Happy New Year !! 2011

Hello Beloved,

Well, here it is another New Year's Eve.. Are you going to make any new resolutions
this year? Lose weight, quit smoking, quit drinking, go to the House of the Lord more
often? All of these would be good ones, but I personally like the last one best!
I want to go the House of the Lord more often this year.... like EVERYDAY! I just
can't help myself.... I love Jesus.
Have you thought about what the new year might hold? Have you thought about what
this old one held?
In Matthew 24: KJV

It talks about the Signs of the end of this age.
We sure did see signs of this in this past year ,2010, did we not? Earthquakes in divers places,
floods, fires, diseases, wars,, people being killed for their religion, not being able to say the
name of Jesus out loud in some places, example: U.S. Military personal can not say the name Jesus, one world money talked about openly, gay movement very prominent in the news.
Have you noticed that kings are disappearing ? Yes, QUEEN not King Elizabeth is still on the
throne., What about things like the highway be built over the mountains from China? The river
Euphrates drying up. People falling away from the church life they have lived all their lives..
This is to just name but a few things.... Look at the newspaper headlines and it is right there.
I believe with all my heart that we will soon see Jesus coming in a cloud of glory.

Here is something for you to think about... St . Malachy. You can look him up online.
While there look for Prophecy of the Popes by St Malachy. It is very interesting..
I am going to be on the look out for news of this Pope. You can be sure of that...
I am looking forward to the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ.. It is getting very close..
I pray that you are ready. If you have not yet accepted Christ into your heart... now would be
a good time to do so ..... It is so simple.... Just ask him in... pretty simple eh?
You can say something like this. Dear Lord Jesus, would you please forgive me of all my sins and come live in my heart today. I love you Jesus. Thank you .. In Jesus name, Amen.
Now if you have prayed that pray, please get into a good Bible based church and start studying the Word of God ..... Let me know how you are doing.... I will continue to pray for you..
This is my New Year's Resolution. What is yours?
God Bless you and keep you safe... I pray that your souls are saved...
Smile: When you do your are the most beautiful you can be... and it is a free gift from God to you so you can share it with all you meet...
tenderly with arms wrapped about you... your sister in Christ Jesus. vickie
Happy New Year!!!!!!!!2011

Psalms 96 Please read

Hello Beloved.

Today I would pray that you would ponder upon this Psalms... Really think about the words and how they are ever so true today..
Psalms 96

O sing unto the Lord a new song; Sing unto the Lord; all the earth.
Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; Shew forth his salvation from day to day.
Declare his glory among the heathen, His wonders among all people.
For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: He is to be feared above all gods.
For all the gods of the nations are idols: But the Lord made the heavens.
Honour and majesty are before him: Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.
Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, Give unto the Lord glory and strength.
Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: Bring an offering and come into his courts.
O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:Fear before him, all the earth.
Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: The world also shall be established
that it shall not be moved: He shall judge the people righteously.
Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof.
Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: Then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice
Before the Lord, for he cometh, For he cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world
with righteousness, And the people with his truth.

Time is quickly coming to a close... It is time for the Lord to return. Are you ready?
Like it says in this Psalms in the last few lines : He is coming to judge the earth and the world and the people with truth.... NOW, are you ready? Have you ask Jesus to come and live in your heart? Do you do what the Word of God asks you to do ? Do you have some unforgiveness in your heart? Do you still want the things the world offers for a short time more than wanting to spend eternity in heaven? These are some pretty tough questions to answer.. Please look inside your heart and make a decision today to follow Jesus Christ... It is so easy to do....
May your heart be ready when the trumpet sounds.... Tenderly with arms wrapped about you..
your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

One Whole Year of Writing!

Hello Beloved,

WOW! One year ago today I started this Blog, not knowing what I would ever have to write about.. I never dreamed that it would take on a life of it's own like it has... I have so very much enjoyed writing on it.... thank you Dear sister Sue for all of you encouragement. I would never have known how to go about it without your help.. To all of you who have left comments , thank you .... and if you have just came on and read it without leaving a comment that is OK too.... So to all who have dropped by , THANK YOU!!!!!!
I hope that I can keep on writing and maybe someone along the way will find encouragement
from something they read.... I sure hope so... I hope you all have a great New Year.....
My prayer for all of you in the New Year is that you would find room for Jesus Christ in your life and make Him the Center of your all.. To each one, I love you with the love of Christ Jesus.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!2011 May it be the BLESSED one for you.....
Remember: Smile, it is a free gift from Christ Jesus to you so that you may freely give it to others... Tenderly with arms about you, your sister in Christ Jesus. vickie

Suicide: Why?

Hello Beloved,

Today is Christmas Day, a day that we should all be happy and safe with our loved ones.
I say should be happy and safe, but some are not... It makes me so very sad. What would
make someone want to take their life on Christmas ? Really at any time? The Holidays
are a lonely time for some, even when you are in a room full of people. What would make
a young person want to take their own life? I use to wonder about that, but, I think I know why
one young person would want to die...It makes me so angry to think about it..
Why should a child ever think about dying? Why would they even want to think about it?
Not every child has a happy and loving home life... Some are from broken homes. Some come from a home where they are moved from one place to another more often then some folks change their clothes. They are made fun of at school and have no real friends... They feel like the
whole world is against them...
They begin to do badly in school and they start to steal from loved ones then others. Why?
I think it is to get attention. Yes, attention. They are moved around so much they don't have time to make friends or get into a routine, they do not have a structure or stability. They do not have any control over what a parent does with them or their life, so they decide that they can
do something no one can control but them... That is to take their own life... It then would be
their choice... I think that might be why some young person would want to die...
How do we help them? How do we reach them? I don't have any answers to these questions.
I think when a child reaches this point in their thinking that the only thing to do is get them some professional help. I know such a young person and I am asking if you would please
just pray for them.... The Lord Jesus knows who I speak of .... Would you please just pray ?
Thank you.... I pray that we can reach these young people before they get to this stage...
May God Bless this young person and their soul..
tenderly , your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

My Granddaughter Nikki

Hello Beloved,

I just want to take this time to tell you about a very special little girl.
You may have already guessed by the title that she is my granddaughter, Nikki.
She is just 10 years old and is by far the most beautiful, loving, kindest, sweetest,
talented and just all round good girl that I have ever had the privilege to be around.
You might have guess by this that I love her beyond any other girl child I have ever
known. I just want to tell you about her.
Nikki, has a half- sister who is older than her, but they do not live together. She also has
a little( full) brother, 3 years her Junior . Nikki has been cast into a grown up world at such
a very tender young age, but she arose to the occasion.. She has learned many things in
her young life that will see her through the rest of her life....
When Nikki was 4 years old she started helping G'ma out in the kitchen.. She would help set
the table, do the dishes, sweep the floor, wipe the table down but more importantly she learned
how to bake and cook.... She made homemade noodles, meatloaf, and bread among many things she learned in the kitchen.... When she was only 8 years old ( having just turned 8 a few weeks before) she made an entire dinner for 14 people. Yes, 14 people...
She made meatloaf, mashed potatoes ( G'pa mashed them for her), green beans ( homegrown beans) scalloped corn, rolls, veggie tray, and homemade ice-cream. She set the table and
put on a wonderful dinner. She is a very talented young lady... She loves to put out the good dishes and have a pretty table with a table cloth ( not plastic) and use real cloth napkins, with candles and goblets. We have taken many photos of the way she likes to dress things up.
Nikki is a smart child also, making the all A honor roll and that while playing sports and also being in the band at school... She does her homework as soon as she comes in from school. She also helps her little brother when he needs help...
Nikki is the kind of child every one dreams of having.... She is NOT by any means perfect but she IS a very special and good child ...
Nikki, I am so proud of you and all that you have accomplished in your short life... You have made my life so much better just by being who you are... You are funny and smart and so sweet and kind and to top that off you are the most beautiful child I know.. Thank you for letting me
be a part of your life.. For now and forever you have my heart. I love you.. G'ma

Slavery, What are you a Slave Too

Hello Beloved,

I just finished reading a book called " Candle in the Darkness" by Lynn Austin.
It was about a young woman who lived during the time of the Civil War. Starts out when she is young and years before the war starts.. This is to set the scene of players throughout the book.
She lived in Virginia, and her daddy was a slave owner... She is about 10 years old when her
daddy sells a slave . This slave was only 9 years old and her best friend..... This is something
that sets the stage for the rest of her life.... She was devastated by this action.... She has a mammy and several other slaves that she is very close too... One slave called Eli... Eli is the one she runs to with all of her problems... He is the one who teaches her about " Massa Jesus".
Throughout this book Eli is teaching her about what it is like to became a servant of Jesus Christ.
I found the analogy in the book amazing...
I don't know much about slavery except what I have read...I think the analogy in this book was
a stop and think about it type book, or at least it was for me...
To make a long story short I will get right to the heart of the matter OK?
Eli used scriptures throughout the book to help explain to the young lady....
Like all the things that happen to Pharaoh when he would not let the Lord's people go; Rahab, how she helped during the time of Joshua, how you have to listen to what God puts on your heart. Throughout the story line he used examples of how to live out your life as a servant to the Lord.. The young lady tells him that it is so easy for him to listen to God because he already
has learned how to do what a master says do....
NOW, that set me to thinking.... are y'all ready? ;)

Are we really any different? Say then the Israelites who were in bondage to the Pharaoh,
or even the Negro Slaves were to the south? I don't think so... We are all serving a master but which one? There is the master of this world. Things we want, things we think about, things we say, things we do, ect.... We are following a very carnal way in this world. Or do we follow the Master of All? Yes, All. Jesus Christ is the MASTER of EVERYTHING.
We have to live in this world but we do not have to be of this world... Yes, we have guidelines and Jesus showed them to us.
Matthew 22:15-21 KJV
Please read this so you will know that I tell you truth.
verse 21:
"Render therefore unto Cesar the things which are Cesar's; and unto God the things that are God's."
So the guideline is set.... We have an entire do's and don't book for a guideline it is called
the Bible. The Word of God.
We have example after example of how to live if we would but chose to follow them.... You know, all of my life I have " tried" to live by the " golden rule" but I have failed many, many times. but as I look back now at my life I see that in all the things that really mattered Christ Jesus was right there beside me... Isn't it time we all stepped back and looked at where we have come from and make the decision about where we want to go? I have done that and I have made a
decision to follow after Jesus Christ... He is the only way to salvation; the only way.
I hope you will look back and made your decision sure for eternity with Christ Jesus...
Smile : it is a free gift from God for you to share with everyone you meet.... and it also is the most beautiful you will ever be...
I love you all. Tenderly with arms about you... your sister in Christ Jesus vickie

Forgiveness ?

