Welcome To MyKorner

So True

2012-02-16T17:34:00.000-05:00

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will froget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

My grandaughter posted this quote on her FB..this is such a true statement..and a very sad one also..Sometimes people never know just how they are making someone else feel..

Circumstances

2012-02-16T13:23:00.000-05:00

My contentment does not depend on my circumstances, but on my relationship with Jesus.
If my circumstances find me me in the will of God..then I will find God in all my circumstances..

Your comments are very welcome and or share a verse

Just a Pic or Two

2012-02-12T14:58:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I Wonder

2012-02-09T11:20:00.003-05:00

Sometimes I wonder just who am I...Sometimes I wonder why I am who I am..Sometimes I wonder as I turn around why bother with the things I have found...Sometimes I wonder who cares who you are..Sometimes I wonder why share what you have..Sometimes I wonder amazed and stunned ...just...just what have I done..
and then I read.....
Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim His greatness!!
Let the Whole world know what He has done.
Sing praises to Him: yes, sing His praises.
Tell Everyone about His miracles.
Exalt His Holy name;
O worshipers of the Lord, rejoice!
Search for the Lord and for His strength,
and keep on searching
Think of the wonderful work He has done....
Psalm 16: 8-12
after reading these verses I then am reminded who I am... and why it is important to share the things I have found...it's not important who cares or who does not care... but what is important IS that I share..
I don't always understand..and that is ok..
This post was prompted because each time I decide to post I ask myself who cares and who really looks at this blog..but it doesn't matter..It is all done for the Glory of my Lord and Savior..
I love putting my thoughts down on paper ..I do much better expressing them this way.. than actually talking..( and that does not mean I think I am a writer..
I know there are those out there who Wonder these things at different times in their lives..so as I share my thoughts with you from my heart...and with (at times) days of wondering... just know there is an answer and that answer can be found ..
Have a blessed day
and as always..Please leave a comment

A knock at my door made me realize why things happen the way they do..I got to share with a woman searching for answers... and wondering at times why... so I was able to lead her to where a place where those answers can be found..Thank you Lord for your Grace and Mercy...

Starting My Day Right

2012-01-24T21:06:00.004-05:00

I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love/mercy, O Lord, supported me.
Psalms 94:18 (NLT)

Do you ever feel like when you first get up you feel great and ready to face the day. Then suddenly something happens and you feel miserable and you feel your whole mood changing. You start thinking about things that you don't want to think about or maybe something starts to irritate you and you wonder what on earth is going on.
If someone offends us..then we are usually on the defensive the rest of the day..where actually we should just lift the offender up in prayer. Or maybe we had to start our day rushing and from that moment on we just could not seem to slow down.
What ever takes control of our day is usually an all day thing unless at the very moment that something starts to take control of us or tries to control our day... we cry out to the Lord.. and tell Him that we are slipping. I know He is right there close by to hold on to us with His love, peace, and comfort.
When God's word supports us, it will strengthen us and direct us through our whole day.
Start out each day with God. Give Him your day the moment you open your eyes. Tell God you give Him your day and Believe In, Trust In, and Rely On Him to get you through the day..

Thanksgiving

2011-11-15T11:33:00.000-05:00

A Thankful Heart

Thankfulness is foundational to the Christian life. Thankfulness is a conscious response that comes from looking beyond our blessings and to the source. As Christians we have been forgiven, saved from death, and adopted as God's children. There could be no better reason for a grateful heart!
I can think of no better way than to share that Thankfulness and grateful heart with someone who is not experiencing this. We all know someone who maybe lost and wondering in in the world..we have friends and family members who need lifted up in prayer.
Just take a short moment to lift them up in prayer asking God to whisper in their ear .."you (NAME) can have something much better and I can give it to you If you just ask me"
My heart breaks daily for my Grandchildren that are lost and out into the world..knowing the things that they are into..knowing that at anytime the enemy could pull them out of this world. I don't need numbers to remind me of what the enemy is doing out there, that is his job to take as many as he can get..but knowing that more and more lost people are using drugs and dieing, or drinking themselves to death, and the numbers of suicides rising breaks my heart.
Imagine the blessings that would come from knowing that you have lifted up those in prayer with a thankful and grateful heart.

Luke 17: 15-16
15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!”16 He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.
Luke 17:15-16 (NLT)

Treasures of the Snow

2011-11-07T14:49:00.000-05:00

With the changing of the time comes the Winter Season close behind..My devotion this morning was about the Treasures of the Snow..While I was reading the verses in the Bible that mention snow..( Psalms, Isaiah and Job) I thought of how much I like the very first snow fall..the pure whiteness of the snow..the sparkle like diamonds laying on the ground..I think of when I was younger and how I would cut different snowflake shapes out of white paper..how pointy I would try to make them..To me on a clear winters night when it is snowing and there is no traffic on the highway there is this sound of snow falling quietly to the ground.. Maybe that sounds strange..but that is what I hear.
In any case I think the phrase "treasure of the snow" is a beautiful phrase and wish I had come up with it! I do think there is treasure in the snow..for some it is a way of getting water to many cities and for irrigation in the desert for needed food supplies. The snow also aids in maintaining the planet's chemical cycles by returning various elements in the nuclei of its flakes back from the ocean to the lands from which they were leached and transported by rivers to the oceans. And it can also assist in the breakup of rocks to form fertile soils. So amazing how God creates and forms things to benefit us..
And in the Bible the pure white color of snow is used to symbolize the cleansing of a sinful heart that trusts the Lord. " Wash me," said David, "and I shall be whiter than snow" ( Psalm 51:7). " Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow" ( Isaiah 1:18) Have you entered the treasury of snow,Or have you seen the treasury of hail, Job 38:22

As I read those verses from the Bible I felt warmth and comfort. So often through the winter's season I make reference to how I wish it would stop snowing...or that it is soooo cold....but from the perspective of the Bible I will except its reference to snow..Actually I may read those verses often this winter!!!

Lord thank you for washing me white as snow..thank you for taking my scarlet sins and making them white as snow. Lord I can not live a day with out you..Your warmth and your comfort is my protection from everything!!

2011-10-26T12:52:00.003-04:00

This is so true..these are the best things in life..There is nothing more awesome than a hug ..a hug that is truly meant..one that is freely given..A smile that lights up your heart..Family that truly want to be with you..and the laughter that goes along with Family times..Good Memories that warm a heart..on those long nights.. Good Memories are especially needed when the home becomes empty of young activities and when they all grow up and leave the home....And above all else that unconditional love of Family and Friends..
I've learned so much over the years..I've learned that I can not change the things of the past...I can only try for a better present and My future is in God's hands..but the present is now and what I make it be..I know that once you lose time with those you love it can not be brought back to live over..but I have also learned that it becomes harder to find a place in lost time..
It's so important to make those memories when the ones you love dearly are around or when they are young..because when they grow up..they no longer need you.. and I guess that is where I am at in my life.. Struggling with the not being needed syndrome the feeling you have nothing to offer..and then you feel that because you have nothing to offer you are less of a person..I know there are a lot of people who go through this and I suppose there are some who do not..But my Family is very important to me and I have always put them... for the most part... first in my life..so when I have to make that adjustment of repositioning them in my life... it is not an easy thing to do..But I am so thankful that I serve a God that knows all this and is there each and everyday for me..raising me above this..comforting me..and giving me new things..to fill empty spots..
So this little picture above brought a warmth to my heart..and I wanted to share it with whom ever looked at my blog..and to share just a little of my heart..and just maybe in sharing it may help someone else...

This verse was given to me a few years back and I keep it close to my heart..and on my wall..lol..

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.
Prov 15:30 (NLT)
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A smile, a wink, or a sparkle in your eye..
or just sharing a moment of news..
or maybe just a Hi how are you
can make someone feel good..

2011-10-21T11:59:00.000-04:00

Jesus died for us..will YOU live for Him!!!..Without Him I am nothing..with Him I am Everything..I belong to Him..I love this picture ..sometimes we momentarily forget that His hand is on our shoulder always..it only moves when we move it from our shoulder..

10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

Share with someone the hand of the Lord!!

Father I ask that anyone who enters my blog and reads this post and does not know Jesus..I ask that you whisper in their ear that that He is just a yes away from His hand on their shoulder..to Protect...to Guide...to Strengthen them...to Heal them...and to Give them an Eternal life with Him.. His Peace and Joy..
Thank you my Lord and my Savior

Week-End

2011-10-16T20:29:00.003-04:00

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful week-end..I had a couple of exciting moments this week-end one of which was getting to go shopping (Out Of Town)..I was able to go to one of my favorite places..Pat Catans!!! Yeahhh..can u tell ..I had fun!!!..I was able to finally replenish a little of my scrap booking supplies.. if u get a Chance check out CraftyGramma's blog..just glance to the left of this page and click on the word..CraftyGramma !!..CraftyGramma's blog has not been in the making to long.. I Hope to keep it updated with new things... and hopefully interesting things..Can't promise everyday updating but hopefully weekly updating.
So my week-end was fun ..productive..peaceful, and we even had an evening visit from family..
Thank You Lord for the many blessings you gave me this week end..Thank you for Your Love, Your Grace, and Your Mercy..Thank You for Jesus!!

Thanks for visiting my blog and please stop back..leave a comment or two!..

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Several months ago I had set my blogs up to go to different one's emails..I have tried to change that but have not had any luck in doing so..I apology if you are getting these and wish to not..I will try my best to locate how to change this..If you do not mind receiving my blog post in your email please let me know

Thanks Again!!!

A Quiet Place

2011-10-13T20:05:00.000-04:00

What is your quiet place, and do you have a quiet place? The place where you can take a break from a frazzled day, or maybe if something has disturbed you, or you need some quiet time alone to gain some perspective on something that might be going on around you, or to just chill out..regroup.
Think for a moment........do you have a place like that?
Mine is my little room where my crafting supplies are..where I can go to create..ponder..and think..I gather up the materials I need to make a project, I lay them all out..designing what it is I want to make..While I am doing this I find myself asking God how He wants it done..In my room I talk to God allot..I guess you could say I pour out my heart to Him...I share everything with Him..happy or sad..good or bad....I listen quietly for His voice..His voice of comfort when I need comforting..Or His words of strength when needed or when His words refresh me..What ever I need He is always ready to give it..
We all need a quiet place, a place of refuge,a place to let God refresh us,strengthen us, and comfort us, and to tell us everything is ok.
Do you have a quiet Place a place where you and God can meet?

God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1

Prayers For my Family

2011-10-12T19:46:00.000-04:00

Sometimes we think our prayers are not being answered or that they are not being answered as quickly as we would like them to be. If we belong to God, If we believe and trust in what his word says, and rely on Him for all things then we can believe our prayers will be answered. We just need to believe in, trust in, and rely on God.
The other day I was watching a movie and in this movie there was a part that reflected on a young man running from God..not wanting to answer this voice that would speak to him, the voice of God..This young man was reminded that a prayer was being answered pertaining to him (the young man)..a prayer of a Grandmother for her Grandson ..a prayer for him to turn his life over to Jesus. This Grandma trusted that her prayer would be answered..that God would speak to the heart of her Grandson..and God did just that ..He honored the Prayer of this Grandmother and spoke to the Grandson..but the Grandson refused to listen..he actually said he wanted no part of God..it wasn't for him..
This touched my heart and reminded me that God hears every prayer of mine for my family..My children, and my Grandchildren..but that it is up to them if they respond..to the voice that speaks to them. But it is up to me to pray for them...
I'll not stop praying I will continue to pray for them..My desire is that all my children choose to follow Jesus..that my Grandchildren not wonder out in the world lost to the voice of God..That they will choose to experience the warmth of His Love and the peace, the joy and the contentment that He wants to give them....
I believe that He will answer this Gramma's prayers!
You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”
Matt 21:22 (NLT)

Footprints

2011-10-07T16:26:00.002-04:00

Have you ever wondered if you footprints are fading away? The footprints that you have made walking your path of life. Sometimes I feel mine are fading..My journey of life..Baby steps to Adult steps..
There are many prints I made that are not prints that I maybe wanted to make ..but if all my prints fade away.. I pray that one set of footprints do not...and that is the footprints that I've made in my walk with the Lord..
My footprints are not great..I didn't make successful ones all the time..they are not prints of any one famous..or of a person with great knowledge..but of a person with limited education..one who did not achieve all that she wanted to archive..I make mistakes in my vocabulary and most times forget what I want to say..lol...and often there are those who choose to avoid the footprints of my life ( for many reasons)...but as I look around I see two sets of footprints and they are my footprints and My Lords footprints dancing about.. enjoying our time together..That is the prints of my life I hope never never fade away in any ones eyes..that is my accomplishment in my path of footprints...I am so blessed to be a child of God. My joy is in Him..all that I know and all that I am is because of Him..every ability I have is because of Him..if they are not prefect it is because of me..

Psalm 119: 133
Guide my steps by your word so I will not be overcome /controlled by evil...

Eyes of the Lord

2011-10-06T12:53:00.001-04:00

Many times the world makes us feel as though we are worthless, not important, and un-interesting. Seems like the enemy always knows just the right time to surface this in us. For some of us this is do to how we are already treated by the world, or how we feel we are treated. Some of us can rise above this and some of us struggle with this daily.
There is one thing we can know for sure is that the eyes of the Lord are always on those who belong to Him

In Psalms 33:18 it says..But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love.

