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Keith Green - Oh Lord, You're Beautiful

Friday, December 30, 2011

And now......a whole new year ahead of us.....

How will we spend the new year? You know.....we....us.....we may be the only "Jesus" they will ever see!



so.....who are these "they"?



They....are your unbelieving friends and family and aquiantances...



"they" are people you see in the mall.....



"We" are, in a manner of speaking " the fifth Gospel"



There are 4 gospels in God's word, the Bible....

and for those who never read this most beautiful book....well they only see "us" They see if we are honest and remind the "check out chick"....that she forgot to notice something in the trolley....


They watch to see if we are patiently waiting for our turn to be served, even if some one else pushes in......


They see when we are not patient and make a mental note......as to maybe "how rude we are?"


I have a friend who is not a Christian....when I ask her where she believes she is going when she dies..... she says...."I am going where ever you are going!" I sure hope and pray she does, but.....


Have you ever noticed that at funerals.....every body automatically assumes the deceased has gone to heaven? Even if he/she died an alcoholic....Not that I am saying that, that is not possible...it is......but...hey!



I hope and pray that my Lord and Saviour....the precious Son of God...Jesus.... will not be disappointed in me in the coming new year!

I pray that He will be proud of me......and encourage me to do even more for His Kingdom. I would accept it as a privilige and an honour! I hope and pray you will do the same!


Blessings...

Yaddy

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Breaking those walls.....

Have you ever had someone in your life that you didn't quite click with?

Someone who is perhaps in your family.......

or within your circle of friends, which life is going to continually keep bringing to you, and things just never really hit it off as you would like.

You both feel awkward, when together, or perhaps there are mixed messages being sent and misunderstood, and no matter how hard you try to explain your intentions....
it just does not seem to work out the way you’d hoped!


So, you think, that, maybe if you just back away from this person......
it would make things better.
Cut off communication all together.....

let them come to you if they want something.

Or....... you do the opposite...... and get right up in their face.....

But still nothing....

still there is this awkward tense feeling between you.......
that seems to be an invisible force field that shuts both of you out.

Perhaps you are really good at explaining to everyone else why things don't work between you and if only they understood you better things would be ok.

Maybe you don't really know why you don't get along......

its not like you have done anything wrong......
its not like you have mistreated them or said hurtful things.....

maybe its just easier if you assume there is something wrong with them and they have a problem with you....
rather then you being able to do anything about it at all!

This situation can drag on for years......
because you are both avoiding each other, and this invisible force field that keeps you apart seems to get stronger as time goes by.

And don't believe for a second it isn't bothering you .....it is!

And don't believe for a second it isn't taking up valuable space in your heart.....it is!

Don't you dare kid yourself that it isn't affecting the other person either......
if you are feeling it.......they are feeling it...... and perhaps even more so then you.

I learned only just recently that I was affecting someone close to me,
and I could easily say "yes" to all of the things above.

I was plodding along in life feeling as though I was doing everything within my power to be the right person in this situation, (as though that meant there was a wrong person.)

We get so caught up being right or being wrong that we forget how to reach out to each other and meet in the middle.

It wasn't enough for me to be able to tick all the boxes towards my right or wrong actions.....

because right or wrong had nothing to do with it.
What finally dawned on me was that by doing nothing......
I was doing something.

Often we sit ourselves in a righteous place and look down at all the things going wrong in our circle of friends or family, and cast that judgement on others, purely because we think that taking ourselves out of the picture....... also takes out the responsibility to be a part of the problem.

Sometimes all we need to do is offer a hand of pure love into the mix.......

something that will encourage a relationship from a place of compassion and a place of friendship without the idea that something needs to be fixed......and this in turn will begin to take down the wall that was created.

I realized this year with someone very close to my heart, that while I was standing back watching a wall being built and taking no responsibility......
that this was the same as handing over the bricks.

Rather then standing there watching the wall go up......
I made a decision to help bring it back down.

Not by way of judgement and not by way of - 'you need my help'
but with a mindset of love and compassion for the person whom I did not
want to shut out of my life.

My life is more enriched by having that one person in it,
then having a wall in my way forever.

Don't think that letting people build up walls for themselves....
doesn't fence you in.
Maybe you are the one who needs to reach out with forgiveness, kindness and compassion.

Remember.....everything starts with a thought......

So choose your thoughts from a loving place!

Holiday seasons are a great time to bring down walls together......

remind yourselves that we are all in this together......

keep your families close to your heart and visualize them with loving kindness and glowing smiles even if there is distance between you.

They will feel it, and you will in turn be bringing down the walls that stop us from loving each other, and you will shorten the distance, not further it!

When I think of my family and friends I always do it with a smile on my face no matter what has happened between us, because I want them
to know that it is all about wishing them love and happiness, not about past differences.... which can't be changed anyway! The past is the past!

Whose day can you brighten today just by smiling for them?

Have a wonderful Christmas weekend in whatever way you celebrate, and make sure you start everyday thinking good thoughts about all those you love for 2012.
Happy thoughts to day my friends, happy smiling thoughts to you all..

Charlie G Hunter

bless you Charlie....
Yaddy

Monday, December 5, 2011

What will you get for Christmas?

I John 2:28, "… abide in Him, what when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed”
Revelation 22:20, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”
__________

Donald Grey Barnhouse told of a story he read in a London newspaper about a divorce case heard in the courts of that city.

A wealthy young man had gone away to war soon after he was married. His new bride wrote him of the demanding schedule she had to keep as a nurse in a certain hospital. Apologizing for her infrequent writing, she explained that she was spending a great deal of time with the wounded.

Several months later when the man was scheduled for leave, a friend suggested, “Don’t announce your coming. Slip in quietly.”

Arriving in London, the young man went directly to the hospital, but his wife was not there.

He then went to their house, where he was told by the servants, “Oh, she will probably be at the tea dance at the Ritz.” Going there, he found her in the company of another man.

How shocked and ashamed she was at her husband’s appearing! In the above text Jesus said, “I am coming quickly.” My brethren, when our Lord returns, we don’t want to be found flirting and preoccupied with the things of this world. Jesus told His disciples that God had not given them specific information about “times or seasons” (Acts 1:7). He wanted them, as He wants us, to live in an attitude of expectation. The apostle Paul echoed this when he spoke of Christ’s return as “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).
Christ came as a babe He gave His life for you and me!
What will you get for Christmas?

Do you live expectantly for His return?

"How"..... do we live expectantly for His return?

Jesus instructed the disciples to be witnesses to all the world Acts 1:8. Paul said, “Watch and be sober” (1 Thessalonians 5:6) and love other believers (vv. 12-15). John urged us to walk in close fellowship with Jesus (1 John 2:28-3:3), and to purify ourselves so that we will “not be ashamed before Him at His coming” 1 John 2:28.

