GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS... THANK YOU, DADDY!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness,

Lord, unto me!

Many mornings, during the week, I head out to a school somewhere in South Jersey to supervise one of my clinical practice student teachers who are certifying in both general education and special education. I especially love my travels on the Atlantic City Expressway as I head toward the rising sun and away from Philly and the morning rush of traffic. It is such a wonderful opportunity to focus on His faithfulness, the new mercies I see, and all the needs He has provided for me! Doing this while listening to praise music is the "perfect storm" for a gratitude attitude!

When I take this route, I pass the exit that Deb and some of my other sisters in Christ take to go home from church. It gives me a nudge to pray for them and their spiritual journeys... to thank the LORD that He has put these amazing women in my LIFE!

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On Sunday morning I had many interruptions that kept me from arriving at Bible class on time. Oh, you know the kind! I got to thinking, "Is satan trying to keep me from going to this class because it is so powerful?" I knew it was Deb's turn to present about JESUS, MY LORD.

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As I walked into the room, I heard her say, "In 2008, I was down on my knees saying, LORD, I can't!" I would soon learn that she had been speaking about different things that she has made "Lord of her life" over the years. I heard her talk about battling depression and "sleep was all I could think of." Yet, through it all, God kept showing up and displaying His faithfulness to Deb and her family.

In the last year, several LIFE changing things have happened as Deb and her family have been on a journey of putting Jesus back in His rightful place as LORD of their lives.
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She shared about being in a store several months ago and literally walking right into her father who she had not seen in many years and had definitely not had a relationship with. He had not been faithful. Now, here he stood and he did not even recognize her! As she stood there with her near teen daughter and tried to connect with him, she said, "it felt like someone opened the door of her heart and threw in a rattlesnake."
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God gave her that "peace that passes understanding" as she was kind, yet firm. She walked away and out of the store knowing that, "It was okay! My Daddy is in heaven and He knows me!"
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Deb closed her lesson telling us that Jesus is now THE ONE WHO HAS FIRST PLACE IN MY LIFE! She has learned to claim the following verse because she knows HE IS FAITHFUL to keep His promises:

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Psalms 37:4

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"Delight yourself

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in the LORD

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and He will give you

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the desires of your heart."

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As I look at this scripture right now, I am excited about the verses that follow verse 4:
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• 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him and He will do this:
• 6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
• 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways,when they carry out their wicked schemes.
• 8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret — it leads only to evil.
• 9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

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GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS... TRUST AND OBEY!!!

MEDITATION MONDAY

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NOTE: I apologize for the late entry! Blogger was not working for me earlier today!

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There are thousands, maybe millions of young people walking away from the concept of church... walking away from the LORD. Many believe that if they sell all they have to feed the poor and get a one way ticket to Haiti or Africa, to help, that they have found the meaning of life. What is it that God sees that they do not see? Other than His goodness, I believe that they do not see HIS HOLINESS OR HIS FAITHFULNESS.

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They say, "It just doesn't make sense!!! How can there be earthquakes, disease, hurricanes, wars, calamity after calamity if God were truly good or holy or faithful?" They question whether He hears prayers. In fact, the belief is prevalant that sin does not separate man from God, anyway... Jesus does not matter! So, if sin and Jesus are not in the mix, then what is the meaning of life?

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I grew up reading the Old Testament and hearing story after story of a holy God and a "stiff necked people". I can say that it is the concepts of those stories that are deeply embedded within that remind me that,

• "Life is hard, but God is good!"


• "Good things come to those who wait."


• "Trust and obey for there is no other way!"


• "This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through!"

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2 Corinthians 5:4-9 gives us a glimpse into this LIFE that we live as christians. It gives us a peek at our purpose and the meaning of LIFE! It's not for the faint of heart!!! I'm getting a little carried away with bolding words:

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"For while we are in this tent,

we groan and are burdened,

because we do not wish to be unclothed

but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling,

so that what is mortal

may be swallowed up by LIFE.

Now it is God who has made us

for this very purpose

and has given us the Spirit as a deposit,

guaranteeing what is to come.

6 Therefore we are always confident

and know that as long as we are at home in the body

we are away from the Lord.

