THE LIGHTHOUSE...

This week we're looking a little more at our role as "lighthouses" for Jesus. Many of us have just lived through an earthquake and a hurricane. A clerk at the grocery store visited with me briefly, saying that there sure were a lot of people complaining, as they came through her line. She commented that it was refreshing for people to come through who didn't have some kind of a complaint. There's something about complaining that can just bring others down. Light? NOT!

We're spending some time, this week, looking at FORGIVENESS, especially how it relates to our transformed lives and being light to a dark world. Today, let's read through a few scriptures that Lori and I would like to share, beginning with this month's scripture memory focus:

Matthew 5

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

A little later in Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus addresses forgiveness in His Sermon on the Mount:

"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Scriptures that Lori shared with us on Monday, can be considered further before she addresses some transformational thoughts tomorrow about forgiveness.

Mark 11:25,26
"Whenever you stand praying, FORGIVE, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also FORGIVE you your transgressions. "But if you do not FORGIVE, neither will your Father who is in heaven FORGIVE your transgressions."

Matthew 18:21,22
Then Peter came and said to Him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I FORGIVE him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

~BLESSED~

THE LIGHTHOUSE... PRAISING GOD FOR FORGIVENESS...

I am so convinced that the storms of life are weathered when we "look up", "see the light", and choose to be grateful that we know the LIGHT OF THE WORLD and that He allows us to partner with Him as light of the world.

As this blog has addressed repeatedly this year - living out the Be-attitudes is to have the mind of Christ. It is that mind of Christ that is light and salt in a dark and tasteless world. There are a few threads that run through these attitudes.... one that I see is FORGIVENESS. I am thankful that I have been called to FORGIVE like Jesus, I have considered that:

• I must be poor in spirit to FORGIVE.


• I must have mourned over my own sin and the sins of a lost and dying world, to FORGIVE others.


• I must be willing to be meekly led by the Master to FORGIVE in His way as I live in His timing, not mine.


• I must hunger and thirst to FORGIVE because it is righteous.


• I must have mercy on the one whom I am FORGIVING.


• I must FORGIVE from a pure heart with pure motives.


• I must go in peace, as I FORGIVE.


• I must understand that even if I FORGIVE in all the above ways, I still may be persecuted.

Women who FORGIVE - shine! Thank You, Jesus for teaching us how it's done!

I'm grateful that Lori Hernandez is joining us this week with guest posts on the wonderful topic of FORGIVENESS. Here is Lori's second post of the week:

Yesterday I posed the question,

“Are there some things that are just

too awful for God to expect us to FORGIVE?”

I think the answer to that is a firm NO!

The only sin that is mentioned in scripture as being unforgivable

is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit,

as mentioned in Luke 10:12.

So how, then, can we move past

the anger,

disappointment,

and hurt

when someone acts against us with evil intent?

I think, first we need to look to God as our example as the One who FORGAVE first. Our Sunday morning class, has been reading the book, by Dr. Gary Chapman, Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion in a Godly Way. Dr. Chapman says,

"God’s FORGIVENESS of us serves as the model of how we are to
FORGIVE others..."

PATTI'S NOTE: Today, join us in praising God for the way He FORGIVES! Join us again tomorrow for what scripture says about FORGIVENESS and then on Transforming Thursday for some profound thoughts from Lori about the transformative power of forgiveness.

~BLESSED~

THE LIGHTHOUSE...

SUNDAY IN THE SON

THE LIGHTHOUSE

lyrics as sung by ACAPPELLA

There's a Lighthouse on the hillside
That over looks life's sea
And when I'm tossed it sends out a light
That I might see
And the light that shines in darkness now
Will safely lead us o'er
If it wasn't for the Lighthouse
My ship would be no more

Chorus:
And I thank God for the Lighthouse
I owe my life to Him
For Jesus is the Lighthouse
And from the rocks of sin
He has shown a light around me
That I could clearly see
If it wasn't for the Lighthouse (tell me)
Where would this ship be?

Everybody that lives about us
Says tear that Lighthouse down
The big ships don't sail this way anymore
There's no use of it standing round
Then my mind goes back to that stormy night
When just in time I saw the light
Yes, the light from that old Lighthouse
That stands up there on the hill

Repeat Chorus

~BLESSED~

HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME... TO BE SALT AND LIGHT

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

This post is almost identical to last Thursdays, because He's still working on me!

