Who We Are

Our world is covered in a mask of prosthetic whitening and fashionable clothes.

What has happened to society?

Where are the real people?

Where are the people that knew of things passed down through generations of their families.

Where are the ones that care about family?

Instead of sitting around the fire

People are going to the pubs and bars.

Instead of growing up as a virtuous woman,

We learn to grow up in the ways of the world.

We are no longer judged for who we are,

But for how well we cover it up.

What happened to the people who cared about one another?

Now we are like robots in a course to our own destruction.

Turn around and look at the world through the eyes of one who lived before.

Go back to the standards set years ago.

Be you and stop covering it up,

Because at the end of the day,

You will be the one who stays strong,

And leads the way to a better future.

Stop worrying about how you can cover up your soul,

Let it be free,

Let it run wild with you,

And,

Love God,

Love Man,

And be happy with who you were made to be,

Because you are you!

Life

These are some inspirational quotes that I found and really liked. Sometimes life feels like it's asking for more than you can give. That's when you have to step back and let your cares fall on your Father's loving shoulders, and watch as He tenderly cares for you in ways you could never imagine. The darkness can't last forever. 

John 11:4

"This sickness is  not unto death." 

John 11:4 

Charles Spurgeon 

From our Lord's words we learn that there is a limit to sickness. Here is an "unto" within which its ultimate end is restrained, and beyond which it cannot go. Lazarus might pass through death, but death was not be the ultimatum of his sickness. In all sickness, the Lord saith to the waves of pain, "Hitherto shall ye go, but no further." His fixed purpose is not the destruction, but the instruction of his people. 

1. The limit is encouragingly comprehensive. The God of providence has limited the time, manner, intensity, repetition, and effects of all our sicknesses. Each throb is decreed, each sleepless hour predestined, each relapse ordained, each depression of spirit foreknown, and each sanctifying result eternally purposed. 
2. This limit is wisely adjusted to our strength, to the end designed, and to the grace apportioned. Affliction comes not at haphazard. The weight of every stroke of the rod is accurately measured. He who made no mistakes in balancing the clouds and meting out the heavens, commits no errors in measuring out the ingredients which compose the medicine of souls. 
3. The limit is tenderly appointed. The knife of the heavenly Surgeon never cuts deeper than absolutely necessary. "He doth not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men." A mother's heart cries, "Spare my child"; but no mother is more compassionate than our gracious God. The thought is full of consolation, that he who has fixed the bounds of our habitation, has also fixed the bounds of our tribulation. 

I thank God every day for making life so very beautiful. Every word, every thought, every action is a part of a beautiful and intricate web, that we are a part of. What a magnificent thought that we can be a part of God's great plan for the universe. No matter how small and seemingly insignificant we are, we can sometimes catch glimpses of something bigger, grander, and more beautiful than anything here on earth. And I find that a truly stunning idea. 

To think that the entire universe is out of our reach and yet God reaches down and kindly lets us be a part of his unrevealed plan.  

And remember that the meaning of life is to find your gift and share it with the world just as God shared his greatest and most perfect gift with us. We are in this together and with God's help we will make it to the other side of paradise. 

Walking with God

So many people in this world are trying to pull us down with them. When we rejoice and smile, they begin to tell us why we shouldn't. There is only one reason why this happens. They do not have the true happiness that only God gives and therefore want to keep us from being happy. 

But do not let anyone tear you down. The only person who can tear you down is yourself. 

When our weary feet have gone too far, Jesus takes our hand and leads us on. 

So as the waves of trials wash upon our soul, we shall surf the waves with our Lord and Father by our side all the way. 

So be yourself, love others, walk with God, smile, and watch as He unfolds a beautiful story in your life. 

Ecclesiastes 3

Isn't this a beautiful verse? I thought this was a beautiful verse to end the week on :) 

Ecclesiastes 3 New International Version (NIV)

A Time for Everything

3 There is a time for everything,
    and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2     a time to be born and a time to die,
    a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3     a time to kill and a time to heal,
    a time to tear down and a time to build,
4     a time to weep and a time to laugh,
    a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5     a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
    a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6     a time to search and a time to give up,
    a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7     a time to tear and a time to mend,
    a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8     a time to love and a time to hate,
    a time for war and a time for peace.

P.S. I have no idea why this is highlighted ! :) 

Hebrews 11

Our church has a guest pastor this week end that has been super good! Here are a few notes from today's sermon.
Hebrews 11:23-28
What did faith do in Moses? Enoch walked in faith, Abel worshiped in faith, Noah built in faith. What did Moses do in faith? He made a choice in faith. What would he choose? Egypt and all its riches, or God and His love? He probably went through the options, the pros and cons.

Egypt =

1. Fame
2. Pleasures
3. Treasures  

God =

1. Losing the fame
2. Being mistreated
3. Suffering disgrace

Someone without faith would look at these and say, "Come on! you're kidding me, right?" but when faith enters your life, your outlook on life changes and things that seem impossible to deal with, suddenly becomes you life. People always want to be somebody in the eyes of the world, it is a temptation that we are always having to battle. But Moses left that behind. Following Christ carries a high price.
But faith adds something to Christ. Since faith looks at the rewards, Moses was able to leave Egypt behind b/c he had his eyes fixed on heaven.
Faith is -

1. Acknowledging that a moment of sin is not worth eternity.
2. Acknowledging that out present sufferings only last a life time. 
3. It has a different value scale. It views a rich relationship with Christ more valuable then all the treasures in the world. 
4. It looks at the rewards.  

With God, we are somebody when we have Christ, we are kings and queens. We might be suffering in this world, but we have the greatest treasure earth can buy. It doesn't matter if we had millions of dollars if we are suffering in Hell.
Come to Christ today and don't live another day with out His gracious love and happiness. Leave your earthly treasures behind and follow Christ. Let us overcome the world and strengthen our faith.

You can listen to this sermon that is archived on our church website... http://www.grbcrockford.org/

My favorite verse :)

Isn't this a beautiful verse? God won't do anything to harm us, and He is always looking for ways to help us and grow us in our understanding of him :) What a wonderful God!

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 

Thanks for stopping in!