The Lord’s any-moment return is no cause for date-setting but for watchful expectation.
I submit to you if we want to receive our Lord’s approval at His return, we must always be ready.

Jesus didn’t tell us to “get ready,” but rather to “be ready” (Matthew 24:44). We are to live constantly in a state of spiritual preparedness, anticipating the moment when He will appear and ask us to give an account of our stewardship of what He entrusted into our care. What if He came for us today? Would you be ready for His return?”

May I live so that I shall be ready
With joy my Saviour to meet,
And feel no alarm at His coming,
But hasten His heralds to greet - Anon
__________

Jesus could come at any time – so be ready all the time!
Mikey

Blessings,
Yaddy

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Something GOD never says to us.....

One of the first things you often hear, when you start something new is...
"Who are you...to think you can do that?"
Whether it's a new job, or a new ministry, or simply just a new conversation with your neighbour, somewhere along the line this question can and might pop up!
A friend will say it.....
a family member will say it....
some one well intentioned and close to you, will say it.....
and......eventually.....after hearing....
"WHO ARE YOU....?"
or
"WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE...?"

enough times.....you'll start hearing it inside too!
Then, you'll start to ask yourself those questions too....
and maybe even think that GOD is asking those questions too!

When things start to happen....when the trip you planned didn't go as planned....doubt will come!
You'll think....."Maybe..... just maybe I made the wrong decision....
Maybe it's GOD who is asking me...."Who are you...to think you can write a novel...or go on that trip.....or....

BUT IT'S NOT!

I think that, should we ask GOD, -in the middle of all that doubt- if it was
coming from Him, He would say...."One thing I would never say to you is....
"WHO ARE YOU?"
I KNOW who you are....I knew you before the foundations of the earth, I knit you in your mother's womb, you are my child,my work of art! If you ever hear the condemnation of...."who are you, to take this adventure..." then you'll know it's not Me, because I already "know" the answer to that question. I created the answer to that question, so I never need to answer that one!
Now, knowing that...( that GOD already knows)does not magically take away the doubt...so expect it anyway!
Just understand that, at times,the doubt of feeling not capable, for whatever it is God is calling you to do, will always be there....but...
The voice asking...."Who do you think you are....?" inside you.....filled with doubt....is not GOD!
As I said....He already knows....and more than anything all He wants to do is tell you the answer Himself....
He loves you that much!
Blessings
Yaddy

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Isaiah 26:3-4, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal”

Psalm 37:5, “Commit your way to the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass”

__________

There are times when life seems so unbearable especially when storms come in our life. Physical pain, hard decisions, financial hardships, death of a loved one, and shattered dreams threaten to engulf us; not to mention the news headlines regarding unemployment, foreclosures, budget cuts, and homelessness. It’s one thing to hear the despairing news but another to have it affect you. We then become perplexed! Plagued by doubts that creep in we find it most difficult to coup with the stress. However, those who know the Lord through personal faith in Jesus Christ have in Him a calm retreat in the storms of life. We can experience peace of mind and calmness of spirit even when the howling winds of adversity are sweeping over us. Richard Fuller a 19th-century Baptist preacher, told of an old seaman who said, “In fierce storms, we must put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.” Fuller then said that is what a believer in Christ must do when reason cannot help. Past experiences give no light and only a single course is left. You must put your soul in one position and keep it there. You must stay upon the Lord; and, come what may; wind, waves, cross seas, thunder, lightning, frowning rocks, roaring breakers, no matter what, you must hold fast your confidence in God’s faithfulness and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus. Do you feel overwhelmed by the storms in your life? If so, trust Jesus Christ and let Him give you peace in your storm (Philippians 4:6-7).

Closing thoughts:

We are to cast our burden on the Lord and leave it with Him. While many people know about casting their burden on the Lord, very few really do it for very long. It is our tendency to pray about the problem, give it to the Lord, so to speak, and then take it back as soon as we say, “Amen.” We let the Lord see our burden, but our tendency is to never really leave it with Him, and my brethren, that formula never produces peace. When we’re battered and burdened by the storms of life, we may be tempted to give in to feelings of hopelessness. But if we look to our sovereign Captain and commit our way to Him (Psalm 37:5), we will find peace even in the midst of turmoil. We can trust Him to bring us through the storm. As recorded in Isaiah 26:3, when our eyes are stayed on the Lord, we are making a conscious decision that the physical trials that we see will not control us, but will be controlled by the invisible God in whom we believe and trust. Remember we will be in perfect peace not because we are focused on the problem, but rather because we are focused on the Great I AM. Encourage yourself in this promise and if you need to, refocus your eyes and keep them stayed on the Lord because only in Him is there Perfect Peace in the storms of life for your spirit, soul and mind (Hebrews 11:3; Exodus 3:13-14; Psalm 46:1-5). Peace, real peace, is only found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The question that remains is, Have you found that peace?
__________

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. - Jesus

Thank you Mikey
Blessings
Yaddy

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Well, I have returned!

My arm is on the mend and I have had quite a few lessons in patience!
I believe all things happen for a reason, so this fall I had was also for a reason. I had a short hospital stay and some of the other patients had heard what had happened and called me "that miracle lady"
Then they went on to tell me what "Could have happened"

Don't I know it.

Something told me to wear my boots that morning...I was thinking it would be to hot for wearing boots, we are heading into the warmer weather, but I put them on anyway!
If I hadn't I could have broken one or both ankles....I didn't!
God was so with me!
I am slowly getting the use of my left arm back, and I am so grateful that it was my left arm, and only my left arm, that was the problem.
I fell down 10 concrete steps and landed on my face on a concrete floor!
My face is still looking like I had a double injection of Botox, and I also had 4 stitches in my lip! I can't whistle anymore....oh well!
God is so good!
Blessings
Yaddy

Sunday, October 16, 2011

People!!!!

People who say you are as old as you feel....
are all wrong......fortunately!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Before undergoing a surgical operation....
arrange your temperal affairs.....
you may live!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And with that I will apologize for not being here as often as I would like.
I had fall 4 weeks ago and broke an arm.
It has handicapped me somewhat....for example...
you try and put an arm in a sling, even if it is the one you use the least....
and see what you can....and cannot...do!
Quite interesting!
I will get back here....as soon as I am able!
God bless
Yaddy

Sunday, September 18, 2011

The shoes!

I showered and shaved.............. I adjusted my tie.

I got there and sat.............. In a pew just in time.

Bowing my head in prayer......... As I closed my eyes..

