Adversity

Romans 8:18 "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."

Adversity is the grindstone of life. Intended to polish you up, adversity also has the ability to grind you down. The impact and ultimate result depend on what you do with the difficulties that come your way. Consider the phenomenal achievements of people experiencing adversity.
-Beethoven composed his greatest works after becoming deaf.
-Sir Walter Raleigh wrote the History of the World during a thirteen year imprisonment.
-If Columbus had turned back, no one could have blamed him, considering the constant adversity he endured. Of course, no one would have remembered him either.
-Abraham Lincoln achieved greatness by his display of wisdom and character during the devastation of the Civil War.
-Luther translated the Bible while enduring confinement in the Castle of Wartburg.
-Under a sentence of death and during twenty years in exile, Dante wrote the Divine Comedy. John Bunyan wrote Pilgrim's Progress in a Bedford jail. 

Just this past year, my student pastor's wife has had a very difficult and serious battle with cancer. Even when she went into surgery the first time not knowing the tumor was there, she had faith and believed that she would pull through. She has endured months of treatment and recovery, but I'm glad to say today she is living proof that you can endure suffering and difficulty with faith in God and still make it through. Sometimes the greatest miracles we need to see happen don't take place until we have faced the greatest obstacles we can face in life. Sometimes it's a grind, but instead of wearing you out it can polish you up.

Adversity is the grindstone of life. Will it polish you up or will it grind you down?

James 1:2-4 "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

God created woman

God said....

When I created the heavens and the earth, I spoke them into being. When I created man, I formed him and breathed life into his nostrils. But you, woman, I fashioned after I breathed the breath of life into man because your nostrils are too delicate.

I allowed a deep sleep to come over him so I could patiently and perfectly fashion you. Man was put to sleep so that he could not interfere with the creativity.

From one bone I fashioned you. I chose the bone that protects man's life. I chose the rib, which protects his heart and lungs and supports him, as you are meant to do. Around this one bone I shaped you. I modeled you. I created you perfectly and beautifully.

Your characteristics are as the rib, strong yet delicate and fragile. You provide protection for the most delicate organ in man, his heart. His heart is the center of his being; his lungs hold the breath of life. The rib cage will allow itself to be broken before it will allow damage to the heart. Support man as the rib cage supports the body.

You were not taken from his feet, to be under him, nor were you taken from his head, to be above him. You were taken from his side, to stand beside him and be held close to his side. You are My perfect angel. You are My beautiful little girl. You have grown to be a splendid woman of excellence, and My Eyes fill when I see the virtues in your heart. Your eyes - don't change them. Your lips - how lovely when they part in prayer. Your nose, so perfect in form, your hands so gentle to touch. I've caressed your face in your deepest sleep; I've held your heart close to Mine.

Of all that lives and breathes, you are the most like Me. Adam walked with Me in the cool of the day and yet he was lonely. He could not see Me or touch Me. He could only feel Me. So everything I wanted Adam to share and experience with Me, I fashioned in you: My Holiness, My Strength, My Purity, My Love, My Protection and Support. You are special because you are the extension of Me.

Man represents My Image - woman, My Emotions. Together, you represent the Totality of God. So man - treat woman well. Love her, respect her, for she is fragile. In hurting her, you hurt Me. What you do to her, you do to Me. In crushing her, you only damage your own heart, the heart of your Father, and the heart of her Father. Woman, support man. In humility, show him the power of emotion I have given you. In gentle quietness show your strength. In love, show him that you are the rib that protects his inner self.


Addendum -- 1 Corinthians 11:12 (NKJ)   "For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God."

But Love

A house is a house is a house-until love comes through the door, that is. And love intuitively goes around sprinkling that special brand of angel dust that transforms a house into a very special home for very special people: your family.

-Money, of course, can build a charming house, but only love can furnish it with a feeling of home.

-Duty can pack an adequate sack lunch, but love may decide to tuck a little love note inside.

-Money can provide a television set, but love controls it and cares enough to say no and take the guff that comes with it.

