Today is the first day that I actually enjoyed watching the view. Bill O'Reilly from "The O'Reilly Factor" was there. View for yourself.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Voter Issues - 2008 Election
I don't know about you, but I am so ready for the election to be over. I know how bad the economy is right now, but I also know that God is in control and that I totally have peace in Him. There are so many different issues out there. For me it all came down to fourteen different positions held by the candidates. http://wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=5386. After reading this article, my advice is to pray and get into God's Word and then decide.
In the meantime, here is a funny from my little Jack:
Jack: "Well, I know I am not voting for Obama."
Me: "Why, Jack?"
Jack: "Because he wants to turn all the televisions off after school."
Kids are so funny!!!!
In the meantime, here is a funny from my little Jack:
Jack: "Well, I know I am not voting for Obama."
Me: "Why, Jack?"
Jack: "Because he wants to turn all the televisions off after school."
Kids are so funny!!!!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
It's Not About Me
Have you ever asked God to put someone in your path on a particular day that you could minister to, but you got so caught up in your busyness and your daily routine that you totally forgot you had requested this? This seems to happen to me from time to time.
Philippians 2:3 says "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit but, in humility, count others more significant than yourself." And so you don't merely look out for your own interests, you look out for the interests of others.
How do you count others more significant than yourself? To begin to do this, during my quiet time, I make a list of ways I can begin to look out for the interests of other people. For instance, for my husband, I begin to write down – what are the things that speak to him or might be his love language? It's getting on his agenda, entering his world, doing things the way he likes to have them done, and to spend my time with him on his agenda. I have to admit that I have alot of work to do in this area. If you haven't seen the movie "Fireproof", it is a must see. It has totally changed the way I view my marriage.
Also I must keep my radar up for my children. What does God want to do for them today? Then my neighbors, extended family, friends, grocery store clerk, doctors, nurses, teachers, principals, janitors, cafeteria workers, waiters and waitresses, postman, ups man, banker, teller, florist, insurance rep., pest control man, plumber, and the list goes on. Please don't get overwhelmed by this list and feel that you must touch every person every day. Sometimes it may only be one person a day. Other days it may be more than one. The purpose of this list is to get you to open your eyes to those in need around you.
Several years ago, I felt like I was in my own little Christian sheltered world. I only hung out with other Christians. I asked God to get me out of my comfort zone so that I could be a light for him in a dark world. What he has made me realize over the years was that I was the one putting that shield around myself. He opened my eyes to those in need around me. They were around me all along, I was just to busy and caught up in my own agenda to notice. Recently, I have started to pray, "Lord, what is your agenda for my day?" It is not about me.........
Here are some other related scriptures regarding this topic. As you can see, I love reading the same scripture out of different versions of the Bible. Hope you enjoy!
Philippians 2:3 (The Message)
1-4If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
Philippians 2:3 (NLT)
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
Galatians 5:26 (NASB)
Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
Ephesians 5:21 (HCSB)
and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Romans 12:10 (HCSB)
10 Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romasn 12:10 (NIV)
10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Colossians 3:12 (HCSB)
Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Philippians 2:3 says "Do nothing from rivalry or conceit but, in humility, count others more significant than yourself." And so you don't merely look out for your own interests, you look out for the interests of others.
How do you count others more significant than yourself? To begin to do this, during my quiet time, I make a list of ways I can begin to look out for the interests of other people. For instance, for my husband, I begin to write down – what are the things that speak to him or might be his love language? It's getting on his agenda, entering his world, doing things the way he likes to have them done, and to spend my time with him on his agenda. I have to admit that I have alot of work to do in this area. If you haven't seen the movie "Fireproof", it is a must see. It has totally changed the way I view my marriage.
Also I must keep my radar up for my children. What does God want to do for them today? Then my neighbors, extended family, friends, grocery store clerk, doctors, nurses, teachers, principals, janitors, cafeteria workers, waiters and waitresses, postman, ups man, banker, teller, florist, insurance rep., pest control man, plumber, and the list goes on. Please don't get overwhelmed by this list and feel that you must touch every person every day. Sometimes it may only be one person a day. Other days it may be more than one. The purpose of this list is to get you to open your eyes to those in need around you.