We live by faith, not by sight.

We are confident, I say,

and would prefer to be away from the body

and at home with the Lord.

So we make it our goal to please HIM..."

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Yesterday, in Dan's lesson, he challenged us to TRUST AND OBEY. In our praise and worship service, Mike led us in focusing on "Palm Sunday" as Jesus entered into Jerusalem. Then, Dan spoke about a story from the Old Testament - the story of Gideon from the book of Judges. God's ways often make no "earthly sense". Both Jesus and Gideon had to TRUST AND OBEY GOD. As Dan talked about God telling Gideon to only use 300 men and pitchers/torches/trumpets, I kept thinking about Jesus entering Jerusalem on a colt amid the praise and applause. (There was more to it than met the eye! It wasn't what it seemed!) His weapons? His daddy's armor: the breastplate of righteousness, belt of truth, shield of faith... fueled by prayer...

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Here's how Dan laid it out in 3 points:

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1. OBEDIENCE MEANS ACCEPTING RISK

• Does God want us to take risks?


• There are times when God will ask us to do things that mights bring us hurt and pain.

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2. GOD'S VICTORY DOESN'T ALWAYS LOOK LIKE VICTORY

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3. GOD BRINGS ABOUT THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR TOTAL OBEDIENCE.

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When things make no "earthly sense", let's revisit the memory verses of the last 3 months and the scripture above. God designed it so that we LIVE with purpose... LIVE with meaning! It begins when we TRUST AND OBEY.

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5 Phrases.

10 Words.

2 Words + 2 Words + 2 Words + 2 Words + 2 Words =

PURPOSE.

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LOVE GOD.

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LOVE OTHERS.

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MAKE DISCIPLES

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BAPTIZE BELIEVERS

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TEACH OBEDIENCE

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Dear God,

We believe!

Help our unbelief!

We choose to TRUST AND OBEY.

Great is Your Faithfulness!

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SANCTUARY... GOD'S FAMILY OF SAINTS...

This week we have talked briefly about each christian being a vessel, a holy residence, a sanctuary for the Living God. Yesterday, I referred to those of us who are christians... sanctuaries... as saints. There does not have to be a vote for you to achieve sainthood. You do not have to go through a series of hoops to be crowned a saint. In fact, according to scripture, all people who have become christians are saints. Paul uses this word often as he writes letters to various churches - groups of christians - the family of God. Here are a few of the 60 New Testament scriptures that refer to saints.

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Romans 1:7 says,

"To all in Rome who are loved by God

and called to be saints:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father

and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

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Romans 8:27

"And He who searches our hearts

knows the mind of the Spirit,

because the Spirit intercedes

for the saints

in accordance with God's will."

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1 Corinthians 6:1-2

"If any of you has a dispute with another,

dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment

instead of before the saints?

Do you not know that the saints

will judge the world? "
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Ephesians 1:18-19

"I pray also that the eyes of your heart

may be enlightened

in order that you may know

the hope to which He has called you,

the riches of His glorious inheritance

in the saints,

and His incomparably great power

for us who believe."

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Ephesians 3:14-19

"For this reason I kneel before the Father,

from whom His whole family

in heaven and on earth derives its name.

I pray that out of His glorious riches

He may strengthen you with power

through His Spirit in your inner being (sanctuary),

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you,

being rooted and established in love,

may have power,

together with all the saints, to grasp

how wide and long and high and deep

is the love of Christ,

and to know this love

that surpasses knowledge-

that you may be filled

to the measure of all the fullness of God."

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As you ponder your salvation, your place in the family of God, I hope you have time to listen to this inspirational version of our theme song this week. Be sure and pause the playlist above before playing this video.

SANCTUARY... SAINT...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

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Once I became a christian, I became "a sinner saved by grace".

Once I became a christian, I could hang out at my new Daddy's place.

Once I became a christian, I could be a vessel of His light and love...

...A SANCTUARY for His Holy Spirit from above.

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Once I became a christian, darkness was no longer my friend.

Once I became a christian, it was on Jesus I began to depend.

Once I became a christian, I had a huge reframe...

I became a SAINT by the blood of the Lamb...

...the NAME above all names.