This tells me His love for us is neverending and He is always there for us. Even when the world is not.
The Lord of all creation is watching our every moment and wants to fill us with His Joy..not just happiness which passes but with His Joy that lasts with in us forever. He gives us everyday blessings to gaze upon.
The other day as I sat outside and looked around at the tress that are slowly changing I noticed a beautiful butterfly that was flying around and a spiderweb that glistened as the sun shined down upon it..the clouds in the sky that looked like cotton. I felt blessed to see all this. It reminded me of the years that I didn't get to see the changing of each seasons, so for me if the world doesn't care for me or for what I can offer makes no difference because God does and He blesses me. I thank Him for what He has given me..I thank Him for each blessing He has given me. Can you look around and be blessed by what God offers us each and every Day..He offers Himself and hopes we choose to seek Him more and more.

Hallo Everyone

2011-01-18T16:32:00.001-05:00

I am testing a new product

Our Entertainment

2010-03-29T12:12:00.002-04:00

I was going to upload a few more pics but blogger seemed to be having some problems. I will try to later

Thinking!!!!

2010-03-29T11:59:00.001-04:00

I'm thinking that I should probably update my blogs...but I seem to run out of time..and oh yeah plus I keep checking my facebook..lol...I think what I may do is get my camera all charged up and start back taking pictures and putting them up on my blog..I really like taking pictures

Just a few random pictures!

This is one of our entertaining moments in our SPARE time..

Sometimes we hop into our space ship to escape from here

And then our entertainment comes to visit they make the time go so much better they fold right in...

John 3:16

2010-02-19T16:39:00.001-05:00

Passing By

2010-01-21T11:27:00.001-05:00

If you should be passing by could you post a little comment!! A Howdy Dooo would work just fine...

March For Life

2010-01-21T11:10:00.001-05:00

Changing The Room

2009-11-29T11:06:00.000-05:00

After a few days of discussing changing the living room to make ready to put up the tree and decorate, we decided to attempt it yesterday. We had only talked of moving a couple of pieces of the furniture to open up the space for the tree. What was only to be a few pieces of furniture became the whole change of the room and 4plus hours to do..and it was done very joyfully...It was worth the pain it took to do it..We finished this project around 4:00..tired and achy we sat done and had a cup of coffee and enjoyed it for a few minutes

This is where the decision was made to change the whole room around...PaPa unhooking the TV to make the big move

This is a little dark..but the switch from one end to the other was almost finished..

I was amazed the transition of the room went pretty smooth..This area is where we will put up the tree. We decided to not put it in front of the door and window this year. It's actually warm cozy and comfy...The lighting has also taken on a different effect..

Thanksgiving Blessings

2009-11-24T11:36:00.000-05:00

Thankfulness is foundational to the Christian life. Thankfulness is a conscious response that comes from looking beyond our blessings to their source. There could be no better reason for a grateful heart than JESUS..and the blessing we were given through Him...Saved From Death and adopted as God's children!

Luke 17: 15-18
One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” Lepers in Jesus' day were social outcast. THeir highly contagious condition ostercized them from those they loved. When ten leprs encountered Jesus, they desperately implored Him to show them mercy. Jesus sent them to a priest. As they obeyed, they were healed! THese ten men had been forbidden to enter their own villages, to live in their own homes, to work in their own jobs, or even to touch their own children. Image what unrestrained joy must have filled them as they ran back home again! One of the lepers, a Samartian, stopped and ran back to thank Jesus. Sanartians were normanly shunned by the Jews, but Jesus had healed him! Jesus asked him "where are the others?" Ten leprs had been healed. Ten lepers were reveling in their newfound health. Ten men were joyfully rushing to share the good news with those they loved. But only one considered the source of that blessing and stopped to thank and worship the One who had gien him back his life!!We also have been healed by our Savior! Do we rush off to glory in our blessings without stopping to thank our Redeemer? God looks for our Thanks! I feel that my life should be Saturated with Thanksgiving to my Father God. and many time I fail to be thankful each and everyday.. I can not begin to express the depths of my Thankfulness to God for my life that was given to me by God ..and through Jesus I was given a new life..an abundant life...not of riches as the world sees riches..but of what God has given me through Jesus..that is my daily blessing...

Good Saturday Morning

2009-11-07T11:39:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone has a nice week-end...
Come back and share what you did on your week-end...

Good Wednesday Morning

2009-11-04T10:53:00.004-05:00

Burrrrr, It is chilly out this morning...I hope the boss brings the filter for the furnace today..I'm not looking forward to the furnace being turned on sense it doesn't work right. Mike has to hit it at least once a day to wake it up, I find that a little strange as well as dangerous. Not being fearful here, but... common sense tells you that if you have to beat on something to wake it up, it may not be working properly. however I keep getting told that this furnace is ok...man's wisdom tells me it is ok...man's thought..."Gee I can't change it..because it will be to expensive"

Wisdom Justified....Luke 7:35
The world is full of "experts". People everywhere who want to convince you of the WISDOM of their opinions.God tells us that it is not the one who declares his viewpoint the loudest who is the wisest.
Regardless of how convincingly these people defend their view points time is the best judge of their wisdom. The wisdom found in God's Word has through the ages been tested and proven true. Pschology and Philosophy come and go, but God's Word is timeless.
Our life choices are based on...Mans' Wisdom...Or God's Wisdom..

Good Tuesday Morning

2009-11-03T10:03:00.001-05:00

If you have stoped by to visit my blog, look to the right and read "Thoughts" You are welcome to share a thought on the topic...

Good Monday Morning

2009-11-02T10:01:00.000-05:00

I don't know why this is but I am excited that the first day of the month was Sunday or maybe it's the fact that Sunday was the first day of November and entering into the season of thankfulness. The news if watched to much makes one feel like there is nothing to be thankful for. Unless you spend every day thanking God for all the blessing he has given to you, and sometimes that is hard to do. Even take a moment to thank Him for the blessing you do not see and sometimes I feel I do that often..fail to see blessings big or little.

It's the little things in life that determine the big things....
Matthew 25:21
His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord Matt 25:21 (NKJV)

Story of the Emperor of Japan
Several centuries ago, the Emperor of japan commissioned a Japanese artist to paint a particular species of a bird for him. Months passed, then years passed. Finally the Emperor went personally to the artist's studio to ask for an explanation.
The artist set a blank canvas on the easel and within fifteen minuites, had completed a painting of the bird. It was a masterpiece. The emperor, admiring both the painting and the artist's great skill, asked why there had been such a long delay.
The artist then went from cabinet to cabinet in his studio. He pulled from it armloads of drawings of feathers, tendons, wings, feet, claws, eyes, beaks - virtually every aspect of a bird from virtually every angel. He placed these siliently before the Emperor, who nodded in understanding. The magnificent of any "WHOLE" can never be greater than the magnificent of any single deatail.
To have an excellent life, strive for an excellent year. Within that year strive for an excellent month, and within that month, strive fir an excellent day. Withing the day, strive for an excellent hour.
An Excellent Life Is The Sum Of Many Excellent Moments!
That's what I strive for the daily moments of thanking God for His EXCELLENT artistic paintings that He gives to us..for those Blessings he gives to us seen and unseen.

A Thought

2009-10-20T11:20:00.004-04:00

The Season's may change, our bodies may change, and our thoughts may change, but there is one thing that will never change and that is God and His Love for us. He will never leave us alone.

2009-10-19T15:29:00.008-04:00

I have a few more to upload but not all of the pictures turned out. this one of Sherman is so cute he just sat there and posed for me..

2009-10-19T15:18:00.006-04:00

2009-06-22T17:38:00.006-04:00

You can click on the image to preview it better...Thanks for viewing it..

Oh Noooo Schools Out!!

2009-06-06T10:13:00.002-04:00

2009-05-21T16:19:00.005-04:00

Nothing to write and nothing to say..so I'll just keep it light and be on my way...

Age is an Attitude

2009-05-17T17:02:00.002-04:00

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing,

Psalms 92:12-14 (NKJV)

Palm trees are known for their long life. The cedars of Lebanon grew to be 120 feet in height and up to 30 feet in circumference. They were solid, strong, and immovable. They were immovable with the winds of circumstances surrounding them. God nourished these trees and they depended on Him for their food and care and they stood tall and strong , old and wise in their years. Somewhat like when we put our faith and trust in God for everything in our lives by planting our faith firmly in Him., and He nourishes us so that we grow to become tall, strong, old, and wise.

Honoring God is not just limited to the young..who seem to have unlimited strength and energy. We who are older (the senior generation) get tired and may not have as much energy as we once did..but we are still productive..strong, wise and immovable. And as the palm tree and the cedars started as a seed so did we and with life we grow and grow just as the trees… I used to think I was to old for this and to old for that but that has changed because of who I serve..and for sure I am not to old to serve God.. even in old age we can produce spiritual fruit..There were many faithful older people in the Bible who served God even with all the circumstances facing them and surrounding them. It’s our outlook on life and knowing God so very intimately. Yes we get tired and yes we may move slower but we still like to feel useful and still love to laugh and have fun. We need to feel needed.

I want to never count how many years I have but how many interest I have..how much beauty I see around me..how many people I can effect with a ‘Have a Good Day or How are you”

It’s scary to become older and more in your senior years..society makes the seniors feel not needed or wanted..because that is what is projected. But not with God..no not with Him..

“It is as natural for me, certainly, to believe that the richest harvest of happiness comes with age as that true sight and hearing are within, not without. Certainly I climb the broad stairway that love and faith have built to heights where I shall attain to a boundless reach of sky” Helen Keller

The attitudes with which we invest our days now will characterize the days of our senior years… Feel free to share your thoughts…

Updating

2009-05-13T17:55:00.002-04:00

I'm working on updating both blogs...Now that the season is starting up it has been pretty busy here which makes it a little more difficult to post often. I am hoping by Friday I will have both blogs updated.
I enjoy doing these blogs it gives me a little extra something to do when you can't always do the things you would like to do...
I guess I love the sharing. and creating things to add to the blogs

Why do you like to blog?

2009-04-15T13:25:00.007-04:00

Here is a picture of a special time with the Grandchildren...If you'd like to see the picture in a bigger size..just click on it and it will open up a little bigger than it is...

Feel Free to check out my blog archive it has a lot of pics and among other things...

http://grammaskorner.blogspot.com

2009-04-14T08:39:00.004-04:00

Setting here looking at this little picture thinking to myself...self do you want to change the look
of your blog...I like these colors and I like the colors I am using..but sometimes it is time for a change...

Happy Resurrection Sunday

2009-04-11T10:01:00.002-04:00

"... I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die." John 11:25-26, NIV

Jesus The True Friend

2009-04-09T13:53:00.002-04:00

Matthew was a tax collector, a hated man among the Jews for helping Rome tighten its occupation. Even so....Jesus loved Matthew and eventually chose him as one of His apostles..He didn't just say "I love him"..he put action behind His love and was his friend....
Peter had a quick temper, his emotions easily triggered by circumstances. He denied knowing Jesus three times during the most critical hours of Jesus' life on earth. Even so....Jesus loved Peter and empowered him to lead the early church...He didn't just say"I love him"...He put action behind His love and was a friend...
Saul "made havoc" of the church in Jerusalem, leading raids on homes of Christians and imprisoning the devout. He consented to the death of Stephen, and was one of the official witnesses of his execution. He even requested letters of authority to extend the persecution of the church to other cities, including Damascus. Even so....Jesus loved Saul, appeared to him in a light from heaven, ad called him to repentance..converted on the road to Damascus...and became an apostle....He didn't just say "I love him"...He put action behind His love and was a friend...
No matter what a person may have done - no matter their character flaws - Jesus loved them...Jesus loves them. He loved them to the point of dying on their behalf on the Cross....including dying for our enemy who may have tried to harm you with words or actions or...a family memeber who may have dissappointed or frustrated you...and indeed, including you...

But God commendeth His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us...Romans 5:6-11
We all have character flaws...even so...Jesus loves us...doesn't dismiss us nor does He leave us...He's not just my friend...He is Family...

Day 40: As Pro-Life warriors, we must keep our eyes fixed on heaven 0:)

2009-04-05T08:09:00.000-04:00

I have been so blessed with these devotions for the 40 Days For Life...they have in many ways spoke to my heart...I hope they have done the same for you...I've found that my prayer life has become stronger with these 40 days of prayer...May this cause never leave our hearts and minds...
I praise God for the breath He has given me..Lord I want each breath that I take be a breath that pleases you and serves you...not how man thinks I should serve you but how you want me to serve you..Lord thank you for this special time with you each day...Thank you Jesus for our life in you...
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Let us keep our eyes fixed on the New Jerusalem, where death will be no more.

Scripture:

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"

--Revelation 21:4-5

Reflection:

Every activity we undertake in defense of the sanctity of life is prophetic, inasmuch as it points to the day when "death will be no more." Every victory we have when an act of abortion is prevented is prophetic of that day when death itself will be definitively conquered. Every triumph of grace in this world, whereby someone is brought to see the value of life and given the strength to welcome it, is a breaking into our history of that definitive future in which the old order of things will have passed, and all things will be made new.

