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 " And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.     And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.     And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.   And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.     And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful."    - Revelation 21: 1-5  KJV Dear Friend, Do you ever sit sometime and just think about the reality of heaven?  On television networks so called "reality" shows abound

 " And Isaac intreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren: and the Lord was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.   And the children struggled together within her; and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to enquire of the Lord ."   Genesis 25:21-22 Dear Friend, Our church choir sings a song entitled, "The Struggle is Over."  One line in the song states, "You've been in this place long enough...God says,the struggle is over for you."   I don't know about you today, but many times I find myself still struggling.  The background for the cited scripture is that Rebekah is carrying twins.  Her pregnancy the result of answered prayers.  Knowing that she had been blessed by God she was perplexed by the immense struggle of the children within her.  How could there be such a struggle along with this blessing?  She wanted to know.  Therefore, Rebekah went to the Source. "She went to enquire of the Lord

May 9, 2013 "Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward."                -  Psalm 127:3 Dear Friend, The "Greatest Love of All" was playing just as I getting ready to begin this entry and the Lord quickened me to write about one of my greatest loves, my oldest daughter Dayna. Her name means God is My Judge.  I must admit that I did not know that when her name was chosen.  My husband chose the name.  God knew how significant her name would be and the strength it would bring to her life and the life of our entire family. Through Dayna I have learned to embrace the truth of "a little child shall lead them."  We would come home from church when she was very young and she would want to play choir and always sing "Jesus Will Fix It." I remember once she was playing and I was going through a difficult time, she stopped and looked at me and said. "God is able Mommy!" I called and told my mother

May 4, 2013 "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"  Philippians 1:6     Dear Friend,   Many employers want to know when seeking individuals to fill vacant positions if potential candidates can multi-task.  Can you handle several projects at one time?  Most of us do that any way on a daily basis.  The larger issue is do we perform the tasks well.    The Lord is the Ultimate Multi-tasker and I know for a certainty that He does all things well. He is able to restore sight both natural and spiritual.  He is able to restore hearing both spiritual and physically.  He is able to give voice to those previously without the ability to speak.   St. Mark chapter 7 tells the account of a man that Jesus  healed  restoring his sight, hearing and  ability to talk.  After doing so it was said of him "he doeth all things well." He did not grant hearing in one ear and le

May 1, 2013 " A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken." - Proverbs 15:13 Dear Friend, All of my life I have been a pretty serious person.  I used to joke that, "I only laugh when it is seriously funny."  However, in the midst of the many trials and challenges, I can honestly say that I have always had a song in my heart.  Different songs for different times and situations.  Yet, always a song.  Many years ago in a choir I participated in we sang a song entitled, "God Gave Me a Song."  The writer penned:                                God gave me a song, that the angels could not                                sing,  I've been washed in the blood of the crucified one.                                I've been redeemed...Sometimes when I am feeling low                                no one to care, no place to go.  My Father is rich in houses                                and lands,

April 12, 2013 "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."  - Romans 5:1-5 Dear Friend, God does not leave us in the dark as it relates to life situations and how to handle both success and failure.  His Word is our guide and through the study and application of His word we grow in wisdom.  We are able to search the scriptures and in addition, through the Holy Spirit's searching of us we are led often times to the exact verse we need at precisely the right time to meet the need, answer the question, stand the storm... Acceptance of Jesus

April 3, 2013                              "In the beginning God..."  Genesis 1:1 cf Dear Friend, Stop and think, the First Chapter is God.  It is not just that God began the chapter He is the Chapter.  He is God.  There is nothing that can come to you or into your life that can escape Him.  This is the time to pause and shout.  Right now, right here, there is glory. Thank God for Chapter One.  My grandmother had a saying: "Start like you're going to keep up."  I have learned to start with God.  Begin the day.  Start the plan.  Enter in the conversation.  Consider the purchase.  In every aspect of life, begin with the Lord.   "In the beginning was the Word , and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  St. John 1:1 "In the beginning God..."  There is no problem, no test, no challenge that precedes His knowledge.  He was there at the beginning and He is everlasting.  He began the story that is our life and He wil

