I am not sure who all has read any of my previous posts, but a couple of weeks ago I had a post called “Lord of All!”. It was of a poem I had found in one of my books and I had added this verse which the Lord had dealt with me about a few days after reading the poem.
“My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him…..” II Chronicles 29:11
The Lord showed me how negligent and neglectful I am in areas of my life and how we as Christians are in so many areas. Since then we have also had Family Conference at our church, which the Lord has shown me more areas of neglect in my life. I know that we all have them and that many of them may be different, but I believe that there are some key areas that all Christians are prone to neglect. I think that most would agree that Bible reading and prayer are at the top of the list of areas that we neglect. It is so easy to get up in the morning with purpose and a list of things that need accomplished and we could breeze right by spending time with the Lord. I know it’s easy because I have done it and done it more than once! Without a doubt it has been more difficult for me since my second child was born and I am about to add a third child to that. If there are not purposes made in our hearts to make time with Him it can easily be neglected and before we know it He isn’t Lord of anything in our lives.
Our service is another great area of neglect. There are countless ways to serve the Lord, but are we? I know that we all have different callings, talents and purposes for the Lord so it is hard to pick out what yours may be. For all of us it should be Soul Winning. It doesn’t matter who you are, there are souls around you to be saved. We live in a trailer park and to be quite honest with you I know that we have not done our best to try and win the souls around us to the Lord. Yes, we have made contact with those around us, but not to the extent that I know we could. If you are not praying, passing out tracts or witnessing to anyone you meet you have a great area of neglect in your life. If you have children and are not teaching them about the Lord outside of church or having them learn scripture, that is an even greater area of neglect. If we have no other calling it is to see our children saved! If we rest their souls upon only what they hear during church services we might as well be called in for child neglect. I have failed in many areas of teaching and training my children, but our goal should always be to do better.
How do you think that we minister to the Lord? By ministering to others! Most of us would never admit it, but we are SELFISH. If you can sit there and say that you’re not then you might want to ask somebody close to you and see if they agree. You might be surprised. I am not saying that we don’t care about others or that we are not giving, but usually it is only when we feel up to it. We tend to get so wrapped up in our lives that we can seldom see the needs of others. I can guarantee you that there is some one around you that could use some ministering. There are people who would just like a short visit, a phone call or a card. If we were really in tune with the Lord He would show us the people that need ministering and ways that we could minister to them. The Lord has a way of laying certain people on our hearts that he might not have laid on some one else’s heart. That is because he knows who can meet their needs. Have you ever noticed that certain people are drawn together? That is because the Lord knows who can help that person in their time of need. If some one came to me about losing a close loved one I wouldn’t know what to say because I have never lost anyone that close to me. However some of you have and you would be able to help a person who may go through that. You just have to make yourself available. We often don’t make ourselves available and more than likely miss out on a blessing from the Lord.
There are many more areas I could have mentioned, you just have to make it personal to yourself. Has the Lord shown you areas you have neglected? As Bro. Keenan said this week in Family Conference “Just take steps.” The only way to make progress in our areas of failure is to start taking steps.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
A Day at the Park
We had a fun day at the park the other day. While Christina enjoyed exploring and pushing around the stroller, Ryan was a little more adventurous.
Once a little gun shy on the swing, now a fearless jumper! Look out below!
Basketball, who needs basketball?
Swoosh! It's in.
What's this stuff?
Look, I'm up here.
Two too cute babies!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Lord of All!
I looked upon a farm one day, that once I used to own;
The barn had fallen to the ground, the fields were overgrown,
The house in which my children grew, where we had lived for years..
I turned to see it broken down, and brushed aside the tears.
I looked upon my soul one day to find it too had grown
With thorns and nettles everywhere, the seeds neglect had sown.
The years had passed while I cared for the things of lesser worth:
The things of Heaven I let go when minding things of earth.
To Christ I turned with bitter tears, and cried "O Lord forgive!
I haven't much time left for Thee, not many years to live."
The wasted years forever gone, the days I can't recall;
If I could live those days again, I'd make Him Lord of all.
Theodore W. Brennan
II Chronicles 2:29
My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him...
