The last day of the year is a good day to look over things- I've been
looking over my running log- all in all it's been a good year.
1236 miles this year. 7069 miles in 5 years, 11 months and 2 days of running. : )
One of the best decisions I ever made was to put on an old pair of
Walmart tennis shoes and run down the hill behind my house- hard to
believe it was almost 6 years ago.
A child of God- beloved, holy, righteous, blameless, healed, forgiven, brand new, sheep, salt, light, a branch, temple of God, reconciled, a saint, God's workmanship, hidden with Christ in God, an expression of the life of Christ because He is my life, a partaker, a living stone- crucified with Christ, I no longer live but Christ lives IN ME!
Thursday, December 31, 2015
Do we become angels when we die?
While Nick and the kids are out watching Star Wars I stayed home to watch Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors that I recorded.
And OF COURSE the quote that is one of my biggest pet peeves was on there....
"God must have needed another angel."
And OF COURSE the quote that is one of my biggest pet peeves was on there....
"God must have needed another angel."
NO where...absolutely NO WHERE in Scripture does it say when people or babies die they become angels. They do not.
Mankind is the ONLY creation God created in His image. We are His unique creation. Nothing He created is as special to Him as mankind. He came to earth, lived, was crucified, bleed, died, rose again and ascended to the Father- all to redeem MANKIND from sin and reconcile MANKIND with God.
Not the trees. Not the earth. Not the animals. Not the sun. Not the moon. Not the stars. Not the angels. Not any heavenly or earthly thing He created is as unique and as special to Him or created in His image but mankind.
And He even goes as far as when we believe in His Son, we become NEW CREATIONS- a creature that had never existed before the cross and resurrection. A creature with a spirit alive to God and in which He indwells. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Why then, would we even WANT to be an angel? The angels LONG to look into salvation, grace and the gospel. 1 Peter 1:10-12
Don't believe everything you hear from others....open your Bible and look for yourself. Be discerning and question if it's true or not. Ask the Lord to be your Teacher and anoint you with Truth. 1 John 2:20,27
Mankind is the ONLY creation God created in His image. We are His unique creation. Nothing He created is as special to Him as mankind. He came to earth, lived, was crucified, bleed, died, rose again and ascended to the Father- all to redeem MANKIND from sin and reconcile MANKIND with God.
Not the trees. Not the earth. Not the animals. Not the sun. Not the moon. Not the stars. Not the angels. Not any heavenly or earthly thing He created is as unique and as special to Him or created in His image but mankind.
And He even goes as far as when we believe in His Son, we become NEW CREATIONS- a creature that had never existed before the cross and resurrection. A creature with a spirit alive to God and in which He indwells. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Why then, would we even WANT to be an angel? The angels LONG to look into salvation, grace and the gospel. 1 Peter 1:10-12
Don't believe everything you hear from others....open your Bible and look for yourself. Be discerning and question if it's true or not. Ask the Lord to be your Teacher and anoint you with Truth. 1 John 2:20,27
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Cabin Fever
I would not make a good "stay at home" anything. Especially during the winter...and a lot of rainy days. I've enjoyed the last three days cleaning, reorganizing, working in our yard (it's so full of water it's like a pond), working in my She Shed (will post pic's with my newly finished walls and ceiling soon)- etc but....with the rain and darkness of today I've got cabin fever. LORD, I need some sunny days ; )
I'm glad to go back to work- at least for 4 hours- tomorrow.
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Happy Days! Count down to Grandbaby- 28 weeks to go!
Happy 12 weeks to Baby Wofford!! We love you so much already!
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
No, God!
On Sunday, my Sunday School teacher (and our associate pastor) Joe Burnett quoted the verses Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1:
"The fool has said in his heart there is no God." He said he had heard a preacher speak about these verses and the verses actually say, "The fool has said in his heart no God." In other words, "The fool has said in his heart, 'No, God.'"- they have chosen to say no to God.
I looked up the Hebrew on Biblehub.com and Joe is right. The words "there is" is added in translation. It is not in the original Hebrew.
I see many unbelievers say, "No, God." I pray you will at least take a look to see if God is Who He says He is before you say, "No, God." Maybe who you think God is is not Who God really is?
