Saturday, October 25, 2008

You Never Know Part 2

Where I go to Church the Senior Pastor's wife has a favorite saying "You Never Know"
It's easy to think that someone is mad at you when you are getting yelled at right? Wrong?
Just because someone yells at you doesn't mean that person does not like you.
Maybe the person yells at you because he or she actually cares about you.
After all that is what happened to me.
The other person was hurt because they cared.
I was wrong.
I don't mind telling you that I redicated my life to God once again.
It seems like the older I get the more I have to learn.
Once again the Senior Pastor's Wife is right when she said " You never know ".
I must admit I fell short of the mark.
Looks like I'm going to be a lifetime student.
After all there is always something that I can learn from each person.
It reminds me of a song. Don't worry if you havn't heard the song. Its a song that is being practiced where I go to Church.
"We are just a wreck waiting to happen, sin has us out of control."
How true this is.

Let's face it we're not perfect.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Never Too Old

I remember as if it was yesterday praying for my family to grow in their walk with God.

God does indeed answer prayers.

Allow me to set the stage:
-My Father has a tendency to get up early and listen to the swap shop.
That's when people call if they are looking to sell a item or buy a particular item.
That's where my Father got his brand new Lawn Mower.
Okay its used.

While I was at the Computer, I received a blessing.
God received a blessing as well.
I just thought Jesus had to be smiling Himself.

Daddy came home so excited about the brand new Lawn Mower that he just purchased.

In fact Daddy was so excited about the Lawn Mower that he forgot something.

So He called the person he bought the Lawn Mower back on the phone.

After all He just had a couple of questions to ask.

First He wanted to know if they had a home Church they went to?

He would like to invite them to Church.

The Senior Pastor's wife was right as usual when she said "Yvonne, you never know".

If I had been talking and not listening I would have missed the blessing.

Its always a blessing to hear others witness young or old.

I had to stop and thank God for the blessing.

Daddy may be in his 80's but he still witnesses.
He knows the plan of salvation.

I'm thankful that I was here to listen to Him witness over the phone.

When the New Wears Off

Do you remember how excited you was when you got a new car?
I do.
Okay mine was used but it was still new.
It seems like only yesterday .

How many of you have got new pets?
New kittens? New puppy's?

Sure most of us have.
It seems like only yesterday.
We recently got a new puppy.
His name is Blackie and does he love attention.
He is part lab/part chow.

We got Blackie shortly before Christmas last year.
He is so cute just coal black.
So we both slept in the den.
I slept in a Recliner and Blackie slept at my feet.
Which I must admit was one of my favorite memories.

So as luck would have it I'm a sound sleeper.
During the middle of night Blackie had to go to the bathroom.
You guessed it Blackie had to wake me up multiple times.
Needless to say I ended up with scratch marks on my face, nose, arms.
I know Blackie was just trying to wake me up.

When Blackie couldn't wake me up I had a mess to clean up.
When I woke up Blackie would just look at me.
As if to say its about time you woke up.
I've been trying for awhile now.

Now Blackie is 6 months old and He sure has grown.

My has Blackie gotten big and yes Blackie is still a puppy just not so small.
He can jump almost to my head and yes he still loves to lick.

My Father recently got a New Riding Lawn Mower.
Okay its not new.
Still its New to my Father.
So He is going to take real good care of it.
After all its new even thought its used.
To Daddy its New.

So what seems to happen when the new does wear off?
What causes it to be treated any differently?
Was it not new?

Remember when you got saved?
God does.
The Angels had a party in Heaven just for you.
The Angels love to celebrate.
I remember when I go saved.
I remember asking questions about scripture?
I often heard the remark "Oh you are a new Christian."
Even though I heard it. That didn't mean I understood it.
So far I've been a Christian for 17 years.
God still loves to hear my voice.
So whether you have been saved 50 years or 1 day.
God's love for you is the same.
Jesus love for you is the same.
Holy-Spirit's love for you is the same.
With God the new never wears off.
With Jesus the new never wears off.
With the Holy-Spirit the new never wears off.

You are just as precious to them today as you were when you asked Jesus into your heart.
Remember with God the new never wears off.
God loves to hear your voice for it is still new to God.

"He sends His love." quote from Point of Grace

Monday, October 20, 2008

Folds of an American Flag

First of all I would like to take the opportunity to say Thank-you to everyone who is a Veteran.

The Folds of the American Flag
Author: Anonymous

Our Flag and Do you know?

Do you know that at military funerals, the 21 gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?

Have you noticed that the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the American flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies.

the 1st Fold of our Flag is a symbol of life.

The 2nd Fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.

The 3rd Fold is made in honor and remembrance of the Veterans departing our ranks who gave a porion of their lives for the defense of our Country to attain peace throughout the world.

The 4th Fold represents our weaker nature, for as American Citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in war for His divine guidance.

The 5th Fold is a tribute to our Country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our Country, right or wrong."

The 6th Fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and the Republic for which it stands, One Nation under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The 7th Fold is a tribute to our Armed forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our Country and our Flag against all her enemies, whether they may be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The 8th Fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of the day.

The 9th Fold is a tribute to our womanhood, and Mothers, for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.

The 10th Fold is a tribute to the Father, for he too has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

The 11th Fold represents the lower portion of the seal of king Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrew's eyes, the God of Abraham, Issac, and Jacob.

The 12th Fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christian's eyes, God and Father, Son and Holy Spirit

The 13th Fold or when the Flag is completely folded, the Stars are uppermost reminding us of our nation's motto "In God We Trust."

After the Flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today.

There are some traditions and ways of doing things that are meaningful. In the future, you'll see flags and now you will know why.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

The Impact of Prayer part 1

It seems like only yesterday that we met at the Church to pray.
God has indeed blessed us.
Our cup runneth over.
We went from 1 service to 2.
Lost 1 Pastor only to be blessed by another Pastor.
Another Pastor answered the call finally to be a Missionary.
Yet I found myself "God, wait let me catch up."
God was pouring the blessings out from the East, West, North, and South.
We opened a coffee shop.
Attendance has continued to grow.
More people have started doing Care Groups.
More people are involved in Care Groups.
People have gotten saved on a regular basis .
Pastors have been baptizing people on a regular basis.
Still we grow.
I may not know everything that takes place in the Heavenly realms.
I know that Prayer Works
"The Prayer of a Righteous Man availeth much."

The Impact of Prayer part 2

Years ago the Senior Pastor along with His wife felt God had laid a burden on them.
To reach people that were far from Christ.
Night after Night they prayed.
They remained faithful.
The Senior Pastor had a Bible class.
This allowed him to put on paper what God laid on His heart.
They fasted on a regular basis.
They started praying in homes for about 6 months.
6 months later a big Sister Church called and met with him.
They left and went to the Parent Church.
After a little over a year at out Parent Church.
The time had finally come to put into action what God had laid on His heart so many years ago.
Was it a dream?
Was it reality?
Well it turned out to be a reality for so much time was spent in Prayer.
Now 2 1/2 years later we have started raising money for The Church.
God blessed the Church in abundance with land and resources.
Hard to believe that next week will be First-Fruits Sunday.
Especially after setting up and tearing down on a regular basis.
Yet as I sit here reflecting on where has the time gone?
I remember something the Senior Pastor's wife once said. "We prayed and cried and prayed cause it hurt too much."
As a result of their obedience and faithfulness.
I've been blessed to hear:
"People say if it had not been for the Senior Pastor and his wife I would not have a Church home."
Folks I have heard many say that.
It reminds me of "The harvest is plenty, but the workers are few."
For futher information Check out:
www.mypinnaclechurch.com