Random Little TidBits ~ April 2017

Time for Testimony

Praise of the Day!

I went to take the kids to school this morning, grab the keys off the key rack... they aren't there.

I look all over the house, no luck. I check Gary's Jeep, the car we took last night, no luck. I finally take Gary's keys this morning, to get the kids to school. Come back and look again no luck. Anxiously await 8 AM so I can call the friend I spent the evening with yesterday, to see if maybe I left them at her house. No luck. She and her husband prayed for me to find them.

I go back through the whole house... and getting a little desperate I say "Okay God, what did I do with my keys?"

Clear as day, the image of me putting them in Gary's glove box comes to mind. And yes, that is where they were!

God is glorious, and HE does answer prayers, even the seemingly miniscule ones!!!!

I've been on a desperate attempt to lose weight.  I am near hopelessly out of shape.  Suffering from a hernia, that makes exercise difficult.  I joined MRC about three months ago.  I have successfully lost 31 pounds to date.  And want all of you to know.  YOU can do it too!

This is my baby.  Hard to believe that I am almost 50 and my baby is just now a teenager.  A two teenager household.  LORD help me!

Questions of the Day

The twelve disciplines of Jesus are: prayer, confession, meditation, study, fasting, sabbath, silence, solitude, simplicity, giving, service, and worship.

How many do you observe?

Book Club

 

Cross Roads ~ Wm. Paul Young

I love this man's fiction.  AND it's fiction.  He tells you that up front.  I read the controversial "The Shack"  and loved it.  Had to read Eve when it came out, that in my opinion is more controversial.  So I had to round out his work, since there is only this one other book.  

I really loved this book.  The idea that you can resolve things before you die, is just uplifting.  (YES, I know it's fiction, but there's a chance)  Setting things right before it's too late, don't we all think about that.  

Great book!

"Falling Free" by Shannan Martin

Mrs. Martin has several messages for us in this book.  This book is important, and crucial to living the way Jesus had in mind.  IMO

This book was extremely hard for my left brain structured mind to follow and stay with.  Chaotic brain is not something OCD brain can follow.  Right brains you will love this book.

I love how she tells us time and again in not these exact words that we have to get over ourselves in order to do HIS work.  And this is so very true!  Martin has very well encapsulated the mentality of current society, and how she overcame that to do HIS work.  I do recommend this one. 

"Mended" by Angie Smith

I have to tell you, mended is the perfect example of why you should give an author a second chance!

My sister, at church, loves Angie Smith's work.  And she loaned to me, last month's "Chasing God" which I didn't care for at all.  And this month's "mended".

I have to tell you, I loved this book.  Each chapter was a bite-sized bit of Angie's life, times, ups, downs, struggles, and successes.  Just large enough to get a taste, but not so big you feel overly full when done.

I love the devotional feel to this one! And will read it again.

Notable Quotables

When even one American ~who has done nothing wrong~ is forced by fear to shut his mind and close his mouth ~ then all Americans are in peril. Harry S. Truman

"The more we pray, the more we shall want to pray. The more we pray, the more we can pray. The more we pray, the more we shall pray. He who prays little will pray less, but he who prays much will pray more."

C.H. Spurgeon

"Anyone who has been in the church for very long has been hurt by people in the church" Christians are not immune to "judgment, pride, self-centeredness, manipulation, abandonment, abuse, control, perfectionism, domination, and every kind of relational sin known to humankind. The walls of the church do not make it safe from sin. In fact, the church by definition is composed of sinners."

Never Unfriended
The Secret to Finding and Keeping Lasting Friendships
Lisa-Jo Baker

"If we're not careful, we can be judgmental toward other believers, simply because we don't agree with the way they do things, and wind up having hearts that look more like the Pharisees than we'd expect... Don't let yourself fall into the sin of self-righteousness. Focus on your own life and the sins you need to confess more than the sins of those around you."
~ Dr. Marty Jacumin, Bay Leaf Baptist, Raleigh, NC

"Does that mean: said Mack, "that all roads will lead to you?" "Not at all." Jesus smiled as he reached for the door handle to the shop. "Most roads don't lead anywhere. What it does mean is that I will travel any road to find you."

The Shack ~ Wm. Paul Young

Matthew 7:13 [The Narrow Way ] “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.

Matthew 7:14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Luke 13:24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Mary and Martha provide two excellent models of worship and service. Instead of valuing one over the other, we should have a balance of both. You simply cannot divorce the two and be an effective follower of Christ.

Many have criticized Martha for failing to sit with Mary at Jesus' feet. However, churches are full of Christians who "sit and soak" and never prioritize serving and applying what they have learned. Many Chrisitians pride themselves on their faithful attendance, but the statistics have not changed for decades. Eighty percent of the work is done by twenty percent of the people.

