Testing New Blog

Hello everyone,
I am testing out a new blog service: http://HLJourney.wordpress.com ... check it out; as I will not be posting here until I decide which blog to use for now on.

Please don't hesitate to share any thought/comments here as I will receive them through email!
Have a blessed weekend,
HL

Teaching our Children... A Heart for Missions!

8/27/2007

Enlighten your children to the world around them by supporting missions and teaching them that there is a world both hungry for food and hungry for God. Pray that they will have a heart for missions.

There is a wonderful book that I'm waiting to come in to share with my family called: "Families on a Mission!" You can order it from http://www.wmustore.com/product.asp?sku=W058105, for only $9.99 plus tax and shipping. I look forward to sharing our journey through this book!

God Bless, HL

Monday Madness #3

Each week Otto will post three (or more) questions; Otto tries to keep them on the 'light' side. Once you've copied and pasted them into your blog, come back and leave a comment there.

1. Where you live, what kind of weather (or weather-related tragedy) do you fear the most?

Tornado's

2. What kind of weather do you MOST enjoy?

Spring/Fall days - not too hot; not too cold! Although a lot of this summer has been wonderful sunny days, but not too hot!

3. What kind of weather do you LEAST like to drive in?

hmmm... I'd have to say, misting rain because it makes the roads slick like oil on them that you can't see.

4. What is the scariest weather-related experience you've had in your lifetime?

A tornado when I was about 8 years old.

5. Share a "weather picture" with us!

These pictures were taken after a big wind storm hit our area, and a tornado hit close by. It flipped over our large carport tent that was being held down by four HUGE tires for a lifted truck.

We moved the tent in between our garage and a line of trees... And this was a second wind storm/tornado just a couple months later...

Faith-Lift Friday: Faith Works by Love

Encourage others and yourself! Share a scripture, quote, devotional, lyrics, or anything that has blessed you and strengthened you in your faith. Don't forget to sign Mr. Linky.
Join us at Sheryl's blog and start sharing your Faith-Lift's for Friday!!

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. ~ Galatians 5:6 (KJV).

Faith works by love. I believe that every thing in the Bible, every promise, every condition, hinges on the love of God.

It hinges on believing that God loves you. Recently I read a question from someone that read "Is it a sin to love yourself before others?" You cannot truly love yourself or others without believing that God loves you.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. ~ Mark 12:31.

This verse tells us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. If we don't love ourselves, we can't love others because we will treat them the same way we treat ourselves. And if we don't love others, we don't love God.

How can we truly love ourselves if we don't believe God loves us? We can only see our true worth when we believe what God says about us. It is only when we believe that the Creator of the Universe, the Great Alpha and Omega, can love someone like us—faults and all--that we can see how much we are worth.

We don't obey God before we believe He loves us. It is a byproduct of believing it. We aren't blessed because we are good enough or because we confess Scriptures every day. It isn't even because we pray enough or go to church enough. No, we are blessed because we believe that God loves us.

When we believe that, we step into our new identity. We put on our coat of many colors, our coat of promise. It represents who we are—children of the Most High God.

It is then that we take on our new identity and become the person God created us to be. We cannot move forward in our destinies, our work for the Lord, until we learn how to be loved by God, until we take a leap of faith and believe that God loves us.

Take the book of John and read one chapter every day. Keep reading it until it seeps into your spirit. Find Scriptures on the love God has for you and read them every day. When you go by the mirror every morning and evening, tell your reflection "God loves me."

Do these exercises every day until you really believe that God loves you. Then watch those long-standing problems in your life disappear.

~ Annagail Lynes

Copyright © - Annagail Lynes

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This says it all... have faith, memorize His Word & Believe what He says about you.
God Bless, HL

I AM.... Lesson 4

This post is to answer the discussion questions for the I AM online Bible Study Lisa at The Preacher's Wife has so wonderfully put together. It isn't too late to join, so feel free to hop over and join in.

"When Life Doesn't Work OutLike You Planned"

Part Two

From the Lesson: When circumstances do not fall in line with our preconceived notions of what is best for us, how do we react? Do you, in my Southern slang, pitch a hissy fit? Do you become angry, bitter, or lash out? Or do you mope, pout, and withdraw?

This is something I think we should stop and ask ourselves several times daily. It can be a real "wake-up" call to some on how they react to certain things. I know personally in the past, I've watched my own children react in a way that I did not particularly care for, and figure out that they've learned that reaction from me, their Dad, other family members, or other people... it's not easy to swallow when you look in a "mirror" at your own child.

