Verses from Proverbs 16

The preparations of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the spirits. Commit your works to the Lord, And your thoughts will be established.
Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished.
When a mans ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness, Than vast revenues without justice.
A mans heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.
Honest weights and scales are the Lords; All the weights in the bag are His work. Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.
There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.
A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness. He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the Lord.

Oswald Chambers

How Could Someone Be So Ignorant!

Jan 29 2012

 

Who are You, Lord? —Acts 26:15

“The Lord spoke thus to me with a strong hand . . .” (Isaiah 8:11). There is no escape when our Lord speaks. He always comes using His authority and taking hold of our understanding. Has the voice of God come to you directly? If it has, you cannot mistake the intimate insistence with which it has spoken to you. God speaks in the language you know best— not through your ears, but through your circumstances.
God has to destroy our determined confidence in our own convictions. We say, “I know that this is what I should do”-and suddenly the voice of God speaks in a way that overwhelms us by revealing the depths of our ignorance. We show our ignorance of Him in the very way we decide to serve Him. We serve Jesus in a spirit that is not His, and hurt Him by our defense of Him. We push His claims in the spirit of the devil; our words sound all right, but the spirit is that of an enemy. “He . . . rebuked them, and said, ’You do not know what manner of spirit you are of’ ” (Luke 9:55). The spirit of our Lord in His followers is described in 1 Corinthians 13 .
Have I been persecuting Jesus by an eager determination to serve Him in my own way? If I feel I have done my duty, yet have hurt Him in the process, I can be sure that this was not my duty. My way will not be to foster a meek and quiet spirit, only the spirit of self-satisfaction. We presume that whatever is unpleasant is our duty! Is that anything like the spirit of our Lord— “I delight to do Your will, O my God . . .” (Psalm 40:8).

Utmost for His highest

God’s Overpowering Purpose

Jan 24 2012

I have appeared to you for this purpose . . .—Acts 26:16

The vision Paul had on the road to Damascus was not a passing emotional experience, but a vision that had very clear and emphatic directions for him. And Paul stated, “I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19). Our Lord said to Paul, in effect, “Your whole life is to be overpowered or subdued by Me; you are to have no end, no aim, and no purpose but Mine.” And the Lord also says to us, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go . . .” (John 15:16).
When we are born again, if we are spiritual at all, we have visions of what Jesus wants us to be. It is important that I learn not to be “disobedient to the heavenly vision”—not to doubt that it can be attained. It is not enough to give mental assent to the fact that God has redeemed the world, nor even to know that the Holy Spirit can make all that Jesus did a reality in my life. I must have the foundation of a personal relationship with Him. Paul was not given a message or a doctrine to proclaim. He was brought into a vivid, personal, overpowering relationship with Jesus Christ.Acts 26:16 is tremendously compelling “. . . to make you a minister and a witness . . . .” There would be nothing there without a personal relationship. Paul was devoted to a Person, not to a cause. He was absolutely Jesus Christ’s. He saw nothing else and he lived for nothing else. “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Unchangeable God

Unchangeable God

By Paul Chappell

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever."

Hebrews 13:8

A man dialed a wrong number and got the following recording: "I am not available right now, but I thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call, you are one of the changes."

Isn't it wonderful to know that our God never changes? He's never too busy to listen, never too weak to help, and never too unloving to care.

He is the same God of yesterday. The same God who delivered Daniel from the lion's den, David from Goliath, and the children of Israel from Pharoah is our God right now. We can look back through the pages of Scripture and see that God has always been faithful.

He is the same today. Things all around us change every day. Our friends change, our jobs change, politics change, economies change, our bodies change, the weather changes. Our life is full of constant change. But what a comfort to know that God never changes. He is always faithful, always present, and always loving.

He will be the same forever. No matter what trial you face in your future, God will be there with you. We can be comforted in knowing that God will never leave us. Hebrews 13:5 says, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Christ will not leave us in life, and He will not leave us in death. God will be the same for all eternity, and we can rest in His faithfulness.

What a privilege it is to serve a God who never changes. Anchor your hope in Him, and claim His promises for today.

Happy 16th Anniversary!!

