When Your Remarkable Happens

Hey, good lookin’!

I’m talking about you.

Are you feeling out of sorts?

It’s okay.

We all feel that way sometimes.

My go-to when it happens to me is listening to Christian music.

Whether you prefer contemporary praise songs, Christian rap, or country gospel, it doesn’t matter.

God doesn’t care how well you sing or whether your singing is good enough to end up on “The Voice.”

Singing Praises To God Is Worship

Praising God through song is worship.

He is listening to you, no matter how off pitch you are.   😉

I’ve sung in choirs since 1997, and it is an absolute joy.

Here’s one song that I love, and I wanted to share it with you now.

The song reflects Psalm 139 which talks about God knowing you before the beginning of time.

Before you were even created, He already had you in mind.

Don’t you love children’s choirs?

Go to a quiet place, close your eyes, turn your sound up, and feel the Father’s love.

I hope you enjoy.


When life gets you down, it’s only human to feel overwhelmed and sideways.

But, don’t stay in that place for long.

God knows your every step before you even get out of bed.

When you’ve had a night of worrying about tomorrows, please remember you can find peace in reading God’s Word.

Trust Him through your circumstances.

*Learn to trust God in everything, to turn from sin and walk in obedience, to endure His reproving and chastening and refining, do what is good, walk in the Spirit, let your commitment to the Lord come from the inside out, not the outside alone.  Live by the Word of God in a righteous way.  And pray and seek peace.  This will restore your peace. – Pastor John MacArthur, from Grace To You.

Wake Up, Sleepyhead!

Get ready to approach each day with confidence knowing that, as one of His beloved children, God’s plan of salvation is remarkable.

When your remarkable happens

When God blesses you, shine His light to the world and show your gratitude.

If you know of anyone who needs this encouragement today, please feel free to share this post.

Blessings!

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*John MacArthur quote is from an article originally appearing here at Grace to You.

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Turning Down the Noise of the News

Turning Down the Noise of the News

What’s that loud sound when I turn on network news?

It’s awful noise.

Turning down the news

As a former journalist, when I see news anchors broadcast opinion pieces and call them news, it’s nothing short of cringe-worthy. I’m talking about news reports that don’t present both sides of an issue. I’m also talking about those in the media tearing up when their preferred candidate didn’t win.

There’s so much deception going on in the media and entertainment worlds that my TV remote is starting to become my favorite thing.

Has everyone lost their minds?

Many in the mainstream news media seem hell-bent on widening the river of divisiveness. They’re flooding our great nation with doubt and hysteria.

Don’t fall for it.

America is a great nation, founded on Judeo-Christian values.

our great nation

Side By Side

The folks I know, and count as my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, are loving, intelligent, hard-working Christians. We care about people, and praying for the lost. We believe in compassion and kindness towards everyone while remaining courageous in our faith.

The secular world doesn’t get it, and we’re seeing the result of that now.

There’s such a clear divide between darkness and light in this world that it confounds me how people “on the fence” can’t see it or refuse to see it.

What Christians Know

Only one perspective that matters

What Christians know is that political parties aren’t the answer.

God is.

Would God condone the murder of babies in the womb?

We know the answer to that already.

Those people marching for abortion don’t speak for me.

There is One, only One, who stood up for me many, many years ago on the way to Calvary.

Manners? What Manners?

Is civil debate about issues a thing of the past?

It certainly seems so.

Welcome to a fallen world.

Awful, sickening, comments on Facebook.

Watching all of this is hard.

Self-described “nasty” women were spewing hateful words.

The media loves it and, those sneaking into our country who want to harm us, love it too.

My husband and I pray for the safety of our nation and Israel every single night. Our Christianity doesn’t make us popular on social media all the time, but it’s one of the battle scars that are a part of life in this fallen world.

Where’s That Doggone Remote?

turning off noise

Keep your remote handy too.

In our house, it’s a race to hit the change-the-channel button when the “noise” starts up again.

Award Me, Applaud Me

The Grammys, the Golden Globes, the latest award show du jour.

How many “award a celebrity” shows are there now?

These shows have morphed from fashion displays and classy thank-you’s to hypocritical political rants. Some celebs use the dais to accuse conservatives of promoting hate and yet, the ferocious bullying and threats from Leftists remain overlooked.

Blech.

Bye.

Will pray for you.

God wants us to pray for them. Our prayers may be mocked, but we do it anyway. Unlike most of Hollywood, our audience as Christians is an audience of One.

theologian J. Sidlow Baxter

From a Christian Perspective

Is there another option to the mainstream news media?

I know about one I can offer.

It’s a website called OneNewsNow.com. I found the site one day when I was researching another article. You’ll find coverage of the big news stories there, but there’s a significant difference. The articles and commentaries are from a Christian perspective.

OneNewsNow.com is the brainchild of the American Family Association. I have a lot of confidence in AFA and their positive impact on the world.

