A few thoughts....

II Thessalonians 5:16 to 24

16. Rejoice evermore
17. Pray without ceasing.
18. In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19. Quench not the Spirit.
20. Despise not prophesyings.
21. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Pray without ceasing... Does this mean we are to ALWAYS be praying? Yes and no. You can pray throughout your day for various people, situations, needs etc. Ceasing doesn't mean you have to be on your knees in prayer 24/7. I have certain things that when I see them or hear something I will say a prayer for someone. Or maybe as I go through my day something will happen that will remind me of a situation that I should pray for. Do I do this all the time? I'm not perfect and I don't always do this but I do my best to pray without ceasing.

Are you quenching the Spirit? Make sure your reading the Bible, praying, attending church, have the right kind of fellowship, listening to the right kind of music etc. You don't want to quench the spirit.

These verses maybe short but each one has a lot to say. The one I want to focus on is one we talked about as a family back a few wks ago.  Vr 22 - Abstain from all appearance of evil. We need to be so careful what we say, do, go or anything we do in life. One way of doing that is abstaining from evil. If you have a question on what your about to do or someplace you have thought of going to, it's best you don't do those things.

We don't go into bars, one is we don't drink and although when out soul winning those in the bars need to hear the gospel. We don't go in because someone whom you've been trying to win Christ may see you go in. They don't know that you aren't drinking when you go in. Then they go and tell someone that you went into the bar. You know what that leads to. So we avoid ALL appearance of evil.
Another thing which I've seriously considered doing on FB. Several friends of mine ladies don't have other men on their pg as friends. Why? They want to avoid all appearance of evil. This keeps you from ending up in an odd situation. Even though your husband may read everything that is posted it doesn't stop you from deleting a conversation, or someone looking to hurt you starting rumors. So avoid ALL appearances of evil!
There are so many area's that could be touched on for avoiding the appearance of evil. You need to decided as an individual what you need to change, or what you need to avoid that you were considering.

Responsible, Action, Potential.....

This is from a sermon I heard the other night but I wanted to share it with you. Some is exact words of the preacher, where some of it will be my thoughts.

Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which stengtheneth me.
Bro Domelle took this verse and broke it down on How it applies to our lives. So many people know this verse and they quote it often, but do they KNOW how to apply it.

I - is Responsible Are you responsible?
can - action (what action are you doing as a responsible person or irresponsible)
do - Potential (what is your potential are you living up to your potential)
through Christ - are you doing all in Him?
which strengtheneth me - He is our strength.

This sermon I heard on Monday night at an Old Paths Conference and it couldn't of come at a better time. Just on Sunday I was really strugling with our situation, after lots of tears and being up most of the night God knew what I needed. Yes, I had through out the day said this verse, but now it means so much more to me.

I'm responsible for my actions and I need to reach my potential and one way to do this is through Christ! So no matter where I am, I CAN do all things through Christ which stengtheneth me!! It doesn't matter if I'm in Maine, or Maryland, or West Virginia ( where I really want to be).
I just need to make sure I'm Responsible, Have right actions, reach my Potential and as long as it's through Christ he'll give the strength I need.

WE all need the strength of God to get through ALL things!! I'm so thankful I serve a God that cares, that loved us so much that he gave us the Bible to study, learn and live by!!!

Gods word is all it took,

He spoke peace be still

And it happened.

He spoke the world into being

And that was all it took.

God created you and me

He knows each of our valleys and Mountain tops

He has a perfect will for you and me

God created you and me!

The ocean blue and oh so deep

The ocean blue and oh so wide

God knows exactly what he wanted

And created the ocean blue.

When you look at the around you

Remember who spoke it all into being

Gods word is all it took

By: Paula Seavey

This Little light of mine....

This little light of mine, I"m gonna let it shine....

This is a fun kids song but it has so much truth to it. Our family took their "light" into area's of Maine today so that others could hear hear the gospel. In being a light for Jesus we are also a mirror, if you please.

Our lives reflect either Christ or the world.
Which do you reflect?
I'm not a good poet but here's some words I wrote on paper last night.

What does the mirror of your life show?
Does it show you are growing in Christ?
Does it show you are pulling away?
What does the mirror of your life show?

Are you growing in Christ
So that others will want what you have?
Or are you following the world,
Making others question the Christian life?

Our light shines for Christ and reflects from the mirror or our life,
When you tell others of Christ you are showing the reflection of Christ
So my friend what does your mirror reflect to the world?

The Bible teaches we are to be witness of him both in Jerusalem, Samaria and all Judea, and unto the utter most parts of the world. As I've heard my preacher say, Jerusalem is your town, Samaria is your state, Judea is the US and of course the utter most parts is the world.

So what are you doing to be a reflection of Christ?
This little light of mine I'm gonna let it shine
Shine all over _________ (the city you live in) I'm gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Are you Inconvienced?

Last wk we attended a church up here in Maine, and the Pastor spoke on, "Inconvenienced". It was really a great message because at this time, Yea, I feel inconvenienced. I know some of you would say what? you inconvenienced? Yep, me!
See, I'm currently in Maine as I mentioned and I in some ways don't want to be here.... Why? Well, my children are missing out on so much at home, but for whatever reason the Lord has put us here in Maine for a season. So to me, in ways, I'm "inconvenienced".

The Bible tells us though that that there is a time/season for everything
Ecclesiastes 3:1 and 4a
1  To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
4  A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

I've taken our "inconvenience" and decided ok: I can sit around and cry about it the whole time we're here or I can take this "inconvenience" and apply it to good (laughing) Have a good time, enjoy the beauty of Maine, enjoy my sister in laws (after all they're the only sisters I have). Other than friends I feel close enough to, to call a sister.

So I've done just that, I've spent time with Martha, Emily and a little bit with Randi and I've decided that staying with my father in law can be a good thing.
1. we're being a help to him on his farm
2. He doesn't have to cook for himself (I've sort of been given rule/control of the kitchen) which is fun.
3. we are here for a reason, it may not be clear to me and I will admit I'm a little confused on things, but I'm going to accept it.

Rather than dwelling on your "inconvenience" why not find the good in life!
Do you have health issues? find the good in it.
Do you have family problems? find the good in those family members.
Do you have financial struggles? find the good, and thank the Lord for what you have and forget about what you don't have. (I want to insert here, this is a hard one for me! I have several things I "want" so I have to look at my vehicle and say Thank you Lord that I have transportation and not become jealous of those with nicer cars.) See, I'm no different from any of you who read this.

So many times we focus so much on our problem that we forget God has reason for this or that. God is in control and he does know what is best. Yes, he holds our future in HIS hands!!!

So, Put that inconvenience aside and Enjoy what God has given you!!

Life

When things in life seem like they just aren't going the right way.... God never gives us more than we can handle!!!

If you are having a rough time right now go to your knees in prayer, He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you!

What God hath put together let no man put asunder!

Husbands and Wives you should take time WITHOUT your children to have time together!! Yes Family is important but your marriage is also important!!

This was taken at Rocky Gap Resort in Flinstone, MD beautiful, romantic place for a couple to go. It's also a beautiful place for a family get away.



Moving

Good afternoon,

I wanted to just post really fast I'll be posting again later next wk. We're in the process of moving and I won't have much time for computer till we get settled :)

Have a wonderful day friends,
Rejoice in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy path.

In whatsoever state I am therewith to be content.