Mowing

Spring has sprung! How I love to watch everything come to life once again!

As the grass is growing, we know that sooner or later it will have to be mowed. In fact, first thing in the spring when the ground has dried up, we mow our lawn very, very short. It greens up so quickly after that. Then it has to be mowed every week -- sometimes twice a week, depending on how much rain and heat we have. Even though the grass is cut, it doesn't give up and quit growing. It just keeps doing what God wants it to do -- it keeps growing! And it is beautiful. There is no way to have a velvety, even lawn without repeated mowing over the summer. And oh, how the grass needs rain in order to grow!

Psalm 72:6 - He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. (KJV)

In our lives, we get mowed often too -- some pain here, some
disappointment there, the loss of someone dear to us. Yes, it is hard. But then God sends showers of warm rain upon us as we are struggling with being mown. This is a time for us to develop sympathy, tenderness, evenness in our lives. Our lives keep growing, doing what God wants us to do.
Many times in our lives we get mown to one degree or another. Let's not dread those times. They are sure to be followed by the rain and by growth.

Nahum

Author: The author of the Book of Nahum identifies himself as Nahum (in the Hebrew “Consoler” or “Comforter”) the Elkoshite (1:1). There are many theories as to where that city was though there is no conclusive evidence. One such theory is that it refers to the city later called Capernaum (which literally means “the village of Nahum”) at the Sea of Galilee.

Date of Writing: Given the limited amount of information that we know about Nahum the best we can do is narrow the timeframe the Book of Nahum was written to between 663 and 612 B.C. Two events are mentioned that help us to determine these dates. First Nahum mentions Thebes (No Amon) in Egypt falling to the Assyrians (663 B.C.) in past tense so it had already happened. Secondly, the remainder of Nahum's prophecies came true in 612 B.C.

Nineveh once had repented and served the Lord God Jehovah. That had changed over the course of 150 years. They had turned away from God and so God was judging them. The same holds true for us today. God is patient. He gives every country time to proclaim Him as their Lord. But He is not mocked. Any time a country turns away from Him to serve it’s own motives He steps in with judgment. Almost 220 years ago the United States was formed as a Nation guided by principles found in the Bible. In the last 50 years that has changed and we are turning faster daily in the opposite direction. If we as a nation do not stand up and stop this liberal, God-denying, self-serving, live-for-the-moment attitude then we should not be surprised when God drops the hammer on us. As Christians it is our duty to stand up for Biblical principles and Scriptural truth. We are our country’s only hope.

Between A Rock And A Hard Place

Are you losing your Spiritual strength? Instead of standing on The Rock, do you feel like you are being crushed beneath a rock? Maybe you feel like you are between a rock and a hard place. Jesus is our Rock, giving us strength and helping us live boldly for Him in the midst of a world that seeks to rob us of our joy and strength.

Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress"(Psalm 71:3).
Our lives are so fragile--not just our physical bodies, but our emotional well-being, our spirit, our attitude, our thoughts. It doesn't take too much before we are weak, depressed, distressed and gloomy.

Christ came to lift us up, to restore to us a reason to live, a reason to seek after life more abundantly. If we are to stay above that which crumbles us so easily, we must stand on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Only as we run to the Rock, are we able to run back into hard situations and be stronger than what is against us. Jesus gives us this strength. Jesus is our Rock and Fortress.


No storm of life can blow us over when Jesus is our Rock and sure foundation. Rain, streams and strong winds are uncomfortable and unwelcome, but they will not defeat us.

Each of us struggle with what we make our rock, our foundation. Some Christians make their spouse their rock. Others look to a parent to be their rock or a pastor. As important and influential as people are in our lives, they are not our Rock. They merely point us to the Rock.

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock"(Matthew 7:24-25).

Who is your Rock?

Micah

Author: Micah/Micah's name means "who is like Jehovah?"

Date: Between 704 and 696 B.C./Date: According to his own words (1:1), Micah prophesied during the reigns of Jotham (740-733 B.C.), Ahaz (731-716 B.C.) and Hezekiah (716-686). Since his death happened during the administration of Hezekiah and before the transition period of Manasseh (696-642), it seems a date between the years 704 and 696 B.C. can be fixed.
Theme: The compassion of the LORD is incomparable

The Book of Micah is the centerpiece of the Minor Prophets (the Book of the Twelve). It contains within it the themes of the books that come before it and of those that follow it. It presents in capsule form the message of all twelve books. The Book of the Twelve uses it as a pivot in balancing the eighth century prophets before it and the seventh to fifth century prophets that follow it.

The book has three parts: chapters 1-2; 3-5; and 6-7. Each begins with the call to hear. All three maintain a balanced message to both northern Israel and Jerusalem of threats of judgment and of potential blessings in the future, both of which were part of GOD's plan (4:12).

