Old MIlk Cans and Friends!

1 John 4:7 (The Message)

God Is Love

7-10. My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn't know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can't know him if you don't love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they've done to our relationship with God.

This week a couple of my friends and I decided we wanted to paint! Now as you know that is right up my alley! I love to paint! Nothing is safe in my house if it has one scratch on it! LOL I took lessons years ago with a few classes scattered in between, but most of it has been a trial and error type thing. Lots of books and even research on the Internet has helped me do some pretty neat things. Anyway two of us decided to paint old milk cans and the other lady had some smaller things. We started about 10:30 and didn't quit until about 3:00 pm. I noticed when we were really concentrating, no one said anything! We were on a mission! It turned out to be so much fun and our projects turned out pretty well to. Our little paint party reminded me of how we should be with God! In those quiet times, nothing should distract us. The enemy of our souls will do everything to get our mind off the things of God, he knows the power we have in Christ and the power he doesn't have over us. There is always a lesson to be learned isn't there? God said in His Word, He would make everything work together for good to us, and He will. No matter what you are doing or where you are at, God can use the circumstances to teach us about His ways! I hope and pray you have friends and family you love to spend time with, some hobby or interests that will be blessings. Have a wonderful day and do something fun! Enjoy the time God has given to you!

Brokenness!

Psalm 51:17 (The Message)


16-17. Going through the motions doesn't please you,
a flawless performance is nothing to you.
I learned God-worship
when my pride was shattered.
Heart-shattered lives ready for love
don't for a moment escape God's notice.


God sees, He hears and He knows this time when we are broken before Him. The time when we are at the end of ourselves! We are looking at all the sin in our lives and we are hopeless! Does this sound familiar? Is this not when we called on Jesus to forgive us and to cleanse us? I remember the pain and reality of seeing me exactly as I was. But we all have to experience this, each one of us has to realize our need for a Savior. We have to realize we can go no farther making these decisions that either hurt us or someone else. This brokenness is truly a transforming event in our life. No, it is never to enjoy someones pain, but in this case it is beautiful because what is about to emerge is a life transformed by our Lord and Savior. A new creature with a new heart and a desire to live for our Heavenly Father. It is an amazing event to watch a person changed just like a beautiful butterfly. Our lives will never again be the same, as this scripture above states "our heart shattered lives are ready for love", Gods love! And don't think for one moment, He does not see us. He is ready then to say "come and let me heal your broken heart! What an amazing God we serve! As the resurrection is still fresh on our minds and hearts, lets continue to pray for those that don't know Him as their Savior, lets be there for them and help them find this Jesus that is truly alive. I pray for you this week (please pray for me to) that we would be aware of the needs our brothers and sisters. God bless you today my special friends!

Friends are a Gift from God!

Proverbs 17:17 (The Message)

One Who Knows Much Says Little
17. Friends love through all kinds of weather,
and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.

I am so thankful to be feeling better today! This week has not been very productive to say the least. I even missed my last Bible Study and I was the teacher! Not to fret, they made it fine without me. I was disappointed though, it was the climax of Esther! What an amazing account of God working behind the scenes. Our next study will be with Kay Arthur (The Covenant). I love to study Gods Word! Studying to show ourselves approved is the answer! And it makes a difference who we study with! I have met some wonderful ladies that love the Lord and are dedicated to His work. The Lord has always blessed me with good friends, I can honestly say all during my life there have been some constant and then some who were there for a time. We have moved a lot so there was opportunity in church and neighborhood to meet lots of nice folks. Friends are truly a gift from God! Now on the other hand, we have to be a good friend to. Just listening is probably one of the most important things we can do. Being honest and discreet is an absolute must also. If we have the ability to make another person feel good about themselves, then we have accomplished a great deal. I believe we must encourage each other, holding each other up in prayer, and really being concerned. You know enough that we feel what they are going through. We must have compassion and empathy. My friends have been praying for me this week and I am so thankful. Even though it was not serious, I was still down and out. We have a lot of things coming up in the next few weeks that will require lots of strength, and of course I am looking to my Heavenly Father for that. Guidance to know exactly what to do, and then wisdom to know how to handle it. Thank you again for your prayers, I pray and ask Gods blessings on you when you read my blogs. Thank you for that to. I truly love the Lord and only want to do His will. We have weather moving in that will surely keep us on our toes, maybe on our knees to so everyone be safe and have a blessed weekend.

If!

Philippians 2:1-2 (The Message)

1-2. If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends.

If we are following Christ this will be our personality! This will be our behavior and the words that we speak will be uplifting and encouraging to others. This is the deepest desire of my heart, to be more like Him! And if we truly have had an experience with Jesus Christ, then this will be our life! We all will come to a place where we will make a decision to follow Christ, and then next it will be a series of choices the rest of our life. Remember our decisions today will determine our destiny! I pray this is your hearts desire also! Lets really love our friends and family and pray for them! Have a blessed day!

Merry Christmas!

Well, sweet family and friends, Christmas is here, our Savior was born many years ago on this day and things haven't been the same since, Thank God for that. This year has gone by so fast, lots of things have happened good and bad, but it is nearly over with. We have lost family members and friends that have gone on to glory, they will be missed but, they made it. They are blessed to be home with the Lord. The ones of us that are left should not give up hope, we are victorious. I read the last of the Book and we won! John and I pray you will be blessed, and that you walk close to the Lord in the coming year. We will have trials just like the Word tells us, but we also have faith and we know God will bring us victory.

Iron Shapens Iron!