As pro-life warriors, we must keep our eyes fixed on heaven, and our hearts secure in the hope that the day is coming when all evil will be conquered. It is the future that shapes the present; it is victory that informs the battle; it is the destination that determines the journey.

Daily, we are called to reflect on heaven. When we weep, we are to think of the day when every tear will be wiped away. When we face the destructive power of death, we are to think of the day when death is swallowed up in victory. When we labor against abortion, we are to think of the day when we will have the rest and peace of the final triumph of life. Our home in Heaven is as real as earth, and its joys will be as real as our present sorrows.

Prayer:

Father, you are the God of hope. Your word fills us with the vision of the world to come, when every tear will be wiped away, and death will be no more. Father, how we need that hope, how we are strengthened by that vision! Keep our hearts focused on heaven, and diligent in the labors of earth. As we struggle against the culture of death, root our souls in the assurance of victory. We pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.

2009-04-04T10:10:00.001-04:00

Day 39: Rejoice in the miracles God is doing :) We can count AT LEAST 355 miracles so far...

Pray that volunteers will replace exhaustion or discouragement with rejoicing over the miracles we have seen thus far, and enthusiastic service as God takes us on to victory!

Scripture:

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

-- 1 Peter 1:6-7

Reflection:

We have reason to rejoice when we consider the many babies whose lives have been saved during the 40 Days for Life campaign. Add to those lives, the women and men who have been spared from a devastating decision and now have opportunity to make a plan for their baby that is both life affirming and God honoring.

Whether directly, or indirectly, you have contributed to these testimonies of praise with your sacrificial service. Perhaps you have been grieved by various trials during your commitment to 40 days. The attacks of the enemy come in many forms -- difficulties in relationships, finances, health. Or maybe you are physically and mentally exhausted and have been marking off the days on your calendar, eagerly waiting for Day 40.

Consider these trials in light of God's plan for you. The Apostle Paul understood the big picture when he said in Romans 8:18, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." This is our Hope and our victory. Let us rejoice in the opportunity to give that Hope to others in our path.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, We sing to You a new song, for You have done marvelous things. Forgive us when we allow circumstances to defeat us. You give power to the faint and You increase strength in those who have no might. We rest in You dear Lord, and ask You to empower us again for Your service as You work out Your plan for us and through us. May You receive glory through our victory in Christ, in whose name we pray, amen.

Day 38: Pray for society to understand that life is a gift from God and should be treasured as one.

2009-04-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

We pray for the conversion of all those who refuse to acknowledge that human life belongs only to God.

Scripture:

Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations."

-- Jeremiah 1:4-5

Reflection:

To be or not to be? There is no question!

The question of "being" is something philosophers have long pondered. What is the meaning of being and what is the source? In the passage before us, we have our answer. We have being because we are known by God.

For God to declare that he knows and sets apart the prophet Jeremiah even before he is conceived indicates that our being rests in God's own being. Because He is and because He wills we, therefore, are and do. The Apostle Paul says as much when he declares before the philosophers of his day, "In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28).

One of the tragedies of the abortion culture is that life in the womb has been so heartbreakingly devalued. To embrace the arguments of the "pro-choice" crowd one must conclude that the child in the womb doesn't exist, isn't there, has no being. But nothing could be further from the truth. That child is known by God and, as such, has being.

Prayer:

Lord God, we confess that in You we live and move and have our being. Because You are, we are. May we find grace from You to affirm the being of every human and may we labor to make this truth known to the world around us. Amen.

Day 37: Pro Choice = Pro Death... Let us reveal that to our society

2009-04-02T08:23:00.000-04:00

We are the defenders of true freedom. May our witness unveil the deception of the "pro-choice" slogan.

Scripture:

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

--2 Corinthians 3:17

Reflection:

Norma McCorvey (the former Jane Roe of Roe v. Wade) used to work at an abortion mill named "A Choice for Women." She now realizes what a cruel irony that title was. She saw first hand, just as pregnancy resource center counselors see, that women don't get abortions because of freedom of choice, but rather because they feel they have no freedom and no choice. They feel trapped, abandoned, desperate and afraid, and have been led to believe that abortion is their only option.

As Frederica Mathewes-Green has written, no want wants an abortion like she wants a Porsche or an ice cream; rather, she wants it like an animal caught in a trap wants to gnaw off its own leg.

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." That doesn't mean that the Spirit allows us to do whatever we want or to decide for ourselves what's right and wrong.

Rather, it means that the Spirit gives us the freedom to do what is right, the power to choose what is good, when we see it before us and yet feel pulled in the opposite direction. Liberty means that we no longer have to feel doomed to do what we know is wrong.

We are the people of the Spirit of the Lord, and when we take action on behalf of life, especially by being present at abortion mills, we are acting on behalf of true freedom, and imparting to those who are in bondage the power to do what is right.

Prayer:

Come, Holy Spirit. You are the Spirit of freedom, the source of all that is good, the power to do what is right. Fill us, and fill those who are in bondage today, feeling doomed to do what is wrong. Set them free, and help us to hasten them on the road to freedom, where your grace overcomes every temptation. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day 36: It's so simple... just CHOOSE LIFE :)

2009-04-01T08:07:00.002-04:00

Intention:

That those who have forgotten their purpose may discover it in God and therefore have the courage to choose life.

Scripture:

These all wait for you, that you may give them their food in due season, what you give them they gather in; you open your hand they are filled with good. You hide your face, they are troubled; you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust. You send forth your Spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the earth.

-- Psalm 104:27-30

Reflection:

"I am a feather on the breath of God."

As the quote above portrays, we are upheld by the power and purpose of God. Our very existence on earth, from our body's first breath to its last, when we leave it to return home, is our Father's choice and happens only by His willing to do so.

He who created the universe also created that which is "me." I do not "have" a soul - I AM a soul, as well as a body. My entire purpose in this life is to find my way back to my Creator.

Prayer:

Beloved Father, remind us today that there is no truth but you. Do not let us fall prey to the evil one's lie that we may choose death. Remind us right now that you, who created all life, are in control of all life, and let us know right now that you who created all life, are in control of all life, and let us choose life always.

Father, please let us hear your voice more today than yesterday. Keep lighting the pathway home, for us and for all who participate in this 40 Days for Life campaign. Father, we're on our way. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

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I have been so blessed with these devotions for the 40 Days For Life...they have in many ways spoke to my heart...I hope they have done the same for you...I've found that my prayer life has become stronger...
I praise God for the breath He has given me..Lord I want each breath that I take be a breath that pleases you and serves you...not how man thinks I should serve you but how you want me to serve you..Lord thank you for this special time with you each day...Thank you Jesus for my life in you...

Day 35: We are one body in Christ, united to defend the defenseless

2009-03-31T09:41:00.000-04:00

Pray that all believers participating in 40 Days for Life will make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).

Scripture:

And the glory which You gave Me, I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

-- John 17:22-23

Reflection:

Christ prayed that all those who would believe in Him would be united in single purpose and spirit, just as He and the Father were united.

I find it convicting to consider that those who would run to Jesus with their sins, seeking forgiveness, and falling in love with the Savior, often run from Christians today. Is it because they see division and dissension instead of unity and peace?

No doubt Christ is pleased to see the body unified and praying together during these 40 days. This is exactly what we see when we read about the beginnings of the church. Both the unity and the prayer are conspicuous, along with the results of unified prayer.

Acts 2:46-47 tells us, "So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved."

No doubt the enemy is disheartened to see the unity in prayer, fasting and peaceful vigil, and he will continuously try to disrupt the bond of peace among brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us guard our hearts and minds, exhibiting the love of Christ that He so graciously gives us, so that those watching will see the love among us and know that He must love them too!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, give us grace in every situation to work toward unity. With humility, gentleness, and patience, may we endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There are hurting men and women Lord at the crossroads of life and death who are looking for love and peace in their lives. May they see Christ in us and be drawn to the abundant life that only He can give. It is in Christ's precious name that we pray, Amen.

Day 34 God is Just...

2009-03-30T08:38:00.000-04:00

We pray for the conversion of abortionists and all abortion advocates.

Scripture:

"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow."

-- Isaiah 1:16-17

Reflection:

God is just.

Inscribed around the inside of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC, are the immortal words of Thomas Jefferson: "I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just." If the deist, Jefferson, knew in the depths of his being that God is just, how much more ought we Christians to reflect on this profound truth? The justice of God, like his holiness and his purity, encourages us to seek justice for all people. It is the evil deeds and wrong, selfish attitudes of our modern society that have led to the cavalier acceptance of abortion and euthanasia. But, as Jefferson also said, "his justice will not sleep forever."

God is calling us today to seek justice, to encourage the oppressed, and to defend the orphans and widows of our society. It is a noble calling! It is one which every true believer, every God-fearing man and woman, should heed with no hesitation and no reluctance. To follow the God of justice and truth is to stand unequivocally for the right to life of everyone, especially the unborn, the physically disabled, and the terminally ill. God's word through the prophet Isaiah is as relevant in today's 21st century world as it was in Isaiah's 8th century BC world. May God's grace help us to defend the unborn's right to life as well as that of the already born.

Prayer:

O God, our heavenly Father, give us courage and wisdom as we seek to eradicate the evil in our society. Help us to realize that your divine Spirit alone can change hearts and minds so that all your human creatures may enjoy the fullness of life you intended for them. I pray this prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior. Amen.

Day 32: Divine life creates human life. Beginning at conception. Even science backs this up...

2009-03-28T08:28:00.000-04:00

May we come to know that divine life, in relationship, creates human life.

Scripture:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.

--John 1:1-3

Reflection:

"In the beginning" was God. Always, before all times, there was God. This particular God -- the God of the Bible, the God of St. John's Gospel -- is different from all other gods. This God is alive and full of life. This God is not the picture of deadness and death, aloneness and isolation. This God is the picture of life, relationship, and unity. For within this God, within this one God, there are three divine persons who live, who love, and who work -- together. This is the glorious mystery of the Trinity. The Trinity means divine life. The Trinity means three, living Persons -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- who relate to each other. The Trinity means mutual love and service among three Persons.

The Word was always with God the Father. This Word was, is, and will be the Trinity's second person. The Word is also the Son of God or, as revealed in time, Jesus Christ. God the Father and God the Son live, love, and work for each other. As one, they create "all things" together: the Father creates all things, including all human life, through the Son.

So the Father, through the Son, creates all human lives. The little one swimming in his mother's womb, the infant smiling in his father's arms, the child crying in pain in a hospital bed, the energetic teen running another mile, the old man gasping for his last breath -- all were created, at their beginning, by the Father through the Son. No exceptions. Divine life creates human life.

Prayer:

O God, may we always be quick to call you Father. And when we call you father, let your Spirit remind us that we, and all people, from their beginning to their last day, are your children. We praise you, Father, that you sent your Son to reveal to the world that all people are His brothers and sisters, that all people are your children. Through Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Day 31: New creations aren't only found in the womb, it is us too when we seek Christ

2009-03-27T08:49:00.001-04:00

Pray for opportunities to share with an abortion-minded woman that the newness of life she is seeking is found only in Christ.

Scripture:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.

-- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Reflection:

An unexpected pregnancy is perceived by many young women as the end of their life as they know it. News of an unexpected pregnancy pulls the rug from under her well laid plans. Sadly, these women may choose abortion as a matter of self-preservation, believing that an abortion will help return life to normal and give them opportunity to start anew.

They don't see abortion as killing a child, but rather as saving their own life. Of course, abortion will not bring the newness of life they are seeking, but instead will bring death to their child, lifelong regret, and unexpected -- possibly devastating -- consequences to their own life. But abortion will be the choice made if we don't meet them at the crossroad between life and death with a better way.

Almost without exception, these young women are looking for love, acceptance, and to be valued. In their efforts to have those needs met, they have become promiscuous. Most, if honest, will admit the needs were only met momentarily, if at all, during their brief encounter, and afterward the needs returned unmet.

The truth is, only Christ loves them unconditionally with an everlasting love. Only Christ will accept them as they are, and only Christ sees them for their true value in Him. He has a perfect plan for each woman and her child if only she will allow Christ to transform her life as she surrenders to Him. No, an unexpected pregnancy is not the end of life, but rather can be the beginning of two beautiful lives if God's plan for them is given opportunity to unfold.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you give us a new song, a new purpose, a new direction, a new perspective. You remind us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but Christ came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. Give us boldness to share this Good News with those who are at the crossroads and may they choose life for their children and enjoy newness of life in You. Because of Christ we pray, amen.

Day 30: Pray for strong church leaders to defend their unborn congregation

2009-03-26T09:12:00.000-04:00

Let us pray that pastors may not be distracted from the priority of caring for human lives.

Scripture:

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

-- Acts 6:1

Reflection:

More folks learning left some yearning.

It is the dawning of a new day. There is much excitement in Jerusalem. Many who dedicated themselves to the faith became disciples (the word disciple means "learner"). The unprecedented church growth was miraculous and undoubtedly brought much satisfaction to the new leadership. The apostles, however, were about to experience growing pains in their master plan of evangelism.

Projects that engage the community, especially those that are evangelistic in nature, are high on the list of priorities for every duty-bound pastor. Church attendance is a constant concern for every pastor and often his or her worth is measured by it. Unfortunately, just as the original twelve pastors in Acts, they can be so focused on getting people in that they inadvertently end up pushing some people out.