As a follower of Jesus Christ, I am to be like Him:


SALT of the earth

LIGHT of the world

SALT:

Alleviates, Attaches
Brightens, Bonds, Boils
Cleans, Converts
Deters, Detoxes, De-Ices, Deodorizes, Dissolves
Eases, Extinguishes, Exfoliates, Enhances, Eliminates
Flavors, Fills, Freshens
Gives, Gargles
Heals
Improves, Invigorates
Joins
Kills
Lengthens life
Melts
Neutralizes
Opens, Offends
Preserves, Purifies, Prevents, Polishes
Quells
Relieves, Repairs, Refreshes, Removes, Repels, Relaxes
S aves, Shines, Softens, Sets, Sweetens, Soothes, Satiates
Tames, Tests, Transforms
Unites, Upsets
Volumizes
Washes, Whips
eXaspperates, eXacerbates
Yellows, Yields
Zeroes

LIGHT:

A ttracts, Annoys
B rightens, Bonds
C ooks, Converts
D eters, Detoxes, De-Ices
E nhances
F unnels, Flickers, Foils
G ives, Grows
Heals
I lluminates, Improves, Invigorates
J oins, Jumbles
K ills
L engthens life, Leads
M elts
N avigates
O ffends
P urifies
Q ualifies
R elieves, Repairs, Refreshes, Repels, Relaxes
Shines, Saves, Shrinks, Shrivels, Soothes, Signals
T ransforms, Terrifies, Thaws, Travels, Transports
U nveils, Upsets
V erifies
W elcomes
eXasperates, eXacerbates
Y ellows
Z igs and Zags

Thank You, Jesus, for being patient with me!

~BLESSED~

HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME...TO BE LIGHT AND SALT...

Matthew 5:13-16

13 “You are the salt of the earth.

But if the salt loses its saltiness,

how can it be made salty again?
It is no longer good for anything,

except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.



14 “You are the light of the world.
A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.
15 Neither do people light a lamp
and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on its stand,

and it gives light to everyone in the house.



16 In the same way,
let your light shine before others,

that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your Father in heaven.

~BLESSED~

HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME... BY HIS SPIRIT....

This past week provided a fresh awakening for this tired soul. I am a deep believer in the transformational power of God's Holy Spirit in my life. One of the lists over on the right sidebar of this blog has been there a long time. It is the "short list" of what the Holy Spirit does in our lives. On Friday and Saturday Steve told me that God kept putting the Spirit in front of Him all week. People were asking questions about the Spirit in his Bible studies, he'd been handed a book about the Holy Spirit, he'd been asked to listen to a tape about the Holy Spirit, we attended a prayer and praise service at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on Friday night that was Spirit-led / filled... Steve's lesson on Sunday morning was the first in a series on the Holy Spirit...

As I pondered how I am allowing the Holy Spirit to currently work in my own life, I was deeply aware of how God's Spirit had worked just in the last week. In fact, in order to be LIGHT OF THE WORLD and SALT OF THE EARTH, God's Spirit must be in the details.

The HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD... interceded for Transformed Mom, Kristy, last Tuesday morning when at an IEP meeting for her son with Pervasive Developmental Disorder, the school district made a dramatic 180 degrees turn to meet his needs that the family requested. I am grateful to have seen the process of trust, prayer, tears, frustration, persistence, prayers, endurance, patience, kindness, and victory.

The HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD... moves and inspires Transformed Mom Kelly to plan Bible classes for our 3rd and 4th graders in a way that is continuing to convict, empower, and transform her.

THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD... comforts and abides with our family as we go through great valleys with our daughter Jessica's chronic pain. This last two weeks Jessica's pain has been horrific due to the all time lows of barometric pressure here. With the barometric pressure higher today, God has sustained her with a positive attitude and a clear mind, as she is back to exercising this morning.

THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD... blesses me with times of refreshment, like this Sunday night when my hubby took me to Lancaster, PA to the American Music Theater. It was a time of much thought, inspiration, and Holy Spirit conviction as we listened to the Martins sing songs like this:

What about you? How can you finish one of these statements to show your gratitude for the work of God's Spirit in your life?