And...I see many believers say, "No, God." They choose to follow their own desires, will and thoughts instead of say, "Yes, God- I'm trusting you, surrendering." Choosing their own idea of best, instead of God's.
In either case, this truth still stands- you can choose to sin, you can choose to let sin reign and enslave you but you cannot choose the consequences of sin- saying, "No, God."
Joshua 24:15
"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Philippians 1:9-11 Amplified Bible (AMP)
And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight, so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin]; filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise
"The fool has said in his heart there is no God." He said he had heard a preacher speak about these verses and the verses actually say, "The fool has said in his heart no God." In other words, "The fool has said in his heart, 'No, God.'"- they have chosen to say no to God.
I looked up the Hebrew on Biblehub.com and Joe is right. The words "there is" is added in translation. It is not in the original Hebrew.
I see many unbelievers say, "No, God." I pray you will at least take a look to see if God is Who He says He is before you say, "No, God." Maybe who you think God is is not Who God really is?
And...I see many believers say, "No, God." They choose to follow their own desires, will and thoughts instead of say, "Yes, God- I'm trusting you, surrendering." Choosing their own idea of best, instead of God's.
In either case, this truth still stands- you can choose to sin, you can choose to let sin reign and enslave you but you cannot choose the consequences of sin- saying, "No, God."
Joshua 24:15
"If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Philippians 1:9-11 Amplified Bible (AMP)
And this I pray, that your love may abound more and more [displaying itself in greater depth] in real knowledge and in practical insight, so that you may learn to recognize and treasure what is excellent [identifying the best, and distinguishing moral differences], and that you may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ [actually living lives that lead others away from sin]; filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise
Monday, December 21, 2015
Love love love love love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jesus
came introducing a Kingdom not as a demand but as an offer. An
invitation to a Life not imposed on us but exposed to us. An internal
Spirit, a Governor if you will, not mandated on us but manifested
through us. He didn't come to start a holiday, a religion, or a
denomination but simply to reveal the Life, values, culture, and
identity of those who represent the Kingdom of Heaven. A Life that by
His same Spirit could be lived in the here & now not just in the
hereafter. He showed us the way, the truth, and the life -- not just
about God, but about ourselves and how we were designed to live. Jesus
didn't come to make bad people good, He came to make dead people alive.
Merry CHRISTmas.
Friday, December 18, 2015
Facebook posts December 17, 2015
Nick and Al always put the angel on the tree. Nick's pretty excited about the great gift coming around July!
·
Starla Ellison shared a memory from December 17, 2012 — with Nick Ellison.
Still leaning into my love.....
3 Years Ago Today
Thursday, December 17, 2015
Jesus=Grace and Truth
If I had it to do all over again I would raise my children in Grace and Truth.
I would speak Grace and Truth to them. I would hold them in Grace and Truth. I would live Grace and Truth with them.
I would cultivate and saturate them with Grace and Truth as Grace and Truth does me.
John 1:14,17
Colossians 1:6
2 John 1:3
And for today, yes this day anew also, Lord.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
Fixed!
Cody took my Garmin to work (Circuit Board Medics) and fixed the charger- first thing he ever soltered! 
!
Mike Wells
Man
needed redemption not only from sin but also from himself. In order to
accomplish that, God had to become a man, be victorious over all that
vexes mankind, return to heaven, and from there dispense His victorious
life to all who would ask. We have to wonder what it was like for Him
who created the entire universe to wake up in the morning and discover
Himself in the body of a baby. Imagine waking up and finding yourself in
a coffin six feet under the ground. Would you panic, beat the sides of
the coffin, yell, scream, and plead for deliverance? The body in which
He found Himself was indeed a coffin, for in it He would die, but when
God yielded Himself to living as a man, He humbled Himself.
--Mike Wells, My Weakness For His Strength
--Mike Wells, My Weakness For His Strength
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Cody!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Happy College Graduation Day, Cody Aaron Ellison- We are so proud of you!
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
Monday, December 14, 2015
One thing I know...
Friend...are you confused about life? Weary? Lost your way? Don't understand WHY you are even here? I woke up many times in my life weary with the treadmill- life just seemed to have no purpose, no rhyme, no reason. I felt very lost. Very empty. Even good things just didn't seem to be- enough.