Murmuring is a deplorable deterrent to a harmonious fellowship, yet God used it to get the disciples attention. Those that needed daily attention due to their age and social status were being neglected. This neglect of the Hellenist widows during the daily distribution of food was causing undue grief and needed to be corrected by the leadership. By God's grace the problem was dealt with, but the lesson remains.

And during these 40 days, let us pray that today's church not make the same mistake of forgetting the contributions of our seniors, or the needs of the weakest among us, the unborn.

Prayer:

Father, in the Church's desire to engage our communities with the gospel let her not disengage from those who need their care and company the most. Let us gain wisdom from those who have gone before us and cherish their experiences and perspectives. Help us to appreciate every soul in the body of Christ and minister properly to everybody. Amen.

Day 29

2009-03-25T09:33:00.001-04:00

Scripture:

Anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

--Luke 14:27

Reflection:

To stand up for what is right means we stand against what is wrong, and that means that those who love what is wrong will oppose us, just as they opposed Christ. Taking up the cross means we continue speaking and standing for the right even when that opposition comes.

We experience this, in particular, when we are out on the streets, where people are not expecting the pro-life message and where they did not go to hear it.

We must remember to never take the opposition personally. When people ridicule or yell at us, we might get a guilty feeling or be tempted to think we did something wrong. We did not. The insults are not being hurled at us personally, but rather at the truth of what we are standing for, and at the demands of the moral law.

There are many who are trying to run away from those demands, or who have managed to tuck the abortion problem away into a distant corner of their minds where it can no longer disturb them. By standing publicly for the cause of life, we have short-circuited that denial and frustrated those efforts to ignore the issue. Therefore, some will be angry, perhaps not fully realizing why.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the grace of being pro-life, and of standing strong when others may ridicule or oppose me. During this 40 Day campaign, may your peace fill my soul, especially when I may endure the opposition of others, and may I become more like your crucified and risen Son. Amen.

Day 28: Pray for those who persecute us in our efforts to defend life

2009-03-24T08:40:00.001-04:00

"I've noticed that everybody that is for abortion has already been born" ...Ronald Reagan

Pray that those standing in peaceful vigil will extend mercy and grace to others as they remember that Christ did not treat us as our sins deserve.

Scripture:

You have heard it was said, 'you shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.

-- Matthew 5: 43-44

Reflection:

Perhaps it is obvious by now that not everyone thinks this campaign is a great idea! In fact, those on the front lines standing in peaceful vigil are perhaps being cursed and hated for what God has called you to do. Because we are all fallen creatures, our natural response may not be as Christ-like as we would hope it would be.

So, how do we keep our natural response in check, while allowing the Holy Spirit to empower us to love, bless, do good, and pray for those who hate us or would do us harm?

Consider first the Holiness of God. It seems that sin has clouded our ability to think clearly about God's nature. We simply don't have a clue of how outraged God is by our sin, what an insult sin is to His person, or how sin fires the flames of His wrath. Praise God that He didn't leave us in our depravity destined for His divine wrath!

Ephesians 2:4-5 says, "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in sin, made us alive together with Christ; by grace you have been saved."

Because of God's mercy and grace towards us, we who receive Him receive eternal Hope. Those who curse you, hate you, spitefully mistreat you and persecute you need that same Hope. That is the only way we can ever expect them to behave differently. Ask the Holy Spirit to love them -- through you -- so they are drawn to the Hope that is in you, that is Christ Jesus.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, may we reflect your character of grace and kindness to those who hate us and curse us. Guard our hearts and our tongues as we respond in love to words and actions meant to rile us or cause us harm. Let others see the Hope that is Christ in all we say and do. In His precious name we pray, amen.

Day 27: Saying there are too many children is like saying there are too many flowers. -mother teresa

2009-03-23T09:35:00.000-04:00

We pray for the gift of openness to children.

Scripture:

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them. And God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth."

-- Genesis 1:27-28

Reflection:

God's intention is that we multiply and fill the earth.

One of the most pernicious lies that sociologists have foisted off on the public is that the earth is becoming overpopulated. What kind of a sadistic god would create the earth and human creatures on it, only to have them literally reproduce themselves into oblivion? The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our divine Creator, has commanded us to multiply and fill the earth and far from letting the population get out of control, He has, in fact given his human creatures a dominical role over all the lesser creatures. The "birth control" movement, which had its beginnings with Margaret Sanger in the early years of the last century, has led, in many parts of the world, to a birthrate that is drastically below the normal replacement rate.

God's Word assures us that children are a blessing, that they are a reward of faithfully trusting and serving God and that they are the crown of their parents' old age. The spread of the contraception mentality that has so permeated our culture is, undoubtedly, a factor in the ready acceptance of abortion. God's commandment to multiply and fill the earth has never been withdrawn. May He help us to accept the gift of children and give him thanks for every baby who is born into the world.

Prayer:

Father of mercy and grace, we thank you for the gift of our children. Grant that every fiber of our being may rejoice when a new baby, our own or any else's, is born into the world. Help us to welcome them as we would welcome you, for whenever a new baby is conceived, another life to bear your image and another voice to praise and worship you, is beginning. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

Day 26

2009-03-22T08:47:00.000-04:00

Pray that we fully recognize in the unborn child our brother, our sister, and we recommit ourselves to care for them.

Scripture:

Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let's go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the Lord said to Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?" "I don't know," he replied. "Am I my brother's keeper?" The Lord said, "What have you done? Listen! Your brother's blood cries out to me from the ground."

-- Genesis 4:8-10

Reflection:

After Cain committed the first murder in human history, God asked him, "Where is your brother?" He replied by saying, "I don't know."

In 1973, the Supreme Court was asked the same question, and gave the same answer. Unable to admit that the unborn children are our brothers and sisters, the Supreme Court said in its Roe v. Wade ruling, "We need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins." Boil all that down to three words, and it's, "I don't know."

The question, "Where is your brother?" will be asked at the final judgment. Each person will answer it and be judged by it. May we be judged to have recognized and loved all our brothers and sisters, born and unborn.

By participating in the 40 Days for Life, we have been answering that question each day, going to where our brothers and sisters are killed, and proclaiming that we have a responsibility to them. By all the pro-life work we will continue to do, we likewise answer that question which reaches from one end of human history to the other.

Prayer:

Father, today we hear your voice, and we respond to the question you ask each of us: "Where is your brother?" We recognize in the unborn child our brother, our sister, and we recommit ourselves today to care for them. Yes, Father, you have entrusted us to the care of one another. We rejoice that you have given us the grace to respond. As we work to renew our culture, we look forward to the great day of the coming of your Son, when every eye will see him, even of those who pierced him, and every knee shall bend, and every tongue confess, to the glory of God the Father, that Jesus Christ is Lord! Amen.

Day 25: God wouldn't ask us to fight for this cause if He knew it to be impossible

2009-03-21T10:56:00.000-04:00

That God will bless us with His gift of strength as we respond in obedience to His call.

Scripture:

Deliver those who are drawn toward death, and hold back those stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, 'surely we did not know this', does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

-- Proverbs 24:11-12

Reflection:

In this age of technologically advanced communication, ignorance of human rights abuses is no excuse. We know there are persecuted Christians in China, there is genocide in Darfur, and there are babies aborted and women and families devastated right in our own communities.

"But I can't save them all" you say. God isn't asking you to. He has equipped each of us with time, talent, and treasure to do what we can when He provides the opportunity. He has given us His Holy Spirit to empower us as we abide in Him. He is asking us to be on His side in speaking out and protecting those who can't protect themselves.

When we are obedient to His calling to get in on the work He is doing, we will experience intimacy with Him in a whole new way. Our faith will increase as we see God at work! You have responded to His call during this 40 Days for Life campaign.

Let your efforts be for His pleasure and His purposes. Pray without ceasing!

Prayer:

God Almighty, we pray for continued guidance and strength as we intercede on behalf of the young women and their babies who are stumbling to the slaughter. Open the eyes of the mother's heart to see her child as you do - a precious gift to be treasured. Let her feel Your loving arms around her and may she be assured that you have a plan and a future for her and her child. Give her reason not to enter the abortion clinic. Give her wisdom and discernment to find life options through a local pregnancy care center and may she boldly choose life. Thank you, Lord, for hearing our prayer. Because of Your Son's sacrifice we pray, amen.

Day 24

2009-03-20T09:05:00.003-04:00

As I read yesterdays devotion and today's.. I pondered for a long time on my thoughts of the words (God's tapestries)..I thought of His creation Everything living...all formed by Him..
My thoughts took me to the things I do...how I plan out my crafting..and my sewing... I choose my project and then piece by piece I put my design together...I lay the pattern before me I place it in its potion of how I want it to look, I move it around making sure its just right and that it is going to fit together perfectly and then I sew (weave) it together piece by piece till it is a finished product...checking each step of the way making sure its going together just right (the pieces fitting)...if I don't like it or want it I tear it apart and start over..or I toss it a side...
I watched the little video clip of the abortion of a baby..being torn apart piece by piece.. who was created by God..and not by the hands of the one tearing it apart..and tossing it aside as if saying your not wanted and your not liked..you don't fit...the pieces laying there that were woven together by God (not Man)...He (God) weaves these babies together in the womb..He thinks how perfect they are..I thought of the time it takes to weave these little babies together and then to be ripped apart at any choice of time...to discard them...but these are living things...a living creation...breathing and moving...
We look at the inanimate objects we make and most times we think it's not perfect.. it has it's flaws we try to make it perfect because most all the time it is a gift and we want our gifts to those we love to be perfect...but God looks at His creation and says ( This is Perfect..it is my gift to you..take care of it and finish molding it and shaping it)and what does man do...destroys it...and it doesn't even belong to him...
I love giving the things I make to the Grandchildren...they seen to love everything I give to them..their eyes light up and they smile that certain smile I so love to see..even if something doesn't look all that pretty.. they still love it...because it came from the gift giver Gramma..
God is our giver of gifts and man is destroying these gifts..these gifts when destroyed by man can not be put back together..and use how God has planned for them to be used....
Sharon

That we may realize the generational impact of abortion.

Scripture:

Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife because she was barren; and the Lord granted his prayer and Rebekah his wife conceived. The children struggled together within her, and she said," If it is thus, why do I live?" So she went to inquire of the Lord. And the Lord said to her, "Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples, born of you, shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the elder shall serve the younger."

-- Genesis 25:21-23

Reflection:

Human beings -- God's tapestries.

What an answer to prayer!

Who dares to say that the unborn are not human, with distinct personality and character right from the moment of conception? This account emphasizes the vitality and uniqueness of the twins who, because of Isaac's prayer for his wife, were conceived in Rebekah's womb.

When Rebekah was told by the Lord that the older would serve the younger twin, God already knew that Jacob and Esau would lead turbulent and conflicted lives. God knows us and knows all about us, including our personality and disposition long before we are actually born, indeed, from the moment we are conceived in our mother's womb.

What a tragedy of gargantuan proportions that babies, planned and endowed by the Creator, with distinct and unique personalities and with, perhaps, a future and destiny intended for greatness, have their lives snuffed out by cruel abortionists before they ever see the light of day! May our prayers that the dreadful scourge of abortion in our land may vanish be as fervent as Isaac's were for Rebekah.

Prayer:

O, God, you formed us in our mother's womb and planned a unique and special life and purpose for each of us, and we do thank you. Grant that we may pray and work for an end to abortion, especially in these 40 Days, so that no unborn baby you have made may fail to achieve your divine intention for him or her because of intentional abortion. We pray this for the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Day 23 - Human beings -- God's tapestries

2009-03-19T08:20:00.001-04:00

For the medical community, that the truth they know about the human body may become awe and wonder at the God who made it.

Scripture:

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

--Psalm 139:16

Reflection:

Human beings -- God's tapestries.

Psalm 139 is a psalm that reveals the enormity and otherness of God. His divine attributes are on display: omniscience (2-4), omnipresence (7-12), loving-kindness (17-18), justice (19-20), righteousness (23-24), and omnipotence. Yet, when it came to express this last attribute, what example did the psalmist use - God's creation of mountains, seas, or far-flung galaxies? No, he used none of these. To express the wonder of God's unparalleled creative power the writer mentions the fashioning of the human in the womb (14-16).

The Hebrew word used to express God's forming of us in the womb, raqam, is the same term for needlework or embroidery. In other words, we are a tapestry that displays God's artistic mastery. And, like the artist who knows his creation down to the last detail, God intimately knows us. This reality provokes the writer to awe and wonder. He proclaims, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

What is true for this psalmist is true for each human being. Each is fashioned by God and known by him and we can proclaim on behalf of each, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

Prayer:

Gracious God, help us to appreciate the wonder and beauty of Your creation. Help us proclaim on behalf of every one of our fellow human beings, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." May the knowledge that we are intimately known by You shape our lives and actions. Amen.

Day 22

2009-03-18T08:11:00.002-04:00

Pray for fathers who participated in the decision to abort their child, and for those who did not have a voice, that they would find freedom and healing in Christ.

Scripture:

If indeed you have heard Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

-- Ephesians 4: 21-23

Reflection:

According to the Guttmacher Institute, one-third of American women will have had an abortion by age 45. Seldom reported however is the fact that an equally significant number of men have played a role in terminating a pregnancy. Some have participated through persuasion, or by providing the financial means for the abortion. Still others were against an abortion, but had no sway in the decision to terminate their child.