Written by Patti Sikes, 3/2010

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NOTE:

God's workmanship transforms us

from sinnerhood to sainthood.

Live each new day like you are a SAINT!

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SHINE ON US... AS WE FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS...

MEDITATION MONDAY

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THOUGHT #1: The moon is the reflection of the sun in much the same way the christian is the reflection of the Son.
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QUESTION #1: If the above is true, then why are so many christians so different?
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I could write all day to give you my complete incomplete answer! Bottom line? I believe it has a lot to do with our individual perspectives of Jesus. That's why, this year, on this blog, we are taking a memory verse a month to read, ponder, memorize, and recite. You may never get to the memorize and recite part but today let's look at January, February, and March verses and read and ponder.
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Much like the four pictures / perspectives of the cross below, our perspectives of these verses will be somewhat different depending on where we are in our spiritual journeys. I'm curious to know how they touch you!




JANUARY 2010 VERSES:

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Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,

• let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and
• let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
• Let us FIX OUR EYES ON JESUS, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
• Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
  

FEBRUARY 2010 VERSES:
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Ephesians 2:4-10

4 But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,

5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.

6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

7 in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-

9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. .
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MARCH 2010 VERSES:
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Philippians 2:12-16a

12 "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have ALWAYS OBEYED-not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence-continue to WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION with fear and trembling,

13 for it is GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU to will and to act according to His good purpose.

14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you SHINE LIKE STARS in the universe

16 as you hold out the word of LIFE..."

SHINE ON US

SUNDAY IN THE SON

I have to say that the song lyrics below for this week's song connecte wonderfully with this month's scripture and next month's scripture that starts tomorrow. Notice the emphasis on the bolden words below.

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SHINE ON US

song lyrics

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Lord, let Your light

Light of Your face

Shine on us

That we may be saved

That we may have life

To find our way in the darkest night

Let your light shine on us

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Lord, let Your grace

Grace from Your hand

Fall on us

That we may be saved

That we may have life

To find our way in the darkest night

Let Your grace fall on us

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Lord, let Your love

Love with no end

Come over us

That we may be saved

That we may have life

To find our way in the darkest night

Let Your love come over us

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Let Your light shine on us

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HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME... AND MY SISTERS...

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD SATURDAY - PART TWO

CATCH UP AND MUST DO

Each year, Dottie, on the right, plans, organizes, and executes our Secret Sister name drawings and yearly "revealing party". Today, was the day!

Each year, everyone hopes that Dottie has their name because she makes a handmade afghan as part of her gift for her secret sister. This year, Melva was the blessed recipient!





Each year, we all bring two gifts. The first one I brought for the person whose name I had. The second gift was a thank you gift for the person who had my name. Each sister did the same! Somebody HAD to guard the gifts... Fran and Debbie did a great job!





We also all brought food! So, first we ate and fellowshipped!

Dottie led us in a devotional and then gave each of us a crocheted snowflake! Many joked about it being an appropriate gift as a reminder of the enormous amounts of snow we have gotten recently. Donna's house and Dottie's planning and gifts set the stage for a great and encouraging time for all.

We had a special visitor! Cathy joined us! Praise God for answered our prayers! It's just been several weeks since Cathy's head was shaved and doctors went in and put a shunt in to drain fluid from her spinal column. It gave her head instant relief from her constant migraines. What a treat for all of us to have you with us, Cathy!



We looked on as each secret sister was revealed. There were many surprises. It was unusual, but there were two sets of two who had each others names. Debbie had Cindy and visa versa. Florence had Stephanie and visa versa.

Dottie plans to surprise two sisters with afghans this year! She's a tall order to follow! But, then again, thanks Melody... you were an amazing secret sister!

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HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME... LIKE A MOMMY "WORKS" ON HER CHILDREN...

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD SATURDAY - PART ONE

Catch Up and Must Do

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I am choosing to post twice today! Later on, I'll have things to share once I spend some time with my Pitman sisters. I guess you can say, "let's have ketchup on our eggs for breakfast and mustard on an evening burger".

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For right now, join me in considering our role as mothers. Just as our God lovingly works on us, we "work on" our children. Of course, our children are God's workmanship, but we are His helpers in the process.