And then one day- I met the whole ultimate purpose and intention of not just my life but all mankind. The missing piece that made the puzzle of my life- make sense.
ONE THING I KNOW BY SELAH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sON021K1Z7E
Counting on someone to see me through
And if there's one thing I pray
You were never left alone
'Cause you can always call on Jesus' name
And if there's one thing I pray
And if there's one thing I pray
And then one day- I met the whole ultimate purpose and intention of not just my life but all mankind. The missing piece that made the puzzle of my life- make sense.
ONE THING I KNOW BY SELAH
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sON021K1Z7E
Something in your eyes I see
Reminds me of what used to be
When I was still uncertain of the truth
Sleepless nights that turned to days
Alone inside an endless space
Reminds me of what used to be
When I was still uncertain of the truth
Sleepless nights that turned to days
Alone inside an endless space
Counting on someone to see me through
And if there's one thing I know
You were never left alone
'Cause you can always call on Jesus' name
You were never left alone
'Cause you can always call on Jesus' name
And if there's one thing I pray
It's that Jesus helps you find a way
To make a change and listen to your heart
God will take away your pain
If you choose to let it go
To make a change and listen to your heart
God will take away your pain
If you choose to let it go
If there's one thing I know
How can I convince your heart?
His light can find you in the dark
And only He can make your blind eyes see
His light can find you in the dark
And only He can make your blind eyes see
For if we speak of lost things found
Or lives that have been turned around
Then tell me who knows better child than me
Or lives that have been turned around
Then tell me who knows better child than me
If there's one thing I know
You were never left alone
'Cause you can always call on Jesus' name
And if there's one thing I pray
It's that Jesus helps you find a way
To make a change and listen to your heart
God will take away your pain
If you choose to let it go
If there's one thing I know
To make a change and listen to your heart
God will take away your pain
If you choose to let it go
If there's one thing I know
I would never state my life on any lesser thing
Then the cross of Christ where
He gave His life to ease my suffering
Then the cross of Christ where
He gave His life to ease my suffering
And if there's one thing I know
You were never left alone
'Cause you can always call on Jesus' name
You were never left alone
'Cause you can always call on Jesus' name
And if there's one thing I pray
It's that Jesus helps you find a way
To make a change and listen to your heart
God will take away your pain
If you choose to let it go
If there's one thing I know
To make a change and listen to your heart
God will take away your pain
If you choose to let it go
If there's one thing I know
Sunday, December 13, 2015
Believer....
I love how words I've heard all my life become new (again) and fresh.
We have words such as believe(r), born again, saved, faith, saints, sanctified, justified, baptized, grace, redemption and resurrection are just a few.
Today...I've been looking at the word BELIEVER. When I say believer I mean this: the Scriptures make a difference between one who believes in Jesus Christ and one who doesn't (unbeliever). Over the summer someone in New York told me about a friend of theirs who was a believer but was not saved. Friends, that's impossible. The two are irrevocably intertwined. You can't be a believer without being saved and you can't be saved without believing.
The word Christian is used only 3 times in Scripture, and of course only in the New Testament. Believer is used 10 times and ONLY in the New Testament. These words describe those who through faith has been saved by His grace.
Go to biblegateway.com and type in the words Jesus and believe. Those two words together are in the New Testament 43 times. (In the New American Standard Version, which I primarily use.)
So what do we believe that makes us believers?
* "I believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God."
* "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved."
* "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
* "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God."
* 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that He was buried, and He was raised on the third day according to Scriptures.
Friends, when I believed on the Lord Jesus something fundamentally happened to me. A change took place- maybe I should say began taking place. Something really did start changing inside of me. Like a shifting. A replacing, if you will. I believed...truly believed and He began to change the way I thought, the way I understood, the way I acted and reacted. Some many things.
Believing was more to me than words I said. I hear people say all the time they "believe" but do they? 1) Have they believed Who He really is? 2) Have they believed in what He has said?
There was a big distance of time when I began to understand that He is more than Savior of my sins- and yes that would be enough but He is so much more. I believed He is the Son of God, and on His name I would be saved, that through believing His death on the cross, the shedding of His dear blood- and being raised to LIFE again I was saved from hell and from my sins.
