RISEN

The disciples may have spend the better portion of Saturday being sad and confused over all that happened to their Rabbi. They each had different emotions over it all and different levels of guilt for not trying to stop the horror that was taking place. Little did they know they could not stop any of it, God's plan had to be fulfilled, Jesus had to take every slash, every fist, the crown, the spitting, the words, and the nails for the world's salvation to be secure.

I am so glad the story does not stop at the cross, or at the borrowed tomb. Jesus was sealed behind a stone. There was no way one person could have moved that stone, no way anyone with that intend could have gotten near it since Roman guards were standing watch. Yet on Sunday morning Mary Magdalene and Mary (James' mother) arrived at the tomb to find the stone rolled away. He was not there, He was gone, someone had taken His body. Then a man they thought to be the gardener told them He was not there He was Risen. He told them to go and tell the disciples. They ran as fast as they could to the disciples.

When they arrived at the house where the disciples were they told all the disciples all that happened. When they heard the story of the women, Peter and John ran as fast as they could to the tomb. John out ran Peter and when he reached the tomb stooped down and looked in, but did not go in. Peter ran right into the tomb and behold it was true, Jesus was gone! John heard Peter exclaim the news and then he entered also. They still had a hard time believing all that had happened.

While they sat around talking in the house that day, Jesus appeared to them. It was then that they believed. Jesus was risen from the dead. He had kept His promise. They were now part of His eternal kingdom.

The resurrection is a very important part of the story. The death on the cross was the sacrifice for our sins, the resurrection is our ticket to heaven!

The Quote:

"He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." ~Matthew 28:6

The Drawing: I drew this a while ago... It fits :)

AFTER

How do you think the disciples spent the day after the crucifixion? What do you think was going through their minds? Were they happy because the believed what Jesus said about His resurrection or were they sad because they thought it was not possible?

Judas was so bothered by His actions that He tried to give the silver back, then he went and hanged himself on a tree. (Cursed is a man who hangs on a tree) I think he was just a little guilty.

Peter fallen asleep while Jesus prayed and he (possibly) cut off the ear of a soldier which Jesus promptly healed while at the garden. Then Peter denied Christ three times just as Jesus told him he would. After the denial Peter disappeared. Do you think he felt guilty? Do you think at that point he thought Christ could not possible love him and offer him the life he spoke of so many times?

What about John, who was there to the end. He was told by Jesus to take care of His mother. He probably helped them carry Jesus to the borrowed tomb. He had the hard task of comforting Mary as she grieved for her son. Do you think he had enough faith to believe Jesus would rise again the third day? Or did he think it was impossible also?

Mary must have been the most upset. She had lost her first born to a terrible death, a cursed death. She who had found favor in God's eyes to give birth to His Son, now had lost Him. I can not imagine losing a child, and I know I do not want to have to deal with that. Do you think she believed her Son's words that He would rise? She had issues with believing Him before this.

All the followers of Christ had to deal with the agony of His loss, and the issue of Faith. When a friend or loved one dies it is hard and grief comes to us all in one way or another. I believe that after the Cross, Jesus followers grieved and blamed themselves for His death. And you know what, they were right, we are all to blame. Our sins put Him on that cross and in that tomb.... After His death, guilt, grief, and sorrow... Faith?

The Quote:

"After a storm comes a calm." ~Matthew Henry

The Drawing:

GAVE

It is Good Friday! Many people may think what is good about it, in the christian faith that is the day your God died. YES, Praise the Lord He did! If it had not been for that cross I could not have security in knowing that when I die I will go to heaven. Without that death on the cross my life could not have been remade, I would not be born again!

The crucifixion was a very gruesome way to die. In Psalms 22 and Isaiah 53, there is a picture of Jesus' life and death. He was rejected by His own people, bruised and beaten even before the cross. So much so that he was barely recognizable as a human much less as Jesus. The death on the cross was the worst way that anyone could die, and any one who died on the cross was cursed, Deuteronomy 21:23 and Galatians 3:13. Jesus endured all the pain, all the suffering, and even endured His Father turning His back on Him. On that day God gave His Son to be our Savior, to take the sins of the whole world (I Corinthians 5:21), everyone that ever lived, lives, or will live, so we would not have to be eternally separated from God.

So why is it GOOD Friday! Because God GAVE His only Son, so that WE might live with Him in eternity.