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Our verses in Ephesians remind us of God's...

• LOVE
• MERCY
• GRACE
• LIFE
• SALVATION
• HELPS
• HOSPITALITY
• FRIENDSHIP
• CREATIVITY
• WORK ETHIC

I get an almost daily illustration of this when I go to my daughter-in-love, Jacqueline's, blog and see her chronicle Chloe's growth and development. I see a mommy who is very invested in her daughter. She gets great joy in seeing her develop in the positive areas. She knows the need for correction and discipline in the negative areas. Her posts of this week and the two brief videos are such a reminder of God's love for each of us! Be encouraged by Jacqueline's blog by clicking here.
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Chloe's high level of curiousity for things that are not safe or appropriate for her will get correction and discipline from her mommy:

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Chloe's budding passion for books will get much positive encouragement from her mommy:

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Deuteronomy 4:9-10

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"Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely

so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen

or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.

Teach them to your children

and to their children after them...

...hear my words so that they may learn to revere me

as long as they live in the land

and may teach them to their children."

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Jacqueline's posts of this week and the two brief videos are such a reminder of God's love for each of us! Be encouraged by Jacqueline's blog by clicking here..
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HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME... THROUGH MY WORLD WIDE FAMILY...

I love the worldwide family of God! I'm thinking of those of you who come to this blog on a regular basis from Albania, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Sweden... I am in awe that God is in the hearts and minds of people all over this Great Globe! I love what we have in common... the Christ connections...

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Yesterday, I shared with you a poem that I was recently inspired by. I also told how I connected with the author and received an email of permission to use the poem from her. Making this connection this week reminded me of several other "connections" I've made over the years, but particularly one. Last night, as we sat together watching the Olympics, Steve said that my experience this week reminded him of another time over a decade ago. Yep! We were thinking of the same thing!

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From 1995 to 2002 I owned a company that created and made inspirational angel jewelry, christian greeting cards, and christian framed prints. The name of the company was "Ten Thousand Angels". I hired up to 35 stay at home moms to make the products and had a manager, bookkeeper, stockers, packers, and shippers. All 4 of my kids worked for me after school in some capacity or another. I still did this while teaching at the college level. It was a full, fun, and crazy time!

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One day, my business manager informed me that I had a message from the songwriter of the song, "Ten Thousand Angels" and he wanted me to call him back. My heart stopped! My mind immediately went to the negative. Oh, no! I thought for sure he was calling to say he had all the rights to that name. My mind even raced to thoughts of a possible law suit! I've worked hard over the years to not think the worst first. That day I thought the worst first! I was very nervous to call him back.

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What a delightful conversation I had that day with Ray and Millie Overholt! Have you ever noticed that when people truly live out their christianity that their lives and words exude LOVE, MERCY, and GRACE?!?!!! That day, their words gave LIFE to the hearer - me! They said that they had heard of my company and were so excited that we were using the name from the song. They encouraged me to use whatever part of the lyrics I wanted to share the gospel story with the world. They said they were getting old and it was such a blessing for them to know that others would use the words of this song to teach others about Jesus. Notice the words in bold? Ray and Millie made the Ephesians 2 connection for me!

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Over the next few years Ray and Millie called occasionally to "get a report" of how we were doing... how we were sharing the gospel. They wanted to remind me that I had their blessing and that they were so thankful for my work. What encouragers! Ray passed away in September 2008. He was a man who modeled for me some of the concepts of our Ephesians 2 memory verses. He thought and perceived things in The Heavenly Realms. The words He penned live on!

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Ten Thousand Angels

Words and Music by Ray Overholt
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Matthew 26:53

"Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father,

and He shall presently give me

more than twelve legions of angels?"

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They bound the hands of Jesus

in the garden where He prayed;

They led Him thro' the streets in shame.

They spat upon the Savior

so pure and free from sin;

They said, "Crucify Him; He's to blame."

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Refrain

He could have called ten thousand angels

To destroy the world and set Him free.

He could have called ten thousand angels,

But He died alone, for you and me.

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Upon His precious head

they placed a crown of thorns;

They laughed and said,

"Behold the King!"

They struck Him and they cursed Him

and mocked His holy name

All alone He suffered everything.