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT indwells...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT blesses...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT helps...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT gives life...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT comforts...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT leads...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT empowers...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT bears witness...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT bears fruit...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT gifts...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT convicts...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT seals and pledges...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT fills...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT intercedes...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT fellowships...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT teaches...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT rejoices...

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT abides...

GODS'S HOLY SPIRIT transforms...

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power,

but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.

~BLESSED~

HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME... THROUGH HIS SPIRIT...

MEDITATION MONDAY

I have had a very full, inspirational, and BLESSED weekend. It's quite possible that some of you have not. As God continues to work with us, in us, through us, and around us, life can still be hard, but God is still so good.

Friday evening Steve and I were in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center for a prayer and praise service. We gave praise and prayed to the ONE Who is able! He is able to be glorified by us through very difficult circumstances in our personal lives . He is able to change the city of Philadelphia, in spite of horrendous challenges/circumstances that permeate this "city of love and liberty". It was a time of great encouragement as we were led in thought by Jim Cymbala. He gave us "fresh wind and fresh fire" for the days ahead. He called us to be a "house of prayer" for this city, our nation, the lost and and especially for our children.

Saturday from 2:30 p.m. until midnight, I was involved in the wedding of a beautiful young couple. It was a great time of celebration for this young man in our church family who had lost his mother when he was very young. Matt and his sisters have been been taught by his father and paternal grandfather to love the LORD and live for Him. Saturday, Matt married Rachel whose older sister used these statements to describe this petite, home-schooled, LORD loving bride:

"The truth is, Rachel, that pound-for-pound you've got more grit and determination than anyone I know. Pound-for-pound you are the most loyal friend I could ever find. Pound-for-pound you stick to your convictions more than anyone else. Maybe when we were kids, you did need me to look after you. But since we've become, dare I say it? Adults? You've given me more reason to look up to you than to look out for you. I am so proud..."

Sunday morning, Steve's sermon challenged us to be people not only who were worshippers in TRUTH, but in SPIRIT.

John 4:24 says,

"God is spirit,

and His worshipers must worship

in the Spirit and in truth.”

The more we learn to keep step with the Spirit, worshipping Him with our lives, allowing Him to permeate our hearts, we will become an integral part of His plan. Steve shared that the more each of us are in tune with God's Spirit, God will use us to meet each others needs. He shared about a time when a young woman listened to the Holy Spirit to encourage him in a powerful way. You can read about it and hear Alexis Joi HERE.

Last night, Steve and I went to Lancaster, PA for an evening at the American Music Theatre. My spirit has been encouraged in multiple ways this weekend. It culminated by being inspired, challenged, and encouraged by THE MARTINS. After pausing the Playlist above, I encourage you to listen to one of my favorite songs of the evening HERE.

~BLESSED~

HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME...

SUNDAY IN THE SON

How do I become LIGHT to the world AND SALT of the earth? I must let Jesus keep working on me!

HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME

LYRICS:

He's still working on me

To me make what I out 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!

There really ought to be a sign upon my heart

Don't judge her yet, there's an unfinished part...

But I'll be perfect, just according to His plan

Fashioned by the Master's loving hands!

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!

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. . ."
.

~BLESSED~

I AM NOTHING WITHOUT YOU... SALT AND LIGHT...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

As a follower of Jesus Christ, He says that we are to be like Him:

SALT of the earth

LIGHT of the world

As a family of SALT and LIGHT, we are transforming more and more to be like Jesus by aligning the attitudes of our minds to the MIND OF CHRIST. (See Matthew 5:1-12... The Be-attitudes). With these Be-attitudes inside of us, we are then LIGHT and SALT in a dark and tasteless world.


What are some common and not so common uses of SALT and LIGHT? I've thought much more about it recently as we've used both in the treatment of our daughter who is chronically ill. I have compiles two lists, in alphabetical order, for your consideration:


Some uses and/or characteristics of SALT:

Alleviates, Attaches

Brightens, Bonds, Boils

Cleans, Converts

Deters, Detoxes, De-Ices, Deodorizes, Dissolves
Eases, Extinguishes, Exfoliates, Enhances, Eliminates
Flavors, Fills, Freshens
Gives, Gargles
Heals
Improves, Invigorates

