Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Puppies!!!!

It's that time again! Tessa has had her third litter of nine, beautiful puppies. They are starting to get big, as well as show of some personality! They are now four weeks old, and I will be letting them go to their "forever home" starting May 14th. If you are interested, please contact me. Puppies will be sold a first come, first serve basis, and I will not hold any puppies without a non-refundable deposit 

Last time I listed puppies, I was kind of "fussed at" for not having pictures of the parents as well. My apologies! Here are some pictures of the parents.

Sage (Sire-AKC Registered)
Tessa (Dame-Pure Bred)

So there are the parents. A cute pair aren't they?

Now for the puppies!!! 

ORANGE (MALE)

He's one of my BIG boys! He's one of my puppies with longer hair.

His personality is just starting to show. He thinks he's "big stuff", but is also very playful and LOVES company! (He doesn't care to be by himself!) :-D

PURPLE (Female)

Another fuzzy little one! They are not long-haired, but will have good length.

What can I say? She's just sweet! Good personality, not to forward, but not too shy either!

WHITE (Female)

Average fur.

She's one of my snuggle bugs. She will let you do practically anything to her! She is SUPER laid back.

BLUE (Male)

A little attitude, anyone?

Not really! He's super sweet, and VERY playful! He's going to be a lot of fun as he grows up!

YELLOW (Female)

The spot on her nose was a bo-bo that has healed.

This little gal is BUSY! She's laid back, but curious. An overall great pup!

BROWN (Male)

"Ugh! ANOTHER picture?!"

SUPER laid back, but also VERY playful when he has a mind to. He goes through spurts of sleeping and exploring, and likes to play with tennis-shoe laces! :-D

PINK (Female)

She's a sweetie!

She's another who likes to snuggle, but she also enjoys some "alone" time too. Great mellow personality!

Green (Female)

She should be called "Diva"!

"Don't...wanna...picture!"

She is a bit of a baby, and I'm already trying hard not to call her "Diva". But she is!!!

MAROON (Female)
Reserved/Sold! :-D

Isn't she SO cute?!

Okay, I gotta admit, she's my favorite! She's a "mighty adventurer" and has a little spaz to her attitude that I just love! I have a feeling she'd be great to work with for any type of training you like!


And....that's everyone!!! Here are a couple pictures we took of them just playing around.
Yellow, just bein' silly!


Hmmm, is that a little snarl? I guess Brown may be tired of pictures!


Get 'em all lined up...

There! Well, almost! :-D













Strongholds

Although it may not seem like it to others, I have written some terrible stories. Stories with things in it that should not have been written. You know, stuff that girls think about that they shouldn’t. And I would read them every once in a while or write more to them to “satisfy my flesh”.

The other day, I was doing that and it made me (as it always does) discontent with my family, and where God has placed me. The next day was Sunday, and God really touched my heart with the message. Part of it was about what God will judge the Churches in.

As I looked at the list in my notes, I realized these were areas that God would judge everyone in. I thought that was interesting. I gave several areas over to God and asked Him specifically to fill my mind with his thoughts.

That night as I started to do my devotions, I felt a tremendous burden on my heart. I asked the Lord what it was, and instantly I knew, It was those stories. They had vain imaginations and other things that were in them and I knew God wanted me to give them up. I would try to justify my actions by saying, “I will re-write them so they will be good.”

I struggled with my flesh but, praise God, the Holy Spirit won. I asked Amanda to come with me, (I had let her read some of them) and I apologized for being such a bad example. I threw them away with Amanda as my witness, then I got on the computer, didn’t even open the files, and deleted them.

It was not an easy thing to do! I was very attached to them. They had some very good ideas and content in them. But I used them as an excuse to stay a little worldly.

Now I have committed all my writing, past, present, and future to the Lord. I promised God I would not write anything except that which is glorifying and praising to him.  I cannot tell you how light and free my heart felt. It’s as if I had been chained and did not know it until I was free. I think I was. What do you think?

