FOREVER... IN THE WORD...

LAST DAY OF NOVEMBER:

2011 NOVEMBER SCRIPTURE MEMORY

ZECHARIAH 4:6

So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power,

but by my Spirit,’

says the LORD Almighty.

~BLESSED~

FOREVER... NO STINKIN' THINKIN'...

I love reading about the miracles of Jesus. The first one, of His ministry, was done in response to a request from His mother. He often approached naysayers or those who just wanted to make Him look bad. One of my favorites, of His miracles, is recorded in 3 of the gospels... Matthew 9, Mark 2, and Luke 5.

I'm grateful that:

• The paralyzed man had 4 Faithful Friends who stepped out in FAITH! No stinkin' thinkin' here!



• Jesus took care of the most important things first by forgiving the paralyzed man of his sins! No stinkin' thinkin' here!



• In spite of the "stinkin' thinkin'" of the "religious people", Jesus remained kind!



• The paralyzed man walked away - no longer paralyzed!



• Everyone praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" No stinkin' thinkin' here!

MARK 2:
1 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that He had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and He preached the word to them.

3 Some men came, bringing to Him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get Him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.

5 When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

6 Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, 7 “Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

8 Immediately Jesus knew in His spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts,

9 Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.”

So He said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.”

12 He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all.
This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”

I invite you to scroll down to yesterday's post to see more about the focus of my gratitude!

~BLESSED~

FOREVER... GIVING THANKS FOR JESUS...

MEDITATION MONDAY

It's been a BLESSED and reflective Thanksgiving. As I contemplated our new theme song for this week, I wanted it to reflect my desire for the "spirit of Thanksgiving" to continue FOREVER! It does! When the Holy Spirit of God is present, praise and thanksgiving permeate the place!!!

Yesterday, we ended our "quarter" in our Sunday women's Bible class. Our review focus was on FAITH...

F ix my eyes on Jesus!

A ssured of who I am in Christ!

I don't wanna', but I'm a gonna!

T hrow off everything that hinders!

H oly Spirit led!

What followed was a worship service and sermon with 2 very strong messages that are the bookends of our FAITH acrostic.

• 
  
  Fix your eyes on Jesus is the first and primary thing: GET TO KNOW JESUS CHRIST!
  
  


• 
  
  Holy Spirit led! Take the first step and begin the journey!

We were challenged get rid of STINKIN' THINKIN' and let this be our focus!

FIX MY EYES ON JESUS via

the "ABC's in 3's"of JESUS:

• A dvocate, Alpha and Omega, Almighty



• B lessed, Bright and Morning Star, Bread of Life



• C reator, Counselor, Comfort



• D eliverer, Divine, Door



• E ternal Life, Emmanuel, Everlasting
  

• F aithful Friend, Forgiver, Faithfulness



• G od, Goodness, Gentleness



• H oly One, High Priest, Hope of Glory



• I Am, Immanuel, Incarnate God



• J oy, Judge of the Living and the Dead, Jehovah



• K ing of kings, Keeper of my soul, Kindness
  

• L ove, Light of the world, Lion and Lamb



• M essiah, Mediator, Master



• N ame above all names, Nazarene, Never-ending



• O nly Begotten Son, Omnipresent, Offspring of David



• P rince of peace, Peace, Patience



• Q uieter of the winds and waves, Qualified, Qualifier



• R esurrection and the Life, Redeemer, Righteousness



• S avior of the world, Servant, Self Control



• T ruth, Teacher, True Vine



• U nfailing love, Unspeakable gift, Unchanging



• V ictor, Victory, Valiant Warrior



• W ay, Word, Wisdom



• eX act representation of God, eXalted, eXample



• Y ahweh, Yahweh, Yahweh



• Z ion's glory, Zion stander, Zion's choice stone
  

Holy Spirit Led... The HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD...

• ...indwells





• ... blesses





• ... helps





• ... gives life





• ... comforts





• ... leads





• ... empowers





• ... bears witness





• ... bears fruit





• ... gifts





• ... convicts





• ... moves and inspires





• ... seals and pledges





• ... fills





• ... intercedes





• ... fellowships





• ... teaches





• ... rejoices





• ... abides





• ... transforms...

~BLESSED~

FOREVER...

