Study to Shew thyself approved.....

II Timothy 2;15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth"

As we have started our new school year off I've challenged the boys to study harder, to learn more, and to be hard workman that needeth not to be ashamed. I've encouraged them to memorize more scripture this year. Our theme verse will be "Study to shew thyself approved unto God..."

 In these pictures of my children they are studying so that I approve of their work. Which they should do, but they should also be studying to please God. The first picture which is Samuel, he is diligently studying his History. Not his favorite but he knows to pass, he must study.


Next is Caleb he was taking a test, He studied though so he could take this test. Then the next one is Jason he's working on hard on his Math. He doesn't want to repeat this Pace :) May I say thus far none of the boys have come to the point we've had to repeat whole Paces. We might have needed to go back and review but they study and they work hard.

The next photo however may show that someone hasn't studied to shew himself approved unto God. Where does your Bible sit during the week? Left on the pew at church? In your car so you don't "forget" next time you go to church? On a book shelf, till time for church? Maybe on a coffee Table where it gets dusted off when company is coming, such as the Preacher.

   It sad that in today's world this is what we would and do see on many Bibles. America was founded on God and the Bible. Now today we can't pray in schools, we can't read our Bible in school, all because it might offend someone! The other day, I thought I would post some things on a page about Modesty. Oh my word the stink that it caused. I literally received a private message from a person telling me that what the Old testament taught on dress did NOT apply to us today! WHAT? 

 

Friend may I tell you, if it was for the Old Testament people it was for us now in 2013! The Lord wanted to people to pray then, he wants us to Pray now. The Lord wanted people to study the scriptures then, He wants us to study them now! The Lord wanted the women to dress like women then, He wants us, ladies, to dress like Ladies NOW! These are just a few things I'll mention but if it's in the Bible, it's God's word we are to head it and obey it! Part of being able to head and obey the Bible is by studying the Bible!

 

I'm studying now for a lesson to present not only to my ladies of our church but to other Pastors wives, and their ladies. Do I want to wait till the night before to prepare for it? No, I need and have started preparing for it already. Why? I want to study to shew myself approved unto God. I want God to have say in what I say.

 

So friend, pick up your Bible, turn Off the TV, the computer, or whatever is keeping you from studying to be approved of God a workman that needeth not to be ashamed.

 

I saw a saying that went something like this:

 

If it prevents you from doing what God wants

Then don't do it!

 

This isn't exact but I have the main point, if what you are doing is keeping you from God, maybe just maybe you shouldn't be doing that. 1. you want grow in the Lord; 2. you are leaving opportunity for Satan to sneak in. Do we want these things to happen, no, none of us do. So stay in the Word, stay close to God and pray daily.

 

22 Blessed and wonderful Years

If you are on Facebook you've seen all the "mushy" stuff I've been posting about our, Pastor Seavey/hubby and myself,  marriage and how it's been wonderful being married to my awesome husband. Well, I want to say, it's not just mushy stuff it TRUE! So many marriages make it barely a yr while others go 20, 30, 50 some even to 75 yrs. My question is if a marriage can last 75 yrs why can't we learn from that couple? Or why can't we observe these couples who have been married ONE time and are still married to that ONE man or woman. Ladies, when the Bible says to leave and cleave guess what that's till death you part!

I saw this posted and Facebook and wanted to share it here because it takes all of my thoughts on marriage and sums it up:  

Each of those points that are listed are 110% true! Today to the exact day and date is my 22nd anniversary. On 8/24/1991 when Dr Jack Hyles said, repeat after me, "in sickness and in health, (and I know I'm not quoting this exact) in poverty and in wealth till death do you part. Guess What? Bill and I meant EVERY WORD OF IT!! Have we had rough times? YES Have we had sickness? some but you know what we stayed right there by each others side. Have we had times where communication wasn't the best? Oh yea but then we're human that's to be expected, BUT we didn't let the issues of life pull us down. We didn't let it make us decided we no longer loved each other. Instead, we let those issues, those hard times pull us closer together. I could go into some things that were, lets say, well, lets just say many couples wouldn't of made it through them. Why? because if you don't have Christ at the center of your home, there are things that you won't make it through.

See when we got married, maybe even before, we decided that word Divorce was not in our vocabulary. To be honest I hate to even type it. When we said, "till death do us part." We meant that.

 We stayed together through the good (top picture) and the bad *I'm laughing* (bottom picture).... It was windy out on the ocean....... so what can I say :D

 



Friends if you are single, when the Lord sends the right person along you will know it! If you are married tough it out! Is it easy? not always. Is it always fun? no Are the trials and hardships worth it? YES! Is God in control? IF you allow him to be and then guess what you maybe in the valley in the marriage but the grass isn't any better in the next valley. IF you don't learn from that valley, the next one could be worse.

Hebrews 13:4a "Marriage is honourable in all...."

Ephesians 4:6 & 7 "One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ." 

God is all he is above all, even marriage! That is why Marriage in ONE Man  PLUS ONE Woman! He also gives the grace needed to be with each other. He gives us grace to make it through each day, and I believe in that grace is understanding and getting along with your husband or wife.


 

If God gives it to you, He'll see you through it!

Good afternoon! As I was on a site I use regularly and a good friend was saying how things have been rough for some time now. I, and many people, can understand that. Then someone else says, it never ends! Is that true? NO, See we have the valleys that we must go through, those valleys are there

 in order to have the Mountain tops. If our lives were full of cherries and there was never any pits we wouldn't grow but because we have those pits we have the bowl full of cherries too. *smile*

Psalms 104:8 "They go up by the mountains; they go down by the valleys unto the place which thou hast founded for him."

See the valley your in has been founded for you! Will you "pass' the test of that valley or will you fail and have to stay in the valley longer. See the Lord knows what we need to grow. This has been a test I have personally failed at many times. I don't, nor does anyone, like the valleys so we need to learn they are there for a reason and God gave it to you, He'll see you through it. In Numbers 24:6 we read, "As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by the river's side, as the trees of lign aloes which the Lord hath planted, and as cedar trees beside the waters."  Notice here it talks of the trees by water beds, the garden by the rivers side. Our trials, heartaches, hard times, testing's etc. are for us so we can cont to grow, as the garden and trees grow, in our Christian life.

I heard many Pastors say, "If you are always on the mountain top you aren't growing and you apparently are doing anything for the Lord. Why? The devil isn't worried about you because you've never had to come through the valley!" I don't remember who said that or if I even had it quoted exact but you know there's a lot of truth there. God gives us the Grace needed to get through that which he has given us. In Psalms 138:8 it says, "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands."

Dear friend, if you have lost a job, had a death in the family or a friend, had financial problems, health issues, or whatever the valley is stay focused. "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."  Philippians 3:14-16

So next time you have a valley, remember If God gives it to you, He'll see you through it! We have a prize to press toward also!