The Quote:

"For God so loved the world, that he GAVE his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." ~ John 3:16

The Drawing:

MORE

The Quote: Putting this first today!

"You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade." ~Tenth Avenue North "You are More"

When I think of the choices I have made good or bad it is hard to think I am MORE. When thoughts of my past crowd into my mine I find it hard to remember that I am MORE. When the problems I caused to happen for myself and others it is hard to think about being MORE. I am! I am remade!

All those choices I made, the mistakes of my past, and the problems I have caused are the very things that God used to remake me into the person I am today. When those things haunt me, I need to remember it is Satan trying to get me to take my eyes off of God. To turn my thoughts to myself, how pitiful and worthless I am, to be selfish. I am More than all the mistakes, the choices, and the problems, I am More! Lord, help me to remember you are my guide and creator, you have remade me into something beautiful, you have made me MORE than all my past!

The Drawing:

VOICE

God has a Voice. Yes, the word of God is the Bible. He speaks through it as He has through the ages. God has a voice other than that. He is not silent we just tend to not hear Him.

He speaks truth and power. He speaks and clouds roll across the sky. He speaks and a baby is born. Most people (even those who believe) think God is silent. He created the world spoke to people in Bible times and then just stopped talking. I don't believe this is so, God speaks, He has a voice. We need to listen.

Listen to what a babbling stream says to you, a roaring river, a heavy down pour of rain, they all carry a message from God. In your quiet times or when you are alone and afraid, He is speaking. In times of sorrow and happiness, He is speaking. When God speaks things happen! Learn to listen to God, He speaks through many sources! Lord, help me listen to you!

The Quote:
"In the beginning He spoke to nothing and it became something" ~A.W. Tozer

The Drawing:
(I am posting this from my tablet hope it works right!)

TRAVEL

Today is a travel day. I have many of them to take during this next year. It is hard sometimes to drive along a long road with no physical company with me. I get sleepy easy in those times; I plan on making this this trip with lots of music to help keep me focused.

As we travel down the road of life we have many companions along the way. Some are good influences and some are bad. The road can be pleasant or bumpy depending on the choices we make. As a christian, Jesus accompanies me down every road I take, whether the choice was a good one or not. He is there to help me "make it" to the end. I will still have to suffer the consequences of a bad decision, He allows that to help me learn not to make those choices. The road of life is long and hard, it is easier with a companion like Christ. Lord, guide me down the roads of this life that will be pleasing to you.

The Quote:

"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Drawing: A quick sketch I have to get on the road :)

 

ATTITUDE

We all have an attitude, many things can cause it to be good or bad. Yesterday, I saw a post by someone that said, "My attitude is based on how you treat me." I all I have to say is that that is so opposite the Golden rule it is not funny. It hurts my spirit to know that there are people I know that feel this way.

Our attitudes should be based on something more. I know it is hard to be kind sometimes, especially to those who have mistreated us or caused us pain. The bible says that we are to treat others like we want to be treated, not how we are treated. We should love others as we love ourselves. Our attitude should be one that says; ok you were not nice to me but that doesn't mean I should mimic your behavior. The bible also says if someone slaps you turn the other cheek, and if someone asks for your coat give them your shirt also, to forgive a person 7 times 70 times for the same offense. It is hard to have a forgiving spirit and the right attitude. I fail at it often, I am striving to improve. I want my attitude toward people to be based on how God loves me not how they treat me. Lord, Help me to have the right attitude towards others.

The Quote:

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." ~Winston Churchill

The Drawing:

 

JESUS

As I was thinking of what to write today a song came to my mind. It is fitting since today is Palm Sunday. Jesus enters Jerusalem for the last time before he dies on the cross. He rides in on a borrowed colt, as the people shout praises to him. I can't imagine the emotions for Him knowing that in just a few days He would be hearing the same people shouting obscenities at Him and yelling for Pilate to free Barabbas. He knew all that was about to take place and still He endured the agony. His last week on earth was filled with trials and temptations that any of us would have given into, we would have thrown in the towel and given up! He continued on, even encouraging His followers to be strong and to endure. Jesus is awesome...