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Refrain

He could have called ten thousand angels

To destroy the world and set Him free.

He could have called ten thousand angels,

But He died alone, for you and me.

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When they nailed Him to the cross,

His mother stood nearby,

He said, "Woman, behold thy son!"

He cried, "I thirst for water,"

but they gave Him none to drink.

Then the sinful work of man was done.
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Refrain

He could have called ten thousand angels

To destroy the world and set Him free.

He could have called ten thousand angels,

But He died alone, for you and me.

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To the howling mob He yielded;

He did not for mercy cry.

The cross of shame He took alone.

And when He cried, "It's finished,"

He gave Himself to die;

Salvation's wondrous plan was done.

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Refrain

He could have called ten thousand angels

To destroy the world and set Him free.

He could have called ten thousand angels,

But He died alone, for you and me.

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HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME... TO THINK LIKE A CHRISTIAN... IN HEAVENLY REALMS...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

It's been quite a few years since I learned that "christians aren't perfect... they're just forgiven!" It is refreshing to know that God sees me so differently than I tend to see myself. Scripture tells me that I am not to think as the world thinks, but think in heavenly terms... heavenly realms... In fact, no matter how broken and messed up my life becomes, God can take it and work with it and let light shine out of a "cracked pot" for His glory. Sometimes I read something that reminds me of that!
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A little over a week ago, I read something that did just that. It made so much sense to me! It was attributed to Dr. Maya Angelou. I started to post it on two of my blogs, but I was "nudged" to be careful. So, I googled the poem, only to find that it was online a lot, yet it was attributed to several people or listed as anonymous. Upon further investigation, I went to snopes.com only to find that indeed Dr. Angelou did NOT write it and it was being illegally sent around the internet with some of the original words changed up or missing.
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I was able to contact the author. Yesterday, I received a gracious email from her, giving permission to post the poem here. My prayer is that it will touch you like it did me. It's transforming!

WHEN I SAY, "I AM A CHRISTIAN"

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting, "I’ve been saved!"
I'm whispering, "I get lost!
That's why I chose this way"

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I don't speak with human pride
I'm confessing that I stumble—
Needing God to be my guide

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak
And pray for strength to carry on

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting that I've failed
And cannot ever pay the debt

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I don't think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
Asking humbly to be taught

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are all too visible
But God believes I'm worth it

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache,
Which is why I seek His name

When I say, "I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority...
I only know I'm loved

Used by Permission
Copyright 1988 Carol Wimmer

HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME... TO DO GOOD WORKS...

WOMEN IN THE WORD WEDNESDAY
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Scripture uses the words:

• "heavenly realms" (NIV) or "heavenly places" (NASV) only 5 times and they're all in the book of Ephesians (1:3; 1:20; 2:6; 3:10; 6:12)
  
• "incomparable riches of His grace" only once (Eph. 2:7)


• "God's workmanship" only once (Eph. 2:10).

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Notice the words in bold in our scripture for the month:

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Ephesians 2:4-10

"But because of His great love for us,

God, who is rich in mercy,

5 made us alive with Christ

even when we were dead in transgressions-

it is by grace you have been saved.

6 And God raised us up with Christ

and seated us with Him

in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

7 in order that in the coming ages He might

show the incomparable riches of His grace,

expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

8 For it is by grace you have been saved,

through faith-and this not from yourselves,

it is the gift of God-

9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

10 For we are God's workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do."

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This week, as we memorize verses 9-10, we'll remind ourselves that God is working on us to stretch us and grow us into His image for a purpose. As we live in heavenly realms with Him, even now, He has good works for us to do. The grace that is awaiting us is so rich that it can be compared to nothing else!

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Ephesians 2:4-5

"But because of His great love for us, God,

who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ

even when we were dead in transgressions-

it is by grace you have been saved...

Ephesians 2:6

"And God raised us up with Christ

and seated us with Him

in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus...

Ephesians 2:7-8

"...in order that in the coming ages

He might show the incomparable riches of His grace,

expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

For it is by grace you have been saved,

through faith-and this not from yourselves,

it is the gift of God-" ...

Ephesians 2:9-10

"...not by works, so that no one can boast.