What I did not understand, comprehend- KNOW- is that He did so much more. That He took me to the cross with Him. I participated in His death. He not only died for my sins but He put to death the origin of MY SIN- my sinful inner man. I DID NOT KNOW THIS. NOBODY told me this for a long time. Only that He saved me from my sins. When I address the word 'saved' I will go more into this from Romans 6. For now....
Let's take a look at the words believe and believers:
Strong's Greek
4100- pisteuo (verb); (a verb, shows action or a state of being) to believe, entrust
Pisteuo is derived from the Greek word pistis. Pistis 4102 is Faith. Incidentally, the word pistis (faith) is derived from the Greek word peitho. Peitho 3982 is persuade, be persuaded.
So believe comes from the word faith and faith comes from the word persuade. HELPS WORD STUDY describes the word faith as 'God's inbirthed divine persuasion'. That completely agrees with all that I have read from Scripture about faith. Faith is always received from God, never generated by us. I will go into this more when I get to the word faith here on this blog in a few weeks.
4103- pistos (adjective); believer- (an adjective, describes a noun) faithful, trustworthy, believing, reliable
HELPS: believing the faith (God's inbirthed divine persuasion) God imparts
As believers we have believed (fully persuaded by God's divine inbirthed persuasion) the good news of Jesus Christ. As we grow in our intimacy with Christ He anoints us with His truth as He deems us ready to hear His truths. Our faith increases because we trust Who He really is and what He has ALREADY accomplished for us,to us, in us and will through us. It's a lifelong good news. It's a growing and increasing good news. Being saved from our sins is just the tip of the iceberg. He wants us to know and believe the 'whole message' of this Life (Acts 5:20).
Do you believe? Are you a believer?
We have words such as believe(r), born again, saved, faith, saints, sanctified, justified, baptized, grace, redemption and resurrection are just a few.
Today...I've been looking at the word BELIEVER. When I say believer I mean this: the Scriptures make a difference between one who believes in Jesus Christ and one who doesn't (unbeliever). Over the summer someone in New York told me about a friend of theirs who was a believer but was not saved. Friends, that's impossible. The two are irrevocably intertwined. You can't be a believer without being saved and you can't be saved without believing.
The word Christian is used only 3 times in Scripture, and of course only in the New Testament. Believer is used 10 times and ONLY in the New Testament. These words describe those who through faith has been saved by His grace.
Go to biblegateway.com and type in the words Jesus and believe. Those two words together are in the New Testament 43 times. (In the New American Standard Version, which I primarily use.)
So what do we believe that makes us believers?
* "I believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God."
* "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved."
* "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
* "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God."
* 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that He was buried, and He was raised on the third day according to Scriptures.
Friends, when I believed on the Lord Jesus something fundamentally happened to me. A change took place- maybe I should say began taking place. Something really did start changing inside of me. Like a shifting. A replacing, if you will. I believed...truly believed and He began to change the way I thought, the way I understood, the way I acted and reacted. Some many things.
Believing was more to me than words I said. I hear people say all the time they "believe" but do they? 1) Have they believed Who He really is? 2) Have they believed in what He has said?
There was a big distance of time when I began to understand that He is more than Savior of my sins- and yes that would be enough but He is so much more. I believed He is the Son of God, and on His name I would be saved, that through believing His death on the cross, the shedding of His dear blood- and being raised to LIFE again I was saved from hell and from my sins.
What I did not understand, comprehend- KNOW- is that He did so much more. That He took me to the cross with Him. I participated in His death. He not only died for my sins but He put to death the origin of MY SIN- my sinful inner man. I DID NOT KNOW THIS. NOBODY told me this for a long time. Only that He saved me from my sins. When I address the word 'saved' I will go more into this from Romans 6. For now....
Let's take a look at the words believe and believers:
Strong's Greek
4100- pisteuo (verb); (a verb, shows action or a state of being) to believe, entrust
Pisteuo is derived from the Greek word pistis. Pistis 4102 is Faith. Incidentally, the word pistis (faith) is derived from the Greek word peitho. Peitho 3982 is persuade, be persuaded.
So believe comes from the word faith and faith comes from the word persuade. HELPS WORD STUDY describes the word faith as 'God's inbirthed divine persuasion'. That completely agrees with all that I have read from Scripture about faith. Faith is always received from God, never generated by us. I will go into this more when I get to the word faith here on this blog in a few weeks.