FOREVER

as sung by Chris Tomlin

Give thanks to the LORD

Our God and King

His love endures forever

For He is good,

He is above all things

His love endures forever

Sing praise, sing praise

With a mighty hand and outstretched arm

His love endures forever

For the life that's been reborn

His love endures forever

Sing praise, sing praise

Sing praise, sing praise

Yeah

Forever God is faithful

Forever God is strong

Forever God is with us

Forever

Forever

From the rising to the setting sun

His love endures forever

By the grace of God

We will carry on

His love endures forever

Sing praise, sing praise

Sing praise, sing praise

Yeah

Forever God is faithful

Forever God is strong

Forever God is with us

Forever

Forever

Forever God is faithful

Forever God is strong

Forever God is with us

Forever

Forever

Forever

His love endures forever

His love endures forever

His love endures forever

Forever

Sing praise, sing praise

Sing praise, sing praise

Yeah

Forever you are faithful

Forever you are strong

Forever you are with us

Forever

And ever

Yeah

Forever you are faithful

Forever you are strong

Forever you are with us

Forever

ForeverYou are God.....

Forever

And ever and ever ....

~BLESSED~

GIVE THANKS... FOR FAMILY...

I am so thankful that the words above are true. Whether it be my physical family or my spiritual family, it is God's love that transcends all to make us friends.

I love the straightforward definition of love that God gives us in scripture. Within that "definition" in 1 Corinthians 13, anyone's name can be entered in my paraphrased version here:

My Love for _____ is patient,

my love for ______ is kind.

It does not envy,

it does not boast,

it is not proud.

5 It does not dishonor , ______

My love for _____ is not self-seeking,

My love for ____ is not easily angered,

My love for _____keeps no record of wrongs.

6 My love for ________does not delight in evil

but rejoices with the truth.

7 My love for ______always protects,

My love for ______always trusts,

My love for ______always hopes,

My love for ______always perseveres.

8 God's kind of Love never fails.

But where there are prophecies, they will cease;

where there are tongues, they will be stilled;

where there is knowledge, it will pass away.

9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

10 but when completeness comes,

what is in part disappears.

11 When I was a child, I talked like a child,

I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child.

When I became a man,

I put the ways of childhood behind me.

12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;

then we shall see face to face.

Now I know in part;

then I shall know fully,

even as I am fully known.

13 And now these three remain:

faith, hope and love.

But the greatest of these is love.

~BLESSED~

GIVE THANKS... IN SPITE OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES...

TRANSFORMING

THANKSGIVING

THURSDAY

Thank You, JESUS!

~BLESSED~

GIVE THANKS...IN, FOR, AND THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD...

I am thankful that Jesus has given me a piece of His Holy Spirit to live and work inside of me. This is my identity IN CHRIST!

He promised this in John, when He said,

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see Me anymore, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

What is the evidence of Jesus' Spirit living inside of me? Galatians 5 tells us that the Spirit's fruit has these characteristics:

My thanksgiving is overflowing for the miracle of the Holy Spirit!

Our Scripture Memory for this month is:

ZECHARIAH 4:6

"So he said to me,
This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power,

but by my Spirit,’

says the LORD Almighty. "

The HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD...
...indwells... blesses... helps... gives life... comforts... leads... empowers... bears witness... bears fruit... gifts... convicts... moves and inspires... seals and pledges... fills... intercedes... fellowships... teaches... rejoices... abides... transforms...

~BLESSED~

GIVE THANKS... FOR CHRIST AND HIS BODY...

Today, I'm beginning with the picture I posted yesterday. To get the full explanation you might scroll down to "MEDITATION MONDAY" before beginning this post.

Oh, how thankful I am for my church family!

PACK THE PULPIT SUNDAY:

1. Children brought the love offerings of food:

2. "D" shared his story / testimony... of being homeless for over a year. Then, along came "A" to feed him... care for him... nurse him back to health! He was lost, but now he's found... Both "A" and "D" were born again this year... now part of the wonderful family of God. Welcome to the family little brother and sister of Jesus Christ!!!!

3. Our church family kept giving in the afternoon... Baby Sammy is being provided for in a very big way! He's expected to arrive to the loving arms of Daddy R and Mommy J in December. This car headed home loaded with love gifts!

