Thrilling

Today the word is thrilling...

it been a thrilling time the 50 days trying to write something meaningful.... I am taking a break, well let me be honest I might not write again here. If I do those of you who follow my blog will see it and those on Facebook will see the link to it... until then,,,

God Bless You All!

Keen

Definition of keen

1a : intellectually alert : having or characteristic of a quick penetrating mind b : extremely sensitive in perception c : sharply contested 

2a (1) : showing a quick and ardent responsiveness : enthusiastic 

(2) : eager b of emotion or feeling : intense

3: wonderful, excellent 

4a : having a fine edge or point : sharp b : affecting one as if by cutting 

c : pungent to the sense : very enthusiastic or excited about 

This word is not found in any of the translations of the bible that I would use on a regular basis. I did find it in a few of the paraphrased versions like the J.B. Phillips and The Message.  When looking at the definition "eager" is a synonym for the word so there is the definition I will go with today.

"For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." Philippians 3:20-21

I saw a post on Facebook yesterday that kind of upset me even though I know the character of the person who said it and I understand where they are coming from.... Here is the post...

Why did I mention this post when the verse above speaks to be eager to be transformed and Christ subduing all things to Himself... If you look at the scriptures prior to those:

Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. Philippians 3:17-19

Paul is saying to look at him and others who have set a pattern not the enemies of the cross of Christ. I am in no way saying that the person who posted this is one of those people. They need my love and prayers as much as anyone else... But I eagerly wait for a time when I don't have to feel belittled for being a Christian by my friends, I long for a time when my praying is not ridiculed, I long for a time when Christians will stop being hypocrites (even me). I am eager for Christ to return so that there will be peace in the world and we can live life for a 1000 years as it was supposed to be in the beginning.

As I eagerly wait for the Lord's return, I want to live an abundant life here. I have friends who challenge my Christianity, I am eagerly wishing to show them the Christ I know, because it seems they haven't seen the real Christ! I long to witness to the world and put forth the "Word of Truth" even if I don't do it well because I know that God said this about His Word...

"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it." Isaiah 55:11

 I am eager for heaven, I also want to see where this life leads me. I want to eagerly share the gospel with my friends and family, which I hope leads to all of us eagerly waiting for the Lords return.

I hope I am making sense... not sure I am today!

Thanks for Reading. God Bless You All!

Bounty

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 1 Timothy 2:3-7

I know that a ransom and a bounty are not really the same thing but I am going to treat them as such. Jesus paid the bounty for our  wayward hearts to be turned to God. No one in this world is forced to turn their hearts around and give them over to God. Yet He still paid the bounty for us. And once we accept the gift the bounty becomes the ransom, or the retribution for our sins.

After I accept the payment I can live on in this world the way I want to. God would hope that it would be in a manner that is pleasing to Him, but He still doesn't "force" that on us. Paul says...

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6: 1-4

We should want to live a life that is pleasing to God, in honor of the unimaginable gift that was given to us.  I lived a season away from God, He wasn't the one who "left", I was! I knew He was still right there with me, and I knew He saw me, I even prayed to Him sometimes. I just didn't live a life even remotely pleasing to Him or myself for that matter. It wasn't that I was living terribly bad, I just was not where I needed to be with God. I let my relationship with Him fall away.

My life today is still not where I would like it to be in regard to Christ, I am working on it. I am trying to live a life that is worthy of the sacrifice that was made, even though I don't have to and could never meet the requirements. That is why Christ paid the bounty and my retribution for me! I am so Thankful He did!

Thanks for Reading. God Bless You All!

Secure

 There are so many different ways to think of the word secure. I can talk about being secure in my salvation, secure in the way I think about myself, or feeling safe and secure in my home... the list could go on. 

This is an easy word to talk about and yet at times it is so hard to feel secure. There is one way I have felt secure and never doubted, and that is the security I feel in my salvation. I can say I have never doubted that I am saved, and will spend eternity with my Lord. I have doubted that I am worthy to do the work He has set before me or doubted my own faith to let Him have control of my life, I have never doubt His word that I am His and will live with Him eternally. It has been 46 years since I gave my life to Christ, I have not always lived like it but I have never doubted what He did for me. 

I have on the other hand not been secure in other things, that has already been established in many of my other posts. I don't trust others or myself very much, so how could I be secure. I am not paranoid, but I am very watchful, even of those closest to me. Because in my life those closest to me have usually been the ones to hurt me (and others) the most. What needs to happen is for me to get my act together and be secure in myself so the others are no longer an issue. 

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  So we may boldly say:

      “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” 

Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established by grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with them. Hebrews 13:5-9

Have you ever heard or seen the acronym F.R.O.G: "Fully Rely On God"?  If I would do this I should be able to say everyday in every way...  “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

I need to get to the point that I am secure enough to do that... working on it!

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Thanks for reading! God Bless You All! 

  Does this Mooka look secure in the Tipple??? If you know what I am talking about then you must know about Zentangle! 

Agree

Have you ever heard the phrase... "can we agree to disagree"? That is the way I feel when I write this blog. I know there are people who read this that do not agree with the statements I make, there are also some who do agree. I hope and pray that maybe at least when it comes to believing in Christ that the words I write may help those that don't believe to have a small question that grows into belief. That wasn't the originally intention for this blog though... 