-Obligation sends the children to bed on time, but love tucks the covers in around their necks and passes out kisses and hugs (even to teenagers!).

-Obligation can cook a meal, but love embellishes the table with a potted ivy trailing around slender candles.

-Duty writes many letters, but love tucks a joke or a picture or a fresh stick of gum inside.

-Compulsion keeps a sparkling house. But love and prayer stand a better chance of producing a happy family.

-Duty gets offended quickly if it isn't appreciated. But love learns to laugh a lot and to work for the sheer joy of doing it.

-Obligation can pour a glass of milk, but quite often love will add a little chocolate.

Happy Birthday Gannon!

One year ago today the Lord blessed Shane and Candy with our newest grandson, Gannon. He has become the joy of our life these past 12 months. He has a different personality than the other three and has made our growing older years more tolerable. It's amazing what a baby can do to a family. He has certainly changed my whole perspective on life.

I never really thought it could get this much better. We were never able to have more than one child because of Becky's health. I was just so grateful for Shane when he was born healthy and not long after that Becky's heart condition worsened. We were afraid to try for any more after that because the doctor did not think her heart would be able to take it. Believe me, he was a joy and miracle that preserved our linage and heritage. I couldn't have been more blessed.

Our daughter-in-law is also very special. When she and Shane got together never did we imagine we would be blessed with such beautiful grandchildren. I carry on about them a lot because they really are blessings to me each in their own way.

-Hannah is my musical and artistic grand. She can sing, play the guitar and piano, draw and paint like there is no tomorrow, and is just a wonderful and beautiful girl. She is my first and from the first moment I held her she stole my heart.

-Gracie is my actress and dancer. If the Lord tarries His return, she will storm Hollywood or Broadway someday. She was born with natural rhythm and can make even a mundane day brighter.

-Hayden is my champ. My soon-to-be first grader has the imagination of his father and yet still wants to be loveable even as a rough and tumble boy. He has made an amazing big brother so far and  I believe that will continue.

So that brings me back to my birthday boy, Gannon. He's the only one of the four that resembled my dad so much when he was born. He has a different personality than the other three and just brings joy to everyone when he's around. He is very, very special as well.

So to my buddy who can't read this today (Folks, he's only one!) but hopefully one day will be able to do so-Happy Birthday! Meme and Popee wish we could be there with you. Have a great birthday.

Famous Last Words

1. "Are you sure the power is off?"
   
2. "Don't be so superstitious."
   
3. "He's probably just hibernating."
   
4. "I can do that with my eyes closed."
   
5. "I wonder where the mother bear is?"
   
6. "I'll get a world record for this."
   
7. "I'll hold it and you light the fuse."
   
8. "And that one over there, the red flashing
   one, what does that mean?"
   
9. "I'm making a citizen's arrest."
   
10. "It's fireproof."
    
11. "It's strong enough for both of us."
    
12. "I've done this before."
    
13. "I've seen this done on TV."
    
14. "Let it down slowly."
    
15. "Nice doggie."
    
16. "Now watch this..."
    
17. "Pull the pin and count to what?"
    
18. "Rat poison only kills rats."
    
19. "So, you're a cannibal..."
    
20. "Listen, I'm taking a course in chemistry,
    I know what I'm doing."
    
21. "That's odd..."
    
22. "These are the good kind of mushrooms."
    
23. "This doesn't taste right."
    
24. "What does this button do?"
    
25. "Which wire was I supposed to cut?"

Two Churches

There once were two churches. One day, a homeless man came into town. He had not eaten for many days and was very hungry. He thought that he might be able to get a morsel to eat at one of the churches. The first church was huge -- a Gothic masterpiece, built of solid limestone, with a spire that seemed to reach into the heavens. When he tried to open the massive front door he found that it was locked. Then he saw a sign that said "Office" with an arrow pointing to his right.
When he walked into the office, he found himself in a large, well-lighted room. A secretary sat at the front desk, typing the church bulletin onto a computer. She looked up at the shabby man and frowned. "May I help you?" she asked crisply.

"Yes ma'am," the homeless man answered. "I am very hungry. Do you have any food here?"