Thank you, LORD for my loving and giving church family! Jesus, thank YOU for being the Head of this body: THE BODY OF CHRIST!

~BLESSED~

GIVE THANKS... THROUGH YOUR GIVING...

MEDITATION MONDAY

Yesterday, my church family joined together in our "Pack the Pulpit Sunday". People brought their love offerings of food into the building. The children brought the gifts on up to the pulpit area. Tomorrow, I will share more pictures. In the meantime, consider what "judging" has or does not have to do with "giving" as you read these verses from LUKE 6:

37 “Do not judge,

and you will not be judged.

Do not condemn,

and you will not be condemned.

Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

38 Give, and it will be given to you.

A good measure, pressed down,

shaken together and running over,

will be poured into your lap.

For with the measure you use,

it will be measured to you.”

GIVE THANKS...

Give Thanks

as sung by Don Moen

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because

He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us"

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us"

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

Give thanks with a grateful heart

Give thanks to the Holy One

Give thanks because He's given Jesus Christ, His Son

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us"

And now let the weak say, "I am strong"

Let the poor say, "I am rich

Because of what the Lord has done for us"

Give thanks

We give thanks to You, oh Lord

We give thanks...

~BLESSED~

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO... GIVE HOPE... FAMILY...

Please watch a brief newscast video of a christian man who along with his wife has chosen to BLESS many. My FAMILY and I have been overwhelming recipients of God's lovingkindness through the Craig and Kathy Taylor FAMILY. So thankful that we are all FAMILY in Jesus!

I am putting a link here just in case the embedded video does not work.

http://www.news9.com/story/16060870/amanda-taylors-role-model-speaks-out-about-hunger
































~BLESSED~

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO... TRANSFORM...

T rust Jesus

R epent to Jesus

A ccept Jesus

N eed Jesus

S ubmit to Jesus

F aith in Jesus

O ffer life to Jesus

R ely on Jesus
M odel Jesus

~BLESSED~

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO... TRUST THE SPIRIT'S LEADING!

2011 NOVEMBER SCRIPTURE MEMORY

ZECHARIAH 4:6

So he said to me,
“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’
says the LORD Almighty.


Dear friend, each of us must learn to walk in FAITH knowing that:

• F ixing my eyes on Jesus is foundational.


• A ssurance of my hope in Jesus shows I trust Him.


• "I don't wanna', but I'm a gonna!" must be my attitude!


• T hrowing off things that hinder my spiritual walk is imperative!


• H oly Spirit led women are FAITH walking, assured, persevering, victorious Jesus followers.

~BLESSED~

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO... CHOOSE THANKFULNESS...

Yes! This was my post last Tuesday! I'm thankful to have the reminder AGAIN!

~BLESSED~

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO... BE STRETCHED...

MEDITATION MONDAY

Today, I want us to consider FAITH as it relates to RUBBERBANDS. I recently read something about rubberbands that gave me some thoughts to ponder:

"The main thing to remember when discussing rubber bands
is entropy. Generally speaking, entropy is chaos, or a lack of order.

Entropy is best defined in the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that a system will naturally move from a state of order to a state of disorder. This is best illustrated in a rubber band. While not being stretched out, the polymers (molecules that make up the rubber) are tangled up in a random mess, all of them haphazardly lying atop the others. When a rubber band is stretched, though, these molecules lengthen out and become ordered in a single direction. However,
the natural urge is to return to the state of entropy, so as soon as the rubber band is released, it will snap back to its original form and back to a state of entropy."

My question for us to ponder:

Is it the continual STRETCHING of our circumstances that gives us the opportunity to order our FAITH focus in the direction that God wants it to go?

On Friday, we lived through 11-11-11. We honored our God. We honored Veteran's.
On Sunday, churches across the USA joined in "Orphan Sunday". Our prayer and giving focus was for children who are living without one or more parents.

There are things that STRETCH and grow FAITH more than others. Separated from family and friends while in harm's way is certainly FAITH STRETCHING! Living without the comfort , protection, and guidance of a parent is a mind boggling STRETCH OF FAITH.

Add to Veteran's and Orphans our dear Widows and Widowers! All alone from years spent with his or her Beloved, FAITH IS STRETCHED on a daily basis.