I know that we girls who write get very attached to our stories. It was very hard for me, and I didn’t want to do it in the least little bit. But I knew I could not be the Daughter of Christ the Lord would want me to be.
So dear girls, I encourage you, if this has struck a conscience, please deal with it right away. Don’t read it one last time, or wait until tomorrow. The longer you wait, the more you’re telling God, “I don’t want to draw closer to you yet.” Though this is just one of the instances in which the devil can put a stronghold, it will (not can, it will) hinder you in your growth in the Lord.






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Posts from the Past
Every Wednesday I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long time ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

He Shall Be Like a Tree

When looking at God’s word, we find many things in creation we can compare aspects of our Christian lives to: a mustard seed and tree, a sheep, a boat in the sea, mountains and valleys, the comparisons are endless!

I find it amazing how God uses creation to confirm and explain his word, and vice versa. Recently, the passage in Psalm 1 opened a new door of understanding for me.

"And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." (Psalm 1:3)

The phrase "he shall be like a tree" hit me with a new light. If you know much about trees, you can see many similarities between trees and our lives in the Lord.

According to the verse in Psalm 1, we as Christians are likened to a tree. But if you notice the whole of verse 3, we can see many important factors about this tree.

1) The tree is planted by the rivers of water. Assuming we are the tree, the river of water is what we draw our strength and nutrients from. Of course, a tree can grow and prosper in plain dirt, but life-giving water is what sustains the tree and keeps it alive. A tree that is planted beside water of any sort will be a tree that is healthy, strong, and more beautiful and prosperous than other trees.

Looking at this passage, if we are the trees, then what is the water? For us as Christians, God and is word is the way of our salvation, the source of our strength, what keeps us alive and productive in this life. Let us drink constantly from the depths of God's word, and we will never run dry, never falter in our growth, and never die.

"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life." (John 4:14)
2) He bringeth forth his fruit in his season. An important aspect to note in this passage is that we as trees drawing our strength from God will bring forth fruit.

"He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth for much fruit; for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Something we can also note in this passage is that it says "in his season." This means that we may not always see the fruit of our diligent walking with the Lord. Just as a tree has a time to grow and get stronger in order to produce fruit, so we may have times in our lives where the Lord is simply growing and preparing us to bring forth fruit. Depending on the type of fruit, it may only be a short while before fruit is produced, or it may take many years. What we must remember is that any fruit grown is fruit worth waiting for. The longer the wait, the more precious the fruit, and the more thankful we are to the Lord for his work in our lives. The key is to remain planted beside the Lord, and to be constantly in his word.

3) His leaf does not wither. We can tell very easily when a tree has not been properly cared for. It will be withered, or stunted in its growth, it might bear a little bit of fruit, but many times, it will not taste very good. If we as Christians neglect to draw our strength from God and his word, we too will begin to show signs of neglect. Just as a gardener will not want leave tree growth that is not growing or producing fruit properly in his garden, God will not want to leave us withered and unproductive.

"If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned." (John 15:6)
The gardener will prune away unproductive or wilted growth on the tree in his garden in order to induce proper growth and fruit bearing. Likewise the Lord will prune away what is wilted or unproductive in our lives in order to induce proper growth and fruit in our lives.

4) Whatever he does is prosperous. As was mentioned before, the tree that is consistently abiding and drawing its strength from the Lord is a tree that will bear much fruit.

"Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth for evil fruit." (Matthew 7:17)

For us as Christians it is vital to abide and draw our strength from the Lord. This passage easily points that out. Even more important is how we are to do so. The verse right before this passage clearly states to us what is necessary to attain the likeability to a tree planted by these precious rivers of water (God).

"But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night" (Psalm 1:2)

This man is constantly drawing strength and learning from God's word. This is what makes him like that beautiful tree. When we make God and his word first and foremost in our lives, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating his words to us, we also will become a flourishing, fruitful tree, ever giving glory to the source of its beauty and strength (the Lord).