I started this blog 4 years ago because I want to do something I thought was of worth to me and would help me share who I am with the world, not that the world wants to know but I needed to begin to open up. I was also asking my students to write blogs and I thought I needed to do it also. I try and put my faith into my writing because everything I do I should do to the Glory of God. I think that some who agree with me are shocked when something about God doesn't show up in my post. Those ideas of God and His character, His love, and His mercy come from my love of Him and my spiritual gift of teaching... a teacher can never stop teaching until they take their last breath... and they may still continue to teach after that!!! Teachers do you AGREE? 

So my question for all of you today... Please answer in the comments below, so I can know what my audience (the 20 to 30) who read daily think and believe! 

Do you agree that Christ lived a perfect life fully God and fully man... laid down His life willing for the world because he loved the world... was buried and on the 3rd day rose from the dead... He was seen by many people then ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father... and He is coming again and we (believers) will live forever with Him in Heaven because of all He did for us? 

That is a powerful statement because He is a powerful God. I have nothing to do with that except that I believe it! Do you? Can we agree about that statement's truth? Just so you know I have scriptures to back it up... here are a few for you:

 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 

 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. I Corinthians 15: 3-8, 51-53

Please in the comments below let me know if you agree, if not tell me why... Can we agree, or can we agree to disagree?

Thanks for reading! God Bless You All!

Here is a picture I drew a few years ago... you can find more of them at my old website... I can not up date that page any longer but it is still there! 

Jovial

Jovial: markedly good-humored especially as evidenced by cheerfulness and conviviality 

I have to admit I had to look up conviviality... or convivial

 relating to, occupied with, or fond of feasting, drinking, and good company 

So it seems to me that this word has to do with being cheerful and enjoying the company of others, maybe large gatherings. In the beginning of the Church actually in the beginning of life as Israel became a nation... God instituted gatherings or "parties" that were design to worship Him. These feast were to help Israel remember all God had done for them, to allow them time to reflect on their individual lives, and to enjoy the company of friends and family as they worshiped their God.

It was no different in the beginning of the church, those times to gather meant fellowship, worship, food, and fun. They shared a meal almost every time they gathered to worship and hear the message God sent their way. It was a way for them to learn from God and enjoy the company of their fellow bothers and sisters in Christ.

The Bible says:

"And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. " Hebrews 10:24-25

I believe that being together with brother's and sisters in Christ helps us to grow and be productive members of the body of Christ. We should be cheerful and good-humored so we can build up the other members of the body. We were not meant to be alone.

With that in mind, Christ also teaches us a lesson about how we should live our lives with and without the "group". So many times Jesus is with His disciples teaching them about the ways to love and honor God as well as loving and respecting each other. He had gatherings that 5000 men attended and was comfortable in that group. Shortly, after that gathering he left with His disciples only, so His group became smaller. A little after that He went to the mountain alone to pray. On the night of His betrayal, Christ started the day with throngs of people worshiping Him in the streets, then had dinner with His disciples. He left the dinner with 11 of  His disciples to go to the garden and pray, He asked 3 of them to come deeper into the garden with Him. He left them there, asking them to pray with Him as He went alone deeper into the garden. There are times when we need to be in a group and be jovial! there are times when we need to get alone, and remember, that in those times when Jesus chose to separated Himself, He was not alone. In those times, His Father and the spirit were right there with Him. They are right there with us as we are alone, Jesus is there too!

I think being jovial, and getting out with friends is very important. I also believe there is a time maybe even a season when being alone is what is needed. Paul spent at least 3 years alone learning from Christ after his conversion...

For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.  Galatians 1:11, 17-19

So being alone is a good thing if it is being used in the right way. I would love to be jovial, I am not that type of person. I can be in a crowd or group, I can even go to a party, but I feel so out of place. I do spend time with others.... sometimes. I need to do it more often. If you can be jovial go for it, but also remember some alone time is needed also!

Thanks for Reading. God Bless You All!

Here is the finished drawing from yesterday :) 

Bountiful

I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:6

God gives to us with a generous heart and is bountiful in all that He does for us.  He love is wonderfully abundant and we should praise Him for all that He does for us. Yes, it is hard to remember this all the time, that is something we should strive for.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. John 10:10

His word tells us that our abundant life can be stolen by a thief... Satan. He messes with Christians all the time trying to keep us from being joyful, peaceful, and loving. He doesn't want us to be a witness to the bountiful love of our Lord. He wants us to live a defeated life, one that is no good to us or anyone else. So many times this happens to be. I have a melancholy spirit, much like I think David did. Someone told me the other day that they thought all creative people are that way. I would agree, my emotions and spirit tend to drive my "art" and music. I need God's Spirit to have more control in my life so I can live abundantly and show His love and generosity to the world through my life and "art"! 

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6

There is something we can do to help the abundant life to flow more in our lives... We need to sow (plant), love, goodness, joy, peace, happiness, and gentleness into the lives around us and as a result we will reap the same things only more bountifully!

Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38

God owns everything in the world, He created or allowed it to be created for our good. He wants our lives to be filled with the good things of this world. I want to live an abundant life. What about you? I think if we start loving others we can live that abundant life. I for one am tired of Satan messing with my life... I have to start telling Him to leave me alone realizing that He is NOT the author and finisher of my faith and should not be able to steal my bounty!

Thanks for reading. God Bless You All!

I am not finished with this drawing but I thought I would add it to this...