I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own. I sighed.

With plenty of room on either side...... I thought, 'Why must our soles touch?'

It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much.

A prayer began : 'Our Father'.............
(I thought, 'This man with the shoes, has no pride. They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!')

'Thank You for blessings,' the prayer went on.

The shoe man said............... A quiet 'Amen.'

I tried to focus on the prayer....... But my thoughts were on his shoes again.

Aren't we supposed to look our best. When walking through that door?

'Well, this certainly isn't it,' I thought, Glancing toward the floor..

Then the prayer was ended........... And the songs of praise began.

The shoe man was certainly loud...... Sounding proud as he sang.

His voice lifted the rafters........ His hands were raised high.

The Lord could surely hear. The shoe man's voice from the sky.

It was time for the offering...... And what I threw in was steep.

I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep.

I saw what was pulled out............ What the shoe man put in.

Then I heard a soft 'clink' . As when silver hits tin.

The sermon really bored me............ To tears, and that's no lie..

It was the same for the shoe man.... For tears fell from his eyes.

At the end of the service...... As is the custom here.

We must greet new visitors, And show them all good cheer.

But I felt moved somehow.............. And wanted to meet the shoe man.

So after the closing prayer........ I reached over and shook his hand.

He was old and his skin was dark..... And his hair was truly a mess.

But I thanked him for coming......... For being our guest.

He said, 'My names' Charlie............ I'm glad to meet you, my friend.'

There were tears in his eyes........ But he had a large, wide grin.

'Let me explain,' he said........... Wiping tears from his eyes.

'I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to say 'Hi.''

'I know that my appearance............'Is not like all the rest.

'But I really do try.................'To always look my best.'

'I always clean and polish my shoes..'Before my very long walk.

'But by the time I get here..........'They're dirty and dusty, like chalk.'

My heart filled with pain.......... And I swallowed to hide my tears.

As he continued to apologize............ For daring to sit so near

He said, 'When I get here..............'I know I must look a sight.

'But I thought if I could touch you..'Then maybe our souls might unite.'

I was silent for a moment........... Knowing whatever was said

Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head.

'Oh, you've touched me,' I said......'And taught me, in part;

'That the best of any man...............'Is what is found in his heart.'

The rest, I thought,..................... This shoe man will never know.

Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul!
Bless you...
Yaddy

Saturday, August 13, 2011

What goes around....comes around

The man slowly looked up......a beautiful woman, clearly accustomed to the finer things in life was standing there.

Her coat was new.....

She looked like she'd never missed a meal in her life.
His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him....like so many others had done before.
"Leave me alone..." he growled.
To his amazement, the woman contiued standing there....she was smiling even.....her even teeth, displayed in dazzling rows.

"Are you hungry?" she asked?

"NO" he answered sacastically...."I've just come from dining with the president...now....go away!"
The woman's smile became even broader.
Suddenly, the man felt a gently hand under his arm.
"Hey...what are you doing lady?" the man asked angrily..."I said to leave me alone..."

Just then, a policeman came up.
"Is there a problem ma'am?" he asked.
"No problem here...officer..." she answered, "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet...will you help me?"
The officer scratched his head, "That's old Jack, he's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"
"See that cafe over there?'she asked...."I am going to get him in there and give him something to eat and get him out of the cold for a while.."
"Are you crazy...lady?" the old man insisted....then he felt strong hands
grab him and pull him up...."This is a good deal for you Jack....don't blow it.."
Finally the officer and the woman got him inside the cafe and sat him at a table in the corner.
Most of the crowd had left, as it was the middle of the morning, the mananger came and asked if there was anything the matter. "Is this man in trouble, officer?"
"No, the lady brought him in to be fed" the officer replied.
"Not in here" the manager replied, "I don't want any one like that in here....it's bad for business..."
The young woman turned to the manager and asked, "Sir, are you familiar with the firm EDDY and associates....the banking firm down the street?"
"Of course I am..." the manager answered angrily,"They hold their weekly meeting upstairs in one of my rooms!"
"And do you make a nice amount of money providing food and service at these weekly meetings?"
"What business is that of yours...might I ask?" replied the manager.

"I sir, am Penelope Eddy, CEO of that company..."
"OH"
"Yes, I thought that might make a difference"
She glanced at the officer who was trying to stifle a grin....then to the officer.."Would you like to join us for a coffee and a meal, officer?"
"No thank you ma'am, I'm on duty, "Then perhaps a coffee to go?"
"Yes, thank you...that would be good"
The cafe manager turned on his heels..."I'll get your coffee right away sir..."
"You certainly put him in his place..." he said.
The woman said, "That was not my intent, believe it or not, I have a reason for all this".
She sat down across from her amazed dinner guest.
She stared at him intently!

"Jack...do you remember me?"
Old Jack searched her face with his old rheumy eyes..."I think so....I mean....you do look sort of familiar"

"I'm a little older? perhaps?" she said..."Maybe I've filled out a little more than in my younger days, when you worked here and I came through that very door, cold and hungry?"
"Ma'am?" the officer said, questioningly!

He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry!

"I was just out of college..." the woman began,"I had come to the city, looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything.
Finally, I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the street for days, it was February, it was sooo cold and I was starving.
I saw this cafe and walked in, on the off chance that I might get something to eat."

Jack's face lit up with a smile!
"Now I remember..." he said, "You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat, and I said it was against company policy..."

"I know.." the woman said. "You then made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, and a cup of coffee and you told me to go sit in the corner so no one would see me. Then, when I looked over, I saw you put the money in the cash register, and I knew it was alright."

"So, you started your own business?" Jack asked.
"I got a job that very afternoon, I worked my way up and eventually I started my own business, that, with the help of the Lord, prospered!"
She opened her purse and pulled out a business card, "When you are finished here, I want you to go to pay a visit to a Mr Lyons, he works for me, I'll go and talk to him now to make sure he knows what I want, he will even give you an advance so you can buy some clothes and find a place to live, and if you ever need anything, my door is always open to you!"

"How can I ever thank you?" He said.
"Don't thank me....to God goes all the glory....He led me to you..."
Outside, the woman turned to the officer, "Thank you for all your help officer..." she said.
"On the contrary, Miss Eddy," he answered, "Thank you....I saw a miracle today, something I will never forget...and thank you....for the coffee!"

WHAT IS A MIRACLE?
Sometimes it's just some one...helping some one else....as simple as that....if GOD is in it!
Bless you

Yaddy

Sunday, July 24, 2011

, “Your eyes will see the King in His beauty”

Isaiah 33:17, “Your eyes will see the King in His beauty”
John 10:9, “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.


