From the beginning a promise was made. The first humans had yielded to temptation and the consequences were astronomical. Their first impulse was to hide from the law giver, but to no avail, because He who is everywhere all the time knew where to find them and hold them accountable. He said a few pertinent things to the tempter and to the tempted when he confronted them. He told the woman that He would put a deep seated hostility between the tempter and the tempted, a mutual hatred would develop between humans and now their arch enemy, Satan. He then promised that her 'seed' would bruise Satan's head and Satan would bruise her seed's heel.
It took four thousand years for her 'seed' to put His foot on this earth, but the promised Messiah came in the fullness of time. God kept His promise. This chosen one left glory and appeared as a small vulnerable baby born in a barn. This chosen one would make all things right between guilty humans and the law giver. He would be led to slaughter as an innocent lamb to give up His glorious life to pay the debt of breaking the law. God's way was real in that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.
It is interesting - the bruising of a head and a heel. The bruising of the heel is recoverable, but the bruising of the head can be deadly
This was only one of a great number of promises made by the promise keeper. This one has been kept, but there are other ones we still wait for the fulfillment of. This Chosen One was seriously bruised to the point of death, but it was recoverable and He resurrected on the third day to finish what He had started. He is the great promise keeper and stated, as He prepared to return to glory, that He would come back and finish off our arch enemy and would restore all things better than when new. It has been two thousand years since He stated this. To humans, it seems like a long time but to God a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day. God measures time differently than we second counting humans. A thousand years is nothing to God and His promise will be kept in the fullness of time. He will return.
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
#Romance
We had not been dating too long. We had started seeing each other in February. Our dates were few and far between because we both were in college and I worked a forty-hour week. It was summer in Tennessee and quite hot and humid. I was living in the nurses's quarters at the hospital while working there, as a medical laboratory technician, putting myself through college to become a registered technician. My room was not air conditioned and not very comfortable and he knew about it.
One hot night he decided I needed some reprieve from the heat and his family had a spare fan and he decided to bring it to me. He did not own a car and couldn't find a ride, so he walked. It must have been four or five miles from his house to the hospital and the fan must have weighed at least ten pounds. I was totally taken aback when he presented it to me. You have to know that this act really impressed me. It spoke volumes. This was true romance to me.
This kind of romance goes on all the time. God extends Himself for us daily. He gives and gives and gives and His heart desires that we recognize His acts of loving-kindness and respond with a heart full of gratitude and appreciation. He is constantly wooing us and drawing us with cords of love.
The greatest gift ever given was that of His own son. God knew our predicament and it just wasn't discomfort. It was much more desperate that that. Our life was at stake; our eternity was at stake. He made a plan before the worlds were created because He is everywhere all the time and could see the results of choices that were going to be made and loved us so much that, at the fullness of time, His gift was presented to the world. We will be celebrating that gift on Christmas.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Does this act of love speak volumes to you?
One hot night he decided I needed some reprieve from the heat and his family had a spare fan and he decided to bring it to me. He did not own a car and couldn't find a ride, so he walked. It must have been four or five miles from his house to the hospital and the fan must have weighed at least ten pounds. I was totally taken aback when he presented it to me. You have to know that this act really impressed me. It spoke volumes. This was true romance to me.
This kind of romance goes on all the time. God extends Himself for us daily. He gives and gives and gives and His heart desires that we recognize His acts of loving-kindness and respond with a heart full of gratitude and appreciation. He is constantly wooing us and drawing us with cords of love.
The greatest gift ever given was that of His own son. God knew our predicament and it just wasn't discomfort. It was much more desperate that that. Our life was at stake; our eternity was at stake. He made a plan before the worlds were created because He is everywhere all the time and could see the results of choices that were going to be made and loved us so much that, at the fullness of time, His gift was presented to the world. We will be celebrating that gift on Christmas.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in should not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
Does this act of love speak volumes to you?
Saturday, December 8, 2018
#BeautyTips
Skin care classes were held for the Beauty Consultants doing skin care classes in order to teach them how to share good information to their clients. We learned that facial skin is different from the rest of the skin on our bodies and has special requirements. Using bar soap, just about any bar soap, has a drying effect because soap is designed to cut oil and this tenancy will deplete the natural oils that is produced by facial skin, so, it is a good idea to cleanse the face with a cleanser designed to be used on the face. Cleansing might change the Ph of the skin and toners or freshners correct that problem. After cleansing and freshning, a moisturizer will replenish what has been taken away and then on to glamour. Skin care is the most important part of beauty and a routine should be set up for morning and night. You might even need to use a mask weekly to deeply remove dead skin cells.