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Posts from the Past
Every Wednesday I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long tim ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

Friday, April 25, 2014

The Amazing Love of a Father (2 Samuel 17 – 18)

The past couple of days I have read about how Absalom (David’s son) did all he could to overthrow his father as king. Part of me was wondering how he could do that to the man who raised him, his own father! Today as I came to the close of the story I became painfully aware of something. This is also a reflection of what we do with God!

Absalom started his quest by giving the people of the nation a false idea of who his father was. He spent 40 years building false ideas about the King, and portraying himself as a caring, understanding man who would do a better job.

I could not help but think about how often we as God’s people many times give those around us a false idea of what God is truly like! When God is not running things in life the way we think they should be run, we often throw “pity parties” that seem to suggest we think we know a better way and God is not fit to be King of our lives!

We see from God’s Word how Absalom tramples to the ground any thoughts of love and respect for the King in his efforts to pursue his own vendetta. I see this portrayed in our own lives in two different ways.
Firstly, we often personally trample down any thoughts of love and respect for God in our pursuit of accomplishing our own dreams and goals. As we become more and more involved with fulfilling our own lusts and dreams, we will find that they gradually, bit by bit push our relationship with God to the side.

Second, we can also affect the way those around us view God by the way we interact and respond in our relationship with Him. If we live our lives be a “lukewarm” Christian, will those around us be encouraged to seek God as their own personal Father and King of their lives?

The story ends with an all-out battle for the throne, which, of course, Absalom not only lost, but forfeited his life as well. Yet the King, his father, mourned deeply for him, crying out that he wished he could have died in the place of the simple, arrogant son.

How often the same happens with us! We will actually battle with the Lord for first place in our lives! For the right to go, or do, or say whatever we want. In the end, if we do not yield ourselves to Him, we will end up lost, caught up in the snares of the world, just hanging there is an open target for the enemy. (Just as Absalom was caught up in the trees by his own hair, hanging there is an open target for his enemies.)

The sobering truth is, even as David loved and grieved for his son, even after all he did, so God loves us, and grieves for us when we refuse His love and leadership in our own lives. Wow! What an indescribable love!

There may be some of you reading this that have never experienced the blessing of that Amazing Love. That’s okay! There is nothing so simple or rewarding as accepting Christ in a personal way. Think of it as easy as the A, B, C’s!

A – First of all, we need to realize and Admit that we are sinners in need of the Savior, and that there is no true good or righteousness in us.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” – Romans 3:10

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” – Romans 3:23

ALL sin, even the tiniest stretch of truth, is enough to separate us eternally from God and damn us into the lowest pits of hell. There is NOTHING we can do in our own strength to re-attach that separation.

            B – Secondly, we need to Believe that Jesus Christ was sent by God His Father in love, into this world to save sinners.

“But God commanded his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believe that in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” – John 3:16 – 17

Jesus Christ lived a perfect sinless life on this earth, but as He trudged up the hill to Calvary, EVERY sin of EVERY person; past, present, and future, was placed on Him. He took upon himself the burden so great and vile, His Father, the God of all that is holy and righteous, could not even look on Him. As Christ hung on the cross and died, He died for the sins of all mankind. How great a love God demonstrated to us, that He would send His ONLY Son to die for OUR SINS.

“Knowing this, that our old man (our old sinful self) is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” – Romans 6:6

            C – Last but not least, we are to Confess our sins to Christ, repenting of (to turn fully away from) our past life of sin and service to self, and accepting Christ as our Savior. Through His blood, he washes are grimy, sinful souls as white as the freshly fallen snow. Just as the snow covers the black, natural dirt on the ground, Jesus covers us with His blood so that all God sees when He looks on us is the pure whiteness of the righteousness of Christ.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in my heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believe it unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” – Romans 10:9 – 10
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” – Romans 10:13
“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that Gloria, let him glory the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:30 – 31

            If you have accepted Christ as your personal savior, it is also important to confess that He is now Lord of your life and your personal Savior to others. If you are not already a member of a strong, Bible – believing church, your first step should be to find and join one as soon as possible. While a relationship with the Lord is fulfilling in itself, joining a Body of local Believers will enable you to get encouragement and doctrinal assistance as you grow in Christ.