• By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months.
• By faith Moses refused to be called a Prince of Egypt.
• By faith Moses denied the passing pleasures of sin.
• By faith Moses considered the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.
• By faith Moses recognized a greater reward.
• By faith Moses endured because he saw Him who is Unseen.
  

Sisters, when things do not work out like we planned, when the diagnosis is not what we wanted, when the child is in trouble, when the bills are not paid, when the job is just too stressful, when the loved one continues to reject the Lord, the only way we can endure is following hard after the One who is Unseen. Trust in the One who is refining and preparing you to either be delivered or to be a deliverer. On any given day, you will always fall on one side of that line or the other. No matter which it is on this day, the only way to endure is by Faith.

RETAIN - I pray that I can retain this information and remember how much faith Moses had. Continue to learn and grow in my faither - I thank our heavenly Father for giving the Holy Spirit to guide us... for being with us, molding us like clay and refining and preparing the way to be delievered His way, His Will!

Just my thoughts before moving onto the discussion questions:
1. I am going to present to you a little acrostic to begin our discussion today. What is your latest NLIP? (Not Like I Planned?)
There are a few I've been dealing with, and it's amazing how God will use things in our lives to remind us it's time to refocus on Him.
My Little one:
My daily schedule is not working out as I planned. I've had to learn that things don't work out to my timing, but only to His timing. It's hard to give up control - even today.

My Big one:
I made plans several years ago to move forward in my career to become a major executive, but God had other plans for me to primarily stay at home to care for my children and disabled mother. I thank God every day for the opportunity that I've had to be here for them! And look forward to getting a part-time job outside of the home here shortly, if that's what He has planned for me next, which is what I'm seeing happening!

2. How did you react to your NLIP? Are you still upset about it? Happy about it? Baffled by it? Explain.
My reactions to my schedule not going as planned depend on the circumstances... Sometimes I'm content with what is going on, and deal with my emotions later about what I didn't accomplish. Which is not always good, because I can be my own worst enemy. Other times, I get irritated easily and have to remind myself to "Be Still," as I get upset. Prayer is my crutch.

3. Have you ever attempted to step into an area of ministry and found your desire rejected? Did this cause you to question God and yourself? Perhaps distrust what you perceived to be your calling?
When I attended church during childhood and youth years, I was always in the chior, as I love to sing! As an adult, I've wanted to step back into being in the worship team, but it seems as though timing does not work for me right now. The practices are when I teach, and on another night that is not good for husband. Plus, for some reason, since I "put it out there" that I wanted to join, I could not until the last month get myself to church on time. So I made a promise with myself when I realized that was happening; that I would not pursue this worship team any further until I could get to church ontime for three months straight... I'm two months away! In the mean time, I've used my other gift with teaching and helping computer word processing wise within the church. I have so much fun creating newsletters, PowerPoint presentations, etc.

4. Do you harbor any bitterness towards any individual or situation which you believe waylaid your best laid plans?
I try my best to give my irritability, bitterness, anger, you name it to God and ask His help for me to see the situation with grace.

5. Have you had a life experience or trial that left you with a shaken faith because it ended in an NLIP? Please share if you feel free.
My miscarriage... of course I did not plan to not be with my baby. I'm not sure I have enough room to share this here. See if I can make this as short as possible:
Before my pregnancy I had already stepped away from the church due to confusion that I did not even realize at the time. Even though I was not going to church, I was still reading my Bible and praying (but I've learned over all these years - that is not enough, I need fellowship). So, when I lost my baby all I kept asking was, "How could You take my baby from me? What did I do so awful for You to take my baby away? Help me see my sin, so that I can confess. ..." I thought I'd never again step foot in another church. I felt dead. I couldn't bring myself to picking up my Bible - I just wanted to hollar (and I did) at God. It took several months for me to come out of this depression, the hold that Satan had on me; even though, I became pregnant again just two months after my miscarriage. It was hard for me to be joyous in the second pregnancy, as I was mourning my loss and scared I'd loose that one too. It wasn't until a co-worker of mine shared the following with me that I understood God was still with me. He said, "How do you think God gets His highest angels by His side? What does it take to be an Arch Angel?" I had no idea where he was going with this... but I thank him for this! "Think about it, to be right by God's side, you'd have to be "like" Jesus - is that possible for any human being?" I just sat there listening and crying. He continued, "In order to be pure, clean, whole, holy, His blessing, you have to be untouched. If that baby was born of this earth, it would not be clean any longer, as soon as human hands touched it. So, it's okay to mourn, but we also need to praise God for taking your angel out of this awful world, for cradeling him and making him healthy in His arms. For bringing him up as his angel - pure, untouched, clean, holy..." I felt relief, and could eventually then be happy for the second pregnancy. I ended up writing all of this down at the time and reading it in front of my congregation, asking forgiveness for being so angry.