WOW.. How time goes by..
SIXTEEN years ago on January the thirteenth I walked down the aisle to the man of my dreams, my soul mate, the one God hand picked for me.
I have a post, and will have pictures to share at a later time ( when I have more time to sit here  on the computer) of our celebration, and reflection.
Steve asked me if I would spend 16 more with him, and I said YES!! 
I love this man of mine, so much it hurts. I am so amazed and so thankful for this life God has blessed us with. 
I love you sweetheart, now and FOREVER!!


                                 Love Always, your wife

Watch "Jesus Is Precious ~ Camden Baptist Church" on YouTube

Friday, January 6, 2012

Your Identity in Christ

by Dr. Paul Chappell

"For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."

Ephesians 4:12-13

The story is told of artist Paul Gustave Dore who was traveling Europe when he faced a predicament. He reached a border crossing and discovered that he had misplaced his passport. Without his papers, the officer wouldn't allow Dore to pass. Finally, Dore was given a test to prove his identity. The official gave him a piece of paper and a pencil and requested he draw a group of nearby peasants. Dore did so with such ease that the official was convinced he was indeed the famed artist.
Paul Dore's identity was affirmed through his work. Many people in our world find their identity through their work or accomplishments. For example, say the name "Kobe Bryant," and most people think "basketball player." Say the name "Newt Gingrich," and most think "politician." Many people's identity today is found in what they do.
As Christians, our identity is not in what we do but in Who we belong to. We are children of God, heir to His kingdom. G. Campbell Morgan once said, "Inevitability, sooner or later, there comes a crisis...in which we are brought to the appalling sense of our own...weakness. That is a great hour."
Apart from God, we have no identity and are but another lost soul in this world. But with God, we are a child of the King. We have hope, we have purpose, and we have meaning. No matter what fails in your life, if you have trusted Christ as your Saviour, you are a son or daughter of God. Outside things can change, but you will always be one of God's own.
More than you want to see earthly success this year, determine to please God. Your purpose and identity is found in being God's child. Cultivate your relationship with Him, and live to glorify Him in everything you do.

Today's Rooted Principle: 

Your identity is not found in what you do, but in Who you belong to. 

 

 

Old Testament Reading Genesis 16-17

CHAPTER 16

¹ Now Sarai Abram's wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. ² And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. ³ And Sarai Abram's wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.
⁴ And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. ⁵ And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee. ⁶ But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
⁷ And the angel of the LORD found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. ⁸ And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. ⁹ And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
¹⁰ And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. ¹¹ And the angel of the LORD said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the LORD hath heard thy affliction. ¹² And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man's hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren. ¹³ And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? ¹⁴ Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered.
¹⁵ And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son's name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael. ¹⁶ And Abram was fourscore and six years old, when Hagar bare Ishmael to Abram.

CHAPTER 17

¹ And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. ² And I will make my covenant between me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly. ³ And Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him, saying,
⁴ As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. ⁵ Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. ⁶ And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.
⁷ And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. ⁸ And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. ⁹ And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. ¹⁰ This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. ¹¹ And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you. ¹² And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed. ¹³ He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised: and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant. ¹⁴ And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.
¹⁵ And God said unto Abraham, As for Sarai thy wife, thou shalt not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall her name be. ¹⁶ And I will bless her, and give thee a son also of her: yea, I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of people shall be of her. ¹⁷ Then Abraham fell upon his face, and laughed, and said in his heart, Shall a child be born unto him that is an hundred years old? and shall Sarah, that is ninety years old, bear? ¹⁸ And Abraham said unto God, O that Ishmael might live before thee! ¹⁹ And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him. ²⁰ And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation. ²¹ But my covenant will I establish with Isaac, which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year. ²² And he left off talking with him, and God went up from Abraham.
²³ And Abraham took Ishmael his son, and all that were born in his house, and all that were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham's house; and circumcised the flesh of their foreskin in the selfsame day, as God had said unto him. ²⁴ And Abraham was ninety years old and nine, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. ²⁵ And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old, when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. ²⁶ In the selfsame day was Abraham circumcised, and Ishmael his son. ²⁷ And all the men of his house, born in the house, and bought with money of the stranger, were circumcised with him.