Written by Paula MN Seavey
 

Taste your words

Is what your about to say bitter? Is it kind? Is it hurtful? Will it bring Peace? Will it bring Sorrow? Taste your words! 

You may say OK how can I taste my words? Well, I'm actually glad you asked because words can be and are very powerful. 

This saying is from facebook and yes very true. I try my best to keep my facebook page, my family blog, and this blog positive. Why? I don't want to be the reason someone falls, or quits or maybe changed a decision to serve God because of me. In Proverbs 16:24 it says, "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." Are your words as a honeycomb? 

Philippians 4:8 "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." 

Whenever we speak we need to:

1. Speak the truth

2. Be honest 

3. Speak pure words

4. Be loving in what you say

5. Bear good reports

What do you think would happen if you did these 5 things daily? 

Well, people wouldn't run the other way when they saw you coming. There's a very dear lady friend, I love to see her walk through the door or anywhere for that matter. Why? She's always smiling and has the sweetest spirit and is always positive. What if when I saw her walk into a room I was like, "OH no look who's here!" That wouldn't be good. Instead I'm happy to see her. Which person are you? 

Today as we were traveling from one church members home to another our boys were being typical brothers, but their words became unkind. Yes! Pastors kids, do speak unkind things to each other and to other kids! Shocked? Well, as we have told our children over the past 5 months we know your normal kids but others look at you and expect you to be on a higher level. So anyway, they became unkind to one anther, their Dad also their Pastor, spoke to them. They as any child, should do, had to apologize to the other for what had been said. Their play had turned vicious and although not perfect we try to get our children to always speak the truth, be honest, be sure their words are pure, to love and give good reports. Does this always happen? NOPE! That is where training our children to be Christ-like is so important. 

Parents if your children here you always being negative about your pastor, their teachers, each other, about their friends parents; they will eventually start being negative about their Pastor, teachers etc. 

So Adults, teens, young people, children taste your words BEFORE you spit them out! 

I remember hearing my Grandmother say, "If you can't say anything good don't say anything at all" This is so true but so often never crosses the mind before speaking evil or wrong of someone. 

The kids saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me" is WRONG yes sticks and stones may break your bones but words, well they can destroy a person. I won't name any names but I know of a person who all through their growing up years was told, "Your lazy, your good for nothing, you'll never amount to anything  plus a lot of other things." This person to this day has lived up to what they were told from a child all the way through their teen years. Could this person have changed, YES but after hearing those negative comments day in and day out for well over 18 years and the person believes them. Now this person has been saved but is really struggling with this. Is that what you want your friend, your brother, your sister, anyone to be like? I don't think so. 

So lets have words like honeycombs! Proverbs 16:24 it says, "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." 

By: Paula MN Seavey

Train up a child

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

This teaches us that we are to train up our children, train them in the way they should go. I would like to think that all 5 of my children will not depart from their training, I am pleased that thus far the two that are already on their own are staying by the their training. God has blessed us with a daughter, 4 sons and now another son through the marriage of our daughter. The following is something that I wrote at 1:30 this morning about our children.....

When each of you were born our world changed just a little bit more, not for the worse but for the best! On August 2, 1992 the Lord gave us, Tabitha Jane to us. For 21 years, tomorrow, we have watched you grow, stumble, fall, get up and keep going. 21 years ago if I had been told that you would be 1200 miles away from me I would have never believed it. You my dear daughter have grown to be a wonderful, beautiful young lady! I'm so grateful that you have followed Proverbs 22:6.

Then when you about 10 months old we learned there was to be another baby in our family. I was told by a few people, "you are turning this childs life upside down by having another." Well, I think we were far from turning your world upside down!! On Dec 14th William Paul IV was born on the 15th when we came home, you went right past your mom to the baby!! He was almost as big as you, but that didn't matter you loved him, fed him, helped me in every way you could. I heard 3 more times you are turning their world upside down with a new baby. Every time you and the brother(s) below you proved that to be wrong! Our world was never turned upside down it was made that much better! Paul IV even as little boy LOVED to work! He has continued through his 19 yrs of life to work and work hard. Again he is living Proverbs 22:6 and we thank the Lord for that!

Then in March of 1995 our 3rd child, Caleb Robert joined our family. Now Caleb is our family clown and he has brought many a laugh into our lives... One time in particular we were in at a hotel everyone was sitting around watching a TV program when out of the blue we hear:
"Move your feet!
I said, "move your feet!" then came the response, Oh those are mine ha ha ha ha...
Caleb can look one in the face and be serious and say, "no you diiiidn't" (misspelled on purpose)  Knowing you hadn't done anything or had just done this or that. Caleb is the son that makes everyone and anyone laugh! As he prepares to leave for college in a year my prayer is that he'll too follow Proverbs 22:6.

Because it had been close to 3 yrs we thought the Lord had given us the children he wanted us to have. As I go into the doctors for a routine check-up she asked are you pregnant? My response is no I don't think so.... Well Jan 23, 1998 brought us baby number 4 Samuel Maurice. He's our tenderhearted child
if someone is hurting Samuel seems to catch on immediately to that. Samuel loves to draw and be creative with his hands.

Well our world would be "turned upside down" just one more time that was May 1, 1999. We will never forget his birthday or the others but Jason well he did sort of turn the world upside down... we were members of First Baptist Church in Hammond, IN at the time. May 1st well, that was a BIG day! If I remember correctly we had, had soul winning all week that week and it might have been one of the wonderful Pentecost Sunday's that Dr Hyles LOVED to have. Well... As we had been told several times, Dr Jack Hyles wasn't happy with someone who rented a bus, parked in the back of the handy capped parking lot and NEVER used it!! At the time NO one knew who was suppose to be driving that bus, UNTIL.... about 1 in the afternoon my husband remembers the bus!!! Well, once Preacher learned of the situation he wasn't as unhappy as he was originally that morning.  So the phrase you will turn their world upside down, might have been true with Jason and the big day at FBC Hammond on that faithful Sunday in May of 1999. Jason is well, he's our talker.... He can talk, and talk, and talk. He's cleaner also, especially in the past few years Jason will see a job that needs to be done in cleaning and do it!

We love all 5 of our children and we are Thankful for each and everyone of them. Our world was changed with each but FAR from being turned upside down!

Friends, if you have 1 child or 19  don't give up on them!! Train them up as the Lord commands. We made mistakes yes. We probably made huge mistakes in their training, but God through his mercy and grace has allowed our good aspects of training out weigh the mistakes!

Never compare your children, one may be strong in an area where another is weak. Don't compare them they are individuals. Yes from the same family but individuals, you say they all have the same parents some attributes of us, BUT they are individuals!  I have 4 boys they are as different as night and day. Even with our daughter I can't compare her to the boys or vise versa. A child is just that a child, he's not his sister or brother! God made HIM to be who? To be himself.

