Happy New Year!

*Happy New Year!*

Thanking the Lord for bringing us through another year.

Please enjoy your New Year celebrations, but keep in mind...




Although the 'traditional' attire associated with the New Year, is the cute little baby in a diaper and top hat....The above picture illustrates the proper attire for every Christian to remember to wear each day of the year!
This year, I resolve to polish mine...how about you?
 

Need Prayer!

*Update*: She is back home, and there are no signs of a leakage!
God answers prayer...and He is AWESOME, and so is everybody who prayed...Thank you!

Please pray for our daughter, Ginny.
She is in the hospital with complications from gall bladder surgery that she had two weeks ago. There is fluid build up in the area where the gall bladder used to be, and the doctors think it is a bile duct leaking.   (not sure if I have that right or not)
The weather is bad where she lives, and I am not feeling so well right now myself...I know she would like to have us there with her, but I don't think that is possible right now!
I would appreciate any prayers from my friends...God is able!

Thanks & God Bless~ Lisa

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

Thank you Father God...

Praying that everyone has a blessed CHRISTmas...& New Year!..

~Lisa & Jeff~

 

Stocking up, or taking stock?

As Christians we hear only one voice...that of our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ...

The Good Shepherd and His Sheep

10 “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” ⁶ Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.

⁷ Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸ All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. ⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.^[a] They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. ¹³ The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
¹⁴ “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. ¹⁷ The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. ¹⁸ No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”

So, what shall we do when all the world is running about in a panic, and emptying the shelves and gun racks of our local stores?
 (this was on the news last night, guns and ammunition are selling fast in my area)

Well, I live in an area where a group known as the 'Michigan Militia' are stationed at their headquarters...I have even had my own run ins with them while I was doing code enforcement a few years ago...I was advised by my lawyer to back off from the case after recieving a threatening letter from them...apparently there are officials, even judges that fear these guys (and gals). I respect their rights, but I am concerned about their tactics, especially now.
Our governor was actually prepared to sign a bill as soon as it reached his desk that would allow a person to carry a registered handgun in places where they were formerly prohibited...places like schools, sports events, and even churches...and then the Sandy Hook elementary shooting happened...Now the governor has reconsideered signing the bill.
I am relieved to know that people will not be 'packin' at churches and schools etc...I do support the right to bear arms, but I believe that there is too much of a tendency towards  panic driven violence or an act of passion,  in places where people gather in mass, such as sporting events...
I have been witness to fights breaking out in those types of forums, and even witnessed the aftermath where one angry young teenager murdered another at our local school.
A couple years ago, a man shot and killed his wife and mother in law and one other person right on the steps of a courthouse nearby; and then just last year a woman was shot  by her husband while sitting in her parked vehicle in front of the local newspaper where she worked.
I do not believe that carrying a gun would have helped any of these victims...arming the masses in crowded public arenas can not be the solution!

So, am I going to stock up this week? Yes, I always do. I live far from the store, so it is necessary. Am I going to divert from my normal shopping routine? You bet I am! I am NOT going to shop until Saturday however, since I do not wish to be trampled underfoot. I am a bit concerned whether there will be anything left considering the regular Christmas shoppers, and of course the last minute 'preppers' who are suddenly going to decide to hoarde some supplies, in case they live through the coming 'End of Days'! I am also concerned for my daughter who works in a local grocery store as she is scheduled to work Friday night. Oh yes, I almost forgot, there is also a winter storm on it's way according to the news forecast! (This event alone can empty shelves around here!)
I am also taking stock of what is important in life. I awoke this morning, and as usual I say something to God upon waking...This morning I said your heart must be breaking for all the world is listening to another voice...even some of your own! I decided to spend this day with my Lord, I want to talk to Him, I want to really listen to Him...I feel compassion for our dear Heavenly Father, and for His loving Son who gave us LIFE, who wants us to have JOY, and PEACE, and above all...LOVE!
Is it the end of the world? I don't believe so...not according to scripture! However, any day could be the end of your time here on this earth....so before you run out to buy that AK47 at your local Sporting Goods Center....
Keep this in mind:

Living for God

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. ² As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. ³ For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. ⁴ They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. ⁵ But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶ For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

⁷ The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹ Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰ Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Suffering for Being a Christian

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴ If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. ¹⁷ For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸ And,

“If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?”^[a]

¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

 

1 Peter 4 (Emphasis mine)

                                                        ~God Bless Us Everyone~

AWAY IN A MANGER

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”  “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” ^{(Matthew 21:9)}
Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:13,14)