Joins

Kills
Lengthens life
Melts
Neutralizes
Opens, Offends
Preserves, Purifies, Prevents, Polishes
Quells
Relieves, Repairs, Refreshes, Removes, Repels, Relaxes
S aves, Shines, Softens, Sets, Sweetens, Soothes, Satiates
Tames, Tests, Transforms
Unites, Upsets
Volumizes
Washes, Whips
eXaspperates, eXacerbates
Yellows, Yields
Zeroes

Some uses and/or characteristics of LIGHT:

A ttracts, Annoys
B rightens, Bonds
C ooks, Converts
D eters, Detoxes, De-Ices
E nhances
F unnels, Flickers, Foils
G ives, Grows
Heals
I lluminates, Improves, Invigorates
J oins, Jumbles
K ills
L engthens life, Leads
M elts
N avigates
O ffends
P urifies
Q ualifies
R elieves, Repairs, Refreshes, Repels, Relaxes
Shines, Saves, Shrinks, Shrivels, Soothes, Signals
T ransforms, Terrifies, Thaws, Travels, Transports
U nveils, Upsets
V erifies
W elcomes
eXasperates, eXacerbates
Y ellows
Z igs and Zags

Various Links for uses of SALT & LIGHT:

http://shine.yahoo.com/event/green/46-smart-uses-for-salt-2270681/
http://www.bellybytes.com/articles/salt.shtml
http://www.saltworks.us/salt_info/salt-uses-and-tips.asp
http://www.ivillage.com/20-surprising-uses-salt/7-a-220519
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-less-known-uses-of-salt.htm
http://executableoutlines.com/mt/mt_03.htm

~BLESSED~

I AM NOTHING WITHOUT YOU.... CHRIST IN ME... THE HOPE OF GLORY...

MEDITATION MONDAY

Our theme song this week begins with these words:

Take these hands and lift them up
For I have not the strength to praise You near enough
See I have nothing,
I have nothing without You....

The words of the song connect us with Jesus words... BE-ATTITUDES 1, 2, & 3:

Poor in spirit!

Mourning!

Meek!

Yesterday morning, our visiting missionary from Marseilles, France, said that it was time for each person to make a DECISION... time to put FIRST THINGS FIRST. Craig Young took us to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount:

1. Matthew 7:3-5: Repent! Change your direction! MAKE THE DECSION TO FIRST get the plank out of your own eye!

2. Matthew 6: 31-33 Seek first the kingdom of God... MAKE THE DECISION TO FIRST seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

3. Matthew 5:23 Ask forgiveness of others and be reconciled! MAKE THE DECISION TO FIRST go to the people who have somethng against you BEFORE bringing your gifts to God's altar.

Craig's words were filled with Be-attitude 4 and more connections to Be-attitudes 1, 2, & 3:

Hunger and thirst for righteousness!

Poor in spirit!

Mourn!

Meek!

And, then, as I continue to listen to this week's theme song, I hear more connections:

Take my voice and pour it out
Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found
For I have nothing,
I have nothing without You

Jesus' Be-attitudes 5, 1, & 3:

Merciful!

Poor in spirit!

Meek!

Song continues:

All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing without You

Take my body and build it up
May it be broken as an offering of love
For I have nothing,

I have nothing without You

All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing

But I love You

With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
With all the strength that I can find

And the words above make connections to Be-attitudes 6, 7, 8, & 9:

Pure in heart!

Peacemaker!

Persecuted for righteousness!

Rejoice!

The song ends with words that challenge us to be the SALT OF THE EARTH and the LIGHT OF THE WORLD.

Take my time here on this earth
And let it glorify all that You are worth
For I am nothing,
I am nothing without You

Salt and Light from Matthew 5:

13 “You are the salt of the earth.

But if the salt loses its saltiness,

how can it be made salty again?

It is no longer good for anything,

except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world.

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Neither do people light a lamp

and put it under a bowl.

Instead they put it on its stand,

and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16 In the same way,

let your light shine before others,

that they may see your good deeds

and glorify your Father in heaven.

Colossians 1:27:
Christ in you, the hope of glory.

~BLESSED~

I AM NOTHING WITHOUT YOU...