The Quote:

"Jesus, Jesus, Jesus There's just something about that name Master, Savior, Jesus Like the fragrance after the rain Jesus, Jesus, Jesus Let all heaven and earth proclaim Kings and kingdoms shall all pass away But there's something about that name." ~Bill and Gloria Gaither

The Drawing:

SPACE

Space the final frontier.... Yes, I am a Star Trek watcher, although I don't think I would go so far as to dress up like a character. In Star Trek: The Final Frontier, Captain Kirk and his crew must deal with Mr. Spock's half brother who hijacks the Enterprise for an obsessive search for God. He did not know that he would find death during his impulsive and instinctive search. I know this is a Hollywood movie, I also know that people today are frantically searching for something to fill the God shaped hole in their hearts and lives.

I mention a while back that I was reading "The Pursuit of God" by A.W. Tozer, I am a slow reader so I am not finished yet. The book is filled with a lot to consider. Today's quote comes from my reading yesterday.  I have said it many times that GOD is everywhere. He fills all of space, there is nothing that can contain Him, other than our hearts. We don't have to search the ends of the earth or shout out across the galaxies for Him to hear us. He is right here. "No one is in mere distance any further from or any nearer to God than any other person."(Tozer). God is right here and right there, and every where. He hears our simplest whisper, and our loudest shout. There is no space between us, He is always near. Thank-you God for always filling the space with your presence.

The Quote:

"We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts." ~A.W. Tozer

The Drawing:

FORGETFUL

I am getting so forgetful lately. I have forgotten a number of times to take my medicine in the evening, the bad part about that is I have an alarm set. I hear it in the middle of something important and I think I will go take it in a minute and then I forget. I forgot to put the trash out for pick up yesterday and now it will have to wait till next week. My mind goes so many different directions sometimes.

James talks about not being a forgetful hearer of the law or word of God. In order to do that there is a need to hide the word in your heart and mind. At my age it is getting harder to memorize the Bible or anything for that matter. I have a lot of verses memorized already, some in song that if I want to remember those verses I have to sing them, and that is okay too. I want to memorize more of God's word, so when problems and anxieties come into my life I can use the words of God to guide me through them. I pray that God will lead me in the verses I should memorize and in doing so I pray that my memory will get better about the other things I need to not forget!

The Quote:

"But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." ~James 1:25

The Drawing:

BAD

Okay, I bet you think I am going to write about people who do wrong or bad things. I am, just not in the way you think. All of us are bad, God's word says that in Romans 3:23; "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." So we all are bad in the normal since of the word.....

Now for the rest of the story, in this installation of my blog, bad stands for Blessed and Delivered. I believe and have put my faith in the one who gave His life for me on the cross of Calvary. He in turn has given me Happiness so I am blessed. Am I happy all the time, no, not when I allow my thoughts and actions turn away from Him. Because I have put my faith in Him he has delivered me from the consequences of my sin (my badness). Romans 6:23 says "For the wages of sin is death." This is not talking about physical death, though you could die as a result of sin, it is speaking of eternal separation from God or spiritual death.

Jesus delivered me from my sins when He died on the cross for me. Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." All He seeks in return for that great gift is for me to put my trust in Him. To allow Him to become my salvation. I can not do anything else to get to heaven but believe that Jesus died, and then rose again for my sin. Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." He gave the greatest give anyone can give, the gift of Life. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Thank you Lord for giving me eternal life through your wonderful gift of Love. I am so Blessed and Delivered!

The Quote:

"Blessed are the hearts that can bend; they shall never be broken." ~Albert Camus

"Life delivered me a catastrophe, but I found a richness of soul." ~Michael J. Fox

The Drawing:

 

BEHIND

There is a young man who I was working with yesterday afternoon. He is in the 4th grade and a very likeable person. Yesterday, was really the first time I had the opportunity to talk to him much other than in class. We were walking out to the back of the school to get some fresh air and he was walking behind me, like he was in line. I told him he could walk beside me because we weren't in a line. He said his mom didn't like him in front of or beside her so he always walk behind. He did move beside me and we continued our wonderful conversation.

I think it is easier to talk to someone when they are beside you. I am sure most people would agree. Neither person can hear as well when they are one behind the other. I guess that is why it is hard to keep children in straight lines in school, even though they aren't supposed to be talking either. I think our walk with Jesus is the same way.

Jesus will always lead, He wants it to be like a casual walk of two friends talking and sharing a moment together. If we are behind then we won't be able to hear His words. If we get in front of Him we are taking control and not listening to His direction. He wants to be our friend and guide through this world. I don't want to walk behind Him, I really don't want to walk in front of Him. I long to be beside Him, to be His Friend, talking and enjoying the walk how ever rough the path is.

