"Our Awesome God!"

So many times in our lives we say this or that is awesome! My 5 year old grandson thinks Captain America, Super Heroes, and grilled cheese sandwiches are AWESOME! V.B.S. was awesome this last week! My grandchildren said being with their cousins is Awesome and their Great-grandmommy is awesome! All these things or people can truly be awesome in our eyes, but the "Most Awesome" is our God Almighty!
The definition of awesome is great or excellent. We truly serve a great God and an excellent God!! An Awesome God!! In Isaiah 40:28 it says, "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God; the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is unscrutable."God is not weak, never fatigued, never fails us, the Ancient of Days is all-sufficient!! Isn't that Awesome!!! He is Awesome!
Our God is a Holy God. (Isaiah 6:1-6)
Our God is a Trinity. (Deut. 6:4 and Matt. 28:19-20)
Our God is always at work in your life. (John 5:17 & Romans 8:28)

What are we to do? Like Isaiah we should fall on our knees!!!(Isaiah 45:23)

We are to worship, trust, & obey.
"Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised,
And His greatness is unsearchable." Psalm 145:3

"In God I have put my trust..." Psalm 56:11

"But whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected." I John 2:5

We are to love.

"If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love." John 15:10

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." John 13:34

We are to be holy.

"because it is written, You shall be Holy, for I am Holy." I Peter 1:16

We are to Proclaim Christ.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16

As the song says....
"Our God is an Awesome God,
He reigns from heaven above,
With wisdom, power, & love,
Our God is an AWESOME GOD!!!"

We truly serve a Great, Excellent, and Awesome God!!!

There is a Time to Blow Your Horn

(From the "View From the 9th" Collection)

Driving on the highways and roadways in Kuwait is an unforgettable experience.  Even though there are rules and regulations, no one seems to obey the law.  NO ONE.  Excessive speed and intentional rudeness abounds.   Road rage is normal every day activity.    What is so great about this is that it gives everybody an opportunity to use their car horns regularly.   I would insert a smiley face in here if I could figure out how.      :)

In America, or in my little section of America, we could possibly even forget that we have horns built into our cars, but in Kuwait honking your horn is just part of your daily driving experience.  It is EXHILARATING!

Lay on that horn and blow!!!!!  Whew!

Since I've been home, I keep looking for an excuse to blow my truck's horn.   Alas! so far  I have found no occasion to do so.

However, there are other reasons than  inconsiderate motorists to toot your horn.

Jesus said “I am the way the truth and the life.  No man comes to the Father but through me.”

That's a pretty bold statement.   There is no question that He was announcing to the world WHO He is and WHY He came.

There are so many scriptures where Jesus talks about who He is.   He did not step down or step back.  He tooted his  horn, told people why he was here.   Before he ascended to heaven he commanded us to tell the world His story.    To blow our horns.  Only our horns have to toot about Him, not about us.

Honk!

Some horns are loud.  Others are soft & gentle.   Some horns play symphonies.  Others play jazz.   They have different sounds and are played in varying ways.

Horns are used to announce something... to get people’s attention.    The children of God are listening for and waiting to hear the horns blowing announcing the return of Christ! 

So... toot your horn... Whether your horn plays gently or is blaringly loud, get somebody's  attention and then use that opportunity to tell them about Christ.      What Jesus gave to His children is meant to be announced to the world.

Oh... and if you hear me blowing my car horn sometime, don't worry.   I am just reminiscing.

Morning Outing with Grandkids!

My husband and I took our 4 grandsons to see"The Tale of Despereax" this morning at 10:00 at the show. We all had a good time, they ate their skittles, and drank their capri sun apple juices, and we all watched this show about a little mouse who was different (set apart), courageous, brave, noble, and tried to learn and listen, and see the beauty in everything.
As Christians, we are to be different, to be courageous, to grow ( learn) and to (listen) to the Lord. We are to be set apart. "But know that the Lord has set apart the godly man for Himself; The Lord hears when I call to Him.Psalm 4:3. We are to have courage, "Be strong and courageous!" Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9. We are to be noble, "Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things. (The virtues of wisdom are summarized in all that is noble, right, true, and righteous.) Sanctification (to be growing (learning) in the Lord daily), "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18. We are to listen, "When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the Lord, your God and listen to His voice." Deut. 4:30. See the beauty of the Lord!! "One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord, And to meditate in His temple." Psalm 27:4.
The rats in the show lived in ratworld in the darkness, and were mean and cruel.
As Christians we are to shine God's light and be loving and caring. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." Matthew 5:14 (A godly life gives convincing testimony of the saving power of God. That brings God glory.) "But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth." Psalm 86:15. (God is loving, merciful, caring, and kind to us, so should we be to others.)