Only in recent years have we realized that men suffer from their loss, as more and more seek healing. Warren Williams, founder of Fathers and Brothers Ministries says he believes men are coming forward for help because God instilled in men a desire to be a protector of their lineage, a provider for their families, to be a husband and father.

Men are suffering and grieving the loss of their children, and though their grief may be expressed differently than that of a woman, it is grief nonetheless and they too need tender care and biblical counseling to experience forgiveness and healing.

Intervention at the appropriate time in the decision-making process may spare both the young man and woman from the lifelong pain and trauma of abortion. Biblical counseling for post-abortive men and women is essential for them to heal and begin their life anew in Christ.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, We pray for young men who participated in the termination of their child and are broken as You are over their loss. Forgive their sin, Lord, and bring opportunity for healing and renewal of their minds in Christ Jesus. For those suffering from an abortion they did not choose, restore their joy as they learn to forgive others and trust You with their future. In the name of Christ, who heals the brokenhearted, amen.

Day 21...Life

2009-03-17T08:18:00.002-04:00

Pray that we become vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement.

Scripture:

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!"

-- Luke 24:1-5

Reflection:

This meditation, based on a sermon I once heard, is adapted for pro-life concerns.

It's Friday. Jesus is on the cross. He has been killed by his enemies; he is off the scene. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!

It's Friday. Abortionists continue their work 3,300 times a day, tearing off the arms and legs of little babies and crushing their heads. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'! It's Friday. Pro-abortion groups receive blood money from billionaires who are as deceived as they are. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!

It's Friday. Liars attempt to speak for all women and hide the pain of abortion, and ignore the evidence of how it harms women, and call abortion a blessing. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'! It's Friday. People of hardened hearts guard the clinics and usher desperate women in to have their abortions, while keeping them from the pro-life people who want to give them hope. But that's because it's Friday. Sunday's comin'!

Hope does not mean that we ignore or minimize the evils around us. It means, rather, that we see the whole picture, which is that evil is conquered because of what happened one Sunday morning. The power of sin and death has been broken by the Resurrection of Christ. We are called to proclaim, celebrate, and serve that victory, waiting in joyful hope for Christ's return and the full flowering of the Culture of Life! Indeed, Sunday's comin'!

Prayer:

Lord, fill your people with new hope. Make us vessels of hope to all around us, especially to those who minister in the pro-life movement, that as we engage in the difficult work ahead, we may experience the peace and joy that come only from you and that nobody can take away from us. We ask this through Christ our Lord, amen.

Day 20

2009-03-16T08:30:00.001-04:00

We pray for humility in our work for God's Kingdom.

Scripture:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

-- Philippians 2:5-8

Reflection:

There is no limit to what we can accomplish when we don't care who gets the credit.

Jesus Christ's life on earth exemplifies a total submission to the will of the Father. His humility, compassion, gentleness and thoughtfulness are reflected over and over again in the New Testament. He was God incarnate, yet He chose to be born to a humble, working class home.

How absurd it must have seemed to the rich and powerful that the Son of God, the Messiah, the one foretold by the prophets, the 'King of the Jews' was born and raised as a simple peasant.

During His thirty-three years on earth, He sought no riches, claimed no secular power and gathered no possessions. Yet, His short time on earth changed more lives, softened more hearts, and gave hope to more people, than all the rich and powerful human 'kings' combined. And, at the end of His life on earth, by dying on the cross, He opened the door to eternal life for those who heed his words and follow in his footsteps.

Prayer:

O Lord, help us follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Let us humbly and diligently work to restore legal protection for the unborn, the disabled, the medically dependent and all innocent children of God whose lives are threatened. Let us remember the old adage that "He can never lead who has not first learned to obey." And, Lord, grant us a peaceful heart as we labor in your name. Amen.

Day 19

2009-03-15T08:23:00.002-04:00

Pray that when those representing Planned Parenthood and other abortion groups see volunteers for 40 Days for Life, they see ambassadors of Christ, and may each volunteer be consciously aware at all times of Whom we represent.

Scripture:

I...beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness, and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.

-- Ephesians 4:1b-2

Reflection:

When Carol Everett, a former abortionist and post-abortive woman, was asked what turned her heart from death to life in Christ, she said, "It was unconditional love," shown by a man who prayed daily for her in front of the abortion clinic where she worked.

He told Carol that "God had sent him" because there was someone in there that God wanted out. She left 27 days later and now serves as Christ's ambassador to help others. We too have been sent by Christ as an ambassador to love unconditionally those God seeks to "get out" of their bondage and sin. What a high calling it is -- much higher than any presidential appointment to another country.
In his book, Fishers of Men, Dr. Sumner Wemp describes what it means to be an ambassador of Christ, the King of Kings:

God has chosen us (John 15:16)
We are sent into a world that is not our home (1 Peter 2:11)
Our walk must match our talk (1 Timothy 3:7)
We must abide in Him for daily instruction (John 15:5)
Know our purpose -- to seek and to save that which is lost (Luke 19:10)
We are to reconcile others to God with His authority (Matthew 28:19-20)
Do not let kindness and truth leave you (Proverbs 3:3-4)
Our service is to be grounded and rooted in love (Ephesians 3:17)
Pray that we each will walk worthy of the calling with which we were called!

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we are humbled that you have called us and appointed us to be ambassadors of Christ in a world that is not our home. We pray that your Holy Spirit will empower us to walk worthy of the calling. We pray that Your unconditional love will flow through us onto those who desperately need Your saving grace. In the name of Christ who is worthy, amen.

Day 18

2009-03-14T09:31:00.001-04:00

May we absorb the truth that God is paying attention to us, and to each human life, personally and individually.

Scripture:

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor.

-- Psalm 8:3-9

Reflection:

How often we ignore the phrase, "stop and smell the roses" and instead submit to the all too "urgent" task at hand. Is this tendency what keeps us, at least in part, from acknowledging that God's care for His sacred creation is paramount in His own mind?

The Psalmist speaks of God's handiwork: the heavens, the work of his "fingers," and then points to God's masterpiece - human life. He declares to us that God is mindful of us. God keeps His masterpiece in His thoughts.

God, the creator of the awe-inspiring heavens, is not distracted by the tasks before Him. He is not pulled away, as we might be, by thoughts of something "more important." God is paying attention to and attending to His crowning glory, His masterpiece of creation, which cannot be duplicated or replaced, which surpasses the beauty of all other created things - the human being.

There is no way to adequately describe how God feels about us as human beings. There are no words to fully portray His love, compassion or desire to be in communion with us. Perhaps, the closest we can come, is to contemplate the thoughts of a mother as she gazes for the first time at her newborn child. God cares for Life. We, as His followers, should take time to consider the life He has created and called upon us to love and protect.

Prayer:

Lord, you are the creator of all things. Guide my thoughts to consider your creation in all of its majesty, beauty and holiness. Guide my heart especially to your creation of precious human life. Help me to comprehend how essential life is in your own heart. Teach me to appreciate, love and protect all human life through your son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day 17

2009-03-13T08:17:00.004-04:00

Pray that we choose to trust God to bring an end to abortion soon, no matter how impossible that may seem to others.

Scripture:

The hand of the Lord was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me back and forth among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" I said, "O Sovereign Lord, you alone know."

-- Ezekiel 37:1-3

Reflection:

You and I are standing in a world today over a field of dry bones: those who have been killed by abortion, those who have been killed by so many other things attacking the dignity of human life. And God has placed us here; we find ourselves here in the midst of this incredible tragedy. Like Ezekiel, you and I are in a dilemma because God says to us: "Speak and proclaim the Word of Life. Keep doing it. Let nothing deter you."

People can say, "This is humanly foolish, humanly impossible. How can we transform the world from the path of death that it's on?" Yet we choose to do the "foolish" thing rather than the dangerous thing.

If you ever doubt that we can bring an end to this culture of death, this destruction of the family, this destruction of life by abortion, if you ever think for a moment that it's impossible, then ask yourself this: Can a man who has been scourged, crowned with thorns, nailed hands and feet to a cross, pierced with a lance, has died and been buried; can such a man ever live again?

Prayer:

Lord, I thank you for giving me the holy dilemma of having to choose between the foolish thing or the dangerous thing. Yet for me the solution is clear. Lord, I will obey you, even if it means aiming for a goal which, in the eyes of others, seems foolish. I will obey you, and will hope for the end of abortion soon, no matter how impossible that may seem to others. I dare not mistrust you; I dare not doubt your power; I dare not fail to follow your call. In you, who raise the dead, all hope comes alive. Amen.

Day 16

2009-03-12T07:53:00.002-04:00

Remember that our first home was the womb, pray for those whose current home is the womb.

Incarnation; the Christian doctrine of the union of God and man in the person of Jesus Christ
May the mystery of the Incarnation increase our zeal for defending life.

As I read this devotion and scripture reference this morning I thought of the history of our country . I thought of those who fought to free our country..each president in history..the inventor that gave us light..gave ways to keep things cold..a means to fly from one place to other..a form of ground travel...the vaccine for polio..of each foot that stepped onto new soil to form a state..a community..and this is just a few...I also thought of our Lord and Savior who came into this world so that we may have life..eternal life...but what would have happen if each one of these where never born?
What if Mary had decided she were to young to carry her child?

Scripture:

Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end."

-- Luke 1:30-33

Reflection:

"God has assumed Humanity, joining it with Divinity, and kindled in men's hearts new love of me." These words were written by a Roman poet in the Fourth Century. He spent his life finding ways to express the greatest mystery of the world: the incarnation, in which God became man.

Often the womb has been referred to as the "first home of the whole human race." It is the place where life begins, where our stories start. In the womb the great men and women of history began their magnificent march through life. In the womb Divinity met humanity, and God the Son was born into the world. As one of the Fathers of the early church, St. Leo the Great, declared, "Within her spotless womb Wisdom built itself a house and the Word became flesh."

Recently, I was at the hospital for the birth of my fourth grandchild. Looking through the nursery window at the rows of newly born babies, I began to think of the great stories that would be written about these tiny lives. During his visitation with the Virgin Mary, the angel prophesied to Mary about the life of her child. Here in this hospital, I pondered, what would he say about each of these? Would they meet the one who also came from His mother's womb to redeem the world and kindle our hearts afresh for God? I thanked God for each baby alive and prayed for each story yet to be written.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you have made the womb of each woman a very special place. Help us to hold fast to the sanctity of this first home of humanity, remembering the wonderful mystery, that God inhabited the womb of a young woman and came forth as the savior and deliverer of the world. We ask this in the Name of the one who came forth, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day 15 March 11

2009-03-11T09:44:00.003-04:00

I've been checking in and around our area for details of communities who may be involved
in the 40 Days For Life project and there are none close in this area...the closest areas are
Dayton, Columbus and Cincinnati...I knew there were no vigils going on close but I also know
how important this project is...and the prayers that can go forth from this area to all the
communities that are involved...Many of the churches in the above areas are holding prayer
times they ban together to pray for those who are outside the abortion clinics and the
planned parent clinics in prayer as people enter these clinics...

I thought for a moment and said "this is not much that I am doing...especially in this small
corner of my area"...but that is not true...God hears prayers where ever you are and at what
ever time...pick a time of day to pray and ban with the other communities who are involved in
40 Days for Life...if you let me know the times you are praying we will also pray at the same
time...
Psalm 34:15...The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; His ears are open to their
cries...
God hears our pleas and cries for this cause...the enemy will try to defeat us in our mind but
God will intervene..

The success of 40 Days for Life depends on the most powerful form of advertising in the
world -- word of mouth
Blessings to you for this day
Sharon

========================================================

Intention:

Pray that we will not become defeated by the enemy's attacks but rather call on the name of
the Lord who is on our side and our help in time of trouble.

Scripture:

What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us? They would have
swallowed us alive in their burning anger. Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us
apart! Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

-- Psalm 124:2,3,6,8

Reflection:

The enemy attacks in many ways, but one of his favorites is to slander us with hopes of
tarnishing our reputation and character, and ultimately to defeat our good work for the Lord.
It is interesting to note however that it is usually not the slander that causes harm to our
testimony, but our response to the slander. Proverbs 24:10 says, "If you faint in the day of
adversity your strength is small."
So if we are applying God's truths to our lives moment by moment, we are not swayed by the
lies of the enemy and we will be strong.
Standing on the front lines, armed with God's truth, places you in the battlefield for the mind.
As you are prepared to present words of love, for the sake of the unborn and for the
distraught and confused women and men who are entering the abortion facilities, know that the
enemy has prepared his forces to attack your mind.
Unkind words from a protester, or vicious lies in the local paper about who you are and what
your mission is, can indeed be hurtful. But rather than give in to defeat, that is the time to
shine for the Lord, standing firm, as you call on Him to defeat the enemy.
Remember the words of Romans 8:31, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" Let's stand
strong for those who need us most.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, help us to ignore the verbal attacks of the enemy and instead turn to You, our
refuge and strength. Help us to find shelter in the blessed promises and provisions of Your
Word. Thank you that no enemy can defeat us, and we praise You knowing that nothing can
separate us from Your love. In the name of Jesus, we come to You, amen.

Day 14

2009-03-10T08:40:00.002-04:00

I hope that you come back each day to pray and read these devotions...