If you prefer to read news headlines on your phone, the site also offers a downloadable App. For those who prefer email alerts, you can receive the news briefs via your email provider.

Turning Down the Noise of the News

There’s one perspective that really matters.

Through belief in the saving grace of Jesus Christ, restoration and redemption can be yours.

The Author of all life is still on His throne, and He isn’t going anywhere.

No person or group and no political party can ever usurp God’s reign and authority over all the earth. God is orchestrating a divine plan and, in His perfect timing, it will unfold for all to see in an astonishing way.

Every knee will bow.

Not “some” knees will bow, but “every” knee will bow, even the wicked.

Friends who are reading this, I am honored to stand with you. Don’t let all the loud noise stirred up make you feel alone.

I appreciate you so much.

I know it’s not just me praying for America and the world to turn back to God. There are millions of us, Christian voices all over the world, lifting up prayers and worship to God.

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The Best Place To Pray

A Special Place for Praying

The best place to prayIs there a special place you go to say your prayers?

Is there a particular time?

Do you pray only at night in bed, before you go to sleep?

I do pray in bed, but it’s not the only place I pray.

There’s no right or wrong answer.

It’s whatever is personal to you.

Embrace the Peace and Quiet

Quiet places are best.

It’s hard to meet with God when distractions are everywhere, such as the familiar ring of a cell phone, barking dogs, and loud television shows in the next room.

I prefer the quiet.

There’s not a room in my house where I haven’t said a prayer or two. Whenever I feel that urge to pray for someone, or for another request that comes to mind, I try to make an effort to pray right then and there, rather than waiting for later.

I’ve even said prayers while driving in my car.

Have you been on any jammed interstates lately? 😉

I’ve also prayed silently in the pharmacy at the grocery store, as odd as that may sound.

Streams of Tears

streams of tears

I remember that day well.

My husband had just had surgery.

After several hours at the hospital, I got him home, tucked him into bed so he could sleep the rest of the day, and headed to the pharmacy to pick up all of his prescriptions.

Nothing unexpected, but I had also just heard that my husband’s cousin, Carol, had passed away that morning.

We loved Carol and that news, along with the stress of my husband’s surgery, just knocked me for a loop. I handed the prescription to the pharmacy tech and went to the waiting room where she directed. There was no one else in the waiting room. I just sat there. All of these sad thoughts flooded my mind.

Missing Carol, worrying about my husband.

A few minutes later? Bring on the tears.

They were rolling down my face and,

How come I never have a Kleenex when I need it?

The pharmacy tech called my name, and I walked up to her, eyes wet, barely able to talk. She looked at me and didn’t say much. I think she knew that if she asked, I would have lost it even more. I got home, bawling at that point, and just sat around in the quiet house, my husband sleeping in the next room, feeling sad and alone. I poured my heart out to God that day. I did feel better afterward.

Is There A Best Place To Pray?

I’m mentioning all of this from my personal life because I want to encourage you that it doesn’t matter where you pray, God will listen. He understands us more than we can ever know.

*15For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. – Hebrews 4:15-16, NASB

Your Quiet Place

The whole idea of setting up a “prayer closet” for meditating creeps me out. The more I’ve read about that practice, the more it appears to resemble contemplative (or centering) prayer, which is not a good thing. 

You can pray anywhere.

One of my absolute favorite spots, when it’s not freezing outside, is on the porch. I go out about dusk, enjoy the sunset, and say a gratitude prayer to God.

It’s all very peaceful.

On Your Knees

No Embarrassment

There’s a song I listened to a lot when I first became a Christian.

It’s called “On My Knees”  by award-winning Christian vocalist, Jaci Velasquez.

Please don’t feel embarrassed to get on your knees to pray to the King of Kings.

May God bless you this week.

*Bible reference: New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

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The Ark Encounter

The Ark Encounter

internet newsI‘m always intrigued when I see an internet headline claiming that explorers have finally discovered the resting place of Noah’s Ark.

Are their findings legitimate?

I really don’t know. It’s possible. However, discerning Christians must always be careful about such “discoveries.” Certainly, they can be fake. It frustrates me when people just accept everything they see on the news as if it’s truth.

If, and that’s a big IF, God chooses to reveal to us where the Ark is located, it will be in His perfect timing.

What I Do Know

vintage Noah's Ark illustration

*Photo courtesy of Publicdomainpictures.net

What I do know is that I believe in biblical creation.

I believe Noah was a real human being and that the biblical Flood is a true event in world history.

It frustrates me when so-called “religious” leaders try to discount the Bible’s teachings. They are misleading their “flock” as well. Those people spreading falsehoods that the Bible isn’t true will be held accountable by God.

Mount Ararat or Williamstown, Kentucky?

No need to travel to Mount Ararat and try to find the real Ark yourself. The good news is that you can see a life-size replica of Noah’s Ark right here in the United States of America.

It’s called the “Ark Encounter,” located near Williamstown, Kentucky. It’s definitely on my future vacation list. We were going to go see it last year, but circumstances got in the way.