For these people, the holidays can be an extremely difficult time. As you count your BLESSINGS in the next few weeks, please consider how to pray for, love, give to, and serve these special people. STRETCH YOUR PRAYER LIFE! STRETCH YOUR LOVE! STRETCH YOUR GIVING! STRETCH YOUR SERVICE!

James 1:26-27

"Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. "

Luke 6:38

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

~BLESSED~

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO...

SUNDAY IN THE SUN

(Our second week, in a row, for this theme song!)

What Faith Can Do
as sung by Kutless

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning

Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you're stronger, stronger than you know

Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling

I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try

Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water

It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing

You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds?
You don't have a chance!
(That’s what faith can do).

When the world says you can’t
It’ll (FAITH will) tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling

And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!

Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise!

~BLESSED~

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO...

11-11-11

Today's date is so unique! It reminds me that I am a fan of ones!

In Ephesians chapter 4, there is a focus on ONES:

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then,

I urge you to live a life worthy

of the calling you have received.

2 Be completely humble and gentle;

be patient,

bearing with one another in love.

3 Make every effort to keep

the unity of the Spirit

through the bond of peace.

4 There is ONE body

and ONE Spirit,

just as you were called to ONE hope when you were called;

ONE Lord,

ONE FAITH,

ONE baptism;

ONE God and Father of all,

who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each ONE of us

grace has been given

as Christ apportioned it.

• 
  
  1 Body


• 
  
  1 Spirit


• 
  
  1 Hope


• 
  
  1 LORD


• 
  
  1 Faith


• 
  
  1 Baptism


• 
  
  1 God and Father of all

• 
  
  1 Godly Husband


• 
  
  1 Godly Oldest son


• 
  
  1 Godly Oldest daughter


• 
  
  1 Godly Youngest son


• 
  
  1 Godly Youngest daughter

That's what FAITH can do!

~BLESSED~

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO... TRANSFORM...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

This fall, in our Sunday morning ladies class ,we are looking at several spiritual concepts, including FAITH. Faith in Jesus Christ is the first step to the BLESSED life. Trusting in God, the Creator of the universe is Faith. Believing that Jesus Christ is God takes Faith.

FAITH

• 
  
  F ixes my eyes on Jesus!

FAITH

• 
  
  A ssures me of what I do not see!

FAITH says,

• 
  
  "I don't wanna, but I'm a gonna!"

FAITH

• 
  
  T hrows off things that hinder!"

FAITH follows the

• 
  
  H oly Spirit's lead!

Each of the above phrases in the acrostic have a memory scripture that we have been memorizing. During this process of memorizing these scriptures, several other scriptures have been brought to my attention by the Holy Spirit. All of these scriptures are TRANSFORMING my thinking!

The newest scriptures, include:

SCRIPTURE 1:

When the children of Israel were standing at the Red Sea and the Egyptians were behind them in pursuit. This statement was made before God parted the waters of the Red Sea.

EXODUS 14:14

"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

SCRIPTURE 2:
Jeremiah is known as the "weeping prophet". Yet, Jeremiah knew that it was God that it was the LORD GOD who he should put his Faith in.

JEREMIAH 17:7

“But BLESSED is the one who trusts in the LORD,
whose confidence is in Him."

SCRIPTURE 3:
The angel of the LORD spoke to the prophet Zechariah:

ZECHARIAH 4:6

"So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by power,
but by my Spirit,’
says the LORD Almighty. "

~BLESSED~

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO... BE STILL AND TRUST THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD...

These 3 verses have BLESSED my life a lot lately. I have added all 3 as our NOVEMBER SCRIPTURE MEMORY! All 3 verses scream FAITH!


EXODUS 14:14

"The LORD will fight for you;

you need only to be still.”

JEREMIAH 17:7


“But BLESSED is the one

who trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in Him."

ZECHARIAH 4:6

"So he said to me,

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power,

but by my Spirit,’

says the LORD Almighty. "

~BLESSED~

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO... BE THANKFUL ANYWAY...

Start today!

Count your BLESSINGS and not your troubles!

~BLESSED~

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO... JESUS BRINGS UNITY OUT OF DIVERSITY...