"Indeed we do," the woman answered proudly. "This church has the largest food bank in the state. People from far and wide donate to it. It's been written up in all the papers."

"Then," the man said, "may I have something to eat?"
The woman looked him up and down. "Do you live here in town?" she asked. "I've never seen you before."

"No, ma'am. I'm just a traveler passing through."

The woman turned icy. "I see," she said, reaching into her desk drawer. She pulled out two sheets of paper and handed them to the man. "Please fill this out and bring it back to me. It's an application for assistance. The church board demands that everything be done properly and in good order here."

The homeless man took the papers, walked over to a small desk, sat down, and filled them out. Then he returned the application to the secretary. She looked over the papers and said, "Before we can give you anything, our Executive Board has to approve this. You're in luck. They meet tomorrow night. Come back Wednesday morning and we'll see if we can do anything for you."
"But I'm so hungry," the man said. "Maybe the minister can help me. May I see him?"

The secretary was clearly becoming agitated. "Do you have an appointment?"

"No, ma'am."
"You must have an appointment. Our minister is very busy. Right now he's meeting with the mayor and the committee to beautify our town. The pastor is a very important man. He's been written up in all the papers. You come back on Wednesday and maybe we can feed you. You don't need to see the minister about this."

The homeless man walked out of the church office and continued down the street. A few blocks later, he saw another church. This one was small and made of wood. It looked very poor. Inside he found a young man sweeping the floor between the old wooden pews. The young man looked up and smiled. "Welcome stranger," he said brightly. "What can we do for you?"

"May I see the minister or the secretary?" the homeless man asked.

The young man chuckled. "We don't have a secretary, but I'm the minister."

"Then," the homeless man said, "can I get something to eat from your food bank."

"I'm afraid we don't have one of those either," the minister said. "This church is so poor that our members barely have enough to feed themselves."
The homeless man turned to leave but was stopped by the minister. "But," the young man said, "my wife is fixing me lunch right now. It's not very fancy, but I'd he honored to share it with you. She will bring it to my office in a few minutes. Come in and eat with me."

A half hour later, the homeless man was just polishing off the last of a thick ham and cheese sandwich and a steaming bowl of homemade vegetable soup. Then the preacher's wife produced a small paper sack and an old thermos bottle. "Here are a few more sandwiches, sir, some cookies, and some hot coffee. You can return the thermos to me whenever you come back through town."

As the homeless man walked out of the town, He looked back to see the spire of the big church rising high above the rest of the buildings. He could not see the small church at all. Yet, He knew that it was there and praised His Father for the kind young minister and his generous wife. He would not forget them -- ever -- and neither would His Father.

The thermos bottle was, even then, sitting on the stoop of the little church. But instead of containing coffee, it was now overflowing with God's blessings.
"Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'"   (Matthew 25:34-36 NIV)
"You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs."   (Matthew 7:16 GNB)

Reach

Reaching up and reaching out. What does it mean and why do we aspire to do so?

Think of the cross.  It’s where God’s work of redemption was accomplished, where Jesus bore our sins.  Yet it’s a symbol of our faith beyond that.  The cross has both the vertical and the horizontal.  It bridges the gap between us and God with the vertical and encourages us to love others with the horizontal.  The cross represents Jesus’ ministry fully in fulfillment and in action.

Because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we can reach up to God.  He fills our lives and empowers us.  We reach up through prayer, worship, studying God’s Word, and even interaction with one another.  God uses all these to teach us and help us to grow closer to Him.  In reaching up, we listen for His voice and are prepared to follow His call.

Jesus calls us not to live for ourselves, but to live for others.  By reaching up to Him and trusting Him, He gives us His heart and His compassion for others.  Throughout the Gospels, Jesus showed a heart for the outcast and the captive.  We have all been both, though we have not always known it.  Christ empowers us through His Spirit to go out and not only preach the Gospel, but to serve and love others

We seek to grow to be more like Jesus by reaching up. We seek to grow to be more like Jesus by reaching out to those in need everywhere.