Several years ago, I felt like I was in my own little Christian sheltered world. I only hung out with other Christians. I asked God to get me out of my comfort zone so that I could be a light for him in a dark world. What he has made me realize over the years was that I was the one putting that shield around myself. He opened my eyes to those in need around me. They were around me all along, I was just to busy and caught up in my own agenda to notice. Recently, I have started to pray, "Lord, what is your agenda for my day?" It is not about me.........
Here are some other related scriptures regarding this topic. As you can see, I love reading the same scripture out of different versions of the Bible. Hope you enjoy!
Philippians 2:3 (The Message)
1-4If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
Philippians 2:3 (NLT)
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.
Galatians 5:26 (NASB)
Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
Romans 12:10
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
Ephesians 5:21 (HCSB)
and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
Romans 12:10 (HCSB)
10 Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romasn 12:10 (NIV)
10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Colossians 3:12 (HCSB)
Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Big Sister - Little Brother
Someday you may live thousands of miles apart. You may go months and even years without seeing each other, but I want you to never forget there was a time when you spent hours and hours together laughing and playing. I hope the bond you now share will be closely guarded forever.
Fall Baseball
Just wanted to share a few pictures of our last week of fall baseball. Jack is sad, but ready to move on to basketball season.... mom's favorite.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Keeping a tight rein on our tongue
Hello friends ~ Just wanted to share with you what God has been teaching me over the past few months. I have found myself greatly challenged and convicted over my words and thoughts. Can anybody relate? As I have studied God’s word about this particular topic, I have found that I talk too much. Can you believe that? For those who know me well, you don't have to answer that.
When I was in highschool, I knew all the words to a rap song called “You Talk Too Much” by Run DMC. Does anybody out there remember this song? Wow! Have my tastes in music changed over the years!
Below are some things that God has been teaching me about my tongue. Maybe we can pray for each other about this.
The best way to improve speech is to improve the heart, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). A heart filled with the Holy Spirit and the truth of the Word of God will produce godly speech that brings life to the speaker as well as the listener. This is where we start.
We create a world for ourselves by what we speak. Words have power, and we can either speak life or death into a situation. When I say something over and over I start to believe it. The Bible says that what we say can get us into trouble or keep us away from it. It can even save our lives. “ He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction” (Proverbs 13:3).
Here are a few other verses out of Proverbs.
Proverbs 10:19 (New International Version)
19 When words are many, sin is not absent,
but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 12:18 (New International Version)
18 Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing
Proverbs 17:27 (New International Version)
27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
Proverbs 21:23 (New International Version)
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself from calamity.
Proverbs 10:8 (New International Version)
8 The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
Proverbs 29:20 (New International Version)
20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
In a commentary by Nancy Leigh Demoss , she says it this way:
Proverbs reminds us that in the multitude of words—too many words—sin is inevitable. Too much talking leads to all kinds of other sins: the sin of exaggeration, lying, foolish jesting, meaningless chatter, and criticism. You get in a group, start talking, and you say too much. Invariably, I find myself about to say something—about someone else—that is critical. Almost always, I would have been better off if I had just restrained my lips and spoke less.
The tongue reveals the condition of my heart. The words that I speak are a mirror into my heart.
The words come out. That’s what’s heard; that’s what’s evident. But they reveal what is not so evident until I speak the words, and that is the condition of my heart. So if I’m a foolish person, I’m going to speak foolish words. If I have a wicked heart, the words that come out of my mouth are going to be wicked words.
Hundreds of years ago Francis DeSalles said this: “Our words are a faithful index of the state of our souls.” So, you want to know what’s in your heart? Jesus said, “Out of the abundance [or overflow] of the heart, the mouth speaks.”
So if I have a critical heart, what kinds of words are going to come out? Critical words. If I have a mean-spirited heart, what kinds of words are going to come out of my mouth? Mean words, unkind words.
If I have a proud heart, I’m going to speak arrogant words. If I have an unloving heart, I’m going to speak unkind words. A self-centered heart is going to speak selfish words. And when I speak angry words, what does that tell you about my heart? It means I’ve got an angry heart.
If I speak profane words, what does that tell you about my heart? It’s profane. Impatient words come out of an impatient heart. Complaining words come out of a discontented heart. A heart that is selfish is going to talk about what? Self.
I can remember my dad telling us as we were growing up that one of the important things in conversation is not to talk about yourself. He said, “People want to talk about themselves. So ask questions that draw them out.”