   
Last week our oldest daughter had gallbladder surgery, so we traveled a couple hundred miles to be with her. It was the first time we had seen our three granddaughters in over a year!
When our daughter went into surgery, the nurse handed me her personal items, and I placed them into my bag. We waited for about five hours until we could take her home. We had a nice visit with her and the kids, and then travelled back home late that night.
The next morning my daughter called me to ask if I knew where her wallet was. Of course, it was still in my bag!
My first thought was to place all pertinent things from her wallet into an envelope, write her a check for the cash (her rent money due that next day)…and mail it to her; but when I put the flag up on the mailbox and returned inside, I felt sick to my stomach…what if it got lost? It had the kids medical cards, my daughters work debit card (how she gets paid), and everything else in there!
Jeff called on his break shortly afterwards, and suggested another trip to take everything back. I told him to hang on a moment while I ran outside (in my bathrobe, and towel on my hair as I had just got out of the shower)…Thankfully it was still out there in the mailbox.
So, I called my daughter and we arranged another trip, only this time we went on Saturday and was able to attend our little granddaughters’ very first Christmas pageant at church!
This was such a blessing…especially in the wake of the horrific shooting in Connecticut just the day before…My heart is still breaking. Our nation is in mourning over the senseless loss of these precious lives, both the children and the adults who tried to hide and protect them…I don’t think there has been another event since 9 11, that has had this much of a  heart wrenching effect on our nation.
So it was precious, more precious than ever before to hear the children singing 'Hosanna to the Lord' Saturday evening…they really sang loudly and clearly too…just like I imagine the children sang so long ago in Jerusalem!

I went to church Sunday…didn’t really feel like it as I was so tired from the trip the day before…I am glad I went,  although it was hard to quell the tears as I listened to another group of little children singing ‘Away in a manger’…especially the last verse…I let the tears flow then, and I was not the only one….

Away in a manger,
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Laid down His sweet head
The stars in the bright sky
Looked down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes
I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side,
'Til morning is nigh.

Be near me, Lord Jesus,
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there

later last evening after Jeff and I listened to the President address the town of Newtown, along with a group of local clergy… I told Jeff about why I cried at church that morning.
 And then this afternoon on my way to the grocery store, I turned on the radio station and (it was unbelievable) exactly in time to hear that last stanza of  ‘Away in a manger’ I cried until I arrived in the parking lot of the grocery store.

Children Are Examples Of Humble Faith In Jesus…

And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:2-6)  “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
(Matthew 18:10)


So today, wherever you are, if you get an opportunity...hug a child close, or just give a kid a word of encouragement...and let us all humble ourselves like a little child whenever we think about our relationship with Jesus...and our faith...Sing a chorus of 'Hosanna' as if you were singing it to the Lord Himself...because you are!



May you all have a safe and joyful Christmas!

~God Bless~ & Always remember, we are...

Never Forsaken

I am not a robot!

I have been told that several people have trouble with word verification on blogger lately.
I know I have. Apparently, the powers that be at google decided that it wasn't enough to make the letters illegible, but now they take fuzzy photos of obscure random numbers?  Sometimes it takes three or four attempts to get it right before I can post a comment.
Oh I understand the benefit of word verification, and I can imagine google is only trying to keep our blogs safe from a robot invasion....But lately I just wanna say please please please believe me...I am NOT a robot!
By the way, my heart goes out to those of you who are dyslexic...I feel like I understand you better.

The Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper's personal robot
 

Okay...enough about that...for now. I had a very interesting morning. I sometimes have very vivid dreams, you know the kind where you think you are awake, but are actually still dreaming. Well, I dreampt that a fire was starting in the corner of the bedroom where I always put  one of the extra pillows, from off the bed at night. It was so vivd, that I actually got out of bed, yelled~ fire! (even though it was just me and the dogs here), and then I emptied a trash bin, put some water in it from the shower...and thank the Lord I woke up just before dumping the water onto the pillow in the corner of the bedroom!! I hope you are laughing...When I woke up stading in my room, holding a trashcan full of water, and realized nothing was on fire...I got the shakes so bad I had to sit down, and all I thought was ...Thank God I didn't call 911, or get me and the dogs outside...which is what I always thought I would do in such a situation.

 (except I'd call 911 from somewhere else)

When my husband called from work on his lunch break and I told him about my morning...he had a good laugh! Before we hung up he said...try not to burn the house down okay...to which I replied, Okay, but at least we know now that, if I do, I could put it out!

 

So I managed to get back to sleep, and when I woke up (for real this time) I was struck with the thought that there was much work to do today...I must pay the bills, marinate the meat for dinner, take out the trash (again,...LOL!) and many other things...my mind raced around before I even had a chance to get some coffee into my brain. and then I heard the Lord quietly tell me:  Yes, daughter...there is much work to be done...this thought continued as I read the current news about the middle east, and a few articles about end time prophecy... it is serious stuff, and can get people down sometimes...So the Lord awakened my spirit today, and after a bit of a blogging rest, I was led to write a post to (hopefully) make somebody laugh today!

This Holy season is a time to reflect on the Savior...the gift given in the form of a little child born in a lowly manger...That child would grow up to be the single biggest influence on people throughout the world....Sure, some might disagree about that statement..and a quick history search would name others along with Christ...but none of the others can change a person from a sinful dying man, into a righteous child of the Living God...to be made alive with christ for all eternity! None of the others promised to deliver their followers from death, and then actually sealed the deal by rising from the dead themselves! 

Only Jesus Christ the Son of God can do this!

 

 

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved... Acts 4:12

 

 

 

"BEHOLD, THE VIRGIN SHALL BE WITH CHILD AND SHALL BEAR A SON, AND THEY SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL," which translated means, "GOD WITH US." Mat. 1:23

 

Here is a good article explaining the name Immanuel, and how it relates to Jesus Christ :

http://www.gotquestions.org/Immanuel-Jesus.html 

 

 

 

 

~Have a blessed day~

 

& remember, we are...

 

~Never Forsaken~