Thursday's Thoughts

Psalm 69:1-3, 14-18a

Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God....



Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.
Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it.

My thoughts, My love, My prayers

I love Jesus and I love God and I know the Holy Spirit is in me. My heart is just so tender lately feeling so much grief about death, life and my future. I know God is there listening to me, I can see action of consistent prayer happening but I feel so sorrowful, so full of grief. How can long suffering be good for us? What good can come out of ashes? Out of loss, out of anger and self righteousness? MUCH! if we believe His promises and are patient, obedient to turn all to His hand of wisdom and discipline and love.....all our sufferings, longings, finances, time, husband and especially our children. Who knows best? He does! Who is constant, never failing all sufficient. Only Him!

Oh Lord, I lift up my children I had given birth to YOU. I release them to You to do Your work in their lives. May Your hands of love and discipline fall upon them. Take my grief about death away, may I leave it at the foot of the your cross and stand back, walk away and pray.....pray for swift salvation and for the intense pain I'm feeling away.

"But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, Perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you." Peter 5:16

Scrap Booking

I just finished three pages for our new photo album. I feel so honored to do this for Grace Church. We have a new building now, and we emerged with another church family.
Thinking this was a great time to start a photo album, I asked both Pastors if this would be okay. They referred me to one of our elders and he gave the OK to lead this project.
Pastor James, just finished up his teachings on the book of John, which gave me the idea to use all my notes from his sermons on John for my first few pages. The very week we knew we were to move into our new building, Pastor Michael, announced to come and serve and to beautify our new building for Sunday. I have many pictures of all of us working in the kitchen, cleaning cupboards and the men with all their hammers building and tearing down.

I used quotes from my notes, Pastor James said: "We need to depend on Him for this work to which Christ has called us all." I put that under his picture. I used many different quotes from the book of John and from my notes. THE LORD OF GLORY IS DOING THE SERVING. Reveal Jesus under a happy man working hard. I love this one, I put by my picture; "God is the One who brought us together!"

John 3:16, John 10:14, John 6:27, John 12:36, John 11:25, John 12:46.

Serving One Another in Love, John 13:1-20

Many Believed in Jesus, Jesus is the one that brings the fish., GLORY = GOD

Scrapbooking

I'm putting together a scrap book for my daughter Laura Beth for her high school graduation. I did the same thing for my eldest son, Daniel. In honor of the 18 years God has given to us.
She was born February 15, 1990, and I'm only on the year 1997! My time doing this has been fun and I'm trying to be creative with each two page. Each year I have a two page layout, so I can have all 18 years in one photo album. I just finished Keepers at home, wonderful happy times.
I will keep you posted on my progress. Also, my mother and I are working on a quilt for Laura Beth's surprise. We are embroidering sunflowers and we will put on one square her Graduation Date. 2008!

Economics in One Lesson

I'm going to read this book. I'm looking forward to learning more about what is going on in our world. I will discuss this book periodically. Read, think and learn!
QB

Peace

There is something about this word, that brings me to a soft spot in time. Just saying the word brings a calm and serine feeling. I do not know if anyone reads my blog, but just in case. "Peace be with You"
Love,
Debbie AKA Queen Bee the BusyBee

God's Promises

My pastor sent us an article by Sinclair Ferguson, to read for reflection this week, "Boldly and Expectantly Leaning on the Promises". Here he says there are two places in the New Testament where right living is seen as the direct consequence of trusting God's promises. Writes Paul to the Corinthians: "Since we have these promises...let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit..." (2 Cor. 7:10). The "promises" to which he refers are God's covenant with his people that he will 1) be with them, 2) receive those who "touch no unclean thing," and 3) be a Father to them (2 Cor. 6:16-18). Paul's reasoning is If this is what God promises to be to His holy people, let us make every effort to be such holy people. If these are the riches that await me, let me walk on that path of holiness that leads to them. Here holiness is a direct result of living in the light of the divine promises.

What a great article to start the New Year off with; "May God's promises similarly renew your life. I must resolve to remember, read and rely on God's promises to govern my life-style. He has promised to never leave me, then I must never leave Him either.

I haven't had the easiest year during 2007, and at times I did not handle my situations with a calm composer. Remembering His promises along with knowing the whole contents of how to govern my life-style and knowing His promises will ease my sufferings. I want to live with poise in times of a crisis and pressure like Ferguson said.

These are from my notes on my Pastor's sermon two Sundays ago:
"When you go through trials, keep your mind on Jesus, keep your hope upon the thought Jesus is coming. Anguish will come to an end, and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. There is HOPE and that one is Jesus He will be your light."

During this Christmas season, I purchased three little ceramic plaques, one says Hope, another Love and another Peace. I put them up above my fire place, I plan to keep them there this whole year of 2008, they will be my reminder to have Hope in His promises and, to Love Jesus while keeping an open communication with Him, which in return will give me Peace of understanding His promises.

Peter writes in a similar vein: "God has given us His very great and precious promise, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires" (2 Peter 1:4)

I must continue to Bloom for my King!
QB