As you think about the people you know who have a lot of friends, people that others want to be around, one of the things you’ll notice is that they talk about others. They ask questions about others. They’re not always talking about themselves.
Also in the book of James:
James 3:1-12 (New International Version)
Taming the Tongue
1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
And last but not least:
Psalm 26:2 (New International Version)
2 Test me, O LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
Psalm 51:10 (New International Version)
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
I could go on and on.
Change my heart, O God!
When I was in highschool, I knew all the words to a rap song called “You Talk Too Much” by Run DMC. Does anybody out there remember this song? Wow! Have my tastes in music changed over the years!
Below are some things that God has been teaching me about my tongue. Maybe we can pray for each other about this.
The best way to improve speech is to improve the heart, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). A heart filled with the Holy Spirit and the truth of the Word of God will produce godly speech that brings life to the speaker as well as the listener. This is where we start.
We create a world for ourselves by what we speak. Words have power, and we can either speak life or death into a situation. When I say something over and over I start to believe it. The Bible says that what we say can get us into trouble or keep us away from it. It can even save our lives. “ He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction” (Proverbs 13:3).
Here are a few other verses out of Proverbs.
Proverbs 10:19 (New International Version)
19 When words are many, sin is not absent,
but he who holds his tongue is wise.
Proverbs 12:18 (New International Version)
18 Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing
Proverbs 17:27 (New International Version)
27 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint,
and a man of understanding is even-tempered.
Proverbs 21:23 (New International Version)
23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue
keeps himself from calamity.
Proverbs 10:8 (New International Version)
8 The wise in heart accept commands,
but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
Proverbs 29:20 (New International Version)
20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
In a commentary by Nancy Leigh Demoss , she says it this way:
Proverbs reminds us that in the multitude of words—too many words—sin is inevitable. Too much talking leads to all kinds of other sins: the sin of exaggeration, lying, foolish jesting, meaningless chatter, and criticism. You get in a group, start talking, and you say too much. Invariably, I find myself about to say something—about someone else—that is critical. Almost always, I would have been better off if I had just restrained my lips and spoke less.
The tongue reveals the condition of my heart. The words that I speak are a mirror into my heart.
The words come out. That’s what’s heard; that’s what’s evident. But they reveal what is not so evident until I speak the words, and that is the condition of my heart. So if I’m a foolish person, I’m going to speak foolish words. If I have a wicked heart, the words that come out of my mouth are going to be wicked words.
Hundreds of years ago Francis DeSalles said this: “Our words are a faithful index of the state of our souls.” So, you want to know what’s in your heart? Jesus said, “Out of the abundance [or overflow] of the heart, the mouth speaks.”
So if I have a critical heart, what kinds of words are going to come out? Critical words. If I have a mean-spirited heart, what kinds of words are going to come out of my mouth? Mean words, unkind words.
If I have a proud heart, I’m going to speak arrogant words. If I have an unloving heart, I’m going to speak unkind words. A self-centered heart is going to speak selfish words. And when I speak angry words, what does that tell you about my heart? It means I’ve got an angry heart.
If I speak profane words, what does that tell you about my heart? It’s profane. Impatient words come out of an impatient heart. Complaining words come out of a discontented heart. A heart that is selfish is going to talk about what? Self.
I can remember my dad telling us as we were growing up that one of the important things in conversation is not to talk about yourself. He said, “People want to talk about themselves. So ask questions that draw them out.”
As you think about the people you know who have a lot of friends, people that others want to be around, one of the things you’ll notice is that they talk about others. They ask questions about others. They’re not always talking about themselves.
Also in the book of James:
James 3:1-12 (New International Version)
Taming the Tongue
1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[a] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
And last but not least:
Psalm 26:2 (New International Version)
2 Test me, O LORD, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;
Psalm 51:10 (New International Version)
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
I could go on and on.
Change my heart, O God!
Friday, September 26, 2008
The Pearl Necklace
If you are wondering why I chose God's Girl Pearl for my blog name, it came from the fact that I belong to a King and that my middle name is Pearl. My mom named me after both of my grandmothers. My dad's mother was named Christine and my mom's mother was named Pearl. Both grandmothers were remarkable, self-sacrificing women and I have a lot to live up to.