SUNDAY IN THE SON

I AM NOTHING WITHOUT YOU

as sung by Bebo Norman

Take these hands and lift them up
For I have not the strength to praise You near enough
See I have nothing,

I have nothing without You

Take my voice and pour it out
Let it sing the songs of mercy I have found
For I have nothing,

I have nothing without You

Chorus:
All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing without You

Take my body and build it up
May it be broken as an offering of love
For I have nothing,

I have nothing without You

All my soul needs
Is all Your love to cover me
So all the world will see
That I have nothing
But I love You

With all my heart
With all my soul
With all my mind
With all the strength that I can find

Take my time here on this earth
And let it glorify all that You are worth
For I am nothing,
I am nothing without You



The playlist above entitles the song, I HAVE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, with an incorrect title of another song by Bebo Norman. The lyrics to that song are below:

GREAT LIGHT OF THE WORLD

as sung by Bebo Norman

Sometimes at night
I am afraid
I cover my eyes,
Cover my shame
So here in the dark
Broken apart
Come with YOUR LIGHT
And fill up my heart

Oh GREAT LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Fill up my soul
I'm half a (wo)man here
So come make me whole
Oh GREAT LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Come to impart
The LIGHT OF YOUR GRACE
To fill up my heart

The wind of this world
Can push us around
Folding us up
Backing us down
But here in the dark
I'm not alone
So come with YOUR STRENGTH
And carry me home

Oh GREAT LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Fill up my soul
I'm half a (wo)man here
So come make me whole
Oh GREAT LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Come to impart
The LIGHT OF YOUR GRACE

Oh GREAT LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Fill up my soul
I'm half a (wo)man here
So come make me whole
Oh GREAT LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Come to impart
The LIGHT OF YOUR GRACE
To fill up my heart

The LIGHT OF YOUR GRACE
To fill up my heart

~BLESSED~

GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD... REPENTENCE...

KETCHUP AND MUSTARD SATURDAY

Catch up and Must do!

When a person "LIGHTS" her world, she must do it God's way. I'm not sure that the type of LIGHT in our scripture verses refers to what we commonly hear in the phrase, "She really lights up a room!"

LIGHT doesn't turn itself on. It is set in motion by a higher power. It just is!

Living the Be-attitudes of Christ means we've gone to boot camp to develop the MIND OF CHRIST. We just are!

Hebrews reminds us that as His disciples we must

"...move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death..."

Check out my hubbies blogpost for further thoughts:

STEVE SIKES' BLOG

~BLESSED~

GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD... HEROES...

This week, at some time or another, each of us has been touched with the news of the 30 Americans and the 8 Afghans killed in the helicopter crash in Afghanistan. I'm mourning these horrific losses for their children, wives, fathers, and mothers. I've been touched to read the stories of these young warriors who came from Arkansas, California, Colorado, Conneticut, Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia

The Associated Press released stories about: Aaron, Alexander, Andrew, Brian, Bryan, Chris, Daniel, Darrick, David, Heath, Jared, Jason, Jesse, John, John, John, Jon, Jonas, Kevin, Kraig, Louis, Matthew, Michael, Nicholas, Nicholas, Patrick, Robert, Spencer, Stephen, and Thomas.

I was struck by all of their stories, but one specifically brought LIGHT into a dark world, giving perspective to our worldwide family in Christ. What a wonderful tribute to be given by some of the "moms" in Aaron's life:

Aaron Carson Vaughn

Aaron Carson Vaughn was a man of deep faith, insisting to his family that he didn't fear his job as a Navy SEAL "because he knew where he was going" when he died.

"Aaron was a Christian and he's with Jesus today," Geneva Vaughn of Union City, Tenn., told The Associated Press on Saturday. "He told us when we saw him last November that he wasn't afraid ... he said, `Granny, don't worry about me.'"

"He was a tough warrior, but he was a gentle man."

Geneva Vaughn said her grandson, 30, joined the SEALS straight out of boot camp and was already a decorated fighter when he was asked by the Navy to return stateside to become an instructor. But he applied to SEAL Team 6 after two years, earning his way onto the squad in 2010.

He asked the military to return him to combat and shipped out just six weeks before he was killed, Vaughn said.

"He was doing what he loved to do and he was a true warrior," Geneva Vaughn said.

Aaron Vaughn leaves behind his wife, Kimberly, and two children, 2-year-old son Reagan and 2-month-old daughter Chamberlyn.