Note: If any of you have been encouraged and/or come to Christ via this article, I would love to know! Please drop me a line so I can rejoice with you and be praying for you! If you are interested in learning more about Christ and what He has done for you, and all He offers in a life – long relationship with Him, please contact us via our family ministry email:

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Whose is This Light of Mine?

A prayer of my heart

A light for thee shining forth in this world of woe,
A light to shine in darkness and to hasten back the foe.
A light to spark another's flame so more than one can shine,
A light whose shine will never fade, nor dim through tests of time.
A light for thee I want to be, Lord show me how to shine,
So I can share with everyone Whose is this Light of mine.





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Posts from the Past
Every Wednesday I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long tim ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

Monday, April 21, 2014

"Boots of Beauty" :-)

Just think for a second about the boots, and then the verse. Put them together. Don't you love the picture it paints in your mind?

" How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" ~Isaiah 52:7

Friday, April 18, 2014

Easter: An Acrostic on the Real Reason for Easter

Early Christ rose from the dead,

All to save, just like He said.

Soon to save and set us free.

Took on Him our penalty.

Every man a chance He gave.

Rising victorious o'er the grave.

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." ~John 14:6

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

The Pearl of Great Price

A merchant has a quest, he lives his life searching... will he find what he is looking for?

Once there was a merchant, who was seeking goodly pearls. Not just any pearls, he wanted them to be beautiful and worth a great price. He looked and looked throughout his whole life, striving to find really and truly good pearls. He found pearls of all shapes, sizes, and colors. There were some very beautiful pearls among them, but still, in his heart, he was not content. You see, he had a dream, and his dream was to find a perfect pearl.