For we are God's workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do. "

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May our good works begin in our hearts and homes! I pray that we will all be able to embed the truths of this scripture deep in our hearts. If you haven't had time to view the two most recent videoes on this blog, I encourage you to do so. Scroll down to yesterday and Sunday to view them!

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HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME... TO BE A HELPER...

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This month, on this blog, we've been working together to memorize Ephesians 2:4-10. As we look at verses 9-10 this week, we see that God reminds us that we are His workmanship. I am so thankful that God does the work and allows us to be co-workers... helpers. In fact, did you know that there are only two types of "helpers" talked about in scripture? First, the Holy Spirit is the christian's Helper. Second, woman is also called a helper. What an honor to wear the same name as the Holy Spirit! It is the Holy Spirit who helps me to...

1. ...know that I only need God's approval.
2. ... desire to have a servant heart.
3. ...understand that life is about loving God and loving others.
4. ...comprehend that life is not about who wins the most academic prizes, it's about having God's wisdom.
5. ...be convicted of my sin and be transparent enough to share my struggles with others.
6. ...to think other worldly... in heavenly realms... and understand that the last become first.
7. ...grasp forgiveness so that I can learn to show grace.
8. ...know that my things belong to God.
9. ...remind myself that I am fearfully and wonderfully made by God.
10. ...keep pointed toward Christ when no one else will!
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I have such an honor to be my husband's helper! As part of that role, I help our children. I am not the same person I was in 1981 when I became a mother for the first time. God has continued to mold and shape me into the helper who He has wanted me to be. Today, I am thankful for the Biblical challenge that this video gives us all to be helpers! Be sure and pause the playlist above before viewing this short and wonderful video!

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HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME...CHISELING...

MEDITATION MONDAY

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Our church family is reading through the Bible in a year this year. We are now on the book of Numbers. As Dan continued the theme of "Building Up the Church Family!" he talked with us about complaining... whining... grumbling... arguing... Why is it so hard for humans to be thankful in all circumstances? I read a FB post on Friday that I connected back with as I thought about Dan's words and the stories in Numbers. Here is part of that FB post:

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"...trials keep me strong,

sorrows keep me human,

failures keep me humble...

only my faith, family and friends keep me going!!! "

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If that is true, then why are we... am I... not more thankful? Maybe we're wimps! Maybe we just can't take it when the going gets tough. Maybe it's easier to preach than to practice!

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In Numbers 11, the story goes like this:

1. The people complained about their hardships


2. The LORD had enough of their complaining and sent down fire from heaven


3. The people kept complaining and began saying, "If we only had meat to eat!" because they were tired of eating manna (a type of bread with coriander seed) that God provided for them every day.


4. EVERY family was wailing!


5. The LORD became angry! Moses was troubled!


6. The LORD had Moses gather 70 leaders. The LORD gave them His Spirit that He had given Moses so that they could help Moses in leading the people.


7. The LORD had them tell the people that He had heard their prayer and that they would be getting meat every day for 30 days. This was no small task since the number of people in the wilderness with Moses was 600,000 men plus women and children.


8. The LORD created a wind that blew quail in from the sea all around the perimeter of the camp... 3 feet deep and "as far as a day's walk in any direction".


9. The people greedily hoarded as much quail as they could for their families.


10. The LORD was so disappointed in their actions that He sent a severe plague.


11. They named the place KIBROTH HATTAAVAH because that means "the burial place where the people craved food.".

I used to have those words on my refrigerator. They will return their again today:

KIBROTH HATTAAVAH

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God, as you keep working on me... chiseling on me... help me to be GRATEFUL NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCES... Teach me to give You the glory! Teach me to live in the Heavenly Realms!

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If you haven't had the opportunity to watch the video from yesterday: GOD'S CHISEL, I hope you take time to do it now! And, while your at it, learn our theme song from this week and sing it:

He's still working on me!

To make me what I ought to be...

It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars,

The sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars.

How loving and patient He must be!

'Cause He's still working on me!

HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME

SUNDAY IN THE SON

Ephesians 2:9-10

"...not by works,

so that no one can boast. .

For we are

God's workmanship (masterpiece),

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do. . ."
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