Many people in today’s world recognize Jesus’ humanity; however,they will say he was a good man.....but, they fail to recognize and accept His deity. This reminded me of the story of the young woman who was engaged to Mozart before he rose to fame. Impressed by more handsome men, she became disenchanted with him because he was so short.
So she gave him up for someone tall and attractive. Then when the world began to praise Mozart for his outstanding musical accomplishments, she regretted her decision. She said, “I knew nothing of the greatness of his genius.” “I only saw him as a little man.”

Have you ever wondered why the Jews, who knew the Scriptures, failed to see Jesus’ true prominence?
Perhaps it was because they were looking for the beautiful King as described in Isaiah 33:17. They didn’t understand that before the Messiah came in all His glorious beauty, He must first come as the Man of sorrows described in Isaiah 53.

Thus, He was misunderstood during His life and ministry on earth, but it wasn’t His fault. The people who lived with Him and observed Him closely didn’t understand His mission. Some of Jesus’ contemporaries said He had “an unclean spirit” (Mark 3:30), while others tried to throw Him over a cliff (Luke 4:29). At first even His own brothers failed to recognize his true identity (John 7:5).

Most of Jesus’ peers only saw Him as a man (Mark 6:3) and refused to accept Him as God. For a long time, they didn’t see that He was the God-sent Messiah. Therefore everyone needs an inclusive examination of the person and work of Jesus Christ. In Mark 8:27, 29 Jesus asked His disciples two questions: “Who do men say that I am?” and “Who do you say that I am?” The first question is significant because it allows us to get a read on the minds of the people.The second question, however, is eternal because it’s only by acknowledging the Lord Jesus Christ and responding to His gift of forgiveness by faith that a person can have eternal life.
__________

Closing thoughts:

According to opinion polls the popular idea of today is that good people go to heaven. It was also noted that a majority of those polled see their own chances of going there to be very good. Most people base their expectations of heaven on their performance in this life, irrespective of their relationship to Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says, “The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”

I know of one cross that may cause people to ponder its meaning. It stands outside a church in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, and is made of raw, unpolished steel. When it rains, red, rusty drops roll off the cross like blood. On sunny days in winter, rusted holes dot the snow at its base. What goes through the minds of those who pass by that weathered symbol?

More importantly, what is their response to its message? Is the cross foolishness, nothing more than a fashion trend? Or does it bring to mind the blood Christ willingly shed for the redemption of our soul? The apostle Paul said that the “wisdom of this age” cannot grasp the mystery that is God’s plan of salvation. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we can understand the “foolishness” of the cross. So, in light of the above I must ask the following questions:

(1) What does the cross mean to you?
(2) Who do you say Jesus Christ is?
(3) Do you see Him as a man or good teacher? Or …
(4) Do you see Him as God’s Son, our Redeemer and Saviour?
(5) The source for an inclusive examination of Jesus Christ is found only in God’s Word.

The cross reveals our sin at its worst and God’s love at its best. I will conclude with this verse found in John 11:25, “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
thank you Mikey.

bless you
Yaddy

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD.....

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”


A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Viet Nam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier.

The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. A few months later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man was standing at the door with a very large package in his hands. He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when he was struck in the heart by a bullet and died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art." The young man held out his package. "I know this isn't much, and I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this." The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the portrait. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift to you."

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son.

The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this portrait of the son. Who will make a bid for this painting?" There was complete silence, until a voice in the back of the room shouted. "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one."

However, the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding at $100, $200?" Another man shouted angrily, "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh’s, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"

But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?" Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the long-time gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?" "Give it to him for $10, we came see the masters." "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"
The crowd was becoming very angry. They didn't want the painting of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"

A man sitting on the second row shouted. "Now let's get on with the collection!" The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I wasn’t allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. You see, only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"

God gave His only begotten Son over 2,000 years ago to shed His blood and die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message for us today is:

"The Son, the Son, who will take the Son?"
__________

Further thoughts:

I read some time ago about an instant cake mix that was a big flop. The instructions said all you have to do is add water and bake. The company couldn’t understand why it didn’t sell until their research discovered that the buying public felt uneasy about a mix that required only water. People thought it was too easy. So the company altered the formula and changed the directions to call for adding an egg to the mix in addition to the water. The idea worked, and sales jumped dramatically. That story reminded me of how some people react to the plan of salvation. To them it sounds too easy and simple to be true, even though the Bible says, “By grace you have been saved through faith, it is the gift of God, not of works” (Ephesians 2:8-9). They feel that there is something more they must do, something they must add to God’s “recipe” for salvation. They think they must perform good works to gain God’s favor and earn eternal life. However, the bible is very clear; we are saved “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy” (Titus 3:5). My friend, unlike the cake-mix manufacturer, God hasn’t changed His “formula” to make salvation more marketable. The gospel we proclaim must be free of works, even though it may sound too easy. My friend, whatever you decide about God’s only begotten Son, Jesus Christ; whose blood was shed on the cruel cross of Calvary will determine your destiny. Much like the auctioneer, His message for us today is:

"The Son, the Son, who will take the Son?"
Bless you....Mikey

Yaddy

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Christian Yoga?

All Hindus worship one Supreme Reality, though they call it by many names. There is no eternal hell, no damnation, in Hinduism, and no intrinsic evil--no satanic force that opposes the will of God. Hindus believe that the cosmos was created out of God and is permeated by Him--a Supreme Being who both is form and pervades form, who creates, sustains and destroys the universe only to recreate it again in unending cycles. Each soul is free to find his own way, whether by devotion, austerity, meditation, yoga or selfless service.

Yoga is the salvific practice of Hinduism; in other words, it is the Hindu form of "salvation." But Hindus have no concept of sin against a holy God....instead, it teaches that man's greatest problem is his ignorance that he is "God" (or Brahman). Obviously, this is very different from the Christian understanding of what salvation is: Jesus's atoning death for the forgiveness of sins, and being made right with a holy God.
Just a few reasons why yoga cannot be separated from its occultic origins are:

(1) The mantra meditation lowers mental barriers and opens one up to the demonic realm (though it often doesn't "feel" demonic at first...it feels "good" and "spiritual".....even holy);

(2) The yoga positions themselves are all prayer postures designed to honour one of the millions of Hindu gods; each and every one of the Yoga positions.
So, if you are going to a yoga class, just for the exercise alone, just by the mere fact that you are at a Yoga class, you are doing the exercises to a Hindu god.
(3) The yoga positions themselves are not only for the purpose of honouring and worshiping Hindu gods, but they are done in a very specific order for the purpose of aligning and opening up the"chakra" system. It is believed that this alignment will not only enable one to meditate more deeply, but will also awaken something called "kundalini," also known as "serpent power." In the yoga tradition, it is believed that a "serpent" lies coiled and sleeping at the base of the spine until it is "awakened" and begins to uncoil, slowly moving its way up the spine, and allowing the practitioner deeper meditation and union with "Brahman."