MEDITATION MONDAY

I love my church family! An amazingly diverse group of people have come together because of their faith in and love for LORD JESUS CHRIST. We worship Him, we fellowship with each other, we work through our differences, and we are learning and maturing in how to be Spirit-led. We are more than community... we are the family of God - The Pitman Road church of Christ!

Yesterday, via cardboard testimonies, some of this body of believers shared why they loved our church family. Here are some of the words they wrote on cardboard. Join me in meditating on these words of gratitude today:

1. God fearing, Spirit-led leaders!

2. Love! Love! Love! 100%

3. Gospel is preached through many lives!

4. Faith, Hope, Love shown always!

5. Our Diversity!

6. Our service projects! World mission!

7. All of the Bible classes!

8. Everyone is willing to help!

9. Godly shepherds and wives!

10. Family feeling!

11. Seeing the Bible lived in people's lives!

12. Good preachers!

13. We care for the needy!

14. Accappela singing!

15. Young people in our Life Groups!

16. Many men share from pulpit!

17. Clarity!

18. Self sacrificing elders and ministers!

19. We go outside our comfort zones to share!

20. Bible studies are awesome!

21. How they make me feel like family!

22. Visible relationships!

23. Spiritual family manifested!

24. Imperfect and caring people, yet we fit together!

25. Leaders move beyond tradition!

26. Accept different worship styles!

27. The love and hearts of people!

28. 27 years of never giving up!

29. The truth is preached and taught!

30. A Bible believing church!

31. Life Groups

32. We never stop caring!

33. We exemplify that we are family through Christ!

34. Not judgmental!

35. Show the real meaning of love!

36. Songs we sing!

37. We meet 3 times weekly!

38. Youth Groups!

39. Singing!

40. Sense of Community!

41. Prayerful practices!

42. Spirit led!

43. The people!

44. Family atmosphere!

45. It's big! It's fun! Toys! (1st grader)

46. Heavy investment in our young people!

47. I was saved here - Great Commission emphasis!

48. Many people participate!

49. Life Group Fellowships!

50. Non-judgmental, accepting members!

51. Prayerful leaders, members!

52. Men gather consistently to pray!

53. Generosity!

54. Give and give and give!

55. Forgive me of my sins!

56. We bring our friends to church to bring them to Jesus!

57. We don't talk about diversity, we display diversity!

58. Godly shepherds!

~BLESSED~

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO

SUNDAY IN THE SON

What Faith Can Do

as sung by Kutless

Everybody falls sometimes

Gotta find the strength to rise

From the ashes and make a new beginning

Anyone can feel the ache

You think it’s more than you can take

But you're stronger, stronger than you know

Don’t you give up now

The sun will soon be shining

You gotta face the clouds

To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard

Impossible is not a word

It’s just a reason for someone not to try

Everybody’s scared to death

When they decide to take that step

Out on the water

It’ll be alright

Life is so much more

Than what your eyes are seeing

You will find your way

If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds

You don't have a chance

(That’s what faith can do)

When the world says you can’t

It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn’t ever end

Even when the sky is falling

And I’ve seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That’s what faith can do

That's what faith can do!

Even if you fall sometimes

You will have the strength to rise!

~BLESSED~

VOICE OF TRUTH... TO THE FAMILY...

Last Sunday, in our Faithful Friends Bible class someone shared that her upbringing was quite opposite of what she was reading in the Bible. My heart was touched with saddness to hear her speak.

This week I have addressed words on this blog like endurance, perseverance, Holy Spirit, transformation, happiness, and blessing. Our youngest daughter was visiting last weekend. As she headed for the airport on Tuesday, I repeated to her what she has heard me say often over the years, "Be a blessing!" In some families, that would not be said or even considered.

What does the VOICE OF TRUTH tell us about the difference between a family living for Jesus and a family who is not? Compare / Contrast the two families below, understanding that no family is perfect. The family on the right is certainly what a christian family should aim for.

F ear

F aith and forgiveness

A rguing

A blessing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

M e, myself, and I

M orality and ministry

I mmorality

I ndwelling Holy Spirit

L ies

L ove!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Y ou and me

Y ahweh, you, and me

~BLESSED~

VOICE OF TRUTH... BLESSED IS... HAPPY IS...

TRANSFORMING THURSDAY

There were three things that happened this week, among many, that brought to my attention that I was hearing the VOICE OF TRUTH speak some transformational words through me.

