Sunday, September 20, 2009

And Ashley's 4th Favorite!!

Ashley's First Favorite Song

Ashley's Second Fav!

Ashley's Favorite Song


The Secrets of Johnaton Sperry

Great movie about a 75 year old man mentoring a group of 12 year old boys....reminds us that we are never too old....for God to use.....and, we should be available to God at all times for His glory!

Monday, September 14, 2009

Don't You Quit

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit-
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
Whe he might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out -

The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It might be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.


Sunday, September 13, 2009

Sheep have no furniture/Psalm 23/Phillip Keller

I am moving again...at the end of the month...to an apartment that is closer to work, less expensive, more amenities, mountain range, quieter, newer, ...better walking paths....God is good! Moving is challenging...tiring...but, I am rested from the 3 years of being off....God knew what my future held...I could never have done this if I had not been rested.

He maketh me to lie down.....

My new pastor is truly a shepherd...he doesn't "preach" from the pulpit...he "walks" among the sheep when he is talking...up close...middle school...deaf....older and younger...I like that....He loves what he does...talking about the Lord....loves the Lord....loves people....

He is a gifted teacher....preacher...brother in Christ

He is going through the names of God...last week was Jehovah Roi... The LORD is MY shepherd...

Ps 22 is the Psalm of the Cross
Ps 24 is the Psalm of heaven (Crown)
Ps 23 is the song for us...the road between the cross and the crown

Sheep are dumb and need a lot of help..."I want to be a shepherd" the Lord said.

Sheep need fresh grass....He goes before and removes all the poisonous plants...leads them to fresh grass...Sheep need food
Sheep eat grass...can't digest unless they are standing....He maketh me to lie down
Sheep have a fear of water....He makes a stream for them to drink from
Sheep need protection...He provides the rod, the staff
Sheep need protection from flies.....He provides the ointment...smears all over face...Holy Spirit
(A little fly can lay eggs, reproduce in the nostils and drive the sheep mad)
(A little sin can become bigger...and drive the human to destruction)

The Lord is MY shepherd...I shall not be in want
He maketh me lie down in green pastures
He leads me beside quiet waters
He restores my soul
He guides me in the path of righteousness for His names sake (the condition of the flock is reflected by the care of the shepherd)
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, You annoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (NIV)

God goes before us, beside us, and behind us.....He is our Shepherd...and He loves us and cares for us....at all times....

Note: "I realize how WE are the ones that limit God...sheep have no furniture!"