What changes do you need to make to balance worship and service in your life?

~Dr. Larry Thompson, First Baptist Church, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Bible Studies

I really love doing one chapter at a time with GMG.  And Courtney I pray for you.  Hoping that heal and rest well.  And look forward to your return.  

I'll also tell you, I started quite a few Bible Studies in April.  And two of them are ending tomorrow.  LOL.  Not soon enough to make this edition.  Stay tuned in May for Lisa TerKuerst's "Uninvited", Karen Ehman's "Listen, Love, Repeat", and Angela Thomas-Pharr's "Redeemed" as well as a book review of "Never Unfriended".  Am also doing Job and Ecclesiastes with GMG, don't think I'll be done with those until June.  

Meme Corner

 

Page photos are from Lisa TerKuerst's "Uninvited"

Well, that is all I have for this edition.  Look forward to bending your ear much more in May!

Shalom!

Random Little TidBits - January & February 2017

TidBit #1

"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil" Matthew 4:1

I'd ask you to read EVERY single word there. Absorb it. It says a whole lot more than you realize at a quick glance.

TidBit #2

"The abundance of religious activity is no substitute for a daily, transforming walk with God." 

Dr. Adam Dooley

TidBit #3
It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by keeping things out. C. S. Lewis

TidBit #4


Billy Graham's daughter was interviewed on the Early Show and Jane Clayson asked her "How could God let something like this happen?" (regarding the attacks on Sept. 11). Anne Graham gave an extremely profound and insightful response. She said "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?" In light of recent events...terrorists attack, school shootings, etc. I think it started when Madeleine Murray O'Hare (she was murdered, her body found recently) complained she didn't want prayer in our schools, and we said OK. Then someone said you better not read the Bible in school .... the Bible says thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as yourself. And we said OK. Then Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their self-esteem (Dr. Spock's son committed suicide). We said an expert should know what he's talking about. And we said OK. Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill strangers, their classmates, and themselves. Probably, if we think about it long and hard enough, we can figure it out. I think it has a great deal to do with "WE REAP WHAT WE SOW." Funny how simple it is for people to trash God and then wonder why the world's going to hell. Funny how we believe what the newspapers say, but question what the Bible says. Funny how you can send 'jokes' through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when you start sending messages regarding the Lord, people think twice about sharing. Funny how lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene articles pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion of God is suppressed in the school and workplace. Are you laughing? Funny how when you forward this message, you will not send it to many on your address list because you're not sure what they believe, or what they WILL think, of you for sending it. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what God thinks of us. Pass it on if you think it has merit. If not then just discard it... no one will know you did. But, if you discard this thought process, don't sit back and complain about what bad shape the world is in.
God bless you as you share it with friends. No Nation or people can ever survive or succeed without Jesus Christ.

TidBit #5

"Though God does not require that we seek persecution, He does insist that we refuse to run from it" 
~ Dr. Adam Dooley

TidBit #6

I really enjoyed this study.  Learning from Ms. Shirer or any member of her Spirit-filled family is always a blessing.  Love how she digs in there and gets into the nitty gritty!

TidBit #7

One chapter a day, one book at a time, alternating from Old Testament to New Testament, just love doing this.  Lots of groups that you can join also, to discuss with others.  

I am starting a group of my own, message me if you'd like to join it. 

TidBit #8

This study is amazing!  I loved it! I will love it more when I do it again.  I can't say enough good things about this one.  My TerKeurst is simply a blessing to Women's Ministry.  She's not up there above us, she has problems and issues just like us, and she is down to earth and dare I say "normal".  Love this lady's approach to Bible Study, and look forward to more coming from her!

TidBit #9

I just love the quick and to the point devotionals as well, and this one was a good find!

TidBit #10

When we lose one blessing, another is often most unexpectedly given in its place. C. S. Lewis

TidBit #11

Today's Devotional:

"God is more anxious for you to know His will than you are to find it. In fact, it's not really your responsibility to find the will of God. It is your responsibillity to do the will of God. If God wants you to know His will, it is His responsibility to reveal it. It is your responsibility to obey it. Scripture is clear in saying that obedience is a birthmark of the believer.

A store that was having a going-out-of-business sale hung a huge sign that said, "No refunds. No returns. All transactions final." That describes the kind of no-excuses, sold-out obedience God wants from us, the kind Jesus described in Mark 3:35. Trust and obey God as He reveals His will to you - it's the only way God's children truly live!"

- Dr. James Merritt, Cross Pointe Church, Duluth, GA

TidBit #12

Went to the NewsBoys concert last night here in Ft. Smith.  Amazing group of talented gentlemen.  At last nights concert Michael Tait said the below quote.  This is true, and so real, I created this meme for everyone to share his message!

