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Bear Fruit

6/25/2015

“Wow? Her reaction shocked me! That’s completely out of character!”

For “character” to have a good connotation, we think of integrity, honesty, courage and loyalty. The negative take on it, “He’s such a character!” suggests free spirited, undisciplined and entertaining attributes. The latter may not actually be all bad, but the first definition is certainly what we as Christians should strive for. When you and I accept Christ, which is to make Him lord of our lives, all His virtues do not automatically take up residence. Yes, drastic changes happen, but we still must fight our sinful nature. Galatians 5:22 summarizes some of those characteristics that we embody as believers. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness."

Just as an actor researches his character before portrayal, we must be diligent to know who we are as Jesus’ sons and daughters. I am not talking about putting on an act. Christ’s character actually dwells in us with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Jesus made this promise in John 14:15-17. “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”

So, in a line up, are we recognizably different than our old selves? Do we personify the fruit of the spirit? How much love, joy, peace, patience, kindness and faithfulness do we show? We most often recognize our shortcomings after the fact. Our goal should be to feel the ugly head of our old selves rearing, and stop it in its tracks! Put off the old, put on the new. It’s work but it’s possible, and even probable over time.

So, let’s get our acts together and be men and women of character. Let’s be patient with each other as we journey to become more like Him and less like our old selves. He created us for just this purpose.

As a side note, I may have had to ask for forgiveness during the writing of this piece. I rushed to answer the telephone, kicked the storm door and split my toe, completely annihilating the toenail! I verbally expressed my pain, exemplifying how quickly feelings can affect my character. Ah, teaching moment! I’m forgiven, thanks be to God! Have a blessed day !

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June 22nd, 2015

6/22/2015

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I have written several pieces to post this week, but as I reread them, I find their value diminished in light of current events. At least four people in my “circle” are experiencing health problems ranging from fairly common to very serious. The words of support are just not coming to me. Just being present with those people who are suffering is invaluable I know, but keeping silent about salvation through Jesus Christ seems like a bad choice. It’s no secret that I am a Christian. I know where I will spend eternity. I don’t know, however, if many of “my people”, the sick or the well, have that same assurance. I am sad and worried. This is the part where I need advice from the Word of God.

Paul says this in his letter to Timothy in 1 Timothy chapter 2 ..” First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.”

Paul was in his last days when he was writing this letter to Timothy. He could have been focusing on himself and his dire circumstances, but he chose to continue praying for all to come to know Jesus. His priority was to encourage Timothy and the churches to keep the faith.

My prayers and my words need to encourage. I know that not all healing happens here, and that there will be ultimate healing in heaven. So, I pray that my words speak peace and life, of a real hope and not empty promises. When I am at a loss for words in my prayers, Romans 8:26 assures me, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”

So, for now I will continue to pray for God’s will in all of these situations. I pray for discernment for the doctors and nurses and for peace for the families. I most fervently pray for hope for all who are sick and that healing comes quickly.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, for forgiving my sins so that my eternal heavenly future is assured. Please let me be a light that would bring many to you. In Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

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He Loves Me

6/15/2015

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I love flowers. Spring has long been my favorite season. The regrowth and new life fascinate me. I am paying particular attention to my daisies. They have always been my favorite! They bloom a little later, but they stay in flower a lot longer. They spread their little bursts of joy further each year. They are resilient in the wind and rain, and reach for the sun for sustenance.

Today I’m thinking I’m a little like that. I was a little late getting my act together and turning my life over to Jesus. I took a little longer trusting that God knows best! But now I feel joy and the peace that has longevity, the kind of joy that will spread as I remain obedient and walk in God’s will for my life. I am also counting on the light, who is Jesus, for my sustenance. He keeps me standing through the storms.

Psalm 54:4 Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.

Do you want to experience this joy? Love God. He loves you and wants you to grow and thrive. He gave us Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, to die and rise again to cover our sin debt. We become pure white like the daisy’s petals when we accept his grace. I never have to wonder if He loves me or loves me not. Experience real life and growth. Choose Jesus.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
    for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
    for his steadfast love endures forever;

Psalm 136:1-9

Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that I can count on your love now and forever. You are the only constantly good thing in my life. May all who are called answer and come to know this truth and experience true joy and peace. In Your Name, I pray. AMEN

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I'm Overwhelmed!