Jonah

Jonah means dove. His fathers name, Amittai, means faithful. Yet when God gives Jonah a direct command to go to Nineveh and warn them of their impending doom, Jonah runs away in the opposite direction. Not a very dove like response. But then the 'dove' and 'faithful' meanings are really ascribed to God and not to the people who carry His message. It is Gods word and Gods faithfulness on which we can depend, which will bring peace into the lives of those who faithfully pursue their spiritual lives..Jonah didn't want to preach to the pagans of Assyria. So, Jonah tried to escape God's plan by fleeing on a ship. But Jonah was thrown overboard and swallowed by a great fish. Later, the fish spit him out on the shoreline. Then, finally, Jonah obeyed God's command and went to Nineveh to preach. His preaching was successful and 120,000 people in Nineveh turned to God in obedience, sparing themselves punishment from God.

Jonah did not misunderstand Gods will. He knew full well what God wanted. He just did not want to obey God. And that is typical of people who fight tooth and nail against Gods commands. We all know the rules of life. We all know the difference between right and wrong. We all know what is expected of us. We all know what our responsibilities are to ourselves, to our spouses, to our family, to our work, to other people in this world and so forth. But, it is easier to ignore them. Often times we just do not agree with what God has designed for our life and our relationship with others.

In many cases God has placed us in situations that we just do not like. So we rebel. Why did God put me here? Why did God allow this to happen to me. Why does God expect me to subordinate to someone else when I know that I am better.
So we have Jonah rebelling because he does not like Gods command. 'The gentiles do not deserve a warning. Just destroy them now and be done with them. After all, they are such a backward people they might even kill me (Jonah) if I go there.'

John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commands.

15 If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands.It is a simple verse but it packs a lot of meaning. Do we love Jesus enough to keep His commandments? Jesus gave us the commandments of love. Now Jesus did not say this because He is trying to stop our fun. Jesus said this because He loves us and wants us to have an abundant life. During His last hours Jesus was addressing the most important issues for believers.Look around you. Look at the people who choose not to keep His commandments. Do they have life and have it abundantly? Most of them are miserable. They work hard at having fun because "fun" is a diversion from how they truly feel. They are trying to escape life because they don't like their life. Now most of them wont tell you up front, but deep down inside they are unhappy. The people that I know that truly love life are the ones that serve God with all of their heart, mind, and strength. Don't hold back. Don't shrink from God. Don't hide. Chase after God with all of your heart, mind, and strength. You will gain your life when you lose it in God. You will be living a life that you love. You will have heaven on earth.

Grandma's Hand's

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a clear strong voice. "I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her. "Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hands?" I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making. Grandma smiled and related this story: "Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled, shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. "They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war. "They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special. They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse. "They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. "They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer. "These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ." I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

Don't Be Afraid

JOSHUA 1:9 NKJ9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Over and over the Bible tells us to not be afraid.When you stop and think about it -- it's ridiculous to be afraid when God is with you -- and for you.As humans, we tend to forget. Maybe that's why God said so many times to "Fear not!"Here are just a couple examples.
LUKE 12:7 NIV7 Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don'tbe afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
ISAIAH 41:13 NIV13 For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.

What If I Stumble What If I Fall

I know that anyone reading this has had one of those days. I know, you know what I am talking about. One of those days that starts off wrong the second you open your eyes in the morning and trip out of bed, can't seem to get the toothpaste on your toothbrush, what you wanted to wear is in the dirty laundry, The car don't start. Or you lock your key's in the house. And the list goes on.

You have had one or multiple days similar to this. I know I definitely have. Indeed life is hard sometimes. Bumps in the road occur, and when they do it's hard to be joyful and happy. Sometimes God throws us curve balls to see how we will react to them. Whether our trials be little or large, how we come to them is up to us. Our faith would be pretty sad if we never had to deal with trials. If everything was fine and dandy ALL the time, our faith would grow stagnant and stale. Our faith only grows when we put it into action. It is so easy to be joyful and all smiles when life is well..peachy...but when life gets rough we need to step up our faith and show that whether times or good or bad, we can keep the joy of the Lord in our hearts and on our faces.

It is also good to remember that the world is constantly looking us. Waiting for us to fall or say the wrong thing or react a certain way. And when people see that we are going through a trial in our lives, they will watch and see how we will react to it. Even though life is hard at times, God is there to bring us out of it. 1 Corinthians says"And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." God will never give you more than you can handle, so just remember that when your having one of "those days"

Tempted And Tried

What did you go along with this week, that was wrong? A lie? Gossip? Did you sit around and talk badly about a friend in Christ? Were you dragged into some evil activity that isn't really who you are?

Every day our hearts of purity are tugged by the ways of the wicked whether through direct assault or a subtle influence such as through advertisement.

Who are the wicked? Wicked people often are wolves in sheep's clothing. Thus, it is only through Godly wisdom that we are able to see through their deceptive ways(see Matthew 7:15).