**Photo courtesy of JameyWiki

Have you heard about the Ark Encounter? It looks amazing and you can go inside. Check out the website and you’ll see what I mean.

Ken Ham, President of Answers in Genesis ministry, along with other partners, conceived this massive project which resulted in this stunningly phenomenal Ark replica.

The Ark Encounter

Just how big is the Ark Encounter?

I appreciate the fact that the replica Ark’s designers built it to the dimensions of the Bible. According to the official website, the Ark replica measures 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high. That’s longer than a football field!

Why did God want the Ark to be so big?

The Ark had to float, and it had to be sturdy. Considering all of the living creatures on board, God commanded the specific design to perfectly accommodate them all, according to their kinds.

A Lot of Noise

As for the Ark’s detractors, I’ll just give them a few brief sentences.

As if you couldn’t guess, there are atheist groups protesting the Ark Encounter.

Would we expect anything less? They continue in their quest to remove from the face of the earth anything that points to the Bible.

If they stop shouting long enough, they might learn something including that, despite their bullying, God still loves them.

Remember, the Bible warned us that there would be scoffers and those who will reject God.

I praise Him that our troubles and this fallen world are only temporary.

Keep praying and keep your eyes on the prize – yours and my Eternal Glory!

***17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, NASB

*Vintage Ark Illustration, courtesy of http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/view-image.php?image=76258&picture=vintage-noahs-ark-illustration

**The Ark Encounter photo, courtesy of : Wikimedia contributor, Jameywiki (own work). [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons”

***Bible reference: New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

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My Favorite Things

My Favorite Things

“Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens”

The Sound of Music

I’m doing my best Julie Andrews impression right now.

“Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens”

Are you singing it to yourself?

“Brown paper packages tied up with strings, these are a few of my favorite things.”

It’s the song, “My Favorite Things” from the beloved family movie, “The Sound of Music,” featuring Julie Andrews.

My Favorite Things, Favorite Memories

Do you have some favorite things around your house?

This is a photo of some of mine.

Francie's Christmas village

I knew the artist personally!

This Christmas village was hand-stitched on plastic canvas by my late sister-in-law, Francie. My husband and I look forward to putting it up on our mantle every Christmas. When I look at it, I automatically think of her.

France was a talented artist. She could quilt and sew, cross stitch and knit. She used her God-given hands to create beautiful hand-stitched works of art.

A work of art

 

Cancer took her life 14 years ago, but as a family, we will always have our memories. Her artwork and quilts are displayed throughout our house.

It’s easy to look at beautiful works of art like these and totally forget the hours and love it took to create them.

Once we accept a gift of custom art, do we look beyond the “thank you” and really appreciate all it took to make it happen?

You Are Unique

You are special and don’t let anyone tell you that you’re just a clump of cells.

Our Supreme Maker knit you together in your mother’s womb to create the you who is reading this post.

He gave you Life!

I don’t know about you, but I feel cherished with the kind of love that we will never on this earth truly comprehend.

I also feel disappointment at myself when I fail Him.

Through His grace and my repentance for my sins, He sets me free to become the person He wants me to be.

Will I accept His purpose in my life or will I put the Master Creator somewhere in the back of my mind, sandwiched in between small increments of time Monday through Sunday?

Are we too busy with our every day stuff to give God the attention that He deserves?

Every Day Worship

Prayers and thoughts offered up to God should happen every day, not just on Sunday at church. He knows how busy we are. But, if you think about it, don’t we always manage to make time for what we really love?

In 2017, let’s make God a priority. The job He gave us to do is more important than any other.

Some ideas to stir your thoughts towards God:

  • You can buy (or make) a beautiful journal and record your praises and prayers there.
  • Be a volunteer and help someone less fortunate, always in Jesus’ name.
  • You can volunteer to serve in a ministry at your local church.
  • Speak about your faith on social media. It’s a lot more life-affirming to your friends than some of the political slams that people put out there every day. Some people may not like your speaking out about Jesus on Facebook or Twitter. All you can do is pray for them.
  • You can start or attend a Bible study in your neighborhood or at church.
  • You can commit to reading the Bible, all of it, this year. There are so many commentaries and prompts online to help you.
  • You can read and pray through a devotional with your spouse, significant other, family member, or a friend. Daily devotionals are short and full of wisdom and God’s grace. Devotionals can also be easily purchased online. A dear friend gave one to us and we are enjoying that quality time together, with God.

*Here, then, is the real problem of our negligence. We fail in our duty to study God’s Word not so much because it is difficult to understand, not so much because it is dull and boring, but because it is work. Our problem is not a lack of intelligence or a lack  of passion. Our problem is that we are lazy. – R.C. Sproul, theologian.

In Awe of our Maker

God loves us.

To be treasured by God Himself – can there be anything better?

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*R.C. Sproul quotation from http://www.thepoachedegg.net/the-poached-egg/2010/08/daily-quote-6.html.

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