New Testament Reading

Matthew 5:27-48

²⁷ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: ²⁸ But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. ²⁹ And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. ³⁰ And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. ³¹ It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement: ³² But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

³³ Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: ³⁴ But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: ³⁵ Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶ Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. ³⁷ But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

³⁸ Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: ³⁹ But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰ And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. ⁴¹ And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. ⁴² Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

⁴³ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ⁴⁵ That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? ⁴⁷ And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? ⁴⁸ Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Proverb of the Day Proverbs 6

¹ My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, ² Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. ³ Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend. ⁴ Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids. ⁵ Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler. ⁶ Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: ⁷ Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, ⁸ Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest. ⁹ How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? ¹⁰ Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: ¹¹ So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man. ¹² A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. ¹³ He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers; ¹⁴ Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord. ¹⁵ Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy. ¹⁶ These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: ¹⁷ A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, ¹⁸ An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, ¹⁹ A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. ²⁰ My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: ²¹ Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. ²² When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. ²³ For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: ²⁴ To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. ²⁵ Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. ²⁶ For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. ²⁷ Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? ²⁸ Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? ²⁹ So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent. ³⁰ Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry; ³¹ But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house. ³² But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul. ³³ A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away. ³⁴ For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance. ³⁵ He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.

few pic's from family Christmas party

Baby sleeping on mama :)

Always ~ Camden Baptist Chruch

Happy New Year!!

Happy New year to you!!

I hope this finds all of you enjoying the MANY BLESSINGS GOD has so richly bestowed upon us, HIS children!!!!!

We had a WONDERFUL Christ-mas season... 

Made many memories, and looked back over many before. 

I thought I had escaped the seasonal AZ "cold" but ... nope.

I ended up with it anyway :)

I hope it is short lived. Shania is sharing this misery with me, so I am not alone!! lol

I can not believe we are in 2012

Seems as if the years have FLOWN by.. 

Was like the fast forward button was hit in 2006 and has not stopped... 

But I am loven this season of life God has led us too.. 

To know HIM more, and enjoy these young ladies who are growing up SO SO fast..

So neat to see their individual personalities really shining through, and the excitement in their eyes as they talk about what GOD may have in store for them.

We will be having another 8th grade graduation this year, Kelsey will be joining the High School ranks. 

Thankful Kaity is a few years behind them, for many reasons ( smile)

Grandma' birthday is this week and she will be turning 81, so thankful to celebrate another year with her!!

Mother will be turning 62 and my sister... lol.. the big 40 lol.. 

I can not believe it!! I am so sure they are THRILLED that I posted all their ages..

But I have always said " age is just a number.. it's like fine cheese- gets better with age"

We are looking forward to what GOD has in store for us, and the growth in HIM we desire.

WHC camp is also starting this month, hope to make it to some of that. We missed out on GCC and BHC camp's.. But prayed for them both and have heard good reports of souls saved and encouraged!!

Our sixteenth wedding anniversary is also coming up on the 13th!!! 

WOW... That is awesome!! So excited to celebrate with this wonderful man God hand picked for me!! I LOVE MY HUSBAND!!!

We are jumping back into the swing of all things concerning school, have a strong finish to make this semester. And I am excited!!! 

Some awesome stuff to learn people!! And can you believe God has blessed us to be along for the ride? That is beyond what I could of ever hoped or dreamed for!!

More organization is taking place as we continue to unpack, re-arrange, and so on. Now what we need to do is gear up for a BIG spring clean and PAINT JOB!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE a freshly painted room... 

Praying Jesus helps us to get it done! 

Still need a home for all things Scrap booking, the half of our walk in closet is looking mighty tempting.. 

Next on my DIY list, NEW LAMP SHADES.. Yes people.. I am once again in need of another set.. 

See this year I got on a kick of DIY seasonal lamp shades.. my favorite are the fall ones.. But the kids liked the fun Santa ones too.

I need to make Valentines and Easter.. but might settle for just another set to make for Regular decorating purposes!!! Stay tuned for more on that.

Well I am closing on that note... 

Trust you have a blessed week!!

Ephesians 3:20

From Shania's graduation!

Stepping Up-Psalm 122

I was glad when they said to me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
Our feet have been standing Within your gates, O Jerusalem! Jerusalem is built As a city that is compact together, Where the tribes go up,
The tribes of the Lord,
To the Testimony of Israel,
To give thanks to the name of the Lord. For thrones are set there for judgment, The thrones of the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls, Prosperity within your palaces.
For the sake of my brethren and companions,
I will now say, Peace be within you. Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek your good.