Pray that we will have faith to realize that even now our Lord can bring an end to abortion.

Scripture:

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. "Lord," Martha said to Jesus, "if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask."

-- John 11:17-22

Reflection:

Martha was right. Jesus is Lord of life and death. She knew that, which is why she was able to make this statement, yet at the same time she had to wrestle with the fact that Lazarus died anyway. Jesus indeed is Lord over life and death, but here the power of death was still displayed right in front of her.

Yet in this clash between the conviction of faith and the evidence of human experience, Martha allowed hope to shine through. "Even now, God will give you whatever you ask." Even now. Those words show the power of hope, born of faith. Even now, when death has already done its work, life can be victorious.

Even now, when the last word seems to have been spoken, we can hope that a word will be spoken again to restore life. Even now, when Lazarus has already been laid in the tomb and it seems impossible to do anything about it, things can change. And things did change. The Lord raised Lazarus from the dead.

We live in a society where many believe the abortion issue has been settled, and its practice so deeply ingrained in our policies and attitudes that it is unrealistic to think we can stop it. Yet we are the people who say to Jesus, "Even now..."

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, even now, you are master of life and death. I come before you as Martha did after Lazarus has died. I come before you after countless brothers and sisters of mine have died from abortion. And I pray to you: even now, you can stop the forces of death. Even now, you can bring us into a culture of life. Come, Lord Jesus. Speak your word yet again, and free our nation from the shackles of death. Amen.

Day 13

2009-03-09T08:38:00.001-04:00

We are called to reach out with love, even when we don't receive it back...
Thank you Lord for this devotion today..reminding us of you grace and mercy and
how important it is to pray for those who do hurt us...

We pray for the strength to love those who do not love us.

Scripture:

But the Lord said "You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in the night and perished in the night. And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left, and much livestock? Should I not be concerned about that great city?"

-- Jonah 4:10-11

Reflection:

God doesn't value people and things like we do. Jonah loved a shade tree more than an entire city of sinful people. We love our dogs more than a terrorist. We love our cars more than a beggar on the side of the road. And sometimes, we love our money more than a child growing in a desperate teenager's womb.

But God isn't like us. Genesis 1 tells us that humans were the capstone of God's creation. We were created on the sixth day after God had completed the land, the stars, the plants and the animals. Therefore, His love for us is greater than His love for a plant, an animal, or any other created thing. And the book of Jonah tells us that He loves even the most sinful people and seeks to bring them into His merciful arms. And it's a love that seeks to touch all of his created children: that desperate teenager, the baby growing in her womb, even tyrants and terrorists. So it's up to us to imitate God's merciful love by helping and praying for those who persecute us, and those who don't love us back.

Prayer:

Gracious God, loving our enemies seems like one of most difficult things you could ask of us. Please remind us that this is how you love and that if you ask it of us then you will give us the grace to do it. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day 12

2009-03-08T08:47:00.000-04:00

Day 12 - March 8

Intention:

Pray to God who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, to end abortion in America.

Scripture:

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

-- Ephesians 3:20-21

Reflection:

God's power working in and through His people is unlimited and far beyond our comprehension when we submit to God's Word and Spirit. He receives glory when we are obedient to His calling and faithfully serve Him in His strength.

Consider God's hand of providence on this nation because of the faithfulness of a few who were totally committed to God and His truths. It is interesting to note the words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta: "Yours is the one great nation in all history which was founded on the precept of equal rights and respect for all humankind, for the poorest and weakest of us as well as the richest and strongest."

Mother Teresa, in addressing the Supreme Court of the United States said, "Human rights are not a privilege conferred by government. They are every human being's entitlement by virtue of his humanity. I have no new teaching for America. I seek only to recall you to faithfulness to what you once taught the world. Your nation was founded on the proposition very old as a moral precept, but startling and innovative as a political insight that human life is a gift of immeasurable worth, and that it deserves, always and everywhere, to be treated with the utmost dignity and respect."

It is time to restore that dignity and respect. Our God is able. Are we willing to remain faithful until His work through us is done?

Prayer:

God Almighty, Who is powerful and willing to supply, our hearts cry in unison for You to restore dignity and respect to human life, not only in America, but around the world. Lord, may our hearts remain faithful to your calling, and may You begin Your transforming work with me. Keep me ever mindful that with You Lord, nothing is impossible; without You, I can do nothing. To You be glory forever and ever, Amen.

Day 11

2009-03-07T09:10:00.003-05:00

More than 130 communities in the United States, Canada, Australia and Northern Ireland are hosting 40 Days for Life events through April 5.

Day eleven and 72 babies have been saved! Give all Praise and Glory to God our creator of life...

Pray that people of faith will have their strength renewed even in the face of the violence of abortion.

Scripture:

The favors of the Lord are not exhausted, his mercies are not spent. They are renewed each morning, so great is his faithfulness. I say to myself, "The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait in silence for the saving help of the Lord.

--Lamentations 3:22-26

Reflection:

The Book of Lamentations, a short book of only five chapters, contains some of the most poignant expressions of human grief. These verses are used in many Churches on Good Friday, since they can be seen to express a prophecy of the suffering of the Lord and the lamentation of his followers on that dark day.

But in the midst of his grief, Jeremiah writes the verses quoted above. "The favors of the Lord are not exhausted." It is a call to hope that no matter how much violence there is, life will prevail in the end.

Why does he say, however, that God's mercies are renewed each morning?

Because early in the morning, on the first day of the week, the women came to the tomb -- and they found that the events of that morning changed everything.

Christ's victory over death came in the morning, and therefore each day we can renew our confidence that life has the final victory.

Prayer:

Lord, look kindly on your people who weep and mourn amidst the vast devastation that abortion has brought upon our land. We cannot even count the children killed, and the mothers and fathers wounded.

We cannot measure the devastation and corruption abortion has brought upon the very fabric of our society. But we declare today that your favors have not been exhausted, your mercies have not been spent. They are renewed each morning.

Give us new strength today in the resurrection of Christ your Son, that we may bear effective witness to the victory of life! In His name we pray, amen.

Day 10

2009-03-06T08:30:00.001-05:00

Intention:

May those who hold life as trivial realize that we live because God wills it so.

Scripture:

Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.

-- Job 12:9-10

Reflection:

Job was a man acquainted with grief, trials and tribulation. He had everything taken from him, including his family. He endured sickness, ridicule and judgment from his friends. Everyone gave him advice about his situation, questioning his spirituality and his God. Job's circumstances were bad but he never loses faith. Why? Because "the hand of the Lord has made all life." Created by God, he knows his life has meaning and purpose, regardless of the circumstances.

In our present culture, we've lost that basic truth; every life is made and allowed to live by God's sovereign authority. As people who pride ourselves on our independence, we have a hard time acknowledging our dependence on God. From our creation, when we were knit together in our mother's womb to our last breath, God's word is clear that "in His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."

It's time for us as individuals, and as a society, to recognize that we exist by God's grace and turn back to Him, honoring His word and His teachings. Why? Because our world is full of Jobs, people who are dealing with trials and tribulations and hurting desperately. Job's response should be ours as well. Regardless of what we face (even an unplanned pregnancy) God in His wisdom and mercy will redeem it. How do I know? Job's friends who doubted God's sovereignty cry out to God asking for help, God instructs Job to pray for his friends and after he does, God restores all that Job had lost. In other words, because Job never lost faith and knew and trusted His Creator, the Lord blessed Job.

Prayer:

Thank you Father God for being the Creator of my life and every life. Please give me, and the society in which I live, an appreciation for your gift of life. Please help us set aside our pride and acknowledge that we need you. Show me how I can honor you today in response to all the blessings you bestow so freely. In the name of Jesus, amen.

RED ENVELOPES REPRESENT ABORTION DEATHS

2009-03-05T14:43:00.003-05:00

Maybe it will change the heart of the president!
It's plain and simple: On March 31, mail an empty red envelope to;

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20500

on the outside of the envelope, write
" This envelope represents one child who died in abortion. It is empty
because that life was unable to offer anything to the world. Responsibility
begins with conception."

For more information visit Red Envelope Web site Also check it out on facebook
just type in "Red Envelope" into the search box

Check the web site out at
www.redenvelopeproject.org

Day 9

2009-03-05T09:41:00.003-05:00

Pray that the post-abortive woman would be repentant, accept forgiveness, be healed and restored, and bring glory to God with her new life.

Scripture:

I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.

-- Psalm 32:5

Reflection:

Because abortion is legal in America, many have justified their choice. "If it's legal, it can't be wrong, right?" We now have an entire generation of men and women who have never known abortion to be illegal; a generation of people who have never been broken over their sin of abortion.

As a result, the consequences of unconfessed sin weigh on their souls, yet they have never connected the dots as to why their hearts are heavy. No wonder we have millions of women who are struggling with depression, addictions, eating disorders and more.

Post abortion syndrome is very real but recovery begins when the individual agrees with God as David confessed in Psalm 51:3-4, 14, "Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight - that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when you Judge. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation."

Brokenness is the key to accessing God's glorious mercy and healing. Christ came to heal the broken hearted and He is waiting with open arms to take the post-abortive woman on a glorious journey of healing and restoration if she will only run to Him.

God will not waste any sin we lay at His feet. Imagine millions of healed and restored post-abortive women like myself singing aloud of His righteousness and giving testimony of His love and forgiveness. What a day of rejoicing that will be!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you are our Healer. You have forgiven all my iniquities and removed my transgressions from me as far as the east is from the west. Guilt no longer has dominion in my life. Lord, we pray that post-abortive women across this nation will run to You to receive the gift of redemption and healing that comes from You only. In the name of our Savior we pray, amen.Pray that the post-abortive woman would be repentant, accept forgiveness, be healed and restored, and bring glory to God with her new life.

Day 7

2009-03-04T07:57:00.002-05:00

We pray for a renewal of our zeal to offer generous help to the unborn and their families.

Scripture:

If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant When they complained against me, What then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how shall I answer Him? Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?

-- Job 31:13-15

Reflection:

The ground is level as we stand before God.

Job lived with an awe provoking sense of God's expectation of him, particularly regarding his obligation to care for the weak and needy. He knew that in God's economy everyone stands on level ground when it comes to our status as God's creatures. Because of that central truth, we must take care of each other.

Job also knew that he didn't deserve any of the good things God gave to him. Instead, those blessings came to Job from God's benevolent heart. As an extension of that knowledge, Job instinctively linked his obligation to be generous to others to God's kindness toward him.

As in Jesus' parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:23-35), Job knew that it is an egregious sin to deny to others what we enjoy ourselves. He actually calls down on his own head severe condemnation and even punishment should he fail to share with others out of his own abundance (see verses 16-23).

Proverbs 3:27 reads, "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do so." Some things are so obvious that we don't even need to pray except to ask of God forgiveness and the power to do what so obviously needs doing.

Prayer:

God, forgive us when we try to explain away the obligation we have to help others who need help. Enable us to not devalue them because they are in the circumstance that they are in, but to see them for what they are, those, who like us, were formed by your hand in their mother's womb. Amen.

Thank You for your prayers and support

Day 4...

2009-03-03T11:27:00.000-05:00

Dear Sharon,

As a veteran of five 40 Days for Life campaigns in my
hometown of Bryan/College Station, Texas and now four
nationally coordinated campaigns, I never cease to be
amazed at some of the heartbreaking stories women tell
the people praying outside the abortion centers.

At an abortion facility in Florida, a woman and her
daughter got out of their truck. It was a chilly
morning, and not many people were present outside.

But one man saw that these two were headed for the
door, and he feared the daughter was arriving for an
abortion.

He identified himself as the pastor of a Baptist
church in town, offered to put them in touch with a
pro-life pregnancy center, and tried to hand them some
literature. The older woman looked at the pastor and
said, "I don't want your information. We're Catholic."
The women then walked past him and into the clinic.

The others standing vigil were stunned and felt a
sense of failure. But in time, they realized that by
faithfully answering God's call to stand and pray,
they may have provided the only display of love that
this child ever knew here on earth.

I'm encouraged by the prayer team in Iowa, who spoke
to a troubled woman outside a Planned Parenthood
abortion center. The young woman was pregnant with
twins, and she had arrived for her abortion.

But apparently, she only had enough to pay for
aborting one baby but not two. Planned Parenthood
wanted more money.

After she spoke with counselors outside the clinic,
this mother of twins decided to keep her babies.
Praise God!

From time to time, however, I hear from other people
who wonder why "nothing ever happens" when they go to
the abortion centers to pray.

Believe me, I know how you feel. But remember that
just isn't true -- something IS happening!

For whatever reason, God does not always permit us to
see the results right away.

Keep in mind that things happen in God's time -- not
ours. The fruits of 40 Days for Life are often not
seen during the actual 40 days, but only become known
some time afterward.

God is at work; He's just taking His time.

Pensacola, Florida held a 40 Days for Life vigil last
fall. Almost two months after the campaign ended, the
team there received word that a woman who worked for
the abortion clinic had quit her job. One of the
woman's relatives confirmed the news.

All during the 40 days, people prayed for the
conversion of clinic employees. Their prayers were
heard; they just didn't know it at the time.

A Michigan team got word before Christmas that the
clinic where their fall vigil was held had closed for
remodeling. They were told there was no firm date for
re-opening, and no abortions were being scheduled at
that time.