He didn't know what kind of pearl it would be, he just knew that when he had it in his possession, he would be able to live in perfect peace, knowing he had the best there was. However, as the years went by, he gradually grew weary in his quest and in time learned to ignore that longing to find the true, perfect pearl. Instead he would try to fulfill his emptiness by indulging in flashy jewels from well-dressed, cool mannered men and beautiful women with flattering eyes. He would tell himself he was perfectly happy with these jewels and the company that came with them.
Alas for the merchant, such happiness never lasts, and he soon found himself more miserable than ever. The flashy jewels were now worthless, and the company he kept seemed to drain his very soul.
In his darkest hour, there came springing up in him again that longing for the perfect pearl. He began his search once more, doubtful that he would ever find such a thing, but still holding on to a faint thread of hope. He knew that, even if he died in his search, he would be satisfied, knowing he had tried.
One day, while walking through his home town, he noticed a small shop in the back corner of a small shopping center. He had seen it many times before, for it was right next to his own house.
He couldn't understand, but whenever he stood there looking at it, he always felt a pulling - an urge to go inside. He started to shrug off the feeling and walk away as he always had before, but something made him stop, and he allowed himself to be drawn to its doors.
As he got closer, he felt his longing for the perfect pearl grow and throb though his whole being. On entering the store, he was greeted by a small child, asking if she could help him in any way. He dimly heard his own voice telling her that he would just look around. He walked, as though drawn, to the back of the store where an old man was standing behind the counter. His wrinkled face creased into a smile, but his kind grey eyes looked as if he knew exactly what was wanted.
The poor merchant looked once into the gentle face of the old man, then down to the display case. There in a beautiful, black velvet box lay a perfectly round pearl, it's creamy white color seeming to shine as the moon.
When the old man asked the merchant if he would like to look at it, he simply nodded, unable to speak. He grabbed hold of the counter to steady his shaking frame. As the pearl was placed into his hand, the longing in his heart grew until he felt as if he might die. Turning it over and over in his hand, he looked for blemishes that he knew were not there. This, he knew was the perfect pearl - the one for which he had searched for so long.
At last he asked hoarsely, "How much?"
The old man leaned back and smiled.
"Oh, it's a great price, I've had it for a very long time, and it is the only one like it."
When the merchant heard the great price, his heart sank. It would cost everything he had to secure the pearl. However, he knew he must have it, whatever the cost.
Handing the precious pearl back to the man, he asked him to hold it for him and quickly strode out the door.
The merchant went home and sold everything he owned - his house, his belongings, everything but the clothes on his back. He sold all, and returning to the little store, he purchased the pearl. Now for the rest of his life, he would have peace, for he had found his pearl, that perfect pearl of great price.
__________
The merchant spent many years and much grief trying to find his "Pearl of great price." He thought it could only be gained by constant searching and hard work. It never occurred to him that his prize was always right at hand. It was there for the taking, if only he would have been willing to look.
We, like the merchant, were born with a longing for a pearl pf great price.
Instilled in every human being is a longing for satisfaction and fulfillment. So in a sense, we are all seeking goodly pearl. We may try many things in an attempt to fulfill this longing. Hobbies, better jobs, college degrees, money, friends, travel entertainment, etc. may ease the longing temporarily, but these are simply counterfeit pearls or jewels. We may search endlessly and work diligently towards fulfillment, but until we have that Pearl of Great Price, we will continue to have that constant longing in our hearts.
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it."
-Matthew 13:45-46
Jesus Christ is the Pearl of Great Price, a Jewel of undefined and inestimable value. All those who possess this Pearl are truly rich. The longing in their soul is satisfied, and ther is no need to search further for peace and fulfillment.
Just as the pearl, in our story, this Pearl of Great Price is readily available to all who are willing to look in the right place and to those who are willing to pay the right price.
OUR NEED
"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
-Romans 3:23
"The wages of sin is death..."
-Romans 6:23
Becouse of our sin, we are separated from God. This creates a longing in our hearts that can only be satisfied when this relationship is restored.
THE PRICE
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."
-Acts 16:31
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"
- Acts 3:19
We must be willing to repent of our sins and turn to Jesus Christ for forgiveness. He is the ONLY way -
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me."
-John 1:6
THE REWARD
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:"
- John 1:12
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:"
- Romans 5:1





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Posts from the Past
Every Wednesday I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long tim ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

Monday, April 14, 2014

"Garden Fruits"

Another victory with my left hand! I don't know why I get so amazed at God working a miracle through my hands! I cannot write or eat with my left hand, but for some reason, when I pick up a pastel, my hand gets steady and confident. What a mighty God we serve!

 "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:" ~Proverbs 3:9



Friday, April 11, 2014

Just a Little Nugget I Found (John 3:20-21)

"Every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."

I kind of stumbled on my lesson this morning. With all that I have been learning about brokenness and being transparent in my relationship with God and others, these verses really summed it up. When I am doing wrong, I don't want to be reading God's Word, listening to godly preaching or music, or even conversing with godly friends! :-D So in a sense, I "hate" the Light, or even it's reflection! (verse 20) note: the word "reproved" also means "examined".

It fits, doesn't it? But when I am open and surrendered to the Lord, I am willing for my sins to be brought to the light so God can help me take care of hem how He sees fit. Wow! I can't believe I missed these verses before! They just fit so well!

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

That Terrible Lie

What do you do when all the girls you know get their hair cut for the summer, and your parent's won't let you?

I have been pretty busy the past month, and didn't have a lot of time to write, but as I was going through my desk, I came across this, and laughed and cried over it. I thought you would enjoy reading it, even though it was written a long time ago. I kept the original spelling and grammar, for your amusement.

