What Is the Chief End of Man?

Alan, Clayton and I went with Jesse and Amy tonight to church. Jesse was preaching at a youth meeting in N. Wilkesboro at Goshen Baptist Church. My what a message he preached, I got to hear it all because Clayton was so tired of loafing with Poppa and Gram that he slept through the whole message.

Jesse preached out of Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 about ones youth. How not to waste ones youth and live it for the Lord. Rejoicing in the Lord, Remembering what He has done and Removing what distracts you from the Lord. He made a statement that interested me and I had to come home and learn a little more about it. "Outside of the Bible the first question to the Westminster Cathechism is the most important statement there is". I came home and got on the internet and this is what I found out.

The Westminster Catechism was written in the 1640s by English and Scottish divines.The purpose of the Catechism is to educate lay persons in matters of doctrine and belief. The WSC (Westminster Shorter Catechism) is in a simple question and answer format to help memorization. Typically, the parents and the church would use the shorter catechism to train their children in the ways of the Lord. New converts are also given the WSC. It consists of 107 questions. The first 12 questions concern God as Creator. Questions 13-20 deal with original sin and the fallen state of man's nature. Questions 21-38 concern Christ the Redeemer and the benefits that flow from redemption. The next set of questions, 39-84, discuss the ten commandments. Questions 85-97 teach concerning the Sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion. The final set of questions 98-107 teach and explain the Lord's prayer. Some denominations still use them for their standards today.

1. What is the chief end of man?
Man's chief end is to glorify God,(a)and to enjoy him for ever.(b)

(a) Ps. 86:9; Isa. 60:21; Rom. 11:36; I Cor. 6:20; 10:31; Rev. 4:11
(b) Ps. 16:5-11; 144:15; Isa. 12:2; Luke 2:10; Phil. 4:4; Rev. 21:3-4

Look up these scriptures and study on them to enrich your walk with the Lord and learn a little more of what our duties are as a Child of God. Thank You Son for challenging me so I would dig in Gods word and learn a little more about HIM and myself.

It's ALL About HIM
Joan

Kabooooom ...Kapooooow....

Sounds like I might be the mother of Batman and Robin. Well, actually I am so these words are still in my vocabulary. I got up this morning and left to go to Ingles to go pick up Clayton for our day together. Nikki and I talked for a moment and then we both went our ways. Clayton and I are talking and jabbering as we usually do. Sometimes we sing, sometimes we talk. I think his morning it was Bye Bye Mama was our conversation.

We are proceeding along well and watching traffic and proceeding to slow way down at the yield lane at Smith's crossroads. Smack....Kaboooow...Kaboooow...(my thoughts was what was that and what just happened.) I soon realized we had been hit and by this time Clayton is crying and getting upset. It was not a hurt cry, it was a scared cry. I got out and go around the car and get him out of his car seat, and we snuggle and talk for a minute. It made no difference to me that traffic was stalled in the yield lane they could wait or go around and 1 did. All that mattered was Clayton. We then go to check on the lady that rear ended us and she was okay until she saw Clayton.(She was a grandmother also)She thought she had hurt him, but we assured her that he was okay and all was well. So we call the police and tell them we have collided and we are all okay and we have traffic backed up and do they want us to move. They did, so we pulled into a parking lot and as soon as I got out and got Clayton out, the Lenoir Police is there, he was just passing through and saw us.

I have a Toyota Camry,that I traded my SUV for last year for gas purposes. It is just a car that gets me from point A to point B. I have missed my SUV terribly and want another one. But financially circumstances don't allow us to trade at the moment so I must be content. The other lady has a Toyota Camry, Thankfully for he I have no damage, and she has very little damage to her car. (I guess I have a better appreciation of my car now)Seriously I might have a scratch or two that can be buffed out. The police said if we both agreed that a report did not have to be filled. I'm okay with that and she is more than okay with it and said they would fix their car and not have to deal with insurance. Alan came and checked on us and made sure all is well, and I mention my neck is really burning/stinging and he sees where the seatbelt attacked me.

All is well and we are thankful that God was watching over us all and only let our bumpers collide slightly.(Clayton is now taking his morning nap and has probably
forgotten the whole thing)

It's All about HIM
Joan

Faith - What is It?

I have been curious the few days, well maybe a little longer than that about faith. What is it? I know Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". The dictionary gives the definition of- firm belief in something for which there is no proof.

My thoughts have been is it something we have and exercise,or is it something that God gives us. How can we have faith unless God gives it to us in and through Jesus. I am reading a book by Sheila Walsh "Extraordinary Faith". So far so good.