The Quote:

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend." ~Albert Camus

The Drawing:

TESTING

We all remember the days of the "BIG" test in school. The ones that took days to take and had hundreds of questions to answer. Those were not as "HIGH STAKE" as the ones the students take today. Today, is the first day of testing for the students at my school, and I feel it is the hardest part for the students; writing and math constructive response. The rest of the testing will take place after the Easter break. I wish all Louisiana students luck on their test this year, may they have clear minds and the knowledge to do their best.

Testing is something we all endure even when we aren't in school. It happens every day of our lives whether we realize it or not. Most of the time it is hard not to notice the testing going on in our lives. Jesus was tested all the time, by His parents, His brothers, by Satan, by the Pharisee and Sadducee, and even the disciples. He endured the hardest testing of all in the Garden of Gethsemane and then on the Cross. In all His testing He was perfect, did He have human feelings through-out them? I believe He did, that was the reason He came to earth as a man; He came to show us that perfection through Him is possible.

Our testing and trails are just as hard for us as they were for Christ. The bible says we are to count it as JOY when we have trials, because the testing of our faith makes us PATIENT! And if we endure and become patient, that patience works in us to make us perfect and complete lacking nothing. The hardest part in these test for me is the joy part, that is what keeps me from enduring to patience. We have to be joyful, that doesn't mean we jump up and down like a child who just received the best gift in the world, it just means we don't grumble and complain, we accept the situation and strive to endure it. It is a hard thing to do. Lord help me endure the TESTING in my life with JOY!

The Quote:

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." ~James 1:2-4

The Drawing:

IMITATORS

Children are great imitators. They mimic things that they see others do in order to learn how to act and behave. They will imitate the good things and the bad things, and if they get a reaction that is "good" in their eyes they will continue to do those things. If the mistake of laughing at a child imitating an inappropriate action of an adult is made; the child will think it is ok, continuing to do it until it becomes a habit or they are corrected in a way that will stop the action.

The bible says we are to be imitators of God. We are to walk in love, as Christ has loved us. He loved us by dying on the cross. We are supposed to love Him enough to take up our cross and die to the old ways we lived; to stop mimicking the world, and start loving the right way. We are to make sacrifices of our lives through service to Him. What does that service look like; using kind words to edify and encourage others, helping someone in need, or telling others about what God has done for us and them. There are many ways to imitate Christ. When we imitate Him the right way our service becomes a sweet aroma to Him. Then God is pleased. Lord help me to be an imitator of Your love and become a sweet smelling aroma to You.

The Quote:

"Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in Love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." ~Ephesians 5:1

The Drawing:

INSPIRED

I read a blog today that Inspired me! I could never have said it better and the song is right on! So please today, read this blog :)
A Pocket Full of Sunshine

The Quote:

"I know the Bible is inspired because it inspires me." ~ Dwight L. Moody

The Drawing:

SING

Sing, make a joyful noise. Lately, I have been listening to music a lot and when I am alone I sing out loud with the music. If people are around I sing on the inside.

The times I am alone the songs I sing flow more freely from my heart, I don't always sound good and I am sure I don't have perfect pitch. I sing to the Lord and even if I am off, He hears it as a sweet sound. I want the song of my heart to always be pleasing to my Lord. 

The Quote:

"Life is a song - sing it. Life is a game - play it. Life is a challenge - meet it. Life is a dream - realize it. Life is a sacrifice - offer it. Life is love - enjoy it." ~Sai Baba

The Drawing:

 

MIDDLE

"Somewhere in the Middle" is a song by Casting Crowns, I hadn't listen to it in a while. Yesterday, as I was walking it spoke to me. Here are some of the words.

Somewhere between the hot and the cold
Somewhere between the new and the old
Somewhere between who I am and who I used to be
Somewhere in the middle, You'll find me

Just how close can I get, Lord, to my surrender without losing all control

Lord, I feel You in this place and I know You're by my side
Loving me even on these nights when I'm caught in the middle.