Just trust in the Lord, read his word, us his word to train your children through God you will do just fine!

Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." 

Peace that passeth all understanding.

Do you have peace? Are you looking for peace? Do you feel that peace will never come?

Well I will say, I've been in all 3 places. Looking for peace before I was saved May 23, 1988. Yes I grew up in church and was in a Christian school. I even said a prayer with a group of kids in chapel one day after Bro Brown preached. However, as I got older I knew something wasn't right. At the age of 21 after hearing a message on Hell by Dr Jack Hyles I knew I needed to make it right. So I accepted Christ. That peace was there and has been there ever since.

So you can have peace. There are situations where you, I, pray for peace. See my oldest 2 children and son (in law) are 1,000 plus miles away. Well yesterday I had to pray for peace that my son PAUL would be OK. Here I am in Maine and he's in the hospital in Kentucky. I didn't have a lot of peace to start but as the day went by that peace came. Yes he has a health issue but our God is the Lord of Lords and he's the great physician if he chooses to heal my sons heart he will. Maybe though this is something Paul will have to live with. Either way we, have peace that God will take care of him.

Psalms 29:11 "The LORD will give strength unto you his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace."

Psalms 119:165 "Great peace have they which love they law...."

Isaiah 26:3 "Thou shalt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in there."

Friend you can have this peace God gives. I used 2 illustrations on peace and I know there is a lot more I could share. Today however what do you need peace about? Salvation? A loved one? Health? Whatever it is God and God alone can give it. My prayer is if you are reading this and you don't peace about...... anything that you are dealing with, take it to our loving Saviour who wants to give you that peace that passeth all understanding.


By: Paula MN Seavey

Avoiding Temptation

I Peter 5:8-9 "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, is as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour:
Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethern that are in the world."

Adults, teens and children need to avoid temptation. I'm speaking mostly to ladies here because one way we can help men avoid temptation is by how we dress. We as ladies avoid temptation also when we dress modestly as well as when we see men modestly dressed. This lesson though is for ladies and how we can avoid temptation.

I'm going to look at dress in Deuteronomy 22:5 "The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment; for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord they God."

Ladies we should want to look like ladies not men! When you wear the tight clothing whether you realize it or not you are saying look what I have. Is that really what you want to do? Now I realize skirts, dresses and tops can be tight also. But you can purchase clothing that is tight but also that doesn't look 10 sizes to big on you.

So how can You Not cause temptation?
1. Read your Bible Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law shall not depart out of they mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make they prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

2. Pray for Gods leading daily Psalms 55:17 "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."

3. Fellowship with the right people. We are told in marriage not to be unequally yoked, why not take that a step further an make sure we seek council from the right people. As a christian you should not go to unsaved people with a problem. I realize you can't totally avoid those who aren't saved an we should befriend them, but not be buddy, buddy with them.

4. Sing songs an spiritual hymns, wow I could really go on a rabbit trail here.I will only say pick a hymn or scripture song an make it your song for the day, week may e the month.

These are just a few things ladies, teens and young girls that we can do to help us avoid temptation.
Will be tempted? Yes
Will we fall into temptation? Maybe but if we do all we can to avoid it there's less chance.

James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God, Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

You may ask how do I resist the devil/temptation?
Don't be on the computer where no one can see you.
Don't watch the TV program just because its on prime time.Just because Christian is attached does not mean that it is. Many of these shows teach its OK to wear skin tight clothing, listen to "christian rock", go dating without a chaperon, cheat on your husband.These are all Wrong an they are lead you into temptation.

So, Be careful little eyes what you see
Oh be careful little feet where you go,
Be careful little hands what you do.
Be careful little ears what you hear. WHY?
Because the Father up above is looking down in love
So be careful Lady, Teen girl and little girls what you see, where you go, what you touch and what you hear!

By: Paula MN Seavey

The 3 Little Bears

"Good morning," said baby bear to his momma! "What are we going to do today"? Momma bear replies, "well while Papa bear is at work, we first will read our Bible and then plan our day". As baby bear sat with momma reading the Bible, he was listening to every word! "Be ye kind one to another tender hearted forgiving one another..." Momma asked, "What do you think this mean"? Baby bear replies, "I'm supposed to be kind to my friends and forgive them."

Ok, I know I started this off with the 3 little bears (oh I know the picture has 4 but I couldn't find one I liked with only 3 LOL) As you think about the original "Three Little Bears" Do you remember how when they came in they wanted to know WHO did this or that! Then they found Goldly Locks in the bed... If I'm remembering the story right Godly Locks ran away never saying, "I'm sorry, or offering to help clean up the mess she made." Now I know this is a cute kids story but what is the moral teaching?

Please don't me wrong I'm not against the stories that I as well as many of you grew up with. But as I had children, and I read them to my children every now and then one or more of them would say, that wasn't right. Or shouldn't it have ended this way or that. That's when I noticed some of the kids stories didn't have a moral to the story.

As we go through life, are we making sure the moral to our story so to speak is leaving the right impression,  Leading the children in the right direction, even leading them in the right direction!
"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it."

If we raise our children to serve the Lord, to Love God, to always read their Bible and pray we will be training them in the way they should go.

So the moral here is, we need to Read our Bible, pray, love one another, forgive one another, be kind to one another, train up our children to do these things and Lord willing as our life comes to an end the moral to our story will be: 'He/She Read their Bible, prayed, loved, forgave, was kind, raised children to do right, etc and that's way we should live too."

As the 3 little bears ended their day, they still had their home, food and beds but did they have peace in their hear that they had forgiven the little girl? Put yourself in their place and think how you would have responded. Before you say but they are bears remember we're looking at the moral of a story/life will end. We want to please the Lord and do as Christ would do, not as the world.

By Paula Seavey

I Know Where I'm Going!

One day I was wondering, 

What's it all about?

Life - is full of heartbreak, wrestlessness and doubt.

Then, a gentle stranger whispered words of Love,

Pointed me to Heaven and wrote my name above!

I know where I'm going and Who I'm gonna see!

I have a friend named Jesus, waiting there for me,

He has given something that ONLY he could give,

He gave his life in payment so that I could live!

Friend, if you are searching for a better way,

I'm recommending Jesus, Trust in Him today.

He will give life meaning like none other can 

Come and travel with me to the Promise land!

Last night I kept waking up thinking of different things from my past and this song kept coming to mind. I wasn't sure why and to be honest I'm not sure why the Lord has kept in my heart and mind all day and even tonight. 