The first chapter of the book has a portion of a hymn by Eliza Hewitt "My Faith Has Found a Resting Place" I don't know the song but the words are so good I wanted to share them with you. The old hymns of days gone by are worth learning and knowing the are so full of the bible truths.

My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.

I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.

So today for me faith is just trusting God to do what is right for me in every situation and not how much I believe God can do or not do something. God is more than able to do whatever He chooses.

It's All About HIM
Joan

That's My King by S.M. Lockridge

If you have not ever heard of or taken the time to listen to "That's My King" by S. M. Lockridge it is well worth your time to take a few minutes and listen to him describe The King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords. Every now and then I go to the internet just to listen to S.M. Lockridge describe MY SAVIOR.




Enjoy
Joan

My New Bible Study

I have recently started a new Bible Study and I wanted to share it with you. It is called "Step by Step Thorough the Old Testament" by Waylon Bailey & Tom Hudson. So far I am enjoying it. It is basically just a overview of the Old Testament just like the title says. It is a workbook, which you know I like and you also go to the scriptures to learn the facts. The authors also have a New Testament workbook which I will probably purchase at some point and work through.

This workbook book does not go deep into the spiritual meanings of the scriptures it is more geared to learning the history and facts of the events of the old Testament. Since I am lacking in the history and facts I thought it would be a good way to learn more about the people, places, culture of many of the events int he Old Testament. You do go to the scriptures to read and learn what all transpired in times past of the Bible. I do recommend it for those of you that are looking to learn more about this aspect of the Bible.

However, you know any Bible study book or work book is as only good as you allow it to be. If you keep putting it off and never start a bible study you are never going to grow in the Lord much. If you purchase it and never work through it is does you no good. If you only do a couple of pages you have not got the benefit of the whole bible study. I do encourage to find what works for you and get into the Bible on a daily basis. You will be surprised how your walk with the Lord changes.

It's all About HIM
Joan
I almost forgot you can find this work book at most Lifeway book stores, or order it online from Amazon or other places from the interent.

So What Have You Done Today?

The weekends are always busy for Alan and I. Much busier especially for Alan since he preaches twice on Sunday. I don't know when my weekend actually starts but today has been busy.

• Went to C.A.R.E Ministry at church this morning(while I was there I made the copies for the monthly newsletter for tomorrow, and we also cleaned the church. The janitors of our church had a death this week and we voluntered to take that load off of them. Actually most everyone else did the cleaning and some of us were folding newsletters)
• Alan and I went to Pancho Villa for lunch.
• Tried to take a quick nap when I got home, but my mind would not slow down long enough, so I got up and got busy.
• Then off to Wal-mart to buy the groceries for Amy's(daughter in law) birthday supper tomorrow night with the family
• Alan and I washed, folded and put away clothes. Alan washed dishes and I dried a few of them and put them away.
  
• Made a cake and it is in the oven for Amy.
  
• Finishing up the internet radio line up for Alan to load for the week afterwhile

Well, other than putting the Stouffers Lasagnan in the oven that is about it for the day. I am going to sit down and rest, relax and read.

However, I was thinking about how God has blest me over the years. He has been so good to me I was never around alcohol, drugs or partying or all that comes with that kind of a lifestyle growing up. AS a married woman I have always had the best husband. My two children have always been so wonderful they have never give Alan and I one minute of trouble. Now, they are both with their spouses actively serving the Lord. I have one granchild in heaven whom I am waiting to meet, then there is Clayton, and now there is Johanna(who I get to share the same meaning of our names- "The Lord(God) is Gracious"). And the icing on the cake is that I am a Child of the KING.

How about you waht have you done today?
Until Next Time
Joan

Nothing Spiritual Today

Yesterday was my daughter in laws Birthday, and I meant to make a post just about her. I actually got started and then got interrupted and never got around to it. But I love her because she loves my son, I did not give birth to her but she still is my daughter. Happy Birthday, Amy. Hope you had a wonderful day.

I have had the privilege of spending the last couple of days with Clayton. I have loved every minute of it. He plays hard and sleeps good. I just set down in the floor and we talk about or play whatever he has on his mind. I never knew I could love another child that was not my so much but in a total different way. I do not get to spend as much time with Johanna since she must stay with her Mom all the time now. But Johanna does dash in and out of the house with her mom sometimes.

Before becoming a "Gram" I could not imagine what all the fuss was about. I thought all grandparents acted silly and how could you make over a child that was not your own in such a way. But now I totally understand. I just have to say in is indescribable and after you become one talk with me and let me know how you feel. I imagine you will not be any different than all the grandparents before you.

Until next time
Joan