Sunday, October 14, 2012

Lessons from the pulpit

We have been studying Colossians and it has been eye opening to say the least! I love church and I especially love when the lesson stays with me all week long! Last weeks was a lesson like this and I have a feeling that today's sermon is going to be the same way. Here's the scripture we studied : Colossians 3:5-11 5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you:[a] sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.[b] 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self[c] with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,[d] free; but Christ is all, and in all. I'm not typically a Message Bible reader but in this case I love how it is written. Her it is as well: 5-8 And that means killing off everything connected with that way of death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That’s a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God. It’s because of this kind of thing that God is about to explode in anger. It wasn't long ago that you were doing all that stuff and not knowing any better. But you know better now, so make sure it’s all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity, dirty talk. 9-11 Don’t lie to one another. You’re done with that old life. It’s like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom-made by the Creator, with his label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete. Words like Jewish and non-Jewish, religious and irreligious, insider and outsider, uncivilized and uncouth, slave and free, mean nothing. From now on everyone is defined by Christ, everyone is included in Christ. The Pastor made a point that really stuck out to me... this list of things to put off is something that we will conquer in our life. DAILY we have to put these things off, giving them to The Lord, and praying for strength to stay away from them. Sure we can and will become stronger in the staying away from these snares but we will never be able totally overcome them til we are made perfect in Christ. Which will be in Heaven. I'm thinking that I need to write this on an index card and tape it to all the bathroom mirrors in the house to remind my family to daily put these things off and pray for strength! we sang this song today also and it really moved me! I encourage you to look it up on youtube and be blessed! You Hold Me Now by Hillsong On that day when I see All that You have for me When I see You face to face There surrounded by Your grace All my fear is swept away In the light of your embrace When Your love is all I need And forever I am free Where the streets are made of gold In Your presence healed and whole Let the songs of heaven rise to you alone No weeping, no hurt or pain No suffering You hold me now You hold me now No darkness no sick or lame No hiding You hold me now, You hold me now In this life I will stand Through my joy and my pain Knowing there's a greater day There's a hope that never fails When Your name is lifted high And forever praises rise For the glory of Your Name I'm believing for the day When the wars and violence cease All creation lives in peace Let the songs of heaven rise to you alone No weeping, no hurt or pain No suffering You hold me now You hold me now No darkness, no sick or lame No hiding You hold me now, You hold me now For eternity All my heart will give All the glory to Your name For eternity All my heart will give All the glory to Your name For eternity All my heart will give All the glory to Your name For eternity All my heart will give All the glory to Your name No weeping, no hurt or pain No suffering You hold me now You hold me now No darkness no sick or lame No hiding You hold me now, You hold me now No weeping, no hurt or pain No suffering You hold me now You hold me now No darkness no sick or lame No hiding You hold me now, You hold me now No weeping, no hurt or pain No suffering You hold me now You hold me now No darkness no sick or lame No hiding You hold me now, You hold me now Joyfully, Kathy

Friday, October 12, 2012

Whew! Ok there!

Sooo sooo much better! Fall is my absolute favorite season and I just love to decorate! My blog background now makes me happy! A couple of dear friends of mine and I met at the park yesterday to let the kiddos play and have a picnic. While the children were playing, we ladies had ourselves a Bible study! It was such a fulfilling and sweet time with these gals! We studied Proverbs 31. We went through verse by verse, picking it apart, and seeing how we are implementing these things in our lives already! Usually after reading this I walk away feel less than super about my life a wife! I bet we have all felt like that a time or two! Not this time! I left so encouraged and really to take on the world...well maybe not the world but for sure my little corner! One thing that I'm really looking forward to getting started in the following verse: She gets up while it is still night... Proverbs 31:15a! This just kicks my rear all the time! I'm a night owl and I don't love to rise early! I do love mornings, mind you! There is nothing like the freshness of a brand new day, the brand new sun light, the birds singing their praises...ahhh.... totally refreshing! I lack the self control to get up though and STAY UP! AS I was pouring over this verse and feeling quite convicted I really felt the Holy Spirit began to gently speak to my heart. This is what I heard... My husband is a police officer. Enough said but I will elaborate. He rises early to begin his day and never insist that I get up with him. I pack his lunch the night before including his breakfast. But how much better would his day go if I got up with him. Had the coffee set to bring him a hot cup of coffee, fixed him a hot breakfast, visited with him and then prayed over him before he left? Not that I don't pray for him because I do but this is about rising early and praying over him before he walks out the door. He has an important job and a not always safe job... it's the least I can do to get up with him and put a little bounce in him step! This is my new endeavor! I will succeed...prayer please! :) Joyfully, Kathy

Revamping!I

It has been a long time since I have blogged. In fact my blog still looks all summery... I'm about to fix that! I've decided to attempt as I have in the past to begin blogging AGAIN! Wish me luck! Joyfully, Kathy