In Revelations 3:15-16, Jesus talks about the church that is lukewarm. And he says that he wished they were either hot or cold, not in the middle. Sometimes, when I try to walk the path that God has laid out for me I try to take control. It is hard to step out on faith in some areas, and almost impossible in others. When I am in the middle is when I am not fully surrendered, Jesus is there saying come on I wish you would either drop out completely or let go and let me have the control! He wants me to be useful to him, in the middle it is possible, just not as easy. Lord help me to let go and let you have control completely so I'm not somewhere in the middle.

The Quote:

"I know your works. You are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I’m about to spit you out of my mouth." ~Revelations 3:15-16

The Drawing:

 

WALK

I walk in the afternoons after school. I don't walk very far by some standards, I do walk as far as I can for now. I want to walk farther, I just can't yet, I still get a little winded. For those of you who read this and don't know I had a Heart Attack (my second) Nov 30, 2012. I have been trying to exercise and eat even better since that time. Walking is one way I am doing that.

Walk in the Bible means a lot of things, from a physical walk to a spiritual journey. I want my walks physically to be healthy for my body and for my spirit. If someone is walking with me, I try to keep the conversation upbeat and on good things, sometimes we don't talk at all. If I am alone I usually have Christian music playing and I talk to God.

My Spiritual walk is a life long, it is how I act (good or bad) everyday. It has to do with the words that come out of my mouth and the thoughts that are in my head. My walk can lead me down the path of righteousness or a bumpy and scary path of unrighteousness. It is not always a pleasant walk, there are often hard times even on a righteous path. My walk can teach me something new or reinforce something I already knew. My walk can help others or can turn others away from me and from God (oh I pray that is not the case). My walk should always be in Faith knowing that God is right there with me every step of the way even if it doesn't seem like he is. I want my Spiritual walk to be pleasing to God, beneficial to me and those I meet along the way.

The Quote:

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." ~I John 1:7

The Drawing:

UPDATE

There are all kinds of things that get Updates these days; our phones, or computer software, or video games, and some people even get Updates for their bodies. Our world changes so fast it is sometimes hard to keep up with it.

Some updates are good, some not so good. When you see an old friend for the first time in a while you can spend hours updating each other on your lives. Some times in that update you find out somethings that may be bad, maybe another close friend had died or a loss of a child for the friend you are talking too.

There is one Update that I can't wait to get. Not that I want it right now (even though a change to this old body would be nice) and that is the glorified body I will receive when I reach my final destination. A body that is just what God wants for all His children. No more pain, no more suffering. In a time when every tear shall be wiped away and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord! That will be my final update and it will be great!

The Quote:

"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 15:51-53

The Drawing:

 

PAIN

The are so many things in the world that cause pain. Many of those painful things are brought on by our own feelings, thoughts, and actions.

Most of the time when I am hurting it is not because someone else said or did anything to me. It is my own thoughts of perceptions of things that have cause it. Dealing with the issues that have brought up the pain is not easy. Meditation on God's word helps, prayer helps, in the end I have to allow my thought patterns to be changed and turn my emotions over so that they can be "fixed". No easy task, as a human being I want to hang on to these painfully things sometimes and wear them like a badge "honor". Oh poor pitiful me, see what I have had to endure. That is not what I want for my life; I want to get rid of my pain, by changing my feeling about things, getting rid of the envious thoughts, and making my actions fit those that God would have me do.

The Quote:

"Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have - life itself."

~Walter Anderson

The Drawing:

EFFORT

In order to change we have to make an effort. I can say all day I want to change this or that, yet until I make the effort to move in the direction of that change it will never happen.

There are many areas in my life I need to change. One is the way I speak to others. I know that I can be rough sometimes. I don't really mean anything by it, I am not trying to be mean, I just don't use the appropriate tone or word choices. Unless, I make an effort to change the way I speak to people it will not happen. I have to consciously watch my tone, and my words.

God wants us to actively change the way we live, to become more like Him. Here on earth we can never be perfect, we can make a conscious effort to move toward that perfection, to be a reflection of who God is. A reflection is never perfect either, it is close enough to see what we are meant to be. I want to make the effort to change the things in my life I know God wants me to change so that I can be a reflection of who He is. 

The Quote:

"Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential."~Winston Churchill

The Drawing:

BLESSED

This word is used many times in the Bible. There are many definitions of the word, the context in which it is used determines it's meaning. The definition in the quote for today is happy, or enjoying happiness, enjoying the bliss of heaven.