6/11/2015

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It’s here! Summer vacation. The kids are home, and I find myself running around like a crazy woman. Even crazier than normal! I love the fact that we are flexible with bedtime and wake up time, and that I don’t have to pack lunches. I love that I can sit with the kids in the morning and not be in a rush. But I dislike the “I’m bored!” and the “I’m hungry! “ five minutes after I put everything away! I dislike that I am already getting negative! You would think after 20+ years of this, I would be used to it right?! So….deep breath….

I am taking some time to be overwhelmed by my awesome God. I’m choosing to remember that He, too gets frustrated with my behavior and my impatience, but He doesn’t change.

·         But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalm 86:15

He is patiently waiting for me to calm down and sit quietly with him. He tells us in
·         Psalm 46:10 Be still and know that I am God.
He loves to watch me grow into the woman I’m created to be.
·         Jeremiah 29:11 says For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
So I must deal with my frustration calmly, savor the quiet time with my children and be in tune with them as they grow into the little men and women God designed. As I model my parenting after Jesus, I strive to show the characteristics of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, and self-control as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23.
I love them as big as the sky and as high as the moon! So, outside we go to play some ball!
Prayer: Thank you, God for these little blessings and for my health that I can (almost) keep up with them!

Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.

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You've got a friend...

6/9/2015

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When someone crosses your path and enters into your life, you have a choice. You can keep it superficial or you can go deep and let them into relationship with you. The latter involves risk while the former is safe. But with risk comes bigger benefit, and this is true in the case of friendship.

We are not promised tomorrow. Relationships are born and they end the same as people in this linear life. Growing apart is a pretty nice way to ease out of a relationship. It’s slow and gentle and not too painful. But an abrupt change in circumstances that puts immediate space between friends is a tough pill to swallow. I‘m feeling this upheaval right now. We’ve known each other less than 2 years, but I feel like we’ve known each other forever. The bond we share will span the miles, but still my heart is sad. Here’s to putting it all out there and hoping for a happy ending, but opting for what God says is better. I love you Lauren, and your girls, like family. I know that God has a great plan for y’all ( you see what I did there?!) ha ha Don’t forget us here in PA. You are a valuable, strong, amazing mother and friend. I love you and I will see you soon :)

P.S. Don’t forget your babushka!

“A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.”
― Elbert Hubbard

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

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I miss the Brady Bunch!

6/2/2015

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Let me begin by saying I hate TV. If it was not for my husband and his mother needing to watch sports we wouldn’t have it! We went for months that way. Netflix offered enough cartoon entertainment for the kids and movie time for me, without the daily “news” of transgender celebrities, sexual contact between teachers and students, and corrupt politics. I actually make the kids leave the room when my mother in law watches the evening news. It is totally PG-13! And don’t even get me started on the Viagra commercials at EVERY commercial break during the Pirates games! What the heck is going on in this world when I cannot take the chance of channel surfing even local morning TV or trust the local network broadcasting sports with my kids in the room?! It just keeps getting worse as the media pushes the envelope further and further.

What’s a mom to do?! I am in prayer about making a plan for summer that keeps them from disturbing images, as our household is of varying ages and levels of tolerance. I have always used the parental blocks and have monitored their viewing, but as they get a little older, it is definitely requiring more diligence on my part. I know that God wants my children to be fed with truth and wholesomeness, so the TV and electronics will be limited and monitored this summer.

God’s word says in Psalm 101:3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. I think Ephesians 5:6-15 sums it up…6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.

I struggle myself with filtering what I watch and read. It is no easy task. But as I grow in my love and devotion to Jesus, I am prompted to turn from things that are not beneficial and seek more appropriate content in my reading and my viewing. Please pray for me and for all of parents as summer begins and we try to keep our kids learning and growing.

I miss the Brady Bunch!

Prayer: Father God, help us as parents to be fearless and deliberate as we filter the media for our children that they may grow in love and commitment to you and your kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

I am currently reading this and highly recommend it!

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Bear Fruit

June 22nd, 2015

He Loves Me

I'm Overwhelmed!

You've got a friend...

I miss the Brady Bunch!

Terri Moore

My loves!

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