That Terrible Lie
It all began one day when I relized that every single one of my friends (girls) had shoulder length hair, while I had long brown hair that I could sit on. Just then I wanted short hair. "Mom?"
"Yes?"
"Can you cut my hair?"
"You will have to ask your dad, but I don't think so."
Of course dad said no too, but I wanted to have short hair real bad. Then the dredful day came.
In June, 1999, I cut my hair. It was in the morning. After I woke up I couldn't stand it anymore, I grabbed my scissors and cut half of my hair of. I did it! I was horrified.
Franticly I tried to put my hair back on. (which I couldn't, but I wasn't thinking.) I went downstairs after I hid my hair, and told mom I had a dream that I went to the barber shop and got my hair cut. She didn't notice it. Then I bent over and picked up a book and then said "Mom! Look!" and I showed her my hair. She was mad. After she finished cutting my hair she "marched" up the stairs and looked for my hair in my room and found it. I told her I didn't cut my hair. Day after day, week after week, month after month, I lied about my hair. I was Jumpy, tired, and restless. Finaly I could not stand the stress becouse every time I read or heard the Bible, it seemed to tell about lieying or telling the truth. So I asked mom to come to her room and then I flew into her arms crying and I confessed. Then I asked her to spank me becouse I knew I needed it. Then mom and I prayed together I, asking forgivness and Mom, thanking God for letting me overcome my stuborness. That night I had the best sleep I had in months.





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Posts from the Past
Every Wednesday I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long tim ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!

Monday, April 7, 2014

"Before the Masterpiece"

Here is another painting done with my left hand.

This painting tells a story, but depending on who you are, the story may be different. What does the title and this painting tell you? Please comment and let me know!

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." ~Psalm 119:105



Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Idols of Daily Life

Most of us think of idols as something people worshiped a long time ago, but what we don't realize is there are many idols each of us have in our everyday lives!


I prayed before I opened my Bible that the Lord would teach me something from His Word. I wasn't really looking for anything in particular, I just wanted to get back into reading, enjoying, and learning from God's Word again.

I read a couple chapters in 2 Timothy and received some general encouragement and instruction, then turned to where I was reading through the Old Testament. I was reading in 1 Samuel and had just gotten to the part where the Philistines had taken the Ark of the Covenant. They put it in their temple next to the god, Dagon. When they went in the next morning, Dagon was fallen with his face to the ground before the ark. The Philistines set him back up again, but when they went in the following morning, he was down again. This time, his head and hands were broken off.

The thought struck me, how mighty and amazing God is! He can not tolerate an idol in His presence, but will bring whatever it is that competes for His place crashing down. I then thought about how we often have idols in our own hearts, and how we will allow other things to take captive our time and thoughts.

After a moment's reflection, I realized that there were two things that took up a lot of my time, and the majority of my thought life - reading books and earning money. There were also some other things I saw that, if I wasn't careful, could also become idols in my life: school, exercise, crafts. It's hard to think I would allow myself to devote more time and thought to these than to God Himself and His Word. I quickly gave these things back to the Lord and committed myself anew to Him, asking Him to take first place in my heart.

When we don't stop and give our "idols" to the Lord, He will often mercifully have them "fall", and take away what we have chosen to serve other than Himself. I know from experience that these are painful times of fear, remorsefulness, and bitter repentance. But God will be first place, the Supreme Ruler. If He's not first place now, then He will be on that approaching judgment day when every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

How thankful we should be for "second chances." God's mercy and Christ's blood that hides our multitudes of sins.

I pray that each of us would stop just for a moment and ask the Lord if there is anything that is competing for first place in our hearts.

God bless each of you as you strive for a closer walk with Him.

"Put away the strange gods,... and prepare your hearts unto the Lord, and serve him only: and he will deliver you..." -1 Samuel 7:3





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Posts from the Past
Every Wednesday I post something that I have written in the past. It may have been written a long time ago, or a very, very long tim ago! :-D So please forgive any mistakes!