Brahman is supposed to be this infinite, transcendent reality from which all things came - including the millions of Hindu gods. The aim of yoga is to attain union with Brahman......basically, the ultimate purpose of yoga is to release people from the Wheel of Life, and their karmic debts, and to prepare its practitioners for death.


However, the response I often hear from Christians is this: "But as a Christian, I can 'do' yoga unto the Lord!" My question would be: How is that any different from the golden calf incident, recorded in Exodus 32:1-6, in which Aaron tried to claim that they were honouring the Lord with their man made golden calf religious worship?

God is quite clear on how we are to worship and approach him - and it is not through blending our worship of him with pagan practices. I recognize that it is very hip and cool and popular in today's global, multi- culture to meld different things together. We are most certainly an experience-driven culture, always seeking the fresh, exciting, "new" thing. But we have clear mandates from Scripture about how we are to worship and approach God. We are to be set apart from the world – not be “as unto it” - so that's God's truth will shine like a beacon in the darkness.

Bottom line? Christians must not be tempted to "borrow" practices from false religions and fool themselves into thinking that they can honour the Lord in this way. And if they have done so, they should repent.....or they might just end up drinking ground calf juice.
from http://solasisters.blogspot.com/
Bless you...
Yaddy

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

How....to explain to some one.......

I was thinking of a way to explain to some one....."why" Jesus had to die on a cross.

If....God loves us, and is all powerful, why couldn't He just forgive us from heaven and be done with it?
Why.....did Jesus have to be born a human, and die a criminal.....so that "I" could be saved?

And although some hard questions may not have easy answers, this side of heaven....... there is an explanation for why Jesus had to die to secure our....my....salvation.
It's sort of like this story....( very sort of)

A young lad loved to play basket ball and due to the fact that he loved it so much, he practiced and practiced every day, so he would be good enough to play on his favourite team.
he was allowed to "dribble the ball inside the house during winter, so he could keep on practicing, but there were some restrictions.
"No dribbling in the lounge room" as that was where his mum's mother's vase was, which was an antique as well.

The lad stuck to the rule, till, one day, he got so carried away with his dribbling of the ball, and it was going so good, before he realised he was in "the room" and the ball got away from him and as he covered his eyes so as not to see what was happening, he could hear.....what he did not want to hear!

On the floor.....lay the antique vase...in several.....several.... broken pieces.

He placed all the broken bits into a shoe box, and waited for his mum to come home.
As he expected, she was very upset, and did not speak to him till the next morning.
She called him into the bedroom, to talk to him about the consequences of his disobedience.
To the lad's very surprise, she tenderly forgave him for breaking the vase.

Then, to his mother's surprise, he presented her with the vase.....all glued back together again with white school glue, and there were only a few pieces missing.

"WE" are that broken vase.
We were/are broken by sin anjd all the forgiveness of God's great heart cannot change the fact that we would have stayed broken, had God not taken action past forgiving!

Apart from God taking action to put us back together again, the best we could do is try to patch ourselves up, through our own efforts,( which a lot of people still think they can do)
But, all "our" efforts to patch up our lives are no better than white glue on a broken vase.
By our own efforts.....we just stay worthless vases, unworthy of display on heaven's shelves.
Our only hope is that God will make us new again, not just patch us up, but make us brand new....a new creation!
The mum in my story could not make the vase new again, she was not it's creator.
Neither could the lad.

But....Jesus is the creator of the world....and He alone can make us new again. And, that is why he came! That's why he died!

Our hope is in the fact that he is greater than death!
His resurrection proved it!
So, he has everything he needs.....to give us new life!
All we have to do is accept the need for it and reach out in faith to him for this gift!
Turning away from our own efforts we turen to Jesus and are renewed!
Won't you turn to Jesus?
Bless you....
Yaddy

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Fill my cup.....Lord

John 4:14, "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;
but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life"
__________

The song "Fill My Cup, Lord" was written by Richard Blanchard and published in 1964. The song was an immediate hit, becoming the number one gospel song in America for about 20 years, after the heyday of "How Great Thou Art." Writing music was the primary way Richard communed with God and in times of stress, he took refuge at the piano."
In an interview by Dick Evans, writer for the Miami Herald, Richard was quoted as saying, “Quite often I will play around with a song idea in my mind. All of a sudden it will gel. A few of my songs have been given to me by the Lord.

It took only six minutes to think up the words of 'Fill my Cup, Lord’ and was finished with the music in another 20 minutes.

He was born to Missionary parents in China, growing up as a "preacher's kid" in poor churches in Indiana where his parents ministered during the depression, serious health problems resulting in removal of two lobes of his lungs, moving to the South during World War II while his dad was an Army Chaplain, the call to preach during his years at Mercer University in Macon, and incidentally, where he met his future wife, Anne, a student at Wesleyan College, were the different factors that shaped Richard’s ministry.
I sincerely trust this wonderful hymn has spoken to your heart as it has to mine. Enjoy!

Fill My Cup, Lord

Like the woman at the well I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy;
And then I heard my Savior speaking:
"Draw from my well that never shall run dry".

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more--
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

There are millions in this world who are craving
The pleasures earthly things afford;
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more--
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!

So, my brother, if the things this world gave you
Leave hungers that won't pass away,
My blessed Lord will come and save you,
If you kneel to Him and humbly pray:

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more--
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!
__________

Closing thoughts:

In the book of John, Jesus had finished His long walk and was sitting by a water well, when a Samaritan woman came by.
Jesus asked her for a drink, and as they talked, she realized she was spiritually thirsty, spiritually needy and searching for God.

So Jesus offered her "living water." She was eager for this "living water" because she desired to never be spiritually thirsty again. As they talked she came to believe that He was the Messiah. So she asked Jesus for the living water. Jesus said, "He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, 'from his innermost being will flow rivers of living water (John 7:38).'"

Maybe the Lord has brought you to this devotional because you have been seeking things from the world that don’t satisfy? If so, go to Jesus as the Samaritan woman did, and He will do for you as He did for her, because you have a need only He can fill and a need that He alone can meet. So, my friend put you trust in God’s Son, Jesus Christ this very hour and taste the “living waters” that He offers and it will satisfy the cravings of your thirsty soul!

Only Jesus, the Living Water, can satisfy the thirsty soul!
God bless Mikey

bless you all Yaddy

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Memories of school....