All during the 40 days, people prayed that abortions
would stop. Their prayers were heard; they just didn't
know it at the time.

Abortion will end; we just don't know at what time.

And so we continue to pray.

Today's devotional was prepared by Carmen Pate, a
40 Days for Life board member and co-host of the
nationally syndicated Point of View radio talk show...

------------------------------------------------------
DAY 4 INTENTION
------------------------------------------------------

Pray that we each will daily put on the full armor
of God, so that we are strong in the Lord and the
power of His might.

------------------------------------------------------
SCRIPTURE
------------------------------------------------------

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but
against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual
hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you
may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having
done all, to stand.

-- Ephesians 6:12-13

------------------------------------------------------
REFLECTION
------------------------------------------------------

I am confounded to see how the battle over the issue
of life is perceived more often in churches today as
political rather than spiritual.

Ironically, the enemy has used this twisted perception
to silence many in the body of Christ.

We must see the battle for what it is and we must
daily "put on" the armor God has given us:

>> Gird your waist with Truth (vs. 14) -- Commit your
emotions to believe truth and to speak truth,
regardless of the repercussions.

>> Put on the breastplate of Righteousness (vs. 14) --
It will protect our hearts -- the innermost springs of
our beings -- from all unrighteousness so evident in
this fallen world.

>> Shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel
of Peace. (vs. 15) -- Preparation is vital if we are
to be effective in God's work.

>> Taking the shield of faith (vs.16) -- The Accuser
will instill doubt, fear, and guilt. Faith acts as an
invisible shield that deflects such false accusations.

>> Taking the Helmet of salvation (vs.17) -- A helmet
protects the head, the brain and in turn our mind and
thoughts. Satan hopes we will set aside divine
revelation for human reasoning.

>> Taking the sword of the Spirit (vs.17) -- The Word
of God, the only offensive weapon in this armor, was
used by the Lord Jesus against Satan. The living Word
is powerful and effective.

Our armor is complete. We are ready to wage war, and
the next verse tells us how, "Praying always with all
prayer and supplication in the spirit." (vs.18)

------------------------------------------------------
PRAYER
------------------------------------------------------

Dear Lord, as you lead us into the spiritual battle of
abortion may we be reminded that the battle is truly
Yours. Thank you for hearing our requests for
direction and protection. Thank you for the victory
that is ours because of Your Son Jesus, Amen.

------------------------------------------------------

Sharon- let's press on with the full armor of God!

Yours In Christ,

Shawn Carney
Spring Campaign Director
40 Days for Life

40 Days For LIfe

2009-02-26T09:07:00.001-05:00

Day 2 - February 26

Intention:

May the King of the Universe, who entered this world as a helpless infant, give us the humility to be healed.

Scripture:

My power is made perfect in weakness.

--2 Corinthians 12:9

Reflection:

The great mystery of the Humility of God is very near and dear to the mission of those serving in pro life and in a special way, post abortion ministries across this nation. For those wounded by their participation in abortion, the door to healing often feels like crossing an abyss of great fear: fear of judgment, fear of being torn apart by the pain, by self hatred and rage at those who hurt and abandoned you, and manipulated you in your time of temptation. For men in particular, entering the unknown waters of emotional vulnerability, so necessary to healing calls for a different kind of courage that feels deceptively like weakness.

The door to healing is humility. It is born in the inability to no longer control the pain, to live with the consequences of that tragic decision to reject life. The hearts cries out, "I have committed a grave offense against my Creator and I am consumed by regret, grief and sorrow!"

During these forty days let us pray for all who have participated in abortion and with love call them to healing and reconciliation. With healing these women and men can become as John Paul II proclaimed in the Gospel of Life, "the most eloquent defenders of everyone's right to life."

Jesus proclaimed, "I am the Vine, you are the branches" (John 15:5). To bear the greatest fruit, the branches must be pruned. Each level of pruning of the vine requires a deeper level of humility so that we can abandon ourselves to His will. This is not a lofty theological concept as much as it is an earthy experience of pulling weeds, tilling rocky soil, pruning and healing the vines. "If a man wishes to come after me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and begin to follow in my footsteps" (Matthew 16:24).

Prayer:

Lord, during these forty days, we ask that with each day of this sacred vigil, everything in us that separates us from your perfect will would be pruned from our hearts and souls. In this blessed freedom may we experience a powerful anointing of your Holy Spirit. Filled with confidence and trust may we proclaim with the mother of Jesus, "Let it be done to me, according to your Word."

40 Days For Life

2009-02-25T08:57:00.003-05:00

YOU can help save lives!
40 Days for Life is a focused pro-life effort that consists of:

40 days of prayer and fasting
40 days of peaceful vigil
40 days of community outreach

We are praying that, with God's help, this groundbreaking effort will mark the beginning of the end of abortion in our city -- and throughout America.

===================================================================
Day 1 - February 25

Intention:

That we may use these 40 Days for Life to plead for God's mercy and grace upon all those involved in the sin of abortion.

Scripture:

Blow the trumpet in Zion! Proclaim a fast, call an assembly. Gather the people, notify the congregation. Assemble the elders; gather the children and the infants at the breast… Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep and say, "Spare, O Lord, your people."

-- Joel 2:15-17

Reflection:

The toll of abortion cannot be measured. We hear estimates of almost 50 million innocent victims, but that's only one aspect of the harm that has unfolded in abortion's wake. There are also the mothers and fathers of these millions, as well as the grandparents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins. Unborn lives destroyed. Lives of the living shattered.

It's overwhelming and depressing, but even in the midst of such unfathomable darkness, the church teaches us to have hope. Yes, it was indeed Calvary that followed Christ's 40 days in the desert, but without Calvary there would have been no Resurrection - His victory over death that opened the gates of heaven to those who believe in and follow Him.

The psalmist encourages us to go humbly before God as we seek His will: "A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me… Give me back the joy of your salvation and a willing spirit sustain in me… O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise" (Psalm 51:12, 14, 17).

We are called to be God's messengers; or as the Apostle Paul told the Corinthians: "We are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20). That is the true message to all we encounter at the abortion centers and in our communities who have been deceived by the Culture of Death. We don't bring condemnation; we bring God's good news.

Prayer:

Lord, we ask for the strength, courage, wisdom, determination and stamina to carry out this mission according to Your will. Guide us, we pray, as we go forth and proclaim Your truth, always doing so with a spirit of love and compassion, as was demonstrated to us by Your Son, Jesus Christ. In His name we pray, amen.

As you prepare for the next 40 Days for Life campaign, please remember that prayer and fasting are the foundation.

If there is no abortion facility in your town, praise God!

But wherever you are or whatever you're doing, you can pray to end abortion.

Warfare Or Discipline

2009-02-19T09:55:00.000-05:00

Please leave a comment here...

February 25th

2009-02-18T09:43:00.001-05:00

The next 40 Days for Life campaign starts on February25

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NLT)

40 Days for Life consists of 40 days of prayer and fasting for an end to abortion, 40 days of constant, peaceful vigil outside abortion centers and Planned Parenthood offices and 40 days of active pro-life community outreach.

We can get involved in the 40 Days for Life

There is an abortion facility in the Willard area...

Prayer and Fasting are the foundation for the 40 Days for Life..

If there is no abortion facility in your town, praise God!

But wherever you are or whatever you're doing, you can pray to end abortion.

You can also pray for God's guidance for those involved in prayer vigils and pro-life action around the country. And please consider fasting. Some people are unable to fast from food for health reasons; that's understandable. Fasting simply involves renouncing an activity that can put a barrier between you and God. It could be television, the internet, chocolate, coffee, etc. You really can do without it. Take the time you usually spend in those activities and give it back to God.

You can still pray, even if a formal campaign is not currently being conducted. God will use your 40-day commitment to prayer in some way, in some fashion

The visible, public centerpiece of 40 Days for Life is a 40-day, round-the-clock prayer vigil outside a Planned Parenthood center or other abortion facility in your community.

Those who are called to stand witness maintain a peaceful and educational presence.

This 24-hour-a-day presence send a powerful message to the community about the tragic reality of abortion. It also serves as a call to repentance for those who work at the abortion center and those who patronize the facility.

If you do not have an abortion facility or Planned Parenthood office in your town, you can still conduct 40 Days for Life. However, you will need to select a different location which has some strategic significance ... perhaps near city hall, a courthouse, or a highly visible intersection.

Community Outreach

During 40 Days for Life, the pro-life message is proactively taken to every corner of your community. This can identify hundreds, or even thousands, of pro-life supporters.

Informational flyers are distributed in neighborhoods to raise awareness about the local crisis of abortion. Citizens are invited to sign a petition of support for the sanctity of human life, and people are given the opportunity to visibly show their support for 40 Days for Life by wearing wristbands, placing signs in their yards, or displaying bumper stickers on their vehicles.

These people can then be encouraged to pray and join in local pro-life efforts.

Church involvement begins by meeting with local pastors, other church leaders, and members of different congregations. The Body of Christ is invited to pray together and participate in 40 Days for Life, uniting in one focused mission that can save lives and make an eternal impact.

Media outreach is conducted through carefully targeted news stories, talk shows, editorials, and letters to the editor. This enables you to get the pro-life message out to many people who would never see the inside of a local church.

If your community has a college campus, many students can be impacted through an intense 40-day campus outreach. This can consist of flyer raids, sidewalk chalking, petition drives, table displays, and much more.

.Local leadership with 40 Days for Life

No one is appointed as a local 40 Days for Life leader; in each community, someone must step up and accept the challenge.

The campaign is also a group effort. There needs to be a main coordinator, but there is a whole level of duties and responsibilities that must be filled in addition to the director's position:

Prayer coordinator
Vigil coordinator
Outreach coordinator
Event coordinator
Church coordinator
Communications coordinator
And possibly others, depending on your local needs.

A line from Scripture comes to mind: "Here I am, Lord; I come to do your will." Please pray for discernment and guidance. 40 Days for Life won't happen without somebody; that "somebody" could be you!

Please take sometime to read this special report.

http://www.40daysforlife.com/docs/special_report.pdf

Feb 25

2009-02-14T10:11:00.002-05:00

Starting Feb 25 I will be posting each day a devotional and a prayer
for Abolishing Abortion...I would love for all of my many readers
to check in everyday and read and pray....

Pillow Covers

2009-02-09T11:28:00.001-05:00

This has lace around it

This one has a bow with a sparkly button in the center

This is one Mike found here for a boy

Your Thoughts on My Thoughts

2009-02-07T09:44:00.004-05:00

Your comments on Thoughts are welcomed...
Please check back later I'll have this post finished..(hopefully)

Your Thoughts on My Thoughts

2009-02-04T10:31:00.004-05:00

I really do welcome your thoughts and or comments.

My Commitment As A Christian

2009-02-02T15:08:00.000-05:00

Feet Planted and Standing Firm...Under Persecution....

The following was written by a young African pastor and tacked on the wall of his house...

"MY COMMITMENT AS A CHRISTIAN"

"I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I'm a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

"My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking, cheap living, and dwarfed goals.

"I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power.

"My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is heaven, my road is narrow, my way rough, my companions few, my guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at the table of the enemy, or ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

"I won't give up, shut up, let up, until I have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give till I drop, preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He will have no problems recognizing me – my banner will be clear!"

Snow Again

2009-01-29T12:00:00.005-05:00

I am so amazed..we had so much snow on top of the snow from before...the new amout of snow was up to Mike's knees...he was going to go out and shovel the snow so that he could make a quick trip into town...I didn't want him to shovel...but the trip had to be made..by the time he got around to make a path by shoveling... the wind had started blowing...it was blowing so hard that it blew a path from behind our jeep to the end of the drive...I know it was God looking out for us...so that if needed we could get out...He is so awesome...and now the wind is not blowing...

The clear path is all ice...but it looked like the drift..up to Mike's knees and the wind blew it down to the ice...Awesome!!!

Please Leave A Comment

2009-01-28T10:43:00.005-05:00

Hallo Everyone,

This is where you can leave a comment or two...on Lunch

Did You Read

2009-01-26T14:26:00.003-05:00

Did you read the beatitudes as you past by my blog...and if you did... did you find
them to be a peaceful reading.... I guess I probably pondered over the word Happy...
So if you didn't read them take a few minutes scroll down and read them...

Beatitudes

2009-01-24T16:29:00.004-05:00

I've been reading the Beatitudes in different translation..(which I don't normally do). I usually just read from the NKJ or the NLT... When reading the beatitudes from the Good News translation and the Basic English translation I thought I'd share them...they were very comforting from these translations

Happy are the poor in spirit: for the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Happy are those who are sad: for they will be comforted.
Happy are the gentle: for the earth will be their heritage.
Happy are those whose heart's desire is for righteousness:
for they will have their desire.
Happy are those who have mercy: for they will be given mercy.
Happy are the clean in heart: for they will see God.
Happy are the peacemakers: for they will be named sons of God.
Happy are those who are attacked on account of
righteousness: for the kingdom of heaven will be theirs.
Happy are you when men give you a bad name, and
are cruel to you, and say all evil things against you
falsely, because of me.
Be glad and full of joy; for great is your reward in heaven:
for so were the prophets attacked who were before you.
Matt 5:3-12 (Bible in Basic English)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor,the Kingdom of Heaven
belongs to them...
Happy are those who mourn, God will comfort them!
Happy are those who are humble, they will receive what
God has promised!
Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires,
God will satisfy them fully!
Happy are those who are merciful to others,
God will be merciful to them!
Happy are the pure in heart, they will see God!
Happy are those who work for peace,
God will call them His children!
Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires,
the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to them!
Happy are you when people insult you and persecute you and tell
all kinds of evil lies against you because you are my followers.
Be happy and glad for a great reward is kept for you in Heaven.
Matt. 5: 3-12 (Good News Bible)

Still

2009-01-22T10:26:00.002-05:00

This is so silly ...I am still trying to figure out how I want to add to my blog...
I keep coming back to random things not anything specific.
I like just adding a verse a day...God knows who and what each of us needs..
Hummm wonder if I have became scattered....