4103- pistos (adjective); believer- (an adjective, describes a noun) faithful, trustworthy, believing, reliable
HELPS: believing the faith (God's inbirthed divine persuasion) God imparts
As believers we have believed (fully persuaded by God's divine inbirthed persuasion) the good news of Jesus Christ. As we grow in our intimacy with Christ He anoints us with His truth as He deems us ready to hear His truths. Our faith increases because we trust Who He really is and what He has ALREADY accomplished for us,to us, in us and will through us. It's a lifelong good news. It's a growing and increasing good news. Being saved from our sins is just the tip of the iceberg. He wants us to know and believe the 'whole message' of this Life (Acts 5:20).
Do you believe? Are you a believer?
Thursday, December 10, 2015
Monday, December 7, 2015
Listening to the Anne of Green Gables series....
Our lives are broad or narrow according to what we put into them not
what we get out. Life is rich and full if we can only learn how to open
our hearts to it's richness and fullness.- Mrs. Allen, in Anne of
Avonlea
Seeds of a dream...
Growing organic dandelions.
Friday, December 4, 2015
Translating
I'm trying to translate my Grandpa Cleary's testimony.
I am going to give copies of the testimony and translating to my cousins for Christmas. 
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Dearest friend- Gregg
Friends,
one of my dearest friends- mentor, counselor, a teacher of Grace, a
fellow runner, one of the best encouragers I've ever had- someone who
EVERY TIME I had a question and it didn't matter what the question was
he always answered me back, thoroughly- a friend I love so very very
much- had a major stroke yesterday. Would you please pray for him- the
next 48 hours are critical for him. He is the sweetest, most gentle man
I've ever met and I so thankful that God brought him and his dear wife
into my life several years ago.-
In Your Hands by Anabel Gillham
"In Your Hands"
By Anabel Gillham
"But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your hand." — Psalm 31: 14-15a
By Anabel Gillham
"But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord, I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in Your hand." — Psalm 31: 14-15a
God showed me something very early one morning that really helped me. I
had—quite some time ago—"claimed" this declaration of faith in Psalm 31
for some beloved people in my world who were going through
life-changing, treacherous times. My revelation? I cannot claim a verse
for someone else that dictates their dedication or their commitment and
determines their course of action in a given circumstance. There’s the
matter of the free will that God gave to them—to all of us.
I can claim promises from God that come about through His working in their lives. For example:
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." — Philippians 1:6
"…for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day." — 2 Timothy 1:12
Yes, these verses apply to me, but they also apply to my beloved husband and to my sons and their loved ones as their circles increase. I can claim those scriptures and I can cease fretting. I can back off and know that God’s plan will ultimately come to pass. Every day of my life and every day of those in my circle of loved ones was scheduled before they were even born (Psalm 139:16)! God knows exactly what is happening! I rest in these statements of truth by faith—not by sight.
"No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God,
but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,
fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised." — Romans 4:20-21
Dear Lord, I do not understand Your ways (Is. 55:8-9). I do not know Your plans (Jer. 29:11). But, oh, dearest Lord Jesus, I know Your purpose (Romans 8:29) and I know Your heart (Jer. 31:3).
Thank You for Your plans, for Your love and compassion, and for Your power.
I once again place all of my loved ones in Your hands. I’m not omniscient—You are. I’m not omnipresent—You are. I’m not omnipotent—You are. To whom could I give them who loves them even more than I do?
In Your hands, in Your hands,
You have all that I hold dear in Your hands.
Lord, please show me every day as I release them to Your way
that my heart may quietly say, they’re in Your hands.
I can claim promises from God that come about through His working in their lives. For example:
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." — Philippians 1:6
"…for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day." — 2 Timothy 1:12
Yes, these verses apply to me, but they also apply to my beloved husband and to my sons and their loved ones as their circles increase. I can claim those scriptures and I can cease fretting. I can back off and know that God’s plan will ultimately come to pass. Every day of my life and every day of those in my circle of loved ones was scheduled before they were even born (Psalm 139:16)! God knows exactly what is happening! I rest in these statements of truth by faith—not by sight.
