Light not Darkness

We had a storm on Wednesday night just before church. Because we lost our electric, I had to go to church looking pretty bad. No way to curl my hair or put on make up. I was really glad for the air conditioning and lights when I got to church. We are studying Proverbs on Wednesday nights and it has been a real blessing. It thrills me to see people be faithful no matter what the weather. The lights were still not working when I returned home.Sitting in a dark house with a flashlight and battery operated fan was NOT so fun. But the lights came on within an hour or so. It makes you thankful for all the nice conveniences that we take for granted every day. Speaking of darkness, my heart is breaking for Israel with all the bombings and bloodshed going on there. And the media blocks by liberals to keep people in the dark about what is really happening. We have so much for which to be thankful  in America. God, please help us to turn from the darkness of sin and turn back to you. And please be with Israel during this dark time.

2Ch 7:14  If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Happy Birthday Girlfriend

Today, July 22nd is a special day. It is the birthday of my friend Linda Draper. She is really having a great birthday today, because she is in heaven with the Lord. She was such a precious lady. I have spoken of her before on my blog. Having MS for many years was not such an easy life. She was in a wheel chair for several years and had to have full time care the last few. But the woman was a joy to be around. She always had a smile and an encouraging word. The sound of her laughter was beautiful. She and Preacher would go round and round picking on each other. I'll never forget that first day she called, while I was working in the church office at Faith Baptist in Southwest Little Rock. She wanted a ride to church. Her husband worked at night. So I drove over and picked her up. It was a shock to see that she was in a wheel chair. But what a wonderful experience to meet her and love her right away. She carried a card around that said she had MS and that since finding Jesus she was happy and blessed in spite of her illness. I don't think I've ever known anyone quite like her. And so today, I want to say to her, "Happy Birthday, Girlfriend, (she called everyone that) I love and miss you." So thankful for Linda and others who are a testimony in their daily lives, no matter what the circumstance. She lived this verse every day of her life:

Php 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice

Blessings of Brothers and Moore

This week has been one of several blessings. My youngest brother came to visit for a few days on Monday. He is not so young anymore though, almost 60. Well, next April, he will be. But he gets around like a spring chicken. He was on the floor cleaning out my air conditioning unit and servicing it almost immediately. He got my garbage disposal unstopped. (Who put a nut pick in there, anyway?)  Fixed my back porch light. (Aw, I can see in the dark now.) Got some dangerous looking electrical wiring capped off. (only been there fifteen years, but it was a fire hazard). He worked on my lawnmowers and cleaned up my computers. He took my van and had the oil changed and encouraged me to do some cleaning out and throwing stuff away. (Bro.Greg will be so glad to hear that.) Do you wonder that I miss that wonderful man? And not only that, but he kept me laughing the whole time. He has a great sense of humor. Nothing better than laughing, anyway. He left on Thursday morning and I just wanted to cry all day. The rain just made it worse. Although I was so glad for the cool weather that the rain  brought us. Brothers are such fantastic people. The icing to the cake is that he loves the Lord and admonishes me to be a better Christian when I am around him. Who could ask for anything more?  Well, I got more, the MOORE's came and took me to lunch today. Their kids are our "other grands" (the parents are WAY too old to be our children) but they are and always will be "family."  It was Ann's birthday today.What a joy to see my sweet friend and mother of eight. I just feel like praising the Lord for His blessings this week! Don't you want to join me? Let's just praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let's  just lift our hands toward heaven and praise the Lord...................

Psa 9:2  I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.

Clear Out the Clutter

A week ago today, my daughter Sharla and I were putting items on a table for a garage sale here at my home. The kids were also working hard. And sweating. Did I mention it was hot? Friday and Saturday were scorchers here. But we had a lot of people to stop and buy lots of stuff. Much of which I needed to clear out. Robin came on Saturday and her kids got involved also. Any excuse for company these days, will do for me. And I am always glad to see my girls and grand kids. It was a hot, busy, tiring, time but we accomplished a lot. All of us making a little extra money to spend. While we are on the subject of getting the clutter out of the house (still lots to go yet), I am reminded of the spiritual clutter that we allow in our lives. It's when we have to move over for other people and give in to them that we really see that clutter of selfishness and pride. God wants us to humble ourselves and get rid of all the junk that keeps us being easily offended and hurt. And thank you Holy Spirit for reminding this "Nanaw" of that very thing. First on the list of spiritual clutter I want to go: My pride. Next: my self centeredness.  Prayers are appreciated.

Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction of wisdom, and before honour is humilty.

Happy Birthday to My Pastor

 Having been a pastor's wife for 33 years, I was used to being involved with people and being part of the teaching staff in church. As a widow, I am no longer the pastor's wife. But I am thankful for my pastor, Bro. Dave Seifert. He has been so kind to allow me to teach the Ladies Bible Class and to make me feel loved and important to the ministry here at Twin Cities' Baptist Temple. He seems to enjoy my singing specials as much as my own sweet Preacher did. And believe me that makes me want to get up and sing, scared or not! He comes and mows my yard, fixes things for me. I am here to tell you that my Pastor is a real blessing and I am so thankful for him and his precious wife. (who is one hard working, unselfish lady)  Today (July 10th) is his birthday. And I just wanted to give honor to him. I know all my children in the ministry around the country appreciate what he does to help me. Happy Birthday Bro. Dave. May you have a great day and many more!

Romans 13:7  Render therefore to all his dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour.

Believing and Receiving

Preacher and I started to attend church faithfully at the end of the 60's. We were so thrilled with the preaching, the teaching, the soul winning, and the praying that went on during the 70's. I remember that there was prayer about everything. Family members and friends were lost and the concern for them was great. Churches were started all over the place. The public schools had become impossible for our kids, so parents prayed Christian Schools into existence. I hear so much negative about that era and it's standards. But I know what that era did for one young "thug" and his rebellious, fit throwing, young wife. I thank God for all the great preaching and strong stands that Men of God took in those days. Prayer meetings were such a blessing. We learned to make definite requests of the Lord. And we saw Him answer many of them. My brother was addicted to drugs and had been in rehab once already. It seemed his life was headed to the trash heap. And God stepped in and performed a miracle in his life, delivered him from addiction, fixed his troubled marriage, and sent him to Bible college. Those kinds of miracles can still happen, if we will take God at His word and believe that He says just what He means.

Mt 21:22 And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

Just a Little White Lie

I had someone ask me recently if God would hold telling a little white lie against you, when you knew it was wrong. And of course I told him that I John 1:9 says all unrighteousness, and that would include premeditated sin. I am ashamed to say that many of my sins are premeditated. But should I have the attitude that I can confess the sin and go on my merry way? I don't think that's what God meant by it. I John 1:9 is not in the Bible to make us sinless, but to help us sin less. The law of God is to protect us from the bondage of sin. And if you have had to deal with a drug addict or an alcoholic in your family, you know what the bondage of addiction can do. It absolutely will destroy a person's life. But so can any sin, if persisted in. Some sins we commit cost us more than others. But every time we choose to sin, it makes that enslavement tighter. And every time we refuse to sin, we keep back it's domination. I John 1:9 helps to keep us aware and alert to the sin than can bind us. And that dear friend, is made possible only by the Blood of Christ shed for ALL our sin

Romans 6:14.. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under law, but under grace.