"They will take away his love for Christ. They will take his dream and his love for the country, and they will know what an amazing man he is," Kimberly said about the children in an interview on NBC's "Today" show Monday.

~BLESSED~

GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD.... OBEY TO OBEY...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

I really don't know if the picture below is of people holding these lights or not, but what if it is? It would take people having a plan... working the plan... staying plugged to the power source until the purpose is completed....

In Matthew 5, Jesus shares about how to live the BLESSED LIFE. It comes from within. Imagine all of the people in this picture being lit and powered by their relationship with Jesus Christ. It would take a steady focus, committment, but most importantly staying connected to the Power Source. Isn't that the plan? A group of people... followers of Christ... christians... being mini-replicas of the ONE who they are following... working together... to shine light in the darkness....

Yesterday, a friend shared with me that she spends 2 hours, each morning, praising Jesus and re-connecting with Him. Priorities! Focus! Connection! Light for a dark world!

Last night, as I taught the 3rd and 4th grade Bible class for our church family, we continued our study of the book of Matthew. There's a whole lot about leading THE BLESSED LIFE in that Gospel book! The last section of the book shares some of Jesus' last words to His disciples on earth. It ends with the challenge for us to GO LIGHT OUR WORLD!

Obey! Go! Teach! Baptize! Obey!

~BLESSED~

GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD... LIVE SCRIPTURE...

GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD... PRAISING IN THE STORMS....

Our daughter, Jessica, has migraines 24/7. They are the worst when the barametric pressure is low. The barametric pressure in our town seems to be stuck on LOW. My prayer:

God, You are The Creator. God, You are in control. I am so thankful for rain and seasons of refreshment. Thank You, big time that our friends in the West and Midwest have seen rain. It seems that before a storm comes that the barametric pressure must go low. I don't understand it all, but I trust. I'm just asking You to take away this condition of Jessica's so that she can have relief, even when the low pressure has to come. God, I ask for relief for Jessica TODAY. I'm so grateful that I can come to You, because of Jesus. I beg for the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, to give LIGHT to Jessica at the end of her "tunnel". I praise You for what You have done, what You are doing, and what You are going to do!

~BLESSED~

GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD... GOD'S WAY....

MEDITATION MONDAY

Who does God love? I know so many people - women especially - who do not believe that God can possibly love them. Yesterday morning, Derrick was our speaker. His lesson was on the Bible story / character JONAH. Ninevah was an extremely wicked city AND GOD LOVED THE PEOPLE OF NINEVAH!!!!

If you read the little 4 chapter book of Jonah, in the Bible, you might not understand the extent of the evil in Ninevah. Jonah did not want to go preach to them, maybe because he knew a little bit kore about their character than we do. Go over to a nearby book, in the library of the Bible's 66 books, to the book of Nahum and you'll find more about Ninevah. The description of Ninevah's wickedness in the book of Nahum, includes:

~They plotted evil against the LORD.~

Nahum 1:11

~They showed cruelty and plundering in war.~

Nahum 2:12-13; 3:1-19

~They were known for their prostitution and witchcraft.~

Nahum 3:4

~They were known for commercial exploitation.~

Nahum 3:16

We could use multiple words to describe the above: evil, wicked, darkness, sin... This could also be said of many countries today. Yet, let's not look at a country or a city... let's look at it in terms of people who are doing these things. You may know people like this. Maybe you work with them or go to school with them or they are even your FB friends or family members.

How has God called you and me to make a difference with these people and their evil... wickedness... darkness... sin.... He often puts us in circumstances that no one else can make a difference like we can. Yesterday morning, the title of Derrick's lesson was "I DID IT MY... GOD'S WAY!" He had the word "MY" crossed out. There might we a way to make a little difference here and there by doing it "my" way, but if I want to make an eternal / everlasting change, I must do it God's way - with THE MIND OF CHRIST.

Our theme song reminds us to GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD. Our scripture memory for the month says the we are THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. How does that work? Where does that power come from?

It is from having the attitude of Christ... living THE BLESSED LIFE... as set forth in the previous verses of Matthew 5... POWERful!!!!

I'm waking up each morning praying the Be-attitudes.

Jesus,

I want to light my world God's way.

Today help me to have Your mind...

Your attitudes...

Your light...

~BLESSED~

GO LIGHT YOUR WORLD...

