stay focused

Good Morning Dear ones:

We are working with Charlie with regards to obedience. Not so much for us but for him as well. He does not realize his potential and could possibly get out of control. At over 100+ lbs I do not have the physical strength to grab him, etc. The trainer that we have been working with,explained to us that dogs communicate through eye contact. We also learned if Charlie does not want to listen to us, he will not look at us. For us to make him understand us, he has to be looking directly at us.
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Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

John 6:40

40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”
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We also, to be able to understand God ,have to be looking directly at Him. If we take our eyes off Jesus we could start sinking, like Peter. There is a hymn I absolutely love. The chorus goes:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim
in the light of His Glory and Grace.

Have an awesome day,

SJ

Getting plugged in

Good Morning Dear ones:

After all the storms from last night, I am glad to enjoy having electricity, this morning, I am grateful for the power that operates my computer, my hot curlers, my coffee pot, my stove, my lights and charges my phone. A lot of my life depends on electrical power. However, I would survive without it. 
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"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5 (NIV)
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Are you plugged into Jesus? Are you receiving power from the source? Just as my computer cannot operate without electricity, it definitely cannot operate if it is not pulled in. I could have the whole Electric company at my disposal but if I don't plug into it NOTHING will work. The same is with our christian walk. We may have all the stuff we need but if we are not plugged into the "power source", nothing is going to work. He is not only the source of power but He is Life. Without Him we will NOT survive.

Let's all check our connections today and make sure we are all plugged in. 

Hugs,

SJ

Intercessor

Good Morning dear ones:

I am afraid I may have over did it yesterday, so Chris asked me to stay home from church today and "behave". We'll see. Anyway I wanted to leave you with a quick word. 

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV)

25 Consequently, He is able to save to the uttermost[a] those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

[a] That is, completely; or at all times

I am so very grateful that God provided an intercessor for me. If I had to stand on my own merit, I am afraid I would not get very far. Thank you Heavenly Father, for Your love and for making a way back to you.

Have a blessed day,

SJ

No patience

Good Morning Dear ones:

The sun is shining and it has the promise of a beautiful day here in North Texas. I thought I would share some promises that I found in my study this morning. 

Luke 24:49 (ESV)

49 And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

John 10:28-30 (ESV)

28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me,[a] is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
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I am not known for my "patience". That is not one of the virtues that I excel at. But knowing that I am safe in my Heaven Father's hand makes me take a breath and go - Okay Lord, Your timing, not mine.

Have a wonderful day,

SJ

Storms of life

Good Morning Dear ones:

This morning I woke up to thunder, lightening and a 140 lb. dog quivering at my bedside. Charlie does not like thunder and lightening and as he gets older it just gets worse.  I wish I had a way to let him know that it is okay and that he doesn't have to fear the storm and that it is only temporary.

We as Christians also have times of fear, but unlike Charlie, we can take comfort in that God is holding us in the palm of His hand.

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

10 fear not, for I am with you;
    be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
    I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Psalm 57:1

 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
    for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
    till the storms of destruction pass by.

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Like Spring showers, the storms of life are inevitable we can take comfort as we weather a storm of these facts:

God is in control, His people will not be forsaken

Storms are temporary

He will never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5)

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Have a blessed day everyone,

Hugs,

SJ

Encouragement for Steadfastness

Good Morning dear ones:

It has been quite a couple of weeks here in North Texas, weather-wise. We were never sure whether to turn on the Heat or the AC some days we actually did both.  Then came Allergy season, I personally have felt like a boxer who had gone more than a few rounds. But I am still standing.

1 Corinthians 15:55-57 (ESV)

55 “O death, where is your victory?

    O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 As Christians we get knocked around a lot, by the world, by non-Christians  and even by other believers. We have to remain strong in the faith that God gives us Victory through our Lord Jesus.  If you are getting more than your fair share of knocks from the world you must be doing something right for God. Remain steadfast beloved, and know the He is Lord of all.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)

58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Hugs SJ

Roman's Road

Good Morning Dear Ones:

Thought I would give us paving bricks to build some " Roman roads" today:

Romans 3:10
10 as it is written,
“There is none righteous, not even one;

Romans 3:23
23 for all [a]have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 5:12
12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—

Romans 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:8
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10: 9-10
9 [a]that 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; 10 for with the heart a person believes, [b]resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, [c]resulting in salvation.

Romans 10:13
13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Romans 8:1

1 therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

Have a great day,

SJ

Missed call

Good Morning Dear ones,

After a really rough week at work, yesterday I attended a funeral of a friend. When I returned to my vehicle there was a missed call, from my mom. No message just a flashing notice of Mom called. I of course called her back and the minute she heard my voice. "What is going on?" Not accusing, but concerned. Something was wrong with her child and she could hear it in my voice. After talking with her and Daddy, shedding a few tears, and complaining about the treatment of Veterans. I felt better and went on with my day. 

God does that too. Your notice He is thinking about you is called a Bible. He wants to talk to you but won't impose. But He knows His child and when His child is hurting.

John 10:27 (NASB)

"27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;"

I had two choices. I could call my mom or not call my mom. I chose to call Mom and felt so much better. 

I still have two choices. I can read my Bible or not read my Bible. 

Which would you choose today?

Hugs,

SJ

Good Easter to you all

Good Easter to you all!!

Growing up, I remember going into Granddaddy's house and southern gospel music would always be playing on his record player. I loved the sound and the peace that the words and the music provided. He would have racks and racks of this music and would also play them on his guitar for me. 