It was a Monday morning and I was feeling pretty good and full of good ideas....I would do the washing....then I would do.....

suddenly....the phone rang! It was the school.....the head master...."Your son is not at school.....!"

I answered, almost without thinking...."what do you mean....he's not at school....he left the ususal time.... are you sure...?"

The answer came...."yes ma'm...we have a new policy, if a child is not here we notify the parents straight away...our records show....your son is not here..."

I tried to stay calm, while my heart was beating so loud, I was sure the "voice on the phone" could hear it....I answered in what to me at least, sounded cool calm and in control....."Thank you for letting me know..."
Like any normal parent... with a 16 year old teenager.....I panicked.
I ran for the car, dropped the keys, muttering to myself for being dumb....then raced out the drive way, heading for the school.
All the way to the school....I was looking out for any accident I might spy, just in case...Maybe he had an accident on the way "to" school...."Oh, God....please protect him...." I prayed. Maybe he wagged school....I'll kill him.....
As I screeched into the school car park....and got out of the car, there he was.....talking to his mates!

I ran all the way into the headmaster's office, where the man apologized profusely and assured me my son was safe in the school...I breathed a sigh of relief!

GOD NEVER PROMISED A STORM FREE LIVE!

I had heard some one say once...."Sometimes you're the windscreen.....
sometimes you're the bug."

That...took on a whole new meaning for me!

In a few short seconds....my whole world had turned up side down.
Instead of being in control....I was a helpless bug.....with no way of knowing what was going to happen.

This is "why" you and I need God. Jesus told the story about some builders.

One built his house on a foundation of sand... the other on rock, and when the rains came and the floods came and all came against the two houses.
Same flood same storm....two differently built houses....only one house survived! If God is your foundation you will also survive!
He never promises us a storm free life, so it does not matter whether you are the bug or the windscreen...with God in your life He will be the solid foundation you stand on!
Blessings
Yaddy

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Friday, March 18, 2011

Been away for some days....

We've been away for some days....and I feel.....well....real down.

We called on some elderly family on my husbands side and.....as usual, the conversation led to the Bible and "religion"
His sister in law keeps telling us that...."she follows the 10 commandments,does as the good book says......and.... "I should be alright"

I cannot seem to get through to her that following the 10 commandments and doing what the good book says, is not good enough.
Any one can do that!

I suggested that maybe if she really believed in Jesus and that He was God's son, and if she accepted that He died in her place....then she would be good following the good book, which, I might add, in a later conversation she admitted she never read.

Oh, frustration....frustration....
and her daughter then tried to make it sound as if what her mum did was o.k. really...."mum does good things all the time..."

I answered, maybe a bit harsly, and frustrated, "Doing good things is not good enough....you have to admit that there is nothing good in you, and only Jesus can save you!"

I will send her some things in the mail, maybe they will help and re-awaken her to the love and fellowship of God.


We went on to another relative....she is very sick and was in hospital.
We sat with her for a good two hours..She blames her late husband for her being sick....so my husband, her brother, asked....."And where do you think Harry is?"

She looked up to the ceiling.....then shook both her hands in what looked like fists.....looked around the room and said...."I don't know, but I hope I don't go where he is...!"

What can/do you say to people like that?
Later I asked my husband, did he think maybe I should post her some follow up stuff too...?"
He said...."Oh, no....she would not agree to that at all...."
Again, in my frustration I said....."Well.....don't think you are all going to have a party in hell together...it won't be fun, believe me!"

Lord, forgive me for saying things like that...help me not to get frustrated, you didn't, please keep me from the same and help me to be kind, tenderhearted, and willing to answer any questions they might want to ask me thank you lord....in your precious name I aske this...amen
Thank you for listening....bless you

Yaddy

Saturday, March 5, 2011

VFTB 077: Wrestling With Powers and Principalities

VFTB 077: Wrestling With Powers and Principalities

Revelation 22:17, "…Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely”

A story has been told about a pastor, who was preaching on Revelation 22:17.
It was a hot summer day and some of the people had trouble paying attention.

The heat was bothering the pastor also, so from time to time he would take a drink of water and after each sip he would say, “Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.”

In the congregation was a little boy, and being a typical little child, each time the preacher lifted the sparkling glass of water to his lips, the little boy’s thirst increased.
Something similar to when you see some one yawn, you feel the need to yawn too!

Finally the little man decided that if the pastor said once more, “Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely,” he would go to the front and take a drink for himself.

Just then the inviting words rang out once more!!

Very confident, the little fellow left his seat and walked up to the pulpit.
The congregation watched in astonishment as the youngster picked up the glass and took a deep swallow. Then with a kind “Thank you, pastor!” he returned to his seat.

The preacher was moved and used the incident to make a spiritual point.

He looked at the little fellow and said, "Just like this young man took me at my word, we must accept God’s invitation and drink of the Living Water by faith if we are to be saved.

People, many stay spiritually thirsty because they don’t listen, and I mean "listen" to the Lord’s clear and simple invitation. Today repent of your sin. Trust Jesus Christ as your Saviour. Drink from the Living Water and live!

Maybe you’re reading this and find yourself restless and thirsting for something more in life.
If so, respond to Jesus’ invitation found in John 7:37, “Come to Me and drink.” Go to Him, drink freely of His grace and forgiveness, and experience true joy, because unless one drinks now of the “Water of Life,” he will thirst forever!"
Mikey

Bless you all

Yaddy

Friday, February 25, 2011

FOOD FOR THOUGHT?

I don't know if you have ever read the story of the " blazing hot Furnace?"
Here goes:
Daniel ch 3:( paraphrased by me)
King Nebuchadnezzar made a gold statue ninety feet tall and nine feet wide and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon.
When the building was completed he sent out heralds.This is what they shouted out "People of all races and nations and languages, listen to the king's command! When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and other instruments,bow to the ground to worship King Nebuchadnezzar's gold statue. Anyone who refuses to obey will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."
Some people noticed that not all the people fell down and bowed to the statue and they couldn't wait to tell the king.

"Oh king..... there are some Jews--Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego--whom you have put in charge of the province of Babylon. They have defied Your Majesty by refusing to serve your gods or to worship the gold statue you have set up." So, all the people bowed down, and behold 3 men are still standing....in that large crowd, 3 men are standing!!!!
Couldn't possibly miss them could we?


So the king calls these 3 men and questions them as to why they do not obey the king?
He gives them another chance to do it, but they keep their stand and refuse to bow down no matter what the king threatens them with. So...the king is so angry, he orders the furnace to be heated 7 times more and he has the 3 men bound and they are thrown into the furnace.
(Will leave it there for now)

Now we go to Mathew 22...