"No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God,
but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God,
fully convinced that God was able to do what He had promised." — Romans 4:20-21
Dear Lord, I do not understand Your ways (Is. 55:8-9). I do not know Your plans (Jer. 29:11). But, oh, dearest Lord Jesus, I know Your purpose (Romans 8:29) and I know Your heart (Jer. 31:3).
Thank You for Your plans, for Your love and compassion, and for Your power.
I once again place all of my loved ones in Your hands. I’m not omniscient—You are. I’m not omnipresent—You are. I’m not omnipotent—You are. To whom could I give them who loves them even more than I do?
In Your hands, in Your hands,
You have all that I hold dear in Your hands.
Lord, please show me every day as I release them to Your way
that my heart may quietly say, they’re in Your hands.
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Every. Day. Celebrate. Jesus.
Jesus,
You are my heart and life- my desire- every day. My prayer is I
celebrate all of You...every day. Your birth, life, death, burial,
resurrection and ascension...every day.
I pray I celebrate the giving of Your blood, for my forgiveness of sins...every day.
I pray I celebrate Your death on the cross for it brought about the death of my old sinful inner man....every day.
I pray I celebrate the giving of Your blood, for my forgiveness of sins...every day.
I pray I celebrate Your death on the cross for it brought about the death of my old sinful inner man....every day.
I pray I celebrate You being raised from death....so that I too have
been raised from the dead....and I have NEW LIFE- born again- a new
creation, the old is gone.
Without the cross, without the blood, without death, without resurrection, without ascension- You couldn't have made me new so that Your life could be placed in me.
You took me to the cross with You. You baptized me in Your death. You cleansed me with Your blood. You raised me to new life- Your life to live from within me.
You made me new. You made me righteous. You made me holy. You made me free. You healed me.
That's my celebration. Every day.
Without the cross, without the blood, without death, without resurrection, without ascension- You couldn't have made me new so that Your life could be placed in me.
You took me to the cross with You. You baptized me in Your death. You cleansed me with Your blood. You raised me to new life- Your life to live from within me.
You made me new. You made me righteous. You made me holy. You made me free. You healed me.
That's my celebration. Every day.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Grace
Believer...
Jesus died once. His blood cleansed our conscience "from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God" (Hebrews 9:14). His sacrifice did away with sin permanently (Hebrews 9:26). He carried out the will of His Father. He finished His work.
In Jesus's selfless act, God condemned sin. He judged it and punished it by pouring out His wrath on Jesus. The Lamb of God died in my place and your place.
Jesus died once. His blood cleansed our conscience "from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God" (Hebrews 9:14). His sacrifice did away with sin permanently (Hebrews 9:26). He carried out the will of His Father. He finished His work.
In Jesus's selfless act, God condemned sin. He judged it and punished it by pouring out His wrath on Jesus. The Lamb of God died in my place and your place.
Two thousand years ago, God remembered your sins. Because of the worth
and power of the blood of Jesus. God remembered them no more. Your
debt is paid in full.
This is what God has done with your sins. He removed your sins. He sent them away. He is remembering them no more. This is forgiveness.
This is the gift of Grace.
- Simple Gospel Simply Grace by Bob Christopher
This is what God has done with your sins. He removed your sins. He sent them away. He is remembering them no more. This is forgiveness.
This is the gift of Grace.
- Simple Gospel Simply Grace by Bob Christopher
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Happy Thanksgiving!
Give thanks to The Lord, our God and King! His love endures forever!
Psalm 103:17
But the Lord's mercy is from age to age,
toward those who fear Him.
His salvation is for the children's children.
Psalm 103:17
But the Lord's mercy is from age to age,
toward those who fear Him.
His salvation is for the children's children.
Nick and Stitches!
Biking the trails- Thanksgiving Day!
Looks like Pops-to-be is getting stitches (7 stitches at the ER). Mountain biking. Metal bridge. Glad I'm a runner!
Grandparents!
Guess who's going to be GRANDPARENTS!
Nick
and I were so excited about being grandparents (July 2016) we bought a
Ford Escape- I mean, really, grandparents can't handle all that bending
down putting a baby in a carseat can they?
Thank you lord for YOUR timing and your goodness!- Allison Ellison Wofford
Cody- Turkey Trot champ 2 years!