Father, I pray that just as Despereax, the mouse, was courageous, noble, brave, and set apart, that I might have these standards and be a Strong Christian for You and let my light shine!!!

Step out of your comfort zone for Christ!!!

I just watched a video of our Pastor and his children skating at Skate America. The love that our Pastor shows for his children and the willingness he has to learn new things is commendable!!
Our heavenly Father has such great love for each and every one of us!!! When the "Waters" seem roaring in our lives, and we don't want to step out of our comfort zone, we must keep our eyes on our Heavenly Father and do His will
I am sure skating was probably out of our Pastor's "comfort zone," but he was willing to do it, because he loves his children. Are we willing to step out of our "comfort zone" and do the will of God? Is God calling you to teach a S. S. class, witness, be an encourager, or a prayer warrior? God wants willing servants! Are you willing to step out in faith?
Scripture Texts: John 3:16, Romans 5:8, Mark 3:35, Eph. 6:6, and Luke 17:5

"What kind of fragrance are you putting out?"

As I was cleaning out the old fragrances from my scentsy holders, and putting in the new fragrances, these scriptures came to mind.
2 Cor. 2:14-16: "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; to the one an aroma from death to death, to the other an aroma from life to life. And who is adequate for these things?
(Paul was thankful for the privilege of pleasing God. Whenever God's servants are faithful and are an influence for the gospel, God is pleased. No one is adequate in his own strength or competent to serve God in the ways and with the power that Paul had been describing. God alone, is our strength!)
Another scripture brought to my mind on aroma: Eph. 5:2,
"...walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself us for us, and offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma."
(Christ's offering of Himself for fallen man pleased and glorified His heavenly Father, because it demonstrated in the most complete and perfect way God's sovereign, perfect, unconditional, and divine kind of love.)
How's your fragrance for Christ today?

The Author

Hebrew 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...

How often do we look at our life and think that things could be better if we did things differently. Often times not even consulting God on our decision - but rather doing what we consider the best option for us.

This verse speaks of the fact that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. He set out a redemptive plan that includes a new life in him. He is the one who has written our story before the beginning of time. Like any good author of this world Jesus has carefully written our stories, following us through hardship, heartbreak, joy, and forgiveness to the end of our story. Unfortunately along the way we often decide we do not like the story that is laid out before us. And not knowing the ultimate outcome we decide to re-write certain parts. Ripping the pen and paper from the master author's hand and handing it over to the world or the enemy to write out a part of our story. In this we shortcut the beauty of the story the master author has before hand laid out. We miss the designed story he has for us and ultimately miss some of the blessings that were set out for our lives. During this time the Author of Salvation stands at our side ready to take over our story when we decide to trust him with it again.

Think back on the last good novel you read. The earthly author lovingly unfolded a story that surrounded major characters. The author laid out the details and through the story the reader follows as the character goes through trials and hardships, triumphs and defeats and ultimately the ending is good - though granted sometimes sad. But in the end we see that the story laid out shines brightly and we at the end have a connection to those involved.

In much the same way our story is written out by The Author of Salvation - and he has made one for each of us that will ultimately shape us into an image of Him. We must therefor trust our story in the hands of the Author of Salvation even in the times that we do not fully understand our story. We must trust him in the times of heartbreak and trials that he is working out a greater purpose. We must give him the thanks for the times of joy when all works out. We must commit to leave the pen in the hands of the Author who has our best intent in His heart. The one who said that He knows the thoughts he thinks toward of us and they are of peace and an expected end.

My hope is that at the end, my story is one that is captivating because the Author of Salvation shines through on each page. May this also be your endeavor as you seek God's will - trust His authorship in your life and know that He is writing a beautiful story across the years of your life. Let Him shine on each page.

Soar Like the Eagles!!!

It is through God's power and strength that we can go on, regardless of difficulties we face or circumstances. It is encouraging to know, that God's power and strength never diminishes. When we feel as though all of life is crushing us, we must remember we can call on God to renew our strength!!!

"He gives strength to the weary;

And to him who lacks might, He increases power.

Though youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,

Yet those who wait for the Lord

Will gain new strength;

They will mount up with wings like eagles,

They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become weary."

Isaiah 40: 29-31