How many stories have we heard of innocent people being drawn into the ways of wicked people. At first, it always seems so innocent. Just one, then two and then many and before long, captivity.

Even our conversations, which come from a heart of concern, can become gossip, an instrument of the devil meant to destroy and discourage.

Ask yourself this question: "Are there people in my life who are leading me into wicked ways?"

Are there people at work who are having a bad influence over you with their profanity and course joking? Do you have a friend that has confused your thinking and caused you to become negative, suspicious and prideful? Then, you need to pray for Godly wisdom.

Are you allowing the media to bring wickedness into your thought life? T.V., Internet, movies, video and books must be screened with Godly wisdom so that what you're putting in your mind is not satan's way of leading you astray.

As we trust in Christ and rely upon His wisdom to govern our steps, we are sure to walk the straight and narrow.

For we walk by faith,not by sight......2 Corinthians 5:7

Remember when you were a kid and you played "Pin the tail on the Donkey" or "Marco Polo?" You had to trust in others to help you not crash into things since you couldn't see where you were going. Sometimes they didn't guide you correctly and you'd smash into something and hurt yourself. When you're blindfolded, you rely on your other senses, like hearing, but you can't get around as well as you can when you can see clearly. Being a Christian is a little different. Sometimes we count on what we see as being the truth. We get wrapped up in our circumstances and sometimes become overwhelmed. But Jesus tells us that we are to walk by faith and not by sight. We have to believe that His word is true and trustworthy. When feelings of unworthiness or self doubt come creeping in because of things going on around you, remember don't walk by sight! Hold on to what you know is true.

It isn't always easy to walk by faith; as you walk in faith and refuse to give up -- you bring glory and pleasure to God. Imagine how it thrills God when someone,like you, continues to trust in Him and thank Him -- even when it does not look like it is working out very good. Read the Bible. You are not the first to be tested, or have to wait for the promise to be manifested. But God is always faithful. He will never fail you.Our faith cannot be in ourselves or our ability -- because that can fail. Only God cannot fail, so we must keep our faith in Him and His ability to sustain us and help us.But if you've hidden God's word in your heart, when you're feeling depressed or stressed out, you can call up those verses that help you remember to walk by faith.

Trust 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."Proverbs 3:5-6

Something To Think About

Christ Arose" by Robert Lowry. I love the lyrics:

Up from the grave He arose,With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;He arose a victor from the dark domain,And He lives forever with His saints to reign;He arose! He arose!Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Let's remember to delight in Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God, every day -- not just at Easter time.

From Our Family To Your's

Happy Easter

May The Lord Bless You And Keep You. Enjoy your Easter with your family.

Stand In Awe

Sometimes we need to slow down in our lives and take some time to just be with God, alone. We need to stand in awe of God, and we need to each have a personal reason for why we are thankful to Him. God doesn’t want our sacrifices if He really doesn’t mean that much to us in the end. In our lives, we should overall choose to live in awe of God and be motivated to love Him deeply above everything else. Above all else, God wants our hearts, and all of our hearts at that! So open your eyes to the world around you. Wake up and smell the coffee. What has God done in your life that is worthy of praise? Believe me, if you think and pray about it enough, you will definitely in time be able to give many reasons for why you are thankful to God.

I Stand In Awe

You are beautiful beyond description Too marvelous for words.Too wonderful for comprehension Like nothing ever seen or heard.Who can grasp Your infinite wisdom?Who can fathom the depth of Your love?You are beautiful beyond description Majesty enthroned above.
Chorus: And I stand, I stand in awe of You I stand, I stand in awe of You Holy God to whom all praise is due I stand in awe of You.

We should only do those things if we are doing them out of our awe and praise for God. God smiles at sacrifices that come out of truly thankful hearts, but it really does not please Him when we do things for Him only out of a heart that feels like it must do things for Him to be accepted into His embrace. That is not a good reason to serve God. So, in the next week, ask yourself this: Why do you serve God? What are truly thankful for that God has done/given you in your life? Could you honestly say that you serve God out of a heart of love for and awe of Him?

"Average Christian"

Why not have a talk with God today and say, "God I know what I want to do with my life but God what do you want me to do with my life?" He might lead you to understand that for you to live in the power of Jesus, you too have to lay down your life as Christ gave Himself.

"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends"(John 15:13).

Average Christians want all the things of this world and a little bit of God. Average Christians like taking church in, but they don't give Church out. Average Christians don't ever consider sharing their faith with other people. Average Christians don't spend their day walking in step with the Spirit, but rather Average Christians walk in step with what they want.Average Christians are powerless and passionless for the things of Christ simply because they are living only for the things of the flesh.

For us to experience the power of Christ in our lives, we must continue to die to ourselves, and come to life for the things of God!