Hello Beloved,



What is forgiveness?
FORGIVENESS: Act of forgiving, disposition or willingness to forgive.
FORGIVE: to give up resentment; to cease to feel resentment.
Un: added to verbs to indicate a reversal of action. ( ie: unforgiveness; not to cease to feel
resentment.)

I just spoke to a woman who just this week lost a child. I felt so sorry for her.. She told me
that another of her children now refuses to speak with her... Why? What can make a person's heart so full of unforgiveness?
I finished a book this week called Heroes of the Faith.. It was about a woman named
Corrie Ten Boom. She was a Dutch woman who was thrown into a Nazi Prison Camp in
WWII for hiding Jews. When she was released from this prison she was full of unforgiveness.
She tells in her book how she studied the Word of God and learned that she must first forgive.
She wrote a letter to the Dutch man who betrayed her to the Germans. and later how she ran into a guard from the prison camp she was in and how he asked forgiveness from her..
Corrie Ten Boom learned that to be forgiven, you must first forgive.
Why is it that some can understand that and others can't. I don't really know the answer to that except for what I think.... I think that when someone accepts Christ Jesus into their heart , it really does do something to change you...
In Ephesians 4:32 KJV
' And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
In Colossians 3:13 KJV
"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another,if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
Now that is just two place in God's Word where it talks about forgiving..
Beloved, life is so short and to have to spend time in a pitiless, unkind, revengeful, ruthless unsympathetic cruel, heartless, UNFORGIVEING state is not good for YOU!!
I lived in this state for a long time and all it does is bring on physical illness to you and your body.. So, do yourself a favor and let it go today.... Life is to short to live with bitterness.
If you have not yet ask Jesus Christ into your heart, today would be a good day to do that.. He will make your life totally different if you would just let him in.....
Dear Lord Jesus ,
I ask you today if you would please forgive me and help me to forgive those who have done me wrong. I pray that you would give me peace in my heart, mind, and soul.. Please come into my heart and teach me your way... In Jesus name, Amen.
I hope you prayed that pray. If you did, welcome to the family! Now find a good bible based
church and learn the Word of God...
If you are still struggling with not being able to forgive, please lean on Jesus. I hope that you will
go and make amends with whomever you are at odds with... I pray for God to help you with your decision.
Arms tenderly about you,,, In Christ Jesus , love your sister in Christ vickie

Why do I bother

Hello Beloved,

I am just wondering why do I even bother writing on this blog? Why do I keep putting it out
there with my heart in it, just to have it crushed each and every time? I can tell you why, but WHO really cares? I DO. I write it so you will know how much I love Jesus and YOU.
Yes, I love you with all the love that Jesus Christ gives me.... I have loved you a long time.
I don't know what your personal problems are nor do I need to know, I just love you the way you are... I am praying and expecting miracles for each one of you......

" And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity."
1 Corinthians 13:13

agape love; unselfish loyal and benevolent ( act of kindness) concern for others.
This is the kind of love I have for each of you... agape love..... I am concerned for you and your eternal resting place. As long as I am able to write I will continue to tell you about Jesus Christ.
He saved me, a sinner hell bound and has taught me to love beyond my own capabilities. He will do that for you too... I will not apologize for telling you that I love Jesus and you..... I know we are close to leaving this place and I just want you to go with me.....
Tenderly with arms wrapped about you.. in the love of Christ Jesus,
your sister in Christ, vickie

Are you washed in the Blood

Hello Beloved,

ARE YOU WASHED IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST?



Are you ready should you die today? Do you know where you are going? Is it the place you want to go? These may seem like questions you don't want to take time to answer now, but when ? The time to answer them really should be now.... Do you believe in Christ Jesus as your
personal savior? So do you believe Jesus Christ to be the Savior? Do you believe that you have to be baptized to go to heaven? Have you been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ?
I want to tell you where you can find some answers OK? Are you ready?

Check out these Scriptures:
Matthew 3:11-17, Romans 6:3-4, Acts 2:38 , Colossians 2:12-13,
These are just a few of the ones you can read to see that you DO need to be baptized.
According to the Strong's Concordance # 970 Greek Dictionary of the New Testament.
In Matthew 28:19
It talks about the "NAME"
It would indicate that the baptized person was closely bound to or became the property of the one into whose name was baptized.
I found this to be very interesting.... I have been baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. I am a child of the King... I hope you too have been baptized in the lovely name of Jesus...
The time is coming when you will not be able to do so... So please take the time to get the blood of Jesus Christ applied to your life now while there is still time... Jesus died for ALL.
I am here if you need to "talk" . God Bless you ... tenderly with arms about you...
your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

Sharing Thoughts

Hello Beloved,

Hi, just me again with some random thoughts again.. I hear something and it sets me to thinking.
So I just come on here and share with you.... I hope you don't mind. :)

Have you ever thought about what you are really good at? Let's say it is music. Then this would be something you just do because it is a gift.... and you have confidence in yourself to do it, you have a comfort with it.. It is not a sacrifice or anything. Now lets say that you are not so good at public speaking BUT you have been ask to do that... that would be a sacrifice, correct? It is not something you are comfortable with or have confidence in yourself to do. This is something I heard about in teaching last night... So it has stuck with me so it is something for me to think about.... Romans 12:1 offer your body as a living sacrifice that is your reasonable service.( paraphrased) from KJV
Changing gears now.
How do you live, in fear or hope? When you pray how do you pray, with hope or do you pray a memorized ( rote) prayer? Heard something about this in a teaching not to long ago. Went something like this..... When you pray do you pray expecting it to happen or do you just keep praying the same ole, same ole? If you are bold enough to go before the throne of God with a request in prayer, then why when you have asked, would you doubt? Pray expecting.. I liked that...
I am sure other things will come to mind and I will be back soon with more random thoughts.
Smile : God's free gift from you to others .
tenderly with arms wrapped about you... your sister in Christ Jesus. vickie

Do you have to pay tithes?

Hello Beloved,

We had a good teaching this morning in church. I wish I could give you all the details but
I can't remember all of them.... I would like to tell you about some of what I do remember..OK?
Then I will just ramble on and on and on ( OK you get the picture :) )

We talked about tithes. Now most people would be thinking , yeah, yeah, give em' moe money in their pockets. Well, in a real church here in the you can touch it realm. That is just not true..
Let me ask you this; Do you have lights on in your church building? What about heat in the winter and A/C in summer? Do you have carpet on the floors and windows in the walls, and TP in the bathroom? Where do you think all that comes from? It comes from tithes and offerings that are paid into the church. Do you not know that some preachers do not even get paid.
Some folks don't even think about thanking God for all they do have..... Do you know that we should be ( DO NOT have too) paying tithes on ALL of our first fruits? That is on EVERYTHING we have..... OK, you need a example here is one for you.
Let's say you are a farmer and you have cattle and crops.( rich is what you would be, eh?)
Now then, the cows have just had calves , lets say 10 calves have been born.... Now one of those calf's would be 10% correct ? Well that little calf would belong to God. You could lets say, give it to the church for the poor to eat.... Then 10% of your crops also would belong back to God, again you can give them to the church to help feed the poor. What about time? Yes, 10% of your time belongs to God too.... EVERYTHING you have 10% belongs back to God... I think it is a fair trade as 100% of it is already God's anyway ... So first fruits is anything that is new for you ... 10% back to God.. Makes sense to me...
Look at Genesis14:20, Abraham gave a 1/10 to God, Genesis 28:22 Jacob gave a 1/10 back to God.. Luke 18:12, Hebrews 7: 1-25 , please read these and see for yourself. Many places in
scripture talks about tithes.. So it MUST be important don't you think? I do. Do you have to pay them? No. Should you ? I think so... but the call is really yours. This is what some of our class was about this morning and so much more...
It is important to get ALL the Word in you.....
I have been thinking of so many things this past week.... These are just my rambling thoughts now.
Things like what is hope? what are expectations? What if you are walking alone in the dark?
What if you said I want to do this for you ( they did not ask) and you do it, do you make them
pay it back? Where is the blessing in that? What do you expect to happen on judgement day?
Is it hard to stand? How do you stand ?
These are some of the things I have been thinking on this past week. I also read a book called
" Messy Spirituality " I think that is the kind I have...
I hope you all have a great week and that you follow Jesus this week... I try to each day but some days I miss the mark... How bout you? Remember to Smile at someone today it is a free gift to you from God for you to share with everyone you meet.
God Bless with arms tenderly around you ..... your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

Thanksgiving

Hello Beloved,

Happy Thanksgiving Day to you!