I learn to love the Gaither family and their music. And of all their songs, this is one of my favorites, and seem so appropriate for this Sonday:

"They all walked away, with nothing to say,
They'd just lost their dearest friend.
All that He said, now He was dead,
So this was the way it would end.
The dreams they had dreamed were not what they'd seemed,
Now that He was dead and gone.
The garden, the jail, the hammer, the nail,
How could a night be so long.

Then came the morning, night turned into day;
The stone was rolled away, hope rose with the dawn.
Then came the morning, shadows vanished before the sun,
Death had lost and life had won, for morning had come.

The angel, the star, the kings from afar,
The wedding, the water, the wine.
Now it was done, they'd taken her son,
Wasted before his time.
She knew it was true, she'd watched him die too,
She'd heard them call Him just a man,
But deep in her heart, she knew from the start,
Somehow her Son would live again.

Then came the morning, night turned into day;
The stone was rolled away, hope rose with the dawn.
Then came the morning, shadows vanished before the sun,
Death had lost and life had won, for morning had come.

Then came the morning, shadows vanished before the sun,
Death had lost and life had won, for morning had come.

Morning had come."

https://youtu.be/ijknLpg0woM

Then Came The Morning by The Bill Gaither Trio

Then Came The Morning by The Bill Gaither Trio from their 1983 album, Fully Alive

YOUTUBE.COM

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  Rae C. Bell, Carl Powell, Brenda Martin Humphreys and 5 otherslike this.
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  Chris Carsten Beautiful!

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  Sylvia Petrosky Beautiful, and so appropriate!

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  Carl Powell Honey . your popa has been singing that song aol week. I think it belongs into the catagory of one of the most beautiful

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My new Gazebo

Good Morning:

It was a wonderful weekend with friends and family and I am so grateful. One of the things that Chris , Justin and Rae did for me was finish out my patio. Chris had been working on the floor earlier in the week and then Justin & Rae helped him put the gazebo together. Between Chris's bad back and knees, Rae's fear of flying things, and Justin's not liking to climb ladders, I ended up with a beautiful work of art. Their love for me was greater than their inabilities. I know Chris is going to pay for all of that hard work for the next few days. But I am so very grateful that he was willing to endure the pain so that I could have my dream patio.

1 John 3:16 (NASB)

16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

Christ knew what it was going to cost and knew the pain he was going to have to suffer. He willing went to the cross for us in spite of what He knew would be the price He would have to pay. 

We know that the enemy is going to attack us if we step up to the plate, and sometimes we let that fear keep us from being a successful witness for Christ. Let Him work through us that in spite of our inabilities, we are able to be the witnesses He needs us to be. 

Have a great week, 

SJ

No Defense

Good Friday everyone,

Have you ever been unjustly accused of something? How did you react? Did you defend yourself or offer an explanation? 

Even small children will defend themselves when they think they are in trouble. From the dog did it, to "I don't know", it is human instincts to justify our actions. At work, we occasionally get what we call "flag" letters which basically are complaints that the public have lodged against an officer. HQ in Austin demands an explanation, etc. It sometimes feel like we are guilty until we prove ourselves innocent of the charge. Even though that is not the case, due process has to be observed in order that everyone's rights are protected. 

Jesus Before Pilate Matt 27:11 ESV

"11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed."

He offered up no defense. He did not call down a league of angels to take him into heaven and "show" them that He was the Son of God. Willingly, He went to the cross on our behalf. All because He loved us.

SJ

being prepared

Good Windy Morning dear ones.

It sounds pretty wild out there this morning. We have a front moving in. We look at the weather forecast and can see what is a head of us. Knowing what is going to happen, doesn't always prepare us for it though. Sometimes the reality of it, is different when it really happens. I have an SUV and driving in the wind can be quite an experience, even though I know it is going to be a windy day. 

[ Jesus Foretells His Death a Third Time ] 

"And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”

Matthew 20: 17-19 ESV

He told them what was going to happen, yet the disciples were still unprepared for the reality of it. Let us hope that we are not caught unaware. Let us be waiting and watching for His return.

Hugs, 

SJ

A good cleaning

Good Morning Dear Ones:

Yesterday as I was cleaning, I kept wondering to myself where did all this junk come from? How did I let my home get so cluttered? It is just Me, Chris and the dog, how did things get so out of hand. The answer was easy. One piece at at time. One "I'll get to that later" at a time. In the end I have a home that God provided for me that was not something I was proud of. 

Matthew 21:12-17 (ESV)

Jesus Cleanses the Temple
12 And Jesus entered the temple[a] and drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”

14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying out in the temple, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and they said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” And Jesus said to them, “Yes; have you never read,

“‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies
you have prepared praise’?”
17 And leaving them, he went out of the city to Bethany and lodged there."

Have we allowed stuff to get in the way of our worship of God? Is it time to clean our spiritual temples?

Have a blessed day,

SJ

Happy Friday

Good Friday Morning dear ones!

What is it about Fridays that just make us so happy? I don't know, but I look forward to each and every one of them. Today I have Officer of the Day duties so I will be able to stay warm and cozy inside. The weather has been so crazed around here lately that the refuge of my office sounds good.

Speaking of refuge:

Psalm 62: 5-8

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
8 Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us."

I love all of the Psalms, they give me a peace and calmness. So what is your favorite Psalm?

Have a great day and hugs to you all;

SJ