You Are Not Forgotten

It's Christmas again. How did that happen? It is true what they say...The days pass slowly but the years fly by. I turned 50 this year and I honestly don't feel like that much time should have already passed. But as I look back at the memories it makes more sense. My life is filled with so many memories, good, bad, and awesome. I choose to focus on the good and awesome ones. When the bad ones try to worm their way into my thoughts I try to push them back as quickly as possible. 

Last night as I was baking bread I started to think about one of my most treasured people, my grandmama, my "mom". When I was newborn I went to live with my grandparents. The details behind that aren't really important, those are some of the bad memories I choose not to think about too hard. The fact that God placed me in their home was one of the greatest gifts that He gave me. He placed me in a Godly home, not perfect, but loving and safe. I was adopted by them when I was in the first grade. They gave me everything I needed and so much more when it came to love and opportunity.

Thanks for being an active example for me. You never stopped doing, not until the end. In your 60's you started wall papering houses. In your 70's you started snow skiing. In your 80's you WON a gold medal in the Senior Olympics in golf EVERY YEAR! You are my hero. 

I miss you now and always! Merry Christmas to you and Grandpapa. See you again someday.

Love, Terri

Jenni's Profession of Faith

Of all the things that have happened this summer, this is by far the most important thing that has happened in our family. It was something that we knew was close because we have been there for her the last 7 + years (she will be 8 in mid September) teaching her and guiding her in her closeness and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. The thing that worried her was having to walk up there in front of everyone and getting baptized. She knew and understood the other things that were important to know in your heart. She knew that Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life, died for our sins, was raised again on the third day and was seen by many before He ascended into Heaven to one day return for us. But for a young shy girl like her, it was going to take a lot. I told her often as we would talk about it that one day Jesus would give her the strength and courage to walk that "road" to the front and to be baptized.

During our second week of VBS for the summer, the one at MRBC, it was the second night of invitation. The teachers were asked to go up front in case any of our group wanted to talk or make a decision. As soon as I stepped out to go she grabbed my arm and said "Can I come with you?" I asked her what she meant to make sure I understood. She wanted to come up front to ask Jesus into her heart. I told her "of course!". So as we stood there and the pastor led a prayer tears rolled down my face. Because I knew in my heart I didn't have to wonder if it was real or just a child wanting to do it because everyone else did. This was a huge step of faith for her and even though I would spend time before bedtime talking to her about it, I knew it was genuine.

The next night during the family night of VBS she went up to the pastor to ask him if he would baptize her. I wanted her to ask because it was another step of courage that I needed to see she could make. They set the date for the Sunday after that one, July 12! What a glorious Sunday morning that was, I have to tell you! As I stood there watching her my heart was so full of joy. She will be with us in Heaven forever! (She tried to find her daddy in the worship center as she looked out but he was in the back of the room ready to leave afterwards. We went right to the apartments to lead Bible study afterwards).

Jenni: "raised to walk in newness of life!"

Life In The Spirit: The Spirit and It's Fruit

I just finished up a 15 lesson study on Life in the Spirit with Kay Arthur online. We looked at many verses in the Bible where we see the Spirit and marked them. Today's lesson was on the Spirit and the fruit that is produced when you live in the Spirit instead of the flesh. Kay stated: Life in the Spirit is to have Christ in you by the power of the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you until you see Him face to face.

2 Corinthians 5:9 says: Therefore also we have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him.

That should be what our lives are like, pleasing to Him. As a human being that is a hard thing to accomplish. But if we live in the Spirit is becomes easier. If we are listening to the Spirit tell us how to act and react to things, then we are on the right path. Yes, we will slip up but it should not be the habit of our lives to follow that other path.

But the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. Gal 5:22-26

How are we to do that if we are weak? The Bible tells us that Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the LORD of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

That should give us hope because it tells us that we can't do it by our might or our power but by the Spirit of the Lord! Wow!

Well, what about peace? How can we have peace in all things? That is a hard one, right? Nope, same as the rest. Romans 5:1 tells us that Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace through Jesus. He came and gave us so much and much of the time we leave it "on the table" and say "oh, I don't need that, thanks anyway. I am doing just fine on my own." How much we miss out on in our lives when we do not take ALL that Christ offers us. It is a packaged deal, we get it all, not just some of His wonderful gifts.

If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ does that mean life will always be easy and we will never have trials and hard times? I am afraid not. Life will not be perfect because we are human and we still have that sinful nature that we have to suppress each and every day that we walk this earth. But the power of the Spirit will give us the ability to overcome the flesh and live in the Spirit and produce those Fruit in our lives.

If you are lost and don't know what Christ did for you, I would be happy to share it with you. How Christ came to earth taking on human form to die for our sins. He died on the cross a sinless man. He rose on the third day and was seen by many. Then he ascended into Heaven and will return one day for all those who choose to believe in Him. He wants all to come to Him. If you know Christ but are still confused as to how you are to live in the Spirit I can give you my notes from the Bible study and we can talk about it. I, like minded with Christ, want none to perish and be lost. The world is getting darker and darker, we need to be that light in the world for others to find so that they, too, can be with Christ in Heaven when He comes again.

Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. Psalm 37:5