As I sit here to write this I am thinking that each and everyday should be called
Thanksgiving Day. I think from now on I will write that to you. Happy Thanksgiving Day.
I like that.... This day is my favorite day because as we all gather together and sit around
a table that is filled with lots of good things to eat , we start the meal with everyone telling
us what they are thankful for... We start with the youngest and work our way up.. I love that.
I get to peek inside the heart of my loved ones at that moment. When you hear a little one say something like I am glad my daddy has a job, or maybe, I am glad I made all A's or I am
thankful for my children and the heat in our house... the list could go on and on... I am so excited
about hearing what each one is thankful for this year....
My listing this year will be like this.

I am so thankful for the mercy of God. I am thankful for my husband and my children and grand-children. I am thankful I have a church that I can go to and hear about my Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful that I have the lovely name of Jesus applied to my life... I am thankful for
my job and the money it brings in... I am thankful for my home and the heat and ac and the clean running hot/cold water. I am thankful for Sam our dog... and I could go on and on.. but I am now thankful for all the good food we have before us and the love that went into preparing this meal.. I am so thankful that Jesus loves me...
This is what I will probably say when it is my turn for thanksgiving praise.. It is how I feel each and everyday... I am also thankful for each and everyone of you.... My heart is full of the love of Christ Jesus and I pray it grows more each day.
Well, I just hope you all have a very peaceful and restful loving day with your families...
Smile: you are so beautiful when you do and it is a free gift from God to you to share with
all you meet...
with arms tenderly wrapped about you in the love of Jesus .... your sister in Christ, vickie

How Do You Imagine Hell

Hello Beloved,

Have you ever thought about what it would be like if you go to hell? I have and it scares the beegeebees ( don't know how to spell that word or even if it IS a word) but all the same it scares them out of me.. I can not think of a place I would rather NOT go to more than I would not
want to go to hell..... I can not imagine why anyone would want to go there on purpose.. Can you?
I don't understand why anyone would do without Jesus Christ in their life.. How do they make it through the day? I sure can't.. I call on Him all the time... I think by now Jesus is saying .Oh no, not whinny girl again.... I call on Him all the time..
When I think about what hell must be like this is what I see.

a place where you have bugs crawling all over you in and out of each place on your body. Where your skin peels off and comes on and peels right back off. Where there is no light to guide you anywhere and you stumble around in the dark calling for help and no one there to help. Where you beg for a drink and no water is there.. All you hear is the screaming of yourself and others.. There are no friends in hell... just you ... all alone.... no hope, joy, peace....nothing.
Jesus Christ is not there.... that to me is what I imagine hell to be like ... No Jesus there..
It really does scare the beegeebees out of me....
How about you? Does the thought of going to hell scare you? If it does I can help you avoid it.
All you have to do is accept Christ Jesus into your heart... It is that simple... Are you ready to do that ? If you are ; all you have to do is say a simple prayer and ask Jesus in..
He will enter into your heart and then you will begin to grow in Him... Do you want to? I will help you... OK? If you are ready all you do is say a simple prayer like this..

Dear Lord Jesus,
I pray that you would come into my heart and forgive me of all my sins... I pray that you will
wash me and teach me your ways... I pray Lord that you would take away all my fears and doubts about where I will spend eternity.. I thank you Lord Jesus for saving my soul.
In Jesus name... Amen..
If you have prayed something like this or this one then I want to be the first to welcome you into the family of Christ Jesus.... It is a multi- everything family .... and I want you to know that not only does Jesus love you so do I... I am always happy to receive new brothers and sisters.
Now find a good Bible based church and study God' Word and check it out for yourself.. and know that when Jesus returns ( I believe that will be real soon) he will take you too..
Smile at someone today it is a free gift from God to you , so that you can share it with all..
tenderly with arms wrapped about you, your sister in Christ Jesus.
vickie

Random Thoughts

Hello Beloved,

These are just some random thoughts. Feel free to send a comment if you have any questions ,or please send them if you have answers... I need all the help I can get.. I think I have been just making some notes to self to really study more .. so come along for the journey.. I hope together we can make it happen... Heaven as our home...

Note: Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things will be added unto you.

Note: being filled with the Spirit of God is not a one time thing.... just like being filled with the spirit of drink is not a one time thing. when filled with drink you act out in a manner not like your usual self.... the drink takes away all of your inhibitions.. You will freely do anything under the influence of drink...

being under the influence of the Spirit of God is the same... you are not yourself but you are letting God have control of ALL of you...
Is this a fair anology of the above statements?

Is seeking out The Word part of seeking the kingdom of God? Why do we seek God' kingdom? Do we do this before or after we have accepted Christ into our hearts? When do we become filled with the Holy Spirit? What are the things that will be added after we have sought the kingdom of God?

Beloved, I am seeking your help with answers to these questions... I am searching and trying so hard to learn what I can before Christ Jesus comes back. Will you help me?
thanks and as always Smile; let your beauty shine through.
tenderly with arms about you in Christ's love your sister in Christ , vickie

How Puny is Man

Good Morning Beloved,

I am sitting here just praising the Lord and it suddenly occurs to me that I need to write to you..
Do you ever just wonder just how puny man is? Do you ever think just how much your problems are so small? Do you ever wonder what we think we are doing?

I love the Lord Jesus Christ with all my heart, mind, soul and spirit..... I just don't understand so much about him..... I don't understand why he would choose this place called Earth to come to and why he would go to a cross and hang there for me. Do you? I think I know myself pretty well but do I really? Jesus loves me so much he died for me.... He did that for you too..
I get up everyday and think today will be the day I don't make mistakes and low and behold, I have just made the first one thinking that!
We sometimes get into this depression and think only of ourselves.. We don't think of what we are doing and how it might affect other people. I am so guilty of this... I am just so selfish..
My problems are really naught. I have the same problems I did before but right now, in this minute I am thinking " you big dummy, what is your problem that it is to big for God to handle"? Don't you know ,that when he was thinking about this place he spoke into existence, he was also thinking about you.. He knew me before the world began... and yet he still came down here and he CHOSE to die on that old cross for me.... Folks, I don't know about you but this sure has put me to thinking I need to do some RE thinking.

Have you ever just went outside when it is dark and looked up in the sky and wondered just how many stars there really are? It is so vast our puny little minds cannot even begin to comprehend just how much is really out there.. and you know what ? In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.. Genesis 1:1 He created EVERYTHING!!!!!!! Now, if he created everything , then that means he can fix what he created right? Well, guess what?
He CREATED US. So stands to reason he can fix us right? I love this!!!!!!!
God created me and he can fix me... NOW, I have to chose to let him. How? By letting go and letting God have it all... Yep, ALL.. I am still in the learning stage,( Yes, even oldies like me can still learn) I know of not one person who knows it all... not one... I am letting God have all of me and in this process I am learning that as much as I want to not hurt it still hurts to let go..
I am a mom and grand mom and I love my children so much that I just knew no one could love
them as much as I could .... strike 2. Jesus does..... now I have to let them go and let God have them and TRUST him to know what is best for all of us...
Are you having trouble letting go? I am learning as I go and reading God' Word most everyday now... I have a long way to go and time is really getting short so can I just ask you to think about letting go and letting God have his way? I really am pleading with you to let God into your life not just when you are having a crisis but in EVERY single thing you think and say... Jesus Christ loves you and me.... Do we really love him?
Dear Lord Jesus,
For anyone who would read this and want to give everything they have in their lives to you I say this prayer...... Dear Lord, please come into my life and forgive me for any doubts and fears I have .... Help me to trust you and learn daily from your Word... In Jesus name.. Amen.
Beloved, I love the Lord Jesus Christ with all that I am... He has shown me so many ways in
which he loves me.... Please won't you accept him and let him in your heart today...

Now go and find a good Bible based church to worship in and be careful and really study the
Word and then you will know if what is being said is true.... Praise God all the time even when
trouble comes.... If you live here in the mid- west let me invite you to come church with me.. We have a really good pastor/teacher... Please just let God be # 1 in your life and let him have control.... I think I may even be writing this to me today...

Remember: Smile, it is a gift from God to you , for you to share with all you meet.
I love you all .
Tenderly with arms wrapped about you ..... your sister in Christ Jesus.

My Prayer for Others

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank -you Lord, that today I was awakened with the breath of life. Thank -you Lord, that I could move around and see and hear. Thank -you Lord for the trials and for bringing me out of them a new person.. I thank -you Lord for the shed Blood of Calvary. Lord Jesus I pray this prayer for my loved ones who have things going on in their lives.. I thank you Lord that you hear the cries of our hearts.
Dear Lord, have mercy on me according to your loving kindness. Please create in me a clean heart, Oh, God. Renew a right spirit in me.. Cast me not from your presence. Restore joy unto me ,of thy salvation... Bless the Lord, oh, my soul. For the Lord is merciful and gracious.
So great is his mercy toward them that fear him. As far as the east is to the west, so he removes our sins. The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting, to them that fear him. You know all about me Lord, when I rise up or when I sit down, you know what is in my tongue. Lord you knew me before I was and I will praise thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Lord, please search me and know my heart and lead me in the way of everlasting.
Father, I pray these same words of the Psalms that David said. I pray them for my loved ones and for others Father who would read this... I pray that whosoever would read this would know that ; Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge and
that you do not need a sacrifice of burnt offering, but, one of a broken spirit and broken and contrite heart.. I love you so much Lord, and I pray for your will to be done.
In Jesus name,
Amen

Is Eternity Important?