Jesus speaking:
"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son.
"And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come.
"Again he sent out other slaves saying, 'Tell those who have been invited, "Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and my fattened livestock are all butchered and everything is ready; come to the wedding feast."'
"Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy.

'Go therefore to the main highways, and as many as you find there, invite to the wedding feast.'
"Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered together all they found, both evil and good; and the wedding hall was filled with dinner guests.
"But when the king came in to look over the dinner guests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes,


Now this is my thought!

Just as the three men stood out in the crowd at the blazing furnace,
and we may have to stand out, as time progresses, and stand up for our faith, could this be the other way around, and this man, at the dinner, who was not dressed in wedding clothes, could this be some one with lots of head knowledge about "God's word" but no heart knowledge, and that is not good enough and as we read the continuing story, he was thrown into outer darkness where there is gnashing of teeth!
I pray that God preserves us for the times to come and keeps us "Standing for Jesus"

( (Oh the 3 men were saved and did not go up in flames....An angel of the Lord walked in there with them, they came out and the king demanded that every one worshiped their God....our God!)
Bless you....
Yaddy

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

What a friend......

What a friend we have in Jesus!
All our sins and grief to bear.

What a privilige to carry...
everything to Him in prayer.

Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh what needless pain we bear,

all because we do not carry
everything to Him in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations?
is there trouble anywhere?

We should never be discouraged
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrow share?

Jesus knows our every weakness
take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden
cumbered with a load of care?

Precious Saviour
still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Did your friends despise forsake you?
take it to the Lord in prayer.

In His arms he'll take and shield you....
You will find a solace there.

Praise the Lord

Bless you...

Yaddy

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Come to Me...all who are weary and heavy laden......

Jesus said in Mathew chapter 11 verse 28 “"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

Weary and heavy laden….what does that mean?

To grow weary, tired, worn out, exhausted, either with work or grief, grief can make you exhausted, Jesus said to “come to Him…..”
Do we do that?

Or, in our weariness and grief….do we go to others first?

Are we really listening to what our Lord is saying here?
Do we listen or take notice of what is written or said?

Do we?

In Mark chapter 4 from verse 35, Jesus speaking, “On that day, when evening came, He said to them, "Let us go over to the other side."
Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, "Hush, be still." And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

Jesus said…”Let “us” go over to the other side!

Do you think the disciple-fishermen were listening to just “what” Jesus was saying?
They knew the waters well after all they ‘were” fishermen.

They would have been busy getting the boat ready for going to the other side, there’s lots of stuff to get ready in a boat, so when the storm came up, they would have known how bad it was,
but Jesus is asleep.
How would you have felt?

Would you still have trusted in the Lord? Or would you have panicked just a little?

I imagine, I probably would not have been ‘”all” ears and would not have really been listening,
and ignored the bit where Jesus said,
“Let US go over to the other side….
Jesus said, US…
so all those who were in the boat with him would also arrive on the other side…
Jesus said so!

Jesus then finishes with “Oh, ye of little faith…”
We need to build up our faith too, so that when Jesus speaks, we hear everything He says and we will trust that what He said, He will do!

Bless you….
Yaddy

Thursday, February 3, 2011

A little bit more about children...

They are so impressive aren't they? And, we should never forget, they are a heritage from the Lord Psalm 127 v 3

As parents,it is so important we need to teach our children the characteristics of happiness, truthfulness, respect, reverence, and moral principles.
You may ask why is this.
Well because our children are indeed the most valuable possession, more precious, than anything we could ever buy or earn. Being a parent means that God has entrusted us with the task of training our children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6).

He has given us the duty to teach them the fear of the Lord (Psalm 128).

He has asked us to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord without exasperating them (Ephesians 6:4).

He has allowed us to share the heritage of faith, and for our efforts, we get lots of hugs and kisses.

Today advertisers are going after our young people, and are spending millions of dollars convincing our children that they cannot be happy without a certain brand of shoe, blue jean, cell phone or jacket, just to mention a few.
They are increasingly targeting their messages to children. Why?

Because of the strong influence, they have on the purchasing habits of their parents, and because they have an increasing buying power of their own.

People in the advertising business are convinced that a young, satisfied consumer could become a lifelong customer, eager to buy their products far into the future. In a similar way, as parents, we need to be influencing our young people to “buy into” the good things God has in store for them throughout all of their life.

According to Proverbs 3, some fantastic possibilities lie ahead for the young person who chooses God’s way: love life and peace (Proverbs 3:2), favour in the sight of God and man (verse 4), direction from God (verse 6), health and strength ( verse 8 ), abundance (verse 10), happiness (verse 13). The person who trusts, honours, and fears the Lord finds wisdom an incomparable prize (verse 15). How much more we have to offer them by showing them that happiness is not in materialism but comes by walking with God!

Children are always watching and learning from their parents.

Sometime ago I was browsing in a used bookshop when an irate customer stormed in and loudly demanded a refund. When the man couldn’t get what he wanted, he began swearing at the clerk. He continued the tirade for several minutes, as a girl, 7 or 8 years old, stood passively at his side.

Eventually he stomped out of the store, cursing as he went, with the little girl following close behind.

I wondered if the girl was his daughter. If so, what did she learn from her father that afternoon? More important, the event caused me to ask, “What do our children learn from us at home and all the places we go together?”

Our children learn a lot more from watching our behaviour than from all our little talks. Remember that children may close their ears to advice, but their eyes are always open to our example. There are children watching us daily. The question remains what are they learning from us? Remember that children may not inherit your talents, but will most certainly absorb your values! Mikey

bless you Yaddy

Monday, January 31, 2011

Matthew 19:13, “Little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray”

I know first-hand how challenging parenting can be in raising a family, as my wife and I, raised two boys, both of which were a hand full. To borrow the old Army slogan
“It’s the toughest job you’ll ever love!”

I know that I love being a parent but it’s a tough job and definitely the most demanding and rewarding job of all times. It starts from the minute you learn you’re going to be a mother and father and will last until the day you die!

Taking you on a ride like nothing you have ever experienced before. There will be many wonderful and frustrating times as well as emergencies and surprises along the way.

Raising a family in today’s hectic world is definitely a challenge. Parents must learn to be financial managers,
chefs,
housekeepers;
maintenance experts,
educators and diplomats…….

and they must balance all those roles with being loving caretakers for their children.
Add to that the additional challenges of maintaining relationships and careers and it’s a wonder that any parent can keep their sanity.

While today’s parents face even more challenges than their parents, they also have a vast selection of support services and information available their parents never dreamed could exist.
However, the best source of information concerning parenting is found in God’s Word.
As dedicated parents, we spend much of our time supporting, encouraging, instructing, protecting, and challenging our children.