March 15, 2013 "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also."  - St. John 14:18-19 Dear Friend, I remember as a little girl going to Missionary Society meeting on Monday, prayer meeting on Wednesday, choir rehearsal with my grandmother on Thursday and Sunday school, morning service, BTU and evening service on Sunday.  As a child the scriptures were like the sprinkles on a cupcake for me.  The substance and what I remembered most and treasured was the routine and order. I looked forward to the church gatherings.  I was able to see my church friends and fellowship.  I enjoyed singing songs and participating in activities.  I particularly loved the singing and the expressions of worship.  The fact that I was being fed the Word of God all the while did not fully sink in.  This was probably because I was immersed in it.  It was a way of life.  It still is. 

March 11, 2013 "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."           - Psalm 55:17 Dear Friend, My Pastor often reminds us that prayer is just having a conversation with God.  Our conversations with the Lord do not have to be formal, though they can be.  Our prayers do not have to be long, although sometimes they are.  Our conversations do no have to be recited out loud, they can be whispered or silent.  The most important thing to remember is to make time for the conversations.  Prayer time!  And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. - Mark 11:25   And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.  - Mark 1:35     For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. - Matthew 18:20  After this man

February 26, 2013 "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  - II Corinthians 12:9 Dear Friend,  God's grace.  His unmerited favor.  Amazing the gifts the Lord bestows on us that we do not deserve.  Jesus Christ, God's Son through Him God offers the gift of Salvation for those who believe.  He is The Greatest Gift of All. I thank God for Jesus Christ, for knowing Him as my Personal Savior. Grace! Amazing!  God gives us the grace we need to meet the situations we encounter.  I once had a conversation with one of my daughters to place emphasis on grace as she was preparing for an exam.  I told her to continue to study hard in preparation.  I told her God will give you the grace you need at exam time.  "His grace is sufficient."  He gives us what we need when we need it.  God is faithful

February 25, 2013 "Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.   Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth."   - Psalm 57:1-3 Dear Friend, Over the years I have enjoyed hearing and often participating in singing of the spiritual, "I'm So Glad Trouble Don't Last Always."  Just the title of the song is enough to start a shout! The song starts with the line of the title and a little further a question is posed, "Oh my Lord, Oh my Lord, what shall I do, what shall I do?"  I started doing a little refreshing of my memory and I'm so glad trouble don't last always is repeated 3 times at the beginning, followed by Oh my Lord 2 times, and what shall I do 2 times.  It seems to me that there is quite a bit of contemplation going o

February 23, 2013 "Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body."   - Hebrews 13:1-3 KJV Dear Friend, There have been times in my life when people have crossed my path suddenly.  They seemed to just "come out of nowhere."  There was the man in the fast food restaurant some years ago that came in while my mother and I were there. He diffused a potentially volatile situation just by his presence.  It was such a unusual encounter.  I remember watching as he walked out the door. I then walked to the door to look out after him.  All at once snowflakes started to fall, but I did not see him anywhere!  I told my mother, there is no where he could have gone!  I think he was an angel! There was the time I was in a car accident and was hit from behind. I should have b

February 16, 2013 " I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well." Dear Friend, The headaches persisted and they were unbearable.  I remember having to get on my knees and bow so that the crown of my head was on the bed and cry and rock to try to ease the pain.  It was no ordinary headache.  As with my first pregnancy the "morning sickness" lasted throughout the day and night.  It was February 15, 1994.  I had to be admitted to the hospital for an emergency c-section my baby was being delivered two and a half month early and I had toxemia.   My blood pressure was through the roof. I was very sick. However, I can tell you I had such a beautiful peace, "the peace that passeth all understanding."  When my doctor arrived she said we have to do this now.  I asked her if she could hand me by Bible and read a a scripture: Psalm 61:1-2 "From the ends of the earth will I

