Philippians 3:13

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,"

This is the KJV of Philippians 3:13.  I kind of favor KJV because when I first came to know Jesus as my Savior and Lord, it was the one that I read and began memorizing scripture from.  The book of Philippians is a wonderful book.  Read it several times over and over.  Philippians has 4 chapters and a total of 104 verses.  Very short, but oh what we read in these words will help you with our daily walk with Jesus.

Take the above verse - so many times we live in the past because of regret or maybe because of great times then.  We don't want to leave it.  And yet, God says to forget those things which are behind.  Of course we always have our memory of the past, but God wants us not to dwell on it. Today is a new day.  Tomorrow will be a new adventure! 

We trust you, Jesus, as we begin this day with you!

BOOK SIGNING

I will be at the Book Mouse bookstore in Ottawa, Illinois on August 9th for a book signing of my devotional book, "Spending Every Day With Jesus".  Hope to see you there!

This devotional has 366 'starts' for your day.  Beginning our day with Jesus is the best way to start. 

Well, it has certainly been awhile.  It is good to be back with enthusiasm for sharing the joy we have in knowing the Lord Jesus as Saviour! 

"Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord."  Psalm 34:11  This verse came to mind today and I was reminiscing days long ago when I used to write a little article for our monthly newsletter at church.  Just simply shared a verse of Scripture with a little explanation, a puzzle, and word of encouragement to honor the Lord in all we do. 

Now I would like to encourage any and all who read this to do the same.  Honor the Lord in all we do. Many of us have to go to work each day (or maybe part time), some may work out of your home, some may be stay-at-home moms (or dads), but regardless we can all honor our Lord. May I encourage you to take a little time each day (mornings seem best) to read from the Scriptures and enjoy the lessons that can be learned only from God.  Getting into this habit will prove beneficial as the days and weeks roll into months and even years!  Think about it!

January 2012

Wow, I can't believe it has been so long since I wrote anything! - just not good! but, today is a new day and so I will begin.

On January 20, 2012, my precious mommie would have been 100 years old. The Lord saw fit to take her home to Heaven on January 4, 1980. But, her memory lives on. And, it becomes more precious every year. You see, the older we get the more we realize the little things in life are really the most valuable. Those little thoughts and sayings that stay with you and come to remembrance when the days are lonely and sometimes fearful. Then, as you remember the simple little things that brought you happiness in your childhood are far more important than all the things we could buy today - which just keep you wanting more and more. What do I mean? Well, how about:

Playing "little cars" in the garden with small bottles for cars and larger ones for trucks!

Playing "batman and robin" with towels tied around your neck!

Staying outside making snowforts and paths until you feel frozen!

Walking half way to DeKalb (from Malta) getting scared and running back home!

Playing with your "homemade" rag doll in your "chalk-drawn home" on the driveway!

Hours of fun that cost hardly anything at all. But, bring back such sweet memories! And, learning at an early age that "pretty is as pretty does" so we make our actions count more than our looks.

I did not grow up in a Christian home, but I had a mother that taught the value of a penny and "gave all she had" to keep her family together! And, praise be to our God, my mother did come to know the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour later on. And, so on this her 100 year anniversary of her birthday - I dedicate a new beginning in her memory. "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11 In order to hide God's Word in my heart, I must read and read and read it so that it will stick and become solid and bring conviction! Let's begin!

January 2012

Happy New Year

PRAYING OUR NAME

After writing a prayer using my name, I sent it to my grandchildren and encouraged them to do the same. Here is what I received from two of them. Mariah is 13 and Jasmine is 9. This is not only a "fun" thing to do, but is very rewarding spiritually.

Joy is Having Grandchildren

M -Miracle! God helped a man to see, when he was born blind. God provided fish and bread
to over 1,000 people in a famine.
A -Arose. Jesus arose from his grave, after they crucified him.
R -Rejoice! He should rejoice everyday that God is in our hearts.
I -Immanuel. The word for Jesus meaning " God with us."
A -Amen. Ending prayers with God, you should say amen.
H -Hope. Hope is my favorite word, but Jesus Christ always hopes the best for each one of us.

R -Repent. You should always repent and do as God wants us to.
A -Awe. We should all awe when we think of God.
E -Exalt. I exalt God, for he is my Father.
L -Life! God all gave us life.
Y -Yoke. To all join together like Jesus at his feast.
N -Noah. A man who created the arc.
N -Neighbor. As God says in the 10 commandments " You shall not do false witness against
thy neighbor."

S -Strength! You shall have great strength if you follow the Lord.
Z -Zeal. Zeal your Lord, for he is good.
O -Oracle. The word of God. The oracle of God is meaningful.
T -Tithe. Give 10% Of what you earn to the Lord.

Joy is serving Jesus

J -Joy. Have joy in your heart.
A -Abel-Second son of Adam.
S -Sanctuary.We should all have our own sanctuary to worship God.
M -Meek. Our Lord is a very meek person.
I -Israelite.Jesus was born for Jewish beliefs making him a Israelite.
N -Noah-The man who built the arc.
E -Equal. We are all equal through Gods eyes.

Joy is the Abundant Life

Happy Birthday Grampa

Tonight, May 25, 2010 some of the family met at Portillo's in Batavia, Illinois to celebrate the 80th birthday of my husband, Jim. It was a fun time. What a blessing to be able to live 80 years and most of them serving the Lord. Jim was about 32 years old when he gave his life to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, our beautiful Savior!

I have been married to Jim for 30 years and can say that each year I see him growing closer to the Lord. You see, God is conforming His children to the image of His Son, Jesus, and so as we live longer and as we truly set out to live the life of a Christian, then God uses what He knows is best to conform us. I wish it were always easy, but sometimes we must go through some pretty difficult times to become more like Jesus. But, it is worth it all!

Happy birthday Jim - may God grant you many more to come.