Cody won the Spartanburg Turkey Trot- 2 years in a row!
If you look close you can see him right behind the reporter, he is bouncing up and down....
/http://wspa.com/2015/11/26/thousands-participate-in-thanksgiving-day-races/
If you look close you can see him right behind the reporter, he is bouncing up and down....
/http://wspa.com/2015/11/26/thousands-participate-in-thanksgiving-day-races/
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Momentary and Light Afflictions
I woke up this morning with the words, "momentary and light afflictions" in my heart and mind. I thought, "momentary and light"? That's not how the world is feeling right now.
These afflictions FEEL unending and dark and heavy. Paris killings. A young pastor's pregnant wife brutally murdered. A 7 year old brutally murdered. A young mother killed in a car wreck right before the Holidays. A family grieving the unexpected death of their baby. A dear friend still grieving and experiencing a deeper grief. Family members lost in the world of drugs. Brokenness. Defeat. Depression. It just doesn't seem to end.
I asked God, "How are these people handling this? Where are You? How are You "working" through all this?" I can't imagine the pain- deep aching pain- these families are feeling. As I laid in bed my heart ached and I clicked through my mind of the young husband and grieving parents and siblings, of the parents whose daughter has been brutalized in a moments time, of the husband and young children who lost their mother yesterday in a car accident- HOW, HOW, HOW God are You going to work "good" in all this?
And He spoke to me, "You've been there. How have I worked "good" in your life?"
But God, "That was 36 years ago. I was so young and little."
"But you've been there. You've experienced deep loss. What has that light and momentary affliction produced in you?"
And yes, as I think, once again...and again..and again over the last 15 year of finding my healing in Jesus. And more especially in the last 7 years of allowing Him to set the captive free and BE my Healer. Brokeness- made complete and whole. Defeat replaced with Victory. Depression/oppression released and filled with joy and peace.
"while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, bu the things which are not seen are eternal. For we KNOW that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven." (2 Cor 4 &5)
Our hope is not in this world of grief, sadness and despair. This world, temporal, has NOTHING to offer us. We can only find our life, joy and peace in Jesus. Not Mohammad. Not Budda. Not any cult or religion. Not in our spouse. Not our children. Not our opinions or thoughts. Not getting all our wants or needs. NOTHING.
Paul said, "I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." (Philippians 3)
This world is not our (born again believers in Jesus Christ) home. This body is not our eternal dwelling. They both will perish.
Someday, this temporal "earthsuit" I currently live in will die. And my true eternal self will no longer be confined in it. My true eternal self (spirit and soul) with a glory to be revealed. Yet not on this earth. But with my Creator in whose image I was created.
I KNOW. And I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me- and the life I live in this physical body and on this earth I live BY the FAITH of the Son of God, my beloved Jesus, who loves me and gave His life for me- that I can LIVE despite the "momentary and light afflictions". (Galatians 2:20)
These afflictions FEEL unending and dark and heavy. Paris killings. A young pastor's pregnant wife brutally murdered. A 7 year old brutally murdered. A young mother killed in a car wreck right before the Holidays. A family grieving the unexpected death of their baby. A dear friend still grieving and experiencing a deeper grief. Family members lost in the world of drugs. Brokenness. Defeat. Depression. It just doesn't seem to end.
I asked God, "How are these people handling this? Where are You? How are You "working" through all this?" I can't imagine the pain- deep aching pain- these families are feeling. As I laid in bed my heart ached and I clicked through my mind of the young husband and grieving parents and siblings, of the parents whose daughter has been brutalized in a moments time, of the husband and young children who lost their mother yesterday in a car accident- HOW, HOW, HOW God are You going to work "good" in all this?
And He spoke to me, "You've been there. How have I worked "good" in your life?"
But God, "That was 36 years ago. I was so young and little."
"But you've been there. You've experienced deep loss. What has that light and momentary affliction produced in you?"
And yes, as I think, once again...and again..and again over the last 15 year of finding my healing in Jesus. And more especially in the last 7 years of allowing Him to set the captive free and BE my Healer. Brokeness- made complete and whole. Defeat replaced with Victory. Depression/oppression released and filled with joy and peace.
