Many Have Served

Many have served our country in my family and yours. Many died so we could be free. But He died so I could be free of Hell. What a Solider!!! Oh what a Saviour!!!!

In, With and Through Christ Alone
Joan

Under His Wings

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings - Psalm 17:8

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. - Psalm 36:7

Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. - Psalm 57:1

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah - Psalm 61:4

Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice - Psalm 63:7

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler - Psalm 91:4

Under His Wings - Ira Sankey

Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore.

I am thankful that I can rest safely under His wings,

If ONLY...

Pslam 34:13-14
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.

This morning in our bible study we read the above scriptures in chapter 34 of Psalms. I know there is much in this Psalms, but verses 13& 14 is what has been on my mind since reading them earlier today.

I do believe if we had no other words to live by(I know we do however) these 2 verses speak should speak volumes to us. I know that they do me. If I practice these verses, and if the whole world could and would practice these verses what a better place this world would be. I know I am dreaming, but let me dream on. However, If only Gods people would put this to practice what could the church get done for HIM.

So, I am going to try to work harder to keep my tongue from evil, and by not speaking anything guile. (The dictionary describes guile as "insidious cunning in attaining a goal; crafty or artful deception"). Because the Bible commands it and it is pleasing into the Lord. And verse fourteen tells me I am to pursue peace, and if I do that I will depart from evil and do good.

So I leave you today trying to live closer to my Savior by applying what I have read in the Bible this morning, how about you?

In, With and Through Christ Alone

Fears

I am reading a book by Julie Clinton called "Extraordinary Women" that I got for Mothers Day and it is very good I must say. In this book I ran across a quote that I thought was very good and oh so true that I thought it was worth sharing with you. This quote is from Donna Claus who helps run a ladies retreat called No Fear Forwards which is a 4 day wilderness retreat to help women identify and relinquish their fears.

"The major problem I see is that life is not about us. When we think that we are the reason for life, we live in fear. When we want everything our way, we live in fear. If women can go away from these Forwards with one idea, it should be that 'life is not about me'. Only when we leave the lie behind can we live fearlessly with our God. God had to wrench that out of me. It was painful; it was horrendous. But once I realized that all that matters is God and His plan, I found the secret to fearlessness. The opposite of fear is faith."

After I read this I could not help but think of the scripture in II Timothy where God tells us He is not behind our fears.

II Timothy 1:6
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

I don't know about you but God is still working on me.
Joan

Holding Hands

Two or more people voluntarily hold hands for one of the following reasons and purposes:

* in various rituals:
o handshake
o in certain religious services, to pray
o in various religious rituals
* to express friendship or love
* to enjoy physical intimacy (not necessarily of erotic character)
* for emotional support
* to guide (a child, a blind person, in darkness, etc.)
* to urge to follow
* to keep together (in a crowd or in darkness)
* to help the other walk, stand or climb up
* to dance
* to maintain one's balance
* to arm wrestle
* when crossing the street
* during a meal
* while sky diving
* to rescue in a dangerous situation:
o pulling someone to safety
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holding_hands

I have noticed lately that when Clayton goes down the steps in our split foyer house that he wants to hold your hand. Or when he gets out of the car in a parking lot he wants to hold your hand. Now, he is not old enough yet to be completely dependent upon himself or confident that he can do it alone. Each time he reaches his hand up for comfort or security it brings to my mind that is the way God is and how we should be with God.

Isaiah 42:6 I
I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee.....

Isaiah 41:13
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

If I could only learn to be more dependent on God like my 2 year old grandson is when he needs steadying. It is just awesome to think of God holding my hand.Wow

In, With and Through Christ

Be Still . . . . .

I listened to this song today for the first time and God used it to speak to me in a way that I needed.



Psalm 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God.....

In, With and Through Christ

Mother's Day

We recently put this in our May 2010 church newsletter, and I thought it was very fitting.

The following is an excerpt from one preacher’s Mothers’ Day sermon. He says, “I’m preaching without apology and with appreciation for that time-honored institution without the benefit of which we wouldn’t be here!
Every Mother’s Day sermon I’ve run across starts with an explanation, this one is no exception. As ministers, we’re reminded not to get too sentimental about motherhood because:
for some, motherhood is an accident, and not always a welcome one;
(b) for some, biological motherhood isn’t possible;
(c) for some, mothers weren’t all that nice;
(d) for some, motherhood under the very best of circumstances is still less than a bed of roses and a primrose path.
If I can take some liberties with poet Wilhelm Busch’s words, I’d have to say: “To become a mother is not so difficult; on the other hand, being a mother is very much so!”
So, with all the qualifications that come along with Mother’s Day, why bother with Mothers’ Day at all? I’ll tell you why. It is because for all its stumbling blocks, pitfalls and broken dreams, for all the soiled diapers, soiled wallpaper and spoiled plans, we’re talking about a beautiful ideal, a natural part of God’s creative plan to bring love and caring to light. Motherhood is a constant demand for the gift of love and caring.”

Proclaim Magazine, “A Mother’s Day Sermon,” May 14, 1989


So for me this year I need not celebrate Mothers Day, I had rather honor my children. "Nikki, and Jesse" by natural birth, "Amy and Chad" brought into my life by my natural children. And of course to "Clayton" because I am known as his "Tram". I hope he always calls me Tram, it is just so sweet, special and created by him. "Johanna" who is with the Lord and makes heaven a bit sweeter for me and I can't wait to spend eternity with you. So to the 6 of you thank you for allowing me to be your mother, mother-in-law, and Tram. You have had to put up with a lot, and I am forever grateful that God brought all of you into my life.

Last but not at all least to my wonderful husband for almost 30 years that has allowed me to be the mother of his children. So to all 7 of you, I love you all more than words could ever express, and I am the one blest by God to have you each in my life. All of you have a special place in my heart that could never ever be touched by anyone else but you.

In Christ Alone
Joan(Mom or Tram)

However I do wish my mother, and mother in law a wonderful day on Sunday.

I Thought...

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

I thought someone else might need to be reminded today from the scriptures that He Careth for YOU!

Joan