Wrap Up

I want to apologize for missing the January post.  Things got real busy and I didn't realize that I didn't get it out there until Mid-February, so a two-parter is what you get this month.  Chock full of great stuff I have come across.  

I want to thank you guys for being a part of my week.  Know that I love you all, especially those of you that aren't here yet. 

Random Little TidBits - December 2016

This issue out a bit early, calling the month, and the year done.  This year as been awesome, blessing filled, enlightenment after enlightenment, and blessing after blessing.  I'm going to spend the rest of the year away from the computer, and with family.  Love you guys! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and see you in 20 17.

TidBit #1

Twisted Scripture Romans 16:16

The Churches of Christ (COC) sect takes its name from this verse. Some claim that any true church will also have the correct scriptural name. Christ said, "I will build My church" (Mt 16:18). The COC argues that since it is Christ's church, it should be called the Church of Christ. Different verses, however, point to other descriptors, such as "church of God" (1 Co 10:32; Gl 1:13) and "assembly of the firstborn" (Heb 12:23). Nowhere does God's Word prescribe that a legitimate church should haave a specific name.

The Apologetics Study Bible HCSB

TidBit #2

I hate shopping. And I stand by my theory that WalMart is satan's residence.

I did manage to accomplish my trip there today (Dec 9) and still show My Jesus to others by allowing a lady who failed to pay for all of her stuff and couldn't get out the door to come back and cut in front of me to pay for her big item.

Knowing I have to go back tonight and again tomorrow I decided I needed my high dollar Sweet Bay Mudslide Mocha fix. I go to pull in line and from the other direction comes this little red car 1/3 the size of my Avalanche to cut in front of me. She apparently needed coffee bad. But did stop at the last second and thought better of her actions. I could easily have kept her from going but showed her My Jesus instead.

She apparently needed her coffee more than I needed my Mocha. Then I find out she paid for mine too. Thank you so much for doing that. For showing me that the little things I think I'm doing for others aren't going un-noticed.

Jesus, thank you for working on me and in me, and showing through me!!!!

TidBit #3

Even though the group study for this one was postponed, I went ahead and went through it.  

I find it fascinating going through the Bible this way.  And learn something new each day!

TidBit #4

"Framing addiction as chronic disease does not remove the moral choices involved, but gives us a broader framework for understanding them."

"Just Say No to Shame" by Timothy King

TidBit #5

Rubies Book Club went through this book and we finished Mid-December.  Loved looking in depth to the Woman at the Well, Michal, Rahab, Jezebel, the Sinful Woman... ten women in all, we took one - two per week, and discussed in detail.  I have to say I quite often disagreed with the authors opinion of some of the women, but found her very thought provoking, and am very interested in reading some more of her Bad Girl books.

TidBit #6

I borrowed this one from a friend.  The staff at our church read this one apparently as a group, and it came highly recommended.  I must agree with the whole book.  We all too often clutter our lives, our space, and our minds with nonsense, and this book gives you practical steps to uncluttering it all.  If you have trouble going to sleep at night, cause you can't turn it off...  this one is for you!

TidBit #7

This is my first Lucado study.  I've read a couple of his books, but never a study.  This one is very good.  I was a bit disappointed that the book contained most of the same stories that the on-line videos contained.  It was advertised as having unique information.  All in all, it was a great study.  

TidBit #8

I started this series about a year ago.  Stopped in the middle, and restarted again this month.  I think that God has a time for everything, and my time for this study was now.  I have drawn my own circles and know that I will pray them daily.  

TidBit #9

May my children and grandchildren choose life and blessing. Let them love You Lord, and obey Your voice, and cling to You as I do. For You are their life and the length of their days. Deut 30:19-20

 

TidBit #10

We did Series I in Sunday school.  I love George's writtings, even though they are written in Scottish dialect, and translated to Old English, and presented to us in that format.  A little difficult to read, but well worth the time you are investing!

TidBit #11

I found this book very interesting.  A whole lot of information.  Useful information.  However, it had a quite boring layout.  I found myself rereading a couple of passages numerous times.  I probably shouldn't say boring, but more appropriately unfamiliar information.  I decided about halfway through it that if I were Jewish most of this would make sense.  The majority of the book is geared I suspect to the Messianic Jew.  And how to apply the New Testament to their culture and traditions.  Seeing how this is information that I am trying to learn.  None too successfully, it was not information for me, per se.

An excellent source of data though.  And an appendix at the back that listed some other really great sources of Jewish Roots that I have not encountered before.

I will be keeping this one near my desk for quick access when researching.

TidBit #12

For those of you that are familiar with last issues Mockingbird story.  Just want to show you guys that He followed me into WalMart.  Or God used this one to say hi to me whilst in the pit of satans realm.  Regardless, it made my day, and made me feel loved by Him even more. 

Meme Corner