Moreover, sometimes all that steering and urging seems ineffective when the child starts to veer off course. That’s when being a parent is “really hard work”. If you find yourself there, some biblical parent-child principles can help you, such as:

(1) Parents must teach God’s truth (Deuteronomy 4:9; 32:46). Your home needs to be a place where you serve one another through God’s love – Galatians 5:13.
Children do not learn to love and obey God only by what we say.

They also learn by watching what we do.

We are to teach them constantly about God and His Word as we “sit in our house, when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up”
Along with that we must set an example by our love and obedience to the Lord.

(2) If they do something that is wrong, let them know it’s their behaviour you dislike, not them.
(3) Parents should not frustrate their children (Ephesians 6:4).
(4) Parent’s wise decisions bring blessing to their children (Deuteronomy 30:19-20).
(5) Parents who are godly teach their children to obey (Ephesians 6:1; 1 Timothy 3:4).

(6) Parents must lovingly discipline children because they are immature and need guidance. Proverbs 29:15, "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame"

(7) Parents who faithfully train their children can be confident that their efforts are not in vain. Proverbs 22:6, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it"

(8 ) Above all, pray for them. They may seem confident on the outside but feel weak on the inside.
Matthew 19:13, “Little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray.”
Wrap them in prayer, as Jesus did (Matthew 19:13-15), is a powerful alternative. He cares more about our children then we do, so we can release them into His hands by praying for them.

He doesn’t promise us that nothing bad will happen to them. But as we pray, He will give us the peace we long for (Philippians 4:6-7). This challenge is for all parents, even those whose children have grown up: Don’t ever stop wrapping your children in prayer!

(9) Lastly, one portion of Scripture that provides great instruction in this area is found in Proverbs 2. Although addressing the son, this passage can also serve, as a guide to what parents should teach their children. According to this passage, children must be taught to….
treasure God’s commands (Proverbs 2:1),
to call out for understanding (v. 3),
to grasp what it means to fear the Lord (v. 5),
and to practice God’s wisdom in their lives (v. 6).
__________

Closing thoughts:

As parents, we must keep in mind our children are smart and learn by listening and watching; So are we setting the right kind of example for them to emulate?
They will compare our actions with our words, to see if we practice what we say. If not, your children will be confused not knowing whether to follow your actions or your words. Are you living for Christ in such a way that you want your children to imitate you?

The Bible is by far your richest and best resource to help you raise children who will know and love Jesus Christ. Nothing is more essential than “the Holy Scriptures” to equip them for all of life’s challenges. Remember that children may not inherit your talents, but will most certainly absorb your values! An unknown author put it this way:

A careful man I ought to be;
a little fellow follows me.
I do not dare to go astray, for fear he’ll go the selfsame way.
Not once can I escape his eyes; whatever he sees me do, he tries.
”Like me” he says he’s going to be – that little chap who follows me.
So I must remember as I go, through summer sun and winter snow;
I’m moulding for the years to be – that little chap who follows me.

Mikey


bless you

Yaddy

Friday, January 21, 2011

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS...

I am Jehovah thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, [nor] any likeness [of anything] that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I, Jehovah, thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the third and upon the fourth generation of them that hate me; and showing lovingkindness unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.

Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain: for Jehovah will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Observe the sabbath day, to keep it holy, as Jehovah thy God commanded thee. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work, but the seventh day is a sabbath unto Jehovah thy God: [in it] thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy man-servant and thy maid-servant may rest as well as thou.
And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and [that] the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.

Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Thou shalt not kill.

Neither shalt thou commit adultery.

Neither shalt thou steal.

Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour's wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour's house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any [thing] that [is] thy neighbour's.

These words the LORD spake.

Blessings…

Yaddy

Monday, January 10, 2011

PAUL…….A CHOSEN VESSEL.

ACTS;9 V 1; But Saul, yet breathing, threatening and slaughter, against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of “the Way”, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” And Saul said, “Who art thou, Lord?” And the voice said, “I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”
And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.
And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, ‘Ananias.’ And he said, “Behold, I am here, Lord”
And the Lord said unto him,
‘Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for [one] called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight’.
Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.”
But the Lord said unto him, ‘Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel, For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.’

So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit”
And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized;



Now, lets back track a little. Paul was on his way to kill a lot of Christians, maybe Ananias was amongst them, as he was pretty high up, and Saul needed letters giving him permission.
He came from Tarsus….Tarsus was home to a university and Saul, while young, received the best education possible. Saul’s father was of the tribe of Benjamin, pure and unmixed was his Jewish blood and he was moulded in what one would interpret from his youth to adulthood in a staunch and upright character, Paul was sent to the Jewish school of learning at Jerusalem to study law. He was around 13 when he began his studies under the well-known Gamaliel.
Gamaliel was a rabbi and very educated. Paul was well educated!

So, Paul was on the Damascus road, carrying a list of suspected Christians when something happened to him. He met JESUS!
Jesus then tells him to go to into Damascus and he will be told there what to do.
He was blind for 3 days and did not eat for three days but prayed for 3 days; This is what Ananias was told,
‘Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for [one] called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth. And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight’.

So, Saul was told that a man named Ananias was coming to him, would lay hands on him, and would restore his sight!
All this, before Ananias even knew what was going on.
If there was anything a Pharisee like Saul knew how to do, it was praying.
We have read the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector praying in the temple ( Luke 18 v 10-12)
But I wonder….was Saul praying like that? Or……

Now, how do you suppose Ananias felt? He had heard what Saul was coming to Damascus for….
Ananias was probably on the top of the list!
( In Paul's speech in Acts 22 v 12, (after his conversion) he describes Ananias as "a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews" living in Damascus.)

Now, God wants Ananias to actually go to this Saul, known as the Christian killer, and befriend him?
Just goes to show that God’s ways are not our ways. God tells Saul someone is coming, the someone who is coming doesn’t even know this yet, but God tells him, even though Ananias says… “But Lord, haven’t You heard what this man is doing?
He is evil….Lord?”
But the Lord knows best…..
He said unto him, ‘Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me”…….
So, Ananias goes to Damascus and enters into the house where Saul is and greets him, with, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit”
Can you imagine how Saul must have felt those 3 days he was sitting there?
He prayed……he must have wondered……then a voice greets him with…
“BROTHER SAUL…”
We don’t know whom God has chosen as vessels for His kingdom.
We should be/ must be as obedient to God’s voice as Ananias was.
Who knows, who God has waiting for us to speak to.
Even if, maybe at the cost of persecution.


Blessings....

Yaddy