Now - don't get me wrong, I know there are more then this way to become one of God's angels. But this is what got me through and out of my depression. To think, my baby was sitting in God's arms & I will see him when He chooses it's time to call me home, that was incredible to me. I still mourn my loss, but also remember - I wouldn't have my oldest son now, had I not had that miscarriage; and I wouldn't give up my oldest for nothing! But I've learned as I've gotten older as well - I wouldn't give up my miscarriage, the bitterness of that loss is gone. I've been able to help so many others with this same "journey" of their baby --- had I not gone through it, I wouldn't be able to touch others lives as I have. It doesn't make it right, it doesn't make it wrong, it just helps us see, there is another purpose for our child, other then our purpose. God's purpose is what matters.

6. Based on Moses' response of faith to his own rejection, how will you re-evaluate your own experiences or look at future ones differently if a NLIP presents itself?
I've learned that I cannot walk away when trails come. That I need to prepare myself before they come - stay in His Word; so that I can fight with His Word.

WOW, how I needed these reminders.

God Bless, HL

Monday Madness #2

More questions from right off the "top of (Otto's) head!" Have fun and enjoy your week, everyone. Thank you all for playing. =)

1. How many desktop computers in your home? Three

2. How many laptops? One

3. What kind of internet service do you have? (i.e. phone modem, dsl, etc.) Cable

4. Do you tend to use more than one email account regularly? Yes

5. Do you use email as a main source for communicating to your family and friends? Yes

6. What kind of computer monitor do you own (flatscreen, or other)? Flatscreen

Join in on the fun, Check out Otto's Page: Monday Madness and start blogging your answers!

Children (August)

A friend of mine from one of my Yahoo groups also posts a monthly theme to focus on & I asked to share this here. Marshel has graciously allowed me to post her theme of the month! Thank you Marshel for all of your insights, I thank God for leading me to meet you and all the other's on our group! I also look forward to sharing more theme's in the future!

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Subject: -WKJVB- August's Theme of the Month

Since families are preparing for their children to go back to schoolafter the summer break, it is only appropriate to focus on children this month. May we all come to the realization that children, whether related or not, areall of our responsibility. Children inherit so much from everyone that touchestheir lives - parents, caretakers, relatives, teachers, preachers, lawenforcement, medical professionals, neighbors, and so many more. May we alwaysset the example for the children in our paths that was set for us by JesusChrist. "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done toyou." Jn 13:15 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of thebelievers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, inpurity." I Tim. 4:12 "For even hereunto were ye called; because Christ alsosuffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps." IPeter 2:21

CHILDREN - EVERYONE'S RESPONSIBILITY

SCRIPTURE OF THE MONTH: Deuteronomy 6:6-7
"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thineheart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talkof them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, andwhen thou liest down, and when thou risest up."

More verses relating to the scripture of the month: Deut. 11:18-28; 4:9

MEMORY VERSE OF THE MONTH:
"The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him." Prov 20:7

Thought provoking questions to use for prompts in your journaling:How are your children blessed by your walk?What example of yours are your children following?

Further topics to study:

• children
• example
• inherit
• family
• honor
• love
• gifts
• teach
• instruction
• learn
• counsel

Other verses to study:

• Prov 20:11 Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, andwhether it be right. Think on this question: How do children learn what isright and what is wrong?"
• Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for hiscrying." Prov 19:18
• Prov 19:13
• Luke 1:66
• Heb 2:13
• I Thes 5:15
• Prov 19:20
• Deut 4:10
• Prov 22:6, 15
• I Cor 13:11
• Mat 19:14
• Mk 10:14
• Jn 12:36
• Gal 3:26
• Ep 4:14;5:6,8;6:1,
• 2Col 3:6
• I Tim 3:4
• Ro 8:16
  

For all who come in contact with children I pray you will show them love andrespect and all of the things Jesus has commanded us to do. But most of all Ipray you will show them the way to Jesus Christ.

This verse is one that I have relied on for so much. For myself as a studentof Jesus, for those I teach, for those I come in contact with... Engrave this onyour heart too.

"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I willguide thee with mine eye." Ps. 32:18

The theme this month is one of great importance. You do not have to answerany of the questions online. I just hope you will take to heart how importantthis subject is. "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are theissues of life." Prov 4:23

With Christian Love, Marshel

How wonderful that no one need wait a single moment to improve the world. Anne Frank

Share your thoughts... and check back next month for a new theme by Marshel! Let us know when you've memorized the suggested Scripture above!