1. I sat across the table, at a coffee shop this week and listened to my friend say, "I just want to be happy!" I couldn't get the words, that I heard, out of my mind. So, later that evening I sent an email,

"One of my very favorite scriptures is Jesus beginning His sermon on the mount on the topic of HAPPINESS. I was going to share it with you today, but I did not want to come across as self righteous or preachy. His words minister to me on a regular basis. I have used some memory hooks to help me put them to memory. I will paraphrase them here:

'Happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Happy are those who mourn over sin, for they will be comforted.

Happy are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Happy are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

Happy are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

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

Happy are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.

Happy are you when people say things against you falsely because of Jesus,

for great is your reward in heaven.

Happy are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Blessings for a brand new day,

Patti

2. This week, a teacher in another department asked if we could meet to discuss some concerns. Toward the end of the almost one hour meeting, he stated the following quote,

"A good teacher is like a candle - it consumes itself to light the way for others." ~Author Unknown

I responded with, "Hey, that's what's underneath my signature on all of my emails.

He replied, "I know! That's where I got it from."

3. During the month of October, I have heard a lot of grumbling, complaining, and whining from my students. I gave them "the talk" this week. It's November now! It's time for all of this to cease and everyone to develop a gratitude attitude!

Thank You, Jesus! Today I have received multiple beautiful "thank you" emails from students. A few of the comments included,

"...when you love something so much (like you do with teaching) it probably does not matter the circumstance, you just keep pushing forward. That is why I just wanted to thank you for all the work that you put into our class..."

"...I hope you know how much I enjoy your class and how I feel like I am learning skills to make myself a better teacher every time I am around you. Thank you for helping me achieve my dream of not just becoming a teacher, but being a good one."

"I wanted to let you know how much I value your advice, wisdom and encouragement in our class this semester. I cry with almost every blog because the videos you provide us are so meaningful... I also wanted to thank you for interupting the "whine fest" this morning... This is a stressful time for all of us, but your advice, guidance and support is important and helpful to all of us. THANK YOU!"

~HAPPY = BLESSED~

VOICE OF TRUTH... BY THE HOLY SPIRIT...

Zechariah 4:6

So he said to me,

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:

‘Not by might nor by power,

but by my Spirit,’

says the LORD Almighty.

~BLESSED~

VOICE OF TRUTH.. JESUS

Today is 11/1/11.

• 1 Body


• 1 Spirit


• 1 Hope


• 1 Lord


• 1 Faith


• 1 Baptism


• 1 God and Father over, through, and in all

Ephesians 4:4-6 says, There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.


In order to ENDURE and PERSEVERE, I must, by faith, becoming one with the ONE. First step? FIX MY EYES ON JESUS, the author and perfector of my faith! As I sing along with our theme song this week, I am grateful that THE VOICE OF TRUTH tells me that Jesus is the answer to all of my unrest, all of my questions, and all of my difficult circumstances. It is IN HIM and IN HIM alone that I will ENDURE. When I chose Jesus, I chose the whole package: the body (the church), the Holy Spirit, hope, Jesus, faith, baptism, and God! I am sooooo grateful that you can't have one without the others! So when you choose Jesus, you are choosing the others!

THE VOICE OF TRUTH LYRICS HAVE AN ANSWER IN JESUS

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

JESUS IS THE QUIETER OF THE WINDS AND THE WAVES!

To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown
where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand

JESUS IS THE WAY!

But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed

JESUS IS IMMANUEL (GOD WITH US!)

The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again.
"Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

JESUS IS MY VICTORIOUS WARRIOR!

Chorus:
But the voice of truth
tells me a different story

JESUS IS THE TRUTH!

The voice of truth says,
"Do not be afraid!"

JESUS IS MY CONFIDENCE!

The voice of truth says,
"This is for My glory."

JESUS IS ZION'S GLORY!

Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe
the voice of truth

JESUS IS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE,

NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH HIM!

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes
to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

JESUS IS MY STRENGTH!

But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again.
"Boy you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

JESUS IS THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES!

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them lookin' down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

JESUS IS MY STRONG TOWER!

I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

JESUS IS THE WORD - THE VOICE OF TRUTH!

~BLESSED ~