Proverbs 27:17 (New Living Translation)

17. As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend.


"We rub off on each other. Are we rubbing off on each other for good, or are we rubbing off on each other for evil? Are we lifting one another up, or are we pulling one another down? We do not have to try consciously to do either. It will just happen." This was quoted from the Forerunner Commentary, it was so good I wanted to include it to help understand this "iron sharpens iron". We have a responsibility to be careful of our words. There again, our "WORDS", blessings and curses come out of our mouth. We speak so many things into existence! So when we are with our friends or family, we need to remember our words can encourage or discourage, build up or tear down. Let's try to be more mindful of every word that we speak!

A Time of Mourning!

Deuteronomy 34:8 (New International Version)

8. The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over.

As I learned of my friends father passing away, I am reminded of the loved ones in our family that have gone on to be with the Lord. Yes, we will experience weeping and mourning, but then time seems to dull the memories of the pain. I know her and her family are hurting right now, but I also know God gives peace and comfort. There never seems to be the right words to say, and maybe there isn't any. Showing people we love them and care about them is God loving them through us. So to my friend and her family, our prayers and thoughts are with you. God Bless You!

Praying for Each Other!

Romans 12:11-13 (New Living Translation)

11. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. 12. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 13. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.

Do you know for a fact someone prays for you? How would you feel if no one was lifting you up in prayer? The fact is there are many people who really don't have any one to pray for them. Is that not the most heartbreaking fact? This is really hard for me, I am so blessed for the family and friends that prayed for me in my life time. I heard someone make a statement while going by an accident, "well, I sure hope no one is hurt." What about praying for them? Have we gotten so self centered we don't care what happens to people just as long as it doesn't happen to us? God help us! Lets be mindful of the needs of other folks, and keep on praying!

Friends and Cousins!

Proverbs 18:24 (The Message)

24 Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.

I hope you are blessed with good friends! People that actually care and will be there for you when you have a problem. Many years ago I learned the value and blessings of friends. I really don't know what I would have done without them! God always knows and sends someone to us when we have a need. As this scripture says, friends do come and go, but there are some that will be precious to you all your life. I called my favorite, sweet cousin today to wish her happy birthday. I remembered when we were little girls, there was four of us, all about the same age. We had more tea parties and so much fun. Our daddys were brothers, so we got to visit a lot to. Now as we are getting older, we are still having fun. I also talked to another cousin today (must be cousin day). He is such a dear, sweet person so we got to visit to. I am sure we all have special people in our family or friends that we are close to, and maybe every once in a while, we just need to call and let them know how we feel about them. It maybe the very day when they need to know someone cares. As you begin your holiday weekend, be safe and enjoy your family and friends!

Friends and Small Towns!

I love small towns! Since John and I have moved here, we have been thankful everyday! The way everything worked out was amazing and there was never any doubt that this is where the Lord wanted us to be. Every year at this time we have "Jesse James Days" on the square with gospel music starting the celebration. It is a wonderful time to get acquainted with folks, and support our community. (Now the way hubby donates is the funnel cake stand, ummmm, they are so good.) We have met so many good people, and many of them have become our friends. There is so much to be said for small communities, a place where people do know each other, a place when something tragic happens neighbors reach out to help. I believe God is pleased when we do this, He knows we need fellowship with one another. As we were leaving last night, someone had a prayer request and right in the middle of the street next to the courthouse, we came together and prayed for a man that was sick. And, no, we didn't get arrested! Isn't it amazing that a person could go to jail for praying! Lets really do some praying and seeking God for our freedom, lets pray for our country. God is still in control, we are victorious, we win! I read the last part of the Book.

Real Friends!

Proverbs 18:23-24 (New Living Translation)

²³ The poor plead for mercy;
the rich answer with insults.

²⁴ There are “friends” who destroy each other,
but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

We love company! Sharing food and time of fellowship is wonderful. Our friends that we have known for many years visited with us last night. After meatloaf, beans and cornbread (and way to much strawberry shortcake) we settled in to share what was going on with each of us. Genuine concern and laughter goes a long way into relaxing and enjoying each other. Taking the time as people used to as they say “in the good old days”. We always had folks dropping by, people didn’t call, they just showed up at your front door. I loved it, it was always a surprise. We did a lot of visiting to. My parents were well known and respected in our community, and of course there was children everywhere for us to play with. Now it seems like no one has time to visit anymore, what a shame. To have friends and be a friend we must take the time to care about people. We never know when we need or someone else needs that “friend that sticks closer than a brother. It is truly a blessing to have friends. If it has been awhile since you have talked to that person you used to spend time with, or maybe they have a need and you could encourage them, please take time this week to call or drop a note. Let them know you not only care, but you love them and prayers are being sent to the throne room of heaven for them. They can’t know how you feel unless you tell them. Have a Blessed Day!

Friends are a Gift from God!

Proverbs 17:9 (New Living Translation)

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
but dwelling on it separates close friends.

Have you ever had a good friend that would stand by you no matter what? Someone that you could trust to tell you the truth? Even someone you are accountable to? All during the times of my life, God has sent someone to encourage me and in return used me to encourage them. Best friends are wonderful!, from a little girl my cousin was by best friend. She was the same age as me, and our daddies were brothers, so that made us even closer. Now many years later there is a list of friends that are so precious to me. We are friends that are honest with each other. Let me ask you a question, do you think if she asks you something should you be honest with her? For me, I would rather know the truth, how can we ever deal with anything unless we have all the “true” facts? We will never be able to solve anything! God only deals with the truth! yes, sometimes it is harsh, and we would rather not hear it, but there is no other way. When we do this in love and compassion, I believe God is pleased with us! The next time your friend asks you what could be a life changing question for them, prayerfully give them an honest answer. When it lines up with the Word of God, then there is no telling what you have helped save them from. We owe it to them, and they owe it to us! Our friends are precious to us, we must hold them up in prayer, asking God to Bless them.