Although I have never owned a genuine pearl necklace, I have loved pearl necklaces ever since I was a little girl. When I was growing up, my grandmother would let me go through her jewelry box. She had the most beautiful jewelry and I especially loved her pearls. Sometimes she would even let me wear them around her house. Over the years I have had some fake pearl necklaces, but somewhere down the road I developed this mentality that if it is not real then I don't want it. I know that is not the best way to think about some things and I have gradually changed my mind about that, but not about pearls. So it only seemed fitting to share this story in my first post. This story has meant so much to me and my walk with the Lord . I hope you enjoy!
The Pearl Necklace
The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. 'Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?' Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.
If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself.
And, so she did.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green. Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, 'Do you love me?' 'Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you.' 'Then give me your pearls.'
'Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail . Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favorite.'
'That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night.' And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, 'Do you love me?' 'Daddy, you know I love you.' 'Then give me your pearls.' 'Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper.'
'That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you.' And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. 'What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?' Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, 'Here, daddy; this is for you.'
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.
He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure. So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures.
God will never ask for something from you without giving you something better in its place.
Isn't this just like us. Sometimes we just don't want to let go of things in our lives that truly don't have eternal value. God has so much more for us if we will just trust Him.
Mark 8:36
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
Although I have never owned a genuine pearl necklace, I have loved pearl necklaces ever since I was a little girl. When I was growing up, my grandmother would let me go through her jewelry box. She had the most beautiful jewelry and I especially loved her pearls. Sometimes she would even let me wear them around her house. Over the years I have had some fake pearl necklaces, but somewhere down the road I developed this mentality that if it is not real then I don't want it. I know that is not the best way to think about some things and I have gradually changed my mind about that, but not about pearls. So it only seemed fitting to share this story in my first post. This story has meant so much to me and my walk with the Lord . I hope you enjoy!
The Pearl Necklace
The cheerful little girl with bouncy golden curls was almost five. Waiting with her mother at the checkout stand, she saw them, a circle of glistening white pearls in a pink foil box. 'Oh mommy please, Mommy. Can I have them? Please, Mommy, please?' Quickly the mother checked the back of the little foil box and then looked back into the pleading blue eyes of her little girl's upturned face.
If you really want them, I'll think of some extra chores for you and in no time you can save enough money to buy them for yourself.
And, so she did.
Jenny loved her pearls. They made her feel dressed up and grown up. She wore them everywhere, Sunday school, kindergarten, even to bed. The only time she took them off was when she went swimming or had a bubble bath. Mother said if they got wet, they might turn her neck green. Jenny had a very loving daddy and every night when she was ready for bed, he would stop whatever he was doing and come upstairs to read her a story. One night as he finished the story, he asked Jenny, 'Do you love me?' 'Oh yes, daddy. You know that I love you.' 'Then give me your pearls.'
'Oh, daddy, not my pearls. But you can have Princess, the white horse from my collection, the one with the pink tail . Remember, daddy? The one you gave me. She's my very favorite.'
'That's okay, Honey, daddy loves you. Good night.' And he brushed her cheek with a kiss.
About a week later, after the story time, Jenny's daddy asked again, 'Do you love me?' 'Daddy, you know I love you.' 'Then give me your pearls.' 'Oh Daddy, not my pearls. But you can have my baby doll. The brand new one I got for my birthday. She is beautiful and you can have the yellow blanket that matches her sleeper.'
'That's okay. Sleep well. God bless you, little one. Daddy loves you.' And as always, he brushed her cheek with a gentle kiss.
A few nights later when her daddy came in, Jenny was sitting on her bed with her legs crossed Indian style. As he came close, he noticed her chin was trembling and one silent tear rolled down her cheek. 'What is it, Jenny? What's the matter?' Jenny didn't say anything but lifted her little hand up to her daddy. And when she opened it, there was her little pearl necklace. With a little quiver, she finally said, 'Here, daddy; this is for you.'
With tears gathering in his own eyes, Jenny's daddy reached out with one hand to take the dime store necklace, and with the other hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out a blue velvet case with a strand of genuine pearls and gave them to Jenny.
He had them all the time. He was just waiting for her to give up the dime-store stuff so he could give her the genuine treasure. So it is, with our Heavenly Father. He is waiting for us to give up the cheap things in our lives so that he can give us beautiful treasures.
God will never ask for something from you without giving you something better in its place.
Isn't this just like us. Sometimes we just don't want to let go of things in our lives that truly don't have eternal value. God has so much more for us if we will just trust Him.
Mark 8:36
What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
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