February 15, 2013 "When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.    Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teach

February 14, 2013 "Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.   Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me."         - Psalm 51:10-11 Dear Friend. I was searching frantically for a password and user name to try to transact some business yesterday.  I tried every variation I could think of.  I typed in several of my favorite things, secret codes for used to be favorite things.  I still could not access the website.  I finally called the toll free number for assistance. I was praying that I remembered the answer to my secret question!  The representative I spoke with got excited when she read the username.  I told her I was going to read Psalm 51 before I logged in again.  To sum it up The Holy Spirit provided access ! He led me to choose the particular username and password guided me to where I needed to go to uncover the truth. I needed the truth of Psalm 51 and I needed to read it again yester day! "

February 13, 2013 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."     - I Corinthians 15:58 Dear Friend, Sometimes when we have to stand in long lines, we get tired of waiting and in frustration we get out of line.  Just when we move,it seems the line starts moving faster or another cashier opens a register and proclaims,"next in line!"  If we had kept our place that "next in line!" would have been us.  Remember the saying, "Don't make a move too soon." There are other more important circumstances in life than a place in line at a bank or grocery store where we also tend to give up too easily.  We can get discouraged at times as we wait for our prayers to be answered.  It seems like deliverance is taking too long!  Where is the healing?  The job? The solution? Whatever the need, we sometimes just get impatien

February 12, 2013 "  For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek..." - Romans 1:16 Dear Friend, Last week a dear Brother in Christ went home to be with the Lord.  His warm smile and giving spirit will be missed by our congregation.  Members of the congregation who had the opportunity to serve with him in the choir can recall his unashamed dance of praise to the Lord.  Our brother would get so happy during worship service and just dance and dance.  I can recall it would make others happy.  I would shout out and hit my tambourine harder!  His praise was unashamed. Praise that is focused and that is not self-conscious is glorious for at the center of that praise is the Lord Jesus.  It is a praise that is full of the understanding of the powerful gift of salvation that we have received through the shed blood of our Savior.  I am encouraged as I remember

February 8, 2013 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;   Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.   But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."        - James 1:2-4 Dear Friend, "I try to do the right thing and stuff keeps happening!"  When the trouble keeps coming; when folks keep messing with you even when you "haven't done anything;" "when you have tried to stay out of the way;" it can be tempting to ask the question, "Lord, why me?"  There is a reason for every trial that comes to us.  Songwriters have penned, "our trials come to make us strong."  We read in James 1 that the trying of our faith worketh patience. Trials teach us how to wait on God.  Trials steady our faith.  Trials build our testimony. Said I wasn't gonna tell nobody but I just couldn't keep it to myself what the Lord has do

February 3, 2013                                           Psalms 150 "Praise ye the Lord . Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.  Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.   Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.   Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.   Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.   Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord . Praise ye the Lord ." Dear Friend, The Bible tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from above.  God is worthy of our praise and worship no matter what the circumstance.  Our praise lifted to He alone Who is praiseworthy.  Just praise the Lord!  Praise Him in the sanctuary, in the midst of a snow storm or while basking in the sunlight that He sustains.  That is, praise Him in the firmanent of His power.  Prais

February 2, 2013 " For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."    - Hebrews 6:10 Dear Friend, There are some days when I am moving so fast that I forget where I put my car keys, glasses or any other number of items.  Moving faster in a effort to find what I have misplaced does not help me locate the items any quicker.  Yet, it is when I still myself to pray and ask "Lord please show me where..." that which appeared lost is then found. Most of the time the items are right in front of my face. I wonder how God considers us when we get misplaced.  The times when we find ourselves out of sync, falling in to old habits and living beneath our privilege.  A Christian living "beneath privilege" is one who fails to seek God for "the every things" and "come what mays" in life.  Unlike stray keys or elusive gla