In the Arms of God

Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. —Joh_11:26

"We don't like to say good-bye to those whom we love. Whether it be at a school or a cemetery, separation is tough. It is right for us to weep, but there is no need for us to despair. They had pain here. They have no pain there. They struggled here. They have no struggles there. You and I might wonder why God took them home. But they don't. They understand. They are, at this very moment, at peace in the presence of God…

When it is cold on earth, we can take comfort in knowing that our loved ones are in the warm arms of God. And when Christ comes, we will hold them, too."

Max Lucado
When Christ Comes

Autumn Scripture

Beautiful fall trees against the Carolina blue sky

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven

Isaiah Facts

I'm studying from the Life Change series on Isaiah. 2 semesters for 1 year. One whole year of Isaiah!

I'm going to be writing some new things I've learned, things I have known but forgotten, questions I have, facts....

His name means "the LORD is salvation".

The New Testament writers quote Isaiah more than any other book. It foretold more about Jesus Christ than any other book.

"But Isaiah was more than just a prophet of the Messiah. He was a statesman who spoke God's word to steer a nation through sixty years of crisis."

Isaiah 40:11

He will feed His flock like a shepherd; He will gather the lambs with His arm, And carry them in His bosom, And gently lead those who are with young.

e-Sword Bible Study Software

e-Sword is a great software for studying the Bible!  It's also free.  You can download Bible versions, commentaries, dictionaries and more.  I use this program and love it!

Check this out and you can make a donation of you want.

What's Your Choice?

"Eternity is serious business, because it never ends. Where you will spend eternity is your own choice. If you haven't made up your mind yet, here is a thought that might be of help.

For Christians, life on this earth is as close as they will ever get to hell. For people who reject God, life on this earth is as close as they will ever get to heaven."

John 3:15 "Everyone who believes in me will have eternal life."

God is in the Small Stuff

Isaiah

I'm starting a study on Isaiah this fall.  Look forward to it and will be posting more on Isaiah here.

Note Cards

The Scripture note cards are on sale through October 10, 2010.

Sale price is $9.99 for 12.  (Regular 12/$13.99)

Purchase note cards through Shutterfly.

Truth Shall Make You Free

John 8:32

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Here's a pretty Swallowtail butterfly enjoying the Abelia. What a beauty!

God Knows What's Best

"Trust the LORD with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. —Pro_3:5


The problem with this world is that it doesn't fit. Oh, it will do for now, but it isn't tailor-made. We were made to live with God, but on earth we live by faith. We were made to live forever, but on this earth we live but for a moment…

We must trust God. We must trust not only that he does what is best but that he knows what is ahead. Ponder the words of Isa_57:1-2 : "The good men perish; the godly die before their time and no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to realize that God is taking them away from the evil days ahead. For the godly who die shall rest in peace" (TLB).

My, what a thought. God is taking them away from the evil days ahead. Could death be God's grace? Could the funeral wreath be God's safety ring? As horrible as the grave may be, could it be God's protection from the future?

Trust in God, Jesus urges, and trust in me."

Max Lucado A Gentle Thunder

The Master Builder

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. —Psa_23:3 NKJV


It's hard to see things grow old. The town in which I grew up is growing old… Some of the buildings are boarded up. Some of the houses are torn down… The old movie house where I took my dates has "For Sale" on the marquee…

I wish I could make it all new again. I wish I could blow the dust off the streets … but I can't.

I can't. But God can. "He restores my soul," wrote the shepherd. He doesn't reform; he restores. He doesn't camouflage the old; he restores the new. The Master Builder will pull out the original plan and restore it. He will restore the vigor. He will restore the energy. He will restore the hope. He will restore the soul.

Max Lucado - The Applause of Heaven

The Spiritually Self-Seeking Church

Eph 4:13 (NKJV)
(13) till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;

"Reconciliation means the restoring of the relationship between the entire human race and God, putting it back to what God designed it to be. This is what Jesus Christ did in redemption. The church ceases to be spiritual when it becomes self-seeking, only interested in the development of its own organization. The reconciliation of the human race according to His plan means realizing Him not only in our lives individually, but also in our lives collectively. Jesus Christ sent apostles and teachers for this very purpose— that the corporate Person of Christ and His church, made up of many members, might be brought into being and made known. We are not here to develop a spiritual life of our own, or to enjoy a quiet spiritual retreat. We are here to have the full realization of Jesus Christ, for the purpose of building His body.

Am I building up the body of Christ, or am I only concerned about my own personal development? The essential thing is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ— “. . . that I may know Him. . .” ( Philippians 3:10 ). To fulfill God’s perfect design for me requires my total surrender— complete abandonment of myself to Him. Whenever I only want things for myself, the relationship is distorted. And I will suffer great humiliation once I come to acknowledge and understand that I have not really been concerned about realizing Jesus Christ Himself, but only concerned with knowing what He has done for me.

My goal is God Himself, not joy nor peace, Nor even blessing, but Himself, my God.

Am I measuring my life by this standard or by something less?"

Oswald Chambers
My Utmost for His Highest
July 12

Have Patience

"It's impossible to have patience unless you first have to wait. It's the waiting, which for most of us is difficult and unpleasant, that brings about the virtue of patience. It's an honorable thing to look for ways to wait so you can develop your patience. And what is the highest form of patience? Waiting on the Lord. That's where your patience is at it's highest point."

God is in the Small Stuff by Bruce & Stan

Romans 8:25 "If you look forward to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently."

Spiritual Ambition

This has been a good devotional for me today.

"It's only natural to have ambitions and to do everything necessary to attain your goals. But should you be ambitious just because it comes naturally? Jesus taught that gaining everything on earth - all things that are supposed to make you happy - will still leave you emotionally bankrupt if you don't have a spiritual relationship with God. God wants you to live with ambition and purpose, but He doesn't want your focus to be self-centered"

"How do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process?" Luke 9:25


God is in the Small Stuff
Bruce & Stan

The Big Choice

If you don't want to serve the LORD, you must choose for yourselves today whom you will serve. —Jos_24:15

[God's] invitation is clear and nonnegotiable. He gives all and we give him all. Simple and absolute. He is clear in what he asks and clear in what he offers. The choice is up to us. Isn't it incredible that God leaves the choice to us? Think about it. There are many things in life we can't choose. We can't, for example, choose the weather. We can't control the economy.

We can't choose whether or not we are born with a big nose or blue eyes or a lot of hair. We can't even choose how people respond to us.

But we can choose where we spend eternity. The big choice, God leaves to us. The critical decision is ours.

That is the only decision which really matters.

Max Lucado And the Angels Were Silent

Pink Summer Roses

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength..."

SmugMug FREE Shipping Promotion

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Use coupon code "FreeShipping" at the end of order.

My SmugMug Gallery.

Memorial Day Weekend

Have a great and safe holiday!

Thank you, Veterans!!

God Bless America

He Guides You

Pro 4:11-12


(11) I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths.

(12) When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble.

NKJV

Pro 4:11-12


(11) I'm writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I'm drawing a map to Righteous Road.

(12) I don't want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting time making wrong turns.

The Message