Strength For This Day:

From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

Psalms 61:2 (NLT)

Sometimes I feel I don't give enough to my Lord..and I feel I am always calling out to Him for help...When I find myself not reading enough or praying or just talking to God...I become more restless...more anxious...more feeling alone...the loneliness is always present...but only for human conversations...(I know I am never alone because He never leaves me)...When I go through this it's almost like I have taken a step back and have to start again...I don't know if others feel this way at times, but I know I do...and to tell you the truth I don't like it...I battle every day trusting in people...I have no problem in trusting My Lord who I can not see...but those around me who I can see I find it hard to trust...(not those closest to me) but those whom I come in contact with...

I can Believe In....Trust In and Rely on Jesus for everything... His love for me,my life, my health, my peace, my joy, His promises for me..ect...(when I listen)...He is my rock and my place of protection...why do I bounce around...why do I let the enemy bounce me around...

Lord please be in control of my life each day...You know my desires and my needs...you know the depths of my heart...you know what I can do and what I can not do...Lord you are my towering rock of safety and protection...Lord show me my errors and direct me to correct them...
In the precious name of the one who has saved me JESUS

Currently

2009-01-18T10:24:00.002-05:00

I am currently updating my blog...gathering more information to post/getting my thoughts down is basically what I'm doing...but if you look to the right you will see a link ( Thoughts and Projects) if you'd like you can click on that just to see something different..and to get back to your blog just click the back button...Go ahead and check it out..you can actively work on this page..AND if you have, let me know.... I would be very interested in knowing...plus I can at least see if I have any activity on this blog...

Thanks!
Oh Yeah and have a very blessed day in the Lord

A Mini Purse

2009-01-11T07:56:00.006-05:00

I didn't expect this purse to be this small but I can put as much in it as in my jean purse. It
did turn out nice. I didn't put pockets inside of this one but I plan on putting pockets in the next ones.

This is just half finished...I think the print material looks nice as the lining...

This is finished except for the shoulder strap.

A Snowy Day

2009-01-10T13:05:00.002-05:00

Just 2 pics of the snow here...

2 Projects

2009-01-10T12:21:00.012-05:00

I have two projects going so hopefully one of them gets completed

This is project 1 or one part of project 1 this project has several parts..but fun to do

This is project 2 ...starting small and working to the bigger items...

Just a few extra pictures of New Years Day...

God Is So Awesome

2009-01-09T08:43:00.005-05:00

God is so awesome...We don't always like to be corrected or showed where we have stepped
a little to the side and tried to do something that He may not want us to do...but we do it anyway.
Then when we do... there is the consequences to pay.
I've found over the years that when you attempt to do something and you feel just a little uneasy about it..then you should not do it...Well I did and God has remind me everyday since I did this to redo it. For the last few days my devotions and the morning programs I watch have been along the line of what God has been dealing with me about..so before the brick lands I think I better act upon it...

Here is the verses that were give to me these past few days..( From God )

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made

Phil 3:12-16 (NLT)

Now in my attempting to bring back something from the past...( Kay's Attic) my old website.. along with it came the past.. ( one area in particular)...God showed me and showed me fast that our regrets distroy us and distroy us fast if we stay there and to utilize this back again that is what I would be doing...Well I want that attic to get dusty..it shows I don't go there that often...

So I've pulled out the present box...brought the others to the front of the attic...( the ones that God says is ok) and chained the regret box shut..( and I new this but I followed my own thoughts

I'm ok with my adult years and I'm ok with my childhood years...God also gave me this

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously and he will give you everything you need “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.

Matt 6:33-34 (NLT)

So with that I think I've taken care of what I was suppose to take care of..removing the Kay's Attic and just being KaysKorner...The Present..He knows when we can handle things and He knows what we can handle and He wants it all used in His time frame not ours...

Now I'm going to do some present things...consisting of work and play...

Something New -

2009-01-06T10:02:00.011-05:00

I've waited a long time to have this little spot...just a tiny little area to be ME...Some of us spend most of our life being someone else..or who others feel and think we should be...I like being creative...For a few years I couldn't even think creative..it seemed like it was gone I couldn't focus..I tried to steer it in another direction..but that direction was not me... it kept me from sinking totaly but it was not me ...I know being in this tiny area will be difficult at times...I used to think I was selfish because I wanted to be creative and make things...there were times it became time consuming.. I don't think that any longer...we all are creative and have abilities to offer...and they are different and are used in different ways...we can't make someone step into ours...
I get excited when the Grandchildren enjoy something I created and want to also be creative. I would like to be able to teach them more...We used to have craft day...what a joy that was!!! Sad to say I didn't have a camera those joyful creative times with family ...to capture those hours with a picture or to take a picture of the different items we made together... or to have a picture of a box of wales tossed out the patio door...and now it seems to be so difficult to just have a conversation...everyone is going in every direction like a whirlwind...
Here is My little area

My newly built table...
Thank You Mike

Natural Lighting!Finishing Christmas Gifts!

Reflect Ponder Mull and Cherish

2009-01-03T16:11:00.005-05:00

I thought with the starting of a New Year I would

...reflect...ponder...mull in My Attic for a while.

My Attic is normally never to dusty...I spend time here quite often. It’s full of boxes of saved things ( we all have them... saved things that is) Sometimes it's difficult to sort through My Attic...and other times it's a pure joy. Keeping My Attic in order or perspective can and is challenging and most of the time I come out of My Attic very peaceful and other times I come out with feeling a little regretful. I know that my regrets have to stay boxed and in there own corner of My Attic but sometimes I quietly go in to My Attic to that corner where my regret box is and open that box up and sort through them. The ones that I have failed to give to my Lord I talk with Him about and tell Him please take them... some times they are more than I can bare but He is there being ever faithful to me. I have to say each time I go to that box I become stronger and more knowledgeable of what goes on around me. I guess what I'm trying to say is questions become answered as to the whys and how comes.
I guess this box is something that seems to always have to be dealt with...and the enemy can and does seem to always put it in front of all the other boxes when I enter My Attic...Sometimes he even brings it out of the Attic!...He is so despicable and such a deceiver and yes a robber. But he is never the winner!! Maybe for a short time he thinks he is...but he knows he won't win..

So My Attic boxes consist of:

1. Regrets...boxed, tied shut with a rope, and in the far corner where it is dark and cold it consists of ( bad decisions..wrong choices...repeated mistakes… pains… hurts both self inflicted and inflicted by others ) This box I know I have to be careful with and can not spend to much time here (it can destroy you)...many things in this box have been forgiven and laid to rest and if I am not careful the enemy will try to make me take it out of the Attic …and when that happens there is a gentle whisper in my ear that says No No put it away. I know one day I will be victorious over this box but for now I am so thankful that I am filling up this box..it means that each time I place a regret here I have victory over that regret..And with God being in control I'm learning to put into this box and NOT take out...Thank You JESUS!!!!!!!

2. Childhood memories...boxed... never tied shut.. and never put in a corner it's just a little to the left where the sun shines and warmth comes and rests upon me...memories are happy and some very sad...but they all have made me who I am... I do have to add one thing here though... I like going through this box weather sad or happy memories and how could I not...they all have built my character and in some ways here I was given steps to build on for my life and I can not hold mistakes made for me against others..some characteristics just have to be perfected :) This box is full of being a Daughter a Sister… School Years

3. Adult Years...Seems this is where you take the regrets and pack them into the regret box (This box sets directly in the middle of the Attic and there seems to be a path from this box to all the other boxes)...can't change what’s in this box..can't live here and seems like a lot of my adult years follow me and of course it's always the wrong things...things people remember or choose to remember good or bad..(doesn't it seem like we always choose to remember the bad things! and sad to say the happy memories are whipped away) This box is full of reminiscing and sometimes that's a little difficult...especially if the things you remember are forgotten by others...and those memories you hold dear to you but for others they are the past..some of these memories are so very painful and once I totally gave them over to the Lord...they became like wisdom to me...and knowledge for the up and coming years...I am so very thankful for these years... how could I not be...it's my life as a young Adult...A Daughter...as well as a Young Mother raising children and making all sorts of mistakes... these mistakes effected those most dearest to my heart...and sad to say unchangeable…I’ve left so many of these at the foot of the cross...Thank you my Savior..you truly have Saved me.
But I do have many happy memories and I guess I probably am the one to remember most all of them.

4. Present Years...Present day box...A Wife...A Mother and A Gramma...
This box is always left open... there is a light that shines over this box at all times…always filling it...working hard at it...adding items almost daily to it...saving or at least trying to save as much as I can...considering all the obstacles...These years have there own hurts, pains, sad times and happy times but these are handled with much more wisdom and much more knowledge and with God daily being in control...
These are the most precious years...the years of the Grandchildren...making memories with them...Filling my Gramma box with things made for me...(The breath of life)...I guess as Grandparents ( for Some Of Us) we are usually trying to make up for all the wrong things in our Adult box we did by trying to make this one better and free from mistakes or a few at least...I don't plan on wasting time THIS YEAR! or letting the obstacles get in my way.. I plan on working through them and around them... making memories that will be remembered and joyfully shared!

From day to day I plan on entering My Attic and sharing some things from these boxes and I'm sure most of them will come from the Present Day Box...

First Day of 2009

2009-01-01T07:58:00.002-05:00

7:00am and it is the first day of a New Year...All things new... old things pass away...
or did we carry things over into the New Year... of course we did... but...2008 gave us more wisdom and knowledge for 2009...

I believe my morning devotional reading was toally God directed...My morning thoughts were...another year and everyone will say the same thing..." This is a New Year and we are going to do this and we are going to do that" or " we are not going to do this and we are not going to do that" It's for certain that things are carried over into the New Year it can not be helped but be carried over... our past year makes us ready for the New Year...New Hope...New Strength...New Joys and New Peace...

We desire to be better than we were the previous year...make better decisions...be kinder...be more loving...be more patient..or whatever the thoughts may have been...
My morning devotion reading took me to ....

Philippians 3: 13&14
but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

We don't focus on the past we put it into perspective with the New Year...we look forward/toward what lies ahead of us for this year with new thoughts...knowledge...wisdom...and pressing on for our Heavenly prize...a new starting place...a new goal....With God in control...and God being our focal point...Our Heavenly Prize...It Can Only Be A Happy New Year...

Time To UpDate

2008-12-30T08:38:00.016-05:00

It's time to update this blog...with pictures!

When I am Lonely

2008-12-24T08:26:00.003-05:00

Immediately Present

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Ps. 46:1

A help that is not present when we need it is of small value. The anchor which is left at home is of no use to the seaman in the hour of storm; the money which he used to have is of no worth to the debtor when a writ is out against him. Very few earthly helps could be called "very present": they are usually far in the seeking, far in the using, and farther still when once used. But as for the Lord our God, He is present when we seek Him, present when we need Him, and present when we have already enjoyed His aid.

He is more than "present," He is very present. More present than the nearest friend can be, for He is in us in our trouble; more present than we are to ourselves, for sometimes we lack presence of mind. He is always present, effectually present, sympathetically present, altogether present. He is present now if this is a gloomy season. Let us rest ourselves upon Him. He is our refuge, let us hide in Him; He is our strength, let us array ourselves with Him; He is our help, let us lean upon Him; He is our very present help, let us repose in Him now. We need not have a moment's care, or an instant's fear. "The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."

2008-12-22T08:39:00.003-05:00

2008-12-17T12:52:00.009-05:00

Not sure who I am doing this with..but I copied and pasted this from Twirlgirl's Blog

The things I've done are in bold red

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band ( does a kitchen band count)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea...was on the coast of Florida
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning... it was awfulllll
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing...climb up the side of a water falls when it was dried up
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant...gave a stranger money for a meal
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted....I don't even like my picture taken!
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business...wish I had my own business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check...by accident!!!
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Check out the beautiful picture at the bottom of my blog!

My Little Crafting Area

2008-12-16T07:46:00.001-05:00

In my little corner of the kitchen we are very busy praying that we get all our gifts finished…but we are not only praying to get them finished but that each gift has our love sewn into each stitch and with each tap of the hammer our love is pounded into the tin.

Christmas Party

2008-12-15T14:38:00.001-05:00

Here are the pictures I took at the Church Christmas Party Saturday evening…They don’t look very well because of the lighting.

This was a surprise picture and it came out very well.

Lost Gary in this one…

I believe Sarah is in front of Emily…Really was hard to take the pictures. I think I should have taken pictures when we were eating…there was more lighting.