"while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, bu the things which are not seen are eternal. For we KNOW that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven." (2 Cor 4 &5)
Our hope is not in this world of grief, sadness and despair. This world, temporal, has NOTHING to offer us. We can only find our life, joy and peace in Jesus. Not Mohammad. Not Budda. Not any cult or religion. Not in our spouse. Not our children. Not our opinions or thoughts. Not getting all our wants or needs. NOTHING.
Paul said, "I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." (Philippians 3)
This world is not our (born again believers in Jesus Christ) home. This body is not our eternal dwelling. They both will perish.
Someday, this temporal "earthsuit" I currently live in will die. And my true eternal self will no longer be confined in it. My true eternal self (spirit and soul) with a glory to be revealed. Yet not on this earth. But with my Creator in whose image I was created.
I KNOW. And I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me- and the life I live in this physical body and on this earth I live BY the FAITH of the Son of God, my beloved Jesus, who loves me and gave His life for me- that I can LIVE despite the "momentary and light afflictions". (Galatians 2:20)
Monday, November 23, 2015
Monday morning...
Nick- when he kissed me goodbye this morning, "Bundle up when you go running this morning- it's cold."
Ah now, that's love : )
It's 25 degrees out.
117 days until Spring!
I've got TWO crazy work days ahead of me. I might even miss the Operation Christmas Child packing party at our church. : ( Hopefully the two hunting clubs I clean won't be too bad and I can get them finished quickly on Tuesday for the packing party at 6:30. I hope so!
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Sounds like TODAY
How many sermons have we heard on the Jewish people rejecting Jesus?
"They wanted the Messiah to deliver them from Rome. They wanted food for their tummies. Jesus has given them instead the message of life. They wanted utopia and He gave them a cross, and the masses are going to walk away. You know, it's an incredible thing. Why did they follow Him? It was because they wanted to hear His words , and they wanted to see His works. So what does He do? He does the work and gives them His words. And what do they do? They walk away."- Johnie Grainger
And 2000+ years later.....
"They wanted the Messiah to deliver them from Rome. They wanted food for their tummies. Jesus has given them instead the message of life. They wanted utopia and He gave them a cross, and the masses are going to walk away. You know, it's an incredible thing. Why did they follow Him? It was because they wanted to hear His words , and they wanted to see His works. So what does He do? He does the work and gives them His words. And what do they do? They walk away."- Johnie Grainger
And 2000+ years later.....
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Monday, November 16, 2015
This week....
I am super excited to about this coming week. While home in Kentucky my Dad found a letter my grandfather, Johnie Cleary, began writing to a preacher. I do not know if this was a copy and he sent another letter or if he just didn't send the letter. It is 12 pages and in his own hand. There is also a 7 page written testimony of his, which he entitled, "Some High Points In My Experience with God". I do not know when he wrote the testimony but I know he wrote the letter on January 13, 1963.
At the time of writing the letter Grandpa was 68 years old. It is hard to read in some areas but I hope to get more familiar with his handwriting and able to correctly copy it. He had some questions for the preacher. It's funny- here he was 68 and some things in the Bible he was struggling with. I have to say, I am his granddaughter- for it is some of the things I have struggled with. But I do want to say, I have found my answers. I don't know if Grandpa ever did.
What he was "seeking, searching" to understand is nothing to do with his salvation. It actually had to do with "movements" at that particular time. I will go more into this this week.
But here are a few snippets of wise and beautiful words that fill my heart with joy!
One of my favorite verses- My Grandpa Cleary's paraphrase and handwriting.
2 Corinthians 5:21
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NASB)
At the time of writing the letter Grandpa was 68 years old. It is hard to read in some areas but I hope to get more familiar with his handwriting and able to correctly copy it. He had some questions for the preacher. It's funny- here he was 68 and some things in the Bible he was struggling with. I have to say, I am his granddaughter- for it is some of the things I have struggled with. But I do want to say, I have found my answers. I don't know if Grandpa ever did.
What he was "seeking, searching" to understand is nothing to do with his salvation. It actually had to do with "movements" at that particular time. I will go more into this this week.
But here are a few snippets of wise and beautiful words that fill my heart with joy!
One of my favorite verses- My Grandpa Cleary's paraphrase and handwriting.
2 Corinthians 5:21
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NASB)
A wonderful weekend in Kentucky!
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