SUNDAY IN THE SON

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings a fire
Ignites a candle and makes His home

So Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to
Light his own candle some other way
See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flame

So Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Cause we are a family whose hearts are blazing
So let's raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times

So Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

~BLESSED~

THE BLESSING... MOM'S TREASURES...

As I sit here in a room still full with many of Mom's things, I'm looking at a piece of paper that I was quickly drawn to when my sister and I went through some of Mom's Bible teaching materials. This paper was typed with a typewriter - not a computer. It, along with many other things in the case, were obviously a labor of love. I don't know who the original author was. I am very thankful that Mom chose to type these two things - one for wives and one for mothers:

TO KEEP YOUR MARRIAGE BRIMMING,

WITH LOVE IN THE LOVING CUP,

WHENEVER YOU'RE WRONG, ADMIT IT!

WHENEVER YOU'RE RIGHT, SHUT UP!

A MOTHER'S BEATITUDE

BLESSED is the mother who understands her child,

For she shall inherit a kingdom of memories.

BLESSED is the mother who knows how to comfort,

for she shall possess a child's devotion.

BLESSED is the mother who is never shocked,

for she shall receive confidences.

BLESSED is the mother who guides by the path of righteousness,

for she shall be proud of her offspring.

BLESSED is the mother who teaches respect,

for she shall be respected.

BLESSED is the mother who emphasizes the good and minimizes the bad,

for in like manner the child himself shall make evaluations.

BLESSED is the mother who treats her child as she would be treated,

for her home will be filled with happiness.

BLESSED is the mother who answers simply the startling questions,

for she shall always be trusted.

BLESSED is the mother who has character strong enough to stand the thoughtless remarks and resentments of a growing child,

for again in due time, she will be honored.

~BLESSED~

THE BLESSING... SALT AND LIGHT...

Now that we've spent months and months looking at the Beatitudes we come to Christ's next part of the Sermon on the Mount... or is it the next section? I believe it is the summary of the previous verses. IF we live the BLESSED LIFE of having the attitudes of Christ, THEN we will be salt and light to the world. Today, join me in reading through this passage and then begin memorizing verses 13 -16 of Matthew 5.

1 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them.

He said:
3 “Blessed are the

poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who

mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5 Blessed are the

meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are those who

hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7 Blessed are the

merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8 Blessed are the

pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9 Blessed are the

peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who

are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
1 “Blessed are you

when people insult you,

persecute you

and falsely say all kinds of evil

against you because of me.

12 Rejoice and be glad,

because great is your reward in heaven,

for in the same way they persecuted the prophets

who were before you.

13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

~BLESSED~

THE BLESSING... GENERATIONS OF LIGHT AND SALT...

I am twice blessed! I have a rich heritage of parents and grandparents who loved, trusted, and obeyed the LORD. Today, I travel to Alabama to see my mother who has Alzheimer's and lives in a nursing home. My dad and grandparents have already gone on to be with the LORD.

This past week, my hubby got to be with our oldest son, his wife, and our two precious grand girls in Missouri. His parents came for a visit. My father-in-love and mother-in-love are the kind of people described in Matthew 5. After Jesus gives what we refer to as the Be-attitudes, He continues by saying that people who have these attitudes are "light" and "salt" for others. These are concepts we will be addressing on this blog in the month of August. So, quite appropriately, I will share about those in my life who have been "light" and "salt" for me. I am so grateful.

~BLESSED~

THE BLESSING... ACROSTIC...

MEDITATION MONDAY

I've been thinking a lot about the word BLESSING recently. You may think, "Duh, Patti! Don't you use the word, BLESSED, at the end of every post?"

Yes! I am BLESSED! You are BLESSED! What about BEING A BLESSING! As I was driving to the Philly airport this afternoon, to pick up my hubby, I began to brainstorm some acrostics for BLESSING. Here are a few that I came up with:

B- Be

L- Love!

E- Embrace

S- Serving

S- Situations,

I- Initiating

N- Nearness to

G- God

B- Bring

L- Love

E- Everyday,

S- Serving

S- Souls

I- Intimately

N- Needing

G- God

B- Beautiful

L- Lives

E- Embrace

S- Searching

S- Souls

I- In

N- Nurturing

G- Goodness

~BLESSED~