Then as my husband was preaching out of I Peter 1:18-25 it made sense. I had been reminded of this song and many other things. I couldn't get off of verse 18 even as Preacher cont to read... last part of the verse reads, "...from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers." and then he read verse 21 "Who by him do believe in God that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God." At first I wasn't sure why verse 18 seem to hit home, then I though back to recent text, e-mails and 1 phone call that I then knew I had to put that behind me. I couldn't dwell on the past. I couldn't let others vain conversation affect me or it would pull me down. To be honest I believe that was starting to happen. Then verse 21 came up... AMEN I have a mighty God that I can have faith and hope in!! 

As I listened to the sermon and thought of this song they were perfect. We do have a hope in God, if we ONLY have the faith to accept him as our Saviour. As the song says "...He will give life meaning like none other can..." You know my life does have meaning, yes many things happened at once but I have a wonderful life! 

The last few weeks for our family has been different. Our daughter got married one weekend, the next weekend my Grandmother went to heaven. Then this past week I've had some health issues and it all just seem to come at one time. The ole saying, "when it rains it pours" well I felt like it went from pouring to flooding :) You know though I have a husband, children and friends who have been such an encouragement, they have listened or chatted on line with me and let me pour my heart out to them. You know we have a friend named Jesus that if you will open up to him he is even more willing and wanting for you to come to him! He knows your heartache, he knows your sorrow, he knows your sickness, he knows exactly what YOU, I, or anyone needs!! 

Am I sad about my Grandmother YES but she's in heaven and I know Grandma, she wouldn't want me moping around because she passed. She would want me to serve God and give the gospel to others. She LOVED the Lord and she loved her family. I want to be like my Grandma and love the Lord and people as she did. 

So friend, don't listen to those vain conversations, but get up get busy and serve the God who gave us hope!

Heaven is Real

The rainbow is for promise.... Gods promises are forever real an true. After the flood God gave us the rainbow as a promise. As Christians we have many promises of God that we can depend on daily. One of my favorites is "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee..."

The heavens declare the glory of God. Even as a child of God sometimes I wonder why and sometimes I don't always understand but with God on my side I know he holds the future and I know he knows all that is.

At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light....

As I sit waiting to know if my dear Grandma has met her Saviour I worry about an pray for my Uncle who's unsaved. Dear friend I have watched new beginnings take place this past weekend as another ends their life here on earth.

Friend if you don't know Jesus as your personal Saviour please don't delay. We never know when our time will come tomorrow well that maybe to late.

Please feel Free to contact me through this blog if you have any questions whatsoever.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Helping our Friends

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up." 

I occasionally will go through a few day study or maybe even a month study just depends on what it is. Well, I have lately seen many friends that are being hurt, miss treated, or maybe a friend is going through health issues or whatever. Well, we can be Christ like and be the right kind of friend. I have several friends who are diabetic and I have others with other illnesses, while there are other friends who may just have a one time struggle. Now I'm not perfect and I don't always do or help the way I should, but I try. In Mark we read about 4 men who helped their friend find a way to Jesus (Mark 2:1-12) Will you be a true friend and help someone find Jesus. Now in this story this friend couldn't walk and the 4 men carried him to Jesus. You could that by picking them up for church, going over and visiting having a time you read the Bible with them or pray with them.

Talk with your friend! Don't be looking for what he/she can do for you but rather what you can do them?! See I have a very dear friend that I know this friend doesn't really like things done for her, BUT I LOVE to do for her when I can. She and her family have done for me, and hundreds of others with no complaint, no regret and she LOVES people. Once in a while I'm able to do something special for her and I love it when that happens :) :)

So which of your friends could you be a blessing to today?
You know don't let past events or past wrongs keep you from being a friend. You don't have to be buddy buddy with them, but you can encourage them, or pray for them, send them a note letting them know you are praying.

Friends are friends forever, if the Lords the Lord of them. A friend will not say never if the Lords the Lord of them.

So to all my friends, I love you  and I pray for you and if I know there's a need I will do what I can to help if nothing more I can pray for you!! 

New Beginnings

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth Genesis 1:1

New beginnings are wonderful! Our son has a new beginning in KY going to college in the fall as a Freshman, starting a new job recently, new area, new friends. Our daughter is quickly approaching new beginnings in her life as a wife, she'll be graduating from college soon, new beginnings are fun.

So as we go through life there are endings which will bring a new beginning. Will those endings be easy? No not always. Will the new beginnings be exciting and fun or will they be hard? Honestly it's hard to say, but I do know with God all things are possible and a new beginning in your life can be what you choose to make it!

What is your new beginning today? Is it just another day or is it a New Bright Day for you with a clean slate, so to speak. Today has no marks or blemishes.

This is the day that the Lord hath made I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Rejoice in the Lord alway an again I say rejoice.

Make the best of your new beginning, of your new day. With God your new beginning will be the best story written in your life.

I challenge you today to write down your stories. You say, stories? yes stories See I was taught by a teacher in grade school that our life is a book, full of stories. My story began May 12, 1967 and I have many stories in my life since then. Some are funny, some silly, some are sad, some I don't want to remember, but needless to say I have those stories. I'm in a "story" now a whole new beginning of my life as a Pastors wife. My prayer is that this chapter last a long time. So what is your story??

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, this is the beginning of a beautiful book with 66 books total and lots and lots stories to read and glean from and to be encouraged from in your daily walk of beginnings! 

Saying Good bye is/can be, hard to do...

Over the past several weeks I've said good bye to friends and family, not due to death but because we live in Maine, and they live in WV, KY, IN or wherever. It's not easy for me to say good bye for the simple reason I love these people!

The Bible tells us we are to Love one another! Well, I've been told I've taken that way to seriously, who knows maybe I have, maybe I haven't. I do know though I love many, many people. The thing is when I have to say good bye after a visit my love for that person or persons has grown stronger because I have gotten closer to that person during our visit. Many times I cry as we drive away, or as they drive away, because a little piece of me has left.

I'm using this to say, in the Bible we are told to love another. I know in today's world when one says they love you they may or may not mean it. The word Love is thrown around in a way that sometimes one may not know if you truly mean "I love you" or if your just using words. This is why I don't tell one I love them, till it's evident in my life that I love them.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16 What kind of love do you suppose the Lord had for the world? A flippant love or a true Agape love? Well, since the Lord gave His ONLY Son to die for our sins I would say he had a great love for us, Agape Love!

My grandmother is 92 yrs of age she's been saved since she was a little girl. Today she is in a hospital having suffered a stroke on this past Saturday. We have no idea if she'll pull out of this. HOWEVER Grandma knows she's going to heaven and she knows her children Love her. Grandma also LOVES scripture and although she doesn't respond like and you and I do, she has shown her joy in various ways when anyone reads the Bible to her! She LOVES God's word. I would say, Grandma has a GREAT love for the Bible, God and her family. Would someone be able to say this of you when you are on your death bed. I've not seen my Grandma in several yrs, but she knows I love her because I stay in touch with her. Stay in touch with your family and friends let them know you care and that you Love them, pray for them, be an encouragement. Don't contact them when only when you are in need, call them sometime and say what I can I do for YOU! Show Christ love by doing for others!!