The barn had fallen to the ground, the fields were overgrown,
The house in which my children grew, where we had lived for years..
I turned to see it broken down, and brushed aside the tears.
I looked upon my soul one day to find it too had grown
With thorns and nettles everywhere, the seeds neglect had sown.
The years had passed while I cared for the things of lesser worth:
The things of Heaven I let go when minding things of earth.
To Christ I turned with bitter tears, and cried "O Lord forgive!
I haven't much time left for Thee, not many years to live."
The wasted years forever gone, the days I can't recall;
If I could live those days again, I'd make Him Lord of all.
Theodore W. Brennan
II Chronicles 2:29
My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him...
Coming Soon!
Joshua Stephen
Well I finally did it. I let Steve take a picture of my belly (without my face of course!). We are now on the coutdown. : ) We only have 8 weeks left until my due date. He is due on June 7th and we are anxiously waiting. We still have preparations to make, but it will all come together. We are blessed to be having another child. I wouldn't trade them for the world! I just pray we do our part in teaching and training them for the Lord.
Proverbs 22:6
¶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Well I finally did it. I let Steve take a picture of my belly (without my face of course!). We are now on the coutdown. : ) We only have 8 weeks left until my due date. He is due on June 7th and we are anxiously waiting. We still have preparations to make, but it will all come together. We are blessed to be having another child. I wouldn't trade them for the world! I just pray we do our part in teaching and training them for the Lord.
Proverbs 22:6
¶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
He is Risen!
The Saviour
Luke 24
¶ Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8 And they remembered his words,
9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
13 ¶ And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
36 ¶ And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
50 ¶ And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
The Salvation
Romans 10:9-15
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 ¶ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
The Sin
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Luke 18:9-13
¶ And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 24
¶ Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.
2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.
3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.
4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:
5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,
7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8 And they remembered his words,
9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.
10 It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles.
11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.
12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.
13 ¶ And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.
16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?
18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?
19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.
21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.
22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;
23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.
24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.
25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:
26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.
29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.
30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.
31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.
32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?
33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,
34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.
35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.
36 ¶ And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?
39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet.
41 And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat?
42 And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb.
43 And he took it, and did eat before them.
44 And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:
47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
48 And ye are witnesses of these things.
49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
50 ¶ And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them.
51 And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.
52 And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy:
53 And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
The Salvation
Romans 10:9-15
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 ¶ For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
The Sin
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Luke 18:9-13
¶ And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Friday, April 10, 2009
A Breathe of Fresh Air
We were able to get out today and enjoy some fresh air. It seems as though we have been too busy to do much of that lately. The kids sure enjoyed it. Ryan and Steve enjoyed tossing the baseball, while Christina enjoyed running around and trying to escape!
Cheesy Grin!
Sweet Smiles!
Though some days seem long, the Lord is always faithful to give rest and a time for family. Even if it's only for a few minutes or hours at a time.
Got It!
Get Me!
We are thankful for every minute and hour we get to spend with our children. They are not ours, but the Lords! They are such a blessing to have and to be around. If we have no other calling, it's to raise our children for Him!
Cheesy Grin!
Sweet Smiles!
Though some days seem long, the Lord is always faithful to give rest and a time for family. Even if it's only for a few minutes or hours at a time.
Got It!
Get Me!
We are thankful for every minute and hour we get to spend with our children. They are not ours, but the Lords! They are such a blessing to have and to be around. If we have no other calling, it's to raise our children for Him!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Meet Christina
Christina (also known as Chunka Munk) - 15 months oldHopes to be a help meet and homemaker one day! Christina is full of energy, enthusiasm and plenty of emotions. She loves getting into things, getting snacks and just plain getting attention. She gives lots of loves, lots of kisses and LOTS of jabber. Enjoys trips to the park and any chance to be outside.
Meet Ryan
Ryan (also known as Bubba)- 7 years old
Aspiring preacher, part-time cowboy and fisherman. Ryan likes to read his Bible, ride his bike, shoot his red rider bb gun and just plain run. He is a great big brother and great help at home. He loves to sing and loves to make his little sister smile. He enjoys school and is in the 3rd grade of home schooling using the A.C.E. program.
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