Happy is the man who, does not walk, stand, or sit with specific kinds of people. I take that to mean that we are supposed to watch who our friends are. When we distance ourselves from those we know are not living a "righteous" life, our walk with the Lord gets happier. And if we can find like-minded people to accompany us on our travels through this world we will benefit even more. It further says that to be happy this persons delight is in the law (Word) and he meditates on it day and night. The Bible says that the Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path (Psalms 119:105). It will guide us through that world if we will meditate on it. The blessed person is then like a tree planted (rooted) by a river, growing and producing fruit in the right season. That person shall prosper and they shall not whither. That doesn't mean they won't die, it means that their testimony will remain strong in the world and not fade.  I pray that some day I will be the blessed person God wants me to be.

The Quote:

"Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
    Nor stands in the path of sinners,
    Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 
But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
    Planted by the rivers of water,
    That brings forth its fruit in its season,
    Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper."  ~Psalms 1:1-3

 The Drawing:

MASTERPIECE

The other day I wrote about God being a Master Artist molding His children with His hands and a chisel. There is not much I can ass to that. God will do a glorious work in my life and anyone's life who ask Him. The Skit Guys have a video that tells about it so much better than I can. It touches my heart every time I see it. I hope you enjoy it.

The Quote:

"Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel. And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make. Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying:  “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel" ~Jeremiah 18:3-6

The Drawing:

WORRY

In the mornings at school I have duty watching the children in the Kindergarten hallway. There are some who still cry when there parents leave them. It breaks my heart. They have fears and issues that cause them to worry, and that should not be. The other day I told the children I would bring a song for them to hear. I have yet to do that for technical reasons. I am trying to get it together today.

Worry is bad for anyone. I worry quit often of things that are really small. I can say that when I worry I do not have my focus where it should be, on God. At those times I have forgotten that God is right there with me and if I ask He will give me peace. Sometimes it is hard to do that. I need to remember that Bobby McFerrin wasn't the first to say "Don't Worry, Be Happy", God was! He can make it all better.

The Quote:

" But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." ~Matthew 6:33-34

The Drawing:

BEAUTY

Another sleepless night. Satan is not liking me at all right now. I choose to look at these sleepless nights as conformation I must be doing something right for God if Satan has to try and make me worthless through lack of sleep. Little does Satan know I am more determined now to make this day a day for my Lord.

All night a song was in my head, I have listened to it a lot the past few weeks when I am walking. I like the song and it has a good message. It is SuperChick's "Beauty for the Pain" The chorus, which is what I kept hearing all night is my quote today.

God's Word tells us that we will have trials and pain, especially if we are a child of His. He also gives us hope, He will never leave us or forsake us. At the end of all the trials, all the pain, all the suffering, all the sleepless nights there will be beauty.

Think about a beautiful piece of pottery or sculpture. It starts as a lump of clay or a block of stone. Then a master artist beginnings to mold the clay with his hands or the rock with a chisel. I am sure if the clay or rock could feel the working would hurt. It takes a while for both to become what  the artist wanted, a little work, a little rest, more work, more rest. In the end the there is beauty. We are the same way in God's hands. He is molding us to be what we need to be for Him. So the sleepless nights he allows to come my way, in some why help me be more what He wants, even if it doesn't feel like it right now.

The Quote:

"After all this has passed, I still will remain
After I've cried my last, there'll be beauty from pain
Though it won't be today, someday I'll hope again
And there'll be beauty from pain
You will bring beauty from my pain" ~SuperChick

 The Drawing:

ALL

I used to walk to work everyday, I hope to start back soon. I had songs that I listen to all the way to and from work. In the morning, the first song I listen to was the one that I have chosen for my quote today. It speaks volumes to me.

There are many times we feel as though we are all alone, that even though Jesus said He would always be there, even He has left us. We are tired and worn. In those moments, even thinking or saying help to Him is all we can do, all we can say. Then in the mist of our pain and weariness, comfort comes. We realize that He is right where He said He would be, holding us, shedding tears with us, and washing our feet. Thank-you Jesus!

The Quote:

All I Can Say ~The David Crowder Band
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouhSZbAwtDs

The Drawing:

HUGS

I am not a Huggy person. I really don't like people to touch me at all. Not sure why that is really, I just don't like it.