I know theres not been a lot "deep" thoughts on love, but next time you tell someone "I Love you" think about it. Do you really LOVE them?

Yes saying good bye is hard to do! However when we have a love that's true as Christ does it will and can go a long ways!

All Things Work Together for Good

Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

I know my blogging probably seems that it is focused on life events of mine but I do that for a purpose. I'm human just like the rest of you and I have things in my life that maybe would help another in theirs so if I can be a help through writing about it, I want God to us that.

 The other day I had someone ask me, "So how does it feel to be a Pastors wife?" Hum..... feel no different than being a teacher, or cook to be honest. My reply to her was, "Well, honestly no different than I felt before." Really the only difference from one day as not being a Pastors wife to the next day as Pastors wife was only the title.

Now if I was asked, "What do you think about it?' or What's it like?" then I could answer maybe. Honestly though I see the change in our ministry as what God worked together for our lives. A few days ago we were back home in WV for our sons Graduation from High School, we are very proud of him and Praise the Lord that in his life, all things worked together for good to Paul who loves God!





Today I spoke to one of my "moms" yes one, I require several. *laughing I shared some things with her that had affected me and she shared her heart with me. Through her and her husband God showed me that all things work together for good. In my head I knew it, but now in my heart it is really settled. Can I help the situation, not really;but as my husband Preached on Sunday morning I can only fix ME not you, or the neighbor, or the mail man, I can ONLY fix ME! So rather than trying to fix everyone around you, focus on Yourself! God will take care of the others!

God knows what we need when we need it as well as who needs to be in our lives and when. We serve a MIGHTY God!!

In verse 35 of the same chapter it reads, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"

So friend it really doesn't matter NOTHING can separate you from the Love of Christ!
Tribulation ~ yea we have them but NOTHING will separate us from God's Love.
Distress ~ Yep, but why should I distress when I have the Love of Christ.
Persecution ~ Christians all through the ages have been persecuted, BUT NOTHING separated them from God's love.
Famine ~ we in 2013 don't see a lot of this however even if we did have a famine NOTHING would separate us from His love.
I think you all get the idea, For God so LOVED the World that He GAVE His ONLY begotten Son that whosoever believeth in me should not perish but have everlasting life!!! See NOTHING can separate us from God's love!!

So yes, I don't understand some things, but that understanding may not been meant for me right now just as my mom who shared her thoughts with me said. When we talked earlier she had wanted to share some things, but God didn't allow her. Then when I needed it today, God allowed her to share those things. So God works ALL things together for his good, and yes for our good!

So as you go through your evening/day remember Romans 8:28 and 35
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God....
Who shall separate us from the Love of Christ?....

Let the challenge make you strong....

What challenge would make you stronger?
Reading your Bible? Meditate Day and Night on God's word.
Going Soul winning? Go tell others about the Lord
Praying daily? Pray without ceasing, have a prayer list to pray for people.
Helping someone in need, being a servant? We are his workman, it's good to serve others.

I loved what a former Pastor use to say, "when you're depressed or down do something for someone, such as a shut in, or someone in the hospital" For some this would be a challenge for them because they aren't social people. Step out of your comfort zone.

A challenge for me or it could be said, stepping out of comfort zone is going to Nursing Homes. You say, why would that be a challenge for you? Well, to be honest and I'm not sure why, but I have a hard time going into a Nursing home. There have been times I've gone to a nursing home but I was completely out of my comfort zone, it was a challenge, so to speak, for me to walk in and spend an hour or so there. Now, don't miss understand I will go and I will talk to the people there but I'm very uncomfortable at a nursing home. One of the things I have to do, is remind myself many of these people never have anyone visit them. That is what gets me through the visit many times.

What is something you do that is a major challenge for you?

I challenge my children to work harder and do more than they think they can do. Our son Paul IV has a huge challenge before him over this week. He graduates on this Friday but has a lot of English to complete. This is a challenge that is set for him. We are so very proud of him!

 So may I ask: What is something in your life that is positive will make you stronger today? What challenge in your life can be used to make you stronger?

Praying before you go to do something an asking the Lord to help you will make the challenge that is before you easier to do. Maybe it's an exercise challenge, the Bible does tell us our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost and we are to keep that temple pure and clean. Maybe it's a challenge for you to stay healthy and keep your weight where it should be.
I have several 30 day challenges I'm going to do, of which I'm working on one now. Is it easy? NO but I want to be healthy for my family and for myself. So therefor I do these challenges.

So remember "I can do all things through Christ...." you go through your day saying this verse you will go far!!

 

What type of Garden are you?

As my boys were mowing the lawn earlier they came in ask their Grandpa if they could mow one area that had flowers in it. He had told them to go ahead because those particular flowers won't bloom again this year. Gardens are beautiful to look at and walk through In Genesis it talks of the Garden of Eden which all we've ever seen is what one may think it looked like. Where as we can go outside an walk through a garden or we can even sit in a beautiful garden and take in all the beauty.Then we have vegetable gardens that we plant to feed our families and friends out of.

                                                                 

                                                    

There's also tree gardens. Which I think are really neat to walk through.

 

These are different types of Gardens people can have but what kind of Garden are you?  Read in Genesis 2:8-25 and that will take you further into the Garden of Eden. God, the very first gardener, plants his garden with love. See how he kneels to create flowers that will delight his people with wonderful colors and intricate designs. Watch as he sows seeds that will grow into plants for his people's nourishment.

 

But notice - the garden was dark with sorrow, yet filled with love and purpose. It the Garden of Gethsemane. In this garden a loving God continues to provide for his people in his Son, Jesus. In this garden Jesus willingly submits to his Father's will and sets his eyes purposefully on the cross. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

 

As you read your Bible God is your gardener he leads you to grow in area's you need to grow in. Just as you plant a flower garden and use Miracle Grow, or special food for your plants, God uses special food prepared by Him to help us grow. One of my favorite passages to read when I'm down or even if all is going well is Psalms 139.

 

In Psalms 139 it tells us in verse 14 "I will praise thee: for I am fearfully and wonderfully made...."  See with God as our "gardener" he planted us, he made us in the way he wanted us. As I've heard people say, there's only one mold of me and after I was made the mold was broken. We laugh at that sometimes, but you (put your name here) are made as YOU! You have your own area's of growth that ONLY you and Lord can work on, nurture, "water" and harvest.

 

So as to my question, What type of Garden are you? Are you a garden that sows bitterness, deceit, hate, anger, and so on and so forth? OR Are you a garden that sows love, patience, kindness, tenderness, mercy, understanding etc.?