Hello Beloved,

Just sitting here thinking about different things and it popped into my head to write , probably more for me then anyone else. I will just take you along for the ride OK?

ETERNITY. How important is it to us? Do we ever think about it really? Do we just go along
with our life and not think about forever? Are we so busy that we can not take time to think
for ourselves? Do we really have what we want? Is there an emptiness inside of us? Have we tried all the things we can to fill that void? Do we work more, play less? Do we drink or do
drugs because it gives us a high? What is the high we are looking for? Do we really have a close friend that can help us? Are you concerned about the future of your children or grandchildren?

I think about things like this all the time. Eternity is very important to me... I sure don't want to spend it in a lake of fire... I hate the pain of burning! Yes, I really do think about it... I sure don't want to live in a place that is full of terror and fear but more importantly I don't want to live in a place where God IS NOT.... I use to be empty too.. I filled my time with my children and reading and gossip; but I was still empty.. I have never been one to drink , even in a social setting and taking pain medicines is just not my idea of fun either.... So my high was I don't even really know...
I think I have been searching all of my life for God. I watched my older sister as I was growing up and I wanted to be like her so badly... She just always seemed UP! I loved that!!!!!! She was
raising a child alone but she seemed so happy all the time.. She was always so bright and lovely.
She sang pretty songs about Jesus all the time.... So I thought I would like that too. I started going from church to church ( mostly looking at the cute boys that were there) and then I got married and started settling in to raise my family and sorta forgot about church. I would go from time to time and take my children but never stayed in one church long enough for them to get established . I say this to my own shame... My children are grown now and on their own and I feel like I have failed them as a mother...... Why? Because , I did not raise them in a good church so that they would have Christian values with Christian friend.I have now grown and I have started to learn what it is to have the ultimate high.. That is a relationship with my Savior, Jesus Christ.. The more I learn about Him and share with Him the more the high is.... I have for the first time in my life a friend who sticks closer to me then a brother would.... I can not believe that anyone would love me so much.... but Jesus does.. He loves you that much too.... I can prove it. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that WHOSOEVER believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. I found out I am a WHOSOEVER, so are YOU!
Yes, I was very concerned about my grandchildren , after all I feel like I had failed as a mother.
I wanted my beautiful little babies brought up in the House of the Lord.... and you know what they are.... My son, is doing a lovely job of getting them to church so they can learn about their Savior.... They love it... my little granddaughter loves to sing and dance before the Lord ( and the whole church!) my little grandson, prays and prays and he will preach too if you give him the chance.. They love the Lord and I am ever so grateful for that...
In Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go : and when he is old , he will not depart from it.. My grandchildren are being trained in the way to go.. I am so grateful for the life I have had, been many trials and lots of bumps in the road but " I wouldn't take nothing for
my journey now" ( yes, song title :) )
When I pass from this life to the next I hope to hear , Well done my good and faithful servant.
So is eternity important? I would have to answer that yes, it it..
Remember to smile today at someone they may need a friend today and it is a gift to you from God to share with others.... Have a Blessed day in Christ Jesus.
tenderly with arms wrapped about you... your sister in Christ Jesus vickie

Do You Ever Wonder # 2

Hello Beloved,

I have been doing some more wondering... so here goes. Are you with me? :)

Have you ever wonder just how big God really is? Did you ever wonder just how small
we are in the universe? Have you ever wondered just how much more there is out there?
Do you ever wonder about things like ; what does the voice of God sound like? Why did
he chose earth to send His Son to? Why did He chose to die for us? Have you ever really
wondered about what it means to FEAR God? What about the trees, bugs, water, grass, air? Do you ever wonder about them? Do you ever wonder why we can not get along with each other?
Do you ever wonder what it will be like in eternity?
I wonder about lots of different things , do you?
Do you know that in scriptures you can find answers to all of the wonders you wonder?
In Proverbs 1:7
It talks about the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.. Isn't that cool?
In Genesis it tells us about birds, bugs, grass and trees, in the very first chapter.
Do you ever wonder why people say they believe in God and think that is all there is to it?
Do you wonder where you will go and spend eternity?
Well , for right now I have to wonder where did the time go I need to finish so I can be someplace else..... I will be wondering again and again.. Hope to see some of your wonders on here. God Bless and have a great day in Jesus Christ our Lord!
Smile: you look most beautiful when you do... tenderly with arms wrapped about you.
your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

What is to fear?

Hello Beloved,

I have a question to ask you today. Have you ever awaken with fear in your heart?

I did that this morning and almost as soon as it came I starting praying and thinking and praying some more... I ask myself this question. Why should I fear what man can do to me if I have Christ Jesus in me? What can man do to me? If I have Christ Jesus in me I should have no fear , except the Fear of the Lord.. Because as it says in Proverbs 1:7 " The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge:"
I laid there talking to God and myself for a long time... When I finally put my feet on the floor, the fear was gone.. What can man do to me that can make me so afraid; NOTHING! That's right nothing. I believe with all of who I am that I have the I AM in me..
Yes, check it out in Exodus 3: 13-14. Moses says to God , What is his name and what shall I say unto them? v.14 God says to Moses, " I AM THAT I AM. Say to the children of Israel ,
I AM sent me...
So, see the I AM lives in me. I have nothing to fear from man... This is what went through my mind this morning as I was laying upon my bed to afraid to move. The I AM is my God who is faithful and dependable and full of trust who I call upon when I am weary and afraid and I love His name; Jesus Christ.. So I will go forward in this day without fear of anyone for the I AM is always with me...
Dear Lord Jesus,
I thank you that you are so personal with us that when we wake with fear and tears that you would show us who you are ... I love you with all that I can.. my heart , mind and soul... Thank you for what you did for me on a old rugged cross on Calvary.. Your shed blood is what covers me today... I ask that your will be done today in my life.... In the precious name of Jesus I pray. Amen
Remember: A gift from God to you to share with the world everyday is your smile. So please share a smile with someone today .. I love you all with the love of Christ Jesus in me.
tenderly with arms wrapped about you.. your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

The Journey Continues

Good Morning my Beloved,

The sun is shinning and the air is crisp. Oh, what a great day to be alive. Ya know today is the kind of day when the air is so crisp but the warmth of the sun is just like having the arms of
our Savior, Jesus Christ wrapped about us.... To think that He would want to love us so much even when we have been so bad.... That is a wonder to me.... ( I am mostly speaking about myself here so as not to offend anyone.)
Well, I stated in the last post that I would update you on this 40 week journey I am on... So here goes. Are you ready?
Today I was reading in Ephesians 1: 15-23 , Ephesians 2:8 and I read them out loud as a prayer for my loved one... I inserted the name of my loved one in it so that it became more personal...
I believe that prayer is powerful and wonderful., and I know it works.... I will continue on with this journey until my loved one is delivered...
Pray for wisdom and knowledge not only for yourself but for the loved one you are praying about... I love Ephesians 2:8. " For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is a gift of God..."
Grace and Mercy renewed each morning.... God is so good to us... In the past week or so our Pastor has been talking about , Hope and Faith. Hope is the expectant " baby" and Faith is the name..... No faith , then you have no hope... no hope then your faith is not there. He makes things so simple that even I understand them... So as I read through the O. T I have hope of what is to come . In the N. T I have now receive my hope it is called faith... This is a journey of many lessons to come.... I pray that each one who reads this will continue on this journey with me, together we will learn about our Savior.
Smile: It is a gift from God to you for you to share with others...
Tenderly with arms wrapped about you, your sister in Christ Jesus , vickie

Positive Prayer

Good Morning Beloved,

Do you have someone in your life, a loved one or a friend that is struggling with a heavy burden?
Do you, yourself struggle with something, an addiction, anger, pain, or anything that takes away your joy? Have you prayed about it over and over? I have been there and I would like to share with you something that was shared with me.
I was at a church meeting and I ask for prayer for my loved one who suffers from an addiction and it was instant.... I love these people in my church . They believe in a right now God.
When you or a loved one is going through a struggle it is a battle within . We need to start treating it like a battle and fight back with our strongest weapon, the Word of God. It is sharper than a two-edged sword.
One lady in our church who I will refer to as the Wise Young Woman told me something I want to share with you.. Maybe you already know this.. I didn't. I thought about this most of the night and woke up thinking about it.... so to me it is important...
If you or your loved is struggling with something powerful like a drug addiction or some immoral act and it is bad for you then you need to do something about it... But , what if it is not about you? Well if it is your loved one then you do it and then watch God work... I have been told I will be amazed at what happens..
This Wise Young Woman told me that if I wanted to see things change in my loved ones life I would need to start praying positive prayers. Find in the Word of God all the good things about God and start to say them out loud . Faith comes by hearing the Word of God... So my first choice was Psalms 139.. I love this Psalms..It is about the Omniscience of God, the Admiration of God, the Omnipresence of God and a request for godliness. So I did as she suggested I do... I read this out loud and in place of the Me's, My's and I's I put in my loved ones name... Now, I have started the 40 weeks of the planning of the rebirth for my loved one..