At school (around the kids) that changes. This year there are a bunch of kids that every time they come to my class they want a hug and I give it. No apprehension! They are precious little people. I think the Disciples were a little like me about not being touched or bother might be a better word. They were very upset when the children would want to be "too close" to Jesus. And what did he say, Don't keep them from me, because unless you come to me as one of these little children you will not enter the kingdom of God. I have no idea what the kids at my school get at home, I do know that if they want a hug I will give it to them.


The Quote:

"Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” ~ Luke 18:15-17

The Drawing:

PRAISEWORTHY

The last word from Philippians 4:8. Almost every translation of this passage say, worthy of praise, praise, or deserving of praise. My question is whose praise are we to seek? The Bible says we are not to seek the praise of men. So here it must be talking about God or is it talking about think on things that praise and worship God?

I believe if I meditate on the things that are true, pure, noble, just, lovely, of good report, and virtuous, I am praising God. To do all of those my mind has to be trained to stay in the word and have His words flow from mind when they are needed to love and comfort others in the good times and in times of need. They need to be there so I can keep my self from straying from the paths God wants me to walk. They need to be there to keep me ready to be a witness for Him. The meditations of my heart and mind need to be acceptable to God and glorify Him. Then maybe in the end he will look at me and say, "Well done." I am afraid that will not be the case, although I am trying to keep my thoughts and my heart on the things that are pleasing to God.

The Quote:

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things"Philippians 4:8

The Drawing:

VIRTUE

"If there be any virtue..." I was very interested in the list or definitions for this word in Merriam-Webster and wanted to share them.

"1a : conformity to a standard of right : morality

b : a particular moral excellence

2 plural : an order of angels — see celestial hierarchy

3: a beneficial quality or power of a thing

4: manly strength or courage : valor

5: a commendable quality or trait : merit

6: a capacity to act : potency

7: chastity especially in a woman"

 I was particularly interested in the second definition "an order of angels". If angels are ranked according to virtue in Heaven, then there is a possibility that we will be also, and our thoughts probably have something to do with that. I believe that as a Christian, I will stand before God and give an account for the things I have do here on earth since becoming a Christian. All the good and bad, all the virtuous and virtue-less, everything will be brought out and judged. The God will wipe the tears from my eyes and reward me for the things that lasted through the judgement, the good and virtuous things. This could possible give me my status or rank in his kingdom to come. So here is my question, what do you suppose angels think about? Those are the things I should think about!

The Quote:

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature." ~Marcus Aurelius

The Drawing:

GOOD REPORT

Commendable, well thought of, things that can be praised, respected, good repute, these are all ways I found this translated. That brings up a lot of thoughts in my mind.

I reluctantly watch the movie "The Truman Show" because I really don't care for movies like that mostly. As I looked up the words today, this movie popped into my mind. Imagine that your life was out there for everyone to see, every thing good or bad that you did was being shown to the world. What if every thought you thought was audible to them also. Would you want everyone to hear everything you thought? I for one would not, being honest, if all my thoughts were audible to the world I would be in trouble.

The thing is we need to remember that everything we do and every thought we think is not hidden from God. He does see and hear it all! And you can bet, that if Satan hears a thought that isn't right, he is right there telling God, "See that person just messed up, what are you going to do about it?" Satan reports to God still I think, and he never reports good stuff. So in order to not have Satan tattle on us we need to have thoughts that are of Good Report, thoughts that we would not mind being broadcast to the whole world. Wow, that will be hard Lord, please help me!

The Quote:

"The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, And a good report makes the bones healthy." ~Proverbs 15:30

The Drawing:

LOVELY

This word was translated in most Bibles as lovely or beautiful. In the New Life Version it is translated as "can be loved". That is an interesting way to look at this. Are things that can be loved and things that can't?

We can love the sounds a new born baby makes, but not love the screaming of a toddler who does not get its way. We can love the beauty of a flash of lightening across a stormy sky and not love the storm. We can love the sight of a mountain in the distance (physically and figuratively) yet not love the trek we have to take to get to the top. Everything on earth that God has created can be loved, and has value. Even the "bad" things we think are unlovable like storms, or the screams of a child. I believe that the only thing that cannot be loved is Sin. Like I said if God created it it is lovely. God did not create Sin, we did with the help of Satan. One way to keep ourselves from sin is to think on the things in Philippians 4:8; on lovely things.

The Quote:

"All the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action." ~James Russell Lowell

The Drawing: