was tromping along in his  big winter boots, looking pretty aimless when he had a thought. "Mom" he said, it doesn't matter that the candles are all red.  They remind us of the stripes on Jesus back when he died for us, just like the candy cane story"
Isn't that something we should also remember at Christmas, that Jesus was born so he could die and be our Savior?
DS was talking about  a poem they learned in Sunday school

Look at a candy cane, what do you see?
Stripes that are RED like the BLOOD shed for me!
White for my Savior who's sinless and pure!
J is for JESUS, my Lord. That's for sure!
Turn it around and a staff you will see--
Jesus my SHEPHERD, is coming for me!
                       - Unkown


Maybe we will do red candles every year!

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.....

Every year I put it on my to do list to create a manger scene safe for little hands. We have a porcelain set under our tree that the children are good about being gentle with, but I would love to have one they can really play with. Well, I still haven't made one yet, but DD and I have enjoyed making this wire wrapped Mary and Joseph and baby together using this technique. We didn't make boots of clay and we used pipe cleaners and embroidery floss. And I couldn't find any plain wood beads, but I love these paper mache beads we found. DD is very proud of them, and at the moment they sit in their own little  stable we found at a thrift store.

I try hard not to focus on the commercialism of Christmas, and I love the idea of celebrating advent, to prepare our hearts to meet with God on a personal level as we celebrate the birth of Christ on December 25. Focus on the Family has a wonderful page about advent with readings and family based activities to do as we prepare for Christmas.
Whether you are a Christian believer or not, make sure you  take some time to ignor the hussel of the season and focus on the gifts of friendship, neighborliness, family and love this season.

Ephesians 2: 1-19

(click title for link to scripture)

As a Christian who grew up in a Christian family, I sometimes wonder about how tiny my Christian journey seems compared to others. I don't have an elaborate conversion story. I am a sinner, and have not always lived the perfect christian life, but I have since been forgiven and I seem to have fewer haunts and regrets because I chose to walk relatively close to my christian upbringing. But sometimes bad things happen, even entire days, weeks or months worth! The choices we make or the loved ones around us can bring us down, make us feel sad or angry or left licking our wounds. Thinking back on my own troubled times with depression, I find that God is showing me now that the point of hopelessness I got to is the same point a non believer is in who is dead in Christ. The difference being that I have a Light and know where to look for Him. But we often take Gods grace for granted, knowing it is there for us when we really get into a bind but living by our own accord in the mean time. Or the opposite, thinking our problems aren't big enough to warrant Gods attention.

Today in church the pastor was reminding us that we are all born hopelessly dead. To be physically dead is to have your body permanently separated from your soul. Your body, has no response to stimuli. Although it can be peaceful, I guarantee you it is never pretty. All that is left is an empty shell that sinks in limply shortly after the last breath as your muscles hold your shape no more, you are soon incontinent and a obscure color and an whiff rapidly sets in. You quickly take on a shape that does not resemble your former body as decay sets in.

Like wise in our spiritual death our soul is permanently separated from God. We are but a shell of what God intended us to be when He created us. We can be the nicest, cleanest, honest, philanthropist on earth... but we are still separated from God unless we accept Gods grace of forgiveness. Because despite our good characters, we all learn to hide things and we all fall into moments of selfishness and hidden sins known only too ourselves and God. It is easy to ignore the sin in our own lives when we are busy showing the world how good we can be. By not accepting Gods grace we are taking credit for all the successes of our lives,ignoring the fact that God is the one who created that very life in the first place.

But this is no better than a funeral homes expertise to cover up death, by embalming and makeup. Although they make you appear the same as when your body was alive, you are still not alive, and they can not at this point bring you back to life.

Pastor Mark Lowrie told us this story:
His son loved to collect "things" he loved to be out side and often came home with a collection of something carried in his pockets. One such day he collected caterpillars. He had no jar so he put them in his pocket to carry home. But he forgot all about them until he sat down to his supper. With a look of surprise in his eyes he stood up quickly, reached into his pocket, and pulled out a handful of squished, dead caterpillars. (A horrible sight at anytime but most unnerving at the supper table I'm sure!) Nothing his son could do, or say, or feel could make any of those caterpillars ever come back to life. Some where mangled beyond recognition, while others simply just did not move.

But what if God had reached into his sons pocket, and pulled out a handful of butterflies instead? How exciting the very transformation of a butterfly is to begin with! But to bring life AND change to something that was dead, what an amazing gift!And God offers this to all of us, a life that is changed and glorifying.

It's scary to think about death, and just as scary to dig up all our old sins and wrongs that we've hidden. But in death, which is going to happen to us all one day, is judgment. Unless you have laid all your heart and soul in this life at the feet of Jesus.....those sins, in death, are also going to be dredged up and punished.

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord (!)
Romans 6:23

Won't you let God pay for those things now, in this life, instead?