Glamour is that which is added to enhance the natural beauty and defines areas and uses shadows and color to give contour. A foundation will smooth and equalize the skin tone. There are natural curves to the face, but when it is all one color it appears flat and uninteresting. Adding rouge to the cheeks highlights the cheek bones and gives structure to the shape of the face. The eyebrows are a frame for the eye and the right length and contour of the frame brings attention to the eyes and eye shadow develops the curve. Of course, mascara adds depth and length to the lashes. The last bit of color on the lips balances the whole look. The end product should be appealing to the eye because the countenance will be where others look and from which the light inside shines forth.
Your behavior is what really counts, as my daddy always said when his girls were complimented on the dresses their grandmother had sewn for them, "Pretty is as pretty does." Make-up has been around for a very long time and Peter cautioned the women of his day, two thousand years ago, "Your adornment must not be merely external, but, let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." 1 Peter 3:3 and 4
You see, a quiet spirit is one that has found the peace of God and a gentle spirit is one that shares the peace from God in her everyday life. This peace of God demonstrates itself in her being able to trust the authority of her husband and enables her to submit to that authority because that is the way God has set up the institution of marriage and asks her to trust Him through her husband. Just as Sarah submitted to Abraham, tho he was way off base, God protected her and she was not fearful. This attitude of submissiveness carries on to her children and teaches them that the authorities God has ordained should be honored and submitted to all the while trusting in the Great Almighty to correct and protect.
Our society today is a perfect picture of what wives and mothers have taught their children and it isn't pretty!
Glamour is that which is added to enhance the natural beauty and defines areas and uses shadows and color to give contour. A foundation will smooth and equalize the skin tone. There are natural curves to the face, but when it is all one color it appears flat and uninteresting. Adding rouge to the cheeks highlights the cheek bones and gives structure to the shape of the face. The eyebrows are a frame for the eye and the right length and contour of the frame brings attention to the eyes and eye shadow develops the curve. Of course, mascara adds depth and length to the lashes. The last bit of color on the lips balances the whole look. The end product should be appealing to the eye because the countenance will be where others look and from which the light inside shines forth.
Your behavior is what really counts, as my daddy always said when his girls were complimented on the dresses their grandmother had sewn for them, "Pretty is as pretty does." Make-up has been around for a very long time and Peter cautioned the women of his day, two thousand years ago, "Your adornment must not be merely external, but, let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." 1 Peter 3:3 and 4
You see, a quiet spirit is one that has found the peace of God and a gentle spirit is one that shares the peace from God in her everyday life. This peace of God demonstrates itself in her being able to trust the authority of her husband and enables her to submit to that authority because that is the way God has set up the institution of marriage and asks her to trust Him through her husband. Just as Sarah submitted to Abraham, tho he was way off base, God protected her and she was not fearful. This attitude of submissiveness carries on to her children and teaches them that the authorities God has ordained should be honored and submitted to all the while trusting in the Great Almighty to correct and protect.
Our society today is a perfect picture of what wives and mothers have taught their children and it isn't pretty!
Sunday, December 2, 2018
#TheLittleStory
The little shop around the corner in Leesburg, Virginia, is almost exactly like the one in the movie "The Little Shop Around The Corner", except instead of carrying leather goods, it carries books and other found things. The day was overcast and rainy and not too many shoes were walking on the cobblestone sidewalks. The four walls of the front room fitted with shelves from ceiling to floor held a great variety of books and this place was given to me for that day to display my book and sign any copies that buyers might want signed. A small red checkered table cloth was placed on the shelf provided for my books and next to them, a plate of Christmas cookies and a small vase with a red velvet poinsettia. All was ready for shoppers.
A young couple came in under a big umbrella and began looking around trying to decide which way to go. After a few minutes window shopping in the other rooms, they came into 'my' room and glanced over at the shelf where my books were and the cookies. I offered them a cookie and both said "thank you" as they reached for one. Then they picked up a copy of The Treasure Is The Trip and began checking out the back cover. "I love this", said she and then I asked if she would like to get one. I had not tried to sell a book all morning when people came looking, because I had prayed many times before I arrived that the Lord would bring the right ones to want my book and, so far, no one impressed me that they were seriously interested, till now.
After she said yes, I took the book out of her hand and asked her name and wrote the date and a short sentence and signed it and gave it back to her. She then went on to tell me that they had gotten engaged in that very room a while back and she had taken a missions trip, gone for six months, and it was a test to see how committed their relationship was. Stronger than ever, they were now planning on their wedding later this month. Such a joy weld up in me as she responded with a little thrill that I had prayed for the right ones to want my book. We hugged as we said goodbye and I said "God Bless you."
There were a few more shoppers to visit and a very special couple from my former church who bought some books to give away and it kept raining. The shoppers became fewer in number and I wanted to get back home before dark, so I began packing up. It was a perfect day for my first book signing event. God is so good.
A young couple came in under a big umbrella and began looking around trying to decide which way to go. After a few minutes window shopping in the other rooms, they came into 'my' room and glanced over at the shelf where my books were and the cookies. I offered them a cookie and both said "thank you" as they reached for one. Then they picked up a copy of The Treasure Is The Trip and began checking out the back cover. "I love this", said she and then I asked if she would like to get one. I had not tried to sell a book all morning when people came looking, because I had prayed many times before I arrived that the Lord would bring the right ones to want my book and, so far, no one impressed me that they were seriously interested, till now.
After she said yes, I took the book out of her hand and asked her name and wrote the date and a short sentence and signed it and gave it back to her. She then went on to tell me that they had gotten engaged in that very room a while back and she had taken a missions trip, gone for six months, and it was a test to see how committed their relationship was. Stronger than ever, they were now planning on their wedding later this month. Such a joy weld up in me as she responded with a little thrill that I had prayed for the right ones to want my book. We hugged as we said goodbye and I said "God Bless you."
There were a few more shoppers to visit and a very special couple from my former church who bought some books to give away and it kept raining. The shoppers became fewer in number and I wanted to get back home before dark, so I began packing up. It was a perfect day for my first book signing event. God is so good.
Friday, November 23, 2018
#Leftovers
Ruth had demonstrated real character after her husband had died by remaining loyal to her mother-in-law. She had been raised in an idol worshiping country and I am sure those practices had influenced her life, but she must have seen a real difference in her husband's family from others in her community. The book of Ruth doesn't share how long she had been married to Naomi's son before death took him and her father-in-law. The story just shares that she had decided to keep involved in Naomi's life and when Naomi decided to return home to Judea, Ruth determined to go with her, leaving all that was familiar, family, friends and culture.
These were two homeless, jobless, very alone women and she had to find work to sustain them. Her only recourse was to become a reaper and not even an employed one, but someone allowed by custom to follow the hired reapers and glean the leftovers. She was noticed by Boaz, the owner of the farm and when he inquired about her, he was impressed and told her, "May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge." Ruth 2:12 She was richly rewarded for later she married Boaz and became the great grandmother of King David.
Most of the principles I hold today have been gleaned from those who have spent years studying. I have been so fortunate to sit under the ministry of great Bible teachers and expositors. I take notes. The things that I hear that strike a cord with me, I write down and I may not ever return to that paper, but it is there in black and white and it is also in my heart. God cannot bring to your mind the things that haven't been put there. I do research, occasionally, but I have been reading the Bible daily for over twenty years. I have read it through in a year over fifteen times and I love the One Year Chronological Bible. I read because I need to be reminded of God's goodness when my days lack luster. I need to be reminded of God's faithful involvement in the lives of those who trust Him when my questions arise. I need to hear directly from God, Himself. There is NO substitute for God's Word and there is NO substitute for God's Word being in your head.
These were two homeless, jobless, very alone women and she had to find work to sustain them. Her only recourse was to become a reaper and not even an employed one, but someone allowed by custom to follow the hired reapers and glean the leftovers. She was noticed by Boaz, the owner of the farm and when he inquired about her, he was impressed and told her, "May the Lord reward your work, and your wages be full from the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to seek refuge." Ruth 2:12 She was richly rewarded for later she married Boaz and became the great grandmother of King David.
Most of the principles I hold today have been gleaned from those who have spent years studying. I have been so fortunate to sit under the ministry of great Bible teachers and expositors. I take notes. The things that I hear that strike a cord with me, I write down and I may not ever return to that paper, but it is there in black and white and it is also in my heart. God cannot bring to your mind the things that haven't been put there. I do research, occasionally, but I have been reading the Bible daily for over twenty years. I have read it through in a year over fifteen times and I love the One Year Chronological Bible. I read because I need to be reminded of God's goodness when my days lack luster. I need to be reminded of God's faithful involvement in the lives of those who trust Him when my questions arise. I need to hear directly from God, Himself. There is NO substitute for God's Word and there is NO substitute for God's Word being in your head.
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
#LearningContentment
The educational system does not list a class on Contentment, yet we are told by Paul in his letter to the church at Philippi that he had learned to be content. So, how does one learn contentment? If it is a feeling, then, perhaps one cannot learn it. It just might automatically occur. But, perhaps it is more than a feeling, perhaps it is a state of mind that we can learn how to develop. It is described in the dictionary as 'peace of mind - having accepted one's situation'.
