more Coyotes ~ July 28, 2015

Good Morning Dear Ones:

This morning I wanted to share a quick word. As we were walking this morning, the coyotes were singing in the field near the subdivision. I wanted to turn around and go back home. But Chris and Charlie kept walking so I did as well. We kept on going even though my imagination was running wild with thoughts of them attacking us. We just kept our eyes forward and we finished our walk!
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Philippians 3:14 (ESV)

14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
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We need to keep our eyes on God and hang on to the promises of finishing the race. It is scary out there. It is not a nice world but if we press on and proceed with faith, all things are possible for those who love the Lord. 

Hugs,

SJ

Quick Word - July 26, 2015

Good Morning Dear ones:

Just a quick word before we get ready for church:
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Hebrews 11:11 (ESV)

11 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

John 20:29 (ESV)

29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Matthew 25:21(ESV)

21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
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Have a blessed day,

SJ

Who do you say I am? - July 22, 2015

Good Morning Dear Ones:

This morning we are praising God for Tristan's successful surgery. Thank you God for Your hand with all involved with the baby's recovery.
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Matthew 16:15-16 (ESV)

15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
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This question that our Lord asked of His disciples, can be asked of us today. Who do we say Jesus is? Are we living our lives like Christ is in us? Are we reflecting the Son of the living God? We need to be bold and proclaim that "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 

Try to say cool out there today - temps near 100 again.

SJ

Roller Coaster Ride - 7/21/15

Good Morning Dear Ones:

Please lift up Brenda's Grandson Tristan today as he is undergoing surgery.
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Psalm 119:30 (ESV)

30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.
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Have you ever thought of your Christian walk like a roller coaster ride? 
You chose to get onto the ride.
It can be dangerous
It has lots of highs and lows.
Sometimes all you can do is hang on and trust Jesus.

This maybe a little tongue in cheek but food for thought. Have a blessed day.

Hugs,

SJ

Grateful 7/31/15

Good Morning Dear Ones:

This morning I am counting blessings:
I am grateful for the break in the heat.
I am grateful that I have employment after 8/31
I am grateful for my family
but most of all I am Grateful that God provided a way for me to be redeemed to Him and that He chose me to be one of His children.
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John 1:12-13 (ESV)

12 But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
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Today as I undertake some hard tasks at work, I am choosing to be grateful.

Hugs,

SJ

Light of the World - July 30, 2015

Good Morning Dear Ones:

This morning on our walk I was aware on how visible I am. I purposely wear light colored clothing and make sure I stick to paths where I am seen clearly. I do this for my own safety as well as Charlie's.
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Matthew 5:14 (ESV)

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
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However as a christians we may not realize how visible we truly are to the world. We are the only Bible some may see. Because of that we need to be aware of how visible our walk truly is. The world is watching us and like it or not, judging us. We think, "I've got my fire insurance" and we go on with our lives. However, in Matthew we are reminded that we are the light of the world. We are not hidden. There are several things in my life that I am not really proud of but I try to remember that the world keeps christians under a microscope and I need to stay close to God to make sure I stay safe from temptations. 

Have a blessed day everyone and stay cool. Hight of 100 again today here in North Texas

Hugs,

SJ

Just keep walking - 7/20/15

Good Morning dear ones:

Chris, Charile and I had a good walk this morning. We even added an extra 1/2 mile to it. It was warm but not bad. We even met a couple of neighbors this morning. But in the back ground you could still hear the coyotes and at one point I even hear gun shots. Chris told me to just keep walking, it was okay.
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1 John 1:7 (ESV)

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
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Have a great day everyone and remember to just keep walking. 

SJ

You must have peanut butter - July 15, 2015

Good Morning Dear Ones:

"Man shall not live by bread alone, you must have peanut butter"  - Growing up, my Dad would quote this scripture to us. However it wasn't until I wasn't until I was in elementary, that I realized that the quote wasn't quite how it reads in the King James version.
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Matthew 4:4 (ESV)

4 But he answered, “It is written,

“‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
    but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
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Those who know my Dad know what a humorist he is.  However he did not mislead his young daughter. God spoke peanuts into existence, peanuts make peanut butter. . . .

Have a great day everyone,

SJ

More adventures with Charlie and the bunnies - July 11, 2015

Good Morning Dear Ones:

In the more adventures with Charlie category, our walk encountered no less than 7 encounters with kamikaze rabbits. Again commands came into play and he is learning what is expected of him. That doesn't necessarily mean he immediately obeys.
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Jeremiah 32:17 (ESV)

17 ‘Ah, Lord God! It is You who have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for You.
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Again I can relate to Charlie. 

1. As I try to walk with God, satan throws more and more temptations in my path. As I resist one, then 7 more pop up out of no where. 

2. I give the heel command and pull Charlie closer to me so that he will learn what to expect with our walk. God sometimes pulls us closer to Him as well so that we can learn what is expected of our walk with Him. 

3. Charlie will stretch the leash to the very end pulling on my outstretched arm. I have to give a firm command and pull him back into place. We do the same with God, and He has to pull us back to beside Him.

Hopefully I will learn soon and can enjoy a correction free walk with God. That is my goal anyway. 

I am off to VBS this am so I will see ya'll on the other side of the day.

Hugs,

SJ

Charlie and the dumb bunny 7/10/15

Good Morning Dear ones:

This morning's walk brought on a couple of thoughts. As I corrected Charlie, it was not out of meanness but out of concern for his safety and for that of the dumb rabbit that decided to run across our path. 

The commands I gave him was to keep him from following the bunny. I know he thought it would be great fun, but the truth is that - that bit of fun could have cost him more than his body was able to pay. The commands I gave him were not for spite but for his own safety.
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Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

6 And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
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We sometimes are like Charlie. We don't see the harm in a bit of fun. However we don't sometimes see the "big picture" We need to trust God and know that He has a plan for us and that we only need to:

Trust and Obey
for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus. . .
but to Trust and Obey.

Have a good day everyone,

SJ

Adopted by God - 7/6/15

Good morning dear ones:

This past week one of my borroweds celebrate the 4th year anniversary of their adopting their daughter. I remember how exciting it was waiting on the call from the birth mother, etc.
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Ephesians 1:5 (ESV)

5 he predestined us[ for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,
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Adoption is a beautiful thing. Did you know that you and I have been chosen for adoption? The Bible tells us that long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us to be His own. His plan, from the very beginning, was to adopt us and to make us a part of His family through His Son, Jesus Christ. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are adopted into God's family.

Why do you think God did that for us? We needed an eternal home, and God gave us a home in heaven. We needed someone to help us to grow and He is there to help us every day. We needed someone to love us and He loved us more than anyone ever could. 

Without God, we don't have much of a future, but as His child, our future is bright. We praise Him for the wonderful kindness He has poured out on us as His adopted children. He gives us everything we need.

Hugs and have a great day,

SJ

Praising - July 5, 2015

Good Morning Dear Ones;

I had a great time at the kids place. It was nice to get away and spend time with the girls. Thank you Chris for filling in for me.
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Isaiah 12:4 (ESV)

4 And you will say in that day:

“Give thanks to the Lord,
call upon his name,
make known His deeds among the peoples,
proclaim that His name is exalted.
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As we get ready for church, fishing, etc. today. Let us remember to give thanks to the Lord today. This verse refers to the millennial day but I feel should we can sing praises every day. Especially days that we don't feel like praising anything.

Have an awesome day,

SJ