We need a rebirth for this person... and that takes about 40 weeks to have a baby correct?
Well , for the next 40 weeks I am going on a learning journey and at the end of it I expect a new birth to take place.... This is what the Wise Young Woman told me to try... I will try and I really do expect at the end of 40 weeks to see a new person... That is my hope and faith. I believe in my God , Jesus Christ to do what He says He will do.. Pray out loud with the Word of God as your sword and fight for the life of your loved one... I will keep in touch on this journey..
Remember: To smile, it is a gift from God for you to share with all around you..
Tenderly with the love of Christ Jesus, your sister in Christ, vickie

Eternity ?

Hello Beloved,



I just want to ask a question to each one who would read this....

Where is your eternal home going to be?



I just watched a short clip about a young man who did NOT share Jesus Christ with his friend and in the clip the young man who died wrote a letter back and wanted to know why his friend

didn't share Christ with him. It was quite moving.



Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? Do you know Christ as a friend? Have you

shared Him with someone else lately? Do you want too ? What is holding you back?

Did you know that you can share your friend Jesus Christ with anyone, anywhere? Did you know it really is not so hard to do? Do you have someone you know who is in need of Jesus Christ as their personal Savior? Won't you please share Him today.. You may be the water on the seed that makes their faith grow, won't you please try today.
I would love to see you in my eternal resting place, Heaven with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.. Today is a new beginning , renewed fresh with Grace and Mercy. It is there for you and for all that you can tell it too... John 3:16 For God so loved the world, who is the world???
It is anyone who is alive and you can talk to anyone of them .....God loves them all.
Please share Jesus Christ with someone today and have a Blessed day in our Savior..
Smile: it is a gift from God to you to share freely with all you meet...
Tenderly with the arms of God wrapped about you.... your sister in Christ Jesus,
vickie

Have you thanked God today

Hello Beloved,

I have so many things running through my mind today.. I don't really know where to start..
Well , yes I do... Have you thanked God today... for what you ask for? Well, for everything.
I think Him .
When I wake up each day for letting me have breath in my body( was a day when
I didn't) so I try and remember to do that first thing every morning..
I like to start my day with a prayer of Thanksgiving each day... I thank God for breath, movement in my limbs, for the nice warm bed I sleep in and the blankets that cover me. I thank Him for sunshine, rain, snow, wind, lightening, yea, all of it... It is a gift to the earth , helps to make things grow... I thank Him for the people He sends into my life, ..... I guess we are all in this together and we should just be grateful we are here..
I guess it should not be to much to say thank you for all that He has provided me with each day. You know, like a job, home, family , etc...... if you have any of those things, have you thanked Him today? When you give a gift , do you expect someone to say thank you? It is really nice when they do , eh? Well, I guess God just likes to be thanked too...
We, should thank Him before we ever ask for anything... You know what else,, God likes Praise too... Have you Praised God today? Have you told Him how much you love Him? How totally AWESOME He is? He is our Peace, our Comfort, our ALL in ALL. He is the Great I AM.
He is the beginning and the end.. Have you let Him know that you know that today?
I like to sing ( when no one is around) and I sing this little song sometimes...

Start your day with a prayer of thanksgiving, start you day with a pray filled with praise,
let me tell you I have found the joy of living and it's based on the way I start my day...

Ya know what Beloved, it works for me.... God is no respecter of person so it will work for you too. Just thank Him before you ask and see what happens ....
Remember to Smile, you are dressed the most beautiful you can be when you do... It is God's gift to you to pass on freely.
Tenderly with the love of Jesus Christ , your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

A Prayer

Dear Beloved,

I had a request today to pray for someone who is very ill. Yes, of course I prayed for this person. I have lately been studying in Isaiah and today I read Isaiah 53.. Have you ever taken
the time to listen to yourself read this chapter? I read it out loud today and this is what I heard.
I will write it in the form of a prayer.

Dear Lord Jesus,
I want to thank you for what you did for me on the cross. You took all of my griefs and carried
my sorrows, you were wounded for my transgressions and bruised for my iniquities, the chastisement of my peace was upon you and by your stripes I am healed.. I thank you for your
healing in my body, mind, and soul.. In Jesus name Amen ( so let it be)

I hope that if you are in need of something you will just ask Jesus who has already taken
all of everything you could ever think of and suffered it on the Cross at Calvary, for you..
Remember to Smile today . It is a gift from God for you to share with others..
tenderly and in Christ Jesus' will. your sister in Christ vickie

30 Second Quiz

Hello Beloved,

Today I am going to share with you something I had sent to me in a newsletter from my sister, the author is unknown.
The thirty second quiz:
Don't bother getting a pen and paper.. just read.. If you can't answer them, just keep going.
1. Name the 5 wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
4. Name the last 5 winners of the Miss America contest.
5. Name the last 5 Academy Award winners for Best Actor or Actress.

How did you do?
The point is none of us remembers the headliners of yesterday. These are no second rate achievers. They're the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Now here is another quiz. See how well you do on this one.

1.Name three teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who helped you through a diccicult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worth while.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier? The lesson?
The people who make a difference in your life aren't the ones with the most credentials,
the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care..
Wishing you a beautiful Day.
Author Unknown

How to Pray

Good Afternoon Beloved,

I learned a new word today. It is a Hebrew word: chazaq . meaning is rather long so please just bear with me , OK?

chazaq: to fasten upon, seize, be strong, courageous, obstinate, to bind, restrain, conquer, catch, cleave to, constant, continue, force, lay hold on, maintain, play the man, wax mighty, prevail, retain, be urgent, wax strong. All these meanings can be understood in connection with prayer.
I took this from the notes on Isaiah in the Dake Annotated Reference Bible, p. 1262-1263

On the Internet I found this description: chazaq: a uniquely strong and powerful descriptive word for " courage" that comes from God.
Here are some examples from God' Word so you can put the word in the right context.
Numbers 13:20 Moses telling them be of good courage ( chazaq)
Joshua 1: 6-9 The Lord telling Joshua to be strong and of good courage ( chazaq)
Acts 28:15 Paul, thanked God and took courage ( chazaq)

I have heard our Lady in church tells us that this is how she prays... I guess I didn't understand what she was saying until I read the meaning of the word for myself. I now have some questions for you ( mostly it is for me).
How do you pray? Do you just say words and hope it is right? Do you really remember and know what you are praying for? Do you shut yourself away to pray? Should you?
Do you plan on what your praying for ? Look at the meaning of the word chazaq, what meaning are you using today to pray? It is a word used as a descriptive powerful word for COURAGE.
Do you pray with courage? I think it is time for me to learn how to pray with courage and conviction.
Now for the rest of what it said in the Dake's Reference Bible
If one would stir himself up in this manner, refusing to be denied and if he would appropriate every benefit of the promise and covenant of God which have been freely and abundantly given to men--ALL men, then such a person would experience answers to prayers for body, soul, and spirit for both himself and others. Dake's Bible p. 1263
So Beloved, it looks like if we would just do as is suggested from the meaning of this word:chazaq
then our prayers would be answered maybe a little differently.. What do you think? Are you willing to give it a go? I sure am and I will let you know if it works for me.
Remember to Smile, you are dressed the most beautiful you can be when you do...
God Bless and have a wonderful day with Jesus our Lord and Savior today..
tenderly with arms wrapped around you... your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

Reunion Time

Well Good Evening My Beloved,

It is that time of year again when we gather as a family to enjoy one another... I was thinking
that as we gather together this year it could be the last time for us to do so here .. I believe it won't be long until we are having a REUNION with our Savior , Christ Jesus.
I love to see how all the children have grown from year to year and listen to them tell of what they have learned the year. It is always nice to hear what the old ones talk about too... It is a time of missing the ones who have left us so recently, and the ones who started it all... It is a time of continuance. Time to share some good food and memories..
I think about what it might be like to have a reunion with Christ Jesus. I think it might be like a reunion we have here with our family... I think we will rejoice in the Lord Jesus for a long time and then I believe we will sit down to a feast like nothing we have ever seen before... I think we will get to see our loved ones and visit with them .... I don't think we will have to remember any bad times at all.... I just can not wait to see all my family at this reunion we have each year.. I think I will tell them each and everyone to their face how much I love them this time. I don't know when or if I will pass this way again... So I want to be sure to let them know how I feel about each one of them...
Just as I can not wait for this earthly reunion ,I am so excited about the reunion I will soon have with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ... I am so excited about the time I will get to spend with Him.... It will be a continuance of what I have started here.... Time in His presence, only it will last for eternity.... Oh, Lord Jesus,, thank you for presence...
I hope you all have a good time at the reunion, the one here on this earth and the one we will have with our Father in Heaven...
Remember to Smile , you are dressed the most beautiful you can be when you wear your smile.. tenderly with arms wrapped about you, your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

Fear

Hello Beloved,

I found this on my fridge this morning and thought I would share it with you.. I wrote this to myself several years ago....

How are you different then the Hebrews of the Exodus?
Answer: Your not.
They were there when the Red Sea became a dry floor, they saw the bread fall from the sky, they saw water come from a rock, YET, did they have fear?
Answer: Yes.
Their hearts were hardened. They needed someone to follow. So do you!
Now the choice is : Follow God or follow your fear.
Which one do you chose? Think about it.... Remember it is going to be a daily, minute by minute
follow... so now what do you chose to do?