Paul said that in whatever state he found himself in, he was content. He knew how to get along with humble means and also how to live in prosperity and he had learned this. He had learned to consider his circumstances and then to mentally adjust his thinking about them and to decide to accept life at that point in time as something God had in mind for him and 'make-do'. If his situation was prosperous, then he could accept it as something God had in mind for him at that moment and forget about 'making-do'.
Contentment is connected with gratitude which is an attitude of mind. If you aren't grateful for what is in your life, you can't possibly be content. Even if you are grateful, you can possibly be discontent. There can be a tug-of-war going on inside your head, because you may be grateful for what you have, yet, want more or different and that eliminates contentment. The learning to be content has to take place.
The foundation to developing gratitude is to be free of greed and added to that is trust in Jehovah-jireh, The Lord Will Provide. When the words from Deuteronomy 31:6 "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you." are taken seriously by you and you can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid", then you are on good footing to gratitude and contentment cannot be far behind. When you trust God's character, you can accept what He provides and be grateful. You came into this world with nothing and all you have is from His hand. Gratitude turns what we have into enough and contentment will rule.
Paul said that in whatever state he found himself in, he was content. He knew how to get along with humble means and also how to live in prosperity and he had learned this. He had learned to consider his circumstances and then to mentally adjust his thinking about them and to decide to accept life at that point in time as something God had in mind for him and 'make-do'. If his situation was prosperous, then he could accept it as something God had in mind for him at that moment and forget about 'making-do'.
Contentment is connected with gratitude which is an attitude of mind. If you aren't grateful for what is in your life, you can't possibly be content. Even if you are grateful, you can possibly be discontent. There can be a tug-of-war going on inside your head, because you may be grateful for what you have, yet, want more or different and that eliminates contentment. The learning to be content has to take place.
The foundation to developing gratitude is to be free of greed and added to that is trust in Jehovah-jireh, The Lord Will Provide. When the words from Deuteronomy 31:6 "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you." are taken seriously by you and you can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid", then you are on good footing to gratitude and contentment cannot be far behind. When you trust God's character, you can accept what He provides and be grateful. You came into this world with nothing and all you have is from His hand. Gratitude turns what we have into enough and contentment will rule.
Saturday, November 17, 2018
#BeingAtHome
Surveys have been taken of new residents and it is found that it takes three years for a newly moved person to feel at home in their new location. There are all sorts of things to learn, from the streets that you need to take to get to work, to the places to shop for groceries and gas to where the post office is and the all important hair salon. Then, there are new neighbors to meet and get to know and the weather. There are doctors and dentists to look up and restaurants. The smells are different and the scenery and maybe even the time zone is one hour ahead. Boy, does it get tiring when home isn't home, yet.
My helicopter son, with whom we live, had all the cable stations set in place when we got here and that even didn't feel like home. For news, we had to watch CNN and it got to the point where I stopped watching the news because my stomach couldn't take it. Just yesterday my son decided to go over his account and did some changes and told me that now we could get FOX. I spent the rest of the day watching news and when my youngest son came home from work last night, the first thing I mentioned to him was the change. He blurted out, "Now, it feels like home!" I felt the same way. Out with the old, in with the new, rather out with the new and in with the old. Home! It was now more comfortable.
This started me thinking about how Jesus feels in my heart. Is it comfortable for Him? Are there things there that would make Him uneasy, like an attitude of anxiety when He has specifically told us to NOT worry about anything. Could it be some envy there or greed or prejudice or fear holding a spot? Could there be doubt about His word or have we taken the time and effort to do some spring cleaning and furnish our innermost being with some verses from His Word? I can imagine the walls of our heart being decorated with hangings of scripture and, I'm sure that He would feel at home there.
Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, said this in chapter 3; "be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in you hearts through faith...Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us."
My helicopter son, with whom we live, had all the cable stations set in place when we got here and that even didn't feel like home. For news, we had to watch CNN and it got to the point where I stopped watching the news because my stomach couldn't take it. Just yesterday my son decided to go over his account and did some changes and told me that now we could get FOX. I spent the rest of the day watching news and when my youngest son came home from work last night, the first thing I mentioned to him was the change. He blurted out, "Now, it feels like home!" I felt the same way. Out with the old, in with the new, rather out with the new and in with the old. Home! It was now more comfortable.
This started me thinking about how Jesus feels in my heart. Is it comfortable for Him? Are there things there that would make Him uneasy, like an attitude of anxiety when He has specifically told us to NOT worry about anything. Could it be some envy there or greed or prejudice or fear holding a spot? Could there be doubt about His word or have we taken the time and effort to do some spring cleaning and furnish our innermost being with some verses from His Word? I can imagine the walls of our heart being decorated with hangings of scripture and, I'm sure that He would feel at home there.
Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, said this in chapter 3; "be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in you hearts through faith...Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us."
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