CEJTM 2009

Hand Print of God

One Look around with your eyes wide open reveals the amazing handy work of God. The smell of wet earth in spring. The bright colors in the flowers of summer. The crisp dried leaves of fall. And the breath of fresh, cold air in winter white splendor.
God takes time to make this world a beautiful place for human kind to live. No matter how much bad we see in the world, when we look at nature we all marvel at how perfect it seems. Creation is Gods fingerprint. It's what God leaves for us to marvel at, despite the destruction brought on through mans sin. It is proof that God is with us to share Love and Joy and Life.
It's kind of like when my mom would make chocolate chip cookies. When I came home from school, I could smell the melted chocolate from the door. Even though I hadn't actually watched my mom make the cookies, I knew she had because they were the same shape and size as her hand. And I could smell the freshness of the ingredients hanging in the kitchen. And often they were still warm, cooling on the cooling racks.
Mom loved us all enough to make us something that would please us. And although I've always loved my mom, I always felt an extra surge of appreciation and love for her, for taking the time to think about me!
Sometimes our physical eyes are open, but our spiritual eyes are not. We don't always see how much God is giving us, and how much he is showing His love to us. We reach out and take what the world conveniently offers us, like reaching for a bag of store bought cookies, not bothering to check the cookie jar for home made. We don't always see how much God is giving us, and how much He is showing His love to us.
We need to stop and smell the roses, kiss a baby, and then come home and tell our mothers just how much we love them for the God given gift of love they share with us!

- Thank you for your gift of love to us, that we might share love to others.

Amen





c CEJTM 2009

Writting with lots to say!

By

Design

Beginners Sewing Manual
and
Christian Bible Study

Learning To Make Beautiful Things With Your Hands and Your Life

By
Charlene Tremain Morrison

Scriptures in KJV

- Well, I am once again with pen in hand, well fingers to keyboard actually, writing what is becoming a bible study book with a sewing theme. I love the verse in Titus 2:3-5 that says " The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

I'm not old, but I have skills, and have come through experiences that others might be going through as well. I hope to have it edited by a pastor or two and some other seamstresses and of course a few green sewers (drop me a note if you are interested!) I suppose I will have it self published to sell on my Etsy. Watch future posts, I may use some of the devotionals on Sundays!

God Is WIth Us!

The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
Psalm 121:8

- Amen





c CEJTM 2009

Life Lessons by a Seamstress

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels." (Isaiah 61:10)

When you look at a sewing pattern, it's all packaged up neat and tidy. It's perfectly folded and waiting to be used. But is it finished yet? The obvious answer is no, because it has not served it's purpose yet! But is it useful? Yes! The seamstress can use it to make a beautiful dress. But first it must be opened up and taken apart, cut out to the right shapes and size.
A pattern is then set on a solid piece of fabric and pinned on or weighted down. The seamstress carefully cuts around each pattern piece and ends up with a neat pile of material. Is it finished yet? NO! You can't wear a pile of fabric! But is it useful? Yes, to someone who reads the directions provided and takes the fabric to the sewing machine to be manipulated into a beautiful dress!

The seamstress carefully sews it together using their machines and scissors to trim away extra fabric, making all the seams co-operate with the shape of the dress to be. It can be tried on, pinned to size and length and zippers or buttons placed on maybe even embellished with embroidery or lace.
Is it finished yet? It's wearable, it was made to fit. But with all that handling it has creases and wrinkles. It should be ironed with a hot iron to be made crisp and straight. To lay the seams down flat so there are no puckers. But the iron must not be too hot, the seamstress must know her fabric so that she does not burn the fabric and ruin the dress.Is it done yet? It could be. You can wear it with pride, everything looks to be in the right place.

But sometimes the seamstress decides that something is missing, small details need to be added.
And one by one she carefully applies small crystals to the skirt, or the bodice, that makes the dress sparkle when the light touches it. A special detail to make the intended wearer shine above the others around them.
It is done, ready for the big day! The wedding goes on as planned and the day is filled with happy family and friends and a thousand pictures are taken in the garden.




The Garden. Grass. The dress is long, and the grass is damp. And even though we sometimes remember to lift the dress as we walk, all the moving and positioning of the dress during photo's moves the dress carelessly over the grass and stains the underskirts and the hems. Some brides carry white chalk with them to rub over the stains, but it is only a temporary fix. The stains are only masked over for the time being, but they are still there.
Is the dress ruined? If you put no value in the dress, you may say it's ruined and toss it away. But to a bride this was her perfect dress for her perfect day. She will take it to a cleaners and have the stains from that day removed professionally. And then the traditional bride will ask them to box it up carefully for storage, hoping that someday she might have a daughter who she might pass the dress on to.


Now, think of God as our seamstress and our lives as the pattern and fabric.
We come into this life as babies, perfectly folded and sweet. But we are expected to grow, to blossom and experience life. Most of the time we go through life and we are content with where we are . But when strife comes, we question our abilities or our positions or our relationships. And we wonder what we are here for. But God isn't finished with us yet! He still has more to do, situations that will make us grow,instances that will humble us, reasons to show us His love. When we read life's directions from the Bible, we can be more willing to be His fabric and be changed and shaped into something beautiful.
We may feel cut up, pinned or weighted down or feel the heat of hot irons in our life. But that does not mean that God is not in control. Sometimes we put ourselves into those situations because of our free choice to make (bad?) decisions. And sometimes God puts us in those paths, but he knows our fabric and knows how much heat it would take to burn us. God does not desire to ruin us, that is not a part of his plan. He can use those situations to shape us, to iron out order in our lives. He can embellish us, make our lives shine for Him, displaying the light of His Son in this life and allowing us to leave a legacy for our children. But even if we walk faithfully with the Lord, that does not mean our lives will be trouble free. The sinful world will still affect us and even leave stains on us. But when we remain faithful through all these things our reward is with God in Heaven, where we will be perfect in His eyes, "grass stains" and all will be cleaned away, completely gone!


For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11





c CEJTM 2009