 

I want to be able to do as the Psalmist said, "Search me O God and know my thoughts," Search me O God and know my heart." Let your garden be one that you can sincerely say, "God search me, let me know if there be anything wicked, wrong, ungodly in me."

 

So as you go about today plant the garden of love, understanding, forgiveness, patience, mercy, happiness, joy, peace and so on and so forth.                              

The Right Way in Marriage

Ephesians 5:33 "Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband."

Do you reverence your husband? Do your children see that you love him and that you have a desire to do as he ask? I know it's not the easiest thing to do. We are all human and we all make mistakes, however it doesn't excuse us from honoring, submitting, showing reverence to our husbands.

I've been married almost 22 years and trust me it's not always easy to do these things. BUT what does make it easier is that we are both Christians, we both want to serve the Lord with our whole life, we both want, what God wants.

So how can you do as Ephesians 5:33 says:

1. Notice your husband. Notice when he comes home, notice when he does something for you. He will want to be there and do more if you take the time to Notice him!

2. Make sure you show consideration for him. One way of doing this is through your appearance. If he doesn't like an outfit don't wear it.

My husband I have what I guess you would call, codes for outfits.
Your wearing that again - I know to get rid of it.
That's ok - he really doesn't care for it.
That's nice - he likes the outfit.
You look GREAT - he loves the outfit and then he also has other sayings when he really likes what I'm wearing.

Your hair even take into consideration if he likes it. Before I get my hair cut I have pictures of what it will look similar to, and if he likes it I will go with that cut. You ask why do you do that? Well, He is my husband and I want him to have say in how I look.

3. Honor Him! If you are married, engaged or even dating, you should honor that man and as married people your children need to see that you Honor their dad!

I Corinthians 8:1 "Knowledge puffeth up, but charity {love} edifieth."  Learn to brag on your husband build his ego, let him hear you tell people how great a job he did at this or that. Don't down grade him.

4. Be courteous and polite. You know in today's world I see so much rudeness and I really feel for our husbands/wives and children. If you expect your children to be courteous and polite they NEED to see mom and dad being courteous and polite to each other!!

Proverbs 25:11 "A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver."

A little saying Mrs. Rice put in her book that I really like is:

Hearts, like doors, ope' with ease

To very, very little keys.

And don't forget that two of these,

Are "Thank you, sir" and "If you please."

 

5. Love Him!! Why did you marry him? Because you LOVED him! I've heard said, a woman can hate and love their husband at the same time and mean it when they say both. :) Make sure that man you are married to KNOWS you Love him! Just as you want to hear those 3 wonderful words, Your husband wants to hear them also.

 

 

You know we're not perfect and we all make mistakes but we all should keep God in the center of our marriage and in the center of our relationship. You will have the Right Marriage if you do! 

Marriage

One MAN and One WOMAN is what God defined as marriage! With our daughter getting married in exactly 1 month and 1 day she and I have talked and we are so very proud of Tabitha Jane as she has done as EVERY young lady should and kept herself for the one she's to marry, Thomas Robert!

Back in 1981 when I was just barely a teenager, my bus captain in NC gave me a book titled "The Right Romance in marriage" By Cathy Rice. At first I thought I'm only 13 why are you giving this to me, but I'll never forget what Bro Harry told me. He said, "Paula, I know right now you don't need this book, but one day you will meet the man you are to marry and I want you to have this for that time." Well, I gave the book to my mom to hold on to for me, and shortly after I graduated High School my mom gave the book back to me. You ask why after high school? Well, I was going to college and many times that is where you meet your husband/wife and this was and is a GREAT book.  This was upon my request that she hold it till then. I have read the book several times now and you know, Not once did it say the romance between 2 men or 2 women, it ALWAYS mentioned having the right romance between a MAN and WOMAN!

Proverbs 18:22 "Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord." 
When you get married yes you are happy but the word/or act of marriage isn't all that will make you happy. Why not be happy in your marriage through the Lord. Have the Lord as part of your marriage.
When you and your spouse are together, do you pray together? Do you read God's word together? Do you share things you learn from your personal devotions together? These things will make your marriage stronger.

If you are single reading this, this next part is for especially for you. I adopted several things as to what My Man should be when I was "searching" for Mr Right :) Now, Mr right didn't come along for a long time, but I knew when I saw William Paul IV walk by that he was the one. I didn't know his name let alone anything about him, but somehow I knew he was the one. Mrs Rice had 20 things she looked for in her man,  I'm just going to list some of the one's I used for myself.

My Ideal Man

 

1. He MUST be saved.

2. He MUST be truthful.

3. He Must not be idle, lazy.

4. He Must be a leader among men and in our home.

5. Have high regards for women - especially his wife.

6. He should have ambition.

7. He must not curse, drink or smoke (these are 3 combined)

8. He MUST be dependable.

9. He must have faith and trust in me.

10.  He must love me through good and bad.

 

Again these are just a few things, of course there was the He must be handsome!

 

All these things above are important but let me ask you, If your husband were to say to you one day, we are going to Africa as Missionaries would you go willing or would you complain about all you will have to leave behind?

 

Ruth 1:16 "Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God,"

 

Would you say this to your husband or would it be: Whither thou goest I'll go BUT  it has to be here, and where thou lodgest I will lodge as long as there's a queen size bed, in a two story house, 2 car garage, fenced in back yard and beautiful flowers, thy people, well they will be mine IF I like them, thy God yea he will be God too.

 

Which way would you Honestly go with? Ruth 1:16 or what I wrote below it?? See I have been in this position where, Ruth 1:16, I had to decided, that was what I would follow not what I typed afterwards. However I had to decide this BEFORE I said, "Yes" to marry my husband. See, he at the time we were dating felt the Lord was leading him to Poland!! Yes I said Poland, well shortly after we married Dr. Maurice Paulson a very dear Missions teacher, asked my husband to pray about Canada. When we finished college we were headed to Canada. BUT when I married my husband I married him knowing I would follow him to Poland, to love a people that would become his people. I to this day believe the Lord allowed him to have a burden for Poland, to see if I would have the Ruth 1:16 testimony or the "Paula" way.... Let me say, as any girl would, I had my dreams of where I would live and what I would drive, and trust me the car was a lot nicer than what we are driving, and well, the house was mine not my Dad in laws house. That is another story. Which just so there's no confusion the Lord has put us in Maine to serve. There are earlier post that tells about our ministry here in Maine. So....

 

Have I always wanted to follow? Honestly, no, but through much prayer and God being my God and my husbands God he helped me to get through those times I didn't want to go.

 

So see friend, marriage isn't just a ring on your finger, it's a whole lot more! I've barely touched on what we as wives should be or do for our MAN, but if you truly want to be the wife, God intended you to be, you will follow Ruth 1:16 "Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge; thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God,"

 

Will it always be easy? Nope!

Will you always want to go? Nope!

The next question is though, Will you? ONLY YOU can answer that!

 

In days to come I will share  more on this subject of Marriage. By no means am I an expert on this subject but I know a book, The King James Bible that has ALL the answers! I will have books I recommend for reading also on Marriage, but at the top of that list will be the Bible!!

 



Grace

God's grace is sufficient! Have you noticed how when things happen God gives us the grace needed to get through the situation?! Tonight my husband, which by the way is the GREATEST Preacher there is :) , Just a little side note there :) preached on Grace. I had been thinking about Grace through the week and how God gives us grace to get through whatever our situation. I've really needed grace as my daughter has struggled with a friend dying, finals, work, and wedding preparation. Then my oldest son who's in WV, being sick, lots of schooling, work and graduation quickly approaching. I've needed God's grace to keep things together so that when I talked with my children I could encourage them.

On Mothers Day several families that I've heard off/know had things to deal with where they needed God's grace to make it through. We just learned of a family who, on Friday were told they will never be able to have children, another family their mother had a stroke and had to spend Mothers day plus in the hospital, another family had a future father in law go into a diabetic coma on Mothers day..... don't you think that these families need God's Grace?! We should them grace? How can you and I show others grace?

Well, as I my husband preached tonight we can be understanding of their situation.
We can as friends, family and church family realize that they may not say, or do, what is "right" in our book. However we can show grace to that person by not getting upset or letting the past events affect our decisions on how we could be of help to them. God's grace is sufficient for ALL!!

II Corinthians 12: 9-10
"...My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness...."
"...for when I am weak, then am I strong."

God is our strength when we are weak, friend who can't have children, friend who's wife/mom had a stroke, friend who's father in law is in a coma, God will be your strength in weakness. He giveth Grace that is sufficient!

So although you maybe weak, although you maybe worried, maybe you are heartbroken, maybe you are needing a friend, maybe you feel no one cares.... God is there! God gives grace! God Loves you!!

I Peter 1:2 "...Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied." God gives grace and peace to get through that trial.

As a mom I want to jump in the car and run to WV and KY to be with my oldest 2 children during their hard times. BUT they are young adults and they will get through this with Gods grace. Is it easy on mom? NO! BUT God gives me the grace and peace to know they will be alright because they serve the exact same God I serve and his grace is the same for me as it is for Paul IV, Tabitha and ALL who need Gods grace!

So friend as you read this, just remember "God's grace is sufficient" He loves you and he wants to give you His grace.

Where can you go?

Matthew 28:18-20
"And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. AMEN."

Have you ever thought there's no place to go. There's no one to talk to. There's no need for me to go out they won't listen. Well guess what? You can witness or pass out a track at the grocery store, in the parking lot, leave a track for your waitress/waiter when you go out to eat. You have neighbours right? Whenever you see them you could witness. There's always someone, someplace that hasn't heard or maybe that's waiting for YOU to talk to them.

I love hearing stories of people getting saved. As a matter of fact I'd love for you some of you who read my blog to share a time you witnessed to someone.

I'm going to wait a few days then I'll share one of my soul winning experiences.

Just a reminder that we are go soul winning and we need to let others know of Christ!

 

I can't OR I can?

Good afternoon :) Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ...."

How often do you hear, "I can't"? I tell you as a parent I've heard it many times. We'll I think it was about 4 yrs ago, my husband had heard "I can't" one to many times from one of our boys. Well that evening he called a family meeting and "I can't" became a curse word in our home along with shut up, idiot, dumb, stupid and many other words that through out the years of having children it was determined in our home that would be a curse word. If you were caught saying it you were disciplined just as if you had cursed.

So any way, back to the topic, of "I can't OR I can" as I go about shopping, or visiting even reading blogs and face book. I see the words I can't! Well my question to you is why can't you? What is stopping you? Don't you have a God that's big enough to make it an I can? Today, one of my children was asked to do something and the words I can't came out..... well true to his Dad's word he was disciplined. Then the question was why can't you do this particular thing? As in most cases there wasn't a reasonable answer. The I can't quickly became I can, Dad!

Going back to a week ago, my husband/Preacher came to me and said, "honey next week May 5, I will need you to play the piano for church." My natural response in my mind was, "What?! You know I can't play well!" Then as I sat quietly, he looked at me and said I know YOU CAN do this!! Well, my piano skills aren't that great but guess who's going to be sitting at the Piano at Second Baptist Church tomorrow morning?! You guessed it, ME! I have contacted everyone I can think of to ask questions, get suggestions, and yes basically to hear from others who had been in my position You CAN do this.

So Christians, in your walk with the Lord, when something is put before you what do you say? I Can't OR I Can? Did you know You Can read your Bible, you can pray daily, You can serve the Lord in many area's. Need an idea of an area you can serve in? How about choir, Sunday School Teacher, Nursery worker, bus worker, bus driver there's so many area's of service at church that all you need to do is ask your Preacher, where you could be of service. I'm sure that he'll have many things you can do. Or like in my situation, I learned to play the piano years ago, but just haven't used it probably just as long as I what I took lessons, but when my husband became Pastor I knew I should get to where I could play. I wasn't expecting it to be like this where both our piano players would be gone on the same Sunday, but you know what I can do this, with Christ help and I've practiced and worked hard. I believe that is what the Lord would want.

So next time your asked to do something that you are talented in or have a knowledge of, don't say, "I can't but Yes I can do my best!"



Nail it to the Cross

I LOVE this song and wanted to share it with you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAwcXItEDRA

Great Changes

The things I use to do I don't do them any more,
The things I use to do I don't do them any more,
The things I use to do I don't do them any more,
There's been a great change since I've been born again,

There's been a great-change since I've been born,
There's been a great-change since I've been born,
There's been a great-change since I've been born,
There's been a great-change since I've been born again!

What is that thing you use to do, say, wear that you don't do any more? Did you stop because Mom and Dad said you couldn't or shouldn't do, say or wear that? Or have you decided in your heart that it's YOUR conviction, Your desire, Your want to that has made that GREAT Change in your life.

In Proverbs 24:21   it says,        

My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

Are you meddling in a change that you know wouldn't be good for you? I love Proverbs and this verse as I was reading the other day in my devotions jumped out at me. See we're going through some changes as a family. Our daughter is getting married, our oldest son is going to college, our third child is getting his permit, we are new in the Pastorate and so many other things. These are good changes which is different from what the verse is replying to, but what changes are coming into your life or are you allowing in your life?

As things happen and as things come about, you need to watch out, some one or something could cause you to meddle in that which would be a bad change. You want to be able to say there's been a Great Change in my life, not there's been a bad change in my life.

Are you allowing sinful thoughts by watching bad tv shows?
Are you saying things you would of never said, because of people you talk to?
Are you allowing ___________________ you put in whatever it may be. Is this making you make the Wrong change OR a GREAT Change?
 

Lord Prepare me....

Matthew 11:10          

For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Luke 7:27           

This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Mark 1:2           

As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

In all three of these verses we see the same words. "...which shall prepare thy way before thee."

I was going over choruses with Caleb, my middle child and we found the little chorus that I really, really like!

Lord Prepare Me

 

Lord prepare me, to be a sanctuary.

Pure and holy, tried and true.

With thanksgiving, I'll be a living,

Sanctuary, for you.

 

How many teens, children, adults can say this? How many will mean it and live it? We hear so much in the news of abortion, shootings, suicides, and so many things, that I often wonder.... If that teen girl had of decided to live Pure, Holy, Tried and True keeping her body and life like a sanctuary. How many news reports would we hear about her?! We wouldn't hear anything, BUT God knows you were pure, holy, tried and true, yea temptations come but that's the trial to see if you'll stay true.

 

I ask you, no matter what your age will you say and mean it in your heart, "Lord prepare Me"

 

Maybe he wants to prepare you to serve Him in Africa, China, Mexico, Canada, Maine, West Virginia, Kentucky, it doesn't matter where God puts you, if you have decided that wherever you are you'll go with Thanksgiving, you be a living Sanctuary, for Him, you'll go far in life!

 

See God has already prepared your way, you just need to follow.

 

Sharing my Heart.... Please don't Quit!

A friend of mine shared something with me that made me think about some things. So I'm going to share a little bit of my heart with you on a subject that IF I were to let it eat at my heart, I probably would not be in Maine as a Pastors wife today.

The Bible teaches that we are to forgive seventy times seven. It also teaches that we are to love one another even as Christ loved us. So if we are suppose to do these two things, which the Lord clearly states in His word; why would we let people change our attitude, standards, beliefs or anything from what is true?

I'm going back many years to share this with you. Now so you know I, we, have forgiven the person and we hold No grudges or distain against any group of people. We maybe disappointed or feel for them but please know we Love and care deeply for those who wronged us. As I said this takes us back many years we had gone to someone to seek council and advice while on deputation. We were told that we were a liability and that our family would NEVER do anything in full time ministry. We, my husband and I, were really hurt because of this. We offered to do certain things but were told NO they didn't want us to do anything, but we may want to think about quiting!

Well my husband I Never Quit! We may and have felt like it but to Quit is not in our dictionary. I remember Dr. Hyles saying to cut it out of your dictionary. To this day we have several dictionaries but you won't find Quit in there. We have raised our to children to Never Give Up to Never Quit. Do we feel like at times? Oh Yes! Well, we continued on serving the Lord, we didn't change what we believed, we didn't change our religion, we didn't change the way we were raising our children, we didn't change our standards in case it's not clear, We Did NOT Change!!

The words, the actions, being told to our family wouldn't make us stop, being told to Quit all that did was make us want to serve more and be even better for the Lord.

You may ask, Paula, why are you sharing this? Well, recently I've heard and personally know of  people who have decided, because 1 church or 1 person failed they no longer needed to go church, they no longer needed to keep the standards that they know are right, they no longer believe in God, they no longer see a need to raise their children in church and so much more. It really is sad that a place, a man would have that affect on anyone.

See because my husband an I continued on, our daughter is in Bible college about ready to graduate. She will be marring a young man who's been called to Preach. Our oldest son is heading off to Bible College this summer. Our other 3 serve in our church right along with their dad and I. Do you think they would be doing this if we had of Quit and changed all our beliefs? Probably not, but there is a chance what we had taught them would stick and they would still go on an serve the Lord. Praise the Lord we won't have to ever know what could have happened. Were we hurt, were we wounded, were we shot in the foot, were our hearts bleeding? Yes to all these questions. Did it take time to heal, did it take time to get back on our feet, did it cause us to question what God wanted? Yes, It did. Did we let it stop us, did we say well he said....... so it must be true, did we decided that the standards of the Bible were no longer our standards and convictions. NO we did not. We picked ourselves us, we joined hands, we pulled together as a family, and we went on? Yes we did, because we knew that was God's will and that we wouldn't be happy any other way. Did we end up in Canada? No but we did end up where we believe God wanted us without a doubt. We are now in Maine and trust me at first we were questioning as I have mentioned in another post on my blog, however we Know without a Doubt that God wants us here as Pastor and family serving at the Great Second Baptist Church of Palermo, ME!!!

So friend I know there's not been a lot of scripture, there's not been a lot of funny sayings, or cute pictures, but I wanted to share my heart with you. If God moves, allow him to use the situation to better you, Not to make you bitter. I forget exactly how my former Pastor Dr. Jeff Owens said it, but get better not bitter.

Our family loves the Lord and he's allowed us to go through things that personally I didn't think we'd ever make it through. But You know, God never gives us more than we can handle. If something small, medium or large has come into your life, allow the Lord to use that to make you more Christ like. I don't claim to be some spiritual giant and a know it all, but I do claim the Promises of God, and with God's help I do what he wants me to do.

If you have been hurt forgive that person seventy times seven.
Love that person as Christ loved you.
Show that person that even though you are hurt you will continue on, doing what God would wants.
Don't, what ever you do prove the person right about whatever he/she said concerning you.

God loves you and He wants you in His perfect will!! Will you destroy that will by turning your back on Him because of another human? I certainly hope not!





Do you peck at your Christian life or jump in with both feet?

Good evening! This afternoon, my husband and I were talking about different things and as we were talking, I noticed one of the chickens scratching and pecking at the ground. I was laughing at him because of the fact, the way he bob his head and pecked while kicking/scratching the ground.

I was home today with 2 of my boys because of the flu and while sitting at the table going over some things the thought, "Do you peck at your Christian walk or jump in with both feet?" came to me. It's really interesting to think about....

Think about it as a chicken walks around the farm yard he's scratching and pecking at the ground. For him, he's going at it with all his might. However, for a Christian if you just peck at being a Christian you may not grow as you should.

One may say, I'll peck at soul winning once a week. Or I'll peck at studying the Bible once a week. Do you think you'll grow doing that? You will grow some but not as God intended for us to grow spiritually.

The Bible tells us to meditate on his word day and night. We are to "eat" God's word. In order for us to grow and become more like Christ we need to study his word. In order to do as God commands we need to not peck at our ministry but jump in with both feet. If you sing in the choir put your whole heart into it. If you teach a Sunday School class give it all your worth. Those little children, teens or adults need you to give it your ALL. When you go soul winning, make sure you've not pecked at prayer and being led of the Holy Spirit but that you are filled with Holy Spirit Power. Don't be a barn yard Chicken but a Spirit filled Christian!

So I leave with you: Are you pecking at your Christian life or jumping in with both feet, to make a difference?