The Hebrews turned to a statue for help, what do you turn to? Got ya didn't I?
Now be truthful here and say what do you to turn to? For example: smoking, sleep, food, or maybe you just like to be sick all the time. It can be any number of things.. so have you been truthful yet and looked at what makes you so like the Hebrews of the Exodus?
Fear is fear. Fear is darkness. Fear is without God. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.. Philippians 4:13
Fear is a closed mind. So are you going to open your mind today , or leave it closed?
What is your fear? How can you give it up? Now, will you give it up?
Life is about choices. Chose well.... It is yours for a lifetime.... maybe even your eternal life...
Just something to think about.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world and you know the rest... just remember who is the world?


Thanks for listening today... God be with you... tenderly your sister in Christ Jesus.
Smile: you are the most beautiful you can be when you do...
vickie

Baptism

Hello Beloved,

Today ,I would like to talk about something I think is very important... Baptism. I was witness to seven baptisms today.. What a blessing it was for me... Seven new brothers and sisters. I saw two baptised in church and then 5 more baptised in a lake...( a first for me) both were fully under water but in different ways.... The first two went down in the Name of Jesus Christ... and the last five went down in the name of The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit.

It tells us in Matthew 28:19 to Go forth and teach and baptise in the name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost. Now in Acts 2:38 It says to Repent and be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.

Now in Matthew it was Jesus who said to be baptised in the NAME of Father,Son, and Holy Ghost. In Acts it says , that Peter said unto them, Repent and be baptised in the NAME of Jesus Christ . So what is the NAME ? Jesus Christ . We are to be baptised in in the NAME.


Now my thoughts on this are like this...

When a man asks a woman to marry him and she does: then what does she take on?

She takes on his name , correct? Mrs. John Smith. This would be her title..... Mrs. Smith but her name would still be Jane Smith. She would still be known by her name, Jane right.

Is a name important? I think it is... I like being called by my name.... do you?

I believe that when Jesus Christ comes back , He is coming for his bride.... the church; look at

Ephesians 5:22-33 this is an Analogy of family and church( title in my study bible) look at verse 32;" This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Now you need to read 5: 22-33 and see what it says... I believe it is a picture of the Bride of Christ...

the Church, Us, you and me. So I think it is important to have the NAME applied to us ... Do you see what I am saying? Does it make sense to you? I am not trying to be judgemental here, just trying to explain why in my opinion it is very IMPORTANT to get the Name of Jesus Christ applied to your life. I want to be a part of the Bride of Christ... It is important to me..
I believe you have to have the Name of Christ Jesus to be a part of the Bride. That is my thoughts on the matter... I hope that this has not offended anyone and that if you disagree with my thoughts then show me in the scriptures where I am wrong at , please...
God Bless each of you today and remember to Smile, when you do you are dressed the most beautiful you can be.... tenderly your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

Depression

Hello Beloved,



I will start with something from my last post. First of all.. YOU ARE LOVED.
Now I hope you will remember that throughout this post. YOU ARE LOVED.
I know that many of us have gone through different stages of depression. Women usually go
through some sort after having a baby, " baby blues" I think it is called.. Some go through it when they are going through menopause, some go through when kids leave the nest, some go through it all of their lives.... Many different ways to go through but they ALL come from the same source. Yes, I believe that..... Now, some may want to argue that it from your food intake, or from your genetics, or from something else but I am here to tell you I believe that depression comes from one source, and that source is Satan. yes, you read it right, Satan, who is the father of all lies. Yes, LIES. He has been lying to you in the fact that you are not good enough, not worth it, what is the point, why me, I am ugly, fat, stupid, an idiot, ignorant no account, you cant keep up, cant sing, dance, read, write, learn, ANYTHING that has been said to you that makes you feel like you are not good enough is a LIE straight from Satan, he just used someone else's voice to tell you.....

I want to to be the one to tell you that YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!!!!!!!! Now I will tell you how I know that to be the absolute truth of the whole matter. I hope you are ready for this....

Go and get a Bible out and turn to the book of John... It is in the New Testament ,fourth book..
Now go to John 3:16 and read it out loud... the word you need to see is " whosoever ".
Now the word means: whatever person; no matter who

Do you see that YOUR name IS whosoever? Read it out loud again and in place of whosoever put YOUR name in OK? Now I hope you know that God cannot lie... So if God says He is sending HIS son down here for us to believe in and have everlasting life then why would you believe
ALL the lies from Satan?

Do you see what I am trying to tell you? You can not have it both ways.. You cannot tell yourself that you are in love with Christ Jesus and then turn around and believe all the lies from Satan... Do you see that? You can only have it one way.. Truth or Lies. Which is it that you REALLY believe?

You maybe saying to your self right now , How can she say that to me... Well, I was YOU. I tried to have it both ways for most of my life... It does not work. I am trying to help you here get on with the life that meant to be instead of the one you are choosing,, Yes, you are choosing to be in this horrible state.. You have two choices to make every time. Truth or Lies.. Yes, it is just that simple.... You can go on believing that you are junk or you can take God at His Word and believe that you are a whosoever and that He loved you so much He sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ here to die for you... The choice is yours to make... Remember this ... the choice is for eternity... Now , I am going to tell you what I see , not with my natural eyes but with my spiritual eyes OK..
You are worth dying for , you are just exactly who you were created to be, you are loved.
I hope that you will really take the time to read the book of John. God loves you so much..
I love you too.. I know exactly what it feels like to believe all the lies... I am learning fresh new things about myself everyday... I love Christ Jesus more everyday... I am learning how to be
obedient to His Word and not the lies... I am praying that you will learn too..
With all the love of our Savior I love you and hold you in my heart tenderly, your sister in Christ, vickie

Very Personal

Hello Beloved,

I have something weighing heavy on my mind this morning... It is very heavy. I don't really know who I am talking to here but I believe someone needs to hear this. So please just stay with me here, OK?
I heard about someone yesterday that is so badly depressed they are very suicidal. They are already speaking with a doctor. Now, here is where it is going to get personal. Please just stay with me and know that I am speaking as one with experience.
Where to start? I really do not know when it all started for sure... I just know that at one point in my life I starting thinking about taking my own life. I do not know why I felt like;
no one liked me, no one loved me, I was not good enough, I had nothing to offer, I was so ugly and fat, I was not smart enough, I was not popular, I could not keep up in anyway, shape or form..
I sometimes think it must have started back when I was quite small... I was not as big as the other kids it seemed like... I was rather short.... I was pudgy and whining all the time... I guess it was just me and my own stinking thinking. I just know I hurt inside my heart and my head all the time... and for me it has been that way ALL my life.. I have thought so many times of different ways I could take my own life... I even went so far as to research the easiest and best way to do it.... Now that is a sick person..... I was very sick in my head , heart and my soul...
I didn't deserve to live... I was just not made right like " everyone " else... I really believed all of that..
I have sisters and brothers and I looked at them and saw perfection.... they were pretty, smart, had lots of friends, mama and daddy loved them lots more than me.. I was a mistake. I have all my life believed that.. I got married when I was only 17 years old so I could finally feel good about myself... Ha, Ha, joke on me. It didn't work.... I have now a man in my life that makes me feel bad about myself, only because he drinks. Now , what a rotten life I have.. I made it even worse by having children! I was not only a bad daughter and sister but now I was a crummy wife and mother! Why in the world would I want to live anymore and screw up more lives in the process? I have a bad case of the " I HATE MYSELF" . If I couldn't like me how in the earth could anyone else. It just really sucks being me......
I tried several times to do away with myself but as usual I FAILED. I am going to fast forward here.
In October 2007, something happened to change my life AND my way of thinking..
I fell upside down in the bathtub and broke my back. Has to be one of the greatest days of my life. I had to spend some time in the hospital and while there something started to happen to me... I had time to do NOTHING but think... I looked at a clock on the wall and marked time off in seconds. Yes, in seconds. I looked at a crucifix on the wall and started asking myself about
Jesus and how he must have felt all broken up.. Then it started to work on my thoughts about why in the world would I think I was the only one who was hurting like this... Jesus had already suffered ALL that I was .... He knew what it was like to have no one like him. He knew what it it felt like to be broken and used by those around him... He really does know what you are feeling and thinking at all times,. So to use the excuse I like to use.. no one knows what I feel like , what I am thinking or anything of whatever. Well, I was WRONG!!!!! Jesus really does know all that ..
Now lets go back to something said earlier for a minute OK..
My family is NOT perfect nor have they ever been... My husband is NOT drinking now but is a man who is in LOVE with Jesus Christ our Lord. I no longer live in " POLLYANNA"S WORLD""
. I have had to take a long hard look at my life and it has not been a pleasant experience. I know that if you are going through some of the same things in your mind that I did and you may be thinking something like: well that was you and it is not the same as what I am going through" well I am here to tell you this BULL, it is the same no matter if the experience is different.. You feel like you are not worth nothing! I felt the same... So what you need to do is start thinking about someone besides YOU! If you don't know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior then I would suggest you get down on your knees and start talking to Him today... I know that from my own personal experience that He is real and He wants to be with you... I will help you if you will let me.. Jesus will be there if you let Him.... So you ARE IMPORTANT to more then you realize.
I do not know about your circumstance nor your life nor probably even who you are but I do know that I LOVE YOU with all the love that Christ Jesus has... Please won't you let someone in today to help you know just how much you mean to them.. I want to help you... please let me... You can contact me through this blog please do so...
Dear Lord I pray for who ever is reading this today that they might feel you in someway today and know that you love them so much that you died for them.. I pray your will be done... In the name of Jesus Christ ... Amen.
God be with you today. vickie

Brand New Sister!!!!

Hello Beloved,

I have some wonderful , great, awesome news!!! I have a brand new sister!!!!! ( I am smiling really really big here) Her name is Debbie and she is absolutely a beautiful new baby.. She has very dark hair and she is so tiny! She is going to be a comedian down in Branson , MO. I sure hope I can get down there to show her some support.. I love her so, so so much.
I met Debbie several years ago while I was working in a hardware store and she came in and needed help finding some things. I only knew her by her face and beautiful smile for ever so long. I have just recently became acquainted with her on a more personal level... I really do just love her so.
Well, Debbie was having questions about The Lord Jesus and her faith.. and she met up with the
right team.... , a mother- daughter team... Vicki and Sherry.( My friend the " YELLOW WARRIOR"") and they have helped her learn to study God's Word and learn and answer all
manner of questions... Well, it all paid off not only for them, but for us too... but mostly for Debbie. Debbie will now have a new birthday! YEA!!!!! Yes, that is right thinking on your part. ( smiling here) Please let me be the one to announce the news of "our" new sister.

Birth date: July 28,210
Place: Grace and Mercy Ministries, Crawfordsville, Indiana 47933
Physician : The Lord Jesus Christ
Delivery Room Assistants: Bishop Robert L. Miller, and Pastor Scott Lehr
Witnesses: A LOT!!!!!!! ( Smiling again)

This is so much fun to do and tell about.... I watch her go from no understanding to understanding just like a little child and it was absolutely a beautiful transformation.... We , yes,
I am including all of you in this, we are so very fortunate to have Debbie as a new sister.. I hope if you are in Branson, MO or close by you will go and see her act... She is bright and funny, and BRAND NEW!!!!!!!! Debbie, I want you to know just how much you have meant in our lives and how much you will always mean.... You are such a incredible human being.... God, sure does love us a lot to have sent you to join in our family. Thank you for answering the call....
Good luck to you in your new venture and always remember you have a family here and wherever you encounter the Love of the Lord Jesus Christ.. Go with God and have a great life!

With all the love and tenderness I hold in my heart , I love you , Debbie... your new sister in Christ Jesus. vickie b.

Fellowship

Hello Beloved,

Are you a Christian? Do you claim to be? Do you tell people you are a Christian? So what is your fellowship with Christ Jesus? Do you claim to have fellowship with Him?
According to 1 John 1:6

" If we claim fellowship with Him and yet we walk in darkness, we lie, and do not live by the
truth."
( Now if that doesn't make you sit and and take notice of how you are living, what is is going to take?)


fellowship: companionship, company, association
So according to the definition of the word fellowship. Do you still claim to have fellowship with Christ Jesus?


darkness: devoid of light, dismal, gloomy

light: something that makes vision possible, spiritual illumination, truth.


Now, we have the definition of the above three words.. . fellowship, darkness, and light.. Can we tell if we are in fellowship of darkness or light? I believe we can. If we live in a world of lies, deceit, and frustration then that is a world of darkness ... but if we live in the world of truth, love and peace then we are living in a world of light..

So what is truth? Truth: sincerity in action, character, and utterance.

In John 8:12 (KJV)
Jesus spake unto them saying" I am the light of the world: "
John 14:6
Jesus said unto him, " I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
So we know that God is truth and light... so that only leave darkness and Satan is the father of it... So, now we have to figure out which one we follow or that we want to follow.. Light or darkness?
You would be walking in darkness if you had fear , or worry or were anxious about anything or your thoughts were always negative.
If you fear, you have no faith. If you have faith, you have no fear.
Read what 1 John 1:7 says:
" But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, ......
Now we know that Jesus Christ is the Light of the world and we do not have to walk in fear, or worry because we have faith in Him and if we have faith we have no fear...
So do you want to walk in fellowship with the Light or darkness? It is your choice...
Remember that when you smile you are the most beautiful you can be...
God Bless and keep you, tenderly your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

Words that mean something

Hello Beloved,



I have been thinking about another word that I would like to share with you.

CONSEQUENCE: 1.) results of , effect of. 2.) a logical result or conclusion.

now if we put it in consequences: it means: to accept the results of ones action.



When we make a choice we know that it will end in a consequence(s). So it is important to think about what we do or what we think: Do you agree?

Now, another word to look at is this;
judgement: 1) formal utterance of an authoritative opinion; 2.) Judgement ( capitalized) the final
judging of humankind by God.

So now I will go (or at least I hope I can ) to what I have been thinking, OK? Here we go, please stick with me now...
If you go out and do something wrong and you are found out, then you will have to pay the consequences for it. ie....Say you went out and told on your friend/ siblings, you now have that friend /sibling mad at you for a time.... their being mad at you is a consequence for telling on them... Or maybe you got arrested for speeding and had to go before the court.. Well, now, you have to pay the consequences and you also receive judgement... You had to go to court, consequences and then then judgement , paying the fine for speeding..

Life is like that too. we go through life choosing the wrong places to go , people to be with, or maybe even in the way we eat, drink, or even think..... When we go and choose the wrong way or the wrong people , we have consequences. You know, after the consequences we are still going to have to go through Judgement... So I am thinking , since we know that ahead of time, why then do we still choose the wrong stuff? Why do we think we can know more about it then God?
If anyone out there is guilty, it is ME. I am always choosing in myself and not on what God wants.... I know I am not the only one, but does it bother me . Does it bother you as much as it does me? I think about how many wrong/bad choices I have made in my life and I think , Can God forgive me of all of these things? I know the answer and it is YES!!!!!!! Yes, God forgives me and He will forgive you too.. He sent His Son to die so we could have the choice to believe or not believe... I choose to believe.. How do you choose? It is so easy to go the way of the world isn't it? But I don't belong to this world anymore... I am waiting for my home with Christ Jesus in Eternity. I pray that you will also want to be with Christ Jesus in Eternity. I have so much more I am thinking but space allows only so much .. I pray that today you will chose to be with Jesus in Eternity. Lord Jesus who ever reads this I pray that as The Prince of Peace you would come into their life.... You are Mighty, You are All in All... You are my everything.. I pray that You would become theirs also... Thank you for choosing me to be part of your body. I love you Jesus now and forever...
Remember : Smile you are then dressed the most beautiful you can be.... I love you all tenderly with my heart .... your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

Failure

Hello Beloved,

This is going to be a little different today. We are going to explore the word failure. How many ways you can fail... OK. Here goes.

FAILURE: a state of inability to perform normal function; lack of success; falling short; one that has failed.
This is what the word means. Now we will see if we can name some of the ways you can fail.

First a question. How many ways can one person be something to someone else? example:

At birth you become someones child, grandchild, brother or sister, maybe an aunt or uncle, cousin, then you can become someones friend, in-law, wife/ husband, mom/dad, grandparent,co-worker, acquaintance, employee/employer, you can become many more things too.... Now we list some of the ways you fail.

As a child you may fail in not doing what your folks wanted, same with anyone of the others listed above. You failed to live up to what they wanted for you... you didn't do what they wanted you to do, or you said the wrong things, looked the wrong way, acted badly, you just did not do as they wanted you too.... Then as time goes on you have failed yourself because you didn't do as you thought you should...You tried to do what each one wanted but you just could never measure up and you failed again and again and again till one day you said I am a FAILURE at this game called life and reached a point of not knowing where to go or what to do...
This is where you need to have a stable mental outlook on life and it's hard to do that with all these failures in your life. The one place you did not look too was the only place you would find
PEACE, yes, peace from all the failures of this world..... That place to look is up while you are down....... Down on your knees before God and asking Him to let you have a peace that is not of this world, but His peace. John 14:27
He knew you would feel this way and He loved you anyway ! Others may think of you as a failure , you may even think of yourself as a failure but God knew you BEFORE you were. Psalms 139 : read it... It will change your way of thinking... It has mine...
I know what it means to be a failure, all the things listed above, I have failed at.... I have hurt all of them but the one I have hurt the very most was ME. By letting others , by what they said or thought of me become what I said or thought of myself.... That is failure... I should never have let what others say or do make me what I was suppose to be ...
I am suppose to be a light in a dark world of pain and suffering and I was not... I have hidden my light for way to long... I am a child of the King!!!!! I am a Son of God! I have been washed by the Blood of the Lamb and the hearing of the Word.. I am someone who is LOVED by the Creator of us all... I now ask before God in your hearing to break the curse that is over my thoughts and ask Him to please put PEACE where I have had so much failure... I love the Lord God Almighty who is Jesus Christ our Savior. I ask humbly before Him if He will forgive me for all of my life's sins and come unto me with His Holy Spirit and walk before me in my thoughts , my life. In the name of Jesus Christ , I pray for His will to be done. Amen..
Beloved, if you have ever felt like you were a failure please ask now for God to break that curse that is upon you and find peace in our Savior... If He will do it for me , He will do it for you.
I love you all and in that I am not a failure.... If I have hurt you in anyway I ask you now to please forgive me as I have forgiven you.
Remember to smile today,, you may be the only one who shows the light and love of God to someone in that smile and you are dressed the most beautiful you can be when you smile.. It is a
God given gift; your smile...
with all the love and tenderness in my person to you .... your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

Reading Through

Hello Beloved,

I don't know where this is going but I am just going to start OK? I just started reading , The Student Bible,NIV . I have read several different versions now and this is the one I have been using when I do my Bible studies with Beth Moore. Anyway, I am in Chapter One and I wanted to expand some on what I have already written about in another blog spot called 2500 Miles.
It is about the stars and heaven. Genesis 1:14-19
" God said, " let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, 15. and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. 17. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, 18. to govern the day and night and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good.19. And there was evening, and there was morning--- the fourth day.
As I was reading it just came back to me what I had seen in the movie at the Creation Museum.
It is something I just can't seem to get out of my mind...
The stars. How many are there? I just looked up and on one page it says that it is something like 10 to the 21 power.. that would be a number like this long
1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 I don't even know what that would be!!!!!!! I know that it is a lot of em. and just think God created them on the 4th day. He spoke and they came into being... Is that not just AMAZING !
Out of all those stars He created He chose this one , Earth, to send His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ to. THAT my beloved is Incredibly Amazing!! Of all that He created He chose Earth where you and I live to come down too... I just can not fathom the vastness of the stars and planets.. It is to much for us to comprehend. In one day He created all the lights, the sun, moon, and stars..
Now , just how awesome is that. On the sixth day , He created man.. Then He rested... Do you think He is resting now? I think not... We , man, human, have really thrown the monkey wrench into His rest , would you agree? I am not even out of the first chapter of Genesis and I am already having my mind boggled.... God loves us so much , look what He did for us in just six days.. You and I could NEVER have done any of the things I am reading about .... NEVER.
I tell you true, I love my God so much,,, I can never ever thank Him enough for what He has done for me and for where He has brought me from.... Oh, How I love Jesus.... I just thought it might be something to help keep your mind working to think about just what happened on Creation Day # 4.. It sure has made my mind work...just thinking about it...
Remember to Smile today,,, someone needs it and you are dressed the most beautiful you can be when you Smile...
God Bless, tenderly with arms wrapped about you, your sister in Christ Jesus , vickie

I have a Question

Good Evening Beloved,

I have a question for you. How do you know you are being called? Now the called I am talking about is of course being called by God to go and do something or say something. How do you know your being called? I ask because today I spoke with a lady I know and she is leaving on Wednesday to go overseas for a undetermined amount of time because she was called.
I asked her how she knew.... her answer was something like this.....
"I didn't say anything to anyone because I thought it might just be me but my husband said to me that I would be leaving soon and going back so maybe we should look for an apartment, and then a lady I know told me that she knew I was going back... so she just took it all as conformation that God had called her to go on another mission trip. "Is that being called?
I really do not know the answer... I would really like it if someone could help me out here...
I do not feel like I am being called to do something that big or important... I know that we are all called to be witnesses of The Gospel... I do try to be that.... I am just wondering if anyone has a answer. I know we have a still small voice inside of us that we should be aware of and listen to..
So can anyone help me? Thanks for listening ... God Bless
Remember to Smile: You are dressed as beautiful as you can be...
Sincerely, your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

Learning Wisdom

Hello Beloved,

I have so much I would like to share with you today. But I am not sure how to really go about it yet.. I am still thinking on it... but, I would like to share one thing right now with you. I have just finished my Beth Moore , Bible Study called Breaking Free. I have not broke free altogether but I am in the process. Anyway, a thought occurred to me a few days ago and I would like to tell you about it and maybe it might also help you if you are trying to " break free"...

Several years ago , my sister sent me a letter and in it she told me something pretty important. I did what she ask not really putting my whole heart in it.. ya know what I mean? Well, after this study I decide a few days ago to go back and do what my sister had ask me to several years ago.. ( Why is it that we always have to do things the hard way?) She told me that I should read
Hebrews once a month and Proverbs every three months.. I did . But now, I would like to tell you how I am doing it now... Instead of every three months I am doing one chapter each day for a month.... There are 31 chapters in Proverbs and you can do one a day for a whole month... This way I can read it each morning and reread it throughout the day so it will hopefully stick with me all day long.... I am calling it ( for myself) getting wisdom... I am praying for wisdom and understanding in my life right now... Maybe you are too... I really think this is going to help me... I hope it will also help you. Well that was my thought for today.
I am recommitting my life to the Lord Jesus Christ and doing so each day... I am such a human that I make mistake after mistake everyday so by recommitting each day I am in hope of learning something new. May God smile down on you today and Bless you as He has me..
Remember : Smile , you are dressed the most beautiful you can be when you do...
Tenderly with arms wrapped about you, your sister in Christ Jesus, vickie

Big Birds

Hello Beloved,

I only have a minute to tell you about a strange thing that happened to me today.
I was out on a mower, mowing a large open field and I thought I heard something overhead.
I did it was a helicopter coming down out of the sky and was going to land in MY big open field.
It did and it was really kinda cool... Ok, I go back to mowing and pretty soon I looked up and
yes, you guessed it ANOTHER helicopter circled around the field and came back and it landed too! I have never had something so large fly so close to my head as I did today.. Not one but two beautiful dark blue / creamy white big birds dropped by today as I was just mowing a field.

God is so good.... He loves you so much... He died for you.
Remember to Smile today as you are the most beautiful you can be.
tenderly your sister in Christ Jesus. vickie

Do you ever wonder?

Hello Beloved,

I was just sitting here looking out the window .. I see the corn has started to stand back up from where the wind and rain laid it down... Do you ever wonder how things like happen? The corn, for instance, it was put down by the wind and rain and yet it stayed rooted in the ground... Do you ever wonder if we are like the corn? I do.
Do you ever wonder why you get the drolldrums/ I do... I have been in them here of late.. I dislike that place alot.... I feel like I have been in a negative field for ever so long... Do you ever wonder about things like that?
Do you ever wonder, why your siblings are so much different then you but ever so much alike? I do... I have great siblings... smart , handsome, beautiful ,loveable brothers and sisters and then I go and see a mirror and it's just me.... Do you ever wonder?
Do you ever wonder why we wonder? I do... I love to think about lots of things... I wonder why alot too... Like I wonder why I like to write and no one likes to read. I wonder about crazy things sometimes... I often wonder why God would love someone like me. Do you ever wonder that?
I hope that if you are reading this and you have a wonder that you would write to me and let me know how you wonder.... I love you so much...... God does too.... He wonders why we have waited so long to let Him in our lives... Do you wonder that too?
Please remember to Smile today,,, someone needs to see you at your most beautiful.
tenderly with my arms wrapped about you.... your sister in Christ... vickie

Worldy Influences

Hello Beloved,

What a beautiful day it is... Have you ever thought about how after a storm the sun shines, or after tears comes joy? That is what popped into my head this morning after a night of thunder and lightening... I looked out the window and saw the sun shinning and a smile came to me... God is so good to us!
I want to tell a Praise before I tell you why I am writing today OK?
Earlier this month I went on a short vacation with my grandchildren out to see my sister in Kansas..... I have to Praise the Lord because I drove out with them alone... I did all the driving, and planning and driving on the way out and back..... Now to you that may not be such a big deal... but to me it was HUGE!! I had to go thru St. Louis, and Kansas City, and Wichita, and not only thru them but also along side of and around semis!!!! Now again maybe not a big deal to you but to me it was a BIG DEAL!!!!! So I want to thank and Praise God for getting us there and back without any mishap..... It was a big growing spot for this old gal , let me tell ya. So Thank you Jesus for being there for me...... again.
Now, to what I wanted to tell you.....

Worldly influences,, what are they? How do we get over them? Are they always there?
Well, I say yes, they are always present and what are they? Well, it is anything in this world that you hold dear above how you should be holding God.... How do we get them? Hey listen,
we were born in sin, yes, tiny little newborn babies are born already knowing how to sin.... that is a fact. So we get them because , we get them..... Now the big question is , Can we get over or around them?/ The answer is , Yes, we can... How... Well, lets look at some scriptures and see, OK?
I am by the way still reading out of the book, The Prayerful Spirit.
In I John 2 15-17
( paraphrasing) Love not the world, the whole world is lust of the flesh and will pass away,
but, he that does the will of God abides forever. ...
We can never have a close relationship with our Lord in prayer if we have an affection for things of this world...( taken from page 61) That is correct, do you not agree? How can we be in a relationship with one and think of another? That is what we do when we pray too... We start out praying and then something pops into our mind, what's for lunch, what will I do today, or something about someone or something, ect.......... and that is what is meant by the close relationship. When we pray we should be thinking only of our Heavenly Father... not this nasty old place that is going to self destruct... I am so guilty of this... I have such a long way to go to become what God intended for me to become....
You know even Jesus was tempted by Satan , Look at Matthew 4: 8-9 and then verse 10. We can do the same thing..... " Get thee hence, Satan! ( or get thee away from me..)
KJV Matthew 4:10
Get thee hence, Satan, for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
When we become a child of God we receive His Spirit and should learn to listen to His Spirit .
John 17: 15-16 Please read this it is a prayer from Jesus for you.
Sitting in church and praying and something else pops into your mind is NOT having a close relationship with Christ Jesus.... Satan is subtle and powerful in his tactics.. We cant be preoccupied with things of this world and still pray... God deserves our undivided attention.
( taken from page 62)
I am as guilty as the next one... but I am still learning and want to learn... I hope you do too.
God Bless you ... and remember to Smile,, you are dressed the most beautiful you can be...
tenderly your sister in Christ. vickie